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Thursday 7 June 2018
Buffalo Woman Sentenced for Twitter Threats to Promote Terrorism on Behalf of ISISRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Buffalo, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for using Twitter to transmit threatening communications against several persons, including two FBI employees and two former members of the military and their families, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS.
Safya Roe Yassin, 40, of Buffalo, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to nine years in federal prison without parole.
According to court documents, Yassin engaged in a concerted and prolonged effort to support the online activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). ISIS is a foreign terrorist organization that has encouraged and taken credit for attacks against civilians throughout the world, including in the United States. By maintaining numerous social media accounts and posting violent messages to them, Yassin was steadfast and outspoken in her support for ISIS and its murderous mission. She communicated directly with at least one person she believed to be an ISIS operative overseas, and admitted that on two occasions she helped ISIS threaten and terrorize the four victims in this case, whom ISIS targeted for no reason other than their honorable service to the United States.
On Feb. 28, 2018, Yassin pleaded guilty to two counts of transmitting threatening communications across state lines. Yassin admitted that she maintained a series of Twitter accounts under the pseudonym “Muslimah” that she used to post, or tweet, messages in support of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Yassin also re-posted, or re-tweeted, messages she knew were authored by ISIS operatives residing overseas.
Beginning in May 2015, Yassin communicated over Twitter with a person identified in court documents as “Individual A,” whom she believed was an ISIS operative located outside the United States. They discussed ISIS’s publishing of personally identifying information of U.S. government employees and others, to threaten violence against those persons on behalf of ISIS. From May 2015 through at least October 2015, Yassin and Individual A routinely communicated about promoting new pro-ISIS accounts to like-minded followers before Twitter suspended them.
Yassin knew that Individual A used Twitter accounts, including those that Yassin promoted, to tweet personally identifying information of government employees and others and to threaten those persons on behalf of ISIS. Yassin admitted that, knowing Individual A’s intent to threaten, she re-retweeted the personally identifying information on her Muslimah accounts several times so that the information could be more widely disseminated.
Throughout the month of August 2015, ISIS operatives tweeted additional personally identifying information, which Yassin re-tweeted to her followers, knowing that the intent of the messages was to threaten on behalf of ISIS. Yassin admitted that on Aug. 24, 2015, she re-tweeted one such message that contained the phrase “Wanted to kill,” followed by the first and last name, status as an employee of the FBI, city of residence, zip code, and phone number of Victim 1. In the same communication, she repeated the same “Wanted to kill” phrase, followed by the same personally identifying information for Victim 2. Yassin intended this communication as a threat against Victims 1 and 2.
Yassin also admitted that on Oct. 8, 2015, she re-tweeted a message from Individual A that linked to a publically viewable document containing the name and home address of Victim 3, a U.S. service member, along with photos of Victim 3, his family, and the names of his wife and children. The document further stated, “Once again I leave these details online to cause havoc in his life & for my brothers and Al-Qaeda in the U.S. to eventually hunt him down & kill him.”
The linked document also contained the name and home address of Victim 4, a former U.S. service member who had been the previous target of threats on Twitter by ISIS. Yassin knew that Individual A had previously threatened Victim 4 with violence and called him ISIS’s “number one target.” Yassin admitted that she intended to aid and assist Individual A in threatening Victims 3 and 4.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Casey and Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the FBI.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Quashawn Lawrence, 24, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin, and possession of a defaced firearm, was sentenced to 41 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on October 20, 2015, co-defendant Jay Neal sold a quantity of heroin to a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The following day, on October 21, 2015, Neal once again agreed to sell a quantity of heroin. Neal drove to the vicinity of Dodge Street and Michigan Avenue where a man later identified as defendant Lawrence exited a residence with a tan back pack and entered Neal’s vehicle. Neal drove to a residence at 87 Mariner Street in Buffalo. About an hour later, Neal and Lawrence were arrested by police. At the time of his arrest, Neal was armed with a 9mm handgun and had $10,000 in cash. A search warrant executed inside 87 Mariner recovered a gun with the serial number defaced inside Lawrence’s tan back pack, another gun, ammunition and 10 grams of heroin inside a dresser drawer, and multiple scales.
Neal was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.
Buffalo Man Sentenced for His Role in A Drug Trafficking Ring Linked to A Mexican Drug CartelRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Pethrod Dunnigan, 40, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more or cocaine, and money laundering conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 156 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that between 2012 and March, 2016, the defendant conspired with Jose Manuel Lua-Guizar, Gerardo Ballardo, Enrique Munoz, Max Riestra, and others, to distribute cocaine and hide the proceeds from the illegal drug sales.
Co-defendants Ballardo and Lua-Guizar received shipments from California and then sold the cocaine to Dunnigan and others. The defendant paid $35,000 for each kilogram of cocaine received and then took the kilograms of cocaine to an apartment building on Delaware Avenue and store them in an abandoned apartment.
Most of the drug proceeds were sent back to California by structured deposits made under the $10,000 reporting requirement at Bank of America branches. Dunnigan made multiple structured deposits at different Bank of America branches. The defendant and his co-conspirators accounted for over $1,000,000.00 in structured deposits in Buffalo. A ledger for structured deposits was recovered from a stash house in California. In that stash house, law enforcement officers also recovered shipping materials, 21 kilograms of cocaine, and three kilograms of heroin. On at least one occasion, the defendant shipped about $500,000 in U.S. currency to California by hiding the cash in a small refrigerator within a crate.
A total of seven defendants have been indicted in this sophisticated drug trafficking organization with ties to a Mexican drug cartel operating out of the Los Angeles, California area. The organization shipped drugs to various states including New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, and Ohio. To date, four defendants have been convicted. Charges are pending against the remaining defendants. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of James D. Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office. Additional assistance was provided by ICE-HSI in Los Angeles, California.
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Thousands of Bags of HeroinRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Emmanuel Lopez, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 100 grams or more of heroin. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that between 2016 and December 5, 2017, the defendant sold heroin and fentanyl in the Buffalo area. In October, 2017, the ICE-HSI Border Enforcement Security Team (BEST) conducted two controlled purchases from Lopez. During the buys, the defendant turned over 52 small yellow bags which later tested positive for heroin, fentanyl, and tramadol.
At other times in October and November 2017, HSI agents observed Lopez engage in hand-to-hand transactions with suspected heroin customers. On at least one occasion, one of the customers was stopped by law enforcement and found to be in possession of suspected heroin. During a subsequent interview, the customer admitted to buying heroin from the defendant and the customer’s phone contained the defendant’s cell phone number.
Lopez was arrested on December 5, 2017. HSI agents then executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence on Riverside Avenue in Buffalo. At the time of Lopez’s arrest, agents found $2,556 in cash in the pocket of the defendant’s sweatshirt, and his cellular telephone.
A subsequent search of the defendant’s cellular telephone established that during the latter part of 2017, Lopez sold approximately 6,022 bags of heroin.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Team, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 25, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Interfering with A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kevin Allen, Jr, 29, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to forcible interference with a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on November 1, 2016, the defendant, a fugitive, was driving a vehicle on Kilhoffer Street in Buffalo when two United States Deputy Marshals attempted to pull the vehicle over. Rather than comply, Allen rammed into the two vehicles being driven by the Deputy Marshals. The Marshals were not injured but the vehicles sustained extensive damage.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 12, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Brockton Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl.
Dany Brandao, 30, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 10 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. In March 2018, Brandao was convicted by a federal jury of four counts of fentanyl distribution and one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
On Oct. 7, 2016, Oct. 11, 2016, Oct. 25, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, Brandao met with an undercover police detective and sold him plastic baggies containing fentanyl. On Nov. 8, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brandao’s home, where they located fentanyl, plastic baggies, cash, and a digital scale. The controlled purchases and search resulted in the seizure of more than 180 grams of fentanyl from Brandao. At the time of these offenses, Brandao was on federal supervised release stemming from a June 2013 conviction for heroin trafficking conspiracy.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police; Brockton Police Chief John Crowley; East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen; and Marshfield Police Chief Phil Tavares made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Foley, Ann Taylor, and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Boston Man Charged with Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was charged today in federal court in Boston with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Jason Cobb, 31, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Cobb was arrested in April 2018 and charged by complaint; he has been in custody since his arrest.
According to court documents, on Jan. 25, 2018, police officers in Mattapan approached Cobb, and he immediately fled, resulting in a foot chase. Cobb was soon found lying on the ground between two residential houses. After a subsequent search of the area, law enforcement located a KEL TEC, model number P-3AT, .380 caliber handgun loaded with one round of .380 caliber ammunition. Cobb has a prior felony conviction for possession of a firearm.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Baltimore BGF Gang Member Sentenced to 321 Months in Prison for Federal Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Bailey Drumm
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – On June 6, 2018, United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, a/k/a Dave, age 31, of Baltimore, Maryland to 321 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Hunter distributed drugs in the gang’s territory and committed multiple acts of violence, including two murders. The Court found at sentencing that a total prison term of 33 years was appropriate, but it adjusted the sentence downward to account for the fact that Hunter has served 75 months in prison in connection with three related state cases.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Varisco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore Field Office; Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, Hunter admitted that he shot and killed Henry Mills, a/k/a “Nique,” in the 2400 block of Greenmount Avenue on June 14, 2011. After murdering Mills, Hunter participated in a BGF meeting at Mund Park, during which fellow BGF and others congratulated Hunter for the just-completed murder. Hunter also admitted to distributing drugs in furtherance of BGF, and that it was reasonably foreseeable to him that members of the gang would distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
The government presented further evidence of Hunter’s criminal conduct during the roughly two-month jury trial against three of Hunter’s co-defendants—Gerald Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “Slay,” and Marquise McCants, a/k/a “Digga.” Notably, the government presented evidence that on July 22, 2005, in the 200 block of E. 22nd Street, Hunter shot and killed Dante Jordan using a .32-caliber handgun. The Court found at sentencing that Hunter was responsible for Jordan’s murder.
The following eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, have all previously pleaded guilty or were found to be guilty of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, a/k/a Yo Gotti, age 36;
Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White, a/k/a Wes, age 25;
Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28;
Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, a/k/a Norm, age 23;
Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, a/k/a Telephone, a/k/a Big Head, age 26;
Kenneth Jones, a/k/a K-Slay, and Slay, age 30
Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35; and
Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates [3] Prosecutors to the Middle District of Pennsylvania to Focus on Violent Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Immigration Crimes
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney David J. Freed for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announce that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, enforce our immigration laws, and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis.
In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating 311 new Assistant United States Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Those allocations are as follows: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSA’s will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.
"Under President Trump's strong leadership, the Department of Justice is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is 'the coin of the realm.' When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime fighting partnership. This addition of new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions represents the largest increase in decades."
In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, one of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, one on affirmative civil enforcement, and one on litigation involving illegal immigrants challenging their detention status.
“In the Middle District of Pennsylvania we are excited and energized that Attorney General Sessions and his team have recognized that our hard work in these focus areas merits additional resources,” said United States Attorney Freed. “We are laser focused on working with all of our federal, state and local partners in the fight to reduce violent crime. We are taking a strong stand against fraud stemming from the opioid crisis including overprescribing and treatment scams, consistent with the Attorney General’s mandate to reduce opioid related deaths, and working hard to uphold the integrity of our borders by focusing on recidivist illegal immigrants. We are looking forward to welcoming new members to our team.”
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Wednesday 6 June 2018
“Double Hat Bandit” Pleads Guilty to 18 Bank Robberies in Seven States; August Sentencing Date SetRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Shayne Carson, age 54, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, dubbed the “Double Hat Bandit during a string of bank robberies committed in Utah and six other states between Oct. 15, 2016, and Sept. 16, 2017, has pleaded guilty to 18 robberies. Sentencing is set for Aug. 15, 2018, in U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish’s courtroom in Salt Lake City.
The plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah resolves four robberies in Oregon, three in Colorado, three in Washington, one in Idaho, two in Iowa, one in Ohio, and four in Utah. The majority of the robberies took place at banks inside grocery stores and involved a man wearing two hats.
Carson admitted to a Dec. 19, 2016, robbery of US Bank located at 4065 South Redwood Road in West Valley City; two Dec. 27, 2016, robberies of US Banks in West Jordan – one at 4080 West 9000 South and one at 7061 South Redwood Road. He returned to Utah to rob a US Bank at 922 East 2100 South in Salt Lake City on June 21, 2017.
The string of robberies charged in the Utah case started with an Oct. 15, 2016, bank robbery in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and ended with a credit union robbery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sept 16, 2017. He received between $834 and $8,377 in each of the robberies.
In the majority of the robberies, Carson admitted he told the teller he had a gun and, in some cases, he admitted he brandished what appeared to be a handgun during the robbery. Law enforcement authorities now believe the handgun was not a real firearm.
The plea agreement includes a stipulated sentence of at least 144 months but not more than 180 months. The stipulated sentencing range is subject to the approval of the court. The amount of restitution Carson will be ordered to pay will be determined at the sentencing hearing in August.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City is prosecuting the case. According to prosecutors, FBI special agents did excellent work in solving a difficult case with assistance from a FBI analyst in New Mexico. Carson was arrested in Indiana in September 2017. Local and state law enforcement agencies in many states also assisted with the investigation.
“BMB” Gang Member Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court of Murder, Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DONQUE TYRELL, a/k/a “Polo Rell,” was found guilty yesterday of murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, narcotics trafficking conspiracy, distributing narcotics near schools and playgrounds, and firearms offenses in connection with his membership in the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), a violent street gang that operated primarily on White Plains Road from 215th Street to 233rd Street in the Bronx. TYRELL was convicted of aiding and abetting the murder of 17-year-old Keshon Potterfield on June 22, 2014, at a backyard party in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx. A unanimous jury convicted TYRELL on all counts of the controlling indictment following a six-day trial before United States District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As proven at trial, Donque Tyrell participated in the murder of a 17-year-old who dared go to a backyard party in a part of the Bronx that Tyrell’s gang, the Big Money Bosses, claimed as its own. Tyrell then celebrated that murder on Facebook and in YouTube rap videos. Gang violence threatens the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent this type of violence from happening in our neighborhoods.”
According to court documents and the evidence at trial:
BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City. Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine and marijuana.
TYRELL was a member of BMB. On June 22, 2014, TYRELL and other members of BMB showed up at a birthday party in the backyard of a residence in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx, in an area that BMB considered to be part of its territory. Potterfield was one of the guests at the party, and was perceived to be associated with a rival gang. After arriving at the party, TYRELL obtained a gun from an associate and passed it to another BMB member who then shot and killed Potterfield. Potterfield was 17. TYRELL celebrated Potterfield’s murder in public Facebook postings and in rap music videos posted on YouTube in which he taunted rival gang members and threatened future violence.
TYRELL was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Bronx Gang Squad (the “Bronx Gang Squad”), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit (“HSI”), the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and the Joint Firearms Task Force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) into gang violence in the Northern Bronx. On April 27, 2016, 63 members and associates of BMB were charged with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms charges. TYRELL was the last defendant outstanding in the case.
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In addition to the murder in aid of racketeering conviction, TYRELL, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of conspiring to commit racketeering as a result of his membership in BMB, conspiring to sell narcotics, selling narcotics within 1000 feet of schools and playgrounds, using firearms in connection with the gang and drug offenses, an attempted assault with a firearm in connection with his BMB membership, and attempting to rob a livery cab driver in the Bronx by hitting him in the head with a firearm. TYRELL is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison. TYRELL is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2018, before Judge Rakoff.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Task Force, the NYPD’s 47th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, and ATF.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Drew Skinner, Hagan Scotten, and Allison Nichols tried the case.
Western Kentucky Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Archaeological ViolationsRead the Press Release
Louisville, Ky. – U.S. District Judge Greg N. Stivers sentenced Gary Womack, Age 60, from Woodburn, Simpson County, Kentucky, to 15 months imprisonment for 3 felony violations of the federal Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). Womack had previously pleaded guilty to the violations on March 8, 2018.
The case resulted from a three-year undercover investigation by the National Park Service, based upon allegations that Womack possessed human remains which originated from Mammoth Cave National Park. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assisted Park Service agents throughout.
The undercover investigation revealed Womack’s dealings in artifacts removed from the graves of Native Americans buried in caves and rock shelters in South Central Kentucky and also burials from as far away as the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Womack dealt in artifacts from the so-called “G.E. Mound” case prosecuted in the Southern District of Indiana in 1992. Artifacts recovered from that case were supposed to have been returned and re-buried at a site in Posey County, Indiana; however, Womack purchased artifacts from the previous prosecution in 2015 in Boonville, Indiana for approximately $2,500, and transported them to Kentucky, where a portion of them were sold to the undercover federal agent. Womack also pled guilty to two additional counts charging him with trafficking in archaeological resources (Native American artifacts) from the Western United States. All artifacts in the case have been recovered and will be repatriated according to law.
In sentencing, Judge Stivers told Womack that he was disturbed that the defendant had chosen to dig the graves of the ancestors of Native Americans for profit and had done so while being fully aware of the laws he had chosen to violate.
A letter from Ben Barnes, Second Chief of the Shawnee Tribe, of Miami, Oklahoma, was made a part of the record and read at the sentencing hearing. The letter states, in part: “The remains that are within the soils of our original homelands contains the hallowed remains of human beings, our ancestors. We would urge the court to send a message to all those what would desecrate a grave, that ARPA violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ream. The investigation was conducted by the National Park Service Law Enforcement Division and the Bowling Green Resident Agency of the FBI.
Utah Financial Advisor Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion, Securities Fraud and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, UT - A St. George, Utah, financial advisor was sentenced to 72 months in prison in U.S. District Court in St. George, Utah, Monday for his role in selling fraudulent tax-avoidance and investment strategies to his clients. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah announced the sentencing.
Henry Brock pleaded guilty to tax evasion, securities fraud and wire fraud earlier this year. According to documents and information provided to the court, Brock founded a financial services company in 2009 and served as the president from 2009 through 2017. As President, he marketed and sold a fraudulent tax scheme, called “IRA Exit Strategy,” to potential investors. Brock promised investors that he could provide a way for them to avoid paying taxes on IRA withdrawals, which would otherwise be subject to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties and taxes.
To implement his scheme, Brock caused his business to issue tax forms to his clients falsely representing that they were investors in his business who incurred losses, which served to offset the clients’ tax liabilities. As a result, Brock caused clients to file fraudulent income tax returns claiming a total of approximately $3.8 million in bogus business losses and resulting in a tax loss of more than $1.1 million.
During this period, Brock fraudulently raised more than $10.8 million in investments by making false representations to investors regarding the “IRA Exit Strategy,” the financial condition of his company and other matters. On at least one occasion, Brock also transferred $196,323 of a client’s investment funds and used the money for his own personal and business expenses.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart ordered Brock to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $12 million.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Huber thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and the Utah Division of Securities, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trina Higgins and Trial Attorney Matthew Hoffman of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case.
Utah Financial Advisor Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion, Securities Fraud and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A St. George, Utah, financial advisor was sentenced to 72 months in prison on June 4th for his role in selling fraudulent tax-avoidance and investment strategies to his clients, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah.
According to documents and information provided to the court, Henry Brock, pleaded guilty to tax evasion, securities fraud and wire fraud. Brock founded a financial services company in 2009 and served as the president from 2009 through 2017. As President, he marketed and sold a fraudulent tax scheme, called “IRA Exit Strategy,” to potential investors. Brock promised investors that he could provide a way for them to avoid paying taxes on IRA withdrawals, which would otherwise be subject to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties and taxes. To implement his scheme, Brock caused his business to issue tax forms to his clients falsely representing that they were investors in his business who incurred losses, which served to offset the clients’ tax liabilities. As a result, Brock caused clients to file fraudulent income tax returns claiming a total of approximately $3.8 million in bogus business losses and resulting in a tax loss of over $1.1 million.
During this period, Brock fraudulently raised more than $10.8 million in investments by making false representations to investors regarding the “IRA Exit Strategy,” the financial condition of his company and other matters. On at least one occasion, Brock also transferred $196,323 of a client’s investment funds and used the money for his own personal and business expenses.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart ordered Brock to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $12 million.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Huber thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and the Utah Division of Securities, who conducted the investigation, and AUSA Trina Higgins and Trial Attorney Matthew Hoffman of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Paralegal Faces Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A paralegal employed by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, has been arrested on federal child pornography charges.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), made the announcement.
Richard Russo, 54, of Boynton Beach, was charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United State Code, Section 2252(a)(2) and (b)(4). If convicted, Russo faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum term of 20 years in prison. Russo is currently being detained, without bond, pending further proceedings. His preliminary hearing and arraignment are scheduled to take place on June 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach.
According to the court record, including allegations contained in the criminal complaint, beginning in late 2017, Russo, a Paralegal Specialist with Customs and Border Protection began communicating and receiving child pornography from another individual using a cross-platform messaging service.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
A criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, that charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigatory efforts of the FBI and BSO in this matter. He also thanked the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security - Office of the Inspector General for their assistance. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey Steinberg.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
U.S. Attorney's Office and ICE Return Christopher Columbus Letter to SpainRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) returned a more than 500-year-old copy of Christopher Columbus’ letter describing his discoveries in the Americas to Spain during an evening repatriation ceremony at the Residence of the Spanish Ambassador to the United States. The letter, originally written in 1493, was stolen from the National Library of Catalonia in Barcelona and sold for approximately $1 million.
The return of the letter was the culmination of a seven-year investigation jointly conducted by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware. It began in 2011 when HSI Wilmington (Del.) and the Delaware U.S. Attorney’s Office received a tip that several 15th century original manually printed copies of the Columbus Letter were stolen from European libraries and replaced with forgeries without the knowledge of library officials or local law enforcement. The investigation determined that the stolen Columbus Letter from Spain was sold in November of 2005 for 600,000 Euros by two Italian book dealers.
In June 2012, a subject matter expert, accompanied by an HSI Wilmington Special Agent, visited the National Library of Catalonia in Barcelona and reviewed the Columbus Letter in the possession of the library at which time it was determined, in coordination with Spanish authorities and with support from HSI Madrid that the letter at the library was a forgery.
In March 2013, it was discovered that the Columbus Letter believed to have been stolen from Barcelona was reportedly sold for 900,000 euros in June 2011. Following extensive negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, the individual in possession of the letter volunteered to transfer custody to HSI Special Agents, which was then brought to Wilmington, Delaware in February 2014 for further examination. In March 2014, a subject matter expert evaluated the letter and determined that the document was “beyond all doubt” the original stolen from the National Library of Catalonia. Additionally, other experts conducted a series of non-invasive digital imaging tests, which determined, among other things, the probable use of a chemical agent to bleach the ink of National Library of Catalonia’s stamp and that the paper fibers of the Catalonia Plannck II Columbus Letter had been disturbed from their original state where the stamps were previously located.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The recovery of this Plannck II Columbus Letter on behalf of the Spanish government exemplifies not only the significance of federal agency partnerships in these complicated investigations, but the close coordination that exists between American and foreign law enforcement agencies. We are truly honored to return this historically important document back to Spain – its rightful owner. I commend the dogged efforts of HSI special agents and Department of Justice attorneys who are dedicated to the recovery of stolen cultural artifacts from around the world.”
“This evening ceremony is a showcase of the ties that bind the United States and Spain together,” said Ambassador of Spain to the United States Pedro Morenés. “The cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations and special units of the Guardia Civil has born great fruit in ensuring the return of stolen cultural property to Spain,” Ambassador Morenes added.
“I am pleased to be able to return a priceless piece of cultural property to its rightful owners,” said HSI Acting Deputy Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs . “I would like to thank Ambassador Morenés for his hospitality in hosting us tonight, HSI Wilmington, Madrid, Brasilia, and Paris for their excellent work on this investigation, as well as the tremendous assistance by our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Delaware, without whom today’s repatriation would not be possible,” Erichs added.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie M. McCall.
Two Orange County Men Sentenced to Federal Prison in $21 Million ‘Builder Bailout’ Fraud Scheme Operated during 2008 Financial CrisisRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Two men from Orange County have been sentenced to federal prison for participating in a “builder bailout” mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in the fraudulent purchase of more than 100 condominium units around the country, causing more than $10 million in losses when the properties went into foreclosure.
Maher Obagi, 32, of Huntington Beach, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay just over $10 million in restitution. A second defendant – Mohamed Salah, 43, of Mission Viejo – was sentenced to 57 months in prison and was ordered to pay just over $7 million in restitution. Both defendants were sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Andrew Guilford.
Obagi and Salah, along with several co-conspirators, operated the scheme through Excel Investments and related companies that were based in Santa Ana and then Irvine. The scheme involved kickbacks from condominium builders during the 2008 financial crisis, kickbacks that were hidden from lenders to convince them to fund loans in excess of actual purchase price.
During the course of the scheme, co-conspirators identified condominium developments around the country in which the builders were struggling to sell units and then arranged with the builders to purchase multiple units at a discount. The builders benefitted by making it appear that their condos were selling and maintaining their value, while members of the conspiracy obtained the kickbacks.
The co-conspirators negotiated with condominium builders in California, Florida and Arizona for discount units. The defendants bought units for themselves, their relatives, and on behalf of “straw buyers” whom they brought into the scheme. They identified straw buyers by looking for individuals with good credit scores and then recruited them into the scheme by giving them an upfront payment for their participation and by presenting the scheme as an investment opportunity that required no down payment and would generate income through rental payments.
To obtain mortgages for the properties, Obagi and other co-conspirators prepared loan applications with false information about the straw buyers – including fake employment, income and assets, as well as fabricated W2s, pay stubs and bank statements. The mortgage applications also included false information about the terms of the transactions, such as concealing the large kickbacks from lenders through false and misleading HUD-1 forms. As a result of the false statements in the fraudulent loan applications, mortgage lenders provided over $21 million in financing to purchase more than 100 properties.
Many of these loans went into default, and mortgage lenders lost more than $10 million after foreclosing on the properties. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) purchased dozens of these loans on the secondary mortgage market and suffered losses of at least $1.3 million as a result of defaults and foreclosures on the properties.
Following a trial in 2015, Obagi was found guilty of one count of conspiracy and three counts of wire fraud. Salah was found guilty by the same federal jury of one count of conspiracy.
Several other defendants were charged in connection with the same scheme. They are:
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Ali Khatib, 53, of Newport Coast, who pleaded guilty in a related case and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16;
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Momoud Aref Abaji, 37, of Huntington Beach, who was convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14;
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Jacqueline Burchell, 57, of Orange, who pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16;
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Wajieh Tbakhi, 53, who is a fugitive; and
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Mohamed El Tahir, who is now deceased.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General; and IRS Criminal Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section.
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Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney R. Trent Shores announced today that Tracy Allen Crawford, 32, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence before Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.
On February 13, 2017, Crawford and another individual stole $900 from a Burger King located at 3242 E. 11th Street in Tulsa. Crawford pointed a hand gun at one of the employees and demanded she open the safe. The employee could not open the safe, but directed Crawford to an office that contained cash register drawers. Crawford and the other individual took the money from the drawers. Crawford will be sentenced on September 5, 2018. The parties entered into a plea agreement recommending a sentence of 30 years imprisonment.
“I will not cede one neighborhood or street corner to violent criminals. My office will partner with the men and women of the Tulsa Police Department and agents with the ATF to reduce violent crime,” said United States Attorney Shores.
This prosecution resulted from an investigation by the Tulsa Police Department Robbery Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Dennis A. Fries handled the prosecution of this case.
Troy Woman Sentenced to 12 Months for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Angelina L. Cedeno, age 35, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distributing heroin in Albany County.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Janelle M. Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As part of her guilty plea on February 6, Cedeno admitted to distributing heroin in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, in August 2016.
This case was investigated by the FBI and New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Three Defendants Arrested for Trafficking Firearms from Virginia to New YorkRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Joseph Johnson, Brianna Glee and Tyshon Stevens as members of a gun trafficking conspiracy that used straw gun buyers to purchase more than 40 firearms from dealers in Virginia between April 2017 and May 2018. Johnson and Stevens were also charged with being felons in possession of a firearm. According to court filings, multiple firearms that were illegally acquired and distributed by the defendants were recovered by law enforcement officers in the New York area.
Johnson and Glee were arrested today and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Norfolk, Virginia. Stevens is currently in Virginia state custody, and will be presented in federal court in Brooklyn at a later date.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the indictment.
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants’ illegal trafficking of firearms put deadly weapons into the hands of criminals,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office is working tirelessly with our partners to stop the flow of illegal firearms through the Interstate 95 corridor by individuals who traffic in firearms and the straw buyers who enable their business.” Mr. Donoghue thanked the ATF and the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Gang Squad for their outstanding efforts during this investigation.
“The defendants allegedly took part in a scheme to traffic illegal firearms thus endangering the lives of each and every citizen on the street,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Benedict. “ATF remains committed to combating violent crime by aggressively identifying, investigating, and arresting individuals who seek to put dangerous firearms into the hands of individuals that should not possess them. I would like to thank the personnel from our multiagency cooperative working group at ATF’s New York Field Division Crime Gun Intelligence Center, ATF’s Washington Field Division and our local partners at NYPD’s Brooklyn South Gang Squad. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”
“This case underscores some disturbing truths: Illegal guns proliferate and circulate in higher-crime neighborhoods that still need our help,” stated NYPD Commissioner O’Neill. “In lockstep with our federal partners at the ATF and the Eastern District, the NYPD will continue to perform the incredibly dangerous work of preventing these firearms from getting into criminals’ hands.”
As set forth in the indictment and other filings by the government, the gun-trafficking operation was run by Johnson, who enlisted straw buyers including Glee to purchase multiple firearms. As part of the scheme, the straw buyers lied on ATF Forms 4473 by falsely certifying that they were not purchasing the firearms on behalf of others. Johnson then used Facebook to market those firearms to multiple individuals with gang ties in Brooklyn. In June 2017, Johnson contacted a potential buyer in Brooklyn on Facebook sending images of an array of firearms. Johnson also relied on Stevens and others to find buyers for the firearms in New York City. Stevens, using Facebook, communicated with Johnson about his inventory and prices. Two firearms obtained by Johnson’s straw purchasers were subsequently seized by the NYPD from previously convicted felons in New York.
If convicted, Johnson and Stevens face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Glee faces up to five years’ imprisonment on each count. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Drew G. Rolle.
The Defendants:
Joseph Johnson
Age: 34
Virginia Beach, VirginiaBrianna Glee
Age: 25
Virginia Beach, VirginiaTyshon Stevens
Age: 34
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-279 (MKB)
Thibodaux Woman Sentenced to 100 Months Imprisonment for Wire Fraud Scheme Which Netted $350,000 While Holding Power of Attorney for Cancer Patient Mother and Theft of Government Check from Disabled SisterRead the Press Release
JILL ANDRAS LEBLANC a/k/a JILL FREMIN, 41, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to serve 100 months in federal prison, pay $383,201 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after she is released from prison for one (1) Count of wire fraud and one (1) Count of theft of government funds, announced U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
LEBLANC was charged by a Superseding Bill of Information on December 19, 2017. LEBLANC stole several hundred thousand dollars from her mother's retirement account. More specifically, the defendant was appointed power of attorney on October 29, 2008 for her mother who was terminally ill with cancer. The defendant's father, an oil field worker, had accumulated a substantial individual retirement account (IRA) during his working life. He passed away in 2005. This investment account was managed by a national brokerage house whose home offices are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the defendant's administration of her mother's account, she stole approximately $369,701.00 from the account and spent it on personal, frivolous items.
LEBLANC also stole a Social Security disability check meant for her disabled sister in the amount of $13,500.
LEBLANC faced a possible maximum statutory sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment on the wire fraud count, and/or a fine of $250,000 and up to three (3) years of supervised release. On the theft of government property, she faced ten (10) years incarceration.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, the Lafourche Parish District’s Attorney’s Office, and the Louisiana State Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit.
Statement by United States Attorney William M. McSwain Regarding the Federal Charges Filed Against Taiwanese Teenager Who Allegedly Amassed an Arsenal and Threatened to “Shoot up” Local High SchoolRead the Press Release
“Far too often in this country, we as a nation have grieved the brutal murders of innocent people as a result of mass shootings and terrorism. Americans should be safe from such terror, no matter who or where they are. Studying in school or going to work, worshiping at church or cheering for friends at a marathon, relaxing at a movie theater or enjoying an evening at a night club – all of these activities should be safe-havens for every American. But as we know, places like these have turned into horrific crime scenes over the past few years where innocent lives have been lost. One more mass shooting is one too many.
Law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania take seriously every threat of gun violence in our community and will do everything in our power to prevent tragedy from occurring. The federal complaint charging An-Tso Sun (a/k/a “Edward”) shows that we are doing just that. Mr. Sun may have said he was “just kidding” after he made the threat, but his alleged threat is no laughing matter. Regardless of race, gender, or immigration status, if an individual threatens to “shoot up” a school, or any other location, law enforcement will act swiftly upon that threat to ensure the safety of our community. I would also like to point out that if Sun is convicted of the current charge against him – possessing ammunition while being in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa – this is an aggravated felony that will operate as a permanent bar to his reentry into this country.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the hard-working and dedicated law enforcement personnel and prosecutors who responded so quickly in this matter. Thank you to the involved school officials, the Upper Darby Police Department, Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland, and her team of prosecutors and investigators, including Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt, and our partners at the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, including Special Agent in Charge Marlon V. Miller, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt, and Special Agent Zachary Kuzowsky, who helped avert a potential tragedy. And thank you to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams, Acting Chief of National Security Tay Aspinwall, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wolfe for prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office.
To the student who heard the alleged threat and reported the incident to school officials – thank you. Thank you for being a good citizen and reporting it. It cannot be said too often: if you see something or hear something, you need to say something. Countless incidents have been averted because of vigilant people like you.
Finally, I would like to address parents, guardians, and all other adults who are responsible for children in their lives. It is your responsibility to know what your children are up to. No child should have access to firearms or other dangerous weapons without their parents’ or guardians’ knowledge. No child should be amassing an arsenal under the nose of the adults in their lives without the adults knowing about it. And when the adults know about it, they should do something about it. Ask questions. Go into your children’s bedrooms and look around. Pay attention to their online behavior and social media accounts. Wake up and do your job. Being a responsible parent means that your children’s business is your business.
We have a sacred duty, not only to our own children, but to all children in our community to make sure that they remain safe. To make sure that they can enjoy being children without fear or threat of violence. Thus, I am putting all parents and guardians in our community on notice. Law enforcement is not the first line of defense in these matters – you are. I ask that you take that responsibility seriously. Our children’s lives depend on it. And if you don’t fulfill that responsibility and then tragedy strikes, I will do everything in my power to hold you personally responsible, when the law allows it.”
Springdale Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Matthew Lee Anglin, age 29, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in December 2016, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in Northwest Arkansas received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a user uploaded 166 images of child pornography onto the Google Drive Cloud Storage. An investigation into the email address and associated phone number revealed that the email address used to upload the images belonged to Anglin. In May of 2017, a local business employee contacted HSI investigators and advised that they recovered a cellphone left behind by a customer that contained suspected child pornography. The cellphone was seized by HSI investigators. In August of 2017, investigators conducted a forensic examination of the cellphone and found that it contained 169 images of child pornography, 82 images of child erotica, and 149 images of suspected child pornography. The cellphone number was associated with Anglin’s email address that uploaded images of child pornography onto the Google Drive cloud storage.
A federal grand jury indicted Anglin in October 2017, and he pleaded guilty in January of 2018.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.
South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Forced Labor for Compelling Man with Intellectual Disability to Work at RestaurantRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Defendant Bobby Paul Edwards, 53, of Conway, South Carolina, pleaded guilty Monday in United States District Court for the District of South Carolina to one count of forced labor, admitting that he used violence, threats, isolation and intimidation to compel a man with an intellectual disability to work for over 100 hours a week without pay, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina.
According to court documents, between 2009 and 2014, Edwards managed a restaurant in Conway, South Carolina, where the victim, identified in court documents as “JCS,” had worked since he was 12 years old. Once Edwards began managing the restaurant in 2009, he increased JCS’s duties, requiring him to work more than 100 hours per week. The defendant stopped paying JCS and began using violence, threats, isolation, and intimidation to compel victim JCS’s continued service. According to court documents and Edward’s admissions, he subjected JCS to abusive language, racial epithets, threats, and acts of violence that included beating JCS with a belt, punching JCS with his fists, hitting JCS with pots and pans, and burning JCS’s bare neck with hot tongs, in order to compel JCS to work faster or to punish JCS for mistakes.
The defendant compelled JCS to continue working under these conditions until October 2014, when authorities removed victim JCS from the premises after receiving complaints about the abuse.
“Human trafficking through forced labor can happen on farms, in homes, and as today’s case shows – in public places, such as restaurants,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “Edwards abused an African-American man with intellectual disabilities by coercing him to work long hours in a restaurant without pay. Combatting human trafficking by forced labor is one of the highest priorities of this Justice Department and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to seeking justice on behalf of victims of human trafficking.”
“This defendant abused a vulnerable victim, and today’s guilty plea holds the defendant responsible for his criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon for the District of South Carolina.
Edwards faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for forced labor, a $250,000 maximum fine, and mandatory restitution to the victim. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant will also be required to pay restitution to victim JCS in an amount to be determined at the time of sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. The case is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman, Trial Attorney Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and its Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the District of South Carolina.
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18-729
South Carolina Man Admits Illegally Storing Hazardous Waste at Camden, New Jersey, Chemical CompanyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – The former president and CEO of Concord Chemical Co. Inc. (Concord) today admitted illegally storing hazardous waste, U.S Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Miguel Castillo, 63, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, pleaded guilty before Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to one count of storing hazardous waste at Concord’s Camden, New Jersey, facility in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
RCRA was enacted in 1976 to address a growing nationwide problem with industrial and municipal waste. RCRA was designed to protect human health and the environment by prohibiting the treatment, storage or disposal of any hazardous waste without a permit.
During its operation, Concord manufactured, repackaged and distributed a wide variety of chemical products, including cresylic acid, soaps, waxes, pipe lubricants and emulsions. Some of Concord’s products and the raw materials used to make them were hazardous. Castillo was Concord’s president or CEO from at least 2004 through August 2011.
As president and CEO, Castillo’s responsibilities included making decisions about the disposal of waste at the Camden facility. From at least 2005 through August 2010, Castillo knew that there were containers that stored hazardous waste at the Camden facility and that Concord did not have a permit to store such waste.
In August 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a site visit of the Camden facility and discovered that the facility was devoid of employees, abandoned in a deteriorated condition and filled with drums containing corrosive and ignitable hazardous waste. From October 2010 through March 2011, the EPA removed the hazardous substances from the facility.
The illegal storage of hazardous waste charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the offense. Castillo’s sentencing is set for Sept. 10, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the EPA, under the direction Special Agent in Charge Tyler Amon, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen P. O’Leary of the U.S. Attorney's Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Lisa Lewis Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden
Romanian Nationals Indicted for Fraud Conspiracy and ID TheftRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a two Romanian nationals with bank fraud, debit card fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Florin Bersanu, 31, and Viorel Naboiu, 43, participated in a scheme to insert skimming devices inside the card slots of multiple banks in Virginia, West Virginia and Florida. As bank customers conducted ATM transactions, the skimming devices captured the victim customers’ debit card numbers when they inserted their cards into the ATM slot. Bersanu and Naboiu also installed small, covert surveillance cameras, disguised to blend into the ATMs’ exterior, which videoed the finger movements of bank customers as they entered their PINs during the transactions. The defendants later encoded the skimmed debit card numbers onto blank plastic magnetic stripe cards, and using the videoed PINs they made cash withdrawals from the victim customers’ bank accounts. The defendants are accused of stealing at least $42,756.80 in funds from BB&T Bank and Henrico Federal Credit Union in Virginia, United Bank in West Virginia, and Pen Air Federal Credit Union and Eglin Federal Credit Union in Florida.
Bersanu and Naboiu are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. If convicted, they face maximum possible sentences of 30 years on the bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud charges, 10 years on the access device fraud charge, and a mandatory minimum term of two years for aggravated identity theft that must run consecutive to any other punishment imposed. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian R. Hood is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-75.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Randall Swartz Charged with Mail Fraud in Agri-Mark TheftRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that a federal grand jury in Rutland today indicted Randall Swartz, 58, of Orleans, on 11 counts of mail fraud. Swartz will be arraigned on these charges in the near future in U.S. District Court in Burlington. No court date has been set.
According to today’s indictment, until January 2017 when he was fired, Swartz was employed as the maintenance manager at Agri-Mark’s cheese-making plant in Cabot. As maintenance manager, Swartz was responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing all machinery and equipment at the Cabot site. The maintenance budget amounted to several hundred thousand dollars each month. Swartz also owned a side-business, Kingdom RO, which sold reverse osmosis systems that were used by producers of maple syrup to concentrate and purify maple sap. Agri-Mark also employed reverse osmosis technology at its Cabot facility.
The indictment alleges that beginning no later than 2010 and continuing up to the time of his termination, Swartz defrauded Agri-Mark by causing the company to order hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of reverse osmosis equipment that was too small for Agri-Mark to use in its cheese-making processes. Instead, Swartz allegedly stole the equipment and installed it in smaller RO systems he sold to clients of Kingdom RO. It is charged that Swartz further defrauded Agri-Mark by using company employees, on company time, to assemble and install these RO systems. The indictment alleges that Swartz used the U.S. Postal Service and private commercial carriers to deliver this fraudulently-obtained RO equipment either to the Cabot plant or to Swartz’ house.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
If convicted, Swartz faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Swartz is represented by Richard Goldsborough. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
Prince George's County Liquor Store Owner Sentenced and Fined in Federal BriberyRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Bailey Drumm
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced the former owner of a Prince George’s County liquor store, Shin Ja Lee, age 56, of Highland, Maryland, to twelve months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for bribery, in a scheme involving alcoholic beverage licenses in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The defendant also was ordered to forfeit $242,945.43, and to pay an additional fine of $50,000.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to her plea agreement and other court documents, Lee was the owner of Palmer Liquor Store and the resident agent of Multi-Bil, Inc. Together with David Son, a former Commissioner on the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners (“Liquor Board”), and Young Paig, the former owner of Central Avenue Restaurant & Liquor Store in Prince George’s County, Lee paid bribe payments to two then-Maryland State Delegates, William Alberto Campos-Escobar (“Will Campos”) and Michael Vaughn. The bribes were in exchange for obtaining passage of legislation that permitted certain liquor stores in the County to sell liquor on Sundays (“Sunday Sales Bill”).
Lee participated in bribe payments on five separate occasions in 2015 and 2016. For example, on April 22, 2015, after the passage of the legislation, Son arranged a lunch between Campos, Paig, and Lee. A lobbyist and attorney, Matthew Gorman, also attended. During the lunch, Son told Campos to meet Paig in the men’s bathroom, saying that Paig was “going to hook you up.” In the men’s bathroom, Paig handed Campos an envelope containing a total of $4,000 cash, which constituted a bribe from Son, Paig, Lee, and Gorman. Later that same day, Son, Paig, and Lee made a cash bribe payment to Delegate Vaughn.
Lee and Paig subsequently talked to Son about getting beneficial legislation introduced related to the Sunday Sales bill and indicated that they would be willing to pay $50,000 to make that happen. Son spoke with Delegate Vaughn, who agreed to introduce additional legislation in the 2016 legislative session. On November 10, 2015, Son arranged for Paig and Lee to meet with Vaughn so they could make a “down payment.” After the meeting, law enforcement observed Paig and Vaughn get into Vaughn’s car, while Lee and Son waited in the parking lot. Shortly after Paig got out of the car, Vaughn drove directly to a bank in the same shopping center. Bank surveillance video shows Vaughn pulling a stack of cash out of his right pocket and handing it to the teller, and then doing the same from his left pocket. Bank records show that Vaughn deposited a total of $4,000.
Paig pleaded guilty to bribery and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Campos pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery and was sentenced to 54 months in prison. Son pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bribery, and obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Gorman pleaded guilty and also is pending sentencing. Delegate Vaughn was convicted of bribery and conspiracy at a trial that concluded in March 2018, and is pending sentencing.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the IRS-CI, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom, who prosecuted the case.
Previously Convicted Felon from Essex County, New Jersey, Admits Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man who was arrested following a domestic disturbance in which he discharged his weapon pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Dequan Farlow, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Farlow was arrested by Newark police officers on June 30, 2017 after he allegedly shot a speaker next to his ex-girlfriend’s mother and struck the mother with the gun at her residence in Newark.
Farlow admitted today that he knowingly possessed a loaded Hi-Point JCP semi-automatic handgun, despite having at least one prior felony conviction in Essex County Superior Court. As part of his plea agreement, Farlow also acknowledged that he knowingly fired the gun on June 30, 2017.
The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked officers of the Newark Police Division, under the direction of Department of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, for their assistance.The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Patrick McMahon Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Philadelphia Attorney Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Philadelphia lawyer Devon Edward Sanders, 48, of Glenside, was sentenced on June 4 to 84 months in federal prison for downloading and possessing more than 94,000 images and videos of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel called the defendant’s collection “massive” and described the images and videos of children being sexually assaulted “dehumanizing, horrendous, and disgusting.” In rejecting the defendant’s request for probation, the court ruled that a significant sentence of incarceration was warranted based on the defendant’s “disturbing” crimes over a 10-year period. The court further ruled that a restitution hearing for the 25 victims seeking mandatory restitution will be held within the next 90 days.
“We agree wholeheartedly with Chief Judge Stengel’s assessment,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “By possessing these horrific images, this defendant victimized innocent children for more than a decade. A significant prison term was not only warranted but necessary.”
In addition to the term of imprisonment, the court imposed a 10-year term of supervised release and ordered that the defendant undergo a sex offender evaluation and treatment after his release from federal prison.
The case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Reading, Pennsylvania man was sentenced on drug charges in federal court. Angel Diaz-Gibson, 26, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for distribution of heroin and using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a federal drug felony. Diaz-Gibson pled guilty in March, admitting that on August 22, 2015, he distributed 148 stamps of heroin to a confidential informant in Fairlea, and that he had a telephone conversation with the informant to help set up the deal. Each stamp is considered to be one dose of heroin.
Stuart praised the investigative work of the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
“Tragically, the heroin epidemic has spread into even our small, more rural communities like Fairlea,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “My Office and our team of law enforcement partners are working hard every day to shut down drug trafficking in our communities.”
Assistant United States Attorney John File prosecuted the case. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided at the plea hearing.
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Oswego County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine-Related ChargeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK -- Arthur LaDuke, age 46, of Minoa, New York, and formerly of Oswego County, was sentenced today to serve one year and one day in prison for possessing pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division, and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. LaDuke was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.
As part of his guilty plea, LaDuke admitted that on approximately 21 occasions between October 2015 and January 2017, he purchased pseudoephedrine pills from different drug stores in and around Oswego County, New York, with an aggregate weight of approximately 50 grams. LaDuke further admitted that he purchased the approximately 50 grams of pseudoephedrine knowing it was intended to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Arthur LaDuke manufactured methamphetamine with the pills he himself purchased, as well as utilizing additional pills provided to him by others, for which he provided finished methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police (NYSP), the New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC), and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency DEA), and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Eurenius
Orchard Park Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting A Woman During A United Airlines FlightRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael Hildebrand, 50, of Orchard Park, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to assault within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine of $5,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that on December 20, 2017, the defendant was a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Newark, NJ to Buffalo, NY. During the flight, Hildebrand assaulted a woman by grabbing the victim’s groin area without consent.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, under the direction of Chief George Gast.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Roemer.
Official Statement from U.S. Attorney Dunavant on the Commutation of Alice Marie JohnsonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – "As United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and to faithfully execute and enforce the laws of Congress. Included in our Constitution is the absolute power and authority of the President to grant Executive Clemency relief, and I understand and respect the President’s decision to grant a commutation of Ms. Johnson’s sentence. Vigorous and consistent federal prosecution of violations of the Controlled Substances Act, including major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering schemes, are a top priority of this office and the Department of Justice, and we will continue to promote public safety and enforce the rule of law in the Western District of Tennessee by aggressively pursuing such cases."
New York City Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Christian Mizell, a correction officer employed by the New York City Department of Corrections (“DOC”), pleaded guilty to participating in a bribery conspiracy with other correction officers. As part of his guilty plea allocution, Mizell admitted that he smuggled contraband to inmates at the Manhattan Detention Center in exchange for thousands of dollars in cash payments. Today’s plea was held before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and Mark G. Peters, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the guilty plea.
As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, Mizell conspired with others, through text messages and phone calls, to arrange with co-conspirators to deliver marijuana covertly to Mizell and other correction officers.
When sentenced, Mizell faces up to five years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000.
The government’s case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Erik Paulsen of the Office’s Public Integrity Section and Nomi Berenson of the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.
The Defendant:
Christian Mizell
Age: 48
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-60 (PKC)
Montgomery Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Defendant is latest to be sentenced out of nearly two dozen defendants after long-term narcotics investigation
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Montgomery man was sentenced to federal prison on drug charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Rory White, also known as “Dub,” 34, of Montgomery, previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and a quantity of oxycodone. White was sentenced to 125 months – 10 years and 5 months -- in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of several agencies, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service also provided assistance throughout the investigation.
“More than ten years are deserved,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “In addition to White, we will continue filling up our prisons with drug dealers who care not a bit about our children and our public’s welfare.”
White previously admitted that between October 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants. During this time period, White admitted to working with Cheyenne Fragale and others to distribute heroin and oxycodone in the Fayette County area. White also admitted that he distributed approximately 5,400 thirty milligram oxycodone tablets and approximately 900 grams of heroin to Cheyenne Fragale and others. He further admitted that he knew Cheyenne Fragale and others intended to redistribute the pills and heroin. The drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing oxycodone, methamphetamine, and heroin in and around Fayette County.
Several individuals implicated as a result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas to drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. Five defendants have been sentenced for their involvement in the drug conspiracy. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, have been sentenced by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. Cheyenne Fragale received a sentence of 12 years in federal prison while Macon Fragale will serve 16 years and 8 months. Tiffany Ramsey, also from Boomer, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by Judge Berger. Dominic Copney of Beckley, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber. Donald Scalise, of Montgomery, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone. He was also sentenced by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. Others still awaiting sentencing include Velarian Carter, of Beckley, who faces a mandatory minimum of not less than 20 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 10, 2018. Detria Carter, of Beckley, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 2, 2018. Shawn Akiem Anderson, of Mt. Hope, faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 11, 2018.
Karl Funderburk, of Teays Valley, who previously pled guilty to a gun charge, faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison for using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime when he is sentenced on July 10, 2018.
Shaun Jones has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Jonathan Moore has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Each faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 11, 2018.
Corey Larkin previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He also faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 11, 2018.
Esau Burnette, of Beckley, has entered a plea to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base and a quantity of cocaine. He faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 10, 2018. James Rodney Staples, of Woodbridge, Virginia, faces at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life when he is sentenced on July 10, 2018 after entering a plea to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin.
George E. Brockman, II, of Montgomery, entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of oxycodone. Charles Hill, aka “Unc,” of Beckley, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine. They both face at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 11, 2018.
Jonathan O. Brockman of Kimberly, Fayette County, previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of fentanyl, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of marijuana for remuneration. David Shaun Coleman of Fayette County entered his plea to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and a quantity of oxycodone. Rashaun Carter, aka “Show,” of Raleigh County, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, more than 100 grams of heroin, and a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of fentanyl. Each of these defendants face at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 24, 2018.
Derrick L. Staples, of Charleston, entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin and faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 24, 2018. Shaun L. Givens, of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 25, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.
These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
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Monongalia County man admits to sex offender registry violationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert W. Tucker, Jr., of Star City, West Virginia, has admitted to a sex offender registration violation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Tucker, age 43, pled guilty to one count of “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” Tucker admitted to traveling from Monongalia County, West Virginia to South Carolina and North Carolina, without updating his registry, as required by law, in August 2016 and September 2017.
Tucker faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Miami Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Thomas Crawfish Mathews, 35, of Miami, to 10 years in prison followed by 7 years of supervised release for attempted enticement of a minor. Mathews must also pay special assessments in the amount of $5,100. Upon release from confinement, Mathews will be required to register as a sex offender.
On March 6, 2018, Mathews pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. On August 31, 2017, the Miami Police Department created a post on the “Whisper” application. “Whisper” is a social media application that can be downloaded on a phone and is commonly used to communicate with other users. The post identified the user as a minor. Mathews engaged in a lengthy text conversation with a person he believed to be 13 years of age and in the 8th grade. During the conversation, Mathews discussed his desires to have sexual relations with the person he believed to be 13.
United States Attorney Shores stated, “This defendant deserves every day of his 120 month sentence because of his reprehensible criminal acts. Child predators are a scourge upon society. We will protect children in northeastern Oklahoma from predators like Thomas Mathews. I commend the collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Miami Police Department to bring this defendant to justice.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The charges are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Miami Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and Shannon B. Cozzoni handled the prosecution of this case.
Mexican Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Irving Uriel Galindo Santos, a 29-year-old Mexican citizen, was sentenced today to 6 months in prison followed by 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to illegal reentry on February 28, 2018. U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris handed down the sentence.
In December 2017, Galindo Santos was found in Cut Bank, Montana, by deputies with the Glacier County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies then contacted the United States Border Patrol (USBP) for assistance. The USBP agents confirmed Galindo Santos’ identity, alien status, prior deportation, and prior felony conviction at the Border Patrol station after taking his fingerprints. Galindo Santos was convicted of felony unlawful delivery of methamphetamine in Oregon on February 15, 2007. He was removed from the United States on April 26, 2008.
Galindo Santos confirmed that he was born in Hidalgo, Mexico, and his parents were born in Mexico. In November 2016, he climbed over the wall at the international boundary near San Diego. He traveled to Oregon and ultimately moved to Cut Bank, Montana, in November 2017. He did not have permission to reenter the United States.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart and investigated by the Glacier County Sherriff’s Office and United States Border Patrol.
Meriden Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Role in Cocaine and Crack RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHANE BLAKE, 35, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.
This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force into a central Connecticut cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds, revealed that Carlos Roman, also known as “Frizz,” of Middletown served as a primary distributor of narcotics for the organization, and that he regularly converted, or “cooked,” cocaine into crack cocaine. During the investigation, an undercover officer made five controlled purchases of redistribution quantities of crack from Roman.
On April 11, 2017, Roman was arrested in possession of approximately 500 grams of cocaine. A subsequent search of his residence revealed a .380 caliber handgun. While Roman was incarcerated, BLAKE assisted the drug trafficking organization by obtaining cocaine and converting it to crack cocaine for distribution.
On July 20, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging BLAKE, Roman and nine other individuals with various offenses.
BLAKE has been detained since his arrest on July 26, 2017. On March 8, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
Roman previously pleaded guilty to one count of with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. On April 12, 2018, he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Middletown and New Britain Police Departments. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Involving Sexual Abuse of 14-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Anthony Brooks, 29, of Indian Head, Md., pled guilty today to federal charges of transporting a minor across state lines with intent to sexually abuse her. The minor was a 14-year-old girl whom Brooks tutored as part of an afterschool program the child was ordered to attend by a family court.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Brooks pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Trial had been scheduled to begin on June 7, 2018. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The Honorable James E. Boasberg scheduled sentencing for Sept. 7, 2018.
The minor had been ordered by the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to attend the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) program, an afterschool diversion program through which at-risk youth are provided tutoring and mentoring. Brooks, then 28, a college graduate, was employed as one of her tutors.
According to the government’s evidence, in late spring of 2017, the minor was transferred to a different BARJ location and, from that time forward, should have had no additional contact with Brooks. Brooks had previously been admonished by staff not to have contact with female students outside of the program. Brooks, however, continued to have contact with her. By July 2017, he was exchanging sexually explicit text messages with the girl, who had just completed the 8th grade. On July 11, 2017, Brooks contacted the girl’s father and asked the father’s permission to “tutor” the child. According to the evidence, Brooks then drove nearly an hour from his home in Maryland to Southeast Washington, where he picked up the girl, brought her to his home, and had sexual intercourse with her.
Between July 11 and July 12, Brooks discussed with the girl over text message coming to pick her up again. Brooks advised the girl in text messages written on July 11 that he did not want to come get her on back to back days because her father might become suspicious. Instead, on July 13, 2017, Brooks again drove nearly an hour from his home in Maryland to Southeast Washington to pick up the child. He arrived at 6:30 a.m., at a time when the child’s father, the girl’s sole guardian and the only adult in the house, was at work at his construction job. According to the government’s evidence, he transported the child back to his house in Maryland, where he again engaged in sexual acts with her.
Through September 2017, Brooks continued to communicate with the girl, exchanging sexually explicit text messages with her. On Sept. 19, 2017, the child’s father discovered the text messages between Brooks and his daughter while reviewing the messages on his daughter’s phone. He promptly contacted the MPD Youth and Family Services Division, which commenced an investigation. The FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation Task Force immediately joined the investigation. Brooks was arrested on Sept. 20, 2017 and has been in custody ever since. On Feb. 14, 2018, Brooks was indicted on two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge DeSarno, and Chief Newsham commended the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and FBI Special Agents in the Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Pennsylvania, and the District of Maryland, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Park, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi Lazarus who is prosecuting the matter along with Jason Park.
Mandeville Woman Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARCIA DENISE JORDAN, age 47, a resident of Mandeville, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for tax evasion, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201.
United States District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced JORDAN to 5 years of probation and ordered her to pay $313,899 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to court documents, JORDAN willfully attempted to evade tax due and owing for tax year 2011, by filing a false IRS form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return), which falsely stated that her total estimated tax liability was $0 and that she had made $10,000 in payments to the IRS, despite knowing that she had received $493,266 in taxable income that year. JORDAN then failed to file a tax return for the 2011 tax year.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of IRS-Criminal Investigations, United States Secret Service, and the Slidell Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri and DOJ Tax Division Trial Attorney Grace Albinson are in charge of the prosecution.
Justice Department Reaches Settlement Agreement with Syncom Space Services, LLC Resolving USERRA Claims of Louisiana Air National GuardsmanRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Syncom Space Services, LLC (S3) that resolves allegations that S3 violated the employment rights of Louisiana Air National Guardsman, Jason Cooper, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA safeguards the rights of uniformed servicemembers, including National Guardsmen, to all benefits of employment following periods of absence due to military service obligations. The benefits of employment protected by USERRA include promotional opportunities.
Cooper worked as a Predictive Testing and Inspection (PT&I) Specialist for S3 at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi. On June 13, 2016, he was deployed on active duty with the Air National Guard. During his deployment, Cooper applied for a vacant PT&I Shoplead position. Although Cooper had the most PT&I experience of all applicants, S3 failed to promote him to the position upon his return from deployment. As a result of the employer’s failure to promote him to a position that he was qualified for, because of his military service, Cooper lost promotional income and benefits.
“Our nation’s national guard and reservists should not have to worry about losing opportunities for promotion or increased benefits in their civilian jobs after they return from active duty military service to our country,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department Justice is committed to ensuring that our servicemembers’ employment rights are protected at home while they defend our rights abroad.”
“The tremendous sacrifice of our National Guard members who are called into active duty should never be a detriment to their lives and every day jobs. We in the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to ensuring that these men and women are honored, not disadvantaged, for their military service,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. “We will continue to hold employers who violate the rights of our servicemembers accountable. We appreciate S3’s agreement to fulfilling its legal obligation to Mr. Cooper in this matter.”
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, S3 has agreed to pay Cooper $6,812.59 for lost wages, and to make his promotion effective as of the date on which he returned to work from active duty. He began his new position on June 4, 2018. The USERRA claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Cooper initially filed a complaint with the United States Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated this matter and then referred it to the Justice Department after attempts at resolution failed.
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Mayberry of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi in collaboration with Andrew Braniff, Assistant Director of the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, and Alicia Johnson, USERRA/USAO Program Coordinator in the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA may be found on the Justice Department’s website at www.usdoj.gov/crt/emp and www.servicemembers.gov, as well as on the Labor Department’s website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.
Justice Department Reaches Settlement Agreement with Syncom Space Services, LLC Resolving USERRA Claims of Louisiana Air National GuardsmanRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Syncom Space Services, LLC (S3) that resolves allegations that S3 violated the employment rights of Louisiana Air National Guardsman, Jason Cooper, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA safeguards the rights of uniformed servicemembers, including National Guardsmen, to all benefits of employment following periods of absence due to military service obligations. The benefits of employment protected by USERRA include promotional opportunities.
Cooper worked as a Predictive Testing and Inspection (PT&I) Specialist for S3 at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi. On June 13, 2016, he was deployed on active duty with the Air National Guard. During his deployment, Cooper applied for a vacant PT&I Shoplead position. Although Cooper had the most PT&I experience of all applicants, S3 failed to promote him to the position upon his return from deployment. As a result of the employer’s failure to promote him to a position that he was qualified for, because of his military service, Cooper lost promotional income and benefits.
“Our nation’s national guard and reservists should not have to worry about losing opportunities for promotion or increased benefits in their civilian jobs after they return from active duty military service to our country,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department Justice is committed to ensuring that our servicemembers’ employment rights are protected at home while they defend our rights abroad.”
“The tremendous sacrifice of our National Guard members who are called into active duty should never be a detriment to their lives and every day jobs. We in the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to ensuring that these men and women are honored, not disadvantaged, for their military service,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. “We will continue to hold employers who violate the rights of our servicemembers accountable. We appreciate S3’s agreement to fulfilling its legal obligation to Mr. Cooper in this matter.”
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, S3 has agreed to pay Cooper $6,812.59 for lost wages, and to make his promotion effective as of the date on which he returned to work from active duty. He began his new position on June 4, 2018. The USERRA claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Cooper initially filed a complaint with the United States Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated this matter and then referred it to the Justice Department after attempts at resolution failed.
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Mayberry of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi in collaboration with Andrew Braniff, Assistant Director of the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, and Alicia Johnson, USERRA/USAO Program Coordinator in the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA may be found on the Justice Department’s website at www.usdoj.gov/crt/emp and www.servicemembers.gov, as well as on the Labor Department’s website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Resolve Americans with Disabilities Act Investigation of Louisiana’s Use of Nursing Facilities to Serve People with Serious Mental IllnessRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced that it reached an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Health (Louisiana) to resolve its lawsuit alleging that Louisiana fails to serve people with serious mental illness in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Justice Department’s complaint alleges that Louisiana places undue reliance on providing services in institutionalized settings such as nursing facilities, instead of in the community, for people with serious mental illness.
Under the agreement, Louisiana will create and implement a plan to expand community-based services like mobile crisis, case management, assertive community treatment, and supported housing to meet people’s needs in the community. In addition, Louisiana will assess all existing nursing facility residents with mental illness and all new referrals for admission to determine whether they can be served appropriately in the community.
“The ADA requires public entities to administer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “We commend Louisiana for committing to take the steps necessary to ensure that people with serious mental illness have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in their own communities instead of being unnecessarily segregated in nursing facilities.”
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.
Jury Convicts Rochester Man of A Operating Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that following a seven-week trial, a federal jury has convicted Colin B. Montague, 63, of Greece, NY, of operating a continuing criminal enterprise, drug conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and money laundering. The charges carry a minimum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Marangola and Brett A. Harvey, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that the defendant was the head of a national cocaine trafficking organization involving individuals in Rochester, NY; Arizona; California; and Nevada. Through the organization, Montague was responsible for arranging the transportation of several hundred kilograms of cocaine from the western United States to the Rochester area between 2008 and June 2014. The organization used various methods for transporting the cocaine, including tractor-trailers, drug couriers, and the U.S mail. After receiving the shipments, the defendant and other members of the organization would distribute the cocaine to other upper-level and mid-level drug traffickers in the Rochester area.
The organization was uncovered by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Rochester Police Department after a wiretap investigation that culminated in the seizure of a six-kilogram shipment of cocaine from a courier as the drugs were being transported from Pennsylvania to Rochester. After seizure of the drug shipment, Montague fled to Atlanta, Georgia, where he lived under a false identity for six months until he was captured by the United States Marshals Service.
The defendant also owned and operated Montague Enterprise, Inc., a real estate business in Rochester. During the conspiracy, Montague laundered more than $2,350,000 in drug proceeds through bank accounts associated with the real estate business. Also, the defendant purchased six properties in the Rochester area using drug proceeds.
A total of 20 other members of the drug trafficking organization were convicted of drug trafficking and/or money laundering offenses.
The trial verdict is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli; the Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office; and the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. before Chief United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial of the case.
Joint Federal State and Local Operation Across Puget Sound Targets Violent Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
In the fourth major drug trafficking ring takedown in as many months, federal, state and local law enforcement officers fanned out across King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit and Thurston Counties to execute search warrants and arrest more than 35 members of a drug trafficking organization, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. Today’s arrests are the fourth takedown in a series of cases aimed at reducing drug and gang violence in Seattle, South King and North Pierce Counties. Those taken into custody today will appear at 2:00 in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
“Over the last four months, more than 80 drug dealing conspirators moving meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl have been taken off our streets where they preyed on destructive addictions and used gun crime to further their trade,” said U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes. “For more than a year, local police worked with federal partners to build these cases, with the goal of addressing the shifting crime problems in South Sound communities.”
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has directed U.S. Attorneys to deploy their resources to identify and address ‘hot spots’ of violent crime. Working with local law enforcement across the South Sound, federal law enforcement identified Seattle, the Rainier and Kent Valleys and North Pierce County as an area of concern for drug and gun crime. Today’s takedown comes on the heels of three other law enforcement efforts involving wire-taps and surveillance to dismantle sophisticated drug trafficking rings linked to violence in those areas. The first takedown involved five defendants trafficking crack cocaine in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood; the second, in March resulted in twenty arrests of heroin and meth traffickers operating primarily in South King County and the Tacoma area; and in May, a third takedown dismantled two criminal groups trafficking methamphetamine in south King County.
“DEA is in a race to save lives,” said Keith Weis the Special Agent in Charge for the Pacific Northwest. “These strategic operations have stopped some of the most violent criminal groups operating throughout the Puget Sound Region from pushing dangerous drugs onto our communities most vulnerable members facing life or death struggles against addiction.”
“The FBI is committed to holding violent gang members accountable for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay S. Tabb Jr., of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “The level of violence committed by these individuals has been detrimental to the South Sound community for years. Today’s arrests mark a major step toward addressing this problem.”
According to records filed in the case, conspirators trafficked cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, illegal marijuana and fentanyl. Associates of some of the traffickers arrested today were shot and some killed in various shooting incidents in both Seattle and south King County. On the wiretap law enforcement heard conspirators talk about various shootings after they occurred, including the September 4, 2017 shooting outside a Renton hookah lounge. Among other things, conspirators discussed getting firearms after being shot at by rival gangs.
Taken together, these four operations resulted in the seizure of 75 guns, more than 95 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 32 pounds of heroin, more than 7 pounds of cocaine (both crack and powder) as well as ecstasy and fentanyl. More than $327,000 in cash and 22 vehicles also were seized.
In addition, today alone law enforcement seized 12 pounds of heroin, more than 2 kilos of cocaine, a pound of methamphetamine, 124 pounds of marijuana, 41 firearms and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
“Today, hundreds of law enforcement professionals came together to make our neighborhoods safer, taking criminals and drugs off the street and possibly saving lives,” said Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best. “As a former Narcotics commander, I recognize the tireless work that goes into these investigations. Together with our federal and local partners, we have orchestrated one of the largest investigations in recent memory. A special thanks to the FBI, DEA and the US Attorney’s Office. This level of collaboration is unprecedented.”
“The U.S. Marshals have always believed in the power of collaboration, and the effectiveness of combining the resources and expertise of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for the common good. Today, that tradition of collaboration continues and we are proud to be a part of it”, said Acting U.S. Marshal Jacob Green.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The defendants in these cases face a variety of drug and gun charges. The penalties range from five years in prison to a maximum of life in prison depending on the pertinent charge.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. This investigation was led by the Seattle Police Department Gang and Narcotics Units, FBI Seattle Safe Streets Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other agencies providing investigative assistance include ATF, USMS, and the U.S Bureau of Prisons.
Today’s searches and arrests involved agents and officers from: DEA, FBI, ATF, HSI, USMS, SPD, Auburn Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, Bothell Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Des Moines Police Department, Everett Police Department, Fife Police Department, Kent Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), Kirkland Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Marysville Police Department, Monroe Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Mukilteo Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Renton Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Snohomish County Drug and Gang Task Force, Tacoma Police Department, Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, Tukwila Police Department, U.S Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, and the Yakima Police Department, and the following regional SWAT teams, SPD SWAT, Valley SWAT, North Sound Metro SWAT, Region 1 SWAT, Pierce County Metro SWAT, King County Sheriff’s Office TAC-30, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, and Bellevue SWAT.
In addition, the operations were conducted with the support of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) and SWAT teams from the FBI’s Salt Lake City, Portland, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Denver field offices. DEA’s Special Response Team’s (SRT) from Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, and San Diego assisted in today’s operations. This investigation was supported by Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the Special Operations Division (SOD).
The indictments returned today are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vince Lombardi, Erin Becker and Nicholas Manheim.
Jefferson County Man Indicted in Beaumont Bombing IncidentRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 40-year-old Beaumont, Texas man has been indicted and charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Jonathan Matthew Torres was indicted by a federal grand jury today and charged with use of an explosive to damage property, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and mailing a threatening communication.
According to information presented in court, on Apr. 26, 2018, what appeared to be a homemade destructive device was located inside a U.S. Postal Service priority mail service box at a Starbucks on Dowlen Road in Beaumont. The device did not explode and there were no injuries. On May 10, 2018, an explosion occurred at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Delaware Street in Beaumont. The explosive device caused damage to St. Stephen’s administration building but there were no injuries. An extensive investigation led law enforcement authorities to Torres and on May 24, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Torres’s residence in the 4400 block of El Paso Street in Beaumont, Texas. Inside the residence, investigators recovered multiple containers of the same type of explosive material used in both previously discussed devices; postal boxes similar to the boxes used in the previously discussed devices; a receipt for the purchase of the type of string used in the device found at Starbucks; zip-ties similar to the type used in the device found at Starbucks; packing tape similar to the type used in the device found at Starbucks; and other components consistent with the devices. Torres was arrested without incident and remains in custody pending trial.
If convicted, Torres faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison.
If you have any information related to these events, please call Beaumont Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
This case is being investigated by the Beaumont Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher T. Tortorice and Russell James.
It is important to note that a complaint, arrest, or indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Iranian National Sentenced for Asylum FraudRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Ali Vahdani Pour, 28, an Iranian national, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes to 137 days in prison. Pour had previously pleaded guilty to false swearing in an immigration matter.
In his plea agreement, Pour admitted having lied on his asylum application. Specifically, Pour admitted he falsely denied having served in the Iranian military and falsely denied having received refugee status in another country. Pour further admitted to having served in the Iranian military and to having received refugee status in Italy prior to seeking asylum in the United States.
The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Joseph E. Koehler, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Ryan Goldstein, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-1598-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-077_Pour
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Inmate at Florence Prison Indicted for Assault and Resisting a Federal EmployeeRead the Press Release
DENVER – On May 2, 2018, a federal grand jury in Denver indicted Avery White, age 31 and an inmate of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”), on two counts of assaulting and resisting a federal employee, U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer announced. White made his initial appearance yesterday afternoon where he was advised of the charges pending against him as well as his rights.
According to the indictment, on or about January 8, 2018, while at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, White intentionally forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with the victim, an officer and employee of the BOP, while the victim was engaged in and on account of the performance of his official duties. The indictment charges that White inflicted bodily injuries upon the victim that included, among other things, (a) an abrasion on his forehead above the left eyebrow; (b) a slight injury to the left wrist; (c) a potential concussion; and (d) headaches approximately once or twice a week for three weeks after the incident. Each assault count carries a maximum penalty of not more than 8 and 20 years imprisonment, respectively, and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI and the Special Investigative Service of the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated this matter. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Juan G. Villaseñor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay C. Cook.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.