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15 June 2018
Kentucky man sentenced for assaulting a member of congressRead the Press Release
Victim attacked while mowing his yard.
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis B Josh J. Minkler, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced today that a Bowling Green, Kentucky, man was sentenced for assaulting a member of congress resulting in personal injury, a felony under federal law. Rene A. Boucher 60, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Marianne Batanni from the Eastern District of Michigan, sitting by special designation.
“Assaulting a member of Congress is an offense we take very seriously,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to violate the law will be aggressively prosecuted in federal court.”
According to court documents, Boucher and the victim are neighbors in Bowling Green, Kentucky. On November 3, 2017, the victim was mowing his yard while wearing headphones. Boucher allegedly witnessed the victim stack brush onto a pile near the victim’s property and “had enough.” Boucher ran onto the victim’s property and tackled the victim. As a result of this assault, the victim suffered multiple fractured ribs and subsequently contracted and required medical attention for pneumonia. Boucher admitted the assault but denied it was politically motivated.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana was assigned the case following the recusal of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky where the offense was committed
This case was investigated by the Louisville office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kentucky State Police.
“The FBI takes seriously assaults against our elected officials, regardless of motive,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess of the FBI's Louisville field office. “Today's sentence should send a clear message that there are consequences to such actions.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana who prosecuted this case as a Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General, Boucher must serve one year of supervised release following his sentence and pay a $10,000 fine.
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Kauai Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Manufacturing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Chief United States District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced Michael J. Terui, age 38, to 300 months (25 years) in prison yesterday, plus a lifetime period of supervised release, for four counts of manufacturing child pornography. Terui will also be required to register as a sex offender. Terui pled guilty to the offenses on December 12, 2017.
Kenji M. Price, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that according to court documents and information presented in court, Terui repeatedly sexually abused numerous young children, ranging in age from seven to 13 years old, over a period of more than a decade. Fifteen minor victims have been identified. Terui acted as an outreach resource for his father’s church, which held services in the homes of members of the congregation and offered outreach programs to families that lacked a father figure in the home. Terui would often host "sleepovers" and other gatherings at his residence, where he kept video games and movies, which he used to "groom" the children and gain their trust. Church members and other parents would entrust their children to Terui’s care. Terui engaged in sex acts with the children, often while they were sleeping (or pretending to sleep). Terui recorded his conduct using hidden and handheld digital video cameras. Terui also lured his child-victims on vacations in an effort to bond with them and use them for his sexual gratification. Digital storage media found at Terui’s house contained 77 child pornographic video files and 690 child pornographic images.
At yesterday’s sentencing, Chief Judge Seabright commented that Terui’s conduct was "shocking, abhorrent, callous, and devastating," and told Terui that he had "left a trail of pain through what you’ve done." Chief Judge Seabright said that this was the "worst type of breach of trust possible." In imposing the 25-year sentence, Chief Judge Seabright noted several aggravating factors, including that Terui had groomed the children to gain their trust; taken advantage of his position in the church in order to gain access to the children; and engaged in the egregious sexual abuse over a period of more than 10 years. Chief Judge Seabright also highlighted that Terui had recorded the abuse of the children in order to use the recordings for his future sexual gratification. Four parents of the minor victims participated in the sentencing. The parent of one victim told Terui that he was a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" and accused him of "hiding behind the ministry."
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marc A. Wallenstein.
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Joint Statement of Action to Promote Elder Justice in Rural America by the United States Department of Justice and United States Department of AgricultureRead the Press Release
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are forming a working group to focus on ways to empower and to support rural and tribal communities to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we collaboratively embark on a mission to work with older Americans in this Nation to improve their quality of life as envisioned by the Report to the President from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity.
The Nation’s seniors are treasured and revered members of our communities. Too often, however, seniors are targeted by unscrupulous criminals for fraud or are subjected to abuse. Factors more common in rural and tribal communities--including large geographic areas that elongate response time, fewer services and service providers, and limited access to broadband-- create additional challenges to identifying and combatting elder fraud and abuse in rural and tribal communities.
DOJ and USDA resolve to marshal our collective resources and expertise to enable rural and tribal communities to more effectively combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. We are forming a working group to develop recommendations and will jointly present strategic action steps in November 2018 at the Department of Justice’s Rural Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, Iowa.Joint Statement of Action to Promote Elder Justice in Rural America by the United States Department of Justice and Department of AgricultureRead the Press Release
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) are forming a working group to focus on ways to empower and to support rural and tribal communities to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we collaboratively embark on a mission to work with older Americans in this Nation to improve their quality of life as envisioned by the Report to the President from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity.
The Nation’s seniors are treasured and revered members of our communities. Too often, however, seniors are targeted by unscrupulous criminals for fraud or are subjected to abuse. Factors more common in rural and tribal communities--including large geographic areas that elongate response time, fewer services and service providers, and limited access to broadband-- create additional challenges to identifying and combatting elder fraud and abuse in rural and tribal communities.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Much of the Western District of Tennessee is made up of rural communities, and it is an important priority for this office to protect our senior population across the district. To halt the scourge of abuse, exploitation and financial fraud against older citizens, we have designated an Elder Justice Coordinator in the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate, prosecute, punish and deter crimes against our vulnerable seniors. We appreciate the partnership with the USDA, and we look forward to implementing the strategic action steps that result from this collaboration."
DOJ and USDA resolve to marshal our collective resources and expertise to enable rural and tribal communities to more effectively combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. We are forming a working group to develop recommendations and will jointly present strategic action steps in November 2018 at the Department of Justice’s Rural Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jamesy Havens Sentenced as Leader of Fraud RingRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman announced today that Senior United States District Judge Charles R. Simpson III sentenced Jamesy Havens, age 42, of Louisville, Kentucky, to 70 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and multiple money laundering offenses. The Court ordered Havens to pay restitution of $1,449,482.66 to the victims of his scheme.
The Court sentenced Havens and his co-defendants for their participation in a fraudulent scheme that defrauded over 39 lenders who loaned money for the purchase of cars from May 2013 to August 2015. The total amount of loss to the lenders was $1,449,482.66. The Court sentenced co-defendant Ronald Brent Lovell, age 36, of Louisville, Kentucky to 37 months in prison, 3 years supervised release, and ordered him to pay $545,274 in restitution for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three counts of money laundering. The Court sentenced co-defendant Jasen Coon, age 40, of Florida, to 27 months in prison, 3 years supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and two counts of money laundering, and ordered him to pay $171,398.31 in restitution. The Court sentenced Co-defendant Danny Lee Coslow, age 50, of La Grange, Kentucky to 21 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and five counts of money laundering. The Court ordered Coslow to pay $571,775.22 in restitution. The Court sentenced Christopher Peplinski, age 44, of Michigan, to 3 years’ probation for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of money laundering. The Court ordered Peplinski to pay $257,746.41 in restitution. The Court sentenced Co-defendant David Farnsworth, age 52, of Louisville, Kentucky, to 3 years of probation and ordered him to pay $302,525.34 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system for those sentenced to prison terms.
According to the plea agreement filed in the case, the United States’ sentencing memorandum, and testimony during the sentencing hearing, Havens and his co-conspirators applied for car loans with no intent of repaying them. Those involved in the scheme subsequently fraudulently denied applying for the loans and claimed that someone else had stolen their identities and submitted the loan applications. Havens and his co-conspirators laundered the loan proceeds through false businesses and bank accounts designed to appear as legitimate car dealerships. They then used the laundered funds for their own personal use. The loans ultimately defaulted. In order to remove the defaulted loans from their credit histories and to interfere with legitimate collection efforts, Havens and the co-conspirators submitted false identity theft claims to credit reporting agencies claiming they were victims of identity theft. In order to support their identify theft claims, Havens and others created or filed false police reports.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Judd prosecuted the case. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Secret Service investigated the case.
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Inmate at FCI-Berlin Sentenced to Six Months Additional Prison Time for Attempting to Obtain Drugs in PrisonRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Antonio Priester, 37, an inmate at FCI-Berlin was sentenced to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of attempting to possess prohibited objects within a federal prison. The prohibited objects Priester was attempting to possess were Schedule I controlled substances known as DMT and jwh-018.
According to documents filed with the court and statements made at the change of plea hearing, in March 2017 Priester sent a number of emails to several individuals directing them to web sites through which the controlled substances could be obtained. He directed one individual to purchase jwh-018 from a particular web site. Priester also provided directions for sneaking the substances into the prison.
The sentence imposed in connection with this charge must be served consecutively to any sentence currently being served by Priester.
The Bureau of Prisons investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Donald A. Feith prosecuted the case.
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Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARVIN OYUELA LOPEZ, age 31, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk sentenced MARVIN OYUELA LOPEZ to six months in jail and ordered him to pay mandatory special assessment of $100.00. Additionally, MARVIN OYUELA LOPEZ was also placed on supervised release for one year. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, on January 8, 2018, MARVIN OYUELA LOPEZ was found in the United States after having been previously deported from the United States on December 10, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ELMER JAVIER ACOSTA-MEJIA, age 27, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty yesterday to a two-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act.
According to the indictment, ELMER JAVIER ACOSTA-MEJIA, an alien illegally present in the United States, possessed of two firearms. ELMER JAVIER ACOSTA-MEJIA is prohibited from possessing any firearm because he is an alien illegally in the United States.
At sentencing, which is currently set for, September 13, 2018, ELMER JAVIER ACOSTA-MEJIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. Additionally, ELMER JAVIER ACOSTA-MEJIA is subject to a period of supervised release after imprisonment of up to three years.
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.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
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Honduran National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Ronys Osorto-Osorto, age 35, a citizen of Honduras, was charged today in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to court documents, on or about May 31, 2018, Ronys Osorto-Osorto was found in the United States after having been officially deported and removed on or about October 8, 2015. If convicted, Ronys Osorto-Osorto faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Hobbs Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Louis Garcia, 31, of Hobbs, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 15 years in prison for his conviction on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Garcia will be on supervised release for eight years after completing his prison sentence.
Garcia was arrested in Dec. 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with committing drug trafficking and firearms offenses on Nov. 20, 2017, in Lea County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, officers of the Hobbs Police Department found a loaded firearm, two ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and $544 in Garcia’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop.
On Feb. 21, 2018, Garcia pled guilty to a three-count felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In entering the guilty plea, Garcia admitted that on Nov. 20, 2017, he possessed approximately 54 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine and a loaded handgun for protection in relation to his drug trafficking activity. Garcia admitted that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior methamphetamine trafficking conviction in 2007.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA and the Hobbs Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Balla of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Hendersonville, N.C. Attorney Sentenced to Two Years for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Howard Trade Elkins, 44, of Hendersonville, N.C. was sentenced late yesterday to 24 months in prison on wire fraud charges for embezzling client funds from his law office’s trust account, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger also ordered Elkins to serve two years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is making today’s announcement with U.S. Attorney Murray.
According to court filings, plea documents and court proceedings, Elkins was an attorney with a private practice in Hendersonville. From 2012 to 2017, Elkins engaged in a scheme to embezzle from his law office’s trust account. During the relevant time period, Elkins served as an attorney for estates of deceased individuals. Among his duties as the estate attorney, Elkins received funds from various sources into his law firm’s trust account, and used such funds to pay various debts and inheritances as directed. According to court records, Elkins would, at times, deposit funds from estate clients into his law firm’s trust account, but did not use the funds as directed. Instead, Elkins embezzled the funds and used it to support his own lifestyle, to gamble, to make lulling payments to other victim clients and to satisfy potential debts and demands related to his legal work.
“Elkins’ clients trusted him and relied on him to carry out his duties as their attorney. Instead, Elkins used his law firm’s trust account as his personal piggy bank,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Elkins’ misconduct is reprehensible and, more importantly, it erodes the public’s trust in our legal system,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.
Elkins pleaded guilty in November 2017 to wire fraud. He will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence upon designation of a federal facility.
The investigation was handled by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Harvey Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that PATRICK STEPHEN, age 37, a resident of Harvey, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to one count of distributing cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced STEPHEN to a term of imprisonment of 120 months, 8 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.
According to court documents, STEPHEN sold approximately 57.1 grams of cocaine base to a confidential source in exchange for $2,500.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Shirin Hakimzadeh and J. Ryan McLaren are in charge of the prosecution.
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Former Stockbroker Sentenced for Microcap Stock Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former California stockbroker was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with his role in a scheme to manipulate the stock of a publicly traded microcap company.
Adam Hand, 53, of Newport Beach, Calif., was senteneced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In July 2016, Hand pleaded guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit securities fraud. In May 2018, his brother, Jehu Hand, 62, was convicted following a 13-day trial of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud. Jehu Hand is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10, 2018. In August 2016, their brother, Learned Hand, 60, of Chapel Hill, N.C., pleaded guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 3, 2018.
The charges arose out of the Hand brothers’ involvement in a pump-and-dump scheme to manipulate the market for the stock of Crown Marketing, a microcap or “penny stock” company that claimed to own patented drug delivery technology.
According to evidence at the trial of Jehu Hand, in 2010, Jehu Hand incorporated Crown and issued stock to various front companies he secretly controlled. After registering this stock with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2012, Jehu enlisted his brothers Adam and Learned to participate in the pump-and-dump scheme. Learned became the CEO of Crown and put out misleading press releases about the company, while Adam engaged in coordinated trading and sold Crown’s stock as the company was being falsely promoted. In total, the conspirators sold over 23 million shares of Crown stock, thereby causing investor losses of more than $1.5 million.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The United States Attorney’s Office received valuable assistance from the Securities & Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority during the investigation of this matter. SEC Attorney Andrew Palid, who was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Herbert of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted case.
Former President of TEEMCO Pleads Guilty to Federal Payroll Tax FraudRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – GREGORY DAMIEN LORSON, of Naples, Florida, pleaded guilty today to federal tax fraud for not paying to the Internal Revenue Service the federal payroll taxes withheld from wages of TEEMCO, LLC employees for five years, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
On April 3, 2018, Lorson was charged in a one-count Information with willful failure to collect and pay over federal payroll taxes to the IRS. According to the Information, Lorson was President and Chief Executive Officer of TEEMCO, LLC, from 2010 until the business closed in mid-2015. TEEMCO was an environmental sales and consulting company in Oklahoma City. From 2010 to 2015, TEEMCO deducted and withheld federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes (commonly called "payroll taxes") from wages of TEEMCO employees. Under federal law, an employer must deduct and withhold payroll taxes from employees’ wages, and then pay over those withheld taxes to the IRS at the end of each quarter. According to the Information, instead of forwarding the withheld payroll taxes to the IRS, Lorson used the monies to fund TEEMCO’s extensive advertising campaign and to pay other creditors and expenses.
At today’s hearing, Lorson pleaded guilty to the one-count Information. He admitted that TEEMCO withheld federal payroll taxes from employees’ wages and that he knew TEEMCO had a duty to pay over those withheld taxes to the IRS. Lorson admitted that he directed TEEMCO employees not to forward the withheld payroll taxes to the IRS. He also admitted that he failed to file with the IRS quarterly federal tax returns for TEEMCO from 2010 to 2015. As part of his plea agreement, Lorson agreed to pay $3,003,220.47 in restitution to the IRS for withheld payroll taxes and other federal taxes that TEEMCO never paid to the IRS for company employees. Lorson also agreed to pay an additional $542,162.53 in restitution to the Oklahoma Tax Commission for TEEMCO employees’ state taxes that were withheld but never paid to state tax authorities.
At sentencing, Lorson faces up to five years in federal prison, plus a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Lorson will be sentenced in approximately 90 days. Reference is made to the Information and other public filings for further information. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris M. Stephens.
Former Felon Sentenced to Nearly Nine Years in Prison for Distribution of Cocaine and Possession of Six FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A former felon who sold cocaine and possessed six firearms was sentenced today to 105 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.
Oren Snowden, 29, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty on March 12, to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He has a prior federal felony conviction in Nevada for felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2011. United States District Judge Robert C. Jones presided over the sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on June 21, 2017, Snowden sold cocaine to an undercover law enforcement officer for $280, at a gas station in Las Vegas. During the execution of a search warrant of his residence, law enforcement recovered six firearms including a Jimenez JA .380 semi-automatic handgun; a Smith and Wesson 10-7 .38 special revolver; a Ruger P345 .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun; a Ruger p950C 9mm semi-automatic handgun; a Bryco T380 .380 caliber; and a Ruger mini 307 .62 caliber semi-automatic rifle with scope. He voluntarily admitted to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department detective that he knew what he was doing “on the side” was bad.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation (ICE-HSI) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Michael and Nadia Ahmed 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. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Former Executives at Publicly Traded Transportation Company Charged with $245 Million Accounting and Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Two former executives of Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc., a publicly traded transportation and trucking company formerly headquartered in Cudahy, Wisconsin, were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a complex accounting and securities fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of more than $245 million in shareholder value.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Regional Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Ullom of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) and Special Agent in Charge R. Justin Tolomeo of the FBI’s Milwaukee Field Office made the announcement.
Mark R. Wogsland, 53, and Bret S. Naggs, 52, both of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, were charged in an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin with one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a public company’s accountants and to falsify a public company’s books, records and accounts; one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud; three counts of securities fraud; and four counts of wire fraud. Naggs, the former controller for Roadrunner’s Truckload operating segment, and Wogsland, the former controller and director of accounting for Roadrunner’s Truckload operating segment, both worked out of Roadrunner’s corporate headquarters in Cudahy. Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. is currently headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois.
“According to the allegations in the indictment, Mark Wogsland and Bret Naggs engaged in a massive securities and accounting fraud scheme that misled shareholders, regulators, and the investing public, and ultimately caused a loss of more than $245 million in shareholder value,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “The Criminal Division is committed to protecting investors and the integrity of U.S. securities exchanges, and we will vigorously pursue corporate executives who engage in deceptive and fraudulent accounting practices.”
“The stability our financial markets depends upon public companies issuing accurate financial statements,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger. “We commend the FBI and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for its excellent efforts in investigating this case.”
“Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General is committed to preventing and detecting corporate fraud and corruption schemes within transportation-related companies intent on providing false or misleading information to the federal government,” said DOT-OIG Regional Special Agent Ullom. “Today’s indictment helps reinforce the message that executives involved in all modes of transportation must uphold the public’s trust and maintain the highest levels of integrity.”
“Corporate fraud remains a high priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Tolomeo. “Perpetrators who mislead investors and manipulate financial data to falsely inflate business performance will face justice for their crimes.”
“This indictment makes it clear that the FBI, its fellow field offices, and federal partners are committed to working together to hold those accountable who would attempt to manipulate the market,” said J.C. Hacker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This alleged fraud caused significant harm to Roadrunner and its shareholders for personal profit.”
The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2017, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators carried out a complex scheme to mislead Roadrunner’s shareholders, independent auditors, regulators and the investing public about Roadrunner’s true financial condition. According to the indictment, beginning in 2014, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators identified at least $7 million in overstated accounts on the balance sheet of one of Roadrunner’s largest operating companies, Roadrunner Intermodal Services Inc. (RRIS), which included old, uncollectable customer debts with static balances; understated and increasing liabilities for historic debt owed by terminated drivers; and overstated accounts for licenses and other “prepaid assets” that no longer had any actual value. Instead of addressing the misstated accounts by writing them off, the indictment alleges, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators purposefully left the vast majority of the misstated accounts on Roadrunner’s books in order to fraudulently boost Roadrunner’s financial performance and mislead Roadrunner’s shareholders, independent auditors, regulators and the investing public about Roadrunner’s true financial condition.
According to the indictment, by late 2014, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators developed a plan to write off a portion of the misstated accounts. However, instead of immediately writing off the full amount, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators directed RRIS finance employees to adjust the balance sheet by a small amount each month, in order to conceal from Roadrunner’s shareholders, independent auditors, regulators and the investing public the true nature and extent of the misstated accounts. However, after learning that Roadrunner’s performance at other operating companies had deteriorated, the indictment alleges, Naggs, Wogsland and their co-conspirators abandoned the plan and, in some cases, reversed write-offs that had already been booked. The indictment further alleges that beginning in May 2015, Naggs and other Roadrunner employees received monthly financial reports from RRIS, which included profit and loss figures both with and without the planned monthly write-off.
The indictment alleges that as a result of the scheme, nearly all of the misstated accounts remained on RRIS’s balance sheet from 2014 until early 2017, when Roadrunner announced for the first time that it would be restating its previously reported financial results. Three trading days following the announcement, the price of Roadrunner’s shares dropped from $11.74 to $7.54 per share, causing a loss in shareholder value of more than $160 million. In early 2018, Roadrunner issued restated financial results for 2014 through the third quarter of 2016, acknowledging that it had identified material accounting errors resulting from material weaknesses and management override of internal controls. Three trading days after announcing the restated financial results, Roadrunner’s share price further dropped from $7.14 to $4.90, causing an additional loss in shareholder value of more than $85 million.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Office and the FBI’s Milwaukee and Atlanta Field Offices are investigating the case. Assistant Chief Henry Van Dyck and Trial Attorneys Caitlin Cottingham and David Stier of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The Securities and Exchange Commission also provided assistance in this matter.
Former CFO charged with embezzling more than $1 million from employee-owned companyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Carrie N. Harris, a former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for an employee-owned construction company based in Lithonia, Georgia has been arraigned on federal charges for embezzling more than $1 million from her employer to pay for her personal expenses. Harris was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2018.
“Harris allegedly abused her position as the Chief Financial Officer for an employee-owned company, stealing more than $1 million to enrich herself,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “As thieves get more and more creative, employers must build in checks and balances to avoid turning over the ‘keys’ to the kingdom.”
“Theft of assets from an employee-owned company jeopardizes the benefits of workers,” said Isabel Colon, Regional Director of Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Atlanta Regional Office. “This case reaffirms the U.S. Department of Labor’s commitment to protect workers’ benefits by identifying criminal activity wherever and whenever it occurs.”
“Harris is accused of abusing the trust of the company which hired her, causing significant losses to her fellow employees,” said J.C. Hacker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold anyone accountable who chooses to line their pockets at the expense of the companies they work for.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Between 2008 and 2013, Harris allegedly used her position as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of an employee-owned construction company to steal more than $1 million by issuing over 100 checks to pay for her personal expenses, including nearly $250,000 in flights, cruises, and other vacation expenses, more than $100,000 in cash withdrawals, and more than $100,000 in retail purchases. She caused the checks to be issued to pay for these expenses by using the President’s signature without authorization. The checks she allegedly issued to pay her personal expenses ranged from $4,500 to $17,000. Harris allegedly concealed her fraud from the company by falsifying entries on the company’s check register and general ledger.
Carrie N. Harris, 53, of Jackson, Georgia was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker on federal charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Flagler Beach Man Indicted on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – A federal
indictment has been returned charging Robert Richard Jodoin (49, Flagler Beach) with importation of GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid), distribution of methoxyacetylfentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute cathinone (also referred to as “bath salts”), maintaining a place for distributing drugs, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted on all counts, he faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years in federal prison, and up to life. The indictment also notifies Jodoin that the United States intends to forfeit the internet domain name "PRIMALVISIONS.NET," which he used to sell drugs on the internet, and a .380 caliber pistol.According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations each began an investigation into the activities of Jodoin. Federal agents identified a particular post office box at the Flagler Beach Post Office, registered to Jodoin and “Primal Visions,” as being used to distribute drugs. From late March 2018 through Jodoin’s arrest, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized multiple international parcels that were addressed to Jodoin at his post office box. Further investigation revealed that these parcels contained controlled substances, including more than a kilogram of GHB. In addition, Jodoin allegedly routinely mailed packages containing dangerous drugs, including methoxyacetylfentanyl, from the Flagler Beach Post Office to customers around the country.
During a search of Jodoin’s residence, law enforcement found a firearm, drug ledgers reflecting purchases and sales of controlled substances, multiple powders consistent with controlled substances, and packaging supplies used for mailing.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Florida National Guard Counterdrug Program, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Flagler Beach Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
Federal Jury Convicts Jacksonville Man of Stealing Veterans’ Disability BenefitsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – A federal jury today found Jose Calderon-Fuentes (63, Jacksonville) guilty of theft of government property. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2018. Calderon-Fuentes was indicted on July 13, 2017.
According to evidence presented at trial, in July 2000, Calderon-Fuentes was designated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% disabled for bilateral blindness. He collected disability benefits in the years that followed, eventually receiving more than $4,000 per month. Federal agents opened an investigation when they learned that Calderon-Fuentes had a Florida drivers license. They then developed evidence that Calderon-Fuentes was exaggerating his disability claim, including recordings of him doing yard work, washing his truck, and driving. After Calderon-Fuentes learned that he was under investigation in Florida, he obtained another drivers license in Puerto Rico. As part of the application process for that license, he submitted a medical certificate that stated he had 20/50 vision.
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments Against 30 IndividualsRead the Press Release
MACON: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that a Grand Jury, sitting in Macon Georgia, has returned indictments against 30 individuals. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. “I want to thank our Federal, State and local law enforcement partners for their hard work bringing these cases before the Federal Grand Jury,” said United States Attorney Peeler.
Indictment #1:
KENNETH JAMES, age 50, of Phenix City, Alabama, is charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and faces a maximum sentence of Life in Prison, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr.
Indictment #2:
CRYSTAL AVERY, age 36, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1), Possession with Intent to Distribute MDMA (Count 2) and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 3). If convicted, Ms. Avery faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both as to Count 1; a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a $1 million fine, or both as to Count 2; and a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine as to Count 3.
TIMOTHY BAILEY, age 30, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1), Possession with Intent to Distribute MDMA (Count 2) and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 3). If convicted, Mr. Bailey faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both as to Count 1; a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment and a $1 million fine, or both as to Count 2; and a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine as to Count 3.
The case was investigated by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen.
Indictment #3:
CINDY ANN BLEDSOE, age 30, of Daytona, Florida, is charged with one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. If convicted, Ms. Bledsoe faces a maximum sentence of forty (40) years in prison, a $5,000,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja B. Profit.
Indictment #4:
JACOB M. WALKER, age 31, of Jacksonville, Florida, ANDREW B. O’HAIRE, aged 37, of Quitman, Georgia, and GEORGE T. WALKER, aged 55, of Hahira, Georgia, are each charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and each faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Amarillo, Texas and Valdosta, Georgia; the Lowndes County Sheriff Office, the Brooks County Sheriff Office and the Georgia State Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja B. Profit.
Indictment #5
PATRICK O’NEAL KENNEDY, age 42, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with two (2) counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine. If convicted, Mr. Kennedy faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, a $1,000,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
Indictment #6
LUIS A. MELLADO-SANCHEZ, age 19, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is charged with one (1) count of Bank Robbery. If convicted, Mr. Mellado-Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department, Camilla Police Department, Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen.
In addition, to the above indictments, 10 individuals were indicted for firearms offenses. All of these cases were 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.
Those charged for firearms offenses are:
1. VICTOR OMAR BYRON, age 33, of Milledgeville, Georgia, is charged with Possession of Cocaine (Count 1), Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (Count 2), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Count 3), and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 4) and faces a maximum sentence of one (1) year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, on Count 1; five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 2; ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 3; and life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 4, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Easterling.
2. FRANKIE JACKSON, age 28, of Warner Robins, Georgia, is charged with Possession of Alprazolam (Count 1), Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (Count 2), Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by Someone Under Indictment (Count 3) and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 4). If convicted, Mr. Jackson faces a maximum sentence of one (1) year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, on Count 1; five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 2; five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 3; and life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 4.
The case was investigated by the Warner Robins Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Easterling.
3. MARCUS MARSHALL, age 34, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (Count 1) and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Count 2). If convicted, Mr. Marshall faces a maximum sentence of Life in Prison, a $10 million fine, or both, on Count 1 and ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 2.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr.
4. CORNELIUS HIXSON, age 22, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. If convicted, Mr. Hixson faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals.
5. TELSAVOY MADDOX, age 37, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. If convicted, Mr. Maddox faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr.
6. DENZELL OMAR DAVIS, age 25, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. If convicted, Mr. Davis faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
7. CHRISTOPHER G. SWINSON, age 33, of Valdosta, Georgia is charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 1) and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 2). If convicted, Mr. Swinson faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both on Count 1; and a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years in prison, and a maximum sentence of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine, or both on Count 2.
8. KENTAVIOUS DEVOM BURGESS, age 23, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with two (2) counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base and one (1) count of Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense. If convicted of Distribution of Crack Cocaine, Mr. Burgess faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, a $1,000,000.00 fine, or both, on each count. If convicted of Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense, Mr. Burgess faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
9. TYLER COWAN, age 28, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with one (1) count of Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon. If convicted Mr. Cowan faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,00.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
10. JAMARCUS HUFF, age 29, of Athens, Georgia, is charged with one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine, one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and one (1) count of Possession of Marijuana. If convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine, Mr. Huff faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, a $1,000,000.00 fine, or both. If convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Mr. Huff faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both. If convicted of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Mr. Huff faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed in this case. If convicted of Possession of Marijuana, Mr. Huff faces a maximum sentence of one (1) year in prison, a $100,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
Finally, eleven individuals were indicted for Illegal Reentry and are subject to deportation proceedings following their sentences, if convicted. Those indicted were:
1. RICARDO TELLO-MARTINEZ, age 39, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on November 11, 2011, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Tello-Martinez was found in Athens-Clarke County, GA on April 15, 2018. If convicted, Mr. Tello-Martinez faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $ 250,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett.
2. LUIS FELIPE CERVANTES-MONDRAGO, age 24, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on December 13, 2011 and December 4, 2014, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Cervantes-Mondragon was found in Morgan County, GA on March 28, 2018. If convicted, Mr. Cervantes-Mondrago faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Easterling.
3. JUAN FABILA-GARIBAY, age 46, a citizen of Mexico was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on April 10, 1998 and October 26, 2017, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Fabila-Garibay was found in Irwin County, GA on April 11, 2018. If convicted, Mr.Fabila-Garibay faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja B. Profit.
4. MANUAL HERNANDEZ-OLEA, age 44, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on January 5, 2012, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Hernandez-Olea was found in Oconee County, GA on May 4, 2016. If convicted, Mr. Hernandez-Olea faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Easterling.
5. JONATHAN HANSEL MELENDEZ-SANTOS, age 37, a citizen of Guatemala was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on March 31, 2011 and December 4, 2014 without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Melendez-Santos was found in Thomas County, GA on April 29, 2018. If convicted, Mr. Melendez-Santos faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Bowen.
6. RAFAEL SANCHEZ-HERNANDEZ, age 26, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on January 5, 2012, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Sanchez-Hernandez was found in Grady County, GA on March 28, 2018. If convicted, Mr. Sanchez-Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane.
7. JOSE SERRANO-HERNANDEZ, age 35, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted for Illegal Re-entry for re-entering the United States, after deportation on January 22, 2009 and March 31, 2015, without obtaining prior authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for Homeland Security to return. Mr. Serrano-Hernandez was found in Athens-Clarke, County, GA on May 3, 2018. If convicted, Mr. Serrano-Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Easterling.
8. EDY EDWIN SOLIS-LOPEZ, age 37, a citizen of Guatemala, entered a plea of guilty on June 13, 2018. He is due to be sentenced on July 11, 2018. The investigating agency was the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary prosecuted the case for the United States.
9. FRANCISCO BUESO, age 49, a citizen of Honduras, entered a plea of guilty on June 13, 2018. He is due to be sentenced on July 11, 2018. The investigating agency was the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary prosecuted the case for the United States.
10. JUAN CHIVALAN, age 19, a citizen of Guatemala, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced on June 13, 2018. The investigating agency was the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary prosecuted the case for the United States.
11. SABINO OSORIO, age 27, a citizen of Guatemala, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced on June 13, 2018. The investigating agency was the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Explo vice president pleads guilty to conspiracy chargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the vice president of Explo Systems Inc. pleaded guilty Thursday to a criminal conspiracy at Camp Minden that led to an explosion, completing the prosecution of this matter.
William Terry Wright, 64, of Bossier City, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to conspiring to violate federal law.
Explo Systems Inc. is a private company whose primary business operations involved the demilitarization of military munitions and the subsequent resale of the recovered explosive materials for mining operations. According to the guilty plea, Wright was the vice president of operations at Explo and oversaw the demilitarization operations. The U.S. Army awarded Explo a contract on March 24, 2010 to dispose of 450,000 155mm artillery propelling charges designated as M119A2 for $2,902,500. The Army and Explo officials later amended the contract on March 6, 2012 to dispose of 1,350,000 propellant charges for $8,617,500. The contract required Explo to properly store and dispose of the demilitarized M6 propellant, which is a solid, granular, explosive material. The contract also required Explo to document the sale of the demilitarized M6 propellant by completing an End User Certificate (EUC). On the EUC, the purchaser of the demilitarized M6 propellant certified the purchase and compliance with applicable federal laws. Once the EUCs were certified, Explo submitted the EUCs to the Army.
Wright and other Explo officials and representatives conspired from January 2010 to November 2012 to defraud the United States by submitting false EUCs to the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Center (JMC) to dispose of hazardous waste at unpermitted facilities and improperly store explosives. This caused the government to pay money to the conspirators to which they were not entitled. They also moved and improperly stored M6 propellant in order to prevent government officials from discovering the improperly stored M6 propellant. Wright and others also instructed lower-level employees to hide and conceal improperly stored demilitarized M6 propellant and reactive hazardous waste from government officials during inspections.
Additionally, from June 2011 and continuing to October 2012, Explo officials submitted false EUCs to the JMC showing sales of demilitarized M6 propellant to third parties, when the sales did not occur. Explo officials, including Wright, also did not inform or notify the third-party EUC certifiers that Explo would submit the executed EUCs to the JMC as proof of sale of demilitarized M6. Wright submitted and caused to be submitted EUCs with forged and or fabricated signatures. The submission of false EUCs further concealed Explo’s inability to perform the requirements of the contract.
On October 15, 2012, an explosion occurred at a munitions storage igloo on Camp Minden. The explosion contained approximately 124,190 pounds of smokeless powder and a box van trailer containing approximately 42,240 pounds of demilitarized M6 propellant. The damage destroyed the igloo and trailer, shattered windows of dwellings within a four-mile radius, and derailed 11 rail cars near the storage igloo.
Wright faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, Wright agreed that he owes $149,032.80 restitution. Sentencing is set for August 30, 2018.
“I thank our federal and state law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting Louisiana’s citizens and environment,” Joseph stated. “Those who try to cheat the taxpayers while endangering the well-being of our community will be held accountable.”
“The guilty pleas entered by the defendants in this case are the results of the uncompromising work by DCIS, our investigative partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the Department of Defense procurement process by penalizing government contractors who choose profit over quality and safety,” commented John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. “DCIS remains committed to pursuing and bringing to justice anyone who uses fraud and deception to undermine our critical warfighting missions and the safety of our communities that support DoD activities.”
Explo owner David Alan Smith, 62, of Winchester, Kentucky; Program Manager Kenneth Wayne Lampkin, 65, of Haughton, Louisiana; Traffic and Inventory Control Manager Lionel Wayne Koons, 59, of Haughton; and Director of Engineering and Environmental Control Charles Ferris Callihan, 68, of Shreveport, were all charged in the conspiracy. Smith pleaded guilty December 14, 2017 to the conspiracy count and one count of making a false statement; Koons pleaded guilty on April 24, 2018 to one count of making a false statement; Lampkin pleaded guilty May 14, 2018 to one count of making a false statement; and Callihan pleaded guilty on June 8, 2018 to a one-count bill of information charging false representations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Sentencings are set for August 30, 2018.
The Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI and Louisiana State Police-Emergency Service Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and J. Aaron Crawford are prosecuting the case.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Honors U.S. Attorney’s OfficeRead the Press Release
On June 14, 2018, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented its Most Supportive Employer Award to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson accepted the award on behalf of the office. EGSR is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. Awards were given to businesses and government entities in Guam and the CNMI based on their support for members of the National Guard and Reserve.
U.S. Attorney Anderson stated, “It is an honor to receive this award from ESGR. For those who have served and currently serve in the armed forces, thank you for your continued commitment to the United States at the Department of Justice. I also thank our employees who attempt to fill the void while service members are on duty, deployed, or at training.”
Easton, PA Man Charged with Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Scott Wayne, 58, of Easton, was charged this week by indictment with the distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to the indictment, Wayne possessed a computer hard drive which contained visual depictions that had been produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce. The indictment alleges that the production of these visual depictions involved the use of a minor, including a prepubescent minor who had not attained 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and the visual depictions were of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of forty years imprisonment, a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment, a mandatory minimum of five years supervised release up to lifetime supervised release, a $500,000 fine, and $10,200 in special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Bethlehem Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
East St. Louis Woman Sentenced to Prison for ArsonRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that LoriM. Jones, 50, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced today for one count of Arson. The Honorable Michael J. Reagan sentenced Jones to 60 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, along with a $100 special assessment. Judge Reagan also ordered Jones to pay restitution in the amount of $1,074,407.33.
Court proceedings revealed that on May 31, 2016, firefighters responded to a fire at the Cahokia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center ("CNRC") in Cahokia, Illinois. Jones was employed at CNRC as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Surveillance footage showed Jones leaving the room where the fire was located approximately 1 minute prior to smoke being detected. During an interview with investigators, Jones admitted to intentionally setting the fire by lighting some clothes in a closet on fire with a lighter. The room was occupied at the time by two bedridden residents. Firefighters and employees were able to evacuate all of the residents without any serious injuries.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with assistance from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.
District of Vermont Assistant United States Attorney Owen C.J. Foster Recognized at DOJ’s Director’s Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
Assistant United States Attorney Owen C.J. Foster of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The District of Vermont was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony that was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
AUSA Foster received the award for Superior Performance as an AUSA-Civil for his outstanding accomplishments in investigating and settling United States ex rel. Delaney v. eClinialWorks LLC, 2:15-CV-00095-WKS (D. Vt.). In its complaint-in-intervention, the government contended that eClinicalWorks falsely obtained that certification for its electronic health records software when it concealed from its certifying entity that its software did not comply with the requirements for certification. Under the terms of the settlement ClinicalWorks, three of its founders, and three of its employees paid a total of $155 million. This is by far the largest False Claims Act recovery in the District of Vermont and was one of the largest in 2017 nationwide. And, it was achieved over a highly-efficient two-year period. AUSA Foster was the leader of the investigation and the driving force behind its progress and ultimate resolution. AUSA Foster, a relatively new AUSA when the case started, had no background in computer science or health care. Nevertheless, he diligently reviewed documents and dug for answers until he, not only understood how EHR systems should work and how eClinicalWorks’ system failed, but also how to discuss those systems with the engineers involved in their development and the lawyers responsible for determining the outcome of the case. AUSA Foster’s devotion and commitment to this case was truly remarkable.
"AUSA Owen Foster successfully carried out a first-of-its-kind investigation with great efficiency and recovered a significant sum of money for the taxpayers,” stated United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan. “AUSA Foster is deserving of the Director’s Award and our gratitude for his public service.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
District Man Ordered to Pay over $200,000 in Restitution to Estate of 4-Year-Old Girl Who Died After House FireRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jerome C. Lewis, 51, of Washington, DC, was ordered today to pay $204,503 in restitution to the estate of Samauri Michelle Jenkins, a four-year-old girl who died after he set fire to the house where she was staying in Southeast Washington.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Gregory M. Dean, Chief of the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS).
Lewis was found guilty by a jury in October 2017 of first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances, second-degree murder, and first-degree cruelty to children. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced to a 32-year prison term on those charges in February 2018 by the Honorable Milton C. Lee.
The government had requested restitution for the estate of Samauri Jenkins or the imposition of a fine based on the defendant receiving a payout from an insurance company for the damage to his home and personal property. Judge Lee convened a follow-up hearing today to consider the government’s request for orders of restitution and/or fines. In advance of today’s hearing, Judge Lee granted the government’s request to freeze Lewis’s assets.
According to the government’s evidence, Lewis owned a home in the 2600 block of 33rd Street SE. In late 2011, Lewis began renting the first and second floors to relatives while he lived in the basement. In early 2013, his relationship with his tenant-relatives had become strained and he was experiencing a financial crisis. On Feb.17, 2013, in the early hours of the morning, he set fire to his mattress located in his basement living area, causing a fire that spread throughout the basement and to the first floor of the home.
Everyone was able to escape the home, with the exception of four-year-old Samauri Jenkins. She was rescued from a second floor bedroom by the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She was taken to a hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, but died from her injuries two days later.
Lewis was arrested on the morning of the fire and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing today’s developments, U.S. Attorney Liu, Chief Newsham, Special Agent in Charge Chittum, and Chief Dean commended the work of the D.C. Arson Task Force, which is comprised of members from MPD, the Washington Field Division of the ATF, and DCFEMS. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Sharon Newman; Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Gilbert; Legal Secretary Dawn White; Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator David Foster; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Supervisory Administrative Services Specialist Tina Wall, and Administrative Services Specialist Sallie Rynas.
Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberley C. Nielsen and Michelle D. Jackson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Deputy Attorney General recognizes Deputy U.S. Attorney Thomas J. EicherRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Thomas J. Eicher, Deputy U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
The District of New Jersey was one of 35 districts represented at a ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
Deputy U.S. Attorney Eicher was recognized for his leadership, effectiveness, personal integrity, and dedication to public service over the course of his 30-year career with the Department. As Chief of the Criminal Division, his breadth of experience and knowledge permits him to effectively manage one of the largest criminal divisions in the country. He helped establish New Jersey’s first federal reentry and “pre-trial” courts. He successfully pushed for innovative data-driven violent crime strategies and plays an important leadership role in the Public Safety Partnership and Violent Enterprise Source Targeting initiatives, which are key components in the Department’s strategy to combat drug trafficking and violent crime. In addition to the substantial leadership and guidance he provides, Deputy U.S. Attorney Eicher contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department through his leadership of the Criminal Chiefs Working Group and participation on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
“For three decades, the past 15 years of which have been spent in our office, Tom Eicher has represented the U.S. Attorney community with professionalism and distinction,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, District of New Jersey, said. “As Chief of our Criminal Division, he developed strategies aimed at protecting the public by focusing on the most violent criminals and directed the further development of the office’s highly-regarded white collar programs. Now, as Deputy U.S. Attorney, he oversees the important work of our Camden and Trenton offices while continuing to be a trusted and reliable part of our leadership team. I am gratified that he has now been recognized with the Justice Department’s prestigious Executive Achievement Award, and I could not be prouder of Tom and the way he has represented our office.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao .
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes U.S. Attorney’s Office ProsecutorsRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - Four Assistant United States Attorneys of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California (NDCA) are among the 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C. The awards ceremony took place in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. The local recipients of the awards include Joseph Alioto, Susan Badger, William Frentzen, and S. Waqar Hasib.
In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein told the awardees: “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Alex G. Tse expanded on the Deputy Attorney General’s remarks stating, “We welcome the recognition by the senior members of the Department of Justice of the outstanding work of the members of this district. We also join in the celebration of the accomplishments being recognized today. The recipients of these awards have demonstrated that their commitment to ensuring that justice is done in even the most difficult cases will not be compromised, no matter how many hours of toil may be required. We are tremendously proud of the recipients’ accomplishments and the examples they provide for all prosecutors.”
Joseph Alioto was recognized for his exemplary work in the NDCA's Strike Force Section, notably his outstanding contribution in a RICO prosecution against 12 high-ranking members of the Nuestra Familia prison gang in United States v. Cervantes. The prosecution, involving three murders, multiple stabbings and robberies, and an arson and other crimes, culminated in a four-month trial and convictions against the gang's highest-ranking members. Four gang members went to trial, all of whom were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder, murder conspiracy, attempted murder, assault with dangerous weapon, arson, and various firearms and drug-related crimes.
Susan Badger, Wil Frentzen, and S. Waqar Hasib were recognized for their outstanding work in the investigation of organized crime and public corruption conspiracies centered in San Francisco’s Chinatown that culminated in the life sentence of Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow. Chow served as the Dragonhead, or leader, of the San Francisco-based Chee Kung Tong organization. Chow was charged in March 2014 with various racketeering crimes, including the illegal trafficking of controlled substances, extortion, and participation in the collection of illegal debts. On October 15, 2015, the charges were amended in a Third Superseding Indictment to include murder. On January 8, 2016, after a multi-month trial, Chow was convicted of arranging the murder of Allen Leung, conspiring with others to murder Jim Tat Kong, 162 counts of money laundering, laundering of proceeds of narcotics sales, and conspiring to deal in illegal sales of goods.
The Northern District of California was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony. EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes U.S. Attorney and Middle District of Florida EmployeesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, Administrative Officer Jeff Hahn, Officer Manager/IT Specialist Joey Chigro, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida were among the 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Middle District of Florida was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez received the award for Superior Performance By A Litigative Team for her work while detailed to the United States Embassy in Mexico City. Ms. Chapa Lopez and her colleagues demonstrated extraordinary persistence and commitment to the rule of law while successfully investigating and prosecuting members of the Los Zetas cartel who brutally murdered United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and wounded ICE Special Agent Victor Avila in February 2011, during an attempted carjacking in Mexico. Deploying immediately after the attack, the team relentlessly pursued every evidentiary lead and soon began filing charges against the perpetrators. Over the next six and a half years, seven defendants were extradited to the United States, five of whom pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate. In July 2017, the final two defendants were convicted after trial. The convictions demonstrate that violent Mexican cartels cannot operate with impunity, that they will be punished for violating United States laws, and that Mexican and United States law enforcement can share evidence to bring to justice members of a dangerous transnational criminal organization.
Jeff Hahn, Joey Chigro, and Ilianys Rivera Miranda received the award for Superior Performance By An Administrative Team for their work in coordinating and implementing emergency response efforts to the District of Puerto Rico and the District of the Virgin Islands in an effort to ensure these districts were operational in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. They, along with employees from the District of Puerto Rico and the Southern District of Florida, reviewed and analyzed emergency relief policies to find the best ways to handle emergency relief efforts which could serve as best practices for other United States Attorneys’ offices facing similar emergencies. When living conditions in affected areas were dire, these employees took charge to ensure generators and other key items were shipped to critical locations. In a situation where many employees did not have power or water, those who were present in the aforementioned districts, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, and other districts worked long hours and over the weekends to ensure employees were able to push forward and deal with the catastrophe before them and to eventually report to work. They went above and beyond the call of duty, inspiring others to do the same while making an extraordinary contribution in the midst of a very difficult crisis.
“I am deeply humbled by this award,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez, “and honored to serve alongside such distinguished individuals in my office and throughout the department.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Two Assistant United States Attorneys with Director’s AwardsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Joel L. Violanti of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York were two of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV, at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
AUSAs Marangola and Violanti were recognized for their superior performance as criminal Assistant United States Attorneys based on their successful conviction of Ronald Epps for murdering his girlfriend Angela Moss in order to obtain the proceeds of a $100,000 insurance policy. They creatively utilized the federal wire fraud statute to obtain jurisdiction and prosecute an unsolved murder that the local District Attorney’s Office was unwilling to prosecute. As a result of the prosecution, Epps is presently serving a 60 year sentence in federal prison and the victim's family received closure knowing that the killer was brought to justice.
“More than three years passed and still no one had been held accountable for the murder of Angela Moss in 2009,” stated U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. “Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Marangola and Joel Violanti worked relentlessly in reviewing the evidence and federal law to charge and successfully prosecute Ronald Epps, who, with a sentence of 60 years, will likely spend the rest of his natural life behind bars. Ms. Marangola and Mr. Violanti are among more than 60 Assistant U.S. Attorneys who work diligently each and every day serving and protecting the residents of the 17 counties that compromise the Western District of New York, and our Office is proud to honor them with this award.”
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
The Western District of New York was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Two Assistant United States Attorneys at Annual Director's Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Cortney Randall and Benjamin Bain-Creed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina were among the 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Western District of North Carolina was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
In making today’s announcement R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina said, “Assistant United States Attorneys Cortney Randall and Benjamin Bain-Creed were recognized for their exemplary work with the investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in criminal conduct that can only be described as horrific. As a result of the trial team’s skills and tenacity, the perpetrators received substantial prison sentences, which will prevent them from further harming children. This prestigious award undoubtedly speaks to Cortney and Ben’s competence as lawyers and their dedication as public servants to furthering our mission of delivering justice and protecting the people of this District.”
AUSAs Randall and Bain-Creed, along with Department of Justice Trial Attorney Reginald Jones and FBI Special Agent Dan Alfin, received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team for their work on United States v. Steven W. Chase, et al (5:15-cr-15). The case involved the investigation and prosecution of administrators and users of “Playpen,” a highly sophisticated, global enterprise dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children, organized via a members-only website that operated on the dark web. Playpen’s administrators and more than 150,000 other members spent more than 4,000,000 hours in just over six months writing and viewing tens of thousands of postings relating to sexual abuse of children as young as infants and toddlers.
Following guilty pleas by co-defendants Michael Fluckiger of Portland, Indiana and David Lynn Browning, of Wooten, Kentucky, a federal jury in the Western District of North Carolina convicted lead site administrator, Steven W. Chase, of Naples, Florida, of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise and related charges. The court sentenced Fluckiger and Browning to 20 years in prison, and Chase to 30 years in prison. All three defendants were also ordered by the Court to serve a lifetime of supervised release. The Court further ordered Chase to forfeit his Naples residence from which he administered the site, and ordered all defendants to pay restitution to their victims.
To date, the investigation has resulted in 350 U.S. arrests and 548 international arrests, the prosecution of 51 hands-on child sex abusers and 25 producers of child pornography, and the identification or rescue of 55 American children and 296 sexually abused children around the world. This investigation and prosecution pioneered investigative work into the dark web that left an impact worldwide.
AUSA Randall received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Davidson College, and her JD from Georgetown University Law Center.
AUSA Bain-Creed received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his JD from the University of Florida. He also holds a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Florida.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Southern District of Florida EmployeesRead the Press Release
Assistant United States Attorney Julia J. “Josie” Vaglienti, Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Administrative Officer Lazaro Feliciano, Assistant United States Attorney Mary V. “Jena” King, Legal Assistant Karol Gomez, Law Enforcement/Community Coordinator James D. “J.D.” Smith, Reentry & Community Outreach Specialist Keisha E. Bazile, and Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark A. McKinney, Jr. of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Florida were among 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Southern District of Florida was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein told the awardees, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
Julia J. “Josie” Vaglienti and Lawrence D. LaVecchio were recognized for their outstanding work in the investigation and prosecution of one of the largest and most well organized gangs operating in the United States—the Latin Kings. The gang conducts its criminal activities through groups they refer to as “tribes.” In 2014, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies commenced an investigation into the activities of several tribes operating in South Florida. Utilizing a full range of sophisticated investigative techniques, Ms. Vaglienti and Mr. LaVecchio gathered evidence of crimes committed by members of these tribes and thwarted imminent acts of violence by gang members, including robbery and attempted murder. Over two years, convictions were obtained and lengthy prison sentences were imposed again 39 gang members, many of whom occupied leadership positions, on charges including RICO conspiracy, armed robbery, narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses, effectively dismantling the Latin Kings in South Florida.
Lazaro Feliciano, Mary V. “Jena” King, and Karol Gomez were recognized along with other individuals for their work coordinating and implementing emergency response efforts for the District of Puerto Rico and the District of the Virgin Islands in an effort to ensure these districts were operational in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. They reviewed and analyzed emergency relief policies to find the best ways to handle emergency relief efforts which could serve as best practices for other United States Attorneys’ offices facing similar emergencies. When living conditions in affected areas were dire, these employees took charge to ensure generators and other key items were shipped to critical locations. In a situation where many employees did not have power or water, those who were present in the aforementioned districts, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, and other districts worked long hours and over the weekends to ensure employees were able to push forward and deal with the catastrophe before them and to eventually report to work. They went above and beyond the call of duty, inspiring others to do the same while making an extraordinary contribution in the midst of a very difficult crisis.
James D. “J.D.” Smith, Keisha E. Brazile, and Mark A. McKinney, Jr. were recognized for their incredibly hard work and determination in forging enduring and positive working relationships with law enforcement agencies, community leaders, nonprofit agencies, government agencies, and education and faith-based organizations to implement, operate, and coordinate prevention and reentry programs in “hot-spot” communities throughout the Southern District of Florida. The robust violence prevention strategy they spearhead furthers the priorities of the United States Attorney’s Office to reduce violent crime, gang activity, drug abuse, and firearm offenses.
“The men and women that were honored today, as representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, exemplify the Department’s tireless commitment to justice, integrity and community involvement,” stated U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “We applaud the invaluable accomplishments of the award recipients and all public servants who strive to protect and enhance the quality of life of our local citizens and foreign neighbors.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Additional information regarding the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Oregon Appellate ChiefRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kelly Zusman, Appellate Unit Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Oregon, was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorney’s (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
The District of Oregon was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, "Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work."
Ms. Zusman was recognized for her outstanding performance in representing the U.S. before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in U.S. v. Mohamud.
On November 26, 2010, Mohamed Mohamud flipped a switch believing it would detonate a bomb planted at the holiday tree lighting ceremony in downtown Portland, Oregon. Fortunately, there was no bomb as Mohamud was the subject of an FBI sting. A jury convicted Mohamud of attempting to detonate a weapon of mass destruction. Litigation was extensive and several novel and complex issues were raised on appeal.
Most significantly, the defendant challenged the constitutionality of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendment Act (FAA). The government’s briefing involved over 300 pages of classified and unclassified submissions and a 30,000 page record. After extensive preparation, including moots before the Criminal Division and the National Security Division, Ms. Zusman argued the case in July 2016. The conviction and sentence were later affirmed and the FAA found to be constitutional. The ruling was a significant victory for national security.
"Kelly’s dedicated service to the District of Oregon and the United States is beyond reproach. She’s nationally recognized for her appellate expertise and locally cherished for her leadership, unwavering support of coworkers, and persistent can-do attitude," said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Northern District of Oklahoma Supervisor EmployeeRead the Press Release
Civil Chief Cathy McClanahan of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Northern District of Oklahoma was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony, which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
Civil Chief Cathy McClanahan was awarded the Director’s Award for Excellence in Management for her superior performance in a supervisory role. Specifically, Ms. McClanahan was recognized for managing in a proactive, inventive and forward-thinking manner that met the challenge of diminishing resources and led her Division to a high and sustained level of success. Ms. McClanahan assumed responsibility for the Northern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division in 2008. Before that time, she served as a Civil Division Assistant United States Attorney for thirteen years. Prior to joining the office, she worked in general civil litigation at a large law firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Immediately prior to that experience, Civil Chief McClanahan clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly, Jr., Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
United States Attorney Trent Shores stated, “Cathy is an extraordinary AUSA and stellar supervisor. Her knowledge, expertise, and judgment have been a driving factor in the success of the Northern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division for over a decade. This award was well deserved.”
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Maine AUSA and MDEA Special AgentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Assistant U.S. Attorney (“AUSA”) Joel Casey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Maine was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C. Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (“MDEA”) Special Agent Christopher Gardner was also recognized posthumously.
The District of Maine was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
AUSA Casey, Special Agent Gardiner and their counterparts in Connecticut were recognized for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team for their work investigating and prosecuting the Red Side Guerilla Brims (RSGB”). The investigation revealed that members and associates of the RSGB, a sect of the Bloods street gang based in New Haven, were engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults and armed robberies. In addition to distributing crack cocaine and other narcotics in and around New Haven, the investigation indicated that members and associates of the RSGB transported the drugs to Bangor, Maine, and sold them in Bangor and its surrounding communities. The RSGB also traded narcotics for firearms and used drug addicts as straw purchasers of firearms. Members then brought the firearms back to New Haven and distributed them to gang members. As a result of this investigation, 21 members and associates of the RSGB were convicted of federal charges in Connecticut and Maine. The investigation resolved seven murder cases, four attempted murders and four armed robberies that occurred in 2011 and 2012.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Maine and representing the federal government in civil litigation. The Office is composed of about 26 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 25 staff members at offices in Portland and Bangor. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes District of Colorado EmployeesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Members of the Administrative Division and a Criminal Division Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) for the District of Colorado were among the 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C. The United States Attorney’s Office for District of Colorado was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building this morning.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
The Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office Administrative Division was recognized for their outstanding teamwork, efficiency, and effectiveness in redesigning and moving a large United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) within Denver, without any operational impact, while obtaining cost savings and large scale efficiencies. The team closed the USAO's former location of more than 16 years on a Thursday evening, and opened a fully functional redesigned office five blocks away on Monday morning. The operational capability of the USAO was at full strength throughout the process, with four trials handled just prior to the move. Approximately 170 Assistant United States Attorneys, staff members and contractors now experience enhanced operational effectiveness in a state-of-the-art USAO directly adjacent to four United States Courthouses. Design elements now enhance effectiveness, while integrated communications link Denver to offices in Durango and Grand Junction, expanding the office’s critical public safety mission throughout Colorado. Those recognized include: Steven Brooks, Thomas Dillard, Marilyn Ferguson, David Gaouette, Jeffrey Hernandez, Mark Pittington, Victoria Soltis, and Bonnie Vigil.
Criminal Division AUSA Andrea Surratt, who is now with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado, was awarded for work she did in the Southern District of New York just prior to transferring to Colorado. She was recognized for her work in the creation of an Overdose Death Initiative, which has transformed the way overdose deaths are investigated across New York City.
“We are honored to continue to get Department recognition for the excellence of our employees at all levels,” said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer. “Our office has a history of regularly receiving these national honors because all our employees are deeply committed to improving life in Colorado. Our Admin Division is the engine room that keeps our ship running on that course. Without their exceptional performance, none of our defense of the United States or public safety work happens. There is simply no better Admin Division in the country.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes District EmployeesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman announced three employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Ohio were recognized today by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
They were three of 162 members of the Department of Justice nationally recognized, and the Southern District of Ohio was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony.
Brent G. Tabacchi received the Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney recognition. Tabacchi has been in the District’s Dayton office for more than 13 years and prosecuted the largest Ponzi scheme in Dayton’s history, U.S. v. Apostelos. He has also prosecuted other significant white-collar cases, numerous narcotics and child exploitation cases.
“Brent has handled – and continues to handle – an extremely diverse and difficult case load that includes some of the most significant prosecutions ever in Dayton, and he does so while consistently maintaining the highest standards of prosecutorial excellence,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.
Craig A. Black was recognized for his Superior Performance in a Litigative Support Role. Black serves as the head paralegal in the Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) and has served the district for more than 15 years.
“Craig is a national leader in innovating our financial litigation program in the Southern District of Ohio, as well as those of many other U.S. Attorney’s offices throughout the country,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Craig’s tireless dedication to the mission of FLU has established him as a behind-the-scenes champion for victims of crime.”
Black has helped revolutionize how the District collects criminal civil monetary judgments. He has been instrumental in developing the District’s Criminal Judgment Enforcement Team, leading not only to record-setting collection efforts in the Southern District of Ohio, but improvements in FLU nationwide.
Jennifer Rausch was awarded recognition for her Superior Performance as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Rausch is Director of the Special Victims Unit at Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s Office and has been cross-designated as a federal prosecutor for nearly four years.
“We are very lucky in Franklin County to have Jennifer Rausch as the Director of our Special Victims Unit and her work as a SAUSA illustrates the great teamwork we have with the Department of Justice in the Southern District of Ohio,” Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said.
Rausch has aided in the conviction of nearly two-dozen criminal defendants on human trafficking, child enticement and child pornography offenses.
“Jen has helped build numerous major investigations into successful prosecutions, convictions, and trial victories, all the while tending the often-fragile victims and shattered families of these types of cases with exceptional sensitivity and care,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Her years of courtroom experience have been invaluable in significant suppression hearings, a high-stakes federal jury trial resulting in convictions on all counts, and numerous contentious federal sentencings.”
“The outstanding achievements of these three individuals warrant their national recognition today,” Glassman added. “They are exemplary of the groundbreaking work that the men and women of the Southern District of Ohio are performing every day on behalf of the United States.”
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
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Deputy Attorney General Recognizes District Employee for Superior PerformanceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Levitt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada was recognized by Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. today.
The District of Nevada was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the mission of the Department of Justice.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
“Peter is recognized for his exceptional work as an appellate advocate in tackling some of the most difficult cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in particular for preserving convictions and sentencings imposed on defendants,” said U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson. “He has dedicated his expertise, energy, and service to the pursuit of justice and his commitment to excellence.”
Mr. Levitt has handled complicated cases with a tireless commitment to justice. For example, he handled United States v. Grimm and Mazzarella, where the defendants received sentences of 25 years and 14 years, respectively, and were ordered to pay more than $2.275 million in restitution for losses resulting from the massive mortgage fraud scheme; and United States v. Lindsey, where the Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction imposed on a loan officer who secured more than $3 million in mortgage loans using straw buyers and false and fraudulent loan applications. Mr. Levitt’s exceptional work in these and other important criminal appeals has helped to shape Ninth Circuit law, and promotes the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office in Nevada.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit www.justice.gov/usao. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nevada, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Deputy Attorney General Recognizes District Civil ChiefRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Schunk, Civil Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Iowa, was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Northern District of Iowa was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”
AUSA Schunk was recognized for his superior performance as a Civil AUSA. Over the past several years, Schunk has had tremendous success in building the district‘s Affirmative Civil Enforcement practice. The district now routinely resolves several False Claims Act matters and recovers millions of dollars each year for the federal treasury. Included among the matters he successfully resolved was a $5.6 million settlement with one of the nation‘s largest home health providers and a failure of care settlement with the owners and managers at an Iowa nursing facility.
“Through his outstanding work, Assistant United States Attorney Schunk has returned millions of dollars to the American taxpayer while ensuring those who make false claims are not unjustly enriched,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. “We take seriously our duty to collect money owed to taxpayers and I am happy that AUSA Schunk’s excellent work has been recognized through this incredibly well-deserved and prestigious award.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Connecticut Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for National Multi-Million Dollar Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced WALTER GLENN of Connecticut to one hundred and twenty (120) months in federal prison for his leading role in a prolific identify theft scheme. This sentencing follows GLENN being convicted by a federal jury of all charges against him after a weeklong trial in December.
The evidence at trial demonstrated that GLENN and others obtained and possessed the personal identifying information of more than four hundred individual victims and used the information to create fraudulent identification cards and counterfeit checks. From January 2014 through August 2015, GLENN and his coconspirators traveled across the country in rental vehicles and attempted to cash 833 counterfeit checks worth more than $2,000,000 at more than 450 Walmart stores in 23 states, resulting in a loss to Walmart of almost $1,000,000.
In December 2017, the jury unanimously found the defendant guilty of access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to make and pass counterfeit checks, produce fraudulent identification documents, and use unauthorized access devices. Following the verdicts, the Court revoked GLENN’s bond and remanded GLENN to the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service.
United States Attorney Fremin stated, “Our identities and reputations are sacred. We will continue to aggressively defend and protect individuals, companies, and other entities from new-age organized crime leaders, like this defendant, whose schemes to steal and defraud wreak havoc on so many across the country and the world. Such criminals should take a lesson from this 10-year sentence: stealing the identities of honest and hard-working people will result in very real and serious consequences. I commend the excellent work of all of the prosecutors and agents who have worked on this matter, and I am especially appreciative of the successful teamwork demonstrated by the seven different law enforcement agencies who contributed to this successful investigation and prosecution.”
This multi-jurisdictional investigation was led by the United States Secret Service, which received valuable assistance from the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Garland Police Department in Garland, Texas. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Patricia Jones, Kevin R. Sanchez, and Jessica M.P. Thornhill.
Cherokee, N.C. Man Sentenced to Four Years for His Role in 2015 Murder at Smokemont Baptist ChurchRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Johnathan Hill, 25, of Cherokee, N.C. was sentenced yesterday to 48 months in prison for his role in the 2015 murder of a male victim at Smokemont Baptist Church, announced R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger also ordered Johnathan Hill to serve two years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Jared St. Clair, Acting Chief Ranger of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Chief Doug Pheasant of the Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) are making today’s announcement with U.S. Attorney Murray.
According to court filings, plea documents and the sentencing hearing, on March 29, 2015, CIPD received a 911 call alerting officers to a stabbing that had taken place inside Oconaluftee Baptist Church, commonly known as the Smokemont Baptist Church, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Paramedics responding to the scene determined that the male victim had been stabbed and was deceased. According to court records, Johnathan Hill, Forrest Dakota Hill, and the victim drove to the church together. Over the course of their visit, Forrest Hill stabbed the victim with a knife during an unprovoked attack, causing the victim’s death. Court records show that the victim had been stabbed at least 16 times in the chest, back, neck and elsewhere.
Following the stabbing, Johnathan Hill and Forrest Hill, who are not related, drove away from Smokemont Baptist Church. Along the way, Johnathan Hill tossed through the car window the handle of the knife he believed to have been used in the attack. After that, the two men drove to the home of Johnathan Hill’s relatives, where the two men burned the clothes they wore during the stabbing.
In December 2017, Johnathan Hill pleaded guilty to a charge of accessory after the fact to second degree murder. Forrest Hill was previously sentenced to more than 16 years in prison on second degree murder charges.
The investigation was handled by the FBI, NPS and CIPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Carnegie Man Illegally Possessed 4 Firearms, Ammunition and Body ArmorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH- On June 14, 2018, a resident of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms, ammunition and body armor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Stanley Patterson, aka Robert Cook, age 65, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Patterson’s house in Carnegie, Pa, was searched pursuant to a search warrant on December 16, 2015 and police located items which included four firearms (one with the serial number obliterated), ammunition for those weapons, and body armor. Patterson has prior convictions for crimes that include Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Burglary (two counts), Theft, Receiving Stolen Property and Felony Criminal Trespass. Each of these offenses precludes a person from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law, since they carry a maximum possible penalty of more than 2 years of incarceration. A person is prohibited from possessing body armor under federal law if they have been convicted of a prior crime of violence, such as robbery.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2018 at 1 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 13 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court remanded the defendant to the Allegheny County Jail. Patterson has several cases listed for trial in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on September 17, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, a veteran prosecutor in the Violent Crime and Major Crime Sections of the United States Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Carnegie Police Department, the Allegheny County Police Department and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Patterson. 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.
Buffalo Man Charged with Selling Heroin Linked to the Death of A Hamburg ManRead 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 a 16-count indictment charging Tyrone Green, 24, and Brennen Bryant, Jr., 25, both of Buffalo, NY, with possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, as well as heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Seth T. Molisani, who is handling the case, stated that the charges in indictment and previously complaints stem from an investigation into an overdose death that occurred in Hamburg, NY on March 26, 2018. Through text messages on the decedent’s cellular telephone, detectives with the Hamburg Police Department and Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Green and Bryant as the decedent’s suppliers. Law enforcement officers then set up a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Green who was arrested when he arrived to sell the fentanyl.
Subsequently, the investigation uncovered that between October 2017, and January 2018, the New York State Police made numerous controlled purchases of butyryl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin from both defendants.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Hamburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory Wickett, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special-Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, the New York State Police, under the direction Major Edward Kennedy, and the Orchard Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Pacholec.
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.
Boise Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Ryan Andrew Chambers, 37, of Boise, was sentenced Tuesday in United States District Court to 240 months in prison followed by 10 years supervised release for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Chambers pleaded guilty on March 22, 2018.
According to court records, in November 2017, Chambers began an online conversation on a social network application with an FBI agent working in an undercover capacity. During the conversation, Chambers sent the agent two images containing child pornography, and requested the agent send him live explicit videos of children. FBI agents discovered that the IP address used to communicate with the FBI agent was assigned to Chambers’ residence in Boise, Idaho, and that Chambers was on federal supervision for a 2009 conviction for possession of child pornography. After FBI agents provided the information to the United States Probation Office, a federal probation officer visited Chambers’ residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Agents also discovered that Chambers had recently used a social media application to request sexually explicit pictures of a local women and her child.
This case was investigated by the FBI and United States Probation Office, and 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.”
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A Massachusetts Man and Georgia Woman Agree to Plead Guilty to Roles in Interstate Prostitution RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Watertown, Mass., man and Georgia woman have agreed to plead guilty in connection with their roles in a long-running interstate prostitution ring.
Jineok Kim, 38, of Watertown, Mass., and Susan Bashir, a/k/a “Susan Redmon,” a/k/a “Susan Redmond,” 41, of Stone Mountain, Ga., agreed to plead guilty today to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce individuals to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. On March 15, Kim and Bashir were charged and arrested along with Yoon I. Kim, 36, of Haymarket, Va.; Taehee Kim, a/k/a “Hyunsook Kim,” 46, of Haymarket, Va.; and Kyung Song, 52, of Lexington, Mass.
According to the charging documents filed today, Kim participated in an interstate prostitution network from spring 2016 to December 2017, and Bashir worked for the prostitution network from at least 2013 until March 2018. The prostitution network had multiple brothels in high-end apartments in Cambridge, Mass.; Atlanta, Ga.; and eastern Virginia. They advertised appointments with Asian women primarily on three websites: www.bostonasiandolls.com, www.exoticasiansatlanta.com, and www.redhotflowers69.com. The women advertised on the websites were moved from city to city within the network, working as prostitutes for the organization.
Bashir’s role in the scheme involved screening potential clients that called to book an appointment and then arranging logistics for the client to meet with one the advertised women. Bashir also updated the prostitution websites and calculated the payments for each prostitute based on the number of clients she had met with. In addition, Bashir collected the cash earnings from the women working at the Georgia brothels and made bulk deposits at ATMs, funneling the money into accounts allegedly controlled by Taehee Kim and Yoon Kim.
Jineok Kim transported women working as prostitutes and supplies, including bulk orders of condoms, to and from brothel locations in Cambridge. Jineok Kim retrieved cash proceeds from each of the Cambridge brothel locations and allegedly laundered the proceeds according to Taehee Kim’s instructions, which including depositing the money into accounts belonging to Taehee Kim or sending postal money orders to Taehee Kim.
The charge of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce women to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain/loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to engage in money laundering provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Delany De Leon-Colon, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. D’Addio and Amy Harman Burkart of Lelling’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
11 Assistant United States Attorneys and Two Federal Agent Partners Recognized by Deputy Attorney General at Department of Justice Director’s Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eleven Assistant United States Attorneys from the Eastern District of New York and two federal agent partners were among those recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Director James Crowell, IV, of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony today, which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein told the awardees, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.
U.S. v. Deutsche Bank
Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Belz, Edward K. Newman and Jeremy Turk, as well as former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan M. Wilson and Special Agent Jeffrey Fata, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, received the award for their exemplary performance in bringing about an historic $7.2 billion settlement against Deutsche Bank for its material misrepresentations in the sale of residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS).U.S. v. Paul Rivera, et al.
Criminal Division Deputy Chief Taryn A. Merkl, Business and Securities Fraud Section Deputy Chief Alixandra E. Smith and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Robotti received the award for their outstanding performance in the investigation and prosecution of United States v. Paul Rivera, et al. In Rivera, the two leaders of the “TF Mafia,” a violent Brooklyn gang, were convicted after an 11-week trial of racketeering conspiracy; racketeering involving predicate acts of sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, murder, narcotics trafficking, money laundering and witness tampering; and substantive offenses, including murder-in-aid-of racketeering and firearms charges.
Disruption and Early Engagement Program
Criminal Division Chief Seth D. DuCharme, Assistant United States Attorney Melody Wells and Special Agent Joseph Rudnick of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Office, were recognized for their outstanding work in the development and implementation of the Disruption and Early Engagement Program (“DEEP”) counterterrorism and prevention initiative launched here in 2016 to meet growing challenges facing the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and other law enforcement partners due largely to the rise of ISIS.
Hobby Lobby
Cultural Property Coordinator Karin Orenstein was recognized for her outstanding accomplishments in using civil forfeiture to combat illicit cultural property trafficking, as well as her efforts to return smuggled antiquities to their country of origin through repatriation. In United States v. 450 Ancient Cuneiform Tablets, she negotiated the forfeiture of thousands of Iraqi artifacts that were improperly imported by retailer Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., including 3,450 cuneiform tablets and clay bullae, and an additional 144 cylinder seals that were forfeited as substitute assets.
Operation Fallen Hero
Senior Litigation Counsel Andrea Goldbarg and her team members at the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division were recognized for successfully investigating and prosecuting members of Los Zetas cartel who brutally murdered Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and wounded HSI Special Agent Victor Avila in February 2011 during an attempted carjacking in Mexico.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit www.justice.gov/usao/nye.
14 June 2018
Wynantskill Woman Sentenced for Misusing Names of Government AgenciesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kristina Gross, age 37, of Wynantskill, New York, was sentenced today to pay a $5,000 fine for misusing the names of the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a misdemeanor offense.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and William A. Kalb, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeastern Field Division of the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
As part of her guilty plea on January 18, 2018, Gross admitted that she worked for a construction services company in Rensselaer County, whose Kinderhook Bank account had been levied by the IRS on February 14, 2017. On February 23, 2017, Gross twice emailed Kinderhook Bank what she claimed was an IRS release of levy form, in an unsuccessful attempt to induce the bank to provide her company with access to funds that the bank had frozen as a result of receiving the IRS levy.
Gross admitted that the document she sent to Kinderhook Bank on February 23 was forged, inaccurate and not approved or authorized by the Department of the Treasury or the IRS. She also admitted to knowing that the document would create the false impression at Kinderhook Bank that the IRS had actually issued the document when, in fact, the IRS had not.
This case was investigated by TIGTA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Wisconsin Woman Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Waheba Issa Dais, 45, originally of Israel and a U.S. legal permanent resident residing in Cudahy, Wisconsin, has been charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Special Agent in Charge Justin Tolomeo of the FBI’s Milwaukee Division made the announcement.
According to the criminal complaint, beginning in at least January, Dais attempted to provide services, personnel, expert advice and assistance to ISIS, by promoting ISIS’s agenda, facilitating recruitment and maintaining a virtual library of instructions on how to make bombs, biological weapons, poisons and suicide vests to assist self-proclaimed ISIS members and supporters in their attack planning. Dais used multiple social media accounts that she hacked and took over from unwitting victims and private social media platforms to provide and facilitate her support. Dais used one of her pro-ISIS accounts to encourage an individual, whom she believed to be an ISIS supporter, to conduct an attack in the name of ISIS. She provided detailed instructions on how to make Ricin and then suggested the individual introduce the Ricin to a government post or water reservoirs. In another post, she suggested potential targets for bombing attacks, including street festivals and celebrations in the summer.
Dais was arrested by the FBI on June 13. Dais appeared before a federal magistrate judge on the charges on June 13.
The defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Milwaukee Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. The government’s is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Wichita Man Charged with Buying Two Tiger PeltsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was charged in federal court today with making a deal to buy two tiger pelts in violation of the federal Lacey Act, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Ret Thach, 38, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate sale or purchase of animals that are covered by the Endangered Species Act.
In court documents, investigators allege Thach reached an agreement to pay $8,000 for two tiger pelts to be delivered to him in Wichita. Thach also agreed to pay traveling expenses for a seller from Wisconsin to drive to Wichita to deliver the pelts. Thach did not know that the seller was an agent of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working undercover.
According to court records, the agent informed Thach that selling the pelts across state lines was “absolutely illegal.” Thach told the agent he already owned “a lion and a lot of bears” and wanted to go ahead with the deal to buy the tiger pelts. Thach said he wanted the pelts for his home office.
If convicted, Thach faces a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Warren County Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms CaseRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today, JATWAUN DONKES DAVIS, 27, of Manson, North Carolina was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III to 36 months imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.
DAVIS was named in a three-count Indictment on July 19, 2017. On March 5, 2018, DAVIS pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Receipt of a Firearm While Under Indictment.
On December 5, 2016, DAVIS was arrested for Breaking and Entering and Larceny after Breaking and Entering in Warren County, North Carolina. On January 17, 2017, DAVIS was indicted for the charges and released on a secured bond on January 20, 2017.
On April 6, 2017, DAVIS was at his girlfriend’s residence in Henderson, North Carolina, when an argument ensued between her and DAVIS. DAVIS became enraged when she told DAVIS his friends needed to leave. DAVIS pushed his girlfriend on her bed, grabbed her throat and began choking her while threatening to kill her. Upon his girlfriend requesting a friend to retrieve her purse where she kept her firearm, DAVIS jumped up and ran to the other bedroom taking his girlfriend’s firearm from her purse. DAVIS fled from the residence while in possession of the firearm. She chased after DAVIS yelling at him to return her firearm. DAVIS was picked up in a vehicle. DAVIS later informed his girlfriend that he had thrown the firearm by the road as he fled from her residence. A short time later, his girlfriend went to the Henderson Police Department (HPD) and filed charges relating to the assault and theft of her firearm.
On March 26, 2018, DAVIS provided a written statement accepting responsibility for the three charges.
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.
In support of PSN, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted this case.