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1 March 2019
Seffner Woman Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Her Role in Jamaican Lottery Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL –U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Jennifer Samuels (47, Seffner) to 33 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with Samuels’s role as a middleman, or money mule, in a Jamaican lottery fraud scheme. As part of her sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $209,800.13, the proceeds of the fraud.
Samuels had pleaded guilty on October 17, 2018.
According to court documents, Samuels and co-conspirators identified potential victims and contacted them by telephone, falsely claiming the individuals had won the lottery in Jamaica, but needed to pay money for taxes in order to receive the funds. If a potential victim agreed, Samuels’s co-conspirators directed the victim to send these fees to a middleman, who received the funds and distributed them to the conspirators. Samuels agreed to be one of these middlemen.
In May 2016, Samuels’s co-conspirators contacted an elderly victim residing in the Middle District of Florida and falsely told the victim that he had won $1.4 million and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle as part of a Jamaican lottery sweepstakes. A conspirator told the victim that in order to receive his lottery winnings, the victim would need to pay the taxes on the winnings upfront. Between May 2016 and May 2018, the victim sent 52 checks totaling $209,800.13 to Samuels, which the victim believed were to pay for the taxes associated with his lottery winnings.
Samuels deposited the victim’s checks into her bank accounts or cashed them. She then transferred the majority of the funds to her conspirators in Jamaica and Florida by cash delivery or wire transfer. Samuels also kept a portion of the funds for herself.
“Criminals who target older citizens in these schemes are heartless in their relentless pursuit of profit, at great cost to the elderly victims,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “While today’s sentencing highlights HSI’s role in stopping this crime, I strongly encourage anyone with elderly loved ones to familiarize themselves with these schemes and take steps to protect them from exploitation.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
Richmond Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jon Norman Moren, 45, of Richmond, Kentucky, was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Caldwell also ordered Moren to forfeit $2,245 in cash, two firearms, and 366 rounds of ammunition.
On September 21, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Moren’s residence in Lexington. Law enforcement agents seized more than a pound of methamphetamine, which Moren admitted that he intended to sell. Moren also possessed a pistol and rifle, after having previously been convicted of a state drug trafficking felony, as well as other state drug charges.
Under federal law, Moren must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Stuart Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge ATF; ; D. Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, DEA, and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.
Philadelphia Business Man Sentenced to Prison for Honest Services Fraud, Tax Crimes, and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that James Davis, the former vendor who operated Sheriff sales for the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, was sentenced today to 121 months’ imprisonment, and ordered to pay $872,395.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and $1.718,540.00 in forfeiture. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone.
In April 2018, after a six-week trial, a federal jury convicted Davis of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, filing false federal tax returns for 2007, and willful failure to file federal tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010. The conspiracy and honest services fraud counts charged Davis with defrauding the citizens of Philadelphia of the honest services of the Sheriff of Philadelphia, John Green, from 2002 to 2011, by giving Green a hidden stream of personal benefits in exchange for Davis and his companies maintaining and receiving increased business and fees from the Sheriff’s Office.
The indictment charged Davis with (1) purchasing, renovating and selling a home to Green at a loss to Davis in 2002 and 2003, which was not reported on Green’s financial disclosure forms; (2) hiring and paying Green’s wife over $89,000 as a subcontractor from 2004 through 2010, which was not reported to the City; (3) facilitating over $65,000 in hidden campaign contributions to Green’s 2007 reelection campaign, which was not reported in Green’s campaign reports; (4) paying $148,000 in advertising for Green’s 2007 reelection campaign, which was not reported in Green’s campaign reports; and (5) giving Green, in 2010, $320,000 as gifts and interest-free loans to help Green purchase a retirement home in Florida. In exchange, Green helped Davis maintain and increase his business with the Sheriff’s Office.
“The citizens of Philadelphia are entitled to the honest services of their public servants, and James Davis’s actions deprived them of that from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Davis received millions of dollars of business from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, having obtained nearly exclusive control over the operation of the Sheriff sales and receiving over $7 million in advertising fees for those sales. The sentence imposed today sends a powerful message to public servants and vendors who choose to do business by their own set of rules.”
“There's an old saying that you have to spend money to make money,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Certainly, this is not the way to do it. James Davis brazenly bribed then-Sheriff Green in order to boost his businesses. This illicit quid pro quo deprived Philadelphians of the honest services they expect and deserve from those who hold elected office. The FBI is committed to fighting such corruption, which does real and lasting damage to the public trust.”
“James Davis willfully and intentionally violated his legal duty to file his tax returns and pay the correct amount of tax,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. "The courts have overwhelmingly and consistently shown that people who engage in such criminal behavior will be held accountable; as evidenced by the sentence handed down today.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and Office of Inspector General, City of Philadelphia, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah L. Grieb and Christopher Diviny and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jennifer A. Clarke.
Philadelphia Business Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Bribing the Former Sheriff of PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
A Wyncote, Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 121 months in prison for participating in a bribery conspiracy involving the former Sheriff of Philadelphia.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Harpster of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division and Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement.
James Davis, 68, the owner of multiple advertising and title firms, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who also ordered Davis to pay $ 872,395.83 in restitution and to forfeit $1,718,540. On April 3, 2018, after a six-week jury trial, Davis was convicted of conspiracy, honest services fraud, and tax offenses.
“James Davis used his wealth to line the pockets of the former Sheriff of Philadelphia in a corrupt exchange for contracts and business,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “Today’s sentence should deter both public officials and would-be bribe payers from engaging in corruption of any kind.”
“The citizens of Philadelphia are entitled to the honest services of their public servants, and James Davis’s actions deprived them of that from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Davis received millions of dollars of business from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, having obtained nearly exclusive control over the operation of the Sheriff sales and receiving over $7 million in advertising fees for those sales. The sentence imposed today sends a powerful message to public servants and vendors who choose to do business by their own set of rules.”
“There’s an old saying that you have to spend money to make money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Harpster. “Certainly, this is not the way to do it. James Davis brazenly bought off then-Sheriff Green in order to boost his businesses. This illicit quid pro quo deprived Philadelphians of the honest services they expect and deserve from those who hold elected office. The FBI is committed to fighting such corruption, which does real and lasting damage to the public trust.”
“James Davis willfully and intentionally violated his legal duty to file his tax returns and pay the correct amount of tax,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Ficco. “The courts have overwhelmingly and consistently shown that people who engage in such criminal behavior will be held accountable; as evidenced by the sentence handed down today.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Davis, in exchange for receiving, maintaining and increasing business with the Sheriff’s office, gave former Sheriff John Green bribes and personal benefits totaling over $675,000, including purchasing and renovating a home and selling the home at a loss to Green, hiring Green’s wife as a sub-contractor, facilitating over $65,000 in hidden campaign contributions to Green’s 2007 re-election campaign, paying $148,000 in campaign advertising for Green’s 2007 re-election campaign, and paying Green over $300,000 in gifts and interest-free loans. In exchange, the evidence presented at trial showed that Green helped Davis maintain and increase his business with the Sheriff’s Office, specifically, business involving sheriff’s sales of foreclosed property. From approximately 2002 through 2010, Davis’ companies received over $35 million from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s office from the sheriff’s sales business.
Additionally, the evidence presented at trial revealed that Davis also filed false 2007 business and personal tax returns, and failed to file personal tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010.
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated this case. Trial Attorney Jennifer A. Clarke of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Grieb and Christopher Diviny of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
Pennsylvania man indicted for making threats to shoot students at Parma High SchoolRead the Press Release
A Pennsylvania man was indicted in federal court after making threats to shoot students at Parma High School.
Russell D. Miley-Cruz, 21, of Scranton, was indicted on one count of transmission of an interstate threat and one count of obstruction of justice. He was arrested Friday.
Miley-Cruz communicated a threat on April 11, 2018 via Snapchat. The threat stated: “Don’t go to Parma High School tomorrow friend, we are about to shoot that (expletive) up alright man? Don’t tell cops and you will be fine,” according to the indictment.
Miley-Cruz, between April 11 and May 1, 2018, provided a false phone number to law enforcement, denied using a specific email address and Snapchat user name, and made other false statements for the purposes of hindering and delaying the law enforcement investigation into the threats made against Parma High School, according to the indictment.
“This defendant made threats that caused panic and led to hundreds of students missing classes at Parma High School,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This case is another reminder that making threats, online or in person, is always a bad idea.”
“Making threats to commit a school shooting are not taken lightly by law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. “This individual induced fear in school personnel, students and their parents at Parma High School and wasted valuable law enforcement resources, and then he lied about being involved. Miley-Cruz will now answer to federal charges in a court of law. #Thinkbeforeyoupost.”
Parma Police Chief Joseph Bobak said: "This individual caused fear and panic in our community by targeting and threatening school children. These threats affected students and staff at Parma High School for several days as frightened parents pulled their kids out of school. Parma Police detectives, working alongside special agents from the FBI, diligently pursued all available leads on this case culminating in today's arrest. I would like to thank the FBI for working together with our department to identify and arrest this individual. Without their assistance and resources, this outcome might not have been possible."
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Parma Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pair of Mexican Nationals Sentenced in Large Scale Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – A pair of Mexican nationals associated with one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico were sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg for illegally distributing large amounts of cocaine in and around the Winchester area, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced.
Blas Rodriguez-Avila, a.k.a. “Kiko” a.k.a. “Flaco,” 28, was sentenced Wednesday, February 27, 2019 to 156 months in prison. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one count of receiving and possessing a firearm while an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States.
Hector Manuel Naal-Huchin, a.k.a. “Yuca,” 32, was sentenced Wednesday, February 27, 2019 to 130 months in prison. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
“These defendants were part of a drug cartel that is responsible for distributing thousands of grams of cocaine in the Shenandoah Valley,” United States Attorney Cullen stated today. “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners throughout the region to dismantle these drug-trafficking organizations and send their members to federal prison.”
“DEA and our partners work hard every day to ensure the safety of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong. “Following this case through to sentencing shows our commitment to hold accountable those who jeopardize the safety of our neighborhoods. We will continue to make it our priority to investigate and hold accountable these powerful cartels that have a callous disregard for the destruction they cause.”
“The Northwest Virginia (NWVA) Regional Drug and Gang Task Force is appreciative of its member agencies and our federal partners for their hard work and dedicated efforts put forth for this extensive, multi-state, transnational investigation,” said Special Agent Joshua Price, NWVA Regional Drug and Gang Task Force Coordinator. “Not only did these collaborative efforts cut off a significant supplier of cocaine to the City of Winchester and the Upper Shenandoah region, but also shut down an extremely violent drug network that stretched from coast to coast.”
According to evidence presented at court hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa, Rodriguez-Avila and Naal-Huchin were both affiliated with the powerful drug cartel, Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). CJNG is one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico and the Department of Justice considers it to be one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world, responsible for trafficking many tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl-laced heroin into the United States, as well as for violence and significant loss of life in Mexico.
Between 2017 and 2018, Rodriguez-Avila traveled between California, Texas and Virginia to direct the transport of large quantities of cocaine into the Winchester area. Rodriguez-Avila served as a source of cocaine supply for dealers in the area, including Naal-Huchin, and employed several others to bring shipments of multiple kilograms of cocaine at a time into Winchester, paying them between $2,000 and $5,000 to drive vehicles with hidden compartments carrying up to 5 kilograms of cocaine from Texas to Virginia and from California to Virginia. In the fall of 2017, Rodriguez-Avila paid one of his drug couriers to act as a straw purchaser to obtain two semi-automatic rifles and a shotgun for him from a gun store in Winchester.
On February 1, 2018, law enforcement intercepted Rodriguez-Avila as he was bringing two drug couriers to the airport to fly from Washington, D.C. to California with instructions to drive cocaine back to Virginia. Rodriguez-Avila had given $12,000 in bulk cash to the drug couriers to smuggle to California. That same day, agents executed search warrants at the residences of Rodriguez-Avila and Naal-Huchin, where they found a kilogram of cocaine, cutting and packaging materials, a ledger of drug transactions, and an additional $4,500 in cash.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force (NWVRDGTF), the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa prosecuted the case for the United States.
This investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
The NWVRDGTF uses the combined efforts of local, state, and federal agencies to actively pursue those groups or individuals who manufacture, distribute, or sell illegal narcotics. The NWVRDGTF is comprised of the Virginia State Police, the Winchester Police Department, the Front Royal Police Department, the Strasburg Police Department, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the Page County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office.
Organizer for Multiple Drug Cartels Sentenced to over 24 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Gabino Peralta-Saucedo (43, Bradenton) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of heroin. Peralta-Saucedo had pleaded guilty on December 14, 2018.
According to court documents, for over a decade, Peralta-Saucedo coordinated the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico. More than 12,000 kilograms of cocaine were ultimately sold in and around Manatee County on behalf of various Mexican drug cartels, including La Familia Michoacána and Los Caballeros Templarios. Peralta-Saucedo also cooperated with other Mexican drug cartels including, the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, in order to get drugs across the border into the United States. In addition, coconspirators possessed and distributed heroin in the Tampa Bay area.
This case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Attaché’s Office in Mexico City assisted with the extradition process. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Ocean County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Point Pleasant, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for planning to construct and use a pressure cooker bomb in New York on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers announced.
Gregory Lepsky, 22, pleaded guilty March 13, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shipp to an information charging him with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically ISIS. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 21, 2017, Lepsky was arrested by the Point Pleasant Police Department in connection with an incident that occurred that day in his family’s home. Following the arrest, law enforcement officers searched the residence and found a new pressure cooker stored behind a roll of bubble wrap in Lepsky’s bedroom closet.
During searches of computers and other digital evidence linked to Lepsky, law enforcement officers found evidence of Lepsky’s plan to build and detonate a bomb as part of his support for ISIS. During several social media communications, Lepsky told others that he intended to fight on behalf of ISIS and that he would, if necessary, become a martyr by driving a “bunch of explosives” to where the “enemies” could be found and blowing himself up.
Law enforcement officers also located a series of instructions that had been published online by another terrorist group that gave specific, step-by-step instructions on how to build a pressure cooker bomb, which coincided with the delivery of the pressure cooker to Lepsky a short time before his arrest. In addition, law enforcement officers recovered a message forwarded by Lepsky from another ISIS supporter stating that if a westerner could not travel to Syria to fight for ISIS, he could conduct a terrorist attack in his home country using improvised explosive devices.
At his plea hearing, Lepsky admitted that beginning in January 2017, he began to formulate a plan to detonate the pressure cooker bomb in New York City on behalf of ISIS. Lepsky admitted that he used the internet to access ISIS directives, obtain bomb-making instructions, and purchase the pressure cooker and other items to be used in the attack.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Lepsky to lifetime supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General Demers credited the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the N.J. State Attorney General’s Office, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the Point Pleasant Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard P. Larsen; and the N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness under the direction of Director Jared Maples, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Donnelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Oakland Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Sell Fraudulent Financial Instruments and Underreporting IncomeRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Kenneth Taylor pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to filing a false federal income tax return, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ricard E. Zuckerman, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter. The plea was accepted by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge.
According to the plea agreement, between 2009 and 2012, Taylor, of Oakland, Calif., conspired with at least one of his codefendants, Sharon Ringgenberg, of Martinez, and Craig Scott, of Lafayette, to generate and transmit to banks fraudulent standby letters of credit and proof of funds statements. The fraudulent financial instruments were issued by Success Bullion USA, LLC (SBUSA), an entity that was falsely advertised as the United States subsidiary of a large Hong Kong financial institution. Among the reasons that the financial instruments were fraudulent is that they reported false client creditworthiness and they reported client balances that exceeded SBUSA’s assets.
Taylor admitted that, at times when dealing with customers, he posed as a fictional Hong Kong-based attorney for SBUSA. Taylor also admitted he assisted in the creation of SBUSA’s website and that another entity he controlled, Centerlink, LLC, transmitted the fraudulent instruments to banks in a format that rendered the instruments unenforceable. Taylor received at least $550,000 from the scheme. Taylor acknowledged the proceeds were sent to a bank account in Belize he controlled in the name of Centerlink, LLC.
Furthermore, Taylor admitted he filed false 2009 and 2010 federal income tax returns that underreported his income in each year. Taylor also acknowledged he did not file a tax return for tax years 2011 through 2015 despite receiving sufficient income in each year and knowing that he was required to file a return.
On April 13, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Taylor, Ringgenberg, and Scott. Taylor was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; and two counts of subscribing to false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1). Today, Taylor pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return. If Taylor complies with the plea agreement, the remaining counts pending against him will be dismissed at sentencing.
Judge Tigar scheduled Taylor’s sentencing for August 30, 2019. The maximum statutory sentence for conspiring to commit wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory sentence for making and subscribing a false tax return is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Ringgenberg and Scott have both pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the scheme; their sentencings have not yet been scheduled.
Assistant United States Attorney Colin Sampson and Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorney Charles A. O’Reilly are prosecuting the case. This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS-CI.
North Dakota Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening to Murder A Federal JudgeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ROBERT PHILIP IVERS, 65, to 18 months in prison for threatening to murder a federal judge and interstate transmission of a threat to injure. IVERS, who was convicted by a federal jury on September 14, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Robert W. Pratt, in United States District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
As proven at trial, in January 2017, a United States District Court Judge (the “Victim Judge”) held a bench trial on a lawsuit brought by IVERS. The Victim Judge ruled against IVERS. He responded by sending a series of threatening letters and calling a court employee to say he was crazy angry at the Victim Judge and described himself as a “walking bomb.” IVERS was told repeatedly by Deputy U.S. Marshals to stop his threatening language.
On November 9, 2017, IVERS filed another civil lawsuit alleging the same facts as those in the case he lost before the Victim Judge. As part of the new civil case, IVERS was referred to two volunteer lawyers for a telephone consultation. After the lawyers discussed his case and told IVERS they did not believe he had a valid legal claim, IVERS began talking about his previous case with the Victim Judge. One of the lawyers described IVERS as becoming “intensely angry” and making threatening statements including:
• “This [expletive] judge stole my life from me.”
• “I had overwhelming evidence.”
• The Judge “stacked the deck” to make sure I lost this case.
• “She is lucky” I was “going to throw some chairs.”
• “You don’t know the fifty different ways I planned to kill her.”
After the lawyer reported the threats IVERS made during the phone conversation, two Deputy U.S. Marshals went to a residence in West Fargo, North Dakota to speak with IVERS about the threats. When confronted, IVERS became extremely agitated, and screamed at the Deputies, among other things, that he was glad the Victim Judge was scared, because “that [expletive] judge stole my life.”
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Timothy C. Rank prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
ROBERT PHILIP IVERS, 65
West Fargo, N.D.
Convicted:
- Threatening to murder a federal judge, 1 count
- Interstate transmission of a threat to injure the person of another, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 18 months in prison
- Three years of supervised release with location monitoring
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
North Carolina Mental Health Company Owner Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison on Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
The owner of a North Carolina mental health company was sentenced to prison today for the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Catinia Denise Farrington, a resident of Cypress, Texas, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on each count to run concurrently by U.S. District Court Judge N. Carlton Tilley Jr. of the Middle District of North Carolina. On Sept. 4, 2018, Farrington pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion for the tax year 2014.
According to the documents filed with the court, Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services LLC (DCMBHS) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid for services that were not performed, resulting in approximately $4 million in wrongful payments to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Haydn Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon and provided Farrington with the names and Medicaid identification numbers of dental patients. The patient information was used to submit the false claims to Medicaid.
In addition, Farrington earned more than $1.1 million from DCMBHS and evaded income taxes on this money by transferring funds to various business bank accounts and paying personal expenses from the business bank accounts while failing to file tax returns. The resulting tax loss is approximately $391,747.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, Farrington was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $3,950,656 to NC Fund for Medical Assistance and $391,747 to the Internal Revenue Service.
Co-defendant Thomas previously pleaded guilty to making a false statement related to a health care matter and tax evasion. His sentencing hearing is set for March 27, 2019.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton, Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Heavner of the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
North Carolina Mental Health Company Owner Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison on Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The owner of a North Carolina mental health company was sentenced to prison today for the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Catinia Denise Farrington, a resident of Cypress, Texas, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on each count to run concurrently by U.S. District Court Judge N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. of the Middle District of North Carolina. On September 4, 2018, Farrington pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion for the tax year 2014.
According to the documents filed with the court, Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services, LLC (“DCMBHS”) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid for services that were not performed, resulting in approximately $4 million in wrongful payments to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Haydn Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon and provided Farrington with the names and Medicaid identification numbers of dental patients. The patient information was used to submit the false claims to Medicaid.
In addition, Farrington earned more than $1.1 million from DCMBHS and evaded income taxes on this money by transferring funds to various business bank accounts and paying personal expenses from the business bank accounts while failing to file tax returns. The resulting tax loss is approximately $391,747.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, Farrington was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $3,950,656 to NC Fund for Medical Assistance and $391,747 to the Internal Revenue Service.
Co-defendant Thomas previously pleaded guilty to making a false statement related to a health care matter and tax evasion. His sentencing hearing is set for March 27, 2019.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton, Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Heavner of the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
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No More Deaths Volunteers Sentenced on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife RefugeRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Zaachila Isabel Orozco-McCormick, Natalie Renee Hoffman, Oona Meagan Holcomb, and Madeline Abbe Huse, volunteers with No More Deaths, were sentenced to 15 months of unsupervised probation, fined $250.00 each, and banned from the refuge for the duration of their probation. The defendants were previously convicted at trial for entering a national wildlife refuge without a permit and abandoning personal property. Hoffman was also convicted of operating a motor vehicle in a wilderness area.
On Aug. 13, 2017, United States Fish and Wildlife Service officers assigned to the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Ajo, Ariz. responded to a group of trespassers who were operating a motor vehicle in a protected wilderness area. Hoffman admitted to driving the car into the wilderness area, and all the defendants admitted to entering the refuge without a permit and leaving a stash of water and canned food at Charlie Bell Well. On Jan. 18, 2019, after a three-day bench trial, the Court found the defendants guilty on all charges, rejecting the defendants’ multiple defenses.
“I commend the excellent work by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service officers and their commitment to preserving the lands Congress has designated as national wildlife refuges,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “Our office will continue to review potential violations on federal lands on a case-by-case basis and bring charges, as appropriate.”
Amy Lueders, Service Southwest Regional Direction for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service stated, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates the diligence and professionalism of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting this case."
The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the prosecution was handled by Anna Wright and Nathaniel Walters, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00339-MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-022_No_More_Deaths
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.
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Former U.S. Department of Agriculture Employee’s Federal Disability Discrimination and Whistleblower Retaliation LawsuitRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a disability discrimination and whistleblower retaliation lawsuit brought by a former federal employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, Wendy Alguard, of Yakima, Washington, sued the Department of Agriculture claiming that the Agricultural Marketing Service, where Alguard worked as a commodity food grader, reassigned her after she reported that the Snokist cannery was hiding totes of moldy applesauce in 2011. Alguard claimed that the agency punished her for whistleblowing, by reassigning her and eventually removing her from federal service when she refused a directed reassignment. Alguard initially brought administrative claims before the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the USDA’s EEO Office, and the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB). She withdrew her claim before the OSC and lost before the USDA and MSPB and the lawsuit sought review of those decisions. Alguard sought damages of approximately $600,000.00.
Chief Judge Thomas O. Rice dismissed the disability discrimination claim in August of 2015. Alguard filed her appeal with the Court of Appeals in October 2015. After two rounds of briefing, the Court of Appeals affirmed Chief Judge Rice’s order dismissing the case. The Court of Appeals found that the agency showed substantial evidence that overstaffing and declining work led to the decision to reassign Alguard, that any evidence of a retaliatory motive was weak at best, and that the agency correctly identified which workers would be reassigned.
Joseph H. Harrington stated, “Claims of employment discrimination and whistleblowing in federal employment are taken seriously. But when meritless lawsuits are brought, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is dedicated to vigorously defending those suits and protecting the public purse.”
This case was defended by Rudy J. Verschoor, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
New York Man Sentenced to 63 Months’ Imprisonment for $1.4 Million Dollar International Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Prince Edosa, age 54, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, and a dual citizen of both Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced on February 27, 2019, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 63 months’ imprisonment for his role in international consumer fraud schemes.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Edosa pleaded guilty in May 2017 to conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Edosa and nine codefendants were indicted in January 2013, and charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The charges stemmed from the defendants’ perpetration of bogus sweepstakes winnings, advance fee and internet purchase schemes between 2002 and 2010 that defrauded hundreds of consumers across the United States. A substantial portion of the fraud proceeds was diverted to Canada, Nigeria, and Romania by the defendant and his conspirators. Edosa owned and operated three MoneyGram and two Western Union outlets in Brooklyn between 2004 and 2009, and used the MoneyGram and Western Union money transfer systems to launder the fraud victims’ proceeds. Edosa stipulated the losses sustained by 410 victims totaled $1,458,224.
Edosa was a fugitive from justice for more than four years until his arrest in New York, NY in October 2017. Three codefendants including his wife, Susan Osagiede, have been arrested, convicted and sentenced. Six other defendants remain fugitives.
Chief Judge Conner also ordered Edosa to pay $668,525 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.
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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New York Man Sentenced to 63 Months’ Imprisonment for $1.4 Million Dollar International Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Prince Edosa, age 54, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, and a dual citizen of both Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced on February 27, 2019, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 63 months’ imprisonment for his role in international consumer fraud schemes.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Edosa pleaded guilty in May 2017 to conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Edosa and nine codefendants were indicted in January 2013, and charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The charges stemmed from the defendants’ perpetration of bogus sweepstakes winnings, advance fee and internet purchase schemes between 2002 and 2010 that defrauded hundreds of consumers across the United States. A substantial portion of the fraud proceeds was diverted to Canada, Nigeria, and Romania by the defendant and his conspirators. Edosa owned and operated three MoneyGram and two Western Union outlets in Brooklyn between 2004 and 2009, and used the MoneyGram and Western Union money transfer systems to launder the fraud victims’ proceeds. Edosa stipulated the losses sustained by 410 victims totaled $1,458,224.
Edosa was a fugitive from justice for more than four years until his arrest in New York, NY in October 2017. Three codefendants including his wife, Susan Osagiede, have been arrested, convicted and sentenced. Six other defendants remain fugitives.
Chief Judge Conner also ordered Edosa to pay $668,525 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.
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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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Gregory Lepsky, 22, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for planning to construct and use a pressure cooker bomb in New York on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.
Lepsky pleaded guilty March 13, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shipp to an information charging him with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically ISIS. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 21, 2017, Lepsky was arrested by the Point Pleasant Police Department in connection with an incident that occurred that day in his family’s home. Following the arrest, law enforcement officers searched the residence and found a new pressure cooker stored behind a roll of bubble wrap in Lepsky’s bedroom closet.
During searches of computers and other digital evidence linked to Lepsky, law enforcement officers found evidence of Lepsky’s plan to build and detonate a bomb as part of his support for ISIS. During several social media communications, Lepsky told others that he intended to fight on behalf of ISIS and that he would, if necessary, become a martyr by driving a “bunch of explosives” to where the “enemies” could be found and blowing himself up.
Law enforcement officers also located a series of instructions that had been published online by another terrorist group that gave specific, step-by-step instructions on how to build a pressure cooker bomb, which coincided with the delivery of the pressure cooker to Lepsky a short time before his arrest. In addition, law enforcement officers recovered a message forwarded by Lepsky from another ISIS supporter stating that if a westerner could not travel to Syria to fight for ISIS, he could conduct a terrorist attack in his home country using improvised explosive devices.
At his plea hearing, Lepsky admitted that beginning in January 2017, he began to formulate a plan to detonate the pressure cooker bomb in New York City on behalf of ISIS. Lepsky admitted that he used the internet to access ISIS directives, obtain bomb-making instructions, and purchase the pressure cooker and other items to be used in the attack.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Shipp imposed a life term of supervised release.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the N.J. State Attorney General’s Office, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the Point Pleasant Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard P. Larsen and the N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness under the direction of Director Jared Maples, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Donnelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Mineral County man admits to methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tyler Allen Whitacre, of Elk Garden, West Virginia, has admitted to selling methamphetamine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Whitacre, age 25, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Whitacre admitted to selling methamphetamine in January 2018 in Mineral County.
Whitacre faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The West Virginia State Police, and the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Mexican National Sentenced to 235 Months for the Distribution of Methamphetamine and Unlawfully Re-Entering the United States after DeportationRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jose Navarro Rios, 45, a Mexican national residing in Lancaster Ky., was sentenced today, to 235 months in federal prison, by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for distributing methamphetamine and illegally re-entering the United States after having previously been deported. Judge Reeves also ordered Rios to pay a $4,000 fine and ordered five years of supervised release. Rios will be deported following service of his sentence.
Rios admitted that he sold approximately 13 pounds of methamphetamine, on four prior occasions, between March 28, 2018 and April 18, 2018. The methamphetamine was manufactured in Mexico and transported to Kentucky for distribution. Rios also admitted he had been deported from the United States on two prior occasions and had unlawfully re-entered the United States.
Under federal law, Rios must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, FBI; Kristoffer Cortex, Acting Assistant Field Office Director , ICE; Steven Igyarto, Resident Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security; Richard Sanders, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, ICE, DHS, KSP, and and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.
Men with convictions for attempted murder with a firearm and abduction among five people indicted in federal court for firearms crimesRead the Press Release
Five people – including men with convictions for attempted murder with a firearm and abduction -- were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.
Indicted are: Malik Abdul Aziz, also known as Tommie Beaman, 48, of Cleveland; Tonio Burton, 28, of Cleveland; Diablo Tate, 38, of Euclid; Hannibal Yarbo, 27, of Cleveland, and Johnny L. Geiger, Jr., 22, of Maple Heights.
“These cases demonstrate again why firearms enforcement is vital to making our community safer,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “These defendants include people convicted of attempted murder, abduction and other crimes. These defendants have no business carrying firearms or ammunition.”
“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Roland Herndon. “We work side by side with our federal, state, and local partners to follow the gun and remove the most violent criminals from our streets.”
Aziz on December 28, 2018, possessed .32-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for attempted murder with a firearms specification, aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, felonious assault with a firearms specification, kidnapping with a firearms specification, aggravated robbery with a firearms specification and attempted burglary, according to the indictment.
Burton on December 10, 2018, possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, assault on a police officer and drug possession, according to the indictment.
Tate on October 4, 2018 possessed a DPMS AR-15 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, assault on a police officer and drug possession, according to the indictment.
Yarbo on January 16, 2019, possessed a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun and 18 rounds of ammunition, despite previous convictions for abduction and drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
Geiger on June 7, 2018, made false and fictitious statements when attempting to purchase a Taurus 9 mm pistol from Point Blank Range and Gun Shop in Mentor, namely that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, and that he had never been convicted of a felony, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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. PSN was reinvigorated 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.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Euclid Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin, John Hanley, Kathryn Andrachik, Scott Zarzycki and Payum Doroodian.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing and Selling Stolen Firearm in D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric Rory, 40, of Suitland, Md., was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing and selling firearms.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Henry P. Stawinski III, Chief of the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department.
Rory pled guilty on Dec. 14, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year. He was sentenced by the Honorable Randolph D. Moss. Following his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release.
The guilty plea followed an investigation last spring by ATF and the Prince George’s County Police Department into Rory’s activities selling firearms. According to the plea agreement, in May of 2018, Rory arranged to sell a firearm to another individual in the Fairfax Village area of Southeast Washington. Rory met the individual and drove him around the block in his SUV. While inside the car, Rory sold the man a 9-mm handgun that was previously stolen from a federally licensed firearms retailer in Virginia. Rory sold the firearm and ammunition for $700. Rory possessed a second firearm inside the SUV but did not sell it on that date.
At the time of his arrest, Rory was on supervised release after pleading guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to a 2012 drug trafficking offense; he was sentenced to a five-year prison term for that crime. Additionally, Rory was convicted in 2013 of a drug offense in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Rory is additionally charged with possession of two firearms and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances in the District of Maryland in connection with this investigation. That matter is pending.
This case is being investigated by ATF and the Prince George’s County Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin L. Rosenberg and Gregory Rosen of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Maryland Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Federal Racketeering, Drug Conspiracy and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
A Baltimore, Maryland man was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a drug distribution conspiracy and a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG). The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders, as well as drug trafficking and witness intimidation.
Brandon Wilson, aka Ali, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake in the District of Maryland. A federal jury convicted Wilson and seven co-defendants on Oct. 31, 2018. Wilson was convicted of RICO conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Wilson and his co-defendants were also convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin, marijuana and cocaine.
The sentencing was announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office; Acting Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Wilson and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
The evidence at trial showed that members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. Specifically, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and Jan. 9, 2017, Wilson, his co-defendants, and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including eight murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes. A gun recovered during a search of Wilson’s residence on Jan. 10, 2017, was determined to have been used in a Jan. 9, 2017 murder. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, aka Tana, and Tanner, 23, of Baltimore, was sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 15.
The remaining defendants convicted at the trial are all from Baltimore, and face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracy. They include: Terrell Sivells, aka. Rell, 27; John Harrison, aka Binkie, 28; Taurus Tillman, aka Tash, 29; Linton Broughton, aka. Marty, 25; Dennis Pulley, aka Denmo, 31 and Timothy Floyd, aka Tim Rod, 28. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members, previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison. Another defendant, Roger Taylor, aka Milk, is a fugitive.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Wilson is still facing charges for allegedly assaulting employees of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) while he was detained and being transported to and from the courtroom during their trial. The indictment alleges that on Oct. 31, 2018, Wilson assaulted two Maryland Department of Correction officers in the Chesapeake Detention Facility as they attempted to search Wilson prior to his being transported to U.S. District Court for the continuation of his trial.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley, formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Gardner and Christopher J. Romano of the District of Maryland.
Maryland Businessman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding International Labor UnionRead the Press Release
A Maryland contractor pleaded guilty today to defrauding a large, international labor union, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger of the Eastern District of Virginia, Inspector General Scott S. Dahl of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General and Director Arthur F. Rosenfeld of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards.
Howard W. Janoske, 74, of Oakland, Maryland, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and theft and embezzlement of labor union funds before U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady of the Eastern District of Virginia. Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2019.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Janoske is the president and co-owner of a plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor located in Maryland. For nearly two decades, Janoske’s company has provided maintenance services to an international labor union located in Herndon, Virginia. Between in or about May 2012 and at least in or about mid-2015, Janoske and his company provided the union’s facilities and real estate manager with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in exchange for the awarding of the union’s service agreements and maintenance contracts. The benefits included a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for the union manager and a relative over a multi-year period. With the union manager’s knowledge, Janoske and his subordinates submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup expenses for these personal benefits.
The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Office of Labor-Management Standards investigated the case. Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section is prosecuting the case.
Marshall County woman admits to drug distribution chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA –Samantha J. Simmons, of Moundsville, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Simmons, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Simmons admitted to selling methamphetamine in June 2018 in Marshall County.
Simmons face up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Man Indicted for Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On February 27, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Yadiel José Mangual (a resident of Florida with family ties to Puerto Rico) for mailing firearms from Florida to Puerto Rico illegally, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobbaco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Mangual is facing five counts including Conspiracy to Deliver firearms and Ammunition to a Common Carrier without Notification (18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 922(e)), Delivery of Firearms to a Common Carrier without Written Notification (18 U.S.C. § 922(e)), and violating 18 U.S.C § 1715 which declares firearms as nonmailable.
As part of a coordinated operation, USPIS along with ATF identified package containing firearms sent through the mail from Florida to Puerto Rico. A federal search warrant was obtained for the subject package, which was wrapped in decorative gift-wrapping with the word “baby” written across the wrapping in various colors. Inside the package, federal agents found one Glock pistol, one AR type pistol, three .40 caliber magazines, rounds of .40 caliber ammunition and .223 caliber ammunition, and one (1) dual 5.56 caliber drum magazine. The investigation revealed that Yadiel José Mangual, and other unknown individuals, conspired to mail firearms from Florida to Puerto Rico. Specifically, Mangual mailed, from Tampa, Florida to addresses in Puerto Rico, two packages containing firearms. He then flew to Puerto Rico where he planned to retrieve the packages and deliver the firearms to others. One of those packages was intercepted by USPS, leading to Mangual’s arrest.
“We will vigorously prosecute those involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms, which are subsequently used in the commission of violent crimes,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “We will continue working with the all law enforcement authorities to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, who all too frequently endanger our community.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, the defendant faces up to two (2) years in prison for the charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1715; and five (5) years in prison for the charges under 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 922(e)). An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Lower Brule Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Aiding and Abetting.
Grant Whitney, age 19, was indicted on February 13, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 21, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on July 1, 2018, Whitney and another individual assaulted an individual with shod feet, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim.
The charges are merely accusations and Whitney is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Whitney was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Los Angeles Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Obtain Fraudulent Commercial Driver's LicenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rahim Mahboob, 67, of Los Angeles, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to two years and three months in prison and a $58,500 fine for conspiring to commit bribery, identity fraud, and unauthorized access to a computer, and a separate count of identity fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Mahboob conspired with former DMV employee and co‑defendant, Lisa Terraciano, to pay her money to alter DMV records that caused commercial driving permits to be issued for Mahboob’s clients. Mahboob was responsible for the issuance or attempted issuance of no less than 39 fraudulent commercial licenses, including permits, for which he paid Terraciano.
This case was a part of a series of ongoing investigations by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Office of Internal Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne L. Rust prosecuting the cases.
Mahboob was ordered to self-surrender to begin serving his sentence on June 3, 2019.
Lewis County man admits to role in a methamphetamine distribution operation in Monongalia CountyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Douglas Charles Knicely, of Jane Lew, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Knicely, age 37, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Knicely admitted to participating in a drug distribution operation in October 2018 in Monongalia County.Knicely faces no less than 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Morgantown Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Leader of Baltimore Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact MARCIA MURPHY
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Ernest McRae, a/k/a Rat and Man Man, age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland today to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute heroin, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine.
The sentence 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; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Baltimore District Office; and Acting Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to their plea agreements, from at least January 2012 through October 24, 2017, McRae and co-defendant Jackie Bagley controlled a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in and around 1100 North Montford Avenue in Baltimore, distributing heroin, fentanyl, and powder and crack cocaine. McRae and Bagley supplied lieutenants with drugs on a regular basis. The lieutenants, in turn, supplied street-level dealers, who sold the drugs to users. The street-level dealers were allowed to keep a portion of the proceeds and turned the rest over to the lieutenants, who then turned these profits over directly to McRae and Bagley on a nearly daily basis. Over the course of the conspiracy, over a dozen different street-level dealers worked for the DTO, distributing approximately 375 to 750 ten-dollar doses of heroin on a daily basis. In 2017, McRae began cutting the heroin with fentanyl.
McRae also admitted that on June 25, 2017, he was visiting clubs near Custom House Avenue in Baltimore and got into an argument with a person on the street. McRae went to his car and retrieved a pistol with an extended magazine. A concerned citizen notified nearby Baltimore Police officers, who were on patrol in the area. When McRae realized the police were responding to the area, he hid the firearm in the wheel well of another vehicle. Police recovered the gun and arrested McRae, who subsequently posted bail and was released before being arrested on federal charges.
Fifteen co-defendants, including Jackie Bagley, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug distribution conspiracy. Bagley, age 39, of Baltimore was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and twelve other co-defendants received sentences ranging from time served to 10 years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF, the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael C. Hanlon, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Lead Defendant Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – The lead defendant in a Southwestern Ohio methamphetamine conspiracy pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today. Salvador Ramirez (also known as Listo), 24, of West Chester, is the final defendant to plead in this case.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
Ramirez and six others were arrested in July 2018 on federal charges of engaging in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in the Miami Valley and across Southern and Central Ohio. They were charged with manufacturing and distributing narcotics and laundering their proceeds.
As part of this case, DEA agents and task force members have seized more than 140 pounds of methamphetamine, seven kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of heroin and more than $130,000 in cash.
Co-conspirators who have already pleaded guilty include:
- Tamara McQueen, 21, Hamilton
- Luiz Roberto Diaz-Magana, 29, Queretaro, Mexico
- Jesus Garcia, aka “Jesse Garcia”, 49, West Chester
- Joshua L. Leach, 34, Plain City
- Brandi Danyell Loy, aka Brandi Richey, 34, Plain City
- Takeea Trammell, 41, Dayton
As part of his plea, Ramirez admitted to arranging bulk deliveries of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin and then overseeing redistribution of the drugs to dealers from Columbus to Dayton. He also personally collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds.
Ramirez and McQueen, as part of this scheme, traveled from Southern Ohio to California in April 2018 to acquire bulk amounts of the drugs to sell in Ohio. During their drive back to Ohio, law enforcement in Wyoming discovered their car and the contraband within it. Ramirez and McQueen, however, eluded police in Wyoming and fled back to Southern Ohio where they resumed their drug trafficking.
Upon returning to West Chester, Ramirez began accepting delivery of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from Texas and elsewhere in the Southern United States. He would keep the drugs in various storage lockers throughout Southern Ohio until he could find a buyer for him.
Finally, as part of the conspiracy, Ramirez and his associates planned to open in Southern Ohio their own laboratory to manufacture kilogram quantities of methamphetamine. To aid this plan, Ramirez was providing housing and security for a chemist that a Mexican cartel sent to the area for the purpose of opening the laboratory.
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute this amount of methamphetamine is a crime punishable by a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
“Today’s guilty plea of Ramirez represents the end of this organization’s ability to cause further destruction in our communities,” Special Agent in Charge Plancon said. “Methamphetamine trafficking will not be tolerated in southern Ohio and law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to bring individuals like Ramirez to justice. This organization trafficked a variety drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, that continue to cause devastation to families throughout the Miami Valley. The DEA and its partners are committed to identifying, investigating, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations that continue to prey on those addicted to drugs.”
Glassman commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi, who is representing the United States in this case, and the DEA agents and task force officers who investigated the case.
Investigating agencies include the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Monroe and Middletown.
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Lake Woman Pleads Guilty to Delaying or Destroying U.S. Mail by a Postal EmployeeRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – Virginia Perkins, 49, of Lake, Mississippi, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge David Bramlette III to delay or destruction of U.S. mail by a postal employee, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Cave, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG), Southern Area Field Office.
Perkins was employed as a mail carrier. On January 17, 2017, following numerous complaints regarding undelivered mail along her route, agents conducted surveillance of Perkins as she delivered mail. The agents found that mail was not being delivered as addressed. A search of her vehicle yielded approximately 2,044 pieces of letter mail and 340 flats that Perkins did not deliver. As a result of this investigation, Perkins submitted her resignation to management.
“The conviction obtained today has been the culmination of a thorough investigation completed by our agents to ensure the continued protection of the integrity of Postal Service delivery systems,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Cave, of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Southern Area Field Office. “The USPS-OIG, along with our law enforcement partners is vigilant and will continue to vigorously investigate these types of cases.”
Perkins is currently released on bond and will be sentenced by Judge Bramlette on June 4, 2019 , at 1:30 pm in Natchez. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie.
Kevin Hassan Prósperes-Sosa Arrested for Cyberstalking and Threatening Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Today, United States Magistrate Judge Marcos López authorized a criminal complaint against Kevin Hassan Prósperes-Sosa, charging him for cyberstalking and threatening interstate communications, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, 2261A(2), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c), announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department.
According to the information contained in a criminal complaint, on or about January 13, 2019, an adult female’s (AF #1) 17-year-old minor daughter was grabbed by the arm by Prósperes-Sosa, while she was walking on the street on the way home from buying school supplies. The minor ran to her house, where the defendant followed her and observed as she entered the house.
On or about January 15, 2019, AF #1 presented a formal police complaint against Prósperes-Sosa, and AF #1 was subpoenaed for February 27, 2019 to be interviewed. On January 16 and 17, 2019, AF #1 observed Prósperes-Sosa standing in front of her house staring at her residence. As a result of this, AF #1 obtained a temporary restraining order from the Municipal Court of Ciales on January 24, 2019.
On February 24, 2019, AF #1 received several simultaneous messages. When she went over to her phone, she saw a Facebook friend invite from a “Kevin Prosperes,” and several Facebook Messenger messages from the same person in Spanish. A preliminary translation of this Facebook message is: “Hello, I sent you a Request fucking Bitch, you think that you know Bitch, that you reported me, but I swear to you that I am going to kill you and I am going to take your daughters and I am going to rape them, because nobody fucks with me, piece of Asshole, when I take them, specially the one with the blue hair, it’s going to be a pity, I am going to rape them until I can’t any longer and I am going to make them disappear.”
The messages were followed by a picture of Prósperes-Sosa’s full naked body in front of a mirror. After the photo, the defendant continued writing “This is what I am going to stick to your daughter, my dick, but first I will kill you because nobody fucks with me, who do you think you are Bitch”.
During this same period, on February 2, 2019, a 14-year-old female minor (FM#1) received several text messages from the same number, stating in part: I want your ass…I know where you study…I will eat your ass…I know why…call…let’s fuck, Joel.
“The threats conveyed in Prósperes-Sosa’s internet and electronic messages caused these victims substantial harm and anguish,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Through the tireless work of investigators, over the last 24 hours we have been able to identify and contact several victims of this man’s cyberstalking. This investigation is ongoing, and federal authorities will continue to prosecute those who use social media to threaten innocent victims with violent acts.”
“Victimizing someone, particularly a child, from one’s computer or smartphone may seem easy and low-risk,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “But my office will do everything in our power to raise the cost to those who engage in such despicable behavior. I cannot imagine the anguish suffered by those affected in this case but, at least, the prompt and decisive action of our agents have brought them some peace of mind knowing the perpetrator will behind bars for a long time.”
Special Assistant United States Attorney Cristina Caraballo and Deputy Chief of the Immigration, Cybercrimes, and Child Exploitation Unit, Nicholas Cannon, are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, Prósperes-Sosa faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years for each count, a term of supervised release of up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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Kannapolis Man Sentenced in Production of Child Pornography CaseRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A man who pleaded guilty to production of child pornography was sentenced today, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
ANTHONY JAMES BARRY, 19, of Kannapolis, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on November 7, 2018, to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder to 204 months of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release.
In April 2018, an adult woman made a report to the Boone Police Department (BPD) that an individual, purporting to be a modeling agent, was attempting to extort her via Snapchat; a mobile messaging application. BPD Detective Jason Reid’s subsequent investigation revealed that the IP addresses used by the suspect resolved to BARRY’s residence in Rowan County. Detective Reid also discovered that BARRY had used Snapchat to attempt to extort sexual images from numerous minors and to trade child pornography. During a May 2018 incident, BARRY, purporting to be a government agency, coerced an 11 year old girl to produce a child pornography image of her sleeping 10 year old sister.
On July 27, 2018, law enforcement agents arrested BARRY and searched his home. BARRY admitted that he found his victims by perusing LiveMe; a social media application that enables users to broadcast themselves and is popular with young people. He also admitted to trading child pornography and recalled extorting the 11 year old girl.
This case was investigated by the Boone Police Department, a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Iverson.
It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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KC Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm.
Laron J. Wainwright, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Wainwright was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
On Aug. 22, 2018, Wainwright was found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Wainwright possessed a loaded Jimenez 9mm semi-automatic handgun, which had been reported as stolen, on April 5, 2015.
According to court documents, Kansas City, Mo., police officers were dispatched to the area of 11th Street and Prospect Avenue on April 5, 2015, to investigate suspicious drug activity in the park. When they contacted Wainwright, he fled and led officers on a pursuit through the park. As Wainwright ran onto Prospect Avenue, an officer saw the loaded Jimenez 9mm handgun fall onto the street. Wainwright continued running to a nearby apartment building; he attempted to get into the building but was unable to do so, and he was placed under arrest.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Wainwright has three prior felony convictions for distribution of a controlled substance, two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stefan C. Hughes and Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police 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.Jury finds Oregon man guilty of cyberstalking and making threats for numerous threats he made to his former co-workers and law enforcement officialsRead the Press Release
A jury found an Oregon man guilty of cyberstalking and making threats related to numerous threats he made to his former co-workers and law enforcement officials.
Michael A. Hagar, 48, is scheduled to be sentenced later this year. A jury found him guilty of one count of cyberstalking and two counts of interstate threatening communication after a weeklong trial.
Hagar was employed at a Goodyear store in Salem, Oregon, from 2011 through 2013. He was employed by Eaton in Portland, Oregon, from 2014 through 2015. He was involuntarily terminated from both positions, according to court documents and trial testimony.
Hager sent numerous threatening e-mails to at least seven former co-workers at Eaton and Goodyear in 2015 and 2016, as well as threatening emails to law enforcement officials in Oregon. The e-mails he sent traveled through Eaton and Goodyear data centers in Northeast Ohio, according to court documents and trial testimony.
In 2016, Hagar was personally served with a temporary stalking protective order ordering him to stop any contact with an Eaton employee identified as R.G. He was also arrested for trespassing on Goodyear property in Oregon, according to court documents and trial testimony.
On May 30, 2016, he sent an email to R.G. and Oregon law enforcement officials with the subject line: “I AM GOING TO RUIN EVERYONE OF YOU(R) LIVES,” according to court documents and trial testimony.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl and Om Kakani following an investigation by the FBI.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned this week before U.S. Magistrate judges and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Feb. 27 was:
JAMES MICHAEL GARCIA, 26, of Brockton, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and felony child abuse alleged to have occurred on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garcia faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Garcia was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-07.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan, and pleading not guilty on Feb. 27 was:
JONATHAN LEVI DEPUTEE, 42, of Hardin, on charges of failure to register as a sexual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Deputee faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Deputee was detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Pacer case reference. 19-17.
MELISSA ANN PRETTYPAINT-ALVARADO, 41, of Crow Agency, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Prettypaint-Alvarado faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Prettypaint-Alvarado was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-21.
ZACHARY BENEDICT LEE, 33, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lee faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lee was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-20.
Appearing on Feb. 26 and pleading not guilty was:
KENNETH CLARENCE ALTMAN, 26, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Altman faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Altman was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-02.
RALPH KENNETH COSTA, 34, of Crow Agency, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Costa faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Costa was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-14.
AMBER LYNN LANPHEAR, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lanphear faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Lanphear was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-19.
LAWRENCE ALEX FOSTER III, 46, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Foster faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Foster was detained. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-18.
CRAIG AARON YEATES, 34, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession of meth with intent to distribute and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Yeates faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-24.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Independence Woman Sentenced for Leading Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for her role in leading a conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of methamphetamine.
Melanie C. Hamilton, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, to eight years in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 6, 2017, Hamilton pleaded guilty to being the source of supply for the drug-trafficking conspiracy that ran from Nov. 1, 2013, to Sept. 24, 2014. Hamilton admitted that she obtained large quantities of methamphetamine, which she broke down into smaller quantities for redistribution. The totality of the investigation indicates that Hamilton was involved in the distribution of at least five kilograms of methamphetamine.
A confidential informant made three separate controlled purchases from Hamilton; on each occasion she weighed out approximately 8.3 grams of methamphetamine from a large zip-lock freezer bag that contained multiple pounds of methamphetamine.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hamilton’s residence on Sept. 24, 2014, and seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, a DVR containing video surveillance of individuals coming and going from her residence, and drug paraphernalia. Hamilton told investigators that she had received one to two pounds of methamphetamine from her source every other week over the past three months (1.5 pounds per two weeks, or three pounds per month, totals nine pounds, or 4,086 grams).
Hamilton is the final defendant to be sentenced among 10 defendants who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.Illegal Immigrant and Kosciusko Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jose Luis Solorio Morales, 27, of Mexico, and Lee Morris Wade, Jr., 41, of Kosciusko, were sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III for their roles in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge J. Derryle Smith.
Wade was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine. Solorio Morales was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On December 28, 2017, Wade was sent a shipment of approximately 12 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was transported in the gas tank of a passenger vehicle. Needing somewhere to process and store the liquid methamphetamine, Wade rented a home in Jackson, Mississippi. Solorio Morales, who had been unlawfully living in Texas, traveled to Jackson to assist in converting the liquid methamphetamine to solid form.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to over 27 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Erik Betancourt-Olguin, 25, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 330 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Securities Investigations in New Orleans.
On January 30, 2018, Olguin and three others were stopped in a vehicle in Hancock County traveling from Texas to North Carolina. They were transporting approximately 4 kilograms of 99% pure methamphetamine.
Olguin pled guilty on September 7, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The other occupants of the vehicle have all been sentenced.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Illegal Alien Felon Sentenced to Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Guatemalan man was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison for illegally reentering the United States after being deported at taxpayer expense.
“Perez-Augustin is a previously convicted felon who reentered the United States illegally and was ultimately arrested for aggravated sexual battery,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Individuals like Perez-Augustin represent a clear threat to the safety and security of our communities, and as such we will continue to prioritize criminal immigration enforcement cases across the Eastern District of Virginia.”
According to court documents, Hugo Perez-Augustin, 38, first illegally entered the United States in 2006 near Roma, Texas. At that time, he was removed to Guatemala. At some point after his 2006 removal, he reentered the United States illegally. Authorities discovered Perez-Augustin’s illegal presence in the United States in 2014, when he was arrested and convicted of aggravated sexual battery. Perez-Augustin will again be deported at taxpayer expense following his release from federal prison.
“This individual not only entered the country illegally on more than one occasion, but then proceeded to commit egregious crimes while in the U.S.,” said Jeffrey M. Jacoff, Acting Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. “ICE will continue to prioritize public safety threats who have no regard for the nation’s immigration laws.”
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jeffrey M. Jacoff, Acting Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-132.
Hays Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Dispute over WillRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas woman pleaded guilty today to mail fraud in a scheme to make it appear that when her employer died he left half his estate to her, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Wanda Oborny, 66, Hays, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. In her plea, she admitted that in 2013 she mailed a fraudulent purported codicil of Kansas banker Earl O. Field’s will to Ft. Hays State University. The document falsely claimed Field had left a fourth of his estate to the university, a fourth to his lawyer and half to Oborny. In fact, Field left the majority of the estate to the university.
Sentencing is set for May 29. Both parties have agreed to recommend Oborny be sentenced to a year on federal probation and ordered to pay $1,200 to the university. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
Hartford Men Charged with Stealing Federal Law Enforcement Vehicle and EquipmentRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on February 27, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging DOMINQUE PERRY, 23, and JOSE NUNEZ-TORRES, also known as “Jose Nunez” and “J-Money,” 19, both of Hartford, with stealing government property.
As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, on January 29, 2019, Perry and Nunez-Torres stole a 2016 Honda Accord from a residence in Newington. The vehicle was the property of a federal law enforcement agency, and contained fully loaded firearm magazines for multiple weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and other restraints, a ballistic vest and its component parts, and raid jackets. After stealing the vehicle, Perry drove the Accord to a location in Bloomfield where he and Nunez-Torres removed the vehicle’s tires and rims. Perry and Nunez-Torres subsequently sold the tires and rims, and attempted to sell the loaded firearm magazines, ammunition, ballistic vest and other items.
Perry was arrested on February 6 on a federal criminal complaint, and Nunez-Torres was arrested today. Most of the stolen items have been recovered.
The indictment charges Perry and Nunez-Torres with one count of conspiracy to steal government property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of theft of government property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Newington and Hartford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham.
Harrisburg Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Terrance Harden, age 27, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was indicted on February 27, 2019, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Harden possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine on May 31, 2018, in Harrisburg, and possessed a loaded 9mm handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking as a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer 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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
Indictments and Criminal Informations 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 this offense is life 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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Franklin Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Escape and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Brian Sanborn, 54, of Franklin, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to attempted escape and witness tampering.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 14, 2018, Sanborn called his girlfriend from the Strafford County House of Corrections. At the time, Sanborn was detained having been indicted on federal charges related to the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Sanborn was scheduled to go to federal court the next day, May 15, 2018, to change his plea. During the recorded phone call, Sanborn instructed his girlfriend to call his mother and to follow the transport van to and from Strafford on May 15 because “something might fall out of that . . . van and you might need to pick something up.”
On May 15, 2018, after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine and while being transported back to the Strafford County House of Corrections, Sanborn attempted to escape the transport van by prying open the door to the cage inside the van with a six-inch piece of metal that he had smuggled into the van. Sanborn’s actions were recorded on video cameras in the van and the deputies transporting Sanborn apprehended him before he could flee. Sanborn called his mother the next day and said, in a recorded phone call, that he “fell out of the back of the van and will probably be facing escape charges.”
Another inmate was in the transport van with Sanborn when he attempted to escape. At Strafford, Sanborn sent the inmate a note that said that Sanborn knew his name and knew that the inmate had a girlfriend and child. In the note, Sanborn also offered to pay the inmate to keep quiet about what he saw in the van. The inmate informed Sanborn that he was not interested in Sanborn’s help and wanted nothing to do with the situation. After this, other inmate associates of Sanborn began to harass the inmate and told him, among other things, that he was a “rat” and threatened to beat him up or kill him.
Sanborn pleaded guilty to attempted escape and witness tampering. He will be sentenced on June 5, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the Strafford County Sherriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
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Four Nashville Men Sentenced to More Than 75 Years Collectively, in Prison for Reign of Violence in Public Housing AreasRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 1, 2019 – Four Nashville men were sentenced this week, by Chief U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr., to more than 75 years in federal prison, collectively, for their violent conduct during an 8-month violent crime spree in 2014-2015, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Terrance Christopher Kimbrough, aka Lil Chris, aka Rampage, 22, was sentenced on Wednesday to 42 years in prison. He pleaded guilty in August 2018 to two counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death; Hobbs Act robbery; and other federal firearms offenses.
According to court documents, beginning in November 2014, Kimbrough was one of two individuals who robbed two men in the J.C. Napier area. During this robbery, the men targeted were ordered to strip and were then robbed of their clothing, drugs, money and identification.
On November 16, 2014, Kimbrough attempted to rob another individual, known to be a street-level drug dealer in the J.C. Napier area and shot the individual as he attempted to flee. Kimbrough chased the individual through the neighborhood and fired several rounds at him, causing him to seek treatment at a local hospital for gunshot wounds and other injuries sustained while fleeing.
On November 26, 2014, Kimbrough participated in the robbery of Brendon Leggs, at a market near the J.C. Napier area. During this robbery, Kimbrough and Calvin Starks approached Leggs as he sat in his car and demanded drugs and money. As Leggs attempted to drive away, Kimbrough and Starks fired a total of 18 rounds at Leggs, striking him twice and killing him. Calvin Starks was sentenced in August 2017 to 35 years in prison.
A week later, on December 3, 2014, Kimbrough and a juvenile shot and killed Monte Watson, near the intersection of Lewis and Robertson Streets, in the J.C. Napier area. Kimbrough was aware that Watson had witnessed him murder Leggs and had been searching for him in order to silence him.
On February 23, 2015, Kimbrough fired multiple rounds into the engine compartment of an occupied car, in the J.C. Napier neighborhood, because the driver refused to give him a ride.
Kimbrough also shot a member of the Bloods Gang on July 4, 2015, on Porter Road in Nashville and on July 17, 2015, Kimbrough participated in a shootout between two rival groups, in the J.C. Napier neighborhood. During this shootout, two women were stuck by gunfire and were treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital.
Ricky Watkins, 25, was also sentenced on Wednesday to 107 months in prison, for providing the .38 caliber revolver to the juvenile who participated with Kimbrough in the murder of Monte Watson and for helping Kimbrough rob the two men in November 2014. Watkins pleaded guilty to these charges in 2017
Michael Calloway, Jr., 24, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, charges which resulted from an incident on November 23, 2014, where he shot into a vehicle occupied by three adults and a young child in the J.C. Napier area. Calloway pleaded guilty in August 2018 and is currently serving a separate 15-year sentence resulting from federal charges relating to another shooting in the J.C. Napier neighborhood in April 2015.
Brandon Starks, 23, also sentenced yesterday received the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and providing Terrance Kimbrough with the gun and ammunition, which he used in the February 2015 shooting. While released on bond, Starks also committed an armed robbery of a U.S. Soldier stationed at Fort Campbell in July 2017. Starks pleaded guilty in February 2017.
A fifth man, Javonta Campbell, 25, was sentenced to five years’ probation, with a requirement that he complete 400 hours of community service focused on reaching youth in the JC Napier/South Nashville areas, and preventing those youth from participating in firearms and violent crimes such as those committed by all five of these defendants. Campbell pleaded guilty to participating in the November 2014 incident with Michael Calloway, where he shot into a vehicle occupied by three adults and a young child, and also participated in the February 2015 incident with Terrance Kimbrough, where Kimbrough shot multiples times into the engine compartment of an occupied car.
Over 50 defendants have been charged and convicted in a series of cases in an intensive, ongoing, effort to address violence in the J.C. Napier/Tony Sudekum and James Cayce public housing developments in South Nashville.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy prosecuted the cases.
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Four Cleveland men indicted for their roles in a conspiracy in to sell large quantities of cocaine in Greater ClevelandRead the Press Release
Four Cleveland men were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy in to sell large quantities of cocaine in Greater Cleveland.
Named in the seven-count indictment are: Angel Rios, 36; Jamie Hernandez-De La Paz, 37; Felix Cruz, 37, and Edwin M. Tavarez, 44. Each is indicted with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilogram of cocaine.
Rios and Cruz are charged with maintaining a drug house on Hodgson Avenue which they used to store and sell marijuana.
De La Paz is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Cruz is charged with a being a felon in possession of a firearm. He possessed a Glock pistol and ammunition on February 1 despite a previous drug conviction, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit two firearms and nearly $100,000 in cash seized during the investigation.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Darden and Patrick Burke.
A charge is only an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 168 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Reginald Gant, 33 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann after pleading guilty to Possessing with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Gant was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on June 17, 2016, Gant was in possession of 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance. At that time, Gant possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Former U.S. Probation Officer Pleads Guilty to Lying to the FBIRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DENNIS EDWARD BRESNAHAN, 55, a former United States Probation Officer, to two counts of making false statements to the FBI. BRESNAHAN, who was indicted on August 15, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Judge Robert W. Pratt in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
“People who work in the criminal justice system hold positions of trust over others and are to use that authority appropriately,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Division. “The FBI takes seriously its responsibility to maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system by investigating allegations where that trust was violated. All citizens, including the vulnerable victims in this case, expect and deserve equal protection under the law.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, for more than twenty-five years, and until August 22, 2016, BRESNAHAN was employed as a United States Probation Officer for the District of Minnesota. In his role, BRESNAHAN was responsible for supervising defendants on federal pretrial and supervised release, and had access to records and maintained communications with individuals under his supervision. Between January 2016 and April 1, 2016, BRESNAHAN engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with an individual (identified as “Witness A”) under his supervision, including repeated phone and email discussions of a sexual nature.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on August 22, 2016, FBI agents interviewed BRESNAHAN regarding both his sexually inappropriate conduct in his role as a United States Probation Officer and his relationship with Witness A. BRESNAHAN admitted to engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior and to receiving one topless photograph from Witness A. When FBI agents asked BRESNAHAN whether he had asked for additional sexual photographs from Witness A, BRESNAHAN lied and said that he had not. FBI agents then asked BRESNAHAN if he had engaged in any similar inappropriate sexual conduct with other probationers, including asking for sexual photographs, to which BRESNAHAN again lied and claimed that he had not. However, upon further investigation, it was revealed that BRESNAHAN had in fact asked for sexual photographs from other probationers, specifically an individual identified as Witness B. Witness B was under BRESNAHAN’S supervision from July 2013 until approximately February 2014. During that time, BRESNAHAN engaged in multiple email exchanges of a sexual nature with Witness B, including asking for sexual photographs.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Allen A. Slaughter are prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
DENNIS EDWARD BRESNAHAN, 55
Forest Lake, Minn.
Convicted:
- Making false statements or representations to an agency of the United States, 2 counts
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Former Oil City Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing 10 Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Oil City, PA has been sentenced in federal court to two-and-a-half years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
On February 27, 2019, Judge Cathy Bissoon sentenced Emmett Freshcorn, 30, on one count of possession of firearms by convicted felon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on December 11, 2017, Freshcorn, who is a convicted felon, went into a gun store with another individual. Freshcorn gave that individual money to purchase a BMG, .50 caliber rifle. Freshcorn then carried the rifle out of the store and took possession of it. Further, on March 7, 2018, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives recovered the remaining firearms and ammunition from locations connected to Freshcorn in Oil City, PA.
This case was brought as 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Wheeler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Oil City Police conducted the investigation leading to the plea and sentence in this case.
Former Oil City Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing 10 Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Oil City, PA has been sentenced in federal court to two-and-a-half years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
On February 27, 2019, Judge Cathy Bissoon sentenced Emmett Freshcorn, 30, on one count of possession of firearms by convicted felon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on December 11, 2017, Freshcorn, who is a convicted felon, went into a gun store with another individual. Freshcorn gave that individual money to purchase a BMG, .50 caliber rifle. Freshcorn then carried the rifle out of the store and took possession of it. Further, on March 7, 2018, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives recovered the remaining firearms and ammunition from locations connected to Freshcorn in Oil City, PA.
This case was brought as 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Wheeler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Oil City Police conducted the investigation leading to the plea and sentence in this case.