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13 December 2018
U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against 19 Defendants for the Sex Trafficking of Minor Girls and Young Women in New York State’s Child Welfare SystemRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of five indictments and three superseding indictments charging a total of 19 with participating in the sex trafficking of minor girls and young women. As alleged, the defendants trafficked or recruited to engage in prostitution at least 15 minor girls in the child welfare system, including at least nine minors who resided at a particular non-incarceratory residential treatment facility located in Westchester County (“Facility-1”). Facility-1 provided housing for at-risk and troubled children and adolescents on behalf of departments of social welfare for certain counties in New York State.
Eight of the 19 charged defendants were arrested yesterday, two are in state custody on unrelated charges, and eight other defendants were previously charged. One remains at large. These defendants were identified as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the sex trafficking of minor victims, some of whom were as young as 13 years old, in the social welfare system. As detailed below, the charges are set forth in a total of eight separate indictments.
In each of these eight indicted cases, victims of the charged conduct included one or more minors who resided at Facility-1 and were in the New York State’s social welfare system. The conduct charged in the eight cases occurred, as detailed below, between the years of 2010 and 2018.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “Children in the child welfare system are among the most vulnerable in our society. As alleged in today’s charges, the defendants and their conspirators callously recruited girls as young as 13 from a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth, then sexually trafficked and prostituted them for financial profit. Together with our partners in the FBI, we will work tirelessly to ensure that anyone who sexually traffics a minor is subject to the full force of the law.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Sex traffickers routinely prey on young people and those in our communities who are the most defenseless. As alleged, the defendants targeted vulnerable women and girls, including residents of a facility for at-risk children and adolescents, knowing that the victims would be more susceptible to their claims. The FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who exploits others for their own profit.”
The 11 newly charged defendants are CARLTON VANIER, RUBEN MORCIGLIO, SAEED NORRIS, LLOYD KIDD, LUIDI BENJAMIN, LAWRENCE WALSH, CIMMIE WRIGHT, ADRIENNE ROBERTS, CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK, DARIEL BRAHAM, and STEVEN LESANE. These defendants and the defendants already in federal custody were presented yesterday in the Southern District of New York.
In addition to the charges against the new defendants, Superseding Indictments were unsealed against HUBERT DUPIGNY, HENSLEY DUPIGNY, NAZEER VICKERS, SEAN MERCHANT, REUBEN SANDS, MARTIQUE MCGRIFF, JERMAINE MYRIE, and JABARI KENNEDY, who were first charged in the summer of 2018 for their participation in the trafficking of minor victims and young women.
* * *
If you believe you are a victim of a similar crime, or if you have information concerning the exploitation of children, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
A chart outlining the charges and maximum prison sentences for each of the defendants is below. The maximum potential sentences and the mandatory minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the respective judges.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the NYPD, and, in particular, the New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Mr. Berman also thanked the New York City Department of Corrections and the Human Resources Administration for their assistance. The prosecutions of these cases are being handled by the Office’s General Crimes and Public Corruption Units. Assistant United States Attorneys Mollie Bracewell, Elinor Tarlow, Jacob Gutwillig, and Alex Rossmiller are in charge of the prosecutions.
U.S. v. Merchant, et al., 18 Cr. 527 (KMW)
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS/AGES
MAX SENTENCE
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between January 2016 and June 2018
(18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Sean Merchant (31)
Martique Mcgriff (30)
Jermaine Myrie (34)
Reuben Sands (59)
Steven Lesane (31)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 14 (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), (b)(2), and 2)
Sean Merchant (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
3
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2) and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
Sean Merchant (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
4
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Sean Merchant (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison
5
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Jermaine Myrie (34)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
6
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Martique Mcgriff (30)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison
7
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Steven Lesane (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison
U.S. v. Hubert Dupigny, et al., 18 Cr. 528 (JMF)
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS/AGES
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between August 2016 to May 2017 (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Hubert Dupigny (34)
Hensley Dupigny (29)
Dariel Braham (45)
Christopher Bullock (36)
Adrienne Roberts (59)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Hubert Dupigny (34)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
3
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Hubert Dupigny (34)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
4
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Hubert Dupigny (34)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
5
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Hensley Dupigny (34)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
U.S. v. Luidji Benjamin et al., 18 Cr. 874
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in the Fall of 2015 (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Luidji Benjamin (22)
Lawrence Walsh (25
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Luidji Benjamin (22)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
U.S. v. Jabari Kennedy et al, 18 Cr. 529 (JFK)
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between January 2017 to May 2018 (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Jabari Kennedy (26)
Cimmie Wright (24)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Jabari Kennedy (26)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
3
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Jabari Kennedy (26)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison
4
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Cimmie Wright (24)
Life; mandatory minimum sentence of ten years
U.S. v. Nazeer Vickers, 18 Cr. 530 (LGS)
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between June 2017 and August 2017 (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Nazeer Vickers (36)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Nazeer Vickers (36)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
3
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Nazeer Vickers (36)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
U.S. v. Saeed Malik Thomas Norris, 18 Cr. 871
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between July 2016 and August 2016 (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
Saeed Malik Thomas Norris (24)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Saeed Malik Thomas Norris (24)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
U.S. v. Ruben Morciglio and Carlton Vanier, 18 Cr. 873
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between 2011 and October 2018 (18 U.S.C. §1 594(c))
Ruben Morciglio (31)
Carlton Vanier (26)
Life in prison
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Ruben Morciglio (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
3.
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Carlton Vanier (26)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
4.
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Ruben Morciglio (31)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
5.
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Carlton Vanier (26)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
U.S. v. Lloyd Kidd, 18 Cr. 872
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2)
Lloyd Kidd (28)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(2)); and mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison (under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(b)(1))
2
Sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(2), and 2)
Lloyd Kidd (28)
Life in prison; mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prisons
Two Men Appear in Federal Court for Roles in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men who took part in a conspiracy resulting in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine across several counties in West Virginia appeared in federal court yesterday, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Marquis Edward Henderson, 32, of Bronx, New York entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and prohibited possession of firearms by convicted felon. Rigoberto Fernandez, Jr., 29, of Scottsdale, Arizona was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States Attorney Stuart commended the work of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
“This investigation shut down another dangerous, multi-state drug trafficking network that was bringing a significant amount of meth into our communities,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly with my team of prosecutors to dismantle drug trafficking organizations peddling their poisons in West Virginia.”
From at least February of 2016 to June of 2017, Henderson and others obtained quantities of methamphetamine and heroin from California which were mailed to the Huntington and Cross Lanes areas. Henderson and others would then distribute the drugs to customers in Cabell, Putnam, and Kanawha counties. Henderson admitted that during the conspiracy, he and others utilized a residence and a storage unit in Cross Lanes to store, prepare and distribute drugs. Henderson also employed others to distribute drugs by providing large quantities of drugs on credit and receiving payment for the drugs after they were sold.
On March 10, 2017, Fernandez assisted Henderson by shipping methamphetamine from California to West Virginia after Henderson arranged to distribute the methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Huntington. The informant was instructed by Henderson to transfer payment for the drugs to Fernandez in California. The informant also provided Fernandez an address where the drugs were to be shipped. After receiving the payment, Fernandez mailed the drugs from the United States Post Office in Carson, California to the address provided by the informant. Agents seized the package on March 13, 2017, and it was found to contain over 440 grams of methamphetamine. A forensic chemist later analyzed the methamphetamine and found it to be 98% pure.
On June 1, 2017, agents executed search warrants at the residence and storage unit in Cross Lanes. During the search, agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and over 3 kilograms of methamphetamine that was found to be 98% pure after testing by a forensic chemist. Henderson admitted he was previously convicted of a felony offense and thus, was prohibited from possessing firearms. As part of his plea, Henderson also admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Henderson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 18, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecutions. The hearings were held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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Transnational Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 25 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine and for Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jese Carillo Casillas, age 33, based out of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on August 24, 2018 to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine, as well as Conspiracy Launder Money. Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Casillas to a 25-year term of imprisonment for his role in the drug conspiracy, to run concurrent to a 15-year term of imprisonment for Casillas’ role in the money laundering conspiracy, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Upon completion of his sentence, Casillas will be deported because he is not a citizen of the United States.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, this case arose from a joint investigation into the Ivan Calvillo Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization that has had a distribution cell rooted in the Eastern District of Washington since 2010. The investigation culminated in the arrest and indictment of 16 members of the organization for various drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. After Ivan Calvillo was murdered in Mexico in December 2015, Casillas took over operations for the organization, including the importation and distribution of Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine. Casillas reported directly to the head of the transnational trafficking organization in Mexico. The organization was responsible for the monthly distribution of 50 to 100 kilograms of narcotics into the United States and Canada. From early 2015 until his arrest in August of 2016, this distribution network was organized, facilitated, and controlled by Casillas out of Kennewick, Washington.
This organization was known for its ability to import large quantities of these narcotics through designated half-way points in the Los Angeles and Riverside California areas into Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and to various locations throughout the Midwest and East Coast to include North and South Dakota, Minneapolis, Chicago, Kentucky, and New York for distribution.
In partnering with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit in Vancouver British Columbia and DEA Financial Crimes Task Force in Boston, Massachusetts, a large part of the investigation also involved the tracking of the organization’s drug cash proceeds. A DEA undercover officer, posing as a person who could launder the organization’s money, was in direct communication with Calvillo and later Casillas, who arranged for over two dozen cash money pick-ups of drug proceeds. The undercover agent would agree to pick up the cash drug proceeds and then took direction from Calvillo and Casillas as to where the laundered drug money should be wired. During this process, investigators were able to identify the scope of the organization as well as other members within this district. Calvillo and Casillas arranged for over $1.6 million dollars in cash drug proceeds to be picked up by the undercover operatives.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “This case highlights the joint commitment, dedication, and partnership between our state and federal partners as well as our international partners, in combatting this problem and the accompanying violence associated with trafficking such dangerous drugs into our community. I commend their outstanding work. This investigation made a substantial mark upon a large-scale organization operating throughout the world that had chosen our district as a point of operation. It is these types of investigations that bring into focus the dangers drug trafficking organization pose to our communities.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington, the Drug Enforcement Administration in Boston, Seattle, Mexico City and Vancouver; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada; Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter and Caitlin Baunsgard, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Three Wilson Men Sentenced for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced TRAVIS KWYMAINE RUFFIN, 29, of Wilson, North Carolina to 54 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release; MARCUS ANTWAN WILEY, also known as “MARK,” 29, of Elm City, North Carolina to 57 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release; and Michael speight, 26, of Elm City, North Carolina to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
The prosecution of RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF), announced by the United States Attorney’s Office earlier this summer, which resulted in the arrest of several defendants for outstanding federal and state charges in a coordinated warrant enforcement operation. The investigation focused on heroin and cocaine trafficking in Nash, Edgcombe and Wilson counties.
RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT were named in an eleven-count Indictment filed on June 13, 2018 charging them with drug conspiracy running from at least August 1, 2017 until mid-June of 2018. Specifically, RUFFIN was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of heroin. On August 23, 2018, RUFFIN pled guilty to the conspiracy charge as well as distribution of a quantity of heroin. WILEY was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin. On August 23, 2018, WILEY pled guilty to the conspiracy charge as well as distribution of a quantity of heroin. SPEIGHT was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack). On August 23, 2018, SPEIGHT pled guilty to the conspiracy charge.
According to the investigation, RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT were a part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine, cocaine base (crack), heroin, and marijuana throughout the Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties. As part of the investigation, law enforcement recorded telephone calls where RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT each discussed the drug conspiracy, their roles in the crime and made arrangements for further transactions. WILEY and RUFFIN sold 10 bricks of heroin each, which is approximately 1000 individual bags. At the time of the instant offense, WILEY was on supervised release resulting from a 2009 federal conviction of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. After WILEY admitted to the criminal activity, his term of supervised release was revoked and he was sentenced to an additional 37 months’ imprisonment to be served at the conclusion of his sentence for the drug conspiracy.
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this enforcement operation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), United States Probation Office, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson Police Department, Rocky Mount Police Department, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, Tarboro Police Department, Spring Hope Police Department, Nashville Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.
Three New Jersey Police Agencies Receive Grants from U.S. Justice Department for Body-Worn Camera ProgramsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced that three New Jersey police agencies were among 75 agencies nationwide to receive federal grant for body-worn camera programs, part of more than $56 million in grants awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to enhance state and local law enforcement safety and wellness.
The Pemberton Township Police Department, the N.J. State Park Police and the N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety were awarded grants under OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance Body-Worn Camera Program. Divided into four categories, these awards provide law enforcement agencies with resources to pilot, establish or enhance comprehensive body-worn camera programs. Funding will enable grantees to improve their capacity to gather evidence and protect the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens.
“Body-worn cameras are just one of the technologies available for our state and local law enforcement partners to better protect members of the public and the officers who are out there doing a dangerous job day in and day out,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Combined with the most up-to-date training, bulletproof vests, and continuing health and safety research, these grants will help our police in their most important job, which is keeping the public safe.”
Pemberton was awarded a grant of $75,000, the N.J. State Park Police was awarded $132,000, and the N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety was awarded $940,278. The grants were announced recently by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Institute of Justice awarded the grants to law enforcement departments, local jurisdictions, and training, technical assistance and research organizations throughout the United States. The funds will be used to provide services designed to protect officers and improve overall public safety.
The Office of Justice Programs, led by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the BJA; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov
Three Men Indicted in Conspiracy to Kill WhistleblowerRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA – Three men, all illegal alien residents of the United States, have been indicted for plotting the murder of a whistleblower who exposed a scheme to fraudulently employ other illegals.
Brothers Pablo Rangel-Rubio, 49, and Juan Rangel-Rubio, 42, both residents of Rincon, Ga., and Higinio Perez-Bravo, 49, of Savannah, were charged in a federal indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Savannah, announced Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine.
Pablo Rangel-Rubio and Juan Rangel-Rubio are charged with Conspiracy to Retaliate Against a Witness; Conspiracy to Kill a Witness; Conspiracy to Conceal, Harbor and Shield Illegal Aliens; and Money Laundering Conspiracy. Pablo Rangel-Rubio and Perez-Bravo are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder for Hire. Pablo Rangel-Rubio also is charged with three counts of Money Laundering Transactions Over $10,000.
The investigation began with the Aug. 19, 2017 death of Eliud Montoya, 41, who was found shot to death near his home in Garden City, Ga.. Two days before his death, Montoya, a naturalized United States citizen employed by a Savannah-area tree service, had filed a formal complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that Pablo Rangel-Rubio ran a scheme to employ illegal aliens at the tree service, profiting from the company while also skimming pay from the illegal workers. Four months earlier, Montoya also had reported the scheme to company officials.
According to the indictment, authorities allege Pablo Rangel-Rubio paid Perez-Bravo to assist Juan Rangel-Rubio in killing Montoya in retaliation for reporting the conspiracy that is believed to have netted the brothers more than $3.5 million during the approximate 10-year period of the scheme.
“Eliud Montoya was a naturalized citizen of the United States who worked hard and raised a family,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “He went to the proper authorities to report a federal crime and for that he was murdered. Our office is committed to ensuring justice for Eliud Montoya, a man killed for doing the right thing, by those intent on protecting their illegal profits.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Garden City Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.
“As Homeland Security Investigations has stated repeatedly – HSI equally focuses its worksite enforcement efforts on those who illegally work in the U.S., as well as the employers who knowingly hire them,” said HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan. “This case is an extreme, but clear, example of how far certain criminals seeking to illegally exploit the U.S. labor market will go to protect their ill-gotten gains, and illustrates why worksite enforcement will continue to be a major priority for HSI.”
“The FBI is proud to have assisted our fellow federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in making these important arrests,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Citizens who uphold the law and report criminal activity should never have to be afraid of retaliation from those intent on breaking the law.
A criminal indictment contains only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Defendants in the Federal Trial Held in the Matter of U.S. v Barronette, et al. Facing Federal Indictment for Assaulting Employees of the U.S. Marshals ServiceRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Late on December 12, 2018, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging John Lewis Harrison, a/k/a Binky, age 28; Taurus Tillman, age 29, a/k/a Tosh; and Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24, all of Baltimore, Maryland, on the federal charge of assaulting employees of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) while they were detained and being transported to and from the courtroom during their trial.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and United States Marshal for the District of Maryland Johnny Hughes.
“The brave men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service are critical to our justice system and we will not tolerate assaults on them,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.
According to their indictments, from September 17, 2018 through October 31, 2018, a criminal trial was held in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, in the matter of U.S. v. Barronette, et al., before U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake. Harrison, Tillman, and Wilson were all defendants in the case and were detained before and during the trial. During the trial, members of the USMS were responsible for transporting the defendants, including Harrison, Tillman, and Wilson, to and from the courtroom.
According to their indictment, on September 21, 2018, Harrison and Tillman assaulted two Deputy U.S. Marshals and a U.S. District Court Security Officer as they were being escorted from the courtroom during a break in the trial.
According to his indictment, on October 31, 2018, Wilson assaulted two officers with the Maryland Department of Correction in the Chesapeake Detention Facility as they attempted to search Wilson prior to his being transported to U.S. District Court for the continuation of his trial.
If convicted of these charges, Harrison, Tillman, and Wilson each face a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. The defendants remain detained pending an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Marshals Service for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Thirty-Six Defendants Guilty for Their Roles in International Thai Sex Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Five defendants were convicted yesterday by a federal jury for their roles in operating a massive international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States.
Michael Morris, 65, of Seal Beach, California; Pawinee Unpradit, 46, of Dallas, Texas; Saowapha Thinram, 44, of Hutto, Texas; Thoucharin Ruttanamongkongul, 35, of Chicago Illinois; and Waralee Wanless, 39, of The Colony, Texas, were convicted following a six-week trial before Senior Judge Donovan Frank in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. Thirty-one defendants previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the sex trafficking organization.
The convictions were announced yesterday by U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Special Agent in Charge Tracy J. Cormier of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul, Supervisory Special Agent Todd Strom of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Directing Attorney Panida Rzonca for the Thai Community Development Center.
“More than two years ago, my office filed the first federal indictment against a criminal organization that relied on the sexual exploitation of women for their own financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney MacDonald. “Since then, our team of prosecutors and investigators systematically dismantled the organization, while seeking justice for every victim of this organization. The process has been long, but today’s guilty verdict represents both a successful and just outcome. While our work combatting human trafficking continues, this case stands as a powerful example of the Department of Justice's commitment to achieving justice for victims. I applaud our law enforcement partners for the remarkable dedication and collaboration they have demonstrated throughout this process.”
“The defendants convicted yesterday participated in a massive yet brutally efficient criminal enterprise that trafficked hundreds of vulnerable Thai women for sexual exploitation and used sophisticated money laundering techniques to conceal and sustain itself,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division, through our Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting criminal organizations such as these.”
“Sex trafficking is a horrific crime that seeks to erode the human dignity of victims," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “I want to thank U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald, the District of Minnesota’s Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team, HSI St. Paul, IRS Criminal Investigations, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and other law enforcement and local partners for their hard work on this case which dismantled an extensive transnational trafficking enterprise. The Department of Justice will bring the full force of the law against perpetrators of sex trafficking crimes.”
“The convictions of these defendants close this chapter for law enforcement, however mark only the beginning of the recovery process for the victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Comier. “I am extremely proud of the work done by HSI’s special agents, and of the teamwork demonstrated by our law enforcement partners in dismantling this criminal organization. Our communities are safer as a result of this investigation.”
“The cruel and illegal actions of the defendants tear at the fabric of our community, causing trauma, fear and anguish both seen and unseen,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axtell. “Thankfully, due to the exceptional work of many law enforcement agencies and their representatives, the guilty will be held accountable for their actions and survivors will get help, support and justice.”
“The guilty verdict of these five individuals received yesterday is the culmination of a large sophisticated international sex trafficking criminal enterprise," said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Strom. "This criminal organization exploited women and laundered hundreds of thousands of illicit profits. Pooling the skills of each agency in this complex investigation made a tremendous team including IRS Criminal Investigation who provided the financial expertise to follow the money trail of these criminals. Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates the collective efforts of law enforcement and U.S. Attorney’s Office who brought down an international sex trafficking organization.”
As proven at trial, this criminal organization compelled hundreds of women from Bangkok, Thailand, to engage in commercial sex acts in various cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Seattle and Austin. The trafficking victims were often from impoverished backgrounds and spoke little or no English. They were coerced to participate in the criminal scheme through misleading promises of a better life in the United States and the ability to provide money to their families in Thailand.
Once in the United States, the victims were sent to houses of prostitution where they were forced to have sex with strangers – every day – for up to 12 hours a day, at times having sex with 10 men a day. The victims were isolated from the outside world. They were not allowed to leave the houses of prostitution unless accompanied by a member of the criminal organization. The victims moved around the United States between houses of prostitution in multiple cities. They and their families in Thailand were threatened.
The organization also engaged in widespread visa fraud to facilitate the international transportation of the victims. Traffickers assisted the victims in obtaining fraudulent visas and travel documents by funding false bank accounts, creating fictitious backgrounds and occupations, and instructing the victims to enter into fraudulent marriages to increase the likelihood that their visa applications would be approved. Traffickers also coached the victims as to what to say during their visa interviews. While working to obtain visa documents, traffickers gathered personal information from the victims, including the location of the victims’ families in Thailand. This information was later used to threaten victims who sought to flee the organization in the United States.
The organization dealt primarily in cash and engaged in rampant and sophisticated money laundering in order to promote and conceal illegal profits. The organization used “funnel accounts” to launder and route cash from cities across the United States to the money launderers in Los Angeles. To date, investigators have been able to recover $1.5 million in cash and $15 million in money judgments secured through plea agreements. During the extensive investigation, law enforcement traced tens of millions of dollars to the organization. Indeed, at trial, there was testimony that more than $40 million was sent to Thailand by one money launderer alone.
The District of Minnesota is one of six districts designated through a nationwide selection process as a Phase II Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam), an ACTeam Initiative of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor. ACTeams focus on developing high-impact human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion through interagency collaboration among federal prosecutors and federal investigative agencies. Today’s convictions validate the continued ACTeam mission—to take on and take down the most entrenched and sophisticated human trafficking organizations that seek to profit from human exploitation.
U.S. Attorney MacDonald, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband commended the multiple agencies that assisted in this investigation over the past three years including: HSI; IRS-CI; the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; the St. Paul Police Department; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office; the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office; the State Department Diplomatic Security Service; and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). U.S. Attorney MacDonald also thanks the Thai Community Development Center for the support and advocacy they have done on behalf of the victims of this sex trafficking organization.
U.S. Attorney MacDonald, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband further thanked the trial team led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Laura Provinzino, with assistance from HSI Special Agent Tonya Price, IRS-CI Special Agent John Tschida, Senior Investigator Steven Baker of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit for their dedication to the pursuit of justice
This case is filed as United States v. Michael Morris, et al., 17-cr-107 (DWF/TNL) and United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al., 16-cr-257 (DWF/TNL).
Defendants:
MICHAEL J. MORRIS, 65
Seal Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Sex trafficking by use of force, fraud, and coercion, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
PAWINEE UNPRADIT, 46
Dallas, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
SAOWAPHA THINRAM, 44
Hutto, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
THOUCHARIN RUTTANAMONGKONGUL, 35
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
WARALEE WANLESS, 39
The Colony, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
CHATARAK TAUFFLIEB, 52
San Jose, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PEERACHET THIPBOONNGAM, 58
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
GREGORY ALLEN KIMMY, 38
Hutto, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
WILAIWAN PHIMKHALEE, 40
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
KANYARAT CHAIWIRAT, 52
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PORNTHEP SUKPRASERT, 42
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MULCHULEE CHALERMSAKULRAT, 41
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
BHUNNA WIN, 51
San Diego, Calif.
Convicted:
- Unlicensed money transmitting business, 1 count
NATCHANOK YUVASUTA, 50
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
NATTAYA LEELARUNGRAYAB, 47
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PEERASAK GUNTETONG, 61
North Hollywood, CA
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
VEERAPON GHETTALAE, 57
Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MATTHEW MINTZ, 27
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit alien harboring, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MOHIT TANDON, 38
Burr Ridge, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
RICHARD ALEXANDER, 53
DeKalb, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
TANAKRON PATRATH, 60
Houston, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PANWAD KHOTPRATOOM, 47
Houston, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
CHABAPRAI BOONLUEA, 44
Winder, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
NOPPAWAN LERSLURCHACHAI, 37
Lomita, Calif.
Convicted:
- Sex trafficking by use of force, fraud, and coercion, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
WATCHARIN LUAMSEEJUN, 48
Unknown
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PANTILA RODPHOKHA, 33
Mount Prospect, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
SOYSUDA SIANGDANG, 34
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
ANDREW FLANIGAN, 53
Winder, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
TODD VASSEY, 56
Lahanina, Hawaii
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
THI VU, 50
Atlanta, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
JOHN ZBRACKI, 61
Lakeville, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
JOHN NG, 41
Cottage Grove, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PATCHARAPORN SAENGKHAM, 43
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
CHANANCHIDA SENASU, 42
Dallas, Tex.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
YADAPORN PANNGOEN, 32
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
CHONTHICHA SOICHAISONG, 38
Austin, Tex.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
Thirty-Six Defendants Guilty for Their Roles in International Thai Sex Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Five defendants were convicted yesterday by a federal jury for their roles in operating a massive international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States.
Michael Morris, 65, of Seal Beach, California; Pawinee Unpradit, 46, of Dallas, Texas; Saowapha Thinram, 44, of Hutto, Texas; Thoucharin Ruttanamongkongul, 35, of Chicago Illinois; and Waralee Wanless, 39, of The Colony, Texas, were convicted following a six-week trial before Senior Judge Donovan Frank in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. Thirty-one defendants previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the sex trafficking organization.
The convictions were announced yesterday by U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Special Agent in Charge Tracy J. Cormier of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul, Supervisory Special Agent Todd Strom of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Directing Attorney Panida Rzonca for the Thai Community Development Center.
“More than two years ago, my office filed the first federal indictment against a criminal organization that relied on the sexual exploitation of women for their own financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney MacDonald. “Since then, our team of prosecutors and investigators systematically dismantled the organization, while seeking justice for every victim of this organization. The process has been long, but today’s guilty verdict represents both a successful and just outcome. While our work combatting human trafficking continues, this case stands as a powerful example of the Department of Justice's commitment to achieving justice for victims. I applaud our law enforcement partners for the remarkable dedication and collaboration they have demonstrated throughout this process.”
“The defendants convicted yesterday participated in a massive yet brutally efficient criminal enterprise that trafficked hundreds of vulnerable Thai women for sexual exploitation and used sophisticated money laundering techniques to conceal and sustain itself,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division, through our Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting criminal organizations such as these.”
“Sex trafficking is a horrific crime that seeks to erode the human dignity of victims," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “I want to thank U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald, the District of Minnesota’s Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team, HSI St. Paul, IRS Criminal Investigations, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and other law enforcement and local partners for their hard work on this case which dismantled an extensive transnational trafficking enterprise. The Department of Justice will bring the full force of the law against perpetrators of sex trafficking crimes.”
“The convictions of these defendants close this chapter for law enforcement, however mark only the beginning of the recovery process for the victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Comier. “I am extremely proud of the work done by HSI’s special agents, and of the teamwork demonstrated by our law enforcement partners in dismantling this criminal organization. Our communities are safer as a result of this investigation.”
“The cruel and illegal actions of the defendants tear at the fabric of our community, causing trauma, fear and anguish both seen and unseen,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axtell. “Thankfully, due to the exceptional work of many law enforcement agencies and their representatives, the guilty will be held accountable for their actions and survivors will get help, support and justice.”
“The guilty verdict of these five individuals received yesterday is the culmination of a large sophisticated international sex trafficking criminal enterprise," said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Strom. "This criminal organization exploited women and laundered hundreds of thousands of illicit profits. Pooling the skills of each agency in this complex investigation made a tremendous team including IRS Criminal Investigation who provided the financial expertise to follow the money trail of these criminals. Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates the collective efforts of law enforcement and U.S. Attorney’s Office who brought down an international sex trafficking organization.”
As proven at trial, this criminal organization compelled hundreds of women from Bangkok, Thailand, to engage in commercial sex acts in various cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Seattle and Austin. The trafficking victims were often from impoverished backgrounds and spoke little or no English. They were coerced to participate in the criminal scheme through misleading promises of a better life in the United States and the ability to provide money to their families in Thailand.
Once in the United States, the victims were sent to houses of prostitution where they were forced to have sex with strangers – every day – for up to 12 hours a day, at times having sex with 10 men a day. The victims were isolated from the outside world. They were not allowed to leave the houses of prostitution unless accompanied by a member of the criminal organization. The victims moved around the United States between houses of prostitution in multiple cities. They and their families in Thailand were threatened.
The organization also engaged in widespread visa fraud to facilitate the international transportation of the victims. Traffickers assisted the victims in obtaining fraudulent visas and travel documents by funding false bank accounts, creating fictitious backgrounds and occupations, and instructing the victims to enter into fraudulent marriages to increase the likelihood that their visa applications would be approved. Traffickers also coached the victims as to what to say during their visa interviews. While working to obtain visa documents, traffickers gathered personal information from the victims, including the location of the victims’ families in Thailand. This information was later used to threaten victims who sought to flee the organization in the United States.
The organization dealt primarily in cash and engaged in rampant and sophisticated money laundering in order to promote and conceal illegal profits. The organization used “funnel accounts” to launder and route cash from cities across the United States to the money launderers in Los Angeles. To date, investigators have been able to recover $1.5 million in cash and $15 million in money judgments secured through plea agreements. During the extensive investigation, law enforcement traced tens of millions of dollars to the organization. Indeed, at trial, there was testimony that more than $40 million was sent to Thailand by one money launderer alone.
The District of Minnesota is one of six districts designated through a nationwide selection process as a Phase II Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam), an ACTeam Initiative of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor. ACTeams focus on developing high-impact human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion through interagency collaboration among federal prosecutors and federal investigative agencies. Today’s convictions validate the continued ACTeam mission—to take on and take down the most entrenched and sophisticated human trafficking organizations that seek to profit from human exploitation.
U.S. Attorney MacDonald, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband commended the multiple agencies that assisted in this investigation over the past three years including: HSI; IRS-CI; the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; the St. Paul Police Department; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office; the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office; the State Department Diplomatic Security Service; and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). U.S. Attorney MacDonald also thanks the Thai Community Development Center for the support and advocacy they have done on behalf of the victims of this sex trafficking organization.
U.S. Attorney MacDonald, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband further thanked the trial team led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Laura Provinzino, with assistance from HSI Special Agent Tonya Price, IRS-CI Special Agent John Tschida, Senior Investigator Steven Baker of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit for their dedication to the pursuit of justice
This case is filed as United States v. Michael Morris, et al., 17-cr-107 (DWF/TNL) and United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al., 16-cr-257 (DWF/TNL).
Defendants:
MICHAEL J. MORRIS, 65
Seal Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Sex trafficking by use of force, fraud, and coercion, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
PAWINEE UNPRADIT, 46
Dallas, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
SAOWAPHA THINRAM, 44
Hutto, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
THOUCHARIN RUTTANAMONGKONGUL, 35
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
WARALEE WANLESS, 39
The Colony, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
- Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count
CHATARAK TAUFFLIEB, 52
San Jose, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PEERACHET THIPBOONNGAM, 58
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
GREGORY ALLEN KIMMY, 38
Hutto, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
WILAIWAN PHIMKHALEE, 40
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
KANYARAT CHAIWIRAT, 52
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PORNTHEP SUKPRASERT, 42
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MULCHULEE CHALERMSAKULRAT, 41
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
BHUNNA WIN, 51
San Diego, Calif.
Convicted:
- Unlicensed money transmitting business, 1 count
NATCHANOK YUVASUTA, 50
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
NATTAYA LEELARUNGRAYAB, 47
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PEERASAK GUNTETONG, 61
North Hollywood, CA
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
VEERAPON GHETTALAE, 57
Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MATTHEW MINTZ, 27
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit alien harboring, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
MOHIT TANDON, 38
Burr Ridge, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
RICHARD ALEXANDER, 53
DeKalb, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
TANAKRON PATRATH, 60
Houston, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PANWAD KHOTPRATOOM, 47
Houston, Texas
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
CHABAPRAI BOONLUEA, 44
Winder, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
NOPPAWAN LERSLURCHACHAI, 37
Lomita, Calif.
Convicted:
- Sex trafficking by use of force, fraud, and coercion, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
WATCHARIN LUAMSEEJUN, 48
Unknown
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PANTILA RODPHOKHA, 33
Mount Prospect, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
SOYSUDA SIANGDANG, 34
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
ANDREW FLANIGAN, 53
Winder, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
TODD VASSEY, 56
Lahanina, Hawaii
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
THI VU, 50
Atlanta, Ga.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
JOHN ZBRACKI, 61
Lakeville, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
JOHN NG, 41
Cottage Grove, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
- Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
PATCHARAPORN SAENGKHAM, 43
Los Angeles, Calif.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
CHANANCHIDA SENASU, 42
Dallas, Tex.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
YADAPORN PANNGOEN, 32
Chicago, Ill.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
CHONTHICHA SOICHAISONG, 38
Austin, Tex.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to enter the United States by means of misrepresentation and concealment of facts, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Store Owner, Customers Plead Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud in South GeorgiaRead the Press Release
Albany – The former co-owner of a Donalsonville, Georgia grocery store, along with ten other customers, have pled guilty to charges related to defrauding the federal food stamp program, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Garland Alford, 75, of Donalsonville, the former co-owner of Lake Flea Market & FDR Grocery, a convenience/grocery store located south of Donalsonville, pled guilty to two counts of acquiring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits (food stamp benefits) by fraud on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Mr. Alford’s plea subjects him to a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison and fines of $500,000. In addition, ten customers of the store, all of whom redeemed more than $5,000 in food stamp benefits, have each pled guilty to one count of unlawfully transferring food stamp benefits in violation of law. The customers are Jeanie Sheffield, 34, of Colquitt, GA, Kaneesha Wooten, 23, of Bainbridge, GA, Wendy Mitchell Prickett, 44, of Nashville, TN, and Antonio Gardner, 35, Victoria Henry, 47, Jennifer Johnson, 30, Renee Kimble, 41, Crystal Maxwell, 36, Rosanna Roupe, 33, and Kayla Wallace, 26, all of Donalsonville. Their pleas subject them to maximum sentences of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. All pleas were entered before the Honorable Leslie J. Abrams, United States District Judge in Albany. Sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2019.
According to the plea agreements, law enforcement officials opened a criminal investigation after learning that Mr. Alford was giving cash for food stamp benefits and allowing SNAP recipients to purchase ineligible items with their benefits. Numerous undercover transactions confirmed the illegal transactions. The average food stamp transaction at Mr. Alford’s store was $56.13, while the average transaction at similar stores in Georgia was just $7.42. Mr. Alford’s store redeemed more than $437,000 in food stamp benefits during a five-year period. A search warrant executed at the store also revealed that many of the items on the store’s shelves and in the freezers were well past their “sell by” date.
“The purpose of the food stamp program is to feed low-income families, not enrich people,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “This office will vigorously prosecute both store owners and food stamp recipients who abuse the system, and attempt to defraud the government. I want to commend the efforts of the Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in helping put an end to this illegal activity.”
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Human Services-Office of Inspector General and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Alan Dasher is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
St. Petersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy Relating to IRS Impersonation ScamsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Alejandro Juarez (33, St. Petersburg) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Juarez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Juarez has agreed to pay restitution to the victims of the conspiracy in the amount of $143,383.51, and has consented to a forfeiture money judgment in the same amount.
According to the plea agreement, from July 2015 through at least September 2015, Juarez laundered money that had been extorted from U.S. residents by conspirators residing in the United States and overseas. As part of the scheme, conspirators based in India impersonated IRS officers and misled multiple victims to believe that they owed money to the IRS and would be arrested and fined if they did not immediately pay their alleged back taxes. Juarez received payments directly from victims, typically via interstate wire transfers, and then provided the funds to his co-conspirators. Juarez was compensated for conducting the transactions.
On October 11, 2018, three co-conspirators, Nishitkumar Patel, Hemalkumar Shah, and Sharvil Patel, were charged in a related case with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and extortion, and with individual counts alleging wire fraud, extortion, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft for their roles in this scheme. Their trials are scheduled to begin in April 2019.
This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel K. Jones.
Seven people from Northeast Ohio indicted for conspiracy to distribute carfentanil, fentanyl, heroin and cocaineRead the Press Release
Seven people from Northeast Ohio were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute carfentanil, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
Named in the 18-count indictment are: Aaron Reels, 52, of Cleveland; Donnell Bell, 40, of Twinsburg; Henry Williams, 45, of Shaker Heights; William Wheat, Jr., 35, of Cleveland; Andre Thompson, 39, of Brook Park; Otha Short, 66, of Cleveland, and Carl Mileca, 74, of Cleveland.
According to the indictment:
Reels purchased drugs from Bell, Wheat, Williams and others. Reels then sold the drugs for profit to Thompson, Short, Mileca and others.
This took place between September 2017 and April 2018.
If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake County Narcotics Agency, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Euclid Police Department, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Cleveland Division of Police and Twinsburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa T. Darden.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Seven Previously Deported Aliens Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that seven previously deported aliens were indicted separately on December 12, 2018, by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Efrain Zepeda-Pena, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in March 2016. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after March 2016, and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Under federal law, Zepeda-Pena faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Edwin Noel Diaz-Gamez, age 25, of Honduras, was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in September 2012 and January 2013. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after January 2013, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Carlos Mata-Carrasco, age 42, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in November 2009. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after November 2009, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Jose Rios-Antonio, age 28, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in February 2016. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after February 2016, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Eulises Ramirez-Vasquez, age 27, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2010. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after April 2010, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Carlos Alfredo Lopez-Perez, age 26, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in September 2015. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after September 2015, and was found in the United States in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Jose Alexander Garcia, age 30, of El Salvador, was previously deported from the United States to El Salvador in June 2010. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2010, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Under federal law, Diaz-Gamez, Mata-Carrasco, Rios-Antonio, Ramirez-Vasquez, Lopez-Perez, and Garcia face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the cases.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Salem Man Charged with Stealing Multiple Firearms from Dublin Pawn ShopRead the Press Release
Roanoke, VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke has charged a Salem man with stealing multiple firearms from a federal firearms licensee in Dublin, Virginia. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division made the announcement.
The federal grand jury has charged DeAngelo Ramsey, 19, with one count of burglary of a federal firearms licensee and one count of possession and concealment of stolen firearms.
“We are committed to working with the ATF and our state and local partners to prosecute individuals who unlawfully obtain, possess, or transfer firearms,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “Procuring firearms through theft or fraud is a serious offense and one that will result in a federal prison sentence.”
“ATF takes the theft of firearms very seriously. Too often, stolen firearms are used to commit violent crimes, usually in the same community where they were stolen,” said Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. “Thankfully, the aggressive response from law enforcement lead to recovery of the firearms stolen in this case, before they ended up on the streets or in the hands of other criminals.”
According to the indictment, in the early morning hours of November 24, 2018, Ramsey broke into a retail pizza business adjacent to Dublin Pawn, doing business as E.S. Ramey Firearms, a federal firearms licensee located in Dublin, Va. The defendant gained entry into E.S. Ramey through a common ceiling the two businesses shared. The indictment alleges Ramsey removed one or more ceiling tiles, reached into E.S. Ramey Firearms, and stole two semi-automatic rifles and two shotguns. He is accused of possessing and concealing the stolen firearms from on or about November 24, 2018 to on or about November 29, 2018.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Pulaski Police Department, the Radford Police Department, the Salem Police Department, and the Dublin Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin B. Johnson will prosecute the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Romanian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for ATM Skimming ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced ALEXANDRU-NICUSOR NITA, age 38, a Romanian national residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, to 24 months in federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The Court also ordered restitution of $149,802.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, NITA and a co-conspirator conspired with others to commit bank fraud. NITA installed ATM skimming devices on ATM machines at several financial institutions around the Baton Rouge area, among other locations in Louisiana. These ATM skimming devices captured the financial information of hundreds of customers using the ATM machines. The stolen bank account information was subsequently encoded onto blank debit cards and gift cards.
NITA also installed overhead cameras on these ATM machines to capture the personal identification numbers (“PIN”) of the customers. The debit cards and gift cards were used by others, in combination with the corresponding PIN access codes, to make unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts, including at financial institutions in the Baton Rouge area.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “The theft of personal financial information is a serious problem which threatens our citizens’ security. Our office will prosecute these matters vigorously to protect innocent victims from this terrible crime. The efforts of our prosecutors, along with federal and local law enforcement, were invaluable in bringing these foreign nationals to justice.”
Tara McLeese, Resident Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Office in Baton Rouge stated, “This case was investigated by members of the United States Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force.”
This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the U.S. Secret Service, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Financial Crimes Unit, Gonzales Police Department, and St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brad Casey.
Rochester Hills Man Sentenced on Charge of Sexual Abuse on an AircraftRead the Press Release
A Rochester Hills man was sentenced today to nine years in prison after having been convicted of sexual abuse onboard an aircraft, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Stater, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
Sentenced was Prabhu Ramamoorthy, 35. Ramamoorthy is in the United States on a work visa and will be deported once he has served his sentence.
Ramamoorthy was convicted in August after a five-day trial that was conducted before United States District Judge Terrence Berg. The jury deliberated approximately 3 1/2 hours before returning the guilty verdict.
According to evidence presented at trial, on January 3, 2018, Ramamoorthy engaged in a sexual act with a female, while she was sleeping. During the trial, the government admitted evidence demonstrating that Ramamoorthy digitally penetrated the woman sleeping next to him during an overnight flight from Las Vegas to Detroit. The sexual assault woke her up, she found her pants unbuttoned and unzipped, and she sought help from the flight attendants.
United States Attorney Matthew Schneider stated, ““Everyone has the right to be secure and safe when they travel on airplanes. We will not tolerate the behavior of anyone who takes advantage of victims who are in a vulnerable position. We appreciate the victim in this case for her courage to speak out.”
“The sentence announced today is proof that the safety and security of all aircraft passengers is a priority for the FBI, our local and federal law enforcement partners, and airline personnel,” said Timothy R. Slater, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the FBI. “If you, or someone you know, is the victim of a crime during air travel, immediately notify a flight crew member, airport security police, and the FBI.”
This case was investigated by the Wayne County Metropolitan Airport Authority, and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Jawad and Maggie Smith.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Transporting Six Kilograms of HeroinRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Angel Prado, age 46, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced yesterday to serve 10 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for transporting six kilograms of heroin from Chicago to Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Prado previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. Six kilograms of heroin is equivalent to approximately 240,000 retail bags of heroin. The heroin were seized from a vehicle Prado was driving on Interstate 80 in Monroe County by members of the Pennsylvania State Police on December 19, 2013.
Judge Mariani also ordered Prado to be placed on five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Prado also faces possible deportation to the Dominican Republic.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Phillip Caraballo prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Queen Anne’s County Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multi-State Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Matthew Dale Bush, age 39, of Grasonville, Maryland, to 110 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit bank larceny, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, and for bank robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. At Bush’s sentencing on December 11, 2018, Judge Bennett noted that Bush’s conduct was “alarmingly egregious,” and that the high-speed chases “grossly endangered” the public and law enforcement. Judge Bennett particularly noted, and Bush agreed, that one of the chases extended for over 40 miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Delaware and the other occurred in the heart of Baltimore.
Judge Bennett sentenced Crystal French, a/k/a “Crystal Lynn Bush,” age 34, also of Grasonville, to 20 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit bank larceny, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles. Judge Bennett also ordered Bush and French to pay restitution of $10,341.38. Bush was sentenced on December 11, 2018, and French was sentenced December 12, 2018.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Gary Hoffman.
According to their respective plea agreements, from September 2017 through October 23, 2017, Bush and French conspired to break into retail businesses in order to steal Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and the money contained inside. The couple admitted that they used stolen vehicles to travel to and from the scenes of the crimes.
In September and October 2017, the couple stole six ATMs that contained over $38,900, and attempted to steal two other ATMs. As part of the conspiracy, the couple traveled to, and stole from, businesses in: Stevensville, Maryland; Chester, Maryland; Kent County, Delaware; Sterling, Virginia; Broadlands, Virginia; Dover, Delaware; Stevensville, Maryland; and Cambridge, Maryland. Generally, Bush entered the store wearing a mask, attached a chain or rope to the ATM, and pulled the ATM out of the store through the front glass window. Bush and French then transported the ATM and its contents to their home in Grasonville, where they hid the proceeds. Bush and French spent the proceeds of the crimes they committed on personal items, including heroin and other illegal narcotics. Bush and French married on October 14, 2017, during the crime spree.
Law enforcement obtained a state search warrant for Bush and French’s residence. On October 19, 2017, just prior to the execution of the search warrant, the police saw Bush and French leave the residence in a green Mercedes. When Bush and French saw a marked Queen Anne’s County patrol vehicle, they sped away. During the search, police recovered the following evidence: tow straps used to pull the ATM machines from the stores; sledgehammers used to break the glass at the burglaries; masks and clothing worn by the suspects in the surveillance videos at the burglaries; the license plate to one of the stolen pickup trucks, cut into pieces; packaging for “walkie-talkies” used by Bush and French during some of the ATM burglaries; and a van containing several damaged ATM machines. The police also found French’s cell phone, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun near the bed where Bush slept, and additional shotgun ammunition in the garage. Bush is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions, including 2010 convictions for assault and burglary related to a number of Delaware ATM burglaries.
On October 22, 2017, Bush and French stole a pick-up truck in White Marsh, Maryland, and drove to a gas station in Harford County. Bush entered the gas station and demanded money, but the clerk refused to give Bush the cash. Bush and French then drove to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where they left the stolen pick-up truck and stole another pick-up truck. Bush and French then drove the second stolen pick-up truck to a convenience store in Harford County, Maryland. Bush and another person, both wearing masks and hats, broke into the convenience store and stole approximately 86 packs of cigarettes. Later that morning, Bush and French drove to a bank on Bel Air Road in Perry Hall, Maryland. While French remained in the passenger seat of the truck, Bush entered the bank and displayed a note demanding money to the teller, who complied with Bush’s demands. Bush stole $4,820, fled the bank, and drove away in the stolen truck.
Officers spotted Bush and French driving away from the bank and attempted a traffic stop. Bush refused to stop. He drove away in a reckless manner, fled into Baltimore City, finally crashing into another vehicle. Bush then got out of the truck, helped French out of the passenger side, and the two ran away, followed by police officers. Bush and French were caught and arrested. The cigarettes stolen from the convenience store were found in the stolen truck.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Delaware State Police, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Budlow and Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.
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Project Huntington Update: Operation Saigon Sunset Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Role in Federal Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man and Operation Saigon Sunset defendant was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for his role in a federal drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lonnie Berry, II, 43, previously pled guilty to an indictment which charged him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. This investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.
“Another defendant sentenced to prison for his role in the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO),” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “There is no revolving door for defendants convicted on federal charges.”
Berry admitted that between October 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” and Manget Peterson, also known as “Money,” to distribute heroin in Huntington, West Virginia. Berry admitted that he sold heroin for Manget Peterson on a daily basis in Huntington.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Pittsburgh Felon Illegally Possessed Cocaine, Crack, Pistol and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
John Hornezes, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around September, 2016, and continuing thereafter to November 30, 2017, Hornezes conspired with others known and unknown, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, on November 30, 2017, Hornezes possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack, a Schedule II controlled substance. Further, on November 30, 2017, Hornezes possessed a Ruger, Model P89, 9mm caliber pistol, and 9mm caliber ammunition, even though he had previously been convicted of a felony offense, which prohibits him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Jerome A. Moschetta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of John Hornezes. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Stowe Township Police Department also provided assistance in this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Parma man indicted for filing false tax returnsRead the Press Release
A Parma man was indicted for filing false tax returns.
Mohammad H. Mohammad, 54, was indicted on four counts of filing false tax returns.
Mohammad understated his income and failed to report gross receipts or sales generated by the business operations of Muhammad Brothers Partners for calendar years 2012 and 2013, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen E. Henderson following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Owner and Four Former Employees of New England Compounding Center Convicted Following TrialRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An owner and four former employees of New England Compounding Center (NECC) were convicted today by a federal jury for their roles at NECC, the company that caused the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. The outbreak was the largest public health crisis ever caused by a pharmaceutical drug. With today’s convictions, 11 former owners, executives, and employees of NECC have been convicted of federal criminal charges.
“These defendants were professionals who acted recklessly to the extreme detriment of public health,” said United States Attorney Andrew Lelling. “Over the course of years, the defendants callously disregarded patient health by cutting corners and prioritizing profits over safety. And they got away with it by defrauding federal and state regulators. The result was contaminated, deficient, deadly drugs that never should have been made or distributed. Ultimately, the jury found the defendants’ fraudulent conduct wrong and deserving of punishment. I applaud the prosecutors and the investigative team on their dogged determination to bring us another step closer to justice for the victims and their families.”
“A key aspect of the FDA’s mission is to ensure that drugs are made under high quality conditions to prevent patient harm due to poorly compounded products,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “This episode was a tragic reminder of why compounding and compounded drugs can present serious risks to patients. We’ve taken significant new steps to ensure the quality of compounded drugs and improve patient safety, in order to prevent another calamity like the episode involving NECC. However, we continue to see significant risk associated with some compounded drugs, and firms that produce and ship drugs in bulk without any regard for product quality and patient safety. We’re increasing our oversight in this space to crack down on activity that puts patients at risk. At the same time, we’re continuing to advance new policies to help responsible firms that are seeking to stay in compliance with quality standards find efficient ways to meet those requirements.”
“These defendants callously ignored their professional responsibilities to protect patient safety,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Their failure to safeguard the public played a significant role in the distribution of medicines that were harmful. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud and abuse in the health care system, so that we can do everything we possibly can to protect the American public from harm.”
Following an 8-week trial, the following defendants were found guilty by a federal jury:
Gene Svirskiy, 37, of Ashland, Mass., a former NECC clean room pharmacist, who supervised NECC’s production of high-risk heart medications, was convicted of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, 10 counts of mail fraud, and two counts of introduction of adulterated drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead. Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled Svirskiy’s sentencing for March 11, 2018. Svirskiy faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison.
Christopher Leary, 34, of Shrewsbury, Mass., an NECC clean room pharmacist, was convicted of three counts of mail fraud, one count of introduction of adulterated drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, and two counts of introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Leary’s sentencing is scheduled for March 14, 2018. Leary faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison.
Sharon Carter, 54, of Hopkinton, Mass., NECC’s former director of operations, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Carter’s sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2018. She faces a sentence of no greater than five years in prison.
Alla Stepanets, 38, of Framingham, Mass., one of NECC’s verification pharmacists, was convicted of six counts of introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2018. She faces a sentence of no greater than one year in prison.
Greg Conigliaro, 53, of Southborough, Mass., a former owner of NECC, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Judge Stearns scheduled Conigliaro’s sentencing for March 28, 2018. He faces a sentence of no greater than five years in prison.
Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Joseph Evanosky, 46, of Westford, Mass., a former clean room pharmacist, was acquitted.
In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) manufactured by NECC. Of those 753 patients, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 64 patients in nine states died. The government has since identified a total of 793 patients throughout the country harmed by NECC’s contaminated MPA. More than 100 patients have now died.
The criminal investigation revealed that in addition to the contaminated MPA, NECC’s other pharmacists, including Svirskiy and Leary, knowingly made and sold numerous drugs in a similar unsafe manner and in insanitary conditions. The unsafe manner included, among other things, the pharmacists’ failure to properly sterilize NECC’s drugs, failure to properly test NECC’s drugs for sterility, and failure to wait for test results before sending the drugs to customers. They also approved the use of expired drug ingredients, and the mislabeling of those drugs in order to deceive customers. The insanitary conditions included, among other things, NECC’s lack of proper cleaning and NECC’s failure to take any action when its own environmental monitoring repeatedly detected mold and bacteria within NECC’s clean rooms throughout 2012.
NECC repeatedly took steps to shield its operations from regulatory oversight by the FDA by claiming to be a pharmacy dispensing drugs pursuant to valid, patient-specific prescriptions. In fact, NECC routinely dispensed drugs in bulk without valid prescriptions. Despite this practice, Conigliaro, an owner of NECC, repeatedly misrepresented to the FDA and the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy that NECC was only dispensing drugs pursuant to patient-specific prescriptions. Carter, NECC’s director of operations, directed employees to engage in a number of fraudulent prescription schemes to deceive regulators by creating the appearance that NECC had prescriptions for the drugs it was selling. To that end, defendant Stepanets, one of NECC’s verification pharmacists, was convicted of approving shipments of drugs for patients with names such as Wonder Woman, Fat Albert, Bud Weiser, Samuel Adams, Hindsight Man, Betty Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Calvin Klein and Jennifer Lopez.
“Today’s verdicts demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) to ensure the integrity of TRICARE, the U.S. Defense Department’s health care program,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “DCIS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to identify individuals and companies who disregard laws and regulations involving pharmaceuticals and, in so doing, endanger the health and safety of U.S. military members and their families.”
“It is appalling that NECC staff engaged in this blatant fraudulent activity with such reckless disregard for patient safety,” said Sean Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division. “This verdict should send a clear message to individuals and businesses that VA OIG and its law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate healthcare fraud that puts the public and veterans at risk.”
“Today’s verdicts demonstrate the commitment of the U.S Postal Inspection Service to bring justice to those who put our customers, the American public, at risk,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Inspector in Charge, Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division. “The cooperation and hard work of our fellow law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice illustrates the common mission of protecting our citizens.”
In June 2017, Barry Cadden, the former owner and head pharmacist for NECC, was sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release after being convicted of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. In January 2018, Glenn Chin, NECC’s former supervisory pharmacist, was sentenced to eight years in prison and two years of supervised release after being convicted of 77 counts.
Two remaining defendants, Kathy Chin, and Michelle Thomas, of Cumberland, R.I., both of whom were former verification pharmacists, are scheduled to stand trial on March 25, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, FDA Commissioner Gottlieb, M.D., FBI SAC Shaw, DCIS SAC Barzey, VA OIG SAC Smith, and Inspector Cronin made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George P. Varghese and Amanda P.M. Strachan of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Operator of Three Edmonds, WA Childcare Centers Agrees to Improve Staff Training for Children with DiabetesRead the Press Release
The operator of three childcare centers in Edmonds, Washington settled a civil investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice by agreeing to a series of steps to accommodate attendance at the centers by children with diabetes, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. ‘Grow with Us’ childcare centers agreed to train managers and staff on American with Disabilities (ADA) regulations and more specifically, how to ensure the medical needs of children with diabetes are met during their time at daycare.
The agreement follows complaints from the foster parents of a child with Type I diabetes, alleging that the childcare center refused to take reasonable steps to modify their policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate the child’s medical needs.
“The ADA is clear that all children, regardless of their health status, deserve full and equal access to schools, camps and daycare centers,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “I am pleased that after we began our investigation, ‘Grow With Us’ child care centers agreed to take steps to ensure their facilities were in full compliance with the ADA.”
According to the settlement agreement, the childcare centers will provide a staff member to assist children with diabetes with routine care tasks such as testing blood sugar levels and administering insulin by pen, syringe or pump. The childcare centers agree to train managers and staff and provide diabetes management information on its website. The centers also have committed to report to DOJ about those leading the training and the training materials used by the center.
Diabetes affects approximately 215,000 Americans that are 20 years or younger. In recent years DOJ has reached settlements with other childcare providers, schools and camps with regard to diabetes care including, KinderCare, YMCA of Chicago and YMCA of Philadelphia.
The investigation and settlement were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kayla Stahman.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Kevin Brown, age 30, was sentenced in federal court today in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of bank robbery. The Honorable John M. Gerrard sentenced Brown to 33 months in prison, ordered him to pay $84,505 in restitution, and three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.
On June 22, 2018, Brown and at least one other person went into the Great Western Bank, 8380 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln, Nebraska, and demanded money from the employees. The employees were told to put their hands up and lie on the ground. One of the robbers was wearing a flesh-colored mask, camouflage doo rag, white gloves and sunglasses. The second robber was wearing a blue medical mask and a long black wig. They left the bank with $84,505. A vehicle used in the robbery was tracked to Budget Rent A Car in Omaha. Later that day, Brown was located returning the rental car that had been used in the bank robbery. He had the flesh-colored mask, camouflage colored doo rag, and gloves in his possession that matched what was worn in the robbery.
The case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force.
Oberlin Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Travis Jones, age 20, of Oberlin, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Jones possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl on April 13, 2017, in Dauphin County. The indictment also alleges that on February 8, 2018, in Dauphin County, Jones possessed with intent to distribute heroin and possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrisburg City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is imprisonment for life, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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New Orleans Man Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TONY LAM, age 41, of New Orleans, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count bill of information for distribution of over 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl.
United States District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced LAM to 327 months of imprisonment followed by 8 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.
According to the bill of information, on July 7, 2017, LAM distributed over 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.
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Navajo Man from McKinley County Sentenced to Prison for Federal Child Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joe Lee Haines, 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Tinian, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to one year and one day in prison for his child abuse conviction. Haines will be on supervised release for one year after completing his prison sentence.
On Sept. 17, 2018, Haines pled guilty to child abuse. He admitted that on Sept. 1, 2017, while he was intoxicated, he placed a rifle into a child’s mouth, accused the child of taking money from him, and threatened to pull the trigger.
The Gallup office of the FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Nayback prosecuted the case.
Multi-Convicted Felon Charged with Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of federal firearms violations, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned on Dec. 12, named Thomas George Stanko, 48, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, from on or about April 12, 2018 through on or about August 29, 2018, Stanko unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition, after having been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. In total, Stanko unlawfully possessed 17 firearms. Those convictions related to retaliation against a witness or victim, criminal conspiracy, firearms not to be carried without a license, receipt of stolen property, and forgery. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christy Criswell Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Monroe County Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Role in Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Myron Owens, age 31, of East Stroudsburg, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 140 months’ imprisonment and four years on supervised release for his role in a Monroe County-based conspiracy that was responsible for distributing between 100 and 400 grams of heroin and cocaine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Owens previously pleaded guilty to committing the offense between 2012 and 2015. Owens admitted to conspiring with others to obtain the drugs from a supplier in Patterson, New Jersey, and the drugs were then transported to Monroe County and sold to sub-distributors and customers. The amount of heroin distributed by the conspiracy was equivalent to approximately 4,000-16,000 retail bags of heroin.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Munley noted the dangerous impact of heroin trafficking on the people of our communities.
Owens was one of seven people charged by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment in March 2015. The others charged—Eddie Pace, Shawnette Isaac, Daryl Trent, William Young, Catherine Abbey, and Anton Woodson—all previously entered guilty pleas in the case. Trent received a 90-month prison sentence. Woodson was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. Isaac received a 30-month prison sentence. Abbey was sentenced to one year in prison. Pace and Young are awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Monroe County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted on Dozens of ChargesRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA – Two dozen people have been indicted on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges related to a distribution ring operating in south Georgia and northern Florida.
A superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Brunswick charges Robert Johnson, 52, of Jacksonville, Fla., as a supplier to previously indicted members of the conspiracy. During a search of Johnson’s home, agents seized quantities of multiple controlled substances including cocaine, MDMA – also known as Molly – heroin and marijuana, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The indictment alleges that Johnson was a supplier to the other 23 members of the trafficking ring, which distributed large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and other drugs throughout Georgia and Florida. The operation started more than a year ago as a joint federal, state and local investigation into violent gang and drug trafficking activities in Glynn County, Ga., led by the FBI, the Glynn County Police Department and the Brunswick Police Department.
In addition to Johnson, others indicted are:
Maurice Fields, 34 Brunswick, Ga.;
Eric Reneantonio Stuckey, 29, Brunswick, Ga.;
Javon Arashalla Newton, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Xontavious Dionte Hawkins, 32, Brunswick, Ga.;
Bronco Darelle Jackson, 33, Brunswick, Ga.;
Wilbert Lee Stephens Jr., 26, Brunswick, Ga.;
Zahria Jane Boston, 20, Atlanta, Ga.;
Andrew Riley, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Anthony Kanyatta Seals, 42, Brunswick, Ga.;
Michael Arthur Nixon, 59, Brunswick, Ga.;
Mario Capers, 37, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jose Salguero, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jermaine Tyrone Fuller, 38, Brunswick, Ga.;
Derrick Bernard Johnson, 43, Brunswick, Ga.;
Alex Dion Manor, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jimmy Bradwell Ferrell, 54, Brunswick, Ga.;
Malik Williams, 24, Brunswick, Ga.;
Reginald Andre Beckham Sr., 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jamal David Gaines, 34, Jacksonville, Florida
Elliot Loyranzy Armstrong, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Timothy John Sallins, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
John Draxell Buckley, 58, Brunswick, Ga.; and,
Camron Thomas, 36, Brunswick, Ga.;
All of the defendants are charged with conspiracy, with some facing additional charges including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Most of the defendants have been arrested and brought before a federal Magistrate Judge in Brunswick for their initial appearances. Upon conviction, many of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, and in federal prison there is no parole.
During the investigation, authorities seized significant amounts of controlled substances, along with an AR-15 rifle and multiple handguns.
“These indictments represent the third major takedown of a criminal drug-distribution conspiracy in the lower part of the Southern District of Georgia just this year,” said Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Similar operations in March and October netted 27 arrests for distributing poison in our communities, and we are committed to coordinating with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to make our neighborhoods safer.”
“The federal indictments in this case emphasize our commitment to rid our communities of the threat of violence from organizations who plague our streets distributing drugs,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Forces, comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, will continue to commit extensive resources toward dismantling these types of organizations.”
“The Glynn County Police Department is honored to have such a great working relationship with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners as well as federal and state prosecutors,” said Glynn County Police Chief John Powell. “Working together we will ensure a safer community for our citizens.”
A criminal indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Marcela Mateo are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the United States.
For any questions, please contact Barry Paschal at the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
Members and Associates of the Gambino and Bonanno Organized Crime Families Sentenced for RacketeeringRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Frank “Frankie Boy” Salerno, a soldier in the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Bonanno family”), was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy. Previously, on December 6, 2018, John “Johnny Boy” Ambrosio, an acting captain in the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Gambino family”), and Anthony Saladino, an associate of the Gambino family, were sentenced to 51 and 63 months’ imprisonment, respectively, for racketeering conspiracy. Ambrosio, Saladino and Salerno were the last of seven defendants to be sentenced on a superseding indictment charging Gambino and Bonanno members and associates with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of drug trafficking, loan sharking, gambling and obstruction of justice. The sentencing proceedings were held before United States District Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); and Geraldine Hart, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentencings.
“With these sentences, each of the seven defendants has now been punished for continuing organized crime’s corrosive influence on Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “There should be no doubt that putting a stop to the criminal activities of La Cosa Nostra continues to be a priority of this Office and our law enforcement partners.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the New York City Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.
“Organized crime continues to plague our communities with violence, coercion, and intimidation,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The mobsters grow richer while their victims live in fear as they struggle to make payments while dealing with daily threats. Today’s sentences demonstrate that the shirt button of a ‘made man’ is no match for a badge – the FBI/NYPD Joint Organized Crime Task Force is committed to investigating and rooting out organized crime wherever it occurs, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
“These individuals were caught up in an elaborate racketeering conspiracy; acting as loan sharks, operating underground gambling rings and trafficking narcotics,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Melendez. “Today’s sentencing should serve as notice to those pursue this criminal lifestyle, that law enforcement is diligently investigating these cases and you will be caught and serve time for your actions.”
“This case is yet another example of the dedicated collaboration among law enforcement agencies in the region to send a message that law enforcement is working together to halt the operations of La Cosa Nostra and their illegal activities,” stated SCPD Commissioner Hart. “I commend the Eastern District of New York for ensuring these individuals pay for their crimes.”
Between January 2014 and December 2017, Ambrosio and his co-defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy. Salerno routinely collected payments from extortionate loans and gambling-related debts, often at the direction of Ambrosio. In one intercepted conversation, Saladino and Thomas Anzalone discussed unpaid gambling debts, during which Saladino said he would give the debtor “something to be scared about.” On another occasion, Saladino admitted to an undercover agent that he and Salerno were involved in organized crime, stating that Salerno “has got that thing (pointing to his shirt button),” indicating membership in organized crime. In another intercepted call, Saladino recounted for Ambrosio a collection effort in which he threatened an individual, saying “when I get my hands around your your f-----g neck, everything is going to pop out of your ears.” Ambrosio also was involved with a variety of gambling operations, including illegal poker games, electronic gaming machines and internet sports betting, with Salerno, Saladino, Alessandro Damelio and Joseph Durso being responsible for many of the day-to-day operations. Anzalone, Damelio, Durso, Saladino and Salerno distributed a variety of narcotics, including cocaine, marijuana and Xanax. When Ambrosio and his co-conspirators were arrested on December 12, 2017, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at various locations, including a storage facility in Nassau County, and recovered gambling and loan sharking records, electronic gaming machines, narcotics and drug paraphernalia and numerous firearms, including two AR-15 rifles, a .38 caliber revolver and a sawed-off shotgun.
As part of his sentence, Ambrosio will forfeit $100,000, including $66,116 in cash that was seized from his residence in Huntington, New York.
Previously, co-defendant Anzalone was sentenced on July 24, 2018 to 34 months’ imprisonment, Anthony Rodolico was sentenced on November 5, 2018 to one year in prison and Damelio and Durso were sentenced on July 11, 2018 and November 5, 2018 respectively to two months’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Artie McConnell is in charge of the prosecution.
Defendant:
FRANK SALERNO (also known as “Frankie Boy”)
Age: 43
Queens, New YorkPreviously Sentenced Defendants:
JOHN AMBROSIO (also known as “Johnny Boy”)
Age: 74
Huntington, New YorkANTHONY SALADINO
Age: 67
Glen Cove, New YorkTHOMAS ANZALONE
Age: 44
Queens, New YorkALESSANDRO DAMELIO (also known as “Sandro”)
Age: 49
Queens, New YorkJOSEPH DURSO
Age: 26
Glen Cove, New YorkANTHONY RODOLICO
Age: 46
Huntington, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-522 (S-1) (SJF)
McAlester Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Darryl Emanuel Bickham, Jr., age 34, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about, August 15, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm and ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, 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 Kristin Harrington represented the United States.
Marion County Man Convicted in Shooting at VA Clinic in the VillagesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Stephen Cometa (62, Marion County) guilty of forcibly assaulting and resisting federal employees with a deadly and dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Cometa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the assault and resisting charges, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life, in prison for discharging the firearm during a crime of violence. His sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Cometa had been indicted on December 21, 2016.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Cometa entered The Villages VA Clinic carrying a loaded AR-15 assault rifle, a concealed handgun, and hundreds of rounds of extra ammunition for both firearms. Cometa walked through the clinic to a VA psychiatrist’s office, interrupted an ongoing treatment session, and pointed the assault rifle at the psychologist as he opened the door. The psychiatrist, as well as a VA contractor and two VA police officers, struggled with Cometa for control of the rifle and eventually subdued him. During the struggle, Cometa fired the assault rifle, shooting holes in the walls, ceiling, and furniture.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Ocala Resident Agency, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William S. Hamilton and Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Man Sentenced to 24 Years for Producing Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to over 24 years in prison for producing child pornography of a 2-year-old boy.
“Protecting the most vulnerable from heinous crimes and vile perpetrators, like Webster, will continue to be a top priority,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The actions that Webster engaged in are one of the most offensive and serious crimes in the entire criminal code. We will continue to shine a light on the darkest areas of the web and protect those that are unable to protect themselves.”
According to court documents, Dashawn Webster, 23, was identified through a complex investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with international law enforcement partners. Webster was a member of numerous websites dedicated to child exploitation. In order to gain access to some of these websites, Webster had to produce child pornography and share it with other members. In 2016, Webster produced child pornography with a 2-year-old and shared it with others. In addition to the produced images, Webster possessed over 110,000 other images and videos of minors engaging in sexual activity on numerous pieces of electronic media.
“It is devastating that individuals like Dashawn Webster perpetrate this kind of evil in our world today to victimize our children, even infants,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk Michael Lamonea. “The American public can be assured that HSI will continue to aggressively investigate and uncover these criminals and bring them before our justice system to face the consequences of their terrible actions.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-101.
Man Pleads Guilty to Downloading Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Aldie man pleaded guilty today to using the internet to download videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents, Hares Fakoor, 33, searched for and downloaded child pornography over a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. A forensic examination of two computers seized from his house in May 2016 revealed that, between December 2014 and May 2016, Fakoor downloaded and viewed numerous videos depicting child sexual abuse, including depictions of bestiality. Fakoor also configured a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to connect to the internet through a proxy service, which masked his IP address.
Fakoor pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on March 15, 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.
This matter was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force which is composed of FBI Agents, along with Detectives from the Fairfax County Police, Arlington County Police, Prince William County Police, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police, Alexandria City Police, Washington Metropolitan Police, Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, George Mason University Police, the United States Marshal’s Service and Agents of various Office of Inspector Generals.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division at the Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle P. Reynolds and William G. Clayman 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 is 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-355.
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Heath Hobbs, age 43, of Pringle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo on firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hobbs was charged with possession of five stolen firearms. Hobbs admitted to stealing the firearms and trading them for drugs in October 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Kingston Municipal Police Department, and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Louisiana Couple Indicted for Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in Shreveport, Louisiana, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Shreveport husband and wife with conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and multiple counts of filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph.
According to the indictment, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf owned and operated D&G Holdings LLC (D&G), a company providing laboratory and mobile phlebotomy services. For the 2011 through 2015 tax years, the Poimboeufs allegedly underreported their income and gross receipts from D&G on their joint personal federal income tax returns by submitting false information to two separate tax return preparers that omitted bank accounts and Forms 1099 that the accountants needed to accurately report their taxable income. The indictment charges that the Poimboeufs also improperly classified business receipts as non-taxable loan proceeds in an effort to reduce their income.
If convicted, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy counts and three years in prison on each false return count. The Poimboeufs also face a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Porfirio Rodriguez Reyes, 39, of Lincoln, received sentences today of 57 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 57 months for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Those sentences are to run concurrently (at the same time). Following the prison term, Rodriguez Reyes will serve two years on supervised release. However, it is likely he will be deported to Mexico after he is released from prison.
In February and March of 2018, a confidential informant working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force made two purchases of methamphetamine and five purchases of heroin from Rodriguez Reyes in Lincoln. The largest purchase of methamphetamine occurred on March 2, 2018. At that time, the confidential informant bought 78 grams of actual methamphetamine from Rodriguez Reyes. The largest purchase of heroin was 108 grams on February 23, 2018. The total amount of actual methamphetamine purchased from Rodriguez Reyes was 104 grams (approximately 3 ¾ ounces), and the total amount of heroin was 378 grams (13 ½ ounces).
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Kansas EMT Pleads Guilty to Stealing Morphine from VialsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – An EMT in Jackson County, Kan., pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing morphine from vials, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Colby W. VanWagoner, 33, Mayetta, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by deception and one count of making a false statement during an investigation.
The crimes took place while VanWagoner was working for the Jackson County Emergency Medical Service in Holton, Kan. In his plea, VanWagoner admitted he tampered with vials of morphine sulfate. He replaced morphine with saline solution and put the vials back into narcotic boxes on ambulances and in office stocks. Tests showed the concentration of morphine in vials that had been tampered with was low as 1 percent or less. The concentration of morphine should have been 100 percent.
Sentencing is set for March 12. The parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years on federal probation.
McAllister commended the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
KC Man Indicted for Child Pornography, Arrested After Stand-off with PoliceRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who was arrested yesterday after an hours-long standoff with police officers was indicted by a federal grand jury for attempted distribution and possession of child pornography.
Eric C. Hacker, 36, was charged in a 10-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public following his arrest.
The federal indictment alleges that Hacker attempted to distribute child pornography over the internet on eight separate occasions between March 27, 2017, and June 2, 2017. The indictment also charged Hacker with one count of receiving child pornography over the internet and one count of possessing child pornography.
Hacker was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, after he fled from police officers and barricaded himself for several hours inside of a storage container he had been using as a residence.
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. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Nexstar Media Group Inc. in Ongoing Television Broadcaster Information Exchange InvestigationRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a settlement with Nexstar Media Group Inc., one of the largest owners of television stations in the country, as part of its ongoing investigation into exchanges of competitively sensitive information in the broadcast television industry.
The Department filed an amended complaint today in the case United States v. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., et al., adding Nexstar Media Group Inc. as a defendant. At the same time, the Department filed a proposed settlement with Nexstar that, if approved by the court, would resolve the competitive harm alleged in the complaint. The Department filed its original complaint in the case on Nov. 13, 2018, along with proposed settlements with six other television broadcasting companies.
“The Antitrust Division continues its efforts to stop the unlawful exchange of competitively sensitive information in the television broadcast industry,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “Robust competition among broadcast stations allows American businesses to obtain competitive advertising rates. The unlawful sharing of information reduced that competition and harmed businesses and the consumers they serve.”
According to the amended complaint, Nexstar agreed with other entities in many metropolitan areas across the United States to exchange revenue pacing information, and also engaged in the exchange of other forms of non-public sales information in certain metropolitan areas. Pacing compares a broadcast station’s revenues booked for a certain time period to the revenues booked in the same point in the previous year. Pacing indicates how each station is performing versus the rest of the market and provides insight into each station’s remaining spot advertising for the period.
By exchanging pacing information, Nexstar and other broadcasters were better able to anticipate whether their competitors were likely to raise, maintain, or lower spot advertising prices, which in turn helped inform their stations’ own pricing strategies and negotiations with advertisers. As a result, the information exchanges harmed the competitive price-setting process.
The proposed settlement prohibits the direct or indirect sharing of such competitively sensitive information. The Department has determined that prohibiting this conduct would resolve the antitrust concerns raised as a result of Nexstar’s conduct. The proposed settlement further requires Nexstar to cooperate in the Department’s ongoing investigation and to adopt rigorous antitrust compliance and reporting measures to prevent similar anticompetitive conduct in the future. The settlement has a seven year term, and it will continue to apply to stations currently owned by Nexstar, even if those stations are acquired by another company.
Nexstar Media Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation with headquarters in Irving, Texas. It owns or operates 105 television stations across 93 markets and had revenues in excess of $1.2 billion in 2017.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with the Department’s competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days of its publication to Owen Kendler, Chief, Media, Entertainment, and Professional Services Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 4000, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the court may enter the final judgment upon a finding that it serves the public interest.
Jury convicts California man of traveling to Atlanta to have sex with a nine-year-old childRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Craig Alan Castaneda has been found guilty by a jury of traveling from San Diego to Atlanta to have sex with a nine-year-old girl and of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
“Prosecuting child predators is one of this office’s highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We are proud of the work that our law enforcement partners do in pursuing these predators, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with them to bring these persons to justice.”
“This conviction is another example of the lengths child predators will go to prey on our children,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “It is also an example of the FBI’s determination to pursue them. We hope it also serves as a warning to predators who feel they can act out on the internet without fear of being caught.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: In early April 2015, an FBI agent acting in an undercover capacity posted an ad on Craigslist in which he portrayed himself as a mother in search of a “teacher” for her nine-year-old daughter. The defendant responded to the ad the next day and described his previous experience in molesting children, including a child as young as four years old. He also said that he was “grooming” (that is, preparing) another child to be molested but that the family had moved away a few months earlier.
The defendant continued to communicate with the undercover agent for the next several weeks, and he made plans to travel from San Diego, California, to Atlanta, Georgia. In one of his final communications with the undercover agent before boarding a plane, he instructed the mother to obtain sex toys and lubricant. FBI agents met the defendant when he arrived at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on May 2, 2015, and arrested him.
Craig Alan Castaneda, 39, of Imperial Beach, Calif., was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia, June 2, 2015, on one count of traveling from another state to engage in sexual activity with a child under the age of 12 years, and one count of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Castaneda was convicted by a federal jury a three day trial. Sentencing for Castaneda has not yet been scheduled.
This case is being investigated by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Hartigan and Paul R. Jones are prosecuting the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Jury Finds New York City Man Guilty of Federal Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - After deliberating for approximately one hour, on December 12, 2018, a federal jury of six men and six women found Juan Wilquin Hernandez-Bourdier guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and possession of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Hernandez-Bourdier was tried before United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on January 26, 2016, Hernandez-Bourdier was the front seat passenger in a 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan as it travelled eastbound across Route 80 in Western Pennsylvania. Because the windows were darkly tinted and the vehicle changed lanes without signaling, Trooper Reed Grenci stopped the vehicle. Grenci, a trained interdiction officer, noted many signs that the two occupants may possibly be smuggling illegal items or money and requested permission to search the vehicle. Since Trooper Grenci knew that the same type of vehicles had resulted in police locating a hidden aftermarket compartment in the rear bumper area, he went under the rear of the vehicle and observed the "trap". Once the hydraulically-operated trap was opened, it was found to hold four rectangular blocks which contained a total of 4,195 grams of heroin. The word "Ferrari" and the Ferrari horse symbol were found to be stamped into the kilograms of heroin. The outer layers of wrapping on those blocks consisted of coffee grounds and plastic wrap.
Lab analysis located two fingerprints of the driver on the kilogram packages and a box of plastic wrap and coffee grounds were contained within a backpack in the van. Lab analysis of a toothbrush in the backpack with the coffee grounds and plastic wrap revealed the DNA of Hernandez-Bourdier. The trial included evidence that the driver and passenger were related by marriage and that they were both originally from the Dominican Republic, but were living in the greater New York City area.
A Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) testified that a gram of heroin (for comparison’s sake, it was noted that in court that one gram is the same amount in a common package of coffee sweetener) contains approximately 50 "stamp bags," or single serving dosage units of heroin, and that while many factors can affect the price of a stamp bag, single bags are commonly sold for approximately $10 each in Western Pennsylvania. As such, the amount of heroin located would be nearly 210,000 stamp bags worth more than $2 million on the street.
The driver of the vehicle, Habys Meran, while on house arrest, cut off his house arrest bracelet and fled. He is currently a wanted fugitive and individuals with information regarding his whereabouts may contact the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Unit at 412-644-6627. All individuals may remain anonymous and monetary rewards are possible.
Judge Walton scheduled sentencing for May 10, 2019 at 11 a.m., after the preparation of a Pre-Sentence Report by the United States Probation Office. In most circumstances, the law provides for a total sentence of at least 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court remanded the defendant to jail in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) joined forces to conduct the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hernandez-Bourdier, with the valuable assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as laboratory analysis by the PSP and HSI labs.
Jury Convicts Former Tigard Resident for Defrauding Investors in Ohio Gold MineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, a federal jury in Portland returned guilty verdicts against Harry Dean Proudfoot III, 78, formerly of Tigard, Oregon, for running a fraudulent gold mining investment scheme that he used to steal $3.2 million from 140 investors. Proudfoot was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
“Harry Proudfoot and his children made many promises to their investors—promises they never intended to fulfill. They now join a long list of financial criminals whose schemes were cut short by diligent investigators working on behalf of victims. Pursuing criminals who prey on unknowing investors is a top priority for federal law enforcement in Oregon,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
“The FBI is committed to investigating fraud schemes and deceptive practices by those who can cause devastating and irreparable financial harm to the members of our community. Together with its law enforcement partners, the FBI is dedicated to protecting the interests of the American public, so they can both invest and lend with confidence,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
“Mr. Proudfoot and his children built a ‘house of cards’ with their false promises and when it collapsed, as these houses do, IRS-Criminal Investigation is proud to support its law enforcement partners to expose and bring to justice those responsible,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon.
According to court documents and information shared at trial, in 2008, Harry Proudfoot created 3 Eagles Research and Development, a company based in Tigard that he used from 2008 through 2012 to solicit investors for a purported goldmining operation in Ohio. Harry Proudfoot, along with his adult children, including co-defendant Matthew Proudfoot, falsely promised to use investors’ money to purchase mining equipment and conduct mining operations at two gravel pits in Ohio.
To entice investors, Proudfoot and his children offered high rates of return, typically 10% of gross revenues, payable once the mine became operational. They falsely told investors they had all the necessary legal and business requirements in place for the mining operation.
At the same time, Proudfoot and his children withheld important facts from investors including that Harry Proudfoot had received cease and desist orders from the States of Alaska and Oregon for selling unregistered securities through material misrepresentations in 1992, 1993, and 2003 and that Matthew Proudfoot had filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Rather than using investor money as promised they diverted it to their personal use, funding living expenses, cars, travel, credit card bills, medical payments, lulling payments and other expenses to keep the scheme afloat.
In 2011, the States of Washington and Colorado and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating the group for securities violations. Ultimately, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon entered a judgment against Harry Proudfoot, Matthew Proudfoot and the 3 Eagles Research and Development Company in the SEC enforcement action.
Harry Proudfoot faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release on each count of wire fraud and 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release on each count of money laundering. He will be sentenced on April 3, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon.
Co-defendant Matthew Proudfoot pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering on November 1, 2017. He will be sentenced on January 9, 2019.
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted by Scott E. Bradford and John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Jacksonville Man Arrested on Federal Charge for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces today that Jason Ryan Fain (37, Jacksonville) has been arrested and charged in a criminal complaint with possessing videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Fain faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. He is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 17, 2018.
According to the complaint, on January 9, 2017, an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a citizen complaint at a residence in Jacksonville where Fain resided. The officer recovered a USB thumb drive that allegedly belonged to Fain, and believed to contain child pornography. A search of the thumb drive revealed 3,614 images and 7 videos depicting child pornography, together with “selfie”-type photos depicting Fain.
On October 27, 2017, Fain was arrested in Youngstown, Florida. During an interview, he admitted that the thumb drive belonged to him and that it contained “hundreds” of pornographic images of children that he had obtained from the internet. A forensic analysis of the drive confirmed that it had accessed a particular file-sharing network on the internet and that it also contained at least one document in Fain’s name.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Jackson Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jerrod Domonique Cowards, 25, of Jackson, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Tom S. Lee to serve 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. Cowards was also ordered to pay a $1,500.00 fine.
On May 1, 2018, officers with the Clinton Police Department were on patrol in the area of Highway 80 and Shaw Road in Clinton, Mississippi. One officer noticed a silver Ford Fusion on the road without the tag illuminated as required by law. The officer stopped the vehicle and noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer ultimately searched the vehicle and found a firearm underneath the front passenger seat where Cowards was sitting. Cowards admitting to possessing the firearm that was found underneath his seat. Cowards had a prior felony conviction from Rankin County Circuit Court in 2011.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Clinton Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together.” PSN is program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Jackson Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Identity of a Veteran and Theft of Veteran BenefitsRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Tierun Bush, 56, of Jackson, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to serve 36 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and theft of government funds and property, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. Judge Lee also ordered Bush to pay full restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
From 2005 to 2018, Bush used the name, social security number and other identifiers of a U.S. military veteran to fraudulently receive narcotics, medical care, medical equipment, and financial assistance for the cost of housing from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Bush, who is not a military veteran, was a long time patient at the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson under the name of the victim whose identity he stole. When first approached by agents from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bush provided the name of the victim as his own but quickly confessed when he was told by agents that they had already interviewed the victim, who lives out of state. By fraudulently using the identity of a veteran, Bush was able to obtain goods and services from government valued at over $133,603.93, which he will be required to pay in restitution as a part of his sentence.
The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 37 Months and Fined $15,000Read the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JOSE ARTEAGA-CENTENO, age 44, a native of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.
According to court documents, on March 8, 2018, ARTEAGA-CENTENO was found in the United States after having been previously deported from the United States on May 24, 2013. Further, on September 29, 2011, ARTEAGA-CENTENO was previously convicted of a felony.
United States District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced ARTEAGA-CENTENO to thirty-seven (37) months in prison, and ordered him to pay a $15,000 fine. A three year term of supervised release was also imposed, in addition to a $100 special assessment fee. Following the completion of his sentence, the defendant will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
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Hospice Care Provider Pays Nearly $6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that SouthernCare, Inc., a hospice care provider, has agreed to pay $5,863,426 to the federal government to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for hospice care that was medically unnecessary or lacked documentation.
The settlement resolves allegations in two separate complaints filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by whistleblowers under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. These provisions allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. The whistleblowers, Dawn Hamrock and Patricia Beegle, will share approximately $1.1 million of the recovery between them. Both whistleblowers were former employees of SouthernCare.
In their qui tam complaints, the whistleblowers generally alleged that SouthernCare provided hospice care to patients who were not eligible under the Medicare program. To be eligible, hospice care must be reasonable and necessary, a physician must certify that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less, and the provider must satisfy other documentation requirements. The whistleblowers alleged that SouthernCare admitted patients into hospice who were not terminally ill and lacked appropriate medical documentation showing such an illness. The company allegedly treated some patients for many years. This settlement agreement resolves the allegations arising from SouthernCare’s facilities in Pennsylvania from January 2009 through December 2014.
“My office takes whistleblower allegations very seriously, and we will hold accountable anyone who defrauds taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The False Claims Act gives us a powerful tool to do that. We thank Ms. Hamrock and Ms. Beegle for playing a vital role in the resolution of this case. Together with their lawyers, these two citizens provided essential assistance to the government. Without the willingness of relators to shed light on allegations of fraud, preserving government program funds would be far more challenging.”
“Unnecessarily admitting people into hospice is particularly dangerous, as it can cause patients who are not terminally ill to stop seeking treatments for recovery,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure federally funded healthcare resources are used appropriately.”
There has been no determination of civil liability. The settled civil claims are allegations only.
This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael S. Macko and Anthony D. Scicchitano, with investigative assistance from auditor George Niedzwicki and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
Honduran National Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a man from Honduras pleaded guilty to making false statements after trying to obtain a Louisiana driver’s license illegally.
Will Avila, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell to one count of making a false statement. According to the guilty plea, Avila entered a Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana on January 10, 2018, and attempted to apply for a Louisiana driver’s license. Avila used the name and Social Security card of a Puerto Rican citizen to fill out the driver’s license application. A special agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement questioned Avila, and the defendant made false statements in an attempt to maintain the false identity he used to apply for the driver’s license.
Avila faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 7, 2019.
Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie is prosecuting the case.