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19 June 2018
Two Department of Defense employees indicted on embezzlement chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Sergeant First Class Shane Morgan with the West Virginia Army National Guard and Master Sergeant (retired) Russell Morgan were indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges related to the embezzlement and unlawful sale of government property, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Shane Morgan, age 35, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Russell Morgan, age 61, of Helvetia, West Virginia, are each charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Embezzle Government Property,” and one count of “Embezzlement of Government Property.” Shane is also charged with one count of “Unauthorized Sale of Government Property” and one count of “False Written Statement.”
The two men are accused of stealing at least 80 items of United States government property worth an estimated total of more than $80,000. The indictment further alleges that the men obtained access to this property through their official positions at the United States Property and Fiscal Office warehouse in Buckhannon. The crimes took place from August 2010 to October 2017 in Upshur County.
Both men face up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the embezzlement charge. Shane Morgan also faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unauthorized sale charge, and up to five years incarceration and a fine of $250,000 fine for the false written statement charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Army National Guard and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Charged in FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Wiretap InvestigationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - One resident of Michigan, and one resident of Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count superseding indictment named Victor Burnett, Jr., 37, of Oak Park, Michigan, and Christopher Butler, 31, of Twinsburg, Ohio, as defendants.
According to the superseding indictment, from in and around January 2016, and continuing thereafter to in and around September 2016 in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Burnett, Jr. and Butler conspired with each other and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. Additionally, on or about September 1, 2016, Burnett, Jr. possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An OCDETF task force headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and comprised of members drawn from the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Street Task Force including the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. Substantial assistance was provided by FBI San Juan, Puerto Rico (St. Thomas Resident Agency, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Numerous other FBI field offices, including Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Atlanta, in addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, also assisted with this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
This investigation which utilized Title III wiretap intercepts and other investigative techniques that established the existence of a several overlapping and interrelated drug distribution networks with tentacles in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan and the District of the Virgin Islands. The FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force’s focus began in early 2015 on a drug trafficking organization operating on Pittsburgh’s North Side and thereafter they were able to track drug suppliers beyond the borders of the aforementioned districts and across the Caribbean Sea.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two California Men Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Reno Convenience Store on Black FridayRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Two Sonoma County residents were each sentenced today to 154 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for robbing a Reno convenience store at gunpoint on Black Friday in 2016, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada.
In March, a jury found Connor Timothy Woods, 28, and Michael Miller, 31, both of Santa Rosa, California, guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, one count of interference with commerce by robbery, and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. United States District Judge Howard D. McKibben presided over the jury trial and sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on November 25, 2016, Woods entered a 7-11 located at 6150 South McCarran Boulevard, pointed a semi-automatic handgun at a store clerk, and demanded money from the cash register and the slots register drawers. When the clerk went to grab the slots register drawer, he saw Woods had put the gun down on the counter. The clerk attempted to grab the gun and they began to struggle. The gun fell to the floor and the clerk threw the cash drawer at Woods. Woods left the store and fled the scene in a mini-van driven by Miller. They stole approximately $100.
A few days later, a Reno Police Department detective found the get-away vehicle parked on the side of I-80 and the vehicle was towed to the police station. Law enforcement was able to identify Woods as a robbery suspect based on evidence discovered in the mini-van and from the surveillance videos. In an interview with the detective, Woods stated, “I admit to the 7-11 robbery. I admit to it, there that’s all you need.”
The investigation was conducted by the Reno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and James E. Keller.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Tucker County man indicted on firearms chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Lee Hollobaugh, of Parsons, West Virginia, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Hollobaugh, age 33, is charged with one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Hollobaugh, having previously been convicted of four felonies, is accused of possessing a 9mm pistol in October 2017 in Randolph County.
Hollobaugh faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Men Facing Federal Indictment for Charges Related to A Series of Baltimore County BurglariesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Demar A. Brown, age 34, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Jashon C. Fields, age 33, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Kamar O. Beckles, age 33 of Teaneck, New Jersey, today on charges of conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property, related to a series of burglaries in Baltimore County, Maryland.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to the four-count indictment, from at least November 29, 2017, through January 26, 2018, the defendants conspired to burglarize residences in Baltimore County and steal property including cash, safes, jewelry, designer purses, bags and clothing, electronics and other items, then transport the stolen property outside of Maryland, including residences in North Carolina, to which Brown had access.
Specifically, the indictment alleges that during the conspiracy the defendants, wearing gloves and masks, broke into 18 residences using rocks and other materials to break the doors and windows, and covered surveillance cameras. According to the indictment, frequently one defendant remained in a getaway vehicle while the other conspirators committed the burglaries. The defendants allegedly used cell phones and two-way radios to communicate during the burglaries, and stored the stolen items in hotel rooms they rented in Maryland before transporting the stolen goods to locations outside of Maryland, including residences in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to which Brown had access.
The defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy; and 10 years in prison for each of three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property. An initial appearance in U.S. District Court has not yet been scheduled. The defendants are currently detained in connection with related charges in Baltimore County Circuit Court.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation, and thanked the City of Winston-Salem (NC) Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Paul A. Riley, who are prosecuting the case.
Third Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft in Card-Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Andre Lion Goncalves Pereira (“PEREIRA”), age 29, a citizen of Brazil, pleaded guilty on June 14 before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to aggravated identity theft.
According to the court documents, Pereira and three other Brazilian nationals were arrested by members of the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force at a hotel in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans on August 3, 2017. Federal and state law enforcement officers found the defendants in possession of re-encoded credit cards that contained stolen debit card information from actual customers. These individuals also possessed embossers, encoders, ATM skimmers, false identification, and other contraband. In a coordinated investigation in Oklahoma City, U.S. Secret Service agents arrested another Brazilian national who had been mailing skimmers, pinhole cameras, and other tools for credit card fraud to the four New Orleans-based members of this conspiracy.
Pereira pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. He faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine or a fine equal to the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss caused by this offense. Judge Vance scheduled the sentencing for September 12. 2018.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the agencies that contributed to this investigation, which was a coordinated effort among federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force. The Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the New Orleans Police Department. U.S. Attorney Evans thanked the U.S. Secret Service Oklahoma City Field Office and the Midwest City, OK Police Department for their assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne is in charge of the prosecution.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officers in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Kingsley Ufembou Akendeu, 24, of Lubbock, Texas, pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to assaulting federal law enforcement officers in New Mexico. Akendeu entered the guilty plea under a plea agreement that recommends a prison sentence within the range of 37 to 46 months followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
The DEA arrested Akendeu in Jan. 2018, and charged him by criminal complaint with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and assaulting federal law enforcement officers during an interdiction investigation at a bus station in Albuquerque. According to the complaint, Akendeu scratched, punched and bit a DEA Special Agent and a DEA Task Force Officer while resisting arrest after they found approximately 2.7 kilograms of marijuana in his luggage.
Akendue subsequently was indicted on Jan. 23, 2018, and was charged with an assaulting a federal law enforcement officer offense. The indictment was superseded on Feb. 27, 2018, to include a second assault on a federal officer charge. The superseding indictment alleged that Akendue committed the crimes on Jan. 7, 2018, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Akendue pled guilty to the superseding indictment. In entering the guilty plea, Akendue admitted that on Jan. 7, 2018, he assaulted a DEA Special Agent by scratching his face and punching him in the nose, while knowing that he was a law enforcement officer. He also admitted assaulted a DEA Task Force Office by biting him but did not know that he was a law enforcement officer at the time of the assault.
Akendue remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns.
Texarkana Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
El Dorado, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Deadrick Lamar Tatum (aka “Toda”), age 26, of Texarkana, was sentenced yesterday, to 54 months in federal prison on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
According to court records, On November 8, 2016, officers with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department ("TAPD") were on routine patrol in Texarkana, Arkansas. A TAPD officer noticed a vehicle did not have a license tag and proceeded to stop the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was Tatum. After being asked for his license and registration, Tatum removed something white from his vehicle, against the instructions of the officer. Tatum then ran away from the officer and a foot pursuit began. While chasing Tatum through the backyards of several Texarkana Arkansas residences, the officer saw Tatum attempting to stuff an item under a shed in one of the backyards. The officer then attempted to arrest Tatum, but he fled on foot once again. After back up arrived, several officers were able to locate and arrest Tatum. TAPD officers backtracked Tatum’s flight path and attempted to locate what was concealed under the shed that Tatum stopped at. They found a Kel-Tec, 9mm pistol, wrapped in a white Cleveland Cavaliers hat. After Tatum’s arrest, FBI Agents interviewed Tatum and spoke to him concerning the firearm seized during his arrest. After initially denying any knowledge of the firearm, Tatum later admitted that he had the firearm for protection and had possessed it since January. He also described the firearm as a Kel-Tec. At the time that Tatum possessed the above referenced firearm, he had been convicted of a felony drug offense in federal court.
Tatum was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2016 and entered a guilty plea in April 2017.
This case was investigated by Texarkana and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.
Ten Defendants Charged in Jamestown Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging eight defendants with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine. Named in the indictment are:
• Danny W. Michael, III; • Alexis V. Hall; • Destiny J. Hare; • Andrew C. Bennett; • Searcy E. Fields; • Jacob A. Motherwell; • Michael A. Davis; and
• Stacie N. YancerIn addition, Jamell Trapp and Marcus Bowman were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years, plus a mandatory consecutive five-year prison term. Jamell Trapp is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Astorga and Emmanuel Ulubiyo, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, the defendants operated and participated in a large scale methamphetamine conspiracy in the Jamestown area between November 2017 and June 14, 2018.
The complaint further states that defendant Jamell Trapp is a member of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) that is suspected of trafficking and distributing large quantities of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine is believed to originate in Mexico, and is then moved to southern California for shipment to Western New York.
On June 18, 2018, at approximately 2:00 PM, members of the DEA, the FBI and USPIS, conducted a controlled delivery of a parcel to the residence of Jamell Trapp at 18 Wisteria Drive in Fredonia, NY. The original package containing suspected methamphetamine was intercepted by the USPIS on June 15, 2018 and replaced with sham. Marcus Bowman accepted the package upon delivery. A short time later, Bowman and Trapp were taken into custody. Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the residence and recovered a firearm and the package containing sham.
Defendants Hall, Hare, Bennett, Fields, and Motherwell were taken into custody this morning. Search warrants executed at the time of their arrests recovered a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine, pills, approximately $3,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, approximately 20 cell phones, and a laptop.
Defendants Yancer, Davis and Michael are currently in state custody.
“While much attention—and rightfully so—is given to the opioid epidemic, methamphetamine remains a formidable and increasing threat in various locations across the United States,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “In 2016, more than 7,500 Americans lost their lives to a methamphetamine overdose. Although the journey may be more prolonged than with opiates, the final destination is the same. Methamphetamines, like opiates, kill. Today’s round-up provides proof that the entire Department of Justice, working together with our state and local partners, will do all that we can to eradicate the deadly and varied threat presented by illicit drugs in every corner of our District.”
“These joint, strategic operations help us in this race to save lives,” said Gary Loeffert, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Office. “The FBI concentrates on crime problems that pose major threats to American society and we are too familiar with this topic. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, harmful stimulant. The men and women arrested today were pushing this unforgiving drug into the Jamestown community knowing it will inevitably destroy the lives of users and their families and friends.”
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James Hunt stated, “Meth is cheap, addictive, highly toxic; and it is here, in the Southern Tier of New York. This investigation demonstrates that we are determined to eradicate methamphetamine traffickers by shutting down the source of supply. I applaud our law enforcement partners for their diligent work on this investigation.”
USPIS Acting Inspector-in-Charge, Boston Division, Delany De Leon-Colon stated, “Along with our law enforcement counterparts, Postal Inspectors will always pursue those who use the mail to conduct illegal activities, placing our employees and customers in harm’s way. When criminals use the mail for illegal enrichment, Postal Inspectors will not hesitate to ensure they are brought to justice.”
The indictment and criminal complaint are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division; the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Delany E. De Leon-Colon; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy; and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
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.Sumter Man Sentenced for Federal Firearm and Drug ViolationsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson sentenced Leandre Budden, a/k/a “Bubba,” age 35, to 235 months of incarceration as a result of his conviction for Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Quantities of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
Evidence presented in court established that in April and May of 2017, Budden sold both firearms and drugs throughout Sumter County, including a semiautomatic weapon. Budden is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for armed robbery, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, grand larceny, and burglary.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Sumter County Sherriff’s Office. Budden was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.
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St. Francis Woman Indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Child AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Child Abuse.
Tara Red Kettle, a/k/a Tera Red Kettle, age 20, was indicted on June 12, 2018. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 18, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on April 6, 2018, Red Kettle abused, exposed, tortured, tormented, and cruelly punished a child who had not attained the age of seven years old.
The charges are merely accusations and Red Kettle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Red Kettle was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Springfield Man Faces 30 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually abusing a child and taking sexually explicit photographs of his victim.
Anthony Cotter, 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, June 18, 2018, to the sexual exploitation of children.
By pleading guilty, Cotter admitted that he received and distributed child pornography over the Internet. Cotter also admitted that he had a substantial amount of child pornography on his computer and cell phone.
Cotter told investigators he had been sexually abusing a minor female, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, and taking sexually explicit photographs of Jane Doe #1. Depictions of Cotter sexually abusing the child victim were recovered from his digital storage devices.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cotter will be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
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 Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Springfield Man Faces 20 Years in Prison for Heroin Conspiracy, FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to leading a conspiracy that distributed at least a kilogram of heroin in the Springfield area.
Roosevelt Simpson, 60, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute at least a kilogram of heroin and to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Simpson admitted that he was a leader in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from Sept. 1, 2012, to April 3, 2017. Simpson purchased heroin from Chicago, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., which was transported to Springfield by vehicle. Simpson supplied heroin to other mid-level dealers, including co-defendants Romele E. Freeman, 53, and Kenneth M. Smith, 60, both of Springfield. Freeman and Smith, in turn, supplied other heroin dealers. Co-defendant Najee Boston, 37, of Springfield, personally transported heroin from St. Louis and also supplied Smith. Freeman, Smith and Boston also have pleaded guilty.
Simpson admitted that, beginning in April 2014, he purchased two to three ounces of heroin every two to three weeks. Simpson was “fronted” the heroin for $3,000 per ounce and profited approximately $4,000 per ounce. Simpson also admitted that he utilized a Rossi .38-caliber revolver for protection and aggression in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
During the course of the investigation, agents were able to infiltrate the drug-trafficking organization and buy heroin directly from Simpson and others. Today’s plea agreement cites several instances of undercover officers purchasing heroin from Simpson.
On April 12, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence. They seized a total of 4.1 grams of heroin, $6,062 (some of which was hidden in a pair of shoes in a bedroom closet and above the cabinets in the kitchen), and the loaded Rossi revolver in a metal pot under the kitchen counter.
On April 3, 2017, law enforcement officers observed Simpson selling heroin to another person at a nearby convenience store. Officers searched his residence again and seized 4.5 grams of heroin.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Simpson will be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Scranton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dickson Gutierrez, age 43, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2018, before Senior United States District Court Judge James M. Munley to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Gutierrez admitted to possessing between 300 and 400 grams of cocaine for further distribution. The charge stems from an investigation, conducted in August 2017, in which police made two purchases of cocaine from Gutierrez and then obtained a search warrant for Gutierrez’s residence and vehicle, both located on Hampton Street in Scranton, and seized additional amounts of cocaine as well as $10,275 in cash.
Judge Munley ordered a presentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Gutierrez was indicted by a grand jury in October 2017, as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Roswell Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Monica Vega, 35, of Roswell, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking charges. Vega’s plea agreement recommends a ten-year prison sentence followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Vega was arrested on Nov. 17, 2017, on a three-count indictment charging her with methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses. The indictment charged Vega with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute on April 20, 2017 and Oct. 20, 2017, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on April 20, 2017. According to the indictment, Vega committed the crimes in Chaves County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Vega pled guilty to a two-count felony information charging her with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Vega admitted that on April 20, 2017, law enforcement agents seized approximately 57.8 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $1,083 while executing a search warrant at her residence. Vega also admitted that on Oct. 19, 2017, New Mexico State Police officers seized approximately 33.6 grams of methamphetamine from her when they arrested her on a traffic violation. Vega acknowledged that she planned to distribute the methamphetamine to others for money.
Vega has been in federal custody since her arrest and remains detained pending her sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Roswell Police Department, New Mexico State Police and the HIDTA Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin C. Segovia and John Balla of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
The HIDTA Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Roswell Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Chaves County Sherriff’s Office. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.
Randolph County man indicted in connection to destructive devicesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert C. Ard, of Elkins, West Virginia, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges related to two homemade explosive devices found in his home, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Ard, age 54, is charged with one count of “Making an Unlawful Firearm” and one count of “Possession of Unregistered Firearm.” Ard is accused of making a firearm, that is a destructive device, and possessing a destructive device that wasn’t registered with the National Firearms Registry.
On June 18, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Ard’s residence because agents had reason to believe there were explosive devices and materials used to make an IED. Upon searching the apartment, agents found two destructive devices and additional components used to construct said devices.
Ard faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of $10,000 fine for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Owners of Miami Export Business Sentenced for $100 Million Unlicensed Money Transmitting and International Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LUIS DIAZ JR. and LUIS JAVIER DIAZ were sentenced to eight months and four months in prison, respectively, for their roles in funneling more than $100 million through the U.S. financial system on behalf of various foreign businesses based predominantly in Venezuela. They did so through their Miami-based import/export company, which, for nearly five years, the defendants also used to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. LUIS DIAZ JR. and LUIS JAVIER DIAZ were convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and international money laundering following a jury trial in November 2017 before U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III, who also imposed today’s sentences.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “This father-and-son duo used their small for a large-scale illegal money transmission and money laundering operation. By skirting the anti-money laundering safeguards required of licensed institutions, the defendants moved more than $100 million through U.S. financial institutions. Today’s sentence is a sign of the seriousness of these crimes and our Office’s commitment to prosecute them.”
According to the Indictment, other filings in Manhattan federal court, and the evidence presented at trial:
Between 2010 and 2016, LUIS DIAZ, JR., and LUIS JAVIER DIAZ used Miami Equipment and Export Company (the “Company”), a company they owned in Doral, Florida, to effect the transmission of at least $100 million on behalf of entities outside the United States, mostly located in Venezuela, to bank accounts in the United States and elsewhere, in exchange for a fee. During this time, the Company was not registered with the State of Florida or the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a component of the United States Department of the Treasury, as required by both state and federal laws applicable to money transmitting businesses.
Using unlicensed money transmitting businesses like the Company enables entities and individuals to move money into and through the U.S. financial system while avoiding licensed U.S. financial institutions that monitor for suspicious activity and report it to U.S. authorities, including through suspicious activity reports, or SARs. Instead, by going through unlicensed entities like the Company, foreign businesses ensure that suspicious patterns of transmissions will not be detected and reported as potential money laundering activity or other financial crime.
Through their unlicensed money transmitting business, LUIS DIAZ JR. and LUIS JAVIER DIAZ enabled a number of foreign businesses to move money into and around the United States. For instance, the defendants used the Company to transmit over $100 million into the United States on behalf of KCT, a large Venezuelan consortium of construction companies, and other entities located in Central and South America. After they received these funds from KCT or other companies, the defendants received instructions concerning where to send the money as well as fake invoices and contracts purporting to set forth a valid business reason for these payments. The fake invoices and contracts made the payments appear connected to legitimate business services being provided to the Company, such as consulting or engineering services. In this manner, the defendants sent money on behalf of KCT and other companies to U.S. and foreign bank accounts of shell companies located around the world, Venezuelan government officials, KCT employees in Venezuela, and others who had no relationship with the defendants or the Company. For all of these transmitting activities, the Company received over $1 million in fees.
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In addition to the prison terms, LUIS DIAZ JR., 76, and LUIS JAVIER DIAZ, 51, both of Miami, Florida, were sentenced to two years of supervised release. The amount of forfeiture will be determined at a later date.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, DEA, the Englewood, New Jersey, Police Department, and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward B. Diskant, Daniel M. Tracer, and Benet J. Kearney are in charge of the prosecution.
Nine Members of Multi-State Drug Trafficking Network Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today the convictions of nine individuals charged in connection with an extensive federal, state, and local investigation by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) aimed at a drug trafficking network based in Ascension Parish and operating in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. The indictment filed in this matter charged significant drug trafficking offenses involving cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin.
Last week, each of the following defendants appeared before Chief Judge Brian A. Jackson and pled guilty for their roles in the drug trafficking network:
- Arthur Johnson, Jr., a.k.a. “Nelson Howard,” “Wood,” and “Dread,” age 42, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, CEO of “Ruff-n-Rugged Entertainment” in Geismar, Louisiana, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin, and 16 counts of unlawful use of a communication facility.
- Lorenza Benitez Alday, a.k.a. “Old Woman,” “Old Lady,” and “Old Girl,” age 52, of Gonzales, Louisiana, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 5 counts of unlawful use of a communication facility.
- Tom Christmas III, a.k.a. “Bald Head” and “Tom Jr.,” age 42, of Geismar, Louisiana, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin and 4 counts of unlawful use of a communication facility.
- Rodolfo De La Cruz Alday, age 45, of Gonzales, Louisiana, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- Norberto Aaron Bejarano, age 31, of Houston, Texas, pled guilty to 1 count of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- Reginald Jackson, a.k.a. “Lemonhead,” age 45, of Geismar, Louisiana, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
- Ramsey Everett, a.k.a. “Ram,” age 31, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, pled guilty to 1 count of misprision of a felony drug offense.
- Stephen Keys, a.k.a. “Bad Ass,” age 33, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Sigmund Lewis, a.k.a. “Sig,” age 42, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
As a result of their guilty pleas, each defendant faces a significant term of imprisonment, fines, and the forfeiture of proceeds from their illegal activity.
According to documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Arthur Johnson was the organizer and leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin in and around Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Ascension Parish, Louisiana. Tom Christmas was Johnson’s second-in-command, supervising the criminal enterprise’s daily activities and collecting proceeds from the illegal sale of drugs by lower-level members of the DTO, including Jackson, Keys, Lewis, and Ramsey. Norberto Bejarano, and other couriers, transported cocaine from Texas to the Aldays’ residence in Gonzales, Louisiana. Lorenza and Rodolfo Alday thereafter supplied cocaine to Johnson for further distribution in and around Ascension Parish and Hattiesburg.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Our goal is to make our communities safe – taking multi kilo level drug dealers and their cronies off the street does just that. Our office will continue to aggressively pursue drug traffickers using all legal means available. I commend the FBI, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and all of the other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who contributed to this important matter.”
This investigation is another effort by the OCDETF Program, which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations, and related criminal enterprises. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.
This OCDETF operation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana; the FBI Baton Rouge Capitol Area Gang Task Force, which is an FBI Safe Street Task Force that includes the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and Baton Rouge Police Department; the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office; the FBI Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Resident Agency; and the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Police Department. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie A. Flowers, Jr.
Nez Perce Man Sentenced to over Thirteen Years for Assault with a Short-Barreled ShotgunRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Aleck Walker, 25, of Lapwai, Idaho, was sentenced today to a total of 166 months in federal prison by United States District Court Judge David C. Nye, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Judge Nye sentenced Walker to 46 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and an additional 120 months for using a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of the assault. Judge Nye also ordered Walker to serve 3 years of supervised release after his release from prison.
According to court records, in July 2017, Walker approached a woman parked in a vehicle in an alley. The woman’s daughter and father were also inside the vehicle. Walker asked the woman why she was in the alley and pointed a short-barreled shotgun at her head. The woman and her daughter both feared for their lives. The case was prosecuted in federal court because Walker is a Nez Perce tribal member and the offense occurred within the boundaries of the Nez Perce reservation. At sentencing, Walker apologized to the victims and said he was under the influence of drugs that day.
This case was investigated by the Nez Perce Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Montana Resident Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography in CaliforniaRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO- Douglas Pippert pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The Honorable Vince Chhabria, U.S. District Judge, accepted the guilty plea.
According to his plea agreement, in March of 2016, Pippert, 48, formerly of Montana, used a minor to take part in sexually explicit conduct. The minor was between 12 and 16 years old, and would often stay at Pippert’s California residence. While at his residence, Pippert would engage in sexually explicit conduct with the minor while the minor was both conscious and unconscious. Pippert made visual images of his sexual conduct with the minor and kept those images on numerous electronic devices. He also admitted to possessing over 600 images and video of children, including minors younger than twelve years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
On November 2, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Pippert, charging him with one count of production of child exploitation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), and one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Pursuant to today’s agreement, Pippert pleaded guilty to the production charge and the possession charge was dismissed.
Judge Chhabria scheduled a sentencing hearing for September 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. The minimum statutory sentence for violating 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) is 15 years of imprisonment and a term of supervised release upon release from prison for a minimum of 5 years. The maximum statutory sentence is 30 years of imprisonment and a term of supervised release for the remainder of his life. As part of any sentence, Judge Chhabria also may order Pippert to pay restitution and pay a fine of up to $250,000. However, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant United States Attorneys Neal C. Hong and Meredith B. Osborn are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Fort Bragg Police Department.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may also be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
Monroe County Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison on Drug Trafficking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Laurence Cadogan, age 33, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 18, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to serve 87 months’ imprisonment for heroin trafficking and unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of heroin trafficking.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Cadogan previously pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute between 60 grams and 80 grams of heroin and unlawfully possessing two firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes occurred on October 26, 2016, in Tannersville. Police and federal agents seized more than 3,000 bags of heroin and two loaded firearms during the investigation. Cadogan was ordered by Judge Mannion to forfeit the two firearms seized by agents.
Judge Mannion also ordered Cadogan to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
Cadogan was indicted by a grand jury in February 2017. The charges against Cadogan resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Monroe County Man Guilty of Sex Trafficking and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jamiell Sims, age 29, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to participating in a sex trafficking conspiracy that involved using threats and coercion to force women to engage in prostitution in the Monroe County area between 2011 and 2014. Sims also pleaded guilty to distributing heroin on four occasions in Monroe County during September-October 2016.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Sims admitted to being a member of the Black P-Stones, a street gang that engaged in sex trafficking and drug trafficking in the Stroudsburg area. Sims admitted that he and other members of the P-Stones sex trafficked at least four women. Those women were advertised on websites and provided with hotel and motel rooms to engage in commercial sex acts with customers.
Those women were threatened, physically assaulted, and provided drugs by members of the gang to persuade them to engage or continue to engage in prostitution. Virtually all of the money earned by the prostitutes was turned over to the gang leaders, and the prostitutes were compensated with illegal drugs, including heroin and Percocet. Sims admitted to providing security for prostitution activities, collecting money from the prostitutes, and providing drugs to the prostitutes.
Sims also admitted distributing heroin on four occasions between September 19, 2016 and October 6, 2016.
Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing for Sims will be scheduled at a later date.
Sims was indicted along with two other people by a federal grand jury in January 2018, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Maine State Police, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and local police in Monroe County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking and Child Pornography Charges Arising Out of Seizures at U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint Near AlamogordoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Edgar Castillo-Alonso, 21, a Mexican national, pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to cocaine trafficking and child pornography charges arising out of seizures made on April 23, 2018, at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo, N.M.
Castillo-Alonso was arrested in April 2018, on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing approximately 5.6 kilograms (12.4) pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleged that U.S. Border Patrol agents seized the cocaine from a vehicle driven by Castillo-Alonso during an inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo, in Otero County, N.M.
During today’s change of plea hearing, Castillo-Alonso pled guilty to a three-count felony information charging him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of child pornography. In his plea agreement, Castillo-Alonso admitted that on April 23, 2018, he transported approximately 5.6 kilograms of cocaine in Otero County, with the intention of delivering the cocaine to another person in exchange for money. Castillo-Alonso admitted that the cocaine was concealed in a hidden compartment in his vehicle. Castillo-Alonso also admitted possessing images of child pornography, which were stored on his cellular phone.
At sentencing, Castillo-Alonso faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment on the cocaine trafficking charges, and a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment on the child pornography charge. Castillo-Alonso will also be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces offices of the DEA and FBI, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock E. Taylor is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. Individuals with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse are encouraged to contact the Children’s Advocacy Center at (575) 526-3437.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Who Cut His Ankle Bracelet and Fled to Mexico during Trial Sentenced to 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Salel (619) 546-8055
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 13, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Drug trafficker Salvador Ojeda-Amarillas, who fled during his 2009 trial and was arrested years later in Mexico, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for smuggling 66 pounds of pure methamphetamine from Mexico and distributing it throughout San Diego.
According to court records, from 2003 and 2007, Ojeda conspired with other drug traffickers to have pounds of methamphetamine smuggled into San Diego from Mexico, and distributed throughout San Diego County. Using court-authorized wiretaps on numerous cell phones, Drug Enforcement Administration special agents intercepted dozens of calls where Ojeda and others discussed logistics for their drug operations.
DEA special agents arrested Ojeda on May 17, 2007 when they executed a search warrant on Ojeda’s San Diego residence – in conjunction with 17 other search warrants executed by DEA throughout the county. Inside Ojeda’s home, DEA seized three firearms, including a loaded rifle located within arm’s reach of Ojeda’s bed, and a digital scale that tested positive for methamphetamine residue.
Ojeda’s trial began in May 2009. During the second week of trial -- after listening to dozens of intercepted calls where he heard himself using coded language to conduct drug deals, and the testimony of four cooperating defendants who received deliveries of pounds of methamphetamine from Ojeda -- Ojeda had heard enough. He cut his GPS bracelet and fled to Mexico.
Ojeda was convicted by the jury in absentia. Ojeda eluded arrest in Mexico for several years. He was eventually arrested in Mexico and extradited back to the United States in 2016.
In court today, U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes said the government presented a very strong case at trial and the evidence against Ojeda was “overwhelming.” The case was aggravated, in part, based on the amount and type of substance – 66 pounds of pure methamphetamine smuggled from Mexico and distributed throughout San Diego over the course of multiple years. Judge Hayes said that a 20-year-sentence was appropriate because Ojeda was a leader of an extensive drug trafficking organization, possessed firearms at his home during the conspiracy, and he obstructed justice.
“This defendant found out today that the United States never forgets,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. “Ojeda listened to mountains of evidence against him and decided to flee. The outcome of this case is a reminder that the government will pursue those who peddle drugs and violence in our communities for as long as it takes, and the consequences of running are severe.”
“Today’s sentence was the solid end of a comprehensive DEA investigation focusing on methamphetamine trafficking organizations in San Diego,” said DEA San Diego Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that continues to have a devastating impact on our society. The DEA will continue to work to bring methamphetamine traffickers to justice and make San Diego a safer place.”
This case is part of a multi-year investigation led by the DEA in Southern District of California that, in total, resulted in the arrest of 48 people, the seizure of 68 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 firearms, and approximately $295,000 in U.S. Currency.
This investigation is also the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 07-CR-1408-WQH
Salvador Ojeda Amarillas Age: 62 Culiacan, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960 and 963. Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $4,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846. Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $4,000,000 fine and and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration (San Diego Field Office)
Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Homeland Security Investigations
Customs and Border Protection
United States Marshals Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Escondido Police Department
National City Police Department
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
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United States v. Edurardo Barajas, et al., 07-CR-2985-WQH
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McAllen Man Heads to Prison for Receiving Child Pornography VideosRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 28-year old resident of McAllen has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of one count of receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jesus Salvador Lara-Perez pleaded guilty Dec. 5, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa handed Lara-Perez a 66-month-sentence. Lara-Perez was further ordered to $750 in restitution to a known victim and will serve five years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Lara-Perez came to the attention of law enforcement following an investigation which began on Nov. 8, 2015, into persons using the internet to traffic in child pornography. A special agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was able to locate and identify a computer as offering to participate in the receipt of child pornography videos through the peer-to-peer network on the Internet. Through the investigation, it was determined the computer was located at a residence in McAllen.
On June 28, 2016, authorities executed a federal search warrant at that residence, during which time they seized a laptop computer. A forensic examination on the computer revealed 198 videos and 109 images of child pornography involving clearly young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These videos included children under the age of 12 involved in sadistic conduct, bondage and other depictions of violence. Some of the videos are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Lara-Perez admitted he downloaded and viewed child pornography from the Internet, thereby receiving the child pornography found on his laptop computer. He admitted he had been downloading child pornography for approximately three years.
Lara-Perez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI conducted the investigation.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Benavides, 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 Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Marion County man sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Thomas Keener, II, of Fairmont, West Virginia was sentenced today to nine months incarceration for a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Keener, age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility” in October 2017. Keener admitted to using a phone to distribute and assist in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone in Monongalia County in February 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Marion County man indicted on drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Fairmont, West Virginia man was indicted today by a federal grand jury on a methamphetamine distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Fredrick L. Chapman, also known as “Fred L. Chapman” and “Freddie,” age 61, is charged with one count of “Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Chapman is accused of possessing methamphetamine in Marion County in May of 2018.
The United States is also seeking forfeiture of $37,829 as proceeds derived directly or indirectly from the alleged crime.
Chapman faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Manchester Woman Sentenced to 6 months for Straw Purchase of Firearm for Massachusetts FelonRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Jessica Fithian, 34, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced in federal court to 6 months in prison for purchasing a firearm for a Massachusetts felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Fithian agreed with co-defendant Matthew Bergeron to purchase a firearm, ammunition, and an extended clip magazine on Bergeron’s behalf in July and August 2016, from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hooksett, New Hampshire. In completing the purchase of the firearm, Fithian falsely stated that she was purchasing the firearm for herself when she was, in fact, purchasing it for Bergeron. At the time, Bergeron was a previously convicted felon and a resident of Massachusetts, and could not legally purchase firearms for himself in New Hampshire. The scheme to acquire the firearm came to light after the firearm was recovered in late August 2016 in connection with a shooting incident in Leominster, Massachusetts, where Bergeron was present.
A federal grand jury indicted Fithian and Bergeron in November 2016. Bergeron previously pleaded guilty to his conduct involving Ms. Fithian and an additional individual, and was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment in June 2017. Fithian pleaded guilty in March 2017. Following the completion of her term of imprisonment, Fithian has been ordered to serve a term of 3 years of supervised release.
“In order to reduce violent crime and protect our community, we must prevent convicted felons from obtaining firearms” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The imposition of a prison sentence in this case should serve as a warning to those who would be willing to provide firearms to felons.”
“ATF is determined to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Far too many violent crimes result from straw purchasers buying guns for people who are prohibited from having them. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue and arrest those who commit these criminal acts,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lawrence Panetta.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
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Man with 24 Adult Criminal Convictions Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A Dubuque area man who participated in a fraud that victimized more than 250 elderly victims across the United States was sentenced today to nearly five years in prison.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing and prior court hearings in related cases showed that Cody Richey, age 27, from Zwingle, Iowa, was involved in a scheme to defraud victims, who were generally elderly, around the country. In a plea agreement, Richey admitted that while he never made calls to victims, other individuals involved in the scheme called victims on the phone and told these victims that a relative was in jail. The caller would then ask the victims to wire money via Western Union or Money Gram to get the relative released. Richey further admitted that the money was being wired to various participants in the fraud who would pick up the wire transfers. He admitted that he received wire transfers from the victims and sent money received from victims overseas. The scheme victimized more than 250 victims across the country. These victims lost more than $750,000 as a result of the fraud. Ten other people have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in the fraud.
Richey was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Richey was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to pay more than $26,000 in restitution. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The prosecution is part of the Elder Justice Initiative of the Department of Justice. In June 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of 10 districts in the nation to form an Elder Justice Task Force (http://go.usa.gov/cSngj). The task force was assembled to foster a collaborative working relationship among all levels of government officials, advocacy groups for the elderly and the disabled, and others charged with the care and protection for these vulnerable groups. The goals include ensuring the integrity of all government expenditures by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in health programs, and protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens from harm, whether it occurs in nursing homes or other institutions or involves financial fraud schemes. To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.
Richey is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Investigations and the Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file numbers are 17-CR-1004 and 17-CR-1038.
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Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for his Role in Three Homicides and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Demante Syms, 26, of Saint Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus one year for his participation in the killing of three individuals in furtherance of drug trafficking and his tampering with a witness. Syms was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.
According to court documents, Jacobi Temple, Syms and Samuel Spires traveled in a vehicle to the area of 4467 Itaska Street. Temple went there to obtain payment for heroin previously distributed by him that had not been paid for. Temple learned of the 4467 Itaska location from Tammie Thurmond who was the mother of Paige Schaefer. As Temple and Syms were inside 4467 Itaska demanding payment, Temple shot and killed James Lacey and Paige Schaefer. Brittney Brown was shot in the head and severely injured. Syms blocked the door while Temple committed the killings at Itaska. (Spires remained outside the Itaska residence in a parked vehicle.) Shortly after, Temple, Syms and Spires located Ms. Thurmond. With Syms seated next to her inside the backseat of a vehicle, Temple took Ms. Thurmond to an alley, then shot and killed her.
After being shot in the head inside the Itaska residence, Brittney Brown struggled to, but successfully contacted 911. Ms. Brown survived but was hospitalized for a significant period of time. While hospitalized (and continuing after her release), Ms. Brown provided invaluable support and assistance to law enforcement officials. Ms. Brown provided a powerful, moving victim impact statement during today’s sentencing for the court’s consideration in fashioning an appropriate sentence for Syms.
Following his federal indictment for drug trafficking and murder, Syms recruited his mother, Tabitha Hunt, to assist him in tampering with a witness in connection with the underlying homicide investigation. Syms and his mother were subsequently indicted in a second federal indictment as a result.
Today’s sentence of life imprisonment plus one year holds Syms accountable for his conduct in both federal indictments. Following sentencing, United States Attorney Jeff Jensen reiterated the important message that such a strong sentence sends, “People who commit violent crimes will be punished harshly. I am very grateful to Brittney Brown for taking a stand against these murderers.”
As for Syms’ co-defendant, Hunt was sentenced to term of federal supervised release on May 1, 2018. Spires was sentenced to 20-years imprisonment on May 23, 2018. Temple’s sentencing is set for July 27, 2018.
This case was investigated as part of the on-going effort between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to address the violent crime within the City of Saint Louis.
Macon Man Charged with Enticing A MinorRead the Press Release
Deron Lamonte Hill, age 23, of Macon, Georgia, has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, announces United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. Mr. Hill is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of Attempted Online Enticement, Mr. Hill faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. He faces up to ten (10) years’ imprisonment on the Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor charge.
The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Macon Resident Agency Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker.
“Protecting minors from online predators is a priority of our office and the focus of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. We will vigorously prosecute those alleged to have engaged in such conduct,” stated United States Attorney Peeler.
Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Luzerne County Woman Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Participating in Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brandy Carey Malinosky, age 42, of Pittston Township, was sentenced on June 12, 2018, to 28 months’ imprisonment and to serve four years on supervised release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for her role in a heroin trafficking conspiracy that operated in Luzerne County during February through November 2014.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Malinosky previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Malinosky admitted to distributing heroin on a daily basis for Desmond Mercer, the leader of the drug conspiracy. Malinosky distributed between 100 and 400 grams of heroin for Mercer, which is approximately equivalent to between 4,000 and 16,000 retail bags of heroin.
Mercer previously pleaded guilty to heading-up the drug conspiracy and was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Shaliek Stroman and Shaquan Murphy, two key associates of Mercer, were each sentenced to more than 12 years’ imprisonment for their roles in the conspiracy. Another member of the drug ring, Antuan Jamison, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Malinosky was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2016, as a result of an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and Kingston Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Lewis County man indicted on drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – John David Davisson, of Weston, West Virginia, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on firearms and methamphetamine distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Davisson, age 27, is charged with one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Carry a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime,” and one count of “Obliterated Serial Number.” Davisson is accused of possessing a .45-caliber pistol and two 9mm pistols while possessing crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, in October 2017 in Lewis County. The .45-caliber pistol was allegedly stolen, and one of the 9mm pistols had an obliterated serial number.
Davisson faces up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the carry during a drug crime count, 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the methamphetamine count, up to 10 years and a fine of $250,000 fine for each of the remaining counts. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Lee County Project Safe Neighborhood Program Yields Guilty Plea, Sentencing, of Repeat Offenders for Federal Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
Greensboro, N.C. – One Lee County man pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number, and another Lee County man was sentenced for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin. These cases resulted from close federal and local coordination through the Lee County Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) program, which is intended to reduce violent and gun-related crime.
On June 11, 2018, Teon Shamal La’Shane Douglas, age 22, of Sanford, N.C., pleaded guilty before the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, Chief United States District Judge, to a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which makes it a federal crime for a previously convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition, and to a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(k), which makes it a federal crime to possess a firearm with a removed, altered, and/or obliterated manufacturer’s serial number.
As set forth in the factual basis filed in support of Douglas’s plea of guilty, on June 11, 2017, officers with the Sanford Police Department were on routine patrol when they pulled Douglas over for speeding. After smelling the odor of marihuana in the car, officers searched it and discovered a Walther handgun and a Sig Sauer handgun. Douglas had multiple previous convictions, including a 2016 conviction for Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver a Scheduled II Controlled Substance. On November 28, 2017, officers with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office pulled a car over with no registration plates. Douglas was a passenger in the car. After smelling the odor of marihuana in the car, officers searched the car and its occupants. They found a Ravens Arms pistol in the car and a second Ravens Arm pistol with an altered serial number in Douglas’s pants.
Douglas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years for the first violation and a maximum term of imprisonment of five years for the second violation. The Court may also impose a term of supervised release of up to three years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a special assessment fee of $100.00, for each violation. Douglas will be sentenced on September 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. in Winston-Salem Courtroom Two.
On June 15, 2018, Diante Tyrell Roberson, age 20, of Sanford, N.C., was sentenced by the Honorable N. Carlton Tilley, Jr., Senior United States District Judge, to imprisonment for thirty months, followed by three years supervised release and a $100.00 special assessment fee. On March 8, 2016, Roberson pleaded guilty to a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which makes it a federal crime for a previously convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition.
On July 6, 2017, officers with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a home in Sanford, N.C., reporting the shooting of a dog. Through the investigation, officers determined that Roberson had come to the home after midnight that evening and sent text messages to one of its occupants that threatened violence if she did not let him into the home. When the occupant would not come to the door, Roberson shot and killed a pet dog in the yard in retaliation. A 9mm shell casing was located near the corpse of the dog. Roberson had a 2017 conviction for Felony Accessory After the Fact related to a robbery.
These two matters are the result of close cooperation among members of the Lee County PSN coalition. PSN is a data-driven, nationwide Department of Justice coordinated gun and violent crime strategy designed to protect communities. The Lee County PSN coalition is comprised of the Sanford Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Broadway Police Department, the Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice (probation), the State Bureau of Investigation, the District Attorney’s Office for the 11A Prosecutorial District, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Attorney’s Office, and many other community members and agencies.
These cases were investigated by the Sanford Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney JoAnna G. McFadden.
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Kirksville Man Faces Twenty-Five Years for Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
St. Louis —Scott Walsh, 46, of Kirksville, was taken into federal custody today on an Indictment charging him with enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Specifically, it is alleged Walsh contacted a minor online and caused him to produce an obscene video of himself and share it with Walsh. Walsh, a prior sexual offender, is charged under Title 18, United States Code Section 2251(a), punishable under Section 2251(e), which calls for a minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen said “the allegations in this indictment are every parent’s nightmare. I applaud the continuing efforts of Project Safe Childhood and its state and local partner agencies in developing these difficult cases.”
Project Safe Childhood is the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide effort to develop and prosecute cases involving child pornography and exploitation.
The case was investigated by the Kirksville Police Department, the Shelbina Police Department, and the FBI, in cooperation with the Adair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lang is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Kansas Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 48–year–old Edward Eugene Lowe, Jr., to 40 years in federal prison on child pornography charges, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez also ordered that Lowe pay $10,000 restitution to his victim.
On March 15, 2018, Lowe pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Lowe admitted that on June 25, 2010, he sent images of child pornography to a minor male victim. Lowe further admitted that on July 11, 2010, he persuaded the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.
FBI agents were alerted after images of the minor were discovered on the minor’s iPad. Further investigation revealed that the minor was communicating with the defendant. Lowe, who at the time resided at a state hospital in Kansas after being committed as a sexual offender, had paid individuals to smuggle cellular phones into the hospital so that he could communicate with underage males and solicit images of child pornography.
On October 4, 2011, FBI agents executed a search warrant and seized Lowe’s phone. A forensics review of the phone revealed sexually explicit images and email communications between Lowe and the minor since May 2010.
The FBI’s San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim Against Setpoint Systems Inc.Read the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced that it reached a settlement with Setpoint Systems Inc., an Ogden, Utah, engineering company. The settlement resolves the Department’s investigation into whether the company engaged in hiring discrimination against non-U.S. citizens protected under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA) anti-discrimination provision.
The Department’s investigation found that from 2015 to 2017, Setpoint Systems had an unlawful policy of hiring only U.S. citizens for professional positions and refusing to consider otherwise qualified non-U.S. citizens based on the company’s erroneous understanding of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). ITAR regulates specific exports of defense articles and services, and limits the access of certain sensitive information to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, asylees, and refugees. ITAR thus does not authorize employers to only hire U.S. citizens. The anti-discrimination provision of the INA makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an individual in the recruitment and hiring process based on citizenship status, unless authorized by law.
Under the settlement, Setpoint will pay a $17,475 civil penalty to the United States, train its human resources personnel on the requirements of the INA’s anti-discrimination provision, and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
“Employers may not adopt discriminatory hiring policies that harm workers who are protected by the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “We look forward to working with Setpoint Systems to ensure that its hiring procedures fully comply with the INA’s protections against citizenship status discrimination.”
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. The statute prohibits, among other things, citizenship, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation.
For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites.
Applicants or workers who believe they were subjected to different documentary requirements based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin; or discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral, should contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
Johnstown Felon Admits Illegally Possessing Loaded PistolRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pa. pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Anthony Rodney Edwards, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on Mar. 15, 2018, he was found in possession of a loaded Norinco .38 caliber pistol. On Mar. 31, 2017, Edwards was convicted in Cambria Co., Pa., of firearms not to be carried without a license, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 23, 2018, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Edwards.
- Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge
Investment Advisors Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding a Client and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Palm Beach County investment advisors were sentenced to prison for their roles in defrauding a client and tax evasion charges.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael J. DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
Shawn O’Sullivan, 59, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. On May 23, 2018, co-defendant Heidi Wivolin, 49, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Both Wivolin and O’Sullivan were ordered to pay restitution of $2,757,865.51 to victims. Wivolin was ordered to pay an additional $140,069 to the IRS. O’Sullivan was ordered to pay $121,167 to the IRS.
The defendants previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title l8, United States Code, Sections 1349, and one count of tax evasion, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201. Wivolin also pled guilty to one count of willfully filing a false tax return, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1).
According to publicly filed court documents, O’Sullivan and Wivolin were investment advisors to an elderly client. After the client’s death, Wivolin continued to financially advise the victim’s daughter (Victim #1), who inherited part of the elderly client’s estate. Wivolin reviewed the investments, and advised Victim #1 regarding various annuities and insurance policies she and her husband had. Wivolin also prepared the state and federal tax returns for Victim #1 and her husband over a number of years, and met with them to advise them on their investments and prepare their tax returns.
Between July 2008 and January 2014, the defendants devised a scheme to defraud Victim #1 by obtaining money from her under false and fraudulent pretenses by purporting to sell her a tax deferred, fixed interest rate bond which the defendants never intended to, nor did actually purchase with the money. As part of the scheme, on July 15, 2008, Wivolin offered Victim #1 $100,000 bond through Finntrust, promising a 7% rate of return. Victim #1 agreed to purchase the Finntrust bond and gave Wivolin a check for $100,000. O’Sullivan was the director, registered agent, and at times, an officer of Finntrust lnc.
Over the next few years, Wivolin gave Victim #1 numerous verbal assurances that her money was safely invested and secure in the Finntrust bond, when in truth, the defendants never invested Victim #1’s $100,000 in a bond or in any investment vehicle whatsoever. Instead, the defendants used the $100,000 for their own personal and business expenses.
O’Sullivan failed to file tax returns and report all of his income for tax years 2011 to 2013, resulting in taxes due and owing totaling $121,167. Wivolin failed to report all of her income to the IRS, resulting in a tax due and owing of $140,069 for tax years 2009 to 2013.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aurora Fagan.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Illegal alien indicted on reentry chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Alejandro Ascencio-Sotelo, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on an illegal reentry charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Ascencio-Sotelo, age 30, is charged with one count of “Reentry of Removed Alien.” Ascnecio-Sotelo is accused of illegally being in Weirton, West Virginia in June 2018 after being removed from Brownsville, Texas in 2008.
Ascencio-Sotelo faces up to two years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Illegal Possession of a Firearm Sends Local Man to PrisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A previously convicted felon has been ordered to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Cruz Edwardo Gonzalez, 30, of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty Feb. 1, 2018, to a single count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Gonzalez to 84 months imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
In March 2017, authorities were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Gonzalez for delivery of a controlled substance. The agents located and arrested him at his residence in Corpus Christi, at which time Gonzalez gave consent to search the location. Agents and officers soon discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number in his bedroom. Gonzalez, who had a previous felony conviction, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition per federal law.
Gonzalez was arrested at the time of the offense and transferred into federal custody in December 2017 as part of a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort known as Operation City Shield. The operation was designed to identify violent offenders, stop gun violence and protect the community.
Gonzalez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
Huntington Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Landrius Tyree Boose, 34, entered his guilty plea to possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“A defendant like Boose would often be prosecuted in state court,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “However, as part of Project Huntington, defendants like Boose are being prosecuted federally because the federal system has stiffer penalties for gun crimes. We are working closely with the Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to review drug and gun cases to determine the best venue for prosecution.”
On March 22, 2018, a Huntington Police Officer on patrol observed a Honda Accord with an expired registration sticker. The officer activated his emergency lights and began pursuing the vehicle. Boose, the driver of the Honda, admitted that he attempted to flee from the officer by speeding through a residential area of Huntington and crossing several busy intersections while not yielding or stopping for oncoming traffic. Boose further admitted that he eventually stopped at a parking lot, exited the car, and fled on foot.
Law enforcement soon apprehended Boose, and he admitted that he was carrying a backpack with a box of .45 caliber bullets. Boose additionally admitted that he had a set of digital scales and $380 cash in his pockets. Boose was prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law because of a 2009 felony drug conviction in Cabell County Circuit Court.
Boose faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on September 18, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSE DECIDERIO ALVARADO-CARDOZA, age 31, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced Thursday, June 14, after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal reentry of a removed alien after deportation, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
United States District Judge Sara S. Vance sentenced JOSE DECIDERIO ALVARADO-CARDOZA to six months in prison and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to the indictment, on February 26, 2018, ALVARADO-CARDOZA was found to have reentered the United States after he was been previously deported on January 8, 2011.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Hawaii Man Sentenced to Six Months for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jonathan F. Cowles, 47, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and formerly of Rowley, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for wire fraud. Cowles was also ordered to pay $359,784.90 in restitution. He pled guilty on January 22, 2018.
According to court records and evidence, between March and June 2014, the defendant used interstate wires to skim about $25,000 in commissions to which he was not entitled from his employer, Maine Coast Shellfish, LLC (Maine Coast), a lobster wholesaler located in York, Maine. As part of his fraudulent scheme, he also caused Maine Coast to ship about 50,000 lbs. of lobster worth $359,784.90 to a customer in China whose true identity he concealed and for which Maine Coast was not paid.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the York Police Department.
Greenville Woman Pleads Guilty to a Mail Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Julie A. Nelson, age 42, of Greenville, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to defraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Nelson and co-conspirator Julie K. McDowell, who has pled and is awaiting sentencing, stole mail throughout the upstate of South Carolina. Nelson and McDowell altered checks stolen from the mail and also created counterfeit checks from the information obtained. Nelson and McDowell then went to various business in the upstate to pass the checks and obtain goods or cash. Often they used the stolen identification documents to aid in the negotiation of the checks. Law enforcement was able to identify McDowell and Nelson after obtaining surveillance video from various merchants and banks where the two conspirators cashed checks. Upon making arrests, law enforcement recovered approximately $40,000 in stolen checks and $80,000 in counterfeit checks.
Ms. Lydon stated the maximum penalty Nelson can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, supervised release of three years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville City Police Department, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Greece Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kevin DiMartino, 38, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, including prepubescent images, was sentenced to 125 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that on December 6, 2016, an undercover law enforcement officer discovered a video file containing child pornography on the internet. Further investigation determined that the video came from an email address belonging to the defendant. The officer also discovered that DiMartino made files available for download that contained the rape of children as young as five years of age and a ten-year-old child engaged in sex acts with other children.
In January 2017, a search warrant was executed at DiMartino’s residence. Among the items seized were a desktop computer, an external hard drive and a thumb drive. An analysis of the electronic items determined that they contained both child pornography and child erotica. The electronics contained approximately 24,000 images of child pornography.
Prior to his arrest, the defendant owned and operated a bounce house company that serviced parties for children. While the charges were pending, DiMartino was released from custody under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Department. However, in October 2017, the defendant’s bail was revoked after a minor alleged that the defendant sexually abused him at his residence in Greece.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert and the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick D. Phelan.
Fugitive from Federal Court in Nebraska Sentenced to Federal Prison for Document FraudRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who was on the run from federal court in Nebraska to avoid being sentenced for committing aggravated identity theft there was sentenced June 18, 2018, in Iowa to one year in federal prison for fraudulent using the name and Social Security number of another person.
Fernando Nevarez-Carreon, age 61, a citizen of Mexico and lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in Dyersville, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 20, 2017, guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of identification documents while on pretrial release.
At the guilty plea, Nevarez-Carreon admitted that he used a Social Security card knowing that the card was forged or unlawfully obtained. In April 2015, Nevarez-Carreon pled guilty in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska to conspiracy to distribute counterfeit documents and aggravated identity theft. In July 2015, Nevarez-Carreon failed to appear for sentencing in Nebraska and a warrant was issued for his arrest. In July 2016, Nevarez-Carreon and his wife Rosa Nevarez-Fallad both completed employment paperwork under false names to obtain jobs in Farley, Iowa, and used identification cards bearing the names and Social Security Numbers of United States citizens. Nevarez-Carreon avoided apprehension by law enforcement until March 2017, when he was arrested at his place of employment in Farley.
In June 2017, Nevarez-Carreon was sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska to more than six years in prison. Nevarez-Carreon also has a 1999 conviction for domestic battery in Cook County, Illinois, and convictions in 2004 and 2005 for driving under the influence in Dodge County, Nebraska. On February 14, 2018, Rosa Nevarez-Fallad was sentenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa to three months’ imprisonment following a guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of an identification document.
Nevarez-Carreon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Nevarez-Carreon was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment to be served consecutively to the Nebraska sentence. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Nevarez-Carreon is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-CR-1025-LRR.
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Former Waterbury Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration LawRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BYRON ELLIOTT VAUGHN, 32, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2009, VAUGHN was convicted in the Commonwealth of Virginia of rape. He was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after serving two years, and 15 years of probation. VAUGHN also was ordered to comply with lifetime sex offender registration requirements.
VAUGHN was released from prison in November 2009, registered as a sex offender in Virginia and verified his registration as required through 2012.
In 2015, VAUGHN failed to update his sexual offender registration in Virginia, failed to advise Virginia of his change of residence to Connecticut, and failed to register in Connecticut as a sex offender when he moved to Connecticut and applied for employment in Waterbury in November 2016. VAUGHN worked a hospital in Waterbury until he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on August 9, 2017, on a violation of probation warrant that was issued in Virginia in December 2015.
VAUGHN has been detained since his arrest. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for September 12, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
VAUGHN was convicted in Virginia of the probation violation and was sentenced to 77 months of imprisonment suspended after 60 months.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Former Union Treasurer Sentenced to Prison for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced that Cheryl A. Angell (age: 59) of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was sentenced today in federal court in Green Bay for embezzlement of union funds. Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Lewis to a thirteen month term of imprisonment and ordered her to pay $98,711 in restitution to United Steelworkers Local 2. Judge Griesbach also placed Angell on supervised release for three years.
Angell, the former Treasurer for United Steelworkers Local 2, was sentenced following her earlier guilty plea to the charge of embezzling $98,711 in union funds over the course of approximately 4 years. Angell admitted to doing so by writing in excess of 100 checks to herself, using a union credit card for personal expenses, and depositing the proceeds of union checks into her personal account, all without union authorization. Angell spent a considerable portion of the funds obtained at local casinos. In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach stressed the length of the fraud and Angell’s abuse of trust placed in her by union members. Chief Judge Griesbach also stated Angell’s sentence should deter others from committing similar thefts and serve as a significant punishment for her actions.
In announcing this sentence: United States Attorney Krueger stated: “Anyone who, like Ms. Angell, steals from fellow union members after being entrusted to act in their best interest must know that significant consequences will follow.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.
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For additional information contact:
Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig, 414-297-1700