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Wednesday 11 July 2018
Williamston Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that THOMAS WAYNE GODARD, 25, of Williamston, North Carolina was sentenced by United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 384 months imprisonment, followed by five years’ supervised release after the term of imprisonment.
GODARD was named in a ten-count Indictment on April 27, 2016 with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, the subsequent robbery and various firearm offenses. On August 17, 2017, GODARD pled guilty to two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.
Two co-defendants had already been sentenced for their role in the offense. On November 15, 2016, Tremaine Anderson pled guilty to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. On February 21, 2018, Anderson was sentenced to 67 months imprisonment, 5 years supervised release, and $675 restitution.
On January 23, 2018, Keanan Dequez Bond pled guilty to two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. On May 23, 2018, Bond was sentenced to a total term of 384 months imprisonment, 5 years supervised release, and $167,460.83 restitution.
This investigation arose following the robberies of businesses in Beaufort, Nash and Martin counties.
During the robbery at the Family Dollar in Williamston, GODARD and his co-defendants wore masks, pointed guns at the store clerks, placed their guns at the back of the clerks while attempting to learn where the store safe was located. During this robbery, a customer entered the store, and one of the robbers asked where he was parked, and subsequently went to the car, pointed a gun at the victim’s wife and child, demanding her cell phone and money.
During the robbery of the Dollar General in Jamesville, North Carolina, GODARD and his co-defendants again wore masks and pointed guns at the store clerk and demanded to know the safe’s location. During the robbery four customers came into the store and each were taken at gunpoint to the office and ordered to sit on the floor with their heads down.
Mr. Higdon commented: “This case and the sentence imposed on this defendant exemplify why the Attorney General and the United States Attorney’s Office is so focused on the prosecution of violent crime. GODARD robbed businesses and endangered employees and customers in a way that puts fear in all our hearts. It could have been anyone in the Eastern District of North Carolina working or shopping in these businesses and facing those violent criminal acts and the firearms being brandished. This is why we will continue to pursue violent criminals and those who illegally possess and use firearms in our effort to reduce and eliminate violent crime.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Williamston Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney J. Frank Bradsher prosecuted this case.
White Supremacist Sentenced for Federal Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell, age 31, of Conway, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced McDowell to 33 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that the FBI became aware of McDowell’s escalating white supremacist views on social media where McDowell advocated violence against non-whites and even expressed admiration for Dylann Roof and the extreme acts of violence perpetrated by him. Of particular concern to the FBI were McDowell’s comments regarding a particular Jewish Synagogue which implied that this place of worship might be a possible target of violence. McDowell also used social media to communicate an interest in acquiring a gun. In response, the FBI arranged for an undercover agent posing as a member of a white supremacist organization to become acquainted with McDowell for the purpose of determining the nature of his white supremacist leanings and whether McDowell intended to carry out any acts of violence.
McDowell and the undercover agent engaged in multiple recorded conversations during which McDowell reaffirmed his respect for Dylann Roof and spoke generally about committing acts of violence against people of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. McDowell also repeated his desire to obtain a gun. While McDowell never revealed any specific plan to attack a particular location or victim, he did express a general desire to use the gun to commit acts of violence. During further conversations with the undercover FBI agent, McDowell eventually specified that he wanted a .40 caliber Glock pistol and .40 caliber hollow-point ammunition. The agent was able to set up a controlled sale of a .40 caliber pistol and ammunition to McDowell to take place on February 15, 2017. The FBI provided the agent with a .40 caliber Glock which had been rendered “inert” by having the firing pin shaved down so that the gun could not fire. On February 15, the agent met with McDowell and sold him the inert .40 caliber pistol and hollow-point ammunition for $109.00. Soon thereafter McDowell was arrested in the parking lot of a Hampton Inn in Myrtle Beach, during which the pistol and ammunition were recovered from a bag McDowell was carrying. During a post-arrest interview, McDowell admitted to agents that he had purchased the gun and ammunition.
Prior to February 15, 2017, McDowell had been convicted of a felony which prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Following McDowell’s guilty plea, the U.S. Probation Office prepared a presentence investigation report which included McDowell’s sentencing range as calculated according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The Probation Office concluded that McDowell’s guideline imprisonment range was 27 to 33 months. In mitigation, defense counsel emphasized, among other things, McDowell’s mental health issues and limited intellectual functioning. However, he was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment, the high end of the guideline range.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI with the assistance of the Horry County Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on AirlinerRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores announced today that BOLUTIFE OLUSEGUN OLORUNDA, 29, of Vancouver, Washington, pleaded guilty to Assault Within Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank H. McCarthy.
On May 30, 2018, while on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, specifically a Delta Air Lines flight 1156, in route from Portland, Oregon, to Atlanta, Georgia, OLORUNDA verbally assaulted and interfered with a flight attendant on the aircraft such that the pilot and Captain of the aircraft declared an “emergency” and diverted the aircraft to Tulsa International Airport (TIA) for an emergency landing.
“Airline passengers must follow the instructions of flight staff. If they do not, there are consequences. Mr. Olorunda learned that those consequences can include diversion of a commercial flight and federal prosecution. The defendant will be reimbursing the airline for the cost of diverting that flight,” United States Attorney Shores said. “I commend the quick thinking and decision making by the flight crew and Federal Air Marshals. Their actions should inspire confidence in the safety and security of commercial air travel in America.”
A sentencing date has yet to be determined.
OLORUNDA is facing a maximum term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $5,000 and one year supervised release. Further, and as part of his Plea Agreement, OLORUNDA will have to pay restitution to Delta Air Lines in the amount of $9,118 for the cost to the airline for the diverted emergency landing. Additionally, OLORUNDA could face a civil penalty and fine from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The case was investigated by Agents with the TSA Office of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Tulsa Airport Police. Assistant United States Attorney Robert T. Raley handled the prosecution of this case.
Washington Man Charged with Conspiring to Defraud Credit UnionsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal bank laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on July 10, charged Solomon Chambers, Sr., age 50, with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to the indictment, from on or about July 14, 2016 to on or about July 23, 2016, Chambers and other individuals conspired to defraud Members 1st Federal Credit Union and Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union. Chambers and other conspirators deposited non-sufficient checks into bank accounts at those credit unions, and then made cash withdrawals or point-of-sale purchases that rendered those accounts overdrawn.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of either $250,000 or an alternative amount depending on the victims’ losses, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam N. Hallowell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tyler County woman admits to selling methamphetamineRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Brea M. Saeger, of Sistersville, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Saeger, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Saeger admitted to selling methamphetamine in November of 2017 in Tyler County.
Saeger faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Trademark Property Company Resolves American with Disabilities Act ComplaintRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Trademark Property Company has collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to resolve a complaint against the property known as “Rice Village” regarding violations of Title III of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The complaint stated that the Rice Village sidewalk did not leave sufficient passage for individuals in a wheelchair to access the parking garage from certain restaurants and stores.
According to the 2010 ADA Standards, “At least one accessible route shall be provided within the site from accessible parking spaces and accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and sidewalks; and public transportation stops to the accessible building or facility entrance they serve.”
The United States initiated this investigation after receiving a complaint about the inaccessibility of routes leading from the parking garage to adjacent shops and restaurants at Rice Village. Trademark, who manages the Rice Village property, was prompt and very cooperative in addressing the issues presented to it in a letter of factual findings and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. Trademark immediately started remedying the stated accessibility issues and had completed their barrier removal within a month’s time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Karpati and Paralegal Specialist Ray Babauta handled the matter.
Three Long Island Residents Arrested in Elder Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A 12-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Tully Lovisa, Shaun Sullivan and Lorraine Chalavoutis with mail fraud and money laundering for their participation in a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that tricked hundreds of thousands of consumers, many of them elderly, into paying at least $30 million in fees for falsely promised cash prizes. The defendants were arrested today and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Peter R. Rendina, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the indictment.
“Earlier this year, when we announced the largest elder fraud sweep in history, we sent a clear message: we will hold perpetrators of elder fraud schemes accountable wherever they are,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “When criminals steal the hard-earned life savings of older Americans, we will respond with all the tools at the Department’s disposal – criminal prosecutions to punish offenders, civil injunctions to shut the schemes down, and asset forfeiture to take back ill-gotten gains. Today’s indictment shows we are following through on this promise, and fraudsters everywhere should take note of it.”
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants perpetrated a cruel hoax on their victims, many of them elderly and vulnerable, by sending promotional mailings that falsely claimed they would receive tens of thousands of dollars in prize money if they paid a fee,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “In so doing, Lovisa violated prior court orders directing him to stop engaging in mass mailing operations and his co-conspirators were well aware of prior enforcement action to stop this conduct. Protecting the elderly from brazen predators like the defendants is a priority of this Office and the Department of Justice.”
“These defendants showed a willingness to stop at nothing to bilk unwitting victims of their hard earned cash; many who were deliberately targeted because of their vulnerability,” stated USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Rendina. “Postal Inspectors remind you, if you have to pay to play, it’s a scam.”
According to the indictment, the defendants’ prize-promotion mailings claimed that recipients could receive a large cash prize in exchange for paying a modest fee and, in fact, none of them did. The scheme began after the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) sued Lovisa in 2010 for sending deceptive prize-promotion mailings. In response to that suit, a federal court in the Northern District of California enjoined Lovisa in December 2010 and April 2012 from any involvement with prize-promotion mailings. Despite these orders, Lovisa conspired with Sullivan and Chalavoutis to set up numerous prize-promotion companies using straw owners and aliases to continue defrauding consumers. Chalavoutis, who provided operational services, including opening companies and bank accounts in the name of straw owners, helped conceal the involvement of Lovisa and Sullivan in controlling the operation.
The indictment also charges Lovisa with perjury for submitting a false compliance report to the FTC in which he claimed not to be involved in prize-promotion mailings. The additional wire fraud and money laundering charges involve Lovisa’s further deception of the FTC related to the court-ordered sale of a house he owned in Las Vegas. According to the indictment, Lovisa arranged a sham sale of the house for $155,500 in September 2012 that allowed him to maintain control of it and only give the FTC proceeds of that sale. Lovisa sold the house in April 2015 for $540,000.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy. Each charge also carries a statutory maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly of the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division, with Trial Attorneys Daniel Zytnick and Timothy Finley of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.
The Defendants:
LORRAINE CHALAVOUTIS
Age: 61
Greenlawn, New YorkTULLY LOVISA
Age: 55
Huntington Station, New YorkSHAUN SULLIVAN
Age: 37
Merrick, New YorkThree Indiana Residents Charged with Robbery of Scranton PharmacyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Coreon House, age 20, Rashad Coleman, age 25, and Nicola Dunlap, age 21, all of Indianapolis, Indiana, were indicted on July 10, 2018, by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit robbery of a pharmacy, one count of armed robbery of a pharmacy and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on May 21, 2018, House, Coleman and Dunlap took numerous bottles of pills, including oxycodone, morphine and xanex, from the CVS Pharmacy, located on Moosic Street in Scranton. The indictment further charges House, Coleman and Dunlap for use of a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Scranton Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for the armed robbery charge under federal law is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, consecutive to any other sentence. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Stigler Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justimiano Perez Diaz, age 43, of Stigler, Oklahoma.,was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release for Enticement Of A Minor Using The Internet, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b). The charge arose from an investigation by the Wagoner Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleged that from in or about September 2017, the exact date being unknown to the Grand Jury, until on or about October 16, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and elsewhere, the defendant used a facility and means of interstate commerce, the Internet, to attempt to knowingly persuade, induce, and entice an individual whom he believed was 13 years old, to engage in sexual activity for which a person can be criminally charged under Oklahoma State law, to wit: Title 21, Oklahoma Statute, Section 1123, Lewd or Indecent Proposals or Acts with a Child under 16.
“Thanks to an alert teen, a law-abiding citizen, the Wagoner Police Department and the FBI, this defendant’s failed plan to entice and engage in a sexual encounter with a teenager ended in his arrest and prosecution,” said United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester. “I urge parents and guardians of teenagers to remember that predators use technology – phones and computers – to their advantage. Do not be lulled into a sense of security. Today’s bad guys are tech savvy and will use text, social media platforms, and gaming systems to groom and lure kids away from safety.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced for Transporting and Harboring Illegal Aliens and for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Dean Baptiste, 53, of St. Thomas, was sentenced today on separate indictments charging conspiracy to traffic illegal aliens and bank fraud, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Baptiste to 18 months in prison. Judge Gomez also sentenced Baptiste to three years of supervised release for the bank fraud and four years supervised release for the alien smuggling. The periods of supervised release are to run concurrently. Judge Gomez ordered Baptiste to pay a $200 special assessment, perform 400 hours of community service, and to pay restitution in the amount of $11,197.47.
On November 21, 2017, Baptiste pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to bring into and harbor illegal aliens in the United States. On that date, he also pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. According to documents filed in court, Baptiste and others assisted individuals traveling from India to enter the United States illegally. The illegal aliens traveled from India to St. Kitts where they boarded commercial flights to Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Once in Tortola, they were transported by boat to St. Thomas, where arrangements were made to transport them to the mainland United States.
Court documents further showed that Baptiste obtained and altered a check not issued for his use or benefit and substituted the name of his business, D/M Computer Consulting Services. Baptiste subsequently deposited the check into his business checking account and withdrew the funds for his personal use.
The case was investigated by Home Land Security Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter.
St. Charles Parish Man Sentenced to over 21 Years in Prison for Narcotics Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RONALD THOMPSON, age 42, of St. Charles Parish, was sentenced today for charges relating to narcotics trafficking.
Following a two-day trial, on April 3, 2018, a jury found THOMPSON guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. The government filed a bill of information before trial, charging THOMPSON as a multiple offender for his two prior felony drug convictions, both of which also took place in federal court.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 27, 2017, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives witnessed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction in a gas station parking lot. They effected a traffic stop on the vehicle involved, which ultimately led to the discovery of a bag containing powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy in the back of a police car where THOMPSON had been placed pending the search of his car. Testimony and other evidence confirmed that Thompson had pulled the bag from inside his pants and shoved it into the seat behind him.
Judge Susie Morgan sentenced THOMPSON to 262 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as well as 6 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Sandman and Nicholas D. Moses were responsible for the prosecution.
Spokane Valley Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attempted Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that James Andrew Joy, age 29, of Spokane Valley, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on April 11, 2018, to Attempted Production of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Joy to a 15-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 20-year term of court supervision after he is released from prison. Upon release from prison, Joy will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
According to court records, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) was investigating a user’s profile on the social networking website MeetMe after it appeared the profile was soliciting images of child pornography. SCSO’s investigation, including discovery of Internet Protocol addresses for the suspect account, showed James Joy was using the account. However, Joy had set up the account under an alias name and was purporting to be a 14-year old child.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation and ultimately the two agencies interviewed Joy. Joy admitted he created fictitious MeetMe accounts for the purposes of contacting juvenile females in an effort to have them produce child pornography for him. When investigators asked Joy why he purported to be a 14-year old child in his profiles, Joy explained that if he used his real age he would have been unable to access anyone who was under 18. Joy indicated he contacted “hundreds” of minor-age females in an effort to obtain nude photographs of them, and he succeeded in obtaining photographs from about ten of them. Joy explained that he pursued these minor-age children because it was an adrenaline rush, though he knew it was wrong. In several instances, Joy threatened to distribute the pornographic images he had received to the minor-aged victims' family members and friends through social networking sites unless they produced more. The ages of Joy’s victims ranged from 13 to 16 years old. Joy also used Kik Messenger and Snapchat to communicate with minors.
United States Attorney Harrington said, “This case is a fine example of the great work that can be accomplished when state and federal law enforcement work together. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute aggressively child exploitation crimes that occur in the Eastern District of Washington.”
This case was pursued 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 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. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Spokane Child Exploitation Task Force in conjunction with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Alison L. Gregoire, an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Six More Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for their Roles in a Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Defendants are the latest to be sentenced out of nearly two dozen defendants after long-term narcotics investigation
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Five men were sentenced today to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Shawn Akiem Anderson, 44, of Mount Hope, was sentenced to 108 months, or 9 years, in federal prison. Shaun Jones, 40, Jonathan Vincent Moore, 34, and Charles E. Hill, 54, all of Beckley, were sentenced to 120, 97, and 60 months in federal prison, respectively. Corey Larkin, 38, also of Beckley, was determined to be a career offender and sentenced to 188 months, or 15 years and 8 months, in federal prison.
Yesterday, Esau Burnett, 39, of Beckley, was sentenced in conjunction with his role in the drug trafficking organization. Burnett was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison after previously entering a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine. Velarian Carter will appear tomorrow before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber for sentencing.
Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of several agencies, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service also provided assistance throughout the investigation.
“Heroin. Fentanyl. Methamphetamine. Crack. Cocaine. Marijuana. Guns. A career offender. A prison inmate already serving a 20 year sentence still running a drug business back in his hometown,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Raleigh County is no doubt a safer place to live with these drug dealers behind bars. As a result of great teamwork and a thorough investigation, this drug trafficking organization has been shut down.”
Shawn Anderson previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and admitted that between May 2017 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants involving the distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Anderson admitted to working with Detria Carter and others to distribute marijuana in and around Raleigh County. Anderson also admitted that he distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 44 kilograms of marijuana during this time frame. Funderburk previously admitted that between August 2016 and March 1, 2017, he assisted Velarian Carter, Detria Carter, and others, in operating a drug trafficking organization. Funderburk also admitted that on March 1, 2017, he was arrested in Charleston, and during a subsequent search, police discovered that he possessed cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine. Funderburk also possessed a Glock 27, .40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, that he admitted was used for protection of his drugs and drug proceeds.
Shaun Jones previously entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants involving the distribution of cocaine and heroin. Jones admitted to working with James Rodney Staples and others to distribute cocaine and heroin in and around Raleigh County. Jones also admitted that on June 28, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search officers found over 200 grams of heroin, a quantity of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine, and over $50,000 in cash. Jones admitted he intended to distribute the controlled substances found in his house. The money seized is being forfeited as the cash represented the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking activity.
Corey Larkin previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. At his plea hearing he admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine and heroin in and around Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. During this time he admitted to distributing approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Larkin also admitted that on June 14, 2017, police officers made a traffic stop on a car he was driving. During the stop, officers seized 133.97 grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, and $2,983 in cash. Larkin further admitted that on June 28, 2017, police officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley. Officers found over $8,000 in cash, approximately 41 grams of cocaine, and a kilo press, often used to compress powder cocaine into “bricks.” Larkin has agreed to forfeit all the cash seized.
Jonathan Moore previously admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in the drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants involving the distribution of cocaine and heroin. He further admitted that on April 26, 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of a confidential informant, made a controlled purchase of approximately one ounce of cocaine from Moore at his residence in Beckley. He also admitted that on June 28, 2017, a search warrant was executed at his residence. During the search, officers found over 1,500 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, and over $90,000 in cash. He agreed to forfeit the firearms and over $90,000 in cash that was obtained through the illegal drug trafficking network.
Charles Hill previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine. Hill previously admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine and more than 28 grams of cocaine base, or “crack,” in and around Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Hill also admitted to assisting Velarian Carter, Detria Carter, and Rashaun Carter in distributing ‘crack,” in Raleigh County. During this time he admitted to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute approximately 15 ounces of “crack.” Hill further admitted to meeting with other members of the drug trafficking organization to discuss and plan the manufacturing of cocaine into cocaine base. When officers executed a search warrant at Hill’s residence in Beckley on June 28, 2017, they recovered an additional 47.17 grams of “crack” that Hill intended to distribute in the community of Beckley.
Esau Burnett previously admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine and more than 28 grams of cocaine base, or “crack,” in and around Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Burnett admitted to assisting in manufacturing cocaine into “crack.” During this time he admitted to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute approximately 20 ounces of cocaine. Burnett further admitted that on June 28, 2017, police officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley. Officers found $2,797 in cash, and a quantity of “crack.” Burnett admitted that the cash was obtained through the illegal drug trafficking activity and has agreed to forfeit the cash to the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.
Several other individuals implicated as a result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas to drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. James Rodney Staples, of Woodbridge, Virginia, faces at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life when he is sentenced on August 13, 2018 after entering a plea to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin. Karl Funderburk previously entered a guilty plea to using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and is also scheduled for sentencing on August 13, 2018. George E. Brockman, II, of Montgomery, entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of oxycodone and is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2018. He faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison.
Jonathan O. Brockman of Kimberly, Fayette County, previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of fentanyl, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of marijuana for remuneration. David Shaun Coleman of Fayette County entered his plea to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and a quantity of oxycodone. Rashaun Carter, aka “Show,” of Raleigh County, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, more than 100 grams of heroin, and a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of fentanyl. Each of these defendants face at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 26, 2018.
Derrick L. Staples, of Charleston, entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin and faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 24, 2018. Shaun L. Givens, of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 26, 2018.
Several defendants in this case have already been sentenced. Detria Carter of Beckley, the sister of Velarian Carter, was recently sentenced to 151 months, or 12 years and seven months in federal prison. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, were sentenced to 12 years, and 16 years and 8 months in prison, respectively. Rory White of Montgomery was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison. Tiffany Ramsey, also from Boomer, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. Dominic Copney, of Beckley, has been sentenced to 2 years in federal prison. Donald Scalise, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone.
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Shreveport man sentenced to 66 months in prison for illegal possession of marijuana, firearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Tuesday to five years and five months in prison for possessing drugs and firearms.
LaWarron Cummings, 34, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the April 5, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents received a tip that Cummings was conducting drug sales in the Martin Luther King area of Shreveport, and he possessed multiple firearms. Shreveport police located Cummings at a residence where police found him in possession of marijuana, one Century Arms SKS semiautomatic rifle; a RG17, Caliber: .38 mm, Derringer; and ammunition.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF, State of Louisiana Probation and Parole Division, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Schuele Boys Gang Member Sentenced for Racketeering and Cocaine ConspiraciesRead 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 Schuele Boys Gang member Letorrance Travis, 30, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wei Xiang and Paul C. Parisi, who are handling the case, stated that beginning in 2010, and continuing until February 24, 2015, the defendant conspired with other Schuele Boys Gang members and associates to sell illegal narcotics. The Schuele Boys Gang, which operated in the Schuele Street area of the East Side of Buffalo, is believed to be responsible for multiple acts of violence and the distribution of illegal narcotics including cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
Travis met with, obtained cocaine shipments from, and delivered cocaine payments to representatives and couriers of co-defendant Julio Contreras, who was a main drug supplier for the Schuele Boys. On November 6, 2011, law enforcement agents arrested Travis and two representatives/couriers of Contreras. Agents recovered approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine that had been delivered to or were destined for the Schuele Boys enterprise. Agents also seized approximately $170,000 in U.S. currency that were proceeds of the Schuele Boys cocaine trafficking.
Co-defendant Roderick Arrington was sentenced to serve life in prison for the murder of Quincy Balance in August 2012. Co-defendant Marcel Worthy was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for the murder of Kevin Gray in December 2006. Co-defendants Aaron Hicks and Julio Contreras are awaiting sentencing.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn; the Edinboro University Police Department in Pennsylvania; the West Tennessee Judicial Drug Task Force; the City of McAllen, Texas Police Department; HSI Harlingen, Texas; and the FBI offices in Houston, Texas and Jackson, Mississippi.
Salinas Gang Member Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Multiple Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Jorge Lopez, aka “Cowboy,” was sentenced to 104 months in prison today for robbing and conspiring to rob five San Francisco Bay Area banks, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, United States District Judge.
According to court documents, Lopez, 32, of Salinas, was a registered gang member and pleaded guilty plea to the bank robbery on December 18, 2017. According to the plea agreement, Lopez also admitted robbing Bay Area banks on five occasions between November of 2011 and March of 2012.
“This office is fully committed to the Salinas community to stop criminals and dismantle gangs wreaking havoc in and around the area,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tse. “Today’s sentence sends the clear message that we will work hard to bring these gangs to justice.”
“The FBI is committed to combating the threat of gang violence that plagues the community of Salinas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Bennett. “Today's sentencing highlights our continued work with our state and local partners to identify and investigate those who engage in gang related crimes in order to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Lopez admitted that on November 9, 2011, together with others, he robbed a bank in Pacific Grove, Calif. Lopez admitted that he brandished a firearm during the robbery and used it to threaten, frighten, and intimidate the bank employees so that they would hand over the money. On that occasion, Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $18,383.00 from the bank. Further, on December 2, 2011, Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in Seaside, Calif., during which one of the robbers brandished a gun. Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $12,158.00 from the bank. Similarly, on January 5, 2012 Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in San Jose, Calif. Lopez acknowledged that on that occasion, he brandished a firearm during the robbery. Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $16,000.00 from the bank on that occasion. On January 19, 2012, Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in Salinas, Calif. Lopez acknowledged that on that occasion, he brandished a firearm during the robbery. Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $6,313.00 from the bank on that occasion. Finally, on March 20, 2012, Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in San Jose, Calif. On that occasion, Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $20,000.00 from the bank.
On December 11, 2017, Lopez was charged by superseding information with one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 2113(a) and (d), and 371; one count of armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 2113(a) and (2) and 2; and one count of use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 924(c)(1)(A) and 2. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Lopez pleaded guilty to all counts in the superseding information. Lopez was originally indicted on some of these charges on November 8, 2016. On January 5, 2018, Lopez’s co-defendant Francisco Javier Marmolejo, aka “Blindy,” pleaded guilty to the same charges. On May 9, 2018, Judge Koh sentenced Marmolejo to over nine years in prison.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Koh also ordered Lopez to pay restitution in the amount of $52,854.00 and to serve five years of supervised release to begin after his prison term. Lopez is currently in state custody serving a 16-year prison sentence, part of which will be credited to his federal term. Upon his release from state custody on or around August 25, 2027, Lopez will have approximately 84 months remaining on his federal sentence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia A. Quiroz with the assistance of Jessica Meegan and Lance Libatique. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Sailor Sentenced for Traveling to have Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A U.S. Navy sailor was sentenced today to seven years in prison for traveling from Newport News to Louisiana to have sex with a minor, and for receiving child pornography.
According to court documents, Saleem Omarie Forbes, 23, of Newport News, engaged in a two-year long online relationship with a minor female. The two communicated via a text messaging application until finally agreeing to meet in person in March 2017 when Forbes took leave from his Navy command and traveled to Louisiana to meet the minor. Forbes picked up the minor near her middle school and drove to a local motel where he provided her alcohol and engaged in sexual acts with her. Forbes knew through his conversations with the minor that she was 13 at the time of their encounter. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigated Forbes and discovered that he also received child pornography on both his cell phone and laptop computer prior to his travel to Louisiana.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Cliff Everton, Special Agent in Charge, NCIS Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry C. Morgan, Jr. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David Layne and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa R. McKeel prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:17-cr-117.
Sabine Parish felon pleads guilty to possessing four firearms at pawn shopRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Converse felon pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing two rifles, a revolver and a shotgun that he pawned.
Joseph Seth Rivers, 35, of Converse, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents discovered that on August 20, 2016 in Many, Louisiana, Rivers had pawned four firearms: a Smith & Wesson revolver, model: 66, caliber .357; a Ruger rifle, model: 10-22, caliber 22LR; a Browning shotgun, model BPS, caliber 16 gauge; and a Remington rifle, model: 700, caliber .270. Pawn shop staff provided a copy of Rivers’ driver’s license to law enforcement, which he had presented when pawning the firearms. Rivers is not allowed to possess firearms as he has been previously convicted of a felony for aggravated assault with a firearm in 2009.
Rivers faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of October 24, 2018.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney a Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Remarks by U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain at the Philadelphia Inquirer Influencers of Law EventRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain was honored to be the keynote speaker today at The Philadelphia Inquirer Influencers of Law celebration. The event honored some of Philadelphia’s leading lawyers, recognizing their accomplishments in specialized practice as well as civic engagement and community service. U.S. Attorney McSwain’s remarks are below.
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Thank you very much for inviting me to speak here today. It is an honor to be with you. Thank you to the organizers of this event: The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com; Terrence C.Z. Egger, the Publisher & CEO of The Philadelphia Inquirer; and Jennifer Wolf, Director of Special Events. And thank you to reporter Jeremy Roebuck for that kind introduction.
The title of today’s event is: “Inquirer Influencers of Law: Celebrating Lawyers Who Set the Bar High.” In reviewing the list of honorees today, there is no doubt that these words are true. Whether in the fields of litigation or corporate law, real estate or bankruptcy, civil rights or government, each of you has left a significant mark, both on the profession of law and on the City of Philadelphia. You all have made a meaningful impact in your field of practice, as well as in the business community and as part of the civic fabric of our society. Philadelphia is a thriving business and legal community because of the people in this room. So please join me in giving all of the honorees a round of applause.
The City of Philadelphia has long been known for the civic engagement of its citizens. There are countless examples, but let me focus here on a few. First, this country was founded right here in our backyard by people who were committed to public discourse and using their resources and ideas to improve their community. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Ben Franklin (1706-1790) was not only a politician, but an author, scientist, inventor, diplomat, philosopher, and printer. And that is not an exhaustive list of the many hats that he wore throughout his life. Today, he may be best known for signing both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and perhaps his placement on the $100 bill. But Franklin was also responsible for laying much of the groundwork of what we think of as philanthropy and civic engagement today, founding numerous societies and public institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin and Marshall College, the American Philosophical Society, and Pennsylvania Hospital, among others.
This tradition of giving back to the Philadelphia community has been carried throughout the past centuries. We celebrate today in a building named for John Wanamaker (1838-1922), who started what is considered to be the first department store in Philadelphia. But Wanamaker was not simply a successful businessman. He also served as the U.S. Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison, he was active in the arts, and he co-founded the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen. The Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission still stands today and has since expanded in the last century to include more services for the homeless. It is the third oldest running rescue mission in the United States and currently the largest emergency homeless shelter in Philadelphia.
And in a more modern day example, there is Kenneth Frazier, a former partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath, my old law firm, who is now the chairman and CEO of Merck. But Frazier has not limited his focus to the success of his law firm and later his company. Throughout his career, he has given considerable time, energy, and resources to representing and working for individuals all over the world. For example, he has taken four summer sabbaticals to teach trial advocacy in South Africa. He also represented, pro bono, an inmate on death row, James Willie “Bo” Cochran. Based on this representation, Cochran’s conviction was overturned after he spent 19 years on death row; he was then retried and found not guilty. There is no greater civic engagement than work such as this.
Recently, however, I worry that civic engagement has started to fundamentally change. Perhaps it is because we have so many options in our lives, or perhaps it is due to the rise in the dependence on technology, but civic engagement is sometimes not what it used to be. At times, it seems that people are more inclined to “like” a photo of an event on Facebook from the comfort of their own living room than they are to actually attend the event. There is simply no substitute for showing up and donating our time and energy to the causes and the people who need us, especially those who may feel powerless.
On that topic, I want to share a story with you about a case that helped to shape me as a lawyer and a person. During law school, I heard a news report about a case involving an Iranian man who was a former Intel employee who was being sued by Intel for sending six mass email messages to Intel’s employees at their place of work. In these emails, the individual, Kourosh Kenneth Hamidi, noted what he considered to be some of Intel’s abusive employment practices and invited Intel employees to visit his website. Intel sued Mr. Hamidi under a novel theory – arguing that the emails had “trespassed” on Intel’s servers and therefore Intel had an absolute right to censor his speech as soon as the electrons from his emails touched Intel’s private computers. It doesn’t take much imagination to see how dangerous that sort of precedent could be, given that the Internet is largely a collection of private computers.
I became interested in the lawsuit and wrote an article about it for a law journal while I was a second year law student. By the time the article was published, however, California’s Superior Court had already sided with Intel.
By the time of Mr. Hamidi’s appeal, I was interning for a nonprofit civil liberties group as a third year law student, and I wrote the substance of a brief filed by the nonprofit on behalf of Mr. Hamidi. Nevertheless, the California Court of Appeals did not agree with us, and Mr. Hamidi lost again.
After clerking for a year, I went into private practice here in Philadelphia. Mr. Hamidi needed a lawyer for a possible appeal to the California Supreme Court. I volunteered to work on the case, pro bono, and I poured myself into it. We successfully petitioned the California Supreme Court to take the case and, as a very junior lawyer, I had the privilege of arguing it. Fortunately, Mr. Hamidi finally won. The case established a national precedent for the rules for electronic trespass on the Internet. In my opinion, it was a victory for free speech and, even more importantly, a victory for the continued development of the Internet.
And it really did feel like a David v. Goliath battle. On the one side, there was Intel, a massive corporation, represented by an army of lawyers at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco. On the other side, there was Mr. Hamidi, the fired and broke Iranian immigrant, represented pro bono by two baby lawyers, myself and my good friend, the late Greg Lastowka. Intel had already won two rounds of the fight and had every reason to believe that it would continue to steamroll through the courts.
When we first met with Mr. Hamidi, we found him to be a man who was standing up for his principles. But to Intel, he was just some weirdo loser from a far-off country. I certainly did not think that was true, and I still do not think it is true to this day. But even if it were true, so-called weirdos and losers need representation, too. And sometimes, with some help, they can accomplish incredible things that benefit us all in the long run. Even if, at the time, they aren’t very popular – and they certainly aren’t powerful. But as Albert Einstein once remarked, “What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.”
As leaders of the legal community, hopefully we can leave a project, or a case, an office or a community, or anything we encounter, better off than we found it. As U.S. Attorney, I am blessed to lead an office of extraordinary individuals; prosecutors who are investigating complex cases and holding individuals and companies accountable for their conduct. Our Office pursues justice on a daily basis for everyone in our society, and particularly for victims who are often the most powerless and vulnerable among us.
But I am also challenging myself to aim higher and make improvements in the Office as best that I can. For example, I am committed to hiring more prosecutors. I am committed to bringing a greater number of cases in all areas that we prosecute. I am committed to strengthening the Office’s partnerships with law enforcement agencies throughout the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. I am committed to greater involvement and greater transparency with the community. I am committed to upholding the rule of law.
This kind of engagement with the community has a personal benefit as well. Yes, civic engagement should be expected, and it is what is best for our society. But it also benefits us as individuals. When interviewed earlier this year by The New York Times, Kenny Frazier spoke about his legal career. When asked about his representation of Cochran, the inmate on death row, Frazier said this: that his first impression of the case was that he was “much too busy to take on another piece of pro bono litigation.” But younger colleagues convinced him to take it on. And Frazier – the Harvard Law School graduate, the successful Drinker partner, and the current chairman and CEO of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies – noted that winning Cochran’s freedom has been the high point of his entire professional career. The Cochran case is a cornerstone in Frazier’s life, just as the Hamidi case is in mine.
There is no doubt that you have all set the bar high – and you should be commended for that. But I also hope that you will not rest on your laurels. Who better to begin writing the next chapter of our City’s history than the people here today? You are the best of our profession and the City is counting on you.
To those of you who are honored here today, especially those who are receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards, I congratulate you. The recognition here today is based on outstanding work and is richly deserved. But later today, or perhaps later this week, when you go back to your firm, or back to your office, or back to your family, I encourage you to ask yourself: What more can I do? Is there a project, a cause, a case, that could use my help?
I say that knowing that everyone here is very busy. But I sincerely hope that you ask yourself that question and that you act on it. We are all depending on each other to accept that challenge and create a better tomorrow.
God Bless you, and God Bless the City of Philadelphia. Thank you.
Reisterstown Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Traveling Overseas to Have Sex with a Minor and to Producing Child Pornography with the Intent to Transport it to the United StatesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Martin Hall, age 56, of Reisterstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to traveling from the United States to the Philippines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and to producing child pornography with the intent to transport it to the United States.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, Hall traveled to the Philippines for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity with minor females. Hall’s conduct included engaging in sexual acts with minors, producing images of the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and transporting the images back to Maryland. Hall began traveling to the Philippines in 2006 to engage in sexually explicit conduct with Jane Doe 3, a sixteen-year-old girl. During Hall’s travels to the Philippines, he admitted that he also produced images of Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, beginning when each girl was as young as 12 years old.
Specifically, as detailed in his plea agreement, from April through August 2016, Hall traveled to the Philippines to have sex with Jane Doe 1, who was then 14 years old, and produced images documenting his sexual abuse of the girl. Hall transported these images back to the United States. Additionally, Hall used sophisticated computer programs to download and store thousands of images and videos of child pornography on various digital devices in his residence, including the images of Jane Doe 1. Hall used encryption software on all of his digital devices to prevent others from accessing his files.
After observing Hall request child pornography using a file sharing program, investigators from the Baltimore County Police Department searched Hall’s residence on September 7, 2016, pursuant to a search warrant. Investigators seized Hall’s computer equipment and digital camera. At the time of the execution of the warrant, Hall’s laptop and external hard drive were turned on and in an unencrypted state. During an on-scene forensic examination of the laptop and connected external hard drive, investigators discovered approximately 8,000 images relating to child exploitation. The device became encrypted during the forensic examination, but not before investigators had copied more than 4,600 image files, most of which are child pornography. The copied images included the series of sexually explicit images of Jane Doe 1 taken by Hall between April and August 2016.
As part of his plea agreement, Hall must 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).
Hall and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Hall will be sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, and will be required to pay restitution to victims totaling $125,000. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for October 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.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 and Acting Assistant Attorney General John Cronan commended the FBI, HSI-Baltimore, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur and Mr. Cronan thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow and Trial Attorney Kaylynn Shoop of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.
Providence Man and Dominican National Indicted for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Providence man and a Dominican national have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on charges of fentanyl conspiracy.
Dario Bier Romero, 27, of Providence, R.I., and Luis Cirino, 35, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Romero and Cirino were arrested in June and charged by criminal complaint; both have been in custody since their arrests.
On June 21, 2018, approximately three kilograms of fentanyl were seized from Romero and Cirino during an investigation. During the execution of a search warrant at Romero’s residence in Providence, investigators seized an additional kilogram of fentanyl and drug packaging paraphernalia.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. Cirino will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Woburn and Providence (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Poteau Woman Sentenced to 108 Months for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christina Crystal Hernandez, age 37, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release for Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. The charge arose from an investigation by the Panama City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Indictment alleged that on or about August 8, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
“Small towns and large cities all across the country experience the tragic consequences of methamphetamine addiction on people, families, and communities. Drug dealers profit from the tragedy while the rest of society pays the price,” said United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester. “In this case the Panama City Police Department and the DEA made a big impact by preventing thousands of dosage units of meth from reaching the users in and around Panama City. Because of the work of those agencies and members of this office, the defendant is being held accountable.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
Pleasant Hills Man Charged with Robbing 2 Westmoreland County BanksRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count indictment, returned on July 10, named Matthew David Stanley, age 32, formerly of Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on August 19, 2013, Matthew David Stanley robbed the First Commonwealth Bank on 8091 Route 22, New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, PA 15670 of $3,700. Stanley also robbed the Citizens Bank at 2841 Ligonier Street, Latrobe, PA 15650 of $2,413 on August 23, 2013, according to the Indictment.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.00 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, a prosecutor in the Major Crimes Section, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Latrobe Police Department and the Westmoreland County Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Matthew David Stanley.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Facing Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and committing bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count indictment, returned on July 10, named Mark Hammond, 54, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about January 10, 2018, Hammond conspired with another individual to rob Huntington Bank located at 650 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than twenty (20) years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Timothy M. Lanni are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Phony Attorney Who Operated Fraudulent Multi-State Law Practice Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Leaford George Cameron, 65, of Burlington, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release in connection with his operation of a fraudulent multi-state law practice. Cameron was convicted in February 2018, of one count of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and three counts of making false statements.
The government sought and obtained a substantial prison sentence to account for Cameron’s repeated and brazen behavior in posing, for decades, as a licensed attorney in numerous legal cases pending in federal and state courts across the United States. Cameron is not a lawyer and has never been a lawyer, but today’s sentence marks the third time he was caught impersonating one. In this most recent instance, Cameron operated his phony law firm while on probation for his 2014 conviction. He defrauded over 100 victims from several states and foreign countries and pocketed upwards of $200,000 in bogus attorney’s fees.
Cameron went to great lengths to trick his victims, courts, and opposing counsel into believing that he was a real lawyer operating a real law firm. He made up a law firm name, referring to the firm at different times as “The Law Offices of Cameron, Hamilton and Associates” and “The Law Offices of Bernstein, Cameron, Hamilton and Associates.” He used business cards, letters, and envelopes printed with the firm’s name and the names of make-believe lawyers in the firm, and he even filed court papers purportedly signed by make-believe lawyers. And, to establish his bona fides in court filings, Cameron used Attorney Identification Numbers stolen from licensed Pennsylvania attorneys and repeatedly stated, often under the penalty of perjury, that he was licensed to practice law. But when it came time to file state and federal tax returns, Cameron referred to himself as a “consultant,” “litigation specialist,” or “legal consultant,” not a lawyer, to avoid getting caught.
The government also presented evidence that Cameron provided sub-standard legal services to his victims, many of whom were immigrants and low-income people. Examples of his botched cases include one in which his client’s home was foreclosed and another in which a National Honor Society student was wrongfully deported.
“The evidence presented at trial proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that this defendant was not only a phony lawyer, but also an incompetent phony lawyer,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Lawyers take an oath to uphold and promote the rule of law, not subvert it. Far from a guardian of the law, Cameron is a crook whose fraud caused serious harm to his victims and the public’s trust in our legal institutions. For justice to prevail, people must be able to trust that their lawyer is, in fact, a lawyer; that the judge assigned to their case is, in fact, a judge; and that the legal system is, in fact, fair. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Cameron’s conduct and the decades of disrespect he showed towards our legal system.”
“In betraying the trust of his clients through his rampant fraud schemes, Mr. Cameron ruthlessly exploited his victims for his own personal financial gain,” said Marlon V. Miller, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia. “HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize investigations of fraudsters like Mr. Cameron who undermine the integrity of our legal system and cause significant and long-lasting legal and financial complications for their victims. HSI Philadelphia would also like to recognize the support provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in bringing this important case to a successful conclusion.”
The case was investigated by Special Agent Thomas Eyre of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with assistance provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The government was represented by former Assistant United States Attorney James Petkun at trial and Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Velez at sentencing.
Overbrook Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Colby Ray Barrick, age 41, of Overbrook, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Indictment alleged that on or about October 25, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm, to-wit: One (1) Savage, Model 64, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 2593140, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Enforcement of the federal law that prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms is one of the ways United States Attorney’s Offices can work with local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to carry out our shared mission of public safety. We are fortunate in the Eastern District of Oklahoma to see many different agencies from different jurisdictions working together on a daily basis, understanding that when we work together we are maximizing our impact on the communities that we serve. This case is one example of that type of interagency cooperation that allows the members of this office to hold defendants accountable for their unlawful action.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
Northwood Woman Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Victoria Duford, 26, formerly of Northwood, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from July 2016 through April 2017, Duford purchased large amounts of methamphetamine from her co-conspirator Katrina Jones. In addition, on at least six occasions during the same time period, Duford received postal packages containing large quantities of methamphetamine on behalf of Jones at addresses in New Hampshire. Duford would bring the packages to Jones, who would often give Duford a portion of the methamphetamine as payment. Jones pleaded guilty on April 27, 2018, to several counts of drug trafficking, including two counts of distributing methamphetamine.
Duford is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2018.
“While opioids have presented a serious threat to our state for some time, the distribution of methamphetamine is rapidly becoming a major concern,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This dangerous drug can cause serious harm to those who use it, as well as to our communities. We will be vigilant and aggressive in our efforts to address the public safety issues presented by methamphetamine.”
“DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug off New Hampshire streets. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement in the Granite State to aggressively pursue anyone who traffics this poison.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to keeping the U.S. Mail, its employees, and customers safe. Those who use the U.S. Mail to transport dangerous or illegal substances, such as methamphetamine, will be investigated and brought to justice," said Delany De Leon-Colon, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the N.H. Attorney General’s Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis and Shane Kelbley.
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Northeastern Pennsylvania Doctor Ordered Detained Pending SentencingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Dr. Fuhai Li, age 53, of Milford, Pennsylvania, has surrendered to the U.S. Marshals in Scranton following an order for detention issued by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo on July 10, 2018.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Dr. Li was found guilty on June 4, 2018 of unlawfully prescribing oxycodone and other opioids to 23 former patients, including a Honesdale woman who died as a result of using the pills, after a five-week trial before Judge Caputo. The jury also convicted Dr. Li of unlawfully prescribing oxycodone to a pregnant woman outside the usual course of medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. That woman gave birth to an opioid-dependent baby 11 days after Dr Li prescribed her 120 oxycodone 30 milligram tablets. A neo-natal specialist testified that the baby spent ten days in intensive care withdrawing from the oxycodone prescribed to his mother by Dr Li.
During the trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony of 19 former patients and three former employees of Dr. Li, eight pharmacists, three other physicians, an expert on pain management, the medical records for 39 former patients of Dr Li, and the testimony of federal law enforcement agents and investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) special agents.
The jury found that Dr Li repeatedly prescribed oxycodone and other opioids outside the usual course of medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
After the jury’s verdict, prosecutors asked that Dr. Li be immediately detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for September 2018. Judge Caputo released Dr. Li under conditions which included electronic monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office. U.S. Attorney Freed appealed the release order to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In response to an Order of the Third Circuit issued on July 9, 2018, Judge Caputo vacated his previous order releasing Dr. Li and ordered him detained pending sentencing.
The four-year long investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Pike County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski, Francis P. Sempa, and Evan Gotlob prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
The maximum penalty under federal law is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The drug distribution resulting in death charge also carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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North Carolina Department of Public Safety Agrees to Pay Civil Penalty of $190,000 to United StatesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that the United States and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety have signed a civil settlement agreement resolving the State’s liability for civil penalties stemming from recordkeeping violations relating to the dispensing of controlled substances to inmates at the Central Prison Healthcare Complex and the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women. The State agreed to pay $190,000 rather than contest a potential fine that could have been as high as $880,000.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Unit conducted an audit of the Central Prison Healthcare Complex (CPHC) and the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women (NCCCW). Investigators found that on at least 88 occasions during the period of September 2, 2014 through October 4, 2016 medical staff at CPHC and NCCCW failed to properly document the dispensing and disposal of controlled substances at CPHC and NCCCW. While no unlawful use of controlled substances was detected, the substandard recordkeeping provided fertile ground for improper diversion.
In addition to payment of the civil penalty, because of the investigation State officials initiated their own investigation and took remedial measures. Included among such measures were changes in existing policies and procedures, implementation of better and more effective employee education and training, and the development of better monitoring, reporting, and compliance processes.
“The handling of prescription controlled substances inside our prisons poses some unique challenges,” says U.S. Attorney Higdon, “and yet given the possibility of illegal diversion to inmates and others, scrupulous recordkeeping and tracking of controlled substances is essential. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. This matter underscores the continued need for robust regulatory and enforcement measures against all medical providers to stop diversion of controlled prescription drugs and end the lax recordkeeping environments which may be fertile ground for diversion.”
Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division stated, “DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to expend time, energy and resources in an effort to stem the tide against the growing opioid epidemic. The spirited level of cooperation by the N.C. Board of Pharmacy and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, and the prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, made this investigation a success.”
Assistant United States Attorney Steve West represented the government in this matter.
Niagara Falls Man Sentenced on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Antonio Carr, 25, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that on July 28, 2017, Niagara County Probation Officers performed a home visit for a woman living at 1224 Niagara Avenue, Upper Apartment, in Niagara Falls. As they entered the residence, officers observed the defendant, the probationer's boyfriend, in the bedroom of the apartment. Carr attempted to leave the apartment, telling officers he needed to go and get his children who were in the lower apartment. An officer accompanied the defendant, who was holding a blue jacket in his hand, to the lower apartment. Carr knocked on the door and handed the blue jacket to the occupant of the lower apartment. The officer witnessed the occupant of the lower apartment take the blue jacket down a hallway and place it on a staircase. When the officer asked the occupant of the lower apartment for the blue jacket, they denied having it. The occupant eventually turned it over. The officer discovered a .380 caliber pistol in the right inside pocket of the jacket.
Carr has a previous felony conviction in Niagara County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on the list of top offenders in Niagara County.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Probation Office, under the direction of Director John Cicchetti; the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Bryan DalPorto; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco. Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison and Ordered to Repay over $481,000 after Pleading Guilty to Embezzling from Local BusinessRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that WAYNE SONIAT, age 61, of New Orleans, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to fifteen (15) months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to a two-count Bill of Information for wire fraud and making false statements on federal income tax returns. SONIAT was also ordered to repay $481,231 in restitution.
According to court documents, SONIAT was employed as a warehouse manager for a New Orleans-based food production company headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana, which also operated a manufacturing plant in Reserve, Louisiana (“Company A”). SONIAT was responsible for, among other things, ensuring that employees followed appropriate procedures, keeping track of when temporary employees worked, and submitting the requisite paperwork, including time sheets, to ensure that Company A paid the temporary employees and the staffing agency through whom the temporary employees were acquired for the time the temporary employees worked. Between about November 2009 and October 2014, SONIAT embezzled approximately $437,346 from Company A in a series of approximately 200 wire transfers, without Company A’s knowledge or authorization. SONIAT did so by signing and submitting paperwork, including time sheets, indicating that temporary, contract employees (“ghost employees”) had performed work for Company A when, in fact, they had not. SONIAT obtained debit cards in the names of the ghost employees onto which payments were made for the time they allegedly worked. SONIAT then used the money to pay for personal expenses to withdraw cash at area ATMs. Additionally, SONIAT failed to report the income from his scheme on his federal income tax returns, which resulted in a loss to the United States Government in the form of tax due and owing in the amount of approximately $43,885.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations in investigating this matter, with assistance from the United States Secret Service, the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Financial Crime Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Killingworth BankRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAVON YOUNG, 39, of Union City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of bank robbery.
According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately noon on January 27, 2018, YOUNG and David C. Earl drove to a Key Bank branch located on East Main Street in Branford, and planned to rob the bank. They both exited the car wearing dark upper-body clothing. YOUNG also wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt and a green “scream mask” over his face. Earl wore a mask over his lower face, sunglasses over his eyes, and a red-hooded sweatshirt under his overcoat. The two men walked up to the bank entrance and pulled on the doors, but they were locked. They returned to their car and drove off.
Less than an hour later, YOUNG and Earl drove to a TD Bank branch on Route 81 in Killingworth. Dressed the same way when they had attempted to enter the Key Bank in Branford, YOUNG and Earl entered the TD Bank, told everyone to get down and demanded money from the tellers or else they would “blow their heads off.” Earl possessed a pellet gun during the robbery. A teller handed over multiple stacks of bills, totaling $9,754, and YOUNG and Earl fled.
YOUNG and Earl threw most of the money out of the windows of their car while driving from the bank, and while being pursued by law enforcement. They were eventually apprehended by East Haven Police. Investigators successfully recovered $9,479 of the $9,754 taken during the robbery.
YOUNG and Earl have been detained since January 27, 2018.
On May 15, 2018, Earl, 26, of Union City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.
The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Sentencing dates have not been scheduled.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Branford Police Department and East Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry Kopel and Douglas Morabito.
Nampa Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Raul Efrain Lopez Jr., 36, of Nampa, was sentenced yesterday to 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Lopez was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise. A federal grand jury indicted Lopez on January 9, 2018.
According to court records, in November 2017, law enforcement stopped Lopez while he was driving in Nampa, Idaho, and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. Officers could see firearms in the backseat of the car and subsequently located a shotgun, three rifles, a handgun, ammunition, and magazines. Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Myrtle Beach Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that James Robert Fix, age 47, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence for Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B). United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Fix to 84 months’ imprisonment followed by supervised release for life and a restitution payment of $1,000.00. During his term of supervised release, Fix will be required to register as a sex offender, attend sex offender treatment, refrain from unsupervised contact with children or use of the internet without approval, and submit to polygraph examinations.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that federal agents executed a search warrant at Fix’s Myrtle Beach residence on November 24, 2015, based on information that he was receiving child pornography via email. On that same day agents also interviewed Fix who admitted to possessing child pornography and surrendered his laptop computer and cellphone to the agents. During forensic analyses of the computer, cellphone and a thumb drive seized during the search, agents located numerous videos and images containing child pornography.
The case was investigated by agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Midlothian Businessman Sentenced to Prison for FraudRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The owner of Midlothian businesses Premier Consulting Services and Premier Credit Consultants was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for defrauding approximately 51 customers of more than $600,000.
According to court documents, Timothy Scott Wenk, 51, of Chesterfield County, operated several businesses, including of Premier Consulting Services, Capital Business Services and Premier Credit Consultants, which purported to offer a variety of financial services, including mortgage finance and credit repair services. Wenk offered to connect victims who had credit problems to private lenders and “hard money lenders” who would be sources of financing for mortgages for victims who would be unable to obtain more conventional financing. In many instances, Wenk claimed to be working on victims’ behalf to help them bring home sales to closing, rectify tax liens, and provide other real estate related financial consulting and services. While Wenk’s relationship with each victim and the misrepresentations he made to them was unique, the evidence in the case showed a recurrent theme where Wenk received thousands of dollars for which he did little to nothing in return. Wenk introduced himself to many of his victims as Timothy Scott so that they could not be able to research his criminal history, which included over 20 felony convictions, many of which for fraud-related offenses. In addition to the 12-year sentence imposed, the sentencing judge ordered Wenk to pay victims a total of $606,044.99 in restitution.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and Colonel Jeffrey S. Katz, Chesterfield County Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian R. Hood prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-85.
Middle River Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, sentenced Lindell Robinson, age 46, of Middle River, Maryland, today to 13 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Russell also ordered that Robinson must forfeit his vehicle and $16,000 in cash recovered during the investigation.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Field Division; and Colonel Woodrow Jones, Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
According to Robinson’s plea agreement, on February 6, 2018, co-defendant Stanley Rodgers took delivery of a bag containing 10 kilograms of heroin from two unidentified males in Howard County, Maryland. Rodgers returned to his residence and awaited the arrival of Robinson. A short time later, Robinson arrived at Rodgers’ residence, took the 10 kilograms of heroin, and drove to downtown Baltimore, where he was arrested by DEA agents. The 10 kilograms of heroin, which had a wholesale value of approximately $700,000, was recovered from Robinson’s vehicle.
On June 25, 2018, Judge Russell sentenced Rodgers, age 60, of Baltimore, Maryland to 14 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and David Metcalf, who prosecuted the case.
Michigan Man Guilty of Kidnapping Suburban Chicago Woman and Attacking Federal Jail EmployeeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Michigan man has pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a suburban Chicago woman whose home he burglarized.
CARLEOUS CLAY admitted in a plea agreement that he broke into the woman’s home in Lansing, Ill., in September 2015, took several items of value and carried them away. When he returned later that night to steal more items, Clay encountered the woman, who was returning home with groceries, the plea agreement states. Clay abducted the woman and drove her car to an ATM in Munster, Ind., where he used her PIN to withdraw $140 from her bank account. Clay then drove to the parking lot of a vacant commercial business in Burns Harbor, Ind., and sexually assaulted the woman in the backseat of her car, the plea agreement states.
Afterwards, Clay strangled the woman and used lighter fluid and a lighter to set her on fire in an effort to kill her, his plea agreement states. The victim survived but suffered permanent and life-threatening bodily injuries.
Clay, 35, of Holland, Mich., pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of kidnapping, one count of attempted murder, and one count of using fire to commit a felony. The conviction is punishable by up to life in prison. U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall set sentencing for Oct. 9, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by police departments in Lansing, Ill.; Burns Harbor, Ind.; Ogden Dunes, Ind.; Munster, Ind.; Porter County, Ind.; Holland, Mich.; and Ottawa County, Mich. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Ronald DeWald.
In addition to the kidnapping, Clay admitted in the plea agreement that he attacked a female case manager while jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago. The attack occurred in April 2017 in the case manager’s office on a residential floor of the MCC. Clay pretended to make a complaint about another inmate, but once inside the office he pushed the case manager to the floor and took her keys, which he used to lock himself inside the office with the victim, the plea agreement states. Clay admitted that he put a homemade knife to the case manager’s throat and threatened to kill her.
Multiple MCC staff members eventually entered the office, deployed pepper spray on Clay, and removed the case manager from the room.
Mexican National with Nine Prior Deportations Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Mexican national with nine prior deportations pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported. The defendant, who violated federal pretrial release by testing positive for cocaine and buprenorphine, was released from custody pending sentencing. Defendant also has pending domestic assault and battery charges in state court. Prior convictions include: drug possession and illegal reentry in 2015 and 2016, respectively; escape in 2003; OUI in 2004; OUI in 2006; possession of a controlled substance in 2006; and OUI in 2007.
Bulmaro Enriquez, 32, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2, 2018. Following yesterday’s plea, the government moved to have Enriquez’s Order of Release revoked and have him remanded into federal custody while he awaits his sentencing. According to the government, Enriquez, while on release, provided a urinalysis sample that tested positive for cocaine and buprenorphine. Nevertheless, Enriquez was released on conditions, including a curfew, and the matter of detention was remanded to the Magistrate Judge for further proceedings.
According to court records, Enriquez was arrested in Framingham on Nov. 23, 2017, and charged with domestic assault and battery. On April 30, 2018, immigration officers located Enriquez and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Enriquez was charged with illegal reentry in federal court and was ordered detained. However, on June 7, 2018, he was released from federal custody after agreeing to post the equity in his girlfriend’s home.
In 2015, Enriquez was arrested in Framingham and charged with distribution of a controlled substance following the execution of a state search warrant, which resulted in the seizure of one and a half pounds of marijuana, electric scales, and other drug distribution paraphernalia. In October 2015, Enriquez was convicted, sentenced, and upon completion of his sentence, transferred into federal custody and charged with illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. Enriquez was convicted and sentenced to time served. On Jan. 19, 2016, he was deported to Mexico.
Enriquez currently faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Rebecca Adducci, Interim Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.
Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison for Returning to the United States Following Six Previous RemovalsRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported six times previously was sentenced today to four months in federal prison.
Anastacio Zamarripa-Vidales, age 36, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Muscatine, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 23, 2018, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
At the guilty plea, Zamarripa-Vidales admitted he had previously been deported from the United States on April 11, 2012 and again on September 14, 2012. He then illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Zamarripa-Vidales was also given voluntary returns to Mexico four times within one week in September 1998. In addition, on December 19, 2005, Zamarripa-Vidales was ordered to voluntarily depart from the United States but failed to do so. On April 1, 2018, Zamarripa-Vidales was found by immigration officers following an arrest in Benton County for driving while license under suspension and possession of a controlled substance and on an outstanding warrant from 2014 for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense. Zamarripa-Vidales was previously convicted in February 2005 in Johnson County, Iowa, of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Zamarripa-Vidales was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Zamarripa-Vidales was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Zamarripa-Vidales is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-39-LTS.
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McNary Man Sentenced to Statutory Maximum for Killing Teenage GirlfriendRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Andre Hinton, 36, of McNary, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Hinton had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum punishment of eight years in prison.
In November 2006, Hinton, who was 25 years old, and a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, assaulted his then 16-year-old girl girlfriend, also a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, on the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation, resulting in the victim’s death. He did not seek medical attention for her, but rather buried her in a shallow grave with the assistance of one of his friends, who was a juvenile at the time. Hinton and the other individual then disposed of the shovels they used to bury the victim’s body and burned their clothing. The young victim had been reported missing by her family since October 2006. Her body was discovered in December 2006 after the juvenile who helped bury her body led law enforcement to her grave.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with early assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department and other local agencies. The prosecution was handled by Dimitra Sampson and Anthony Church, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-8238-PCT-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-082_Hinton
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Massachusetts Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to his Role in Interstate Prostitution RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lexington man agreed to plead guilty in connection with his role in a long-running interstate prostitution ring.
Kyung Song, 52, agreed to plead guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. On March 15, 2018, Kim was charged and arrested with co-defendants Yoon I. Kim, 36, of Haymarket, Va.; Taehee Kim, a/k/a “Hyunsook Kim,” 46, of Haymarket, Va.; Susan Bashir, a/k/a “Susan Redmon,” a/k/a “Susan Redmond,” 41, of Stone Mountain, Ga.; and Jineok Kim, 38, of Watertown, Mass.
According to court documents, from December 2017 to March 2018, Song participated in an interstate prostitution network that maintained multiple brothels in high-end apartments in Cambridge, Mass.; Atlanta, Ga.; and eastern Virginia. They advertised appointments with Asian women primarily on three websites: www.bostonasiandolls.com, www.exoticasiansatlanta.com, and www.redhotflowers69.com. The women advertised on the websites were moved from city to city within the network, working as prostitutes for the organization.
Song transported women working from brothel locations in Cambridge. Song also retrieved cash proceeds from each of the Cambridge brothel locations and allegedly laundered the proceeds according to Taehee Kim’s instructions, which included depositing the money into accounts belonging to Taehee Kim or sending postal money orders to Taehee Kim.
In June 2018, Jineok Kim and Susan Bashir agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce individuals to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
The charge of conspiracy to engage in money laundering provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Delany De Leon-Colon, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. D’Addio and Amy Harman Burkart of Lelling’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to the Philippines to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Reisterstown, Maryland man pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Maryland, for traveling from the United States to the Philippines and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and to producing child pornography with the intent to transport the child pornography to the United States, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur of the District of Maryland; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department.
Martin Hall, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of traveling in foreign commerce from the United States to the Philippines between April 2016 and August 2016 to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 and one count of producing child pornography with the intent to transport the child pornography to the United States between July 2016 and August 2016. Hall pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Ellen L. Hollander of the District of Maryland who will sentence him on Oct. 12 at 2:00pm EDT.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Hall traveled to the Philippines for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity with minor females. Hall’s conduct included engaging in sexual acts with minors, producing images of the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and transporting the images back to Maryland. Additionally, Hall used sophisticated computer programs to download and store thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore, the FBI and the Baltimore County Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kaylynn Shoop of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Budlow of the District of Maryland.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extended Deadline for NYCHA Monitor ApplicationsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the Office has extended the deadline for receiving applications from qualified individuals to serve as Court-appointed monitor in connection with a proposed consent decree submitted to the Court for approval in the case of United States v. New York City Housing Authority, 18 Civ. 5213 (WHP). Pursuant to the revised deadline, applications must be received by this Office by September 12, 2018.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are submitted, and applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. In addition, individuals who have already submitted applications are invited to supplement those applications as appropriate.
Pursuant to the terms of the consent decree, the Government will propose a monitor for approval by the Court. As set forth at greater length in the proposed consent decree, the monitor will be responsible for the remediation of extensive health and safety deficiencies in NYCHA housing, as well as oversight and reform of NYCHA management, controls, and operations.
The application and related materials, and instructions for submission, are available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/monitors-receivers-claims-administrators.
The consent decree remains subject to review and approval by the Court.
Man who Impersonated FBI Agent to Steal from Area Businesses Pleads Guilty to Robbery, Attempted Robbery and Impersonating a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
A Lake Stevens, Washington man who used fake credentials in the names of fictional characters or famous fraudsters to commit crimes pleaded guilty this week to seven federal felonies, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. STEVEN W. FISHER, 44, was charged federally in October 2017 with one count of robbery, five counts of impersonation of a federal officer, and one count of attempted robbery. Sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge James L. Robart is scheduled for October 1, 2018.
According to records filed in the case, on January 25, 2017, FISHER gained access to the secure area of a small money transmitting business in Seattle’s Central District by claiming he was a federal agent investigating a suspicious transaction. FISHER flashed a badge, and handed the owner a ‘search warrant’ signed by ‘Frank Abagnale’ -- a famous serial fraudster portrayed in the movie “Catch me if you can.” The warrant was purchased via the website Legalfakes.com. FISHER then pulled a weapon on the owner, demanded he open the safe and locked the owner in a back room. FISHER left with a large amount of cash and took computer equipment which contained surveillance photographs from the security system.
FISHER was identified as the suspect following a series of incidents in July and August, 2017 at a different money transmitting business in the Rainer Valley. In that incident, FISHER used the name “Jack Ryan,” a character in Tom Clancy novels. FISHER asked the manager of the money transmitting business to meet him at a nearby parking lot to discuss information that someone was planning on robbing his business. FISHER tried to get the manager to describe the surveillance cameras at the business and suggested he remove cash from the business. The manager instead called 9-1-1 and reported the suspicious conduct to police. One month later, when FISHER showed up at the money transmitting business, again claiming to be an FBI Agent, the manager hit the panic alarm and Seattle Police officers arrived to question FISHER. FISHER was taken into custody and court authorized searches of his car, storage locker, and briefcase turned up fake federal credentials, a realistic appearing airsoft pistol with silencer, and paperwork tying him to the earlier robbery.
In the plea agreement, FISHER admits that in June 2017, he went to two SeaTac businesses posing as a federal agent. One of the small businesses offers money transmitting services. The ‘agent’ claimed he was looking for surveillance footage because of a crime in the area. Because the store owner was suspicious about whether FISHER was actually an FBI agent, he simply said the surveillance cameras were not working. In the early morning hours following that encounter the store was burglarized and $2000 in cash, checks and phones were stolen. Some of the stolen items were later found in FISHER’s possession.
Robbery and attempted robbery are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Impersonating a federal official is punishable by up to three years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Cohen.
Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Carjacking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Kerry Caldwell was sentenced to 15 years in prison for carjacking and gun charges.
According to court documents, on October 27, 2017, a woman was sitting in her car at a Commerce Bank using the ATM machine when Kerry Caldwell approached her driver’s door. He pointed a firearm at her and ordered her out of the car. She exited the passenger side door and ran. When she looked back, she saw Caldwell driving her car off the lot.
While investigating the carjacking, a St. Louis Police Officer observed Caldwell driving the stolen car in a dangerous and reckless manner and began a pursuit. Shortly thereafter, the officer observed Caldwell walking and after recognizing him as the driver of the stolen car, detained him. The stolen car, containing items stolen from the woman, was found crashed into a tree.
“This sentence and the good work of the St. Louis Police Department has ended the criminal career of this longtime violent offender,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney.
Caldwell, 55, of Florissant, MO, pleaded guilty on April 12, 2108, to one felony count of carjacking and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Lowell Man Arrested for Gun Trafficking Including Sawed-Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Lowell man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston with firearms trafficking related to five separate sales, including selling an illegal sawed-off shotgun.
Rathsomnang Neth, 22, was charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of possessing and transferring an unregistered shotgun with a shortened barrel.
According to the indictment, which was unsealed today, in five separate transactions in Lowell from December 2016 through April 2017, Neth engaged in the unlawful dealing of firearms, selling four handguns and a .20 gauge pump-action shotgun with a barrel that had been sawed-off below 18 inches.
The charge of unlawful dealing in firearms provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Each charge of possession and transfer of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boson Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Theodore Merritt of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Locust Grove Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Attempted Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores announced today that District Judge Claire V. Eagan, sentenced Trevor James Thompson, 32, of Locust Grove to serve 41 months in federal prison for Attempted Possession of Child Pornography, Thompson must also pay a special monetary assessment totaling $100. After release from prison, Thompson was ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release.
Thompson attempted to possess child pornography by attempting to secretly film a minor female at a high school track meet in Catoosa and several minor females at a Locust Grove High School football game using a GoPro video camera.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of federal and state justice officials, the public will be safe from this child predator while he is imprisoned. Thompson’s outrageous and exploitive conduct was unacceptable. My office will aggressively prosecute anyone who seeks to exploit children in our community.” United States Attorney Shores stated.
The prosecution resulted from an investigation conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Rogers County Sheriff’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey A. Gallant handled the prosecution of this case.
Lawrence Man and Dominican National Indicted for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man and a Dominican national were charged today in federal court in Boston with fentanyl conspiracy.
Antonio Rivera, 28, of Lawrence, and Deuris Sierra, 24, a Dominican national most recently residing in Lawrence, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. Both defendants are currently in state custody.
From at least May 16, 2018, through June 7, 2018, Rivera distributed fentanyl in Lawrence and Methuen. During a law enforcement operation, investigators seized five kilograms of fentanyl from the defendants.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Kingsmen Member Pleads Guilty to RICO ConspiracyRead 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 Jason Williams, 44, of Kenmore, NY, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Tripi and Brendan T. Cullinane, who are handling the case, stated that the defendant, a/k/a Toop, was a member of the North Tonawanda Chapter and the West Side of Buffalo Chapter of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club (KMC) between 2009 and 2016. Williams served in various capacities, including as the Vice President of the North Tonawanda Chapter.
KMC members and associates used marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances at the North Tonawanda and West Side of Buffalo KMC Chapter Clubhouses. At times, Williams obtained and supplied quantities of marijuana and cocaine to KMC members, and used and distributed cocaine and marijuana. The defendant used telephones and Facebook messaging to arrange drug transactions. KMC members also possessed, maintained, and sold firearms.
Williams is one of 20 KMC members and associates charged in this case. To date, 15 have been convicted, including National President David Pirk, who was recently convicted following a four month jury trial. Charges remain pending against five other defendants. The fact that the defendants have been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert. Assisting in the investigation: the FBI Knoxville, TN, and Jacksonville, FL Field Offices; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office; the Buffalo Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the New York State Police; the Olean Police Department; the Lancaster Police Department; the Amherst Police Department; the City of North Tonawanda Police Department; the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police; the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department; and the Hamburg Police Department.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
KC Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine to distribute during a law enforcement operation in which another individual was fatally shot.
Michael J. Wilkins, 27, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
Wilkins pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2018, to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Wilkins admitted that he was a leader of a major methamphetamine distribution operation. Wilkins, under surveillance by law enforcement, was seen entering a known methamphetamine stash house in the 3000 block of S. Bellefontaine Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., on June 8, 2016. When Wilkins left the house, he was carrying a box and a backpack, which he placed in his vehicle.
Law enforcement officers approached Wilkins while he was getting into his vehicle and attempted to detain him. Wilkins fled on foot and was subsequently taken into custody. In his path of flight, which was captured by the National Guard counterdrug helicopter surveillance, officers recovered one of his shoes, his cell phone and a handgun.
Officers executed a search warrant on Wilkins’s vehicle and found 4,764 grams of methamphetamine and $12,363 in the box and backpack he had carried from the stash house.
During the foot chase of Wilkins, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Bellefontaine residence. That operation led to an hours-long standoff when persons inside the house fired shots at law enforcement officers. Luis Carlos Garcia-Aguilar, also known as “Moe,” fired several shots at officers then ran from the house with his rifle aimed at the officers; he was fatally shot.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.