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Monday 7 May 2018
North Branford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL BAUER, 36, of North Branford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 10, 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a court-authorized search of BAUER’s North Branford residence and seized approximately 19 electronic devices, including external hard drives. A forensic examination of the seized devices revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos depicting children younger than 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the images and videos depict sadistic and masochistic conduct.
BAUER is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on August 1, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
BAUER is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
New Bedford Fishing Companies, Manager, and Vessel Captain to Pay over $400,000 in Civil Penalties and Make Fleet-Wide Fixes to Settle U.S. Oil-Pollution ClaimsRead the Press Release
Challenge Fisheries LLC, Quinn Fisheries Inc., Charles Quinn II, and Charles Quinn III have agreed to pay a total of $414,000 in civil penalties and to perform fleet-wide improvements and other compliance assurance measures to resolve federal Clean Water Act claims stemming from oily bilge discharges from the commercial fishing vessel Challenge, and a related fuel oil discharge in August 2017 in New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, the Department of Justice and the Coast Guard announced today.
In its complaint filed today, along with the lodging of a consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the United States alleges that the companies and individuals are liable for violations of the Clean Water Act related to the Challenge’s operations in New Bedford Harbor and in coastal waters off of southeastern New England. The complaint addresses discharges of oily bilge waste from the vessel while in port and at sea harvesting scallops, and the release of approximately 100 barrels (4,200 gallons) of fuel oil in connection with the illegal overboard pumping of oily bilge water in August 2017. The complaint also includes a Clean Water Act claim for violations of the Coast Guard’s spill prevention and pollution control regulation related to the failure to provide sufficient capacity to retain all oily bilge water onboard the vessel. The complaint alleges that the defendants discharged engine room bilge, which contains a mixture of fuel, lubricating oils, water, and other wastes, into the ocean and New Bedford Harbor rather than retain the waste onboard. The complaint further alleges these illegal discharges were the result of willful misconduct and were done to extend the duration of the fishing voyages. The United States seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief to deter future violations by the defendants and others in the industry.
In addition to payment of the civil penalties, the consent decree requires corrective measures across the defendants’ fleet of five New Bedford-based fishing vessels. The defendants will be required, among other things, to repair the vessels to reduce the generation of oily bilge water, operate within the vessels’ capacity to retain oily bilge for the full length of planned voyages, provide crew and management training on the proper handling of oily wastes, document all oil and oily waste transfers on and off of the vessels, including documenting proper disposal of engine room bilge water at a shore reception facility, and submit compliance reports to the government.
“Today’s action sends a clear message to the commercial fishing fleet that Clean Water Act compliance must be a non-negotiable part of operations,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We appreciate our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard for their diligent investigation and referral of these violations.”
“Discharges of fuel and oily bilge wastes into our nation’s waters have long been prohibited and will not be condoned,” said Captain Richard J. Schultz, Commander of the Coast Guard’s Sector Southeastern New England. “These defendants will pay significant penalties and conduct fleet-wide corrective measures for their discharges of oil into New Bedford Harbor and the ocean.”
“This enforcement action will help protect people and the environment in and around New Bedford Harbor from the effects of oil pollution, and other fishing vessel owners and operators should take note,” said Andrew E. Lelling, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
Section 311(b) of the Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. Under the Act, the Coast Guard also has promulgated spill prevention and pollution control regulations for vessels and other facilities. Overboard discharges of oily mixtures, whether by directly pumping out oily bilge water that has not been properly treated, or by attempting to pump only the portion of oily bilge water beneath a floating oil layer in the bilge (so-called “decanting”), has long been unlawful under federal law.
The penalty paid for these discharges and the related pollution prevention violations will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is used to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.
The proposed consent decree, lodged in the District of Massachusetts, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Monona Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
A man who attempted to rob the Freedom Bank in Monona, Iowa, was sentenced today to 3 years in federal prison.
Tyler Koehler, age 21, from Monona, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 16, 2017 guilty plea to attempted bank robbery.
At the guilty plea, Koehler admitted he attempted to rob the Freedom Bank in Monona on June 9, 2017. Information presented at his sentencing hearing showed that Koehler passed multiple notes to the teller at the bank’s drive-up window. Each note threatened to “blow this place up” unless the teller gave Koehler cash. The third note Koehler passed demanded $100,000. The teller stalled him until police arrived and took him into custody. Koehler has multiple prior convictions for disorderly conduct in Wisconsin and Georgia.
Koehler was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Koehler was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Koehler is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monona Police Department, and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-cr-1023. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Mobile County Man Sentenced to Nearly 14 Years in Prison for Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney, Richard W. Moore, announces that William Coleman, a 31 year old, resident of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced to 164 months of incarceration and ordered to pay $582.00 in restitution followed by five years of supervised release for the armed robbery of a local retail business.
According to the facts Coleman admitted as part of his guilty plea, on August 8, 2017, Coleman entered the Advance America, located at 28841 Hwy 98, Unit-D, Daphne, Alabama 36526, which was a payday loan business engaged in interstate commerce, and was conducting business in an industry that affects interstate commerce. He was wearing a blue plaid shirt, blue pants and a blue ball cap. Coleman asked an employee for a title loan for his car. The employee told him they did not do those kinds of loans. Next, Coleman pulled out a pistol and demanded the money from the counter drawer. The employee complied and gave Coleman the approximately $480.00 in the drawer. Coleman then asked the employee where the safe was located. The employee took Coleman to the safe that was located in the rear area of the store, opened the safe and gave Coleman the approximately $100.00 from the safe. Coleman then ordered the employee into the bathroom and told her to close the door, which she did. Coleman fled the scene. After approximately five minutes, the employee left the bathroom and called the police. Coleman pled guilty on February 22, 2018.
Officers of the Daphne, Alabama Police Department along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and presented it to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The prosecutors assigned to the case was Assistant United States Attorney, Gina S. Vann.
Mexican National Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS PALACIOS ORTIZ, 44, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for cocaine trafficking and immigration offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 13, 2017, the Connecticut State Police stopped a car that PALACIOS ORTIZ was driving on I-84 East near Waterbury. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 4.5 kilograms of cocaine.
PALACIOS ORTIZ has been convicted of at least six federal immigration offenses since 1999, and he was previously deported from the U.S. multiple times, the last time occurring in September 2015.
PALACIOS ORTIZ has been detained since his arrest on February 13, 2017. On February 15, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of reentry of a removed alien. He will be deported after he serves his 60-month prison term.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.
Mexican National Sentenced for Marijuana Cultivation Operation in Sequoia National ForestRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Manuel Sanchez-Zapien, aka “Chacal” (Sanchez), 38, a citizen of Mexico from Coalcomán, Michoacán, residing in Dos Palos, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for conspiring to manufacture marijuana, and manufacturing marijuana in the Sequoia National Forest, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Sanchez was also ordered to pay $8,665 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for damage to public land and natural resources caused by the cultivation operation.
According to court documents, between August 26, 2016 and June 13, 2017, Sanchez delivered supplies to growers at a marijuana cultivation site in Alder Creek in the Sequoia National Forest. The drop point had been used numerous times in the past to bring supplies to marijuana growers in the Slick Rock Creek drainage area. Law enforcement officers found over 20,952 marijuana plants at the Alder Creek site.
Approximately three acres of public land were almost completely stripped of vegetation and the ground was terraced to accommodate the marijuana plants. Large amounts of ammonium nitrate and other fertilizers, Spectracide brand insecticide containers, and trash were scattered throughout the site.
Co-defendant Maximiliano Farias-Martinez allegedly supervised Sanchez and others associated with the site. He is scheduled for trial on November 27, 2018. The charges as to Farias are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General’s Office of Investigations, and the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET). Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.
Mexican National Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Greenbelt, Maryland – On May 3, 2018, United States District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Jose Juarez-Diaz, age 32, of Clarksburg, Maryland to 21 months in prison for being an unlawfully present alien, after three illegal entries and two prior deportations.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to the plea agreement, officers of the United States Border Patrol initially encountered Juarez on February 6, 2003, after they stopped him attempting to illegally enter the country near Oceanside, California. Immigration authorities voluntarily returned Juarez to Mexico a few days later. Juarez then reentered the United States at an unknown time and location. In July 2003, Juarez was arrested for kidnapping during a carjacking in San Diego, California. Juarez pled guilty to vehicle theft, a misdemeanor in California, and was sentenced to a term of probation. An Immigration Judge ordered Juarez removed on November 6, 2003, and he was removed that same day to Mexico.
Subsequently, Juarez again illegally reentered the United States at an unknown time and location. Juarez claims to not remember the date of his return and stated during a post-arrest statement that he walked across the border.
On March 12, 2015, Juarez was arrested in Montgomery County, Maryland after he sexually assaulted a 14-year old girl. Juarez was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in that jurisdiction. On September 11, 2015, a Montgomery County judge sentenced Juarez to a term of imprisonment of twenty-five years but suspended all but five years, followed by five years of probation. On October 12, 2017, the Maryland Division of Corrections paroled Juarez after he served less than three years in prison. Immigration authorities took Juarez into custody and he was prosecuted federally on immigration charges.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised ICE and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Fish, who prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to File a Foreign Agent Registration StatementRead the Press Release
Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, 71, of Columbia, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to failure to file a foreign agent registration statement.
The guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, Chaudhry, a national of Pakistan and lawful permanent resident of the United States, represented himself to be the President of the Pakistan American League, an unincorporated entity he created and associated with his residential address in Maryland.
Chaudhry failed to file a registration statement with the Attorney General, as required by law, providing notification of his activities on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, and falsely represented that his activities in relation to Pakistan were solely educational in nature and executed for the benign purpose of encouraging better relations between the United States and Pakistan.
According to his plea agreement, from 2012 through 2018, Chaudhry acted as an agent of the Government of Pakistan in order to engage in political activities for, and in the interests of, the Government of Pakistan. These activities were designed by Chaudhry to obtain and manage information on the status of the U.S. Government's policies regarding Pakistan, and to influence U.S. government officials and U.S. foreign policy towards Pakistan.
Chaudhry interacted on a routine basis with representatives of the Government of Pakistan, at their Embassy in Washington, D.C. and consular office in New York City. Chaudhry also interacted with numerous institutes, foundations and organizations operating in and around Washington, D.C., commonly referred to as "think tanks," that played a role in shaping and influencing U.S. foreign policy. Chaudhry organized roundtable discussions in Washington, D.C. and Maryland metropolitan areas between his American government and think tank contacts and visiting Pakistan government officials to influence United States foreign policy in a direction favorable to Pakistan’s interests. Chaudhry cultivated contacts within these entities and the U.S. government in order to obtain in-depth information regarding the U.S. government's policies towards Pakistan. Chaudhry then sought to neutralize unfavorable views of Pakistan held by current and former U.S. government officials by employing certain methods of discussion with these individuals during personal interactions with them and/or by controlling and manipulating discussion at the roundtable events he organized or attended.
In order to be more effective in obtaining information of interest to Pakistan, and to gain a strategic advantage in acquiring information that might not otherwise be divulged to official representatives of the Government of Pakistan, Chaudhry falsely represented that his activities were solely educational in nature and not affiliated with the Pakistan government. These representations were made not only to American think tank scholars, but also to current and former U.S. government officials, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents who interviewed Chaudhry upon entry into the United States from his travels to Pakistan.
According to his plea agreement, Chaudhry regularly traveled to Pakistan to brief high-level Pakistan government officials on information obtained from his American government and think tank contacts. He also met with Pakistan government officials in the United States to report on the details of his meetings in Pakistan with high-level Pakistan government officials, and obtain information regarding matters of interest to Pakistan relevant to his activities in the United States on behalf of the Pakistan government.
In consideration for his activities on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, Chaudhry was granted invitations to events at the Pakistan Embassy; introductions to, and meetings with, high-level Pakistan government officials; assistance with procuring civilian, military, or government -related jobs and preferential postings for relatives and associates in Pakistan; assistance with securing Pakistani visas on an expedited basis for friends, relatives, or associates; reimbursement for certain travel expenses; and the use of diplomatic channels to ship personal items to and from Pakistan, among other things.
Chaudhry organized press briefings in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland for visiting Pakistan government dignitaries and arranged for various scholars and/or former U.S. officials to attend conferences in Pakistan.
Chaudhry faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for July 30, at 2 p.m. in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for their work in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Manuelian of the District of Maryland, and Senior Trial Attorney Heather Schmidt of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting this case.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to File A Foreign Agent Registration StatementRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885Greenbelt, Maryland – Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, age 71, of Columbia, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to failure to file a foreign agent registration statement.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, Chaudhry, a national of Pakistan and lawful permanent resident of the United States, represented himself to be the President of the Pakistan American League, an unincorporated entity he created and associated with his residential address in Maryland.
Chaudhry failed to file a registration statement with the Attorney General, as required by law, providing notification of his activities on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, and falsely represented that his activities in relation to Pakistan were solely educational in nature and executed for the benign purpose of encouraging better relations between the United States and Pakistan.
According to his plea agreement, from 2012 through 2018, Chaudhry acted as an agent of the Government of Pakistan in order to engage in political activities for, and in the interests of, the Government of Pakistan. These activities were designed by Chaudhry to obtain and manage information on the status of the United States Government's policies regarding Pakistan, and to influence U.S. government officials and U.S. foreign policy towards Pakistan.
Chaudhry interacted on a routine basis with representatives of the Government of Pakistan, at their Embassy in Washington, D.C. and consular office in New York City. Chaudhry also interacted with numerous institutes, foundations, and organizations operating in and around Washington, D.C., commonly referred to as "think tanks," that played a role in shaping and influencing U.S. foreign policy. Chaudhry organized roundtable discussions in the Washington D.C., and Maryland metropolitan areas between his American government and think tank contacts and visiting Pakistan government officials to influence United States foreign policy in a direction favorable to Pakistan’s interests. Chaudhry cultivated contacts within these entities and the United States government in order to obtain in-depth information regarding the United States government's policies towards Pakistan. Chaudhry then sought to neutralize unfavorable views of Pakistan held by current and former U.S. government officials by employing certain methods of discussion with these individuals during personal interactions with them and/or by controlling and manipulating discussion at the roundtable events he organized or attended.
In order to be more effective in obtaining information of interest to Pakistan, and to gain a strategic advantage in acquiring information that might not otherwise be divulged to official representatives of the Government of Pakistan, Chaudhry falsely represented that his activities were solely educational in nature and not affiliated with the Pakistan government. These representations were made not only to American think tank scholars, but also to current and former United States government officials, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents who interviewed Chaudhry upon entry into the United States from his travels to Pakistan.
According to his plea agreement, Chaudhry regularly traveled to Pakistan to brief high-level Pakistan government officials on information obtained from his American government and think tank contacts. He also met with Pakistan government officials in the United States to report on the details of his meetings in Pakistan with high-level Pakistan government officials, and obtain information regarding matters of interest to Pakistan relevant to his activities in the United States on behalf of the Pakistan government.
In consideration for his activities on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, Chaudhry was granted invitations to events at the Pakistan Embassy; introductions to, and meetings with, high-level Pakistan government officials; assistance with procuring civilian, military, or government -related jobs and preferential postings for relatives and associates in Pakistan; assistance with securing Pakistani visas on an expedited basis for friends, relatives, or associates; reimbursement for certain travel expenses; and the use of diplomatic channels to ship personal items to and from Pakistan, among other things.
Chaudhry organized press briefings in Washington, D.C. and Maryland for visiting Pakistan government dignitaries and arranged for various scholars and/or former United States government officials to attend conferences in Pakistan.
Chaudhry faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2018 at 2 p.m. in Greenbelt, Maryland.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for their work in the investigation and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Manuelian, who prosecuted the case.
Man Charged in Connection with RobberyRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Mark Triolo, 46, of Texas, has been charged by criminal complaint for violating the federal robbery statute. Triolo is currently being treated at Dartmouth Medical Center in New Hampshire for gunshot wounds he sustained in connection with this incident. It is expected that Triolo will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy as soon as he is physically able to do so.
According to court documents, on May 1, 2018, Triolo robbed the Small City Market in Vergennes at gunpoint and fled the store with approximately $6115 in cash. At the time of this robbery, Triolo was wanted on a parole violation in Texas, and he was a suspect in a recent robbery in Queensbury, New York. On the evening of May 4, 2018, law enforcement was notified of two more armed robberies: one at the Ascutney Sunoco gas station in Weathersfield and a second armed robbery at the Allen Brothers Farm Market in Westminster. Based on information generated from the Vergennes robbery and the robbery in New York, law enforcement believed that Triolo was involved in the robberies.
On May 4, 2018, at approximately 20:41 hours, law enforcement encountered Triolo at a gas station in Brattleboro and attempted to take him into custody. Triolo fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Triolo was later located on the Black Mountain Road in Brattleboro. Officers began to give verbal commands to Triolo ordering him to stop and show his hands. Triolo did not respond to those commands and officers subsequently fired multiple rounds striking him. Triolo was taken into custody with officers rendering medical aid until rescue personnel arrived. A search of the vehicle driven by Triolo recovered a pellet gun which was similar in appearance to an actual semi-automatic pistol and similar to the weapon used in the Small City robbery.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan emphasized that the charge against Triolo is merely an accusation, and that Triolo is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If convicted, Triolo faces up to twenty years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police, the Vergennes Police Department, the Brattleboro Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. This case exemplifies local, state and federal law enforcement working together to make our neighborhoods safer.
The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy G. Fuller.
Maine Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Maine woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Melissa Rock, 39, of Pemaquid, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, specifically cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2018. In 2017, Rock and four others, Vito Nuzzolilo, of Worcester; Kristin Little, of Worcester; Thomas Walker, of Pemaquid, Maine; and Ricardo Ortega-Vasquez, a Dominican national residing in New York City, were indicted for their roles in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, a court-authorized wiretap intercepted Rock and Walker speaking with Nuzzolilo about purchasing cocaine for re-distribution in Maine. On April 10, 2017, Rock contacted Nuzzolilo to ask if he would “front” a quantity of cocaine; she then traveled to Nuzzolilo’s apartment in Worcester. On April 27, 2017, Walker spoke with Nuzzolilo about obtaining additional cocaine, promising that his “workers” had cash to cover it. Rock and Walker then traveled to Nuzzolilo’s Worcester apartment, and, after leaving the apartment, were stopped by law enforcement and found in possession of more than 50 grams of cocaine.
Rock faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Little and Ortega-Vasquez have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
KC Man, Woman Indicted for Seven Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kanas City, Mo., man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies at area businesses.
Aaron Fisher, 46, and Dawn Baldwin, 49, both of Kansas City, were charged in a 16-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on May 2, 2018. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed on April 6, 2018, and includes additional charges. Fisher and Baldwin remain in federal custody without bond.
The federal indictment alleges that Fisher and Baldwin participated in an armed robbery conspiracy from Dec. 20, 2017, through April 2, 2018.
In addition to the conspiracy, Fisher and Baldwin are charged together with two armed robberies: the armed robbery of Holiday Inn Express, 19901 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence, Mo., on Dec. 31, 2017; and with the armed robbery of Comfort Inn Motel, 210 N.W. Jefferson St., Grain Valley, Mo., on Jan. 21, 2018. They are also charged together with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in each of those robberies.
Fisher is also charged with five additional armed robberies: the armed robbery of Blue Ridge Food Stop, 4704 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 20, 2017; the armed robbery of Subway, 3380 Fascination, Lee’s Summit, Mo., on Dec. 20, 2017; the armed robbery of Papa Murphy’s, 9027 E. 350 Hwy., Raytown, Mo., on Jan. 4, 2018; the armed robbery of Four Points Sheraton, 4011 Blue Ridge, Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 15, 2018; and the armed robbery of Trex Mart, 7812 E. 116 Hwy., Lathrop, Mo., on April 2, 2018. Fisher is charged with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in each of those robberies.
Fisher is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Fisher, having been convicted of a felony, was in possession of an H7R .22-caliber revolver on Dec. 20, 2017.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department, the Grain Valley, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department and the Clinton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Coconino County, Arizona, to Ensure Accessible VotingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today reached a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Coconino County, Arizona, to make the County’s polling places accessible to individuals with mobility and vision impairments.
The Department’s survey identified architectural barriers at County polling places, including inaccessible parking, ramps that were too steep, and doors that were too narrow. Under the ADA, counties that conduct local, state, or federal elections may not select polling places that are inaccessible during elections to individuals with disabilities. Coconino County is the Country’s second largest county, covering more than 18,000 square miles, and is also home to the Grand Canyon. The County includes parts of the Navajo, Hualapai, Hopi, Havasupai, and Kaibab Indian reservations, and more than one dozen County polling places are located on Indian reservations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Coconino County will start remediating polling places in time for its next election and will ensure that all of its polling places are accessible during elections to people with disabilities by no later than the November 2020 election. To make polling places accessible, the County will employ temporary measures such as portable ramps, signage, and propped open doors, and permanent changes such as paved parking. In addition, the County will train its poll workers on ADA requirements and on how to use temporary measures to ensure each polling place is accessible during elections. Furthermore, the County will survey polling locations for accessibility and maintain the accessibility of each polling place. When selecting future polling places, the agreement requires the County to select locations that will be accessible during elections. The Department will monitor the County’s compliance with the agreement and provide the County with technical assistance as appropriate.
“Through this settlement, Coconino County will ensure that its polling places are accessible to voters with disabilities, including those living in Indian Country, so that they have an equal opportunity to participate in elections,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore for the Civil Rights Division. “We applaud the County’s commitment to guaranteeing equal access to the polls.”
This settlement is part of the Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places. Through this Initiative, the Department has surveyed more than 1,500 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 35 jurisdictions, including Chicago; Richland County, South Carolina; and Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
For more information about the ADA and today’s agreement, please visit http://www.ada.gov or call the toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jesus Patino-Lopez, age 31, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-Entry into the United States. United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr. of Spartanburg sentenced Patino-Lopez to 10 months in federal prison with 1 year of supervised release to follow.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on June 23, 2017, ICE–Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers in Charleston, SC, encountered Patino-Lopez at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center where he was detained for local charges. A records check revealed that Patino-Lopez is a native and citizen of Mexico and had two prior removals in 2009. On both occasions, he was removed from the United States back to Mexico. A records check also revealed that Patino-Lopez had not received permission to enter, re-enter, or remain in the United States.
This case was investigated by officers of the ICE–Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.
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Illegal Alien Located in Lexington County Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Nicholas Benitez-Hernandez, age 46, of Mexico, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(2). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the South Carolina Department of Public Safety/Immigration Enforcement Unit (SCDPS/IEU) and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office arrested Benitez-Hernandez for Forgery and Identity Fraud to Obtain Employment. He was encountered by ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations agents on April 26, 2018, at the Lexington County. An investigation revealed that he is a citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported after serving a sentence for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 29 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the SCDPS/IEU, the Newberry County Sherriff’s Office and ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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High School Senior Charged with Recruiting Other Juveniles to Smuggle Methamphetamine and Fentanyl from MexicoRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Sherri Walker Hobson (619) 961-0287
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 7, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Phillip Junior Web, a high school senior at Castle Park High School, was charged in federal court today with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and bringing in unlawful aliens, including a Mexican national and Chinese national, for financial gain. He was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal.
According to the court documents, the defendant was a high school senior who recruited other high school students to smuggle methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States on multiple occasions, including on July 1, 2017 (juvenile attempted to smuggle methamphetamine), September 19, 2017 (two juveniles attempted to smuggle methamphetamine), September 27, 2017 (juvenile attempted to smuggle methamphetamine), and October 23, 2017 (juvenile attempted to smuggle fentanyl). On each of these occasions, the juveniles had drugs strapped on their bodies as they attempted to enter the United States at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa Ports of Entry.
Last Friday, defendant Webb was caught attempting to bring in a Chinese national and Mexican national into the United States in the trunk of his vehicle. The defendant’s next court appearance is on May 10, 2018 for a detention hearing and May 21, 2018 for a preliminary examination before Judge Skomal.
In an unrelated criminal complaint, defendant Alejandro Barba was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to the complaint, agents saw a juvenile briefly enter Barba’s parked vehicle at the San Ysidro High School parking lot, remove items from his backpack, and then exit Barba’s vehicle. Barba, the sole occupant and driver, was stopped and agents found five kilograms of methamphetamine in his back seat. According to the complaint, the unnamed juvenile had smuggled the methamphetamine through the border earlier that day. Barba will appear for his initial appearance later this week.
“We are seeing a very troubling trend and we want to warn parents and high schoolers,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman. “Our youth are being recruited by drug cartels to smuggle dangerous drugs across the border. We are going after the recruiters who exploit these kids, but the kids also need to know that they are gambling with their lives when they do this. Don’t throw away your future.”
DEFENDANT Case No. 18MJ2229
Phillip Junior Webb Age: 18 Tijuana, Mexico
CHARGES
Count 1 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 841 & 846)
Maximum Penalty: Ten years minimum to life in custody; $1 million fine
Count 2 - Bringing in Undocumented Aliens for Financial Gain (8 U.S.C. 1324)
Maximum Penalty: Three years mandatory minimum to 20 years in custody; $250,000 fine
DEFENDANT Case No. 18MJ2147
Alejandro Barba Age: 27 San Diego, California
CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 841 & 846)
Maximum Penalty: Ten years minimum to life in custody; $1 million fine
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Drug Enforcement Administration
Customs & Border Protection
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
*The charges and allegations contained in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are no considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Grand Jury Returns Indictment Against Wilson Resident for Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Connie Margaret Metzger, a resident of Wilson, Michigan, has been indicted by a grand jury and charged with two counts of assaulting a federal officer.
The indictment alleges that on October 7, 2017, Metzger used a dangerous weapon, her vehicle, to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede and interfere with a Hannahville Tribal Police Officer while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties. The indictment further alleges that, on the same date, Metzger punched a Michigan State Trooper while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties.
If convicted, Metzger faces up to 20 years in federal prison on Count 1 of the indictment and up to eight years in federal prison on Count 2 of the indictment.
This matter was investigated by the Hannahville Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah N. Bobee.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Grand Jury Returns Indictment Against Wilson Resident for Assaulting Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Margaret Sue Hardwick, a resident of Wilson, Michigan, has been indicted by a grand jury and charged with assaulting a federal officer.
The indictment alleges that on October 7, 2017, Hardwick forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded and interfered with a Hannahville Tribal Police Officer while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties by punching him in the face.
If convicted, Hardwick faces up to eight years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
This matter was investigated by the Hannahville Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah N. Bobee.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Fruitdale Woman Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fruitdale, South Dakota, woman convicted of Bank Robbery was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Kaycee Teppo, age 23, was sentenced on April 30, 2018, to 41 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution in an amount to be determined.
Teppo was charged on May 23, 2017. The conviction stems from Teppo robbing a bank in Spearfish, South Dakota, on May 18, 2017.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spearfish Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.
Fresno Man Sentenced for Laser Strike on Police HelicopterRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Michael Vincent Alvarez, 32, of Fresno, Calif., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for striking Air-1, a Fresno Police Department helicopter, with a powerful green laser beam, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on October 22, 2017, Alvarez struck a Fresno Police helicopter several times with a powerful green laser. The laser caused visual interference of the tactical flight officer and disrupted an air support response to a domestic violence call. Alvarez was driving a vehicle on Highway 99 when he pointed the laser at the helicopter and tracked and struck it. When ground units were called to apprehend Alvarez, he drove through the streets of Fresno at a high rate of speed, eluding officers for several miles until he crashed into the center divider at First Street and Floradora Avenue. Following the crash, Alvarez ran into a residential area, jumping several fences until he was arrested in a backyard. A green laser pointer that officers found inside the driver side door pocket of Alvarez’s vehicle had a danger warning on it.
In 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 6,771 laser strikes of aircraft or 18.55 per day nationwide. In the Eastern District of California, which encompasses 34 counties in the eastern portion of California, there were over 170 laser strikes reported. Law enforcement and emergency transport helicopters are particularly vulnerable, since they typically fly at lower altitudes. Their convex-shaped windows also cause greater refraction and visual interference when the beam of a laser strikes.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.
Fort Mill Resident Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that David Scott LaPointe was sentenced to prison for 8 months followed by 3 years supervised release in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, after being convicted for failing to register as a sex offender in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2250(a).
Evidence presented at the guilty plea and other hearings established that LaPointe was convicted in September 2002 of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor-Second Degree (Person Under 13). As a result of this conviction, he was required to register in any state where he lived, worked or attended school. LaPointe registered as a sex offender in North Carolina after serving his sentence but failed to register when he moved to South Carolina in June 2017.
The United States Marshal Service, Mecklenburg, and York County Sheriff Offices investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Day of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Former Sergeant for Gates County Sheriff’s Office Arrested for Stealing Firearms and Drugs from Criminal CasesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that a federal grand jury sitting returned an indictment charging BRANDON SCOTT HAWKS, 33, of Eure, NC with two-counts of possession of a stolen firearm, and one-count of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of controlled substances. Each of the firearm offenses carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and the drug offense carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.
HAWKS was employed as a deputy with the Gates County Sheriff’s Office since 2006, and held the title of Sergeant in 2017. The indictment alleges that beginning on July 23, 2017, and continuing until December 6, 2017, HAWKS possessed a stolen firearm, specifically a Glock 26 handgun. The prosecution alleges that the firearm was unlawfully seized by HAWKS during a traffic stop on July 23, 2017, was never submitted as evidence to the Sheriff’s Office, and was found at HAWKS’ residence on December 6, 2017.
Count Two of the Indictment charges HAWKS with possessing a stolen firearm from May 27, 2014 until December 6, 2017. Finally, Count Three charges that on December 6, 2017, HAWKS possessed with the intent to distribute several controlled substances, to include heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The controlled substances were considered property of the Gates County Sheriff’s Office and were seized during criminal investigations.
HAWKS was terminated from his employment with the Gates County Sheriff’s Office on December 6, 2017, the day that all of the above items were recovered.
This case is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative, which was newly implemented by United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and State Bureau of Investigation conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Peggah B. Wilson is handling the prosecution of this case for the government.
Former Mississippi Tax Return Preparer Charged with Filing Fraudulent Refund ClaimsRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Teresa Chism, 48, a former resident of Durant, Mississippi, was arrested Friday on charges of filing fraudulent tax refund claims with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Ted A. Magee, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office.
According to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in January, Teresa Chism was a tax return preparer doing business under the name Lady T Taxes in Holmes County, Mississippi. Between February 2013 and April 2015, Chism prepared numerous tax false returns for clients which claimed fraudulent refunds. Chism is also charged with preparing a false tax return for an undercover agent. On the tax return, Chism reported false wages and false education expenses, which caused the claimed tax refund to increase to more than double the correct amount.
Chism appeared for arraignment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Ball. The case is set for trial on June 25, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate in Jackson. If convicted, Chism faces statutory maximum penalties of five years in prison on each count of presenting a false claim to the IRS. She also faces monetary penalties and restitution.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall and DOJ Tax Division Trial Attorney Robert J. Boudreau.
The public is reminded that an indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Atlanta police sergeant sentenced to prison for using excessive force and obstructing investigationRead the Press Release
ATLANTA –Trevor King, a former sergeant with the Atlanta Police Department, was sentenced to five years in prison for using excessive force when he arrested a Walmart shopper who King wrongfully suspected of shoplifting a tomato and for writing a false police report about the incident in an effort to cover up his crime.
“King was punished today for willfully violating the Constitution by misusing his power to violently assault and injure an innocent man,” said U. S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “To make matters worse, he wrote a false incident report in an attempt to make the victim sound like the aggressor. King’s egregious misconduct is an affront to law enforcement officers who serve honorably and uphold their oath of office with integrity.”
“The defendant abused his authority as a police sergeant when he used a baton to brutally assault an innocent man and wrote a false report to cover up his crime,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore for the Civil Rights Division. “This sentence reflects the Department’s commitment to prosecuting official misconduct cases and sends a strong message that any abuse of power will not be tolerated.”
“It is our duty in the FBI to uphold our Constitution and laws, which prohibit law enforcement officers from willfully using excessive force against non-resistant subjects,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Had Sgt. King respected his authority, like the vast majority of his fellow law enforcement officers who serve and protect, he would have quickly realized an arrest was not merited.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other evidence presented during King’s trial: On the evening of October 13, 2014, the victim, Tyrone Carnegay, was grocery shopping at a downtown Atlanta Walmart. After purchasing groceries, Carnegay returned to the produce aisle to weigh a tomato for which he believed he had been overcharged. Sergeant King saw Carnegay on the store’s security monitor weighing the tomato, and then walking out of the store after placing the tomato back into a bag. Suspecting that Carnegay was stealing the tomato, King drew his asp baton and stopped Carnegay at the store’s exit door. Within seconds of the stop, King began to strike Carnegay on his legs with the metal baton. After several blows, Carnegay fell to the floor. As he lay on the floor, King delivered a final baton strike, causing a compound fracture to Carnegay’s leg. After the assault, King found a receipt in Carnegay’s pocket for the groceries he had purchased, including the tomato.
King charged Carnegay with misdemeanor offenses for allegedly assaulting and obstructing a police officer, and authored a false police report justifying the beating. In that report, King claimed that Carnegay had attempted to push past King and had reached for King’s gun belt before King delivered any baton strikes.
Following surgery for his broken leg, Carnegay was transported from the hospital to Fulton County Jail, where he was held for several days before being released. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office later dismissed the charges against him,
Trevor King, 50, of Acworth, Georgia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones to five years in prison, followed by three years supervised release. King was convicted on December 8, 2017, following a jury trial.
This case was investigated by the Atlanta Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division.
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.
Former Atlanta Police Sergeant Sentenced to Prison for Using Excessive Force and Obstructing InvestigationRead the Press Release
Federal District Court Judge Steve C. Jones today sentenced Trevor King, 50, a former sergeant with the Atlanta Police Department to five years in prison for using excessive force when he arrested a Walmart shopper who the officer wrongfully suspected of shoplifting a tomato and for writing a false report about the incident in an effort to cover up his crime. King was convicted on Dec. 8, 2017, following a jury trial. Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak, and David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta made the announcement.
“The defendant abused his authority as a police sergeant when he used a baton to brutally assault an innocent man and wrote a false report to cover up his crime,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore for the Civil Rights Division. “This sentence reflects the Department’s commitment to prosecuting official misconduct cases and sends a strong message that any abuse of power will not be tolerated.”
“King was punished today for willfully violating the Constitution by misusing his power to violently assault and injure an innocent man,” said U. S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “To make matters worse, he wrote a false incident report in an attempt to make the victim sound like the aggressor. King’s egregious misconduct is an affront to law enforcement officers who serve honorably and uphold their oath of office with integrity.”
“It is our duty in the FBI to uphold our Constitution and laws, which prohibit law enforcement officers from willfully using excessive force against non-resistant subjects,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Sgt. King should have respected his authority, like the vast majority of his fellow law enforcement officers who serve and protect.”
According to evidence presented during King’s trial, on the evening of Oct. 13, 2014, the victim, Tyrone Carnegay, was grocery shopping at a downtown Atlanta Walmart store. After purchasing groceries, Carnegay returned to the produce aisle to weigh a tomato for which he believed he had been overcharged. Former Sergeant King saw Carnegay on the store’s security monitor weighing the tomato, and then walking out of the store after placing the tomato back into a bag. Suspecting that Carnegay was stealing the tomato, King withdrew his asp baton and stopped Carnegay at the store’s exit door. Within seconds of the stop, King began to strike Carnegay on his legs with the metal baton. After several blows, Carnegay fell to the floor. As he lay on the floor, King delivered a final baton strike, causing a compound fracture to Carnegay’s leg. After the assault, King found a receipt in Carnegay’s pocket for the groceries he had purchased, including the tomato.
King charged Carnegay with misdemeanor offenses for allegedly assaulting and obstructing a police officer, and authored a false police report justifying the beating. In that report, King claimed that Carnegay had attempted to push past King and had reached for King’s gun belt before King delivered any baton strikes.
Following surgery for his broken leg, Carnegay was transported from the hospital to Fulton County Jail, where he was held for several days before being released. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office later dismissed the charges against him.
When King is released from prison, he will be under federal supervision for three years.
This case was investigated by the Atlanta Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Alan Gray and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Possessing Images of Child Sexual Abuse While IncarceratedRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A federal inmate already serving a lengthy sentence for a child pornography conviction was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for possessing images of child pornography while incarcerated, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Erik M. Smith, 36, of Iron Mountain, Michigan, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to an information charging him with possession of child pornography through the use of a contraband micro SD card. Smith was already serving a 235-month sentence at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix (FCI Fort Dix) for his conviction in the Western District of Michigan for receipt of child pornography. Judge Rodriguez imposed today’s sentence in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Smith possessed a 16-gigabyte micro SD card containing 263 images of child pornography, including 213 sexually explicit images of prepubescent children. He told another inmate the SD card included “mostly boy stuff,” referring to images of boys. Smith admitted that he downloaded these and other images of child pornography from a cloud account on behalf of other inmates.Smith and seven other inmates were arrested in April 2017 and February 2018 following an FBI investigation involving multiple covert recordings and several cooperating inmates. The investigation revealed that Smith and other inmates utilized contraband cellphones, micro SD cards, and access to the internet to obtain, view, and distribute child pornography within the prison. A co-defendant organized and helped facilitate this criminal activity by maintaining cloud accounts that were used as repositories for child pornography.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Smith to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked officials of the Bureau of Prisons at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel Vidoni and Alyson M. Oswald of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
Defense counsel: Mark W. Catanzaro Esq., Mount Holly, New Jersey
Espanola Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Goldyne Duran, 27, of Espanola, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to heroin and methamphetamine trafficking charges under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The FBI and HIDTA Region III Narcotics Task Force arrested Duran in Aug. 2017, on a criminal complaint alleging that she possessed heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute on July 11, 2017, in Rio Arriba County, N.M. According to the complaint, law enforcement agents seized approximately 41.9 ounces (1,187.85 grams) of heroin, 13.3 ounces (377.05 grams) of cocaine, 17.6 ounces (498.95 grams) of methamphetamine, large amounts of currency, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia while executing a state search warrant on Duran’s residence.
During today’s proceedings, Duran pled guilty to a felony information charging her with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Duran admitted that on July 11, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at her residence where they seized four large bundles of cash, heroin weighing more than a kilogram, and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Duran admitted possessing the heroin and methamphetamine with the intention of distributing the drugs to others.
After entering her guilty plea, Duran was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service and will be detained pending her sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Duran faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI and the HIDTA Region III Narcotics Task Force. The HIDTA – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area – Program is a program of the White House Office National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) that facilitates cooperation among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to foster intelligence sharing and to support the execution of effective enforcement operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking organization in critical drug trafficking regions of the United States. The HIDTA Region III Narcotics Task Force is comprised of the New Mexico State Police, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Fe Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez is prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Elizabeth City Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced JEREL LEON JORDAN, 27, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to 195 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
JORDAN was named in a three-count Superseding Indictment on April 18, 2017. On August 21, 2017, JORDAN pled not guilty. During a bench trial on December 1, 2017, JORDAN was found guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
JORDAN distributed cocaine and cocaine base (hereinafter, crack cocaine) in the Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County areas of North Carolina from at least 2015 until his arrest on December 28, 2016. Multiple informants provided law enforcement with information to substantiate that JORDAN was trafficking crack cocaine from his home and was known to carry a firearm.
Law enforcement authorities then began surveilling JORDAN’S home and movements. As a routine, JORDAN left his residence in Elizabeth City each day, traveled to various locations in and around Elizabeth City where he made several hand-to-hand drug deliveries to various individuals known to be drug dealers, and then returned to his residence in Elizabeth City.
On December 28, 2016, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for JORDAN’S residence. Later that day, during the execution of the search warrant at JORDAN’S home, law enforcement authorities found: (1) a .45 caliber handgun loaded with seven rounds of ammunition; (2) 226.25 grams of cocaine; (3) 156.05 grams of crack cocaine; (4) 41 rounds of ammunition; (5) digital scales; (6) a money counter; (7) two gun cases; and (8) two boxes of sandwich bags.
JORDAN immediately provided a statement in which he advised he began selling street-level quantities of crack cocaine when he was 13 or 14 years old. He stated that he “stepped up” his drug activities in early 2016 when he began purchasing and selling one-half kilogram of crack cocaine each month. However, JORDAN added that there were months when he sold as much as one kilogram of crack cocaine (6.5 kilograms of crack cocaine).
The Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, Elizabeth City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Belle Kessler handled the prosecution of this case for the United States
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor was sentenced on May 3, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Charles Edwards, age 37, was sentenced to 36 months in custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Edwards was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 21, 2017. He pled guilty on January 16, 2018.
Between December 13, 2013, and December 12, 2016, Edwards engaged in a sexual act with a minor who had attained the age of 12 years old, but had not attained the age of 16 years old and was at least 4 years younger than Edwards.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Edwards was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on April 30, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Roberto A. Lange.
David Brody Gunville, age 31, was sentenced to 48 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims fund in the amount of $100.
Gunville was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017, for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Distribution of a Controlled Substance. Gunville pleaded guilty on January 24, 2018.
Between July, 2015, and January 19, 2017, Gunville conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. Gunville admitted that he received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from others who knew he intended to further distribute the methamphetamine in South Dakota. He agreed it was forseeable that between 200 to 350 grams of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Narcotics Division, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.
Gunville was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Dillion Man Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Gerald Arnette, Jr., of Dillion, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for bank fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced the defendant to one year and a day in federal prison.
Evidence presented established that the defendant was a loan officer at Citizens Bank in Florence, South Carolina. In his role as loan officer, the defendant used his position to fraudulently obtain loans, some of which he received kickbacks for obtaining. Moreover, information was presented that the defendant paid back over $150,000 dollars to the bank thereby making full restitution for the loans that were fraudulently issued.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and US Postal Inspector. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Delaware Man Sentenced to Three Years for Heroin and Crack TraffickingRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Kyle Rivers, 26, of Bear, Delaware, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” He pleaded guilty on November 28, 2017.
Court records reveal that on August 1, 2017, law enforcement officers searched the defendant’s hotel room in Brunswick, Maine, and seized heroin, cocaine base, Xanax pills, and about $10,500 in drug proceeds. At the time of this offense, the defendant was on probation in Maryland following a drug trafficking conviction.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, and the Brunswick and Bath Police Departments and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Debt Collection Outfit Fined $350,000 and Ordered to Forfeit $946,770 for Paying Bribes to Arizona Official in Exchange for Non-Public InfoRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A now-defunct debt collection company that was based in Culver City was sentenced today for its role in a scheme that paid bribes to a public official in Arizona in exchange for confidential information that helped the company collect nearly $1 million in outstanding debts.
Professional Collection Consultants (PCC) was ordered to pay a $350,000 fine and to forfeit $946,770, which represent the amount of money PCC was able to collect in eight months as a result of the information obtained through bribes.
PCC was sentenced by United States District Judge S. James Otero, who is scheduled to sentence a PCC employee later this month for his role in the scheme.
According to court documents, PCC paid bribes to an employee of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the state agency that provided unemployment insurance benefits, from approximately September 2010 through August 2013. In exchange for the bribes, the public official disclosed to PCC wage and earnings information for specific Social Security numbers that had been provided by a PCC employee. The state agency maintained employment-related data in its computer systems that were linked with federal and state databases containing confidential information for people across the nation.
The PCC employee who was charged in this case – Michael S. Flowers, 56, of Mid-City Los Angeles – provided the Arizona official with the names and social security numbers of thousands of people who owed money on accounts being serviced by PCC, and the official sent confidential information found on each individual or advise that no wages existed for a specific Social Security number. PCC used the confidential information to analyze the collectability of each debtor’s debt and to determine whether it made financial sense for PCC to sue a debtor in an effort to obtain a judgment that would allow PCC to garnish wages.
Flowers deposited the bribe payments into a local bank where the Arizona official maintained an account.
During the first eight months of 2013, the confidential information assisted PCC’s efforts in collecting $946,770 in debts owed, and Flowers received a 10 percent commission on these recoveries.
PCC and Flowers each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds. Flowers is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29.
This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, which received assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisa Fernandez of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
DEA Brings in Record Number of Unused Pills During 15th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
Americans nationwide did their part to drop off a record number of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications during the DEA’s 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, at close to 6,000 sites across the country. Together with a record-setting amount of local, state and federal partners, DEA collected and destroyed close to one million pounds—nearly 475 tons—of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs, making it the most successful event in DEA history.
This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 9,964,714 pounds, or 4,982 tons.
“Today we are facing the worst drug crisis in American history, with one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “An unprecedented crisis like this one demands an unprecedented response--and that's why President Trump has made this issue a priority for this administration. DEA's National Drug Take Back Days are important opportunities for people to turn in unwanted and potentially addictive drugs with no questions asked. These Take Back Days continue to break records, with the latest taking nearly 1 million pounds of prescription drugs off of our streets. And so I want to thank DEA and especially every American who participated in this event. I have no doubt it will help keep drugs out of the wrong hands and stop the spread of addiction."
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a day for every American, in every community across the country, to come together and do his or her part to fight the opioid crisis – simply by disposing of unwanted prescription medications from their medicine cabinets,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “This event – our 15th – brings us together with local, state and federal partners to fight the abuse of prescription drugs that is fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic.”
Now in its 9th year, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events continue to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.
Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications.
Complete results for DEA’s fall Take Back Day are available at www.deatakeback.com. DEA’s next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 27, 2018.Conway Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Artemio Bustos Solano, age 35, of Conway, SC, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Solano to 48 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release,
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that in the later part of 2010, agents learned from a confidential informant that Solano and a codefendant, who previously pled guilty and has been sentenced, were involved in the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine in the Horry County area. The informant was able to approach Solano and the codefendant and arrange for the controlled purchase of two kilograms of cocaine from them. Solano negotiated the details of the deal which was to take place on April 8, 2011 in the parking lot of a grocery store in Conway. On April 8 the informant brought the “buy money” to the grocery store parking lot and showed it to the codefendant who then left to retrieve the cocaine from Solano’s residence. After the codefendant returned to the grocery store parking lot with the cocaine, agents arrested the codefendant and seized the two kilograms. However, agents were not able to apprehend Solano at the scene. In fact, he was not arrested until September 2017.
The case was investigated by agents of ICE- Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Columbus Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Columbus, Ohio man who helped set up multiple drug deals in Huntington in August and September 2016 pled guilty today to multiple federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Carl Keylow Jackson, 38, entered his guilty pleas to two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin, as well as aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base, also known as “crack.” United States Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Thanks to the tireless work of our law enforcement partners, another out-of-state drug dealer has been removed from the streets of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We are united and determined in our efforts to take back our streets from those wreaking havoc.”
On September 13, 2016, law enforcement used a confidential informant to contact Jackson and arrange a crack deal. When the informant called Jackson, the informant was directed to go to the area of the Little Caesar’s on 1st Street in Huntington. Jackson also confirmed how much crack the informant wanted to purchase and the price for the crack. Stephen Somon subsequently met the informant and distributed 6.5 grams of crack to the informant in exchange for $850. Jackson also admitted to assisting in the sale of heroin in Huntington on at least two occasions in August 2016. On one occasion, the heroin purchased by an informant was tested by a chemist and found to be mixed with fentanyl, a powerful prescription painkiller.
Jackson faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2018.
Somon previously pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Camp Hill Attorney Charged with Obstruction of Proceedings Before Agencies of the United StatesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Charles W. Johnston, age 70, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 12, 2018, for obstruction of proceedings before agencies of the United States. The indictment was unsealed today
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that from August 28, 2014 to May 1, 2015, Johnston, legal counsel for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 520 Plan, corruptly withheld and concealed documents related to allegations of mismanagement of the pension plan and fraud made by PATH, the pension’s third party administrator.
"An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud affecting the employee benefit plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” said Richard Deer, Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“The prosecution of those who obstruct the investigative activities of the Employee Benefits Security Administration is essential to this agency’s mission to protect the rights of America’s workers,” said Michael Schloss, EBSA Regional Director in Philadelphia. “We and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate such crimes on behalf of workers nationwide.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is four years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Brooklyn Man Convicted of Stealing from a Disabled Army Veteran and the VARead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – A jury voted on Friday to convict Kevin Green, age 57, of Brooklyn, New York, of theft of government property and misappropriation by a fiduciary, following a 5-day trial.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Sean Smith of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), Northeast Field Office.
The evidence at trial established that Green received approximately $71,000 in disability compensation benefits from the VA as fiduciary for a disabled 73-year old Army veteran, between March 2011 and May 2013. Green was required to spend that money solely for the benefit of the veteran. The veteran had lived in a cottage on Green’s property in Kerhonkson, New York, but moved into a Vermont veterans’ home in April 2012. All of the veteran’s expenses at the veterans’ home were paid for by the VA, but Green continued to collect the veteran’s disability compensation benefits. When asked for an accounting, Green misrepresented how he had spent the benefits. The evidence demonstrated that he had spent tens of thousands of dollars on himself.
Green faces up to 10 years in prison, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when he is sentenced by Senior United States Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by VA-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
Bowling Green Physician Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Distributing and Dispensing Controlled Substances and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –Warren County, Kentucky, physician Charles Fred Gott was sentenced in United States District Court, before United States District Judge Greg N. Stivers, to 96 months’ imprisonment for multiple charges of unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances and health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Russel M. Coleman.
Charles Fred Gott, age 66, a formerly licensed physician in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was initially indicted by a grand jury in Bowling Green on June 10, 2015. Today, Gott was sentenced in accordance with his plea of guilty, entered on February 5, 2018, and ordered to pay restitution and Court costs in the amount of $162,366.46, and forfeited his medical license, which had previously been suspended. Furthermore, Gott was order to pay a fine in the amount of $17,500.
Today’s sentence covers criminal activity between 2006 and September 19, 2013, in Warren County, Kentucky. Gott admitted to conspiring with members of his office and others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and dispense, not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice, Schedule II, Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances. Included are 14 counts of unlawfully dispensing Methadone and Fentanyl – Schedule II controlled substances, Hydrocodone – a Schedule III controlled substance, and Clonazepam and Oxymorphone – Schedule IV controlled substances – between June 10, 2010 and September 19, 2013.
Further, between 2006 and September 19, 2013, Gott admitted to falsely and fraudulently billing various health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, among others, by submitting claims for office visits at a higher code than the service actually provided for patients under his care.
Also, during that same period, Gott falsely and fraudulently billed various health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, among others, by submitting claims for medically unnecessary spirometry tests for patients and electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) tests for patients.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mac Shannon, Lettricea Jefferson-Webb and Joseph Ansari. This case was investigated by the Warren County Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Diversion Section, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Office of the of the Attorney General, Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Warren County Drug Task Force, led by Director Tommy Loving, along with detectives from KSP’s West Drug Enforcement Branch, were instrumental in identifying and developing this case for federal prosecution.
Arizona Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Tucson, Arizona, man charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) was sentenced on April 30, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Antonio Valentino Foster, age 26, was sentenced to 60 months in custody, followed by 4 years of supervised release, forfeiture of $5,382 in U.S. currency, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims fund in the amount of $100.
Foster was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 16, 2017, for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Distribution of a Controlled Substance. Foster pleaded guilty on February 20, 2018.
Between March 1, 2017, and August 16, 2017, Foster conspired with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. Foster admitted that he received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from individuals who knew that he intended to engage in further distribution. Foster distributed some of that methamphetamine in South Dakota, and also provided methamphetamine to others knowing that they intended to engage in further distribution within South Dakota. It was reasonably foreseeable to Foster that at least 50 grams of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy.
On April 25, 2017, near Rosebud, South Dakota, Foster distributed methamphetamine to a confidential informant. On April 27, 2017, near Rosebud, Foster was apprehended by law enforcement with 89.15 grams of methamphetamine and $5,285 in U.S. currency in his possession. Foster admitted that the cash was proceeds from the sale of the methamphetamine and agreed to forfeit his interest in the currency.
The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.
Foster was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Alleged Robber of IBC Bank in Shawnee in Custody in MississippiRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ADAM J. STEELE, 26, has been charged with the robbery of an IBC Bank in Shawnee, Oklahoma, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
According to a complaint filed in federal court in Oklahoma City on May 1, 2018, a man robbed a branch of IBC Bank on North Harrison Avenue in Shawnee on April 14, 2018, by presenting a note that read: "give me $10,000, you won’t get shot if you give it to me, don’t be stupid." The man allegedly left the bank with $2,909 in cash. According to the complaint, he was carrying a canvas bag and wearing a dark-colored ball cap, dark sunglasses, and a bright orange sweatshirt.
The complaint alleges the robber was Steele and that he was arrested in Hernando, Mississippi, on April 27 for driving a stolen 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe registered in Oklahoma. Investigators searched the vehicle and found clothing matching the description of the suspect during the robbery, as well as a canvas bag.
Steele is currently in Mississippi state custody. He is expected to be returned to Oklahoma in the coming weeks to make his appearance in federal court.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from the Shawnee Police Department and the Hugo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arvo Mikkanen is prosecuting the case.
The public is reminded that this complaint is merely an allegation and that Steele is innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Reference is made to public filings for further information.
Abingdon Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Illegally Prescribe Buprenorphine, Clonazepam, and Gabapentin at Substance Abuse Treatment ProgramRead the Press Release
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that an Abingdon, Virginia, nurse practitioner pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal distribution of opiates and other prescription drugs.
Matthew Justin Sykes, 43, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia to one count of conspiring to (a) misbrand a drug in interstate commerce by causing prescription drugs to be dispensed without a valid prescription and (b) illegally distribute Schedule III and IV controlled substances. In addition, he pleaded guilty to eight counts of distributing oxycodone, a Schedule II opiate, one count of distributing alprazolam, a Schedule IV benzodiazepine, and one count of using the United States Postal Service in committing, causing or facilitating a felony drug trafficking offense.
Sykes was employed by Watauga Recovery Center from March 2012 until April 2017, a practice that holds itself out as a substance abuse treatment program. Watauga Recovery Center has locations in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Sykes worked primarily at Watauga Recovery Center’s Duffield, Virginia, office. Sykes was also employed by E & C Counseling, another practice holding itself out as a substance abuse treatment center, located in Abingdon, Virginia. Sykes had a valid DEA registration number during this time which was surrendered in May 2017.
Sykes pleaded guilty to conspiring with other health care providers and employees at Watauga Recovery Centers, a cash payment practice, to regularly prescribe a combination of buprenorphine, clonazepam, and gabapentin, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. This included issuing prescriptions to patients knowing there was no legitimate reason to do so, and prescribing three dosage units of buprenorphine per day to patients, knowing that at least one of the three doses would be diverted and sold. In addition, Sykes and his co-conspirators would cause prescriptions to be issued in the name of a prescriber who had not examined the patient.
In addition, on multiple occasions from January 2014 until April 2017, Sykes wrote prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances in various individuals’ names. These prescriptions were not recorded in regular patient files of Watauga Recovery Center or E & C Counseling. The prescriptions were filled at various pharmacies located in the Western District of Virginia. Some of these prescriptions were filled by Sykes himself without the individual’s knowledge or consent, while others were filled by the individuals, who then gave Sykes part of the controlled substances dispensed by the pharmacies. Sykes has admitted that he wrote the prescriptions and that they were issued without a legitimate medical purpose and beyond the bounds of professional practice.
On October 30, 2017, Sykes received a package at his home in Abingdon, Virginia, delivered by the United States Postal Service, which contained alprazolam, a schedule IV controlled substance. Sykes has stated that he ordered this alprazolam from an anonymous internet source on the “dark web.” He has stated that he had been ordering and receiving controlled substances from several different anonymous sources on the dark web since 2013, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and alprazolam, and that he has given and sold controlled substances ordered on the dark web to other individuals.
This case is part of an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Special Assistant United States Attorney/Virginia Assistant Attorney General Janine Myatt and Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer are prosecuting the case with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
41-Count Indictment Charges 10 Alleged Latin Kings Members and Associates with Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief David Rosado today announced the unsealing of a 41-count indictment charging 10 alleged members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation with narcotics offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford. The indictment also charges four of the defendants with firearm offenses stemming from a shooting incident last year in Hartford’s South End.
The indictment, which was returned by a grand jury in Hartford on May 1 and unsealed today, stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford.
Charged in the indictment are:
WILSON VELEZ, a.k.a. “Wiso,” 33, of Newington
MIGUEL CLAUDIO, a.k.a. “Mega,” 35, of Hartford
JOSHUA AMARAL, a.k.a. “Ill Child,” 33, of Hartford
ANGEL CABRERA, 23, of Hartford
SAMMY DIAZ, a.k.a. “Shorty,” 30, of Meriden
CRUZ FERNANDEZ, a.k.a. “Blood,” 27, of Hartford
JOSE RODRIGUEZ, a.k.a. “Juice,” 47, of Hartford
FRANKIE VEGA, a.k.a. “Lips,” 33, of Hartford
MIGUEL MARTINEZ, a.k.a. “Nitro,” 33, of Hartford
MARIO MERCADO, a.k.a. “Taz,” 33, of HartfordClaudio, Diaz, Fernandez, Rodriguez, Vega, and Mercado were arrested today. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and are detained.
Velez was arrested on related narcotics offenses on December 7, 2017, and was subsequently released on bond. He was arrested again on April 5, 2018, and his bond was revoked after the court determined there was probable cause that Velez committed additional offenses while he was released. Amaral and Cabrera are incarcerated in state custody. Martinez is still being sought.
The indictment alleges that between April 2017 and April 2018, Velez, Claudio, Amaral, Cabrera, Diaz, Fernandez, Rodriguez and Vega conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). If convicted of conspiracy, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Velez faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Claudio and Rodriguez face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Amaral, Cabrera, Diaz, Fernandez and Vega face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
In addition to the conspiracy count, Velez, Claudio, Amaral, Cabrera, Fernandez, Vega, Martinez and Mercado are each charged with one or more counts of possession and/or distribution of various controlled substances. Velez also is charged with one count of employing a minor to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and Diaz and Vega are charged in one or more counts with using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of heroin and/or fentanyl.
The indictment also charges Velez, Claudio, Amaral and Cabrera with firearms offenses stemming from a shooting incident that occurred on April 28, 2017, in the area of Franklin Avenue and Barker Street in Hartford. If convicted of using and carrying a firearm in relation to, and furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, these defendants face a mandatory consecutive 10-year term of imprisonment. In addition, Martinez is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm on June 8, 2017, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Friday 4 May 2018
‘Incorrigible’ Defendant Responsible for $7.5 Million Bank Fraud Scheme Sentenced to more than 16 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A Seattle man with a lengthy history of bank fraud was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 196 months in prison and five years of supervised release for a $7.5 million bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. LONNIE EUGENE LILLARD, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in January 2017. At a subsequent hearing, the court determined that the scheme involved attempts—most of which were successful—to steal more than $7.5 million over a period of about 18 months. At the sentencing hearing Chief Judge Ricardo S. Martinez noted that LILLARD had 12 felony convictions by the age of 20. “You’ve spent your entire life trying to defraud other people . . . . Time spent in prison has not been a deterrent to get you to stop criminal activity.”
According to records filed in the case, LILLARD was the leader of a large group of conspirators who stole point-of-sale terminals, then reprogrammed them with stolen merchant identification numbers to make it appear that the conspirators were in fact the merchants. They used the stolen point-of-sale terminals to process unauthorized return and refund transactions, and applied those credits to thousands of prepaid credit cards, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards. The conspirators then quickly spent the fraudulent proceeds—withdrawing cash from ATMs, buying merchandise they returned for cash, purchasing money orders and other negotiable instruments, transferring the funds to other gift cards or bank accounts, and buying precious metals—before the fraud was detected and the transactions reversed. The co-conspirators hid their fraud in part by setting up their operations first in hotel rooms, then in rented office space, and sometimes spoofing phone numbers, so that the transactions could not easily be traced to them. When search warrants were served on the homes of LILLARD and two of his co-conspirators, as well as a storage locker, law enforcement located more than 1,000 access devices, about 15 point-of-sale terminals, notebooks filled with used and unused merchant identification numbers, and thousands of receipts documenting the fraud. The victims in this case include payment processors (some owned by banks such as Chase) and dozens of merchants such as Old Country Buffet, See’s Candies, Michaels, Quiznos, and many more.
LILLARD was the leader of the scheme, and has a long history of fraud convictions in both state and federal court. In 2006, when LILLARD was sentenced in Nevada to nearly nine years in prison, the prosecutor called him ‘incorrigible’ – something LILLARD denied, claiming he planned to turn his life around upon release from prison. Evidence indicates he began planning the current fraud even before he completed his last prison sentence. Within weeks of his release, LILLARD had the new fraud scheme up and running.
A co-defendant, Nathaniel Wells, who also participated in leading the implementation of the scheme, was sentenced to just over 11 years in prison in March 2018. The defendants are responsible for $5,816,938 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the FBI Cyber Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin H. Becker and Special Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Diggs.
West Haven Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl to Bridgeport Overdose VictimRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN RODRIGUEZ, 37, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl to a Bridgeport man who overdosed on the drug in 2015.
This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after midnight on November 7, 2015, Bridgeport Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Bridgeport after a 29-year-old male had been found unresponsive by his roommate. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital where, after several attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead.
The investigation, which included witness interviews and analysis of text message communication, revealed that RODRIGUEZ supplied what he believed to be heroin to the victim the day before the victim died.
A post-mortem toxicology report found fentanyl, marijuana and several anti-depressant drugs in the victim’s system, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication.
RODRIGUEZ was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on September 22, 2016. On December 12, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the West Haven and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
Walnut Creek Man Pleads Guilty to Conducting Illegal Gambling Business in Sacramento and ElsewhereRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — May Levy, 27, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty today to conducting an illegal gambling business, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between September 2015 and November 2017, Levy conducted an illegal gambling business in concert with his co-defendants, Eran Buhbut, 32, of Oakland; Yaniv Gohar, 34, of Berkeley; and Orel Gohar, 27, of San Francisco, as a part of the Gohar organization. In violation of California law, members of the Gohar organization, including Levy, installed and maintained video slot machines at businesses open to the public across Northern California. Levy and other members of the Gohar organization then split the proceeds from these illegal gambling machines with the owners of the small businesses in which the machines were installed. Levy was responsible for machines placed in businesses in Stockton, Sacramento, Concord, Hayward, Antioch, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Richmond, San Jose, Watsonville, and Salida. Levy collected approximately $3,000 to $4,000 per week from these locations on behalf of the organization.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and California Department of Justice – Bureau of Gambling Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Yelovich and Miriam R. Hinman are prosecuting the case.
Levy remains out of custody pending sentencing. Buhbut is set for a status conference on June 1, 2018. Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar failed to appear at January court hearings, and warrants have been issued for their arrest.
Levy is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. on August 3, 2018. Levy faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Violent Crime Federal Prosecution UpdateRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers. Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime. Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in April:
Marquise Dukes, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.
Amanda Jackson, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.
Jeremiah Hart, 21, St. Peters, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Maurice Jones, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Kristin Johnson-Arnold, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Calvin Lawson, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Tito Santiago, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Daren Skinner, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession, receipt, transport of firearm or ammunition by prohibited person, felon.
Ricardo Valdespino, 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of distributing 5g or more of actual methamphetamine; felon in possession of a firearm; and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Darian Clark, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Goss, 22, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Deandre Johnson, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Matthew McDonald, 33, Alton, IL, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Stacy Minor, 43, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Matthew Stidmon, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Darrell Taylor, 18, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of receiving a firearm while under indictment.
Anthony Williams, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Chico Buckingham, 45, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Keith Carpentier, 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on three felony counts of possessing cocaine and two felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm.
James Fields, 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Michael Gladney, 41, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Douglas Jones, 39, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Edgar Love, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possess with intent to distribute heroin; possess with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Carl Willis, 63, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Eddie Govan, 60, Collinsville, IL, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
William Howard, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Vergil Thomas, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Raymond Willis, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
John Young, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Mario McKnight, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Terrill Watt, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Terran Eggleston, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Daniel Eldridge, 41, Mineral Point, MO, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Michael Buckner, 31, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Cory R. Smith, 29, Fenton, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Clarence Bradford, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jerry B. Jones, 30, Belleville, IL, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Derick Bowers, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Tayler Griffin, 20, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Xaviaire D. Moton, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jeffrey M. Meyer, 40, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Frederick Townley, 51, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Kerry Caldwell, 54, St. Louis, pled guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.
Luther Hall, 25, St. Louis pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Michael Lewis, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Jermaine Lewis, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to armed robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.
Derick Bowers, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Kenneth Johnson, 41, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Deante Works, 38, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Trevon McClelland, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Simon Gebregziabher, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.
Ramiro Castillo Velenzuela, 29, St. Charles, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Tyrell Reed, 31, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Darrell R. Gordon, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Reinhardt, 53, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Jason Baker, 41, Imperial, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Derek Brown, 40, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Edward Crawford, 37, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Donald Haynes, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Lenard Kelly, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for armed robbery.
Darryl Richard, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Nisean Davis, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Devin Jones, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Olugbenga Folarin, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Andre Thompson, 35, St. Louis, was sentenced to 62 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Stephen Redd, 21, was sentenced to 144 months in prison for carjacking and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Keonta C. Douglas, 19, was sentenced to 102 months in prison for carjacking and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Stacy L. Bonds, 55, Hazelwood, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Joshua Jackson, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Walter M. White, 46, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Arthur Jackson, 40, Florissant, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and drug charges.
Demetrius Lewis, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Leman H. Dobbins, Jr., 52, St. Louis, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; possession with the intent to distribute heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Reginald M. Higgins, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 90 months in prison for use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Kenneth Murphy, 35, St. Louis, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Walter M. White, 46, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Warren Turner, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Glenn Hamer, 36, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Tyrone Armstrong, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
William Lumpkins, 35, St. Louis, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and manufacture a controlled substance.
Max Haynes, 26, Florissant, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Andrew Henderson, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Avion Allen, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Laythan Hearton, 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
These cases are 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.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Appoints Stephen G. Dambruch U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – United States District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has appointed Stephen G. Dambruch as court appointed United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. The appointment, effective today, is made pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546.
Mr. Dambruch was appointed Interim United States Attorney by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, effective January 5, 2018, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546, which provides that “the Attorney General may appoint a United States Attorney for the district in which the office of United States Attorney is vacant.” Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546, the appointment by the Attorney General expires after 120 days. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546, if an appointment expires, the district court may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled by a Presidential appointee.
A career prosecutor, Mr. Dambruch was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney in January 2004. Mr. Dambruch was named Criminal Division Chief in February 2007 and First Assistant United States Attorney in January 2014. Mr. Dambruch became Acting United States Attorney on March 13, 2017, pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act, with the departure of former United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
Prior to his beginning his tenure with the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Dambruch served as a state prosecutor with the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for over sixteen years, including appointments as Chief of the Narcotics Prosecution Unit, Chief Prosecutor for Kent, Newport and Washington Counties, and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
Mr. Dambruch is a 1982 graduate of Providence College. He received his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1985.
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Two Romanian citizens extradited to Atlanta to face cyber and fraud charges in connection with a “vishing and smishing” schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Two international computer hackers, Teodor Laurentiu Costea and Robert Codrut Dumitrescu, were extradited from Romania and arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, computer fraud and abuse, and aggravated identity theft. A federal grand jury returned the 31-count superseding indictment on August 16, 2017. Cosmin Draghici, another co-defendant, is in custody in Romania awaiting extradition to the U.S.
“While in Romania, the defendants allegedly targeted victims throughout the U.S., including in the Northern District of Georgia, stealing personal information and possibly causing millions of dollars in losses,” said U. S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “These extraditions send a strong warning to cybercriminals and fraudsters worldwide, that we, along with our law enforcement partners, will work tirelessly to bring you to justice.”
“Our message to the victims of cyber fraud is that the FBI won’t let geographic boundaries stop us from pursuing and prosecuting the persons who cause them tremendous financial pain,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Our message to the perpetrators of these crimes is that cybercriminals cannot hide in the shadows of the internet. We will identify them and bring them to justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: From approximately October 2011 until February 2014, Costea and Dumitrescu resided in Ploiesti, Romania. An investigation revealed that Costea and Dumitrescu allegedly identified vulnerable computers in the U.S., and installed interactive voice response software that would automatically interact with call recipients. In addition, the defendants allegedly utilized computers in the Atlanta area to install software to initiate thousands of automated telephone calls and text messages to victims in Atlanta and around the country. The messages purported to be from a financial institution and directed victims to call a telephone number due to a problem with their respective financial account.
When victims called the telephone number, they were prompted by the interactive voice response software to enter their bank account numbers, PINs, and full or partial Social Security numbers. The stolen account numbers were stored on the compromised computers and accessed by Costea and Dumitrescu, who then allegedly sold or used the fraudulently obtained information with the assistance of Draghici.
At the time of his arrest in Romania, Costea possessed 36,051 fraudulently obtained financial account numbers. The financial losses from the defendants’ scheme are estimated to be over $18 million.
Teodor Laurentiu Costea, 41, Robert Codrut Dumitrescu, 40, and Cosmin Draghici, 28 are all from Ploiesti, Romania. The charges result from the defendants’ alleged “vishing” and “smishing” attacks from Romania. “Vishing” is a type of phishing scheme that communicates a phishing message, that is, a message that purports to be from a legitimate source, in this case the victims’ banks, through a voice recording. “Smishing” is similar to “vishing,” but communicates a phishing message through text messages.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz 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.
Two Individuals Charged with Advance Fee Scheme that Defrauded over $2 Million from Nigerian CompanyRead the Press Release
Two individuals have been charged in connection with a scheme to defraud a Nigerian company of over $2 million.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Drew J. Breakspear, Commissioner, Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), made the announcement.
Vicente Jesus Zubero, 40, of Miami, Florida, and Oyeyemi Olatunji Owagboriaye, 62, of Skokie, Illinois, were charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349.
As alleged in the unsealed indictment, Zubero, through his corporation, the Consortium for International Development (CID), purported to broker loans for clients. In August 2014, Zubero and Owagboriaye induced a company headquartered in Nigeria to provide approximately $2.1 million upfront in order to obtain a loan from CID. The $2.1 million was then used for Zubero and Owagboriaye’s personal use and benefit, in violation of the company’s agreement with CID.
The indictment further alleges that in order to facilitate the scheme, Zubero made it appear as if his girlfriend and others worked for CID as executives, when, in fact they did not. Zubero also made materially false statements to the company, including that the money would be placed into a secure escrow account, and that the money would be used to generate the company’s loan.
Each count of conspiracy and wire fraud carries a maximum term of twenty years in prison.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and OFR. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.