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31 October 2018
Fresno Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Commit Murder in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — William Lee, 41, of Fresno, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Lee conspired with other members of the Dog Pound Gangsters (DPG) enterprise to kill a rival gang member for the purpose of gaining or maintaining status within the DPG organization. DPG is a criminal street gang based in southwest Fresno. DPG engaged in criminal activities, including conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, prostitution, drug trafficking, and access device fraud. After DPG member and co-defendant Kenneth Wharry was shot by rival gang members, Lee and others conspired to conduct a retaliatory shooting against rival gang members. The conspiracy culminated in an April l7, 2018, shooting at Fink White Park in Fresno, where a DPG member opened fire in the park.
This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit; Fresno Police Department; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC); the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office; and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez, Jeffrey A. Spivak, and Christopher D. Baker 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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN 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.
Four Individuals Charged in White Plains Federal Court with Participating in A Scheme to Defraud Users of A Dating WebsiteRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today the filing of charges against DAVID JONES, DAVID DUWAYNE TAYLOR, KRISTIN KNIGHT, and DESTINY BISHOP for engaging in a scheme by which they fraudulently duped their victims into believing that they had sent sexually explicit images to underage children and faced criminal prosecution if they did not pay to avoid involvement by law enforcement.
TAYLOR, KNIGHT, and BISHOP were presented in federal court in South Carolina on October 18 and 19, 2018. BISHOP was presented on Friday, October 26, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court and released on a personal recognizance bond. KNIGHT was presented on October 29, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith McCarthy in White Plains federal court and released on a personal recognizance bond. JONES was presented this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. TAYLOR is expected to appear in federal court in White Plains in the next several days.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, these defendants scared their victims into sending them money by fraudulently convincing them they were in peril of criminal prosecution for child exploitation. This alleged fraud was not only cruel, it was also profitable for the defendants – until they were arrested.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “These individuals allegedly chose their targets specifically to create vulnerabilities, seeking simply to make a profit through deceit and extortion. Anyone can fall victim to a criminal scheme, so it is important to remain diligent in text messaging and online communications, and to contact law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed October 18, 2018, in White Plains federal court[1]:
Beginning in August 2017, HSI began identifying various individuals who reported that they had been extorted after using a dating website (the “Website”). In general, each victim reported communicating on the Website with an individual the victim believed was an adult. Then, after the victim received and shared sexually-explicit photos with the person the victim believed was an adult, the victim was contacted by a person who claimed that the victim had communicated with an underage minor and needed to pay the minor’s family to prevent law enforcement involvement. The victims made payments via money transfers through Western Union and Walmart and/or through the purchase of Green Dot MoneyPak cards.
* * *
JONES, 28, of Greenville, South Carolina, TAYLOR, 28, of Easley, South Carolina, KNIGHT, 28, of Greer, South Carolina, and BISHOP, 21, of Greenville, South Carolina, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations; the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Police Services Unit; and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in connection with this investigation.
Mr. Berman stated that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Homeland Security Investigations at 866-DHS-2-ICE.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, as well as the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Former Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty for Possessing 2 Firearms while on Parole for Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a federal firearms charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
LaRon Hollaman, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearm by a convicted felon before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 6, 2017, Robinson Police observed Hollaman engage in suspicious drug activity in the parking lot of the Hilltop Inn. Police then followed Hollaman to a nearby GetGo gas station where they approached the defendant to investigate further. According to additional information provided to the court, when asked for his license and registration, Hollaman told the officers, "I just did six up at State and this is going to (harm) me." Officers then asked Hollaman if he had any guns in the car. Hollaman told them, "There are two guns loaded underneath the front passenger seat." Hollaman was recovered from the car and handcuffed. Police then recovered two loaded Glock firearms. At the time of his arrest, Hollaman was on Pennsylvania State parole for committing two armed carjackings.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior record of the defendant. Hollaman was detained at his initial appearance and will remain detained pending sentence.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Robinson Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.
Former Omaha Tribal Council Member SentencedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that former Omaha Tribal Council Member Doran Morris, Jr. (age 44), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for his conviction of one count of conversion and misapplication of funds of a health care benefit program in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 669. Morris was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. In addition, Morris was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,404.44 which was the amount he personally received.
According to the Indictment and Plea Agreements, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska had filed Contract Disputes Act claims against the Indian Health Service, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. These claims were filed in 2005 and 2012, and concerned unpaid contract support costs covering the period of 1995-2011. The total amount of the claims was approximately $8.9 million. The Indictment alleges that the defendants converted and misapplied funds of a health care benefit program by paying and causing to be paid bonuses or incentives to themselves and several other tribal employees on account of the claim filings. These bonuses or incentives were paid in October of 2012 even though the claims against the Indian Health Service were not resolved and paid until late 2015. Funds used to pay the bonuses came from carryover funds from the fiscal year 2012 contract with IHS. These funds were supposed to be used for providing health care to members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska through the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center.
Previously, eight other former tribal council members and tribal employees were sentenced for their roles in this offense. All defendants charged in the Indictment have now been sentenced.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Former Hoboken City Council Candidate and Campaign Worker Indicted for Conspiring to Use Mail to Promote Voter Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former candidate for the Hoboken City Council and a campaign worker were charged today by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to promote a voter bribery scheme by use of the mail, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Francis Raia, 67, of Hoboken, New Jersey, was a candidate for city council in 2013. Dio Braxton, 43, of Hoboken, worked for Raia’s campaign. A federal grand jury charged them today with conspiracy to violate the federal Travel Act for causing the mails to be used in aid of voter bribery, contrary to New Jersey state law, during the 2013 election. Lizaida Camis, a conspirator, was charged by indictment on Oct. 17, 2018; her case is pending.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Under New Jersey law, registered voters are permitted to cast a ballot by mail rather than in-person. To receive a mail-in ballot, voters must complete and submit to their County Clerk’s Office an Application for Vote By Mail Ballot (VBM Application). After the VBM Application is processed by the County Clerk’s Office, voters receive a mail-in ballot.
From October 2013 through November 2013, Raia instructed Braxton and other conspirators to pay certain Hoboken voters $50 if those voters applied for and cast mail-in ballots in the November 2013 Hoboken municipal election. Conspirators provided these voters with VBM applications and then delivered the completed VBM Applications to the Hudson County Clerk’s office. After the mail-in ballots were delivered to the voters, the conspirators went to the voters’ residences and, in some cases, instructed the voters to vote for Raia and in favor of a ballot referendum that Raia supported relating to rent control. Conspirators promised the voters that they would be paid $50 for casting their mail-in ballots and told them that they could pick up their checks after the election at Raia’s office in Hoboken. Bank records show that voters living in Hoboken received $50 checks from an entity hired by Raia’s political action committee.
Raia and Braxton each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Farrell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
The charges and allegations in this indictment, and against Camis, are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Executive Director at Venezuelan State-Owned Oil Company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., Pleads Guilty to Role in Billion-Dollar Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A former executive director at the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), pleaded guilty today for his role in a billion-dollar international scheme to launder funds embezzled from PDVSA.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
Abraham Edgardo Ortega, 51, a Venezuelan national, who was PDVSA’s executive director of financial planning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9 by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida, who accepted his plea today.
As part of his plea, Ortega admitted that in his position with PDVSA, he accepted $5 million in bribes to give priority loan status to a French company and a Russian bank, which were both minority shareholders in joint ventures with PDVSA. Ortega was paid for this bribery scheme with the proceeds of a currency exchange scheme, through which $1.2 billion was embezzled, through bribery and fraud from PDVSA. Ortega also admitted that in his position with PDVSA, he accepted $12 million in bribes for his participation in a PDVSA embezzlement scheme involving a loan and foreign-exchange contract.
Ortega admitted that he worked with a co-defendant to launder $12 million that he received as bribe payments. Ortega admitted that he and his co-defendant laundered $12 million through a sophisticated false-investment scheme that received money from a payment made to look like an investment into a fund, but, in fact, the payment was actually laundered out of the fund. Surrounding and supporting this false-investment laundering scheme were complicit money managers, brokerage firms, banks and real estate investment firms in the United States and elsewhere, operating as a network of professional money launderers, Ortega admitted.
Ortega’s co-conspirators indicted on Aug. 16 include former PDVSA officials, professional third-party money launderers and members of the Venezuelan elite, sometimes known as “boliburgués.”
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) “Operation Money Flight,” a partnership among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
HSI Miami, HSI London, HSI Rome and HSI Madrid investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael B. Nadler of the Southern District of Florida’s Economic and Environmental Crimes Section and Trial Attorney David Johnson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham of the Southern District of Florida is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the case.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter. The National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and Italian, Spanish and Maltese law enforcement authorities also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Former Executive Director at Venezuelan State-Owned Oil Company, Petroleos De Venezuela, S.A., Pleads Guilty to Role in Billion-Dollar Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A former executive director at the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), pleaded guilty today for his role in a billion-dollar international scheme to launder funds embezzled from PDVSA.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
Abraham Edgardo Ortega, 51, a Venezuelan national, who was PDVSA’s executive director of financial planning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida, who accepted his plea today.
As part of his plea, Ortega admitted that in his position with PDVSA, he accepted $5 million in bribes to give priority loan status to a French company and a Russian bank, which were both minority shareholders in joint ventures with PDVSA. Ortega was paid for this bribery scheme with the proceeds of a currency exchange scheme, through which $1.2 billion was embezzled, through bribery and fraud from PDVSA. Ortega also admitted that in his position with PDVSA, he accepted $12 million in bribes for his participation in a PDVSA embezzlement scheme involving a loan and foreign-exchange contract.
Ortega admitted that he worked with a co-defendant to launder $12 million that he received as bribe payments. Ortega admitted that he and his co-defendant laundered $12 million through a sophisticated false-investment scheme that received money from a payment made to look like an investment into a fund, but, in fact, the payment was actually laundered out of the fund. Surrounding and supporting this false-investment laundering scheme were complicit money managers, brokerage firms, banks and real estate investment firms in the United States and elsewhere, operating as a network of professional money launderers, Ortega admitted.
Ortega’s co-conspirators indicted on Aug. 16 include former PDVSA officials, professional third-party money launderers and members of the Venezuelan elite, sometimes known as “boliburgués.”
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) “Operation Money Flight,” a partnership among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
HSI Miami, HSI London, HSI Rome and HSI Madrid investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief David Johnson and Trial Attorney Gwendolyn A. Stamper of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael B. Nadler of the Southern District of Florida’s Economic and Environmental Crimes Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham of the Southern District of Florida is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the case.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter. The National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and Italian, Spanish and Maltese law enforcement authorities also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Former Correctional Officer Charged with Assaulting Handcuffed and Shackled Inmate at Elayn Hunt Correctional CenterRead the Press Release
A former correctional officer at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of beating a handcuffed and shackled inmate, and conspiring with other officers to cover up their misconduct by falsifying official reports and lying to investigators. Two other correctional officers, Eric Norwood and Charles Philson, have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault of the inmate.
Today’s indictment accuses Adrian Almodovar of federal civil rights, conspiracy, and obstruction violations. According to the indictment, Almodovar and other members of the tactical team assaulted an inmate during the course of a cell extraction, during transportation to the medical unit, and inside the medical unit. The inmate was handcuffed and shackled during the course of the assaults.
It is alleged that the defendants then drafted false reports in which they intentionally omitted that they used force on the inmate. Days after the assault, the defendants met with another officer at the a local restaurant in which they agreed that, if questioned about the assault by investigators, they would stick to the false story they wrote in their reports and claim that they did not use unlawful force.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Baton Rouge Division of the FBI and the Office of Louisiana Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Christopher J. Perras and Zachary Dembo of the Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Former Correctional Officer Charged with Assaulting Handcuffed and Shackled Inmate at Elayn Hunt Correctional CenterRead the Press Release
A former correctional officer at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of beating a handcuffed and shackled inmate, and conspiring with other officers to cover up their misconduct by falsifying official reports and lying to investigators. Two other correctional officers, Eric Norwood and Charles Philson, have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault of the inmate.
Today’s indictment accuses Adrian Almodovar of federal civil rights, conspiracy, and obstruction violations. According to the indictment, Almodovar and other members of the tactical team assaulted an inmate during the course of a cell extraction, during transportation to the medical unit, and inside the medical unit. The inmate was handcuffed and shackled during the course of the assaults.
It is alleged that the defendants then drafted false reports in which they intentionally omitted that they used force on the inmate. Days after the assault, the defendants met with another officer at the a local restaurant in which they agreed that, if questioned about the assault by investigators, they would stick to the false story they wrote in their reports and claim that they did not use unlawful force.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Baton Rouge Division of the FBI and the Office of Louisiana Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Christopher J. Perras and Zachary Dembo of the Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Former Brookline Man Pleads Guilty to Hiring Someone to Murder Relative in CaliforniaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of using interstate commerce facilities in connection with a murder for hire, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Brad Lanese, age 52, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Brad Lanese and two associates – identified as C.B and his wife, L.D. - ran a large marijuana grow operation in Northern California. When Lanese and L.D. began having difficulties, Lanese was asked to leave the property. Back in Pittsburgh, Lanese contacted a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Agency and asked that source to travel with him to Northern California in order to rob C.B. and L.D. of the profits from the marijuana grow operation.
On October 31, 2017, Lanese and the confidential source traveled to California. The next day, Lanese and the confidential source met with "Deeds", a DEA operative acting in an undercover capacity who was to provide firearms and logistical support for the robbery. Lanese told "Deeds" that he no longer wanted to rob C.B., but wanted "Deeds" to murder someone instead. Lanese then hired "Deeds" to kill L.D. by injecting L.D. with a fatal dose of heroin/fentanyl mix in the marijuana fields, and pushing L.D.’s body and car over the cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean. Lanese told "Deeds" that once L.D. was dead, he would be able to return to the marijuana grow operation and pay "Deeds" for the murder.
On November 14, 2017, back in Pittsburgh, Lanese confirmed to "Deeds" that he wanted L.D. to be murdered and agreed to pay $30,000 for the murder.
On December 8, 2017, Lanese was charged via criminal complaint and investigators from the DEA and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police arrested him at his home in Brookline. Lanese was detained pending trial and will continue to be detained pending sentencing.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2019 at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior record of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Agency - Pittsburgh Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Pittsburgh Division, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration - Santa Rosa, California Division, conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California is also assisting in the prosecution of this case.
Florida Man Sentenced to Prison for Exporting Crab-Eating Macaque Skulls, Other Wildlife Without PermitRead the Press Release
Franz Karl Salon, 24, a resident of Miramar, Florida, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Miami, Florida, to five months in prison, to be followed by a two year period of supervised release, for illegally exporting a crab-eating macaque skull to France after he sold the skull on an online e-commerce marketplace. Salon previously pleaded guilty on August 17, 2018.
Federal law requires that persons in the United States who import or export wildlife file a completed United States Fish and Wildlife Service Declaration (Form 3-177) prior to the importation or exportation. This requirement applies to wildlife or wildlife products purchased online which enters the United States from abroad, including shipments made via the United States Postal Service or courier companies such as Federal Express and United Parcel Service.
Crab-eating macaques and additional macaque species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement signed by the United States and 182 other countries to ensure that international trade in more than 35,000 species of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. International trade in these species is controlled by permits and quotas, or for some species, is completely prohibited except in exceptional circumstances.
According to court documents, Salon failed to obtain the required CITES permits and did not file the required documentation for wildlife, which he imported and exported between September 2013 and August 2016. Salon illegally sold more than $21,000 of foreign wildlife to purchasers in states other than Florida and illegally exported more than $7,000 of wildlife to purchasers in foreign countries. Salon also unlawfully possessed more than $14,000 of wildlife.
“As Attorney General Sessions asserted at last week’s forum on combatting wildlife poaching and trafficking in Washington, U.S. law enforcement is committed to prosecuting participants in the illegal wildlife trade,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida. “In a District that represents a hub for commerce and recreation in the Americas, we are especially sensitive to being used as a center for illegal trafficking activities for both our domestic species and wildlife sourced from our neighbors. We will continue to work with our international, state, and local partners to hold wildlife traffickers accountable for their illegal conduct.”
“Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that impacts imperiled species across the world," said Edward Grace, Acting Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. "We would like to thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Justice for their work on this case. We will continue to work with our partners to combat the illegal wildlife trade."
“We will work together with our U.S. and International partners to save threatened and endangered species being illegally trafficked into our country,” said Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The use of the mail to further the illegal activity of the traffickers will not be tolerated.”
The investigation was handled by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Watts-Fitzgerald of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and Senior Trial Attorney Georgiann Cerese of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.
Information concerning Federal wildlife laws and regulations is available at http://fws.gov/le and contact information for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Wildlife Inspection Offices may be found at https://www.fws.gov/le/inspection-offices.html. A list of the animal and plant species protected by CITES may be found at https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/species.php.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Drug Trafficking and Immigration Laws in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Ruben Adrian Rubalcava, 36, of Dunedin, Fla., pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens charges.
Rubalcava was arrested in Sept. 2018, and was charged in two separate federal criminal complaints. The first complaint, filed on Sept. 18, 2018, charged Rubalcava with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The second complaint, filed on Sept. 19, 2018, charged Rubalcava and co-defendant Keith Anthony Cummings, 35, of El Paso, Texas, with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Both complaints alleged that Rubalcava committed the crimes in Dona Ana County, N.M.
According to court filings, on Sept. 16, 2018, while responding to a sensor activation during routine patrol, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered three individuals sitting in a parking lot in Sunland Park, N.M. Subsequent immigration inspections of the individuals established that two of the individuals were aliens illegally present in the United States. The agents arrested the third individual, Cummings, on alien smuggling charges. The agents arrested Rubalcava on alien smuggling charges after he approached them and said the individuals were his friends. During a search incident to arrest, the agents found 408 grams of methamphetamine inside Rubalcava’s backpack.
During today’s proceedings, Rubalcava pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. In entering the guilty plea, Rubalcava admitted conspiring with another individual on Sept. 16, 2018, to drive to Sunland Park with the intention of picking up two illegal aliens who had unlawfully entered the United States. Rubalcava further admitted that the other individual walked the illegal aliens to Rubalcava’s vehicle and while waiting for Rubalcava to return to the vehicle, U.S. Border Patrol agents approached the vehicle and arrested the two illegal aliens and the other individual.
In his plea agreement, Rubalcava admitted that agents approached him while he was walking towards his vehicle and the agents found methamphetamine in his backpack. Rubalcava acknowledged that he intended to deliver the methamphetamine to others within the United States and that he participated in the conspiracy for financial gain.
At sentencing, Rubalcava faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Cummings pled guilty to conspiring to transport illegal aliens on Oct. 10, 2018, and will remain in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clara Cobos of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Felon with a Gun Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Edward Leonard Howard, Jr., was sentenced this morning on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Howard, 22, of Mobile, Alabama, pled guilty to the charge in July. United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Granade imposed a sentence of 44 months imprisonment, and ordered that Howard serve three years of supervised release when he is discharged from prison. No fine was imposed but Howard was ordered to pay $100 in special mandatory assessments.
The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria A. Bedwell.
Felon Called to Say He Was in A Bind, Now He’s Charged with Escaping CustodyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A convicted felon who was under house arrest was indicted today on a federal charge of escaping custody, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Joaquin Florez, 42, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of escaping federal custody. According to documents filed in the case, Florez was sentenced to federal prison in 2015 after being convicted on a drug charge. He was transferred from federal prison to home confinement in Kansas City, Kan.
On Sept. 13, 2018, the Bonner Springs Police Department notified the U.S. Probation Office that Florez was involved in a police chase in Bonner Springs. On the same day, Florez called the Grossman Residential Reentry Center in Leavenworth to say he was in a bind. He said he had purchased a vehicle and allowed a friend to drive it. He said the friend was involved in a chase with police. The director of the center ordered Florez to return to the center immediately. Florez did not report as required.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Joseph Holbrook, Jr., 34, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 26, 2018, in Johnson County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments Charging 6 IndividualsRead the Press Release
MACON— A grand jury has returned indictments during the month of October. Charles E. Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced Wednesday, October 31, 2018, that the grand jury true billed indictments charging 6 individuals. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The successful collaboration between law enforcement at every level helped bring these cases before a federal grand jury,” said U.S. Attorney Peeler. “I want to thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for their dedication and hard work.”
Indictment #1
JONATHAN M. JENSEN, age 32, of Springfield, Minnesota, is charged with the following:
1) Coercion and Enticement
2) Travel with Intent to engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Jensen faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum life sentence in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years-to-life supervised release. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Jensen faces a maximum 30 year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine and 5 years-to-life supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany, Georgia, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane.
Indictment #2
MIGUEL BALTAZAR-PABLO, age 25, of Mexico, is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted, Mr. Baltazar-Pablo faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
Indictment #3
ANTONIO VEGA-HERNANDEZ, age 32, of Mexico, is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted, Mr. Vega-Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
In addition, to the above indictments, the following individuals were indicted for firearms offenses. All of these cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Indictment #4
TRACY MITCHELL, JR., age 30, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted, Tracy Mitchell, Jr. faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Easterling.
Indictment #5
ERIC DAMON GRIER, age 38, of Sparta, Georgia, is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
If convicted, Eric Damon Grier faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Georgia Department of Community Supervision and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis.
Indictment #6
JOHNNY FARROW, aged 62, of Macon, Georgia, is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted, Mr. Farrow faces a maximum sentence of ten 10 years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis.
Questions concerning this release should 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.
Equine Insurance Agent Charged in $1.3 Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - A Middletown insurance agent and agency owner who specializes in providing equine insurance coverage has been charged in U.S. District Court in Providence with allegedly orchestrating a scheme which defrauded customers, insurance companies, and finance companies of approximately $1.3 million dollars.
Randall N. Levesque, 57, of Middletown, owner of Equine Insurance Services, LLC and Randall Levesque Agency, has been charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service Stephen Marks, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Ann C. Assumpico.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Levesque overbilled and double-billed customers when billing their credit cards for premiums due on policies, some of which the client did not request or did not agree to finance, at times forging the customers’ signature; collected premiums on insurance policies issued by at least two insurance companies but, upon receipt from customers, did not forward the payments to the insurance companies; and, at times, financed premiums and received funds on behalf of customers without the customers’ consent or knowledge, and submitted financing agreements to finance companies for fictitious customers, for whom there were no policies.
It is alleged in Court documents that Levesque collected but did not remit to insurance companies over $800,000 in premiums; fraudulently obtained over $500,000 in financed premiums from at least two finance companies; and charged customers’ credit cards at total of approximately $80,000 for premiums that he failed to provide to insurance companies.
Levesque made an initial appearance on Tuesday in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, and was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert. The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and Rhode Island State Police.
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El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash Anuncia Sobre las Elecciones de Noviembre 2018Read the Press Release
El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash anunció hoy que Matthew B. Devlin, Assistente Abogado del los Estados Unidos (AUSA, por sus siglas en inglés) se encarga del esfuerzo de la Oficina en conexión con el Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento de Justicia para las elecciones generales del 6° de noviembre, 2018. AUSA Devlin ha sido designado de servir como el Oficial del Distrito de Elecciones (DEO, por sus siglas en inglés) para el Distrito Oeste de Tejas, y será responsable de supervisar las quejas sobre fraude electoral y abusos de derechos de votar en consulto con el Departamento de Justicia Central en Washington.
Abogado Bash dijo, “Todos ciudadanos deben de poder votar sin interferencia o discriminación y el proceso electoral debe de estar libre de fraude y manipulación.”
El Departamento de Justicia tiene el rol importante de disuadir fraude electoral y discriminación en las urnas, y de combatir las violaciones cuando y donde quiera ocurren. Más, el objetivo del Programa Nacional del Día de Elecciones del Departamento busca aseguración de la confidencia del público de la integridad del proceso electoral por proporcionando contactos locales dentro el Departamento para que el público pueda reportar actos de fraude electoral y violaciones de derechos de votar mientras estén disponibles las urnas el Día Electoral.
La ley federal protege en contra crímenes de intimidación o sobornar votadores, comprando y vendiendo votos, imitar votador, modificar la cuenta de votaciones, votar en urnas múltiples, y marcar la boleta de votación por votadores sin su permiso o sin los deseos del votador. También contiene protecciones para los derechos de los votadores, y provee que pueden votar libre de cualquier acto de intimidación o acoso. Por ejemplo, actos de personas tratando de interrumpir, o intimidar votadores en lugares de votación o de poner en duda, o tomar fotos o vídeo, bajo el pretexto que las acciones son para revelar votación ilegal podrá violar las leyes federales. Más, las leyes federales protege los derechos de los votadores para marcar su propio boleta de votación o de ser asistido por la persona de su elección (cuando votadores necesitan asistencia por medio de discapacidad o analfabeto).
El derecho es el centro de la democracia Americana. Todos demos de asegurar que los que tienen el derecho de votar, pueden si gustan, y los quienes buscan corromper el proceso se llevan a justicia. Para responder a reclamos de fraude electoral o abuso de los derechos de votar el 6° de noviembre, 2018, y para asegurar que los reclamos se dirigen a los propios autoridades, Abogado Bash dijo que AUSA/DEO Devin estará de servicio mientras estén disponibles las urnas en el Día de Elección. El público puede contactarlo al (210) 384-7188.
Más, el FBI tendrá agentes especiales disponibles en todas las oficinas dentro el país para recibir acusaciones de fraude electoral y otros abusos electorales en el Día de Elección. El FBI de San Antonio estará disponible al público al (210) 225-6741. El FBI de El Paso estará disponible al público at (915) 832-5000.
Reclamos sobre violaciones de las leyes federales de votación se dirigen directamente a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación en Washington, DC al (800) 253-3931 o al (202) 307-2767, por fax al (202) 307-3961, y por correo electrónico al [email protected] o por forma de reclamo al http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
Abogado Bash dijo, “Asegurando elecciones justos requiere reportando cualquier irregularidad en el proceso electoral lo más pronto posible. Es imprescindible que los que tienen información especifica de discriminación de votador, intimidación de votador, o fraude electoral, que reporten la información inmediatamente a mi oficina, al FBI o a la División de Derechos Civiles Sección de Votación.”
Eight Maryland TTG Members and Associates Convicted on Federal Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy Charges, Including Nine Murders and Witness IntimidationRead the Press Release
A federal jury today convicted eight Baltimore, Maryland men for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG), a subset of the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) gang, including nine murders, drug trafficking, and witness intimidation, as well as on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. Several of the defendants were also convicted of related drug and firearms charges.
The defendants convicted today are: Montana Barronette, aka “Tana,” and “Tanner,” 23; Terrell Sivells, aka “Rell,” 27; John Harrison, aka “Binkie,” 28; Taurus Tillman, aka “Tash,” 29; Linton Broughton, aka “Marty,” 25; Dennis Pulley, aka “Denmo,” 31; Brandon Wilson, aka “Ali,” 24; and Timothy Floyd, aka “Tim Rod,” 28.
The convictions were announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI Baltimore Field Office; Interim Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore District Office and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.
“For six years, Trained To Go terrorized the Sandtown neighborhood, committing murders, robberies, and other violence as they sold their poison on the streets of Baltimore,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “Today’s convictions ensure that Montana Barronette and the other seven defendants in this vicious gang now will be held accountable for their horrible crimes.”
“Federal, state and local law enforcement joined together to target the leaders and key members of one of the most violent gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Hur. “Today’s convictions prove our continuing commitment to removing armed, violent criminals from our neighborhoods and bringing them to justice in the federal system, which has no parole—ever.”
“This investigation represents the epitome of law enforcement agencies working together to target and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Johnson. “The citizens of Baltimore City and Maryland have the FBI’s commitment that we will work with our local, state and federal partners to attack these dealers and remove violent criminals from their neighborhoods.”
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, the defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization and subset of the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) gang that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
Specifically, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and May 25, 2016, the defendants and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including nine murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. The violent acts were intended to further the gang’s activities, protect the gang’s drug territory, and maintain and increase a member’s position within the organization. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
The defendants all face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. Pulley and Wilson each also face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for being felons in possession of a firearm; and a mandatory minimum of five years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tillman and Sivells also face up to 20 years in prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members, all of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty. Brandon Bazemore, aka Man Man, 25, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy, including three murders and an attempted murder, as well as to the drug conspiracy. Bazemore and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea, Bazemore will be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison at his sentencing on Nov. 13. Co-defendants Hisaun Chatman, 31, and James Woodfolk, 20, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and were each sentenced to five years in prison, to be served concurrent to the state sentence each is currently serving.
Co-defendant Roger Taylor, of Baltimore, is still a fugitive, and the charges against him are pending. Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Roger Taylor is asked to contact the FBI Baltimore Field office at (410) 265-8080.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA and the Anne Arundel County Police Department, including the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano and Daniel Gardner of the District of Maryland prosecuting the case.
Eight Baltimore TTG Members and Associates Convicted on Federal Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy Charges, Including Nine Murders and Witness IntimidationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland –A federal jury today convicted eight Baltimore men for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG), including nine murders, drug trafficking, and witness intimidation, as well as on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. Several of the defendants were also convicted of related drug and firearms charges.
The defendants convicted today are:
Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 23; Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 27; John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 28; Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 29; Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 25; Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 31; Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24; and
Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 28.The convictions were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Interim Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement joined together to target the leaders and key members of one of the most violent gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Today’s convictions prove our continuing commitment to removing armed, violent criminals from our neighborhoods and bringing them to justice in the federal system, which has no parole—ever.”
“For six years, Trained To Go terrorized the Sandtown neighborhood, committing murders, robberies, and other violence as they sold their poison on the streets of Baltimore,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “Today’s convictions ensure that Montana Barronette and the other seven defendants in this vicious gang now will be held accountable for their horrible crimes.”
“This investigation represents the epitome of law enforcement agencies working together to target and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson. “The citizens of Baltimore City and Maryland have the FBI’s commitment that we will work with our local, state and federal partners to attack these dealers and remove violent criminals from their neighborhoods.”
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, the defendants are all members of Trained To Go (TTG), a criminal organization which operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
Specifically, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and May 25, 2016, the defendants and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including nine murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. The violent acts were intended to further the gang’s activities, protect the gang’s drug territory, and maintain and increase a member’s position within the organization. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
The defendants all face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. Pulley and Wilson each also face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for being felons in possession of a firearm; and a mandatory minimum of five years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tillman and Sivells also face up to 20 years in prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not yet scheduled sentencing. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members, all of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty. Brandon Bazemore, a/k/a Man Man, age 25, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy, including three murders and an attempted murder, as well as to the drug conspiracy. Bazemore and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea, Bazemore will be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison at his sentencing on November 13, 2018. Co-defendants Hisaun Chatman, age 31, and James Woodfolk, age 20, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and were each sentenced to five years in prison, to be served concurrent to the state sentence each is currently serving.
Co-defendant Roger Taylor, of Baltimore, is still a fugitive, and the charges against him are pending. Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Roger Taylor is asked to contact the FBI-Baltimore Field office at (410) 265-8080.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur also recognized U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes and the U.S. Marshal’s Office for their exemplary work during the trial. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Gardner and Christopher J. Romano, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Drug Dealer Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Daniel Dewayne Conner was sentenced this morning on five counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Court documents showed that Conner was on federal supervised release from his prior federal drug conviction when he made the sales to a confidential informant working for the Saraland Police Department. Conner, 44, of Axis, Alabama, pled guilty to the charges in February. United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 57 months imprisonment to run concurrently on the five counts, and ordered that Conner serve a term of 7 years of supervised release when he is discharged from prison. No fine was imposed but Conner was ordered to pay $500 in special mandatory assessments.
The case was investigated by the Saraland Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria A. Bedwell.
Dominican Republic and a Venezuelan Defendant Plead Guilty to Illegal Entry Charges in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Juan Lorenzo Matias Peralta, 38, of the Dominican Republic and Dionis Alexander Luis Gomez, 31, of Venezuela, pleaded guilty today in Magistrate Court before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to illegal entry offenses, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. Sentencing is set for December 3, 2018.
According, to court documents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) apprehended a vessel in the area of North Haulover Bay, St. John after agents observed that the vessel was operating with no lights. After the boat was stopped, AMO agents observed five male individuals onboard, including Peralta and Gomez. Upon further investigation, agents concluded that Peralta and Gmoez were not U.S. citizens, but were in fact nationals from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, respectively. Peralta and Gomez did not have permission to enter the United States, and the area where the boat was apprehended, was not a designated port of entry.
Peralta and Gomez face a maximum sentence of six months and a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Unit (AMO) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
District Woman Pleads Guilty to Perjury for Lying to Grand Jury in Homicide InvestigationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Shadashia Gillis, also known as Shadashia Warren, 27, of Washington, D.C., has pled guilty to one count perjury for lying to a grand jury during a homicide investigation, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.
Gillis pled guilty on Oct. 26, 2018, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. She is to be sentenced on Feb. 1, 2019, by the Honorable Milton C. Lee.
According to a proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, a Superior Court grand jury was investigating the Aug. 21, 2016 killing of Dante Miller, 24, after a cook-out and fish fry in 1200 block of 18th Place NE. Witnesses had identified Gillis as being present when Mr. Miller was shot by Montez Warren, and also identified her as leaving the scene with Warren.
However, during her grand jury testimony, Gillis stated that she did not know Warren. She also testified that she never was contacted by or met with a defense attorney or defense investigator for Warren. According to the proffer, prior to her testimony on Dec. 14, 2016, she had spoken with a defense attorney for Warren, exchanged text messages with the attorney, met the attorney in person, and spoke with a defense investigator for Warren.
Warren, 37, of Washington, D.C. pled guilty in February 2018 to a charge of second-degree murder while armed and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the killing.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Bates of the Appellate Division. Finally, she commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney David Misler, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner, who investigated and prosecuted the perjury and murder cases.
District Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend with FirearmRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric Singletary, 36, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to five years in prison for assaulting his former girlfriend with a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.
Singletary pled guilty in July 2018, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced on Oct. 30, 2018, by the Honorable Ronna L Beck. Following his prison term, Singletary will be placed on three years of supervised release and subject to gun-offender registration requirements.
According to the government’s evidence, Singletary and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship. One day during the fall of 2017, Singletary was significantly intoxicated. He began arguing with the victim and, during the argument, grabbed his semi-automatic pistol and placed the barrel of the weapon in her mouth. He repeatedly told the victim that her body belonged to him and not to anyone else.
On Dec. 23, 2017, the victim called 911 to report an additional incident involving the defendant. After this second incident, police located and recovered Singletary’s pistol at the victim’s residence in Southeast Washington. Forensic testing revealed the presence of his DNA on the firearm. At the time of the firearm recovery, Singletary was on probation for a 2016 domestic violence assault relating to a separate victim and could not lawfully possess a firearm.
Singletary was arrested on Jan. 10, 2018 pursuant to an arrest warrant, and has been in custody since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. She also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Meshall Thomas, Paralegal Specialist Tiffany Jones, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bianca Forde and J. Matt Williams, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Election Officer on Duty for November 2018 ElectionsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Annette L. Hayes announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Arlen Storm will lead the Office’s work in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election. AUSA Storm is the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Washington, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with the Justice Department in Washington D.C.
“It is imperative that anyone who has specific information about discrimination or election fraud provide that information in a timely manner to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division,” said United States Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without fraud in the election process. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the election is ongoing.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them in the voting process, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy.
The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise are able to exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses, including on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Annette L. Hayes stated that AUSA/DEO Storm is on duty while voting is ongoing in Western Washington. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 206-553-7970.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses while voting is ongoing, including on November 6, 2018. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 206 622-0460.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
Detroit man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Dontez Rayshawn Hudson, of Detroit, Michigan, has admitted to heroin distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Hudson, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” Hudson admitted to distributing heroin in Randolph County in May 2017.
Hudson faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Current and Former Springfield Police Officers Indicted for Unreasonable Force Against Two JuvenilesRead the Press Release
Two Springfield Police Officers, one current and one former officer, were arrested today and charged in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts, on allegations that they used unreasonable force against two Latino juveniles during an arrest. One of the officers is also charged with threatening the juveniles during an interrogation and falsifying subsequent reports regarding the incident. Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Field Division, made the announcement.
Gregg A. Bigda, 48, of Wilbraham, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with three counts of violating the civil rights of arrestees and one count of obstructing justice by writing a false report. Steven M. Vigneault, 48, of East Longmeadow, was charged in the same indictment with one count of violating the civil rights of an arrestee.
The indictment charges that, on Feb. 27, 2016, Bigda used unreasonable force against a juvenile, and that afterward, Bigda spat on him and said, “Welcome to the white man’s world.” The indictment further charges that Vigneault used unreasonable force against a different juvenile. According to the indictment, both uses of force involved the use of dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury.
"Even in the face of adversity, law enforcement officers are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and with integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “They are ambassadors for the rule of law, and when they themselves break those laws, they violate not just the rights of their victims, but compromise the public's trust in law enforcement. My Office is committed to holding our public servants accountable under the law and prosecuting those who abuse their positions of power."
"Most law enforcement officers are dedicated, honest, and fully committed to building trust within their communities, but those who break the law stain the reputation of the law enforcement profession,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Field Division. “Badges and guns do not come with the authority to ignore the Constitution or the rights of others, and those who violate it will be held accountable."
The indictment further alleges that after the arrests, Bigda interrogated the juveniles without their parents present and without reading them their Miranda rights, and that, during the course of the interrogations, Bigda threatened the juveniles in a number of different ways. For example, Bigda made the following threats against the first juvenile: to “crush [the juvenile’s] skull and [expletive] get away with it,” “bring the dog back [and] let him [expletive] go after” the juvenile; “[expletive] kill [the juvenile] in the parking lot”; “charge [the juvenile] with killing Kennedy and [expletive] make it stick,” “stick a [expletive] kilo of coke in [the juvenile’s] pocket and put [the juvenile] away for [expletive] 15 years,” and “kick [the juvenile] right in the [expletive] face as soon as [they] cross the Springfield line.” Bigda made the following threats against the second juvenile: to “beat the [expletive] out of [the juvenile],” “tune [the juvenile] the [expletive] up,” and “bloody [the juvenile’s] body.”
Bigda subsequently attempted to obstruct the investigation into the assaults on the juveniles by falsifying his reports to the Springfield Police Department Internal Investigations Unit, allegedly writing that he did not kick anyone or see any officer kick anyone during the course of the arrests of the juveniles. Bigda filed a second report in which he denied spitting on anyone or yelling “welcome to the white man’s world” during the arrest of the juveniles.
The charges of depriving arrestees of their civil rights carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 years for counts alleging that a dangerous weapon was used or that bodily injury resulted, and a maximum sentence of one year for the charges that allege no weapon or injury. The charges of falsifying a police report provide for a maximum possible sentence of 20 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deepika Bains Shukla and Katharine Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Christopher J. Perras of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Coraopolis Teen Charged with Illegally Possessing Fentanyl, Other Drugs and a GunRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against a resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on charges of violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The five-count indictment named Kyle Reshaud Goosby, age 19, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment, on June 22, 2018, and June 23, 2018, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Goosby distributed and/or possessed with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin. The indictment further charges Goosby, a felon, with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition on June 23, 2018, and on June 24, 2018. Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Finally, the indictment charges Goosby with possessing firearms on June 23, 2018, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, 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 of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta and Special Assistant United States Attorney Chad R. Parks of the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Beaver County Drug Task Force, and the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Cleveland men admit to drug distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Dorion D. McMullen, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Dennis D. Chapman, also of Cleveland, have admitted to drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
McMullen, also known as “Caesar,” age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base.” McMullen admitted to selling cocaine in Ohio County in December 2017.
Chapman, also known as “Kobe,” age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He admitted to selling cocaine near Pulaski Playground in Ohio County, West Virginia, in January 2018.
McMullen faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Chapman faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,0000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven L. Vogrin is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
City of Seattle Files Assessments of Work to Sustain Police Reforms and Remain in “Full and Effective Compliance” with Consent DecreeRead the Press Release
SEATTLE – Today, in accordance with the Court-approved plan for demonstrating sustained compliance for two years, the City of Seattle filed self-assessments of its ongoing work under the police reform consent decree it entered into with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The filings in U.S. District Court included a quarterly report on data and activities during the months of August-October, two audits relating to use of force investigations and internal supervision, an outcome report on its crisis intervention activities, and a review of the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD’s) stops and detentions policy.
For each of the areas assessed by the City under the consent decree, both the DOJ and the Court’s independent monitor, Merrick Bobb, concluded that the City has sustained compliance with the Consent Decree.
“These Phase II assessments are important opportunities for SPD to demonstrate critical self-analysis with continued oversight from the Court, Monitor, DOJ and the community,” said Annette L. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “This two-year period of sustained compliance is designed to be thorough, transparent and ensure all concerned that the work of police reform continues in all areas covered by the consent decree. DOJ continues to work with the City, Monitor and community to develop methodologies, examine data, and validate results so that everyone can have confidence that hard-won reforms will not slip. Today’s filings demonstrate that thus far, the City of Seattle remains on the right track.”
In January 2018, the Court found the City of Seattle in “full and effective compliance” with reforms required by the consent decree signed in 2012. This finding triggered Phase II of police reform in Seattle – a two-year “sustainment period” during which the City and SPD must maintain compliance with the consent decree.
During this sustainment period, the City must demonstrate its ongoing compliance through seven quarterly reports and three types of self-assessments: audits of its practices, reviews of SPD’s policies, and outcome reports that summarize policing data for the public. Quarterly reports must include recent data on use-of-force and crisis intervention practices, an update on the activities of SPD’s Force Review Board and Unit, and a discussion of relevant activities of the accountability organizations — the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the Community Police Commission (CPC). The first quarterly report was filed on July 31, 2018.
Quarterly Report. During the third quarter of 2018, the report filed today showed that 513 (84.79%) of the reported applications of force involved no greater than low-level, Type I force, 87 (14.38%) involved Type II force, and five (less than 1%) involved Type III force. There were no officer-involved shootings. In the context of overall encounters, force is rarely used. Between January and July 2018, there were 103,553 unique events to which officers were called by a dispatcher or observed or were alerted to while on patrol. Three hundred eighty-three (383) – or slightly more than one third of one percent of all of these events – involved one or more reportable uses of force. Fifty-three (five one-hundredths of one percent) of all events ultimately involved a more serious use of force (Type II or Type III). These rates generally are consistent with previous reporting periods, like, for example, when the City’s use of force report for 2017 showed that Type I uses of force constituted nearly 77% of all uses of force. Contacts with those experiencing crisis are discussed more fully below.
The internal mechanisms established to examine the most serious uses of force – the Force Review Unit and Force Review Board – continue to evaluate incidents, make disciplinary referrals, and recommend policy changes in accordance with their mandates. And, as demonstrated by the audit of the investigation and review of Type I (low-level force that may involve transitory pain) and Type II (causes or is reasonably expected to cause physical injury greater than transitory pain, but not substantial bodily harm) levels of force, SPD continues to comply with its reporting and investigation obligations under the consent decree.
Use of Force Investigations and Reporting Audit. According to the City’s audit – and validated by both DOJ and the Monitor – SPD officers continue to comply with reporting, review, and investigation obligations set forth by the consent decree for Types I and II uses of force. In particular, the audit revealed that officers consistently wrote complete and thorough reports of their uses of force and their chain of command consistently conducted high quality reviews, including thorough documentation of relevant evidence. Further, the audit found that supervisors addressed shortcomings in a timely and appropriate manner, ensuring that the quality of reporting and investigation will continue to improve.
Supervision Audit. Although aspects of supervision are covered by a number of other audits in Phase II, this “general” supervision audit specifically examined the adequacy of the numbers of supervisors to perform requirements under the consent decree, “unity of command,” and training for long-term acting sergeants. The audit found – and DOJ and the Monitor concur – that SPD has demonstrated compliance with its ongoing requirements, including that:
- SPD deploys an adequate number of qualified first-line supervisors/sergeants to ensure the provisions of the consent decree are implemented, including responding to the scene when force is used, investigating uses of force, documenting uses of force, and providing direction to officers who use force as needed;
- Operational field officers are assigned to a single, consistent, clearly identified first line supervisor who works the same days and hours as the officers they supervise; and
- Personnel assigned to a planned assignment of acting sergeant for longer than 60 days receive training as an acting sergeant in a timely manner.
Crisis Intervention Outcome Report. In the 18-month period between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, SPD made 15,995 contacts with persons believed experiencing a behavioral crisis (of which 92% were responses to calls from the public reporting an incident). This analysis of crisis contacts shows that in the first six months of 2018, dispatched crisis contacts increased by 26% compared to the same period last year and on-viewed crisis contact (i.e., those initiated by an officer) were up almost 30% compared to the first six months of 2017. Despite the increase in crisis contacts, use of force against persons in behavioral crisis remains low and resolutions that result in a connection to services remains high. Of the 15,995 crisis contacts reported, 277 - fewer than 2% - involved any use of reportable force and in three-quarters of cases no greater than the lowest level of force (Type I) was used and just five (0.9%) were Type III uses of force.
All officers receive at least eight hours of annual crisis intervention training (CIT) and an additional 118 officers became “CIT certified” officers in 2017 by receiving 40 hours of training. In nearly 80% of crisis calls, a CIT-certified officer was on-scene.
Voluntary Contacts, Terry Stops, and Detentions Policy Review. Following a systematic and inclusive review process that included multiple parts of SPD, the Monitor, DOJ, OPA, OIG and the CPC, the City has submitted revisions to SPD’s Voluntary Contacts, Terry Stops, and Detentions Policy. Agreed-to changes include clarifying provisions that SPD and other stakeholders identified as “confusing, ambiguous, or legalistic in a way that limited practical usefulness.” For example, the revised policy is more explicit that frisks must be based on articulable and reasonable safety concerns that a person is armed and presently dangerous and also now reflects officers cannot act based on pretext under Washington state law, even if an objectively reasonable basis for the stop exists. The goal in ongoing policy reviews is to assess current applications of the policies and to identify best police practices and incorporate those findings into SPD policies.
The next round of filings, including the quarterly report and crisis intervention audit, will be filed in December 2018.
Carencro race horse training center owner will pay civil penalties and perform corrective measures to resolve pollution discharge violationsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Racehorse training-center operator Evangeline Enterprises LLC of Carencro, Louisiana, has agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties and to make changes in its handling of polluted wastewater at its Louisiana facility to settle Clean Water Act claims filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), the Department of Justice and EPA announced today.
The settlement, contained in a proposed consent decree lodged today with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, resolves claims by EPA and LDEQ in a complaint filed on October 19, 2017. The complaint alleged that Evangeline is illegally discharging process wastewater, contaminated with horse manure, urine, and other biological materials, from its facility into the Vermilion River and its tributary Francois Coulee, in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act.
“Louisiana is a beautiful state with a vast, diverse, ecosystem that is rich in natural resources, including its rivers, bayous, and coastal waters,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “My office is committed to protecting these treasures from those who would illegally exploit or damage them. Today’s settlement is but one example of my commitment to aggressively prosecute, both civilly and criminally, those who poison Louisiana's environment and to seek restitution for any damages they inflict.”
“This agreement is the result of extensive cooperation between the state of Louisiana and EPA,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal for EPA Region 6. “Ensuring the lawful handling of wastes will mean cleaner streams and waterways in Louisiana, which is important for aquatic habitats, safe drinking water, and public recreation.”
Under the Clean Water Act, facilities like Evangeline’s that house more than 150 horses for 45 days or more in any 12-month period and discharge pollutants must obtain a permit and comply with rules to ensure that pollutants, including contaminated process wastewater, is not discharged to waters of the United States or waters of the State. Evangeline discharged process wastewater into drainage ditches and pipes at the facility that then flowed into the Francois Coulee and Vermilion River. To correct this, the retention control structure required under the settlement agreement will store all process wastewater at the facility and allow it to be routed for proper treatment to stop the unauthorized discharges to the Francois Coulee and Vermilion River.
Under the settlement, Evangeline will pay the civil penalties and submit an application for a Louisiana National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, comply with best management practices for waste at the facility, and construct a waste retention control structure in compliance with federal and state regulations. In the event that Evangeline chooses to close the facility, the agreement provides alternative measures to require the company to eliminate further discharges of pollution into area waterways.
The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day federal public comment period, a 45-day Louisiana public comment period, and final court review and approval. A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
For more information on the settlement, visit the EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/enforcement/evangeline-enterprises-llc-settlement-information-sheet.
Canadian Man Sentenced to Time Served for Unlawfully Entering United StatesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Simon Grenier, 51, of Saint Zacharie, Quebec, Canada was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by U.S. Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison to time served (15 days) for illegally entering into the United States.
According to court records, on October 16, 2018, a Border Patrol Agent and a Maine Game Warden located the defendant in Township 5, Range 20 near the border by following his fresh boot tracks from the border. The defendant entered the United States illegally to hunt moose.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Maine Warden Service.
California Man Convicted by Federal Jury of Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Today, a federal jury in Gulfport found Frederick Arayatanon, 35, of Westminister, California, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr., announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
"I applaud the outstanding work of these prosecutors, agents and officers, as another major drug dealer and network have been taken down and dismantled, and countless lives have been saved. While meth continues to be a scourge in Mississippi that is killing our communities, this office and our law enforcement partners will not rest as we continue the fight against this deadly epidemic sweeping our country," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
During the course of a drug investigation that began in 2017, DEA agents discovered that Arayatanon was shipping large quantities of methamphetamine from California to Tuyen Ngoc Le in Biloxi, Mississippi. Once Le received the methamphetamine shipments, she would give them to Demetrius Mason for distribution in the Ocean Springs area.
Le pled guilty on October 16, 2018 for her role in the drug conspiracy and will be sentenced on January 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Mason pled guilty for his role and was sentenced by Judge Guirola on May 31, 2018 to 292 months in federal prison.
Arayatanon will be sentenced on January 31, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. by Judge Guirola, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole and Assistant United States Attorney Kathlyn Van Buskirk.
California Man Admits Traveling to Syria to Fight with Foreign TerroristsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A California man who traveled to Syria to take up arms with terrorists pleaded guilty today in federal court in Chicago to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and lying to U.S. immigration authorities.
AWS MOHAMMED YOUNIS AL-JAYAB, 25, of Sacramento, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and one count of knowingly providing a materially false statement to federal agents in a matter involving international terrorism. The material support charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while the false statement charge is punishable by up to eight years. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis set sentencing for April 26, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in federal court in Chicago.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; McGregor Scott, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Sean Ragan, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Sacramento office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and Shoba Pillay of the Northern District of Illinois, Assistant U.S. Attorney Heiko P. Coppola of the Eastern District of California, and Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The investigation was led by the Sacramento Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of FBI special agents and representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Al-Jayab admitted in a plea agreement that he flew from Chicago to Turkey in November 2013, and soon thereafter traveled into Syria, where he joined and fought with the designated foreign terrorist organization Ansar Al-Islam. He returned to the United States in January 2014, via Turkey and the United Kingdom. Upon his return in the United States, Al-Jayab’s Customs Declaration Form listed only Jordan and the U.K. in the “countries visited” field, without making any mention of his travel to Turkey and Syria, the plea agreement states.
Al-Jayab also admitted that he gave false statements to agents from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during an interview in October 2014. During the interview, Al-Jayab falsely stated that the purpose of his trip to Turkey was to visit his grandmother, and he denied supporting terrorist groups, the plea agreement states.
Businessman Indicted for Conspiring to Bribe Senior Officials of the Republic of HaitiRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A businessman was charged in a superseding indictment filed yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to bribe senior officials of the Republic of Haiti, and to launder funds for that purpose, in connection with a planned $84 million port development project in that country.
Roger Richard Boncy, 74, a dual U.S. and Haitian citizen who resides in Madrid, Spain, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count each of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, one count of violating the Travel Act, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. In October 2017, Boncy’s co-conspirator, Dr. Joseph Baptiste of Fulton, Md., was originally charged by indictment in this case, and is scheduled to stand trial on Dec. 3, 2018, in federal court in Boston.
According to the indictment, Boncy and Baptiste solicited bribes from undercover agents in Boston who posed as potential investors in infrastructure projects in Haiti, in connection with a proposed project to develop a port in the Mole-Saint-Nicolas area of Haiti. The proposed project was expected to cost approximately $84 million and was to involve the construction of multiple cement factories, a shipping-vessel recycling station, an international transshipment station with numerous slips for shipping vessels, a power plant, a petroleum depot and tourist facilities. During a recorded meeting at a Boston-area hotel, Boncy and Baptiste allegedly told the agents that they would funnel the payments to Haitian officials through a non-profit entity that Baptiste controls – which is based in Maryland and purports to help impoverished residents of Haiti – in order to secure government approval of the project.
The charges of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charges of violating the Travel Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling of the District of Massachusetts; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office, and Assistant Director Christopher Hacker of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit and Trial Attorney Elina A. Rubin-Smith of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the charging document are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
UPDATE: Criminal charges against the defendants, Joseph Baptiste and Roger Boncy, were dismissed in June 2022.
Breaux Bridge man sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing heroin in AcadianaRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Breaux Bridge man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiring with three Lafayette residents to sell heroin.
Joshua Edwards, 32, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Edwards was also sentenced to eight years of supervised release. The defendant was found guilty after a three-day trial that ended August 1, 2018. Evidence admitted at trial revealed that Edwards, along with Jacobe Arceneaux, 34; Terrence T. Woods, 33; and Robert Jenkins, 36, all of Lafayette, conspired to distribute heroin in the Acadiana area in 2016 and 2017.
Arceneaux pleaded guilty on July 13, 2017 to distributing heroin, and was sentenced October 9, 2018 to 80 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Woods pleaded guilty on September 20, 2017 to distributing heroin, and he is awaiting sentencing. Jenkins pleaded guilty on January 11, 2018 to distributing heroin, and he was sentenced on May 8, 2018 to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release.
The defendants were arrested as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Hustle City.” The FBI, DEA, Lafayette Metro Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies conducted the investigation. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources, and disrupting and dismantling of major drug trafficking organizations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Bluefield Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Bluefield man who was arrested after a drug and gun investigation earlier this year pled guilty today to two federal charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tyquon Freeman, 21, entered guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Guns. Pot. A convicted felon,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Under federal law, convicted felons like Freeman are prohibited from possessing firearms. Drug users are prohibited persons as well. Drugs and guns don’t mix.”
Freeman admitted that on two separate dates in April, 2018, he sold marijuana to a confidential informant working with the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. On April 19, 2018, agents with the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a search warrant at Freeman’s house in Bluefield, West Virginia, where the prior drug transactions had occurred. When the agents entered the residence, they found approximately ten pounds of marijuana, some of which Freeman admitted he intended to distribute in exchange for money. Officers also found three firearms which Freeman also admitted that he acquired one of the firearms protect his drugs and drug proceeds, even though he knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearms because he was a convicted felon. Freeman further admitted that at the time he committed this offense, he was still on parole out of the state of Virginia. Freeman was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2017 drug-related felony conviction in Tazewell County, Virginia.
Freeman now faces a sentence of up to five years in federal prison on the drug charge, to be followed by a consecutive sentence of five years up to life on the gun charge. Freeman’s sentencing will be held on March 5, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.
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. 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.
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Belmont Residents Plead Guilty to Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Luis Gardner, 41, and Heidi Langevin, 44, of Belmont, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to participating in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced. Garner also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gardner and Langevin sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an individual who was cooperating with the FBI on two separate occasions at locations in and around New Hampshire. On May 31, 2017, Langevin arranged for Gardner and two other men to purchase fentanyl from a supplier in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The three men drove together from Belmont, New Hampshire to Lawrence. In Lawrence, the men met with their drug supplier, purchased a quantity of fentanyl, and began to drive back to New Hampshire. On the highway near Derry, New Hampshire, the New Hampshire State Police conducted a traffic stop and seized a firearm and a package containing approximately 111 grams of fentanyl.
Gardner and Langevin are scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2019.
“Fentanyl trafficking poses a grave danger to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “When drug dealers are armed with guns, the risk to public safety is even greater. In order to improve public safety and enhance the quality of life in the Granite State, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute drug traffickers and violent criminals.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Laconia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski.
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Ball felon pleads guilty to possessing revolverRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Ball felon pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing a revolver and ammunition.
Terrence Taylor, 38, of Ball, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, Alexandria police officers approached a vehicle at a local park. Taylor was in the driver’s seat with two passengers. After they exited the vehicle, officers noticed the handle of a firearm under the armrest of the driver’s seat. The firearm was a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, which was loaded with six rounds. A warrant check revealed that Taylor had outstanding warrants for probation violations, and he was arrested at the scene. Taylor is a felon who has previously been convicted of forcible rape, illegal use of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Taylor faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 1, 2019.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and the Alexandria Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.
Alabama Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Gregory A. Mclin, age 45, of Huntsville, Alabama, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to serve 97 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans. Mclin was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000, and an additional assessment of $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.
An investigation conducted in May 2016 by HSI, along with the Wiggins Police Department and the Gulf Coast Cyber Crime Task Force, resulted in the identification of an internet protocol address belonging to Mclin and his use of a computer file-sharing program. In November 2016, a federal search warrant was executed at Mclin’s then-Gulfport, Mississippi, residence. His electronic devices were seized and forensic examinations were conducted. The examination reports, as well as the submissions of the visual depictions found and submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, resulted in a finding that Mclin knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to include visual depictions of a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Gulf Coast Cyber Crime Task Force, and the Wiggins Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
30 October 2018
“BMB” Street Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 27 Years in Prison for Murder of Bronx Teenager and Other Racketeering CrimesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARTIN MITCHELL, a/k/a “Tyliek,” a member of a violent street gang in the Bronx called the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), was sentenced yesterday to 327 months in prison for his gang-related crimes, including the June 22, 2014, murder of 17-year-old Keshon Potterfield. MITCHELL pled guilty on December 30, 2016, to conspiracy to commit racketeering and to killing Potterfield, and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Martin Mitchell was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for the cowardly murder of Keshon Potterfield, a teenager whom Mitchell shot in the back. This significant sentence will take a violent offender off the street and, hopefully, provide Keshon Potterfield’s family some measure of justice. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent gang violence and keep our streets safe.”
According to court documents and statements made during the public proceedings in this case:
BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City. Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone.
MITCHELL was a member of BMB. On June 22, 2014, MITCHELL and other members of BMB attended a birthday party in the backyard of a residence on East 232nd Street in the Bronx. MITCHELL obtained a gun from fellow BMB member Donque Tyrell, a/k/a “Polo Rell,” then used that gun to shoot and kill Potterfield as he ran from the BMB members. As part of the plea agreement he signed, MITCHELL also admitted to attempting to murder two other rival gang members on different occasions, armed robbery, and drug trafficking.
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MITCHELL, 23, of the Bronx, was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”) Bronx Gang Squad, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit, the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Joint Firearms Task Force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives into gang violence in the Northern Bronx.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Task Force, the NYPD’s 47th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, and ATF.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Maimin, Hagan Scotten, Jessica Feinstein, Drew Skinner, and Allison Nichols are in charge of the prosecution.
Woman Convicted of Defrauding USDA’s Summer Food Service ProgramRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Hampton woman today for her role in a fraud conspiracy related to a federally funded summer food service program.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Shaun Brown, 59, defrauded the USDA’s summer food service program (SFSP) aimed at feeding low income children. Brown and her mother ran a non-profit company, JOBS Community Development Corporation, which served as a sponsor for the SFSP. Over the course of the 2012 Summer, Brown inflated the number of meals JOBS purportedly served to low-income children and submitted four fraudulent claims for reimbursement based on the inflated numbers. Brown also orchestrated a massive scheme to falsify hundreds of documents to support her fraudulently inflated meal count numbers. Additionally, Brown ordered excessive amounts of food and milk products which she was well aware would never be used to feed needy children. At her direction, Brown’s employees disposed of this food and milk, purchased with federal funds, in large mounds behind buildings in Newport News as well as a pig farm in Southern Virginia. As a result of her fraudulent actions, the USDA paid JOBS over $800,000 in federal funds.
Brown was convicted of conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of theft of government funds and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on March 13, 2019. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Michael C. Westfall, State Inspector General of Virginia, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi and Melissa E. O’Boyle 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. 2:17-cr-169.
Wisconsin Man Convicted of Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
On Oct. 25, 2018, Jason Michael Ludke, of Milwaukee, pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1). Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Special Agent-in-Charge R. Justin Tolomeo of the FBI’s Milwaukee Division made the announcement today.
According to the plea agreement, Ludke and a co-conspirator agreed that they would travel through Mexico to Syria and Iraq in order to join ISIS and to work under its direction and control. Ludke also recorded a video of himself pledging his allegiance to the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and stating that he was ready to join ISIS. Ludke told an FBI Undercover Employee (UCE), who Ludke believed was assisting in the travel plans, that Ludke had training in jiu-jitsu and computers, which Ludke believed would benefit ISIS. On Oct. 5, 2016, Ludke and his coconspirator were traveling to the Texas/Mexico border in order to accomplish their plan to join ISIS (in Syria or Iraq), when law enforcement located and arrested them.
Ludke has prior convictions for child sexual assault and for making death threats against a federal judge. Also according to the plea agreement, Ludke was on probation at the time he was arrested and had cut the tracking device from his ankle before leaving Wisconsin.
“This conviction demonstrates the United States’ resolute commitment to protecting our country and combatting foreign terrorism,” United States Attorney Krueger said. “Individuals like Ludke who seek to provide material support to ISIS will be held accountable.”
“The FBI’s number one priority is protecting Americans from terrorism,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Tolomeo. “I commend our Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes our local, state and federal partners, for their investigative efforts in identifying and arresting Jason Ludke that prevented him from joining the ISIS terror group.”
Ludke faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum term of supervised release of life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the JTTF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Kanter and Benjamin Taibleson and Trial Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman of the Department’s Counterterrorism Section.
Whippoorwill Man Sentenced to 108 Months’ Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Romondo Begay, 23, of Whippoorwill, Ariz., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 108 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a twelve-year term of supervised release with sex offender registration, treatment, and testing. Begay had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a child.
In December of 2017, the victim reported that Begay had sexually abused her outside a relative’s house. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation promptly began an investigation, which led to Begay’s arrest and prosecution. Begay and the victim are both members of the Navajo Nation, and the abuse occurred within the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08062-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-141_Begay
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
Richard P. Donoghue and Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorneys for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, respectively, announced today that special telephone numbers have been set up to receive complaints of possible violations of federal election laws relating to the upcoming general elections in New York City and other counties in their districts.
The United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 6, 2018:
(718) 254-6790 (for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties)
(646) 369-4739 (for Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties)
In addition, complaints of possible violations of federal election laws may be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The right to vote is a cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on Election Day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
City Board of Elections
Main Office (866) 868-3692 TTY #:
(212) 487-5496
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571-8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Orange (Spanish language) (855) 331-2444
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
Assistant United States Attorney Erik Paulsen is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Eastern District of New York.
Assistant United States Attorney David J. Kennedy is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Southern District of New York.
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman and Richard P. Donoghue, the United States Attorneys for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, respectively, announced today that special telephone numbers have been set up to receive complaints of possible violations of federal election laws relating to the upcoming general elections in New York City and other counties in their districts.
The United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 6, 2018:
(646) 369-4739 (for Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties)
(718) 254-6790 (for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties)
In addition, complaints of possible violations of federal election laws may be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The right to vote is a cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on Election Day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
City Board of Elections
Main Office: (866) 868-3692
TTY #: (212) 487-5496
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571-8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Orange (Spanish language) (855) 331-2444
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
Assistant United States Attorney David J. Kennedy is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Southern District of New York.
Assistant United States Attorney Erik Paulsen is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Eastern District of New York.
United States Attorneys Announce Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
United States Attorneys Peter Deegan and Marc Krickbaum announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Daniel Tvedt and Virginia Bruner will lead the efforts of their respective Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election. In that capacity, AUSA Tvedt and AUSA Bruner are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa Krickbaum said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
United States Attorney Deegan said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of all members of the public. I am asking that anyone with specific information about discrimination or election fraud immediately contact my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division. We all must do our part to safeguard the integrity of our elections and protect everyone’s right to vote.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Tvedt and Bruner will be on duty while the polls are open. AUSA Tvedt can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 319-363-6333. AUSA Bruner can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 515-473-9300.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field offices can be reached by the public at 319-366-2461 (Cedar Rapids) or 515-223-4278 (Des Moines).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email or by complaint form.
United States Attorney Duncan Appoints District Election Officer in Support of Department of Justice Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Taylor will serve as the District Election Officer andwill field calls from the public regarding allegations of fraud or voting rights abuses
LEXINGTON, Ky. – United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Ken Taylor will lead the efforts of his Office, in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018 general election. AUSA Taylor has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and in that capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Duncan said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have their vote counted, without it being stolen or diminished because of fraud or abuse. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process, by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts of intimidation or harassment. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Duncan has confirmed that AUSA/DEO Taylor will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 859-685-4874.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. For all Kentucky based complaints, FBI personnel can be reached by the public at 1-844-596-6721 or [email protected].
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Duncan said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
United States Attorney Dunavant Reminds Citizens of theWestern District of Rules and Policies Relating to November 2018 ElectionsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Reagan Taylor will lead the efforts of this office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election. AUSA Taylor has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Tennessee and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Dunavant said, "Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process."
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them; under the pretext that these are, actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Dunavant stated that AUSA/DEO Reagan Taylor will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number 901-544-4231.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 901-747-4300.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected]. or by complaint form at www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Dunavant said, "Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division."United States Alleges Florida Law Firm Discriminated Against Hispanic Homeowners with A Predatory Loan Modification and Foreclosure Rescue Services TeamRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that the United States filed a lawsuit yesterday, alleging that a Florida legal services provider and two of its officers violated the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) by intentionally discriminating against Hispanic homeowners by targeting them with a predatory mortgage loan modification and foreclosure rescue services scheme. The Defendants named in the lawsuit are Advocate Law Groups of Florida, P.A; attorney, Jon B. Lindeman, Jr.; and his wife, Ephigenia K. Lindeman. Advocate Law Groups of Florida, P.A., is based in Miami Lakes, Florida, and has offices in, among other places, Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
According to the Complaint allegations, from 2009 through at least 2015, the Defendants deliberately targeted the Complainants and other homeowners with an unfair and predatory loan modification and foreclosure rescue services scheme because of their Hispanic national origin. During this time period, the Defendants purposefully targeted Hispanic homeowners with Spanish-language advertising that falsely promised to cut their mortgage payments in half. In client meetings, the Defendants promised lower payments in a short timeframe in exchange for thousands of dollars of upfront fees and additional, continuing monthly fees. The Defendants also instructed their clients to stop making monthly mortgage payments and to stop communicating with their lenders, placing their clients’ homes at risk of foreclosure. Additionally, the Defendants sent to the Complainants a package of documents, written in English, that were sent to the bank on their behalf, but provided no translation of the documents. These documents contained untrue statements, including an offer to the bank to return the Complainants’ homes in exchange for a rescission of the mortgage without the Complainants’ consent to do so. Despite charging high fees, the Defendants did little or nothing actually to obtain loan modifications.
This lawsuit arose as a result of three complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by the Defendants’ former clients. After conducting an investigation, HUD issued a charge of discrimination and referred the case to the Justice Department. This case is being prosecuted jointly with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Civil Rights Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
“Enforcement of civil rights in the housing arena is a point of focus for our Civil Division. The predatory conduct described in this Complaint cannot go unaddressed, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to protect our district’s residents from this kind of discriminatory practice,” said United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
Anyone with information on the loan modification and foreclosure rescue services provided by Advocate Law Groups of Florida, P.A., should contact the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at 800-896-7743 and leave a message (for English, press 1 and select mailbox 93; for Spanish, press 2 and select mailbox 7).
Union County, New Jersey, Man Admits to Scheme to Manipulate Microcap Stock by Touting A “Wellness Social Community for People and Their Pets”Read the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – The owner of a purported business consulting firm today admitted operating a $1.1 million scheme that artificially inflated the stock price of a publicly traded company he controlled, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
James Farinella, 52, of Springfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From June 2012 through December 2012, Farinella and others allegedly operated a scheme to profit by fraudulently inflate the prices of Pazoo Inc. (PZOO). Pazoo had little or no real business operations, and when it started trading in June 2012, Farinella controlled 98 percent of the free-trading shares in Pazoo.
Farinella and other conspirators allegedly inflated the price of those shares by orchestrating a series of trades between accounts they controlled to create the appearance that Pazoo stock was rising in price and heavily traded. In order to further inflate the prices, Farinella and his conspirators also disseminated misleading promotional materials to lure investors to purchase the stocks, including touting Pazoo as a leading provider of nutritional supplements for people and their pets.
After inflating the price of the stock, Farinella and his conspirators sold large volumes of the stock to investors at the artificially inflated prices. The company’s stock price then dropped, causing victims of the scheme to suffer losses. The alleged stock manipulation scheme generated approximately $1.1 million in gross trading proceeds.
The conspiracy to commit securities fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2019.The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a civil complaint pending against Farinella.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, under the direction of Marc P. Berger, for its assistance in this matter.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin S. Herring, Chief of the Cybercrimes Unit in Newark.