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7 March 2019
Carthage Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Michael Ringer, 49, of Carthage, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on August 17, 2018, the Wilton Police Department responded to the scene of a 911 call regarding a threatening with a firearm and shots fired report. Officers learned that Ringer, a convicted felon, was intoxicated and had gotten into an argument at a social gathering. Several individuals at the gathering had seen the defendant with a handgun. By the time officers arrived, the defendant had left. The following day, officers found the defendant at his home. A subsequent search of the defendant’s residence resulted in the seizure of a pistol belonging to the defendant.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Wilton Police Department.
Bronx Gang Member Convicted of Racketeering and Related Offenses, Including 2014 Shooting of Three IndividualsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHRISTOPHER HOWARD, a/k/a “Juju,” a member of a violent, Bronx-based street gang known as “Money, Bitches, Guns” (“MBG”), was convicted yesterday of racketeering conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense. HOWARD was convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Christopher Howard was a member of a violent street gang that operated in and around NYCHA’s Mill Brook Houses. In August 2014, he shot into a crowd of people in the Mill Brook Houses, injuring three individuals. Now he stands convicted for his crimes. We thank the New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their tireless efforts to secure this important conviction.”
As reflected in the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and evidence introduced at trial:
From 2007 through October 2017, HOWARD was a member of MBG, a local street gang based in the Mill Brook Houses in the Bronx that was responsible for narcotics trafficking and several acts of violence. As part of his membership in MBG, Howard boasted about his gang membership on social media and shot at a rival gang member. Specifically, in the early morning hours of August 17, 2014, HOWARD, aiming for a rival gang member who had previously broken HOWARD’s jaw, shot into a crowd of people gathering in a small courtyard in the Mill Brook Houses. Three people were injured as a result of the shooting, including HOWARD’s intended target.
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HOWARD, 26, of the Staten Island, New York, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra Rothman, Christopher Clore, and Jordan Estes are in charge of the prosecution.
Bluefield Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two brothers from Bluefield were sentenced today to federal prison for their roles in federal drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tyquon Freeman, 21, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison. Tykeem Freeman, 25, also from Bluefield, was sentenced to federal prison for 70 months. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“These brothers, just 21 and 25 years old, were both already convicted felons and on parole when caught up in criminal activity again last year,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The Freemans are the type of defendants we are prosecuting under our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative in an effort to remove the most chronic violent offenders from our communities.”
Tyquon Freeman previously entered a guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tyquon Freeman previously admitted that on two separate dates in April, 2018, he sold marijuana to a confidential informant working with the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. On April 19, 2018, agents with the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and ATF executed a search warrant at Freeman’s house in Bluefield, West Virginia, where the prior drug transactions had occurred. When the agents entered the residence, they found approximately ten pounds of marijuana, some of which Freeman admitted he intended to distribute in exchange for money. Officers also found three firearms. Tyquon Freeman also admitted that he acquired one of the firearms to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, even though he knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearms because he was a convicted felon. Freeman further admitted that at the time he committed this offense, he was still on parole out of the state of Virginia. Freeman was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2017 drug-related felony conviction in Tazewell County, Virginia.
Tykeem Freeman previously entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. During the plea hearing, Tykeem Freeman admitted that on April 19, 2018, agents with the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and ATF executed a search warrant at the house he was living in with his brother. When the agents entered the residence, Freeman was in possession of a Ruger, LCP .380 semi-automatic pistol. He also admitted that he attempted to hide the pistol from law enforcement officers because he knew he was not supposed to possess any firearms because he was a convicted felon. He further admitted that at the time he committed this offense, he also was on parole out of the state of Virginia. Tykeem Freeman was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted of a drug-related felony in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 2016.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The United States Attorney General reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Beloit Man Sentenced to 6 Months for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Gregory Whitt, 63, Beloit, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to six months in prison for Social Security fraud. Whitt pleaded guilty to this charge on October 17, 2018.
Whitt began receiving Social Security benefits in June of 2011 after claiming an inability to work due to physical and mental health issues. However, the investigation revealed that the defendant, while collecting Social Security payments, worked full-time as a dump truck driver in Beloit until 2017. During this time, Whitt insisted that his employers pay him in cash so he could continue to receive Social Security payments. As a result of his fraudulent conduct, Whitt received $118,602 in Social Security benefits to which he was not entitled.
In imposing the six-month prison sentence, Judge Peterson noted that Whitt’s fraud lasted over six years and involved a significant amount of money. Judge Peterson stated that Whitt knowingly cheated the system and was disappointed that Whitt made false statements to investigating agents when initially confronted with his crime.
The charges against Whitt are the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner.
Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Member Arrested for Retaliating Against an InformantRead the Press Release
This morning, federal authorities arrested Albert DeLeon for his alleged role in threatening to harm a government informant, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy, Houston Division; and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
A federal grand jury indictment, unsealed today, charges San Antonio resident Albert DeLeon, 45, with one count of retaliating against an informant.
According to the indictment, on or about February 22, 2019, DeLeon, a member of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (OMO), approached an individual and threatened to harm the individual in retaliation for the individual providing information and evidence relating to the criminal activities of the Bandidos, including information provided in the case of United States v. John Portillo, Jeffrey Pike, et. al.
“The arrest of Albert Deleon sends a strong and unified message that the mere intimidation and threating of a Government witness will not be endured and those who commit these offenses will rightfully be brought to justice,” stated Will R. Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge, DEA.
“Unlawful coercion, intimidation or threats against an individual, who cooperates with or testifies on behalf of the Government, will not be tolerated,” stated Christopher Combs, Special Agent in Charge, FBI.
DeLeon appeared this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney and remains in federal custody. Upon conviction, DeLeon faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
On May 17, 2018, after a nearly three-month trial, jurors convicted Pike, the National President of the Bandidos, and Portillo, the National Vice President, of wide-ranging criminal activity, including conspiring to to conduct the affairs of a criminal organization through racketeering acts including directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting members of the Bandidos to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking.
Evidence during trial revealed that in 2006, Pike and Portillo ordered other Bandidos members to murder Anthony Benesh. At the time, Benesh was attempting to start a Texas Chapter of the Hell’s Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organization in Austin. Members of the Bandidos warned Benesh to cease his activities and recruitment, which Benesh ignored. Several Bandido members then murdered Benesh on March 18, 2006, outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandido enterprise.
Jurors also found that Portillo and others killed Robert Lara in January 2002 in Atascosa County as payback for killing Bandido member Javier Negrete. Negrete, a member of the same Bandido chapter as Portillo, was killed outside a San Antonio bar in October 2001.
Jurors also found that Pike, Portillo and others conspired to murder and assault members and associates of the Cossacks Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (Cossacks). Testimony revealed that Portillo, with Pike’s approval, declared that the Bandidos were “at war” with the Cossacks. A number of violent acts were committed by the Bandidos around Texas in furtherance of this “war,” including in Fort Worth, Gordon, Odessa, Port Aransas, Crystal City and elsewhere.
Testimony also revealed that Portillo and other members of the Bandidos were engaged in trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine and maintained an agreement with the Texas Mexican Mafia wherein Bandido members were not required to pay the 10-percent “dime” to the Texas Mexican Mafia in exchange for permission to traffic narcotics.
In September 2018, Portillo and Pike were each sentenced to life in federal prison.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA and FBI together with the New Braunfels Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Terrell Hills Police Department, and Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Committing a Carjacking at GunpointRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Jonathan Thompson, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to carjacking and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Acting Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Criminals who are not deterred from carrying guns by the threat of prison time can be deterred by the reality of years spent in a federal prison with no parole - ever,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Police and prosecutors are working to identify and prosecute armed criminals to make our communities safer.”
According to his guilty plea, the victim was sitting in her vehicle at the intersection of Ednor and Lakeside Avenues in Baltimore. Thompson approached the vehicle and ordered the victim out of the vehicle at gunpoint. Thompson then got into the driver’s side of the vehicle and co-defendant Dominique Chase got into the passenger side of the vehicle and Thompson drove away. Several minutes later Thompson and Chase switched seats, and Chase continued driving away from the location.
The victim called 911, then spoke with Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers. BPD officers located the vehicle later that day. Chase surrendered to police, but Thompson ran away and hid a loaded firearm as he ran. Several minutes later, officers located Thompson hiding behind a garbage can and arrested him. The officers also recovered the firearm that Thompson had hidden.
Thompson and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Thompson will be sentenced to 16 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Dominique Chase, age 25, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking. Chase faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison. Both defendants remain detained.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Anatoly Smolkin, who are prosecuting the case.
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Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempting to Steal Greene County Company Client InformationRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Christopher Paul Murphy, 68, of Golden Valley, Ariz., was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 12 months and one day in prison for intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Todd Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence handed down yesterday evening by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
According to the statement of facts in this case, Murphy, who pleaded guilty in November 2017, intentionally attempted to access a protected computer system in October 2017 without authorization in an effort to gain information for his own private commercial gain.
Murphy planned to obtain client information of customers of National BiWeekly Mortgage Administration, Inc. (NBA) in Xenia. Murphy wanted to use the information to solicit customers to his own similar business.
The defendant attempted to obtain the information by causing an email containing malware to be sent to an NBA employee. He also provided a thumb drive to an NBA employee and directed that, in the event the malware failed, the employee should download the company’s client lists onto the thumb drive.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi, who is representing the United States in this case.
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Alien Indicted on Illegal Reentry ChargeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging VICTOR NAHUM PEREZ-COLINDRES, age 40, of Honduras, with illegal reentry of a deported alien.
If convicted of illegal reentry of an aggravated felon (possession of a firearm and ammunition), PEREZ-COLINDRES, previously deported and found in Nash County, would face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Alabama Man Indicted for Allegedly Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Birmingham, Alabama returned an indictment on Feb. 27 charging an Alabama man, who was arrested earlier today, with production, distribution and receipt of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama.
Benjamin Eugene Walter, 38, of Decatur, Alabama, was charged by indictment with five counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. Walter was arrested on March 7 pursuant to an arrest warrant issued in conjunction with the indictment.
The indictment alleges that, between Nov. 2013 and July 2014, Walter used and attempted to use five minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct. The indictment further alleges that Walter distributed child pornography in December 2015 and received child pornography between November 2013 and December 2015.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White of the Northern District of Alabama are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Alabama Man Indicted for Allegedly Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Feb. 27 charging an Alabama man, who was arrested earlier today, with production, distribution and receipt of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
Benjamin Eugene Walter, 38, of Decatur, Alabama, was charged by indictment with five counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. Walter was arrested on March 7 pursuant to an arrest warrant issued in conjunction with the indictment.
The indictment alleges that, between Nov. 2013 and July 2014, Walter used and attempted to use five minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct. The indictment further alleges that Walter distributed child pornography in December 2015 and received child pornography between November 2013 and December 2015.
This investigation is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The FBI is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White are prosecuting the case.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Adrian Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Adrian, Mo., man who led law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit after shooting at another person has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm.
Christopher Good, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, to nine years in federal prison without parole.
On Sept. 19, 2018, Good pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Good admitted that he was in possession of a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 27, 2018. Good acquired the firearm by taking it from a friend without the friend’s permission. Good engaged in a domestic dispute the same day, which ended with him driving away from a residence with a relative following him in another vehicle. Good fired gunshots at the relative, striking the vehicle the relative was driving.
Law enforcement officers tried to stop Good, but he led them on a vehicle pursuit that exceeded speeds of 90 miles per hour. Good twice avoided tire-deflation devices that the officers had positioned on the route. When officers stopped Good’s vehicle by using a special swerving maneuver, he resisted arrest by struggling with the officers. Officers subdued him by using a Taser.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Good has two prior felony convictions for assault.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raskin. It was investigated by the Bates County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.A Monongalia County man sentenced for firearms conspiracy chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Anderson, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 27 months incarceration for his role in a firearms conspiracy yesterday, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Anderson, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Violate Federal Firearms Laws” in August 2018. Anderson admitted to working with others to make false statements to purchase firearms from May to June 2017 in Morgantown.
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 prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
7 Defendants Charged in White Plains Federal Court with Participating in A Jamaican Lottery Scheme ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced charges today against seven individuals in fraud and money laundering conspiracies dating from July 2017 through September 2018. LINKOY BENNETT, RENNEIL WILLIAMS, DWAYNE BORELAND, TIFFANY RANDOLPH, and OSHANE ROYE, and their associates allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud elderly victims by telling them they won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, but needed to prepay their taxes to obtain their winnings. BENNETT, WILLIAMS, BORELAND, and RANDOLPH, as well as FABIAN ROBINSON, and HARRIANN MITCHELL, were also charged in a money laundering conspiracy related to the fraudulent scheme. Seven defendants were arrested in the Southern District of New York and will be presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “These seven defendants allegedly engaged in the scheme to contact elderly victims under the guise of winning a sweepstakes, imploring them to prepay taxes on their ‘winnings’ before they could collect. In reality, this was a coldhearted scheme to bilk over $1 million from over 30 victims. Linkoy Bennet and his co-defendants played the lottery with the law and their luck has run out, as they now face up to 20 years in federal prison.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Unfortunately, many elderly citizens find themselves in less than desirable financial situations, creating within them a constant worry about money. This is one of the many reasons they’re targeted by criminals as attractive victims. Crimes like the one our defendants are charged with today not only provide false hope for their prey, but have the potential to inflict severe emotional wounds. An important step in avoiding being victimized is educating the public about the many scams targeting the elderly. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, or know a senior who may be, regardless of financial loss, immediately report the incident to your local FBI field office or law enforcement agency.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today:[1]
From at least in or about July 2017 through in or about September 2018, LINKOY BENNETT, RENNEIL WILLIAMS, DWAYNE BORELAND, TIFFANY RANDOLPH, OSHANE ROYE, FABIAN ROBINSON, and HARRIANN MITCHELL, collected the proceeds of a fraudulent scheme. During the scheme, unnamed co-conspirators called elderly victims throughout the United States, and falsely told the victims they won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, but needed to prepay taxes and fees to receive their winnings. The victims sent cash, postal money orders, wire transfers, personal and cashier’s checks to the defendants at various addresses in the Southern District of New York. The defendants collected the proceeds of the scheme, and remitted them to an unnamed co-conspirator.
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BENNETT, 22, of the Bronx, New York, WILLIAMS, 32, of the Bronx, New York, BORELAND, 37, of the Bronx, New York, RANDOLPH, 30, of White Plains, New York, and ROYE, 23, of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. BENNETT, WILLIAMS, BORELAND, and RANDOLPH, as well as FABIAN ROBINSON, 33, of the Bronx, New York, and HARRIANN MITCHELL, 38, of the Bronx, New York, are charged with a conspiracy launder the proceeds of the scheme. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Keenan is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
32-Year-Old Memphis Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing a Lethal Dose of FentanylRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing a lethal dose of fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on October 10, 2016 the body of Zachary Rutherford, 21, was discovered outside the Valero gas station located on Shelby Drive. The cause of death was a fentanyl overdose. The source of this lethal dose of fentanyl was Cortez Armstrong, 32. On June 29, 2017, Armstrong was indicted and charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. He pleaded guilty on September 21, 2018.
What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substance Act which is fifty times more potent than heroin and one hundred times more so than morphine. Fentanyl has undoubtedly contributed to the sharp increase in opioid deaths both nationally and locally. Because of the rise in deaths associated with the introduction of this narcotic into the drug market, the Department of Justice and this District have taken an aggressive approach in identifying distributors, especially those whose distribution results in death.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Our nation, state, and district are suffering from the opioid epidemic, causing increases in drug trafficking, violence, addiction, and overdose deaths that are tearing families and communities apart. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has developed a district-specific strategy to prioritize and aggressively prosecute cases involving fentanyl distribution causing overdose deaths, and this case demonstrates the significant penalty that we will use to hold dealers accountable and deter others from selling poison to our citizens. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and we hope this sentence will achieve some measure of justice for the Rutherford family."
On March 6, 2019, United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Armstrong to the mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Kimbril-Parks and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Griffith.
6 March 2019
Whiteriver Man Sentenced to Prison for Abusing InfantRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Michael Joe, 33, of Whiteriver, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Joe had previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Joe acted as the primary caretaker for a nine-month-old, developmentally disabled baby. He admitted to injuring the baby by squeezing the baby’s torso until he heard the baby groan and then stop breathing. The baby suffered broken ribs as a result. Judge Campbell increased Joe’s sentence due to other documented injuries to the baby, and because it was necessary to fairly represent the seriousness of this crime, which he described as a “case of severe child abuse.” The incident occurred on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, and Joe is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Christine D. Keller and Anthony W. Church, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8016-PCT-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-026_Joe
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Webster Man Sentenced for Government TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for stealing more than $230,000 in government benefits.
David Brunell, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to three years of supervised release, with the first 60 days to be spent in a residential re-entry center, followed by three months of home confinement, and ordered to pay $234,177 in restitution. Brunell pleaded guilty in September 2018 to one count of theft of government money.
Between June 2000 and June 2017, the Social Security Administration deposited approximately $234,000 in retirement benefits intended for Brunell’s father into a bank account controlled by Brunell after Brunell’s father had died. Brunell used the funds for various personal expenditures, such as mortgage payments.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney's Office & FBI to Announce Initiative Targeting Elder Financial FraudRead the Press Release
****** MEDIA ADVISORY *******
CHARLOTTE, NC. – March 3-9 is National Consumer Protection Week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will host a press conference on Thursday, March 7, 2019, to announce an initiative focusing on elder financial fraud. With financial scams targeting the elderly on the rise in North Carolina, federal prosecutors and law enforcement are increasing their efforts to combat financial schemes that victimize older Americans, by expanding their response to criminal and civil violations and raising public awareness.
WHO: Andrew Murray, United States Attorney
Western District of North Carolina
John Strong, Special Agent in Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Lara Cole, Associate State Director, Charlotte Region
AARP – North Carolina
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 11:15 A.M.
WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office
227 West Trade Street, Ste. 1650
Charlotte, NC 28202
OPEN PRESS - Camera preset: 11:00 a.m.
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Two former Department of Defense employees sentenced for embezzlement chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Sergeant First Class Shane Morgan with the West Virginia Army National Guard and Master Sergeant (retired) Russell Morgan were sentenced today for charges related to the embezzlement and unlawful sale of government property, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Shane Morgan, age 35, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Russell Morgan, age 61, of Helvetia, West Virginia, were each sentenced to four years probation. Each pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Embezzle Government Property” in September 2018. The two men admitted to stealing at least 80 items of United States government property worth an estimated total of more than $80,000. The men obtained access to this property through their official positions at the United States Property and Fiscal Office warehouse in Buckhannon. The crimes took place from August 2010 to October 2017 in Upshur County.
Shane and Russell Morgan were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,614.45.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Army National Guard and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Two Luzerne County Men Plead Guilty to Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 28, 2019, Gerald Pambianco, age 29, of Plains Township, Pennsylvania, and Derek Spaide, age 26, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to armed robbery of the Luzerne National Bank in Plains Township.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Pambianco and Spaide admitted to the armed bank robbery and brandishing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence of the Luzerne National Bank in Plains Township on May 16, 2018. Pambianco and Spaide traveled to the Luzerne National Bank, where Spaide placed a t-shirt over his face, entered the bank, pointed a rifle at a bank employee and demanded money. Approximately $8,204 was taken in the robbery. Spaide then entered a vehicle driven by Pambianco, who drove away from the bank and engaged in a high-speed vehicle chase with police.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Plains Township Police Department, and the Hanover Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017, as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for the armed bank robbery charge under federal law is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, consecutive to any other sentence. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Eagle Butte Men Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that two Eagle Butte, South Dakota, men convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Aiding and Abetting, have been sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Andrew Good Eagle, age 19, was sentenced on February 22, 2019, to 27 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Christian Marshall, age 27, was sentenced on March 4, 2019, to 63 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Good Eagle and Marshall were indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2019. Marshall plead guilty on November 30, 2018, and Good Eagle plead guilty on December 7, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on August 6, 2018, when Marshall and Good Eagle assaulted the victim – who was inside a tent - by punching him, kicking with him shod feet, and striking him with a piece of metal rebar multiple times. The victim sustained three lacerations on his head, which were nine inches in length. The lacerations required a total 57 staples/sutures to close. The victim also sustained a fractured kneecap and a broken finger.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Marshall and Good Eagle were both immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Two Drug Defendants Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va.—United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two defendants were sentenced on drug charges in federal court in Beckley. Jacqueline Pauley, 29, of Sophia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine, and Darla Reed, 40, of Alderson, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“A little advice to meth dealers - get out of my district or I’ll do my best to lock you up as long as possible,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “In partnership with drug and violent crime task forces through the district and my law enforcement partners, we are prosecuting meth dealers at a record clip. Convicted meth dealers get the amenities of a small cell, no turn down service, and no chocolate on the pillow.”
Jacqueline Pauley pled guilty in November, admitting that on June 13, 2018, she assisted her husband, Adam Pauley, in the distribution of about an ounce of methamphetamine to Reed at Sam Black Church in Greenbrier County. Reed also pled guilty in November, and admitted that she intended to distribute some of the methamphetamine which she obtained from Jacqueline Pauley. Adam Pauley pled guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He is to be sentenced on May 16.
This case was investigated by the Greenbrier County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the West Virginia State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John File. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.
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Thomas Lawton Evans Jr. Sentenced to Three Consecutive Life Terms in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Thomas Lawton Evans, Jr., 38, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in federal prison after pleading guilty to Kidnapping Involving a Person Under the Age of 18, Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Person under the age of Twelve. United States District Court Judge David Norton of Charleston imposed the sentence.
Facts presented to the court established that Evans followed a family into their Johns Island, South Carolina, home on February 13, 2018, then brutally assaulted and injured an adult resident. As she was assaulted, the resident told her four-year-old daughter to run, and the four-year-old hid in an upstairs bedroom, where she attempted to also hide her two-year-old brother. Evans went upstairs and kidnapped the four-year-old, placing her in the trunk of his car. He then drove with the girl through South Carolina and Georgia and into Alabama, where he was located by the Riverside Police Department. Riverside Police Department Chief Rick Oliver was able to separate the young girl from Evans before Evans sped away in a car. Evans was arrested later the same day in Jackson, Mississippi, after a police pursuit.
“Thomas Evans’ attack on this family was a random, evil act,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “But it would be the last random act in the story. For there would be nothing random about the excellent work of the FBI and Charleston Police Department that followed; nothing random about the police chief in Riverside, Alabama, who was determined to help; nothing random about a justice system that affords a defendant due process; and nothing random about prosecutors who hold individuals accountable for their violence. Everyone came together with a sense of purpose to make sure this story ended well. Our office will forever be amazed by this family’s strength and resilience.”
The convictions are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Syracuse Felon Sentenced for Possessing a Loaded Handgun; Pointed Gun at Police OfficerRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nahshon Nance, age 21, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 46 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, in connection with his plea of guilty to possessing a .45 caliber revolver as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner.
On May 21, 2018 at 11:33 pm, Syracuse Police responded to an Onondaga County 911 dispatch for a physical domestic dispute involving a firearm at an apartment complex located at 111 Smith Lane, Syracuse. Upon arrival, Police Officer Thomas Miller interviewed the female victim who advised her boyfriend, Nahshon Nance, had threatened her with a pistol, punched her in the face, and stolen her cell phone, before departing her apartment. Syracuse Police began searching the area for Nance. A short time later, the victim saw Nahshon Nance in a nearby part of the apartment complex and pointed him out to police. Officer Miller began a foot pursuit of Nahshon Nance inside this building. As Officer Miller looked around the corner in a hallway, he saw Nance pointing a large framed, silver colored Smith and Wesson .45 caliber revolver at him. Officer Miller yelled for the defendant to drop the firearm. Nance turned and fled down the hallway with Officer Miller in pursuit, at which time the defendant ran into a partially open door, causing him to fall to the ground and drop the loaded pistol. Nance regained his feet and fled down the hallway, leaving the pistol on the floor where Officer Miller secured it. Moments later, other Syracuse Police Officers arrested Nance as he attempted to flee.
At the time of his arrest, Nahshon Nance was under parole supervision for a previous New York State drug felony conviction.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in cooperation with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.
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.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Carjacking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Michael Corey Williams, Jr., 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 123 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2016, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department ("SLMPD") responded to the Stadium West Garage located at 800 Clark Avenue for a robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victims A.W. and K.N. The victims advised that after entering A.W.'s vehicle, two white males exited a Ford F-150 that was parked to the right of A.W.'s 2010 Audi S5. Co-defendant Christopher White ("White") approached the driver's side and pointed a small revolver at A.W., demanded his keys, and ordered him out of the vehicle and onto the ground. Michael Corey Williams, Jr. approached K.N. on the passenger side, demanded her purse, and ordered her to the ground. After White was unable to operate the vehicle, Williams re-entered the Ford F-150 and fled the scene. White fled on foot. Officers were able to track K.N. 's phone to the intersection of South 7th Street and Cerre Street in downtown St. Louis where they located the Ford F-150 unoccupied. The Ford F-150, in which officers located various stolen items, bore stolen North Carolina plates on top of the original Arkansas license plates. Officers then determined the Ford F-150 had been stolen out of West Memphis, Arkansas, on June 20, 2016. Williams’ fingerprints were located on the driver's door of the Ford F-150. Williams’ and White's DNA were located on various items found inside the Ford F-150. During the attempted carjacking of the Audi, Williams admitted that he intended to cause death or serious bodily injury, if necessary, to steal the Audi. Williams further admitted that he aided and abetted co-defendant White's possession of a firearm in furtherance of the attempted carjacking.
Co-defendant Christopher White is scheduled for sentencing on May 15, 2019.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Six Nursing Home Employees Indicted for Controlled Substance OffensesRead the Press Release
Defendants are accused of diverting drugs from nursing home residents
DES MOINES, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that six nursing home employees have been indicted for controlled substance offenses committed in the course of their employment at nursing home facilities.
• Arminda Cruickshank, age 36, of Osceola, was charged with three counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge and three counts of false statements related to health care matters. The indictment alleges Cruickshank fraudulently obtained Oxycodone pills from residents at Calvin Community and Valley View Village nursing homes in Des Moines and diverted them for her own use. Cruickshank has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• Katie Christine Howard, age 31, of Des Moines, was charged with two counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge and two counts of false statements related to health care matters. The indictment alleges Howard fraudulently obtained Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills from residents at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines and diverted them for her own use. Howard pleaded guilty to two offenses on February 11, 2019, and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18, 2019, by United States Senior District Court Judge James E. Gritzner.
• Samantha Anne Mills, age 29, of Des Moines, was charged with three counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge. The indictment alleges Mills removed Fentanyl patches from nursing home residents and diverted the medication for her own use. Mills pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• Alicia Danielle Swenson, age 32, of Des Moines, was charged with three counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge and three counts of false statements related to health care matters. The indictment alleges Swenson fraudulently obtained Hydrocodone pills from residents at Carlisle Center for Wellness and Rehabilitation and diverted them for her own use. Swenson pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• Barbara Jean Tindall, age 47, formerly of Keosauqua, was charged with two counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge and three counts of false statements relating to health care matters. The indictment alleges Tindall fraudulently obtained Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills from residents at the Keosauqua Health Care Center and Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and diverted them for her own use. Tindall pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• Christine Renee Weilbrenner, age 30, of Ankeny, was charged with one count of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge and one count of possession of a controlled substance. The indictment alleges Weilbrenner fraudulently obtained Tramadol pills from residents of The Bridges at Ankeny and diverted them for her own use. Weilbrenner pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
The possible penalties for acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge is up to four years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The potential penalties for false statements relating to health care matters is up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
These matters were investigated by the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. These cases are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Abuse Initiative.Shreveport man pleads guilty to possessing pistol after investigation into drug activityRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher W. Chatman, 37, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.
According to the guilty plea, the Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on January 18, 2018 at the home where Chatman lived after the Shreveport Police had conducted an investigation on illegal drug activity at the residence. Officers found three firearms, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, MDMA, packaging material, digital scales and mail addressed to Chatman at that address. Chatman admitted that the .40-caliber Berretta pistol, model: PX4 Storm belonged to him. Under federal law, as a convicted felon, Chatman is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Chatman faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Judge Hicks set the sentencing date for June 13, 2019.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The ATF, Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Russian Woman Convicted of Parental Kidnapping, ExtortionRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A jury returned guilty verdicts today in the federal trial of a Russian-born woman accused of unlawfully taking her child out of the United States and keeping the child away from the child’s father in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Bogdana Alexandrovna Mobley, 38, was found guilty on one count of international parental kidnapping and two counts of attempting to extort money from the child’s father.
During trial, the prosecutor presented evidence that in April 2014 Mobley took a child of hers (identified as S.M. in court records) to Russia despite the fact the biological father, Brian Mobley, had been awarded joint custody in Sedgwick County District Court. At the time, the Mobleys had a pending divorce case before the court. The defendant did not obtain the permission of the court or Brian Mobley before going to Russia with the child. The child still has not returned to the United States.
Between April 2014 and November 2016, the defendant only permitted Brian Mobley to communicate with S.M. via cell phones and Skype applications. She told Brian Mobley that he needed to send her money in order to see the child.
Sentencing is set for May 20. She faces up to three years in federal prison on the kidnapping charge and up to 20 years on the extortion counts. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
Rogers Man Sentenced to over 7 Years in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Jose Wilfredo Morales-Carpio, age 27, of Rogers, Arkansas was sentenced today to 91 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole followed by five years of supervised release for one count of Receiving Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in July of 2018, officers with the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that at least 3 image files of child pornography were uploaded to Facebook by an individual residing in Rogers, Arkansas. During the ensuing investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the Rogers residence of Morales-Carpio. A subsequent forensic examination of multiple devices seized as evidence revealed numerous images of child pornography. Law enforcement also located and interviewed Morales-Carpio who admitted to utilizing an internet based application called “WhatsApp,” to obtain child pornography.
Morales-Carpio was indicted in August 2018 on federal charges and plead guilty in November 2018.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.
Ridgeview Man Sentenced for Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Ridgeview, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on March 5, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Ryun Bowker, age 27, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Bowker was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 24, 2017. He pled guilty on September 24, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 17, 2016, when Bowker, who was employed as a corrections officer with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe at the time, transported an inmate to the Indian Health Services for a concussion she sustained during a fight. During the transportation on the way back to the jail, Bowker told the individual to get to the back seat of the vehicle, and at which time Bowker attacked the individual and sexually abused the victim without her consent.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Bowker was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to 54 Months in Federal Prison for ATM Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Yanier Manso-Caballero (30, Miami) to four years and six months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $53,567.78, the proceeds of the criminal conduct.
Manso pleaded guilty on December 5, 2018.
According to court documents, on at least 11 different occasions between January and March 30, 2018, Manso placed skimming devices on Chase Bank ATMs in the Tampa Bay area including, ATMs in Tampa, Valrico, and Largo. Chase Bank provided law enforcement with ATM surveillance video of Manso attaching the skimmers. In some of the videos, Manso disguised himself with hats, wigs, and/or a beard. Manso typically applied a skimmer to the drive-through ATMs from his vehicle. He left the skimmer in place for approximately one to two hours and then returned to the ATMs and removed the skimmer, again from his vehicle. Manso also used a mirror camera, which he placed on the ATMs, in order to capture customers’ PIN information. According to Chase Bank, hundreds of customers who used the ATMs that Manso had tampered with had their bank account information intercepted, compromised, and used to make purchases without their knowledge and consent.
Investigators determined that at least 167 accounts had been compromised during the periods when Manso had placed the skimmers. In addition, approximately 92 counterfeit and unauthorized access devices were located on Manso’s iPhone and in his vehicle. At the time of these offenses, Manso was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2010 credit card fraud and identity theft conviction in the Southern District of Florida.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Real Estate Broker Sentenced in Orlando-Area Mortgage SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Geo Geovanni (50, Moultrie, GA) to 37 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $56,984.34, the proceeds of the fraud scheme. A federal jury found Geovanni guilty on November 29, 2018.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Geovanni worked as a real estate broker who owned his own brokerage firm based in Orlando. Between May and August 2008, Geovanni sold condominium units at The Landing, located in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Geovanni engaged in a conspiracy to conceal from mortgage lenders sales incentives that he provided to the buyers. These undisclosed incentives included making the buyers’ down payments and paying kickbacks after closing. As a result of his actions, Geovanni helped cause the loss of approximately $736,000 to the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac), and JP Morgan Chase Bank when the mortgages involved in the fraudulent transactions went into foreclosure.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Poor and Joseph Capone.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to over 22 Years in Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Lorenzo Dyrell Hickman, 32, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate, to 270 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
Hickman was charged in a single count indictment on May 2, 2018, and pled guilty on November 2, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Hickman was responsible for the distribution of kilograms of methamphetamine in the Philadelphia, Mississippi area. He also was convicted in Georgia of possessing a kilogram of cocaine that was destined for distribution in Mississippi.
This case is the result of an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, dubbed "Operation Highlife", which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in east central Mississippi area that involved the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. The distribution network encompasses the states of California, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
"Methamphetamine has devastated countless communities due to the dramatic health and public safety consequences that typically accompany its introduction into an area," said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Jere T. Miles. "Today’s sentencing stems from an extensive HSI effort with its federal, state and local partners to dismantle a drug trafficking organization that decimated parts of Mississippi and Alabama with cocaine and other narcotics smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. This operation is a testament to the seamless partnership between HSI, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and we are thankful for their assistance as well as the U.S. Attorneys’ to improve the lives of law-abiding residents throughout Mississippi and Alabama."
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
This OCDETF case is a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Assisting agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, Neshoba County District Attorney’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Flowood Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, Union Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Louisville Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol and the United States Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.
Parker Man Convicted of First Degree Murder, Burglary, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 5, 2019, Mickey Roy Anderson, Sr., 30, of Parker, Ariz., and a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, burglary of a residential structure, and use of a firearm during crimes of violence by a federal jury in Phoenix. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes, and Anderson will be sentenced on May 20, 2019.
The evidence at trial showed that on Jan. 23, 2014, Anderson walked into the victim’s home, stood a few feet from the victim and shot her in the face. The victim died almost instantly. Anderson was angry with the victim for purchasing drugs from another drug dealer in the community. The victim was also a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and the murder happened on the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
A conviction for first degree murder carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison. Burglary of a residential structure carries a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison. Use and discharge of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to life.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Deparment. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore and Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00297-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-027_Anderson
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Orangeburg Man Pleads to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Keycon Deonte Keitt, age 32, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court showed that on March 5, 2018, Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS) deputies conducting a property check approached a vehicle in which Keitt was a passenger. After Keitt was observed moving and reaching around the back seat of the vehicle, Keitt initially ignored several verbal commands from deputies. Keitt was ordered out of the vehicle and deputies found a Taurus 9mm pistol on the rear seat near Keitt and within his reach. After Keitt admitted to possession of the firearm, deputies found two magazines and 19 rounds of ammunition, including one loaded magazine matching the pistol strapped to the inside of Keitt’s right leg.
Federal law prohibits Keitt from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon prior state convictions, including two convictions for Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature in a case that involved a shooting; Threatening the Life of a Public Employee; Criminal Domestic Violence; two convictions for Assault; Burglary; two convictions for Pointing and Presenting a Firearm; and various breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, and property crime convictions, among others.
Keitt faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of court-ordered supervision. However, if the court determines enhanced penalties apply based on the Keitt’s prior criminal record, he may face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has received and reviewed a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
The charge against Keitt was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office.
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Oklahoma Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Columbia HotelRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma man was sentenced in federal court today for the armed robbery of a hotel in Columbia, Mo., on May 31, 2017.
Darrell Eugene Black, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes, to a total sentence of 318 months (26 years and 6 months) imprisonment for one count of robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing a stolen firearm.
Black brandished a Springfield 9mm handgun when he robbed the Staybridge Suites Hotel, 805 Keene Street, Columbia, Mo., on May 31, 2017. Black entered the hotel at approximately 1:50 a.m., pointed his pistol at a clerk, jumped over the counter and demanded money. The clerk opened the desk drawer and Black took approximately $200. Black told the clerk that if she did not open the hotel safe, he would shoot her. The clerk told him that only the manager had the key to open the safe. Black got upset and told the clerk to put her hands behind her back. He disconnected the phone cord and unsuccessfully tried to tie the clerk’s hands behind her back. Then he told the clerk to lie on the ground. When Black finished searching the hotel front desk area for items to steal, he told the clerk to face the wall and not move. Black left and the clerk faced the wall for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until her feet became numb, and then called the police. The clerk’s cellphone and purse were missing.
Black was spotted by a Jefferson City, Mo., police officer later the same day. Black fled on foot but was apprehended by the officer. At the time of his arrest, Black was carrying a black bag that contained the handgun, marijuana, an ecstasy pill, and a magazine with five rounds of 9mm ammunition. As the officer was handcuffing Black, a woman ran up, grabbed the black bag and ran away. Officers were able to apprehend the woman and retrieve the bag.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced for his Role in Interstate Prostitution RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lexington man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with his role in a long-running interstate prostitution ring.
Kyung Song, 52, was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to one year of home confinement. In July 2018, Song agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. On March 15, 2018, Kim was charged and arrested with co-defendants Yoon I. Kim, 36, of Haymarket, Va.; Taehee Kim, a/k/a “Hyunsook Kim,” 46, of Haymarket, Va.; Susan Bashir, a/k/a “Susan Redmon,” a/k/a “Susan Redmond,” 41, of Stone Mountain, Ga.; and Jineok Kim, 38, of Watertown, Mass.
According to court documents, from December 2017 to March 2018, Song participated in an interstate prostitution network that maintained multiple brothels in high-end apartments in Cambridge, Mass.; Atlanta, Ga.; and eastern Virginia. They advertised appointments with Asian women on various websites. The women advertised on the websites were moved from city to city within the network, working as prostitutes for the organization.
Song transported women working from brothel locations in Cambridge. Song also retrieved cash proceeds from each of the Cambridge brothel locations and allegedly laundered the proceeds according to Taehee Kim’s instructions, which included depositing the money into accounts belonging to Taehee Kim or sending postal money orders to Taehee Kim.
In November 2018, Yoon Kim and his wife, Taehee Kim, pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced on April 24, 2019. Susan Bashir and Jineok Kim agreed to plead guilty and are pending sentencing.
United States Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. D’Addio and Amy Harman Burkart of Lelling’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team prosecuted the case.
Marion County man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – James Timothy Cobb, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 110 months incarceration for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Cobb, age 56, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography” in October 2018. Cobb admitted to possessing child pornography in Marion County in September 2014.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Man Who Stole $889K from Employers Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGES AVRIDOR, 43, a citizen of Haiti formerly residing in Greenwich and Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 37 months of imprisonment for stealing more than $800,000 from his employers.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2013 and October 2016, Avridor stole personal bank checks from two Greenwich residents who employed him as a driver. He made the checks payable either to “Cash” or to himself for various amounts of money and forged the signature of one of his employers on the checks. He then cashed the checks at a bank or had the proceeds deposited into a bank account that he controlled. Avridor stole $889,425 through this scheme, and used some of the funds to take an African safari and to rent luxury sports cars.
Avridor was arrested on June 30, 2017. On April 4, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
On May 8, 2018, while he was released on a $50,000 bond, Avridor was arrested on unrelated state charges for using a credit card belonging to another individual and for cashing fake checks. He has been detained in state custody since that time.
Avridor will be deported to Haiti when he is released from prison.
This matter was investigated by the Greenwich Police Department, U.S. Secret Service and Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced KEVIN PAUL WOOD, 19, of Raleigh to 57 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
WOOD was named in an Indictment filed on July 25, 2018. On November 13, 2018, WOOD pled guilty to one-count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
On April 17, 2018, investigators with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a breaking and entering and larceny call in Lillington, North Carolina. When officers arrived at the home, it appeared to have been rummaged through, and a rifle and .9mm handgun had been stolen. Evidence showed that WOOD committed this breaking and entering and stole the firearms. On April 19, 2018, deputies with the HCSO responded to a residence in which the victims were home sleeping when they received a call from their grandson that someone was outside their home. One of the victims went to the backdoor and noticed it was cracked open; when she opened the door, she saw a man on the other side of the storm door pointing a gun at her face. The victim slammed the door and called 911. The victim further advised that the suspect had to be on foot because the front gate was locked. HCSO deputies observed footprints outside the residence. During their investigation, deputies received a domestic disturbance call at WOOD’s parents’ home, not far from the scene. When deputies arrived, WOOD was outside with his family, and officers conducted a pat down search of him. HCSO found several .32 caliber bullets in WOOD’s pant pockets. WOOD was detained as it was determined he was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
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 case was investigated by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Lohrasb “Jeff” Jafari indicted on 51 counts including bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering chargesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – City of Atlanta contractor Lohrasb “Jeff” Jafari has been charged in a 51 count federal indictment with conspiratorial bribery, bribery, tampering with a witness, tax evasion, money laundering, and structuring.
“Jeff Jafari allegedly paid multiple bribes to two local officials over a period of years and then attempted to obstruct the federal investigation into his misconduct,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “He also failed to pay income taxes on millions of dollars he earned from city contracts. Instead, he used the funds to live a lavish lifestyle. Whether you bribe, take a bribe, or otherwise misuse the public’s money to enrich yourself – it’s all corruption. We will vigorously pursue any such cases.”
“FBI Atlanta’s public corruption squad remains very active and determined to expose the criminal conduct of public officials,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta FBI field office. “The investigation of Jafari and resulting indictment on numerous charges is a further example of our commitment to hold those serving the public in positions of trust, accountable.”
“This indictment takes you from the bribes to the benefits and everything in between,” said Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation. “It shows how money gains access, influences decisions, supports a lavish lifestyle and corrupts. IRS-CI performed its key role in this case by following the money as Jafari acted to corrupt, impede, evade, launder and conceal his criminal actions while obtaining millions in city contracts.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning at least in 2014 to January 2017, Jafari allegedly paid thousands of dollars in bribe payments to Adam Smith, the then-Chief Procurement Officer of the City of Atlanta. At the time, Jafari was the Executive Vice-President of PRAD Group and did millions of dollars in work with the City of Atlanta, primarily under the City’s Architectural and Engineering contracts. Jafari and Smith met at Atlanta-area restaurants where they discussed City business, among other things, and Jafari would generally pay Smith $1,000 in cash in the restaurant bathroom. Jafari similarly paid bribes to a local official in DeKalb County in April and August of 2014.
In exchange for Jafari’s payments to Smith, Smith met with Jafari regularly and provided Jafari with information and counsel regarding the City of Atlanta’s procurement processes, among other information. When PRAD Group or a joint venture in which PRAD Group was a partner became a successful proponent on a City of Atlanta contract or Request for Proposal, Smith approved and submitted the award of those projects. Smith also approved task and/or purchase orders for those projects.
In February 2017, Jafari became aware of the federal investigation into his payments to Smith, at which time he confronted Smith in an effort to intimidate and persuade Smith to provide false information to federal law enforcement about the payments, instructing Smith to deny taking bribe money from Jafari.
Between 2014 through 2016, Jafari also willfully failed to pay income taxes to the IRS. During those years, Jafari withdrew large amounts of cash from corporate bank accounts and used corporate funds for personal expenses, among other things, to avoid the assessment of income tax. In 2014, Jafari owed at least $150,000; in 2015, at least $300,000; and in 2017, at least $700,000 to the IRS. Jafari is additionally charged with numerous counts of money laundering for engaging in financial transactions with funds earned from City of Atlanta work he obtained while he was paying bribes to Adam Smith.
On February 26, 2019, a grand jury returned an indictment against Lohrasb “Jeff” Jafari, 68, of Alpharetta, Georgia, on 51 federal charges, including conspiratorial bribery, bribery, tampering with a witness, tax evasion, money laundering, and structuring. He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins III. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jill E. Steinberg, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, Jeffrey W. Davis, Chief of the Public Integrity Section, and Nathan P. Kitchens, Deputy Chief of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Section, are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Nearly 18 Years in Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A 61-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 210 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of using a file sharing network and the internet to receive and distribute sexually explicit images and videos of children, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Bret Alan Humphries, of Las Vegas, was convicted in August 2018 of one count of receipt and/or distribution of child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Humphries to a lifetime term of supervised release.
Between 2007 and 2012, Humphries downloaded child pornography and used a peer-to-peer file sharing program to share the pornography with others. Agents and Officers with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at his residence and seized three devices containing child pornography. After a forensic examination of the devices, law enforcement discovered 71 images and 120 video files depicting pre-pubescent children and toddlers engaged in sexually explicit conduct and being subjected to sado-masochistic sexual abuse. Computer forensics showed that Humphries had been using various file sharing networks to receive and view child pornography since as early as 2007.
The defendant was on pre-trial release pending trial in this case. While on pre-trial supervision, Humphries violated the conditions of his release by possessing a firearm and ammunition, and a portable device having access to the internet.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals, federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Lackawanna County Man Charged with Possession of Illegal Firearm SilencersRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joseph Kamosky, age 36, of Damascus, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of illegal firearm silencers.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Kamosky possessed three illegally-made firearm silencers on or about October 25, 2018, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Justice Dept. Obtains $80,000 Settlement against Orange County Auto Lender for Illegally Repossessing Servicemembers’ CarsRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The Justice Department today announced that California Auto Finance, a subprime auto lending company based in the City of Orange, has agreed to enter into a court-enforceable consent order to resolve allegations that it illegally repossessed two servicemembers’ cars without court orders while they were on active duty.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California Auto Finance and a related entity called 3rd Generation Inc. on March 28, 2018 alleging that their repossession practices violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Under the proposed consent order, which is still subject to approval by a federal judge, California Auto Finance must adopt new repossession policies, pay one servicemember $30,000 – which is the highest amount ever recovered by the Department for a single servicemember in an automobile repossession case – and pay a $50,000 civil penalty to the United States.
“Individuals who take up the call to protect our nation by serving in the armed forces make an enormous sacrifice for us all,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “We have a legal and moral duty to safeguard the rights of our men and women in uniform. California Auto Finance failed to uphold this duty through its repossession practices. Today’s consent order demonstrates that we will tolerate no abuses of servicemembers’ rights in our district.”
“This case sends a message to financial institutions, large and small, that they must live up to their obligations to our servicemembers,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to vigorously pursue lenders who fail to take the simple steps necessary to determine, before repossessing a car, whether it belongs to a servicemember. Servicemembers who are going through basic training or another kind of military service should not have to worry that their cars will be repossessed with no court supervision during their time of service to our country.”
The Justice Department initiated its investigation of California Auto Finance after receiving a complaint in November 2016 from United States Army Private Andrea Starks. The United States alleges that in April 2016, Private Starks notified California Auto Finance that she would be entering the military the following month. Despite this advance notice, California Auto Finance repossessed Private Starks’ vehicle without a court order on May 9, 2016, her first day of military training duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. At the time of repossession, the vehicle was parked at the home of Private Starks’ grandmother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Justice Department’s investigation corroborated Private Starks’ complaint, found that California Auto Finance had no policies related to SCRA compliance, and revealed that California Auto Finance had also violated the SCRA rights of U.S. Army Specialist Omar Martinez. The United States alleges that Specialist Martinez informed California Auto Finance that he would be entering the military, and that he would have limited means of communication during basic training. Nonetheless, California Auto Finance repossessed Specialist Martinez’s vehicle during his first month of military service. The repossession severely damaged Specialist Martinez’s credit, and, as a result, he was unable to purchase a new car. For over a year while living on base at Fort Benning, Georgia, Specialist Martinez had to rely on rideshares and taxis to buy groceries and take care of other personal needs. In March 2018, Specialist Martinez deployed to Afghanistan, where he served until November 2018.
The proposed consent order requires California Auto Finance to pay $30,000 in compensation to Specialist Martinez, and to take steps to repair his credit. In addition, the proposed consent order requires California Auto Finance to take steps to ensure it does not repossess servicemembers’ cars without court orders in the future. Private Starks reached a private settlement with California Auto Finance before the proposed consent order was filed.
The SCRA protects servicemembers against certain civil proceedings that could affect their legal rights while they are in military service. It requires a court to review and approve any repossession if the servicemember took out the loan and made a payment before entering military service. The court may delay the repossession or require the lender to refund prior payments before repossessing. The court may also appoint an attorney to represent the servicemember, require the lender to post a bond with the court and issue any other orders it deems necessary to protect the servicemember. By failing to obtain court orders before repossessing motor vehicles owned by protected servicemembers, California Auto Finance prevented servicemembers from obtaining a court’s review of whether their repossessions should have been delayed or adjusted to account for their military service.
The Justice Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, often in partnership with United States Attorney’s Offices. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section attorneys worked jointly with the Civil Rights Section within the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in this action.
Since 2011, the Justice Department has obtained over $469 million in monetary relief for over 119,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. The SCRA provides protections for servicemembers in areas such as evictions, rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, civil judicial proceedings, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosures, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance, and income tax payments. For more information about the Justice Department’s SCRA enforcement, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.
Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations may be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/.
Justice Department Obtains $80,000 Settlement Against Subprime Auto Lender in Orange County, California, for Illegally Repossessing Servicemembers’ CarsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced that California Auto Finance, a subprime auto lending company based in Orange County, California, has agreed to enter into a court-enforceable consent order to resolve allegations that it illegally repossessed two servicemembers’ cars without court orders while they were on active duty. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California Auto Finance and a related entity called 3rd Generation Inc., on March 28, 2018, alleging that their repossession practices violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Under the proposed consent order, which is still subject to approval by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, California Auto Finance must adopt new repossession policies, pay one servicemember $30,000, which is the highest amount ever recovered by the Department for a single servicemember in an automobile repossession case, and pay a $50,000 civil penalty to the United States.
“This case sends a message to financial institutions, large and small, that they must live up to their obligations to our servicemembers,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “We will continue to vigorously pursue lenders who fail to take the simple steps necessary to determine, before repossessing a car, whether it belongs to a servicemember. Servicemembers who are going through basic training or another kind of military service should not have to worry that their cars will be repossessed with no court supervision during their time of service to our country.”
“Individuals who take up the call to protect our nation by serving in the armed forces make an enormous sacrifice for us all,” said United States Attorney Nicola T. Hanna. “We have a legal and moral duty to safeguard the rights of our men and women in uniform. California Auto Finance failed to uphold this duty through its repossession practices. Today’s consent order demonstrates that we will tolerate no abuses of servicemembers’ rights in our district.”
The Justice Department initiated its investigation of California Auto Finance after receiving a complaint in November 2016 from United States Army Private Andrea Starks. The United States alleges that in April 2016, Private Starks notified California Auto Finance that she would be entering the military the following month. Despite this advance notice, California Auto Finance repossessed Private Starks’ vehicle without a court order on May 9, 2016, her first day of military training duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. At the time of repossession, the vehicle was parked at the home of Private Starks’ grandmother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Justice Department’s investigation corroborated Private Starks’ complaint, found that California Auto Finance had no policies related to SCRA compliance, and revealed that California Auto Finance had also violated the SCRA rights of U.S. Army Specialist Omar Martinez. The United States alleges that Specialist Martinez informed California Auto Finance that he would be entering the military, and that he would have limited means of communication during basic training. Nonetheless, California Auto Finance repossessed Specialist Martinez’s vehicle during his first month of military service. The repossession severely damaged Specialist Martinez’s credit, and, as a result, he was unable to purchase a new car. For over a year while living on base at Fort Benning, Georgia, Specialist Martinez had to rely on rideshares and taxis to buy groceries and take care of other personal needs. In March 2018, Specialist Martinez deployed to Afghanistan, where he served until November 2018.
The proposed consent order requires California Auto Finance to pay $30,000 in compensation to Specialist Martinez, and to take steps to repair his credit. In addition, the proposed consent order requires California Auto Finance to take steps to ensure it does not repossess servicemembers’ cars without court orders in the future. Private Starks reached a private settlement with California Auto Finance before the proposed consent order was filed.
The SCRA protects servicemembers against certain civil proceedings that could affect their legal rights while they are in military service. It requires a court to review and approve any repossession if the servicemember took out the loan and made a payment before entering military service. The court may delay the repossession or require the lender to refund prior payments before repossessing. The court may also appoint an attorney to represent the servicemember, require the lender to post a bond with the court and issue any other orders it deems necessary to protect the servicemember. By failing to obtain court orders before repossessing motor vehicles owned by protected servicemembers, California Auto Finance prevented servicemembers from obtaining a court’s review of whether their repossessions should have been delayed or adjusted to account for their military service.
The Justice Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, often in partnership with United States Attorney’s Offices. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section attorneys worked jointly with the Civil Rights Section within the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in this action. Since 2011, the Justice Department has obtained over $469 million in monetary relief for over 119,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. The SCRA provides protections for servicemembers in areas such as evictions, rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, civil judicial proceedings, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosures, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance, and income tax payments. For more information about the Justice Department’s SCRA enforcement, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.
Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations may be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/.
Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Owner and Manager of Rental Property in Dayton, KentuckyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced that it has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gus Crank, manager of a residential rental property in Dayton, Kentucky, sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also alleges that Penny Crank, an owner of the rental property, is liable for Gus Crank’s actions because he managed the rental property on her behalf.
Today’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, alleges that Gus Crank engaged in sexual harassment of female tenants from approximately 2008 through 2016, by, among other things, demanding that female tenants engage in sexual acts to keep their housing, engaging in unwelcome sexual touching, offering to reduce monthly rental payments in exchange for sex, making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, making intrusive and unannounced visits to female tenants’ homes to further his sexual advances, and evicting or threatening to evict female tenants who objected or refused his sexual advances.
“No female tenant should have to suffer sexual harassment as a condition of maintaining housing for herself or her family,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act against property managers and owners who make illegal demands for sex and cause women to feel unsafe in their own homes.”
“Everyone has the right to be free from sexual harassment and intimidation, and the allegations in this case are very troubling,” said Robert M. Duncan Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Individuals who are being victimized as a condition of their housing have rights and we encourage them to report this type of reprehensible behavior to the Department of Justice.”
In October 2017, the Justice Department launched an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. In April 2018, the Department announced the nationwide rollout of the initiative, including three major components: a new joint Task Force with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit to leverage the Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and a public awareness campaign, including the launch of a national Public Service Announcement.
Since launching the initiative, the Justice Department has filed eight lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department has filed or settled 14 sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.
Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct. The allegations must be proven in federal court.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings managed by Gus Crank, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky at (859) 685-4823.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected].
Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Owner and Manager of Rental Property in Dayton, KentuckyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gus Crank, manager of a residential rental property in Dayton, Kentucky, sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also alleges that Penny Crank, an owner of the rental property, is liable for Gus Crank’s actions because he managed the rental property on her behalf.
Today’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, alleges that Gus Crank engaged in sexual harassment of female tenants from approximately 2008 through 2016, by, among other things, demanding that female tenants engage in sexual acts to keep their housing, engaging in unwelcome sexual touching, offering to reduce monthly rental payments in exchange for sex, making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, making intrusive and unannounced visits to female tenants’ homes to further his sexual advances, and evicting or threatening to evict female tenants who objected or refused his sexual advances.
"No female tenant should have to suffer sexual harassment as a condition of maintaining housing for herself or her family," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. "The Justice Department will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act against property managers and owners who make illegal demands for sex and cause women to feel unsafe in their own homes."
"Everyone has the right to be free from sexual harassment and intimidation, and the allegations in this case are very troubling," said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. "Individuals who are being victimized as a condition of their housing have rights and we encourage them to report this type of reprehensible behavior to the Department of Justice."
In October 2017, the Justice Department launched an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. In April 2018, the Department announced the nationwide rollout of the initiative, including three major components: a new joint Task Force with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit to leverage the Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and a public awareness campaign, including the launch of a national Public Service Announcement.
Since launching the initiative, the Justice Department has filed eight lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department has filed or settled 14 sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.
Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct. The allegations must be proven in federal court.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings managed by Gus Crank, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky at (859) 685-4823.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected].
Jury Convicts Mali Man of Transporting Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Moaze Ibrahim, age 33, a citizen of Mali residing in Irvington, New Jersey, was convicted today after a 3-day trial of transporting an illegal alien within the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Trial evidence showed that on December 29, 2017, Ibrahim drove to an area in Champlain, New York, where he picked up Hachim Rachid just south of the border. Rachid, age 30, and a citizen of Mali residing in Canada, had just crossed the border on foot and was illegally present in the United States when he was picked up by Ibrahim. Ibrahim then drove south and east away from the border.
Rachid triggered a remote sensor as he crossed the border, alerting Border Patrol. Agents responded to the scene and encountered Ibrahim driving Rachid.
Ibrahim was ordered to jail following the jury’s verdict. As a result of his conviction, he faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on July 11, 2019. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
Rachid was convicted on January 16, 2018 of the misdemeanor offense of entry without inspection, and sentenced to 30 days in jail.
This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Judge Hands Down Strong Sentence to Convicted Felon on Illegal Gun Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
ATHENS – A federal judge in Athens on Tuesday sentenced a convicted felon to 110 months in prison for illegally possessing a gun, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. The Honorable C. Ashley Royal sentenced Dontavious Maurice Jackson, 30, of Athens to 110 months in federal prison, plus three years supervised release. Mr. Jackson pled guilty in October 2018 to one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department executed a legal search at Jackson’s residence in August 2017. Law enforcement recovered 202.2 grams of marijuana, three digital scales and other drug paraphernalia, plus a loaded Ruger .38 special revolver, a loaded Ruger 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol, a loaded H&R Model 929 .22 caliber revolver, as well as ammunition. Mr. Jackson has a lengthy criminal history and was previously convicted of Entering an Automobile, Forgery in the First Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance out of Athens-Clarke County and Jackson County, respectively.
“This sentence demonstrates that convicted felons with illegal weapons will face serious consequences in the Middle District. Removing firearms from the hands of dangerous criminals remains a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for their partnership, as we continue to work closely together to decrease violent crime.”
This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.
The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Easterling prosecuted the case for the Government.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Inmate at Federal Prison in Clearfield County Charged with Illegally Possessing MarijuanaRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at Moshannon Valley Correctional Center in Philipsburg, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of possession of a prohibited object in prison, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The indictment named Jose Juarez-Diaz, 34.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on August 25, 2018, Juarez-Diaz possessed a quantity of marijuana.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center, Special Investigative Staff, conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Juarez-Diaz.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Inmate Pleads Guilty to Murder-For-Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An inmate pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with a murder-for-hire scheme.
Mason Stickney, 21, of Byfield, pleaded guilty to three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of murder-for-hire. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2019. Stickney was indicted in November 2017; he is currently in state custody on unrelated charges.
In October 2017, Stickney, who was in custody at the Essex County House of Corrections, approached a fellow inmate and solicited his assistance in the murders of a police officer, a restaurateur from New Hampshire and a student. The fellow inmate reported Stickney’s solicitation to authorities. Thereafter, at the request of investigators, the inmate provided Stickney with the phone number of a would-be hitman, who was actually an undercover agent.
In recorded conversations between Nov. 3 and Nov. 8, 2017, both on the phone and in person at the jail, Stickney described to the undercover agent the individuals he wanted killed and how he wanted the murders committed. Stickney promised to pay the undercover agent $10,000 upon his release from jail, as well as to “get rid of three people for you guys.”
Each charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on 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; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Richardson of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.