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Monday 30 April 2018
Connecticut Woman Charged with Enticing a Minor and Traveling to Pennsylvania for a Sexual EncounterRead the Press Release
Sarah Norton, 38, of Jewett City, Connecticut, was charged by indictment April 26 with enticing a minor and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced United States Attorney William M. McSwain.
The indictment alleges that, via the internet, the defendant tried to persuade an individual whom she believed was 14 years old to engage in sexual activity, and that she traveled to Pennsylvania to pursue a sexual encounter.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime incarceration, a mandatory minimum ten years imprisonment, a mandatory minimum five years supervised release up to lifetime supervised release, a $500,000 fine, a $10,200 in special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Upper Macungie Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Investment FraudRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to an investment fraud scheme.
Billings Chapman, 78, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.
Chapman owned an interest in CheckmarcUSA, LLC, a company formed to provide bad check collection services to banks. He also owned Federal Financial Services, LLC (FFS), which he used to solicit investors.
By pleading guilty today, Chapman admitted that he engaged in a scheme from May 26, 2011, to April 30, 2014, to defraud investors by making materially false representations and using investment funds for his own personal benefit. Chapman guaranteed monthly payments to investors and misrepresented to investors his financial condition and the financial condition of FFS. Chapman falsely claimed that large numbers of banks had signed up for CheckmarcUSA’s services and that FFS was accruing substantial income as a result.
Chapman did not tell investors that he had been barred from engaging in the securities industry in 1970 by the National Association of Securities Dealers, or that he had been issued cease and desist orders in 1991 and in 2004 from the Missouri Commissioner of Securities for engaging in fraudulent or illegal practices in the securities business. Chapman, who was not registered to sell securities in Missouri, used investor money for his own personal gain and to make payments to prior investors.
The money laundering charge to which Chapman pleaded guilty is related to the transfer of $100,000 that was derived from the fraud scheme.
Under federal statutes, Chapman is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shawn Incornaia, 31, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activity and possession with intent to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who handled the case, stated that on March 5, 2015, the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Herkimer Street residence. During the search, officers recovered four firearms, 12 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia, and a $1,000 in cash. Incorvaia was arrested at the scene.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict.
Bergen County, New Jersey, Man Who Travelled Overseas to Join ISIS Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Rutherford, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, and Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie of the FBI’s Newark Division announced.
Nader Saadeh, 23, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of conspiring with others to provide material support to ISIS. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
“Saadeh traveled overseas for the sole purpose of joining and fighting for ISIS, an international terrorist organization that has repeatedly taken and threatened to take the lives of our citizens and allies all over the world,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Thanks to the intervention of the FBI-Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force and federal prosecutors on this case, Saadeh’s criminal aspirations were never realized. Instead of joining ISIS’ ranks, he will spend the next several years in prison.”
“ISIS is a threat to the people of the United States, both here and abroad, and the National Security Division will aggressively investigate and prosecute all who seek aid it,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “I applaud the dedication of the agents at the FBI and the Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force and the prosecutors here at the Department of Justice, who together thwarted the defendant’s attempt to fight for ISIS against the U.S. and its allies.”
"I want to commend the work of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force investigators and prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office who worked countless hours throughout this investigation to protect the community in their execution of the FBI's Counterterrorism strategy to detect, penetrate, and disrupt potential acts of terrorism in the United States and abroad," stated Newark FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie.
According to documents filed in this and related cases and statements made in court:
Saadeh admitted that prior to his arrest on Aug. 10, 2015, by the FBI-Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), he planned to travel overseas to join ISIS along with others. Saadeh discussed his plans to join ISIS with his brother, Alaa Saadeh, Samuel Rahamin Topaz, Munther Omar Saleh, and Fareed Mumuni, and admitted that at various times each of them indicated that they wanted to join ISIS. Saadeh also admitted that he and these other men watched ISIS-related videos, some of which depicted the execution of individuals – both Muslim and non-Muslim – regarded by ISIS as enemies.
On May 5, 2015, Saadeh departed the United States with plans to travel overseas to join ISIS in furtherance of the conspiracy, according to his statements in court. Saadeh admitted that once he reached ISIS-controlled territory he intended to fight on behalf of ISIS. Saadeh further admitted that Saleh assisted him by giving him a contact who would facilitate his travel from Turkey to ISIS in Syria.
Saadeh admitted that prior to his departure from the United States Saleh showed him technical drawings for making homemade bombs. Saadeh admitted that Saleh and Mumuni discussed plans to carry out an attack in ISIS’ name using homemade bombs at locations in New York City, including Times Square, the World Trade Center, and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, in Queens, New York.
Saadeh admitted knowing that ISIS was a designated terrorist organization and was taking over territory overseas, expelling non-Muslims from their homes, and executing individuals who did not obey ISIS’ commands.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Saadeh to a lifetime of supervised release.Topaz and Alaa Saadeh have also pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Alaa Saadeh was sentenced to 15 years in prison on May 10, 2016. Topaz is set to be sentenced May 1, 2018. Saleh and Mumuni have both pleaded guilty to related charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Saleh was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Feb. 6, 2018. Mumuni was sentenced to 17 years in prison on April 26, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General Demers credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie in Newark, and the Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force with the investigation. The JTTF is comprised of agents and officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Paterson Police Department, and New York City Police Department, among other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis C. Carletta and Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Robert Sander of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Defense counsel: Frank P. Arleo Esq., West Orange, New Jersey
Bedford man sentenced to more than six years in prison for bank fraud and identity theftRead the Press Release
A Bedford man was sentenced to more than six years in prison for defrauding banks by creating counterfeit checks.
Jasaun R. Mattice, 35, was sentenced to 79 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent. Mattice pleaded guilty earlier this year to 44 counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, bank fraud and other crimes.
Mattice defrauded several banks out of more than $40,000 by obtaining check routing numbers from various businesses and individual bank accounts without their permission. He used this information to create fraudulent or counterfeit checks, which he made payable to himself or to businesses he controlled.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Baeppler and James Lewis following an investigation by FBI.
Barbour County man sentenced for role in a methamphetamine distribution operationRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Austin Jay Robinson, of Belington, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 51 months incarceration for his participation in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Robinson, 19, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine-Aiding and Abetting” in November 2017. Robinson admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Randolph County in April 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Baltimore BGF Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Federal Racketeering, Drug Conspiracy, and Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, to life in prison for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Johnson was convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws, as well as conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, possession of ammunition by a felon, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Darryl DeSousa of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to the evidence presented at the two-month trial, Johnson was the leader of an organization known today as the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime, a violent set, or “bubble,” of BGF. During the early years in which it operated, the gang called itself the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF, and consisted mostly of younger people who lived in the 2200, 2300, and 2400 blocks of Barclay Street and Guilford Avenue. YGF members sold drugs throughout the Greenmount Avenue corridor and committed murders, shootings, and armed robberies.
In about mid-2007, YGF members took the BGF oath and became the BGF Greenmount Regime. According to evidence presented at trial, the BGF Greenmount Regime continued to sell drugs and commit violent acts, including murders, shootings and robberies, and by mid-2013 controlled the roughly rectangular area bordered by Greenmount Avenue to the east; Guilford Avenue to the west; 25th Street to the north; and Federal Street to the south, as well as certain offshoots east of Greenmount Avenue, including Mund Park and Cokesbury Avenue.
Between 2005 and 2017, the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime and its members were responsible for seven murders; three non-fatal shootings; more than 10 armed robberies; and over 12 years of street-level drug dealing.
In his capacity as a leader of BGF, Johnson supplied his fellow gang members with powder and crack cocaine, as well as heroin, ecstasy, marijuana and oxycodone, for further distribution on the street. He also distributed narcotics himself.
Johnson also ordered the commission of multiple acts of violence, including two murders. First, in January 2007, he ordered the murder of Gregory Rochester, a/k/a “Craig Mack,” because Rochester was rumored to be cooperating with law enforcement and because Johnson suspected that Rochester had stolen drugs from the gang. On January 9, 2007, YGF members Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “Slay,” and Charles Pace, a/k/a “Foo,” carried out Johnson’s directive and murdered Rochester inside an apartment building in the 200 block of East 25th Street.
Second, in April 2013, Johnson ordered the murder of Moses Malone. Johnson authorized the murder after learning that Malone had provided information to Baltimore City Police detectives regarding a robbery and shooting committed by BGF member Norman Handy. Malone was the victim of that shooting. During his interview with police detectives, Malone had picked Handy out of a photo array as the person who shot him. On May 2, 2013, BGF member Wesley Brown carried out Johnson’s directive and murdered Malone in the 600 block of Cokesbury Avenue.
Prior to his conviction in this case, Johnson was acquitted of gang-related offenses following a jury trial in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
The following eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, have all previously pleaded guilty or were found to be guilty of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, a/k/a Yo Gotti, age 36; Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White a/k/a Wes, age 25; Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28; Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, a/k/a Norm, age 23; Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, a/k/a Telephone, a/k/a Big Head, age 26; David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, a/k/a Dave, age 31; Kenneth Jones, a/k/a, K-Slay, a/k/a Slay, age 30; and Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
Asbury Park Doctor Admits Illegally Distributing Steroids, Possessing MarijuanaRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A doctor with offices in Asbury Park and Brooklyn today admitted unlawfully distributing prescriptions for anabolic steroids and for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Kevin Custis, 53, of Belle Mead, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of distributing anabolic steroids and one count of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.
According to documents filed in this case and statements in court:
In 2016 and 2017 Custis wrote and delivered numerous prescriptions for various types of anabolic steroids to two patients. He admitted that he knew these prescriptions were not for the treatment of any actual medical condition, but were solely for muscle enhancement, beauty, and muscle building and fitness competitions.
When agents and investigators from the Drug Enforcement Agency searched his home on June 14, 2017, they found more than four kilograms of marijuana and more than 150 grams of tetrahydrocannobinal oil. Custis admitted that he intended to distribute these substances and that he had no authority under any federal or state law or regulation to do so. Custis also admitted that he prepared marijuana products for patients in his home kitchen.
The count of distributing anabolic steroids carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The count of possessing marijuana carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 9, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited investigators for the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson; officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey-Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Michael Nestor; and the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs, under the direction of Acting Director Kevin Jespersen, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel David E. Malagold of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
Defense counsel: Rubin Sinins, Esq., Springfield, New Jersey
Armed Robbers Sentenced in OrlandoRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Bakari McCant (26, Orlando) to 32 years in federal prison for committing armed robberies at two Orlando-area Walmart Neighborhood Markets, for conspiring and attempting to commit a third armed robbery at a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Kissimmee, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and for brandishing and possessing firearms during crimes of violence. He was found guilty on January 29, 2018, following a bench trial. In addition, Jarvis Wingster (28, Ocoee) and DeAndre Brewer (26, Orlando) were sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment and 7 years and 1 month in federal prison, respectively, for their participation in the attempted armed robbery in Kissimmee and for possessing firearms in furtherance of that crime. They pleaded guilty on January 5, 2018.
According to court documents, shortly after midnight on June 2, 2017, McCant and two accomplices robbed the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Clarcona Ocoee Road in Orlando. On July 31, 2017, at approximately 3 a.m., McCant and two accomplices robbed the Walmart Neighborhood Market on South Orange Avenue in Orlando. During each of the robberies, McCant and one accomplice forced one or two employees into the cashier room at gunpoint and stole cash from the safe while another accomplice held the customers and remaining employees at gunpoint at the front of the store. During the first robbery, McCant fired a shot in the direction of an employee. He and his accomplices also displayed firearms and wore masks and gloves to conceal their identities during each of the robberies. In total, McCant and his accomplices stole more than $98,000 during these robberies.
In addition, shortly before midnight on August 16, 2017, law enforcement officers intercepted McCant, Wingster, and Brewer as they attempted to carry out an armed robbery at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on East Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. At that time, they were each in possession of a firearm, mask, and gloves, which they intended to use to complete the robbery.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Arizona man who took part in a methamphetamine conspiracy in March of 2017 pled guilty today to a federal drug charge in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Rigoberto Fernandez, Jr., 29, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States Attorney Stuart commended the work of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
“If it fits, it ships,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “But these drug suppliers need to take note that if it fits and ships illegal drugs into West Virginia, we’ll see if we can fit and ship them directly to a prison cell.”
Between March 10, 2017, and March 13, 2017, Fernandez conspired to distribute methamphetamine that was shipped from California to West Virginia. During that period, a confidential informant arranged to purchase 1 pound of methamphetamine from a source in Huntington. The confidential informant was instructed to transferred payment for the drugs to Fernandez in California. The informant also provided Fernandez an address where the drugs were to be shipped. After receiving the payment, Fernandez mailed the drugs from the United States Post Office in Carson, California to the address provided by the informant. Agents seized the package and it was found to contain over 440 grams of methamphetamine. A forensic chemist later analyzed the methamphetamine and found it to be 98% pure.
Fernandez faces a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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April Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 27 indictments charging 31 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Ada Argueta, age 46, of Los Angeles, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about February 3, 2017, and continuing to on or about February 5, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Diego Cruz Calderon, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 6, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Mark Davis, age 46 of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about January 28, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime on or about January 28, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, up to a 3 year term of supervised release and $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about January 28, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, up to a 3 year term of supervised release and $100 special assessment.
* Philip Debandt, age 49, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms, or more of marijuana beginning on or about March, 2016, and continuing to on or about March 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, NLT 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana on or about March 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, NLT 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about March 30, 2018.
* Abad Ernesto Diaz-Gomez, age 19, of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 18, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joshua Z. Dortch , age 27, of Omaha, and Anwar A. Hunt, age 37, of Omaha, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendants with Interference with Commerce by Robbery on or about March 23, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendants with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on or about March 23, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ebony L. Douglas, age 31, of Auburn, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana on or about December 20, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marvin Flores Dias, age 34, of Lincoln, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 4, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Felice Michael Giorgetti, age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Robert Patrick Rahon, age 27, of Sacramento, California are charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana on or about January 10, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is NLT 5 years imprisonment, NMT $5,000,000 fine, NLT 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Noe Luna Vasquez, age 32, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 10, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Christopher McNatt, age 25, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 12, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sergio Medina-Renteria, age 49, of Holdrege, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about January 25, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Heriberto Pineda Pastrana, age 33, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 18, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Daniel A. Rodriguez Portillo, a/ka/ Flaco, age 33, of Lincoln, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about December 1, 2016, and continuing to on or about August 16, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, NLT 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Ramirez, age 24, of Grand Island, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about February 26, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $8,000,000 fine, NLT 8 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Oscar Ramos-Garcia, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Javier Reynoso Flores, age 26, of Coachella, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about February 14, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, NLT 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Angelo Russell, age 37, of Walthill, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with assault with a dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm, on or about February 11, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence on or about February 11, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jeremy Wayne Russell, age 35, of Madisonville, Kentucky, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about February 27, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $8,000,000 fine, NLT 8 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Victor H. Tellez, age 47, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false representation of a Social Security number on or about February 28, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents on or about February 28, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised released, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen for employment on or about February 28, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* David Valdez Ramirez, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 13, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Roger E. Westerhold, age 35, of Lincoln, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about April 1, 2016, and continuing to on or about November 20, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, NLT 10 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
18th Street Gang Members Indicted for Murder Conspiracy and Murder of Ms-13 Gang Rival in QueensRead the Press Release
A superseding indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn, charging 18th Street gang members and associates Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, Yoni Alexander Sierra, Jose Jimenez Chacon and Saudi Levy Ramirez, with the February 2, 2018 murder and murder conspiracy of a member of the rival MS-13 gang. Cruz-Mateo also faces firearms-related charges. The defendants were arraigned this afternoon before United States District Judge LaShaan DeArcy Hall.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Richard A. Brown, District Attorney of Queens County, and James P. O’Neil, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the superseding indictment.
“As alleged in the superseding indictment, the defendants are charged with murdering a suspected rival MS-13 member. We will continue to work with our state and local partners to break this senseless cycle of violence by eradicating all violent street gangs that threaten our communities,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.
“Our outstanding partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are again showing results, and proving we are all in this together to rid communities of all criminal gangs,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The investigators have shown their dedication to each and every case they discover, because no one deserves to die at the hands of these violent groups. The FBI New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force won’t let these rival gangs use our neighborhoods for their turf war.”
“This indictment is another example of law enforcement working together to eliminate gang violence. The defendants in this case are accused of carrying out the merciless execution of a rival gang member,” stated Queens District Attorney Brown. “Gang warfare in our City streets puts every man, woman and child in danger. We will not tolerate violent street gangs turning our neighborhoods into killing fields. My office will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of this kind of violence and brutality.”
“The magnitude of violence exhibited in this case will not be tolerated,” said NYPD Police Commissioner O’Neill. “These individuals would not be facing arraignment today without the collaboration between law enforcement and the public to stop and prevent violence.”
As alleged in the superseding indictment and detailed in court filings, the defendants are members and associates of the Jamaica, Queens and Kingston, New York chapters of the violent street gang 18th Street. On the night of February 2, 2018, a victim, known to the grand jury as John Doe 2, was discovered in the vicinity of 160th Street and 85th Avenue in the Jamaica Hills section of Queens. The victim had been shot multiple times in the head and torso. Several days after the murder, Cruz-Mateo admitted in text messages to shooting the victim because he believed the victim was a member of the rival MS-13 gang. Sierra, Chacon and Ramirez are charged with the murder conspiracy of John Doe 2, along with Cruz-Mateo.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax and Soumya Dayananda are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
YANKI MISAEL CRUZ-MATEO (also known as “Yankee Mateo,” “Doggy” and “Wino”)
Age: 19
Jamaica, New YorkYONI ALEXANDER SIERRA (also known as “Arca,” “Arca Angel” and “Wasson”)
Age: 20
Queens, New YorkJOSE JIMENEZ CHACON (also known as “Little One”)
Age: 20
New Brunswick, NJSAUDI LEVY RAMIREZ (also known as “El Malo” and “Little Bad”)
Age: 25
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-139 (S-1) (LDH)
Saturday 28 April 2018
U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Chicago Man with Attempted Carjacking on City’s Near North SideRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Chicago man with attempted carjacking for allegedly trying to take a vehicle at gunpoint on the city’s Near North Side.
EARRIOUS MOORE, 23, discharged a firearm while attempting to hijack a Mercedes-Benz sedan in the 1400 block of North Lake Shore Drive on April 26, 2018, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. An individual sitting in the car was shot and wounded and subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment, the complaint states. Moore ran away from the vehicle and was apprehended by Chicago Police Department officers in the lobby of a nearby building, the complaint states.
The complaint was filed Friday. It charges Moore with one count of attempted carjacking. An initial court appearance will be held on April 30, 2018, in federal court in Chicago.
The complaint was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department; and Celinez Nunez, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office provided valuable assistance.
The officials noted that the investigation continues.
The case was investigated by the Vehicular Hijacking Task Force, a joint federal and state initiative consisting of officers, agents and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chicago Police Department, ATF, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Illinois State Police, and suburban police departments.
“Citizens of Chicago and visitors to our city must be able to live their lives without fear of violent attacks,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Our office will use every available federal resource in working with CPD and our other law enforcement partners to pursue and prosecute violent offenders. Our message to would-be carjackers and those using guns to commit crimes is simple: Committing a senseless act of violence like carjacking will earn you a home in federal prison for a long time.”
“Each and everyday CPD officers and detectives work hand in hand with our federal partners to make Chicago safer,” said Superintendent Johnson. “Today's federal prosecution demonstrates the strength and commitment of CPD and the United States Attorney's Office to combat violence, and sends a simple and clear message that we will not tolerate carjackings and individuals will be held accountable for their actions before a federal court.”
“This case should serve as a warning to all violent offenders preying on innocent people,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Nunez. “ATF and our law enforcement partners are joining resources to put an end to the senseless violence and restore peace in our neighborhoods.”
According to the complaint, Chicago Police Department officers on routine patrol were alerted to a carjacking incident in which an offender used a handgun to take a Jeep sport-utility vehicle from a victim in the 1000 block of North Rush Street in Chicago. Soon after, the officers were alerted to the attempted carjacking of the Mercedes-Benz, the complaint states.
The carjacking charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
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 government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Kutcher.
Sioux Falls Methamphetamine Scheme Ringleader Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Jaunte Lamar Berry, age 31, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on April 23, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Berry’s time in prison will be followed by four years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victim’s Fund. Berry was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 6, 2017. He pled guilty on October 16, 2017.
The investigation of Berry revealed his leadership of a drug ring that was responsible for utilizing the U.S. Postal Service to mail several pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana from Sacramento, California, to Sioux Falls. A search warrant was executed at Berry’s residence in Sioux Falls, where law enforcement located approximately 68 grams of methamphetamine, over one and a half pounds of marijuana, and a firearm. The District Court found that Berry took advantage of multiple women he was romantically involved with to act as assistants to his drug dealing scheme, and that the drug ring was Berry’s primary source of income while he was involved.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.
Friday 27 April 2018
Youngstown man indicted for taking still images of himself sexually assaulting a childRead the Press Release
A Youngstown man was indicted in federal court that he took still images of himself sexually assaulting a young girl, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Daniel B. Fleischer, 36, was charged with sexual exploitation of children, receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child pornography.
Fleischer sexually assaulted a minor in June 2011 and produced a visual depiction of the act, according to the indictment.
Fleischer also received and distributed multiple images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between Dec. 18, 2017 and March 27, 2018, on which date Fleischer possessed one Samsung Galaxy S8 phone, one SanDisk Cruzer thumb drive and one SanDisk Ultra USB thumb drive that contained child pornorgraphy, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by Task Force Officer Brenda Golec of the FBI Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Webbers Falls Woman Sentenced to 18 Months for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Leah Lynette Smith, age 51, of Webbers Fall, Oklahoma was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, and 3 years supervised release for Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Information alleged that on or about September 3, 2013, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the Defendant, for the purpose of executing a scheme to defraud California and other states, provided false affidavits claiming to be the rightful heir of unclaimed assets, thereby causing to be transmitted by means of wire communication in interstate commerce payment of a check in the amount of $42,385.00.
“The defendant’s scheme came to light because an alert citizen became suspicious and notified the appropriate law enforcement agency. Following a thorough investigation by the FBI, the defendant was indicted, admitted guilt, and is being held accountable for her unlawful acts,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “Schemes to defraud individuals, businesses and government programs are common. I encourage everyone to keep a watchful eye for suspicious conduct that might lead you to believe that a person is engaged in activity designed to commit a fraud. We cannot combat this without your help.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Melody Nelson represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.
Waterloo Felon Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison After Brandishing Stolen Gun During an ArgumentRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man who brandished a stolen firearm at the mother of his child was sentenced yesterday to more than 57 months in federal prison.
Terrance Durell Sayles, age 27, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after November 28, 2017, guilty pleas to two federal crimes, specifically possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a stolen firearm. At his plea hearing, Sayles admitted he knowingly possessed a stolen firearm on July 28, 2017, in Waterloo. Evidence at Sayles’s sentencing hearing established that, during an argument between Sayles and the mother of his child about the care of their son, Sayles brandished the firearm. The firearm was loaded and chambered at the time. Officers later apprehended Sayles and found 30 grams of marijuana wrapped in two bandanas in his right front pocket.
At the time Sayles possessed his stolen firearm, he was a convicted felon. Sayles had prior convictions for carrying weapons, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver while in possession of a firearm, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver while in possession of a firearm. Sayles also had prior adjudications for willful injury causing bodily injury, assault, interference with official acts, assault causing bodily injury, harassment of a public official, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Sayles received the willful injury causing bodily injury adjudication after hitting another person in the head with a hammer. The assault causing bodily injury adjudication resulted from an incident in which Sayles tripped another person and struck and kicked him several times.
Sayles was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Sayles was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.
Sayles is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-CR-2073-LTS.
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Upshur County man admits to his role in a firearms conspiracyRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Glen Woods, of French Creek, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a stolen firearms conspiracy, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Woods, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of a Firearm – Aiding and Abetting.” Woods admitted to having 21 stolen firearms with the intent to conceal, sell, and barter the firearms in October 2016.
Woods faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Two North Alabama Men Indicted in Separate Counterfeiting CasesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted two north Alabama men in unrelated counterfeiting cases, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Michael Williams.
A five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges CONNOR DOUGLAS GLASS, 25, of Cullman, with making counterfeit $100 and $20 bills in Cullman and Jackson counties between January 2017 and October 2017. The indictment also charges Glass with possessing counterfeit $100 and $20 bills on Oct. 27, 2017, in Jackson County. The indictment charges Glass with separate counts of passing counterfeit bills at three different Dollar General Stores in Cullman and Jackson counties. Glass was aided by others in passing the counterfeit money, according to the indictment.
An unrelated indictment charges MONTREZ CHEBEIR MARTIN, 33, of Huntsville, with three counts of passing counterfeit $50 bills to separate individuals in Madison and Morgan counties in September 2017. The indictment identifies the individuals only by initials.
A fourth count of the indictment against Martin charges him as a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber, on Sept. 3, 2017, in Morgan County. According to the indictment, Martin was convicted of second-degree theft in state court in Iowa in 2014 and of second-degree assault in Madison County, Ala., Circuit Court in 2017.
Each of the counterfeiting charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Secret Service investigated the cases, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis Barlow is prosecuting.
Indictments contain only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Two Mexican citizens indicted for re-entering the United States after multiple deportationsRead the Press Release
Two Mexican citizens previously deported multiple times were charged with illegally reentering the United States.
Ricardo Veloz-Alonzo, 34, was found in Painesville after having previously been deported three times, according to the indictment.
Flor Martinez-Gonzalez, 45, was found in Toledo after having previously been deported four times, according to the indictment.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn G. Andrachik (Alonzo) and Tracey Ballard Tangeman (Gonzales).
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Heroin and Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two men were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for their roles in a heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking organization that operated in Taunton and Boston.
Malvin Berrios, 35, of Fall River, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 46 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In October 2017, Berrios pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Roger Longmire, 34, of Taunton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to three years in prison and four years of supervised release. In September 2017, Longmire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
In February 2017, the defendants were arrested and charged in two indictments with 21 co-defendants.
From mid-2016 through February 2017, federal law enforcement investigated two drug trafficking organizations, one operating in Taunton, led by Fernando Hernandez, and another operating in Fall River and Boston, led by Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero. Hernandez’s organization sold heroin and fentanyl to customers, including Longmire, who re-distributed a portion of the drugs they obtained. It is alleged that Hernandez obtained drugs from a network of suppliers that included Lugo-Guerrero.
Lugo-Guerrero allegedly operated a drug trafficking organization in Fall River and Boston and sold to numerous customers, including Berrios. It is further alleged that Lugo-Guerrero and his associates obtained a significant quantity of illegal drugs by robbing other drug traffickers.
Hernandez pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February 2018 to 188 months in prison. Lugo-Guerrero has pleaded not guilty.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Fall River Police Chief Daniel S. Racine; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; Taunton Police Chief Edward James Walsh; Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans; and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Guatemalan Nationals Sentenced in Connection with Labor Trafficking Scheme and Forced Labor of Other Guatemalan NationalsRead the Press Release
Lured Relatives to U.S. with Promises of a Better Life, But Instead Subjected them to Forced Labor, Increasing Debt, and Threats of Deportation
Two Guatemalan nationals were today sentenced in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, for their scheme to exploit other Guatemalan nationals for their own financial gain, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington. Antonio Francisco-Pablo, 60, residing in Forks, Washington, was sentenced to three years in prison for one count of forced labor. Antonia Marcos Diego, 42, also residing in Forks, Washington, was sentenced to one year of probation for one count of document servitude in furtherance of forced labor. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton described their crimes as a “despicable offense” and a “serious degree of exploitation.”
According to documents filed in court, defendant Antonia Marcos Diego and her husband, Antonio Francisco-Pablo, lured Diego’s sister to enter the United States from Guatemala, falsely promising that they would provide her with a home, a job earning a lot of money, and a good life. Contrary to these promises, however, the defendants saddled the victim with significant debt upon arrival in the United States, and informed her that she would work off the debt by picking salal, a plant commonly used by florists. The defendants retained all of the victim’s earnings and increased her debt by imposing additional charges on her for food, housing, transportation, and utilities. The defendants also kept the victim’s identification documents and threatened her with deportation if she ever tried to leave them. According to court documents, the defendants similarly lured another relative to the United States from Guatemala, and also imposed a significant debt upon him after his arrival.
“The defendants forced their own family members to work for no pay after luring them to the United States on false promises of a better life,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute labor traffickers, who exploit vulnerable individuals for their own greed and erode the American ideals of freedom, opportunity, and the rule of law.”
“What these defendants did to their victims amounts to modern day slavery and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “All of us in law enforcement are committed to addressing the needs of victims and holding perpetrators to account. I encourage anyone with information about this kind of forced labor victimization to go to law enforcement and be part of the solution.”
Both defendants will pay $18,950 in restitution to the victims. Francisco-Pablo was in the U.S. unlawfully, and it is virtually certain that he will be deported following his prison term. Antonia Marcos Diego will be on probation for one year.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, and Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce F. Miyake and Trial Attorney Matthew T. Grady of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Two Guatemalan Nationals Sentenced in Connection with Labor Trafficking Scheme and Forced Labor of Other Guatemalan NationalsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Guatemalan nationals were today sentenced in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, for their scheme to exploit other Guatemalan nationals for their own financial gain, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington. Antonio Francisco-Pablo, 60, residing in Forks, Washington, was sentenced to 3 years in prison for one count of forced labor. Antonia Marcos Diego, 42, also residing in Forks, Washington, was sentenced to one year of probation for one count of document servitude in furtherance of forced labor. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton described their crimes as a “despicable offense” and a “serious degree of exploitation.”
According to documents filed in court, defendant Antonia Marcos Diego and her husband, Antonio Francisco-Pablo, lured Diego’s sister to enter the United States from Guatemala, falsely promising that they would provide her with a home, a job earning a lot of money, and a good life. Contrary to these promises, however, the defendants saddled the victim with significant debt upon arrival in the United States, and informed her that she would work off the debt by picking salal, a plant commonly used by florists. The defendants retained all of the victim’s earnings and increased her debt by imposing additional charges on her for food, housing, transportation, and utilities. The defendants also kept the victim’s identification documents and threatened her with deportation if she ever tried to leave them. According to court documents, the defendants similarly lured another relative to the United States from Guatemala, and also imposed a significant debt upon him after his arrival.
“The defendants forced their own family members to work for no pay after luring them to the United States on false promises of a better life,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute labor traffickers, who exploit vulnerable individuals for their own greed and erode the American ideals of freedom, opportunity, and the rule of law.”
“What these defendants did to their victims amounts to modern day slavery and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “All of us in law enforcement are committed to addressing the needs of victims and holding perpetrators to account. I encourage anyone with information about this kind of forced labor victimization to go to law enforcement and be part of the solution.”
Both defendants will pay $18,950 in restitution to the victims. Francisco-Pablo was in the U.S. unlawfully, and it is virtually certain that he will be deported following his prison term. Antonia Marcos Diego will be on probation for one year.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, and Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce F. Miyake and Trial Attorney Matthew T. Grady of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution.
Two Foreign Nationals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Austin-Based Multi-Million Dollar S.I.R.F. SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced two foreign nationals formerly living in Austin to federal prison in connection with a multi-million dollar Austin-based Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) scheme announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Acting Special Agent in Charge Andy Tsui, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio Division.
United States District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced 36-year-old Ibrahim Alu and 40-year-old George Ismail to eight years and seven years in federal prison, respectively. Judge Yeakel also ordered them to pay joint and several restitution in the amount of $1,358,489.
In January 2018, both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. According to court records, Alu and Ismail entered the United States claiming to be Sudanese citizens escaping persecution and requested asylum. Neither defendant had any documents establishing who they were or where they were from. Both claims were eventually denied by DHS because these claims were false. Both defendants could not be deported back to Sudan, since they were not from Sudan, so they remained in the U.S. and were given permission to work. However, the investigation revealed that both defendants gave false names to U.S. authorities and were in fact citizens of Nigeria.
Both Alu and Ismail used their time in the United States to participate in a fraudulent scheme to steal the identity of hundreds of U.S. citizens and exploit those identities for financial gain by filing fraudulent tax returns and by opening credit cards in the names of the victims. They also laundered the proceeds of other fraudulent activity in furtherance of the conspiracy. The intended loss of the fraud conspiracy was approximately $3.9 million dollars.
Among the ways that the conspiracy illegally acquired Personal Identification Information (PII) of U.S. victims was through operating cleaning services in the Austin area, cleaning offices, and then looting those offices for PII. Among the locations the conspiracy victimized were medical facilities, where patient files were stolen, and the ARC Pooled Trust of Greater Austin, which helps to provide financial security services to people with developmental and physical disabilities.
Authorities are still looking to arrest Nigerian national co-defendants Dele Akanbi (aka “SK”), age 44, and George Najomo, age 54.
Agents from the IRS-CI, USPIS and HSI conducted this investigation along with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)--Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorneys Michael C. Galdo, Gregg N. Sofer and Elizabeth Cottingham are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Akanbi and Najomo are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Two Cuban Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Scheme with 54 VictimsRead the Press Release
Two Cuban nationals who traveled across sixteen Iowa counties in 2017 and used at least fifty-four stolen identities and card numbers to make fraudulent purchases were sentenced to federal prison this week.
Pedro Alvarez Rodriguez, age 36, and Dunieski Santana Moreno, age 27, residents of Florida, were both sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to plea agreements and other information presented in court, Alvarez Rodriguez and Santana Moreno drove across the state of Iowa with a third person, Liliany de Armas Mena, using counterfeit credit cards containing at least fifty-four “skimmed” account numbers of victims. They used these fake cards to purchase gift cards and gift card reloads at Wal-Mart stores. The scheme was designed to evade detection by keeping individual transactions under $100, moving across county borders to stay ahead of authorities, and using account numbers “skimmed” within the state of Iowa. Alvarez Rodriguez and Santana Moreno visited Wal-Mart stores in West Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Grimes, Altoona, Ames, Boone, Denison, Sioux City, Le Mars, Sioux Center, Spencer, Spirit Lake, Mason City, Cedar Falls, and Waverly over the span of only four days in January and February 2017. Alvarez Rodriguez had previously been convicted in 2015 of attempted robbery in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, after another incident at a Wal-Mart involving counterfeit cards and stolen account numbers. Santana Moreno had previously been convicted in 2015 of financial transaction card theft in Sumter County, South Carolina.
Alvarez Rodriguez and Santana Moreno were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Alvarez Rodriguez was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment and Santana Moreno was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment. Both were ordered to make $5,655.08 in joint and several restitution to victims. Each must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Liliany de Armas Mena, who has pleaded guilty to the same offenses, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30, 2018. There is no parole in the federal system.
In sentencing Alvarez Rodriguez and Santana Moreno, Chief Judge Strand commented that the defendants were parasites motivated by greed, who made their livings off theft and stealing others’ hard-earned money.
Both men are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lyndie M. Freeman and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Waverly Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-CR-2044.
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Two Businessmen Charged with Conspiring to Commit Economic Espionage for Benefit of Chinese Manufacturing CompanyRead the Press Release
Shan Shi, 53, of Houston, and Gang Liu, 32, a Chinese national, were charged yesterday by superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit economic espionage for the benefit of CBM-Future New Material Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (CBMF), a Chinese company based in Taizhou. Both businessmen were previously indicted in June 2017 for conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets. The superseding indictment issued yesterday also charged CBMF and its Houston-based subsidiary, CBM International, Inc. (CBMI), for their roles in the conspiracy.
The charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu for the District of Columbia, Assistant Director Bill Priestap of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office and Chief Don Fort of the IRS-Criminal Investigation.
According to court records, Shi and Liu conspired with others to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from a U.S. engineering firm that produces syntactic foam, a strong, lightweight material with commercial and military uses. Shan; Liu; Uka Kalu Uche, 36, of Spring, Texas; Samuel Abotar Ogoe, 75, of Missouri City, Texas; Kui Bo, 41, a Canadian citizen who had been residing in the Dallas area; and Hui Huang, 33, a Chinese national, were indicted in June 2017 on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets. An additional defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2017. The superseding indictment includes that charge, adds the conspiracy to commit economic espionage count against Shi and Liu, and includes a federal money laundering conspiracy count against Shi. CBMF and CBMI have also been indicted on all three charges.
The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit economic espionage is 15 years in prison. The maximum for conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets is 10 years, and the maximum for conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Two Businessmen Charged with Conspiring to Commit Economic Espionage for Benefit of Chinese Manufacturing CompanyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two businessmen, including one who is a Chinese national, have been indicted on charges alleging that they conspired to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from a business in the United States on behalf of a company in China that was engaged in manufacturing buoyancy materials for military and civilian uses.
The charges were announced today by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu, Assistant Director Bill Priestap of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, and Chief Don Fort of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Shan Shi, 53, a U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas, and Gang Liu, 32, a Chinese national, were among six individuals named in a superseding indictment returned on April 26, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. All six individuals initially were indicted in June 2017 on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets. The superseding indictment includes that charge and adds the conspiracy to commit economic espionage count against Shi and Liu, as well as a federal money laundering conspiracy count against Shi. CBM-Future New Material Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (CBMF), a Chinese company based in Taizhou, and its Houston-based subsidiary, CBM International, Inc. (CBMI), have also been indicted on all three charges.
The other defendants include Uka Kalu Uche, 36, a U.S. citizen from Spring, Texas; Samuel Abotar Ogoe, 75, a U.S. citizen from Missouri City, Texas; Kui Bo, 41, a Canadian citizen who had been residing in the Dallas area; and Hui Huang, 33, a Chinese national. All of the defendants pled not guilty last year to the charges in the original indictment, with the exception of Huang, who has not been apprehended and is believed to remain at large in China.
A seventh defendant previously pled guilty in December 2017 to a charge of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets.
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“The superseding indictment in this case demonstrates that we will vigorously enforce laws meant to protect against economic espionage and related offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “The charges also reflect the tireless dedication of the FBI, Commerce Department’s BIS, IRS, and other law enforcement organizations to prosecuting theft of intellectual property.”
“The ongoing theft of American technology is a severe threat to our national security, and this is doubly true for technology with direct military applications. As this situation demonstrates, the FBI remains committed to working with its partners to combat this threat,” said FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Priestap.
“This indictment is a good example of the community, industry, and law enforcement working together,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner. “Economic espionage is a growing threat that costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars and puts our national security at risk. The FBI will continue to work with its partners to bring perpetrators of economic espionage to justice.”
“This superseding indictment alleges a vast criminal conspiracy involving everything from trade secret theft to money laundering and other financial crimes,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Fort. “By unraveling this scheme, we were able to hold those accountable who would profit from such a scheme while sending a message to others who would commit similar crimes in the future that they, too, will be brought to justice.”
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According to the indictment, China has promoted military, social, and economic development initiatives with a goal of making the country a marine power and has prioritized the development of engineered components of deepwater buoyancy materials. The charges in the indictment involve the development of syntactic foam, a strong, lightweight material that can be tailored for commercial and military uses, including oil exploration, aerospace and stealth technologies, and underwater vehicles, such as submarines.
According to the indictment, from at least 2013 through May 2017, Shi operated on behalf of CBMF, which intended to create a facility in China to sell syntactic foam. CBMF received research funds from state funding in China and was part of a collaborative innovation center with Chinese government entities.
The indictment alleges that Shi and Liu conspired with the other defendants to steal trade secrets from a global engineering firm, referred to in the indictment as “Company A,” that is a producer in the global syntactic foam market.
In March 2014, according to the indictment, Shi incorporated CBMI, which was owned and funded by CBMF, in Houston. The indictment alleges that CBMF employees wired approximately $3.1 million to CBMI between June 2014 and May 2017.
According to the indictment, Shi and others recruited and hired current and former employees of “Company A” in Houston, including Liu, for the purpose of aiding CBMF’s capability to make syntactic foam. Liu previously worked for “Company A” as a material development engineer and had access to proprietary and trade secret data. He and others are accused of passing along those trade secrets. According to the indictment, the technology was ultimately destined for China, to benefit the government and other state-owned enterprises.
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An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit economic espionage is 15 years of incarceration. The maximum for conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets is 10 years, and the maximum for conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Commerce’s BIS Office of Export Enforcement, and the IRS-CI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Pearlman, Zia Faruqui, and Michael Romano of the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney David Recker of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Trucking School Owner Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Bribery and Identity FraudRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mangal Gill, 58, of San Ramon, pleaded guilty today to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and identity fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Gill owned Central Truck Driving School, which had locations in Fremont, Lathrop, Fresno, and Salinas. Between April 2012 and April 2015, Gill conspired with employees of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and others to fraudulently obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) for Gill’s truck school students and others who did not take or pass the written or the behind-the-wheel driving examinations. Gill received money from those wishing to obtain a CDL and, in turn, paid money to the DMV employees, who would access the DMV’s database to alter records indicating that the individuals had passed tests when, in fact, they had not passed them or, in some instances, taken any examination at all. As a result, individuals were able to obtain driver’s licenses, including commercial licenses to operate tractor-trailer trucks, without having taken and passed the requisite written or behind-the-wheel driving tests.
This case is the product of a series of ongoing investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the California DMV, Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd A. Pickles and Rosanne Rust are prosecuting the case.
Co-defendant Andrew Kimura, a DMV employee, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and identity fraud and was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison. Emma Klem, another DMV employee, and Kulwinder Dosanjh Singh, a broker, also previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and identity fraud as part of the same investigation in United States v. Klem, 2:15-cr-00139 GEB, and United States v. Kulwinder Dosanjh, 2:15-cr-00146 GEB, respectively. They are awaiting sentencing.
Trial has been set for co-defendants Pavittar Dosangh Singh and Robert Turchin for June 19, 2018. The charges against them are only allegations; these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Gill is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on July 13, 2018. Gill faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,00 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.
Three men indicted for federal firearms crimesRead the Press Release
Three men were indicted on for federal firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.
Indicted are: Jeremy Pleasant, 35, of Massillon; Zachary Eversole, 39, of Ravenna and Terrance Craig, 27, of Youngstown. All three are charged with being felons in possession of firearms. Their cases are not otherwise related.
Pleasant possessed a Ruger 9 mm handgun on March 24, despite two previous convictions for felonious assault with a firearm. Pleasant was found with the firearm in his pants pocket after attempted to run for
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers after a traffic stop, according to court documents.
Eversole possessed a Walther .22-caliber pistol on Feb. 22, despite prior convictions for conspiracy to traffic cocaine and cocaine trafficking, according to the indictment.
Craig possessed a Ruger 9 mm pistol on Nov. 26, 2017, despite a prior conviction for aggravated robbery, according to the indictment.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol (Pleasant), Portage County Sheriff’s Office (Eversole), and Youngstown Police Department (Craig). The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Toepfer and Aaron Howell.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Three Individuals Charged for Roles in Anchorage Mail Theft RingRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that three Anchorage residents have been charged in an indictment alleging they conspired to obtain checks stolen from the mail, primarily credit card convenience checks, and then negotiated the stolen checks at different banks in Anchorage using stolen identities and bank accounts associated with the stolen identities.
Amber Hecker, 34, Ronald Hecker, 35, and Richard Hoglin, 34, all of Anchorage, were charged in a 22-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, from April 2017 to April 2018, Amber Hecker, Ronald Hecker, and Richard Hoglin, negotiated checks stolen from the mail that were falsely altered and forged. The stolen checks were falsely made out to make the payee a separate stolen identity that was used by the defendants to negotiate the stolen checks. The defendants also used bank accounts associated with the stolen identities to negotiate the stolen and forged checks. It is further alleged that the defendants possessed mail stolen from over 500 victims, including financial records, social security cards, identification cards, and credit cards.
Amber Hecker and Ronald Hecker are scheduled to appear in court today at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, in Courtroom 6 of the Federal Courthouse. There will be a media availability at approximately 2:00 p.m., immediately following the 1:30 p.m. hearing. Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anchorage Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Anchorage Airport Police will be present.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
The Anchorage Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Anchorage Airport Police, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Convicted of Lying to Federal Grand JuryRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pilchak (619) 546-9709 or Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong (619) 546-9290
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 27, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Supervisory Border Patrol Agent David Wayne Skinner was convicted Thursday of making false statements to a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation of a benefits fraud scheme.
At trial, the jury heard evidence that Skinner’s accomplices, former U.S. Marine Corps reservist Major Jason Wild and former Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strom, defrauded the Marine Corps out of $205,628 between 2006 and 2010, according to evidence admitted at trial. Skinner assisted with the scheme by signing a fake lease agreement used by Strom to make the claims, and by trying to call the military authorities responsible for paying the claim.
Witnesses explained how Strom filed two years’ worth of false claims with the Marine Corps, pretending to rent Wild’s home from Skinner. All of Strom’s claims listed Skinner as the landlord for Wild’s property, even though trial evidence established that Skinner never received any of the $98,716 of rent that Strom claimed to have paid him. Instead, Strom paid Skinner $1,000 during the duration of the scheme.
Strom pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and making a false claim in 2016; Wild was convicted in November 2016 after a separate trial. Both men were sentenced to prison terms, and the pair has repaid the entire $205,628 back to the Marine Corps.
Agents first interviewed Skinner about the fake lease arrangement in August 2013. Shown a copy of the lease agreement, Skinner denied ever seeing it. He again denied authorizing the lease in an interview with agents and a prosecutor in April 2015. Finally, Skinner testified in the grand jury in September 2015 and once again denied ever seeing the fake lease agreement before agents first showed it to him in 2013. When shown a copy of the agreement with his signature on it in the grand jury, Skinner admitted the signature was his but could not explain how it had arrived on a document he had never seen. Skinner also denied ever receiving any money from Strom, even though the two had spoken by telephone the day Strom wrote Skinner the check for $1,000.
After a three-day jury trial, the jury found that Skinner knowingly lied when issuing his denials about the lease agreement to the grand jury. He was acquitted of a separate count charging him with falsely denying receiving money from Strom.
Skinner’s sentencing hearing is set for August 6, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Anthony J. Battaglia.
“America’s entire justice system depends upon witnesses giving honest testimony under oath,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman. “This jury verdict is a powerful reminder that any person who takes the oath and knowingly lies will be held accountable—whether they are a civilian or a career law enforcement officer.” U.S. Attorney Braverman also commended the outcome as the result of the years-long close coordination between the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG), and the Naval Audit Service.
“This conviction should send a clear message that DHS OIG will aggressively investigate DHS employees who brazenly defy federal laws and betray the public trust,” declared DHS OIG Special Agent in Charge Amanda Thandi.
“Today’s guilty verdict in the trial of current U.S. Border Patrol Supervisory Agent and former U.S. Marine Corpsman David W. Skinner for perjuring himself before a federal grand jury sends a clear message that dishonesty in a federal criminal investigation will not be tolerated,” said Chris D. Hendrickson, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Western Field Office. “The conduct of Agent Skinner is particularly reprehensible given that he is serving as a federal law enforcement official. Those who serve in the Government have an obligation to uphold the public's trust or pay the consequences. The efforts of DCIS, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Naval Audit Service, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice resulted in a just verdict.”
“NCIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold responsible those who put personal gain above their responsibility to the nation,” said Belinda Saunders, Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Southwest Field Office. “A law enforcement representative who so readily casts aside the public trust placed in them and lies under oath needs to be held accountable for his actions.”
DEFENDANT—Case Number: 17-cr-1464-AJB Next Court Date
David Wayne Skinner Sentencing August 6, 2018
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 2: False Declaration to Grand Jury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623
Maximum Penalties: 5 years in prison, 3 years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Suburban Physician Indicted for Allegedly Pocketing Nearly $1 Million in Medicare and Insurer Payments for Nonexistent TreatmentRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban physician has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly pocketing nearly $1 million in payments from Medicare and a private insurer for nonexistent treatment.
DR. PRANAV PATEL owned and operated Palos Medical Care, S.C., in Palos Heights. The 12-count indictment alleges that Dr. Patel submitted fraudulent claims for purported medical tests and examinations that were never performed. He allegedly used some of his patients’ names without their knowledge to submit fraudulent claims. From 2008 to 2013, Dr. Patel fraudulently obtained, or caused his clinic to obtain, at least $950,000 in payments from Medicare and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the indictment states.
The indictment was returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. It charges Dr. Patel, 51, of Burr Ridge, with seven counts of health care fraud, three counts of making false statements in relation to a health care matter, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Arraignment is set for May 15, 2018, at 8:45 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; James Vanderberg, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The indictment describes several instances in which Dr. Patel submitted a claim to BCBS or Medicare for a non-invasive “duplex scan” purportedly performed on a patient, when, in fact, no such test was actually completed. On at least one occasion, according to the charges, Dr. Patel prepared a seven-page electronic medical record indicating that a patient had come to the office for a follow-up visit and examination, when the patient had actually come to the office to re-fill a prescription.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory sentence of two years in prison. Health care fraud is punishable by up to ten years, while false statements carry a maximum of five years. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Chahn Lee and Kaarina Salovaara.
Substance Abuse Treatment Providers Pay More Than $1.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that NEW ERA REHABILITATION CENTER, DR. EBENEZER KOLADE and DR. CHRISTINA KOLADE have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $1,378,533 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
NEW ERA REHABILITATION CENTER (“NEW ERA”) provides behavioral health and substance abuse services to patients at its clinics in New Haven and Bridgeport. DR. EBENEZER KOLADE and DR. CHRISTINA KOLADE (the “KOLADES”) are the co-founders and owners of NEW ERA.
As part of their practice, NEW ERA and the KOLADES provide methadone maintenance services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicaid pays providers a weekly “bundled rate” for methadone maintenance services. Included in the bundled rate, pursuant to state regulations, is the intake evaluation of the patient; the initial physical examination; on-site drug abuse testing and monitoring; and individual, group, and family counseling services. The counseling services provided to methadone maintenance patients are included in the bundled rate and should not be billed as separate services.
The government alleges that NEW ERA and the KOLADES provided methadone maintenance counseling services to its Medicaid patients and were paid the bundled rate for those services, but also submitted claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services for the same patients. The government alleges that NEW ERA and the KOLADES did not provide the psychotherapy services, but only provided methadone maintenance counseling services, which were already included in the weekly bundled rate. The United States and the State of Connecticut contend that the claims NEW ERA and the KOLADES submitted for psychotherapy services constituted false claims submitted to the Medicaid program.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, NEW ERA and the KOLADES have agreed to pay $1,378,533, which covers conduct occurring from October 1, 2009 through November 30, 2013.
“We must ensure that taxpayers’ health care dollars used for substance abuse treatment are properly spent,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “Medical practices and physicians who treat patients for substance abuse must bill their services accurately and honestly. Health care providers who submit false claims to federal health care programs will be held accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and by Assistant Attorneys General Antonia Conti and Robert Teitelman of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito on Appointment by U.S. District CourtRead the Press Release
“Chief Judge Jose L. Linares notified me that the U.S. District Court has appointed me United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. I would like to thank the Chief Judge and the Court for the tremendous honor they have bestowed on me with this appointment.
“It is a great privilege for me to return to my roots as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey. Working side by side with the men and women of this great office, we will continue the tradition of fairly and vigilantly pursuing justice in service of the people of New Jersey and the United States.”
South Bay Resident Sentenced to over Four Years in Prison for Scheme to Illegally Structure Cash Deposits from Marijuana SalesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO– Steven J. Nemec was sentenced today to 57 months prison and ordered to forfeit $80,000 for structuring cash transactions, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Alex G. Tse, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge, following Nemec’s entry of a guilty plea on September 1, 2017.
According to his guilty plea, between November 14, 2012, and September 24, 2013, Nemec, 46, of Santa Clara, Calif., used seven bank accounts to structure 175 cash deposits, totaling $1,374,830. Nemec admitted that all of the cash deposits were made in amounts less than $10,000 in an effort to avoid scrutiny of his financial transactions. In addition, Nemec admitted he knew the funds being deposited were the proceeds of illegal activity, i.e., marijuana sales. Nemec also did not report to the IRS the portion of the money that was his own income.
On March 29, 2016, a federal grand jury issued an indictment charging Nemec with 54 counts of structuring, in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 5324(a)(3). Pursuant to his guilty plea, Nemec pleaded guilty to all the counts.
In addition to the term of imprisonment and restitution, Judge Illston ordered Nemec to serve 3 years of supervised release following his prison term.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Gilbert is prosecuting this case with assistance from Ana Guerra and Linda Love. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Sioux City Man Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On April 25, 2018, Alan Calderon Reyes, 23, of Sioux City, Iowa, appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner and was sentenced to 151 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
On April 10, 2017, following a high-speed car chase with law enforcement in Washington County, Nebraska, Reyes crossed the Iowa state line into Pottawattamie County, where Pottawattamie County deputies continued to pursue Reyes. Reyes lost control of his vehicle, drove into a ditch, and attempted to flee from deputies on foot. Reyes was eventually apprehended and a large quantity of methamphetamine was seized from his vehicle.
This case was investigated by Washington County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Sidney Iowa Couple Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On April 25, 2018, Christopher Leroy Jordan, age 30, and his spouse, Randi Marie Jordan, age 26, both from Sidney, Iowa, were sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Christopher Jordan was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term. Randi Jordan was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
In early November 2016, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation of Christopher and Randi Jordan for the distribution of methamphetamine. A search warrant was executed on January 31, 2017, at the Jordan’s house, resulting in the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana plants, and related evidence, as well as the arrests of both defendants.
This investigation was conducted by Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Sex Offender Sentenced for Failure to Register as Required by LawRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shamar R. Chester, 42, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and five years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handling the case, stated that Chester was convicted in 2007 in Washington, DC, of committing a sex crime involving a child. As a result, the defendant was required to register as a sex offender and keep that registration updated. In March 2015, Chester moved from Washington, DC, to Rochester, NY, but failed to register as a sex offender in New York State. The defendant also failed to notify the authorities in Washington, DC, that he had moved to Rochester.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshal Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
Senate Confirms United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
“I am honored to be confirmed as the United States Attorney and I look forward to serving the residents of Missouri,” said Garrison. “As a federal prosecutor, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the country. As U.S. Attorney, I will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to fulfill the mission of the Department of Justice.”
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday, April 26, 2018, by unanimous consent to confirm Garrison’s nomination. Garrison has been serving as the interim U.S. Attorney since his appointment by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Jan. 3, 2018.
Garrison is an eighth generation Missourian, and grew up in Greene County. He graduated magna cum laude from Drury University with a degree in political science, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri.
Garrison received his officer’s commission after graduating from Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in 2003, and served as a military prosecutor. His active duty military career took him to duty stations on the East Coast, West Coast, and Iraq.
In 2007, Garrison left active duty and returned with his family to Missouri, where he served as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Garrison’s efforts focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals, but also included firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration. He served in the district’s Springfield office until his appointment as United States Attorney.
Since leaving active duty, Garrison has continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as the Chief of Operational Law for an eight-nation multinational force. Garrison is a distinguished graduate of both the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College. He currently serves as Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. A lieutenant colonel, Garrison’s personal decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Garrison has received awards from the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School for excellence in trial advocacy, and from the Missouri Bar Foundation for his appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Seller of Counterfeit and Unapproved Pharmaceuticals Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson (619) 546-7976
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 27, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Tijuana resident Alejandro Hernandez was sentenced in federal court today to 30 months in custody for conspiring to smuggle and sell counterfeit and unapproved drugs. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution of $9,750 to Eli Lilly and Co., for losses related to his sale of counterfeit products.
During a long-term undercover investigation, agents purchased counterfeit or unapproved pharmaceuticals from Hernandez on six separate occasions – oftentimes in a Chula Vista parking lot, paying for them with cash. The drugs were all labeled in the Spanish language, and included products such as Buscapina, Prodolina and Neo-Melubrina, which are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Hernandez also provided counterfeit versions of several drugs, including Viagra and Cialis.
Hernandez told undercover operatives that his boss in Mexico had other employees, including a driver who would walk or drive across the border with the pharmaceuticals. Surveillance indicated that Hernandez stored the illegal pharmaceuticals at various self-storage units near the border. Agents arrested Hernandez earlier this year as he made a delivery of pharmaceuticals, and executed a search warrant at one of his self-storage units. The search yielded over $250,000 of unapproved and counterfeit pharmaceuticals in the storage unit, as well as ledgers documenting years of sales.
“This office is committed to protecting the health and safety of the citizens in our district by keeping counterfeit and unapproved prescription drugs off the market, and prosecuting individuals who seek to profit from the illegal distribution of such drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman.
“U.S. consumers rely on the FDA’s scientific review to ensure that their drugs are safe and effective,” said FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lisa Malinowski. “The mission that drives our investigations is protecting patients from unsafe drugs. As there are no assurances that unapproved products from foreign sources are safe or effective, we must protect consumers from these foreign unapproved medicines. The FDA will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who violate the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act by introducing unapproved and misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.”
“Homeland Security Investigations agents, our law enforcement partners, and prosecutors worked diligently to investigate Hernandez's criminal activity,” said David Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of HSI in San Diego. “Today’s sentencing shows our commitment to bring to justice those who endanger the public by illegally importing and distributing counterfeit pharmaceuticals.”
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 18cr0380-DMS
Alejandro Hernandez Age: 54 Tijuana, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1
Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 371
Maximum penalty: 5 years in custody, fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, restitution, three years of supervised release
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations
Salvadoran National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Salvadoran national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Jose Antonio Reyes-Ramos, 33, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
According to court documents, on March 31, 2017, law enforcement officers in Framingham encountered Reyes-Ramos and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Reyes-Ramos was previously deported on Jan. 6, 2012.
Reyes-Ramos 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 Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sacramento Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme Using Stolen U.S. MailRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. sentenced a Sacramento man today for his participation in a scheme that involved stealing and deconstructing U.S. Postal Service locks to reverse engineer keys in order to steal U.S. Mail, steal identities and defraud financial institutions, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Dang Vue, 28, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. On November 17, 2017, Vue and his co-defendant, Billee Vang, 27, pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of stolen U.S. mail, stealing and reproducing postal service locks and keys, and unlawful possession of at least five identification documents for fraudulent purposes.
According to court documents, between January 13, 2017, and May 12, 2017, Vue and Vang stole mail throughout Sacramento and Placer Counties, including neighborhoods in Roseville, Elk Grove, and Sacramento. As part of their criminal scheme, Vue and Vang stole Postal Service locks and used them to reverse engineer keys to open neighborhood mailbox units and steal mail from them.
Vue and Vang used the stolen mail, including checks and identification documents, to take over victim bank and credit accounts. Additionally, they used and attempted to use credit and debit cards, credit card convenience checks, and personal checks that had been stolen from postal customers to conduct unauthorized transactions at the expense of federally insured financial institutions.
On May 12, 2017, when arrested in Elk Grove, the defendants were found to possess numerous reverse engineered counterfeit keys, metal filing tools, pry bars and other burglary tools, and stolen U.S. mail from neighborhood mailbox units.
This case is the product of investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Elk Grove Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, and the Roseville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Vang is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Burrell on May 4, 2018. He faces up to 30 years in prison for the bank fraud convictions, and a mandatory consecutive two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. He also faces up to five years in prison for theft of U.S. Mail, 10 years in prison for stealing and reproducing postal service locks and keys, and 15 years in prison for possessing over five identity documents for purposes of fraud.
Serial Armed Robber Sentenced to 54 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A Detroit man was sentenced to just over 54 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty earlier this year to armed robbery and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Carlos Harper, 38, of Detroit was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland.
According to court records, Carlos Harper, along with co-defendants William Joseph Fields and Roxanne Harper, conspired with one another to rob four businesses in Southwest Detroit, including Favi’s Nail Salon and the West Fort Street bar. Carlos Harper and Fields entered the businesses wearing scarves over their faces and used aliases in order to conceal their identities. Armed with pistols, they brandished those weapons to threaten, injure and instill fear in their victims. During the robberies, Carlos Harper shot two women in the West Fort Street Bar (causing severe injuries), fired a shot into Favi’s Nail Salon when it was full of women and children, and caused a family-run dollar store business to close down for good. The robberies took place between December 2014 and January 2015.
Harper and Fields were apprehended as a result of investigative efforts by ATF agents in collaboration with the Detroit Police Department.
US Attorney Schneider stated, “The 55-year sentence in this case sends a very clear message: put down your guns and your violence, or spend your life in federal prison.”
“The lives of good, innocent people have been forever changed because of these cold-hearted, senseless acts of violence,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “ATF will not waiver in our commitment to remove dangerous criminals from our community so citizens can live in peaceful and thriving neighborhoods.”
Co-defendants Williams Fields and Roxanne Harper each pleaded guilty to their role in the robberies and await sentencing in June.
United States Attorney Schneider praised the work of all officers and agencies involved for their diligent pursuit and investigation of the men who were intent on terrorizing businesses, employees and customers in the Detroit area.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Martin and Amanda Jawad.
Ravenna man indicted for using firearms while trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, making straw purchase of a handgunRead the Press Release
A Ravenna man was indicted for using a firearm while selling fentanyl and cocaine, as well as making a straw purchase of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.
Josiah Jackson, 25, was indicted on one count of making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana.
Jackson on March 28, 2018, possessed a Springfield 9 mm pistol, a Glock 9 mm pistol, a FN 28-caliber pistol and a Glock 40-caliber pistol, as well as ammunition. He also possessed fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana, according to the indictment.
Jackson also purchased a Taurus 9 mm pistol from On Target Firearms LLC in Parma on July 31, 2015. Jackson stated he was the actual buyer of the firearm when, in fact, he was not the actual buyer, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Cleveland Divisions of Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Zarzycki and Robert J. Patton.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin, Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Darnell D. Devaughn, age 33, of Queens County, New York, pled guilty yesterday to distributing heroin and crack cocaine in Albany County.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Devaughn admitted to distributing heroin and cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) in the Crossgates Mall parking lot on November 9, 2016.
Devaughn is in custody pending sentencing.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino will sentence Devaughn on August 24, 2018. He faces up to 20 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing MailRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Ludwig, 45, of Fairport, NY, pleaded guilty to theft of mail matter by a postal employee before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that on December 27, 2017, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, received information about mail thefts at the Victor, NY Post Office. Postal managers reported receiving multiple complaints of missing mail from postal customers. All of the complaints came from Victor City Route 01. The defendant was identified as the assigned carrier during the time the mail went missing.
A subsequent investigation determined that all the customers reported missing mail which contained either cash or gift cards, some of which were mailed to the victims, while other missing items were stamped and addressed to others and placed in the mailbox for pick up by the letter carrier. One victim, who reported a specific retail store gift card missing, retained the gift card identification number and determined that the stolen gift card was redeemed at a local store in the Rochester area. The retailer was able to identify the person who redeemed the stolen gift card.
During the investigation, Postal OIG Special Agents conducted surveillance of Ludwig while he carried out his postal duties. The defendant was electronically tracked to deviate from his assigned postal route, and to travel to the residential address of the individual who redeemed the stolen gift card. Also during the investigation, agents placed a piece of outgoing mail in a mailbox along City Route 01 which contained two $25 Wegmans store gift cards. It was subsequently determined that the gift cards were used by the defendant.
Postal OIG Special Agents also installed a surveillance video camera in the Postal Service government vehicle operated by Ludwig during the course of his official duties as a letter carrier. A review of that surveillance video found the defendant picking envelopes that appeared to contain greeting cards out of his assigned load, opening the envelopes, and removing items from inside the envelopes. Additionally, the surveillance video showed that while on duty, Ludwig was observed preparing two lines of a white powdery substance, which he appeared to ingest nasally through the use of a rolled dollar bill.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kenneth Cleevely.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 6, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
Plattsburgh Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Thomas A. Burnell, age 36, of Plattsburgh, New York, pled guilty today to selling heroin mixed with fentanyl that caused the death of a customer. Burnell separately pled guilty today to possessing a weapon while incarcerated as a federal inmate at the Clinton County Jail.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division.
United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith stated: “Today’s plea holds yet another heroin dealer accountable for a fatal overdose. Dealers must know that when they sell heroin, they are playing Russian roulette with the lives of their customers and that our resolve to hold them accountable for deaths – regardless of the amount sold -- will not waver. We will continue to investigate and prosecute overdose death cases, and other cases of illicit opioid trafficking, as part of our multi-pronged work with our law enforcement and community partners to prevent further tragedies through education, prevention, deterrence, and treatment.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated: “Too many lives have been lost as a result of drug overdoses. This investigation’s significance is that it brought a drug dealer to face the consequences of his actions and admit his guilt. DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York will continue to investigate those responsible for trafficking drugs and those whose actions lead to death.”
As part of his plea, Burnell admitted that on January 16, 2016, he went to the Plattsburgh apartment of a male customer, “J.G.” and gave J.G. two bags of what Burnell believed to contain heroin, for $70. J.G. ingested the substances that Burnell sold to him, which was heroin mixed with fentanyl. J.G. died that day due to opiate overdose.
Burnell was a registered sex offender at the time of the crime, having been convicted in 2003 of sexual abuse in the first degree.
In pleading guilty, Burnell also admitted that on March 30, 2017, while detained at the Clinton County Jail on the drug charge he pled guilty to today, he possessed a sharpened toothbrush as a weapon. Officers found the weapon while conducting a random search of Burnell’s cell.
Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue is scheduled to sentence Burnell on August 20, 2018.
Subject to Judge Mordue’s approval, Burnell’s plea agreement requires him to serve 18 years in prison for the drug offense. On the weapon offense, Burnell faces up to 5 years in prison. Burnell also faces a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The drug overdose case was investigated by the DEA and the Plattsburgh Police Department. The prison contraband case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
Pikesville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison in Connection with 2009 MurderRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4855
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Stanislav “Steven” Yelizarov, age 28, of Pikesville, Maryland, to twenty years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for one count of Use, Carry and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Causing the Death of Another.
The sentence was imposed to run consecutive to the 30-year sentence that Yelizarov is serving for the conspiracy, kidnapping, and brandishing a firearm in connection with his role as the leader of a robbery of a jewelry store, carjacking, kidnapping, and an armed home invasion in 2012 through 2013.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Darryl De Sousa of the Baltimore City Police Department; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police.
According to the evidence at the sentencing hearing, Yelizarov was a serial burglar of homes in Baltimore County. The victim, Wayne Ruder, owned a jewelry store on Reisterstown Road in Baltimore City. Ruder’s business bought and sold precious metals and stones, and engaged in business throughout Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania. In March 2009, Yelizarov burglarized the home of an acquaintance and during the course of that burglary, stole a large diamond engagement ring. Yelizarov sold the diamond to Ruder and later came to believe that the diamond was worth significantly more than Ruder had paid him.
In April 2009, Yelizarov burglarized the home of another acquaintance, and stole a number of firearms and accessories, including a Llama handgun that was equipped with a suppressor and had been converted to fire .22-caliber ammunition. Prior to the murder, Yelizarov searched for and purchased .22 subsonic ammunition.
In early December 2009, Yelizarov told Ruder that he had people from New York who were looking to sell a large amount of gold. Yelizarov and Ruder communicated frequently over the next weeks regarding the transaction, which Ruder reported was going to involve over $30,000 worth of gold. On December 25, 2009, Ruder agreed to meet Yelizarov at his store the following day. On December 26, 2009, after a number of phone calls between Yelizarov and Ruder, Yelizarov drove to the store and entered the front door. Using the stolen Llama handgun equipped with a suppressor and loaded with .22-caliber subsonic ammunition, Yelizarov shot Ruder at the store entrance, and then continued to shoot him as he fled to the back of the store. In total, Yelizarov shot Ruder 15 times, including three shots to his back and 10 shots to his head. After killing Ruder, Yelizarov took Ruder’s bank bag, which typically contained between $15,000 and $30,000 of cash.
Subsequent to the robbery and murder, Yelizarov dismantled and disposed of the Llama handgun in a quarry near Yelizarov’s residence.
Also introduced as evidence at trial, while in the Maryland Department of Corrections in 2015, Yelizarov plotted the murder of numerous witnesses in the federal cases against him.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Zelinsky, who assisted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Budlow and Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Man Charged with Sending Harassing TextsRead the Press Release
Bryan McGraw, 49, of Philadelphia, was charged today by criminal information with sending harassing text messages over a four-year period, announced United States Attorney William M. McSwain.
The information alleges that McGraw repeatedly sent communications between February of 2014 and March of 2018, via a telecommunications device, solely for the purpose of harassing a specific individual.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 2 years imprisonment, 1 year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, restitution, forfeiture, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Analogue Resulting in the Death of A 24-Year-Old Orlando WomanRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul Byron today sentenced Jeremy Achey (43, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of controlled substance analogues. A federal jury found Achey guilty of the offenses on January 25, 2018.
“Today’s sentence underscores the severity of these crimes, and their lethal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Combating such crimes remain a top priority of our office. We will continue to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The sentence delivered today illustrates the dangers of illicit drugs mixed with fentanyl,” said Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, Miami Field Division. “Let me be clear to all those who feel safe hiding behind the dark web to dispense lethal drugs, you will eventually pay a high price for your actions.”
According to testimony presented at trial, Achey, operating under the name “EtiKing,” was one of the largest synthetic drug distributors on Alphabay Market, a “Darknet” marketplace for illicit substances. Achey used the U.S. Mail to distribute thousands of packages containing numerous synthetic drugs to hundreds of customers throughout the United States. On February 27, 2017, he sold one gram of Tetrahydrofuran fentanyl (a synthetic analogue of fentanyl) that killed a 24-year-old woman in Orlando.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Troopers, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Loudoun County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan W. Hill.