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14 June 2018
Wallingford Man Charged with Federal Heroin and Amphetamine Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a grand jury in Hartford returned a four-count superseding indictment yesterday charging TIMOTHY ESTRIDGE, 37, of Wallingford, with drug trafficking offenses.
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, on December 16, 2017, the Wallingford Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Wallingford residence after a 9-1-1 call reported the untimely death of a 38-year-old male. The caller who reported the death did not leave contact information and was not on scene when responders arrived. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, where investigators seized evidence of illicit drug use, including a small plastic baggy containing approximately eight suspected oxycodone pills, a glass dish with white powder residue, a broken credit card, prescription pill bottles, piece of wax folds commonly used as heroin packaging, and a used plastic syringe.
The State of Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be intoxication of a combination of heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, alprazolam, amphetamine, and ethanol.
It is alleged that, on multiple occasions between July and December 2017, ESTRIDGE possessed and distributed heroin and amphetamines. It is further alleged that ESTRIDGE supplied narcotics to the overdose victim shortly before the victim was found dead.
The indictment charges ESTRIDGE with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, amphetamine. The charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
ESTRIDGE has been detained since his arrest on a federal criminal complaint on April 3, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Wallingford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
United States Attorney, Louisiana Attorney General announce joint effort to increase violent crime prosecutions in northeast LouisianaRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced today that a prosecutor with the state Attorney General’s office would be designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in an effort to help reduce violent crime in the Monroe area.
The addition of another federal prosecutor in Monroe is in addition to the two violent crime prosecutors that were recently authorized for U.S. Attorney Joseph’s office as part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to increase targeted prosecutions of violent crime through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has brought approximately 115 criminal indictments charging more than 200 defendants with firearm and drug related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms. These prosecutions represent approximately three times the number of such cases that have been brought in previous years.
The PSN program is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office involving local, state and federal law enforcement. In the Monroe area, participants include the ATF, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe Police Department. The program has been proven to be successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a crime reductions strategy involving PSN.
“I want to thank Attorney General Landry for his commitment and assistance to our joint effort to reduce violent crime in Northeast Louisiana,” Joseph stated. ”In the last year, we have substantially increased violent crime arrests and prosecutions in the District, which is clearly making our neighborhoods and communities safer. Given our collaboration with Attorney General Landry’s office and the hard work of our state, local and federal law enforcement partners in Northeast Louisiana, we fully expect that these efforts will reduce violent crime here in Monroe and throughout the area.”
“When I became Attorney General, one of my priorities was to strengthen my office’s working relationship with our federal partners,” Landry said. “I share U.S. Attorney Joseph’s vision to make our communities safer by working together; and we are optimistic that by offering one of our prosecutors to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecutions will be done in a quicker and more efficient manner.”
“The Project Safe Neighborhood initiative is a comprehensive, coordinated, and community-based approach that we use to reduce and deter violent crime,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols. “It is through this collaborative effort that we truly make our communities safer.”
The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.
Two men face federal charges for their role in stealing government propertyRead the Press Release
Seven “Humvees” marked for destruction, alleged to have been stolen and resold
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that two men are facing federal charges for their role in stealing Humvee vehicles that were meant to be destroyed and sold for scrap. Richard S. Treloar, 63, St. Louis, Missouri, faces seven counts of conversion of government property and seven counts of false statements; co-defendant Mark W. Collier 52, Bedford, Indiana, faces seven counts of false statements.
“Theft, waste, fraud and abuse of government funds and equipment is never acceptable,” said Minkler. “When it involves stealing from our military, it is a particularly egregious offense and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Treloar owned a St. Louis based company called Treloar Enterprises International, Inc., (TEI) which contracted with the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to demilitarize military vehicles, mostly High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles commonly known as Humvees. The Humvee is a four-wheel drive military light truck capable of being outfitted with armor, ballistic glass and high-powered weapons and is currently being used in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.
As part of Treloar’s contract with DAL, his company was responsible for demilitarizing the Humvees which would include eliminating the functional capabilities and inherent design features of vehicles. In many cases, that included the total destruction of the Humvee. When the Humvees were demilitarized, both Treloar and Collier verified in writing that the process had been completed.
From January 2014, through November 2015, TEI took delivery of all Humvees from Naval Support Activity Crane (Crane) which is located in Southern Indiana. To facilitate the contract, TEI opened a facility in nearby Spencer, Indiana, where the purported demilitarization took place. The indictment alleges Treloar converted at least seven fully armored Humvees for his own use and sold or attempted to sell them for his own benefit. The value of the Humvees was over $589,000. Both defendants also certified that each and every Humvee was demilitarized, when in fact they were not.
This case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General-Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, and Defense Logistics Agency-Office of the Inspector General.
"Today's indictments demonstrate the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and its law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of all Department of Defense programs," said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office. “DCIS' efforts in this investigation mitigated further significant loss and waste of taxpayer dollars from this fraudulent scheme."
"Not only is fraud of this type a serious financial crime, the equipment involved is concerning,” said Mike Wiest, Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Southeast Field Office. “There are no legitimate civilian uses for an armored military vehicle. NCIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who siphon resources away from America's warfighters."
Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard who is prosecuting this case for the government, said Treloar faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count of conversion of government property and Collier faces up to five years’ imprisonment on each count of false statements.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting complex, large-scale fraud schemes, particularly those that exploit positions of trust. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.1
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Two Sentenced in Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ADRIAN ROBLES, JR., age 38, and FRANCISCO RUIZ, age 42, were sentenced yesterday after being charged by an indictment with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
According to court documents, RUIZ and ROBLES, along with three others, were arrested in November 29, 2016 with fifteen kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride while conducting a drug transaction in the parking lot of a Walmart in Houma, Louisiana.
ROBLES was sentenced to 102 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release. RUIZ was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and three years supervised release. Three more defendants will be sentenced as part of the same conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Louisiana State Police, Customs and Border Patrol, Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Haller and James S. C. Baehr are in charge of the prosecution.
Two Men Indicted for Identity Theft and Possession of Stolen Mail in Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus CountiesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Derek Hillgert, 29, of Carmichael, and Jeffrey Wilhite, 30, of Linden, charging them with access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen mail, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to the indictment, the defendants possessed stolen United States mail and also used personal identifying information for victims to obtain things of value in excess of $40,000 in Sacramento, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Tracy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miriam R. Hinman is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, both defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of stolen mail. Each count of access device fraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, each defendant faces a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Dominican Nationals and One Cape Cod Man Charged with Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Dominican nationals and one Cape Cod man were charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in seizures of over a half-kilogram of fentanyl.
Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel, 26, a Dominican national residing in New Bedford; Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel, 29, a Dominican national residing in Providence, R.I.; and Steven Marshall, 31, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. The Mota-Bernabels were charged by complaint and arrested on May 22, 2018, and have been in custody since. Marshall was arrested by federal authorities yesterday, after previously being arrested and charged in state court.
According to court documents, in January and February 2018, investigators conducted surveillance of Marshall as he traveled to New Bedford to purchase fentanyl from his source of supply, Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel. After a fentanyl pick up on March 1, 2018, investigators stopped Marshall, searched his vehicle, and seized approximately 125 grams of fentanyl.
Court documents further allege that agents conducted four controlled purchases, of approximately 100 grams of fentanyl each from Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel in March and April 2018. For one of the controlled purchases, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel served as the courier, delivering over 100 grams of fentanyl to an undercover agent. Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel personally delivered the fentanyl on another occasion.
A search of Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel’s residence and stash house resulted in the seizure of over 350 grams of suspected fentanyl, $12,395 and other drug-related paraphernalia. Court documents also indicate the Mota-Bernabels entered the United States illegally.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The Mota-Bernabels will be subject to deportation upon completion of their sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Travelers Rest Woman Sentenced to 15 Years Imprisonment for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Peggy Shelton McCarson, age 57, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Senior United States District Henry M. Herlong, Jr. of Greenville sentenced McCarson on June 13, 2018.
At an earlier guilty plea hearing, Assistant U. S. Attorney Jeanne Howard, established that on January 25, 2017, McCarson was a passenger in a car stopped for a traffic violation. After receiving consent to search the car, officers located a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun and 2 magazines with 32 rounds of ammunition on the floorboard of the passenger seat where McCarson had been seated. Also on the passenger floorboard was a box containing 2 plastic baggies with methamphetamine, marijuana and a set of digital scales. McCarson admitted the gun and drugs belonged to her. Shortly thereafter a search warrant was executed at McCarson’s residence in Travelers Rest where officers found another firearm, ammunition and additional methamphetamine.
Because of her prior criminal history, including six felony convictions for armed robbery, McCarson is considered an armed career criminal and is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol and ATF and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local initiative focused upon aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Third Stolen Christopher Columbus Letter Returned to the Vatican Following U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware and HSI Joint InvestigationRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, and for the third time in two years, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) returned a more than 500-year-old copy of a Christopher Columbus’ letter describing his discoveries in the Americas to the Vatican during a morning repatriation ceremony at the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (the “Vatican Library”) in Vatican City. The letter, originally written in 1493, was stolen from the Vatican Library and later sold in 2004 for approximately $875,000.
In or around December 1921, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus donated a copy of the Columbus Letter (along with thousands of other rare books and manuscripts) to Pope Benedict XV. The Columbus Letter was preserved in the Vatican Library. After receiving a copy of the Columbus Letter, at no time did the Vatican City State or the Vatican Library relinquish title to this document. In or around 1934, a detailed description of the Vatican Library’s copy of the Columbus Letter was catalogued in the census copies of the standard bibliography of 15th century printing, otherwise known as the Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke (volume VI, Leipzig, 1934, no. 7177). At an unknown time and date, the Columbus Letter was stolen from the Vatican Library and replaced with a forgery, which was designed to appear like the original letter.
Like the prior recovered letters, the return of the Vatican’s Columbus Letter followed a multi-year joint investigation conducted by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware. After receiving a tip that the Vatican Library’s letter was stolen and replaced with a forgery, law enforcement determined that the original letter was located in a private art collector’s personal collection in Atlanta, Georgia. The investigation determined that this individual purchased the stolen Columbus Letter in good faith during a February 2004 transaction worth $875,000.
In April 2017, following negotiations between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and representatives for the individual in possession of the letter, the parties agreed to permit a subject matter expert to inspect and compare both the Columbus Letter in Atlanta against a copy of the Columbus Letter in the Vatican Library’s possession. The expert determined that the Columbus Letter located in Atlanta was, in fact, the original Columbus Letter that belonged to the Vatican Library, and that the copy in the Vatican Library’s possession was a forgery. Following this analysis, the person in possession of the Columbus Letter in Atlanta voluntarily agreed to relinquish title and interest in the Columbus Letter.
“This marks the third time in two years that agents from HSI, along with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, have partnered to return these precious letters documenting Columbus’ journey back to their rightful home,” said U.S. Attorney Weiss. “It is only through our strong federal law enforcement partnerships that we are able to combat these cross-border crimes that rob every one of these world treasures. I truly commend the efforts of everyone involved in this case.”
Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich of U.S. Embassy to the Holy See said, “The Columbus Letter, written in 1493, is a priceless piece of cultural history. I am honored to return this remarkable letter to the Vatican Library – its rightful owner.”
Vatican Librarian Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès said, “We are extremely grateful to be able to reinsert this volume in its rightful place in De Rossi’s collection, where it will remain at the disposal of the researchers who come from around the world to study the collections of the Vatican Library.”
“Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to investigating those who pilfer history's most important records and chronicles and retuning those antiquities, like this Columbus Letter, back to their rightful owner nations,” said Special Agent in Charge Marlon V. Miller of HSI Philadelphia. “This effort is of utmost importance, not only to the special agents who investigate these crimes, but to the global community at large. “Let this repatriation signal our continued commitment to these investigations, and serve as a testament to our partnerships, both here and abroad.”
The case is being investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie M. McCall of the District of Delaware.
Link to Ambassador Gingrich's Remarks
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking 20 Kilos of CocaineRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Tellerick Simon, 34, pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.
According to information presented in court, on September 25, 2017, officers with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on eastbound I-40. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed over 50 pounds of cocaine. The occupants were bringing the cocaine from Houston, Texas through the Western District of Tennessee en route to Knoxville.
A thorough investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration offices in Memphis, Tennessee; as well as Houston and Brownsville, Texas revealed 34-year-old Tellerick Simon as one of the key participants in trafficking the cocaine. On June 13, 2018, Simon pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 17, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.
The West Tennessee Drug Task Force, an extension of the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.
Ten Individuals Indicted in June Federal Grand JuryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the June 2018 Federal Grand Jury.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court. Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.
RYAN EDWARD OFFINEER, age 41, of Muldrow, OklahomaSexual Exploitation of Children
Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of MinorsThe Indictment alleges that in or about June 2013, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, RYAN EDWARD OFFINEER, employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced, and attempted to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce R.M. and C.O., a person under the age of eighteen years, to engage in sexually explicit conduct, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2256(2)(A)-(B), for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, and such visual depiction was produced using materials that have been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a), punishable by not less than 15 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that beginning in or about June 2013, to on or about March 7, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, RYAN EDWARD OFFINEER, did knowingly possess, attempt to possess and access with intent to view, matters which contained visual depictions, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256(5), which said visual depictions involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2256(2)(A)-(B), and said visual depictions were of such sexually explicit conduct and had been transported in interstate commerce by computer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2), punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney John David Luton
BRETT WAYNE PIGEON, age 32, of Okmulgee, OklahomaFelon in Possession of Firearm (Two Counts)
The Indictment alleges that on or about March 23, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, BRETT WAYNE PIGEON, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm, to-wit: One (1) SCCY Industries, LLC, model CPX-2, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, serial number 266765, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about March 23, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, BRETT WAYNE PIGEON, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm, to-wit: One (1) Charles Daly, 12 gauge pump action shotgun, serial number 950658, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment; however, should the court determine that this defendant is an armed career offender, imprisonment of not less than 15 years, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris
JARED ROBERT FAULKNER, age 30, of Krebs, OklahomaFelon in Possession of Firearm
The Indictment alleges that on or about February 10, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, JARED ROBERT FAULKNER, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm, to-wit: One (1) Heritage Manufacturing, Inc., Model Heritage Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver, serial number 185887, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment; however, should the court determine that this defendant is an armed career offender, imprisonment of not less than 15 years, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Krebs Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris
JASON GLEN WILLIS, age 32, of Ardmore, OklahomaFelon in Possession of Firearm
Possessing, Receiving, and Concealing a Stolen FirearmThe Indictment alleges that on or about March 20, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, JASON GLEN WILLIS, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm, to-wit: One (1) Heritage Manufacturing, Inc., Model Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver, serial number F76454, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment; however, should the court determine that this defendant is an armed career offender, imprisonment of not less than 15 years, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about March 20, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, JASON GLEN WILLIS, knowingly possessed, received and concealed a stolen firearm, to wit: One (1) Heritage Manufacturing, Inc., Model Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver, serial number F76454, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe the firearm was stolen, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Ardmore Police Department, the Carter County Sherriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris
LUIS LOPEZ ARCE, age 26
ABEL EDUARDO CRISTERNA-GONZALEZ, age 27Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
Possession With Intent to Distribute Heroin
(One Count Each Per Defendant)The Indictment alleges that on or about April 24, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants, LUIS LOPEZ ARCE and ABEL EDUARDO CRISTERNA-GONZALEZ, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about April 24, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants, LUIS LOPEZ ARCE and ABEL EDUARDO CRISTERNA-GONZALEZ, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $5,000,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace
JORGE BARRON, age 20, of Boulder, Colorado
ANA DUENAS, age 19, of Boulder ColoradoPossession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
(One Count Each Per Defendant)
The Indictment alleges that on or about April 24, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants, JORGE BARRON and ANA DUENAS, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000,000.00 or both.The charges arose from an investigation by the Henryetta Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace
DERIK WAYNE FRAZIER, age 35, of Durant, OklahomaFelon in Possession of Firearm & Ammunition
Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (Two Counts)
Possession of Firearm With An Obliterated Serial NumberThe Indictment alleges that On or about November 24, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, DERIK WAYNE FRAZIER, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce a firearm and ammunition which have been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that On or about November 24, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, DERIK WAYNE FRAZIER, did knowingly possess One (1) Maverick by Mossberg, Model 88, 12-gauge Weapon Made from a Shotgun, s/n: MV87720L, with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d), 5841, 5845 and 5871, punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about November 24, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, DERIK WAYNE FRAZIER, did knowingly possess One (1) Savage Arms, Stevens Model 9478, 12-gauge Weapon Made from a Shotgun, with a barrel of less than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d), 5841, 5845 and 5871, punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about November 24, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, DERIK WAYNE FRAZIER, knowingly received and possessed in interstate commerce a firearm, that is One (1) Savage Arms, Stevens Model 9478, 12-gauge Weapon made from a Shotgun, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce prior to November 24, 2017, from which the manufacturer's serial number had been removed, altered and obliterated, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(k) and 924(a)(1)(B), punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Durant Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington
MICHAEL SHAWN MAYBERRY, age 24, of Okmulgee, OklahomaFirst Degree Burglary in Indian Country
Assault With A Dangerout Weapon in Indian CountryThe Indictment alleges that on or about October 1, 2017, within Indian Country, as defined by Title 18, United States Code Section 1151, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant MICHAEL SHAWN MAYBERRY, an Indian, did knowingly break into and enter a dwelling house occupied by and in the possession of B.B. and in which there were at the time and place human beings, B.B. and N.A., with the intent to commit some crime therein, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 13 and 1153(a) and Title 21, Oklahoma Statute, Section 1431, punishable by not less than 7 years imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000.00 or both.
The Indictment further alleges that beginning in or about December 2017, and continuing until in or about February 2018, within Indian County, as defined by Title 18, United States Code Section 1151, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, MICHAEL SHAWN MAYBERRY, an Indian, did assault B.B., with dangerous weapons, with intent to do bodily harm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(3) and 1153, punishable by not more than 1 year imprisonment, a fine up to $100,000.00 or both.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington
Statement of United States Attorney Mike Stuart Regarding the Department of Justice's Zero Tolerance Prosecution Policy on Illegal Entries at the Southwest BorderRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart issued the following statement:
“I strongly commend the Administration and Attorney General Sessions for the “zero tolerance” prosecution policy at the border. The laws of this country must be respected by those who want to enter the United States. Line skippers undermine the administration of justice and illegal aliens are dangerous to public safety and a risk that terrorists could undermine the weaknesses inherent in our border entry system. Re-entry by an illegal is a felony and my office prosecutes every single case one hundred percent of the time. We are supposed to enforce the laws of the United States and my office does every day. Prosecutors should not pick and choose the laws they enforce. If you cross the border unlawfully and make your way to the southern district of West Virginia, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. That is what the law calls for and that is what we shall do. It’s dangerous to cross the border illegally and bringing children along for the trip is even more dangerous. We take violations of American law extremely seriously and intend to enforce the law in defense of public safety and American citizens.”
Please see the remarks below of Attorney General Jeff Sessions addressing recent criticisms of zero tolerance and separating families made by church leaders.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018
ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS ADDRESSES RECENT CRITICISMS OF ZERO TOLERANCE BY CHURCH LEADERS
Fort Wayne, IN
First- illegal entry into the United States is a crime—as it should be. Persons who violate the law of our nation are subject to prosecution. I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order.
Remarks as prepared for delivery
Thank you, Tom for that kind introduction; thank you for your eight years of service to the Department of Justice, and congratulations on your appointment as United States Attorney.
Thank you to the Fort Wayne Rotary Club, the Fort Wayne Business Forum, the Allan County Bar Association—and most of all thank you to law enforcement officers from the federal, state, and local levels.
Thank you all for being here.
It is good to be back in the Hoosier state. On my previous trip, I enjoyed being with your dedicated and professional Attorney General Curtis Hill as we explored the 10 Point Coalition neighborhood.
This is an exciting and important time. We have an historic opportunity to—finally—fix an immigration system that has been broken for decades.
The American people have been begging and pleading with our elected officials for an immigration system that is lawful and that serves our national interest—one that we can be proud of. There is nothing mean-spirited about that. They are right, decent and just to ask for this.
But for more than a decade now, the elites and Washington insiders have prioritized the interests of certain corporate interests and activist groups over what is best for the American people.
Beginning in 2009, the previous Administration released most aliens apprehended at the border who requested asylum into the United States with a document asking them to show up for a hearing at some later date. Word spread quickly that by asserting a fear of returning to one’s home country, one could remain in the United States.
The results are just what one would expect. The number of illegal entrants has surged. Asylum claims skyrocketed, and the percentage of meritorious asylum claims— those actually granted— declined.
That’s because the vast majority of the claims are not valid. For the last five years, only 20 percent of claims have been found to be meritorious after a hearing before an Immigration Judge. In addition, some fifteen percent are found invalid by during the initial screening by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
In addition, in 2009, the Department of Homeland Security reviewed more than 5,000 initial asylum screenings. By 2016, only seven years later, that number had increased to 94,000. The number of these aliens placed in immigration court proceedings went from fewer than 4,000 to more than 73,000 by 2016—nearly a 19-fold increase.
This cannot continue.
Compounding this problem, the previous administration wouldn’t prosecute illegal aliens who entered the country with children. It was de facto open borders.
The results were unsurprising. More and more illegal aliens started showing up at the border with children. To illustrate, in 2013, there were fewer than 15,000 family units apprehended crossing our border illegally between ports of entry. Five years later, it was more than 75,000—a five-fold increase in five years. It didn’t even have to be their child—it could be anyone. You can imagine the horrible abuses that resulted.
The open borders, pro-amnesty crowd encouraged that—and they have the gall to attack those of us who want to end this lawlessness and the dangers these children face.
And then there was the time that President Obama used his pen and phone to do something he said he couldn’t legally do. In July 2012—a few months before he was up for re-election—President Obama announced that he would give legal status to 800,000 illegal aliens—along with work authorization and other benefits, like Social Security. Congress had rejected this proposal on multiple occasions—but President Obama did it anyway.
Again, the result was not a surprise: the number of unaccompanied alien children arriving at our border nearly doubled in one year. The next year, it doubled again.
That could hardly be a coincidence. The President had sent the wrong message. Criminal networks spread the lie that kids could get amnesty. As a result, tens of thousands of vulnerable children made the dangerous journey North—with terrible humanitarian consequences.
And then, in 2014, the Obama Administration doubled down and attempted to expand its unlawful amnesty to any illegal alien here since 2010.
Towards the end of the last administration, prosecutions for illegal entry and reentry both declined, and sanctuary policies were encouraged, eroding relationships with state and local law enforcement officers that had taken decades to build.
Sanctuary policies are when cities or states refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. If they’ve got somebody in custody who is wanted for deportation—they release them back into the community. At their root, they are a rejection of all immigration law. If you won’t deport somebody who came here illegally and then committed another crime—then who will you deport?
Meanwhile in Congress, efforts to end illegal immigration have been blocked at every turn. Any law enforcement policies are attacked by open borders radicals and well-paid lobbyists.
Every time something is proposed that would end illegal immigration, it gets blocked. If it works, it gets blocked. If it doesn’t work—if it won’t end illegal immigration—then the elites and the Washington insiders are all for it.
Eric Holder—my predecessor as Attorney General of the United States—supports sanctuary laws. Here is his legal defense of sanctuary policies: “states have the power over the health and safety of their residents and the allocation of state resources.” That’s it. It’s almost a non sequitur. The question is whether cities and states have the right under the Constitution to actively undermine the supreme law of the land—a question that has been settled repeatedly in the negative since 1819.
Our elites—who seem to think that they are also our betters—don’t like our immigration system; they know they don’t have the votes to change it—and so they have willingly embraced illegality. It is outrageous.
But the Trump administration is working to restore legality to the system and undo the damage that was done in the Obama years.
Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation out there on what we at the Department of Justice are doing. The reports have been so wrong that some people might even call it “fake news.”
So let me clear a few things up.
Yes, we are pursuing a “zero tolerance” prosecution policy at the border.
Under the laws of this country, illegal entry is a misdemeanor. Re-entry after having been deported is a felony.
Under the law, we are supposed to prosecute these crimes. Accordingly, I have ordered our prosecutors to pursue 100 percent of the illegal entries on the Southwest border that DHS refers to us.
If you cross the Southwest border unlawfully, then the Department of Homeland Security will arrest you and the Department of Justice will prosecute you. That is what the law calls for—and that is what we are going to do. Having children does not give you immunity from arrest and prosecution. It certainly doesn’t give immunity to American citizens.
However, we are not sending children to jail with their parents. The law requires that children who cannot be with their parents be placed in custody of the Department of Health and Human Services within 72 hours.
We currently spend more than $1 billion a year in taxpayer dollars taking care of unaccompanied illegal alien minors. Most are in HHS custody. They are provided food, education in their native language, health and dental care, and transported to their destination city—all at taxpayer expense.
It should be noted the perils to which these parents subject their children. Hundreds of aliens die every year trying to make it to the border to illegally enter this country. In many cases, children are trafficked, abused, or recruited by criminal gangs. No one should subject their child to this treacherous journey—and yet the open borders lobby encourages it every day.
But the Trump administration is ending the Obama-era incentives to bring children here illegally. Last September, the Trump administration ended DACA. We agree with President Obama: he didn’t have the legal authority to give any legal status to illegal aliens without Congress. That’s why this unlawful policy is over.
And now that DACA is over, the criminals can’t spread the lie that kids can get amnesty.
Our policies are discouraging people from making children endure that treacherous journey. Everything the open borders lobby is doing is encouraging that and endangering these children. It’s that simple.
There’s only one way to stop this and that is for people to stop smuggling children. Stop crossing the border illegally with your children. Apply to enter lawfully. Wait your turn.
We have also returned the asylum process to what Congress intended it to be.
If you don’t meet the requirements for asylum in this country, then you do not receive asylum here. That should not be a controversial idea.
Let me take an aside to discuss concerns raised by our church friends about separating families. Many of the criticisms raised in recent days are not fair or logical and some are contrary to law.
First- illegal entry into the United States is a crime—as it should be. Persons who violate the law of our nation are subject to prosecution. I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order.
Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves and protect the weak and lawful.
Our policies that can result in short term separation of families is not unusual or unjustified. American citizens that are jailed do not take their children to jail with them. And non-citizens who cross our borders unlawfully —between our ports of entry—with children are not an exception.
They are the ones who broke the law, they are the ones who endangered their own children on their trek. The United States on the other hand, goes to extraordinary lengths to protect them while the parents go through a short detention period.
Please note, Church friends, that if the adults go to one of our many ports of entry to claim asylum, they are not prosecuted and the family stays intact pending the legal process.
The problem is that it became well known that adults with children were not being prosecuted for unlawful entry and the numbers surged from 15,000 in 2013 to 75,000 four years later. That policy was a declaration of open borders for family units.
Importantly, children are far more at risk attempting entry in remote areas.
I have given the idea of immigration much thought and have considered the arguments of our Church leaders. I do not believe scripture or church history or reason condemns a secular nation state for having reasonable immigration laws. If we have them, then they should be enforced. A mere desire to benefit from entry to the nation does not justify illegal entry. And, there are of course adverse consequences to illegal actions.
Once again, let me state that this nation has perhaps the most generous laws in the world.
My request to these religious leaders who have criticized the carrying out of our laws to also speak up strongly to urge anyone who would come here to apply lawfully, to wait their turn, and not violate the law.
Under the INA, asylum is available for those who leave their home country because of persecution or fear on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Asylum was never meant to solve all problems—even all serious problems— that people face every day all over the world.
You may have heard that I have “restricted” asylum eligibility or “denied” asylum eligibility to certain people. But that’s not exactly right.
I have not made new law—I have simply restated and implemented what Congress has passed: asylum is generally not for those who have suffered a private act of violence. It is for members of groups who are persecuted by the state or whom the state will not protect from persecution. Members of those groups cannot go somewhere else in their home country. Most victims of private crimes can.
Think about it. There are victims of crime all over the world—1.2 million violent crimes are committed every year in this country alone. Are all 1.2 million of these victims automatically entitled to asylum in Canada, the United Kingdom, or anywhere else they choose?
We have to make a choice: do we continue to allow the word to spread that you can come here illegally and there will be no consequences—or do we finally send the message that we enforce our laws? In the Trump administration, we enforce the law.
There is no right or entitlement—legal or moral—to come to this country. Immigration is a privilege that the American people have chosen to grant in certain cases. And let me note how generous the American people are: we allow in 1.1 million legal immigrants on a path to citizenship every year. Another 700,000 come here explicitly for jobs. Another half a million come here to attend our universities and colleges.
But we’ve got a choice here. We either have open borders or we have laws. It’s one or the other.
Some people in the media have chosen to attack us for enforcing the law. That doesn’t surprise me. But I’m not ashamed of the United States of America. I am not going to apologize for carrying out our laws. That is my duty.
President Trump ran for office promising to end the illegality and to fix our system. We are carefully and lawfully stopping the abuses in our system.
It is not a bad thing, but a good thing that President Trump is keeping his word. We intend to follow the mandate that he has received from the people. I embrace it.
President Trump made a generous offer to the Democrats in Congress. He offered to give DACA recipients true legal status if we can build a wall, close the loopholes, and switch from chain migration and the visa lottery to a merit-based system. The Democrats’ refusal of this offer is baffling. He simply asked that they agree to a permanent solution to the problem. Why wouldn’t you want to end the illegality?
Our goal is not radical. What is radical is the open borders policies that have been pushed on us time and again by the elites and the Washington insiders.
Our goal is that immigrants should apply, wait their turn, and that people stop making that dangerous trek across the desert rather than coming here unlawfully. If they meet the standards, then they can be admitted—and those standards should advance the national interest.
If we succeed in this—if we finally get a system we can be proud of—then we will start a virtuous cycle of lawfulness, safety, and prosperity.
The American people have been patient. We have been waiting for 30 years. They want us to seize this opportunity that we have right now. It’s time that we finally deliver a lawful system of immigration that benefits them.# # #
AG
18 - 789
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St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Alvaro de Lugo Post Office BurglaryRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Allen Springette, 45, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty today in District Court before District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, to burglary of the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today. Sentencing is set for October 18, 2018.
In court today, Springette admitted that, had the case proceeded to trial, the government would have been able to prove that in the early morning hours of April 16, 2018, Springette gained entry into the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office by smashing one of its windows with a brick. After crawling through the window, Springette rifled through several postal packages and thereafter, as was captured on surveillance video, left with at least one package. Virgin Islands Police Department officers easily identified Springette as the individual captured on those surveillance videos and, upon encountering him later that same evening, noticed that Springette appeared to be wearing the same clothing as seen on the videos. When questioned, Springette admitted to breaking into the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office with the intent of finding items to steal and that he did, in fact, steal at least one postal package.
Springette faces a maximum sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Virgin Islands Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.
St. Joseph Woman Sentenced for Selling Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for selling stolen firearms.
O’Ceonna S. Thomas-Weston, 23, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to five years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 28, 2017, Thomas-Weston pleaded guilty to selling a stolen firearm. Co-defendant Ronnie Lee Martin III, 22, of St. Joseph, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Thomas-Weston admitted that she sold a stolen Bushmaster .223-caliber rifle to a confidential informant. Thomas-Weston contacted the confidential informant and indicated she had an AR-15 style rifle for sale and wanted $1,200 for the rifle. The confidential informant negotiated the price down to $900. Thomas-Weston told the confidential informant she hoped the person that bought the rifle didn’t get caught with it because it was a stolen military rifle.
Thomas-Weston also admitted that she had earlier sold a Taurus .38-caliber revolver and a Taurus 9mm pistol to the confidential informant. She had agreed to sell the confidential informant a .25-caliber pistol, but that sale never occurred. Thomas-Weston and Martin also sold the confidential informant a stolen Remington 30-06 caliber rifle.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Morgan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Six Former and Current Fitbit Employees Indicted for Possessing Multiple Trade Secrets Stolen from JawboneRead the Press Release
On February 14, 2020, United States Attorney David L. Anderson issued the following statement:
Today, the United States filed a motion to dismiss the criminal trade secret theft charges against Patrick Narron, Jing Qi Weiden, Patricia Romano, and Rong Zheng. The filing of this motion to dismiss follows the filing on December 11, 2019, of a similar motion to dismiss against Ana Rosario, and the return of not-guilty verdicts on February 3, 2020, by the trial jury of all charges against Katherine Mogal. It is a serious step for the United States to move to dismiss criminal charges at any time, and more so without a presentation to a trier of fact and, as occurred here, after the pendency of charges for more than a year. However, it is the solemn duty of the United States to seek justice in all its cases, and to evaluate the appropriateness of charges at all times, not just at the point of indictment or trial. Our assessment of these cases led us to the firm conclusion that only an immediate dismissal of the criminal charges against all defendants would be in the interests of justice.
SAN JOSE – Six California residents were charged in a federal indictment filed today in San Jose, Calif., for their alleged possession of stolen trade secrets, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin. The indictment charges each defendant with possession of one or more trade secrets. The secrets allegedly were stolen from now-defunct San Francisco-based AliphCom, Inc., doing business as Jawbone, after his or her employment with Jawbone ended and the defendant accepted employment with Fitbit, Inc., another San Francisco-based company.
The indictment charges Katherine Mogal, 52, of San Francisco; Ana Rosario, 33, of Pacifica; Patrick Narron, 41, of Boulder Creek; Patricio Romano, 37, of Calabasas; Rong Zhang, 45, of El Cerrito; and Jing Qi Weiden, 39, of San Jose, for being in possession of stolen trade secrets. The indictment describes Jawbone as a company that “designed, manufactured, and sold wearable electronic devices, fitness trackers, and wireless speakers in interstate and international commerce.” The indictment alleges Jawbone’s protected internal computer systems and cloud storage contained trade secrets, 14 of which are described in the indictment. Similarly, the indictment describes Fitbit as a publically traded company that promotes itself as “design[ing] products and experiences that track and provide motivation for everyday health and fitness.”
According to the indictment, each of the defendants worked for Jawbone for at least one year between May of 2011 and April of 2015, and had signed a confidentiality agreement with the company. The indictment alleges that in between March 2015 and April 2015, Mogal, Rosario, Narron, and Zhang, while still working for Jawbone, received an offer of employment from Fitbit and within three weeks, each had terminated his or her employment with Jawbone. Each of these defendants accepted his or her offer of employment from Fitbit. Weiden resigned from Jawbone in March 2014 and began working for Fitbit in November 2014. According to the indictment, at times in 2014 and 2015, after he or she was no longer employed by Jawbone, each defendant received and possessed one or more of the trade secrets for the economic benefit of someone other than Jawbone. Further, the indictment alleges each defendant was aware following his or her departure from Jawbone that the trade secrets were stolen and that they were being possessed without authorization.
“Intellectual property is the heart of innovation and economic development in Silicon Valley,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tse. “The theft of trade secrets violates federal law, stifles innovation, and injures the rightful owners of that intellectual property. This office, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights and economic security of this district.”
“While we live in a free market economy, HSI is committed to ensuring employees are playing fair and within the limits of the law,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge for northern California and northern Nevada. “HSI has devoted more than two years to investigating these allegations of the theft of trade secrets. HSI considers these types of charges extremely serious, and is dedicated to safeguarding against any illegal corporate practices adversely impacting other businesses.”
The defendants are scheduled to make an initial appearance on July 9, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi.
Each defendant has been charged with one or more counts of possession of stolen trade secrets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1832(a)(3), as follows:
Defendant
Defendant
Defendant
Mogal
six counts
Weiden
one count
Romano
four counts
Rosario
five counts
Narron
two counts
Zhang
two counts
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine per count, followed by a maximum three years supervised release. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amie Rooney is prosecuting the case with assistance from Nina Burney Williams and Elise Etter. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
Sentencings for June 8 - June 12, 2018Read the Press Release
EDUARDO AGUILAR, 27, of La Puente, California, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on June 12, 2018, for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Aguilar was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received sixty months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $400.00 fine. The Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated this case.
PAULO CESAR RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ, 42, of Jalisco, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on June 12, 2018, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Rodriguez-Lopez was arrested in Sweetwater County. He received twelve months and one day imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. The Office of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.
VICTOR VALENZUELA, 43, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, on June 11, 2018, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for conspiracy to launder money. Valenzuela was arrested in Lubbock, Texas. He received one hundred eighty months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, was ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment and a $500.00 fine, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody.
This case results from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) joint investigation conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. This investigation resulted in the identification, prosecution and conviction of state defendants and 14 federal defendants on a variety of felony charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine. The principal missionof the OCDETF program is to identify, disruptand dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking andmoney laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for thenation’s illegal drug supply.
DENNIS FRANCIS BOYLE, 54, of Davis, California ,was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on June 11, 2018, for production of child pornography. Boyle was arrested in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received one hundred sixty-four months of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of supervised release,and ordered to pay a $5,000.00 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act Assessment and a $200.00 special assessment. The Department of Homeland Security investigated this case.
JESSIE PATRICK SICOCAN, 22, o fCheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 11, 2018, for possession of unregistered firearms. Sicocan was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received thirty months of imprisonment, to be followedby thirty-six months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and a $200.00 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together alllevels of law enforcement to reduce violent crimeand make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turningthe tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series ofactions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration ofPSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crimereduction strategy thatincorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
JAMES EDWARD KNIGHT, II, 42, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on June 8, 2018, for tax evasion. Knight was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received three months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $374,970.00 in restitution. The Internal Revenue Service investigated this case.
Salvadoran National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Salvadoran national was charged today in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Geraldo Reyes Menjivar-Menjivar, 33, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
According to court documents, on May 24, 2018, law enforcement in Chelsea encountered Menjivar-Menjivar and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Menjivar-Menjivar was previously deported on Nov. 7, 2014.
Menjivar-Menjivar faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Rebecca J. Adducci, Interim Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Child EnticementRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kevin Joseph Martin, 43, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to one count of attempting to entice a child to engage in illegal sexual activity, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between March 9, 2017, and April 22, 2017, Martin communicated with an undercover agent who was posing as person with a sexual interest in children. During the chats using a messaging application and text messages, Martin discussed with the undercover agent various ways to sexually assault the 11-year-old daughter that the undercover agent claimed to have. Eventually, the undercover agent agreed to meet Martin in a parking lot where Martin believed he would have the opportunity to perform sex acts on the girl. Martin was arrested by law enforcement when he arrived at the agreed upon location.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.
Martin is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on August 30, 2018. Martin faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Round Valley Tribal Member Convicted of Domestic Violence Sentenced to 87 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Walter Richard Harrington, age 54, a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes recently residing in Tieton, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on November 2, 2017 to assault by strangling on Indian Reservation. United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Harrington to an 87-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, in March 2017, Harrington brutally beat, strangled, and kicked an adult female within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation. Due to the violent nature of the attack, the victim suffered multiple injuries including two broken ribs. Harrington was serving a term of probation at the time of the assault. Harrington has a long criminal record including convictions for rape, assault, theft, and six separate convictions for driving under the influence.
United States Attorney Harrington said, “This case is yet another example of the strong working partnerships developed among Tribal, County, and Federal law enforcement agencies. Prosecuting domestic violence assaults that occur within any of the four Indian Reservation in the Eastern District of Washington is a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office.”
This case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Tom Hanlon, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Two Federal Officers in Federal CourthouseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to assaulting two federal officers, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Leonard Rushin-Felder, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with his guilty plea, Rushin-Felder admitted that on May 2, 2017, he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell in the Joseph F. Weis, Jr., United States Courthouse for a detention hearing related to separate drug trafficking and firearms charges pending against him. At the conclusion of the detention hearing, Judge Mitchell ordered that the defendant be detained pending trial. The defendant further admitted that when two Deputy United States Marshals attempted to escort him from the courtroom, he forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with the Deputy Marshals while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties as federal law enforcement officers. During the ensuing struggle, the defendant made physical contact with the two Deputy Marshals. As part of his guilty plea, the defendant acknowledged that additional law enforcement and court personnel were needed to restrain him and assist with his removal from the courtroom.
As to each count, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 8 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Rachael L. Dizard are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation of Rushin-Felder.
Philadelphia Man Charged Federally for Armed Robbery of PharmacyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a Philadelphia man was charged today with an armed robbery of a Philadelphia pharmacy.
Ronald Hanible, 47, was charged by indictment with the armed robbery of Aspire Pharmacy at 4307 Locust Street.
According to the indictment, on April 27, 2018, Hanible robbed Aspire Pharmacy at gunpoint and stole approximately $200 and quantities of Oxycodone and Xanax pills. It is further alleged that the defendant brandished the handgun at a store employee during the armed robbery.
Hanible is charged with one count of robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
If convicted of all charges, Hanible faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a mandatory-minimum imprisonment of seven years, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed by the Court, six years up to lifetime supervised release, a $3,000,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney José R. Arteaga.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Philadelphia Investment Adviser Pleads Guilty to Running Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced today that a Philadelphia investment adviser who bilked clients out of $1.6 million has pled guilty.
Carl Frederic Sealey, 43, chairman of Global Standard Industries Inc. (GSI) and SEK Industries Inc., pled guilty to fraud charges this week in connection with a scheme in which Sealey used his investors’ money to fund his own lavish lifestyle instead of using it to finance real estate deals.
Sealey claimed his company had more than $15 billion in managed domestic assets and another $33 billion offshore. Investors were led to believe that their investment was risk-free and that they would receive their monies back with interest within 90 days. Sealey would then represent to investors that their “deal” had been delayed and that they could get their money back more quickly if they invested additional monies for other “deals” that GSI had underway.
In reality, there were never any real estate closings or business takeovers underway by anyone at GSI. When investors wired monies to accounts exclusively maintained by Sealey, he used a fraction of the monies to pay rent for GSI’s Philadelphia and New York offices and the salaries of GSI staff members, most of whom were retained from a temporary employment agency. Sealey used the majority of the monies received from investors to support his extravagant lifestyle, including hotel accommodations, restaurants, spa services, retail shopping, and other personal expenditures.
“Individuals trust investment advisors with their life savings and thus their families’ economic well-being,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams. “The defendant blatantly betrayed that trust by making empty promises to investors with the ultimate goal of stealing their money and enriching himself.”
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.
Phenix City Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Wire Fraud Related to Truck Driver PhysicalsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, June 13, 2018, Dr. Kenneth G. Edwards, 65, a resident of Columbus, Georgia and previously a practicing chiropractor in Phenix City, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Louis Franklin. Dr. Edwards’s conviction resulted from his scheme to submit false documents to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
According to court records, the false documents Dr. Edwards submitted to the USDOT related to physical examinations that he supposedly performed on licensed truck drivers, or prospective truck drivers who were seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The USDOT requires that all truck drivers undergo an initial physical examination before receiving a CDL, and that they have subsequent examinations every two years to maintain the license.
During the plea hearing, Dr. Edwards admitted that, on occasions, he allowed his employees - none of whom were trained medical professionals - to conduct the USDOT - required physicals. Then, Dr. Edwards would submit documents to the USDOT falsely reporting that he had actually performed the physicals.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been set. Dr. Edwards faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with substantial monetary penalties and restitution.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and Steven H. Lee are prosecuting the case.
Oregon Woman Pleads Guilty for Role in Forced Labor and Visa Fraud Scheme Involving Thai Restaurant WorkersRead the Press Release
Defendant financially benefited from co-defendant’s use of debts, fraud, threats of financial and reputational harm, and other means to compel victims to work at restaurants
Tanya Jumroon, also known as Thunyarax Phatanakit Jumroon, 59, of Beaverton, Oregon, and a naturalized citizen originally from Thailand, pleaded guilty today in a U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, to financially benefitting from forced labor, visa fraud conspiracy, and filing a false federal income tax return, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon, Special Agent in Charge Renn Cannon of the FBI in Oregon, and Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. Jumroon waived indictment by a federal grand jury and pleaded guilty to an information filed by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division.
According to the defendant’s plea agreement, admissions in court, and other court documents, between 2011 and 2014, the defendant, her then-husband, Paul Jumroon, and other associates fraudulently obtained E-2 visas to bring Thai nationals into the United States to provide cheap labor at two restaurants located in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Ridgefield, Washington. The restaurants were owned and operated by the defendant and Jumroon at the time, but have since been sold and are under new ownership.
Paul Jumroon used the fraudulently obtained E-2 visas to entice four forced labor victims to come to the United States from Thailand. After the victims arrived, Jumroon used inflated travel expenses, debt manipulation, threats of deportation, serious financial and reputational harm, verbal abuse, and control over identification documents, among other means, to compel them to work 12 hours a day, six to seven days a week, for minimal pay at the restaurants he co-owned and operated with the defendant. The defendant witnessed Paul Jumroon’s mistreatment of two of the victims, and she benefitted financially from the victims’ forced labor at the restaurants. As part of the defendant’s guilty plea, she agreed to pay the four victims a combined $131,391.95 in restitution for their unpaid labor in connection with the forced labor scheme.
The defendant further admitted to filing multiple false tax returns with the IRS by failing to report cash income earned from the restaurants between 2012 and 2015. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to pay tax due and owing in the amount of $120,384 to the IRS.
“The Justice Department remains committed to combatting human trafficking, holding those who choose to exploit vulnerable individuals accountable, punishing those who profit from these crimes, and securing restitution for exploited victims” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s guilty plea exemplifies the hard work of the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to honor that commitment.”
“Human trafficking schemes are seldom carried out by a single person. Tanya Jumroon profited off of her then-husband’s actions while turning a blind eye,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “In too many of these cases, we later learn that someone close by could have taken action to stop the abuse and intimidation of others and did not. I implore all Oregonians to remain vigilant and watch for the signs of human trafficking in their communities. Your attention and perceptiveness could help a victim in need.”
"These victims believed the Jumroons were offering them a chance at a better life. When they arrived in the U.S., however, they faced false promises, forced labor and abuse. Victims such as these often live in the shadows and find it difficult to get the help they need. We are grateful for the community members who were able to bring this case to our attention so we could work together to bring an end to the physical, psychological and financial exploitation," said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
“Forced labor schemes, such as the one employed by the Jumroons, are deplorable crimes that have no place in today’s society,” said Darrell Waldon, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Falsely reporting income and expenses associated with such schemes will continue to be vigorously investigated by IRS-CI Special Agents.”
The defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for financially benefitting from forced labor, five years in prison for visa fraud conspiracy, and three years in prison for filing a false tax return. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24 before United States District Judge Anna J. Brown.
Co-defendant Paul Jumroon previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 14 to forced labor, visa fraud conspiracy, and filing a false federal income tax return. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18, also before Judge Brown.
Attorney General Sessions issued a proclamation on January 31 commemorating January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The District of Oregon is one of six districts designated through a competitive, nationwide selection process as a Phase II Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam), through the interagency ACTeam Initiative of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor. ACTeams focus on developing high-impact human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion through interagency collaboration among federal prosecutors and federal investigative agencies.
This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and Portland Police Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hannah Horsley and Scott Bradford of the District of Oregon, and Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Oregon Woman Pleads Guilty for Role in Forced Labor and Visa Fraud Scheme Involving Thai Restaurant WorkersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tanya Jumroon, also known as Thunyarax Phatanakit Jumroon, 59, of Beaverton, Oregon, and a naturalized citizen originally from Thailand, pleaded guilty today in a U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, to financially benefitting from forced labor, visa fraud conspiracy, and filing a false federal income tax return, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon, Special Agent in Charge Renn Cannon of the FBI in Oregon, and Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. Jumroon waived indictment by a federal grand jury and pleaded guilty to an information filed by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division.
According to the defendant’s plea agreement, admissions in court, and other court documents, between 2011 and 2014, the defendant, her then-husband, Paul Jumroon, and other associates fraudulently obtained E-2 visas to bring Thai nationals into the United States to provide cheap labor at two restaurants located in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Ridgefield, Washington. The restaurants were owned and operated by the defendant and Jumroon at the time, but have since been sold and are under new ownership.
Paul Jumroon used the fraudulently obtained E-2 visas to entice four forced labor victims to come to the United States from Thailand. After the victims arrived, Jumroon used inflated travel expenses, debt manipulation, threats of deportation, serious financial and reputational harm, verbal abuse, and control over identification documents, among other means, to compel them to work 12 hours a day, six to seven days a week, for minimal pay at the restaurants he co-owned and operated with the defendant. The defendant witnessed Paul Jumroon’s mistreatment of two of the victims, and she benefitted financially from the victims’ forced labor at the restaurants. As part of the defendant’s guilty plea, she agreed to pay the four victims a combined $131,391.95 in restitution for their unpaid labor in connection with the forced labor scheme.
The defendant further admitted to filing multiple false tax returns with the IRS by failing to report cash income earned from the restaurants between 2012 and 2015. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to pay tax due and owing in the amount of $120,384 to the IRS.
“The Justice Department remains committed to combatting human trafficking, holding those who choose to exploit vulnerable individuals accountable, punishing those who profit from these crimes, and securing restitution for exploited victims” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s guilty plea exemplifies the hard work of the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to honor that commitment.”
“Human trafficking schemes are seldom carried out by a single person. Tanya Jumroon profited off of her then-husband’s actions while turning a blind eye,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “In too many of these cases, we later learn that someone close by could have taken action to stop the abuse and intimidation of others and did not. I implore all Oregonians to remain vigilant and watch for the signs of human trafficking in their communities. Your attention and perceptiveness could help a victim in need.”
"These victims believed the Jumroons were offering them a chance at a better life. When they arrived in the U.S., however, they faced false promises, forced labor and abuse. Victims such as these often live in the shadows and find it difficult to get the help they need. We are grateful for the community members who were able to bring this case to our attention so we could work together to bring an end to the physical, psychological and financial exploitation," said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
“Forced labor schemes, such as the one employed by the Jumroons, are deplorable crimes that have no place in today’s society,” said Darrell Waldon, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Falsely reporting income and expenses associated with such schemes will continue to be vigorously investigated by IRS-CI Special Agents.”
The defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for financially benefitting from forced labor, five years in prison for visa fraud conspiracy, and three years in prison for filing a false tax return. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24 before United States District Judge Anna J. Brown.
Co-defendant Paul Jumroon previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 14 to forced labor, visa fraud conspiracy, and filing a false federal income tax return. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18, also before Judge Brown.
Attorney General Sessions issued a proclamation on January 31 commemorating January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The District of Oregon is one of six districts designated through a competitive, nationwide selection process as a Phase II Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam), through the interagency ACTeam Initiative of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor. ACTeams focus on developing high-impact human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion through interagency collaboration among federal prosecutors and federal investigative agencies.
This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and Portland Police Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hannah Horsley and Scott Bradford of the District of Oregon, and Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Operation Chasing Oxy Dismantles Hampton Roads Oxycodone RingRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Nine local men and women have pleaded guilty for their respective roles in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain and sell approximately 9,000 oxycodone pills in Hampton Roads.
“Prosecuting opioid related crimes is one of our top priorities,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The resources and collaborative efforts used to investigate and prosecute this case are proof positive of the impact of federal, state, and local cooperation. The Eastern District will remain steadfast in its pursuit of those who spread this poison in our communities.”
According to court documents, from February to September 2017, Deonte Farrow and Quentia Fields led a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain Oxycodone pills from various pharmacies in the Hampton Roads area for the purpose of selling the pills on the streets for a profit. Farrow and Fields manufactured and drafted prescriptions for Oxycodone pills from their home computers and printers, using the name and DEA registration numbers of real physicians, without the physician’s knowledge. Farrow and Fields then worked with co-conspirators, Harvey Williams, Lucion Liles and Quanisha Platt, to recruit individuals to serve as runners, such as Tynasia Smith, Travis Smith, Juan Ramirez, and Tykeiah Benn, who would take the prescriptions to various pharmacies in the Tidewater area to be filled. Platt, who had worked in several pharmacies, knew how to draft a prescription so that it looked legitimate to a pharmacy. The runners either were paid in money or given a quantity of the Oxycodone pills for their services. The listed patient on the written prescriptions were either the name of a co-conspirator or the name of some other real person, sometimes without that person’s knowledge. In total, approximately 20 physicians’ names and DEA registration numbers were used on the fraudulent prescriptions without the doctor’s knowledge.
“The drug dealing activities of Farrow and Fields have caused direct harm in the Tidewater community,” Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division. Harm to those to whom they were dealing as well as to the reputations of those whose names were fraudulently used. All of this was done strictly for the Farrow Drug Trafficking Organization’s greed. By arresting Farrow and his drug dealing associates, investigators have been able to ensure that thousands of diverted pharmaceutical drugs are not being released on the street.
This investigation was conducted by the Richmond Tactical Diversion Squad, in cooperation with the Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police.
Name
Age, City
Sentencing Info
Deonte Farrow
28, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on August 14
Tynasia Smith
22, Chesapeake
Maximum penalty of 20 years on November 5
Quentia Fields
27, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on November 5
Travis Smith
31, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on September 11
Harvey Williams
27, Chesapeake
Maximum penalty of 20 years on September 10
Lucion Liles
28, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on July 31
Quanisha Platt
24, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on July 30
Juan Ramirez
31, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on July 30
Tykeiah Benn
27, Norfolk
Maximum penalty of 20 years on September 10
Each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obtain oxycodone by fraud and to distribute oxycodone. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-15.
Ohio County man admits to cocaine chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin J. Pugh, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Pugh, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Pugh is accused of selling cocaine near Bloch Playground in October 2017 in Ohio County.
Pugh faces up 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are investigating. The United States Marshals Service made the arrest.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.Ocala Man Convicted of Heroin and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – A federal jury yesterday found Santonio Juvon Jackson (35, Ocala) guilty of possession, distribution, and conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin and fentanyl. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years in federal prison, and up to life, on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Jackson was indicted on December 6, 2017.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on October 26, 2017, Jackson conspired with others to deliver six ounces of heroin and fentanyl in the Ocala area.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
North Charleston Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that James Kenneth Purcell, age 45, of North Charleston, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250(a). United States District Judge David C. Norton, of Charleston, sentenced Purcell to 30 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that in 1995 Purcell was convicted in the State of New York of 3rd degree rape, which required him to register as a sex offender in any state where he lived, worked or attended school. After serving his sentence, Purcell later moved to Maine and first registered there in January 2004. In 2008, while living in Maine, Purcell was convicted of Unlawful Sexual Contact for which he received a sentence of 2 years and 6 months. Purcell last registered in Maine on April 25, 2016. Purcell subsequently moved to New Hampshire where he initially registered in July 2016 and last registered on November 21, 2016. In late November 2016, Purcell left New Hampshire without notifying authorities and moved to South Carolina. Purcell failed to register as a sex offender in South Carolina despite being required to do so under law, and he was arrested in North Charleston by the United States Marshals Service Operation Intercept Fugitive Task Force on July 12, 2017.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service with the assistance of the Raymond, New Hampshire Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, and North Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Newark Man Charged with Armed Jewelry Heist in ElizabethRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man will appear in federal court today to face charges for his alleged involvement in the September 2017 armed robbery of a jewelry exchange located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
William Valentin, 42, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of conspiring to use a firearm during a crime of violence. Valentin was scheduled to make his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.
According to the complaint:
On the morning of Sept. 5, 2017, four masked individuals, including Valentin, entered a jewelry exchange located in Elizabeth. Valentin then brandished a firearm at an employee while the other conspirators unloaded the contents of the store’s safes into large bags. Video surveillance showed Valentin and other conspirators entering the mall, approaching the jewelry exchange, and running out with the bags of jewelry. Afterwards, Valentin and his conspirators jumped into a black Audi and drove away.
In January 2018, Valentin was arrested in Holyoke, Massachusetts, with a backpack containing jewelry stolen from the Elizabeth exchange in his possession.
The count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must be imposed consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The Hobbs Act, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and conspiracy to use a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence charges each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and Valentin is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ronald Simon, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked the Holyoke Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Neiswanger, for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Protection Unit in Newark.
New York Man Traveled to Pennsylvania for Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Andrew Michael Dubois, age 32, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that on December 7, 2017, Dubois knowingly travelled in interstate commerce from New York to Pennsylvania for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
United States District Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2018 at 02:15 P.M. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a maximum term of lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the North Strabane Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dubois.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KEITH A. JAMES, age 27, of New Orleans, pled guilty yesterday to being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman set JAMES’s sentencing on September 26, 2018.
According to court documents, JAMES was found in possession of a firearm on July 11, 2017, after pleading guilty in 2008 to three counts of armed robbery and three counts of purse snatching in the Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans. JAMES faces a maximum prison term of 10 years to be followed by a three year term of supervised release.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime-reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Louisiana Probation & Parole. Assistant United States Attorney Michael McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that HAROLD McARTHUR, age 33, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier to one count of failure to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
According to court documents, On about August 26, 2010, McARTHUR was convicted in 2010 of indecency with a child (sexual contact) in Harris County, Texas. He was sentenced to 6 years with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Department of Corrections and required to register as a sex offender for life.
Since at least 2016, McARTHUR registered as a sex offender in Harris County, Texas, claiming a residential address in Katy, Texas. However, federal and state law enforcement officers determined that McARTHUR actually had been residing in New Orleans, since at least July 2017. McARTHUR was arrested at his residence in New Orleans on April 18, 2018, by members of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.
McARTHUR faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. He also would have to be sentenced to a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. Judge Barbier scheduled McARTHUR’s sentencing for September 6, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police in this matter. He extended his thanks to the New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne is in charge of prosecution.
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Nebraska Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Columbus, Nebraska, man convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on June 14, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Tyson Quigley, a/k/a Tyson Stands, age 29, was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Quigley was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 17, 2017. He pled guilty on March 7, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 31, 2017, in St. Francis, South Dakota, when law enforcement responded to a call that Quigley was in possession of a sawed-off shot gun and was threatening to shoot people. When law enforcement located the vehicle that Quigley was reportedly in, Quigley exited the passenger side of the vehicle and ran away. Law enforcement caught up to Quigley and placed him under arrest. Quigley subsequently admitted that the sawed-off shotgun was his.
Due to the fact that the firearm’s barrel is less than 18 inches long, it is required to be registered in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record. Records indicate that the firearm is not registered.
Quigley was convicted of Domestic Assault Involving a Pregnant Woman (felony) in Platte County, Nebraska, in 2013, making it illegal for him to possess firearms. Quigley will forfeit ownership of the firearm seized in this case to the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Quigley was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Nashville Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Antonio L. Bender, 20, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger, to 12 years in prison on federal firearms and obstruction of justice charges, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. There is no parole in the federal system.
Bender was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2017, on charges of being an unlawful drug user in possession of two firearms; possession of a stolen firearm; and obstruction of justice, by having photographs deleted from his Facebook account which showed him holding a pistol in each hand, in an attempt to impede a federal investigation. Bender pleaded guilty to these charges in December 2017.
According to documents filed with the court, Bender is a Rollin’ 60s Crips gang member and was released from juvenile custody in October 2016. On March 27, 2017, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers were responding to a report of shots being fired in the area of the J.C. Napier and Tony Sudekum public housing developments. As they were responding, two officers heard more gunfire and got out of their patrol car to investigate. While on foot, they heard four to five more shots before seeing Bender, who was armed with two pistols equipped with a laser and a flashlight. Bender raised the pistols towards the officers and fired once, as the laser crossed the chest of one of the officers. The officer was not hit and Bender then fled on foot. The officers did not return fire because there were bystanders behind Bender, and they could not fire without endangering them.
The officers chased Bender, who surrendered a short distance away, after discarding the two pistols, a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic, which had previously been reported stolen.
The subsequent investigation determined that Bender is an unlawful drug user and he had taken both pistols from an unknown man selling firearms a few weeks earlier. He was involved in a shooting earlier in the day on March 27, 2017, in which he shot a person who had sold one of his associates some fake cocaine. Multiple other shots struck and heavily damaged an occupied car nearby.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
Moss Point Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Carlos Jerome Dukes, Jr., 19, of Moss Point, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case arose when Pascagoula Police Department responded to a shots fired report on April 5, 2018. Based on witness descriptions of the car involved, police discovered Dukes and 2 others with marijuana and 2 firearms. The gun in Dukes’ possession was reported stolen out of Long Beach, Mississippi.
Dukes will be sentenced by Judge Guirola on August 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Pascagoula Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Mexican National Sentenced for Repeated Immigration CrimesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Mexican national who has illegally entered the United States on at least four occasions and has over a dozen convictions including assault on a child, was sentenced today to eight years in prison.
“In 24 years in the United States, Mr. Santos-Ochoa has been convicted of 17 crimes,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The Department of Justice is committed to prioritizing criminal immigration enforcement. Especially those like Mr. Santos-Ochoa, who enter this country illegally and then commit further crimes, will be found, prosecuted, held accountable, and removed. This is an issue of public safety and national security, and one that we take very seriously.”
According to court documents, Victor Santos-Ochoa, 45, was convicted of 17 misdemeanor violations in California, Georgia and Virginia between 1992 and 2007, including repeated immigration violations and state criminal convictions, and has used approximately 20 different aliases and five different dates of birth.
Santos-Ochoa was indicted and pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after having been removed following conviction for an aggravated felony. He will be removed from the United States immediately following the completion of his prison sentence.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Russell Hott, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. David Schiller prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-151.
Mexican National Arrested for Allegedly Selling a Kilogram of Fentanyl to Undercover Law Enforcement Agent in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Mexican national has been arrested for allegedly selling a kilogram of fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement agent near Midway Airport in Chicago.
JAVIER GONZALEZ-LOZA, 40, sold the fentanyl for $40,000 during a February 2018 meeting in an alley in the 5600 block of South Kilbourn Avenue in Chicago, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in federal court. Unbeknownst to Gonzalez-Loza, the purported buyer was an undercover law enforcement agent, the complaint states.
The complaint charges Gonzalez-Loza with one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Gonzalez-Loza made an initial court appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel G. Martin, who ordered him to remain in federal custody. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 27, 2018, at 2:00 p.m.
Gonzalez-Loza had been deported to Mexico from the United States in 2013 after a prior criminal conviction, but was residing in Chicago at the time of the alleged drug deal, according to the complaint.
The arrest and complaint were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and James M. Gibbons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Fluhr.
According to the complaint, a confidential source cooperating with law enforcement notified authorities about Gonzalez-Loza’s alleged drug dealing. An undercover agent began communicating with Gonzalez-Loza, and some of their conversations were surreptitiously recorded.
In January 2018, Gonzalez-Loza provided the undercover officer with “sample” quantities of heroin and fentanyl, the complaint states. The meetings at which Gonzalez-Loza supplied these samples occurred in a grocery store parking lot near West 59th Street and South Pulaski Road in Chicago, the complaint states. After those meetings, the undercover agent and Gonzalez-Loza arranged for the larger deal the following month, at which Gonzalez-Loza distributed approximately 998.7 grams of fentanyl, as stated in the complaint.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The drug distribution charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Message from U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons for World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
June 15, 2018, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Communities around the world are focusing on the abuse, fraud, neglect, and schemes perpetrated against older individuals. As South Dakota’s United States Attorney, I take very seriously the role of our office in protecting older South Dakotans.
In 2017, Congress passed the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. Among other things, this law enabled the Attorney General of the United States to allocate resources to federal investigations and prosecutions of crimes against older Americans.
In the District of South Dakota, I have designated Kevin Koliner, an experienced prosecutor, to serve as my office’s Elder Justice Coordinator. Kevin is responsible for prosecuting elder abuse cases, coordinating with state and tribal partners, and conducting public outreach and awareness activities relating to elder abuse. On a national level, the Department of Justice has convened a large working group to ensure that federal law enforcement stays ahead of the criminals, with access to current trends and information necessary to fulfill our duty of protecting older Americans.
Our focused efforts have already seen results. Here in South Dakota, our office has prosecuted a large-scale wire fraud case in which an older South Dakotan was targeted in a scam that involved gaining access to his investment account, then forging check requests to deplete the funds. In a separate case involving thousands of elderly victims, three co-defendants were recently sentenced to considerable time in federal prison after a decades-long scheme in which they peddled a supposed cure-all medical device, enticing vulnerable customers with false claims of scientific studies.
My office is also proud to partner with state and tribal law enforcement on these issues, working together to determine the best forum for ensuring justice for victims of these crimes. For instance, some matters are best pursued federally because they involve fraud on federal programs or they require interstate or international investigations. Other elder abuse cases might be best pursued by state authorities, perhaps if they are more local in nature, such as crimes perpetrated by direct caregivers or family members.
This partnership model has been a great success. Nationwide, the Department of Justice in partnerships between U.S. Attorneys, federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies, state attorney generals, and state prosecutors have over the past year brought elder abuse cases involving over 250 defendants, $600 million in victim losses, and involving over one million victims from every state.
As we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I want to share with you some practical advice regarding warning signs of potential elder abuse.
Examples of financial exploitation include:
- Use of ATM or credit cards without permission
- Forging signatures on checks or important documents
- Requests to older adults for money to cover “emergency” expenses
- Pressure to grant power of attorney rights
- Unauthorized sales, such as family heirlooms
Signs that your loved one might be a victim of financial exploitation:
- Sudden changes in banking practices
- Being accompanied to important appointments by unknown person
- Adding new names on bank signature cards
- Sudden changes in wills or other important documents
- Unexplained disappearance of funds or possessions
- Substandard personal care
- Unpaid bills when financials resources should be adequate
- Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives
Steps to protect yourself:
- Check financial statements regularly (at least monthly)
- Store important documents in a locked drawer
- Talk to your bank about age-friendly banking options
- Contact an attorney with any legal questions, and be assured you understand their advice before proceeding
- Visit ftc.gov every year to get free credit reports, then review those reports thoroughly
For more information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to prevent and combat elder abuse, please visit the Elder Justice Website at elderjustice.gov. There is also a victim connect hotline, 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846), where you can receive service referrals by senior services specialists. Finally, if you believe you or your loved one is a victim of physical or sexual abuse, do not hesitate to contact local police immediately.
Men Arrested in Connection with 20-Pound Fentanyl Seizure Charged FederallyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Four men have been charged federally in a case involving the seizure of approximately 20 pounds of fentanyl.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Montgomery Sheriff Phil Plummer and other agencies with the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force announced the charges.
Omar Alejandro Cantu Garcia, David Guillermo Cantu Garcia, Pedro Torres Medina and Reyes Espinosa Aguilar (also known as Rodrigo Martinez Jr.) were each charged federally yesterday with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Omar Cantu and David Cantu entered the United States from Mexico via the Laredo, Texas Port of Entry on Sunday. On Monday, agents observed the pair exit a hotel in Dayton.
Activity consistent with drug trafficking – including driving their vehicle on a “heat run” to check for law enforcement, meeting a number of vehicles at a gas station parking lot and transferring packages between vehicles – led to traffic stops and the search of one residence on Prentice Drive in New Carlisle.
One vehicle, which was stopped by Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies, contained eight vacuum-sealed packages of cash. Inside the residence, agents discovered at least 50 pounds of marijuana sealed in plastic bags in the garage and nine kilogram blocks of fentanyl in a closet inside the home.
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force, and Assistant United States Attorney Brent Tabacchi, who is prosecuting the case.
The Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force is part of the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and includes officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Miami Township Police Department, Butler Township Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Montgomery County RANGE Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Alfredo Gonzalez, 50, of Manchester was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his involvement in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
In November of 2017, a jury convicted Gonzalez of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, more than one kilogram of heroin.
Evidence presented at the trial established that Gonzalez was a Manchester-based heroin trafficker who purchased heroin from a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization run by Alberto Guerrero Marte. The trial evidence proved that Gonzalez negotiated deals to obtain at least 1.4 kilograms of heroin in June and July 2016. On July 10, 2016, surveillance agents followed Gonzalez from Manchester to a restaurant in Lawrence, where Gonzalez met Marte and others to conduct a deal for 500 grams of heroin. A law enforcement officer later stopped a vehicle operated by a runner for Gonzalez and seized 504.4 grams of heroin.
After serving his prison sentence, Gonzalez will be on supervised release for ten years.
“Those who choose to sell heroin and other dangerous drugs in New Hampshire will be held fully accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “These drugs have caused tremendous harm to our community and continue to generate record numbers of overdose deaths. In order to safeguard the lives and safety of our citizens, we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to prosecute drug dealers to the fullest extent of the law.”
“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Gonzalez who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Gonzalez accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA; Homeland Security Investigations; the Massachusetts State Police; the Haverhill Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the New Hampshire State Police; the Manchester Police Department; the Lawrence Police Department; the Lowell Police Department, the Methuen Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Donald A. Feith prosecuted the case.
This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of MinorRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to using Kik, an instant messaging mobile application, to coerce and entice a minor.
According to court documents, in late 2016, Anthony C.A. Martin, 27, of Pensacola, began communicating via Kik with a 15 year-old female living in Alexandria. In March 2017, over Kik, they discussed Martin traveling from Ohio, where he was living at the time, to Virginia to have sexual intercourse with the minor victim and then transport her back to Ohio. Days later, Martin met the minor victim in a room at a hotel in Alexandria, where the two had sex before driving to Ohio. There, Martin used Kik to ask the minor victim to send him explicit photographs and videos. The minor victim complied, using Kik to transmit to Martin, among other things, a video of her masturbating. Later, in June 2017, after the minor victim had returned to Virginia, Martin again traveled to Alexandria, where he met the minor victim at a different hotel and recorded their sexual encounter with his cell phone.
Martin pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison when sentenced on September 7. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Michael L. Brown, Alexandria Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Blanchard and Kellen S. Dwyer are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-238.
Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agents Make Arrests in Multi-State Drug RingRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced multiple federal arrests today, effected by a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal law enforcement across multiple federal districts. Indictments were unsealed in federal courts in South Carolina, North Carolina, and California during the arrested defendants’ initial appearance and arraignment hearings this afternoon.
The following have been charged in a two-count federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 and conspiracy to commit money laundering, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h).
Darry Hemphill, a/k/a “D”, a/k/a “D-Hemp”, age 30 of Rock Hill
Mikie Marcell Caldwell, a/k/a “Big Mike”, age 36 of Charlotte
Gabriel L’Ambiance Ingram, a/k/a “Big Shot”, a/k/a“ Big Shot Rock, a/k/a “Rock”, age 29 of Rock Hill
Archie Arsenio Caldwell, a/k/a “Nuk”, a/k/a “Nuk Crook”, age 29 of Rock Hill
Dontavis Devar Jordan, a/k/a “Rock”, age 30 of Rock Hill
Darrelll Larod Crockett, a/k/a “Unc”, a/k/a “Croc”, age 46 of Rock Hill
Patricia Ann Hemphill, age 47 of Rock Hill
Drece Larod McMullen, a/k/a “Cup”, age 45 of Charlotte
Carl Michael Mann, II, a/k/a “Pike”, age 35 of Rock Hill
Herbert Reginald Demario Dewese, a/k/a “50”, a/k/a “Big 50”, age 28 of Rock Hill
Cravelyn Squilla Davis, a/k/a “Sack”, a/k/a “Sack Gabanna”, age 25 of Blythewood
Odarrius Breonte Adams, a/k/a “Breezy”, age 34 of Charlotte
Seqvoya Anginette Neely, a/k/a “Sequoya Anginette Neely”, age 39 of Charlotte
Rondal Rollin, age 59 of Los Angeles, California
The defendants face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $20,000,000.
While most of the defendants were arrested in the Rock Hill and Charlotte area, three of the defendants were arrested elsewhere. Davis was arrested in Columbia, (South Carolina), Adams was arrested in Georgia, and Rollin was arrested in California.
Defendants Dontavis Devar Jordan, Carl Michael Mann, II, and Herbert Reginald Demario Dewese remain at large. Law enforcement would request that any information regarding the whereabouts of these defendants be shared with local, state, or federal authorities.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, United States Marshals’ Service, York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, City of Rock Hill Police Department, the Charlotte, North Carolina Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the York County Solicitor’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office.
USA Lydon praised the law enforcement partnerships in today’s arrests. “Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from several agencies across multiple states worked in lockstep today to not only secure arrests in this long term investigation but to also continue their daily collective mission to secure our communities.”
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Kinston Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms CaseRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today, CHARLES ELLIOT NOBLES, 37, of Kinston, North Carolina was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III to 264 months imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.
NOBLES was named in a two-count Superseding Criminal Information on September 11, 2017. On that day, NOBLES pled guilty to Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence and Aiding and Abetting and Discharging a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence and Aiding and Abetting.
Between August 24, 2015, and May 15, 2016, a series of armed robberies occurred in the Eastern District of North Carolina area and elsewhere. A total of seven robberies were conducted by various participants including NOBLES. NOBLES was at the helm of the conspiracy and participated in all seven robberies.
Between August 24, 2015 and May 15, 2016 NOBLES participated in at least seven Hobbs Act robberies. During the course of the crime spree, NOBLES robbed a US Cellular store in Beulaville, attempted a robbery at the Win-A-Lot internet café in Kinston, a Family Dollar store in Pink Hill, a Family Dollar store in Faison, a US Cellular store in Kenansville, a US Cellular store in Snow Hill, and robbed the US Cellular store in Kenansville a second time. During the attempted robbery of the Win-A-Lot internet café, NOBLES aided and abetted others who shot a victim in the face.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
In support of PSN, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted this case.
KC Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Distributing MethRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing methamphetamine.
Elisardo Meza, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
On Jan. 3, 2018, Meza pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Meza admitted that he sold more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This is Meza’s sixth felony conviction, five of which involved drugs, and his second federal felony conviction in this district involving drugs. Meza was on probation at the time of the offense.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raskin. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Jonesville Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm and DrugsRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Jabrail Adrian Wofford, age 28, of Jonesville, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841, and Possession of a Firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, sentenced Wofford to 180 months in federal prison followed by supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 6, 2017, Union County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the residence of Jabrail Adrian Wofford. During the search, a quantity of methamphetamine, cash, scales, and firearms were located in a bedroom.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
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Illegal Alien with 3 DUI Convictions Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Illegally Re-Entering United StatesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - An illegal alien found in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 10 months incarceration and two years supervised release on his conviction of Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Cesar Garcia Alvarez-Paz, a/k/a Cesar Yohan Alvarez-Paz, Cesar Alvarez, Cesar Alvarez-Paz, age 29, of Guatemala.
According to the information presented to the court, Cesar Garcia Alvarez-Paz, an illegal alien, was formally removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 7, 2015. Cesar Garcia Alvarez-Paz was found to be illegally present in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 2017.
The court noted that his three drunk driving convictions supported the imposition of the 10-month sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Attorney commended the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the investigation leading to a successful prosecution of Cesar Garcia Alvarez-Paz.
Illegal Alien from Guatemala Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Re-entering United StatesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Marvin Geovani Ramirez-Marroquin, 33, an illegal alien from Guatemala, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to unlawful re-entry by an alien after removal, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and Joseph A. Banco Jr., Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
On or about May 9, 2018, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a Mississippi Highway Patrol State Trooper, stopped a Dodge Avenger sedan on Interstate 10 eastbound around Mile Marker 46 in the City of D’Iberville. The State Trooper noticed signs of human smuggling activity and alerted the Department of Homeland Security Blue Lightening Operations Center. Homeland Security Officials assisted in an investigation regarding potential human smuggling.
Ramirez-Marroquin was a passenger in the vehicle and was identified as an illegal alien from Guatemala who had been previously removed from the United States. Specifically, Ramirez-Marroquin had been ordered removed by a United States Immigration Judge in April 2006, but unlawfully returned to the United States. He was discovered again by federal officials in 2017 was physically removed by air from Brownsville, Texas, to Guatemala in November 2017.
Ramirez-Marroquin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2018. He faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.
Huntsville Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex-Trafficking in Madison CountyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A Huntsville man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges that he paid the father of a 15-year-old so he could have sexual contact with the child, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles.
BILLY R. EDWARDS, 63, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor to charges of commercial sex trafficking, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. His sentencing is scheduled Sept. 12.
The child’s father, DARWIN MOISES AMADOR-ZEPEDA, 38, a Honduran national, is charged with commercial sex trafficking and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. Amador-Zepeda’s case is proceeding to trial, but a date has not been set.
“The trafficking of any human being, especially a child, is unconscionable, unthinkable, and unforgivable,” Town said. “Our Human Trafficking Task Force remains committed to bringing these despicable traffickers to justice and we have reserved bed space in prison for them all, which will only serve as temporary quarters on their road to perdition.”
Edwards acknowledges in his plea agreement with the government that he began paying Amador-Zepeda in 2014 so that he would persuade or coerce his 15-year-old son to have sexual encounters with Edwards.
During the ongoing sexual trafficking of the child, Edwards often paid Amador-Zepeda by check, and the two men used cell phones to induce or coerce the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct, according to Edwards’ plea agreement.
The sexual encounters with the child continued for several months until Edwards stopped paying to have them, according to the plea agreement. At that point, Amador-Zepeda began blackmailing Edwards, threatening to show law enforcement the cell phone communications between him and the child unless Edwards paid him. Amador-Zepeda told the child what to say in English to deliver the blackmail threat, according to Edward’s plea agreement. The two men later executed a contract for Edwards to make a series of payments totaling $20,000 to Amador-Zepeda in exchange for the cell phone containing the incriminating evidence.
In May 2017, the child told law enforcement about the sex trafficking. In September 2017, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant and searched Edwards’ residence, finding an Industrial National de Armes .38-caliber revolver, a Jimenez Arms .25-caliber pistol, a Bryco Jennings .380-caliber pistol and a Winchester model 1400 MKII shotgun. Edwards previously was convicted of a felony, conspiracy to commit fraud, in the Northern District of Alabama in 2005.
The penalty for commercial sex trafficking is 15 years to life in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. The penalty for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution is 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s HSI, in conjunction with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Xavier Carter and Carla Ward are prosecuting.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROBERTO UMANA-ROSA, age 46, a native of Honduras, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.
United States District Court Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced UMANA-ROSA to time served (11 months) and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, on June 13, 2017, UMANA-ROSA was found in the United States after having been previously removed from the United States on October 15, 1998.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
Heroin Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Henry Scott, 53, was a significant distributor of heroin in Suffolk. After conducting four controlled purchases of heroin from Scott for a total amount of 50 grams, the Suffolk Police and DEA obtained a search warrant for Scott’s person, his residence and his vehicle. Inside Scott’s vehicle agents discovered 64 grams of heroin. Inside his residence agents found 27 grams of heroin along with an AR-15 style firearm with a 60-round drum magazine.
Scott pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug distribution. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of life in prison when sentenced on October 1. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-54.