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3 October 2018
2 Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging RICARDO CONTRERAS-MENDOZA, age 33, of Mexico and FERNAND JUAN JOSE LEWIS, age 39, of Canada, with illegal reentry of a deported alien.
If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, CONTRERAS-MENDOZA, found in Johnston County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry of an aggravated felon, LEWIS, found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
12 Massachusetts Programs Awarded over $8.4 Million in Federal Grants to Combat Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Department of Justice is awarding over $8.4 million to 12 Massachusetts programs that are working to combat the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment and enforcement.
On the first day of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice is awarding nearly $320 million in federal funding to help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history. Of that, the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is awarding $8.4 million to 12 Massachusetts programs.
“In 2017, over 2,000 Massachusetts residents died from drug overdoses,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The opioid crisis is an unprecedented public health crisis in the United States, but we are committed to the President’s plan to end the epidemic through prevention, treatment and enforcement. With over $8 million in federal grant funding, programs in Massachusetts can expand to serve larger populations, increase services, and support those who are most impacted by this deadly epidemic. I applaud the grant recipients for their commitment to serve their communities in this way.”
Among the recipients is Plymouth County Outreach (PCO), which was awarded $496,650. PCO is an opioid prevention and recovery coalition made up of 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, along with the Bridgewater State University Police, District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Sheriff Joseph McDonald. PCO partners with healthcare, treatment and recovery agencies, local coalitions, faith-based organizations and hospitals to connect at-risk persons with treatment and recovery options in advance of an overdose. PCO will be honored for their work by the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Leadership in Community Policing Award on Oct. 9th in Orlando, Fla.
In addition, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network was awarded $481,428. Wayside’s Trauma Intervention Services will use the funding to provide counseling and advocacy to children and families who have suffered due the opioid crisis in Worcester, Norfolk and Middlesex counties.
Other recipients of federal grant funding in Massachusetts include:
- The Middle District Attorney’s Office awarded one grant of $360,000 and one of $500,000;
- Boston Police Department awarded $305,362;
- City of Holyoke Police Department awarded $448,025;
- Massachusetts Administrative Office of the Trial Court awarded $1.5 million;
- Advocates for Human Potential awarded $1.55 million;
- City of Worcester awarded $$744,668;
- Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office awarded $541,300;
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Office awarded $1,000,999; and
- LUK Crisis Center awarded $500,000.
The complete list of grant funding is available here.
October marks two important anti-drug events: Red Ribbon Week and National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. Red Ribbon Week takes place every year between October 23-31 and encourages students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also preventing drug addiction and overdose deaths. DOJ expanded on DEA’s Drug Takeback Days and collected more than 2.7 million pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs since April 2017.
2 October 2018
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to possessing child pornography.
James M. Stoddard, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 3, 2019. Stoddard was arrested and charged in federal court in June 2018.
In February 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip reporting that a file depicting apparent child pornography was uploaded from, what was later determined to be, an IP address associated with Stoddard. Further investigation led authorities to execute a state search warrant at Stoddard’s residence in Worcester, which revealed numerous videos and images of child pornography, including videos of girls as young as nine-years-old engaged in sex acts with adult men. Investigators also found a homemade child-like sex doll and several pairs of female, child-sized undergarments.
During the search, Stoddard was not present, but had contacted his first-floor tenant for a law enforcement phone number that he could contact. Stoddard then called an officer and informed him that he was in Natick, suicidal, and had climbed a tree. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to Stoddard’s location and, after lengthy negotiations, Stoddard climbed down from the tree. He was subsequently arrested, charged in state court, and has been in state custody since.
Court documents also indicate that Stoddard is a Level 1 sex offender and failed to register his current address with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board as he is required to do given a prior conviction for a child pornography offense.
Due to a prior conviction, Stoddard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 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; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Natick Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was 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 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/.
Wilmerding Felon Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Revolver and FentanylRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH -A former resident of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 70 months imprisonment to be followed by six years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Michael Dillon Burrows, 32, formerly of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed a Smith & Wesson 38 special, .38 caliber revolver. Burrows has previously been convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Also on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. Burrows was also found to have violated the terms of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Adams Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Burrows.
Wetzel County man sentenced for his connection to a drug distribution operation in Wetzel and Tyler CountiesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA –Randy Peffer, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to eight months incarceration for his involvement in methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin distribution that spanned multiple states, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Peffer, age 25, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine” in August 2018. Peffer admitted to selling methamphetamine in September 2017 in Wetzel County.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., and Shawn M. Adkins are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol; Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office; the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office; the Sistersville Police Department; the Paden City Police Department; and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated. The Columbus, Ohio, Police Department Gang Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
Westwego Woman Pleads Guilty to Concealing Marijuana Trafficking ActivitiesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TRAM NGUYEN, age 32, of Westwego, pled guilty today to a Bill of Information charging her with misprision of a drug trafficking felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 4.
According to court documents, Louisiana State Police seized a shipment containing approximately 420 pounds of marijuana hidden in 12 steel drums and bound for a Westwego warehouse where NGUYEN lived with her boyfriend, Michael Kwan. Shipping records showed that Kwan had received numerous similar shipments from his California supplier in the past, and a search of the Westwego warehouse revealed another 161 similar steel drums. In March 2018, Kwan pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846, and conspiring to launder the proceeds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(A)(i), (a)(1)(B)(i), and (h). For the drug charge, he faces a term of imprisonment of at least ten years and up to life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For the money laundering charge, he faces up to twenty years in prison, a fine of $500,000, and up to five years of supervised release.
NGUYEN admitted to concealing Kwan’s felony trafficking by depositing into her bank accounts checks written from local seafood restaurants and retailers for the purchase of seafood that Kwan had earlier bought with proceeds from his marijuana trafficking, and by transferring funds derived from the trafficking activities from bank to bank to avoid detection, seizure, and forfeiture by law enforcement.
For the misprision offense, NGUYEN faces a term of imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release.
Judge Zainey set sentencing for January 8, 2019.
United States Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas D. Moses and Jeffrey Sandman are in charge of the prosecution.
Washington State School Districts Receive more than $1.5 Million in DOJ Grants to Combat School ViolenceRead the Press Release
Three Washington State school districts, an Educational Service District and the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction will receive more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to combat school violence, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The largest grant, nearly $1,000,000 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, will fund efforts to provide teachers and students with the tools they need to recognize and respond quickly to prevent acts of violence. Smaller grants to individual school districts will support students, teachers and law enforcement partnering to prevent school violence.
“These federal funds support all-important state and local efforts to keep kids safe in our schools,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “The Department of Justice is committed to supporting all involved – including parents, administrators, teachers, students and school safety officers -- in finding ways to address the root causes of violence in our schools.”
The grant to the Superintendent of Public Instruction office will assist in developing threat assessment and crisis intervention teams, and anonymous reporting systems designed to identify threats before they materialize. Funding is provided for training students, school personnel and local law enforcement so they can prevent violence in schools.
Individual school districts are also receiving funding to enhance school security. The Ellensburg School District is receiving two grants totaling $300,000 for anti-violence programs. The Monroe School District will receive $150,000. The Quillayute Valley School District will receive $25,000 and the Northeast Washington Education Service District will receive $49,750. The grants are targeted at developing programs to recognize and assess threats including issues of mental health.
Under the terms of the grant, no funds can be used to purchase and provide firearms or training in the use of firearms to any personnel.
This funding is provided under the Bureau of Justice Assistance, STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program.
Virginia Man Arrested and Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with $2 Million Iraqi Dinar FraudRead 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 that WILLIAM BURBANK was arrested on wire fraud charges stemming from a scheme in which he solicited funds from investors based on false and fraudulent pretenses to purportedly invest in dinar, the currency of Iraq. Upon obtaining the funds, BURBANK either lost or misappropriated them, and then lied to investors about the state of their investments. BURBANK was arrested this morning, and will appear later this afternoon in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said: “William Burbank allegedly misrepresented to his investors – many of whom were veterans and their families – that their funds would be used to invest in Iraqi dinar, a foreign currency. Instead, Burbank allegedly engaged in a classic Ponzi-like scheme to pay out early investors and use the rest for unauthorized trading or for his own personal expenses. As with most alleged Ponzi schemes, the result was Burbank’s clients suffering a loss of their investments. Now William Burbank stands charged of the crime of wire fraud and faces time in federal prison.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “As alleged, Burbank engaged in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that ultimately unraveled and led to the charges he faces today. What makes this case particularly egregious is that many of Burbank’s alleged victims were U.S. military veterans and their families whose trust Burbank cultivated by shamelessly touting his own military service. Fraud cases remain a priority for the FBI as we continue to identify and investigate those who commit financial crimes against unwitting victims.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment unsealed today[1]:
From February 2010 through June 2018, BURBANK engaged in a Ponzi-like scheme to defraud more than 150 individual investors, including many U.S. military veterans and their families, of more than $2 million by soliciting funds through false and fraudulent pretenses. Specifically, BURBANK falsely claimed to potential investors that their funds would be used to trade in off-exchange foreign currency, namely, to purchase quantities of the Iraqi dinar, through an Iraqi bank headquartered in Bagdad. In truth and in fact, upon receiving investor funds, BURBANK used those funds to trade in his own brokerage accounts, to make payments to earlier investors, and for his personal expenses, among other things. Additionally, during the course of his scheme, BURBANK hid from investors the fact that he had misappropriated and lost their funds. In order to conceal the truth from investors, BURBANK provided them false information regarding the status of their investment, and engaged in a Ponzi-like scheme in which he used money obtained from new investors to make redemption payments to previous investors.
BURBANK, 62, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Christine I. Magdo is in charge of the prosecution.
[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 therein should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Progress in Making Our Communities Safer through Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Throughout the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs. I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face. Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”
“In Alaska, law enforcement agencies have a long history and tradition of working together to protect the people of the state,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder. Under Project Safe Neighborhoods, we are leveraging that cooperation to identify the most serious violent crime problems and offenders, then focus our operations. I am also pleased that Project Safe Neighborhoods has provided us with additional needed resources, including two new prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office here in Alaska.”
As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:
Enforcement Actions
In October 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced its statewide Anti-Violent Crime Strategy, which brings together municipal, state, and federal law enforcement to combat the tide of rising crime in Alaska. Some representative cases include:
- U.S. v. Macauther Vaifanua et al. In September 2018, five Anchorage residents were indicted on federal kidnapping and drug trafficking charges, among other offenses, in connection with the August 2017 beating and placing of a victim into a dog kennel.
- U.S. v. Michael Sampo. In June 2018, Sampo was sentenced to serve 12 years in federal prison after being convicted of carjacking in Anchorage. At the time of the offense, Sampo was a four-time prior felon.
- U.S. v. Matthew Scharber. In July 2018, Scharber was sentenced in federal court to serve a life term in prison after being convicted of multiple charges related to the October 2016 kidnapping, carjacking, and shooting of two individuals. Scharber also received an additional 10 years in prison on the firearms offense.
- U.S. v. Twigg and Conangnan. This case charged the defendants with interfering with commerce by robbery of two coffee stands on Sept. 25, 2017, as well as using a firearm in furtherance of these crimes. Defendant Shane Twigg has seven prior felonies and had a pending assault case when the robberies occurred. Myles Conangnan has a prior felony for Burglary, as well as 16 other convictions, including six convictions from four separate cases in 2017 alone. Both defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 32 years in federal prison if they are convicted.
Community Partnerships
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with its local, state, and federal partners, has continued to organize events at secondary schools all over Alaska to discuss the dangers of opioid abuse. This program, based on the DEA/FBI-produced documentary called “Chasing the Dragon,” will continue this year, as federal prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and medical professionals will join together to discuss their experience with the opioid epidemic.
- In the last year, six Anchorage area schools have hosted “Chasing the Dragon” presentations, reaching over 3,200 students; more school outreach is planned throughout the state in the coming year.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office has participated in faith - based community events, such as the Alaska Churches of God in Christ (COGIC) Crime Reduction Town Hall Forum, and a “Chasing the Dragon” opioid education event.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office partnered with Anchorage Opioid Task Force in building Naloxone kits for distribution throughout the state and participated in recovery month events.
Improvements to Community Safety
- The FBI’s official crime data for 2017 reflects that, after two consecutive, historic increases in violent crime, in the first year of the Trump Administration the nationwide violent crime rate began to decline. The nationwide violent crime rate decreased by approximately one percent in 2017, while the nationwide homicide rate decreased by nearly one and a half percent.
- The preliminary information we have for 2018 gives us reason for optimism that our efforts are continuing to pay off. Public data from 60 major cities show that violent crime was down by nearly five percent in those cities in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period a year ago.
These enforcement actions and partnerships are 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. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.
U.S. Attorney, Justice Department announce grant for Evangeline Parish to combat school violenceRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph joined the Department of Justice today in announcing more than $70 million in grant funding to bolster school security, educate and train students and faculty, and support law enforcement officers and first responders who arrive on the scene of a school violence incident, including $150,000 for the Evangeline Parish School Board in the Western District of Louisiana.
These grants are in addition to the funding to the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), announced by Attorney General Sessions last week, to expand and update their curriculum to better support training programs. These grants combined will better protect students, teachers, faculty and first responders across the United States. Additionally, the Department is awarding more than $64 million to state agencies to improve the completeness, quality and accessibility of the nation’s criminal record systems, which will help law enforcement and increase the effectiveness of background checks.
“President Trump and his administration will ensure the safety of every American school,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “Earlier this year, he signed into law the STOP School Violence Act, which provides grant funding to develop anonymous school threat reporting systems, to implement school building security measures, and to train students, school personnel, and law enforcement on how to prevent school violence. Today I am announcing $70 million in these grants to hundreds of cities and states across America. These grants will go a long way toward giving young people and their families both safety and peace of mind.”
“There is no more important cause than protecting our children from harm,” Joseph stated. “This grant will allow the Evangeline Parish School Board to develop better safety measures for its students and train crisis teams in furtherance of that end. I want to congratulate the school board for being awarded this grant and thank the Department of Justice for making it available.”
The Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) together are making more than 220 awards to jurisdictions across the country to help make schools more secure. The awards, granted through three funding streams, will provide new technology for reporting systems and other threat deterrent measures and create school safety training and education programs for school administrators, staff, students, and first responders. This includes the support for existing crisis intervention teams and the creation of new ones.
- BJA’s STOP School Violence Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program will provide 68 awards valued at more than $19 million. This funding supports training to create and operate threat assessment and crisis intervention teams and to develop technology for local or regional anonymous reporting systems. This technology may be in the form of a mobile phone application, hotline, or website. The Evangeline Parish School Board is the recipient of this program grant.
- The STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program, also managed by BJA, will provide training and education on preventing violence and effectively responding to related mental health crises. This program will fund 85 awards at nearly $28 million.
- The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) will provide nearly $25 million to 91 jurisdictions for school safety measures including coordination with law enforcement, training for law enforcement to prevent student violence against others and self, target hardening measures, and technology for expedited notification of law enforcement during an emergency.
The grants are authorized by the STOP School Violence Act, which are intended to improve school security by helping students and teachers reduce exposure to risks, prevent acts of violence, and quickly recognize and respond to violent attacks.
The Department also announced that it has awarded more than $64 million to state agencies to improve the completeness, quality and accessibility of the nation’s criminal record systems. These grants are administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, part of OJP. Approximately $43 million in funding will be administered through the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), and nearly $21 million will be awarded under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program. These grant programs help states automate and upgrade records accessed by the firearms background check system. This year, at the direction of the Attorney General, the Department prioritized funding for projects that improve accessibility of criminal history records, domestic violence convictions, and information on persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms for mental-health related reasons.
The Department is also investing over $1 million in research to better understand the factors behind mass shooting incidents. The grant awards, made by the Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), part of OJP, support scientific investigations that will examine factors that contribute to mass violence, identify any patterns in mass shootings, analyze psychological and social life histories of mass shooters and community-level predictors of mass violence, and will examine firearm purchasing patterns of known mass shooters in order to create a risk prediction tool.
For addition information on today’s grant announcements, visit www.bja.gov or www.cops.usdoj.gov.
NOTE: The breakdown of the STOP School Violence Grants can be found here: STOP School Violence Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program, STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program, and COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program.
U.S. Attorney Announces Almost $2.5 Million in Federal Grants Awarded in the Western District to Combat Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the Department of Justice announced it is awarding almost $320 million to combat the opioid crisis in America. The unprecedented funding will directly help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history, including crime victims, children, families, and first responders. U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced today that nearly $2.5 million will be awarded to five grantees in the Western District of North Carolina.
“President Trump has made ending the opioid crisis a priority for this administration, and under his leadership, the Department of Justice has taken historic action,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Today we are announcing our next steps: investing $320 million into all three parts of the President’s comprehensive plan to end the epidemic: prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We are attacking this crisis from every angle—and we will not let up until we bring it to an end.”
“The solution to the opioid crisis is not going to be quick or easy. To reverse this deadly trend, we have to implement a holistic, sustained and concerted effort, focusing on law enforcement action, treatment accessibility and community education and outreach. The grants announced today will provide much-needed funding to communities located in the Western District, including Indian Country, that are dealing with the opioid epidemic. The grants will be used to pay for technical assistance needs, to support drug courts, to enhance treatment efforts, and to provide assistance to youth impacted by the opioid crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.
The approximately $320 million awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) will be distributed in order to maximize effectiveness over the country. A breakdown of all the grant funding can be found here.
In the Western District of North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will receive 713,035 to fund the planning and implementation of programs aimed at reducing opioid abuse, increasing accessibility to treatment, and to pay for staffing and treatment resources.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will receive $256,795 in federal funding under BJA’s Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), to address the treatment needs of people using opioids.
Gaston County will receive $708,279 under OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime’s (OVC) program, to help children and youth impacted by the opioid crisis.
Burke County has been awarded $500,000 and Buncombe County has been granted $249,644 to support drug court programs in each county. Buncombe County has also been awarded $299,644 to enhance existing veterans’ treatment courts.
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. October marks two important anti-drug events: Red Ribbon Week and National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. Red Ribbon Week takes place every year between October 23-31 and encourages students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 aims to provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent overdose deaths and drug addictions before they start. DOJ 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 Attorney General been resolute in the fight against the drug crisis in America. The Department assigned more than 300 federal prosecutors to U.S. Attorneys’ offices and hired more than 400 DEA task force officers, announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, a new program to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas, and created a new data analytics program called the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit to assist 12 prosecutors sent to drug “hot spot districts.” In addition, the Department charged more than 3,000 defendants with trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or prescription drugs in FY 2017, announced the first-ever indictments of Chinese nationals for fentanyl trafficking, and scheduled variants of fentanyl to prevent illicit drug labs from circumventing the law. In addition, DOJ executed the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action charging more than 600 defendants and DOJ also proposed rules consistent with President Trump's "Safe Prescribing Plan," requiring a reduction of ten percent in 2019 in manufacturing quotas. The Department dismantled AlphaBay, the largest criminal marketplace on the Internet and has already generated prosecutions in the fight against online drug trafficking through the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement Team (J-CODE).
OJP provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Announces $700,000 Grant to Wyandotte CountyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A $700,000 federal grant will support innovative policing programs in Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
The grant to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood program. This week is the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, which is a centerpiece of the Justice Department’s strategy for reducing violent crime.
“This money will help police test promising crime prevention strategies aimed at reducing violent crime in targeted areas,” McAllister said.
The Department’s announcement said the county and the police department will use the grant to pay for high-visibility proactive policing under an initiative called Operation ICON (Impacting Crime in Our Neighborhoods). The program includes traffic enforcement, pedestrian checks, residential and business checks and positive community engagement contacts within an identified high-crime 20-square-mile geographic region of Kansas City, Kan.
Two Twin Cities Chiropractors Sentenced to Prison for Orchestrating Insurance Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of PRESTON ELLARD FORTHUN, 40, and ADAM JOHN BURKE, 34, for their roles in two separate multi-million dollar insurance fraud conspiracies. FORTHUN was sentenced to 60 months in prison and BURKE was sentenced to 90 months in prison. Both defendants were found guilty last year following separate jury trials before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
U.S. Attorney MacDonald said, “Mr. Forthun and Mr. Burke are two medical professionals who chose to cater to their own greed above their patients’ chiropractic care. Today, they are faced with the consequences of their criminal actions.”
“These chiropractors put personal greed above their professional duty,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Jessica Looman. “These sentences send a strong message that health insurance fraud is a serious crime and those who perpetrate it will be investigated and prosecuted. The Commerce Fraud Bureau will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who scam Minnesotans.”
“The defendants took an oath to help - but their scheme defrauded all of us, and today's sentence shows that there are severe penalties for those who seek to defraud the system,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jill Sanborn. “I want to thank the entire team who worked tirelessly to unwind this scheme and get us to where we are today.”
As proven at trial, FORTHUN and BURKE, both licensed Doctors of Chiropractic, devised separate schemes to defraud automobile insurance companies by hiring patient recruiters, known as “runners,” to solicit automobile accident victims to attend treatments at their clinics. FORTHUN and BURKE paid the runners for each patient they recruited, and the runners in turn typically paid the patients to induce them to attend treatments at the clinic. Both fraud schemes were structured in a way that would maximize their clinics’ billings to insurance companies. Knowing that the runners were paying patients, FORTHUN and BURKE withheld kickback payments to the runners until after the patients had attended a certain number of treatment sessions. Thus, the kickback payments were intended to ensure that patients came for treatments at the defendants’ clinics because of the payments, as opposed to the necessity and reasonableness of the treatments. As a result of their fraud schemes, FORTHUN and BURKE billed millions of dollars to the automobile insurance companies.
These cases are the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Minneapolis Police Department, Saint Paul Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations provided additional assistance.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Kokkinen, Amber M. Brennan and David M. Maria.
Defendant Information:
PRESTON ELLARD FORTHUN, 40
Bloomington, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, 1 count
- Mail fraud, 6 counts
- Wire fraud, 7 counts
Sentenced:
- 60 months in prison
- Two years of supervised release
- $1,553,500 in restitution
ADAM JOHN BURKE, 34
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count
- Mail fraud, 12 counts
Sentenced:
- 90 months in prison
- Two years of supervised release
- $991,530 in restitution
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Two Men Sentenced to Prison Terms on Federal Charges for Attack on ATM EmployeeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Richard Reid, 43, of Washington, D.C., and Dwonne Washington, 43, of Silver Spring, Md., were sentenced today to prison terms for robbing and beating a man who was servicing ATM machines in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Both men pled guilty in July 2018 to a charge of interference with interstate commerce by robbery as well as a related federal firearms offense. They were sentenced by the Honorable Rudolph Contreras in the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia. Each was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and additional time for the robbery offense. Reid was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison and Washington was sentenced to a total 8 ½-year prison term. Following their prison terms, each will be placed on five years of supervised release. They also were ordered to pay $52,000 in restitution, as well as $26,000 each in forfeiture money judgments.
According to the government’s evidence, on Nov. 15, 2017, the victim was refilling ATM machines owned by his company throughout the Washington, D.C. area. The attack took place after the victim had refilled an ATM machine located inside a market in the 300 block of P Street NW. At 1:45 p.m., as the victim was walking to his car with a backpack filled with cash, he was attacked from behind by two assailants.
The first assailant, Washington, pistol-whipped the victim with a firearm while the second assailant, Reid, beat the victim with his fists. Both Washington and Reid wrestled the backpack off the victim’s back and fled the area in a vehicle. During the attack, which was captured on surveillance video, the victim’s nose was broken.
An investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department revealed that the getaway vehicle used by the assailants was registered to Washington. Witnesses then identified Washington in the surveillance video and he was arrested the day after the crime. He has been held ever since. Subsequent investigation by MPD and the FBI’s Washington Field Office identified a phone dropped on scene as belonging to Reid, and a witness identified him in the surveillance video. He was arrested on Feb. 23, 2018 and has been held since that time.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu, Special Agent in Charge DeSarno, and Chief Newsham commended the work of MPD’s Fifth District detectives and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Vanore and Sumit Mallick, who prosecuted the defendants.
Twenty People Charged in Federal Drug and Firearms Case Involving Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine, and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Nineteen people have been arrested and one is being sought on federal charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking network that distributed heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, PCP, and suboxone in the Washington, D.C. area.
The arrests and charges were announced today by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The charges were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. To date, more than 55 ounces of cocaine and cocaine base, more than seven ounces of heroin, and more than 10 pounds of marijuana have been seized as a result of the investigation, along with seven firearms, including a short-barreled AK rifle, one silencer, and more than $10,000 in cash.
A total of 16 people were indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, PCP, and suboxone. Two additional individuals were indicted for firearms offenses, and two more defendants were charged in criminal complaints. The indictments include a forfeiture count against those now charged in the investigation, which seeks all proceeds from the crimes.
The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by ATF and the MPD/FBI Safe Streets Task Force, a multi-agency team that conducts comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. In the summer of 2017, MPD, ATF, and the FBI began a long-term investigation into drug trafficking in the Northeast quadrant of the District of Columbia. The indictments allege that various defendants conspired to carry out various facets of the drug operation from at least October 2017 until September 2018.
“These indictments are the result of a concerted law enforcement effort to identify and prosecute those responsible for drug trafficking in neighborhoods in the District of Columbia,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “Those who sell illegal drugs pose a significant threat to public safety and we will do everything we can to disrupt and dismantle their operations.”
“Information developed from MPD’s summer crime prevention initiative led to a year-long federal gang investigation that culminated with these arrests of a network of drug dealers,” said Special Agent in Charge DeSarno. “We will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners through the MPD/FBI Safe Streets Task Force to take down these violent enterprises and address crime in our region.”
“Gun crime is a scourge on our communities and it holds good citizens hostage in their homes. Everyone deserves a community where they feel safe,” said Special Agent in Charge Chittum. “ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to make sure they have it. We will continue to use our resources to take armed criminals off our streets and put them behind bars where they belong.”
“The safety and well-being of District residents and visitors was positively impacted as a result of this comprehensive investigation and subsequent prosecutions,” said Chief Newsham. “We have an unwavering commitment at the Metropolitan Police Department to remove illegal firearms and narcotics from our neighborhoods, which is shared by each of our partner agencies. This operation should serve as an example of this commitment and our ability to safely remove dangerous individuals from our community.”
Numerous law enforcement agencies assisted in the arrests and searches, including the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department, the, Montgomery County, Md. Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the U.S. Park Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Seventeen people were arrested on Sept. 28, 2018. Two others were already in custody and one remains at large. The defendants began making court appearances on Sept. 28, 2018, with further proceedings scheduled for this week.
A total of 13 locations were searched during the law enforcement actions on Sept. 28, 2018, including 11 in the District of Columbia and two in Prince George’s County, Md. At earlier stages of the investigation, law enforcement seized evidence during two additional searches in the District of Columbia and two in Montgomery County, Md.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
In announcing the arrests and charges, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge Chittum, and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Safe Streets Task Force, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD, and ATF.
They acknowledged the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.
Additionally, they expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office;, Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department, Montgomery County, Md. Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Park Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Finally, they cited the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth F. Whitted, C.B. Buente, Stephen J. Gripkey, and Kara Traster, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Swanton, who assisted with the forfeiture aspects of the investigation.
Trial Begins in Child Porn CaseRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - A federal jury trial begins today for a Morris County man charged with downloading child pornography from the internet, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Wesley Wagner, 54, White City, Kan., is charged with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. According to court documents, the FBI seized a server belonging to a now-defunct website called Playpen that provided users access to child pornography. The FBI used computer forensics to identify the site’s users, including the defendant. Based on that information, the FBI obtained a warrant to search the defendant’s home.
If convicted, the defendant faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison on the charge of receiving child pornography, and up to 10 years on possession charge.
The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Trial Begins for Wichita Doctor Accused of Diverting Rx Opioids to the StreetsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. - A federal jury trial begins today for a Wichita doctor charged with unlawfully distributing opioid prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Dr. Steven R. Henson, 57, Wichita, Kan., who operated Kansas Men’s Clinic at 3636 N. Ridge Road in Wichita, is charged in the following counts:
- Conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice (Counts 1 and 2).
- Unlawfully distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, methadone or alprazolam (Counts 3 through 14, and 16).
- Unlawfully distributing methadone and alprazolam, resulting in the death of a victim on July 24, 2015, identified in court records as N.M. (Count 17)
- Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Count 18)
- Falsifying patient records (Count 19).
- Obstruction of justice (Count 20)
- Money laundering (Counts 21 through 31).
As a physician, Henson was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense prescription controlled substances. His registered addresses included the Wichita Men’s Clinic and a location at 1861 N. Rock Road, Suite 201.
The indictment alleges Henson:
- Wrote prescriptions without a medical need.
- Wrote prescriptions without a legitimate medical exam.
- Wrote prescriptions for people other than the ones who came to see him.
- Wrote prescriptions in return for cash.
- Post-dated prescriptions.
If convicted, the defendant will face the following penalties:
Counts 1-16: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.
Count 17: Not less than 20 years and not more than life and a fine up to $1 million.
Count 18: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Count 19: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Count 20: A maximum penalty of one year and a fine up to $100,000.
Counts 21-25: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Counts 26-31: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000 on each count.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Newton Police Department, the Wichita Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh are prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct
Treyton Thomas Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Investment Fraud Scheme and Income Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that today, in federal court, TREYTON LEE THOMAS, age 62, pled guilty to wire fraud, affecting a financial institution, and income tax evasion. In pleading guilty, THOMAS, agreed to pay restitution to all the victims of his fraud scheme and to forfeit more than seven million dollars.
On November 22, 2016, THOMAS was charged in a 21-Count Indictment with wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. This Indictment charged THOMAS, who represented himself as a successful Harvard educated investment advisor, with defrauding his father’s used car warranty company, NC&VA Warranty of Roxboro, N.C., several of its customers, his wife, and his father-in-law. THOMAS claimed he was conservatively investing their money in U.S. Treasury Bills. Instead, through an on-line brokerage firm, THOMAS used these funds to conduct risky trades in the commodities and futures market. To conceal this fraud scheme, THOMAS provided these victims and various financial institutions with false information and fabricated bank and brokerage statements. To obtain additional funds, the Indictment charged THOMAS with using the same false information and fabricated statements to defraud financial institutions out of approximately 1.9 million dollars in loan proceeds.
In addition to losing the victims’ money in risky trades, the Indictment charged THOMAS with spending more than 1.6 million dollars to pay personal expenses.
On March 15, 2018, THOMAS was charged in another Indictment with six counts of income tax evasions for the calendar years 2010 2015 and two counts of failing to disclose his interest in and authority over foreign bank accounts. In entering his guilty plea, THOMAS agreed that he concealed his income from the Internal Revenue Service by, among other things, concealing his interest in foreign corporations and using offshore bank accounts to pay his personal expenses.
The applicable total maximum statutory penalty for these crimes is 35 years imprisonment, a $1,100,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa Kessler and Susan Menzer are representing the government in this case.
Three Individuals Indicted on Hobbs Act Robbery, Related Gun Charges, and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On September 9, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a seven count indictment against Paul Girard, 30, Shaquan Prentice, 33, and Etherneal Simon, 48, charging Girard and Prentince with two Hobbs Act robberies, conspiracy, and related gun charges, and Girard and Simon with money laundering, United States Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert announced. Girard, Prentice and Simon made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. Girard and Prentice were detained pending trial.
The seven count indictment is the result of an investigation into Hobbs Act robberies of two jewelry stores on St. Thomas: Signature Jewelers on August 19, 2015, and 3G’s Jewelry and Repair on September 14, 2015. According to the indictment, Girard, Prentice, and other co-conspirators conspired to rob the stores and brandished weapons to threaten and intimidate store employees. The robbers used duct tape to bind and gag the victims and then fled the store with cash and merchandise. According to the indictment, Simon assisted Girard to launder money obtained from these robberies.
If convicted, these individuals face up to 20 years on each of the Hobbs Act robbery and money laundering; a mandatory 7- and 25-year consecutive sentences for each brandishing of a firearm charge; and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Texarkana Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Cocaine BaseRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Aundra Deon Holmes, age 38, of Texarkana, was sentenced today to 130 months on one count of Distribution of Cocaine Base, and a consecutive 15 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release on a previous conviction for methamphetamine distribution. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
According to court records, during July 2017, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a controlled purchase for cocaine base utilizing a confidential source from Holmes. The substance purchased from Holmes was determined by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to be 26.02 grams of cocaine base.
Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2017 and entered a guilty plea in February 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Ten Individuals Indicted on Federal Conspiracy Charges for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Ten individuals were indicted in St. Louis on charges of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and gun charges.
Indicted were the following individuals:
Nathaniel Hill, a/k/a “BJ,” 37, St. Louis;
Lamar McDonald, a/k/a “Mike,” “Marty,” 36, O’Fallon, MO;
Maurice Love, a/k/a “Reece,” “Peanut,” “Fat Boy,” 37, San Diego, CA;
Candace Hill, 35, St. Louis;
Earl Murray, a/k/a “E,” 37, St. Louis;
Timothy Wright, 22, San Diego, CA;
Jeffrey Will, a/k/a “Skinny,” 37, St. Louis;
Victor Parker, a/k/a “Blu,” 23, Granite City, IL;
Doug Kelsay, 42, Granite City, IL; and
Myron Coffee, 26, Creve Coeur.
Defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2018 charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Nathaniel Hill was also indicted for distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm; and money laundering. Maurice Love was also indicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering. Candace Hill was also indicted on four counts of money laundering charges. Earl Murray was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Timothy Wright was also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering. Jeffrey Will was also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Myron Coffee was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted of the conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine charge, this carries a penalty of 10 years to life. If convicted of the distribution of methamphetamine charge, this carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. If convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge, this carries a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison. If convicted of the felon in possession of firearm charge, this carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted of the money laundering charge, this carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and with fines up to $1,000,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Police Department.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Taunton Man Charged with Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Taunton man was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with bank robbery.
Philip L. Campanirio, 52, was charged in an Information with one count of bank robbery. On Aug. 31, 2018, Campanirio was arrested and has been detained in federal custody since.
According to court documents, on April 28, 2018, while on supervised release for a previous bank robbery conviction, Campanirio robbed approximately $4,680 from a branch of the Citizens Bank in Allston.
Campanirio faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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; and Boston Police Chief William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
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.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sexually abusing a child and taking sexually explicit photographs of his victim.
Anthony Cotter, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 18, 2018, Cotter pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet. Cotter also admitted that he had a substantial amount of child pornography on his computer and cell phone.
Cotter told investigators he had been sexually abusing a minor female, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, and taking sexually explicit photographs of Jane Doe #1. Depictions of Cotter sexually abusing the child victim were recovered from his digital storage devices.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
South Carolina U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon Adds More Federal Prosecutors in Columbia, Greenville, and FlorenceRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- Quickly focusing her efforts on providing local, state, and federal law enforcement more resources in the collective effort to secure communities across the state, United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon has added four new Assistant United States Attorneys to her staff within a matter of weeks. A fifth is slated to start in mid-October. “Following Attorney General Sessions’ lead on our renewed efforts to combat violent crime, we have quickly responded to the call. With, soon to be, five new federal prosecutors in three of our four offices in a span of just weeks underscores our dedication to the safety of South Carolinians.”
Sloan P. Ellis joined the Greenville US Attorney’s office on August 20, 2018. Ellis will focus on Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Taskforce cases (OCDETF). On October 1, 2018, Tina M. Cundari joined the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) housed within the Civil Division of the US Attorney’s Office in Columbia. Justin W. Holloway and Derek A. Shoemake, both sworn in just this morning in a ceremony in federal court in Florence, officially joined the Florence office also on October 1. Holloway and Shoemake will focus their efforts on violent crime prosecutions in the greater Pee Dee and Myrtle Beach region.
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Social Circle Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing A Firearm with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
ATHENS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Mikail Anthony Walker, age 24, of Social Circle, Georgia, pled guilty on October 1, 2018 to Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number before U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Athens, Georgia.
In entering his plea, Mr. Walker admitted that officers with the Social Circle Police Department (SCPD) had conducted an investigation after complaints that drug sales were taking place at his home. Ultimately, the SCPD obtained a search warrant for Mr. Walker’s home and recovered a Taurus, 9mm Parabellum caliber semi-automatic pistol with the serial number scratched off, a loaded Taurus, .357 Magnum caliber revolver, marijuana, and digital scales.
Mr. Walker faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, or both, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The case was investigated by the Social Circle Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Leary is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Seven Charged in Telemarketing Sweepstakes Scheme that Victimized People in the United States, Including the ElderlyRead the Press Release
Seven U.S. citizens were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in a Costa Rica-based telemarketing scheme that allegedly defrauded victims in the United States, including the elderly, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina announced.
Roger Roger, 34, previously of Hialeah, Florida and currently residing in Costa Rica; Paul Andy Stiep, 26, of Miami, Florida; Manuel Mauro Chavez, 27, also of Miami; David Michael Nigh, 49, previously of Oklahoma and currently residing in Costa Rica; Mark Raymond Oman, 33, of Long Beach, Washington; Cole Anthony Parks, 33, of Pompano Beach, Florida; and Nicholas Richer, 24, of Nashua, New Hampshire, were charged in a 20-count indictment filed in the Western District of North Carolina with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and nine counts of international money laundering.
“According to the allegations in the indictment unsealed today, Roger Roger and his codefendants ran a telemarketing call center in Costa Rica that duped victims—including senior citizens—into sending money to claim bogus ‘sweepstakes prizes,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “This indictment further demonstrates that the investigation and prosecution of individuals who victimize seniors and other vulnerable populations are among the highest priorities for the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners.”
“Scamming elderly people out of their life’s savings is deplorable,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Most older Americans live on a fixed income, so when scammers come along and steal these elderly victims’ limited financial resources, our mission is to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
The indictment alleges that the defendants worked for a telemarketing sweepstakes call center located in Costa Rica, which was supervised by Roger. Telemarketers in the call center, including Roger, Parks, Nigh and other co-conspirators, allegedly called intended victims in the United States – including elderly persons – convincing them that they had won a substantial sweepstakes prize, but, to claim the prize, they needed to send funds, such as insurance or customs fees or taxes. If a victim sent money, telemarketers called back seeking more money, telling the victims that there was a clerical error, or the prize had increased due to the disqualification of the grand prize winner, requiring payment of additional insurance, fees, taxes and customs duties, the indictment alleges. Victims sent the funds either directly to Costa Rica, where they were retrieved by co-conspirators, including Oman and Parks, or, for victims reluctant to send money to Costa Rica, to co-conspirators in the United States, including Stiep, Chavez and Richer, who, for a portion of the victim proceeds, retrieved the funds and forwarded them to Costa Rica. The promised sweepstakes prize did not exist, and the defendants and their co-conspirators kept the victims’ money to fund the call center operations and for their personal benefit, the indictment alleges.
The named defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly used a variety of techniques to conceal their identities and perpetrate the fraud, including use of “phone names” (i.e., aliases) when communicating with victims and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to make it appear that they were calling from Washington, D.C. or other places in the United States. They also allegedly often misrepresented that they were government agents or representatives, including from the IRS, Treasury Department or Federal Trade Commission.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI, with assistance from the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Interpol, the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and the Department of Justice’s international partners in Costa Rica. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Bowne and Jennifer Farer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina provided substantial assistance with this matter.
Santa Rosa Doctor Indicted for Unlawfully Prescribing Fentanyl and OxycodoneRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO –A federal grand jury indicted Santa Rosa doctor Thomas Keller, charging him with distributing Schedule II and IV controlled substances outside the scope of his professional practice and without a legitimate medical need, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan. Keller was also charged with two counts of health care fraud related to billing.
According to the indictment filed September 27, 2018, and unsealed yesterday, in June of 2017, Keller, 72, of Santa Rosa, was a licensed physician when he knowingly distributed Oxycodone to a person knowing that the distribution was outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Further, in March of 2018, Keller allegedly distributed Tramadol to another person, again knowing the distribution was outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Then, in July of 2018, the indictment alleges, Keller distributed fentanyl to a different person knowing the distribution was outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. In addition, Keller is accused of submitting two fraudulent health care claims for payment as follows: one to Anthem Blue Cross of California in March of 2018, and the other to Medi-Cal in July of 2015.
In sum, Keller is charged with three counts of distributing drugs outside the scope of professional practice, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), and two counts of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347.
This prosecution is the result of investigations by the DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and Keller, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Keller faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000, for the distribution of fentanyl and Oxycodone. If convicted, Keller faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and $250,000 for the distribution of Tramadol. In addition, if convicted, Keller faces 10 years in prison and $250,000 (or twice the gain or loss) for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. Additional fines, restitution, and additional periods of supervised release also could be ordered at sentencing. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Keller made an initial appearance before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero yesterday. Keller is scheduled to appear next before the Honorable Judge Vince Chhabria on Tuesday October 16, 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shailika Kotiya is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Rawaty Yim. This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
San Francisco Resident Indicted for Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Timothy Wayne Phillips today for allegedly committing three bank robberies and attempting a fourth robbery in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced United States Attorney Alex. G. Tse and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.
According to the indictment, between August 29, 2018, and September 7, 2018, Phillips, 51, of San Francisco, used force, violence, and intimidation, to commit three bank robberies. The robberies occurred on the following dates and locations:
- August 29, 2018 – U.S. Bank in San Bruno, Calif.
- September 6, 2018 – Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco, Calif.
- September 7, 2018 – Wells Fargo Bank in Berkeley, Calif.
Phillips allegedly stole a total of $7,335.90 from the banks. In addition, Phillips allegedly attempted to rob City National Bank in Walnut Creek on September 7, 2018. In sum, Phillips was charged with three counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery. Each count is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a).
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for each charge. Additional fines, forfeitures, restitution, and special assessments also may be imposed. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The defendant currently is in federal custody and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Westmore on October 4, 2018 for arraignment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Springsteen is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of investigations by the FBI with significant assistance from the police departments of Daly City, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, and San Bruno.
Sacramento Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Vincene R. Jones, 69, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Jones’s mother received Social Security retirement benefits beginning in 1988. Jones and her mother held a joint bank account where the Social Security Administration deposited the mother’s monthly benefits. The mother was entitled to these benefits until her death on August 16, 1999. Jones did not report her mother’s death to SSA, and SSA continued to deposit the mother’s benefit funds to the joint account from September 1999 to January 2014. Over this 14-year period, SSA paid approximately $114,796 to the joint account. During this period, Jones maintained control of the account and stole the Social Security benefits for her own use. Jones did this knowing she was not entitled to the benefits and that doing so would prevent SSA from using or benefitting from the money.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2019, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will 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.
Poplar Bluff and Illinois Men Sentenced for Burglarizing Poplar Bluff Firearms Dealer and Clayton, Missouri Carjacking Crime by Use of a FirearmRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney's Office announced that Demarlon Richardson, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Germonde Brunner, Arlandus Howard, Norlando Jackson and Antywan Seawood, of East St. Louis, Illinois, were sentenced for the burglary of a federally licensed firearms dealer known as Instapawn, which is located near Poplar Bluff, Missouri and for a carjacking crime that occurred in Clayton, Missouri.
The burglary of Instapawn occurred on February 28, 2017, when the five men stole over 60 firearms. Howard was found guilty by a jury and the other four men entered guilty pleas. During Howard’s trial, the evidence disclosed that the five men committed the Instapawn burglary by breaking a window and entering the store. Around twelve of the firearms were recovered. The remainder of the firearms are still missing.
Brunner, Howard, Jackson and Seawood were also found guilty of committing Carjacking and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence for a carjacking crime that occurred in Clayton, Missouri, on February 27, 2017. The men used the stolen car during the commission of the firearms theft. During Howard’s trial, the evidence disclosed that Brunner, Howard, Jackson and Seawood approached a young woman sitting in her car in Clayton, Missouri, late one night. The men had just finished breaking into several parked cars in the neighborhood and needed a vehicle to get back to their home in Illinois. Jackson and Seawood pointed pistols at the woman and threatened to harm her if she did not open her car door. When she did, Jackson reached in, grabbed the victim by her arm and threw the victim to the street. Brunner and Howard acted as lookouts during the carjacking.
Demarlon Richardson was sentenced on May 1, 2018 to 12 months imprisonment for Possession of Stolen Firearms. Germonde Brunner was sentenced on May 15, 2018 to 48 months imprisonment for Possession of Stolen Firearms, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Norlando Jackson was sentenced on May 29, 2018 to 300 months imprisonment for Possession of Stolen Firearms, two counts of Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Antywan Seawood was sentenced on September 18, 2018 to 240 months imprisonment for Possession of Stolen Firearms, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Arlandus Howard was sentenced on October 2, 2018 to 240 months imprisonment for Possession of Stolen Firearms, Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. All five men were sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. All five men were ordered to make restitution for the firearms theft in the amount of $57,169.10.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Butler County Sheriff’s Office; the Poplar Bluff Police Department; the Clayton, Missouri Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Sorrell handled the prosecution for the Government.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Repeat Firearm and Drug Trafficking ConvictionsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months in jail, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his convictions on federal firearms and narcotics charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Mark Hornak imposed the sentence on Eric Clancy, age 30. Clancy was detained after his initial appearance and will remain detained as he begins to serve his sentence.
According to information presented to the court, on May 13, 2015, Mount Oliver Police stopped Eric Clancy in a Gold Chevy Impala for traffic violations. A search of the car revealed approximately 21 bricks of heroin and one bundle with different stampings. The Allegheny County Forensic Lab confirmed that the bricks were composed of heroin. The Forensic Lab confirmed that the bundle was a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Clancy was also in possession of a large amount of United States currency.
On August 25, 2016, Allegheny County Probation Officers went to Clancy’s registered address, in Pittsburgh, to arrest Clancy on an outstanding warrant for violating conditions of his home detention. When officers arrived they encountered Clancy outside of the house and took him into custody. Officers then went inside the house to retrieve the monitoring software for Clancy’s electronic monitoring while on pretrial release. Officers then observed and recovered a handgun near the couch and a Crown Royal bag full of bricks of heroin. The Forensic Lab confirmed that the substances seized were heroin.
Clancy has a prior federal firearms conviction and is prohibited from possessing a weapon. He also has prior state convictions for possessing a weapon and crack cocaine.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Mount Oliver Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Peter John Zayas Sentenced to 15 Years for Conviction on Child Abuse Resulting in Great Bodily Harm Charge that Resulted in the Death of his Two-Month InfantRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Senior U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack sentenced Peter John Zayas, 33, this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 15 years of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on a child abuse resulting in great bodily harm charge. Peter Zayas’ conviction arose out of conduct occurring between Aug. 2007 and Oct. 2007, resulting in the death of his two-month-old daughter. Judge Brack sentenced Peter Zayas based on a guilty plea entered on Feb. 19, 2014. Judge Brack sentenced Sophia Zayas, Peter Zayas’ wife, on Sept. 27, 2018, to 15 years of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for her conviction for child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and death.
U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas J. Dorval of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 814, announced Peter Zayas’ sentence.
The FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations arrested Peter Zayas and his wife Sophia Monique Zayas, 36, in April 2012 on charges that between Oct. 21, 2007 and Oct. 22, 2007, the couple caused the death of their two-month-old infant daughter. In Nov. 2012, a 16-count superseding indictment was filed charging the couple with second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, and other child abuse-related offenses. At the time of the offenses alleged in the superseding indictment, Peter Zayas was a sergeant with the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base.
Peter Zayas pleaded guilty to negligent child abuse on Feb. 19, 2014. In his plea agreement, Peter Zayas admitted that from Aug. 16, 2007 through Oct. 22, 2007, he permitted his infant to be in a situation that endangered her life knowing that there was a foreseeable risk that she would be physically harmed or killed by leaving her in Sophia Zayas’ care knowing that Sophia Zayas had a history of alcohol abuse. Peter Zayas acknowledged that the infant died on Oct. 22, 2007, as a result of his negligence because it was foreseeable to him that leaving the infant in Sophia Zayas’ care could lead to harm given her alcohol consumption and binge drinking during the Oct. 14, 2007 through Oct. 22, 2007.
On Feb. 24, 2014, Sophia Zayas pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and admitted that from Aug. 16, 2007 through Oct. 22, 2007, she placed her daughter in a situation, which endangered the infant’s life. In her plea agreement, Sophia Zayas admitted that the infant suffered posterior transverse skull fractures, rib fractures, and radius and ulna fractures as a result of her conduct. The infant died of her injuries on Oct. 22, 2007.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and John A. Balla of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
North Suburban Psychologist Indicted for Allegedly Billing Medicare and Private Insurers for Services Not RenderedRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A north suburban psychologist has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly submitting false claims to Medicare and private insurers.
PAMELA ANTELL, also known as Pamela Gruenhut, operated a psychology practice in Glenview. From 2011 to January 2018, Antell submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare and private insurers for mental health services that were not rendered, the indictment states. In some instances, Antell was out of the state on the dates she claimed to have provided the services, the charges allege. Antell also used some of her patients’ names and dates of birth without their knowledge to create fictitious claim forms for the purported services, the charges allege.
The indictment charges Antell with five counts of health care fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
Antell, 66, of Deerfield, was arrested this morning. She pleaded not guilty at an afternoon arraignment and was ordered released on a personal recognizance bond. A status hearing is set for Oct. 24, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each count of health care fraud is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Conviction of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory prison sentence of two years, which must be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Greening.
North Shore Pastor Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining over $200,000 in Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that OTHO SCHILLING (“SCHILLING”), age 59, of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.
According to court records, SCHILLING, while the pastor of a church in Bush, LA between 2005-2016, required the church to pay his personal expenses, such as his health and car insurance premiums, car payments, and personal land note in lieu of the church paying him a salary directly. During this period, SCHILLING was receiving Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (“RSDI”) from the Social Security Administration in the amount of $1,728 a month. SCHILLING concealed both his earnings and employment from the Social Security Administration. Accordingly, SCHILLING fraudulently received over $200,000 in RSDI benefits he was not entitled to due to his employment with the church.
U. S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey will sentence SCHILLING on January 8, 2019. SCHILLING faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.
New York City Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Heroin and Crack Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that United States District Judge Christina Reiss today sentenced Michael Brockenbaugh, 37, of the Bronx, New York, to a 14-year term of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, following Brockenbaugh's guilty plea to conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. The 14-year term of imprisonment was part of a negotiated plea agreement, which Judge Reiss approved.
Court filings indicate that Brockenbaugh, whose nickname in Vermont was “J.D.,” was the leader of the conspiracy that distributed crack cocaine and heroin on Mallets Bay Avenue in Winooski from 2013 to 2015. The conspiracy utilized group text messaging to customer lists that featured, “Hump Day Specials,” “TGIF Specials,” and “Happy Hour Specials,” during which customers could get a free hit of, or a discounted price for, the drugs being sold by the conspiracy. Brockenbaugh, the boss of the conspiracy, set the price to be charged and directed others to manage distribution from various residences on Mallets Bay Avenue in Winooski.
Twenty persons have been convicted in Vermont Federal Court for crimes relating to their role in this conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Vermont and Connecticut, the Vermont State Police, the police departments of Winooski, Burlington, South Burlington, St. Albans, Williston, and Milton, Vermont, as well as the United States Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement at all levels, which led to the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking organization that sold large quantities of deadly narcotics in Chittenden County. She noted that the U.S. Attorney’s Office would continue to prioritize combatting the drug trade in partnership with federal, state, local, and county investigators.
Brockenbaugh was represented by Michael Shklar, Esq. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Drescher and Kunal Pasricha.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HERSON GONZALEZ, also known as “Titi,” 39, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven drug trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization led by Herson Gonzalez’s brothers, Bienvenido and Antonio Gonzalez. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that Bienvenido and Antonio Gonzalez purchased bulk quantities of heroin from individuals in New York and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors, including Herson Gonzalez, in New Haven and elsewhere.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against 24 individuals.
Herson Gonzalez was arrested on March 16, 2017. On January 16, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
Bienvenido Gonzalez and Antonio Gonzalez pleaded guilty to related charges. On March 28, Bienvenido Gonzalez was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment. Antonio Gonzalez awaits sentencing.
Herson Gonzalez’s criminal history includes 13 criminal convictions. After pleading guilty in this federal case and while released on bond pending sentencing, he was arrested on state charges in Bristol. He subsequently pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and assault in the third degree.
The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso.
Navajo Man from McKinley County Pleads Guilty to Federal Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Wesley Lawless, 41, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Tohatchi, N.M., pled guilty yesterday in federal court to sexual abuse charges. Lawless’ plea agreement recommends that he be sentenced to a term of imprisonment within the range of 17 to 20 years followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Lawless will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Lawless and his co-defendants, John B. Henry, 50, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, and Robert Henry Jr., 52, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Mexican Springs, N.M., were charged in a 12-count indictment filed on June 15, 2016. The co-defendants were charged with two counts of kidnapping, two counts of conspiracy to commit a kidnapping, seven counts of aggravated sexual abuse, and one count of child abuse. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the offenses on June 18 and 19, 2011, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Lawless pled guilty to a two-count felony information charging him with aggravated sexual abuse and attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
According to Lawless’ plea agreement, on June 18, 2011, Lawless, two other men, and two female victims was driving around the Navajo Indian Reservation while drinking alcohol. At some point that evening, the female victims wanted to return to town but Lawless did not allow it. During a vehicle stop, Lawless sexually abused one victim and during another stop, he attempted unsuccessfully to sexually abuse the other victim.Lawless remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Co-defendants John B. Henry and Robert Henry have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges against them. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni is prosecuting the 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.
Myrtle Beach Felon who Threatened Police on Facebook Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Anthony Scott Hunt, age 38, of Myrtle Beach, SC, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Hunt to 60 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release to follow.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on February 19, 2018, a complainant met with an officer at the Horry County Police Department (HCPD) regarding some disturbing Facebook posts by Anthony Scott Hunt, which were directed toward Horry County Police and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). In the Facebook posts, Hunt referenced DEU in Horry County and stated he was “taking these…cops to war” and that he had automatic weapons, ammunition, and body armor. He also stated he is “stalking my guns up” and that he had a “Beretta 45,” along with other specific guns, so he is “Ready for War.” HCPD located, on the Facebook account, a picture of Hunt wearing what appeared to be a “Raiders” jersey and hat, bandana mask, and beaded bracelets while holding what appeared to be a Beretta pistol.
Horry County detectives obtained a search warrant for the property where Hunt lived and located, in Hunt’s living quarters, a Beretta .45 caliber handgun, loaded with rounds of ammunition, along with the jersey, hat, bandana, and bracelets Hunt was depicted wearing in his Facebook picture. Prior to his possession of the firearm, Hunt had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Myrtle Beach Violent Crimes Task Force, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Bomb Team and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.
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Monongalia County woman sentenced for firearms conspiracyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Margaret Parker, of Dellslow, West Virginia, was sentenced to three years probation* for her involvement in an illegal firearms operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Parker, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Violate Federal Firearms Laws” in June 2018. She admitted to being involved in a conspiracy that included making false statements to purchase firearms, trading firearms for controlled substances, and transporting and selling the firearms in New York. The crime occurred in Morgantown, Monongalia County and elsewhere from May 2017 to June 2017.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
*Defendant was re-sentenced on March 5, 2019 and press release was updated.
Mississippi Entities Receive Federal Grant Funding to Combat Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – On the first day of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it is awarding almost $320 million to combat the opioid crisis in America. This unprecedented funding will directly help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history, including crime victims, children, families, and first responders.
In Mississippi, two grant recipients were named:
• The Mississippi State Department of Health was awarded $1 million as part of the "Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program" to help jurisdictions plan and implement programs aimed at reducing opioid abuse and mitigating its impact on crime victims, including training and technical assistance.
• The Rankin County Board of Supervisors was awarded $352,611 under the "Drug Treatments Courts Program - Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines" to provide service support delivery and programming enhancements aligned with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines.
"President Trump has made ending the opioid crisis a priority for this administration, and under his leadership, the Department of Justice has taken historic action," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "Today we are announcing our next steps: investing $320 million into all three parts of the President’s comprehensive plan to end the epidemic: prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We are attacking this crisis from every angle—and we will not let up until we bring it to an end."
"This incredible deployment of resources to fight the largest and deadliest drug epidemic of our time is a testament to this Administration’s mission to keep Americans safe. I commend the Mississippi Department of Health and Rankin County for seeking these federal funds in order to tackle this lethal scourge that affects us all. This money will go towards helping Mississippians break their addiction to opioids and assist our youth by giving them the treatment and services they need and deserve," said Mike Hurst, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
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. October marks two important anti-drug events: Red Ribbon Week and National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. Red Ribbon Week takes place every year between October 23-31 and encourages students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 aims to provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent overdose deaths and drug addictions before they start. DOJ 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 Attorney General has been resolute in the fight against the drug crisis in America. The Department assigned more than 300 federal prosecutors to U.S. Attorneys’ offices and hired more than 400 DEA task force officers, announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, a new program to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas, and created a new data analytics program called the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit to assist 12 prosecutors sent to drug "hot spot districts." In addition, the Department charged more than 3,000 defendants with trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or prescription drugs in FY 2017, announced the first-ever indictments of Chinese nationals for fentanyl trafficking, and scheduled variants of fentanyl to prevent illicit drug labs from circumventing the law. In addition, DOJ executed the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action charging more than 600 defendants and proposed rules consistent with President Trump's "Safe Prescribing Plan," requiring a reduction of ten percent in 2019 in manufacturing quotas. The Department dismantled AlphaBay, the largest criminal marketplace on the Internet and has already generated prosecutions in the fight against online drug trafficking through the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement Team (J-CODE).
OJP provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov
Mexican and Honduran Men Sentenced for their Roles in Smuggling and Transporting Fourteen Illegal Aliens in Derby, VermontRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that two persons have been sentenced for their respective roles in the smuggling and transporting of fourteen illegal aliens who traveled on foot from Quebec to Derby, Vermont in October 2017. The two defendants are Alberto Alvarado-Castro, 30, a Mexican citizen, and Hector Perez-Alvarado, 26, a Honduras citizen. Pursuant to plea agreements reached between the Government and the defendants, United States District Court Chief Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Alvarado-Castro to three years imprisonment and Perez-Alvarado to time-served, which amounted to about one-year imprisonment.
Alberto Alvarado-Castro previously pled guilty to smuggling aliens for financial gain, which carries a three-year mandatory minimum sentence and a ten-year maximum sentence. Hector Perez-Alvarado pled guilty to transporting aliens for financial gain, which carries a ten-year maximum sentence.
According to the complaint affidavit and the statements made at the recent hearings, late in the evening of October 7, 2017, Alberto Alvarado-Castro guided the fourteen aliens through the woods on the border to a van parked in Derby, which was driven by Hector Perez-Alvarado. In multiple trips, Perez-Alvardo drove the aliens to a motel in Derby, where, on the last trip, they were all apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. Eleven of the smuggled illegal aliens were Guatemala citizens and three were Mexican citizens.
According to the Government’s sentencing memorandum, both defendants were lower-level couriers in the smuggling operation, but Alvarado-Castro was the leader between the two. In addition, Alvarado-Castro had a significant criminal record, including multiple illegal entries into the United States and burglary convictions. The Government’s sentencing memorandum stated that Alvarado-Castro’s “typical pattern was to illegally enter the United States, commit felony property crimes shortly after re-entry, get convicted of the felonies, be removed from the United States, and then repeat the cycle.” The Government stated that the higher sentence for Alvarado-Castro was justified in light of his significant criminal record and his leadership role in the offense.
This matter was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. “This case is an excellent example of the dedication and hard work put forth by Border Patrol agents to keep our country and communities safe,” said U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia. “Our agents did an outstanding job thwarting this smuggling attempt.”
U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan commended the Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations for interdicting this significant smuggling event, one of the largest in recent memory. She added: “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners in the U.S. and Canada to uphold the integrity our northern border and dismantle criminal organizations that operate on both sides of the boundary.”
The Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting this matter is Joe Perella. Elizabeth Quinn, Esq., of the Federal Public Defender’s Office represents Perez-Alvarado. David Watts, Esq., of Burlington represents Alvarado-Castro. Robert Sussman, Esq., of Burlington represents Perez-Ramirez.
Mexican National with Nine Prior Deportations Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Mexican national with nine prior deportations was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported. The defendant has pending state charges for domestic assault and battery, and prior convictions for drunk driving and drug possession. After being charged with illegal reentry in April 2018, he was released from federal custody in June 2018, during which time he violated conditions of release by testing positive for drugs.
Bulmaro Enriquez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to eight months in prison and two years of supervised release. The government sought a sentence of 16 months in prison. Enriquez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In July 2018, Enriquez pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
Enriquez was arrested in Framingham on Nov. 23, 2017, and charged with domestic assault and battery and released by the state. That case is still pending. On April 30, 2018, immigration officers located Enriquez in Framingham and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Enriquez was charged with illegal reentry in federal court and was ordered detained. However, on June 7, 2018, he was released from federal custody after agreeing to post the equity in his girlfriend’s home. Enriquez subsequently violated conditions of federal pretrial release by testing positive for cocaine and buprenorphine. On July 25, 2018, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley revoked Enriquez’s prior order of release and ordered him detained pending sentencing.
In 2015, Enriquez was arrested in Framingham following the execution of a state search warrant, which resulted in the seizure of one and a half pounds of marijuana, electric scales, and other drug distribution paraphernalia. In October 2015, Enriquez was convicted in state court and sentenced to prison. Upon completion of his sentence, Enriquez was charged in federal court with illegal reentry. Enriquez pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and subsequently transferred into immigration custody. On Feb. 4, 2016, he was ordered removed to Mexico. At some point after his removal, Enriquez returned to the United States.
According to court records, Enriquez, who has a lengthy criminal record with convictions for drunk driving and drug possession, has been deported a total of nine times; Oct. 12, 2004; Nov. 22, 2004; Jan. 10, 2005; Nov. 7, 2005; March 6, 2006; April 18, 2006; Nov. 27, 2007; April 1, 2008; and Feb. 2016.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd M. Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Memphis Man Sentenced to 188 Months Imprisonment for Possession of over 100 Grams of Heroin with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession of over 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on April 10, 2017, Shelby County Sheriff Narcotics Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence at 832 Annie to look for heroin, drug paraphernalia, drug proceeds and documents belonging to Robert Spencer, 44. Officers also witnessed hand-to-hand transactions with Spencer outside the home.
Later the same day, officers observed Spencer depart 832 Annie in a gold Volvo and drive to 3662 Vivia. Upon arrival back to the location at 832 Annie, officers converged on Spencer’s vehicle and detained him. Approaching the vehicle, officers saw a clear plastic bag containing 7 smaller bags of heroin totaling 14.4 grams and 1 gram of marijuana. The drugs were located in the pocket of the driver’s side door.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "We are on a mission to reduce overdose injuries and deaths caused by heroin in West Tennessee, and we will aggressively prosecute any cases that involve suppliers of deadly narcotics in our communities. If you are a drug dealer selling poison to our children, your days are numbered."
The officers obtained a search warrant at 3662 Vivia, the residence of Christie Spencer; Robert Spencer’s sister. Law enforcement recovered 271.8 grams heroin; 101.7 grams in the attic and 170.1 grams in a large box. When officers executed the search warrant, Christie who was at the address, fled the home upon seeing officers, despite being ordered to stop. That night, officers set up surveillance at several residences where they thought she might be and saw her arrive at approximately 5:45 p.m.
Officers advised her of the heroin found at her house and obtained a signed consent to search the residence. The narcotics detective K-9 alerted to the odor of drugs in the home, inside a black umbrella sleeve, which contained $7,600.
On August 30, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Spencer to 188 months imprisonment and 4 years supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Maryland Men Plead Guilty to Charges Relating to Dark Web Drug Distribution and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland –Ryan Farace, age 34, of Reisterstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to drug distribution and money laundering conspiracies. The charges arose from a scheme to manufacture and distribute alprazolam tablets, which are typically sold under the brand name “Xanax,” through sales on the dark web in exchange for Bitcoin. Farace and his co-conspirator, Robert Swain, laundered the drug proceeds through financial transactions designed to conceal the source and ownership of the illegal funds. Robert Swain, age 34, of Freeland, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the money laundering conspiracy.
The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Criminal Investigation; Maryland U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department.
“Federal law enforcement and our international partners are working together to find and prosecute those who use the dark web to sell drugs and launder the proceeds of their drug dealing,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “This case is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through that cooperation.”
“The dark web is the new frontier for drug dealing,” stated Don Hibbert, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Drug Enforcement Administration Baltimore District Office. “DEA will find and arrest drug traffickers wherever they are, whether it be in the coca fields of Colombia, the alleys of Baltimore, or in the dark corners of the internet.”
According to their plea agreements, from November 2013 through June 2017, Farace purchased narcotics manufacturing equipment, including pill presses and counterfeit “Xanax” pill molds, which he used to press loose alprazolam powder into tablet or pill form, to resemble genuine Xanax pills. Farace solicited orders for the alprazolam pills on dark web marketplaces and sold alprazolam pills directly to buyers in exchange for Bitcoin.
The dark web is the part of the World Wide Web that requires specific software, configurations or authorization to access, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous. Dark web marketplaces typically use Bitcoin or other digital currency as the means of payment for their transactions.
Bitcoin is a form of digital currency that does not exist in any physical form. It is not issued or controlled by any government, bank, or company, but is generated and controlled automatically through computer software operating on a decentralized peer-to-peer network. Bitcoin can be exchanged for conventional currency, with the exchange rate determined on the open market.
Farace admitted that he communicated with his customers through encrypted electronic messages and shipped the completed pill orders through the U.S. mail. Farace admitted that the postage for these packages was usually paid using pre-paid debit cards that Farace obtained in the names of, and with the personal identifying information of, other people. Law enforcement also recovered fake driver’s licenses in the names of those individuals but with Farace’s photograph when they executed a federal search warrant at Farace’s home on January 16, 2018. Based on data recovered from dark web marketplaces seized by law enforcement, between December 2013 and March 2017, Farace distributed more than 920,000 alprazolam pills.
From at least July 2015 until February 2017, Farace and Swain conspired with others to launder the proceeds of the illegal drug sales by conducting financial transactions designed to conceal and disguise the nature, source, ownership and control of the illegal drug proceeds. Specifically, Farace used pseudonyms to contact a co-conspirator through dark web marketplaces and encrypted messages in order to exchange Bitcoin he received from his drug trafficking for cash. The co-conspirator would then mail or ship packages of U.S. currency equivalent to the value of the Bitcoin received, less a fee, to mailing addresses provided by Farace. To conceal the fact that he was receiving cash, Farace, and later Swain, opened post office boxes at U.S. Post Offices and private rental mailboxes in fake names. Swain knew that Farace was receiving cash and drugs at these mailboxes and that the cash was the proceeds of Farace’s drug trafficking. During the course of the conspiracy, Farace received cash totaling more than $5 million, through the mails, which he had exchanged for Bitcoin earned from drug trafficking. In addition, Farace and Swain drove to New Jersey so that Swain could collect $200,000 in cash that Farace had exchanged for Bitcoin. During the in-person meeting on February 16, 2017, Swain provided a fictitious name to the individual he met and falsely stated that the Bitcoin and cash were his own. Farace and Swain later tried unsuccessfully to exchange Bitcoin for $400,000 in cash with the same individual.
As part of his plea agreement, Farace must forfeit assets traceable to the conspiracies, which Farace agrees is at least $5,665,000, as well as 4,000 Bitcoin. Farace must also forfeit his residence, cash, digital currency, bank accounts, vehicles, electronics, jewelry, and other items seized by law enforcement during the execution of search warrants on January 16, 2018, at locations associated with the conspiracies. Swain must also forfeit at least $30,000, including digital currency and cash held in his name
Farace faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute alprazolam. Farace and Swain face a maximum of 20 years in prison for money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing hearing for Farace and Swain on November 30, 2018, and January 25, 2019, respectively.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dana J. Brusca and Zachary B. Stendig, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Marshall County residents indicted on drug distribution chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Charles J. Chambers and Samantha J. Simmons, both of Moundsville, West Virginia, were indicted today by a federal grand jury on drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Chambers, age 44, is charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.”
Simmons, age 27, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine” and two counts of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.”
Chambers and Simmons are accused of distributing methamphetamine in Marshall County from June to August 2018.
Chambers and Simmons face up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Marshall County man indicted on drug distribution chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Mark Simms, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Simms, age 63, is charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone,” one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone,” and three counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Oxycodone.” Simms is accused of distributing oxycodone in Marshall County from July 2017 to December 2017.
Simms faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
MS-13 Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for RICO Conspiracy Involving MurderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of MS-13 was sentenced today to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy and murder.
Hector Enamorado, a/k/a “Vida Loca,” 39, a Honduran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to life in prison. In April 2018, Enamorado was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and of committing or knowingly participating in murder as part of the racketeering conspiracy.
Co-defendants Noe Salvador Perez Vasquez, a/k/a “Crazy,” 27, a Salvadoran national, and Luis Solis Vasquez, a/k/a “Brujo,” 27, a Salvadoran national, were also convicted of RICO conspiracy and of committing or knowingly participating in murder. Perez was sentenced in July 2018 to life in prison and Solis is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17, 2018.
At trial, Enamorado was identified as a homeboy with the Chelsea Locos Salvatrucha (CLS) clique. In furtherance of its mission, MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, specifically against rival gang members; kill informants; and support and defend fellow MS-13 members in attacks. MS-13 rewards members who commit acts of violence with promotions within the gang and punishes members who break gang rules.
On Dec. 14, 2014, Enamorado, Perez Vasquez and Solis Vasquez, murdered a 29-year-old male victim at an apartment in Chelsea. Enamorado and the victim had engaged in a gang-related fight the night before the murder, and when Enamorado encountered the victim again the following night, Enamorado called Perez Vasquez to ask him for a gun. Perez Vasquez delivered the murder weapon, a .380 caliber pistol, to Enamorado in Chelsea. Solis Vasquez armed himself with a gun and went with Enamorado into the apartment to provide backup and support for the attack. Enamorado used Perez Vasquez’s gun to fatally shoot the victim three times. Enamorado also shot and wounded a second victim who was inside the apartment at the time of the murder.
Enamorado was one of 49 defendants convicted as part of this case. All nine defendants who went to trial were convicted and 40 others pleaded guilty. In all, 16 defendants, including Enamorado, were found to have committed or knowingly participated in murders.
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.
Limestone Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead 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 Kevin James Fox, 62, of Limestone, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2016, the defendant persuaded an adult female, identified as T.M., to find a minor male and engage in sexual activity with him for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. T.M. met a 16-year-old male (Victim 1) through Craigslist and began communicating with Victim 1 via text messaging that was sexual in nature. On June 1, 2016, T.M. picked up Victim 1 and drove to her residence, where she engaged in sexual activity with Victim 1. T.M. used her cellular telephone to take approximately five photographs. T.M. then drove Victim 1 home and texted the images to a telephone number controlled by Fox.
The defendant also persuaded T.M. to engage in sexual activity with a 17-year-old minor male (Victim 2) who was known to T.M. Between May 26, 2016, and June 21, 2016, T.M. engaged in sexual activity with Victim 2, at Fox’s request. T.M. also took photographs once again and sent the images to the defendant.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Gary Loeffert, Special Agent-in-Charge along with the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Timothy Whitcomb.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 12, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Vilardo.
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Levant Woman Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Firearms Dealer and Federal AgentRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Amy Bingaman, 34, of Levant, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee and making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court records, in late February 2018, the defendant conspired with two others to lie to a Brewer federal firearms licensee in connection with the purchase of a .380 caliber handgun. In connection with that purchase, the defendant falsely represented that she was buying the handgun for herself, when, in fact, the actual buyer was another conspirator who was paying her to make the purchase. The handgun was recovered during the execution of a narcotics trafficking search warrant in Brewer.
When the defendant was interviewed by federal agents about purchasing firearms for others, she falsely stated that she had not purchased other firearms for anyone else, when, in fact, she had done so several times previously.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release on each count. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. 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.
Levant Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Zachary Morneault, 34, of Levant, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee.
According to court records, in late February 2018, the defendant conspired with two others to lie to a Brewer federal firearms licensee in connection with the purchase of a .380 caliber handgun. In connection with that purchase, the defendant convinced Amy Bingaman to falsely represent that she was buying the handgun for herself, when, in fact, the actual buyer was another conspirator who was paying to make the purchase. The defendant drove Bingaman and the other conspirator to the firearms dealer and then directed Bingaman to purchase the handgun. The handgun was recovered during the execution of a narcotics trafficking search warrant in Brewer.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. 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.