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25 October 2018
Sacramento Man Indicted for Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution and Possessing Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against A Vern Saeteurn, 30, of Sacramento, charging him with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, doing so in a location where children were present, and possession of stolen firearms, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, law enforcement agents searched Saeteurn’s home on September 6, 2018. They found about 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, a garage lab for adulterating and packaging methamphetamine, and several guns — two of which had been stolen from law enforcement agencies. Four children were also present in the home.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Saeteurn faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
Pulaski County Woman Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
Jessica A. Browning, 44, of Ullin, Illinois (Pulaski County), has pleaded guilty to two counts of bankruptcy fraud, Steven D. Weinhoeft, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. A federal grand jury indicted Browning in August of this year as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s continuing effort to crackdown on those who commit bankruptcy fraud in the Southern District of Illinois.
The case against Browning arose out of a chapter 13 bankruptcy case she filed in the federal bankruptcy court in Benton, Illinois, on March 17, 2014. During her plea hearing, Browning admitted that on a document she filed with the bankruptcy court, she intentionally concealed the fact that just three weeks before filing bankruptcy she had received a $12,675.47 worker’s compensation award. Browning also admitted that, at a meeting of creditors in her bankruptcy case, she provided false testimony regarding what she did with the funds from her worker’s compensation award.
Browning pleaded guilty to making a false statement under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case and making a false statement under oath in a bankruptcy case. Both crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
"Abuse of the bankruptcy process by concealing assets for personal gain threatens the integrity of the bankruptcy system and undermines public confidence in that system," stated Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Southern Illinois, Central Illinois and Indiana (Region 10). "We are grateful for the continued commitment of U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft and our law enforcement partners to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases." The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois.
Browning will be sentenced on January 30, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at the federal district courthouse in Benton, Illinois.
The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10 to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The investigation was conducted by agents from the Fairview Heights, Illinois, Office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, in collaboration with the Southern Illinois Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Pontotoc Woman Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
OXFORD, MS. William C. Lamar, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, together with Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, announced today that a Pontotoc, Mississippi woman was sentenced on Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock to 21 months incarceration followed by three years supervised release for identity theft and stealing government funds.
Tracy Smith of Pontotoc, Mississippi, had previously pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds. Evidence submitted at the change of plea hearing showed that Smith obtained the personal identifying information of numerous individuals and used that information to file fraudulent tax returns and generate fraudulent tax refunds for her personal benefit. Smith was ordered to pay $224,578 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar remarked: “When individuals in our society choose to steal the identity of others in order to file fraudulent tax returns, they create long-lasting consequences and hardships for the people who have been victimized that go far beyond delayed tax returns. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to hold these individuals accountable by vigilantly prosecuting those who choose to victimize our citizens and steal money from the US Treasury.”
Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, stated, “Stolen Identity Refund Fraud is a high priority for the Special Agents of IRS – CI. Tracy Smith’s tax fraud is a direct theft from the U S Treasury and the taxpayers we are sworn to protect. She will now serve time in prison for her victimization of Mississippi taxpayers, and every day of her prison term is a well-deserved reward for her criminal actions.”
This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by AUSA Clay Dabbs.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years’ supervised release, on his conviction of distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Adam D. Cadle, 37. In addition to the imposed terms of imprisonment and supervised release, the court ordered that Cadle pay $1,000 in restitution to each of two minor victims.
According to the information presented to the court at the time of the guilty plea, Cadle had been using a group chat service, known as "Chatstep," to distribute and receive images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were under the age of 12 years. On November 1, 2017, Cadle’s residence was searched by officers of the Pittsburgh Crimes Against Children Task Force, during which numerous images of child pornography were identified on his laptop computer and a SanDisk thumb drive. Forensic analysis undertaken after the search revealed that Cadle was chatting with minors and sharing sexually exploitive material. It was established that on November 17, 2015, Cadle distributed 10 images of child pornography during one such chat session.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cadle.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine PossessionRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Ashley Wells, a/k/a “Big 50,” 37, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. Chief District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 53 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
On October 13, 2015, Wells sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. He pled guilty on July 20, 2018, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed AOperation Highlife,@ which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in east central Mississippi area that involved the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. The distribution network encompasses the States of California, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
“Methamphetamine has devastated countless communities due to the dramatic health and public safety consequences that typically accompany its introduction into an area,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Jere T. Miles. “Today’s guilty plea stems from an extensive HSI effort with its federal, state and local partners to dismantle a drug trafficking organization that decimated parts of Mississippi and Alabama with methamphetamine smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. This operation is a testament to the seamless partnership between HSI, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and we are thankful for their assistance as well as the U.S. Attorneys’ to improve the lives of law-abiding residents throughout Mississippi and Alabama.”
This case is a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Assisting agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, Neshoba County District Attorney’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Flowood Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, Union Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Louisville Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.
Passavant Memorial Homes to Pay $1.85 Million to Resolve Allegations of Improperly Dispensing Controlled Substances without a PrescriptionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Passavant Memorial Homes, and its subsidiaries Passavant Development Corporation, PDC Pharmacy Philadelphia, PDC Pharmacy Pittsburgh, and PDC Pharmacy Colorado, have agreed to pay the United States $1,850,000 to resolve allegations that Passavant dispensed controlled substances to patients without a valid prescription, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, and, in some cases, submitted claims for the drugs to Medicare and Medicaid, in violation of the False Claims Act. Passavant has implemented a policy change to require that patients have valid prescriptions before Passavant will dispense controlled substances.
Passavant’s pharmacies serve individuals with intellectual disabilities and other mental health needs through community residential programs, residential treatment facilities, intermediate care facilities, and other facilities. In many cases, Passavant billed federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, for dispensing controlled substances to these individuals.
In 2015, the government launched an investigation into these practices after Passavant voluntarily disclosed to the United States that between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014, Passavant had dispensed controlled substances on Schedules III, IV, and V of the DEA Controlled Substances List to patients for a legitimate medical purpose, but without a valid prescription and with only a physician order. In many cases, Passavant submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for dispensing these drugs without a prescription. Passavant voluntarily disclosed that it had dispensed controlled substances without valid prescriptions and cooperated with the government’s investigation to identify the nature and scope of the problem.
“Providers like Passavant have a special responsibility to ensure that they are complying with the prescribing and billing regulations put in place to protect patients,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Passavant discovered problems internally and took swift, corrective action to bring its pharmacy and billing practices into compliance with the law. Passavant’s proactive approach in this case sets a good example for other providers who might find themselves facing similar challenges.”
“Registrants such as Passavant are entrusted to dispense controlled substances in accordance with federal regulations, which are intended to safeguard the public and insure that these substances are used when medically appropriate,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “Our office commends Passavant for voluntarily disclosing this information and cooperating with DEA’s Diversion Control Division to rectify their prescribing practices.”
“Ensuring patient safety and compliance with the law is a team effort,” said Maureen R. Dixon Special Agent in Charge, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG encourages health care providers to self-disclose issues and to work with HHS-OIG, USAO, and our federal partners to comply with laws and regulations.”
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark J. Sherer and Anthony D. Scicchitano of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Colin J. Callahan of the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Amanda Rocque of the District of Colorado. It was investigated by the Diversion Control Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Palm Coast Man Sentenced for Possession and Transfer of Glock Auto SwitchesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Robert Miguel Castillo (45, Palm Coast) to three years and four months in federal prison for possession and transfer of machine guns. Castillo had pleaded guilty on August 6, 2018.
According to court documents, Castillo sold 10 Glock auto switches to a co-conspirator, Chad Howard Talbot, who then resold the switches to a convicted felon. Glock auto switches are a firearm accessory designed to convert a Glock handgun from semi-automatic to automatic fire.
Talbot previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Bayliss, on assignment from the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, ICE.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Owner of Connecticut and New York Pizza Restaurants Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that BRUNO DiFABIO, 49, of Ridgefield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to a federal tax offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, DeFabio has had various ownership interests in several pizza restaurants in Connecticut and New York, including Pinocchio Pizza LLC, doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in New Canaan, Connecticut; Top Oven Restaurant Corp., doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in Wilton, Connecticut; DiFabio Brothers Pizza Corp., doing business as Amore Pizza in Scarsdale, New York; Odell Pizza, Inc., doing business as Amore Cucina and Bar in Stamford, Connecticut; Nepperhan Restaurants Group, Inc., doing business as ReNapoli Pizza, in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and Homefield Restaurant Corp., doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in Pound Ridge, New York.
DiFabio and others in the businesses engaged in a practice whereby cash was removed from the cash register and not deposited into the restaurant’s operating bank account. The businesses’ outside bookkeeper and accountant used the bank records to determine business gross receipts. When cash was removed from the register and not deposited into the business bank account, the cash would not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. DiFabio also knew that certain employees had their wages paid in cash, and that a certain number of the employees were paid either a portion or the entirety of their wages “off the books.” By paying various expenses in cash and “off the books,” DiFabio, his business partner and others facilitated the manipulation of net income reported to the IRS and the underpayment of withholding taxes to the IRS.
As a result of the scheme, the loss to the IRS in income taxes and employment taxes for the 2013 through 2015 tax years was $816,954.
DiFabio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns. When he is sentenced, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to approximately $1.6 million, and full restitution to the IRS.
DiFabio is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not yet scheduled.
On September 24, 2018, DiFabio’s business partner in some of his restaurants, Steven Cioffi, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. He awaits sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On October 24, 2018, Christopher Coleman, age 34, of Omaha, Neb., appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner and was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment for a felon in possession of a firearm charge announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Coleman was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
Coleman pleaded guilty to the charge on May 24, 2018. On December 14, 2017, Harrah’s Casino Security in Council Bluffs responded to an SUV that was stopped on a roadway on casino property. Agents approached the SUV and found it was occupied by two individuals, Coleman and a female juvenile. It was determined the juvenile had been reported as a runaway from Omaha, resulting in her being taken into protective custody. The juvenile advised law enforcement there was a handgun in the SUV and Coleman had hidden it before the officers arrived. A routine criminal history check confirmed Coleman was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a 2013 felony conviction. Law enforcement re-contacted Coleman and located a HiPoint 9 mm handgun in the SUV.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Ohio Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Travel to Join ISISRead the Press Release
An Ohio man has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to ISIS-affiliated foreign terrorist organizations. Naser Almadaoji, 19, an Iraqi-born naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested yesterday at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. It is alleged Almadaoji intended to travel through Kazakhstan on his way to Afghanistan, where he intended to join with, and fight for, ISIS.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio and Assistant Director Michael Garrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division made the announcement.
“Naser Almadaoji allegedly attempted to seek terrorist training in weapons and tactics and discussed a willingness to conduct terrorist ‘projects’ in the United States on behalf of foreign terrorist groups,” said Assistant Attorney Demers. “Protecting America from terrorist activity, including conduct like this, remains the highest priority of the Department of Justice.”
“This is the third individual arrested by the FBI on terrorism charges in just over a week. As demonstrated by these arrests -- two in Ohio and one in Illinois -- the threat posed by terrorism remains extremely serious,” said Assistant Director McGarrity. “The FBI is working with our law enforcement partners day and night through our Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the nation to identify terrorists and those who support them. The American public also has an important role to play, and we urge anyone who sees something suspicious to contact law enforcement. Your tips are vitally important to protecting our country.”
“According to the charging document, Almadaoji wanted to make his way to Afghanistan to train with an ISIS organization,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “He allegedly pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS in a video in which he wore a head scarf, and had plans to cause conflict in America between the United States Government and anti-government militias. These are serious allegations, and thwarting terrorist threats remains a top priority for the United States Attorney’s Office.”
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Almadaoji purchased a plane ticket for travel on October 24. It is alleged that Almadaoji intended to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, where he planned to be smuggled into Afghanistan so that he could receive military training from ISIS Wilayat Khorasan and then fight for the Islamic State (or one of its affiliates). Almadaoji explained to an individual whom he believed to be in contact with ISIS that he wanted “weapons experts training, planning, executing, hit and run, capturing high value targets, ways to break into homes and avoid security guards. That type of training.”
It is alleged that, between February 16 and 24, 2018, Almadaoji traveled to Egypt and Jordan. Following that travel, in August 2018, Almadaoji allegedly communicated online with an individual he believed was a contact with ISIS organizations. He represented that he tried to join a terrorist organization during his travels to Jordan and Egypt stating, “I don’t wanna say here why I was in Egypt but him [an Egyptian associated] and I planned something and it didn’t work at [sic] well.”
In the same month, it is alleged that Almadaoji told a second individual online – whom he also believed to be associated with ISIS – that he was “always willing” to assist with “projects” in the United States.
According to the affidavit, Almadaoji pledged allegiance to ISIS and discussed with the second contact that he planned to cause the collapse of the United States by starting a conflict between the United States Government and anti-government militias.” Almadaoji allegedly recorded and sent a video of himself wearing a headscarf and pledging allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State.
It is further alleged that Almadaoji translated ISIS propaganda from Arabic to English, and told his contact, “Don’t thank me . . . it’s my duty.”
Attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the assigned judge.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace. A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Norwell Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A federal grand jury indicted a Norwell man today for sexually exploiting children.
Derek Sheehan, 48, was indicted on three counts of sexual exploitation of children. Sheehan was previously charged by criminal complaint with one count of the same offense. He is currently in state custody on related charges pending in the Hingham District Court. According to court documents, Sheehan is also charged - in connection with another victim - in a separate docket in Hingham District Court.
According to the charging documents, on Aug. 17, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sheehan’s home and seized several electronic devices that allegedly revealed evidence of child pornography, including video of Sheehan abusing children in his home. Given the number of devices seized, the high storage capacity of many of the devices, and the fact that some devices appear to be encrypted, the investigation and forensic review is ongoing.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information about this case should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 617-748-3274. Anyone with questions about how to talk to their child about sexual abuse should visit the Plymouth County Child Advocacy Center website at https://cac.plymouthda.com/.
The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Norwell Police Chief Theodore Ross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood coordinator and a member of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nine Facing Federal Charges following Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation into Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - After a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, nine people were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. The separate, but related, indictments were returned on October 9, 2018. The defendants will be detained pending trial.
THE INDICTMENTS
The first indictment, containing two counts, named: Derick Davare, 31, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about August 22, 2018, Davare, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed ammunition, namely two boxes of .9 millimeter Federal American Eagle ammunition and two boxes of 5.7 x .28 caliber FNH ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess ammunition. Additionally, on or about March 2, 2018, Davare distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 50 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,250,000, or both.
The second indictment, containing two counts, named: Drake Davare, 28, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about March 12, 2018 and March 18, 2018, Davare distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both.
The third indictment, containing two counts, named: David Kimmel, 29, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about August 13, 2018 and August 28, 2018, Kimmel distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both.
The fourth indictment, containing five counts, named: Dylan Main, 22, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; Taurean Potter, 33, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; and Anthony Washington Jr., 26, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as defendants. According to the indictment, from in around 2017, and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2018, Main, Potter and Washington conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, on various dates throughout 2017 and 2018, Main, Potter and Washington each distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of the following for the each of the following defendants: Main - not more than 100 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both; Potter – not more than 60 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $3,000,000, or both; and Washington – not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both.
The fifth indictment, containing two counts, named: Donavan McFrazier, 30, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about July 9, 2018, McFrazier possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and cocaine base and forty grams or more of fentanyl, all Schedule II controlled substances. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $6,000,000, or both.
The sixth indictment, containing one count, named: Jeffrey Vitale, 29, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about February 16, 2018, Vitale distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both.
The seventh indictment, containing one count, named: Kacie Zito, 32, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, from in and around October 2017, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2018, Zito conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $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 criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictments in this case. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
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. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New York Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Diana Davis, a/k/a “Lil C,” 30, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Davis conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it in Central Maine. The defendant and others were sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New Orleans Man Sentenced, in Methamphetamine-Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that STEFEN DAIGLE, age 31, of New Orleans, was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Louisiana. United States District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced DAIGLE to (78) months imprisonment and (5) years supervised release.
DAIGLE is one of the eleven defendants charged in a 23-count federal indictment. Specifically, the indictment alleges that DAIGLE conspired to sell large quantities of methamphetamine with codefendants Peter Giandalone, Julien Polk, Paul Melancon, Jeffrey Clines, James Hatch, Angel Renee Vidaure, Eulalio Torres-Cadenas, Delio Alfredo Lopez-Lopez, Lindsey Lopez, and Jacob Higginbotham. The indictment also alleges a number of individual acts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as firearm offenses for codefendants Hatch, Vidaure, and Lopez-Lopez. Law enforcement developed evidence against this group of defendants using controlled purchases of methamphetamine, traffic stops and seizures, consensually recorded text messages and phone calls, search warrants, cooperator information, and self-incriminating statements.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol, Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, AMTRAK Police, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
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Navajo Man from Fruitland, N.M., Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison for Conviction on Federal Rape ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, and Director Jesse Delmar of the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety (NNDPS) announced that Melvin Russell, a previously convicted sex offender, was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 235 months in prison for his conviction on an aggravated sexual abuse charge. Russell will be on supervised release for ten years after completing his prison sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The FBI and NNDPS arrested Russell, 53, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Fruitland, N.M., in July 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with sexually abusing a Navajo woman on May 20, 2014, on the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, N.M. Russell subsequently was indicted on July 24, 2014, and was charged with aggravated sexual abuse.
Trial on the indictment commenced on May 7, 2018, and concluded on May 11, 2018, when the jury returned a guilty verdict against Russell on the sole count of the indictment.
Testimony at trial established that late in the evening on May 19, 2014, until the early morning of May 20, 2014, Russell forced the victim to engage in sexual intercourse with him by threatening her with a large samurai sword. The victim, a friend, and the friend’s child were at Russell’s residence on the evening of May 19, 2014, where Russell, the victim and the victim’s friend consumed alcohol.
The victim testified that, after the friend and the child went to sleep, Russell became sexually aggressive towards her, while grabbing her around the neck, choking her. The victim testified that Russell then pulled out a large samurai-type sword and threatened to kill her if she did not submit to him. The victim testified that Russell sexually abused her while continuing to strike and choke her. On the morning of May 20, 2014, the victim, the friend, and the child left Russell’s residence, contacted police, and sought medical care for the victim for injuries and trauma caused by the sexual assault.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock office of the NNDPS. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Joseph M. Spindle and Elisa Dimas prosecuted this case as part of the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native American women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Nashville to Serve as Hub for Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike ForceRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – October 25, 2018 - Unites States Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced today the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Joining in the announcement were U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“This Strike Force designation will provide us with additional resources to expand our investigative and prosecutorial efforts to identify and prosecute those whose greed and indifference overshadow the health and well-being of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran. “We will target criminal conduct at every level of the opioid distribution chain and those that continue to fuel this addictive and deadly epidemic will be held accountable.”
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
NDTX Weekly Roundup -- 10/25/18Read the Press Release
PLEA – Larry Duncan, 72
On Oct. 22, four-term Dallas City Councilman Larry Duncan, a former president of Dallas County Schools’ Board of Trustees, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. The charge stems from the federal investigation into the Dallas County Schools bribery scandal, which claimed its fifth conviction Monday. Press release here.INDICTMENT* – Jeffrey Richie, 53, & Wendy Richie, 58
On Oct. 23, a federal grand jury indicted a Red Oak, Texas couple who allegedly embezzled $14.5 million from retirement plans they managed. Jeffrey Richie, 53, and Wendy Richie, 58, co-owners of Vantage Benefits Administrators, were charged with conspiracy, theft from an employee benefit plan, wire fraud, and aggravated identify theft after they allegedly misappropriated funds from at least 1,000 participants in at least 20 employer’s plans. Press release here.INDICTMENT* – Michelle North, 53
On Oct. 23, a federal grand jury indicted Michelle North, of Balch Springs, for theft of government funds and making false statement to the Social Security Administration (SSA). She allegedly received income-based disability payments from SSA while also receiving a large amount of Indian tribal funds. Ms. North failed to accurately tell SSA how much money she was receiving from the Tribal Counsel. If convicted on this case, Ms. North will have to pay back approximately $32,000 in restitution. SSA Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.PLEA – Chris Faulkner, 41
On Oct. 23, Texas oil-and-gas mogul Christopher A. Faulkner pleaded guilty to securities fraud, engaging in illegal monetary transactions, and tax evasion. A frequent media commentator and self-proclaimed “frack master,” Faulkner admits he bilked investors out of millions of dollars and concealed millions more from the IRS. He now faces 12 years in prison. The IRS-CI, FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated. Press release here.SENTENCING – Bill Day, 39 & Laura Day, 47
On Oct. 23, Bill and Laura Day, of Seymour, Texas were both sentenced in Wichita Falls federal court to 30 years in prison for child sexual exploitation. The husband and wife duo admitted to producing sexually explicit images involving an infant in 2015. The images were discovered while the Department of Public Safety was conducting a child pornography investigation of the Days in May 2017. DPS and HSI conducted the investigation.SENTENCING – Miller Hogan, 44
On Oct. 24, Miller Hogan was sentenced to nearly 4 years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. In March, Hogan pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, after Dallas Drug Enforcement Administration agents intercepted him on a wiretap negotiating and purchasing 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from a codefendant.SENTENCING – Mohammed Natour, 33
On Oct. 24, Mohammed Natour was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for his role in a RICO conspiracy. In March, Natour pled guilty for his participation in a transnational criminal enterprise, comprised mostly of Colombian nationals or individuals of Colombian descent, whose members targeted and robbed traveling diamond and jewelry salesmen across the United States. Natour participated in four armed robberies of traveling diamond and jewelry salesmen over a one-year period, between 2014 and 2015, in Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.SENTENCING – Glenn Eugene Halfin, 64
On Oct. 24, a 64-year-old Grapevine, man was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for a hate crime after he repeatedly threatened an African American family living in the apartment above him because of their race. Glenn Eugene Halfin admits he hung a baby doll dangling from a noose around a railing in their apartment complex. He pleaded guilty to interfering with housing rights. The FBI and Grapevine Police Department, in conjunction with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, investigated. Press release here.SENTENCING – Horacio Alpizar, 58
On Oct. 24, Horacio Alpizar was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. In April, Alpizar pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, after Dallas Drug Enforcement Administration agents found $186,681 of drug proceeds in his home along with drug paraphernalia. In a separate residence, DEA agents found a firearm, drug paraphernalia, cocaine, and a garage set up as a mechanic shop to load and unload vehicles with drugs and drug proceeds. As part of his punishment, Alpizar was ordered to forfeit the cash, firearm, two vehicles, and three properties, all totaling nearly one million dollars.PLEA – Denene Griggs, 24
On Oct. 25, Denene Griggs of Wichita Falls pleaded guilty to concealing a person from arrest. She admits to sheltering two fugitives – her child’s father, Javaris Damon Scott, and his brother, Trevor Scott -- inside her apartment. The Scott brothers, wanted in connection with a July 12 drug bust, were arrested Sept. 6, when officers spotted them climbing out of Grigg’s window. She now faces up to 5 years in prison. The FBI, DEA, DPS – Criminal Investigation Division, Wichita Falls PD, Rhome PD, and Iowa Parks PD investigated.* An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Monroe Township, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Sam Cynamon, 68, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, and formerly of Springfield, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of child pornography. Judge Arleo imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
On July 10, 2017, law enforcement officers lawfully obtained multiple computers and electronic storage media belonging to Cynamon from his residence. The computers and electronic storage media contained multiple images and videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced Cynamon to eight years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $21,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Public Protection Unit in Newark.
Mexican citizen living in Canton charged with having a firearm while unlawfully in the United StatesRead the Press Release
A Mexican citizen was charged with possessing a firearm while illegally in the United States.
Jose Rusbelt Morales-Gutierrez, 28, was living in Canton. Morales-Gutierrez possessed a Beretta, Model PX4 Storm, 9 mm caliber pistol on Aug. 18, after illegally or unlawfully entering the United States.
If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation was conducted by the Canton Police Department, Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Cleveland Field Office of ATF. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Federal Charges Involving Sexual Abuse of 14-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Anthony Brooks, 29, of Indian Head, Md., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison on federal charges of transporting a minor across state lines with intent to sexually abuse her. The minor was a 14-year-old girl whom Brooks tutored as part of an afterschool program the child was ordered to attend by a family court.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Brooks pled guilty in June 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was sentenced by the Honorable James E. Boasberg. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
The minor had been ordered by the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to attend the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) program, an afterschool diversion program through which at-risk youth are provided tutoring and mentoring. Brooks, then 28, a college graduate, was employed as one of her tutors.
According to the government’s evidence, in late spring of 2017, the minor was transferred to a different BARJ location and, from that time forward, should have had no additional contact with Brooks. Brooks had previously been admonished by staff not to have contact with female students outside of the program. Brooks, however, continued to have contact with her. By July 2017, he was exchanging sexually explicit text messages with the girl, who had just completed the 8th grade. On July 11, 2017, Brooks contacted the girl’s father and asked the father’s permission to “tutor” the child. According to the evidence, Brooks then drove nearly an hour from his home in Maryland to Southeast Washington, where he picked up the girl, brought her to his home, and had sexual intercourse with her.
Between July 11 and July 12, 2017, Brooks discussed with the girl over text message coming to pick her up again. Brooks advised the girl in text messages written on July 11 that he did not want to come get her on back to back days because her father might become suspicious. Instead, on July 13, 2017, Brooks again drove nearly an hour from his home in Maryland to Southeast Washington to pick up the child. He arrived at 6:30 a.m., at a time when the child’s father, the girl’s sole guardian and the only adult in the house, was at work at his construction job. According to the government’s evidence, he transported the child back to his house in Maryland, where he again engaged in sexual acts with her.
Through September 2017, Brooks continued to communicate with the girl, exchanging sexually explicit text messages with her. On Sept. 19, 2017, the child’s father discovered the text messages between Brooks and his daughter while reviewing the messages on his daughter’s phone. He promptly contacted the MPD Youth and Family Services Division, which commenced an investigation. The FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation Task Force immediately joined the investigation. Brooks was arrested on Sept. 20, 2017 and has been in custody ever since. On Feb. 14, 2018, Brooks was indicted on two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge DeSarno, and Chief Newsham commended the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and FBI Special Agents in the Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Pennsylvania, and the District of Maryland, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Park and Jodi Lazarus, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Manhattan United States Attorney Announces Charges Against Owner and Director of Singapore-Based Commodities Company for North Korea Sanctions Evasion and Money Laundering OffensesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a superseding indictment against TAN WEE BENG, a/k/a “WB,” for conspiring to use the U.S. financial system to conduct millions of dollars’ worth of transactions to finance shipments of goods to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) by a Singapore-based commodities company (“Company-1”), of which TAN WEE BENG is a director and part-owner. The Indictment charges TAN WEE BENG with conspiring to violate United States sanctions on the DPRK by conducting those illicit transactions on behalf of North Korean entities; laundering funds in connection with those illegal transactions; defrauding several financial institutions by concealing the true nature of these transactions; and obstructing the enforcement of the sanctions regime by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). In addition to these criminal charges, today OFAC designated TAN WEE BENG, Company-1, and another affiliated entity for sanctions, based on the illicit support for North Korea and clandestine financial conduct charged in the Indictment.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “North Korea’s illicit attempts to hide its activities around the world undermine the integrity of the global financial system. But the DPRK has not acted alone – unscrupulous profiteers in other nations facilitate this malign conduct through their willingness to lie and cheat to conceal their dealings with a pariah state, including by lying to major U.S. banks and laundering money on North Korea’s behalf. But Tan Wee Beng can no longer hide behind those alleged falsehoods. He is now a fugitive from American justice, and we look forward to working with our foreign partners to bring Beng to the U.S. to answer for his alleged crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “As alleged, Beng conducted illicit transactions totaling millions of dollars in support of North Korean entities in blatant violation of a host of economic sanctions the United States has established against North Korea and North Korean entities. The charges unsealed today should serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to aggressively investigate violations of economic sanctions lawfully imposed by our government. While Beng remains at large, the FBI is committed to working with its international partners to bring Beng to justice.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:
Beginning in 2008, the President has repeatedly found that the DPRK constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and declared a national emergency to deal with the threat. Pursuant to these Presidential declarations, the United States has instituted a host of economic sanctions against North Korea and North Korean entities pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (the “IEEPA”). This sanctions regime prohibits, among other things, financial transactions involving the United States (including U.S. banks) that were intended for the benefit of North Korea or North Korean entities.
Separately, both the United States and the United Nations (the “UN”) have designated for sanctions particular North Korean entities responsible for supporting the regime’s illicit activities. One such entity, Daedong Credit Bank (“DCB”), was designated by OFAC in June 2013 and by the UN in March 2016. According to OFAC, DCB is “responsible for managing millions of dollars of transactions in support of the North Korean regime’s destabilizing activities,” and the UN reported that DCB “has knowingly facilitated transactions by using deceptive financial practices.”
Beginning in 2011, TAN WEE BENG conspired to use commodities businesses, including Company-1, of which TAN WEE BENG was both an owner and director, and front companies in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and elsewhere to violate and evade both prohibitions against North Korea’s access to the U.S. financial system and prohibitions on dealings with certain North Korean entities identified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including DCB. In particular, TAN WEE BENG conspired to deceive U.S. financial institutions into conducting financial transactions on behalf of and for the benefit of DCB and other North Korean entities and persons. Those illicit transactions were used to launder money from DCB and other North Korean entities and persons to make payments to Company-1 for shipments to North Korea.
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TAN WEE BENG, 41, is a resident and citizen of Singapore. He is charged with conspiracies to violate the IEEPA, to commit bank fraud, to commit money laundering, and to obstruct the lawful functions of OFAC, as well as with substantive counts of bank fraud and money laundering. The bank fraud counts carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The conspiracy to violate the IEEPA and money laundering counts each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to defraud the United States count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
TAN WEE BENG remains at large. The United States looks forward to working with our foreign partners to bring BENG to justice.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, and thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Office of International Affairs for their assistance.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys David W. Denton, Jr., Amanda L. Houle, and Jane Kim are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An MS-13 member pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Elmer Alfaro Hercules, 20, a Salvadoran national, pleaded guilty to one count of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition. Hercules was indicted in June 2018. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2019.
On May 22, 2018, Hercules was arrested in possession of a loaded firearm in an East Boston park, a location where numerous MS-13 gang members have been observed and where gang-on-gang violence frequently occurs. Hercules unlawfully entered the United States in 2014 as an unaccompanied minor. In April 2015, an immigration judge ordered him deported in absentia.
The charge of being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Hercules will also face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney John P. Pappas; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. The U.S. Marshals Service has provided crucial assistance with the case.
Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Nearly $2 Million Business Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty today to defrauding $1,855,475 from victims of a business fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.
Jihad Anthony Zogheib, 52, pleaded guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement to eight counts of wire fraud in connection to a fraud scheme. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon accepted the guilty pleas and scheduled a sentencing hearing on January 15, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks.
Zogheib admitted that, from about 2010, to about 2013, he devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain money from people by making false representations to them that he would use their money for business purposes. As part of the scheme, he influenced victims’ decisions by using forged business documents and fictitious emails from banks.
Specifically, in February 2011, he made false representations to a victim about forming a mobile crane company and a mobile crane leasing company. He claimed he had millions of dollars in an overseas account, but it was placed on a hold. He provided the victim with a fictitious bank record showing millions of dollars on deposit. Zogheib caused the victim to give him $548,000 to fund the companies. From November 2010 to about August 2013, Zogheib defrauded two victims by falsely claiming he was in the business of flipping real estate. He made false representations to the victims in order to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nonexistent real estate investments. These two victims sent Zogheib a combined total $1,307,475. Zogheib immediately used the victims’ investment monies to fund his gambling habit and high-end lifestyle.
At the time of sentencing, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Zogheib faces a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $815,475.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Burns and Steven Myhre are prosecuting the case.
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Kingsmen Member Sentenced on RICO ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jack Wood, a/k/a Snake, 48, of Athens, TN, formerly of Delavan, NY, who was convicted of RICO conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Tripi and Brendan T. Cullinane, who handled the case, stated that between 2009 and 2016, the defendant was a member of the Delevan/Arcade Chapter of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club (KMC). Wood admitted that during the RICO conspiracy, KMC members and associates used and/or distributed marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in and around the Delevan/Arcade Chapter Clubhouse. The defendant also admitted that he possessed firearms, and that KMC members maintained access to and sold firearms.
On August 3, 2013, KMC members used the defendant’s van to conduct a drive-by shooting in Springville, New York. During the incident, KMC members fired shots at former KMC members who were at odds with the current KMC members. Following the drive-by shooting, the KMC members returned the van to the defendant and instructed him not to use the van. The defendant learned that KMC members used the van in a drive-by shooting and, based on their instructions, did not use the van. In 2015, law enforcement approached the defendant about his knowledge of the van’s use in a drive-by; the defendant repeatedly made evasive and misleading statements in an effort to hinder and prevent the investigation. Later that year, the defendant again made evasive and misleading statements before a federal Grand Jury regarding this investigation.
Wood is one of 20 KMC members and associates charged in this case. To date, 19 have been convicted, including National President David Pirk, who was convicted following a four-month jury trial. Wood is the second defendant to be sentenced. Charges remain pending against Brian Witkowski. The fact that the defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert. Assisting in the investigation: the FBI Knoxville, TN, and Jacksonville, FL Field Offices, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the Buffalo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York State Police, the Olean Police Department, the Lancaster Police Department, the Amherst Police Department, the City of North Tonawanda Police Department, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, the Hamburg Police Department.
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Kansas City, Kan., Man Sentenced for Stealing Guns from Pawn ShopRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced Wednesday to 51months in federal prison for stealing 14 guns from a pawn shop, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Angel D. Mora, 20, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of stealing guns from a licensed firearms dealer. At a sentencing hearing, a prosecutor said Mora and accomplices broke into Joe’s Pawn and Gun in Kansas City, Kan. They took seven rifles, five shotguns and two handguns. When police arrived during the burglary, Mora fled on foot. Investigators found him hiding along a creek bed and arrested him.
McAllister commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel for their work on the case. The was prosecuted under the U.S. Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood initiative.
Kailua-Kona Man Sentenced to over 24 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Michael Phillip Patrakis, 46, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, was sentenced today to 292 months of imprisonment for the production of child pornography of two minor females. As part of his sentence, Patrakis must forfeit numerous electronic devices, pay a $10,000 assessment under the Justice of Victims of Trafficking Act, and serve 20 years of supervised release. Patrakis will also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents and information presented in court, in March 2015, Minor Female 1 (then 15 years old), and her daughter, Minor Female 2 (then two years old), rented a room in the home of Patrakis, located in Kailua-Kona. At the time, Patrakis knew Minor Female 1 was under the age of 18 and engaged in a sexual relationship with her. Patrakis used Minor Female 1 for the purpose of producing visual depictions of her engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Patrakis had custody and control over Minor Female 2 when Minor Female 1 worked or left the residence. Patrakis used Minor Female 2 for the purpose of producing visual depictions of her with lascivious exhibitions of her genitals. On September 17, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant of the residence, recovering numerous electronic devices with said productions.
At the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayahsi noted that Patrakis’ actions caused "incalculable harm" and hopes the sentence acts as a "deterrence to others."
"Our Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who sexually exploit our young people," said U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price. "Defendant Patrakis preyed on the vulnerabilities of these two minor females. With the collaboration of our local, state, and federal law enforcement, the apprehension and prosecution of Patrakis put an end to the abuse. While his abhorrent actions cannot be undone, today’s sentence reflects the message that predators will be held accountable in our community."
"As this sentencing makes unmistakably clear, child sex predators will receive the justice they are due for their despicable actions," said Frank Cabaddu, acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Honolulu. "HSI will continue to work tirelessly to ensure child predators and sex traffickers receive the justice they deserve. We owe it to the young victims in these cases, who will carry the emotional and physical scars of these crimes for the rest of their lives."
The case was investigated by the Hawaii Police Department and HSI, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren W.K. Ching with the assistance of the Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Justice Department’s Criminal Division creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to focus on illegal opioid prescriptionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“We have been resolute in our efforts to prosecute the so-called health care professionals who violate their professional oaths to satisfy their greed. The criminal conduct of certain physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals not only results in significant fraud, but is every bit as bad or worse than the conduct by the common street level drug dealer. The new strike force will provide additional resources for us to weed out the criminal medical professionals and hold them accountable,” said Powell.
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
Justice Department’s Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
Justice Department’s Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
“The creation of this Strike Force is yet another example of the Department of Justice’s commitment to aggressively addressing our nation’s opioid crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town. “This Strike Force won’t just effectively and thoroughly prosecute pill mill doctors who have chosen to sacrifice the efficacy of care for their own personal greed, it will save lives in the process. The leadership of Attorney General Sessions in addressing this public health emergency has been unwavering and relentless.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
Justice Department’s Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
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Justice Department’s Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The Appalachian Region, which includes the Eastern District of Tennessee, is unfortunately a ‘hot spot’ for drug abuse and overdose related deaths in the country,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. “We welcome the opportunity to work with our law enforcement partners in the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to identify and prosecute those unscrupulous medical professionals and others engaged in health care fraud schemes involving illegal prescription, distribution, possession, and use of opioids.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
###
Justice Department's Criminal Divison Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force is consistent with the Department’s commitment to combat the opioid crisis with all available tools, said U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The ARPO Strike Force prosecutors, working in partnership with Assistant United States Attorney’s in our Office and law enforcement officers in our District, will be focused on reducing access to opioids, including by investigating and prosecuting those medical professionals that unlawfully distribute opioids, putting greed over patient care and well being. We will remain diligent in the pursuit of this important mission.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
Justice Department's Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
"While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering," said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. "It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction."
"The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States," said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. "Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients."
"The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region," said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. "The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic."
"Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level," said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. "These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted."
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
Justice Department's Criminal Division Creates Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON - Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski was joined in the announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division.
“While the opioid epidemic continues to inflict untold pain and suffering on people across the country, the devastation in the Appalachian region and adjacent areas has been particularly staggering,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “It is all the more reprehensible when unscrupulous physicians and pharmacies contribute to the epidemic by illegally supplying dangerous prescription painkillers. Working with our partners in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will combat illegal prescription opioids and health care fraud by holding accountable corrupt medical professionals who seek to profit off the crisis of opioid addiction.”
“I welcome the additional resource of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “My office has been unrelenting in its assault on drug dealers & traffickers. This Strike Force will further strengthen our efforts to identify and prosecute the purveyors of pain that cause untold chaos and despair to our families and in our communities. I want to assure our citizens that we will not stop until we have identified and prosecuted every medical professional involved in creating and maintaining this crisis through illegal prescriptions and distribution of opioids.”
“The creation of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force will bring together critical resources from the FBI and our partners to fight health care fraud in this region and the growing opioid epidemic that faces the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “Healthcare fraud touches every corner of the United States, and through this strike force, the FBI will continue our tireless work to combat illegal opioid prescriptions and bring to justice those medical professionals who put their greed over the health and wellbeing of their patients.”
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Americans across the country, including the people of the Appalachian region,” said HHS-OIG Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Cantrell. “The Strike Force model is a proven mechanism to target illicit conduct and hold accountable criminals involved in illegal opioid prescription and distribution schemes. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to curb this damaging epidemic.”
“Our nation’s opioid crisis requires us to work with unprecedented urgency in attacking drug diversion at every level,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. “These joint strike force efforts will save lives, while allowing us to better target and bring to justice those who facilitate addiction and profit at the expense of the weakest and most afflicted.”
Prior to this announcement, the HCF Unit operated Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s in 12 locations across the United States including Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa/Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas, along with a Corporate Strike Force located in Washington, D.C., and the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Forces represent a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, HHS-OIG and the DEA.
The ARPO Strike Force will be made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the nine U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force will operate out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the nine districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force will work closely with other various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The ARPO Strike Force will target criminal conduct associated with the improper prescription and distribution of prescription opioids and other dangerous narcotics throughout the Appalachian region and surrounding areas – focusing on criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The ARPO Strike Force will also investigate and prosecute violations of health care fraud whenever such fraud is detected throughout the region.
In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III noted the success of the Strike Force model while announcing the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. More information can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
In August, Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski announced the Newark/Philadelphia Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which focuses on health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the Newark/Philadelphia region.
The Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the prosecutors in the 12 Medicare Fraud Strike Force locations have charged over 4,000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $14 billion. Since January 2017, the HCF Unit has charged over 85 defendants, including 33 doctors with the illegal prescription of opioids (nearly 30 million pills).
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###Justice Department Funds New District of Oregon Indian Country ProsecutorRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON—In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein met with Acting Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Katherine Sullivan and other senior Justice officials today to discuss the Violence Against Women Act’s (VAWA) essential focus on criminal justice responses to domestic violence. Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein also announced new OVW funding for the department’s Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) program.
“There is no place in our society for domestic violence, and holding perpetrators accountable and providing services to victims is a critical part of the Department’s response,” said Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. “During this National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I encourage law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other criminal justice professionals to speak out about domestic violence and redouble efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. I am especially pleased to announce new funding to support four new Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, whose collaboration across the tribal and federal jurisdictional landscape is a model for effective prosecution of violence against women.”
“We are pleased to join Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein in announcing the appointment of a new Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney here in Oregon,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Pursuing justice on behalf of tribal communities is a priority for our office and has been for a long time. We are deeply committed to continuing to work with our tribal law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime in tribal communities, especially crimes against tribal women. We fully expect this position will show positive and meaningful results for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.”
OVW’s Tribal Special Assistant United States Attorneys (Tribal SAUSAs) Program is another Department initiative supporting innovative prosecutorial collaborations. These prosecutors bring cases in both tribal and federal courts, and help ensure that tribal and federal authorities have a seamless response in prosecuting cases under their jurisdiction. In OVW’s pilot project, Tribal SAUSAs reported a wide range of successes, including prosecution of cases that otherwise may not have been brought.
Today, OVW is announcing new Tribal SAUSA Program awards of $437,500 each to the following four tribes:
• Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (Arizona);
• Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Oregon);
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe (South Dakota); and
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Washington).
Commemorated in the United States since 1987, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month educates the public, commemorates and honors victims and survivors, and connects service providers across the country. President Trump has continued the tradition of issuing a presidential proclamation to recognize October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Strengthening criminal justice is the core component of VAWA, and Acting Director Sullivan pointed to the Improving the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (ICJR) as the “backbone of VAWA.” ICJR helps communities investigate and prosecute these crimes and keep violent criminals off the street. Since 1997, OVW has made 1,655 ICJR grant awards totaling over $847,000,000. In fiscal year 2018, OVW made 54 ICJR awards totaling $32,610,116.
This funding has supported justice responses including dedicated police and prosecution units, specialized courts, and offender monitoring in 538 communities. For example, Fairfax County in Virginia uses ICJR funding to support a specialized prosecutor for domestic violence and stalking cases and to monitor the enforcement of civil protective orders.
ICJR also funds unique collaborative approaches, such as Family Justice Centers – “one stop shops” housing police, prosecution, and victim services in one place – and multidisciplinary teams that decrease domestic violence homicides. Since 2012 OVW has awarded over $24 million in ICJR funding to reduce domestic violence homicide, including pilot sites, nationwide training, and research. This includes six awards totaling $3,299,977 for fiscal year 2018.
Many victims also face substance abuse issues, and may struggle to access the justice system and get the protection they need. OVW is today announcing an award of $450,000 to the Alliance for HOPE International to train Family Justice Centers to address this complex challenge. The Alliance for HOPE International will partner with the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health.
VAWA was first authorized in 1994 and focused on strengthening the criminal justice response to domestic violence. VAWA was reauthorized in 2000, 2005, and 2013, and each reauthorization included expansions such as addressing elder abuse, combatting stalking, and serving victims of sex trafficking in Indian Country. More information about VAWA is available at www.justice.gov/ovw/legislation.
Justice Department Announces $35 Million to Battle the Distribution of Methamphetamine and Another $35 Million to Assist Children Impacted by the Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced $35 million in funding to support law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioids, and another $35 million to establish new programs to provide services to children victims of the opioid crisis.
The announcement was made at the Department’s National Opioid Summit, which coincides with Red Ribbon Week, a yearly October event encouraging students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. Additionally, the upcoming Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent overdose deaths and drug addictions before they start. Last year, the Department expanded on DEA's Drug Takeback Days and collected more than 2.7 million pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs since April 2017. The Department of Justice also recently announced a total of almost $320 million in unprecedented funding to combat the opioid crisis in America.
"Ending the opioid crisis is a top priority for this administration, and under the leadership of President Trump, the Department of Justice has taken historic action," Attorney General Sessions said. "We have already seen a nearly 20 percent decline in opioid prescription rates nationwide in 2017 and 2018, and we are cutting opioid production by an average of 10 percent for next year. Preliminary data also show that after years of large and sustained increases, overdose deaths may have finally started to decrease. Today, we are announcing millions in grants intended to help the most vulnerable victims of the opioid crisis: children. The Department is investing almost $35 million to assist youth victims of this crisis through enhancing community programs, supporting partnerships with victim service providers, and establishing mentoring programs. We are also announcing another $35 million for state law enforcement in states with high levels of heroin and methamphetamine abuse. These measures take us one step closer to bringing this crisis to an end.”
In 2017, more than 72,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, an increase from the 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl and its analogues.
In FY 2018, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) made awards to 41 sites and a technical assistance provider totaling $29.8 million. This is in addition to about $4.8 million in transferred funds to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support partnership between victim service providers and first responders who encounter an overdose where children are present. The OVC program will support partnerships between victim service providers and first responders who encounter an overdose where children are present, through direct services, training and technical assistance, and efforts to build direct victim assistance services through community-based systems. The funding will provide funding for school-based programs, foster care and child welfare programs, counseling and assistance programs, child advocacy programs, court-appointed special advocates, mentoring and tutoring programs, civil legal services, and other programs.
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office is awarding more than $27.8 million in grant funding to 17 state law enforcement agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides two years of funding directly to law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita levels of primary treatment admissions for heroin and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office will also award $7.2 million to nine state law enforcement agencies. These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies will be awarded two years of funding through CAMP to support the investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: /media/973761/dl?inline
The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: /media/973756/dl?inline
The complete list of OVC awards can be found here: https://ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2018/ojp-news-10252018c.pdf
Justice Department Announces $35 Million to Battle the Distribution of Methamphetamine and Another $35 Million to Assist Children Impacted by the Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced $35 million in funding to support law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioids, and another $35 million to establish new programs to provide services to children victims of the opioid crisis.
The announcement was made at the Department’s National Opioid Summit, which coincides with Red Ribbon Week, a yearly October event encouraging students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. Additionally, the upcoming Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent overdose deaths and drug addictions before they start. Last year, the Department expanded on DEA's Drug Takeback Days and collected more than 2.7 million pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs since April 2017. The Department of Justice also recently announced a total of almost $320 million in unprecedented funding to combat the opioid crisis in America.
"Ending the opioid crisis is a top priority for this administration, and under the leadership of President Trump, the Department of Justice has taken historic action," Attorney General Sessions said. "We have already seen a nearly 20 percent decline in opioid prescription rates nationwide in 2017 and 2018, and we are cutting opioid production by an average of 10 percent for next year. Preliminary data also show that after years of large and sustained increases, overdose deaths may have finally started to decrease. Today, we are announcing millions in grants intended to help the most vulnerable victims of the opioid crisis: children. The Department is investing almost $35 million to assist youth victims of this crisis through enhancing community programs, supporting partnerships with victim service providers, and establishing mentoring programs. We are also announcing another $35 million for state law enforcement in states with high levels of heroin and methamphetamine abuse. These measures take us one step closer to bringing this crisis to an end.”
In 2017, more than 72,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, an increase from the 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl and its analogues.
In FY 2018, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) made awards to 41 sites and a technical assistance provider totaling $29.8 million. This is in addition to about $4.8 million in transferred funds to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support partnership between victim service providers and first responders who encounter an overdose where children are present. The OVC program will support partnerships between victim service providers and first responders who encounter an overdose where children are present, through direct services, training and technical assistance, and efforts to build direct victim assistance services through community-based systems. The funding will provide funding for school-based programs, foster care and child welfare programs, counseling and assistance programs, child advocacy programs, court-appointed special advocates, mentoring and tutoring programs, civil legal services, and other programs.
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office is awarding more than $27.8 million in grant funding to 17 state law enforcement agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides two years of funding directly to law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita levels of primary treatment admissions for heroin and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office will also award $7.2 million to nine state law enforcement agencies. These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies will be awarded two years of funding through CAMP to support the investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/content/camp-2018-announcement.
The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/content/ahtf-2018-announcement.
The complete list of OVC awards can be found here: https://ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2018/ojp-news-10252018c.pdf
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Jury Finds "Top Ten Alpha Criminal" Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that a jury found Darowe Junior Jones, 39, of Tulsa, guilty on Wednesday of multiple crimes, including conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 100 grams of heroin.
Law enforcement previously identified Jones as a “Top Ten” suspect of Operation Alpha, a Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative targeting Northern Oklahoma’s most dangerous criminals. Jones was targeted by law enforcement and arrested on April 17, 2018, on an outstanding felony arrest warrant. Dannie Dill, a co-conspirator and “Top Ten” suspect, was also arrested two days later. Dill pleaded guilty on September 5, 2018 to participating in the methamphetamine and heroin distribution conspiracy, as well as other charges.
“The prosecution of Darowe Jones began with his arrest as part of Operation: Alpha. TPD had identified Jones as a “top ten alpha criminal” in Tulsa. He was a high volume drug dealer who peddled heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, ecstasy, and Xanax. Even after his arrest, Jones orchestrated his narcotics business from jail by directing accomplices to hide evidence, including drugs and money,” stated U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Late yesterday, a jury held Jones accountable for his crimes by returning verdicts of guilty on all counts. I thank the jury for their service.”
During Jones’ trial this week, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Jones conspired with his partners to receive drugs through the mail at various addresses in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, which he later distributed in the Tulsa area. The evidence further showed that Jones sent $97,000 in cash over a two-year period to his out-of-state sources of supply to purchase a wide array of narcotics. Prosecutors called Jones a “one-stop-shop” for drugs, including methamphetamine, black-tar heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, and Xanax.
Through the investigations, agents found that Jones had sent numerous text messages to his co-conspirators discussing “swerves,” a term for a drug deal. Once arrested, Jones called his coconspirators from jail, discussing their drug distribution activities in thinly veiled terms. In one of these calls, Jones orchestrated an attempt by his coconspirators to remove $15,000 in drug proceeds from a hiding place in Jones’ residence so investigators could not find it. Jones later coordinated the distribution of the funds.
Ultimately, the jury found Jones guilty of 15 total charges. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan presided over the trial and will sentence Jones on January 28, 2019. Jones faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine for the drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute heroin charges; a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for the possession with intent to distribute marijuana charges; and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for the maintaining a drug involved premises charge. In addition, Jones faces a mandatory minimum consecutive penalty of five years in prison and a maximum consecutive penalty of life in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Jones faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the felon-in-possession of firearms and ammunition charge.
Jones’ arrest and conviction were the result of a coordinated effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshal Service, the Tulsa Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Duncombe, Dennis A. Fries, and Joel-lyn A. McCormick.
Jefferson County man sentenced for filing a false tax returnRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Alfredo Amaya Diaz, of Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years probation for filing a false tax return, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Diaz, age 43, pled guilty to one count of “Filing False Income Tax Return” in April 2018. Diaz admitted to filing a tax return for 2016 that understated his income by more than $178,000, resulting in an unpaid tax of more than $50,000. The crime took place in January 2017 in Jefferson County.
Diaz was also ordered to pay $66,344 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.Jefferson City Man Indicted for Meth, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
JEFFESON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing nine firearms.
Brandon Eugene McNeese, 33, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, Oct. 24,2018. The federal indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against McNeese on Sept. 28, 2018.
The indictment alleges that McNeese distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on Aug. 2, 2018. The indictment also charges McNeese with being a felon in possession of firearms. On Sept. 24, 2018, McNeese allegedly was in possession of a loaded Glock 10mm pistol, a loaded Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol, a loaded Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol, a loaded Glock .45-caliber pistol, a loaded Glock 9mm pistol, a Hi-Point .380-caliber pistol, a Taurus pistol, a Smith & Wesson .380-caliber pistol, and a loaded Vulcan Arms 9mm pistol.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from McNeese, utilizing a confidential informant, on Aug. 2, 2018. McNeese allegedly sold the confidential informant 139 grams (approximately five ounces) of methamphetamine for $2,000. During the transaction, the affidavit says, McNeese left his residence and travelled to a nearby residence. Investigators later learned that he left a vehicle parked at that residence.
Investigators found a cellophane bag underneath the parked vehicle, which contained several smaller baggies believed to contain narcotics. A K9 was used to sniff the vehicle and alerted to the presence of controlled substances. The vehicle was towed, and during a search of the vehicle officers found the firearms in the trunk. Several of the firearms had been reported stolen.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. McNeese has a prior federal felony conviction for possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.
The charges contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and MUSTANG (the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and Narcotics Group).
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Jamal Hall Charged with Being A Felon in Possession of A Firearm in Connection with Rutland Bar ShootingRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jamal
Hall, age 41, of Brooklyn, New York and Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today in U.S. District
Court in Burlington on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.As detailed in the government’s motion for detention, shortly after midnight on April 13, 2018, Hall fired a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol inside of the Hide-A-Way Tavern in Rutland, Vermont. That night, Hall became engaged in a confrontation with another male patron. In response to the male patron swinging his fist at Hall, Hall pulled the pistol from his waistband and fired in close range at the male patron. The bullet did not strike the male patron, nor did it strike multiple other people nearby. Hall is a prior felon with drug convictions in both New
York and Vermont. Accordingly, Hall is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.At his appearance in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge John M.
Conroy, Hall entered a plea of not guilty. The defendant was ordered detained pending further proceedings.This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Rutland Police Department. The Vermont State Police were instrumental in the defendant’s arrest, which occurred after the defendant led law enforcement on a high-speed chase in Southern Vermont. The Rutland County State’s
Attorney’s Office also provided valuable assistance.“This case demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect
Vermont communities, in all parts of the state, from those who engage in gun violence. Illegal possession and use of firearms —particularly in bars and nightclubs — puts the innocent public and law enforcement officers at great risk. Those who commit such crimes will be brought to justice through the collaborative efforts of federal, state, local, and county law enforcement agencies.”“This investigation exemplifies ATF’s commitment to protect our communities from violent criminals who possess firearms” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Lawrence
Panetta. “ATF will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to eradicate violent gun related crime.”Rutland County State’s Attorney Rose Kennedy stated, “This case represents the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal authorities to try and keep the community safe. I want to thank U.S. Attorney Nolan for making the prosecution of illegal firearms possession cases a priority.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represents the United States. Assistant
Federal Defender Elizabeth K. Quinn represents Hall. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.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.
Indictment Charges 7 Willimantic Residents with Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Willimantic Police Chief Roberto Rosado today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging the following seven Willimantic residents with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin:
XAVIER DIAZ, a.k.a. “Coco,” 29
MOISES RIVERA, a.k.a. “Burny,” 30
MIGUEL CEBALLO-CRUZ, 26
KIMBERLY ROMAN, 25
JESUS OMAR VAZQUEZ-MARTINEZ, 34
JORGE ROSADO, 42
HENRY SOTO, a.k.a. “Yomo,” “Jomo” and “Shorty,” 25As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Willimantic Police Department investigating a heroin/fentanyl overdose death that occurred in August 2017 received information that Xavier Diaz was operating a heroin distribution ring in Willimantic. The investigation revealed that drug purchasers called a phone shared by members of the conspiracy to place an order for heroin. Thereafter, a “runner” would meet the purchaser to complete the transaction.
On October 15, 2018, Diaz, Rivera, Ceballo-Cruz, Roman and Rosado were arrested on federal criminal complaints. On that date, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 1,000 bags of heroin, a stolen firearm, and ammunition. In addition, a search of a storage unit connected to the organization revealed approximately $20,000 in cash.
Vazquez-Martinez is currently detained in state custody, and Soto is being sought by law enforcement.
If convicted of the charge in the indictment, each defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
Indian Springs Man Sentenced for Violation of Endangered Species Act and Destruction of Property at Death Valley's Devils HoleRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – An Indian Springs, Nevada, felon who fired a shotgun at the Devils Hole gate padlock, destroyed a surveillance camera and equipment, then harmed pupfish, an endangered species, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon today to 12 months and a day in prison and three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada and Superintendent Mike Reynolds for Death Valley National Park.
Trenton Sargent, 28, pleaded guilty in July to one count of violation of the Endangered Species Act, one count of destruction of United States property, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He is a felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Devils Hole, a detached unit of Death Valley National Park, is located in Amargosa Valley, Nye County, Nevada, within a 40-acre parcel of National Park Service land surrounded by the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Devils Hole is the only location in the world where Devils Hole pupfish exist in the wild. The pupfish is a Nevada state and federally listed endangered species. The Endangered Species Act was enacted to provide a program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. In the spring of 2016, Devils Hole contained just 115 observable pupfish.
Sargent admitted that, on April 30, 2016, he and co-defendants Edgar Reyes and Steven Schwinkendorf, rammed their ATV into the fence surrounding Devils Hole, severely damaging the gate. Then, Sargent fired a Mossbert 500 shotgun at the padlock on the gate. After their attempts to open the gate were unsuccessful, the men scaled the fence. Once in the enclosed area, they destroyed a sensor center for cameras and equipment for the area, and destroyed a video surveillance camera belonging to the National Park Service. Then, Sargent stepped into the water onto the Devils Hole shallow shelf. In doing so, he smashed pupfish eggs and larvae pupfish during the peak spawning season for pupfish, who lay their eggs on the shallow shelf.
Reyes, 37, of North Las Vegas, and Schwinkendorf, 31, of Pahrump, previously pleaded guilty to destruction of government property and violation of the Endangered Species Act. They were each sentenced to one year probation.
The investigation was conducted by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez.
To learn more about the Devils Hole pupfish and recovery actions, go to www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/devils-hole.htm.
To report a suspicious or criminal activity in a national park site, call the National Park Service tip line at 1-888-653-0009 or visit https://www.nps.gov. For more information on the Department of Justice’s wildlife protection efforts, visit https://www.justice.gov/enrd.
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IRS Impersonator Scam Leader Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison After Stealing Millions of Dollars; Co-Conspirators Also ImprisonedRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Gary Smith, Special-Agent-in-Charge, Southern Field Division, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and Robert G. Feldt, Special-Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration (SSA), Dallas Field Division, announced today the sentencing of five defendants involved in an IRS impersonation scheme that netted millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
On Thursday, United States District Judge Billy Roy Wilson sentenced Yosvany Padilla, 27, of Hialeah, Fla., the leader of the conspiracy, to 135 months’ imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered the repayment of nearly $9 million in restitution. Padilla, in addition to personally collecting threat-induced wire transfers sent by victims believing they were paying owed taxes, supplied co-conspirators with false identification documents and coordinated the collection of wire transfers by other members of the conspiracy.
Also on Thursday, Judge Wilson sentenced Jeniffer Valerino Nuñez, 22, and Esequiel Bravo Diaz, 24, both from Miami, to federal prison. Nuñez, who collected more than $1.3 million in wire transfers from more than 1,050 victims, was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and repayment of nearly $2.5 million in restitution. Diaz, who collected approximately $115,000 from 350 victims, was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment, followed by two years’ supervised release, and repayment of nearly $115,000 in restitution.
“These criminals stole millions of dollars from thousands of innocent people, using fear, threats, and intimidation to carry out this scam,” Hiland said. “This criminal behavior is unconscionable and will not be tolerated. The prison sentences handed down today represent some measure of accountability for IRS imposters who violated the most vulnerable among us, including honest citizens here in Arkansas. Our office will continue to remain vigilant in working with our law enforcement partners to root out these schemes, and punish those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.”
In the scheme, individuals purporting to be employees of the IRS would call and threaten victims with legal action, arrest, and imprisonment for a supposed debt owed to the IRS. The callers made these threats and used other methods of intimidation to persuade the victims to wire money utilizing MoneyGram, Walmart-2-Walmart Money Transfer, and other wire-transfer services. Investigators have identified 6,282 nationwide victims for a total loss currently calculated at $10,735,762.61. Multiple fraudulent wire transfers were collected in Arkansas, as well as in at least 28 other states.
“Over the last several years, American taxpayers have been subjected to unprecedented attempts to fraudulently obtain money by individuals impersonating Internal Revenue Service employees,” TIGTA SAC Smith said. “Victimizing taxpayers by impersonating IRS employees is a serious crime. TIGTA and our law enforcement partners will do everything within our power to ensure that those involved in the impersonation of IRS employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Today’s significant sentencings should serve notice to those who engage in this type of criminal activity that they will be held accountable.”
Another of the scheme’s co-conspirators, Dennis Delgado Caballero, 40, of Miami, collected more than $1.1 million in wire transfers from 950 different victims and recruited others into the scheme. On September 27, 2018, Judge Wilson sentenced Caballero to 72 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and repayment of approximately $2.5 million in restitution.
Angel Carrillo, 43, of Hialeah, Fla., collected more than $1.3 million in wire transfers from more than 750 people. On Tuesday, Judge Wilson sentenced Carrillo to 72 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and repayment of the $1.3 million as restitution.
“The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) is committed to closely working with our law enforcement partners to pursue identity thieves who deceive and defraud American taxpayers,” SSA SAC Feldt said.
Three other defendants (Elio Carballo Cruz, Alejandro Valdes, and Alfredo Echevarria Rios) have pleaded guilty to the scheme and await sentencing, while one (Ricardo Fontanella Caballero) is set for trial on December 11, 2018.
Investigators verified the identity of the suspects and their activities through a variety of investigative methods. TIGTA and the SSA-OIG led the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hunter Bridges and Jana Harris.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available on-line at:http://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter: @EDARNEWSGeorgia Woman Charged with Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A woman was arrested in Georgia today for her alleged participation in a credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Funmilola Adekanmi, 29, of Duluth, Georgia, is charged by complaint with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft. Adekanmi is expected to make her initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard in federal court in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between July 2016 and May 2017, Adekanmi conspired with Akintunde Adeyemi, Oluwaseun Jato, and others to obtain control of credit card accounts using stolen personal identifying information (PII) of third parties. Adeyemi, Jato and other conspirators submitted to a financial institution identified in the complaint as “Victim Bank 1” applications for credit card accounts using stolen PII, including the names, addresses, and other identifying information of the unsuspecting identity theft victims. After establishing the accounts, the conspirators contacted Victim Bank 1 to change the address associated with the accounts so that Victim Bank 1 would send the credit cards to those addresses. The conspirators then monitored those addresses and intercepted the cards before the residents of the addresses received them. Some of these addresses were located near the conspirators’ residences in New Jersey and Georgia. The conspirators, including Adekanmi, then used the cards at retail stores in New Jersey and Georgia, among other places, to purchase merchandise, including gift cards, which they then used or sold for profits. The conspirators defrauded Victim Bank 1 of more than $600,000.
The investigation to date has revealed that the conspirators played unique roles in the scheme. Adeyemi obtained the stolen PII from other conspirators and used it to create the fraudulent credit card accounts. He then sent the account information to others, including Jato, who coordinated with other conspirators to retrieve the credit cards associated with the compromised accounts. Adeyemi also provided compromised credit card accounts to Adekanmi, who used the accounts to make retail purchases, including purchasing gift cards. Adekanmi received a percentage of the scheme’s profits for her assistance in the fraudulent transactions. She was recorded on store surveillance footage on multiple dates in April 2017 making purchases using some of the compromised credit card accounts.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed by the court.
On July 17, 2018, conspirators Adeyemi and Jato were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for their roles in the scheme. Jato was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 24, 2018. On Aug. 2, 2018, Jato and Adeyemi were indicted and charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. That case is pending. Adeyemi has not yet been arrested and remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, and special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
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From Tweets to Time: Firearms Investigation Stemming from Social Media Sends Houston Man to PrisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for unlawfully possessing firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Fabian Spotts pleaded guilty in June 2018 to three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt handed Spotts an 84-month sentence followed by three years of supervised release.
At the hearing, the court saw screen shots of posts from Spotts’ Twitter account depicting him posing with various firearms and offering drugs for sale. Judge Hoyt noted the online images were out there for the world to see and could not be taken back.
The government also described Spotts’ extensive criminal history involving weapons and that, at the time of his arrest on these charges, he as found in possession of of a fully loaded Glock pistol, marijuana and pills and nearly $2,500 in cash.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned Spotts was selling stolen firearms utilizing his Twitter account. Following discussions, an undercover ATF agent and confidential informant met with Spotts on three separate occasions in November and December 2017 and conducted controlled purchases from Spotts of semi-automatic rifles, magazines, ammunition, sights and body armor. The transactions took place at the Palms Apartments on the 6400 block of Westheimer in Houston.
Spotts supplied two Anderson Manufacturer, model AM-15, 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifles with sights, a Mega Machine Shop Inc., model MATEN, 5.56 caliber AR-10 style semi-automatic rifle, a Southern Arms and MFG LLC, Model SAF-15, 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle, various magazines loaded with ammunition including a 100-round 5.56 caliber fully-loaded drum magazine as well as a bullet proof vest.
Previously convicted of robbery, a felony offense, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The ATF, Houston Police Department and task force officers from the North Division Crime Suppression Team conducted the investigation.Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Wirsing prosecuted the case which was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program to reduce gun and gang crime in America and the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which seeks to proactively fight violent crime across the Greater Houston area
Fresno Man Found to Be in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jimmy Euresti, 41, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, during a traffic stop in Fresno, officers found a stolen Glock semi-automatic handgun under a child’s booster seat on the rear passenger seat of the vehicle that Euresti was driving. A records check revealed that Euresti had previously been convicted of a felony offense, which makes him ineligible to possess a firearm.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Euresti faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former State Trooper Sentenced for CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio –William P. Elschlager, 49, of Marietta, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine for cyberstalking.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Washington County Sheriff Larry R. Mincks, Sr. announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
Elschlager was employed with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 19 years and served as post commander for the Marietta Post. He was employed in law enforcement, in total, for 25 years.
According to court documents, between November 2015 and January 2016, Elschlager placed a victim under surveillance with a GPS device on the victim’s vehicle with the intent to harass and intimidate the victim.
Elschlager made phone calls and sent text messages regarding the victim’s whereabouts and, at times, her specific location. For example, he texted the victim while she was in a retail store in Vienna, W.Va. and told her she needed to be aware of her surroundings and watch who she was around.
On more than one occasion, Elschlager sat in his vehicle at the end of the victim’s driveway and followed her in her and/or her boyfriend’s vehicle. He was also seen watching the victim at her house from an adjacent yard.
In December 2015, Elschlager initiated a traffic stop of the victim while in uniform driving his official vehicle. He turned off his belt microphone and did not ask for her identification or insurance documents. Instead, he talked about their personal issues.
In January 2016, the victim posted on social media that her vehicle had broken down. Elschlager arrived on the scene, even though the victim had not shared her location. It was later determined that her vehicle broke down because her radiator cap was missing, and a search of Elschlager’s computer revealed internet searches such as “how long can a car go without a radiator cap” and “car overheating with radiator cap off.”
Also in January 2016, when law enforcement officers conducted a search of Elschlager’s residence and electronic devices, they discovered a real-time location tracking of the victim on Elschlager’s computer. He also had the GPS tracking software on his cell phone.
“Elschlager used location information from GPS tracking, in conjunction with his law enforcement status, to relentlessly stalk and intimidate his victim,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Elschlager’s position and experience as a law enforcement officer for 25 years makes the offense especially heinous. His actions stripped his victim of a sense of security and safety. Those actions warrant time spent in prison.”
Elschlager was arrested by Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies and indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2017. Elschlager pleaded guilty in June 2018.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica H. Kim and Kevin W. Kelley, who are prosecuting the case.
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Former State Judicial Marshal Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADAM CLARKE, 37, of Norwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2017, law enforcement conducted a long-term investigation into the distribution of drugs in the Norwich and New London area. On multiple occasions in October 2017, Clarke was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap discussing the distribution of heroin and prescription narcotics. Clarke was working as a state judicial marshal at the time of this conduct.
The investigation revealed that Clarke received prescription pills from a known drug dealer while he was at work, assisted the drug dealer in avoiding detection by law enforcement by identifying law enforcement actions and vehicles, and agreed to broker at least one heroin transaction between the drug dealer and a third party.
Clarke is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport on January 17, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Clarke is released pending sentencing. He is no longer employed as a state judicial marshal.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich, Waterford and Town of Groton Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.
Former Middle School Teacher Sentenced to More Than 21 Years After Traveling from Dubai to Florida to Have Sex with ChildRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced William Brinson Ball (40, Dubai) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor for sex and transporting child pornography. The Court also ordered Ball to forfeit an iPhone and $5,000, which were used in the commission of the offenses.
Ball had pleaded guilty on April 30, 2018.
According to court documents, between January and February 14, 2018, Ball communicated with an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent posing as the father of a seven-year-old girl. During those communications, Ball sent child-pornographic videos, described the sexual encounter that he wanted to have with the “child,” and arranged to travel from Dubai to Tampa for the purpose of sexually abusing the seven-year-old “child.” After negotiating a price, Ball paid the undercover agent $5,000 to have a sexual encounter with the “child.”
Ball arrived in Orlando on Valentine’s Day, rented a car, and drove to the meeting location in Tampa. Upon his arrest, agents seized from Ball’s belongings, a stuffed animal that Ball had purchased for the child, various lubricants, sexual devices, and condoms. A forensic analysis of Ball’s cellular phone revealed that Ball possessed over 500 child-pornographic images and videos, the majority of which depicted violent, sadistic, or masochistic conduct.
Although Ball is an American citizen, he resided in Dubai, Qatar, and Japan, where he worked as a middle school music teacher.
“This child predator, who was also a teacher overseas, traveled to our community intending to have sex with a seven-year-old,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Instead, our HSI special agents stopped him in his tracks, and now he will be held accountable.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.