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16 August 2018
"Route 128 Bandit" Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for robbing 10 banks in the greater Boston area.
Paul B. Landrum, dubbed the “Route 128 Bandit,” 38, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2018, Landrum pleaded guilty to 10 counts of bank robbery. In November 2017, Landrum was arrested and charged in federal court and has been in custody since.
Between July 31, 2017, and Oct. 6, 2017, eight banks were robbed in the Greater Boston area. After each robbery, the tellers described the perpetrator as a light-skinned black man, 30-to-45-years-old, wearing a baseball hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved collarless shirt. Based on the descriptive similarities, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in each robbery.
Between Oct. 17, 2017, and Oct. 19, 2017, two more banks were robbed in the Greater Boston area. Following these robberies, the tellers described the robber, later determined to be Tamea Chambers, as a black woman, 30-to-35-years-old, wearing a wig. Based on the similar descriptions by the tellers, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in these two robberies.
During their investigation of the latter robberies, law enforcement obtained video footage from a business connected to one of the banks that captured images of the female robber in the company of a light-skinned black male. Upon comparison of this video footage with the video footage of the first eight robberies, law enforcement determined the man to be the Route 128 Bandit.
An investigation into the robber’s get-away vehicle led law enforcement to identify Landrum as the suspect, and on Oct. 24, 2017, Landrum and Chambers were arrested in Boston. Landrum admitted to robbing eight banks individually, and assisting Chambers with the final two robberies.
Chambers pleaded guilty in May 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17, 2018.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and the Boston, Brookline, Medford, Somerville, and Wellesley Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
15 August 2018
Woman Responsible for Macon-Area Daycare Bomb Threats Sentenced to More Than Fifteen (15) Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
MACON: United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler announces that Jasmine Jaquel Bradley, age 27, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced to serve more than fifteen (15) months in prison for conveying false information and perpetuating a hoax related to bomb threats made to a Macon-area daycare. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Marc T. Treadwell on August 15, 2018.
Through her guilty plea, Ms. Bradley admitted that on April 24, 2017, she posted a bomb threat on the corporate Facebook page of the Child Care Network School on Northside Drive in Macon, Georgia. Specifically, Ms. Bradley posted that a bomb had been planted underground three months ago, and the center would be blown up the next day. Ms. Bradley also admitted to sending several other threats to Macon-area daycares which were being investigated by law enforcement at the time of her arrest.
In addition to her more than 15 months imprisonment, Ms. Bradley was ordered to spend two years under the supervision of the United States Probation Office upon her release from prison.
“The actions of Ms. Bradley caused fear, panic, and unnecessary pain to the children, parents, and staff of these daycares,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “Ms. Bradley also caused the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and federal law enforcement to expend precious resources investigating serious threats to life and limb that thankfully turned out to be hoaxes. Threats of these kind, whether real or false, will be fully investigated and the perpetrators will be brought to justice on behalf of the victims they have harmed.”
This case was investigated by the Macon Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney C. Shanelle Booker prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 752-3511.
Wetzel County man admits to connection to a drug distribution operation in Wetzel and Tyler CountiesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Doug William Matthews, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin distribution that spanned multiple states, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Matthews, age 32, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine in Proximity to a Protected Location.” Matthews admitted selling methamphetamine near Magnolia High School in March 2018 in Wetzel County.
Matthews faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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. Attorneys Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., and Shawn M. Adkins are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol; Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office; the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office; the Sistersville Police Department; the Paden City Police Department; and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated. The Columbus, Ohio, Police Department Gang Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
Valley Couple Sentenced After Violent Dispute over NarcoticsRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 21-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman have both been ordered to federal prison following a drug dispute between the two that ended in violence and an attempted escape from custody, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Ricardo Gonzalez and his former girlfriend Violeta Torres, both of Brownsville, pleaded guilty Sept. 21 and Aug. 10, 2017, respectively.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered Gonzalez to serve a 120-month term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release, while Torres received a term of 87 months followed by four years of supervised release.
Gonzalez and Torres were initially working together to distribute approximately 22 pounds of cocaine in the Brownsville area. Law enforcement ultimately recovered approximately 8.5 pounds of the narcotics.
During the course of the conspiracy, a dispute between the couple caused Torres to leave Gonzalez’s home. Thereafter, she then hired at least one other individual to break into her ex-boyfriend’s home, physically restrain him, tie him up and steal the cocaine.
The next day, Gonzalez travelled to the home where his ex-girlfriend resided and attempted to retrieve the cocaine by force, discharging his firearm during the altercation. After law enforcement arrived on scene in response to the gunfire, Gonzalez escaped police custody and fled into the south Texas brush. Authorities apprehended Gonzalez, who was hiding in the brush, shortly thereafter.
Both will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Brownsville Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Corley prosecuted the case.
United States Resolves False Claims Act Investigation AgainstLandlord Charging Housing Voucher Tenants Excess RentsRead the Press Release
Edward R. Daniel, a/k/a Edward Daniels, Judy Daniel, and the Edward R. Daniel Revocable Living Trust (collectively “Daniel”), a landlord participating in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 (HCV) Program has paid the United States $50,000.00 to resolve civil claims. The claims against Daniel, pursued under the False Claims Act, arise from the landlord’s alleged impermissible charging of parking fees as well as excessive rents to certain HCV Recipient tenants, while accepting federally subsidized Housing Assistance Payments (“HAP”).
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and Nadine Gurley, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), made the announcement.
Through Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, HUD distributes federal funds to local public housing agencies to assist eligible low income families in obtaining decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market. To receive federally subsidized rents, landlords participating in the HCV Program contractually agree to comply with HUD requirements, to charge only the rent authorized by the local public housing agency and to not raise rents or change lease terms without the written approval of the local public housing agency.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners take very seriously any abuses of our federal housing programs that may deprive those in need of access to affordable homes,” stated U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute False Claims Act allegations in order to ensure that all landlords comply with federal housing requirements and protect our local tenants and taxpayers.”
“HUD will not tolerate landlords who violate the rules and seek to gain at the expense of the very low income families we serve through the Section 8/HCV Program,” said David Woll, HUD’s Deputy General Counsel for Enforcement. “Taxpayers have every reason to be outraged when those choosing to do business with the government and receiving federally subsidized rent by entering into HAP Contracts and agreeing to abide by federal regulations, violate those obligations by overcharging impoverished, elderly and disabled tenants.”
“This settlement demonstrates the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General’s continuing efforts to hold individuals accountable whose practices victimize America’s most vulnerable communities. HUD-OIG is committed to collaborating with the Department of Justice to ensure government rules are not manipulated for personal gain,” said Nadine Gurley, Special Agent in Charge, HUD-OIG.
The rents of most of Daniel’s tenants in over 12 apartment buildings in Miami, are subsidized through the HCV Program. Presently, over 120 federally subsidized HCV Tenants reside in Daniel’s residential units in Miami under the administration of five HCV Programs in Miami-Dade County, Florida: Miami-Dade County’s Public Housing & Community Development (“PHCD”), Hialeah Housing Authority (“HHA”), the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (“HACMB”), Carrfour Supportive Housing, Inc. and Citrus Health Network, Inc.
The False Claims Act investigation into Daniel began in September 2015, when representatives of PHCD and PHCD’s HCV Program Contractor reported alleged abuses of the HCV Program within certain federally assisted units Daniel owned. Investigators initially received reports that one or more of Daniel’s HCV subsidized tenants were not occupying the properties and at least one unit was allegedly occupied by an individual other than the authorized tenant, even though Daniel was receiving HAP payments for those units. As the investigation expanded, investigators received information that Daniel allegedly also received unlawful excessive rent subsidies and in several instances, double subsidies from different Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) for overlapping periods, for different tenants. During the investigation, the double subsidy payments were recovered from Daniel. In addition, investigators uncovered evidence that Daniel allegedly charged at least 36 HCV tenants excessive rent and unauthorized parking fees.
Although Daniel did not admit liability, Daniel entered into a Settlement Agreement with the United States wherein the landlord agreed to and has paid the United States $50,000 to settle the allegations that Daniel violated the False Claims Act by accepting federally subsidized HAP Payments while charged parking fees and rents in excess of those permitted. Daniel also represented to the United States Attorney’s Office that he reimbursed certain tenants that were charged higher than approved rents. In addition, through the Settlement Agreement, Daniel agreed to comply with all laws, regulations, rules, directives, ordinances, agreements, certifications and contracts governing the HCV Program. Moreover, Daniel is prohibited from charging a tenant a parking fee or more than the amount a PHA approves as the Tenant’s appropriate share of rent. The investigation was hindered by Daniel’s poor record-keeping, including failure to maintain certain records. The Settlement Agreement requires Daniel to maintain tenant records, including receipts, for a specified period of time and to retain a bookkeeper or accountant to maintain a ledger or account for each of the Dwelling Units leased through the assistance of the HCV Program. Further, in addition to annually providing each federally subsidized Tenant with a Statement of Account of amounts Daniel charged to the HCV Tenant in the prior calendar year and amounts collected from the Tenant, together with the Security Deposit held, Daniel is required to provide annual notifications to Tenants that they should not pay more than the amount determined by the PHAs.
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, HUD-OIG, and HUD. Mr. Greenberg also commended the significant assistance provided by Miami-Dade County’s Public Housing and Community Development office, Miami-Dade Police Department, Hialeah Housing Authority, and the City of Miami Beach Housing Authority. Assistant United States Attorney James A. Weinkle investigated this matter and negotiated the settlement.
A copy of this press release and the Settlement Agreement may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
United States Attorney Announces the Appointment of Two New Federal ProsecutorsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced the appointment of two new federal prosecutors.
Chad Rhoades most recently served as legal counsel to United States Senator Thom Tillis handling issues related to criminal and constitutional law. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and the Campbell University School of Law. Mr. Rhoades will be assigned to the Violent Crime Section within the United States Attorney’s Office.
Lori Warlick will serve the District as a Special Assistant United States Attorney from her position as a Trial Attorney, Appellate, in the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation. She previously clerked at the Miami Immigration Court. She is a Raleigh native and graduated from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2007. She will be assigned primarily to the Civil Division within the United States Attorney’s Office and will also assist with immigration-related criminal prosecutions.
“It’s my privilege to lead an office filled with incredibly talented and dedicated people who work tirelessly to carry out our mission of justice and fulfill our promises to the people of the Eastern District to reduce violent crime and reduce drug trafficking levels,” said U.S. Attorney Higdon. “We are proud to welcome these fine individuals to our office. I know they will make an immediate impact in our District and serve the citizens of the United States with honor and distinction.”
Two Venezuelan Nationals Plead Guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance on Board a Vessel Following Apprehension of a Go-Fast Vessel Carrying Multiple Kilos of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Jesus Garcia, age 35, and Jhoan Gomez, age 28, of Venezuela, both pled guilty on August 15, 2018, in District Court to one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance on Board a Vessel, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
This federal offense carries a possible sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $5,000,000 dollars, and a term of supervised release of at least 2 years. Sentencing is set for December 14, 2018.
According to court documents, on May 8, 2017, at approximately 7:50 pm, a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South Patrol Aircraft located a northbound go-fast vessel (GFV) approximately 105 nautical miles west of Martinique. The vessel was located in a known drug trafficking route. It contained multiple fuel barrels and suspicious packages visible on deck. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley was directed to intercept the vessel. Upon arrival, the crew of the GFV were observed tossing the suspicious packages and fuel barrels overboard. Ultimately, the crew of the Cutter Donald Horsley recovered 8 bound packages, which contained approximately 162 kilograms (357 pounds) of marijuana. The defendants were two of the 7 Venezuelan national crew onboard the GFV. Co-defendant Juan Rodriguez previously entered a guilty plea on August 13, 2018.
The Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Two Men Sentenced for Separate Incidents of Attempting to Sexually Exploit Minors OnlineRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Two men who, in separate incidents, attempted to entice minors to engage in sexual activity were sentenced today, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
CHRISTOPHER JAMES WILSON, 36, of Cana, Virginia, pleaded guilty on April 9 2018, to one count of enticement of a minor and one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Loretta Copeland Biggs to 250 months of imprisonment, followed by 20 years of supervised release.
When WILSON committed the federal offense last year, he had twice been convicted of state sex offenses against minors, in 2003 and 2006, and was already a registered sex offender. In June 2017, a Stokes County mother reported that WILSON used Facebook to send her 12-year-old daughter a picture of WILSON’S genitalia, and a request that the girl send WILSON nude images of herself. Stokes County Deputy Sheriff Christopher Lawson received permission to take over the minor’s account in an undercover capacity, and Investigator Lawson then communicated with WILSON from June 15, 2017 to August 4, 2017. The messages WILSON sent to what he believed to be the 12-year-old girl contained sexually explicit content and direction to engage in sexual activity.
This case was investigated by the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ, 33, of Jamestown, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on April 9 2018, to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Loretta Copeland Biggs to 151 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
RODRIGUEZ was identified by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office during an undercover operation on a social media messaging application popular with minors. In March 2017, Deputy Sheriff Zachary Neefe created an undercover persona of a 13-year-old girl from Alamance County and joined a teen chat group. RODRIGUEZ later sent direct-messages to this 13-year-old girl persona and, over the course of several days, RODRIGUEZ repeatedly expressed his desire to perform sexual acts with what he believed to be the 13-year-old. RODRIGUEZ planned to meet the minor on March 21, 2017, for the purpose of engaging in sex acts. When RODRIGUEZ arrived in Alamance County, he was arrested by investigators. A subsequent examination of RODRIGUEZ’S phone revealed that he possessed approximately 40 videos containing child pornography, and had recently engaged in numerous sexual chats with individuals who purported to be minors.
This case was investigated by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the identification of victims.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Iverson and were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Two KC Men Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms for Kidnapping, MurderRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today on charges related to the kidnapping and murder of another man.
Raynal King, 27, and Howard R. Ross, III, also known as “Lil’ Howard” and “Shooter,” 23, each were sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to multiple life terms in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 12, 2018, King and Ross each were found guilty at trial of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton on Sept. 6, 2016.
King and Ross were convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of aiding and abetting a kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a kidnapping that resulted in a first degree felony murder, one count of robbery of a motor vehicle (carjacking) resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of carjacking that resulted in a first degree felony murder, and one count of aiding and abetting each other as felons in the possession of a firearm.
Patton was returning home from the hospital, where he had been caring for a family member, sometime after 5 a.m. that day when King and Ross kidnapped him and stole his 2014 Jeep Patriot. They held Patton at gunpoint and drove him around in his Jeep to ATM machines, attempting to force him to provide his PIN number for his debit card so they could withdraw cash from his bank account.
Patton was unable to provide a working PIN number to withdraw cash. While held at gunpoint by King and Ross in the Mazuma Credit Union parking lot, he called his wife to obtain the working PIN number, but was he unable to do so. King and Ross became upset with the lack of cooperation from Patton and shot him in his upper thigh to make sure he knew they were not playing around.
King and Ross then drove Patton in his Jeep south on Holmes Road while they discussed what to do with him. At approximately 6:30 a.m., shortly after traveling south on Holmes Road through the intersection with 135th Street and further out of the city, Patton jumped out of his Jeep while it was moving. Patton was shot multiple times while attempting to jump and he fell to the roadway. King and Ross then fled from the area in Patton’s Jeep, leaving him to die on the side of the road.
According to evidence introduced during the trial, King and Ross began planning to commit a robbery a couple of days earlier. King had recently purchased a silver Pontiac Grand Prix but was unable to make his car payments or pay the sales tax fees. Text messages between King and Ross (recovered from their phones) shows that only days before the kidnapping King communicated with Ross about his problems and about a potential robbery.
Ross, who was on state probation for robbery at the time of the crime, was held in the Jackson County Jail after his arrest. While in the Jackson County Jail, Ross made multiple recorded phone calls to others regarding disposing of various items of evidence. Ross discussed with friends and family the location of his iPhone, which led to search warrants and the recovery of Ross’s iPhone and further evidence on his iPhone.
Investigators recovered evidence from Ross’s iPhone that showed weeks before the kidnapping Ross had a Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol. Patton was murdered with a .45-caliber bullet. Ross took photos of himself carrying the pistol; he messaged those photos to others and posted photos on social media sites. Shortly after the murder, Ross attempted to sell the pistol to an acquaintance.
When forensic examiners were able to search King’s Android phone, several messages, photographs, and relevant Internet searches were recovered as evidence. King took photos of the stolen Jeep and messaged with others in an attempt to sell the Jeep to obtain sufficient money to make his own car payment on his Silver Pontiac Grand Prix before it would be repossessed.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jess E. Michaelsen and Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Two District Men Found Guilty of Charges in Crime Spree in the District of Columbia and MarylandRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - David Sutton, 22, and Dacquan Gregory, 20, both of Washington, D.C., have been found guilty by a jury of charges stemming from a broad daylight, 100-minute crime spree that included the theft of a car and three armed robberies and that finally ended with a car crash that seriously injured a woman, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.
Both men were found guilty on Aug. 14, 2018, of one count each of conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, and unauthorized use of a vehicle to commit a crime of violence, two counts each of armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon, and related firearms offenses. Sutton also was found guilty of charges of aggravated assault while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm. The verdict was returned following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2018. The defendants face a range of 15 years to more than 30 years in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, the chain of events began at about 3:55 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2016. At that time, Sutton and Gregory stole a running Nissan Rouge SUV in the 3400 block of Holmead Place NW. They then used that vehicle to approach three victims with a firearm, robbing them at gunpoint. The robberies took place within just 25 minutes in the 1400 block of Rock Creek Church Road NW, the 1400 block of Tuckerman Street NW, and the 700 block of Sheridan Street NW.
Following these crimes, Sutton and Gregory drove into Maryland, where they tried to rob a former police officer in Mount Rainier at gunpoint. He was able to disarm them and take the magazine out of the gun. They then fled back into the District of Columbia, where they ran red lights and stop signs, and sped through a residential area. They finally crashed into another vehicle at about 5:35 p.m. in the 2600 block of 18th Street NE. The driver of the car they struck was a woman on her way home from work; she was transported to the hospital and had her spleen, gallbladder and part of her liver removed. She was in the hospital for two weeks.
Gregory was found by police within minutes of the crash, crawling on the ground, with a gun on him. Sutton was arrested three days later. Both have been in custody ever since.
Video surveillance captured the vehicle traveling throughout the city, and surveillance video showed defendant Sutton following one victim into his apartment building. DNA evidence tied the defendants to the robberies and the Nissan Rogue
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu commended those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences and the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany Keil and Melissa Jackson, who investigated and prosecuted the case. Finally, she acknowledged the efforts of those who provided assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Rosen and Ahmed Baset; Paralegal Specialist Antoinette Sakamsa; Litigation Technology Specialists Kimberly Smith and Anisha Bhatia, and Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames.
Two Defendants Charged in White Plains Federal Court with CarjackingRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Shawn Harris, Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department (“MVPD”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging two defendants with allegedly engaging in carjacking and, in furtherance of the carjacking, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms. The defendants, CHESTER BROWN and TRAVIS SINCLAIR, were presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison and ordered detained. BROWN was taken into federal custody on August 15; SINCLAIR was previously in federal custody based on prior pending criminal charges.
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:
On or about July 27, 2018, BROWN and SINCLAIR, the defendants, entered a car in Mount Vernon carrying guns. The defendants threatened and punched the driver; BROWN hit the driver with his gun, which discharged. When the driver ran from his vehicle, at least one of the defendants fired gun shots toward him. These shots injured a person sitting in another car.
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BROWN and SINCLAIR each face a maximum term of life in prison, and a mandatory term of 10 years in prison.
The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Mount Vernon Police Department.
These cases are being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Bagliebter and Samuel L. Raymond are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Troy Man Pleads Guilty to Intending to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jaquan Walker, age 23, of Troy, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possessing and intending to distribute crack cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Walker admitted that on September 2, 2017, while in Troy, he possessed approximately 47 grams of crack cocaine, which he intended to distribute.
Walker faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 4 years, and a maximum $5 million fine when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on December 10, 2018. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Troy Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Giglio Suarez.
Troy Man Admits to Cocaine and Crack ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tyrone D. Marshall, age 37, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Marshall admitted that from February 2017 to April 2017, he worked with others to acquire cocaine; cook and otherwise convert the cocaine into cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine); and sell crack cocaine and cocaine in Albany and Rensselaer Counties. Marshall admitted that a co-conspirator typically acquired cocaine from a source of supply in the City of Albany and then brought the cocaine to his residence in Troy, where they would cook the cocaine into crack for resale.
Marshall, who has 3 prior drug felony convictions, faces up to 30 in prison, and at least 6 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on December 10, 2018. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Three people indicted for firearms crimesRead the Press Release
Three people were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.
Indicted are: Shane Carabello, 31, of Cleveland; Dashaun Martin, 31, of Cleveland, and Carl Hundley, Jr., 45, of Akron.
Caraballo was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of possession of cocaine. Caraballo on May 23 had cocaine and 35 rounds of .25-caliber ammunition, despite previous convictions for felonious assault with a firearms specification, having weapons under disability, attempted robbery, felonious assault and discharge of a firearm near prohibited premises, according to the indictment.
Martin was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and six rounds of ammunition on June 21, despite three prior convictions for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
Hundley was charged with a being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of a stolen firearm. Hundley had a stolen Ruger LC9 pistol and stolen ammunition on April 10. He was prohibited from having a firearm due to previous convictions for heroin trafficking and trafficking marijuana and heroin, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The Carabello and Martin cases were investigated by the ATF and Cleveland Division of Police and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Kane. The Hundley case was investigated by the FBI, Akron Police Department, and ATF, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Katz.
These cases are being prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a gun violence reduction program administered by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio. The program targets armed criminals for federal prosecution.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Three Individuals Sentenced to Prison for Migratory Bird TraffickingRead the Press Release
Three Miami-based wildlife traffickers were recently sentenced to prison for trapping and selling migratory birds.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Edward Grace, Acting Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Region; Alfredo Escanio, Major/Regional Commander, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement, South B Region; Martin G. Wade, Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, Miami Air and Marine Branch; Pedro Ramos, Superintendent, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks (NPS); and Antonio J. Gomez, Postal Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division made the announcement.
In April of this year, law enforcement announced the filing of federal charges against six individuals, in six separate cases, for their involvement with the trafficking of over 400 migratory birds. Each of the six defendants pled guilty to various criminal offenses involving migratory birds. Three of the defendants, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a/k/a “El Doctor,” Miguel Loureiro and Hovary Muniz were recently sentenced to prison for their crimes. The three other defendants, Corbo Martinez (Case No. 17-CR-20596-WILLIAMS), Reynaldo Mederos (Case No. 18-CR-20140-LENARD) and Carlos Hernandez (Case No. 17-CR-20759-MARTINEZ), are pending sentencing.
- United States v. Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a/k/a “El Doctor,”
Case No. 18-CR-20141-MOORE
On July 30, 2018, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, 54, of Homestead, was sentenced to six months in prison. Previously, he pled guilty to three counts of selling, offering for sale, bartering, and offering to barter migratory birds.
According to court documents, between May 2014 and November 2016, Rodriguez trafficked in migratory birds, including Puerto Rican Spindalises (Spindalis portoricensis), Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), Puerto Rican Bullfinches (Loxigilla portoricensis), Yellow-faced Grassquits (Tiaris olivaceus), Blue Grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea), Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii), Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus), Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris), Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra), Screech-Owls (genus Megascops), and Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus).
Rodriguez used an array of methods to trap migratory birds. Rodriguez deployed wooden-and-wire bird traps with multiple pitfall doors baited with seed and a “bait bird.” Rodriguez positioned these traps at numerous regional collection points throughout Miami-Dade County. Rodriguez employed limesticks coated in adhesive materials known as “pega” to catch particular species of birds. Rodriguez also erected ten-foot high, 100-foot long mist nets at the edge of fields during migration season. He flushed birds into the mist net by driving his truck across the field towards the nets, and, while many of the birds did not survive this process, the mist nets captured large numbers of migratory birds. Rodriguez captured these migratory birds to sell them. He sold hundreds of birds to undercover agents. After a determination that the release of the seized wildlife was safe and appropriate, USFWS released the birds into the wild. Rodriguez also shot hawks and sold their frozen corpses. In total, undercover agents purchased approximately 181 birds from Rodriguez.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the USFWS, FWC, CBP, CBP Air and Marine Operations and USPIS in this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Raich.
- United States v. Miguel Loureiro,
Case No. 18-CR-20164-MARTINEZ
On August 10, 2018, Miguel Loureiro, 27, was sentenced to nine months in prison. Previously, he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in migratory birds.
According to court documents, beginning in January 2016 and ending in December 2017, Loureiro and a co-conspirator trafficked in migratory birds, including Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), Blue Grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea), Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris), White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Clay-colored Sparrows (Spizella palida), and Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum). Loureiro deployed sixteen wire and wooden bird traps augmented by solar-powered electronic birdcall broadcasting systems in order to trap migratory birds. Three of those traps were in secluded areas of forest near Everglades National Park. He sold his illegally captured migratory birds to buyers throughout the United States. During the execution of a search warrant at Loureiro’s residence, law enforcement discovered over 100 illegally-captured migratory birds in cages. After a determination that the release of the seized wildlife was safe and appropriate, USFWS returned these birds into the wild.
In the course of his migratory bird trafficking, Loureiro forcefully threw a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) against a wall because he believed it was a threat to his inventory of migratory birds for sale. He then affixed it to a wooden cross. Loueriro filmed this activity and uploaded the images onto a private internet chat group that he used to advertise migratory birds for sale.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the USFWS, FWC, and NPS. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Raich.
- United States v. Hovary Muniz,
Case No. 18-CR-20355-UNGARO
On July 23, 2018, Hovary Muniz, 42, of Miami, was sentenced to a total of fifteen months in prison. Previously, he pled guilty to five counts of knowingly selling and offering migratory birds for sale.
According to court documents, Muniz pled guilty in 2016 to smuggling migratory birds from Cuba into the United States in a fanny pack. In 2017 and 2018, while on probation for that wildlife trafficking offense, Muniz offered Yellow-faced Grassquits (Tiaris olivacea) and other migratory birds for sale.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the USFWS and CBP in this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaime Raich and Tom Watts-FitzGerald.
The public is encouraged to report any instances of illegal wildlife trapping and trafficking to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at (305) 526-2610 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-3922 or by email or text to [email protected].
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov.
- United States v. Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a/k/a “El Doctor,”
Three Charged in Ongoing Identity Theft, Fraud InvestigationsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – Three more individuals have been charged in federal court in Providence in a series of ongoing investigations into schemes to steal and use the personal identifying information of others to defraud, among others, banks, finance companies, car dealerships and retailers.
To date, six individuals have been charged in related cases. The investigations are continuing.
The latest charges include a 21-count indictment which alleges that a New Jersey man and a New Jersey woman conspired together, and with others, to use the stolen identities of several individuals to create fraudulent driver’s licenses and other documents. The documents were allegedly used by the defendants and others to open bank accounts, apply for and receive financing for automobiles, and make purchases at retailers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
In a separate but related matter, a Rhode Island man is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint that alleges that he participated in schemes to use stolen personal identifying information of others to open bank accounts and to deposit and withdraw fraudulently obtained funds. Additionally, it is alleged that he participated in schemes where stolen identities were used by individuals posing as both the sellers and the buyers of vehicles when fraudulently applying for and receiving bank financing.
To date, investigations, led by the U.S. Secret Service, with the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; the East Providence, Warwick, and Pawtucket, R.I. Police Departments; Seekonk and Mansfield, MA, Police Departments; and the Rhode Island State Police, have resulted in criminal charges against six individuals who allegedly participated in various conspiracies and schemes to steal and use individuals personal identifying information to defraud banks, finance companies and retailers of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The investigations and charges brought in these cases are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service; and Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
In the most recent cases, a federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment charging Octavio Andres Difo-Castro, 27, of Edgewater, N.J., and Patricia Peralta, 27, of Patterson, N.J., with conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. It is alleged that the defendants participated in schemes to create and use fraudulent documents using stolen identities to purchase goods at retailers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. It is also alleged that Difo-Castro and Peralta conspired together to execute schemes to defraud a finance company and two credit unions for the purchase of one vehicle, the leasing of a second vehicle and the purchase of a motorcycle.
Difo-Castro is detained in federal custody. Peralta is released on unsecured bond and G.P.S. monitoring.
In a separate court filing, a criminal complaint charges Jeffry Rodriguez, 37, of Providence, with conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, it is alleged that Rodriguez opened bank accounts using stolen personal identifying information of others. The accounts were allegedly used to deposit and withdraw car loan funding obtained fraudulently with the use of stolen identifying information. It is alleged that the conspirators posed as both the sellers and the buyers of vehicles when applying for car loans from banks and credit unions. It is alleged that Rodriguez and others withdrew the funds by visiting several bank branch offices around Rhode Island.
Rodriguez was released on $50,000 unsecured bond and pretrial release supervision.
Other individuals charged as a result of these ongoing investigations include
- Reynaldo Martinez, 25, of Providence, who pleaded guilty in November 2017 to four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of access fraud, and one count each of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, attempted access fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Martinez was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution totaling $38,126.62 to businesses he defrauded;
- Jason McDonald, 37, of Attleboro, MA, pleaded guilty in March 2018 to conspiracy, attempted bank fraud, fraudulent use of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft. Martinez was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 39 months in federal prison; and
- Donald Wicklund, 33, of Pawtucket, pleaded guilty on April 12, 2018, to two counts of wire fraud, five counts of fraudulent use of a Social Security Number, five counts of aggravated identity theft and three counts of bank fraud. Wicklund is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on September 20, 2018.
An indictment and a criminal complaint are merely allegations and are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William J. Ferland.
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Texas Mexican Mafia Members Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Role in 2014 Death of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian PesinaRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) members Jesse Santibanez and Alfredo Cardona to life in federal prison for their roles in the murder of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian Pesina in 2014, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw; and, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.
In November 6, 2017, a federal jury convicted Santibanez, age 30, and Cardona, age 37, of one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during a murder in aid of racketeering. On November 9, 2017, Judge Rodriguez sentenced 38-year-old former TMM Sergeant Jerry Idrogo to 20 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge that included Pesina’s murder. Another TMM member, Ruben Reyes (aka “Menace”), pleaded guilty in July 2016 to similar charges that included this murder and four others. Reyes is currently serving five consecutive life-imprisonment sentences.
Evidence presented during trial revealed that acting upon an order by Reyes, Santibanez and Cardona murdered Pesina on May 4, 2014, in front of his business, the Notorious Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio, located on Hillcrest Drive.
Testimony during trial revealed that Pesina had claimed membership in the TMM, was selling narcotics and paying the “dime” (the 10% street tax) to the TMM, when the TMM learned that Pesina was a Balcones Heights Police Officer. On May 4, 2014, Idrogo contacted Pesina and arranged for pickup of the “dime” outside of Pesina’s tattoo shop. Just before meeting Pesina, Idrogo dropped off Santibanez and Cardona on the side of the building. Once Pesina walked up to the car and handed Idrogo the “dime” payment money, Santibanez and Cardona came around the corner and shot and killed Pesina.
The FBI together with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KALIQUE HARDIN, age 22, of Dallas Texas, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to three counts of an indictment charging him with, respectively, conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He faces 20 years imprisonment on the heroin charges, and a mandatory five year prison term on the firearms count, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed on him.
HARDIN was arrested by Louisiana State Police troopers on February 8, 2016, Lundi Gras, in a vehicle parked in a lot in the 1000 block of Bienville Street, along with Lilbear George, Sidney LeBanks, and Basin Wells. HARDIN was sitting on a located Ruger 9mm pistol with an extended magazine containing 24 live rounds. Troopers also discovered other guns, heroin, and about $11,000 in cash in the car.
Wells had already pleaded guilty and has been sentenced. George and LeBanks are awaiting trial in this case; Lilbear George also under indictment for the December 18, 2015 murder of Loomis security guard Hector Trochez at the Chase Bank located at Carrollton and Claiborne Avenues.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. McMahon was in charge of the prosecution.
Tallahatchie County Sheriff Arrested on Narcotics Trafficking and Extortion ChargesRead the Press Release
OXFORD, MS. William C. Lamar, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, and Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, announced today that the Sheriff of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, has been arrested on federal narcotics trafficking and extortion charges.
William Brewer, 58, a resident of Oakland, Mississippi, was charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, and extortion and bribery under color of official right in violation of the Hobbs Act, set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 1951. Brewer was charged by criminal complaint in the Northern District of Mississippi.
If convicted, Brewer faces up to 20 years in prison on each count, along with fines ranging from $250,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 per count. Brewer appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Roy Percy. He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending preliminary and detention hearings which are set for August 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., in the Federal Courthouse in Oxford, Mississippi.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer Arrested and Charged with Strangling a Traveler at San Ysidro Port of EntryRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell (619) 546-9661
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 15, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Supervisory U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Harvey Booker was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday for deprivation of rights under the color of law. He was arrested at his home early this morning.
Booker made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford. His next court appearance is a motions hearing on September 7, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. before Chief U.S. District Judge Barry T. Moskowitz.
According to the indictment, on July 8, 2018, Booker, while acting under color of law as a Customs and Border Protection Officer, strangled M.N., willfully depriving him of the right, secured by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, to be free from unreasonable force and unlawful assault by a law enforcement officer. According to the indictment, Booker’s assault resulted in bodily injury to M.N. The victim was not identified in the indictment to protect his privacy. A prosecutor explained in court that this incident was “an act of violence against a traveler at the Port of Entry.”
“There is no excuse for law enforcement officials to abuse the significant trust and power placed in them,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. “Law enforcement takes great pride in protecting the civil rights of all people. When that trust is betrayed, we must hold that officer accountable.”
Amanda Thandi, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), San Diego Field Office, stated: “All DHS law enforcement officers are required and expected to abide by the laws they enforce and protect. DHS OIG is committed to hold anyone who betrays the public’s trust accountable for his/her actions, while supporting the men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve, protect, and ensure the constitutional rights of all persons.” The public is encouraged to report violations of civil rights regarding DHS programs and activities to the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; the civil rights complaint form is available at https://www.dhs.gov/publication/file-civil-rights-complaint.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection stresses professionalism, honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission and does not tolerate actions by any employee that would tarnish the reputation of our agency,” said CBP Director of Field Operations for San Diego, Pete Flores. “CBP is fully cooperating with the FBI and DHS Office of the Inspector General regarding this investigation.”
DEFENDANTS
Harvey Booker Age: 70 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242
Maximum penalty: 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Professional Responsibility
Federal Bureau of Investigation
*An indictment is not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Statement of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman on the Conviction of Norman Seabrook, President of Correction Officers’ Benevolent AssociationRead the Press Release
“Norman Seabrook was once one of the most powerful union leaders in this City. Today he stands convicted of taking a $60,000 bribe to invest $20 million of his union members’ money in a fund that ultimately went belly-up, losing $19 million. Seabrook’s is the fifth major public corruption conviction by our Office in as many months: the governor’s right-hand man, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, the Senate Majority Leader, and the key executive in the Buffalo Billion case. I commend the hard-working members of the FBI who worked on all of these investigations, and the career prosecutors of this office who prosecuted this case: Martin Bell, Lara Pomerantz, and the chief of our public corruption unit, Russell Capone. As long as there are public servants who put self-interest above the people they are sworn to serve, public corruption will remain a top priority of this Office.”
Stark County man indicted for receiving and having child pornographyRead the Press Release
A Stark County man was indicted for receiving and possessing images of child pornography.
Philip M. Popa, Jr., 33, of Beach City, indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Popa received computer files which contained images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between May 30, 2017, through July 7, 2018, according to the indictment.
The indictment also charges that on or about July 17, 2018, Popa possessed an HP laptop computer that contained child pornography.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. The case was investigated by TFO Ryan D. Anschutz, Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Seven Rockford Residents Charged with Federal Wire Fraud, Food Stamp Fraud, and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — Seven Rockford residents have been charged by a federal grand jury with multiple counts of wire fraud and additional offenses. FEUY KHAIKHAM, 57; LEEFORM XAYVANDY, SR., a.k.a. “John,” 37; BOUNLEUNG THAMONTRI, a.k.a. “Tommy,” 54; VANSY XAYVANDY a.k.a. “Dee,” 42; SOM XAYVANDY, 47; CHRISTIANA XAYVANDY, a.k.a. “Tina,” 26; and AUNG GYAW, a.k.a. “AJ,” 23, were each charged with seventeen counts of wire fraud in a superseding indictment returned on July 31, 2018.
The wire fraud charges relate to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”), formerly known as the food stamp program. SNAP is a federal benefit program that assists low-income individuals and families purchase food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (“USDA”) is responsible for administering and implementing SNAP in conjunction with state governments. The Illinois Department of Human Services, which administers SNAP in Illinois, provides benefits to eligible individuals and families on their Illinois Link cards. To use their SNAP benefits, Illinois recipients must present their Link card to a retailer authorized to participate in SNAP by the USDA. Stores authorized to participate in SNAP can accept SNAP benefits only as payment for eligible food items and cannot accept SNAP benefits in exchange for cash. The illegal exchange of SNAP benefits for cash is commonly referred to as SNAP trafficking.
The superseding indictment alleges that between April 2015 and January 18, 2017, the defendants schemed to defraud the USDA and the State of Illinois by fraudulently accepting and redeeming SNAP benefits exchanged for discounted amounts of cash, knowing that such exchanges were prohibited under SNAP. It is alleged that the seven defendants fraudulently obtained more than $3 million in reimbursement for SNAP benefits over the course of the SNAP trafficking scheme. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greater.
The superseding indictment also charges Khaikham, Leeform Xayvandy, Som Xayvandy, and Gyaw with one count each of SNAP fraud, and it charges Vansy Xayvandy with two counts of SNAP fraud. SNAP fraud carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
In addition to wire fraud and SNAP fraud charges, the superseding indictment charges Khaikham, Leeform Xayvandy and Thamontri with conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple counts of money laundering. The superseding indictment alleges that Khaikham and Thamontri recruited an individual to act as a nominee owner of a grocery store in Rockford, obtain SNAP authorization for the grocery store, and open a bank account for the grocery store in the nominee owner’s name. The superseding indictment alleges that proceeds of SNAP trafficking transactions conducted by Khaikham, Thamontri, and Leeform Xayvandy were deposited into the bank account, which was controlled by Khaikham and Thamontri. The superseding indictment further alleges that Khaikham, Thamontri, and Leeform Xayvandy conspired to conduct and attempt to conduct financial transactions to liquidate and distribute those proceeds while concealing the nature, control and ownership of the proceeds. Each count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
The superseding indictment also charges Leeform Xayvandy with one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in criminally-derived property in an amount greater than $10,000. This count carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Anthony Mohatt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Midwest Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General in Chicago; and Gabriel L. Grchan, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The Rockford Police Department and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
Leeform Xayvandy, Christiana Xayvandy and Gyaw were arraigned on Aug. 7, 2018, and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Vansy Xayvandy and Som Xayvandy were arraigned Tuesday and also pleaded not guilty to all charges. Khaikham is scheduled to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on Sept. 6, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. With the exception of Thamontri, who remains at large, the other defendants are currently released on bond pending trial.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and order full restitution.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Talia Bucci.
Sentencing Hearing Scheduled for Kankakee County Man Guilty of Bank Fraud Related to Construction LoansRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – Sentencing is scheduled on Dec. 6, 2018, for Daniel Ballard, 59, of Bourbonnais, Ill., for bank fraud related to construction loans. Ballard entered pleas of guilty to three counts of bank fraud on Aug. 13, before Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid. Ballard was allowed to remain on bond pending sentencing.
On Aug. 13, Ballard admitted that between 2009 and 2012, he obtained multiple construction loan draws from the State Bank of Herscher by making false representations to Kankakee County Title Company claiming he had constructed one residence and remodeled another, when he had done neither. Instead, he used the fraudulently obtained money to attempt to finish construction of another residence at 3013 Stone Fence Drive in Kankakee, Illinois that was over budget.
At sentencing, the maximum statutory penalty for each of the three counts of bank fraud, is up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Statutory penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as sentencing is determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene M. Miller is prosecuting the case. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General conducted the case investigation.
A jury had previously convicted Ballard of all three counts of bank fraud in December 2016. In April 2018, however, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s June 2017 decision to vacate Ballard’s convictions. A new trial was scheduled on Aug. 20, 2018; however, the jury trial date has been vacated following Ballard’s plea, and the case is set for sentencing in December 2018.
San Francisco Resident Sentenced to Seventeen Years in Prison for Conspiring to Produce Child Pornography, Extortion, and Related CrimesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Krishna Viramontes was sentenced today to 204 months in prison for conspiring to produce and possessing child pornography, as well as extortion, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Judge.
Viramontes, 37, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to the charges on February 28, 2018. In pleading guilty, Viramontes admitted that on June 24, 2016, July 25, 2016, and August 30, 2016, he used a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. He further admitted that between June 24, 2016, and September 29, 2016, he conspired with another person to produce sexually explicit depictions of a minor. Viramontes further admitted that he possessed child pornography and transmitted threats in interstate commerce intended to extort another person. Specifically, Viramontes threatened to distribute sexually explicit videos of the minor in the hope that the threats would force the minor into a relationship with the defendant. On July 26, 2016, officers from the San Francisco Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a tip that an account holder at a file hosting service had uploaded digital video files of suspected child pornography to his account. An investigation resulted in a search of Viramontes’ San Francisco residence and the discovery of numerous electronic devices containing images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos created by Viramontes of a minor.
A federal grand jury indicted Viramontes on December 13, 2016, charging him with three counts of producing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), one count of conspiring to produce child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2251(a) and (e), one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B), and one count of extortion through interstate communications, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(d). Viramontes pleaded guilty to all charges.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Chen sentenced the defendant to a ten-year period of supervised release and ordered Viramontes to register with the state sex offender registration agency as required by state law.
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Kreuzkamp is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Tong Zhang, Lance Libatique, and Maria Sunga. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI and ICAC.
Rutland Woman Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute HeroinRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated today that Megan Harpp, 26, of Rutland, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford to 24 months imprisonment. Harpp previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin. Judge Crawford also sentenced Harpp to three years of supervised release, which will begin when Harpp is released from jail.
According to Court records, on April 14, 2016, Louis Tobin and Megan Harpp were stopped by the Vermont State Police on Route 103 in Rutland County. Tobin had a bag in the car, which contained approximately 2,050 bags of heroin. Tobin also possessed about 37 bags of heroin on his person along with $1,735 in cash. Both Tobin and Harpp were returning from Chicopee, Massachusetts, where they purchased the heroin. They had intended to return to the Rutland area, where they would sell the heroin. Both Harpp and Tobin were arrested and indicted for conspiracy to distribute heroin by the federal grand jury sitting in Rutland. Louis Tobin, formally of both Rutland and Bennington, Vermont, was previously sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford to 48 months imprisonment.
After Harpp’s arrest in April 2016, she was released on conditions pending trial but failed to appear at a subsequent proceeding. Harpp was a fugitive for more than a year before she was arrested in the New York City area in December 2017.
This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Megan Harpp is represented by Steven Barth of the Federal Public Defenders Office. Tobin was represented by Michael Shklar, Esq., of Newport, Vermont.
Rockford Insurance Executive Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala for mail fraud.
TODD J. FENDLER, 42, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, in addition to being ordered to pay $965,879.63 in restitution.
Fendler, who pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 17, 2018, was a licensed insurance producer who owned and operated several insurance-related businesses in Rockford, including Surplus Market Solutions LLC, Northern Underwriting Managers Inc., Northern Illinois Insurance Billing Services, and Northern Illinois Insurance Agency Inc.
The sentencing was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Craig Goldberg, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John G. McKenzie and Scott R. Paccagnini.
According to a written plea agreement, Fendler obtained bank account information from businesses and individuals who had applied for insurance policies through Fendler’s companies. Using the victims’ bank account information, without authorization, Fendler used on-line services to create fictitious electronic checks purportedly issued by the victims and payable to Fender’s companies. Fendler deposited those fictitious checks into bank accounts he controlled and then kept those funds for his own purposes. Fendler also made unauthorized electronic withdrawals from his clients’ bank accounts and the bank accounts of insurance agents and agencies that Fendler did business with, and then kept those funds for his own purposes.
Recidivist Fraudster Pleads Guilty for the Third Time to Securities Fraud, Sent to Jail by JudgeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Howard M. Appel, 57, of Wayne, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Following his plea of guilty, Appel was ordered detained by U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond
“This habitual fraudster manipulated the markets to further his own self-interest,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Today, thanks to the hard work and diligence of the FBI, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Office, and our Office, the defendant’s crimes landed him in jail, which is where he belongs.”
As part of his guilty plea, Appel admitted that after his release from prison following two prior securities-fraud related convictions, he participated in a new securities fraud scheme involving publicly traded companies, including Virtual Piggy, Inc. (ticker symbol “VPIG”), and Red Mountain Resources, Inc. (ticker symbol “RDMP”). Appel acquired title to the shares in the names of nominees in order to hide his ownership block from investors and made between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 from his scheme by artificially inflating the share price by, among other things, engaging in coordinated buying and selling with co-conspirators. Appel also admitted that he traded on inside information that he obtained as a result of his “consulting” work for the companies, including the status of the companies’ efforts to get listed on NASDAQ.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 26, 2018. Appel faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ incarceration, a three-year period of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greatest, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe. The parallel civil enforcement proceeding was filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, under the direction of Mark P. Berger.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Theft of Federal FundsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Theft from Program Receiving Federal Funds was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Kevin S. Lewis, age 56, was sentenced on August 14, 2018, to 1 year in federal prison, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution to Dakota Plains Legal Services.
Dakota Plains Legal Services (DPLS) is a non-profit organization providing legal representation to qualifying individuals in numerous counties in South Dakota. DPLS is a federally funded organization and annually receives over one million dollars of funds in grants from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), an agency of the United States.
Lewis was charged on September 19, 2017. The charge related to Lewis, while employed as the managing attorney for the Pine Ridge DPLS office, embezzling $24,857.75 rightfully belonging to DPLS and using the money for his own benefit.
U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons stated, “This defendant was placed in a position of public trust. He broke that trust by stealing money from a program intended to serve those in need. This sentence sends a message to others who might think stealing from a federal program is an easy way for some fast cash. Instead, it is a sure-fire way to spend some time in federal prison.”
This case was investigated by the LSC Office of Inspector General. Jeffrey E. Schanz, Inspector General of the LSC, stated, “We hope the prosecution of Kevin Lewis offers a strong deterrent to others contemplating stealing LSC funds that are intended to provide much needed legal services to an underprivileged population. We appreciate the leadership offered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota in prosecuting individuals who steal funds meant to serve the civil legal needs of the poor in our country.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Lewis was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Post Acute Medical Agrees to Pay More Than $13 Million to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks and Improper Physician RelationshipsRead the Press Release
Post Acute Medical, LLC, a Pennsylvania-based operator of long‑term care and rehabilitation hospitals across the country, and certain affiliated entities through which the company operates its facilities (collectively, “PAM”), have agreed to pay the United States, Texas, and Louisiana a total of $13,168,000 to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act, and the Texas and Louisiana false claims statutes, by knowingly submitting claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs that resulted from violations of the Anti‑Kickback Statute and the Physician Self‑Referral Law, the Justice Department announced today.
The Anti-Kickback Statute, in relevant part, prohibits offering or paying anything of value to encourage the referral, or to encourage recommending or arranging for the referral, of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded programs. The Physician Self‑Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark Law, prohibits a hospital from billing Medicare for certain services referred by physicians with whom the hospital has an improper financial relationship. Both the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law are intended to ensure that medical decision-making is not compromised by improper financial incentives and is instead based on the best interests of the patient.
Since it was founded in 2006, PAM entered into numerous physician-services contracts on behalf of its hospitals. Although the purpose of these contracts was ostensibly to retain physicians as medical directors or in other administrative or medical roles, the United States alleged that in reality the company’s payments under these contracts were intended to induce the physicians to refer patients to PAM’s facilities. The company allegedly violated the AKS further by entering into what it called “reciprocal referral relationships” with unaffiliated healthcare providers such as home health companies. In the course of those arrangements, PAM allegedly referred patients to those other providers with the understanding that those providers would refer other patients to PAM’s facilities.
“Kickbacks undermine the independence of physician and patient decision-making, and raise healthcare costs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public health programs.”
“Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries depend on their healthcare providers to make decisions based on sound medical judgment,” said U.S. Attorney David J. Freed. “Our office will take decisive action to address allegations that medical providers are paying or receiving improper financial benefits that could influence medical decision-making.”
“PAM’s alleged kickbacks and improper physician relationships threatened the impartiality of medical decision-making and the financial integrity of Medicare and Medicaid,” said Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our agency will continue to investigate companies who step over the line to maximize their profits at the expense of federal health care programs.”
PAM’s conduct allegedly resulted in false claims to Medicare as well as certain Medicaid programs. The latter are jointly funded by both the federal and state governments. Under the settlement, PAM will pay $13,031,502 to the United States, $114,016 to Texas, and $22,482 to Louisiana.
The settlement resolves allegations originally brought by Douglas Johnson in a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the federal government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblower will receive $2,345,670 as his share of the federal government’s recovery in this case.
In addition to resolving its False Claims Act liability, PAM has entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General which includes, among other compliance obligations, an arrangements review to be conducted by an Independent Review Organization.
This matter was handled on behalf of the government by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Southern District of Texas, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
The case is captioned United States ex rel. Johnson v. Post Acute Medical, LLC et al., Civil Action No. 17-cv-1269 (M.D. Pa.). The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Pittsburgher Charged with Aiding or Assisting in the Preparation of False Income Tax Returns for OthersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The five-count indictment, returned on August 14, named James H. Grant, 31, of Pittsburgh, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, Grant filed false federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information, and which requested a false refund for the tax filer.
The law provides for a total sentence of three years imprisonment for each count, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal 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.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with Filing False Income Tax Returns for OthersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The five-count indictment, returned on August 14, named Eduardo Cardona, 38, of Pittsburgh, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, Cardona filed false federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information, and which requested a false refund for the tax filer.
The law provides for a total sentence of three years imprisonment for each count, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal 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.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with Defrauding Social SecurityRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on August 14, named Louis A. Impell, age 55, Pittsburgh, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, during the period from August 2009 through June 2018, Impell received and converted approximately $72,186.78 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which he knew he was not entitled. Impell failed to disclose income to the Social Security Administration (SSA) while receiving benefits from the SSA.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $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 Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, 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.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Bishop Cottier, age 29, was sentenced on August 14, 2018, to 41 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cottier was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2017. The charge related to Cottier finding the victim roadside and then sexually abusing her at his home. Prior to Cottier finding the victim, she had been in a car accident and had injured her leg.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Cottier was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pair of Florida Residents Sentenced for Southwest Virginia Gas Pump Skimmer ScamRead the Press Release
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A pair of Florida residents, who for nearly eight months used electronic devices to illegally skim credit card numbers from gas station customers throughout Southwest Virginia and North Carolina, were sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court on a pair of federal charges, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced.
Yunior Manuel Torres-Blanco, 25, of Hialeah, Fla., was sentenced earlier this week to 42 months in prison. Ynaisel Garcia, 22, also of Hialeah, was sentenced to 36 months in prison. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated identity theft and one count of credit card fraud. In addition, Garcia previously pleaded guilty to four counts filed in the Middle District of North Carolina – conspiracy to commit access device fraud and three counts of access device fraud.
“These defendants stole the identities of hard-working Virginians and caused tens of thousands of dollars in financial loss,” United States Attorney Cullen stated today. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Roanoke County Police Department and the Secret Service in bringing them to justice.”
Investigators determined that between December 2016 and August 2017, Torres-Blanco and Garcia placed credit card skimmers on various gas pumps throughout Southwest Virginia and North Carolina, and captured the credit card information of customers who purchased gasoline. As part of the scheme, the defendants retrieved the stolen credit card information from the skimmers, created new cards using the stolen numbers, and used the cards to purchase gift cards, services, and merchandise.
In August 2017, a detective with the Roanoke County Police Department recognized a vehicle with Florida plates traveling in Botetourt County as one similar to a vehicle suspected of being involved in a gas pump credit card skimming scheme. It was soon determined that Torres-Blanco and Garcia were inside the vehicle. When approached by law enforcement for a traffic stop, Garcia attempted to elude law enforcement and Torres-Blanco threw items, later identified as gift cards, from the window. Once they stopped the vehicle and were able to search it, investigators found two credit card skimmers, a laptop computer, 68 unopened gift cards, 86 credit cards, of which 83 had been re-coded with stolen credit card information, a new 55-inch television and a new 65-inch television. In all, Torres-Blanco and Garcia obtained more than $40,000 in merchandise, gift cards and services.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Roanoke County Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case for the United States. Assistant United States Attorney JoAnna G. McFadden prosecuted Ms. Garcia on the four counts brought in the Middle District of North Carolina.
Owners of Peabody Pizza Shop Sentenced for Federal Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The current and former owners of Giovanni’s Roast Beef & Pizza in Peabody were sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with skimming cash receipts from Giovanni’s and failing to report the cash on their tax returns, thereby avoiding the payment of about $550,000 in taxes.
William Panousos, 67; his wife, Theodora Panousos, 65; and their son, Konstantinos Panousos, 39, were each sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of probation, with the first 18 months confined to the City of Peabody, and ordered to pay a fine of $150,000. The Judge also ordered join and several restitution of $549,883 to the IRS. In November 2017, the all three defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. William Panousos also pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and assisting in filing false corporate and individual tax returns; Theodora pleaded guilty to four counts; and Konstantinos pleaded guilty to two counts.
During tax years 2013 through 2015, the Panousos’ skimmed approximately $2.8 million in cash receipts from Giovanni’s and did not deposit them into the business’ bank account or report them to their tax preparer. They diverted about $1.5 million of those cash receipts to their own personal use. They used the rest of the skimmed cash to pay some of the business’ expenses, including a portion of payments to suppliers and a portion of employees’ salaries. In addition, the defendants failed to report those cash expenses on their tax returns.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Balthazard of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Ohio Man Participated in Counterfeit Check Scheme Targeting East Coast CasinosRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – An Ohio resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Karim Abdullah Wiley, 40, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from May 2014 through February 2017, Karim Abdullah Wiley and others negotiated counterfeit checks at gaming casinos along the east coast from Florida to New York, using false identification documents produced with the names of real persons to negotiate the counterfeit checks. Some of those checks were negotiated at the River’s Casino in Pittsburgh. Fraud losses total several hundred thousand dollars
Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for January 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence for conspiracy is five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years supervised release. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Karim Abdullah Wiley.
Ohio Man Charged with Possessing HeroinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Columbus, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment named Evan Jones, age 27, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about July 26, 2018, Jones possessed with intent to distribute heroin.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy 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.
Ocean County Man Admits Distributing Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Toms River man today admitted distributing images of child sexual abuse over a social media application, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
David Nelson, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with distribution of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
As a result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Louisville, Kentucky, field office, law enforcement officers arrested an individual after he offered to broadcast the sexual abuse of his daughter over Kik Messenger to an undercover officer. A search of his cell phone revealed chat group communications between that individual and another Kik user operating under the user name “candicesloan1995,” which was later revealed to be Nelson. Nelson was arrested April 9, 2018.
Nelson admitted today that between Oct. 24, 2017 and Oct. 26, 2017, he used his Kik account under the user name “candicesloan1995” to transmit at least 26 images of child pornography to another Kik user. Nelson also admitted that he was an administrator of multiple Kik chat rooms in which child pornography was shared and discussed.
The distribution charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited FBI special agents of the Franklin Township Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory Ehrie in Newark, FBI special agents under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess in Louisville, and FBI special agents under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Slater in Detroit, with the investigation. He also thanked the Toms River Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Mitchell A. Little, for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Brendan Day of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
Defense counsel: Andrea D. Bergman Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a MinorRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Travis Wilmoth, age 31, of Fayetteville, North Carolina pleaded guilty today to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Wilmoth admitted that he traveled from North Carolina to Maryland to engage in sexually explicit conduct with a 15-year-old girl.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, on March 2, 2018, the FBI received a telephone call from the mother of a 15-year-old minor female who had recently discovered that Wilmoth had been using social media to chat online with her daughter since November 2017, and those conversations had become sexual in February 2018. With the permission of the girl and her mother, FBI agents took control of the girl’s account and communicated with Wilmoth posing as the minor female. During the ensuing chats, Wilmoth repeatedly asked the girl to take “naughty” pictures and send them to him. On March 14, 2108, Wilmoth discussed traveling to Maryland to visit the girl and engaging in sexual acts with her. Between March 7 and April 11, 2018, Wilmoth sent the girl sexually explicit images and videos of himself. On May 11, 2018, Wilmoth drove from North Carolina to Maryland to meet with the girl with the intent to engage in sexual activity. The FBI agent posing as the girl had provided Wilmoth with an address in an apartment complex in Baltimore County, Maryland. Wilmoth arrived at that location with condoms he had previously purchased and was arrested as he approached the front door.
As part of his plea agreement, Wilmoth 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).
Wilmoth and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Wilmoth will be sentenced to nine years in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for December 7, 2018 at 12:00 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 commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Wilkinson, who is prosecuting the federal case.
Nine Previously Deported Aliens Indicted after Traffic Stop in St. Louis CountyRead the Press Release
An August 2nd traffic stop on Interstate 44 in southwest St. Louis County has led to the indictment of nine previously deported aliens who are alleged to have taken part in an alien smuggling scheme.
Rene Flores-Calderon, age, 34, is alleged to have smuggled eight previously deported aliens into St. Louis County before being discovered during a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in the southwestern part of St. Louis County. Flores-Calderon is also alleged himself to have illegally re-entered the United States after being deported from Del Rio, Texas in 2016 to Mexico.
The eight other previously deported aliens Flores-Calderon is alleged to have smuggled and who are each alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States after deportation are:
- Eladio Velasquez-Velasquez, age 24, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Calexico, California earlier in 2018 to Mexico.
- Elias Velasquez-Vleasquez, age 30, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Brownsville, Texas in 2009 to Mexico.
- Enrique Sebastian Cedillo-Santiago, age 24, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Brownsville, Texas in 2017 to Guatemala.
- Mynor Lucas Galvez-Galvez, age 28, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Phoenix, Arizona in 2015 to Guatemala.
- Jose David Hernandez-Salazar, age 34, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Chandler, Arizona in 2007 to Honduras.
- Aaron Danilo Rivera-Urbina, age 29, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Phoeniz, Arizona in 2016 to Honduras.
- Carlos Joel Perez-Merino, age 32, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Phoenix, Arizona earlier in 2018 to El Salvador.
- Jose Danilo Balan-Boc, age 21, who is alleged to have been previously deported earlier in 2018 to Guatemala.
All nine defendants named in the Indictment have been in Immigration custody since being discovered on August 2nd. They will remain in custody until the conclusion of their criminal cases.
Flores-Calderon, the alleged smuggler, faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years for each of eight alien smuggling charges and an additional ten years on his unlawful re-entry charge.
Because of his prior criminal convictions, Rivera-Urbina faces up to twenty years imprisonment for unlawful re-entry.
Title 8 United States Code Section 1326 sets out enhanced penalty ranges for those convicted of unlawful re-entry with prior criminal convictions.
The seven remaining defendants face a term of imprisonment of up to 2 years on the charges of unlawful re-entry.
If convicted, all nine defendants also face removal from the United States after completing a term of imprisonment.
“Human smugglers are driven by greed and demonstrate a total disregard for our laws and for human life,” said James M. Gibbons, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Chicago. “HSI will continue to enforce the laws these criminals attempt to skirt, in our commitment to pursue those that exploit and endanger the people they smuggle into our country.”
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from the Missouri Highway Patrol, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Eureka Police Department and the Pacific Police Department.
- Eladio Velasquez-Velasquez, age 24, who is alleged to have been previously deported from Calexico, California earlier in 2018 to Mexico.
Nigerian Couple Sentenced to Probation for Conspiring to Commit Marriage Fraud for an Immigration BenefitRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Following pleas of guilty, two Nigerian citizens were sentenced in federal court to probation of one year on their convictions of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud for an immigration benefit, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Adediran Bamgbose, age 38, and Temitope Elemosho, age 36, Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presented to the court, Elemosho, a Nigerian citizen, conspired with Bamgbose, the father of her three children, also a Nigerian citizen, to give money to a citizen of the United States so that the United States citizen would enter into a sham marriage with her. Elemosho entered into the sham marriage with the United States citizen so that she could obtain legal permanent residency based upon the marriage. Bamgbose accepted responsibility for aiding and abetting marriage fraud. Elemosho accepted responsibility for entering into the sham marriage with the United States citizen and filing false documents with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution in this case.
New York Man Admits Robbing, Attempting to Burglarize Four New Jersey BanksRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Manhattan man today admitted robbing banks in Jackson Township, Fort Lee, and Hasbrouck Heights, as well as attempting to burglarize a fourth bank in Englewood between December 2013 and February 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Eddy Cruz, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with three counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank burglary.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Dec. 24, 2013, Cruz entered a PNC Bank in Jackson Township and handed a bank teller a note demanding money. After the teller handed him some cash, Cruz fled the scene. Cruz also robbed a TD Bank in Fort Lee on Feb. 13, 2017 and a TD Bank in Hasbrouck Heights on Feb. 18, 2017. During both robberies, Cruz wore a mask to disguise his identity and handed the tellers notes demanding cash.
On Feb. 24, 2017, law enforcement officers tracked Cruz’s car, which had been spotted at one of the earlier bank robberies, to a location in Manhattan. That same day, Cruz drove to yet another TD Bank in Englewood where he was apprehended moments before he robbed the bank in a similar disguise to what he wore during the previous two bank robberies.
The bank robbery and attempted bank burglary counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory Ehrie in Newark and Special Agent in Charge John Brosnan in New York; the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo; the Fort Lee Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith M. Bendul; the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael J. Colaneri; the Roxbury Police Department, under the direction of Chief Marc Palanchi; the Paramus Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg; and the Jackson Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Matthew Kunz, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Greenburgh, New York, Mount Pleasant, New York, and Yonkers, New York, police departments, as well as the New York Police Department for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark
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Defense counsel: Linda Foster Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAYVONNE JOHNSON, age 49, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. '' 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B).
According to court documents, JOHNSON was in possession of more than 1.3 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) when he disembarked an Amtrak train in New Orleans on June 25, 2017.
JOHNSON faces a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment, followed by at least four years of supervised release. JOHNSON also faces a fine of up to $5,000,000 and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier will sentence JOHNSON on November 1, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Amtrak Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Sharon Smith and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.
Myrtle Beach Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Connection with Suspected Opioid OverdosesRead the Press Release
James Latron Sumter, a/k/a “T”, age 35, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, the use of which resulted in serious bodily injury or death, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(b)(1)(C). This charge carries a mandatory sentence of imprisonment of 20 years to life if Sumter is convicted. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian of the Florence office for prosecution.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Monongalia County woman appears on child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tara Ponceroff, of Morgantown, West Virginia, had an initial appearance today to face multiple child pornography charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Ponceroff, age 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Wheeling on Monday, August 6, 2018, of one count of “Production of Child Pornography,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography,” and two counts of “Transportation of Child Pornography.” Ponceroff is accused of producing and distributing child pornography involving two children from November 2017 to January 2018 in Monongalia County.
Ponceroff faces up to 30 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the production and aiding counts. She faces up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the transportation counts. 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.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Monongalia County man admits to drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Isaiah Davis, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Davis, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride” and one count of “Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Offense.” Davis admitted to possessing and distributing cocaine in Monongalia County in October 2017. Davis, who was previously convicted of a felony, also admitted to having a .40 caliber pistol, which used during a drug offense, in January of 2018 in Monongalia County.
Davis faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug count. He faces not less than five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearm count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Morgantown Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Middlesex County, New Jersey, Man Admits Role in Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A North Brunswick, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a conspiracy to hijack the credit card accounts of multiple victims in order to fraudulently purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars in high-end products, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Henry Abdul, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Between October 2015 and January 2018, Abdul, Alexus Omowole, 22, also of North Brunswick, and others participated in a conspiracy to obtain control of credit card accounts by, among other things, contacting the relevant financial institution and posing as the account owner in order to change the personal information associated with the customer accounts, including the residential address, email address, and telephone number.
Afterwards, members of the conspiracy opened new accounts or ordered replacement cards to be shipped to them without the customers' knowledge or authorization. Abdul’s prior residential address in Newark was used as part of the conspiracy. Afterwards, Abdul, Omowole and others used the compromised credit card accounts to purchase high-value items, including smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
As part of his plea agreement, Abdul admitted that the scheme caused between $250,000 and $550,000 in losses, and involved more than 10 separate victims.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 28, 2018.On May 21, 2018, Omowole pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept.10, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos, and special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas P. Grippo and David M. Eskew, Chief of U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud in Newark.
Defense counsel: Patrick McMahon Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Michigan Woman Charged with Helping Others to File False Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Eastpointe, Michigan, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The five-count indictment, returned on August 14, named Lakisha K. Pinkney, 42, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, Pinkney filed false federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information, and which requested a false refund for the tax filer.
The law provides for a total sentence of three years imprisonment for each count, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal 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.
MEDIA ADVISORY-- Public and Education Officials to Hold Press Conference Highlighting State-Wide Distribution of Short Videos to Educate Student Athletes, Parents and Coaches about Dangers of Opioids and AlcoholRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico’s use of opioids, including use by teens and young adults, has become almost epidemic. The most recent New Mexico Youth Risk and Residency Survey (2015) indicates that more than one in ten (14.3%) students in grades 9 to 12 use prescription drugs without a prescription. The Survey also indicates that more than a quarter (26.1%) of students in grades 9 to 12 are current drinkers, with two in ten (20%) having had their first drinks before age 13. Almost the same number (19.7%) rode with a drinking driver.
Public and education officials will meet with the media at 11:15 a.m. on THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque to discuss “Opioids, Alcohol and Athletes,” a collaborative project of the Bernalillo County Department of Behavioral Health, the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), the New Mexico Parent Teachers Association (PTA), and Christopher Productions.
The “Opioids, Alcohol and Athletes” Project consists of seven short videos designed to educate students, especially student athletes, parents and coaches about the dangers associated with opioids and alcohol, which are being distributed by the NMAA and New Mexico PTA to middle and high schools throughout New Mexico. The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) already has distributed the videos to each high school athletic director. DVDs of the videos will be distributed during the press conference.
WHO:
John C. Anderson, U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico
Maggie Hart Stebbins, Commissioner, Bernalillo County
Dr. Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, Bernalillo County Dept. of Behavioral Health
Chris Schueler, President, Christopher Productions
Wendy Ford-Licon, President, New Mexico Parent Teachers Association
Susan McKee, Director of Counseling, APS Student, Family & Community Support Division
Jennifer Weiss-Burke, Executive Director, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), Serenity Mesa
Lou Duran, Community Advocate, HAC, Serenity Mesa
Tim Sheahan, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Central New Mexico
WHAT:
Press Conference regarding the “Opioids, Alcohol and Athletes” Project
WHEN:
Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 11:15 am
WHERE:
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico
201 Third Street NW
10th Floor Multi-Media Room (Reception on Ninth Floor)
Albuquerque, NM 87102
OPEN PRESS
NOTE: Media representatives must present government-issued photo I.D. (i.e., driver’s license) and valid media credentials. Media representatives may begin to arrive at 10:45 a.m. Inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Alyssa Ferda at 505-224-1480 or [email protected].
The New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative is hosting this press conference as part of its prevention and education component. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, HAC, APS and many other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid related deaths in New Mexico. The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning.