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18 December 2018
Armed Drug Trafficker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that William Cooke, 22, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that Cooke was arrested after Rochester police officers stopped a car, in which Cooke was riding, in the area of Scrantom Street and Conkey Avenue. As officers stopped the car, the defendant jumped from the rear passenger seat and fled, causing officers to chase after him. During the chase, officers could see a black object in Cooke’s hand as he pulled his hand half way from his jacket pocket. Officers only lost sight of Cooke for a brief period of time during the chase as he rounded the corner of a house on Clifford Avenue.
After apprehending the defendant, officers found a loaded defaced semiautomatic pistol on the ground in the area where officers momentarily lost sight of Cooke. Officers arrested Cooke and placed him in a room at the Clinton Section police offices. While the defendant was in the room, officers could see him through the use of a video camera surveillance system climb onto a table in the room. Officers quickly confronted Cooke, who was already sitting back down when they entered the room. However, officers could see blue bags protruding from the ceiling and electrical junction above the table where Cooke was standing moments before. Officers removed a total of 27 baggies of suspected heroin. Subsequent testing determined the substance was fentanyl and acetyl-fentanyl.
The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Simmons, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that William Nicholas Hearn, 44, of Toxey, Alabama, was sentenced today for his possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. Hearn pled guilty to the two charges in August of 2018.
United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed a sentence of 120 months imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. He ordered that Hearn serve an eight-year term of supervised release when he is released from custody, during which he will undergo drug abuse counseling and treatment. No fine was imposed but Hearn was ordered to pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.
The case was investigated by the MCSENT Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria A. Bedwell.
Arizona Man Sentenced on Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Tucson, Arizona, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, was sentenced on December 10, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Christopher Lamont Bradshaw, age 27, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 8 years of supervised release on both counts, to run concurrently. Bradshaw was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Bradshaw was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 16, 2017. He was found guilty by a federal jury in Pierre, South Dakota on September 21, 2018.
In reaching its verdict, the jury found that between March and August of 2017, Bradshaw conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in South Dakota. The jury further found that on April 27, 2017, Bradshaw possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine near Rosebud, South Dakota. Both charges carried a mandatory minimum of 60 months in prison. However, since Bradshaw had a prior drug felony conviction that had become final prior to his offense conduct in this case, he faced a mandatory 120 months in prison on each count. Bradshaw’s co-defendant, Antonio Foster, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 30, 2018, to 60 months in prison.
Some of the facts presented to the jury included the following. On April 27, 2017, officers with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services served a search warrant on a residence believed to be occupied by Bradshaw and Foster. When law enforcement arrived, Bradshaw and Foster were getting ready to leave the residence in a vehicle driven by Bradshaw and owned by his long-time girlfriend. When they saw the officers, both Bradshaw and Foster fled on foot. Officers confiscated 89 grams of meth in the immediate area where Foster had fled, and seized a total of $5,382 in U.S. currency from both Foster’s person and Bradshaw’s vehicle.
“I want to congratulate the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and its law enforcement officers for this outstanding investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “This is a solid conviction and sentence for a known interstate meth dealer.”
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.
Bradshaw was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Arizona Man Sentenced for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Ahmed Mohammed El Gammal, 46, a resident of Arizona, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for providing and conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, aiding and abetting the receipt of military-type training from ISIS, and conspiring to receive such training. A jury convicted El Gammal of these charges on Jan. 30, 2017, following a three-week trial.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York made the announcement. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos presided over the trial and issued the sentence.
According to documents publicly filed in this case and evidence presented at trial:
Beginning in at least April 2014, El Gammal was an outspoken online supporter of ISIS and ISIS’s Caliphate, or Islamic government, in Syria. Among other things, El Gammal announced on social media that he was “with” “[t]he State of Iraq and the Levant,” referring to ISIS; celebrated ISIS’s achievements in battle and announcement of the establishment of a Caliphate; proclaimed that he “support[s] jihad everywhere”; and declared that “[b]eheadings have a magical effect.” El Gammal additionally announced that “[i]f Daesh [i.e., ISIS] gets to Egypt, I will go join them, so I can torture the Egyptians, and whip them.”
As of at least August 2014, a 24-year-old New York City resident named Samy El-Goarany began to express his support for ISIS on social media as well. On August 14, 2014, El-Goarany learned that El Gammal had made comments supportive of ISIS. Minutes later, El-Goarany contacted El Gammal and they communicated via an encrypted communications platform. Less than an hour after this online conversation, El Gammal sent El-Goarany a documentary on life in the Islamic State that outlined the type of training ISIS provides. Over the next several months, El Gammal and El-Goarany continued corresponding over the Internet, although El Gammal and El-Goarany ultimately deleted many of these exchanges.
In the midst of these communications, in October 2014, El Gammal traveled to New York City, where El-Goarany was enrolled in college, and met with El-Goarany. During this October 2014 trip, El Gammal provided El-Goarany with the phone number for El Gammal’s contact in Turkey, Ateia Aboualala, who would be responsible for helping El-Goarany travel from Turkey across the border to ISIS in Syria. While in New York City, El Gammal also contacted Aboualala in Turkey regarding El-Goarany’s plans to travel. El Gammal later provided El-Goarany with social media contact information for Aboualala. Thereafter, in a coded conversation, El Gammal assured Aboualala that he had vetted El-Goarany and El-Goarany could be trusted.
In late January 2015, El-Goarany left New York City for Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arriving in Turkey, El-Goarany immediately reached out to Aboualala. While El-Goarany was in Turkey, El Gammal continued to communicate with El-Goarany over the Internet, providing advice on traveling toward Syria and on meeting with Aboualala. After arriving in Syria, El-Goarany received religious training and advanced military-type training from ISIS throughout 2015. On May 7, 2015, in the midst of his training with ISIS, El-Goarany reported to El Gammal that “everything [was] going according to plan.” A few months later, on July 16, 2015, El-Goarany wrote to El Gammal: “Life has changed a lot for me at this new job but I love it and I don’t regret taking up the offer,” and “May God reward you with goodness,” to which El Gammal responded, “Great.”
In May 2015, El-Goarany’s father traveled to Turkey and met with Aboualala, in an attempt to locate his son. Upon learning of this, El Gammal instructed Aboualala, “Don’t ever ever mention me. Not even my name[,]” and urged Aboualala not to meet with El-Goarany’s father. On May 5, 2015, Aboualala reported back to El Gammal, assuring El Gammal that, when Aboualala met up with El-Goarany’s father, “I covered up for you.”
In coded messages in mid-2015, El Gammal reached out to El-Goarany to inquire about the possibility of El Gammal’s traveling to ISIS in Syria. On July 13, 2015, El-Goarany, again in a coded message, responded that he needed to ask his “supervisors at work first,” but commented that “it’s risky because the parking lot these days is going under a lot of renovation, especially in the north side,” alluding to military operations occurring in northern Syria at the time.
On November 23, 2015, El-Goarany’s brother received a message from a member of ISIS with an attached letter from El-Goarany. The letter read: “if you’re reading this then know that I’ve been killed in battle and am now with our Lord, inshaAllah. Remember what I told you . . . we will win this war one day, this war between Iman (Belief) and Kufr (Disbelief) between Good and Evil. . . .”
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In addition to the prison term, El Gammal was sentenced to 3 years’ supervised release.
Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force – which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD. Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the Phoenix Field Office of the FBI for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Negar Tekeei, Brendan F. Quigley, and Andrew J. DeFilippis of the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Ranganath Manthripragada of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Providing Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced that AHMED MOHAMMED EL GAMMAL, a resident of Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to 12 years in prison for providing and conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (“ISIS”), aiding and abetting the receipt of military-type training from ISIS, and conspiring to receive such training. A jury convicted EL GAMMAL of these charges on January 30, 2017, following a three-week trial before Judge Ramos.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Ahmed Mohammed El Gammal, a fervent ISIS supporter, was convicted of assisting a fellow supporter and aspiring ISIS fighter to receive military-type training. Through the use of coded messaging, the two conspired to navigate foreign travel, and avoid law enforcement roadblocks to get the would-be fighter to his ultimate goal – a Syrian battlefield. El Gammal – who extoled the virtues of violence, and chillingly even beheadings, in the name of ISIS – has now witnessed first-hand how a fair justice system works, and has been sentenced to a lengthy term in federal prison.”
According to documents publicly filed in this case and evidence presented at trial:
Beginning in at least April 2014, EL GAMMAL was an outspoken online supporter of ISIS and ISIS’s Caliphate, or Islamic government, in Syria. Among other things, EL GAMMAL announced on social media that he was “with” “[t]he State of Iraq and the Levant,” referring to ISIS; celebrated ISIS’s achievements in battle and announcement of the establishment of a Caliphate; proclaimed that he “support[s] jihad everywhere”; and declared that “[b]eheadings have a magical effect.” EL GAMMAL additionally announced that “[i]f Daesh [i.e., ISIS] gets to Egypt, I will go join them, so I can torture the Egyptians, and whip them.”
As of at least August 2014, a 24-year-old New York City resident named Samy El-Goarany began to express his support for ISIS on social media as well. On August 14, 2014, El-Goarany learned that EL GAMMAL had made comments supportive of ISIS. Minutes later, El-Goarany contacted EL GAMMAL and they communicated via an encrypted communications platform. Less than an hour after this online conversation, EL GAMMAL sent El-Goarany a documentary on life in the Islamic State that outlined the type of training ISIS provides. Over the next several months, EL GAMMAL and El-Goarany continued corresponding over the Internet, although EL GAMMAL and El-Goarany ultimately deleted many of these exchanges.
In the midst of these communications, in October 2014, EL GAMMAL traveled to New York City, where El-Goarany was enrolled in college, and met with El-Goarany. During this October 2014 trip, EL GAMMAL provided El-Goarany with the phone number for EL GAMMAL’s contact in Turkey, Ateia Aboualala, who would be responsible for helping El-Goarany travel from Turkey across the border to ISIS in Syria. While in New York City, EL GAMMAL also contacted Aboualala in Turkey regarding El-Goarany’s plans to travel. EL GAMMAL later provided El-Goarany with social media contact information for Aboualala. Thereafter, in a coded conversation, EL GAMMAL assured Aboualala that he had vetted El-Goarany and El-Goarany could be trusted.
In late January 2015, El-Goarany left New York City for Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arriving in Turkey, El-Goarany immediately reached out to Aboualala. While El-Goarany was in Turkey, EL GAMMAL continued to communicate with El-Goarany over the Internet, providing advice on traveling toward Syria and on meeting with Aboualala. After arriving in Syria, El-Goarany received religious training and advanced military-type training from ISIS throughout 2015. On May 7, 2015, in the midst of his training with ISIS, El-Goarany reported to EL GAMMAL that “everything [was] going according to plan.” A few months later, on July 16, 2015, El-Goarany wrote to EL GAMMAL: “Life has changed a lot for me at this new job but I love it and I don’t regret taking up the offer,” and “May God reward you with goodness,” to which EL GAMMAL responded, “Great.”
In May 2015, El-Goarany’s father traveled to Turkey and met with Aboualala, in an attempt to locate his son. Upon learning of this, EL GAMMAL instructed Aboualala, “Don’t ever ever mention me. Not even my name[,]” and urged Aboualala not to meet with El-Goarany’s father. On May 5, 2015, Aboualala reported back to EL GAMMAL, assuring EL GAMMAL that, when Aboualala met up with El-Goarany’s father, “I covered up for you.”
In coded messages in mid-2015, EL GAMMAL reached out to El-Goarany to inquire about the possibility of EL GAMMAL’s traveling to ISIS in Syria. On July 13, 2015, El-Goarany, again in a coded message, responded that he needed to ask his “supervisors at work first,” but commented that “it’s risky because the parking lot these days is going under a lot of renovation, especially in the north side,” alluding to military operations occurring in northern Syria at the time.
On November 23, 2015, El-Goarany’s brother received a message from a member of ISIS with an attached letter from El-Goarany. The letter read: “if you’re reading this then know that I’ve been killed in battle and am now with our Lord, inshaAllah. Remember what I told you . . . we will win this war one day, this war between Iman (Belief) and Kufr (Disbelief) between Good and Evil. . . .”
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In addition to the prison term, EL GAMMAL was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (“FBI”) New York Joint Terrorism Task Force – which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department. Mr. Berman also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and the Phoenix Field Office of the FBI for their assistance.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Negar Tekeei, Brendan F. Quigley, and Andrew J. DeFilippis are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Ranganath Manthripragada of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Anderson Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Anderson, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Clyde Allen Williams, 33, of Anderson, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain of Anderson accepted Williams’ guilty plea and sentenced him to 100 months in federal prison, to be followed by court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 9, 2017, Williams was the driver of a car traveling at 96 mph in a 45 mph zone in the city of Anderson, SC. An Anderson City Police Officer stopped the car and, while speaking to Williams, observed the bottom of a pistol magazine sticking out of Williams' pocket. The officer removed a loaded .380 caliber pistol from Williams’ pocket. A subsequent search of the car revealed approximately 84 grams of marijuana. Federal law prohibits Williams from possessing firearms due to his prior criminal record.
The Anderson City Police Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Alleged Nigerian Ringleader of International Investment Scam Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
A Nigerian national was charged in court documents unsealed today for his role as the alleged ringleader of an international advance-fee scheme that allegedly involved false promises of investment funding by individuals who impersonated U.S. bank officials in person and over the internet to victims around the world, who were told they had to make certain payments before they could supposedly receive their funding. Proceeds of the scheme were allegedly laundered through U.S. bank accounts and diverted back to the scheme’s perpetrators in Nigeria.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Robert Smolich of the U.S. Department of State Office of Inspector General made the announcement.
Osondu Victor Igwilo, 49, of Lagos, Nigeria, was charged in a complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas in December 2016 and unsealed today. The complaint charges Igwilo with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft. Igwilo remains a fugitive.
As alleged in the complaint, Igwilo was the leader of a criminal network of “catchers,” who sent phishing emails to potential victims falsely offering investment funding on behalf of BB&T Corporation, a U.S. bank headquartered in North Carolina. When victims were interested in the supposed investment funding, Igwilo allegedly dispatched U.S. citizens whom he had recruited over the internet to pose as “representatives” of BB&T to meet in person with the victims and sign a supposed investment agreement on behalf of BB&T. When traveling to the countries where the victims resided, these representatives, at Igwilo’s direction, would visit the local U.S. embassy or consulate and employ fake documents with fraudulent seals of the U.S. government to deceive the victims into believing that the investment agreement was sponsored by the U.S. government, the complaint alleges. Igwilo then allegedly used the representatives and catchers to convince victims to make wire payments to bank accounts in the United States on the false belief that such payments were necessary to effectuate the investment agreements. The holders of the U.S. bank accounts were “money movers,” who disposed of the funds as directed by Igwilo, including by purchasing luxury vehicles, from brands such as Mercedes Benz and Range Rover, and shipping them to Nigeria, the complaint alleges.
Uche Diuno, 52, also of Lagos, was charged in a separate case in a second superseding indictment filed on Oct. 3, 2018 with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of concealment money laundering. Diuno was arrested in Paris, France on Sept. 29, 2018 and is awaiting extradition.
As alleged in the second superseding indictment, Diuno was a “chairman” or leader in the scheme, who operated his own network of catchers and money movers alongside Igwilo’s, which he used in furtherance of the same BB&T investment scam.
Seven other individuals have been charged to date as part of the same investigation including Uju Okigbo, 49, of Houston, Texas, an alleged money mover; Chioma Okafor, 29, of Houston, an alleged money mover; Marita Ranalan Underwood, 62, of Manila, Philippines, an alleged representative; John Christian Rutledge, 65, of Yaphank, New York, an alleged representative; Osa May Martin, 69, of Carthage, Missouri, an alleged representative; Tochukwu Nwosisi, 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, an alleged money mover and Tiffany Sourjohn, 48, of Miami, Oklahoma, an alleged representative.
Okigbo, Okafor, Rutledge and Sourjohn have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Underwood remains a fugitive. Martin and Nwosisi are pending trial.
The charges in the complaint and second superseding indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Department of State Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Elmilady of the Southern District of Texas. Forfeiture aspects of the case are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollinson of the Southern District of Texas.
Acting Attorney General Whitaker Statement on the Federal Commission on School Safety Comprehensive Resource GuideRead the Press Release
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker today released the following statement:
"The Trump administration is taking action to prevent and deter violence in our schools," Acting Attorney General Whitaker said. "The Department of Justice is already directing funding to hire school resource officers, improving our background check systems, and prosecuting violent offenders at record levels. Today's report provides a substantive blueprint for this Administration's next steps to protect our young people. The Department of Justice will continue to support first responders and provide training for law enforcement officers and school personnel. I want to thank all of my fellow commissioners for their hard work on this report and thank the President for making our kids a priority."
24 Arrested on Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges in Myrtle Beach and Horry County – FBI Seeks Information on 3 Remaining FugitivesRead the Press Release
Conway, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today during a press conference at the Horry County Police Department that a 46-count federal indictment has been unsealed that charges 27 defendants with federal drug conspiracy charges. On Wednesday morning, 22 defendants were arrested in an early morning operation in Horry County that was conducted by more than 125 officers and agents from 12 law enforcement agencies. These defendants were arraigned in federal court in Florence on Wednesday afternoon, and two defendants who were already in state custody will make their first appearance this Friday. Three defendants have not yet been arrested, and the FBI is seeking information leading to their capture.
Beginning in 2017, the FBI Myrtle Beach Resident Agency, working alongside several other federal and local law enforcement partners, began a covert investigation of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in the Myrtle Beach and Horry County areas of South Carolina. The defendants named in the indictment are members and/or associates of this drug trafficking organization, known by the name “G-Shine” and formerly known as “Gangster Killer Bloods.” G-Shine is a Bloods Gang set that evolved from the United Blood Nation in the late 1990s. G-Shine originated in the New York/New Jersey area and migrated along the east coast and now has sets, or sub-groups, in multiple states including New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina. Shine Money Gang is a sub-set of G-Shine that is based in the Longs, South Carolina, area. The investigation revealed that G-Shine’s gang members and criminal associates engage in the sale of narcotics and use firearms to defend themselves and their criminal enterprise.
The indictment charges the defendants with forming an agreement to distribute heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana in South Carolina. Additionally, the indictment charges several defendants with the actual distribution of these drugs and the use of wireless communications devices to further the organization’s drug trafficking activity. During the course of the investigation, agents used undercover surveillance, confidential source information, and other techniques to establish the agreement between coconspirators to sell these drugs.
“Drugs and violence are what we are talking about today,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “I could not be more proud to lend my voice, and more importantly our resources, to help sound the alarm in this community. There is a serious violent crime problem, and a serious opioid problem, in the Myrtle Beach area. We are targeting groups that are directly destroying communities. We will spare no resources. We are here in full force, with a passion for making Myrtle Beach safe. We are locking arms with our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal enterprises right here at home. We applaud the great work done by our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, and we consider it a great privilege to join forces with them.”
The following defendants are in custody:
- Aaron Delond Stanley, a/k/a “Heat Santana,” of Myrtle Beach
- Richard Earl Hemingway, Jr., a/k/a “Jeezy,” of Myrtle Beach
- Rashea Omar Jenerette, a/k/a “Dog,” of Poplar
- Thurston Jay Hardiman, a/k/a “Thirst,” of Longs
- Christopher Lamont Pino, a/k/a “Pine,” of Little River
- Trey Levert Cox, aka “Cheese” a/k/a “Sosa,” of Poplar
- Terrance Damon Richardson, Jr., a/k/a “Juicy,” of Longs
- Kennis Lorenzo Willard, a/k/a “Kilo,” of Longs
- Terrice Bayshawn Livingston, a/k/a “Biz,” of Longs
- Crystal Nicole Dickey, of Little River
- Cory Antwan Pertell, of Loris
- Jada Teal Abril Pyatt, of Myrtle Beach
- Wendy Elaine Blue, of Longs
- Michelle Denise McFee, of Little River
- Kalaera Marie Gee, of Marion
- Javarius Albert Grant Murray, of Myrtle Beach
- Eddie Mario Jones, a/k/a “Coco,” of Myrtle Beach
- Marcus Antonio Hemingway, a/k/a “Mark,” of Longs
- Donte Raquan Xavier Livingston, a/k/a “Bootsie,” of Myrtle Beach
- Xavier Jermaine Horne, a/k/a “Rush,” of Myrtle Beach
- Montea Daryel Myers, of Myrtle Beach
- Glen Garrick Holley, of Myrtle Beach
- Michelle Lindsey Singleton, of Myrtle Beach
- Blake Lashay Evans, a/k/a “Breezy,” of Longs
The FBI is actively looking for three additional defendants: Christopher Kayvon Giddens, a/k/a “Brisk,” of Longs; Rondric Tykeme Smith, of Conway; and Katelyn Anne Stetler, of Little River. Any person having information as to the whereabouts of one of these fugitives should contact the FBI Columbia Tip Line at 803-551-4200.
The investigation and arrests were a combined law enforcement effort between the following agencies: Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit and Solicitor’s Office, Myrtle Beach Police Department, Conway Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, and United States Postal Inspection Service.
The investigation has been quarterbacked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Assistant United States Attorneys Everett McMillian and Justin Holloway of the Florence office are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Lydon stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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12 Indicted for Interstate Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging twelve people with crimes related to the distribution of cocaine. The indictment was returned on November 28 by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison and was unsealed yesterday.
The indictment charges Joseph Harper, 41, Madison, Wisconsin; Gregory Smith, 49, Houston, Texas; Timothy Hotchkiss, 38, Middleton, Wisconsin; Jennifer Green, 46, Madison; Gerald Schad, 26, Madison; Lonell Johnson, 27, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin; Bryan Lewis, 48, Madison; Miesha Ihm, 24, Madison; Diane Williams, 36, Dubuque, Iowa; Jamal Jackson, 39, Madison; and Gerald Walters, 36, Madison, with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from November 2017 to November 2018.
In addition, the indictment charges Prince Hayes, 39, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, with distribution of cocaine on September 17, 2018. Harper and Jackson are also charged with separate counts of distribution and possession with intent distribute cocaine. Harper, Smith, Schad, and Ihm face additional charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
During the detention hearing for Diane Williams on December 17, 2018, the government proffered that a long-term multi-agency investigation revealed a large-scale cocaine conspiracy in which Gregory Smith allegedly mailed packages containing kilograms of cocaine from Houston to Joseph Harper in Madison and to Harper’s associates in Milwaukee and Dubuque, Iowa, for eventual delivery to Harper, and in which Harper or his associates subsequently mailed drug proceeds to Smith.
“The twelve individuals charged in the criminal indictment are alleged to have been part of a drug ring that distributed a large amount of cocaine in southern Wisconsin,” said U.S. Attorney Blader. “Working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate large-scale drug traffickers and dismantle drug networks that feed the deadly cycle of drug abuse, and jeopardize the safety and stability of our local communities.”
“DEA is proud to be part of this outstanding group effort to bring to justice those individuals who are responsible for poisoning our communities,” said DEA Resident Agent in Charge Dennis Hiorns.
“The United States Postal Inspection Service is determined to stop the distribution of illegal drugs in this country,” said Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg of the Chicago Division of the U. S. Postal Inspection Service. “This indictment is a direct result of a thorough investigation by a group of tenacious law enforcement partners who share the same goal of protecting the American public from the flow of dangerous drugs.”
Harper, Hotchkiss, Green, Johnson, Lewis, Ihm, Williams, Jackson, Walters, and Hayes have all been arrested and made initial appearances in federal court in Madison. Smith and Schad were both arrested in Houston and have made initial appearances in federal court in Houston.
The conspiracy, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute charges alleging 500 grams or more of cocaine have a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine charges against Hayes, Harper, and Jackson have a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The charges in this case are the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
17 December 2018
York Man Pleads Guilty to Making Interstate Threats and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Austin Santoro, 23, of York, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to transmitting threatening interstate communications and identity theft.
According to court documents, in January, the defendant sent an email to employees of the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department at their departmental email addresses threatening to sexually assault them at gunpoint. The defendant used an email “spoofing” service to make it appear that the email had been sent by the police chief.
On the same day, the defendant sent an email to employees of the York County Community College at their work addresses threatening to sexually assault them at gunpoint. The defendant used the same spoofing service to make it appear that the email had been sent by a college employee.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison for the threat charges, up to 20 years for the identity theft charges, and a $250,000 fine on each. He will be sentenced after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
York County Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jason Bolduc, 41, of Parsonsfield, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to 150 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Bolduc pled guilty on May 23, 2018.
Court records reveal that, between September 2016 and January 2017, the defendant conspired with others to purchase large amounts of fentanyl in Lawrence, Massachusetts for distribution in Maine. On January 13, 2017, federal and state drug agents apprehended Bolduc as he returned from one of his resupply trips and seized about 150 “fingers” (about 1,500 grams) of fentanyl from Bolduc and found in a vehicle he rented.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Biddeford Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Woman Pleads Guilty to $100K Caregiver FraudRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hayes woman pleaded guilty today to charges of fraud and identity theft in connection with stealing nearly $100,000 from a Gloucester woman.
According to court documents, in early 2015, Amy Denton, 43, began performing personal care services for A.C., who required assistance due to certain medical issues and limitations. A.C., a recipient of Social Security Disability income and other public assistance, resided in an apartment with her teenaged son, who suffered from disabilities. Denton assisted A.C. with running errands, certain household duties and taking her to appointments.
On or about Jan. 1, 2015, A.C.’s mother passed away, leaving behind life insurance to A.C., notice of which was eventually sent to a post office box to which Denton had access. In May 2015, Denton caused A.C. to complete a power of attorney form that gave the Denton access and control over A.C.’s finances, and eventually forged forms on A.C.’s behalf in order to obtain the life insurance. After Denton added herself to A.C.’s checking account, she opened two other bank accounts using A.C.’s name. Denton then caused the life insurance proceeds to be deposited and/or transferred into the bank accounts in the total amount of $99,968.23. Denton used the majority of the funds for her own use, including purchasing a vehicle, travel, entertainment, paying court fees, over $15,000 in cash related transactions (or checks to cash) and debit/check card transactions. A.C. neither authorized nor was aware of any of these transactions occurred.
Denton pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the mail fraud charge, and a mandatory penalty of 2 years on the aggravated identity theft charge, which will run consecutive to any prison term imposed on the mail fraud charge. Denton is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2019. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Darrell W. Warren, Jr., Gloucester County Sheriff, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Samuels is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:18-cr-70.
Wichita Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man pleaded guilty Monday to federal sex trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Johnell Carter, 22, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking. In his plea, he admitted he used physical force including punching and biting to make an 18-year-old woman perform commercial sex acts. He advertised her services online.
In the second count, Carter admitted recruiting a 15-year-old to perform commercial sex acts. He advertised her services online.
Sentencing is set for March 4. Both parties have agreed to argue for a sentence in a range of 15 years to 25 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department, the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.
Westville Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Donnie Dean Burke, age 35, of Westville, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D), punishable by Not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000.00 fine, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on a date unknown to the Grand Jury in 2014, and continuing until on or about January 29, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate and agree, with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, as follows: possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A); and possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of Marijuana, a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
The charges arose as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (“OBN”), the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the District 27 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, the Stilwell Police Department, the Broken Arrow Police Department, and the Tulsa Police Department.
The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.
West Ashley Man Sentenced to Nearly Six Years for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Glenn Darryl Dennis, age 33, of West Ashley, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Charleston sentenced Dennis to 71 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court established that on December 5, 2017, officers of the Charleston Police Department stopped Dennis for a vehicle infraction and observed an open container of alcohol. Officers asked Dennis to step out of the vehicle, and, as they attempted to frisk him for weapons, he tried to run. He was quickly restrained, and officers found cocaine and a loaded revolver in his pocket.
Federal law prohibits Dennis from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his numerous prior felony convictions, including for possessing narcotics with intent to distribute and carjacking. He pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on July 30, 2018.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Chris Schoen of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001 that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Turning the tide of rising violent crime in America is a top priority for the Department of Justice, which has reinstituted PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy.
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Utah Felon Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking of Elderly WomanRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A felon was sentenced today to 192 months in federal prison for an armed carjacking in a casino parking garage last year, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.
Andrew Brigman, 29, of Layton, Utah, previously pleaded guilty to use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He has prior felony convictions for attempted theft, aggravated assault, and theft and assault by a prisoner, all in Utah. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du sentenced him to five years of supervised release.
On July 6, 2017, Brigman and a child approached an elderly woman as she exited her car in a casino parking garage in Sparks. He pointed a semiautomatic handgun at the woman and demanded she hand over her car, phone, and credit cards. She gave him the key fob for her car. Brigman did not know how to operate the car with the key fob, so she had to show him how to start the car. He and the child left in the stolen vehicle. In an attempt to locate Brigman and the child, Sparks Police Department sent out media releases with composite sketches and images of the stolen vehicle. An Amber alert was also issued for the child.
On July 14, the Sparks Police Department received a tip that identified Brigman as the possible suspect of the armed carjacking. A few days later, the stolen vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in Alamosa County, Colo. Brigman, a woman, and her four children were in the vehicle. The child who accompanied Brigman during the armed carjacking was found safe in the car. During a search of the vehicle, a .38 semiautomatic pistol was found in the glove box.
The case was investigated by the Sparks Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.
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Upstate Woman Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison in Opioid ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Anderson, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Precias K. Freeman, 35, of Lyman, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson for her role in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hydrocodone. United States District Timothy M. Cain of Anderson sentenced Freeman to 210 months in the federal Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court established that beginning in October 2014, Freeman created fraudulent prescriptions using stolen physician DEA numbers. She passed the fraudulent prescriptions in local pharmacies throughout the upstate of South Carolina. In February 2015, Freeman moved her operation into North Carolina because South Carolina law enforcement was devoting substantial resources in an effort to locate her.
The investigation revealed that Freeman usually tried to fill three prescriptions per day. Records showed that on some days Freeman succeeded at filling up to 13 prescriptions per day. Veteran DEA agents described Freeman as the most prolific prescription passer with whom they had dealt. Over the course of the conspiracy, law enforcement estimates that Freeman was responsible for illegally obtaining 175,000 tablets of hydrocodone, which she and her co-conspirators then sold across the Upstate.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Duncan Police Department, the Simpsonville Police Department, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Trustee Program Files Objection to the Appointment of the Debtor’s Proposed Future Claimants’ Representative in in Re the Fairbanks Company, No. 18-41768 (Bankr. N.D. Ga.)Read the Press Release
The Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) filed on Friday an objection to a debtor company’s proposed candidate for appointment as a Future Claimants’ Representative (FCR) in a bankruptcy case involving a trust to compensate those suffering from asbestos disease. An FCR is appointed by the court to protect the interests of those exposed to asbestos products manufactured or sold by a debtor, but who have not yet become sick. Current claimants are represented by attorneys who often control the asbestos trusts to the detriment of future asbestos victims.
This is the second time this year that the USTP has opposed the selection of a candidate proposed by a debtor company and endorsed by the plaintiffs’ lawyers representing current claimants.
In its objection, the USTP argued that the court is required to select the best candidate without deference to the debtor or plaintiffs’ lawyers. The objection asserts that the proposed candidate currently serves as FCR for several other trusts and has other connections to trusts that have contained inadequate safeguards against fraudulent claims, inflated professional fees, and other costs that threaten to deplete the trusts and reduce compensation to future claimants. The USTP asked the court to adopt an open selection process that allows candidates without connections to the professionals in the case or other conflicts to be considered. As noted in its brief, “the USTP was created to be the ‘watchdog’ for the bankruptcy system to ensure that cases are not administered for the narrow benefit of the lawyers and other professionals instead of stakeholders such as creditors and employees.”
“In recent years, there have been credible allegations—and at least one court has found evidence—of misrepresentation, mismanagement, and abuse in the asbestos trust system,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. “A significant contributing factor is the failure of courts to appoint independent future claimants’ representatives who are free from conflicts of interest, including conflicts caused by their involvement in other asbestos trusts. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the rights of victims of asbestos disease and the integrity of the bankruptcy system.”
The USTP is a component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and enforcing the bankruptcy laws. Learn more about the Program at https://www.justice.gov/ust.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western Pennsylvania Collects a Record $145 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in 2018Read the Press Release
(PITTSBURGH) - U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania collected a record $145M in civil and criminal actions in FY 2018.
Of the total amount collected, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies, collected $10,604,018 in FY 2018 by forfeiting criminal assets, which was one of the largest amounts for similarly-sized U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country. This $10.6M went to victims of crime and to 29 state and local police departments throughout western Pennsylvania.
The forfeiture of criminal proceeds is a critical part of DOJ’s mission. In addition to restoring money to crime victims, forfeited assets help fund victims’ programs that provide critical services to victims. Forfeited criminal assets are also used to further the mission and effectiveness of our state and local law enforcement partners through police training and the purchase of new equipment including body cameras, canines and bulletproof vests.
"When criminals steal, defraud, and harm members of the community, we will prosecute them, forfeit the proceeds of their crimes, and return the money to the victims," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "By returning money to victims, and by helping our law enforcement partners purchase much needed equipment, we are enhancing our mission to keep the citizens of western Pennsylvania safe."
U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are also responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. These programs provide important funding for crime victims who might otherwise receive no compensation for their injuries. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Education, the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Provides Human Trafficking Training to Local Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that over the last two weeks, the United States Attorney’s Office provided training to South Carolina’s Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force on methods of investigating and prosecuting federal human trafficking cases.
The training was part of a three-day course entitled “Advanced Human Trafficking Investigations Law Enforcement Course.” The course was sponsored by the Charleston County Sherriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and ERASE, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on eliminating child trafficking through education and professional training.
Originally set to include a single training session, U.S. Attorney Lydon stated a second class was organized due to high levels of interest among local law enforcement agencies. “We applaud our local law enforcement partners for taking such an interest in this important issue. Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis sustained by a vast criminal network that exploits vulnerable children and adults, including right here at home,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “Successfully prosecuting these cases depends on the cooperation of state and federal law enforcement agencies. Through courses like this, we are taking the steps necessary to tackle this problem head-on in South Carolina.”
Instructors presented on a range of topics relating to human trafficking, including statistics provided by ERASE’s 2012 Survivor Survey. According to the survey, approximately 75% of underage sex trafficking victims reported being sold online. Additionally, the average age of entry into sex trafficking for a child victim in the United States was reported to be 12 years old for a girl and 11 years old for a boy. It is estimated that one in three teens living on the street will be lured toward trafficking within 4-8 years of leaving home.
U.S. Attorney Lydon also announced that each of the four U.S. Attorney’s Offices in South Carolina now have designated points of contact for issues relating to human trafficking prosecutions.
Instructors at the course included Major Rick Hoffman, Raleigh Police Department (retired); Lori A. Sims, AMP, MPP; Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Williams (retired); and Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Schoen and Matt Austin from the Charleston Office.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Federal Initiative Aimed at Curbing Mail TheftRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced a joint statewide federal initiative with a goal to catch and federally prosecute mail thieves this holiday season and beyond.
During Monday’s press conference, Hiland was joined by Duane “DAK” Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Mona Hernandez of the United States Postal Inspection Service, and representatives from multiple local police departments to announce “Operation Porch Pirate.” The initiative brings together local police departments and the federal government to provide greater accountability—and deterrence—for would-be mail thieves.
“We know that mail thieves do not take off for the holidays,” Hiland said. “In fact, this is their busiest time of the year. We want to work closely with our local partners to bring these thieves to justice. This is a crime having a significant impact on our local communities and it is a painful one to hard-working families. By marshaling the resources of law enforcement agencies on multiple levels, we want to hit back at those stealing Christmas packages.”
Also on Monday, Hiland announced the unsealing of the first complaint from Operation Porch Pirate, which involves charges against Michael Crutchfield, 57, of North Little Rock. According to the federal complaint, on November 30, 2018, an individual returned home to find Crutchfield parked in driveway of the residence. This homeowner saw Crutchfield throw several packages over a fence into a neighboring yard. Little Rock Police Department detectives later confirmed these packages were stolen from another residence. Two of the packages were delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, bringing the case within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Crutchfield was initially arrested at the scene on state charges. The federal complaint charges Crutchfield with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708, Theft or Receipt of Stolen Mail Matter, a felony. Upon arrest for this charge, Crutchfield will be arraigned by a United States Magistrate Judge and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Acting Little Rock Police Chief Alice Fulk said that many mail theft cases, including the case against Crutchfield, could end up as misdemeanor charges if only prosecuted in the state system.
“We appreciate being able to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting stolen mail and package cases,” Chief Fulk said. “This crime effects the quality of life for our residents. Anything we can do to strengthen the penalty for this is a positive. This initiative is very similar to the way we handle gun cases. It showcases the tremendous collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the state Prosecutor’s Office and the Little Rock Police Department. We will take a case and pursue charges in the venue where an offender can get the most appropriate sentence.”
In addition to the federal complaint issued against Crutchfield, Hiland and Kees explained that their offices would be regularly reviewing mail theft cases submitted by local law enforcement agencies for possible federal prosecution. In addition to the Little Rock Police Department, also in attendance on Monday were officers from the Sherwood Police Department and Fort Smith Police Department, all of whom have made recent state arrests for charges related to mail theft.
Under the umbrella of Operation Porch Pirate, after a local agency makes a state arrest, the case file will be referred to the United States Postal Inspection Service, which will in turn send the case to the United States Attorneys’ Offices for review for federal prosecution.
“Our message to thieves this holiday season is simple: If it’s not yours, don’t take it,” U.S. Postal Inspector Hernandez said. “Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to would-be thieves that there are significant consequences for anyone who intends to steal mail. Protecting our employees, our customers, and the U.S. Mail is a top priority for the Postal Inspection Service, and we are committed to bringing mail thieves to justice.”
Hiland said that while Operation Porch Pirate is beginning during the holidays, as long as criminals keep trying to steal other people’s mail, his office will be ready and willing to prosecute, regardless the season.
“I am a firm believer that crime goes up when the cost to the criminal comes too cheap,” Hiland said. “The goal of Operation Porch Pirate is to make the decision to steal Christmas presents from the porches of people who pay the bills around here a very painful one. We know we can’t get them all, but we are going to evaluate each case our law enforcement partners present to us and work with our local prosecutors with a goal of holding these thieves accountable.”
A criminal complaint contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available on-line at http://www.justice.gov/edarTwitter: @EDARNEWS
U.S. Attorney Announces $110,000 Settlement with Tech Company and Its CEO to Resolve Allegations of False Claims on Defense Procurement ContractRead the Press Release
DENVER – Jason Dunn, U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, today announced that Progressive Technology Federal Systems, Inc. and its Chief Executive Officer have paid a combined $110,000 to settle allegations that the corporation and its CEO made false statements concerning a consultant’s security clearance and failed to disclose an organizational conflict of interest when bidding on a defense procurement contract.
One way federal government agencies can buy information technology services is by working with the National Institutes of Health’s Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center, or “NITAAC.” NITAAC is a government-wide program that enables agencies to contract for information technology. Other federal agencies, including the military, regularly work with NITAAC.
The United States’ allegations relate to a project in which NITAAC was used by the Army and the Air Force for a contract that was awarded to Progressive Technology Federal Systems, Inc., known as “PTFS.” The United States contends that in 2014, PTFS’s President and CEO, John Yokley, participated in preparing project specifications for a contract to be issued by NITAAC. The project then was offered by NITAAC for contract bids. PTFS then submitted its own proposal to take on the contract. In doing so, however, PTFS stated that it had no conflict of interest relating to the contract. This statement was false because PTFS had a conflict in that Mr. Yokley had provided input on project specifications that were included in the contract, thereby gaining a competitive advantage for PTFS. In addition, the project required security clearances, and PTFS falsely stated in its proposal that an individual who would participate in the project as a key “Subject Matter Expert” had an active Top Secret clearance. PTFS was awarded the contract. Funding for the contract was later terminated before PTFS could invoice more than $30,000. The United States claimed that this conduct violated the False Claims Act.
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations. In entering into this civil settlement, PTFS and Mr. Yokley did not admit liability. Under the agreement, PTFS paid $65,000, and Mr. Yokley paid $45,000, to resolve the allegations.
The United States Attorney’s Office thanks the National Reconnaissance Office’s Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Services, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations for their excellent work. The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Jasand Mock.
Two Plead Guilty to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two men pled guilty to drug charges in federal court in Bluefield. James Kelsor, 46, of Northfork, pled guilty to distribution of cocaine, admitting that on September 30, 2016, he distributed one-half gram of cocaine to an informant in Bluefield. He also admitted that he distributed cocaine to an informant in Bluefield on October 3 and October 5, 2016. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2019. The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Benjamin Allen III, 31, of Princeton, pled guilty to distributing hydromorphone. Allen admitted that on January 10, 2017, he distributed a hydromorphone pill to an informant in Princeton. He also admitted that he distributed hydromorphone pills on two other occasions in Princeton in January of 2017 and once in Bluefield in March of 2017, and that he possessed hydrocodone and hydromorphone pills with the intent to distribute them on March 28, 2017, at his residence in Princeton. Allen faces up to 210 months in prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2019. The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Bluefield Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“Substance use disorder plagues every county in our state,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “But in our southernmost counties that have been particularly ravaged by the drug epidemic, we are working with our law enforcement partners to prosecute peddlers of all poisons.”
Assistant United State Attorney John File is handling the prosecution of both cases. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearings.
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Two Missouri, Two Colorado Defendants Indicted for $1.7 Million Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Missouri residents and two Colorado residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1.7 million of marijuana.
Christopher E. Buckingham, 42, of Versailles, Mo.; Natalie J. McNeil, 33, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; her brother, Tanner L. McNeil, 28, of Denver, Colo.; and Benjamin T. Parker, 28, also of Denver, were charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Buckingham’s arrest and initial court appearance. The remaining defendants are not yet in custody.
The federal indictment alleges that Buckingham, Natalie McNeil, Tanner McNeil and Parker participated in a conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana from Aug. 28, 2015, to July 10, 2018. The indictment also charges Buckingham, Natalie McNeil, Tanner McNeil and Parker with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy during that time.
According to the indictment, conspirators purchased marijuana from sources in Colorado and shipped the marijuana to Missouri for further distribution. Conspirators sold the marijuana in Missouri, the indictment says, and funneled the proceeds back to Colorado by making deposits in multiple bank accounts at different locations. Deposits were simultaneously made in amounts designed, at least in part, to avoid federal transaction reporting requirements, the indictment alleges. Co-conspirators then allegedly withdrew the drug proceeds from bank locations in Colorado.
Members of the conspiracy allegedly deposited approximately $1,769,244 in cash proceeds from the distribution of marijuana in Missouri in bank accounts located in Missouri. The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the drug-trafficking or money-laundering conspiracies, including a money judgment of $1,769,244.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jess E. Michaelsen and Ashleigh A. Ragner. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Two Metro Denver Women Prosecuted for Distributing Heroin Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
DENVER – Two Metro Denver women charged with heroin distribution resulting in death made court appearances in U.S. District Court in Colorado last week, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips and the Denver Police Department announced. Kayla Pagano, age 24, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court in Denver, where she was advised of her rights and the charge pending against her. Ariel Nicole Walker, age 30, pled guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Denver before Judge R. Brooke Jackson.
According to the stipulated facts contained in Walker’s plea agreement, on May 31, 2018, Walker went to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin. On that same day, E.N. drove to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin as well. At Civic Center Park, E.N. approached Walker and another party, asking if they could sell her any heroin. Walker asked if E.N. had a car, because that would enable them to meet Walker’s dealer in Westminster, Colorado. E.N. had a vehicle, and the three of them agreed to take it to meet Walker’s dealer at 88th and Garrison in Westminster.
At a gas station in Westminster, Walker met with Kayla Pagano from whom she allegedly purchased heroin. Walker sold some of that heroin to E.N., who injected it. After using the heroin, E.N. passed out and ultimately died in the backseat.
Police later found E.N.’s dead body in an alley in Denver. Based on the autopsy and toxicology results, the Denver Medical Examiner reached the opinion that E.N. died as a result of the toxic effects of heroin.
This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department with support from the FBI. The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly.
The charges against Pagano are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Men Charged with Conspiracy and Acting as Agents of a Foreign GovernmentRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An indictment was unsealed today charging two men with conspiracy, acting in the United States as unregistered agents of the government of Turkey, and making false statements to the FBI.
According to allegations in the indictment, Bijan Rafiekian, aka Bijan Kian, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Kamil Ekim Alptekin, 41, of Istanbul, a Turkish national with close ties to the highest levels of the Government of Turkey, were involved in a conspiracy to covertly influence United States politicians and public opinion against a Turkish citizen living in the United States whose extradition had been requested by the Government of Turkey. The plot included using a company founded by Rafiekian and a person referred to as “Person A” in the indictment. The company, referred to as “Company A” in the indictment, provided services based upon Person A’s national security expertise.
The indictment charges that the purpose of the conspiracy was to use Company A to delegitimize the Turkish citizen in the eyes of the American public and United States politicians, with the goal of obtaining his extradition, which was meeting resistance at the U.S. Department of Justice. At the same time, the conspirators sought to conceal that the Government of Turkey was directing the work. However, not only did Turkish cabinet-level officials approve the budget for the project, but Alptekin provided the Turkish officials updates on the work, and relayed their directions on the work to Rafiekian, Person A, and others at Company A.
According to allegations in the indictment, the scheme included using a Dutch company owned by Alptekin to appear to be the “client” of Company A and to pay the company’s fee of $600,000, which was to be paid in three installments. Alptekin made the payments from an account in Turkey. The indictment alleges that after Alptekin made the payments to Company A, it was to kick back 20 percent of the payments to Alptekin’s company in the Netherlands, and two such kickbacks were made.
Rafiekian is charged with conspiracy and acting in the United States as an unregistered agent of the government of Turkey. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government.
Alptekin is charged with conspiracy, acting in the United States as an unregistered agent of the government of Turkey, and four counts of making false statements to the FBI. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government, and 5 years in prison for each of the four false statement charges.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-457.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Two Men Charged with Conspiracy and Acting as Agents of a Foreign GovernmentRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today charging Bijan Rafiekian, aka Bijan Kian, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Kamil Ekim Alptekin, 41, of Istanbul, and a Turkish national, with conspiracy, acting in the United States as illegal agents of the government of Turkey, and making false statements to the FBI.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement.
According to allegations in the indictment, the two men were involved in a conspiracy to covertly influence U.S. politicians and public opinion against a Turkish citizen living in the United States whose extradition had been requested by the Government of Turkey. The plot included using a company founded by Rafiekian and a person referred to as “Person A” in the indictment. The company, referred to as “Company A” in the indictment, provided services based upon Person A’s national security expertise.
The indictment charges that the purpose of the conspiracy was to use Company A to delegitimize the Turkish citizen in the eyes of the American public and United States politicians, with the goal of obtaining his extradition, which was meeting resistance at the U.S. Department of Justice. At the same time, the conspirators sought to conceal that the Government of Turkey was directing the work. However, not only did Turkish cabinet-level officials approve the budget for the project, but Alptekin provided the Turkish officials updates on the work, and relayed their directions on the work to Rafiekian, Person A, and others at Company A.
According to allegations in the indictment, the scheme included using a Dutch company owned by Alptekin to appear to be the “client” of Company A and to pay the company’s fee of $600,000, which was to be paid in three installments. Alptekin made the payments from an account in Turkey. The indictment alleges that after Alptekin made the payments to Company A, it was to kick back 20 percent of the payments to Alptekin’s company in the Netherlands, and two such kickbacks were made.
Rafiekian is charged with conspiracy and acting in the United States as an illegal agent of the government of Turkey. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, and 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government.
Alptekin is charged with conspiracy, acting in the United States as an illegal agent of the government of Turkey, and four counts of making false statements to the FBI. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government, and 5 years in prison for each of the four false statement charges.
The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Turtle Creek Woman Sentenced to Almost 10 Years in Prison for Violating Multiple Fraud, Identity Theft and Gun LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to nine years and eight months in prison and three years of supervised release on her conviction of federal firearms laws, conspiracy to commit identity theft offenses, unauthorized use of counterfeit driver’s licenses and credit cards, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and accessing protected computers without permission, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Quinyahta Rochelle, 32.
According to information presented to the court, Rochelle participated in a number of different crimes. Between March 2016 and July 2016, Rochelle assisted another individual gain access to social media accounts of various celebrities by hacking into their accounts. During a search warrant related to that investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at her home, where the officers located several stolen firearms and many rounds of ammunition. Rochelle was a felon at the times of the search and therefore could not legally possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Contemporaneously with the execution of the arrest warrant on the firearm charge, law enforcement executed a second search warrant at her home based on information that Rochelle was engaged in a complex multi-state identity theft scheme. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that Rochelle obtained the names, dates of birth, social security numbers, credits cards, and other information through a variety of means, including through purchasing the material on the internet. Rochelle and her conspirators would then use that information to manufacture counterfeit credit cards and driver’s licenses, which they then used to make purchases and apply for credit both on-line and in person.
While on bond for all of these crimes, Rochelle continued to engage in identity theft related offenses. That conduct resulted in a third search warrant of her home, which led to additional evidence of her fraudulent conduct. She faces another yet unresolved indictment in connection with that activity.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the multiple police departments in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California, including police departments from Columbus, Ohio, Canfield, Ohio, Bucks County, Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ross Township, Pennsylvania, Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles, California, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rochelle.
Tonalea Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Navajo Nation OfficerRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Randell William Lane, 30, of Tonalea, Ariz. was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 26 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Lane, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.
On March 12, 2018, a Navajo Nation police officer was dispatched to try to locate Lane. After locating him, the officer attempted to place Lane under arrest for violations of tribal law. Lane resisted arrest, ran to his nearby vehicle, and grabbed a machete. After the officer persuaded Lane to drop the machete, Lane nonetheless lunged at the officer, began wrestling with him, and attempted to take the officer’s firearm. Lane was successfully arrested after a second officer arrived on scene.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08128-PCT-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-168_Lane
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Three felons plead guilty for possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that three felons pleaded guilty last week for possession of firearms.
Shreveport Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Semi-Automatic Pistol
SHREVEPORT - Dennis Lee Richardson, 29, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018 before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on June 29, 2018 at a Prentiss Street residence. As agents approached the home, they saw Richardson and his girlfriend sitting in a parked car in the driveway. The agents also observed a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol with an extended clip on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. Richardson said his mother had purchased the firearm for him. He is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty on March 10, 2014 in Caddo Parish for attempted illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of controlled dangerous substances.
Richardson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 28, 2019.
The ATF and the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.
Alexandria Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Pistol
ALEXANDRIA - Theodore Hines, 37, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, an Alexandria Police officer observed Hines on June 26, 2018 remove a pistol from his pocket and throw it to the ground. Hines told the police officer that he had the pistol to protect himself. After learning that Hines had five previous felonies and was not allowed to possess a firearm, the officer arrested Hines and took possession of the firearm, a loaded Kel-Tec .380-caliber pistol.
Hines was convicted in February of 2001 of possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance; he was convicted in December of 2003 of one count of possession of a Schedule V controlled dangerous substance, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of a Schedule V controlled dangerous substance; and he was convicted in February of 2014 of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance.
Hines faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 7, 2019.
The ATF and the Alexandria Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby Cooper is prosecuting the case.
Lake Charles Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Handgun
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Keelan Arnold Broussard, 27, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty on Friday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Broussard’s home on May 23, 2018 and discovered a Taurus .38 Special handgun, and two .38 caliber rounds in Broussard’s bedroom. Broussard admitted that he owned the firearm.
At the time of his arrest, Broussard had a criminal history dating back to January 5, 2011, including previous convictions in the 14th Judicial District Court for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, and attempted possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Broussard faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 25, 2019.
The ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office along with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Each case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and re-entry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Three Dominican Republic Nationals Charged with Trafficking over 1,000 Kilograms of Cocaine, Following High-Speed Chase and Apprehension on the High SeasRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Edwin Vargas, 31, Dany Perez-Brito, 44, and Lenin Cornelio-Perez, 32, all of the Dominican Republic, were charged with Conspiracy to Possess and Possession of a Controlled Substance on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. The three men made their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Saturday. After preliminary and detention hearings on Monday, Judge Miller ordered all three men detained.
The complaint alleges that Vargas, Perez-Brito, and Cornelio-Perez were aboard a go-fast boat detected by United States Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft personnel about 65 nautical miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, navigating on a southerly course. The vessel did not display any indicia of nationality. Following detection by the USCG, the go-fast boat changed course, and two USCG cutters were diverted to intercept it. The vessel led authorities on a ten-hour high-speed chase in international waters between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Approximately 96 nautical miles north of St. Thomas, the go-fast boat’s engines malfunctioned, leaving the vessel dead in the water. USCG authorities proceeded to board the vessel at 2:18 a.m. on December 11th and discovered 52 bales, pproximately 1,132 kilograms, of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the USCG, Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
Tampa Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Tax and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Cedric D. Moultry (26, Tampa) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft stemming from the filing of fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. The court also ordered Moultry to forfeit more than $95,000, which is a portion of the proceeds traceable to the offenses, and to repay the IRS more than $509,000.
Moultry had pleaded guilty on September 11, 2018.
According to court documents, on September 9, 2012, officers from the Tampa Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that Moultry was driving. Moultry, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, was alone in the car. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered notebooks that contained names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, tax filing information, refund amounts, and debit card account information for more than 500 identity theft victims. Moultry’s finger and palm prints were recovered from various pages of the notebooks. Subsequent investigation revealed that approximately 214 fraudulent federal income tax returns had been electronically filed using some of the identities recovered from Moultry’s vehicle. The returns claimed refunds totaling approximately $1.8 million. The IRS released refunds totaling more than $509,000, all of which were directed to reloadable debit cards found in Moultry’s possession.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Statement of U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss in U.S. v. Wilmington Trust Corporation, et al. SentencingsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – The downfall of Wilmington Trust is a tragedy. It’s a tragedy to the over 700 employees who lost their jobs as a result of the Bank’s fire-sale acquisition by M&T. It’s a tragedy to those former employees who built the Bank into something to be proud of over the last century. It’s a tragedy to this Community, which lost what was thought to be a stable employer and a gold-standard financial institution. And it didn’t have to be.
Banks are entrusted with a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard their depositors’ funds. That is one of the primary reasons they are required to regularly file financial disclosures with the regulators responsible for ensuring the safety and soundness of those banks. Similarly, a publicly traded company is required to make certain disclosures to the investing public. Regulators and the public look to these filings to make informed decisions. In so doing, they have an absolute right to expect that the financial information disclosed is accurate. To function effectively, both our regulatory system and our free market system demand it. And the law requires it.
WTC’s 2009 filings with the SEC and the Federal Reserve were false. The Bank’s certified submissions grossly understated the quantity of past due loans on WTC’s books, and thereby misled regulators and the public about the financial health of WTC’s portfolio. In particular, the 2009 year-end filings failed to disclose that the Bank had waived 300M in loans more than 90 days past due, and had mass extended another 800M in commercial loans without the proper due diligence. At the same time, the Bank went to the market and asked investors for $287MM in additional capital.
Robert Harra, as WTC’s President and Chief Operations Officer, established an aggressive sales culture that ignored sound risk assessment in commercial real estate lending. As the economy turned, these practices came home to roost. But rather than acknowledge the inability of these borrowers to repay their loans, Harra embraced the waiver practice as a means of concealing the trouble faced by the Bank.
David Gibson, as the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, was the ultimate decision maker on financial reporting. He knew about the true condition of the commercial loan portfolio--- the hundreds of millions of dollars in past due loans that were not included in the 2009 filings with the SEC and Federal Reserve. Nonetheless he certified the Bank’s financials as accurate and overstated the health of the loan portfolio, while marketing the stock offering to the investing public.
These actions do not define defendants’ lives. As you’ve heard, they were successful and productive both professionally and personally. They are supported by their family, friends and members of our community whose lives they impacted in positive ways. But, they did violate the law. They committed serious federal crimes and failed in their responsibilities to the Bank, its employees and shareholders. Justice demands accountability.
Ultimately, this case, like many other prosecutions is about the human cost of defendants’ actions—the 700 WTC employees who lost their jobs, the shareholders who lost their investments, and in some instances their life savings, the defendants’ families, and a community that lost a bank that had been a proud and successful institution for decades.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman on the Conviction of Woman Who Unlawfully Climbed the Statue of LibertyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Therese Okoumou was convicted in federal court today for a dangerous stunt last July 4th that endangered herself and the NYPD and U.S. Park Police officers who rescued and apprehended her. The act of climbing the base of the Statue of Liberty went well beyond peaceable protest, a right we certainly respect. It was a crime that put people at grave risk. We commend Judge Gorenstein’s decision to hold Therese Okoumou accountable for her dangerous and reckless conduct.”
Six Additional Defendants Indicted in Cocaine Conspiracy Stretching from El Paso, Texas to BuffaloRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging six additional defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine. Daniel Sterling, a/k/a Pancho, a/k/a Jose, Martin Lopez, Ivan Rene Rios Bustillos, Adrian Grier, Shamar Davi, a/k/a Fatboy, and Gabrielle McGrady. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Previously indicted were Eduardo Enrique Valdez, Edgar Pavia, Adrian Goudelock, a/k/a AD, a/k/a Ace, a/k/a Ace Boogs, Eric Young, Lance Parker, and Jai Hunter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that according to the second superseding indictment and previously filed indictment and complaints, an investigation began following the seizure of approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine and $259,960 in U.S. currency. On October 3, 2017, defendants Valdez, Pavia, and Goudelock met in Cleveland, OH, prior to the shipment of a bulk quantity of cocaine from El Paso, Texas, to Buffalo, NY. On October 19, 2017, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents conducted a controlled delivery of 10 sham bricks of cocaine in Pembroke, NY, which resulted in the federal arrest of defendant Valdez.
In July 2018, investigators intercepted wire and electronic communications between defendants Pavia and Goudelock through court-authorized wiretaps. Intercepted calls and messages revealed that a bulk shipment of cocaine was to be imminently delivered to Goudelock in the Buffalo area. Goudelock was also expected to provide bulk drug proceeds. In a conversation on July 25, 2018, Pavia informed Goudelock that he would be receiving 17 kilograms of cocaine.
That same day, law enforcement officers seized approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine from defendant Lance Parker during the execution of a search warrant. Law enforcement officers also searched a tractor trailer, driven by defendant Young, located on Slade Avenue in West Seneca, NY and recovered 52 shrink-wrapped and taped bundles of currency, predominantly in $10,000 bundles. In total, $519,580 in U.S. currency was seized from a bag. Officers also located a hidden compartment in the rear wall of the sleeper area of the tractor cab and recovered three plastic wrapped packages of bulk US currency totaling over $145,000.
In September 2018, investigators intercepted another series of wire and electronic communications between defendants Pavia and Goudelock discussing the shipment of another 20 kilograms of cocaine, which led to their arrests.
On December 5 and 6, 2018, investigators intercepted a series of wire and electronic communications between defendants Sterling and Lopez discussing plans for an exchange of bulk quantity cocaine in Louisville, KY. Lopez was observed operating a truck pulling a horse trailer, Rios-Bustillos was observed operating a pick-up truck with Mexican license plates, and Sterling was observed operating another pickup truck. After law enforcement observed Sterling and Lopez meet, the defendants were arrested. Simultaneously, Rios-Bustillos, who was parked nearby in his own truck not far from the meeting spot, left the scene on foot. Ultimately, Rios-Bustillos obtained a ride from two individuals, to whom he admitted that he had just delivered cocaine and that law enforcement was looking for him. After those individuals contacted the police, Rios-Bustillos was taken into custody.
During a search of Lopez’s horse trailer, officers recovered 20 kilograms of cocaine in a hidden compartment, as well as over $600,000 from a duffle bag in Sterling’s truck, and more than $100,000 from Sterling’s residence.
The second superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Unit, under the direction of Brian Manaher, Director, Marine Operations. Additional assistance was provided by the New York National Guard.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty December 17, 2018, in federal court in Sioux City.
Melvin John Begay, 36, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Begay admitted that from November 2015 through March 2016, he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Sioux City. Begay also admitted to distributing methamphetamine on two occasions in January 2016 to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Begay remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Begay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala M. Steenholdt and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-4017. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty December 17, 2018, in federal court in Sioux City.
Ernesto Bedolla, 31, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Bedolla had moved to Mexico just prior to an Indictment being filed in July 2015, but later returned to the United States.
At the plea hearing, Bedolla admitted that from 2014 through June 2015, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed over ½ pound of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Bedolla also admitted to distributing methamphetamine on five separate occasions in 2015 to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Bedolla remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Bedolla faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala M. Steenholdt and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-4044. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Roff Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Distribution, Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Stephen-Dean Dollard Schmidt, age 27, of Roff, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(B), punishable by not less than 5 nor more than 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000.00 fine, or both; and to Possession Of Firearm In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about April 15, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The Indictment further alleged that on or about April 15, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, as alleged in the Indictment.
The charges arose as a result from an investigation by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Ada Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
Rock Hill Gang Member Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Kenterius Dyshae Hinton, age 24, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 36 months (3 years) imprisonment, which will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. This past September, Hinton plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court established that on November 29, 2017, at approximately 11:21p.m., officers with the Rock Hill Police Department were on patrol in an unmarked patrol car when they observed a car, using their high beam front headlights, coming towards them. A traffic stop was conducted and Hinton found to be the driver. Officers smelled marijuana as they approached the car and when they asked Hinton, a known gang member, and the passenger about it, they stated that they had smoked marijuana earlier and that the odor was on their clothes. A search of car revealed a loaded Taurus .45 caliber handgun underneath the center console, a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber handgun underneath the passenger seat, and a marijuana grinder with marijuana residue. Both Hinton and the passenger were arrested on state charges of unlawful carrying of a firearm and advised of their rights. After waiving their rights, Hinton admitted that the “black gun was mine” [the Taurus .45 caliber] and the passenger admitted that the silver gun [the Smith and Wesson .45 caliber] was his gun.
Hinton, who was on state probation at the time of the instant offense, is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree, where he entered a dwelling armed with a firearm, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and attempted armed robbery. The passenger was not a convicted felon, so his firearm charge remained in state court.
Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey D. Haynes and Alyssa Richardson both of the Columbia office handled the case.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Rock Hill Police Department. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges, Forfeits over $230,000 of Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ramon Perdomo, 38, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence at 164 Sheraton Drive in the Town of Greece on April 20, 2018. During the search, officers found approximately 80 grams of crack cocaine, 42 grams of powder cocaine, and $238,237 United States currency, which consisted of proceeds from the defendant’s cocaine drug sales. Officers also found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and bullets in a closet located off the kitchen, as well as evidence of drug dealing and packaging throughout the house. At the time of his arrest, Perdomo was on probation for a prior felony conviction.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Heroin Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Simmons; the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief James VanBrederode; and the Monroe County DA’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. noon before Chief Judge Geraci.
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Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of BRIAN ALAN KAELBLE, 33, to 212 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. KAEBLE, who has two prior convictions in the States of Missouri and Kansas for crimes related to child pornography, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2018, to a criminal information. He was sentenced December 12, 2018, by Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to KAELBLE’s guilty plea, on November 3, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at KAELBLE’s residence in Brooklyn Center. KAELBLE admitted to the officers that he was downloading child pornography, both at home and while at work. KAELBLE worked delivering pizzas. Officers seized electronics from the residence.
More than 85,000 files containing child pornography were found during a forensic review of the electronics seized from KAELBLE’s bedroom, many of the files contained pornography depicting very young children.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser. Ms. Kayser observed that Mr. Kaelble was a “purposeful” and “prolific” collector of child pornography. “The Court’s sentence of 212 months ensures that Mr. Kealble will not be able to hurt children for a very long time,” said Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Kayser.
United States Attorney Erica MacDonald thanks the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department for their work in the investigation.
Defendant Information:
BRIAN ALAN KAELBLE, 33
Brooklyn Center, MN
Convicted:
- Receipt of Child Pornography, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 212 months imprisonment
- 20 years supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Red Lake Man Pleads Guilty to MurderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of MICHAEL WAYNE WHITEFEATHER, 18, to murder in the second degree. WHITEFEATHER entered his guilty plea today before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in United States District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea, during the early morning hours of April 28, 2018, the defendant was traveling in a car on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and saw Anthony Allen Wells and another male walking in a parking lot near the Red Lake Skate Park. WHITEFEATHER admitted to getting out of the car with a shotgun and chasing after the victim and the other male. WHITEFEATHER eventually caught up to the victim and shot him in the face, which resulted in the victim’s death.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Department of Public Safety, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Bemidji Police Department, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, and United States Customs and Border Protection. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.
Defendant Information:
MICHAEL WAYNE WHITEFEATHER, 18
Red Lake, Minn.
Convicted:
- Murder in the second degree, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Queens Man Sentenced to More Than 30 Years’ Imprisonment for Murdering Employee of Long Island Convenience Store During a RobberyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Jermaine Jackson was sentenced by United States District Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein to 365 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years’ supervised release, for the murder of Edwin Lopez, an employee of a convenience store in Valley Stream, New York. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2017.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“Jackson senselessly murdered a hard-working man who was just trying to support his wife and teenage daughter. While this sentence cannot return Mr. Lopez to his family and community, it will ensure that others will be protected from Jackson for decades to come and it will make other criminals think twice before taking a life,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “It is my hope that today’s sentence brings some measure of closure for the Lopez family.”
“The actions of Mr. Jackson brought an unknowable grief to the Lopez family that will be felt for years to come,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Benedict. “Today’s sentence provides some semblance of closure to a family that never deserved to be touched by this senseless violence. May Mr. Jackson spend every minute of his sentence pondering his grievous actions and the toll they took on an innocent family. I would like to thank our partners in the NCPD and NYPD that stand shoulder to shoulder with ATF in the fight against violent criminals like Mr. Jackson. I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”
“The sentencing today of defendant Jermaine Jackson for murder and robbery is a clear example of how unjust criminal activity will be dealt with by law enforcement,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “Although no sentence is ever enough, hopefully this will bring some closure to the Lopez family. I would also like to credit all of the agencies and members involved during this investigation on a job well done.”
On December 16, 2016, Jackson and a coconspirator entered the Al Mini Market wearing a mask over the lower portion of his face and brandishing a semi-automatic handgun. Jackson held the store’s employees at gunpoint while the coconspirator attempted to steal money from the cash register. Lopez, a store employee, grabbed a bottle and resisted the robbery at which point Jackson shot him once. Jackson then attempted to leave the store but Lopez chased him. Jackson turned around and shot Lopez several more times, killing him. Jackson and his coconspirator fled, empty-handed.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Caffarone is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JERMAINE JACKSON
Age: 25
Queens Village, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-140 (SJF)
Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH- A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Isaiah Peeples, 27, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 29, 2017, Peeples illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition after previously having been convicted of a felony, and also illegally possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 12, 2019 at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Peeples. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Pasadena Man Who Trafficked Narcotics by Airplane Luggage from LAX to Detroit Sentenced to 13½ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Pasadena man who organized and directed a conspiracy to ship multi-kilogram quantities of heroin and cocaine in airplane luggage from Los Angeles to Detroit was sentenced today to 162 months in federal prison.
Kevin Blair, a.k.a. “Wood,” 47, who pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, was sentenced by United States District Judge Christina A. Snyder.
Blair obtained heroin and cocaine from his supply source in Los Angeles, arranged to have drug couriers from Detroit fly to Los Angeles, and then had them return to Detroit with the narcotics concealed in their luggage, according to court documents. Blair also directed a co-conspirator to book airline tickets with his credit cards and directed another co-conspirator to arrange for the couriers’ ground transportation and lodging.
A co-defendant, Delano Leflore, 39, a.k.a. “Bop Bop,” of Detroit, was sentenced in October to 10 years in federal prison for his role in the drug trafficking conspiracy after he pleaded guilty to the same narcotics conspiracy.
Kennsha Mason, 30, of Detroit, one of Blair’s drug couriers, was sentenced in October to 27 months in federal prison after she too pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. According to court documents, Mason was hired to transport narcotics from Detroit to Los Angeles. During one trip to Los Angeles in early March 2017, Mason travelled to a townhouse on South Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, where Blair supplied the narcotics that were discovered by law enforcement in her suitcase.
Another defendant, Gabriela Maria de Leon, 29, of Woodland Hills, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and served 16 months in custody.
The case against Blair and Leflore followed the seizure of approximately two kilograms of heroin and approximately one kilogram of cocaine at Los Angeles International Airport on March 7, 2017 after the narcotics were discovered in checked luggage. Mason was arrested at the scene.
The DEA Los Angeles International Airport Narcotics Task Force, an inter-agency task force based at LAX, is conducting this investigation. The Pasadena Police Department provided assistance.
The Task Force also is comprised of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Airport Police, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Task Force also works closely with the United States Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration on this case.
The case against Blair was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wyman of the Major Frauds Section and Jehan Pernas of the General Crimes Section.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Anders W. York, 53, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing child pornography. Senior United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced York to 45 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, York will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.
In November 2017 the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force received five CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The CyberTips came back to a user in Omaha, Nebraska. Each CyberTip reflected that the user had uploaded images of child pornography between November 7 and November 24, 2017.
A federal search warrant was executed at the residence on March 15, 208. York was interviewed and admitted to viewing images of child pornography. Twenty-two images of child pornography were found on his phone.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.
Ohio Man Convicted of Hate Crime in Attack Outside Cincinnati RestaurantRead the Press Release
Izmir Koch, 33, of Huber Heights, Ohio, was convicted in U.S. District Court today for assaulting a man because he believed the man was Jewish in violation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and of lying to the FBI about his role in the religiously motivated assault.
Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Herb Stapleton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Cincinnati Division, announced the verdict, which was reached today by U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott after a bench trial that occurred between Nov. 13 to 15.
According to court documents and testimony, the assault occurred on Feb. 4, 2017, outside a Cincinnati restaurant, when Koch yelled out asking if anyone outside the restaurant was Jewish. The victim responded that he was Jewish and Koch then ran to the victim and punched him in the head. When the victim fell to the ground, Koch and others continued hitting and kicking him, breaking a bone in his face and bruising his ribs. A half-dozen of Koch’s friends joined in the assault. Before and during the assault, the defendant was heard shouting, “I want to kill all of the Jews” and “I want to stab the Jews.” The victim was not in fact Jewish.
After the incident occurred, Koch made a voluntary statement to the FBI, accompanied by his attorney. Koch falsely told the FBI he was not involved in the fight and he had not said anything disparaging about Jews.
“All people should be able to live their lives freely and without fear of violence or aggressive acts of intimidation,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting anyone who harms someone because of their actual or perceived religion and lies to law enforcement to cover up the crime.”
“This is the first conviction under the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the Southern District of Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “We will not permit hate-fueled violence to gain a toehold here. Nor will we countenance lying to FBI agents. Today’s convictions reflect our resolve.”
In October, the Justice Department launched a new comprehensive hate crimes website designed to provide a centralized portal for the Department’s hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other related organizations and individuals. More information on the website and an update on Justice Department hate crimes prosecutions can be found here.
This case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Gaffney and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Office Manager, Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A former office manager and bookkeeper for a used car dealership in Cranston today admitted the she defrauded her former employer by altering and misrepresenting information entered in financial records.
Appearing before U.S. District Court John J. McConnell, Jr., Michelle Saritelli, 45, of South Kingstown, admitted to the Court that from January 2014 to October 5, 2017, she engineered and executed a scheme to defraud the owners of Stamas Auto and Truck Center by pocketing dealership checks and substantial portions of checks cashed on a weekly basis to fund the dealership’s petty cash fund, and by writing checks to her domestic partner for auto repair services and parts sales not provided.
The government alleges that the loss to Stamas Auto is between $250,000 and $560,000.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2017, the owners of Stamas Auto were notified that their bank accounts had been frozen. An internal review of the accounts by the business owners determined that several check ledgers were missing, funds were unaccounted for, and that numerous checks had been forged and/or fraudulently cashed.
The majority of missing bank ledgers were located during a court-authorized search of Saritelli’s residence on June 7, 2018.
An investigation by the Cranston Police Department and the FBI determined that Saritelli deposited stolen funds in bank accounts controlled by her and her parents. The majority of cash was withdrawn from ATMs at banks located near Saritelli’s South Kingstown residence and at casinos in Newport, Lincoln, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun.
Saritelli’s guilty plea today to bank fraud is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Harold H. Shaw, and Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist.
Saritelli is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2019.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
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North Myrtle Beach Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges for Check-Forging ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Holly Denise Sturkey, 42, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Forged Securities.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that from May through October 2017, Sturkey was involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass forged checks of organizations.
This conspiracy was responsible for stealing mail from mailboxes at various residences in Horry County and other counties in an effort to locate genuine checks within the mail. Sturkey would then alter and/or forge various information on the checks, including names and signatures of payees and account holders, so that she could deposit those checks into a bank account to which she had access. She would then withdraw the funds from this account and keep the proceeds for herself.
Sturkey faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Sturkey after receiving and reviewing a presentence investigation report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Horry County Police Department and the North Myrtle Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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