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19 September 2018
Cleveland men indicted for committing armed carjackings around Ohio City, Tremont and Shaker Square and using one of the vehicles to steal firearms from a gun store in StreetsboroRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland men were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy with included committing armed carjackings around Ohio City, Tremont and Shaker Square and using one of the vehicles to steal firearms from a gun store in Streetsboro.
Zyshonne Austin and Ja’Quez Lyons, both 18, were indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft from a federal firearms licensee, one count of carjacking and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Austin faces an additional count of possession of a stolen firearm while Lyons faces additional counts of carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
A third man, James Luke, 18, of Cleveland, was indicted for his role in the Streetsboro gun store robbery.
Austin and Lyons beginning in April used firearms in armed carjackings. A man was getting out of his red Volkswagen Passat on Larchmere Avenue on April 14 when another man approached with a gun and demanded his car, while another man acted as a lookout, according to court documents.
The next day, on April 15, Austin, Lyons and Luke stole 10 firearms from Top Shot Firearms in Streetsboro. The suspects used an object to smash through glass display cases and steal the guns. Blood was found at the scene, according to court documents.
On April 16, Cleveland police officers responded to a call of shots fired near East 123rd Street and recovered the Volkswagen Passat. Inside the car they found price tags from the stolen firearms, some of which had blood on them, a rag with suspected blood on it, a hammer and a receipt from the McDonald’s at 3050 Carnegie Avenue from April 15, among other items.
On April 21, one of the stolen firearms was recovered from Austin after he was arrested following an attempted armed robbery and carjacking in the Ohio City neighborhood. Austin was arrested after he and another suspect fled after crashing the stolen Toyota IA near Kinsman Avenue. Austin had cuts on his hands, according to court documents.
Lyons on May 7 used a firearm to steal a 2016 Lincoln MKC. Following his arrest, a search of Lyons’ phone revealed Austin was one of 13 people listed as contacts and that Lyons had done numerous searches for gun stores, including Top Shot Firearms in Streetsboro, according to court documents.
The phone also included numerous text exchanges between Austin and Lyons discussing robbing the Streetsboro gun store, according to court documents.
DNA tests showed Austin’s blood matched the blood on the price tags of the stolen guns and blood on the hammer recovered in the stolen car. A search of Austin’s phone revealed numerous computer searches around the time of the robbery, including “Top Shot Firearms” and “gun store breakin (sic) Streetsboro,” according to court documents.
Austin also sent images of himself and others with the stolen firearms and in front of the stolen Volkswagen Passat, according to court documents.
This investigation is ongoing.
“These defendants pointed loaded guns at everyday people in our community and stole their cars, then used at least one of those stolen cars to drive to Portage County and hold up a gun store,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Our community is safer with these predators behind bars. This case is also another demonstration of working with local police and prosecutors to target the worst of the worst.”
“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Firearms theft involves violent acts where criminals distribute stolen firearms throughout our communities, which causes a growing wave of violence. ATF is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to pursue those who steal firearms from licensed firearms dealers.”
“Taking violent, armed and dangerous offenders off of our streets is a service to our communities,” said Chief Calvin D. Williams of the Cleveland Division of Police. “I am always thankful for the strong law enforcement partnerships we have here in Northeast Ohio.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “These three stole numerous weapons and used those illegally obtained guns to violently terrorize people leaving work and visiting friends in our community. They had no regard for the safety and hard earned belongings of others and now must face the federal justice system and its consequences."
“This case highlights the partnership between law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, as we have a duty to work together to ensure the safety of the community,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cleveland Division of Police, the FBI, the Streetsboro Police Department, the Twinsburg Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant. U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cedar Rapids Drug User Convicted of Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids woman who was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and possessed a gun pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Melissa Kurth, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of being an unlawful user of methamphetamine in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Kurth admitted that she possessed a gun on January 26, 2018, when she was stopped by officers from the Cedar Rapids Police Department. During the stop officers recovered a gun, two digital scales, and two syringes. Kurth also admitted she was an unlawful user of methamphetamine for an extended period of time.
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.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Kurth remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Kurth faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 18-CR-00056.
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Brooklyn Man Charged with Additional Count for Improvised Explosive Device Found in His ResidenceRead the Press Release
Earlier today, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Victor Kingsley, a Brooklyn resident, adding a charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction based on a fully assembled explosive device that police found in his apartment when he was arrested in February 2018. The new indictment includes the original charges for the use of a weapon of mass destruction that resulted in the death of a Queens resident on July 28, 2017, and for the unlawful transportation of explosive materials. Kingsley will be arraigned at a later date in federal court in Brooklyn.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division; William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the charges.
As alleged in court filings, Kingsley built the explosive device used in the July 28, 2017 murder as part of his broader effort to retaliate violently against several police officers who were part of an NYPD unit that had arrested him in January 2014. Despite the 2014 arrest eventually resulting in the dismissal of charges, Kingsley sought revenge against the officers. Ultimately, he arranged for the explosive device to be placed outside of the Queens residence where Kingsley mistakenly believed one of his target officers resided. The building owner inadvertently detonated the device when he tried to open it, and he died as a result of his injuries. Thereafter, Kingsley continued to acquire explosive device parts.
Kingsley was arrested at his Brooklyn residence on February 28, 2018. During the search of his residence, agents seized another fully assembled destructive device contained in a mailing tube identical to the one used for the July 2017 device, as well as large quantities of incendiary powder. This additional destructive device is the basis for the new charge in the superseding indictment.
If convicted on all counts, Kingsley faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or death. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security & Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Lee and Michael Keilty are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
Victor C. Kingsley
Age: 37
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-128 (S-1) (SJ)
Brooklyn High School Teacher Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jonathan Deutsch, a teacher at Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, with five counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The charges relate to sexually explicit images and videos of children that the defendant allegedly requested and received from minors who he targeted on Facebook. Deutsch was arrested today, and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“As alleged, Jonathan Deutsch, a Brooklyn high school teacher, solicited and received sexually explicit material from minors he contacted on Facebook,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “The protection of innocent children is an utmost priority for this Office and our law enforcement partners. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that those who contribute to the exploitation and victimization of children will be brought to justice.” Mr. Donoghue extended his grateful appreciation to the FBI New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is made up of FBI and New York City Police Department investigators, for its investigative work and assistance in the case.
“Our children deserve to grow up in a world where they don't have to face overcoming the horrors and scars of sexual abuse,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The fact that this suspect was a teacher makes this crime even more egregious. Parents, working with law enforcement, are the first line of defense against sexual predators who can now reach into your child's bedroom from anywhere in the world. The FBI New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force encourages anyone who may believe their child could be a victim to call our office at 212-384-1000.”
According to court filings, beginning around January 2017, Deutsch targeted Facebook users who appeared from their profiles to be minors, and then contacted them using Facebook messenger in an attempt to develop a relationship. As part of his broader effort to groom these minors for sexual exploitation, Deutsch often disclosed his status as a teacher. Deutsch contacted hundreds of apparent minors on Facebook and had communications of a sexual nature with at least 45 of them. Deutsch requested and received sexually explicit images or videos from at least four minors, whom the FBI has identified. Those victims range in age from 10 to 16 years old. Deutsch often instructed minors to perform sexually explicit acts and to send him videos and photos of those acts. Deutsch also sent minors sexual photos that he represented to be of himself.
If convicted of any of the five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, Deutsch faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Megan E. Farrell is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
Jonathan Deutsch
Age: 34
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-502
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Cocaine via U.S. Mail and to Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston yesterday to charges of drug possession and assaulting federal law enforcement officers in connection with his role in obtaining cocaine from Puerto Rico through the U.S. mail.
Pablo Santiago-Cruz, 47, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and assaulting federal officers. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17, 2018.
According to court records, Santiago-Cruz participated in a conspiracy to obtain cocaine from Puerto Rico via the United States mail from at least March 2016 through July 2016. As part of the investigation, agents identified more than 30 suspicious parcels that were sent from Puerto Rico to individuals known to be associated with Santiago-Cruz. These parcels were delivered to co-conspirators at residences in Quincy and Framingham and to commercial mail receiving facilities in Canton and Randolph.
On July 18, 2018, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by co-conspirator Carlos Reyes and seized a kilogram of cocaine that was hidden inside a toy oven that was in the trunk of Reyes’ vehicle. The next day, agents executed a search warrant at Santiago-Cruz’s apartment in Roslindale. Upon hearing the agents knock and announce their presence, Santiago-Cruz grabbed a silver bowl with cocaine from under the kitchen sink and then attempted to flush approximately 93 grams of cocaine down the toilet, meanwhile ignoring repeated orders from the officers to stop. When the agents entered the apartment and attempted to subdue Santiago-Cruz, he physically resisted and struck several of the officers, resulting in physical injuries to the officers.
Reyes pleaded not guilty; his trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 24, 2018.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent, Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; and Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Craig E. Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
Bluefield Man Sentenced on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a Bluefield man was sentenced yesterday to federal prison on a gun charge. Laron Safford, 42, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
“Repeat offenders keep my prosecutors busy,” said United States Mike Stuart. “We will prosecute convicted felons found to be in possession of firearms EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.”
Safford pled guilty in January, admitting that on September 14, 2017, he possessed two pistols at his residence in Bluefield. Safford was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony convictions of delivery of a controlled substance and trafficking in cocaine. He also admitted that he sold cocaine to an informant in Bluefield on four occasions in September 2017.
Assistant United States Attorney John File prosecuted the case and Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Black Out Squad Member of the Gangster Disciples Sentenced to 30 Years Imprisonment for Racketeering Conspiracy and Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Gangster Disciples gang member was sentenced today to 360 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for participating in a racketeering conspiracy and for using, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
U. S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Division and Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Memphis Field Division, made the announcement.
Tommy Earl Champion, Jr., aka "Duct Tape," 29, of Jackson Tennessee, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. Champion previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Dismantlement of criminal gangs is a top priority of the Department of Justice, and this case represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to target and remove a significant violent participant in the Gangster Disciples organization. "Duct Tape" is now stuck with a 30-year sentence for his violent crimes. We are taking the fight to the gangs in West Tennessee, and we are relentless in our resolve."
According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly organized national gang active in more than 35 states. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout its national operation. The gang protects its power through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. The Gangster Disciples promotes its enterprise through member-
only activities and provides financial and other support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses.
According to court documents, Champion was a member of the Gangster Disciples and served on the gang’s "blackout squads" and "security teams." Champion was responsible for carrying out violent acts, including attempted murder, witness and victim intimidation, and assault, at the direction of senior Gangster Disciples leaders. Champion also participated in the other criminal activities of the Gangster Disciples enterprise, including narcotics distribution and weapons possession.
In addition to the racketeering conspiracy count, Champion was sentenced for using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, which, according to the indictment, occurred on June 12, 2014 in Jackson. The indictment states that the crime of violence was attempted murder, and that Champion and other gang members committed the crime for the purpose of gaining entrance to and maintaining and increasing their position in the Gangster Disciple enterprise. There were seven victims of this attempted murder noted in the indictment. Champion had previously pleaded guilty on April 2.
The FBI; ATF; the Memphis Multi-Agency Gang Unit; the Memphis Police Department; the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; the Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Madison County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; the 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the Tipton County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office; the 26th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the Atascosa County, Tennessee District Attorney’s Office and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office investigated this case. Trial Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell of the Western District of Tennessee and Samuel Stringfellow of the Northern District of Mississippi prosecuted this case.
Baltimore and Texas Men Indicted for Alleged $364 Million Ponzi Scheme—One of the Largest Ever Charged in MarylandRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted three men on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, arising from an alleged $364 million investment fraud scheme. The indictment was returned under seal on September 11, 2018, and unsealed on September 18, 2018, upon the arrests of the defendants. Charged in the indictment are:
Kevin B. Merrill, age 53, of Towson, Maryland;
Jay B. Ledford, age 54, of Westlake, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada; and
Cameron R. Jezierski, age 28, of Fort Worth, Texas.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office. A related enforcement action and complaint was announced by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Co-Director of Enforcement Stephanie Avakian.
“Federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and our SEC partners together interrupted an ongoing fraud scheme, with the potential to victimize even more people. According to the indictment, the defendants lured investors through an elaborate web of lies, duping them into paying millions of dollars into this Ponzi scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Most of these investors are just learning that they have been victimized. The effects of this kind of fraud can be devastating. We urge anyone who thinks they may be a victim to contact the FBI at [email protected].”
“The FBI takes our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain very seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others. We are committed to protecting investors from the illegal and deceptive practices Mr. Merrill and Ledford used to defraud investors out of their hard earned money and savings.”
According to the fourteen-count indictment, beginning in January 2013, the defendants perpetrated a Ponzi scheme to defraud investors of more than $364 million. The scheme was revealed with the arrests and unsealing of the indictment. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Merrill and Ledford invited investors to join them in purchasing consumer debt portfolios. “Consumer debt portfolios” are defaulted consumer debts to banks/credit card issuers, student loan lenders, and car/truck financers which are sold in batches called “portfolios” to third parties which attempt to collect on the debts. The defendants falsely represented to investors that they would use the investors’ money to buy consumer debt portfolios and make money for them by (1) collecting the payments that people made on their debts or (2) selling the portfolios for a profit to third party debt buyers--in a practice called “flipping.” According to the related complaint filed by the SEC, the victim investors included small business owners, restauranteurs, construction contractors, retirees, doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers, talent agents, professional athletes, and financial advisors, located in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Las Vegas, Texas, and elsewhere.
The indictment alleges that in order to induce investors to participate, the defendants falsely represented who they were buying the debt portfolios from and how much they were paying for the portfolios; whether they were investing their own funds, and their track record of success. At times, according to the indictment, there was no underlying debt portfolio purchased with the investors’ money. To conceal the truth, the defendants created imposter companies with names similar to actual consumer debt sellers or brokers and opened bank accounts in the names of those imposter companies. In addition, to lend credibility to the transactions, the defendants created false portfolio overviews, sales agreements which used the names and forged signatures of actual employees of the sellers, created false collections reports, and falsified bank wire transfer records and bank statements.
Further, the indictment alleges that the defendants falsely represented that the monies they paid to investors were “proceeds” from collections and/or flipping debt portfolios, when in fact, the proceeds were paid from funds provided by other investors. The indictment alleges that Merrill, Ledford, and Jezierski personally enriched themselves and concealed their diversion of $73 million of investors’ funds to purchase and renovate high end homes in Maryland, Texas, Nevada, and Florida, purchase luxury automobiles, jewelry, boats, and a share in a jet plane, gamble $25 million at casinos, and support a lavish lifestyle.
The indictment seeks to forfeit nine properties, 26 luxury cars, one boat, interest in an aircraft, a life insurance policy, seven and nine carat diamond rings, and a 23 carat diamond bracelet, which were allegedly purchased with proceeds of the scheme to defraud.
If convicted, Merrill, Ledford, and Jezierski each face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy and for each of five counts of wire fraud. Merrill and Ledford each also face 20 years in prison for an additional two counts of wire fraud, as well as 20 years in prison for a money laundering conspiracy, and for each of four counts of money laundering. Finally, Merrill and Ledford face a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for identity theft. The defendants also face possible fines of $250,000, or twice the gross gain, for the wire fraud conspiracy and for each count of wire fraud and money laundering. Merrill and Ledford face an additional fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property, for the money laundering conspiracy.
The SEC has filed a parallel civil complaint in this matter.
If you believe you may have been a victim, or have information concerning these charges, please email [email protected] and complete a brief questionnaire. Your responses are voluntary. You may be contacted by the FBI
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Merrill and Ledford each had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and Las Vegas, respectively, on September 18, 2018, and were ordered to be detained. Jezierski also had his initial appearance in Las Vegas and was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services. Merrill is scheduled to have a detention hearing on Thursday, September 20th at 3:30 p.m. Jezierski is expected to have his initial appearance in Maryland on September 24, 2018, and Ledford is expected to be brought to Maryland for a court appearance at a later date.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI in Baltimore, Dallas, Las Vegas and Tampa, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General for their work in this investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joyce K. McDonald and Martin J. Clarke, who are prosecuting the criminal case.
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Alorton Village Administrator Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement to the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task ForceRead the Press Release
Lamar Gentry, age 71, of East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty today in federal district court to making a false statement to the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force.
Exactly one year ago, on September 19, 2017, the Task Force first became involved in the investigation that would eventually lead to Gentry’s arrest. At the time, police officers in St. Louis were investigating reports that gun shots had been fired from a white Chevrolet Impala. When a car matching the vehicle’s description was spotted, officers initiated a traffic stop. Two occupants jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The license plates on the vehicle were municipal plates assigned to Gentry, who was then and continues to be the administrator for the Village of Alorton.
During an interview on October 13, 2017, Gentry told federal agents that the white Impala had previously been sold and partially paid for by the purchaser, when in fact he knew that the vehicle had not been partially paid for, there was no completed bill of sale and the vehicle had not been sold.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2018. The offense carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Illinois State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicions of public corruption to the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force Tip Line at (618) 589-7373.
Alien 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 EZEQUIEL CUAUHTEMOC MACEDO-MAGADAN, age 48, of Mexico, with illegal reentry.
If convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, MACEDO-MAGADAN, previously deported four times and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of two 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.
18 September 2018
Worcester Man Sentenced for Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fraud and identity theft charges arising from unlawfully using the identity of a disabled Medicare beneficiary for 17 years.
Jose Agosto, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11,036 in restitution. In January 2018, Agosto pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, four counts of misusing a Social Security number, three counts of making false statements relating to health care services, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Agosto was charged on Aug. 9, 2017, and has been in custody since.
Agosto admitted that he began living under the name of another individual in order to avoid the consequences of an arrest warrant, and that he used the victim’s name and other personal identifying information to obtain replacement Social Security cards, driver’s licenses and bank accounts. Agosto also sought medical treatment under the victim’s name and in doing so caused medical providers to submit more than $148,000 in claims to Medicare, despite the fact that Agosto was not a Medicare beneficiary. In addition, Agosto executed promissory notes under the victim’s name and then defaulted on those notes. By using the victim’s identity, Agosto threatened the victim’s continued receipt of Social Security and Medicare benefits as well as the victim’s credit rating.
Agosto also left threatening voice mails in an effort to intimidate the victim and his family. In these voice mails, Agosto threatened to kill various members of the victim’s family and warned of a “massacre.” One such statement made by Agosto was: “I’m going to start killing all of your family one-by-one. I’ll start killing your mother, I’ll kill your sister, and then the last one’s going to be you.”
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office, made the announcement today. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Investigations provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing RicinRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A South Carolina woman pleaded guilty today to the unregistered possession of ricin, a highly dangerous toxin.
According to court documents, Virginia Beach police officers executing a search warrant in March 2016 found a number of chemicals, packages of castor beans, and multiple firearms, one with an obliterated serial number, in a storage unit rented by Debbie Siers-Hill, 63, of Summerville, who was then living in Virginia Beach. Tests of the chemicals showed that a syringe and a double-wrapped container found in the storage unit held ricin, a toxin derived from castor beans with no known antidote.
Siers-Hill pleaded guilty to possessing ricin, a listed “select agent” subject to Department of Health and Human Services registration requirements with which she did not comply. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on Jan. 14, 2019. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan M. Salsbury and Andrew C. Bosse are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-62.
Wichita Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Liquor StoreRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man pleaded guilty Tuesday to robbing a liquor store, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Jamaryus Moore, 19, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of robbing a commercial business. In his plea, he admitted he and another man robbed F & K Liquor at 902 S. Woodlawn in Wichita. During the robbery, a clerk shot co-defendant Raquan Hill, 18, Wichita. Hill was arrested at the scene. Moore was arrested later that day at work.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 10. Moore faces a penalty up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Co-defendant Hill has scheduled a change of plea hearing for Sept. 24.
McAllister commended the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.
United States Attorney announces efforts to increase violent crime prosecutions in AcadianaRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that local efforts to increase violent crime prosecutions in the Acadiana area are having a substantial impact.
Mr. Joseph’s focus on violent crime is part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to increase targeted prosecutions of violent crime through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has prosecuted more than 200 defendants throughout the district, approximately 78 of which are in the Acadiana area, for firearm related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms. These prosecutions represent approximately three times the number of such cases than have been brought in previous years.
The PSN program is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office involving local, state and federal law enforcement. In the Acadiana area, participants include the ATF, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Police Department, Crowley Police Department, officers with the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. The program is successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and has directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a crime reduction strategy involving PSN.
“Violent crime involving firearms has become a worsening problem in Acadiana,” Joseph stated. ”This trend must end. We have been working with partner agencies to provide a targeted approached to reducing firearm-related violence by bringing federal charges against those felons and drug dealers most likely to cause violence in their communities. We want to spread the word that the full weight of the federal criminal justice system is committed to prosecuting those who spread violence in our communities. They will be stopped.”
Included in our efforts, and in addition to the work of the ATF, is the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, a program that works hand in glove with the U.S. Attorney’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program. To combat violent crime both in Lafayette and across the state, the FBI New Orleans Field Office has formed several gang task forces specifically to identify and eradicate drug dealers and violent offenders from Louisiana streets and neighborhoods. In concert with our Law Enforcement partners, the FBI utilizes intelligence-based analysis to strategically place gang task forces and federal resources throughout the state, which have been very effective.
These include:
South Central Louisiana Gang Task Force – Lafayette
Northwest Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force - Shreveport
Capital Area Gang Task – Baton Rouge
Central Louisiana Gang Task Force – Alexandria / Monroe
New Orleans Gang Task Force – New Orleans
These task forces pursue violent gangs through sustained, proactive, coordinated investigations to obtain prosecutions on violations such as racketeering, drug conspiracy, and firearms violations. The Safe Streets Task Force concept expands cooperation and communication among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, increasing productivity and avoiding duplication of investigative efforts.
One of the key components of a Safe Streets Task Force is being able to combine short term, street level enforcement activity coupled with investigative tools and resources to root out and prosecute the entire gang.
Utilizing these best practices and through a number of drug and gang related investigations, the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement inundated Lafayette streets and neighborhoods to stop the violence, apprehend gang members, and pursue swift justice for those responsible.
In the past few months, the FBI’s Lafayette Safe Streets Task Force has accounted for federal charges against 15 gang members at various levels within drug trafficking organizations. These include numerous narcotics and firearms charges, including over 150 pounds of methamphetamine, six firearms, and substantial quantities and heroin and cocaine.
The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.
Two Wyoming County Men Sentenced for Roles in Insurance Fraud by Arson SchemeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. –Two Wyoming County men were sentenced today in federal court for their respective roles in a scheme to commit insurance fraud by arson, announced United States Attorney Michael B. Stuart. Dudley Bledsoe, 63, of Hanover, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $294,085.07 in restitution. Bledsoe previously pled guilty to an unlawful monetary transaction charge. James Keith Browning, 54, also of Hanover, was sentenced to 50 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $211,553.50. Browning previously pled guilty to arson to commit wire fraud. Stuart commended the West Virginia Insurance Commission, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police for their investigation.
“Greed leads to reckless, dangerous behavior,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Crimes that endanger lives and property will be prosecuted every day of the week by this United States Attorney. “
In the spring of 2012, Bledsoe, with the assistance of James Edward Lester, also known as “Punkin,” and others, purchased a house in Matoaka, Mercer County. The purchase price was approximately $38,000. They insured the property for over $300,000 and set fire to the house in December of 2012 using cardboard and unscented candle oil. Bledsoe, with the help of others, then filed false claims for the house and its contents. Bledsoe collected the proceeds and divided the proceeds with others involved in the scheme.
In the spring of 2013, Browning, and James “Punkin” Lester devised a scheme to purchase a house, place it in Browning’s name, obtain insurance on it and burn it to collect the proceeds. The property was located at 9068 Interstate Highway in Ikes Fork, West Virginia. Sometime during the week of August 12, 2013, Lester, Bledsoe and Browning manufactured an alibi they could use for when the house was burned. After the creation of the plan for the alibi, Bledsoe and Browning went to the house in Bledsoe’s vehicle to prepare the house to be burned. The house burned on August 16, 2013, while Browning and Lester were at the West Virginia State Fair. Browning then filed a fraudulent claim with the insurance company for the loss of the house and for items purportedly contained in the house. Ultimately, Browning received $100,000 from the insurance company for the false claim. Browning then divided the proceeds with Bledsoe and Lester.
Four other defendants involved in the scheme were convicted following a five-day jury trial in Charleston. The jury found Windel Lester, 67, his ex-wife Georgetta Lester Kenney, 42, and Windel Lester’s sons, James “Punkin” Lester, 48, and Greg Lester, 41, guilty of various charges related to the arson and insurance fraud scheme. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for December 20, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Philip H. Wright handled the prosecution. Senior District Court Judge David A. Faber handed down the sentences.
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Texas Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Transporting Heroin to Clairton for DistributionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. - A resident of Texas has been sentenced in federal court to 96 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years’ supervised release on his conviction of conspiring to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Cameron Ranson, 43.
According to information presented to the court at the time he entered a guilty plea, Ranson, traveled from Texas to Clairton, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of distributing quantities of heroin to his codefendant, Skyler Carter, and others, and is responsible for the distribution of between 20 and 40 grams of heroin. Ranson is the 11th of 21 defendants charged in the conspiracy to be sentenced.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded 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.
Tahlequah Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Possession of Counterfeit ObligationRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nicholas Ryan Renfro, age 25, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for Possession Of A Counterfeit Obligation Of The United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 474(a). The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Secret Service.
The Indictment alleged that on January 10, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant knowingly had in his possession and custody, with intent to sell or otherwise use, a falsely made and counterfeited one-hundred-dollar Federal Reserve Note made after the similitude of obligations issued under the authority of the United States.
“The circulation of counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Tahlequah area has been a problem for local businesses and residents for some time. Because of the diligent efforts of the Tahlequah Police Department, Secret Service, and ATF, members of this office were able to successfully prosecute Renfro. This source of counterfeit money is no longer contributing to the problem,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “I continue to urge everyone accepting cash for goods or services to pay close attention to what they are receiving. If you have accepted a bill and have reason to believe it is a counterfeit, contact your local law enforcement agency. Receiving timely information is key to solving virtually every crime, including counterfeiting.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
Superseding Indictment Filed Against Man Charged for Attempted Manslaughter of a U.S. Airforce Airman on Military Base in JapanRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Little Rock, Arkansas, returned a seven-count superseding indictment against a man who was residing on the Misawa Air Base, a military base in Japan, charging him with multiple counts relating to the assault of three U.S. Air Force airmen. The federal grand jury also returned a two-count indictment against his son, charging him with two counts relating to his role in the assault.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland of the Eastern District of Arkansas and Colonel Kirk B. Stabler of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations made the announcement.
Rodrigo Pineda Gomez, 44, who was residing in Japan, is charged with one count of attempted voluntary manslaughter, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault by striking, beating, or wounding, one count of resisting a federal officer, and one count of making a false statement to law enforcement. Miguel Gomez, 21, is charged with one count of resisting a federal officer and one count of assault by striking, beating, or wounding. The defendants had their initial court appearance earlier today before Magistrate Judge Patricia S. Harris in the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The superseding indictment, which was returned on Aug. 7, alleges that on Dec. 31, 2016, on Misawa Air Base in Japan, the defendants, Rodrigo Gomez and his son, Miguel Gomez, assaulted three U.S. Air Force airmen. The superseding indictment alleges that defendant Rodrigo Gomez attempted to kill one of the airmen, resisted arrest after law enforcement arrived, and then later made a false statement about the incident. Defendant Miguel Gomez assaulted one of the airmen and also resisted arrest after law enforcement arrived at the scene. At the time of the assault, defendant Rodrigo Gomez was the dependent spouse and Miguel Gomez the son of an active duty service member assigned to the base. Their last known U.S. address is alleged to be Jacksonville, Arkansas.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorney Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Williams of the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Superintendent of Muncie’s sewer maintenance and engineering and Muncie businessman face charges in corruption and fraud schemesRead the Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis-United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that two men from the Muncie area, one a city employee, and the other, a local businessman, have been charged in two separate, but related, indictments in federal court.
“The City of Muncie deserves better from its public officials,” said Minkler. “Public servants are appointed to serve the public, and not the other way around.”
Tracy Barton, 49, Selma, Indiana, faces charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, falsification of documents in a federal investigation, and witness tampering. Local businessman Jeffrey Burke, 57, Muncie, faces charges for bank fraud, making false statements to an FBI agent, and obstruction of grand jury proceedings.
Since 2013, Barton has served as the Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance and Engineering for the Muncie Sanitary District. A Grand Jury has charged Barton with abusing his position of authority and influence by fraudulently steering contracts to preferred contractors, and soliciting and accepting kickbacks in the form of cash, cash equivalents, or contributions, to Barton and other Muncie employees. Barton has further been charged with falsifying documents and tampering with a witness in contemplation of a criminal investigation.
Burke is a local businessman in Muncie who owns Burke Rentals 1, LLC and McGalliard Guns & More Inc. The Grand Jury has charged Burke with bank fraud, making false statements to FBI agents, and obstruction of grand jury proceedings—all arising out of Burke’s fraudulent purchase of the Muncie Flea Market located at 1706 E. Main Street, in Muncie, from the Muncie Sanitary District.
This cases were investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
“These Indictments would not have been possible if not for the tenacity, hard work and dedication of the FBI Indianapolis Public Corruption Squad,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “Holding those who are in a position of trust accountable is a responsibility we take seriously. We continue to prioritize these investigations.”
“Muncie entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to compete with the illegal business practices of others,” said Gabriel Grchan, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Financial fraud and abuse have no place in our communities. These indictments further illustrate that corrupt practices will not go unnoticed by federal law enforcement agencies. Violators will be held accountable.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who is prosecuting these cases for the government, both defendants face decades of imprisonment if convicted.
Both men had their initial appearance at 2:30 p.m. today in federal court.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting large-scale fraud schemes that warrant federal resources and arrest those who abuse their positions of trust. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.1
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Suboxone Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dispensing Prescription Drugs and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. – The former owner of a Bridgeville, PA Suboxone clinic pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Terri C. Brown, 53, of Boswell, PA, pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Brown owned and operated Cherry Way, a Suboxone clinic, located in Bridgeville PA, and her co-defendant, Dr. Mark Foster was a medical director at Cherry Way. Brown and Foster conspired together to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for Suboxone, Adderall and Percocet, and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances. Brown also committed health care fraud by submitting fraudulent claims to Highmark and Medicaid, through Cherry Way, for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed Suboxone, Adderall and Percocet.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for February 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 80 years in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, or both. Brown faces an additional maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and fines of $250,000 for the health care fraud charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.
Spirit Lake Man Sentenced to 60 years in Federal Prison for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
FARGO – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on September 17, 2018, U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, sentenced Dakota James Charboneau, age 24, Spirit Lake Indian Reservation, ND, on charges of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury; and Use of a Gun During a Crime of Violence. Judge Moody sentenced Charboneau to serve 60 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years supervised release. Charboneau was further ordered to pay $800 in special assessments to the Crime Victims’ Fund and restitution to the victims for medical expenses.
On October 22, 2017, Dakota James Charboneau assaulted two men on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. Using the butt end of a gun, Charboneau inflicted serious bodily injury on the two men. Charges were filed against Charboneau for these assaults. Charboneau went into hiding with numerous family and friends to avoid apprehension by law enforcement.
On November 20, 2017, Charboneau assaulted his former girlfriend by shooting her in the face with a shotgun. As a result of the shooting, the young female victim lost her eye. On December 1, 2017, Charboneau was arrested following a high-speed chase through three North Dakota counties.
Charboneau was convicted on June 8, 2018, by a Fargo jury for the October assaults on the two men. On September 17, 2018, at a combined change of plea and sentencing hearing, Charboneau entered a plea of guilty for the November assault on the female shooting victim.
U.S. Attorney Myers stated, “The convictions and sentences in these cases illustrate the dedication and commitment by the agents and prosecutors to bring justice for those victims of violent crime in our tribal communities.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Assistant United States Attorney Janice M. Morley prosecuted the case.
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Somerville Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Somerville man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Fredy Arbaiza, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2017, Arbaiza pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In May 2017, law enforcement began investigating illegal activities by Arbaiza. A confidential source reported to law enforcement that Arbaiza had been abusing alcohol, ecstasy, and Xanax pills, and became increasingly violent while under the influence of these substances. The source also informed law enforcement that Arbaiza was selling marijuana out of two Somerville apartments and that he carried a black handgun. Arbaiza told another confidential source that he carried “a Glock police issued” handgun for protection that he bought from a friend for $1000.
On June 15, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Somerville apartment where Arbaiza stayed and recovered a Glock, Model 17, 9mm pistol with a partially obliterated serial number. In addition, a thirty-round magazine for the Glock pistol, loaded with 23 rounds of 9mm ammunition, was recovered from Abraiza’s pocket. Law enforcement also found various drug paraphernalia in a bedroom used by Arbaiza, including a digital scale, plastic baggies and a bag with a small amount of marijuana.
Arbaiza is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions, which include various convictions of assault, assault and battery, and resisting arrest. Arbaiza was arrested on June 15, 2017, and charged by a federal criminal complaint.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Somerville Police Chief David R. Fallon; and Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Crowley of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
San Francisco and Los Angeles Area Residents Charged with Operating an Illegal Gambling Business, Money Laundering, Witness Tampering, and Making False Statements to the Grand Jury in Superseding IndictmentRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A superseding indictment was unsealed today, adding four defendants and additional charges to a case involving an illegal gambling business operating in Sacramento and elsewhere in California, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Yaniv Gohar, 35, of Berkeley; Orel Gohar, 28, of San Francisco; and Eran Buhbut 33, of Oakland were indicted in December 2017, charged with conducting an illegal gambling business. According to court documents, from September 2015 through November 2017, Yaniv Gohar, Orel Gohar, and Buhbut operated a gambling business that installed and maintained video slot machines at smoke shops and convenience stores throughout Northern California, including in Sacramento, in violation of California laws prohibiting such machines.
The superseding indictment adds four new defendants and several new charges, including two different money laundering conspiracies, two counts of witness tampering, one count of making false statements to the grand jury, and two counts of failure to appear. According to the superseding indictment, Orel Gohar conspired to launder the proceeds of the gambling business with Atir Dadon, 34, of Sherman Oaks, and Bar Shani, 26, of San Francisco. To do so, the three allegedly engaged in coded conversations referring to financial transactions as an exchange of bottles or records and exchanged cash for checks from a company controlled by Dadon and Shani to make Orel Gohar’s income appear legitimate. Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar are also charged with conspiring to launder proceeds with Adam Atari, 34, of Sherman Oaks. Atari allegedly used multiple companies under his control to send checks and electronic bank transfers to Yaniv Gohar in exchange for Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar paying his San Francisco area employees in cash that was derived from the gambling business.
Atari is also charged with two counts of witness tampering for allegedly attempting to corruptly persuade two of his employees to lie to the FBI about issues related to the money laundering investigation. Raz Razla, 48, of Sherman Oaks, is charged with making false statements to the grand jury for his statements that he only learned of the charges against Yaniv Gohar in February 2018, when in fact he allegedly knew of those charges in December 2017. Finally, Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar are charged with failing to appear at court hearings in January 2018 after having been released from custody after their arraignment on the original indictment.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice – Bureau of Gambling Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Yelovich and Miriam R. Hinman are prosecuting the case.
Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar fled the United States upon their release in December 2017 and remain at large. Atari was arrested on September 1, 2018, at Los Angeles International Airport, and has been detained pending his appearance in Sacramento. Shani was arrested in San Francisco Monday and ordered detained pending his appearance in Sacramento. Dadon and Razla have their initial court appearances today in Los Angeles.
If convicted, Yaniv Gohar, Orel Gohar, and Buhbut face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the gambling offense. For the money laundering conspiracies, Dadon, Shani, Yaniv Gohar, Orel Gohar, and Atari face a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, whichever is greater. For each count of witness tampering, Atari faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Finally, Raz Razla faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the false declarations before a grand jury charge, and Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar face the same maximum penalties for their respective failures to appear. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
San Francisco Man Pleads Guilty in Methamphetamine-Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JULIEN POLK, a/k/a “Simone,” age 40, of San Francisco, California, pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic 50 grams of methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Louisiana. POLK faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum life sentence, a fine of up to $10,000,000 and at least five years of supervised release.
POLK is one of eleven defendants charged in a 23-count federal indictment. Specifically, the indictment alleges that POLK conspired to sell large quantities of methamphetamine with codefendants Stefen Daigle, Peter Giandalone, Paul Melancon, Jeffrey Clines, James Hatch, Angel Renee Vidaure, Eulalio Torres-Cadenas, Delio Alfredo Lopez-Lopez, Lindsey Lopez, and Jacob Higginbotham. The indictment also alleges a number of individual acts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as firearm offenses for codefendants Hatch, Vidaure, and Lopez-Lopez. Law enforcement developed evidence against this group of defendants using controlled purchases of methamphetamine, traffic stops and seizures, consensually recorded text messages and phone calls, search warrants, cooperator information, and self-incriminating statements.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for POLK on December 21, 2018, at noon.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol, Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, AMTRAK Police, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
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Sallisaw Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Samuel Jason Nutt, age 50, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2) and 924(e). The charges arose from an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Indictment alleged that on December 29, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a Chinese, Model 54-1, 7.62 x 25mm caliber pistol, serial number 3700126799, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Working with local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime is a priority of the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices. One of the federal laws available to us to carry out that priority prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. The defendant in this case violated that federal law and is being held accountable accordingly. This joint effort by the Sallisaw Police Department, ATF, and members of this office is an example of interagency team work that occurs on a daily basis in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and across the country. When agencies work together, the public benefits.”
This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to cooperate in a unified team effort against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
Russian Woman Sentenced for Marriage FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Yana Potapova, age 29, and a Russian citizen residing in Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation for conspiring to commit marriage fraud.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered Potapova to complete 50 hours of community service.
A federal jury found Potapova guilty after a 5-day trial in March 2018. The evidence demonstrated that in April 2014, Potapova and U.S. citizen Brett Thompson agreed to marry in order to obtain lawful immigration status for Potapova. Potapova was illegally present in the United States, having overstayed on a visitor visa. In return for agreeing to marry – and stay married to – Potapova, Thompson received approximately $3,500 over the course of the marriage. In May 2015, in connection with her application to obtain permanent residency, Potapova falsely represented to United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services that she and Thompson lived together at an address in Albany.
After her arrest in this case, Potapova served 60 days in Albany County jail in relation to an immigration enforcement matter that remains pending.
Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2018.
This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Providence, Rhode Island, has been sentenced in federal court to 96 months in jail and ordered to make $335,725 in restitution on his conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Doherty Kushimo, 56.
According to information presented to the court, Kushimo traded stolen identities with other co-conspirators via email which were used to open bank accounts and file fraudulent federal tax returns. The bank accounts were then used as repositories for federal tax refunds which were obtained by filing the fraudulent federal tax returns using the stolen identities that Kushimo and his co-conspirators traded amongst each other. Over a thousand credit cards, obtained using stolen identities, were found during a search of Kushimo’s residence. Handwritten lists containing over fifty thousand stolen identities were also found in Kushimo’s house. Kushimo also opened and controlled numerous bank accounts himself using stolen identities, including several at Widget Financial (formerly Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union) in Erie, Pennsylvania. Kushimo also controlled numerous mail boxes that were used as repositories for stolen identity information, credit cards and federal tax information.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kushimo.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JUAN HAZARD, also known as “Money,” 42, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a fentanyl trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2017, HAZARD agreed to meet an individual at a location in Ledyard to conduct a narcotics transaction. On April 26, 2017, investigators stopped HAZARD’s vehicle in Ledyard. HAZARD was arrested after investigators located a wooden box containing three shrink-wrapped packages containing a total of approximately 338 grams of fentanyl in the rear of the vehicle. HAZARD’s young child was in the back seat of the car at the time of the offense.
HAZARD pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on December 10, 2018.
HAZARD has been detained since his federal arrest on May 4, 2018.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI and the Ledyard, Town of Groton and Waterford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to bank robbery.
Stephen A. Davidow, 55, of Pawtucket, R.I., pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20, 2018.
Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, 2017, an individual, later identified as Davidow, robbed four banks in the Greater Boston area. Based on the physical location of the banks, surveillance footage, the bank tellers’ descriptions of the robber, and other similarities, law enforcement determined that the same individual was involved in each robbery. On Dec. 15, 2017, having distributed images of the alleged perpetrator to the local news, law enforcement received a tip that the suspect was Davidow. Photos of Davidow were shown to one of the tellers who positively identified Davidow as the man who robbed the bank.
During the time of the robberies, Davidow was on supervised release for a 2007 bank robbery conviction in Rhode Island. He was arrested on Dec. 18, 2017, in Massachusetts on a Rhode Island federal warrant.
Each count provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years 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, Boston Field Office; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; and Boston University Police Chief Kelly A. Nee made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Reno Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Nearly $30,000 in Counterfeit U.S. CurrencyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to using his home computer and printers to produce nearly $30,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.
William Allen Griffin, 54, of Reno, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of counterfeit obligations of the United States before U.S. District Judge Miranda Du. He has a prior felony conviction for burglary in Carson City. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2018. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to information in the plea agreement, on March 22, 2017, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies served an eviction notice to Griffin. The landlord stated that Griffin tried to pay his rent with counterfeit bills in the past and found a stack of counterfeit bills in the room. After searching the room, the deputies found a computer and two printers used to manufacture fake $5, $10, $20, and $100 bills. One of the counterfeit bills was lying in the output tray of one of the printers. A total of $28,135 in counterfeit bills were seized. Griffin admitted in court that he possessed the counterfeit money and that he intended to spend it.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami is prosecuting the case.
If you suspect a counterfeit bill or have information about counterfeiting activity, you may make a report to the U.S. Secret Service Field Offices at (775) 784-5354 or (702) 868-3000.
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Project Huntington Defendant Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who was arrested as part of Project Huntington pled guilty today in federal court to drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Lee Burgess, 34, entered guilty pleas to distribution of heroin, prohibited possession of a firearm by a drug user, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Huntington Police Department.
“Our goal in Project Huntington was to make Huntington one of the safest cities in America,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Removing defendants like Burgess, a gun selling, gun-toting heroin dealer and user, from the streets of Huntington, takes us one step closer to our goal.”
On October 7, 2014, a confidential informant and an undercover ATF agent met with Burgess at Burgess’s residence located at 306 9th Street West in Huntington to purchase heroin. After negotiating the transaction, Burgess distributed approximately 5 grams of heroin to the agent in exchange for $875. Burgess was also observed using heroin and admitted that he possessed a .40 caliber pistol during the transaction.
On December 16, 2014, the undercover agent again met with Burgess at his residence. On this occasion, the agent again observed Burgess using heroin and Burgess sold the agent an AR-15 style rifle along with a 30-round magazine.
On April 17, 2018, investigators arrested Burgess at his residence as part of Project Huntington. Investigators conducted a search of Burgess’s residence and seized a number of items including heroin, digital scales, and three firearms with assorted ammunition. Burgess admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin that was seized and that he possessed the firearms to serve as protection during heroin transactions.
During the plea hearing, Burgess also admitted to meeting with the informant and undercover agent on six additional occasions. On these occasions, Burgess admitted that he sold the informant and agent oxycodone pills, heroin, and four additional firearms. Burgess also admitted that he possessed other firearms during some of the transactions and that he was prohibited from possessing firearms based on his drug usage.
Burgess faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 14, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This prosecution is part of Project Huntington, an effort announced by United States Attorney Mike Stuart in March 2018 in response to the opiate epidemic and violent crime in southern West Virginia.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Previously Convicted Felon from Essex County, New Jersey, Admits Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man admitted today that he possessed a firearm as a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Richard D. Williams, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 18, 2017, law enforcement officers spotted a white Infiniti car that matched the make, model, color and year of a car that had previously been reported stolen. When police ran the license plate on the vehicle, they determined it belonged to a different car, suggesting that the license plate on the Infiniti had been switched. Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it took off at a high rate of speed. The police pursued the car in a high-speed chase through Newark and into East Orange, New Jersey. Several other police cars and a Newark police department helicopter joined the pursuit.
The police chased the car for 10 minutes until it was traveling east on South Orange Avenue near Bergen Street in East Orange, New Jersey. The car crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head on with an unmarked Newark police department vehicle. The crash caused both the Infiniti and Newark police vehicle to catch fire. The three Newark police officers inside the police vehicle all suffered injuries but exited their vehicle safely.
Williams got out of the Infiniti and tried to flee, but was quickly caught and detained by a Newark police officer until a N.J. State Police trooper joined him. Williams was found to have a black .38-caliber revolver, loaded with four bullets, in his waistband. Williams had at least one prior felony conviction in federal court.
The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited task force officers of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito, with the investigation. He also thanked officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, for their assistance.The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason S. Gould and Catherine R. Murphy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Michael Pedicini Esq., Chatham, New Jersey
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Production 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 Thomas A. Gillespie, 44, of East Brady, PA, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 204 months in prison and eight years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who handled the case, stated that between July 2014 and August 7, 2014, the defendant began communicating with a minor under the age of 12 in Cheektowaga, NY, via instant messaging on Vine.com. The communications were sexually graphic in nature, and involved the defendant coercing the minor victim into sharing sexually explicit images of herself. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s apartment in East Brady where federal agents recovered Gillespie’s computer. A forensic examination recovered images of the minor victim, including one nude image of the victim.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by detectives from the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Gary Loeffert, Special Agent-in-Charge.
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Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Passing Counterfeit Checks and Conspiring to Steal $3.3 Million Tax Refund from Fraudulent Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and William Cheung, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced today the arrest of STEPHEN SHERAK in connection with a scheme to fraudulently deposit checks in various national banks, including a $3.3 million corporate tax refund check that SHERAK had fraudulently obtained. SHERAK was arrested this morning and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Stephen Sherak deposited thousands of dollars’ worth of counterfeit checks into accounts for his own use. Additionally, Sherak allegedly caused the filing of a falsified tax return that resulted in a $3.3 million fraudulent refund. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the NYPD and the IRS, Sherak will now have to answer for his alleged dishonest acts.”
IRS-CI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge William Cheung said: “Filing false tax returns to receive a fraudulent tax refund steals from all Americans. IRS-CI Special Agents will investigate and bring these perpetrators to justice.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint sworn out today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
From 2017 through June 2018, SHERAK deposited or attempted to deposit in several national banks approximately $270,000 worth of checks he knew to be counterfeit or that otherwise would not clear due to insufficient funds.
In addition, from February 2018 through May 2018, SHERAK caused the filing of a fraudulent corporate tax return for an entity SHERAK incorporated and controlled, Gavnet, Inc., by falsely claiming that his company had prepaid millions of dollars in taxes and was therefore owed a tax refund. Upon receiving a tax refund check in the amount of approximately $3.3 million, SHERAK worked with others to open new bank accounts at a number of different financial institutions in order to deposit the refund check, before the fraud was ultimately detected.
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SHERAK, 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is charged with one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Mortazavi is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty After Escaping Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Duncan, Oklahoma man pleaded guilty today to breaking out of federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Jeremy Brown, 38, who was serving time in the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) for a firearms offense, admits he escaped from federal custody on May 19, 2018.
According to documents filed in the case, the sister of a Big Spring FCI employee spotted Brown running across the street and jumping into a maroon Nissan Altima around 5 p.m. Suspecting she’d witnessed an escape, she snapped a photo as the car sped away, then contacted Big Spring FCI.
Officials initiated an emergency headcount and realized Brown was missing. Two days later, after a warrant had been issued for his arrest, Brown surrendered to Big Spring FCI, and was placed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU).
The driver of the getaway car, Tiffany Stone, 38, pleaded guilty to concealing a person from arrest.
The United States Marshals Service and the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution Special Investigative Services conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Haag prosecuted the case.
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years for Bomb Threat and Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ROBERT SHANE APGAR, 35, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to 235 months in prison for making a bomb threat and sending child pornography.
According to the first count of a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 18, 2017, Apgar used the Internet on December 1, 2015, to send false information about an attempt to bomb the Grady County Courthouse. An affidavit filed on May 2, 2017, explains that this threat was made anonymously to the FBI by email and triggered precautions at the Grady County Sheriff’s Office. The email stated that the bombing would be carried out by a person later identified as Apgar’s estranged ex-wife, whom he had threatened before.
On December 8, 2015, after further investigation, the FBI executed a search warrant at an Oklahoma City residence where Apgar was living with his mother. The search yielded pornographic images of prepubescent children from October 2015. According to Count 2 of the indictment, Apgar attempted to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of transmitting video images of that conduct. According to Count 3, Apgar used a facility of interstate commerce to send images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. And according to Count 4, Apgar possessed images of that sort with intent to view them after they had been sent through a means of interstate commerce. The three child pornography counts were the result of an undercover operation by the St. Charles County Police Department in Missouri.
Apgar has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since August 2017. On October 2, 2017, he pleaded guilty to making a bomb threat and sending child pornography. The government agreed to dismiss the remaining two counts involving child pornography.
Today U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Apgar to 235 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The court explained this sentence is required to protect the public.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the St. Charles County (Missouri) Police Department, with the assistance of the Grady County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Newberry Felon Sentenced to 327 Months Imprisonment for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution of Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Javis Royale Wise, age 29, of Newberry, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Wise to 327 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that in the Spring of 2016, Wise made numerous sales of crack cocaine from his residence in Newberry, South Carolina. Newberry Police Department, Newberry Sheriff’s Office, and SLED executed a search warrant at the home in July of 2016. Law enforcement recovered crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, over 50 rounds of ammunition, and a stolen, loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun. Wise had numerous prior convictions including Robbery, Assault Upon an Employee of a Correctional Facility, Assault and Battery First Degree, Assault and Battery Second Degree, Distribution of Crack Cocaine, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.
The case was investigated by ATF, the Newberry Police Department, Newberry Sheriff’s Office, and SLED. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Lea Schoen prosecuted to case.
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Mountain Grove, Missouri, Man Sentenced to 60 Months Probation for Steroid ImportationRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bobby E. McGraw, age 43, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, was sentenced to 5 years of probation for Importation Of Anabolic Steroids, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952(b), 960(a)(1) and 960(b)(5). The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Indictment alleged that on or about June 7, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly and intentionally imported into the United States from the Kingdom of Thailand, anabolic steroids, a Schedule III controlled substance. McGraw plead guilty to the charge.
“In an effort to evade detection, McGraw, a Missouri resident, had Anabolic Steroids, a controlled substance, delivered to the address of an acquaintance in Porum, Oklahoma. The DEA investigation that ensued revealed that the Anabolic Steroids had been ordered by McGraw from a source in Thailand,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.
Mexican National Sentenced for Trafficking Drugs and GunsRead the Press Release
Ramon X. Nunez-Polanco, 59, a citizen of Mexico and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for his participation in a drug conspiracy and firearms trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced today. The sentencing follows Nunez-Polanco’s guilty plea earlier this year to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (cocaine and methamphetamine) and conspiracy to transfer a firearm to a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, during August and September 2016, Nunez-Polanco transported cocaine from the Central District of California to North Carolina and the Eastern District of Wisconsin in a semi-tractor trailer unit containing a non-factory compartment for concealing the drugs. He also transported drug-trafficking proceeds and firearms from the Eastern District of Wisconsin back to the Central District of California, all at the direction of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Wisconsin, North Carolina, and the Southern District of Illinois. Nunez-Polanco was arrested on September 7, 2016, in the Southern District of Illinois in possession of firearms, ammunition, and firearm magazines he was transporting from the Eastern District of Wisconsin to the Central District of California.
Information leading to the charges against Nunez-Polanco was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Maryland Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison on Charges in Domestic Dispute That Led to Police PursuitRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Anthony Smith, 29, of Oxon Hill, Md., has been sentenced to five years in prison on multiple charges stemming from a violent domestic dispute that led to a high-speed police pursuit on the 2017 Labor Day weekend that continued along busy streets of the District of Columbia, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.
Smith was found guilty by a jury in May 2018 of seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of destruction of property, and one count each of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle during a crime of violence, felony threats, carrying a dangerous weapon, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a collision, and fleeing police. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced on Sept. 17, 2018, by the Honorable Milton C. Lee. In sentencing Smith, the judge suspended an additional three years of prison time on the condition that he successfully complete three years of supervised release and probation after he serves the five years of incarceration.
According to the government’s evidence, Smith and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship that ended in August 2017. They have a child in common. Between Aug. 30, 2017 and Sept. 1, 2017, Smith’s conduct led the victim to obtain a temporary protection order against him. Despite that order, on Sept. 1, 2017, Smith came to the victim’s home, kicked in the door, took her car keys, and stole her car, a Dodge Avenger.
Two days later, on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, the victim, desperate to get back her car, agreed to meet Smith at a restaurant in the 1600 block of North Capitol Street NW. When she got there, Smith refused to give her car back. He started to take off with the car, and the victim jumped into the back seat because she did not want to lose it again. While in the car, Smith tried to stab the victim with a knife, while telling her, “Our daughter isn’t going to have a mother anymore.” She was able to break the knife and hop out of the moving car at New Jersey Avenue and K Street NW. There, she used a bystander’s phone to call 911.
One hour later, at approximately 3 p.m., officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located Smith and the car at 5th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE. When they tried to conduct a traffic stop, Smith took off. An MPD watch commander authorized a pursuit that continued for approximately 3.4 miles. During the chase, Smith caused four collisions, including striking a police officer who was involved in the pursuit. Smith was arrested at about 3:15 p.m. at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW after he attempted an illegal turn into oncoming traffic and collided with a car carrying a woman and her two children. Smith has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who responded to and investigated the case from MPD’s First and Fifth Districts. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. She acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon Marcus-Kurn, Mark O’Brien, Chrisellen Kolb, and Suzanne Curt; Paralegal Specialists Brenda Williams and D’Yvonne Key; Litigation Technology Specialists Anisha Bhatia, Ron Royal, and Paul Howell, and Victim/Witness Advocate Lu Lan.
Finally, she commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bianca Forde and Ryan Creighton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
MEDIA ADVISORY-- U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado to Hold 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference in Santa Fe, N.M.Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah along with the U.S. Attorney’s offices for the Districts of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona will host the 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference at the Buffalo Thunder Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., on Sept. 18-20, 2018.
The annual conference, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and the U.S. Attorneys for the Districts of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, promotes a collaborative approach to addressing the needs of victims of crime in Indian Country in the Four Corners’ region. In addition to representatives of the four U.S. Attorney’s Offices and other DOJ agencies, conference participants will include tribal leaders, victim advocates and social services providers, tribal judges and prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.
This annual conference, which is hosted by each of the four districts on a rotating basis, exemplifies the Justice Department’s commitment to addressing the high rates of victimization of our women and children in our Native communities. The conference theme – “Exploring the Power of our Work: Building our Capacity to Assist Victims and Strengthening our Own Ability to be Resilient” – embodies what the Department of Justice is striving to achieve in Indian Country; helping victims overcome trauma, and preventing these crimes from reoccurring in the future. The conference provides a forum for developing strategies for assisting victims of crime and tackling other serious public safety challenges confronting our Native communities. It provides an opportunity for DOJ officials to hear from members of our Native communities about their needs and to work with them to address their unique challenges.
The opening session of the 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, will be open press and will include welcoming remarks by Utah U.S. Attorney John W. Huber, New Mexico U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Colorado First Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch and Arizona First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. The opening session on the second day of the conference on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, will also be open press and will include opening remarks from Jesse Panuccio, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice. Justice Department officials will be available for interviews at the conclusion of the opening sessions.
WHO:
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio of the Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah
U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson for the District of New Mexico
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado
Fist Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange for the District of Arizona
WHAT:
Opening sessions of the 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference
WHEN:
TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 2018, 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2018, 8:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.
WHERE:
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder
20 Buffalo Thunder Trail
Santa Fe, N.M., 87506
OPEN PRESS
NOTE: All media must present government-issued photo ID (such as driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Alyssa Ferda at 505-366-1463 or [email protected].
Leader of Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A New York resident has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in jail on his conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Adebola Mejule, 58, of Hempstead, New York.
According to information presented to the court, Mejule was one of the leaders of a vast conspiracy to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain federal income tax refunds. Mejule stole identities from his employer, New York Social Services, and gave them to two co-defendants to use to prepare fraudulent tax returns. Mejule then opened bank accounts using stolen identities and directed others to open bank accounts using stolen identities. The bank accounts were then used as repositories for the electronic deposit of the fraudulently obtained federal income tax refunds. Mejule would then have the account holders return the lion’s share of the fraudulently obtained refunds to him. All told the conspirators utilized the stolen identities of over 11,000 victims and opened more than 1,000 bank accounts across the United States with stolen identities.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mejule.
Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies in Second Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Justice Department leadership today announced the recipients of the Second Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 25 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
“The Trump Administration supports law enforcement at all levels—and we always will,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Today’s awards honor the incredible work that is being done across this country every day. This Department of Justice takes pride in announcing today’s winners of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.”
The Justice Department has been committed to supporting law enforcement and continues to back the “women and men in blue,” as directed by President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order. The Department has recently awarded grants to assist law enforcement and first responders who supported mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas. In addition, the Department has helped police departments across America to hire hundreds more police officers through the COPS grant program.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. The Department received 207 nominations for 469 individuals ranging from state police departments, to local police, to campus public safety agencies. This award highlights the work that officers and deputies do to prevent, intervene in, and respond to crime and public safety issues. The individuals recognized today are listed below:
INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY POLICING
Sergeant Sean Crotty of the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, New Jersey:
Sergeant Sean Crotty is the school resource officer at the local high school. His main responsibility is the protection of the school community. However, he also takes on the arguably greater role of getting involved with students, shaping the way they view law enforcement, and helping mold them into productive community members. While Sergeant Crotty’s “beat” is the high school, this does not limit him to creating relationships with the younger students in the community. In his years with the department, Sergeant Crotty started a Junior Police Academy for middle school students, enhanced free Police Athletic League (PAL) programs, and added a Junior Police Explorers program.
Detective John Rastetter of the Canton Police Department, Ohio:
Detective Michael Rastetter’s work with those suffering from opioid addiction has set him apart among a department full of dedicated officers continuously looking for innovative ways to serve their community. Detective Rastetter became the point person for the newly created Stark County Outreach Support (SOS) team, a quick response team made up of a nurse, a social worker and a vice detective. SOS has engaged 70 overdose survivors and 33 family members, connected 30 individuals with rehabilitation services and provided 19 Naloxone kits, leading to a reduction of nearly 60 percent in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2017. Detective Rastetter is a large part of the success of the program and decline in the overdose deaths.
Officer Laurie Reyes of the Montgomery County Police Department, Maryland:
Officer Laurie Reyes noticed that repeated searches for the same critically missing people (individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities [IDD], and Alzheimer’s disease) demanded a large portion of departmental resources, both in money and in officers’ time. She created the nationally recognized “Autism, Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities, and Alzheimer’s Outreach Program” as a way to promote awareness and safety through education, outreach, follow-up, empowerment and response. Officer Reyes identified a problem and developed a creative solution, which had a significant impact on public safety and public trust, all at no additional fiscal cost to the agency.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Officer Megan Freer of the Middleton Township Police Department, Pennsylvania:
In the summer of 2017, a 19-year-old man went missing near Middletown Township. Officer Freer began an intensive investigation into the missing person case, which eventually led to the discovery of a horrific quadruple homicide in Solebury Township, about 20 miles away. Officer Freer’s incredible investigative efforts led to the arrest of two 20-year-olds charged with murder of the four young men, and providing closure for the families of those missing young men. This was a tremendous effort of policing and police investigation, and Officer Freer has received several awards for her investigative effort, including the Philadelphia National Liberty Museum Award of Valor in September 2017.
Detective Andrew Beuschel, Jr. of the Evesham Township Police Department, New Jersey:
In December 2017, a father called the police when he found his 15-year-old daughter unresponsive due to a possible drug overdose; an ambulance transported the victim to the hospital, where she subsequently died from a heroin overdose two days later. Detective Beuschel investigated the case, including interviews and evidence from numerous warrants on cell phones, computers, and social media accounts, and was able to locate the suspected seller. Detective Beuschel’s persistence led to arrest warrants for possession of heroin, distribution of heroin, and ultimately, strict liability of the suspect for the drug-induced death of the 15-year-old victim.
Trooper Joel D. Follmer of the Pennsylvania State Police:
State Trooper Joel D. Follmer’s determined efforts and innovative policing techniques on an 18-month series of kidnapping and rape investigations throughout Pennsylvania led to the arrest of a serial rapist with assaults dating back as far as 1994. Trooper Follmer arrested the suspect in December of last year, who immediately confessed to several cases, and provided information on many others that he had attempted in the past and was planning in the future. The suspect is currently awaiting trial.
FIELD OPERATIONS
Sergeant Girard Tell III and Sergeant Ryan VanSyckle of the Pleasantville Police Department, New Jersey:
Since 2016, Sergeants Tell and VanSyckle have consistently led the department in arrests and drug seizures by their dogged persistence to seek out and dismantle criminal street gangs, including a regional investigation, which netted more than 100 felony indictments against the South Side Mob street gang. Their tireless drive to remove the most dangerous and violent offenders has had a significant impact on the criminal operating environment within the community, including a steady downward trend of gun violence and a 55 percent decrease in confirmed shooting calls for service.
Corporal Richard White III of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia:
In June 2017, dispatchers notified law enforcement and fire department agencies regarding several people who had flipped over their boats while kayaking and got caught in the swift current in Wheeling Creek. Corporal White arrived on the scene and waded into the heavy current, rescuing two females caught in the downstream. Corporal White was instrumental in preventing a possible tragic incident while putting himself in harm’s way. About a year earlier, a little boy had died after falling into the creek. Corporal White’s quick and selfless action helped ensure that those circumstances were not repeated.
Deputy Ned Nemeth of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada:
Deputy Nemeth has demonstrated active exceptional performance in field operations. As a full time K-9 handler, he works highway interdiction and has successfully reduced illegal operations in the past year along the I-80 corridor, including seizing 206 pounds of illegal marijuana, 359.42 grams of methamphetamine, and 43 contraband prescription opioid pain pills. Deputy Nemeth is known for providing high quality information about his interstate contacts to other agencies across the country. His efforts as a part of the HIDTA task force in northern Nevada not only have positive effects on his own community but also make meaningful contributions to other jurisdictions working to disrupt and dismantle organized drug trafficking operations nationwide.
Detective Thomas Curley of the Wilmington Police Department, Delaware:
Over the past 14 years, Wilmington Detective Thomas Curley has provided outstanding efforts in conducting criminal investigations to protect the people of Wilmington from gangs and violent crime, including the first successful illegal gang prosecution in the State of Delaware, which was later upheld by the Delaware Supreme Court. He possesses the ability to seek out and successfully talk with witnesses to develop leads and works tirelessly coordinating complex investigations. Detective Curley is dedicated to his job and strives for justice for the victims of violent crimes.
Officers Jeremiah Beason, Patrick Burke, Monty Fetherston, and Steve Morris, Jr., of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada:
On October 2017, at approximately 10:05 p.m., a lone gunman fired into a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers attending a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 innocent people and injuring more than 850. Las Vegas Metropolitan Officers Beason, Burke, Fetherston, and Morris were the first four first responders to react during this active shooter situation. These four officers rescued injured civilians, cleared the surrounding rooms near the shooter, and secured the perimeter. By running towards the danger, they saved countless lives.
Officers Jose Arriaga, Ruben Avalos, Carlos Escobar, Randy Jreisat, Arthur Meza, Ashley Mitchell, David Nick, Jr., Adrian Nuñez, Christina Salas, and Solly Samara of the Los Angeles Police Department, California:
In September 2017, the Los Angeles Police Department created the MacArthur Park Task Force to conduct uniform patrol in and around MacArthur Park and other surrounding areas. This team worked to restore order to the community around MacArthur Park by applying constant law enforcement and community involvement to the area to combat all crime and quality of life issues. These ten officers made 1,125 arrests in 32 weeks, issued 980 citations and offered services to hundreds of individuals. Their work is directly responsible for a 40 percent reduction of Part 1 crimes and a 46 percent reduction of violent crimes in the zone. These 10 officers helped transform this park and its surrounding neighborhood from its former blight, turning it into a clean, beautiful park.
Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies in Second Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney David J. Freed joined Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Justice Department leadership today in announcing the recipients of the Second Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 25 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
“The Trump Administration supports law enforcement at all levels—and we always will,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Today’s awards honor the incredible work that is being done across this country every day. This Department of Justice takes pride in announcing today’s winners of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.”
“Attorney General Sessions understands very clearly that 85% of law enforcement resources in the United States are state and local,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, we enjoy true partnership with our colleagues in the Pennsylvania State Police. Trooper Follmer’s dogged dedication and determination to see justice done in this investigation is indicative of the high level of training and professionalism throughout his organization. We congratulate Trooper Follmer and the Pennsylvania State Police for the well-deserved recognition from the Attorney General.”
The Justice Department has been committed to supporting law enforcement and continues to back the “women and men in blue,” as directed by President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order. The Department has recently awarded grants to assist law enforcement and first responders who supported mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas. In addition, the Department has helped police departments across America to hire hundreds more police officers through the COPS grant program.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. The Department received 207 nominations for 469 individuals ranging from state police departments, to local police, to campus public safety agencies. This award highlights the work that officers and deputies do to prevent, intervene in, and respond to crime and public safety issues.
The individual recognized by the Attorney General today includes Pennsylvania State Trooper Joel D. Follmer for his determined efforts and innovative policing techniques on an 18-month series of kidnapping and rape investigations throughout Pennsylvania that led to the arrest of a serial rapist with assaults dating back as far as 1994. Trooper Follmer arrested the suspect in December of last year, who immediately confessed to several cases, and provided information on many others that he had attempted in the past and was planning in the future. The suspect is currently awaiting trial.
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Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies in Second Annual Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – United States Attorney Dayle Elieson joined Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Justice Department leadership today in announcing the recipients of the Second Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 25 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
“The Trump Administration supports law enforcement at all levels—and we always will,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Today’s awards honor the incredible work that is being done across this country every day. This Department of Justice takes pride in announcing today’s winners of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.”
The Justice Department has been committed to supporting law enforcement and continues to back the “women and men in blue,” as directed by President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order. The Department has recently awarded grants to assist law enforcement and first responders who supported mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas. In addition, the Department has helped police departments across America to hire hundreds more police officers through the COPS grant program.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. The Department received 207 nominations for 469 individuals ranging from state police departments, to local police, to campus public safety agencies. This award highlights the work that officers and deputies do to prevent, intervene in, and respond to crime and public safety issues.
The individuals recognized by the Attorney General today include:
Deputy Ned Nemeth of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office:
Deputy Nemeth has demonstrated active exceptional performance in field operations. As a full time K-9 handler, he works highway interdiction and has successfully reduced illegal operations in the past year along the I-80 corridor, including seizing 206 pounds of illegal marijuana, 359.42 grams of methamphetamine, and 43 contraband prescription opioid pain pills. Deputy Nemeth is known for providing high quality information about his interstate contacts to other agencies across the country. His efforts as a part of the HIDTA task force in northern Nevada not only have positive effects on his own community but also make meaningful contributions to other jurisdictions working to disrupt and dismantle organized drug trafficking operations nationwide.
Officers Jeremiah Beason, Patrick Burke, Monty Fetherston, and Steve Morris, Jr., of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department:
On October 2017, at approximately 10:05 p.m., a lone gunman fired into a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers attending a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 innocent people and injuring more than 850. Las Vegas Metropolitan Officers Beason, Burke, Fetherston, and Morris were the first four first responders to react during this active shooter situation. These four officers rescued injured civilians, cleared the surrounding rooms near the shooter, and secured the perimeter. By running towards the danger, they saved countless lives.
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Justice Department Announces Fourth Settlement Protecting U.S. Workers from DiscriminationRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Palmetto Beach Hospitality LLC (Palmetto), a company that provides housekeeping services to hotels in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. The agreement resolves the Department’s investigation into whether Palmetto unlawfully denied employment to qualified and available U.S. workers because it preferred to hire temporary foreign workers with H-2B visas. It is the fourth settlement under the Civil Rights Division’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement actions against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of temporary visa workers.
The Department’s investigation determined that Palmetto failed to consider applications from qualified U.S. workers for its housekeeper positions, even though employers are required to recruit and hire available and qualified U.S. workers before they receive permission to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2B visa program. After ignoring applications from U.S. workers, Palmetto represented to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that it could not find qualified U.S. workers and obtained authorization to employ temporary visa workers.
“The Department of Justice will fight to ensure that U.S. workers are not denied jobs because an employer has a discriminatory preference for hiring temporary visa workers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “I commend Palmetto for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, and its agreement to engage in domestic recruitment efforts far surpassing the minimal recruiting requirements to participate in the H-2B visa worker program.”
Failing to consider or hire qualified U.S. workers based on their citizenship status violates the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regardless of whether an employer has complied with other rules governing the use of temporary employment-based visa programs.
Under the settlement, Palmetto must engage in several types of enhanced recruiting and job advertising efforts to attract qualified U.S. workers, far beyond those required by the H-2B visa rules. Palmetto also must set aside $35,000 to pay any wages lost by U.S. workers whose applications it improperly rejected or ignored, pay $42,000 in civil penalties to the United States, and be subject to departmental monitoring.
Under the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, the Civil Rights Division has opened dozens of investigations, filed one lawsuit, and reached settlement agreements with four employers. Since the Initiative’s inception, employers have agreed to pay or have distributed over $320,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers. The Division has also increased its collaboration with other federal agencies, including a new formalized partnership with DOL to combat discrimination and abuse by employers using foreign visa workers.
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation.
More information on how employers can avoid unlawful citizenship status discrimination is available here. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to: discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin; or retaliation can file a charge or contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
Justice Department Announces Fourth Settlement Protecting U.S. Workers from DiscriminationRead the Press Release
NOTE: The settlement agreement can be found here.
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Palmetto Beach Hospitality LLC (Palmetto), a company that provides housekeeping services to hotels in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. The agreement resolves the Department’s investigation into whether Palmetto unlawfully denied employment to qualified and available U.S. workers because it preferred to hire temporary foreign workers with H-2B visas. It is the fourth settlement under the Civil Rights Division’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement actions against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of temporary visa workers.
The Department’s investigation determined that Palmetto failed to consider applications from qualified U.S. workers for its housekeeper positions, even though employers are required to recruit and hire available and qualified U.S. workers before they receive permission to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2B visa program. After ignoring applications from U.S. workers, Palmetto represented to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that it could not find qualified U.S. workers and obtained authorization to employ temporary visa workers.
“The Department of Justice will fight to ensure that U.S. workers are not denied jobs because an employer has a discriminatory preference for hiring temporary visa workers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “I commend Palmetto for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, and its agreement to engage in domestic recruitment efforts far surpassing the minimal recruiting requirements to participate in the H-2B visa worker program.”
Failing to consider or hire qualified U.S. workers based on their citizenship status violates the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regardless of whether an employer has complied with other rules governing the use of temporary employment-based visa programs.
Under the settlement, Palmetto must engage in several types of enhanced recruiting and job advertising efforts to attract qualified U.S. workers, far beyond those required by the H-2B visa rules. Palmetto also must set aside $35,000 to pay any wages lost by U.S. workers whose applications it improperly rejected or ignored, pay $42,000 in civil penalties to the United States, and be subject to departmental monitoring.
Under the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, the Civil Rights Division has opened dozens of investigations, filed one lawsuit, and reached settlement agreements with four employers. Since the Initiative’s inception, employers have agreed to pay or have distributed over $320,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers. The Division has also increased its collaboration with other federal agencies, including a new formalized partnership with DOL to combat discrimination and abuse by employers using foreign visa workers.
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation.
More information on how employers can avoid unlawful citizenship status discrimination is available here. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to: discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin; or retaliation can file a charge or contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
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Jury Convicts Lansing Man in International Identity Theft and Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — On Monday, September 17, 2018, a jury convicted Oghenevwakpo Igboba of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of wire fraud, eight counts of making a false claim to the United States, and eight counts of aggravated identity theft. Igboba used other individuals’ personally identifying information to access tax information using an Internal Revenue Service website. He then took that sensitive tax and personal information and used it to file false federal income tax returns directing the IRS to pay fraudulent refunds to bank accounts he controlled. Igboba now faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud conviction, which was the most serious charge, and at least two years consecutive for the aggravated identity theft convictions. The conspiracy and false claims convictions carry up to ten and five years in prison, respectively.
"My office will aggressively prosecute those who undermine the functioning of Internal Revenue Service systems and steal refunds owed to other hard-working Americans," said U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge. "This crime does damage to the individual tax payers whose identities were stolen in connection with the fraud, but it also does damage to all Americans who place their trust in the proper functioning of the tax system and expect an orderly and prompt payment of tax refunds. This defendant stole from all of us."
By filing Form 1040s before the real taxpayers, Igboba managed to direct hundreds of thousands of dollars to himself. IRS systems stopped many of the stolen returns from being issued, but Igboba personally received at least $57,000 as a result of his crime. He used personally identifying information to access tax information for more than 100 individuals through IRS systems. The evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that the defendant conspired with numerous individuals, both in the United States and abroad, to compile personal information and direct the tax returns to numerous bank accounts.
"Even one unauthorized access to confidential tax information is a violation of federal law, and in this case, the defendant stole hundreds of tax transcripts from the IRS in furtherance of a scheme to enrich himself at the expense of the American people," said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. "I want to commend our investigators, including those in our cybercrimes division, for cracking this case, their counterparts at IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s office for helping us bring this individual to justice."
Special Agent in Charge Manny Muriel, IRS - Criminal Investigation, stated, "IRS-CI will not stop its pursuit of criminals who attempt and perpetrate tax-related identity theft." Muriel continued, "let this conviction stand as a warning to any would-be criminal that ID theft tax crimes will not be tolerated, and that you will be caught and brought to justice."
The case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and IRS - Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Sally J. Berens and Christopher M. O’Connor prosecuted the case.
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Johnstown Man Admits Distributing Heroin in December 2017Read the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -A resident of Johnstown, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distribution of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tony Charles Eppolito, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Dec. 6, 2017, Eppolito distributed less than 100 grams of heroin.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 7, 2019 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Eppolito.
Jamestown man Sentenced for Food Stamp FraudRead 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 Joseph M. Gullotti, 57, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of food stamp benefits fraud, was sentenced to six months home detention by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The defendant was also ordered to pay $173,515.00 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas A.C. Penrose and Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who handled the case, stated that the defendant owned and operated Fresh Cut Meats & More, at 631 Newland Avenue in Jamestown. Gullotti, as the owner of Fresh Cut, was authorized to accept and redeem food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits a retailer from accepting food stamps for ineligible items such as beer, cigarettes, and hot prepared food, from giving cash for the benefits, and from using the benefits to pay for items purchased on credit.
Between January 2015 and March 21, 2017, the defendant and others accepted food stamp benefits to pay for merchandise purchased on credit by a beneficiary including ineligible items. During that time, Gullotti and others engaged in approximately $173,515 of unlawful transactions.Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings.
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