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11 September 2018
Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against the United StatesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today a complete defense verdict in a medical malpractice, wrongful death lawsuit brought against the United States of America under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
On Sept. 10, 2018, judgment was entered in favor of the United States following a three-day bench trial before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner that concluded on Sept. 7, 2018. The court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law was released on Sept. 10, 2018.
At 5:25 a.m. on May 9, 2014, a VA patient drove himself to the emergency room at the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. His chief complaint was an allergic reaction to shrimp he ate earlier that night, and he also complained that he had facial swelling that started prior to his presentation to the VA. The patient was immediately admitted and evaluated by the emergency room physician within five minutes. The patient was diagnosed with an allergic reaction and treated with intravenous medications. Subsequently, he had an anaphylactic reaction and was pronounced dead at 6:58 a.m. as a result of anaphylaxis.
The court found that the evidence did not demonstrate or establish a breach or deviation from any medical standard of care by any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care provider in providing medical care, treatment, and healthcare services to a VA patient on May 9, 2014, in the emergency department at the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The court also found that the VA patient’s death was not caused by any VA health care provider’s negligence. The court concluded that the United States is not liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
This case is being defended by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew N. Sparks and Deputy U.S. Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray of the Western District of Missouri. The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Columbus Pharmacist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Maria Mascio, 62, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution for executing a decade-long health care fraud scheme.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Lamont Pugh, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Metro Washington Field Office, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director, State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy and Jim Wernecke, Director, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation special investigations department, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court records, Mascio, a licensed pharmacist and owner of Family Medical Pharmacy and Visions Systems in Columbus, Ohio, executed a health care fraud scheme for at least a decade (from 2003 through 2013). Her scheme caused a loss of $1.1 million.
Mascio schemed to defraud Medicare, Ohio Medicaid, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and private insurers by billing for sample drugs that could not be legally sold and for medications that had not been dispensed.
Mascio owned an office building on Karl Road in which her pharmacy and the medical offices of two doctors were located. Mascio directed pharmacy employees to remove prescription drug samples from the medical offices and place them in a storage room used by the pharmacy.
After collecting the drug samples, Mascio or employees under her direction removed the drugs from their individualized packaging and stored them in plastic bins. They disposed of the sample packaging in the dumpster located on the premises of the pharmacy and placed the sample drugs into the pharmacy inventory where they were co-mingled with the pharmacy’s stocked drugs and dispensed to the general public.
Mascio also orchestrated the submission of false claims for the sample drugs to health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Ohio Medicaid and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
She pleaded guilty in May to one count of health care fraud scheme and one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
“Mascio’s criminal conduct included breaking into several physician offices and stealing large quantities of sample prescription drugs before shucking them from their original packaging,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “By misbranding the drugs, there was no method by which the drugs could be identified should there be a recall by the manufacturer, nor was there any way to determine the expiration date or whether the drugs remained effective. This is clearly a danger to the community, and we will continue to identify and prosecute this sort of criminal behavior.”
“Patients who are taking prescription medications need to be able to trust that the medicine that is being dispensed to them is safe and effective” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “This defendant violated that trust and put her personal greed above the public’s health and safety. The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that medical professionals who commit criminal acts such as this are held accountable.”
“Our goal is to protect Ohio families, and fighting health care fraud is a priority,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “In this case, the defendant carried on her scheme for over a decade and put people at risk. We appreciate the cooperation of our law enforcement partners in holding her accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and FDA, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth F. Affeldt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Maritsa A. Flaherty of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office, who are prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced on Heroin and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Abdullah Jabbar Aquil, a/k/a “Wap,” age 42, of Columbia, was sentenced in federal court to 92 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release. Aquil plead guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute heroin and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 851 and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, imposed the sentence and ordered that it run consecutive to a 24 months’ imprisonment sentence Aquil is currently serving.
Evidence presented in court established on February 3, 2017, after making several controlled buys of heroin from Aquil, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department executed a state search warrant upon one of Aquil’s residences. Inside they found a Glock .40 caliber firearm, ammunition, and digital scales. A further search of Aquil’s vehicle revealed a little over 9 grams of heroin.
Aquil is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions and a prior federal conviction. Aquil has prior state convictions for possession of cocaine, possession of pistol by person under 21 years of age, carrying pistol unlawfully (two separate counts), distribution of cocaine, criminal domestic violence, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, possession of stolen pistol, and possession of crack cocaine 2nd offense. At the time of the incident, Aquil was on federal supervised release for a 2009 federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he previously served 70 months’ imprisonment. Aquil’s federal supervised release was revoked in May 2017, and he is currently serving 24 months’ term of imprisonment for that revocation. Today’s sentence will run consecutive to that term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Cherokee Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on September 10, 2018, in federal court in Sioux City.
Raymond Andrew Kerns, 36, from Cherokee, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Kerns was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, in the Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County in August 2017.
At the plea hearing, Kerns admitted that from January 2017 through February 2018, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture in and around the Cherokee, Iowa area. On February 27, 2018, Kerns was apprehended by law enforcement in Storm Lake, Iowa when Kerns was attempting to meet a co-conspirator for purposes of methamphetamine trafficking. Law enforcement seized $1,500 and 8 grams of methamphetamine from Kerns, which Kerns admitted he planned to distribute to other persons.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Kerns remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Kerns faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, and at least eight years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Storm Lake Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-4025.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Compton, Cal., man pleaded guilty in federal court on September 10, 2018 to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Shadeed Seifullah Muhammad, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to yesterday’s plea agreement, Muhammad conspired with others to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine from April 4, 2016, to April 4, 2017. The plea agreement states that Muhammad mailed a United States Priority Mail Package from the state of California on April 4, 2016, to a residence in Columbia, Mo. The package was intended for another co-conspirator in Jefferson City. The package was being transported by that co-conspirator, who was en route to Jefferson City, when officers made a traffic stop. The package was seized and sent to the United States Postal Inspection Service Laboratory and it was determined that the substance contained approximately 810 grams of pure methamphetamine. The co-conspirator plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on May 14, 2018, and is awaiting sentencing.
On Mar. 30, 2017, Muhammad mailed another package from a post office in the state of California which was addressed to a residence in Jefferson City, Mo. It was also intercepted by law enforcement. The package was also sent to the USPIS Laboratory and it was determined that the substance contained approximately 856 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Under federal statutes, Muhammad is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison without parole, and up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
CEO of “Penny Stock” Company Sentenced for Stock Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The CEO of a microcap company that claimed to own valuable patented drug delivery technology was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to manipulate the market for his company’s publicly traded stock.
Learned Jeremiah Hand, 59, of Durham, N.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to nine months in prison and one year of supervised release, with restitution to be determined at a later date. In August 2016, Hand pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. In May 2018, his brother, Jehu Hand, 61, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 25, 2018. Their other brother, Adam Hand, 53, of Newport Beach, Calif., was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
The Hand brothers conspired in a pump-and-dump scheme to manipulate the market for the stock of Crown Marketing, a microcap or “penny stock” company that claimed to own valuable patented drug delivery technology. Specifically, Learned Hand and his brothers engaged in a scheme to conceal their control over the majority of Crown’s free-trading stock so that they could “pump” up the company’s share price and then secretly “dump” their shares into the market. Jehu Hand filed false registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that the stock that the co-conspirators controlled could be sold to the public. Meanwhile, Learned Hand, who had been named Crown’s CEO, orchestrated a press campaign, including the distribution of press releases containing false and misleading statements regarding the drug delivery technology purportedly owned by Crown. Crown’s share price and trading volume shot up as a result of the hype created by the false press, and the co-conspirators, including Adam Hand, then proceeded to sell millions of shares of Crown stock to unwitting investors at inflated prices.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The United States Attorney’s Office received valuable assistance from the Securities & Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority during the investigation of this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Herbert of Lelling’s Criminal Division and SEC Attorney Andrew Palid, who was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecuted case.
Business Owner and Former D.C. Schools Employee Sentenced to Jail Terms for Fraudulent Billing SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The owner of a tutoring and mentoring business and a former employee of the District of Columbia Public Schools were sentenced today to 52 weekends in jail, to be followed by 270 days of home confinement, for their roles in a scheme to fraudulently bill the school system more than $200,000 for services that they falsely claimed had been provided to students with special needs.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the District of Columbia.
John A. Faulkner, Jr., 40, the business owner, and Isaiah Johnson, 38, the former D.C. Public Schools employee, each pled guilty in June 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to charges of mail fraud and identity theft. They were sentenced by the Honorable Rudolph Contreras. In addition to the jail terms and home confinement, each defendant must perform 100 hours of community service and successfully complete five years of probation.
Faulkner and Johnson also must pay a total of $217,366 in restitution to the District of Columbia Schools. Faulkner also is required to pay $142,866 in a forfeiture money judgment, and Johnson must pay $74,500 in a forfeiture money judgment.
The two men, both of Baltimore, were indicted in September 2017. According to a statement of offense submitted at the time of the pleas, the men carried out a scheme from at least July of 2012 through at least July of 2014 involving fraudulent invoices submitted to the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) for services purportedly performed under the Compensatory Education Program.
The Compensatory Education Program awards services to eligible students to assist with their educational needs and development. Students awarded compensatory education services have learning, mental, and/or behavioral disabilities that create an educational barrier that prevents them from reaping the full benefits of education. Services consist of tutoring, individualized education, monitoring, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral and psychological analysis. Once DCPS approves specific services, parents or guardians receive letters specifying the services that can be provided. They also receive a list of independent providers, or vendors.
According to the statement of offense, Faulkner owned a company that in 2011 became eligible to be paid by DCPS as a vendor for tutoring and mentoring services. Johnson was a DCPS compliance case manager who was responsible for notifying parents or guardians, via letters, that their children were entitled to obtain the services of the independent providers. In that role, according to the indictment, Johnson had access to students’ names as well as compensatory education letters and the forms used to create those letters.
Faulkner and Johnson created or caused to be created false and fraudulent timesheets purporting to reflect compensatory education services provided to students that had, in fact, not been performed. These documents included the names and, in some instances, the signatures of individuals who purportedly provided services, the DCPS students and the students’ parents or guardians. Faulkner and Johnson admitted that they and others used these means of identification without the knowledge or permission of the individuals. Faulkner attached these timesheets to invoices to DCPS. He received payments and distributed a portion of the proceeds to Johnson.
DCPS sent at least $217,366 in payments for services that never were performed.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge McNamara and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Howie; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris, Paralegal Specialists Kristy Penny and Joshua Fein, and former Paralegal Specialist Jessica Mundi. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter C. Lallas and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Broken Arrow Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $2.75 MillionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that Cristyne Denise Gilleland, 41, of Broken Arrow, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud involving the embezzlement of more than $2.75 million from an Inola business and to signing a false tax return.
Gilleland admitted to embezzling the money from TJT Enterprises, LLC, and its owner, Tommy Thompson, from 2010 to 2017 by wire transfers, writing checks, and paying credit card charges, all for her personal benefit. As an employee of the company who was responsible for accounting and financial management, she used a variety of methods to conceal her embezzlement, including establishing a business that she used to further her scheme.
“Cristyne Gilleland betrayed the trust and confidence placed in her by TJT Enterprises and Tommy Thompson,” stated U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Her guilty plea today is the first step toward justice for the victims. The United States Attorney’s Office will help recover the more than $2.75 million embezzled by Gilleland. Crooks don’t get to keep the things they bought with illegally begotten money.”
The charges specifically focused on a fraudulent $577,500 wire transfer made by the defendant from TJT Enterprises to a business she created for the purpose of embezzling funds, and on a 2015 tax return in which she failed to report $477,199 in income to the IRS.
As part of the plea agreement, Gilleland consented to the forfeiture of substantial assets, including a yacht, a Grand Lake condominium, financial account proceeds and vehicles. She further agreed to forfeit an additional $100,000. All of the forfeited proceeds will provide restitution for the victims.
U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell will sentence Gilleland on December 11, 2018 at 10 a.m.; Gilleland could face up to 20 years in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine J. Depew prosecuted the case.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced that, late yesterday, Johnny Obrian Leach, 31, of Gastonia, N.C. was sentenced to 180 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. presided over the sentencing.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Robert C. Helton of the Gastonia Police Department join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on November 7, 2017, Leach possessed a loaded .22 caliber Walther pistol. Leach’s prior convictions, which include Assault with Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury on April 24, 2004; two counts of Robbery with Dangerous Weapon and two counts of First Degree Kidnapping on October 20, 2005; and two counts of Robbery with Dangerous Weapon on October 26, 2005, prohibit Leach from possessing firearms. At today’s sentencing hearing Leach received an enhanced sentence as an “Armed Career Criminal.”
Leach pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in February 2018. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the FBI and the Gastonia Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Kaufman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN 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.
Albuquerque Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Production of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Danielle Glotfelty, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning in federal court to a production of child pornography charge. Danielle Glotfelty entered the guilty plea under a plea agreement that recommends that she be sentenced to an 18-year term of imprisonment followed by at least five years of supervised release. Danielle Glotfelty also will be required to register as a sex offender after she completes her prison sentence.
The FBI charged Danielle Glotfelty in a criminal complaint filed on June 6, 2017, with producing child pornography in April 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the complaint, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) initiated an investigation into Danielle Glotfelty’s co-defendant Christopher Glotfelty, 36, also of Albuquerque, in May 2017, after receiving information and evidence supporting allegations that Christopher Glotfelty produced child pornography of himself engaging in sexual activity with two minor victims. The complaint alleged that images of child pornography were contained in four thumb drives, two memory sticks, and a camera that allegedly belonged to Christopher Glotfelty.
Danielle Glotfelty and Christopher Glotfelty subsequently were charged with child pornography offenses in a six-count indictment filed on July 11, 2017. The indictment charged Danielle Glotfelty and Christopher Glotfelty with producing child pornography on March 5, 2014. It also charged Christopher Glotfelty with producing child pornography on April 29, 2014, and possessing child pornography on two thumb drives and a memory stick within a camera on May 11, 2017. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the crimes in Bernalillo County.
During today’s proceedings, Danielle Glotfelty pled guilty to one count of producing child pornography. In entering the guilty plea, Danielle Glotfelty admitted that in March 2014 and April 2014, she aided and abetted Christopher Glotfelty in producing child pornography involving a seven-year-old child. Danielle Glotfelty’s plea agreement recommends that she serve her federal sentence concurrently with any prison sentence imposed in the state case in which she is being prosecuted on related state charges.
On July 25, 2018, Christopher Glotfelty pled guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. In entering the guilty plea, Christopher Glotfelty admitted that on March 5, 2014, he used a digital camera to produce child pornography of a seven-year-old child, and saved the video recording on a memory stick within the digital camera. Christopher Glotfelty also admitted that from 2014 through May 2017, he possessed a thumb drive that contained approximately 297 images and nine videos of child pornography. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Christopher Glotfelty will be sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment followed by 15 years of supervised release. Christopher Glotfelty will also be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Danielle Glotfelty and Christopher Glotfelty have been in federal custody since their arrests and will remain detained pending their sentencing hearing, which have yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the APD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathon M. Gerson is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
The case also was brought as a part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force’s mission, which is to locate, track, and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 86 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies associated with the New Mexico ICAC Task Force, which is funded by a grant administered by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Anyone with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse is encouraged to contact federal or local law enforcement.
Aberdeen Woman Sentenced in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Aberdeen, South Dakota woman convicted for her participation in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine was sentenced on September 10, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Maria Alexa Keuseman, a/k/a Maria Alexa Kebseman, age 27, was sentenced to 135 months in custody to be followed by 8 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Keuseman was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on August 8, 2018. She pled guilty on June 11, 2018.
Keuseman and her co-conspirator, David Dwayne Leemhuis, purchased methamphetamine to distribute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and elsewhere. On June 8, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Keuseman’s home in Sioux Falls and located approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine in a safe and approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine in her purse.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.
Keuseman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
10 September 2018
Youth Care Worker Convicted of Sexually Abusing Unaccompanied Minors in Southwest Key FacilityRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Sept. 7, 2018, a federal jury convicted Levian D. Pacheco, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz., of seven counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward and three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan presided over the seven-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2018.
"Ensuring the safety of all individuals held in federal custody is of utmost importance to this office," stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. "This verdict demonstrates our commitment to securing justice for the teenage boys the defendant abused and sends a message to others in positions of trust that these crimes will not be tolerated."
“We are committed to protecting the health and safety of children and holding accountable those who would sexually abuse these innocent victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “When individuals violate their positions of trust and harm children, we will ensure these criminals are brought to justice for their actions.”
Between August 2016 and July 2017, Pacheco sexually abused multiple minors at the Casa Kokopelli Southwest Key Facility in Mesa, Ariz. The minors were being held in official detention pending possible deportation. Pacheco was employed as a youth care worker at the facility and was in charge of supervising the minors. The jury convicted Pacheco of abusing seven teenage boys, some on more than one occasion.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, as well as the Mesa Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Dimitra H. Sampson and Tracy Van Buskirk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-1152-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-119_Pacheco
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Wilmington Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Wilmington man was sentenced Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in federal court in Boston for dealing fentanyl.
Bryan Moran, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 10 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. In May 2018, Moran pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
In June 2016, Moran was arrested and charged after investigators seized approximately 80 grams of fentanyl from a storage unit in North Reading. Due to a 2003 conviction in federal court for heroin conspiracy, Moran faced a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Wilmington Police Chief Michael Begonis; and North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
White River Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a White River, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.
Roger Moran, age 65, was indicted on August 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 7, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between February 25, 2014 and August 23, 2018, Moran knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female.
The charges are merely accusations and Moran is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.
Moran was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Warrant Issued for Dominican Woman Who Failed to Appear for Trial in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national failed to appear in federal court in Boston this morning for the first day of her trial; she was previously charged for her role in a widespread heroin and fentanyl conspiracy.
Isis Y Lugo-Guerrero, 46, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was arrested on Feb. 14, 2017, and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. On March 2, 2017, Lugo-Guerrero was released from custody on $10,000 unsecured bonds and additional conditions. The first day of her week-long trial was scheduled to begin today, but she failed to appear in court. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued a warrant for Lugo-Guerrero’s arrest.
Lugo-Guerrero is the sister of Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero, the convicted leader of a Boston-based heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization. Isis Lugo-Guerrero is alleged to have conspired with her brother and others by regularly obtaining heroin and cocaine from him and by supplying him with substances to cut his drugs to make additional profit.
Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and more than five kilograms of cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 27, 2018.
The charge of conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Virginia man sentenced for selling cocaineRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Marto Orantes, of Winchester, Virginia, was sentenced today to time served for cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Orantes, age 48, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine” in June 2018. Orantes admitted to selling cocaine in April 2016 in Hampshire County.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug & Gang Task Force , the West Virginia State Police, the Virginia State Police, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral County Sheriff's Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, the Keyser City Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Union County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 121 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 140 Kilograms of Heroin and CocaineRead the Press Release
Defendant Also Assaulted Federal Officers
TRENTON, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey man was sentenced today to 121 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute 140 kilograms of narcotics, and for assaulting two law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Siddeeq Q. Williams, 40, of Cranford, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine. Williams also pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting federal officers.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Williams, Gemal Singleton, 41, of Edison, New Jersey, and others arranged for cocaine and heroin to be shipped to New Jersey via tractor trailer. On Aug. 27, 2017, the tractor trailer arrived in New Jersey and law enforcement conducted a vehicle stop after the driver committed several traffic violations. A subsequent search of the tractor-trailer recovered five large duffle bags containing a total of 56 kilograms of heroin and 85 kilograms of cocaine. Singleton and Williams admitted that they were supposed to meet the tractor-trailer to collect the narcotics for eventual distribution.
On Aug. 30, 2017, law enforcement officers went to speak with Singleton and Williams. Williams admitted that when two law enforcement officers operating an undercover vehicle attempted to pull him over, he sped away in a Honda Pilot. Williams also admitted that during the ensuing pursuit, he rammed the Pilot into the officers’ vehicle and drove away.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Williams to five years of supervised release.On July 10, 2018, Judge Martinotti sentenced Singleton to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
Defense counsel: Williams: Jon Kearney Esq., Kearny, New Jersey
Singleton: Robert DeGroot Esq., NewarkU.S. Attorney's Office, FBI Prepared to Respond to Complaints of Election Fraud & Voting Rights AbusesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Terrence P. Donnelly will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s Election Day Program for the upcoming September 12, 2018, Rhode Island primary. AUSA Donnelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Wednesday.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on September 12, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch announced today that AUSA/DEO Donnelly will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at (401) 709-5068.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Wednesday. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
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Tybee Island Shrimper Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison, Ordered to Pay Nearly $1 Million in Fraud RestitutionRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Tybee Island shrimper and fisherman will spend more than six years in federal prison after United States District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. sentenced him Aug. 30 for a case involving fraudulent claims for losses from foreign competition.
Michael Brian Anderson, who was convicted by a federal jury March 22, 2018, was sentenced for three counts of false statements, four counts of mail fraud and two counts of money laundering. In addition to the 77-month prison sentence, Judge Moore also ordered Anderson to pay $818,234 in restitution. The court imposed a longer sentence than standard guidelines for the case because of aggravating factors that included Anderson’s perjury during the trial and the number of victims in the case, including the use of a deceased person to further the scheme.
During the trial, prosecutors from the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office presented evidence that Anderson submitted multiple false claims to Customs & Border Protection (CBP) seeking millions of dollars in subsidies under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA). The CDSOA allowed American shrimp producers to apply for federal funding to reimburse income they lost due to foreign competition.
Anderson, an eligible domestic shrimper, applied to CBP for subsidies based on the claim that his shrimping business expenses from 2005 to 2007 were more than $24 million – a claim refuted during his trial, and further debunked by Anderson’s own bank records and tax returns. Based on Anderson’s fraud, the U.S. government paid Anderson more than $800,000 to which he was not entitled. Anderson used those illegally obtained proceeds to purchase boats, stock and real estate.
“Brian Anderson submitted millions of dollars in inflated invoices for one simple reason: greed,” said United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “By overinflating the amount he was entitled to receive under the CDSOA, Brian Anderson diverted money from hard-working shrimpers into his own pocket. Our office is devoted to aggressively prosecuting anyone who seeks to steal public money.”
“Fraud schemes like the one uncovered in this case directly steal from hard-working U.S. taxpayers by making false claims to exploit a federal subsidy program,” said Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick S. Annan. “HSI is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to pursue transnational fraud cases aggressively and hold accountable those who seek to illegally enrich themselves.”
U.S. Attorney Christine commended the hard work and dedication of the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection, who jointly investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Tania Groover prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For any questions, please contact Barry Paschal at (912) 652-4422.
Two Young Men Admit Role in Deadly Transporting CaseRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two Mexican nationals have pleaded guilty for their roles in an alien transporting event which resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Mario Emiliano-Herrera and Julio Cesar Lopez-Nino, both 19, admitted they hoped to be paid $100 in exchange for each person successfully smuggled across the Rio Grande River and into the United States.
Emiliano-Herrera and Lopez-Nino were originally arrested Feb. 27, 2018, after Border Patrol (BP) agents encountered them leading a group of undocumented aliens through the brush in Laredo. Nine were ultimately apprehended, two of whom included Emiliano-Herrera and Lopez-Nino.
Law enforcement learned one of the aliens had passed out and had been left behind and attempted to retrace the group’s steps to no avail.
On March 7, 2018, a ranch foreman notified authorities that a body was found on the property just 1.5 miles north of the Rio Grande River. The deceased male was identified as part of the group Emiliano-Herrera and Lopez-Nino lead. According to witnesses, the victim could no longer keep up with the group, at which time Lopez-Nino kicked him repeatedly and left him behind.
Sentencing will be set at a later date before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. Emiliano-Herrera and Lopez-Nino each face up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. They remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Giselle S. Guerra is prosecuting the case.
Two More Key Players in Ring that Conducted Series of Jewelry Store Armed Robberies Receive Lengthy Federal Prison SentencesRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Two key figures in a ring that conducted a string of violent smash-and-grab robberies at Southland jewelry stores that resulted in the theft of approximately $6 million worth of high-end watches each have been sentenced to over two decades in federal prison.
Jameson Laforest, 26, of Inglewood, who participated in the scheme for nearly two years, was sentenced on Friday to 22 years and 8 months in prison. The evidence at trial proved that Laforest was involved in three of the jewelry store robberies – at Prestige Jewelers in Manhattan Beach, Westime in West Hollywood, and Ben Bridge Jewelers in the Del Amo Fashion Center. Among participants in the robberies, Laforest’s “role was the most wide-ranging,” prosecutors argued in court, pointing out that he was on the two-member robbery team that carried out a smash-and-grab robbery at Prestige Jewelers and then took on a more senior role in the robberies that followed, including recruiting other participants, scouting locations, distributing supplies for the robbers to carry into the stores, and receiving the stolen merchandise after the robbery.
Robert Wesley Johnson, 29, of Inglewood, who prosecutors said in court papers “played a critical leadership and organizational role in the robbery conspiracy,” was sentenced on Friday to 22 years in prison. Johnson recruited robbers and scouted the jewelry stores, and he supplied the firearms, hammers, backpacks and other tools used in the robberies.
Laforest and Johnson, both members of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, were sentenced by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who presided over a five-week trial last year that led to the conviction of four men.
The sentencings of Johnson and Laforest follow last month’s sentencing of the robbery crew’s leader, Keith Marvel Walton, who was ordered to serve 55 years in federal prison. Johnson and Laforest were two of Walton’s top lieutenants.
The fourth defendant found guilty at last year’s trial, Evan Scott, who was a gunman in two of the robberies and pepper sprayed an employee in a third robbery, is expected to be sentenced by Judge Carney later this year.
During last year’s trial, a federal jury convicted the four defendants of planning and, in some cases, actively participating in the robberies, as well as brandishing a firearm during the heists.
Another 15 defendants, each of whom was involved in at least one of the smash-and-grab robberies, have pleaded guilty. One of those men who pleaded guilty, Stanley Ford, 49, of Lancaster, was sentenced in July to 25 years in prison for participating in five of the robberies.
The conspiracy was responsible for 14 robberies or attempted robberies between early August 2014 and April 2016. One heist at a store in the busy Westfield Century City mall netted more than $1.6 million in watches and involved one of the robbers firing a warning shot from a rifle after a security guard tried to secure the store doors. Members of the conspiracy stole watches and other jewelry that were cumulatively worth approximately $6 million.
“These robberies were dangerous and violent – the precise reason they were successful,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. “The stunning show of force and intimidation prevented employees and customers from resisting, as they feared for their lives if they attempted to do so.”
Members of the conspiracy selected jewelry stores based on their inventory of expensive watches, including those manufactured by Rolex, Audemar Piguet and TAG Heuer. Walton and other organizers, including Laforest and Johnson, recruited financially desperate young men to perform the robberies, often by promising large sums of money if they were successful. The organizers planned the details of the robberies, including selecting the display cases to be smashed and providing the firearms, tools, disguises and stolen cars that were used in the robberies.
The investigation into the robbery ring was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The prosecutors handing this matter are Assistant United States Attorneys Scott D. Tenley of the Santa Ana Branch Office, Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, and Julia L. Reese of the Criminal Appeals Section.
Two Miami Residents Sentenced to Prison for $7 Million Identity Theft Tax Refund ScamRead the Press Release
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Gabriel Grchan, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), St. Paul Field Office, Michael J. De Palma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI, Miami Field Office, and Dexter M. Williams, Chief, Miramar Police Department, announced that Frantz Silvene, 34, of Miami, was sentenced to 87 months after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286, and one count of aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A, for a tax refund scheme that resulted in the filing of approximately $7 million in fraudulent tax refund claims. Also connected to this scheme, Myriam Gisme, 38 of Miami, was sentenced to 53 months after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims. At sentencing, on August 28, 2018, the defendants were also ordered to pay approximately $1.5 million in restitution.
According to the plea documents, from January 2010 to October 2013, the defendants agreed on a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds with the IRS using stolen personal identity information. Silvene knowingly provided stolen personal identity information for the preparation of fraudulent tax returns and assisted in opening bank accounts in Minnesota to receive fraudulently obtained tax refunds. Gisme, and others, knowingly caused the filing of false tax returns from South Florida using stolen identity information for the payment of refunds to accounts in Minnesota and elsewhere.
During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants caused the filing of approximately 1,000 tax returns seeking approximately $7 million in fraudulent tax refunds claims. The IRS paid out approximately $1.5 million in refunds to accounts controlled by Silvene, Gisme, and other co-conspirators.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI in Minnesota and Miami and the Miramar Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.
A Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Two Department of Defense employees admit to embezzlement chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Sergeant First Class Shane Morgan with the West Virginia Army National Guard and Master Sergeant (retired) Russell Morgan have admitted to charges related to the embezzlement and unlawful sale of government property, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Shane Morgan, age 35, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Russell Morgan, age 61, of Helvetia, West Virginia, each pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Embezzle Government Property.” The two men admitted to stealing at least 80 items of United States government property worth an estimated total of more than $80,000. The men obtained access to this property through their official positions at the United States Property and Fiscal Office warehouse in Buckhannon. The crimes took place from August 2010 to October 2017 in Upshur County.
Both men each face up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Army National Guard and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Sturbridge Woman Charged with Government Theft and False StatementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Sturbridge woman was charged in federal court in Worcester today in connection with receiving government funds for a disabled child who was no longer in her custody.
Tanya Chobot, 31, was charged with one count of government theft and one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration. She will appear in federal court in Worcester later today.
According to the charging documents, Chobot accepted more than $23,000 in Social Security disability payments on behalf of her biological child, but did not have custody or provide care to the child. On multiple occasions between 2011 and 2017, Chobot made materially false and fraudulent statements to Social Security to facilitate her continued receipt of the funds. For example, in October 2013, Chobot submitted a report to Social Security that falsely indicated that the child lived with her and that she had used money from Social Security for the support of the child. Chobot did not in fact use the Social Security payments made on behalf of the child for that child’s benefit.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison and the charge of making a false statement provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison. Each charge provides for up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Stanislaus County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Adam Alan Henry, 39, of Turlock, today to 20 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for child exploitation offenses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
During the supervised release, Henry will be required to register as a sex offender, and his access to minors, the internet, and computers will be restricted. He was also ordered to pay $2,500 and $500 in restitution to two victims whose images Henry obtained.
On November 17, 2017, a federal jury in Fresno found Henry guilty of conspiring to sexually exploit a minor and receiving child pornography. According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, from May 2012 until September 19, 2013, Henry conspired with another person to create video and still images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. From 2007 through September 2013, Henry used a file-sharing program to receive child pornography.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Ceres Police Department with assistance from Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Gappa and Ross Pearson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
St. Mary's, Pa. Man Admits Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ERIE, PA - A resident of St. Marys, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Jeffrey Scott Beimel, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Beimel possessed computer images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 2, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Beimel on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beimel.
Sioux Falls Man Charged with Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Michael Bernard Goldberg, age 35, was indicted on September 5, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 7, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
Goldberg faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time uncertain and continuing until September of 2018, Goldberg knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with others, to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge is merely an accusation and Goldberg is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.
Goldberg was released on bond pending trial which has not been set yet.
Sharon Williams-Combs Sentenced for Tax Preparation FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Sharon Williams-Combs, 47, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced Friday, September 7, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska, by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for preparing and filing false tax returns. In April Ms. Williams-Combs was found guilty of fourteen counts of preparing false tax returns following a jury trial. Ms. Williams-Combs ultimately was convicted of five counts of preparing false tax returns. Ms. Williams-Combs was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,188.00.
Ms. Williams-Combs worked for Jackson Hewitt, inside a Walmart, for several years as a tax preparer. During her time with Jackson Hewitt, she assisted clients in preparing and filing false tax returns, claiming that clients had personal business income, from a business such hairdressing or babysitting, when in fact the client did not have such a business, or did not have the income in the amounts included on the fraudulent tax returns.
“Tax return preparers have a duty to their clients to prepare tax returns that comply with the law and are accurate,” said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “We want to make sure taxpayers don't pay good money for bad advice.”
Sex Offender Sentenced to 18 More Months in Prison for Fleeing Pennsylvania to Avoid Serving a 10-Year Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months of imprisonment, to run consecutive to his prior 10-year sentence, and three years of supervised release, to run concurrently to his prior term of supervised release on his conviction of Failure of to Register as a Sex Offender and Failure to Surrender for Service of Sentence, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Daniel Teed, age 57, formerly of Wexford, PA.
According to information presented to the court, from October 23, 2017, and continuing through the indictment on February 13, 2018, Teed, who was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act after having been convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of Children on June 14, 2017, knowingly failed to register, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In addition, on January 2, 2018, Teed, after having been released, while awaiting surrender for service of sentence after conviction for Sex Trafficking of Children, a felony, and having been directed by the Court to surrender for service of sentence to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Loretto in the Western District of Pennsylvania, did knowingly and willfully fail to surrender for service of sentence as ordered by the Court.
Teed was arrested on February 12 in Flagstaff, Ariz., following a nationwide manhunt led by the U.S. Marshals Service. Teed, a convicted sex offender, was wanted for failing to surrender to serve a 10-year prison term. Deputy Marshals were dispatched to multiple states and eventually developed information that Teed had traveled to Flagstaff. Investigation revealed that Teed was employing an alias and had disguised his appearance to avoid capture.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Marshal’s Service for the investigation leading to the successful apprehension and prosecution of Teed.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Seattle Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking CampaignRead the Press Release
A Seattle, Washington man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Washington for conducting cyberstalking and threat campaigns against multiple Washington residents. The victims’ names are being withheld to protect their privacy.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington made the announcement.
“Joel Kurzynski’s guilty plea demonstrates that conduct occurring online can cause victims serious harm and anguish offline,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “While this prosecution cannot undo the damage this defendant inflicted, it sends a clear message that the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners are firmly committed to protecting the public and aggressively pursuing malicious actors who hide behind the anonymity of the Internet.”
“This defendant thought he could use a computer keyboard to stalk and harass others with remarkable cruelty -- all while hiding in the shadows. He could not have been more wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Hayes. “Conduct that we all know is wrong in the real world, is just as wrong in cyberspace and will be punished accordingly.”
Joel Kurzynski, 38, of Seattle, Washington, a former Information Technology professional, was charged in a felony information with two counts of cyberstalking. Kurzynski had his initial appearance and pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian A. Tsuchida of the Western District of Washington. The Court scheduled the sentencing hearing for Dec. 7 before Senior U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Kurzynski engaged in an extensive and rapidly escalating cyberstalking campaign that targeted two individuals known to him. The online campaign involved -- among other things -- death threats, body shaming, and hate speech. Beginning in March 2017, Kurzynski orchestrated numerous spam phone calls to Victim 1. The conduct soon escalated to fake dating profiles wherein Kurzynski portrayed Victim 1 as seeking sadomasochistic or underage relationships. These profiles contained photographs of Victim 1 and his contact information, resulting in solicitations and harassing messages directed toward Victim 1 from multiple strangers. Kurzynski then sent several anonymous death threats to Victim 1, including the threat, “faggot. Time to die.” At one point, Kurzynski impersonated a journalist and contacted Victim 1, claiming that an upcoming article would levy sexual misconduct allegations against Victim 1 related to Victim 1’s work with a non-profit youth organization.
Kurzysnki also admitted that in November 2017, he began registering Victim 2 for numerous weight loss and suicide prevention programs, resulting in a wave of calls and emails from entities such as Overeaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, and others. Within weeks, Kurzynski started sending anonymous death threats to Victim 2, many of which referenced Victim 2’s work address. One threat claimed that he was waiting for her in the lobby, and another that said, “Looking forward to seeing you today and how much you bleed. Don’t go to the bathroom alone.”
The U.S. Secret Service’s Seattle Field Office investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Seattle Police Department and King County Prosecutor’s Office. Trial Attorney Frank Lin of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Franze-Nakamura of the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case.
Victims of cyberstalking campaigns such as this often may be hesitant to come forward. The Justice Department encourages individuals who may be the victims of similar schemes to contact their local law enforcement agencies to report this conduct.
Seattle Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking CampaignRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A Seattle, Washington man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Washington for conducting cyberstalking and threat campaigns against multiple Washington residents. The victims’ names are being withheld to protect their privacy.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington made the announcement.
“Joel Kurzynski’s guilty plea demonstrates that conduct occurring online can cause victims serious harm and anguish offline,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “While this prosecution cannot undo the damage this defendant inflicted, it sends a clear message that the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners are firmly committed to protecting the public and aggressively pursuing malicious actors who hide behind the anonymity of the Internet.”
“This defendant thought he could use a computer keyboard to stalk and harass others with remarkable cruelty -- all while hiding in the shadows. He could not have been more wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Hayes. “Conduct that we all know is wrong in the real world, is just as wrong in cyberspace and will be punished accordingly.”
Joel Kurzynski, 38, of Seattle, Washington, a former Information Technology professional, was charged in a felony information with two counts of cyberstalking. Kurzynski had his initial appearance and pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian A. Tsuchida of the Western District of Washington. The Court scheduled the sentencing hearing for Dec. 7 before Senior U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Kurzynski engaged in an extensive and rapidly escalating cyberstalking campaign that targeted two individuals known to him. The online campaign involved -- among other things -- death threats, body shaming, and hate speech. Beginning in March 2017, Kurzynski orchestrated numerous spam phone calls to Victim 1. The conduct soon escalated to fake dating profiles wherein Kurzynski portrayed Victim 1 as seeking sadomasochistic or underage relationships. These profiles contained photographs of Victim 1 and his contact information, resulting in solicitations and harassing messages directed toward Victim 1 from multiple strangers. Kurzynski then sent several anonymous death threats to Victim 1, including the threat, “faggot. Time to die.” At one point, Kurzynski impersonated a journalist and contacted Victim 1, claiming that an upcoming article would levy sexual misconduct allegations against Victim 1 related to Victim 1’s work with a non-profit youth organization.
Kurzysnki also admitted that in November 2017, he began registering Victim 2 for numerous weight loss and suicide prevention programs, resulting in a wave of calls and emails from entities such as Overeaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, and others. Within weeks, Kurzynski started sending anonymous death threats to Victim 2, many of which referenced Victim 2’s work address. One threat claimed that he was waiting for her in the lobby, and another that said, “Looking forward to seeing you today and how much you bleed. Don’t go to the bathroom alone.”
The U.S. Secret Service’s Seattle Field Office investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Seattle Police Department and King County Prosecutor’s Office. Trial Attorney Frank Lin of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Franze-Nakamura of the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case.
Victims of cyberstalking campaigns such as this often may be hesitant to come forward. The Justice Department encourages individuals who may be the victims of similar schemes to contact their local law enforcement agencies to report this conduct.
Sale City Woman Sentenced on Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBANY: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Jeroen Tiller, age 32, of Sale City, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands in Albany on September 6, 2018.
In her plea agreement, Ms. Tiller admitted that in October 2015, Mitchell County Sheriff’s Deputies were contacted by a confidential informant (CI), who told them that large amounts of methamphetamine were being mailed to Ms. Tiller’s home in Mitchell County. On October 29, 2015, the CI told law enforcement that a package had been delivered to Ms. Tiller’s home. Agents initiated surveillance, and saw Ms. Tiller return home and bring a package inside. Thereafter, Ms. Tiller left her home, put the package in her SUV, and drove off.
Agents conducted a traffic stop of Ms. Tiller’s SUV and told her they believed she was transporting a package of methamphetamine. Ms. Tiller stated: “I know what’s in the box, and I am in big trouble.” Ms. Tiller consented to allow officers to remove the box from her car and open it. Inside, officers found suspected methamphetamine. Ms. Tiller waived her Miranda rights and admitted someone nicknamed “Bug” would have packages delivered to her home. Ms. Tiller then delivered the packages to “Bug.” In lieu of cash payment, “Bug” paid her with methamphetamine.
The contents of the package were submitted to a DEA laboratory for testing. It was found to contain 3.965 kilograms of methamphetamine which was 98.5% pure.
“Methamphetamine is a terribly destructive drug and a scourge in our communities,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “I commend the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their work in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA. Assistant United States Leah E. McEwen prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Sacramento Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Shonda Mayshack, 42, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, in April 2000, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began paying disability benefits to Mayshack’s grandmother. When the grandmother died in May 2001, Mayshack did not report it to SSA, and SSA continued to mail benefit checks to the grandmother’s address where Mayshack lived. Between May 2001 and February 2017, Mayshack stole approximately $247,933 of her grandmother’s Social Security benefits for her own use, knowing that she was not entitled to the benefits. For example, she fraudulently endorsed her grandmother’s signature on the back of benefit checks and cashed or deposited them into her own bank account. She also called SSA and posed as her grandmother to update her address so that SSA would continue sending the benefits.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General Social Security Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
Mayshack is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on November 26, 2018. Mayshack faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Rochester Man Sentenced to 26 Months in Federal Prison for Fentanyl and Carfentanil TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that John Furber, 46, formerly of Rochester, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison for possessing quantities of fentanyl and carfentanil with intent to distribute.
Court documents and statements made in court showed that during a vehicle stop in Rochester on March 29, 2017, Furber was found in possession of nearly 10 grams of fentanyl. On April 26, 2017, officers encountered Furber at a hotel in Rochester where he was found with over nine grams of fentanyl and over 28 grams of carfentanil, as well as over $2,000 in cash. On May 24, 2017, Furber was arrested by the United States Marshals-led New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force at an apartment in North Conway, New Hampshire. An additional quantity of fentanyl was recovered from the defendant at that time.
Furber pleaded guilty to the charges on February 13, 2018. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Furber will forfeit $2,105 in drug proceeds to the United States.
“Those who distribute deadly opioids are jeopardizing the safety of our communities and threatening lives,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Carfentanil and fentanyl have already caused tremendous damage to the Granite State. In order to protect public safety, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who sell these dangerous substances.”
“The state of New Hampshire is faced with an opioid crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA will aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Furber who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals-led New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force, and the Rochester and Conway Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis is prosecuting the case.
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Repeat Offender Sentenced to 27 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced a repeat offender to 27 years in prison for production of child pornography, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Estefano Gerardo Lopez, 26, of Charlotte, was also ordered to spend the rest of his life under court supervision and to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.
According to court documents and information introduced at the sentencing hearing, Lopez pleaded guilty in April 2015 in Cumberland County Superior Court to soliciting a minor by computer. According to court records, Lopez met a 12-year-old victim online and traveled to Fayetteville, N.C. to meet the minor, where he was arrested by law enforcement. Lopez was sentenced to probation. A condition of Lopez’s probationary sentence involved warrantless searches.
On August 6, 2015, Lopez’s probation officer, accompanied by officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, conducted a warrantless search at Lopez’s residence. Court records show that law enforcement located on Lopez’s cell phone images of child pornography, which were hidden in a password-protected phone application. Law enforcement recovered additional child pornography on Lopez’s computer, including videos of Lopez sexually abusing a young child. According to court records, in addition to the child pornography, law enforcement also located numerous chats that Lopez had engaged in using the phone application “KIK messenger.” In these chats, Lopez identified himself as a teenage boy, and chatted with others who identified themselves as 12 or 13 years old. Over the course of the chats, the defendant solicited pornography images of the minor victims, and sent them pornographic pictures of a minor, which Lopez pretended was him.
Lopez pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in February 2018. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cortney Randall, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat t4he growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Omaha Men Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Robert E. Sanford, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced September 7, 2018, by the Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for bank robbery. Sanford received a sentence of 12 ½ years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $4,315.00 in restitution.
On December 26, 2017, Sanford went to the Bank of West at 4724 South 24th Street in Omaha. He was wearing sunglasses and had his hands in his pockets when he demanded $10,000. The teller feared he had a weapon and gave him $4,315.00 that was in her drawer.
Although Sanford did not have a gun, he had two prior robbery convictions and was sentenced as a career offender.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force and Omaha Police robbery unit.
Old Town Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children, and Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Patrick Monahan, 52, of Old Town, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to sexual exploitation of children, and distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to court records, the defendant, posing online as a teenager, separately persuaded two minors to send him over the internet videos of themselves engaging in sexual activity. The defendant subsequently uploaded some of these videos to a pornographic website that could be accessed by the general public. In addition, the defendant possessed child pornography on his computer.
The defendant faces between 25 and 50 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the sexual exploitation of children, between 15 and 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the distribution charge, and between 10 and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession charge. He faces an enhanced sentence because he has a prior federal conviction for possession of child pornography. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Old Town, Orono and Bangor Police Departments, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.
Old Town Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Kenneth McLay, 46, of Old Town, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to court records, the defendant obtained sexually explicit videos of a minor from the internet and uploaded some of these videos to a pornographic website that could be accessed by the general public. In addition, he possessed child pornography on his computer.
The defendant faces between 15 and 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the distribution charge and between 10 and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession charge. He faces enhanced sentences because of a prior federal conviction for possession of child pornography. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Old Town, Orono, and Bangor Police Departments, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.
New York Man Sentenced for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Brett Ferrell, 33, of New York, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Rutland for traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Ferrell to a term of 78 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. Ferrell has been in custody since his arrest on August 30, 2016.
According to court records, in mid-August 2016, Ferrell posted ads on Craigslist seeking to meet girls under the age of 18 for the purpose of sex. Ferrell then had a multi-day electronic message conversation with a law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old girl from Vermont. During the conversation, Ferrell repeatedly stated that he wanted to have sex with the supposed 13-year-old. Ferrell, who lived in New York, made arrangements to meet with the supposed 13-year-old at a hotel in South Burlington, Vermont. Ferrell then made reservations at the hotel and traveled from New York to Vermont for this illicit encounter. At the designated meeting time on the morning of August 30, 2016, Ferrell was arrested by law enforcement officers outside of the hotel.
United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). She noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Ferrell was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Elizabeth Quinn. The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate.
New York Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Horace M. Rutledge, Jr., 44, of New York City, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to the maximum 120 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
Beginning in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration, utilizing a confidential informant, scheduled a reverse sting drug sale with Rutledge. Rutledge traveled to Gulfport in order to provide partial payment money while co-defendant Damien Pinckney wired funds to Gulfport at the same time. On September 23, 2017, Rutledge and Pinckney traveled along with two others in two cars from South Carolina to Gulfport to complete the purchase with more cash and three firearms – a 50 caliber gun along with two rifles. Rutledge was arrested and the cash and firearms seized. The ATF continued the investigation into Pinckney. Through phone records, witness statements in South Carolina, money transfer records and the car rented by Pinckney, ATF obtained charges against Pinckney, who was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. Rutledge has prior felony assault, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal sale of a firearm, all in New York and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
New Richmond, Indiana man faces sexual exploitation of a child charges.Read the Press Release
Public encouraged to notify law enforcement if they have any further information
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis-United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that a New Richmond, Indiana, man faces several counts of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. Harry D. Dawson, 53, was arrested by local, state and federal law enforcement officials for his role in allegedly filming minors performing various sexually explicit acts.
“Protecting minor victims from sexual predators will always remain a top priority of this office,” said Minkler. “Those who are not able to protect themselves are the victims for which we will advocate the hardest.”
Law enforcement received a tip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Dawson allegedly uploaded images to SKYPE/Microsoft depicting two young males engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Search warrants were served on his cell phone and home where officers found sexually explicit images and videos of numerous minor victims. Further, it is alleged that Dawson directed three minor victims to perform sexually explicit activity while he videoed them. Law enforcement has also recovered a large collection of child pornography from a number of electronic devices at his home.
The public is encouraged to call law enforcement officials if they have any reason to believe Dawson may have had inappropriate contact with their children or other youth in the community. The toll-free number is 800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or www.fbi.gov/tips.
This case is being investigated by the Indiana State Police, the FBI and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston who is prosecuting this case for the government, Dawson faces decades in prison if convicted.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proved otherwise in federal court.
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 those who exploit or harm children and to work closely with Project Safe Childhood. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 4.1 and 4.2
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New London Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing and Selling Loaded HandgunRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MANUEL ARTEAGA, also known as “Manny,” 42, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford 16 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2016, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that ARTEAGA was attempting to sell firearms. On January 26, 2017, an individual working with law enforcement purchased a 9mm Kahr handgun, which was loaded with five rounds of ammunition, from ARTEAGA for $650. In a related state narcotics investigation, members of the Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force – East conducted three controlled purchases of cocaine from ARTEAGA between April and June 2017.
ARTEAGA’s criminal history includes state felony convictions in 2003, in both Connecticut and New York, for firearm and drug offenses.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On May 15, 2018, ARTEAGA pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
State narcotics charges against ARTEAGA are pending in New London Superior Court.
This matter was investigated by ATF and the Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force – East. The case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham.
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 neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Morgan County woman sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Megan Renee Bohrer, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for a stolen firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Bohrer, age 25, pled guilty one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession of a Stolen Firearm” in May 2018. Bohrer admitted to possessing a stolen .38 caliber revolver in September 2017 in Berkeley County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Montgomery Doctor Charged with Drug Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Monday, September 10, 2018, Dr. Richard Stehl, 54, of Montgomery, Alabama, appeared in court after being indicted on drug distribution charges, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.
The indictment charges Dr. Stehl, who owned and operated a medical practice on Winton Blount Loop in eastern Montgomery, with drug distribution offenses. Those charges stem from Dr. Stehl’s prescribing controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully, and for non-medical reasons
If convicted, Dr. Stehl faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count. He also faces substantial monetary penalties and restitution.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. The Montgomery Police Department, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Opelika Police Department all assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross is prosecuting the case.
Monroe felon pleads guilty to possessing shotgunRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Monroe felon pleaded guilty to possessing a 12-gauge shotgun.
Adrian Terrell Riser, 32, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, a Monroe Police Officer observed Riser on February 28, 2018 outside of an apartment on Richwood Road with a firearm in the left leg of his pants. He was arrested, and the weapon was found to be a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun loaded with six rounds of ammunition. The defendant was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2012, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2014 and possession of cocaine in 2016. These felonies barred him from possessing a firearm under federal law.
Riser faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for January 2, 2019.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.
Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison Following Deportation and Document FraudRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who had been deported, illegally returned to the United States, and then used false identification documents to obtain a job was sentenced September 5, 2018, to more than 2 months in federal prison.
Emmanuel Santos-Diaz, age 34, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Hampton, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 17, 2018, guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of identification documents and one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
At the guilty plea, Santos-Diaz admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in February 2003, and that he illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Santos-Diaz also admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed an employment form on March 30, 2015, at a business in Clear Lake, Iowa. The Social Security account number on the card used by Santos-Diaz belonged to a United States citizen. The Alien Registration number on the “green card” had been issued to another person.
In May 2018, the Clear Lake Police Department received a complaint from a woman in Arkansas that she was being denied benefits because someone was using her Social Security number in Iowa to work and that income was being counted against her. On June 6, 2018, Santos-Diaz was arrested by immigration agents at a job site in Hampton.
Santos-Diaz also has prior convictions in Franklin County, Iowa, for forgery in 2003 and operating while intoxicated (OWI) in 2005.
Santos-Diaz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Santos-Diaz was sentenced to 73 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Santos-Diaz is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-3024-LRR.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Mexican Man Sentenced for Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont and the Swanton Sector Office of the United States Border Patrol announce that Salmen Hernandez-Ayala, 48, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington for transporting three illegal aliens within the United States. United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Hernandez-Ayala to time served. Hernandez-Ayala has been in custody since his arrest on May 17, 2018.
According to court records, Hernandez-Ayala hired a taxi in New York City and traveled in the taxi to a location near the United States / Canada border, where he picked up the three aliens and traveled south away from the border. Shortly after 3:00 a.m. on May 17, 2018, United States Border Patrol agents stopped the taxi on U.S. Route 5 in Derby, Vermont and determined that Hernandez-Ayala, who was in the front passenger seat, and the three aliens in the rear seat were illegally present in the United States.
The three aliens were charged, convicted, and sentenced as follows:
Eliezer Esteban Gamez-Saban, 21, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged with illegal reentry into the United States after having previously been removed from the United States, a felony offense. On June 7, 2018, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States District Judge Christina Reiss to time served.
Jorge Campos-Navarro, 21, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal entry into the United States, a misdemeanor offense. On June 28, 2018, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy to time served.
Bryan Antonio Cruz-Salvador, 20, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal entry into the United States, a misdemeanor offense. On June 28, 2018, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy to time served.
The Swanton Sector Border Patrol is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont as well as New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The assistance of citizens is invaluable in helping the U.S. Border Patrol accomplish their border security mission and they welcome community members to help them keep our nation’s borders safe by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.
For more on CBP’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.
Hernandez-Ayala was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Elizabeth Quinn. Gamez-Saban was represented by Thomas Sherrer. Campos-Navarro and Cruz-Salvador were represented by Stephanie Greenlees. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Cate represented the government.
Memphis Man Sentenced to 65 Months Imprisonment for Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Memphis man has been sentenced to 65 months in federal prison for possession of access devices with intent to defraud and aggravated identity theft. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western Division of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, between June 2011 and July 2016, Melvin Gene Griggs Jr., 32, used the identifying information of multiple victims to access victims’ credit card and bank accounts.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Aggravated identity theft and schemes to defraud or compromise the personal and financial security of countless vulnerable victims will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates our commitment to protect the personal and financial information of citizens and institutions, and to hold offenders accountable for these disturbing crimes of dishonesty. We are pleased to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to achieve justice for the victims in this case."
During the course of the investigation, the Government found that the personal identifying information of over 400 victims had been compromised. The information included credit card numbers, CVV2 numbers, ATM pin numbers, bank names, routing and bank account numbers, phone numbers, social security numbers, birth dates, mothers’ maiden names, AOL IDs, email address and physical addresses.
The scheme to defraud included opening new accounts in the victim’s name and/or adding himself as an authorized user to a victim’s account. Griggs would then have credit cards and financial statements from the accounts mailed to him. The credit cards were used to make purchases at local retailers and online. He also obtained money from victims’ bank accounts by wire transfers and cashing checks.
"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is pleased with Mr. Griggs’ sentence. A large part of the Postal Inspection Service mission is to ensure the public’s trust in the U.S. Mail. These types of crimes against postal customers compromise that trust. This sentence reflects the serious nature of the offense and will hopefully be a deterrent to others," said David M. McGinnis, Postal Inspector in Charge, Charlotte Division.
On September 6, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Griggs to 65 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $237,801.97. Additional reimbursements are possible pending a restitution hearing on November 30, 2018.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service and the Memphis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lorraine Craig prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Maryland Man Charged with Clean Air Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Mellott, age 45, of Cumberland, Maryland, was indicted by a federal grand jury with conspiring to impede the lawful functions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), and to violate the Clean Air Act. Mellott also was charged with three counts of violating the Clean Air Act. The indictment was returned on August 14, 2018, but remained under seal until Mellott was apprehended.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Mellott was an analyst at Rockwater Northeast LLC, a company that serviced the fracking industry in Pennsylvania. In the course of his employment, it is alleged that Mellott conspired to modify the emissions systems on approximately 30 Rockwater heavy-duty diesel trucks by using “defeat devices.” It is further alleged that the defeat device purchases were concealed in Rockwater’s books and records by mislabeling them as exhaust systems, including invoices approved by Mellott. Mellott and his co-conspirators also are accused of allegedly taking the modified commercial motor vehicles to state-approved inspection stations to pass federally regulated commercial motor vehicle inspections falsely.
Five other individuals—Gavin Rexer, Dennis Paulhamus, Joseph Powell, John Joseph, and Timothy Sweitzer—were previously charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the government and violate the Clean Air Act, as part of this investigation.
The matter was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division and the DOT’s Office of the Inspector General, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Sean Camoni, and by Special Assistant United States Attorney Patricia C. Miller.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Martinsburg man sentenced for illegal ammunition chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gary Owen Jones, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 months incarceration for illegal possession of ammunition, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Jones, age 47, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Ammunition” in May 2018. Jones, who was previously convicted of a felony in the Circuit Court of Berkeley County, possessed more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition in February of 2018 in Berkeley County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.