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10 September 2018
Man Arrested with 4.5 Pounds of Heroin Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Mexican man who was arrested in Kansas with 4.5 pounds of heroin was sentenced Monday to 41 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Elesvan Garcia-Matinez, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. In his plea, he admitted the Geary County Sheriff’s Office stopped his car on I-70 in Geary County. In the trunk, they found a modified fire extinguisher containing about 4.5 pounds of heroin.
McAllister commended the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs for their work on the case.
Lebanon Man Pleads Guilty for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Paul Dwayne Allen, 31, of Lebanon pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Allen was convicted of felonious sexual assault in Grafton County in 2008 and was required to register under the federal Sex Offender and Registration Notification Act (SORNA). After being released from prison, Allen registered as a sex offender for several years before moving to Florida in 2015 and continued to register while living in Florida. However, in approximately July of 2017, Allen left Florida without notifying authorities and moved back to New Hampshire. On October 7, 2017, Allen was arrested in Enfield and was instructed to register as a sex offender on the following day, but failed to do so. On October 27, 2017, the United States Marshals Service located Allen in Lebanon took him into custody.
Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19, 2018.
“Sex offender registration protects public safety by helping to monitor and track sex offenders who are living in the community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to protect the public, we will be aggressive in prosecuting sex offenders who fail to comply with their registration obligations.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service with assistance from the Enfield and the Lebanon Police Departments and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen.
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Indian National Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A citizen of India pleaded guilty today to operating a fraud scheme in which he used Facebook and WhatsApp to scam people seeking to purchase United States visas.
According to court documents, Kanwar Sarabjit Singh (aka Sandy Singh), 51, a lawful permanent resident, used Facebook and WhatsApp to falsely represent himself as an employee of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who worked in the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and who could obtain genuine United States visas in exchange for a fee of $3,000 to $4,000. As part of his scheme, Singh created a fake photo identification document purporting to be from DHS, which he emailed to others in an effort to show that he was, in fact, able to obtain United States immigration documents. Singh instructed individuals seeking immigration documents to email him passport photographs, copies of their passports and other personally identifying information and to send him money via overnight delivery service or by wire transfer. After receiving these documents and the requested fee up front, Singh created and emailed fake letters purporting to be from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, which falsely represented that there was an appointment to pick up the requested visa documents. Many of Singh’s victims resided overseas and were impoverished.
In addition to this visa fraud scheme, Singh also admitted to engaging in an investment fraud scheme in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 2012, in which he defrauded approximately 22 investors of approximately $340,000. Singh gained the trust of a local pastor and his church, including elderly members, and falsely represented to them that he owned a small company in India that provided labor for services, including data entry, to two large, international companies and that for a small, up-front investment, they would see a large return on their money.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of this fraud scheme, please contact the FBI’s Washington Field Office at 202-278-2000.
Singh pleaded guilty to wire fraud and impersonation of a federal officer and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on December 14. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly R. Pedersen is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Homeland Security provided assistance with this investigation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-228.
Illegal Alien Sent to Federal Prison for Trying to Drown Federal AgentRead the Press Release
A 31-year-old Illegal alien residing in Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico, has been ordered to prison following his conviction of assaulting a Border Patrol (BP) agent during his attempt to illegally enter the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Edgar Garrido-Miranda pleaded guilty Dec. 5, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered him to prison for 60 months and ordered restitution in the amount of $4,788.79. At the hearing, the court heard that this was not an accidental act on Garrido-Miranda's part. She sternly him warned him that things could have gone very wrong, including being shot. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings fooling his sentence.On Aug. 16, 2017, BP agents encountered a group of undocumented aliens near the Zacate Creek area in south Laredo. Garrido-Miranda was a member of that group. Law Enforcement attempted to arrest him, at which time Garrido-Miranda became combative.
During the struggle, Garrido-Miranda held one of the BP agents under water until a second agent came to his rescue.
At the hearing today, the court noted the BP agent's restraint in not resorting to deadly force under the circumstances.
The victim suffered bruises and contusions as well as a throat infection as a result of the encounter.
Garrido-Miranda has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno prosecuted the case.High Desert Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Lighting Fire in Oasis of Mara in Joshua Tree National ParkRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Twentynine Palms man today received a statutory maximum sentence of 60 months in federal prison for illegally starting a fire in the Oasis of Mara in Joshua Tree National Park, which damaged historic trees and other resources earlier this year.
George William Graham, 26, was sentenced by United States District Judge Manuel L. Real. In addition to the five-year prison sentence, Judge Real ordered Graham to pay $21,019 in restitution to the National Park Service.
Graham pleaded guilty in June to a felony charge of unlawfully setting a fire (technically known as timber set afire). Graham specifically admitted in the plea agreement that he started the March 26 fire by igniting a palm frond with a handheld lighter, and “[t]he fire eventually grew to approximately 9,989 square feet, and destroyed numerous grasses, bushes, palm trees, vegetation, and other items of significance within the Oasis of Mara.” Seven California fan palms and scores of other plants were essentially destroyed in the blaze.
National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers arrested Graham at the scene of the fire after he was observed watching the blaze.
When he started the fire in Joshua Tree National Park, Graham already had two prior arson convictions for which he received sentences of four years in state prison. Graham was still on parole for one of those convictions at the time.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the National Park Service, with assistance from the United States Bureau of Land Management, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, and the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The sentencing in this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn Small of the General Crimes Section and Julia L. Reese of the Criminal Appeals Section.
Hialeah Man Pleads Guilty in $8 Million Laundering Scheme Involving Proceeds of Mortgage Fraud and Tax Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office and Michael J. De Palma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced that on September 5, 2018, Yant Garcia, 38 of Hialeah, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
According to the plea document, beginning around 2012, and continuing through around 2015, Garcia agreed with others to launder the proceeds of an identity theft tax refund scheme and mortgage fraud scheme by cashing checks in names of persons who were not present at check-cashing stores in Miami.
In or around 2013, Garcia’s co-conspirators submitted fraudulent tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using stolen personal identity information seeking refunds ranging in value from $130,000 to $170,000. In total, the Department of Treasury paid out approximately $4.3 million in fraudulent refund claims by mailing out tax refund checks. The defendant and a co-conspirator met with the owner of a check-cashing store in Hialeah and the true owner of the store agreed to cash these checks for a thirty percent fee.
In or around 2015, Garcia and his co-conspirators engaged in a mortgage fraud scheme on a property in Miami Beach. Garcia and his coconspirators submitted fraudulent loan applications and received approximately $3.7 million in proceeds from this mortgage fraud via interstate wire to the account of the fake title company in Miami. Garcia then provided checks to co-conspirators who cashed these checks at check-cashing stores in South Florida in the names of payees who were not present.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Harrison County man sentenced for methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Jacob Renard White, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months incarceration for methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
White, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Methamphetamine” in July 2018. White admitted to distributing methamphetamine in February of 2017 in Harrison County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Hampshire County man sentenced for sex offender registry violationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Dale Helton, of High View, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for a sex offender registration violation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Helton, age 50, pled guilty to one count of “Failure to Register” in May 2018. Helton, who had previously been convicted of a sex offense in South Carolina, admitted to traveling across state lines without updating his sex offender registration, as required by law, in November and December 2017 in Hampshire County.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Grant County Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. — Charles Moran, Jr., 44, of Grant County, Kentucky, was sentenced, last Thursday, to 14 years in federal prison, by United States District Judge David Bunning, for distributing and possessing child pornography.
Moran previously admitted that, in June 2017, he used his computer to download hundreds of images of child pornography and then made them available for sharing with other users of a peer-to-peer software. Unbeknownst to Moran, detectives with the Electronic Crimes Unit of the Campbell County Police Department were conducting online undercover investigations of child pornography. When Moran was arrested, in October 2017, investigators found over 1,000 images of child pornography on his computer, which depicted sex acts against children ranging in ages from 6 months old to teenagers. Moran pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2018.
Under federal law, Moran must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for a term of 25 years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Amy Hess, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Craig Sorrell, Chief of the Campbell County Police, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Campbell County Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Wade T. Napier.
Grand Jury Indicts Monkey Island Bomb SuspectRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Richard C. Cole, 35, formerly of Afton, charging him with possession of an unregistered destructive device discovered at a residence in Afton, Oklahoma.
According to court documents, on August 25, 2018, Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Cole’s apartment unit, when a suspected improvised explosive device was discovered by the landlord. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was contacted, and upon arrival, they observed two, one pound canisters containing “mixed Tannerite” which is a binary explosive. The bomb squad also found two boxes of ammunition, along with an explosive device commonly referred to as a “pipe bomb” in an ammunition container. The explosive experts then rendered the device safe.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores stated, “Residents of Afton were unknowingly placed in harm’s way when this pipe bomb was created. Thankfully, it did not detonate. The immediate reporting and swift action taken by law enforcement potentially saved lives.”
Agencies involved in the investigation and arrest included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma
A return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged federal crimes, which the government would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Grand Junction Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Being Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
DENVER – Michael Batt, age 46, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Marcia S. Krieger to serve 29 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and Drug Enforcement Administration Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDermott announced. Batt appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody and was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion.
Batt and four others were indicted by a federal grand jury on December 12, 2016. Batt pled guilty on April 20, 2018. He was sentenced today, September 10, 2018, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Two other defendants were sentenced to 113 months, and 57 months, respectively, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Two additional defendants will be sentenced later this year.
According to the stipulated facts contained in Batt’s plea agreement, Batt was involved with a number of other individuals involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine along the Western Slope of Colorado. Beginning in November 2015, the Grand Junction DEA and the Grand Valley Joint Drug Task Force began an investigation into a methamphetamine trafficking organization based in Mesa County, Colorado. Agents identified Manuel Arias and Maria Serna as a husband and wife team who were methamphetamine distributors in the Grand Junction, Colorado area. Serna and Arias were also known to deal in firearms. The investigation utilized confidential sources, undercover agents, surveillance and wiretaps.
On September 14, 2016, an undercover agent purchased two firearms from Serna and Arias. One firearm was a .223 Tavor rifle and the other was a Highpoint 9mm handgun. The .223 Tavor rifle was a semiautomatic firearm capable of accepting a large capacity magazine.
The investigation showed that Serna and Arias had obtained both firearms and an accompanying magazine from Michael Batt. Michael Batt is prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions. Before Batt provided the firearms to Serena and Arias, the .223 Tavor had been involved in an accidental shooting; the juvenile who fired the accidental shot lived near to Batt and delivered the rifle and magazine to him the day of the accidental shooting, on August 31, 2016. The next day, September 1, 2016, Batt delivered both firearms and the magazine to Arias. Batt was supposed to receive $2,500 from Serna and Arias for the firearms, but he never received the money.
William McDermott, Special Agent In Charge of the DEA Denver Field Division said, “The very powerful addiction of methamphetamine is a major drug problem on the Western Slope. Methamphetamine is actively destroying lives and ravaging our rural communities throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. As seen in this case, guns go hand-in-hand with those who are involved with the distribution of methamphetamine.”
This case was investigated by the DEA Denver Division, including agents in Grand Junction as well as agents and officers of the Grand Valley Joint Drug Task Force. The defendants were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Hautzinger.
Government Contractor Sentenced to 24 Months Imprisonment forMajor Fraud against the United StatesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for major fraud against the United States. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, M. Cleve Collins, aka Milton Cleve Collins aka Cleve Collins, 54, executed a scheme to defraud the United States on a construction contract valued at approximately one and one-half million dollars administered by the General Services Administration for the replacement of the roof and the air conditioning system at the Ed Jones Federal Courthouse and Post Office in Jackson, TN.
As part of the scheme to defraud, Collins caused the roofing subcontractor, a small Memphis-area business, to perform work for which it was never fully paid. Additionally, Collins filed false and fraudulent certifications with the US Government indicating he had, in fact, paid the subcontractor. The value of the funds obtained because of this scheme was over $580,000.
"As the legal representative of the United States of America, it is the priority and duty of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to safeguard taxpayer funds, and to promote the responsible use and stewardship of such government resources for the benefit of our nation and our citizens. The major fraud committed by the defendant in this case is a serious crime of dishonesty and deceit that strikes at the very heart of those national interests and will not be tolerated. The GSA and the FBI are to be commended for their diligent investigative work in uncovering and exposing this fraud, and I am pleased that we have achieved justice by holding the defendant accountable under the law," said D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
On September 4, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. sentenced Collins to 24 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release and ordered to pay $517,750 in restitution.
"Federal contractors are obligated to follow through on their promises to make payments to their subcontractors," said GSA Inspector General Carol Fortine Ochoa. "When contractors fail to meet their obligations, we will hold them accountable."
"The FBI takes particular interest in cases where individuals, for their own personal benefit, use deceit and fraud to line their pockets," said Michael T. Gavin, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Fraud has a negative and long lasting impact on the community, and the honest and law abiding citizens who are fed up with the likes of those who, motivated merely by greed, violate the law, should be assured by this conviction that the FBI is committed to work closely with its law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue anyone who commits such crimes."
This case was investigated by the General Services Administration, Office of the Inspector General and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Georgia Sex Offender Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Filing to Register after Moving to PARead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Marietta, Georgia, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months in jail on his conviction of failure to register under SORNA, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Yecart Treson Brundidge, 25.
According to information presented to the court, Brundidge knowingly failed to update his registration when he traveled from Georgia to Pennsylvania as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Marshal’s Service, the Erie Police Department and the Millcreek Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Brundidge.
Fort Lauderdale Broker Pleads Guilty for Involvement in $16 Million Precious Metals and SecuritiesRead the Press Release
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office and Michael J. De Palma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced that on August 31, 2018, Salvatore Colonna, 69, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the plea documents, from January 2010, through October 2013, Colonna worked as a broker for Liberty International Financial Services and related entities (together, “Liberty”) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During that period, Colonna agreed on a scheme with other co-conspirators to obtain money from investors by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, including (a) that investors’ money would be used to buy precious metals; (b) that investors would receive substantial dividends on Liberty investments; and (c) that the defendant would only take a five to fifteen percent commission on investments. In truth and in fact, as Colonna knew, Liberty was not using investor money to buy precious metals, Liberty investments would not pay substantial dividends, and the defendant knowingly took commissions on investors’ monies as high as forty percent.
According to the plea documents, from January 2010, through October 2013, investors sent over $16 million in funds to Liberty. Liberty returned only around $3 million to investors. A substantial percentage of the money was used to pay the founders of Liberty and the defendant, who received over $2 million in commissions.
Colonna is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Beth F. Bloom.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.
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.
Former Washington University Official Indicted for Embezzling from Medical SchoolRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Barbara “Basia” Skudrzyk, a/k/a Barbara “Basia” Najarro, of St. Louis, was indicted last Thursday on six counts of mail fraud.
The indictment alleges that beginning in May 2010 and continuing through July 31, 2018, Skudrzyk defrauded Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri of in excess of approximately $300,000 through various means. Skudrzyk was employed as the Business Director for the Division of Medical Education at Washington University. On many occasions, Skudrzyk hired contractors and other service providers to perform personal services for her benefit, and at her personal residence. She would then create, submit and approve false invoices and false W-9 tax forms for these contractors and other service providers to make it appear as if they had performed work for the Division of Medical Education when they had not. Skudrzyk approved and processed payment to these contractors and other service providers from Washington University’s funds. Further, Skudrzyk purchased VISA gift cards at the Washington University bookstore, forging another Washington University employee’s signature on the receipts and charging the purchases to the Division of Medical Education. Skudrzyk then used the VISA gift cards for her own personal use, including for purchases at restaurants, a jewelry store, and other retailers. Additionally, Skudrzyk falsified and changed invoices from two different travel companies for airline flights for herself and her family to such places as Krakow, Poland, Munich, Germany, Bangkok, Thailand, Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Toronto, Canada. Skudrzyk submitted, processed and approved these falsified invoices in order to get Washington University to pay for the personal trips.
If Skudrzk is convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of Washington University. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Former Philadelphia Police Officer Sentenced to 24 Months for Sending Hundreds of Threatening Text MessagesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Bryan McGraw, 49, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment for sending hundreds of harassing text messages over a four-year period.
McGraw, a former member of the Philadelphia Police Department, sent more than 500 harassing text messages to the victim from February 2014 through March 20, 2018. During the four-year time period, the victim was dating a woman that McGraw had been romantically involved with in the past. The anonymous harassing messages included some that were threatening to the victim and to the victim’s minor daughter. McGraw pleaded guilty on May 9, 2018.
“This multi-year campaign of harassment affected innocent victims, including a minor child,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “McGraw’s words and actions show a complete lack of respect for the law he once swore to uphold and a lack of concern about the safety of the victims he terrorized. This Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who weaponize electronic forms of communication to further an illegal purpose.”
“As law enforcement officers we are sworn to protect those we serve,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Officer McGraw did more than fail to live up that commitment. He repeatedly threatened the victim in this case. Today’s sentencing affirms the FBI’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels of public service, especially law enforcement.”
In addition to the 24-month prison term, Chief Judge Juan Sánchez ordered McGraw to serve one year of supervised release upon release from prison and to pay a fine of $1,200 and a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.
Former Elementary School Music Teacher Is Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced a former elementary school music teacher to 121 months in prison for possession and transportation of child pornography, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Judge Conrad ordered Benjamin McMiller, 33, of Charlotte, to serve a lifetime of supervised release and to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.
Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
Filed court documents show that on September 20, 2016, McMiller streamed child pornography to another person using Omegle.com (Omegle), a free website where users can video or text chat. According to court records, the child pornography McMiller streamed via Omegle depicted a minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct with an adult male. Law enforcement identified McMiller’s IP address as the one used to access the website. On November 8, 2016, law enforcement conducted a search of McMiller’s residence and recovered multiple electronic devices, including McMiller’s computer, a USB drive, and an external hard drive, which the defendant initially denied possessing. A forensic examination of McMiller’s devices revealed that the defendant possessed 88 images and 54 videos of child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent children being sexually abused.
McMiller pleaded guilty to possession and transpiration 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.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cortney Randall, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, was in charge of the prosecution.
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.
Former Director of Rosebud Tribal Ranch Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Defendant Prosecuted as Part of The Guardians Project
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that a Rosebud woman was sentenced in federal court as a result of her conviction for Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. Patricia Elaine Jones, 66, of Rosebud, SD, was sentenced on September 4, 2018, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno. Jones was sentenced to 24 months of federal probation. She was ordered to pay approximately $23,000 in restitution.
According to court documents filed in Jones’s case, between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016, she willfully and knowingly embezzled, misapplied, and converted to her own use monies, funds, credits, goods, assets, and other property belonging to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Tribal Ranch, an Indian Tribal Organization.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (605)330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Florida Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years for Attempting to Entice A Minor for SexRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Thomas Dean Peron (30, Sanford) to 17 years and 5 months in federal prison. Peron pleaded guilty on June 25, 2018.
According to court documents, between February 21 and February 22, 2018, Peron communicated with an undercover FBI agent who was posing as the father of a nine-year-old child. During those communications, Peron made plans to meet and have sex with the “child.” When Peron arrived to meet the “child,” he was arrested.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alejandro J. Salicrup.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.
Federal Grand Jury Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the September 2018 Federal Grand Jury.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in an indictment returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Julian Christian Alexander and Hannah Jane Shepherd. Drug Conspiracy; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. Alexander, 26, and Shepherd, 27, both of Broken Arrow, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. If convicted, they face a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine for each charge. The Broken Arrow Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Lee Andersen. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Anderson, 36, of Vinita, is charged with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine for the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute charge, and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Miami Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Adam Gallardo Arredondo. Illegal Remuneration for Health Care Referrals; False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters. Arredondo, 56, of Waxahachie, Texas, is charged with soliciting and receiving checks in exchange for referring compounding prescriptions paid for by federal programs. Compounding prescriptions are the result of combining or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient, and are not FDA approved. He is also charged with giving false statements in connection with a health care scheme. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for the illegal remuneration for health care referrals charge, and a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the false statements relating to health care matters charge. The United States Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are the investigative agencies.
Richard C. Cole. Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device. Cole, 35, formerly of Afton, is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Aaron John Culkins. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute; Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Culkins, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and with being a felon in possession of ammunition, which exceeded 300 rounds of varying ammunition. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for the possession of heroin with intent to distribute charge, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine for the felon in possession of ammunition charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Juan Herrera. Reentry of Removed Alien. Herrerra, 42, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported on February 3, 2015 from El Paso, Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigative agency.
Zachary Wayne Newberry. Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Newberry, 24, of Claremore, is charged with inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Christopher Douglas Parrish. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Parrish is charged with being a felon possession of a Lorcin, Model L380, .380 caliber pistol and .380 caliber ammunition. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Ramiro Ramirez-Onate. Reentry of Removed Alien. Ramirez-Onate, 35, of Owasso, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported on January 15, 2016, from Hidalgo, Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigative agency.
Johnny Slaughter. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Slaughter, 46, of Granite, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus, Model PT 24/7 Pro, .46 ACP caliber pistol and .45 auto caliber ammunition. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Christopher Virgil Sumrall. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Sumrall, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The U.S. Marshals Service and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Mikki Lashea Vanhorn. Theft in Excess of $1,000 Within Indian Country. Vanhorn, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with stealing more than $1,000 from a Cherokee-owned business, where she was an employee. If convicted, she faces the maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service is the investigative agency.
Treveon Montrell Vaughn. Obstruct, Delay, and Affect Commerce by Robbery; Carry, Use, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Vaughn, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with robbery impacting interstate commerce, and with brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, Vaughn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of obstruction, delay, and affecting commerce by robbery. He also faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each carry, use, and brandish a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Misty Dawn Weathers and Sarah Jane Garland. Sex Trafficking of a Child; Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Weathers, 36, and Garland, 24, both currently in the custody of the Department of Corrections, are charged with recruiting minors, between the ages of 14 and 18, for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, and with sexual exploitation of a minor for the purpose of producing visual depictions. Weathers is further charged with possessing with intent to view the visual depictions which involved a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. If convicted, they could face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the sex trafficking of a child charge, and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of sexual exploitation of a child. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Randall G. Whalen. Attempted Arson; Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprise. Whalen, 47, of Glenpool, was charged with setting fire to the Employees Federal Credit Union located at 1120 W 17th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also charged with using his cell phone to assist in facilitating arson, namely to research the area around the bank before setting the fire. If convicted, he will face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the arson charge, and a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the interstate transportation in aid of racketeering enterprise charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Erie Man Conspired to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
John Edward Moyer, II, 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Moyer conspired with four co-defendants to possess with intent to distribute and distributed less than five hundred grams of cocaine.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Moyer on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Coshocton County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Moyer.
El Salvador man sentenced for drug trafficking chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jose Santiago Cruz-Delcid, of El Salvador, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Cruz-Delcid, also known as “Trucko” or “Truckito,”, who had been living in Bunker Hill, West Virginia, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine” in May 2018. Cruz-Delcid admitted to selling cocaine for $2,200 August 2017 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. 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 Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated.
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.
El Salvador citizen sentenced for cocaine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jose Wil Castro, of El Salvador, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for his role in a cocaine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Castro, a/k/a “William”, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine” in May 2018. Castro admitted to selling cocaine in May 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.Eastern Panhandle residents sentenced for drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg man and a Kearneysville woman were sentenced today for drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Lante Jerrel Cook, age 29, was sentenced today to 21 months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in May 2018. Cook admitted to possessing crack cocaine in October 2017 in Berkeley County.
Tiffany Rosalind Cole, age 29, was sentenced to 18 months incarceration. She pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Stolen Firearm” in May 2018. Cole admitted to having a stolen .9mm caliber pistol in October 2017 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Dover Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Jose Rivera-Morales, 31, of Dover, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 23, 2018, Jose Rivera-Morales walked into the Kennebunk Savings Bank in Dover and gave a teller a note demanding money. Rivera-Morales told the teller “not to be stupid” and displayed a gun, later determined to be an airsoft BB gun. The teller gave Rivera-Morales a quantity of United States currency. A K-9 unit tracked Rivera-Morales to a residence not far from the bank and he was apprehended soon after. Images from the bank surveillance videos were broadcast on local news outlets and distributed via social media, leading to the positive identification of Rivera-Morales.
Rivera-Morales is scheduled to be sentenced on January 3, 2019.
“Bank robberies are violent crimes that often can jeopardize the safety of bank employees, customers, and other members of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with the law enforcement community to combat violent crimes such as bank robberies. By combatting violent crime, our goal is ensure that the citizens of the Granite State feel safe in their local communities.”
This matter was investigated by the Dover Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon.
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District Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Federal Firearm and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Antwan Shelton, 35, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 80 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possessing three separate quantities of narcotics with an intent to distribute them, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Shelton pled guilty in May 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, buprenorphine, and marijuana. He was sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan. Following his prison term, Shelton will be placed on three years of supervised release.
The government’s evidence established that on Dec. 2, 2016, members of MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division executed a search warrant at a residence in the 4600 block of B Street SE. Upon gaining entry to the residence, law enforcement secured Shelton outside a bathroom while he was wearing a towel around his body and while the water was running in the bathroom shower. Upon entry into the bathroom, officers recovered an MPD-issued Glock 17 pistol that was stolen from an MPD officer months earlier. The firearm was loaded with sixteen .9mm rounds in the magazine and one .9mm round in the chamber.
Officers also recovered in the bathroom a lunch bag containing distribution quantities of cocaine base, marijuana, and suboxone strips, and $3,095 in cash. In Shelton’s bedroom, law enforcement recovered a ziplock bag containing twenty .45-caliber rounds of ammunition and twenty .40-caliber rounds of ammunition. A drum magazine with .9mm-caliber rounds of ammunition was recovered from a clothes hamper. A ballistic vest was on the top shelf of a closet. Drug paraphernalia also was recovered in the residence. Law enforcement also obtained photographs from Shelton’s cellphone that corroborated his connection to the residence where he was arrested and the distinct lunch bag from which he was trafficking narcotics.
Shelton’s conviction results in his third firearms conviction and second drug trafficking conviction. Shelton was previously convicted of firearm possession and escape in 2006 after he fled from law enforcement while being interviewed, which resulted in a massive search involving search dogs and a helicopter.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Unit. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Macchiaroli and Laura Crane, and Paralegal Specialist Candace Battle.
Cuban Man Sentenced for Human SmugglingRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Carlos Manuel Legra-Ramirez, 43, a citizen of Cuba and a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States living in Georgia, was sentenced Friday by U.S District Court Judge Sul Ozerden to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
Legra-Ramirez was also ordered to pay $3,100 in fines and special assessment. He pled guilty before Judge Ozerden on June 1, 2018.
On February 6, 2018, on Interstate 10 in Harrison County, the United States Border Patrol conducted a traffic stop of a Toyota Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle ("SUV") displaying a Georgia license plate registered to Legra-Ramirez. The SUV contained 10 illegal aliens, for a total of eleven occupants (including the driver), even though the SUV only had seatbelts to lawfully seat seven occupants. Legra-Ramirez was the driver of the vehicle. Further investigation also revealed that on August 31, 2013, Legra-Ramirez had been stopped on I-10 near Lake City, Florida, driving a vehicle with 6 illegal alien passengers.
After interviewing the passengers in Legra-Ramirez’s vehicle on February 6, 2018, all claimed to be citizens and nationals of other countries illegally present in the United States. Legra-Ramirez, and all passengers were arrested and transported to the Gulfport Border Patrol Station.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for the case.
Craig Fine Sentenced to 153 Months in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of First Tennessee BankRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On September 10, 2018, Craig, Fine, 48, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas Phillips, Senior U.S. District Judge, to serve 153 months in federal prison for armed bank robbery and brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, he will be supervised by U.S. Probation for three years. Fine was also ordered to pay $10,417.44 in restitution.
Details of the robbery can be found in the criminal complaint and supporting affidavit on file with the U.S. District Court. According to the affidavit, in March 2018, Fine entered the First Tennessee Bank on Merchants Drive in Knoxville with a firearm and demanded money from the bank teller. During the incident, Fine discharged a firearm. Additionally, he pointed the firearm directly at the victim teller and customers inside the bank. Before leaving the bank, Fine also claimed to have a pipe bomb.
This case was the result of an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which consists of FBI Special Agents, Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Knoxville Police Department Officers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly A. Norris and Cynthia Davidson represented the United States in court proceedings.
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Corrie Gillispie, a/k/a "Bigg Tyme", Sentenced to Serve Thirty-Two Years in Prison for Kidnaping and Commercial Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On September 7, 2018, Corrie Gillispie, 42, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 396 months in federal prison.
After a seven-day jury trial in April 2018, Gillispie was convicted of kidnaping, two counts of commercial sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and money laundering. According to documents on file with U.S. District Court and evidence produced during the trial, Gillispie romantically pursued a victim and convinced her to travel to another state to meet him. When the victim arrived, Gillispie informed her that he was a pimp and restrained and assaulted the victim when she attempted to leave his vehicle. The victim was ultimately held against her will by Gillispie and forced to engage in commercial sex, from which he benefitted financially, through threats of force, fraud and coercion.
During the trial and the sentencing hearing, Judge McDonough found Gillispie acted disrespectfully with an intention to obstruct the administration of justice and sentenced Gillispie to an additional 12 months in prison for contempt.
Agencies involved in this investigation included U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Chattanooga Police Department, FBI, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Woods represented the United States in court proceedings.
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Convicted Sex Offender Ordered to Pay More Than $13,000 in Restitution to Child Victim of Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Brian J. Davis has ordered Stanley Hagan, Jr. (34, Jacksonville) to pay $13,619.52 in restitution to the custodian of a child who was molested in 2015 by Darren Dozier, a convicted sex offender from Philadelphia. According to court records, in late 2015, Dozier sent images over the internet depicting his sexual abuse of the 8-year-old child to Hagan. After being identified by the FBI, Hagan admitted to his participation in the ongoing sexual exploitation of the child and pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.
On May 31, 2018, Hagan was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release, and required to register as a sex offender. Dozier was prosecuted in Philadelphia and sentenced to 35 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI (Jacksonville and Philadelphia). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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.
Continued Increase in Federal Regional Violent Crime ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers. Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime. At least 85% of federal sentences must be served; there is no parole in the federal system. None. Sentences are served in prisons far from St. Louis. Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in August as a result of the hard work of police and agents:
Antonio Brown, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Michael Brown, 21, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Shawn Fritschle, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Jermaine Gibbs, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Orlando Grimmett, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Lamont Hamm, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Joshua Matthews, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Deverin Myers, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jamar Robinson, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Christine Smith, 60, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Deandre Evans, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Samuel Taylor, 39, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Tommie Williams, 66, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Devin Barnett, 35, St. Louis, Simmons, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Michael Finley, 34, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.
Cyrus Jackson, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Bryant Johsnon, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
A.Y. McClenton, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Adam Moore, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Reiko Perry, 23, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Smith, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Laron Brown, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Gene Cumberland, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Larry Lott, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Terry Mooney, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Antwuan Morrow, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Maurice Murphy, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.
John Oliver, 26, Alton, IL, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Lawrence Patterson was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of interference with commerce by threats or violence and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Elizabeth Reid, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.
Trevion Hopson, 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Keith Spearman, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Percy Word, 48, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Derek Bowser, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of false statement in connection with acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer and user of illegal narcotics in possession of a firearm.
Roy Cooper, 34, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Dayon Fips, 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Levander Williams, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jason Aubuchon, 31, Fenton, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Chad J. Coffman, 37, pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.
Horatio Sumrall, Jr., 29, Belleville, IL, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Zackary Ward, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Joseph Saunders, 39, Hazelwood, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Anthony Frazier, 29, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jerome Green, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Kerry Bolden, 43, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert E. Jones, 54, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Juzzton A. Hill, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jalen Sherrell, 22, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Mario McKnight, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Travis Robinson, 21, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Steven Conner, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Isiah Williams, 25, Hazelwood, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
John H. McIntosh, 59, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Donald L. Shaw, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Wilbert Anderson, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Lywayne M. Scott, 35, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and acting with others to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.
Corey Ward, 42, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Cameron M. Bryant, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Edward R. Watson, 68, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Shagretta Turner, 35, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
Dennis Washington, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Lyle Deloch, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Enzie Walton, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Vernon DeFrance, 52, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Caldra Williford, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Dewayne Franklin, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Derrick Hudson, 38, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Derrick Perryman, 31, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Decoreyon J. Harris, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Nathan Allen, 58, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Kristin D. Johnson-Arnold, 24, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
David Staples, 49, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Charles Alicea, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jeffrey M. Meyer, 40, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Dyanthany Proudie, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Parron Walker, 47, St. Louis, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Pruitt, Jr., 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Marlon Williams, 46, St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Tayler Griffin, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Anthony Tucker was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Terrill Watt, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Cortez Davis, 39, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Derek Brown, 40, St. Louis, was sentenced to 93 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; manufacture a controlled substance drug; and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Harold J. Hoskin, Jr., 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Edward Crawford, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Deandre Jones, 29, was sentenced to 23 months in prison for carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
Daniel Eldridge, 41, Mineral Point, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Otis Jones, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Ronell Williams, 40, St. Louis, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Frank Hart, 45, Jennings, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and carjacking.
Jerry Massey, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 65 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance drug.
Jurmont Clark, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert J. Moore, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Alex Taylor, 21, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day for felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Reinhardt, 53, St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance drug.
Marlon Williams, 46, St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Wardell Polk, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 252 months in prison for robbing a Taco Bell (Hobbs Act), discharing a firearm during a federal crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm.
Dedrick Conley, 27, East St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance drug.
Ishmael L. Hargrove, 21, Florissant, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
David Lee, Jr., 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Clairton Man Sentenced to Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 months and one day’s imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Jojuan Bray, 21.
According to information presented to the court at the time he entered a guilty plea, Bray purchased cocaine from his codefendant, Skyler Carter, for further distribution in the Clairton area, and is responsible for the distribution of approximately 230 grams of cocaine between March and June of 2017. Bray is the ninth of 21 defendants charged in the conspiracy to be sentenced.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Chinle Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Shooting Incident on Navajo ReservationRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Andrew Emerson Beno, 31, of Chinle, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Beno had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
Beno admitted to using a shotgun to shoot at the victim, which resulted in pellets becoming embedded in the victim’s leg. The incident occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, and both Beno and the victim are members of that tribe.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08041-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-120_Beno
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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.
Child Predator Sentenced to Ten YearsRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U. S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Sameer Paul Gadola, 23, of East Lansing, Michigan was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Janet T. Neff also imposed special assessments of $15,300 and a period of supervised release of five years following his imprisonment.
In 2016, Gadola engaged in conversations with minor boys over the internet using social media. He engaged in sexual conversations with the children and induced them to send him sexually explicit photographs. There was also evidence of Gadola sexually exploiting additional children beyond the counts of conviction, both online and in person. Gadola pled guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 72 months each on counts one and two to be served concurrently with each other, and 48 months on count three, to be served consecutively to counts one and two.
In sentencing Gadola, Judge Neff called him a "sexual predator" who groomed children and then acted on his impulses with them online and in person. Judge Neff stressed the need to protect the public from further crimes by Gadola, whom she described as "a danger to the community."
In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought a significant sentence in light of the nature and magnitude of Gadola’s conduct. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office agrees with the Court’s assessment that Gadola engaged in very serious criminal conduct warranting significant time in prison," said U.S. Attorney Birge. "The predation of children, whether on the internet or elsewhere, is a very grave offense which deserves severe consequences to promote respect for the law, to deter other child sex offenders, and to protect the public."
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Sanford and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
END
Canadian Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Running Telemarketing Scheme that Bilked 60,000+ VictimsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The owner of a Canadian telemarketing operation – who was extradited to the United States last year after more than 10 years of litigation in Canada – was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison for orchestrating a telemarketing scheme that falsely promised credit card fraud protection and defrauded at least 60,000 primarily elderly victims out of more than $18 million.
Mark Eldon Wilson, 57, of Vancouver, British Columbia, was sentenced by United States District Judge S. James Otero.
As he imposed the sentence, Judge Otero noted that the criminal conduct was egregious both in scope and in terms of targeting elderly victims, who suffered both financial and emotional harm resulting from the fraud.
Following a five-day trial in March, a federal jury convicted Wilson of seven counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud for having orchestrated a fraudulent cross-border telemarketing scheme that targeted American victims.
The evidence at trial showed that Wilson operated the fraudulent scheme through various companies – including OPCO International Inc. and American Fraud Watch Services – and that he directed his telemarketers to mislead victims into believing they were affiliated with the victims’ credit card companies. As part of the sales pitch, telemarketers falsely suggested to victims that they were vulnerable to credit card fraud and would be held liable for fraudulent charges on their cards. They sold the victims a non-existent credit card “protection” service for approximately $300 that purportedly would be in effect for 10 years, and they falsely promised a 100 percent money-back guarantee. In many instances, even when the victims did not authorize payment for these purported services, Wilson’s companies charged victims’ credit cards for the full amount of the “protection” service fee, even though victims were told the fee was as little as $3 per month.
In reality, Wilson and his companies were not associated with the victims’ credit card companies, the credit card companies would not actually hold victims liable for charges arising from fraud, and Wilson’s companies did not provide the promised credit-card-monitoring and protection services.
Between 1998 and 2001, Wilson and his telemarketers solicited over $18 million from more than 60,000 victims in 37 different states, including a number of victims in Southern California. Wilson “then converted the victims’ money to his own personal use, using a portion of the fraud proceeds to fund his businesses and a portion to fund his own lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of different luxury boats, a fleet of cars used by himself and various employees of his businesses, setting up an offshore bank account in the South Pacific to house a portion of his fraud proceeds, and travelling periodically to Las Vegas to gamble and meet with other telemarketers at luxury hotels,” according to court documents filed by prosecutors.
This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Federal Trade Commission. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of Justice – Canada provided invaluable assistance to ensure Wilson was compelled to answer the charges through a lengthy extradition process.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Stern of the Major Frauds section, and Assistant United States Attorneys Roger Hsieh and Joseph Woodring of the General Crimes section.
California Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Investors in Connection with Advance Fee SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Vassily Anthony “Tony” Thompson, age 64, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced today after being found guilty after a February trial of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Thompson to a 9-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Thompson was also ordered to pay $2,015,000 in restitution to his victims.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Thompson and his conspirators, Derrick John Fincher and John Patrick Nixon, orchestrated an advance fee scheme that duped individuals into investing in three sham business ventures – a celebrity golf tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a movie studio in Montana, and a housing development near Charlotte, North Carolina, by falsely promising them access to tens of millions of dollars from the Export-Import Bank and other lending institutions. Thompson and his associates induced investors to pay “advance fees” of $160,000 to $1 million, which the investors were told was “show money” or “insurance fees.” In reality, Thompson used the money to pay his personal living expenses. Three victims were defrauded out of $2,015,000.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “Today’s sentence should send a strong message to would-be fraudsters who target individuals for financial gain. I commend the FBI and the Special Agents for their tenacity and dedication in uncovering and investigating this fraudulent scheme. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to prosecute aggressively white collar crime occurring in this District.”
Fincher will be sentenced on September 13, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Scott Jones and Joseph Derrig, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Buffalo Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison Following RICO ConvictionRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Thamud Eldridge, 44, aka Damu, who was convicted following a seven week jury trial of multiple RICO, drug, and gun charges, was sentenced to serve 50 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Eldridge was convicted of Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO), RICO conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, possession of firearm in furtherance of violence and violent crime, kidnapping, and robbery.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Tripi and Meghan A. Tokash, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated Eldridge and co-defendant Kevin Allen were members and associates of a criminal organization which operated on the East Side of Buffalo from 2003 until 2005. The organization was found by the jury to be a violent group of gang members who specialized in targeting and then robbing drug dealers in and around the City of Buffalo, intending to steal their illegal drugs, money, and jewelry. Eldridge, Allen, and their associates were also accused in the indictment of invading victims’ homes, threatening residents at gun point for money and other items of value, and kidnapping drug dealers.
One victim who testified for the Government at trial, told the jury that Eldridge and Allen came to his home seeking money and drugs, then forcibly kidnapped him--forcing him into their vehicle with a gun into his neck. They drove the victim to another location in Buffalo where the victim stored his drugs. The dealer said his life was spared only because he was able to give them over a kilogram of cocaine.
Another Government witness testified that he was robbed of money at gunpoint in the driveway of his family home.
Other victims of a home invasion masterminded by Eldridge testified that their arms and legs were bound with duct tape while they were held at gunpoint--execution style. One victim was handicapped and duct taped to his wheelchair. While Eldridge's associates tried to break into the upper apartment which belonged to a known drug dealer, he casually smoked a cigar. That cigar was collected by crime scene detectives and later tested for DNA which confirmed Eldridge's presence at the crime scene.
Victims testified about the terror they experienced--one told the Court she dialed 9-1-1 underneath a couch so Eldridge and his gang members would not detect her attempts at contacting law enforcement. Eldridge and associates escaped before police arrived--only to be caught be his DNA left at the crime scene.
Additionally, the members of the enterprise and their associates distributed quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana, and planned conspired, attempted and committed robberies and murders against other rival drug dealers in order to enhance their street credibility on the East Side of Buffalo.Kevin Allen was also convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2018.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in- Charge Gary Loeffert, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
# # # #Buffalo Man Sentenced for His Role in Narcotics Conspiracy That Operated Around the Perry Housing ProjectRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tashawn Gay, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to time served (36 months) by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that between the summer of 2012 and April 3, 2013, the defendant, along with co-defendants Tyshawn Bradley, Darnell Brown, Dallas McLamore, Eric Ross, David Varner, Latifah Donaldson and others, to sell crack cocaine in the City of Buffalo, primarily around the Perry Housing Project. Gay purchased cocaine and crack cocaine from Tyshawn Bradley, which the defendant then distributed to his own customers. Gay did not sell crack cocaine on the grounds of the Perry Housing Projects; rather, his customers were located in other parts of the City of Buffalo.
On January 3, 2013, members of the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on Millicent Avenue, and seized approximately five 8-balls of crack cocaine and packaging materials. In addition, during the course of the investigation, the FBI intercepted telephone calls between the defendant and Tyshawn Bradley, during which they discussed meeting for the purpose of Bradley selling cocaine and/or crack cocaine to Gay. On April 3, 2013, law enforcement officers again searched the defendant’s Millicent Avenue residence and seized $2,800 in United States currency, marijuana and packaging materials.
Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
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Brevard County Doctor Sentenced to over Nineteen Years for Illegally Distributing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced John M. Gayden, Jr. (64,West Melbourne) to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison for dispensing oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical reason. A federal jury found Gayden guilty on June 22, 2018.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, between 2009, and continuing through 2011, Gayden ran a cash-only pain management clinic in Indialantic, Florida. He charged $200-$400 per visit for appointment, during which patients received prescriptions for high doses of oxycodone with little to no medical evaluation. Gayden issued these prescriptions bi-monthly or monthly for years, without consulting with the patients about their health or properly verifying these patients’ needs for long-term high dosage oxycodone. Patients traveled from other counties and lined up outside Gayden’s office in the early mornings to receive the prescriptions. Many of the individuals who received the prescriptions then abused the oxycodone themselves or sold the pills.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Melbourne Police Department, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Health. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.
Berkeley County woman sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sarah Jaielyn Carter, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 37 months incarceration for her role in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Carter, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” in February 2018. Carter worked with others to distribute heroin in Berkeley County in November 2016.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and 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.Berkeley County woman sentenced for cocaine chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jessica Marie Shifflett, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to four years of probation for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Shifflett, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base” in May 2018. Shifflett admitted to conspiring with others to distribute crack cocaine in Berkeley County from April 2015 to February 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.Baltimore County Tax Preparer Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Filing False Tax Returns and for Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Dawn Chapelle Cottman, age 45, of Owings Mills, Maryland today to seven years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for fourteen counts of filing false tax returns, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Cottman owned a tax preparation business called 40 AM Tax Service, which she operated from her residence in Owings Mills. A federal jury convicted Cottman on May 22, 2018.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
Evidence presented at trial showed that from January 2009 until March 2013, Cottman electronically filed hundreds of tax returns, then had the tax refunds for those returns directly deposited into her bank account instead of having the refunds sent to the taxpayers. Many of the returns she filed contained materially false information to increase the size of the tax refunds. The false information included fictitious personal income amounts and dependent information that qualified taxpayers for the Earned Income Tax Credit and American Opportunity Education Credit.
Cottman also prepared and filed income tax returns using the personal identifiers of other people without their knowledge and consent in order to fraudulently obtain a tax refund to which she was not entitled. Cottman paid money to various individuals to obtain the identities of other people in whose names she filed the false returns. Cottman had the resulting tax refunds directly deposited into her bank account.
Cottman was also convicted of filing a false personal tax return for 2011. Cottman falsely claimed in her tax return that her tax preparation business had gross receipts of $152,100 when, in fact, more than $1 million of other people’s tax refunds were wired into her bank account. Cottman also falsely claimed to have earned a net income of approximately $17,000 when, in fact, she spent more than $250,000 that year on personal expenses, including trips to Disneyland, Las Vegas, Busch Gardens, and Atlantic City.
United States Attorney Hur commended the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Sean R. Delaney, who prosecuted this case.
Baltimore County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution, Transportation, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Adam Robert Miller, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. Miller also admitted taking sexually explicit images and videos of a minor female beginning when she was 15 years old.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to the indictment and the facts presented to the Court as part of his guilty plea, in July 2017, Homeland Security Investigations-Baltimore received information from Canadian authorities regarding a user of the KIK secure messaging application, “amiller89,” who was distributing visual depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in KIK chatrooms. Canadian authorities learned about the account in the course of a larger investigation of child pornography trafficking by KIK users. Subscriber information obtained for the IP address used to access the account was identified as belonging to Miller’s father, at the home where they both resided.
On September 13, 2017, a search warrant was executed at Miller’s residence. Miller waived his rights and spoke with law enforcement, admitting that “amiller89” was his account. Miller admitted that between May 13, 2015 and September 13, 2017, he uploaded and stored images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct in his Dropbox accounts. A search of Miller’s Dropbox accounts revealed that they contained over 300 videos of child pornography. Data stored on devices seized during the search of Miller’s residence included hundreds of videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity, including a prepubescent girl being subjected to sexual bondage.
In addition, Miller admitted taking sexually explicit images and videos of Jane Doe, whom the defendant met when Jane Doe was 14 years old. The images and videos produced by Miller were uncovered on Miller’s devices and were taken when Jane Doe was 15, 16, and 17 years old. On July 16, 2017, Miller used an encrypted chat application to communicate with another user. During those communications, Miller sent the other user three images of Jane Doe engaged in sexually explicit activity.
As a result of his conviction, Miller will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
Miller faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, followed by up to lifetime of supervised release for each of three counts of distribution and transportation of child pornography; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2018 at 11:30 a.m.
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 Attorney’s 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. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI-Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who is prosecuting the federal case.
Atlanta drug dealer charged with distributing fake Roxicodone pills containing fentanylRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Edward Culton has been arraigned on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in the death of an individual. Culton was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2018.
“Culton’s alleged fentanyl distribution led to two drug overdoses, resulting in the death of one of the individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “The defendant allegedly disguised the dangerous pills to look like legitimate Roxicodone tablets, but they were actually laced with fentanyl - a more potent and potentially lethal substance.”
“This counterfeit ‘pill peddler’ was a menace to society,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Pills in the underground drug market are often diluted with dangerous and deadly substances, as was the case in this investigation. Purchasing pills on the street is synonymous to playing Russian roulette, as there’s no quality control or efficacy in the process. The success of this investigation was made possible because of the collaborative efforts between all law enforcement agencies involved and the U.S Attorney’s Office.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Between September 2017 and February 2018, Culton allegedly supplied Hubert Nathans, a drug dealer in the Roswell, Georgia area, with hundreds of fake Roxicodone pills from his Buckhead apartment in Atlanta. The counterfeit pills were blue in color and imprinted with M30, which resembled legitimate 30mg Roxicodone tablets, but they actually contained fentanyl.
In October 2017, Nathans allegedly sold a number of these pills to a man who died from a drug overdose on October 3, 2017. On January 8, 2018, Nathans also allegedly sold one pill to a woman who overdosed after ingesting part of the pill.
In January and February 2018, the Roswell Police Department purchased pills from Nathans on multiple occasions. On February 15, 2018, DEA agents executed a search warrant at Culton’s apartment and allegedly seized more than 900 of the same blue fentanyl-laced pills.
Edward Culton, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Janet F. King on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, seven counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl, and one of count of possession with intent to distribute. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Hubert Nathans, 29, of Roswell, Georgia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the use of which resulted in the death of one individual and serious injury to another, on August 13, 2018.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Roswell Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan is prosecuting the case.
This case is presented as a part of Operation SCOPE (Strategically Combatting Opioids through Prosecution and Enforcement), which is an initiative launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to partner with federal and local law enforcement to fight the devastating effects that illegally-prescribed painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl have on our neighborhoods.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
78-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Distribution of XanaxRead the Press Release
ALBANY: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces Edward Lowell, age 78, of Americus, Georgia, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for Distribution of Xanax by Senior U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands in Albany, Georgia on September 6, 2018.
Mr. Lowell admitted that on October 4, 2017, deputies were conducting surveillance of his residence in Sumter County and observed a confidential informant (CI) at the residence. The CI had revealed to agents that she routinely received prescription pills from “Eddie” at this residence. A subsequent traffic stop and search of the CI revealed 10 Xanax pills, which she confirmed she had just acquired from “Eddie.” In a subsequent interview, the CI estimated that she had received 8000 pills from “Eddie” over the years.
Another confidential informant (CI-2) turned over 61 pills—8 Xanax and 53 Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine—which she had recently purchased from Mr. Lowell at the same residence for $150. CI-2 stated that she had been obtaining pills from Mr. Lowell for approximately ten years, and estimated that she had gotten at least 10,000 pills over time.
Ultimately, Mr. Lowell waived his Miranda rights and admitted that he had obtained and distributed 100 pills per month over a two-year period to multiple individuals.
“Distributing prescription pills in our communities is still dealing drugs,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “I commend the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for its work on this case.”
This case was investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney 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.
9 September 2018
Two Mexican Citizens Sentenced for Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Luis Espindola Romero, age 33, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on Friday to time served (44 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States. Agustin Dominguez De Jesus, age 23, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on Friday to time served (43 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
As part of his guilty plea, Espindola Romero admitted that he was removed from the United States to Mexico on September 27, 2014 and again on October 9, 2014. On July 25, 2018, ICE Officers arrested Espindola Romero near Cobleskill, New York.
As part of his guilty plea, Dominquez De Jesus admitted that he was removed from the United States to Mexico on October 9, 2013 and again on October 18, 2013. On July 26, 2018, ICE Officers arrested Dominquez De Jesus in Amsterdam, New York.
Espindola Romero and Dominquez De Jesus were each remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for removal proceedings.
These cases were investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
8 September 2018
Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention RoundtableRead the Press Release
Thursday, September 13th | 2:00-4:00 PM
Ron De Lugo Federal Building
5500 Veterans DriveCharlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
This human trafficking roundtable will gather federal, state, and local law enforcement, stakeholders, and advocates for a robust discussion on the progress that has been made to combat human trafficking. The conversation will focus on identifying the gaps and needs that remain as well as potential solutions for a path forward.
Roundtable Participants Include
The Department of Homeland Security’s Blue CampaignICE Homeland Security Investigations USVI Field
Office The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Office of the U.S. Attorney
*Other speakers are in the process of being confirmed*
For more information, contact: Blue Campaign | [email protected]
Human Trafficking Awareness Event, St. Thomas, USVIRead the Press Release
What: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands, will be hosting a one-day human trafficking training. Topics will include:
o Human Trafficking Overview
o Encountering Victims of Crime
o Blue Campaign
Trainers will be: Scott Santoro, FLETC Sr. Training Advisor & Crystal Gregory, HSI Forensic Interview Specialist
When: Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Where: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ron de Lugo Federal Building & Courthouse, 5500 Veterans Dr., Suite 260
Who should attend: Open to anyone who wants to learn more about Human Trafficking and the DHS Blue Campaign.
RSVP: Antoinette James, DOJ, Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands, [email protected]
7 September 2018
Wellington Woman Sentenced for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Wellington woman was sentenced today to six months in prison and ordered to pay more than $86,000 in restitution for fraudulently collecting Social Security benefits, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Amy D. McLain, 50, Wellington, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of Social Security fraud. In her plea, she admitted that from April 2008 to May 2014 she worked for Kreifels Communications, Inc., while receiving Social Security disability benefits. She fraudulently reported to Social Security that she was not working and had no income.
Co-defendant Scott Kreifels, 58, Wellington, Kan., was sentenced to two years on probation and ordered to pay more than $49,900 in restitution. McLain’s husband, co-defendant Jeffrey L. McLain, 49, Wellington, is set for sentencing Nov. 1.
McAllister commended the Social Security Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction ActRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–Robert Patrick King, 39, of Suffolk, Virginia, pleaded guilty Friday to sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Trent Shores.
King admitted that in the summer of 2017, in Yokosuka, Japan, he took sexually explicit photographs of a 5-year-old girl after coercing her to take a bath at his home. At the time, King was the spouse of a U.S. Navy service member. Investigators also discovered similar photographs of other victims taken in Virginia, where he lived prior to his move to Japan.
This case was prosecuted under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which allows for civilians accompanying the military outside the United States to be prosecuted for violations of federal law.
“We will to do everything in our power to identify child victims and provide them the justice they deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The defendant’s exploitation of a 5-year-old was and is reprehensible. Every day he is in prison is a day children are safer.”
As part of the plea agreement, King and the United States agreed to a sentence of 20 years imprisonment, payment of victim restitution, and forfeiture of computer devices used in the crime.
A formal sentencing date has been set before U.S. District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan on December 7, 2018.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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. Internet safety education can be found on the tab labeled "resources” on the left columns of the page.
The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.