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Monday 4 June 2018
Sanger Contract Labor Crew Boss Sentenced to over 3 Years in Prison for Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Fernando Alanis, 55, of Rio Grande City, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to three years and three months in prison for two counts of mail fraud related to an unemployment insurance fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Alanis and others participated in a scheme to defraud the California Employment Development Department (EDD) of unemployment insurance benefits. Alanis was a supervisor with a local farm labor contractor that provided contract labor for growers and packers and organized them into crews managed by “crew bosses.” Alanis would hire and supervise crew bosses and facilitate the hiring of other laborers.
According to court documents, Alanis provided the personal identifying information of individuals, including his relatives and other acquaintances, to workers, some of whom were undocumented, so they could obtain employment with the farm labor contractor under the assumed identities. They then worked as seasonal farm laborers and earned wages. When the workers were laid off at the end of the season, with Alanis’ knowledge and assistance, false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims were filed in the names of the assumed identities. This caused EDD to send unemployment insurance checks and benefit debit cards to the addresses of the owners of the assumed identities, who were not entitled to the benefits. The individuals lending their identities would either share some of the benefits with Alanis, or would pay Alanis in advance of the unemployment insurance claims being made. Alanis’ direct and indirect conduct resulted in a loss to EDD of approximately $456,548.
“As a supervisor for a large Central Valley farm labor contractor, Fernando Alanis devised a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance program for his own personal benefit. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud against programs of the Department designed to assist unemployed workers,” stated Abel Salinas, Special Agent-in-Charge, Los Angeles Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the California Employment Development Department Investigations Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Henry Z. Carbajal III and Vincenza Rabenn prosecuted the case.
Record Number New Prosecutors Headed to SDWVRead the Press Release
ON 500TH DAY OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS ANNOUNCES 311 NEW ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY POSITIONS
Southern District of West Virginia Allocated Largest Percentage Increase in New Prosecutors of any District in the Country
Largest Percentage Increase in History of Southern District
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, Southern District of West Virginia, announced 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.
“Today, I am extremely pleased to announce that the Southern District of West Virginia has been allocated a nearly fifteen percent (15%) increase in new prosecutors which represents the largest percentage increase of any district in the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “It is not only the largest increase in the country but the largest allocation of new prosecutors in the history of the Southern District of West Virginia. It is a strong, strong endorsement of my efforts to combat the opioid crisis, violent crime, and corruption throughout southern West Virginia.”
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 Southern District of West Virginia, three (3) new AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one (1) on civil enforcement. At this time, no determination has been made as to whether new prosecutors will be assigned to the Bluefield, Beckley, Charleston or Huntington field offices.
“At a time of amazing economic challenge and a declining West Virginia population, one could argue for a reallocation of resources from this region to other faster-growing regions of the country,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Rather than contracting, however, Washington has taken note of our hard work and strong performance and rewarded us with a record number of new prosecutors. I appreciate Attorney General Session’s confidence very much. We’ve developed a great partnership. Every new prosecutor will be put to work in support of the people of our amazing state and hard-working taxpayers.”
U.S. Attorney Stuart added, “We will use these new positions to intensify our approach to apprehending and locking up drug thugs and violent criminals, prosecuting white collar crime and public corruption, and super-charging an offensive-minded civil practice. I have been on offense since the day I got here and these new reinforcements will super-charge my efforts.”Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews
Follow U.S. Attorney Stuart on Twitter: @USAttyStuart
Pittsburgh Man Distributed Heroin and Fentanyl that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - Larry Malloy, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to distributing Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, including heroin and fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Malloy pled guilty before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. As part of the guilty plea, Malloy accepted responsibility for causing the fatal overdose death of T.C. in April 2016 and acknowledged being responsible for the distribution of at least 100 grams of heroin and at least four grams of fentanyl.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing to occur on October 3, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Allegheny County Police Department, the Verona Police Department, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Pennsylvania Business Owner Gets Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Veterans’ GI Bill of over $24 MillionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his role in a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $24 million from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, a federal education benefits program designed to help veterans who served in the armed forces following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
David Alvey, 51, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.“Today’s sentence is an appropriate punishment for a man who spent years cheating our veterans by stealing millions in tax payer funds reserved for their education,” said U.S. Attorney Carpenito. “Instead of receiving the quality instruction they were promised, thousands of service men and women recruited by Ed4Mil were enrolled in unapproved online courses without their knowledge. No veteran should be treated this way.”
“The VA’s Post 9/11 GI Bill is an invaluable and comprehensive education program meant to advance our nation’s veteran’s educational and professional lives as they transition to civilian life,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Smith, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. “The successful prosecution of those who defraud this important program sends a clear message that those who seek to do VA harm will be pursued and prosecuted. VA OIG is committed to working closely with our fellow law enforcement and DOJ partners, and grateful for their efforts in pursuing justice in this matter”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides educational assistance to eligible veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces by paying for veterans’ tuition, housing costs, and other educational expenses as long as their courses meet certain criteria. Because these tuition benefits are paid by the United States directly to the school, all entities involved in developing and administering the courses must be fully disclosed to the United States in order to assess the courses for approval.
From 2009 through August 2013, Alvey – founder and president of Ed4Mil – along with Lisa DiBisceglie and Helen Sechrist, both of whom previously pleaded guilty to a similar wire fraud conspiracy count, and others, conspired to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in tuition assistance and other education-related benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
DiBisceglie, then an associate dean at Caldwell University, helped Alvey get approval from Caldwell’s administration to develop and administer a series of non-credit online courses for veterans in Caldwell’s name. In order for the courses to be eligible for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, DiBisceglie, Alvey, and others prepared and submitted an application with the Veterans Administration stating that the courses were developed, taught, and administered by Caldwell faculty and met Caldwell’s stringent educational standards. The courses were subsequently approved, and Alvey, Sechrist, and others aggressively marketed the courses to veterans who were eligible to receive the benefits.
However, Caldwell did not participate in developing or teaching the online courses. The veterans were instead enrolled in online correspondence courses developed and administered by a sub-contractor of Ed4Mil. Neither Ed4Mil nor its sub-contractor were disclosed to the government, and neither were eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Alvey and others concealed the true nature of the courses from the government and the veterans who enrolled in the courses. Thousands of veterans enrolled in the online courses believing they were taking courses from Caldwell. The scheme caused the United States to pay more than $24 million in tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
“Today's action should serve as a warning to anyone who intentionally steals or misappropriates federal student aid for their own selfish purpose: you will be caught and held accountable for your criminal actions,” said Debbi Mayer, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General's Eastern Regional Office. “As the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Education, we will continue to aggressively pursue those who misappropriate student aid funds for their own purposes. America’s veterans and taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
“Today's sentencing of David Alvey is yet another example of the FBI's aggressive posture in pursuing those who defraud the government,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie of the Newark FBI Field Office. “This case, where the victims were U.S. military veterans, is no exception.”
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hayden sentenced Alvey to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $24,024,465.65.
DiBisceglie and Sechrist are scheduled to be sentenced June 5, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Smith; the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mayer, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Eskew, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division, Senior Litigation Counsel David E. Malagold of the Criminal Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Mastropieri of the Healthcare and Government Fraud Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jafer Aftab of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit.
Defense Counsel: Stacy Biancamano Esq., Chatham, New Jersey
Orange County Commodities Trader Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison in Scheme that Took $1.6 Million from InvestorsRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An Irvine man who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges related to a bogus commodities trading program that caused losses of approximately $1.6 million was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison.
Rawle Gerard Suite, 57, was sentenced by United States District Judge James V. Selna.
Suite, who also used the name “Jerry Snead” and other aliases, was sentenced after pleading guilty in June 2017 to four counts of wire fraud. To perpetrate the fraud that took place over a 3½-year period that ended in May 2016, Suite concealed his true identity from investors and used a series of companies with names such as STA Opus, TBT Analysis LLC, and Another Winning Trade that purportedly were trading in commodities that included soybeans, gold, oil and unleaded gas.
As part of the fraudulent scheme, Suite made a series of false claims to investors, such as that STA Opus had annual returns of at least 60 percent, when in fact the company had continually suffered trading losses.
Suite was a registered commodity trading advisor and commodity pool operator from late 1985 until May 3, 1990, when his registration was revoked. Since then, Suite has been targeted twice by the California Department of Corporations, which in 2012 obtained a $2.5 million judgment against Suite, in part for violating a prior order issued by the agency.
“Though this is [Suite]’s first criminal case for investment fraud, it is clear that defendant has a history of fraud and violating court orders,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed with the court. “Shortly after being enjoined by the Los Angeles Superior Court, defendant began this fraud scheme.”
The case against Suite was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which received substantial assistance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vibhav Mittal of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Operators of A Mental Health Provider Indicted on Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in Greensboro, North Carolina returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging the operators of a mental health provider with multiple crimes related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Catinia Farrington and Haydn Thomas, both formerly of Durham, North Carolina, are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax evasion. Thomas is also charged with one count of money laundering.
According to the indictment, Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services LLC (“DCMBHS”) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington, along with Thomas, allegedly submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid that resulted in Medicaid paying over $4 million to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon. Thomas and Farrington allegedly obtained the Medicaid numbers of dental patients and then submitted false claims to Medicaid for mental health services that were not performed without the permission of the patients.
The indictment further alleges that Farrington and Thomas diverted millions of dollars from DCMBHS for their own personal use and evaded income taxes by, among other things, transferring money to various business bank accounts and paying personal expenses from the business bank accounts.
If convicted, Farrington and Thomas face a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of health care fraud, 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft, and five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. Farrington and Thomas also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office (MID), who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton, Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division, and Special United States Attorney Michael Heavner MID, who are prosecuting the case.
Operators of A Mental Health Provider Indicted on Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Greensboro, North Carolina returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging the operators of a mental health provider with multiple crimes related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Catinia Denise Farrington, age 44, and Haydn Patrick Thomas, age 44, both formerly of Durham, North Carolina, are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax evasion. Thomas is also charged with one count of money laundering.
According to the indictment, Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services, LLC (“DCMBHS”) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington, along with Thomas, allegedly submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid that resulted in Medicaid paying over $4 million to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon. Thomas and Farrington allegedly obtained the Medicaid numbers of dental patients and then submitted false claims to Medicaid for mental health services that were not performed without the permission of the patients.
The indictment further alleges that Farrington and Thomas diverted millions of dollars from DCMBHS for their own personal use and evaded income taxes by, among other things, transferring money to various business bank accounts and paying personal expenses from the business bank accounts.
If convicted, Farrington and Thomas face a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of health care fraud, 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft, and five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. Farrington and Thomas also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office (MID), who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton, Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division, and Special United States Attorney Michael Heavner with MID, who are prosecuting the case.
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On the 500th Day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Today, on the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced 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."
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant United States Attorney positions click here.On the 500th Day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon for the District of South Carolina announced 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 District of South Carolina, three of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime while an additional AUSA will take on civil enforcement.
USA Lydon echoed Attorney General Sessions’ support and dedication to public safety. “With four new Assistant U.S. Attorneys joining our ranks in South Carolina, our ability to continue our efforts alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners as well as our state prosecutors will be significantly enhanced. The timing could not be better as we advance to secure communities and citizens across our state.”
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On the 500th Day of Trump Administration. AG Sessions Announces 311 New Asst. U.S. Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott W. Brady announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, enforce our immigration laws, and attack the devastating opioid crisis.
In the largest personnel increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating 311 new Assistant United States Attorneys to assist in priority areas across the country. This includes 190 new violent crime prosecutors, 86 new civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSAs 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."
The Western District of Pennsylvania will receive two of the new prosecutors who will focus on violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Brady said, "The top priorities of General Sessions and our Office are reducing violent crime and combatting the opioid crisis. These two new prosecutors will be critical to this mission. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take dangerous criminals off the streets. These additional resources will be crucial in fulfilling our responsibility to keep the citizens of western Pennsylvania safe."
On 500th day of Trump administration, Attorney General Sessions announces 311 new Assistant U.S.Attorney positionsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced 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 U.S. 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 AUSAs 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 Western District of Louisiana, two of these AUSAs will focus on prosecuting violent crime and one will focus on civil enforcement of federal law.
“Upon taking office, I promised to aggressively prosecute violent crime throughout the district while ensuring immigration offenses, public corruption, and our efforts to stem the opioid epidemic remain top priorities,” Joseph stated. “These additional prosecutors will assist in achieving our objectives by bringing more criminal prosecutions against those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. These positions also give our office more capacity to pursue those who abuse government benefits and otherwise cheat the United States, by bringing civil actions against them. I want to thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the opportunity to hire additional Assistant United States Attorneys to serve the communities in our district. We will work with our federal agencies as well as our state and local partners to ensure we make the most of these added resources.”
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant U.S. Attorney positions click here.
On 500th day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions announces 311 new Assistant United States Attorney positionsRead the Press Release
WHEELING – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia Bill Powell announced 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 Northern District of West Virginia, one of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, and one on civil enforcement. “Our Assistant United States Attorneys have been working extremely hard and getting great results. We are very appreciative that the Attorney General has given us these additional resources. We have a vital mission to fulfill, and we will put the new resources to good use,” said Powell.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Peter E. Deegan, Jr. announced 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 Northern District of Iowa, two of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime. The addition of these two AUSAs brings the total number of AUSAs in the district to 26, representing an increase of over 7%.
“The new Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Northern District of Iowa will be dedicated to working with all of our law enforcement partners to help keep our communities safe,” said United States Attorney Deegan. “Our office remains committed to fighting violent crime and these new positions will allow us to bring even more prosecutors to the fight.”
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling announced 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. The District of Massachusetts will receive five new federal prosecutors who will focus on violent crime, civil enforcement and immigration matters.
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.”
The District of Massachusetts will hire two new AUSAs to focus on violent crime, two on civil enforcement and one who will prosecute immigration crimes.
“Reducing violent crime, tackling the opioid crisis and enforcing immigration laws are top priorities for my office,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “In recent years, prosecutors working in these areas have seen significant increases in Massachusetts. This overwhelms our capacity to prosecute those who disregard the laws of our country and strains legal and law enforcement resources. Hiring five new Assistant U.S. Attorneys will pay dividends for years to come and make a discernable impact in communities across the Commonwealth.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
St. Louis – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri Jeff Jensen announced 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 Eastern District of Missouri, four of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one on civil enforcement against pharmacists and physicians who over-prescribe or divert opioids.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico John C. Anderson announced 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 U.S. 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 District of New Mexico, two of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, and one on civil enforcement. The District of New Mexico previously was allocated six new AUSA positions to focus on prosecuting immigration crimes on May 2, 2018, when the Justice Department announced the dedication of additional resources for U.S. Attorney’s Offices along the Southwest border.
“I welcome the addition of these new AUSA positions to the District of New Mexico, and I am confident that the assignment of these prosecutors will represent a direct and immediate benefit to the United States and the people of New Mexico,” said District of New Mexico U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson. “In light of the substantial federal presence in New Mexico, the additional focus on affirmative civil enforcement will ensure that federal dollars are spent efficiently and we will improve our ability to root out waste, fraud and abuse. The violent crime positions will allow this Office more effectively to address the high rate of such offenses in New Mexico, including in our tribal communities.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
June 4, 2018 – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, United States Attorney General Sessions, together with Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced 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. The three AUSA positons allocated to the Eastern District of Washington will focus on violent crime, civil fraud enforcement, and immigration crimes.
"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 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."
United States Attorney Harrington said: “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to combatting violent crime, attacking fraud, and addressing immigration matters together with our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners. The additional AUSA positions that have been allocated to the District will assist significantly in these efforts.”
The Eastern District of Washington is comprised of the eastern two-thirds of the State of Washington (approximately 41,826 square miles). The District is bounded by the Canadian border to the north, Idaho to the east, Oregon to the south, and the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the west. The District includes twenty Washington counties and four Indian Reservations.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Allocates Three New Prosecutors to the Western District of Oklahoma to Focus on Violent Crime and Civil EnforcementRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Robert J. Troester, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced 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 throughout the nation 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 AUSAs 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."
Three of these new positions have been allocated to the Western District of Oklahoma. Two will focus on violent crime, while one will focus on civil enforcement.
"Adding three new prosecutors will significantly enhance our ability to pursue key Administration priorities," said Acting U.S. Attorney Troester. "Those priorities include our work to combat and reduce violent crime through Project Safe Neighborhoods and fight the illegal distribution of opioids, whether by street dealers or those in the medical community, through our Western Oklahoma Opioid Enforcement Team. These new positions will certainly strengthen our ability to reduce violent crime and promote public safety in communities throughout the Western District of Oklahoma."
For more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant United States Attorney positions, see the attached document.
AUSA ListOn 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO- On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Alex G. Tse announced 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 Northern District of California, two of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one will focus on civil enforcement. In addition, the Northern District of California previously was allocated another two AUSA positions that were dedicated to violent crime. This brings the total number of newly allocated positions to five since January 2017.
“We are very pleased to receive additional resources consistent with the demonstrated needs of the district and the priorities of the Department of Justice,” said Acting US Attorney Tse. “We intend to take full advantage of these resources to efficiently and effectively prosecute violent crime and further build upon our robust civil fraud work.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announced 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 AUSAs 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 Florida, three of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, two on civil enforcement, and one on prosecuting immigration crimes.
“We are grateful for the additional resources to better serve our constituents here in the Middle District,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “These new positions will provide much needed assistance as we continue to focus on the Department’s priorities and meet the needs of our communities.”
The Middle District of Florida is the second largest federal district in the country, with a population of more than 11 million. It includes 35 of Florida’s 67 counties and includes offices in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, and Ocala. For more information about the MDFL, visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Northern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced 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.”
The Northern District of Indiana received 4 new AUSAs from the above allocation, 3 to fight violent crime and 1 for civil enforcement.
US Attorney Kirsch said, “With these new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions, my office will commit even more prosecutorial resources to fighting violent crime and addressing the opioid crisis in the District. Along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively go after those who break the law and ensure that they are prosecuted for their crimes.”
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates Two Prosecutors to the Eastern District of Kentucky to Focus on Violent Crime and Civil Enforcement
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, increase civil enforcement efforts, 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. The Eastern District of Kentucky will receive two of the positions.
“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 Eastern District of Kentucky, one of these AUSAs will focus on prosecuting violent crime cases. “President Trump and Attorney General Sessions have prioritized reducing violent crime, through investigation and prosecution of the ‘worst of the worst’ offenders. With this new position, we intend to do just that,” stated U.S. Attorney Duncan. “The new violent crime AUSA will work with our federal, state, and local partners to help protect the public and keep our communities safe and will prosecute cases arising from the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a multi-agency partnership aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.”
The other AUSA position will focus on conducting affirmative civil enforcement actions, including bringing actions against medical professionals for over prescribing opioids and submitting fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the federal government. “As directed by Attorney General Sessions, we will use every available tool, including through the use of civil enforcement measures, to stop the spread of the opioid epidemic,” stated U.S. Attorney Duncan. “This new civil enforcement AUSA position will add to an already productive affirmative civil enforcement practice.”
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant United States Attorney positions click here.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates Seven Prosecutors to the District of New Jersey to Focus on Violent Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Immigration Crimes
NEWARK, N.J. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito announced 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 AUSAs 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,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “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 repurpose 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 District of New Jersey, four of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, two on civil enforcement, and one on immigration. In February, U.S. Attorney Carpenito announced a reorganization of the office to focus its work on areas of criminal and civil enforcement that will pay the biggest dividends in protecting the public.
“The additional Assistant United States Attorneys provided to New Jersey that were announced by Attorney General Sessions today will provide a tremendous boost to our efforts to take dangerous criminals off the streets and protect the public,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Whether it’s prosecuting dangerous street gangs, pushing back against the tide of opioid abuse or shutting down fraudsters who prey on the most vulnerable among us, our focus is on safety and public protection. These additional prosecutors – along with our existing staff and a growing roster of Special Assistant United States Attorneys who are joining us from our law enforcement partners at the state and local level, will give us the tools we need to accomplish our mission.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada announced 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 Assistant U.S. Attorneys will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force that 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.”
“The District of Nevada is grateful for the addition of three new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions,” said U.S. Attorney Elieson. “One will focus on violent crime prosecutions, one on affirmative civil enforcement, including civil opioid enforcement, and one on prosecuting criminal and civil immigration enforcement work. We look forward to hiring talented, experienced, and service-minded individuals who are committed to making Nevada a safer state.”
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant United States Attorney positions click here.
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Oklahoma, Trent Shores announced 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 Northern District of Oklahoma, one of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one on civil enforcement.
United States Attorney Shores stated, “I am thankful for the opportunity to add two more dedicated public servants to our staff. These new positions will enable my office to better combat violent crime and opioids in northeastern Oklahoma. We will hire attorneys with integrity, energy, and intelligence who will protect our community through the enforcement of federal law.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, PR – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emlia Rodríguez-Vélez announced 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 District of Puerto Rico, five of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, and one on civil enforcement.
“The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is grateful to Attorney General Sessions and the leadership at the United States Department of Justice for the allotment of these six new Assistant United States Attorney positions. The Department of Justice has recognized, through the allocation of these positions, the significance of the violent crime problem on our island. They have also shown great confidence in our Office by placing these valuable department resources in a place where they are both desperately needed and greatly appreciated,” said US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee announced 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 Tennessee, three of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, and one AUSA will be dedicated to civil enforcement.
“We are serious about reducing violent crime and confronting the opioid crisis head-on,” said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran. “Under Attorney General Sessions’ leadership, we are getting back to the basics of enforcing our nation’s laws and removing violent offenders from our communities. The addition of these prosecutors is long overdue and will enable our office to more effectively support our law enforcement partners at the state and local level. These additional prosecutors will have a devastating effect on violent criminals who continue to operate in the Middle District and will also enable our office to hold those accountable who continue to fuel the opioid epidemic.”
With these positions, five additional violent crime prosecutors have been added in the Middle District of Tennessee in the last six months.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Latasha Ellis, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by the Honorable Laurie Smith Camp. Ellis had previously entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government. Ellis was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $280,442 in restitution to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
From January 2012 until December 2014, Ellis and co-defendant Niquisha Taylor conspired to defraud the United States and the United States Department of the Treasury by obtaining and aiding to obtain the payment of a fraudulent claim by filing and assisting others in filing false tax returns. As part of their scheme, tax returns were filed that had false Schedules C, Profit or Loss from Business. By including false Schedules C, an individual’s earned income was inflated which had the effect of maximizing the amount of Earned Income Tax Credit the taxpayer would receive back. There were 55 tax returns filed as part of their scheme. Taylor previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 3 years of supervised, 120 hours of community, and also ordered to the $280,442 in restitution jointly and severally with Ellis. That is, they are each responsible for the entire amount offset by whatever amount the other pays.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Kurt Alme announced 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 Montana, one new AUSA will join the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative to help reduce violent crime in the state, which, according to the FBI, increased almost 35% from 2010 to 2016. The second AUSA will litigate cases involving opioids, health care fraud and other frauds committed against the United States. These new AUSAs will increase the total number in Montana to 30.
United States Attorney Kurt Alme added, “These new prosecutors will help reduce violent crime by prosecuting violent criminals and those who cause violent crime by trafficking meth into our state, and will help stop the improper use of opioids and frauds committed against taxpayer dollars. Our office looks forward to continuing to work with our federal, state, tribal and local partners to address these important problems in Montana.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates 5 Prosecutors to Eastern District of North Carolina to Focus on Violent Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Immigration Crimes
RALEIGH - On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced 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 Eastern District of North Carolina, 4 of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and 1 on civil enforcement. Mr. Higdon welcomed the addition of five new prosecutors to the staff of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District: “We are so pleased that the Department of Justice has responded to our plea for new prosecutors. President Trump and the Attorney General have charged this office with reducing the crime rate in the Eastern District and we have mobilized all the resources of this office – all 51 Assistant United States Attorneys and nearly 20 Special Assistant United States Attorneys – to drive the crime rate down and to make our communities safer and more secure. The addition of five new prosecutors will improve our effectiveness and allow us to be even more responsive to the needs of law enforcement and to the communities all across our district. We will move swiftly to fill these positons and the public will soon begin to see the results of more federal prosecutors working to reduce our violent crime rate and to stem the tide of the opioid crisis.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates Four New Prosecutors to the Western District of New York to Focus on Violent Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Immigration Crimes
BUFFALO, NY – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today 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 Western District of New York, two of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, one on civil enforcement, and one on prosecuting immigration crimes. The United States Attorney for the Western District of New York issued the following statement:
“I am grateful to the Attorney General for the additional manpower which will allow the men and women in our Buffalo and Rochester offices to continue and to build upon the tremendous work they do day in and day out. The allocation of these positions to our Office is tangible evidence of the fact that the Administration recognizes that our Office is providing taxpayers a phenomenal return on their investment.
The Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) working in our Narcotics and Violent Crimes Section have worked tirelessly to remove violent criminals, along with the guns and the drugs they often possess, from the streets of our communities. Over the last decade, we have prosecuted 14 violent streets gangs in Buffalo and Rochester whose members sought to destroy the quality of life for residents. In particular, the successful prosecution of the 7th and 10th Street Gangs, which vastly improved the quality of life for residents living on Buffalo’s West Side, is an example of those efforts. The addition of two more prosecutors to focus on violent crime will allow our office to continue these actions until we rid our communities completely of the scourge of violent gang activity.
We have recently started a new Strategic Operations and Prosecution (STOP) Section, which will work to rid our community of the worst-of-the-worst in terms of violent offenders. Study after study shows that the majority of the violence in any given community is committed by a small handful of violent criminals. By targeting those individuals—the Alpha criminals if you will—we expect to be able to further to drive down violence in our communities.
Moreover, our office has been on the front lines for more than five years prosecuting illegal opiate dealers at all levels. From the common street dealer to the medical professional prescribing outside the course of accepted practice, these defendants are putting drugs into the hands of our struggling loved ones and we have sadly lost too many lives. While prosecution is but one of several prongs of the opiate reduction strategy which we have adopted, with treatment and prevention being the others, we have been both aggressive and progressive handling these cases. While much of the credit belongs to many in the community who have done an exemplary job responding to the opiate crisis, the fact that in 2017 the number of deaths resulting from drug overdoses in Erie County declined for the first time in 5 years is proof positive that our collective efforts are working. The addition of a Civil Enforcement AUSA—to a unit which each year has recoveries which far exceed our Office’s annual operating budget—will provide just one more tool with which to fight this deadly epidemic and to hammer home the point that crime doesn’t pay.
In addition to focusing on violent crime and the deadly opioid epidemic, our office will continue efforts to secure the international borders located in the Western District of New York. The addition of an AUSA to focus on immigration issues will help to ensure that those who seek to enter our country illegally are apprehended and prosecuted. In so doing, we will be enforcing the rule of law and reinforcing the notion that in a just society people must follow the law.”
On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
June 4, 2018 – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Matthew D. Krueger announced 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 Eastern District of Wisconsin, two of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one AUSA will focus on affirmative civil enforcement, including cases involving illegal opioid distribution.
“We are grateful for additional prosecutors to confront the opioid epidemic and violent crime in our community,” said United States Attorney Krueger. “Last month, in a single weekend in Milwaukee County, at least six people died of drug overdoses. For many, addiction starts with prescription opioids. The new civil enforcement AUSA will reinforce our efforts to deter prescribers and pharmacies that distribute prescription opioids illegally. Violent crime rates are also far too high. The two new criminal AUSAs will bolster our campaign to prosecute aggressively the firearms offenses that disrupt neighborhood safety.”
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Northern District of Florida to Receive Two Attorney Positions to Fight Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Christopher P. Canova, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced 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 nationwide to assist in priority areas. These allocations are as follows: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSAs will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force, which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.
The two new AUSA positions allocated to the Northern District of Florida will focus on violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Canova said: “Attorney General Sessions’s announcement of more prosecutors to fight crime punctuates his mission to make our communities safer. He continues to support law enforcement officers and prosecutors by providing the resources, tools, and discretion to bring evil-doers to justice. My office will use these two new AUSA positions to prosecute the predators who terrorize our communities. Everyone should feel safe to walk the sidewalks and let their children play in the yard.”
“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.”
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
North Tonawanda Pharmacist Arrested, Charged with Prescription FraudRead 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 Patrick R. McQuade, 29, of North Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of a controlled substance by fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant is a New York State licensed pharmacist currently employed as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. McQuade was previously employed by the Rite Aid Corporation from January 2015 until his firing in December 2017. The defendant was fired after an internal investigation discovered that McQuade created fictitious patient accounts which enabled him to create fraudulent prescriptions using Rite Aid’s inventory system. After creating a fraudulent prescription, the defendant then dispensed and diverted the controlled substances for personal use.
The complaint states that McQuade created 20 fictitious patient profiles and 47 fraudulent prescriptions to dispense a total of 1,874 dosage units of Alprazolam, Phentermine, Cialis, and Synjardy of varying strengths. Internal investigators verified that none of the doctors listed on the prescriptions had prescribed the medications to the fictitious patients.
McQuade made an initial appearance today before U.S Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder and was released on conditions. One of those conditions prevents the defendant from continuing to dispense controlled substances.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.
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.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT EPPS, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 40 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 28, 2017, EPPS participated in the sale of a stolen Smith and Wesson .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle and two rifle magazines containing a total of 39 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition. On that date, EPPS transported the rifle and ammunition to a parking lot in New Haven. He then removed the firearm and ammunition from the trunk of his vehicle and handed the items to another person who, in turn, handed them to the purchaser.
EPPS’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics distribution and identity theft.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On February 2, 2018, EPPS pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.
NDAL U.S. Attorney's Office Receives Four New Prosecutor Positions from 311 Announced by Attorney General SessionsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the District of Northern Alabama announced 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,” Sessions said. “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 31-county Northern District of Alabama, three of the newly allotted AUSAs will focus on reducing violent crime, including through more aggressive gun and drug-trafficking prosecutions. A fourth newly added AUSA will focus on affirmative civil enforcement, seeking monetary recoveries from corporations and individuals who have defrauded the United States through health care or other government procurement fraud.
“This announcement solidifies the commitment that the Department of Justice has in reducing crime, especially violent crime, and protecting the public fisc in Northern Alabama,” Town said. “The steadfast leadership of Attorney General Sessions continues to impact positively every district in the United States, and these new prosecutors will bolster our ability to execute the violent crime priorities of the Department of Justice. Our side of the battlefield can never be too crowded.”
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Moss Point Man Sentenced to over 24 Years in Federal Prison for MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Demetrius Darnell Mason, 40, of Moss Point, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to serve 292 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Mason was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.
On November 29, 2017, after receiving information involving drug trafficking activity, DEA agents observed FedEx deliver a package to a residence in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mason retrieved the package from the residence and then led police on a high-speed chase through a residential neighborhood. DEA agents arrested Mason and found almost a kilogram of methamphetamine in the package.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Modesto Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, between September 2017 and December 20, 2017, Jameson voiced support for ISIS knowing that the organization was engaging in terrorist activity and terrorism. Among other things, he had several online interactions with a confidential source, and during those interactions, he stated that he was committed wholeheartedly to “the cause.” Jameson also expressed support online for the October 31, 2017, terrorist attack in New York City, as well as other terrorist attacks. In subsequent communications with an undercover agent, Jameson stated that he was ready to do whatever they needed done here and noted that his time in the military had trained him for combat and war. According to court documents, Jameson joined the Marine Corps and received basic training, including earning a sharpshooter rifle qualification, but was ultimately discharged for failing to disclose his asthma history.
Later, Jameson met with another undercover agent whom he believed to be associated with, and working for, the senior leadership of ISIS and offered to carry out violent acts and provide financial support for the terrorist organization.
According to the plea agreement, on December 16, 2017, Jameson discussed what he could offer to the cause. Among other things, Jameson stated that he was well versed in the Anarchist Cookbook, and explained his desire to use explosives in an attack. He also noted that he could get PVC pipe, nails and powder for explosive devices, and asked for remote timing devices from that person, Jameson identified Pier 39 as a target location of an attack, noting that it was crowded and explosives could be used to funnel people into an area so that he could inflict casualties by shooting people trying to escape. Jameson also offered to provide money to the cause.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dawrence W. Rice Jr. and Christopher D. Baker are prosecuting the case with Trial Attorney Brenda Sue Thornton of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Jameson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on September 4, 2018. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Jameson faces a 15-year prison term, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Under the agreement, the court may accept or reject the parties’ agreement about the appropriate sentence.
Mexican and Honduran Men Pled Guilty to Smuggling and Transporting Fourteen Illegal Aliens in Derby, VermontRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that two persons have pled guilty to the smuggling and transporting of fourteen illegal aliens who traveled on foot from Quebec to Derby, Vermont in October 2017. The two defendants are Alberto Alvarado-Castro, 30, a Mexican citizen, and Hector Perez-Alvarado, 25, a Honduras citizen.
Alberto Alvarado-Castro pled guilty to smuggling aliens for financial gain, which carries a three-year mandatory minimum sentence and a ten-year maximum sentence. The parties agreed that Alvardo-Castro’s sentence should be three years, which is still subject to the Court’s approval. Hector Perez-Alvarado pled guilty to transporting aliens for financial gain, which carries a ten-year maximum sentence. The parties have not agreed to a specific sentence for Perez-Alvarado. United States Chief Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford will conduct both sentencings, which are currently scheduled for September 27, 2018 in Rutland. Both defendants are detained and in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to the complaint affidavit and the statements made at the recent hearings, late in the evening of October 7, 2017, Alberto Alvarado-Castro guided the fourteen aliens through the woods on the border to a van parked in Derby, which was driven by Hector Perez-Alvarado. In multiple trips, Perez-Alvardo drove the aliens to a motel in Derby, where, on the last trip, they were all apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. Eleven of the smuggled illegal aliens were Guatemala citizens and three were Mexican citizens. The Government alleges that Alvarado-Castro has multiple prior felony burglary convictions in the United States.
This matter was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. “This case serves as an excellent example of the dedication and hard work put forth by Border Patrol agents to keep our country and communities safe,” said U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia. “Our agents did an outstanding job thwarting this smuggling attempt and the U.S. Attorney's Office did an excellent job prosecuting it.”
The Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting this matter is Joe Perella. Elizabeth Quinn, Esq., of the Federal Public Defender’s Office represents Perez-Alvarado. David Watts, Esq., of Burlington represents Alvarado-Castro. Robert Sussman, Esq., of Burlington represents Perez-Ramirez.
Matthews, N.C. Man Is Arrested in Murder-For-Hire PlotRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Matthews, N.C. man was arrested on Friday, June 1, 2018, for attempting to hire a hitman via the internet to murder a Charlotte area resident, announced R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Bryant Riyanto Budi, 26, appeared in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division and Nick S. Annan, Special Agent in Charge of ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia and the Carolinas join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations in the filed Complaint, in April and May 2018, Budi contacted an HSI undercover agent (UCA) located in Buffalo, New York via the internet to conduct a murder-for-hire. The Complaint alleges that Budi used online usernames, encrypted messaging platforms, and encrypted email services to disguise his true identity from the undercover agent. During the course of communications between Budi and the UCA, Budi hired the UCA to murder an individual who resides in the Charlotte area, identified in the Complaint as “C.S.”
The complaint further alleges that separately, in April and May 2018, Budi also contacted an FBI online covert employee (OCE) via the internet to purchase a lethal dose of a radioactive substance. In his communications with the OCE, Budi expressed his intent to use the radioactive substance to kill an unnamed individual. Budi also instructed the FBI OCE to ship the radioactive substance to an address in Charlotte. The Complaint alleges that on May 22, 2018, the OCE advised Budi a package containing the radioactive substance was shipped. On May 31, 2018, the package containing an inert substitute for the radioactive material ordered by Budi was delivered to an address in Charlotte as instructed by Budi. On June 1, 2018, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Budi was arrested.
Budi is charged with one count of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for hire, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.
The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray praised the outstanding work of HSI in Buffalo, New York and Charlotte; the FBI in Charlotte and supporting FBI field offices; the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Arrowood of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution, assisted by Trial Attorney Bridget Behling, of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
June 4, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Eric Nathaniel Sammons, age 25, of Trappe, Maryland today to 35 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for production of child pornography.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Superintendent of the Maryland State Police William M. Pallozzi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, between 2014 and 2016, Sammons sexually exploited four minors and produced images of the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Sammons maintained a collection of child pornography on his digital devices.
Prior to May 25, 2016, Sammons set up a hidden camera in the bathroom of a twelve-year-old male victim and recorded a series of 47 videos.
On approximately October 6, 2015, Sammons took a series of 32 photographs of Jane Doe 1, including images that depicted the child partially naked and in various poses.
From approximately May 26, 2016 through September 2016, Sammons was living in the detached garage of a residence in Caroline County. During this time, he sneaked into the bedroom of two female victims, ages 3 and 5, and produced 11 pornographic images of Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 engaged in sexually explicit conduct while they slept.
Sammons’ digital devices were forensically examined. Investigators found images and videos of child pornography on the devices and determined that his mobile phone, the digital camera, and the video camera were used to produce the child pornography. The devices contained the images of the victims that Sammons had produced and over 3,000 images additional files of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “resources” tab on the left side of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended Homeland Security Investigations, the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force, the Maryland State Police, and the State’s Attorney’s Offices and Child Protective Services of Caroline and Talbot Counties for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorney Paul Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.
Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Oxycodone Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Christopher Chandonnais, 26, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to oxycodone trafficking charges.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 19, 2017, the Nashua Police Department conducted surveillance of the defendant making a drug sale to another drug distributor. They subsequently searched the defendant’s vehicle and recovered approximately 90 oxycodone pills and over $11,000. The investigation confirmed that the defendant regularly sold oxycodone pills and made a profit of approximately $10 per pill sold.
Chandonnais pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2018.
“The opioid problem in our state is fueled, in part, by the use and abuse of oxycodone,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who unlawfully distribute these substances.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.
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Manager of Southeast Washington Barbershop Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Darryl Smith, 41, the manager of a Southeast Washington barbershop, pled guilty today to federal narcotics and firearms offenses stemming from an investigation into drug trafficking at the business and surrounding area.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Smith pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession with the intent to distribute PCP. The plea agreement, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of 80 months of incarceration, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The Honorable Amit P. Mehta scheduled sentencing for Aug. 15, 2018.
On Dec. 24, 2017, Smith was arrested by MPD while in the possession of a loaded firearm and packaged capsules of fentanyl after he fled officers following a drug transaction in the 2400 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, where the Next Level Cuts barbershop is located. Smith also was arrested following a search warrant executed at the barbershop and surrounding property on Feb. 1, 2018. In addition to recovering three firearms from the barbershop and adjoining property, law enforcement seized more than $7,000 in cash, more than 800 grams of PCP, more than 300 grams of heroin, and boxes of Suboxone strips.
Smith, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on federal charges in February 2018.
Two co-defendants are still facing charges. Anthony Fields, 44, of Washington, D.C., was indicted for drug trafficking offenses arising from the Feb. 1, 2018 seizure. James Venable, 46, of Fort Washington, Md., was indicted on narcotics and firearms charges, stemming from two separate drug trafficking offenses committed in the District of Columbia, one of which alleges his distribution of narcotics outside the barbershop. Both have pled not guilty.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge Chittum, and Chief Newsham commended the work of those involved in the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who are handling the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Macchiaroli and Paralegal Specialist Candace Battle.
Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Maine man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Thomas Walker, 43, of Pemaquid, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, specifically cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 28, 2018. In 2017, Walker and four others, Vito Nuzzolilo, of Worcester; Kristin Little, of Worcester; Melissa Rock, of Pemaquid, Maine; and Ricardo Ortega-Vasquez, a Dominican national residing in New York City, were indicted for their roles in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, a court-authorized wiretap intercepted Rock and Walker speaking with Nuzzolilo about purchasing cocaine for re-distribution in Maine. On April 10, 2017, Rock contacted Nuzzolilo to ask if he would “front” a quantity of cocaine for Walker; she then traveled to Nuzzolilo’s apartment in Worcester. On April 15, 2017, Walker arranged to obtain cocaine from Nuzzolilo’s apartment, and Nuzzolilo directed Little to provide two ounces of cocaine to Walker. On April 23, 2017, Walker again visited Nuzzolilo’s apartment to obtain cocaine. On April 27, 2017, Walker spoke with Nuzzolilo about obtaining additional cocaine, promising that his “workers” had cash to cover it. Rock and Walker then traveled to Nuzzolilo’s Worcester apartment, and, after leaving the apartment, were stopped by law enforcement and found in possession of more than 50 grams of cocaine.
Walker faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Rock, Little, and Ortega-Vasquez have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Mabank, Texas Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Noel Guest, 62, of Mabank, Texas, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 240 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in November 2016 to transportation and shipment of child pornography, announced Erin Nealy Cox, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Guest has been in custody since his arrest in May 2016.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was investigating a specialized peer-to-peer file-sharing program (P2P) in an undercover capacity. This specialized P2P program functions as a closed network similar to Facebook, where users choose who to invite into their network and what to share with their invited contacts.
On May 13, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Guest’s residence in Mabank, Texas and agents seized several electronic devices. A forensic examination revealed that the electronic devices contained over 602 images of child pornography and 2 videos of child pornography. The examination also revealed that Guest chatted with other like-minded individuals on the P2P network to obtain their passwords for their shared materials and that he also traded child pornography with them by providing them with the password to his child pornography collections and that Guest made available approximately 4344 shared files of child pornography.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood leverages federal, state and local resources to better investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children. Project Safe Childhood also prioritizes identifying and rescuing victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Plano Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Shane Read prosecuted.
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Legg Mason, Inc. Agrees to Pay $64 Million in Criminal Penalties and Disgorgement to Resolve FCPA Charges Related to Bribery of Gaddafi-Era Libyan OfficialsRead the Press Release
Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason), a Maryland-based investment management firm, has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice and agreed to pay $64.2 million to resolve the Department’s investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with Legg Mason’s participation, through a subsidiary, in a Libyan bribery scheme.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John P. Cronan, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Eric Hylton, Deputy Chief, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
According to Legg Mason’s admissions, between 2004 and 2010, a Legg Mason subsidiary, Permal Group Ltd. (Permal), partnered with Société Générale S.A. (Société Générale), a multinational bank headquartered in Paris, France, to solicit business from state-owned financial institutions in Libya. During this time, Société Générale paid bribes through a Libyan “broker” in connection with 14 investments made by Libyan state-owned financial institutions. For each transaction, Société Générale paid the Libyan broker a commission of between one and a half and three percent of the nominal amount of the investments made by the Libyan state institutions. In connection with seven of the transactions, Société Générale paid commissions to the Libyan broker to benefit Legg Mason, through its subsidiary Permal, which managed funds invested by the Libyan state institutions. In total, Société Générale paid the Libyan Intermediary over $90 million, portions of which the Libyan broker paid to high-level Libyan officials in order to secure the investments from various Libyan state institutions for Société Générale. As a result of the corrupt scheme, Société Générale obtained 13 investments and one restructuring from the Libyan state institutions worth a total of approximately $3.66 billion, and earned profits of approximately $523 million. Legg Mason, through Permal, managed seven of these investments and earned profits of approximately $31.6 million.
Legg Mason entered into a non-prosecution agreement and agreed to pay $64.2 million to resolve the matter. This payment includes a penalty of $32.625 million to be paid to the U.S. Treasury within five days of the agreement, and disgorgement of $31.617 million, which will be credited against disgorgement paid to other law enforcement authorities within the first year of the agreement. As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Legg Mason has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department in any ongoing investigations and prosecutions relating to the conduct, including of individuals, to enhance its compliance program and to report to the Department on the implementation of its enhanced compliance program.
The Department reached this resolution based on a number of factors, including that Legg Mason did not voluntarily and timely disclose the conduct at issue, but fully cooperated in the investigation and fully remediated. Moreover, Legg Mason’s misconduct involved only mid-to-lower level employees of Permal, a subsidiary company, and was not pervasive throughout Legg Mason or Permal; Société Générale – and not Legg Mason or Permal – maintained the relationship with the Libyan broker and was responsible for originating and leading the scheme; the profits earned by Legg Mason and Permal were less than one-tenth of the profits earned by Société Générale; and neither Legg Mason nor Permal has a history of similar misconduct.
The FBI’s New York Field Office and IRS-CI’s New York office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Pitluck and James P. McDonald of the Eastern District of New York, and Trial Attorneys Dennis R. Kihm and Gerald M. Moody, Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this investigation.
The Department appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in this matter. France’s Parquet National Financier, the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office, the Federal Office of Justice in Switzerland and the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland also provided significant cooperation.
Legg Mason Inc. Agrees to Pay $64 Million in Criminal Penalties and Disgorgement to Resolve FCPA Charges Related to Bribery of Gaddafi-Era Libyan OfficialsRead the Press Release
Legg Mason Inc. (Legg Mason), a Maryland-based investment management firm, has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice and agreed to pay $64.2 million to resolve the Department’s investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with Legg Mason’s participation, through a subsidiary, in a Libyan bribery scheme.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue of the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI New York Field Office and Deputy Chief Eric Hylton of IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.
According to Legg Mason’s admissions, between 2004 and 2010, a Legg Mason subsidiary, Permal Group Ltd. (Permal), partnered with Société Générale S.A. (Société Générale), a multinational bank headquartered in Paris, France, to solicit business from state-owned financial institutions in Libya. During this time, Société Générale paid bribes through a Libyan “broker” in connection with 14 investments made by Libyan state-owned financial institutions. For each transaction, Société Générale paid the Libyan broker a commission of between one and a half and three percent of the nominal amount of the investments made by the Libyan state institutions. In connection with seven of the transactions, Société Générale paid commissions to the Libyan broker to benefit Legg Mason, through its subsidiary Permal, which managed funds invested by the Libyan state institutions. In total, Société Générale paid the Libyan Intermediary over $90 million, portions of which the Libyan broker paid to high-level Libyan officials in order to secure the investments from various Libyan state institutions for Société Générale. As a result of the corrupt scheme, Société Générale obtained 13 investments and one restructuring from the Libyan state institutions worth a total of approximately $3.66 billion, and earned profits of approximately $523 million. Legg Mason, through Permal, managed seven of these investments and earned profits of approximately $31.6 million.
Legg Mason entered into a non-prosecution agreement and agreed to pay $64.2 million to resolve the matter. This payment includes a penalty of $32.625 million to be paid to the U.S. Treasury within five days of the agreement, and disgorgement of $31.617 million, which will be credited against disgorgement paid to other law enforcement authorities within the first year of the agreement. As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Legg Mason has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department in any ongoing investigations and prosecutions relating to the conduct, including of individuals, to enhance its compliance program and to report to the Department on the implementation of its enhanced compliance program.
The Department reached this resolution based on a number of factors, including that Legg Mason did not voluntarily and timely disclose the conduct at issue, but fully cooperated in the investigation and fully remediated. Moreover, Legg Mason’s misconduct involved only mid-to-lower level employees of Permal, a subsidiary company, and was not pervasive throughout Legg Mason or Permal; Société Générale – and not Legg Mason or Permal – maintained the relationship with the Libyan broker and was responsible for originating and leading the scheme; the profits earned by Legg Mason and Permal were less than one-tenth of the profits earned by Société Générale; and neither Legg Mason nor Permal has a history of similar misconduct.
The FBI’s New York Field Office and IRS-CI’s New York office are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Dennis R. Kihm and Gerald M. Moody Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Pitluck and James P. McDonald of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting this matter. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this investigation.
The Department appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in this matter. France’s Parquet National Financier, the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office, Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General and Federal Office of Justice also provided significant cooperation.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s Fraud Section FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Meth, Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Las Vegas, Nev., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo.
Adrian Ortiz-Corrales, 44, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 17, 2017, Ortiz-Corrales pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering, six counts of money laundering, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
In total, the quantity of pure methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy, which lasted from October 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016, weighed in excess of 4.5 kilograms. The methamphetamine distributed during the conspiracy, according to court documents, primarily originated from Mexico and was smuggled to Missouri.
According to court documents, a steady stream of purchasers came to the home of the conspiracy’s leader, co-defendant Patrick R. Brigaudin, 55, of Springfield, to purchase methamphetamine from him, or to deliver methamphetamine to him.
On Feb. 29, 2016, co-defendant Eduardo Diaz, 54, also of Las Vegas, transported approximately 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine and six pounds of heroin to Brigaudin’s residence. When he arrived in Missouri, Diaz picked up Ortiz-Corrales and they traveled together to Brigaudin’s residence to deliver the methamphetamine and heroin. While they were removing the methamphetamine from a vehicle, they and Brigaudin were arrested.
Brigaudin was sentenced on March 21, 2018, to 30 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to a related money-laundering conspiracy.
Diaz was sentenced on April 4, 2018, to 12 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Ortiz-Corrales is among 13 defendants who have been sentenced in this case. One co-defendant has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, while another co-defendant is a fugitive.
This case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Timothy A. Garrison and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Ozark, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the South Central Drug Task Force.
Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates Two Prosecutors to the District of Western Tennessee to Focus on Violent Crime and Civil EnforcementRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Western Tennessee, D. Michael Dunavant announced 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 District of Western Tennessee, one of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one on civil enforcement.U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "The Department of Justice has been very responsive and generous in the resources that have been allocated to the Western District of Tennessee within the last few months. On December 21, 2017, the Attorney General announced that the Western District of Tennessee would receive two (2) new and additional federal prosecutor positions that have now been solely dedicated and assigned to aggressively prosecute violent crimes cases in Memphis and Jackson. Now, with this additional violent crime prosecutor position, we can continue to increase our caseloads in the area of firearms, gangs, and violent crimes in Memphis and across West Tennessee. Likewise, with the allocation of the new Civil ACE position, our office will be better positioned to affirmatively litigate cases in the growing areas of health care fraud, elder abuse, nursing home complaints, and prescription opioid diversion. We are thankful for all of these resources from the Department of Justice, and we are committed to the effective use of these new positions to reduce violent crime and handle complex civil litigation on behalf of the United States."
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant United States Attorney positions click here.Largest Increase in AUSAs in Decades Allocates Prosecutors to Focus on Violent Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Immigration CrimesRead the Press Release
On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Duane A. Evans announced 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 Eastern District of Louisiana, one (1) additional AUSA will be hired for this position. The AUSA will be tasked with affirmative civil enforcement, with an emphasis on health-care fraud and opioid diversion matters. U.S. Attorney Evans commented: “This district has historically enjoyed a robust criminal and civil health-care fraud practice. In addition to combating the opioid crisis in Louisiana, this additional AUSA will help us expand outreach efforts with federal agencies and community partners to increase the quality and quantity of civil referrals.”