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Wednesday 25 April 2018
RI Law Enforcement Attend Workshop on Providing Effective Services to Individuals with Hearing DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – As part of an ongoing series of law enforcement training programs offered by the United States Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and organizations, approximately 100 members of local and state Rhode Island law enforcement representing nearly every police department in the state attended a workshop on Tuesday addressing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public entities such as law enforcement to ensure that their communications with people with hearing disabilities are as effective as their communications with people without disabilities.
The forum included an overview of what the American with Disabilities Act requires, presented by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Rhode Island Disability Law Center; several role-playing illustrations of practical ways to communicate with members of the community who are deaf or hard of hearing by two officers from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department; cultural competence and awareness of the deaf and hard of hearing language, culture and community by members of the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and a presentation and demonstration of technology options available to assist law enforcement to facilitate communication with members of the community who are deaf or hard of hearing by the Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitative Services.
“United States Attorney’s Office law enforcement training programs such as this one, the recently completed Anti-terrorism Advisory Council training program, and others, are offered to provide law enforcement with information to assist them to better serve and protect all citizens,” said United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. “I applaud law enforcement from across the state for their continued commitment to attend these training programs.”
The Department of Justice Department has a number of publications available to assist entities to comply with the ADA, including Effective Communication, which provides guidance on the department’s regulations relating to communicating effectively with people who have vision, hearing or speech disabilities. For more information on the ADA and to access these publications, visit www.ada.gov ADA questions or complaints, and requests for training programs, may be sent to the United States Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island by email at [email protected]
United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy R. Romero, the Rhode Island Disability Law Center, Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission, Rhode Island Relay, and Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust for their assistance in organizing and presenting this training program.
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Private Investigator Receives 18-Month Prison Sentence for Illegally Using the President's Social Security Number in an Attempt to Obtain Federal Tax InformationRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced JORDAN HAMLETT, age 32, to eighteen (18) months in federal prison and two years of supervised release following his conviction for false representation of a social security number. HAMLETT was also ordered to pay $14,794.96 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Education and a $100 special assessment.
As the defendant previously admitted in connection with his guilty plea, on September 13, 2016, less than two months before the November 2016 election, the defendant used the President’s social security number to begin an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”). After beginning the FAFSA, HAMLETT unlawfully used the Internal Revenue Service’s Data Retrieval Tool in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the President’s federal tax information from IRS servers. The defendant made six separate attempts to obtain the protected information.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Attempts to obtain federal tax information of any American through fraudulent or deceptive practices by illegally using personal identifying information will not be tolerated. Every American up to and including the President of the United States should enjoy a certain level of comfort knowing that his personal identifying information is not being used for illicit purposes. This office, together with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those engaged in identity theft and cybercrime. Today’s sentence should send a strong signal to those who would misuse the identities of others that identity theft and the misrepresentation of a Social Security number are serious crimes that carry serious consequences. I commend TIGTA, DOE-OIG, FBI, SSA-OIG, and our prosecutors for their outstanding collective efforts on this important matter.”
“The protection of confidential taxpayer information is among the most important responsibilities of the Internal Revenue Service and my agency," said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Mr. Hamlett’s sentencing should serve as a reminder to those who attempt to steal sensitive taxpayer information that they will be held accountable. TIGTA would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the FBI and Education-OIG for their assistance with this successful prosecution.”
“This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. Government takes the unauthorized access of its protected computer systems and the misuse of personally identifiable information,” said Robert Mancuso, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Technology Crimes Division, the OIG unit that works to protect U.S. Department of Education programs and network infrastructure by investigating technology crimes. “The OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who unlawfully accesses or abuses protected Department of Education data systems.”
FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Eric J. Rommal stated, “The FBI will vigorously investigate criminals who exploit government information systems using other’s personally identifiable information, in full cooperation with our law enforcement stakeholders."This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the U.S. Department of Education—Office of Inspector General’s Technology Crimes Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case received valuable contributions from the United States Social Security Administration and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Rezaei and Alan Stevens.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office—Cyber Security Initiative
In early 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana launched a new Cyber Security Initiative. The initiative brings together resources from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Division, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Treasury (including both the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration), the U.S. Department of Education, the Louisiana State Police, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office, and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Through a law enforcement working group, the initiative assembles agents and other personnel from across Louisiana and the region to assess and share information about incoming reports of cyber incidents affecting the Middle District, and evaluate law enforcement’s response. The initiative also includes a significant investment in outreach aimed at fostering greater collaboration between private industry and law enforcement and encouraging immediate reporting of cyber incidents. Team members routinely contribute to InfraGard Louisiana, a partnership between the FBI and the private sector that works to protect critical infrastructure.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Cyber Security Initiative, please contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Rezaei at (225) 389-0443.
Possession of a Stolen Gun Sends Man to Federal Prison for over Six YearsRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a stolen gun, while also in the possession of marijuana and cocaine that he intended to sell, was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.
Abraham Johnson, Jr., age 27, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 2, 2018, guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a felon and drug user and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a felony drug trafficking crime.
In a plea agreement, Johnson admitted that, during a traffic stop in December 2016, police found marijuana, cocaine, and a revolver in Johnson’s backpack. Johnson admitted that he knew the revolver was stolen. Johnson acknowledged that he was going to sell the marijuana and cocaine, and that he carried the revolver to protect the drugs. Johnson also admitted that he has a prior felony conviction for willful injury resulting in bodily injury, and that he was an unlawful user of marijuana.
Johnson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Johnson was sentenced to 75 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 2-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.
Johnson 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 Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-CR-93.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Philadelphia-Area Political Consultant Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia-area political consultant today admitted evading taxes on $393,359 in income from his consulting business, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
William R. Miller V, 44, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky to an information charging him with one count of federal tax evasion.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:Miller sought to evade federal income taxes by failing to file tax returns as required under federal law, and by concealing income when he finally did file returns, for tax years 2010 through 2014. During that time, Miller cashed numerous checks issued to him for his Philadelphia-area political consulting work and deposited only a portion of the proceeds into bank accounts. After learning of the IRS investigation, Miller tried to conceal his income in March 2016 by filing federal tax returns for 2010 through 2014, which themselves were false. In all, Miller attempted to evade taxes on $393,359 in personal income, resulting in a $94,233 tax loss to the IRS for tax years 2010 through 2014.
The tax evasion charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a potential fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco; special agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; and special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Philadelphia, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Marlon V. Miller, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania previously recused his office from an investigation involving former Philadelphia District Attorney Rufus Seth Williams, and supervision of that matter was assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. During that separate investigation, Miller’s tax evasion was discovered, and his prosecution is also being supervised by the District of New Jersey. Two prosecutors from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are assigned to the case, subject to the supervision of the District of New Jersey.
The government is represented by Eric W. Moran, Chief of the Criminal Division-South of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and Chief of Appeals Robert A. Zauzmer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vineet Gauri of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Defense counsel: Angie Halim Esq., Philadelphia
Panama City Beach Man Sentenced to 204 Months in Prison for Online Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Brandon Royce Phillips, 34, of Panama City Beach, was sentenced yesterday in the U.S. District Court in Panama City to 204 months in prison after being convicted on January 23 of production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
During the one and a half day trial, the government presented evidence that, in November 2016, the grandmother of a 14-year-old boy advised the Clay County Sheriff’s Office that an unknown person had sent the boy sexually graphic videos during chats on Kik, a social media application. The investigation disclosed that Phillips, posing as a 17-year-old female named “Katie Davis,” had sent the boy pornographic videos of a female that Phillips claimed to be “Davis.” Phillips then convinced the boy to take sexually explicit videos of himself and send them to Phillips via Kik. Further investigation revealed videos of other children engaged in the same sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. Attorney Canova said: “This sentence is another warning that the exploitation of our community’s children will not be tolerated. Our office will continue its aggressive work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to combat and prosecute those who prey upon the innocence of a child.”
“Let this serve as a reminder that child predators hide behind false identities on social media applications,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Thanks to HSI special agents and our partners at the Clay and Bay County Sheriff’s Offices, we have stopped another criminal from abusing children online.”
“The Bay County Sheriff's Office is glad to partner with other agencies to put criminals where they can no longer prey upon children,” Sheriff Tommy Ford said. “By working together, we are the most effective at keeping our children safe.”
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Thielemann.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Oak Hill Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that an Oak Hill man pled guilty to a gun charge in federal court in Beckley. Jordan Goard, 27, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stuart applauded the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Marshal Service CUFFED Task Force.
“Law-abiding citizens with guns is a right I’ll fight for but felons with guns are a danger to our law enforcement officers and the public,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “That’s why we are committed to prosecuting as many of these cases as law enforcement can bring us.”
He admitted that on February 2, 2017, after a foot pursuit in Beckley, law enforcement agents apprehended him and found that he was carrying a pistol. At that time he was prohibited from possessing a firearm by virtue of two felony convictions in Fayette County in 2014—one for delivery of heroin and one for possession with intent to deliver marijuana. Goard faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 1, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney John File is prosecuting the case. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided at the plea hearing.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Nicholson Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison for Drug Possession and Failure to AppearRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Carl Hodge, Jr., 37, of Nicholson, Mississippi, was sentenced on April 17, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to serve 240 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and failure to appear, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Coles was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On October 21, 2015, Hodge was arrested after he sold methamphetamine to a DEA confidential source in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was indicted on April 5, 2016, and released on a $25,000 unsecured bond with pretrial supervision. On June 16, 2016, a warrant was issued for Hodge’s arrest after he failed to submit to supervision, and his whereabouts were unknown.
An investigating Deputy U.S. Marshal conducted database research and discovered that Hodge had ties to Picayune, Mississippi; Nicholson, Mississippi; and Pearl River, Louisiana. The Deputy Marshal spoke with Hodge’s federal probation officer, who advised that Hodge also had ties to Mexico. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Hodge, Jr. was in Veracruz, Mexico. He was arrested on March 24, 2017, and deported from Mexico to the United States. He was indicted for failure to appear on September 7, 2017. On November 21, 2017, he pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and failure to appear.
The case was investigated by the Southern Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LESTER MALAVA, age 57, of New Orleans, was sentenced today by the Honorable Kurt D. Engelhardt, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, for bank robbery.
According to court papers, MALAVA robbed the Capital One Bank at 3540 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans on August 21, 2017. MALAVA was identified on an FBI tip line and later turned himself in to authorities. Chief Judge Engelhardt sentenced MALAVA to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release. MALAVA was also ordered to repay $3,500 to Capital One Bank.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.
New Bedford Man Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
Alexander Gomes, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2017, Gomes pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
On Dec. 12, 2016, Gomes accompanied co-defendant Peter Lobo to a meeting in Revere with an undercover agent posing as a Maine methamphetamine dealer. At that meeting, Lobo distributed a half pound sample of methamphetamine to the agent. Lobo then introduced Gomes, and explained that the undercover agent could meet with Gomes in the future if Lobo was out of town. Two days later, Gomes again accompanied Lobo to Revere, where Lobo received payment from the agent of $4,000 for the half pound, and distributed an additional four pounds of methamphetamine to the agent. Lobo and Gomes were arrested shortly after they began to drive away. At the time of their arrest, Lobo had $3,000 in his pocket and Gomes had $1,000 hidden in his sock. Subsequent drug analysis determined that the substance consisted of approximately 1,777 grams of 99% pure d-methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as “Ice.”
Lobo pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine; on Nov. 29, 2017, he was sentenced to five years in prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore B. Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Navajo Woman Sentenced for Federal Involuntary Manslaughter ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Bryana Agnes Henio, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Little Water, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 37 months in prison for her involuntary manslaughter conviction. She will be on supervised release for three years after completing her prison sentence.
Henio was arrested in Oct. 2017, on a criminal complaint charging her with involuntary manslaughter. According to the complaint, Henio killed a man by hitting him with a vehicle on Sept. 8, 2017, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M. At the time Henio ran over the victim, Henio was driving under the influence of alcohol.
On Nov. 20, 2017, Henio pled guilty to a felony information charging her with involuntary manslaughter, and admitted killing the victim by driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol. Henio acknowledged that the alcohol rendered her incapable of exercising clear judgment and a steady hand in operating the vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle prosecuted the case.
Navajo Man from Shiprock Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Federal Assault ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Christian Begay, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 78 months in prison for his assault conviction. Begay will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Begay was arrested on May 26, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with shooting a Navajo man on May 21, 2016. The complaint stated that the victim suffered severe damage to the pelvic bone and required hospitalization.
Begay was indicted on June 15, 2016, and was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, a firearm, with intent to do bodily harm; assault resulting in serious bodily injury; and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. According to the indictment, Begay committed the crimes on May 21, 2016, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, N.M.
On Aug. 22, 2017, Begay pled guilty to a felony information charging him with assault with intent to commit murder. In entering the guilty plea, Begay admitted that on May 21, 2016, he assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, a firearm, by shooting the victim with the intention of murdering the victim.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine Y. Ramirez and Raquel Ruiz-Velez.
Navajo Man from San Juan County Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Emory Werito, 41, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Nageezi, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 36 months in prison for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. Werito will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Werito was arrested on Aug. 24, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting and resisting a federal law enforcement officer. According to the complaint, on Aug. 16, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office attempted to execute an arrest warrant on Werito. As the officers were executing a traffic stop on Werito, he backed his vehicle into a vehicle driven by a Deputy U.S. Marshal and almost hit another Deputy U.S. Marshal while Werito was attempting to evade arrest.
On Oct. 31, 2017, Werito pled guilty to a felony information charging him with assaulting a federal officer. In entering the guilty plea, Werito admitted that on Aug. 16, 2016, he drove a vehicle toward a Deputy U.S. Marshal engaged in the performance of his official duties.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle prosecuted the case.
Moss Point Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Possession of CocaineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Derrick D’Angelo Edwards, 41, of Moss Point, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 60 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze. Edwards was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On September 14, 2017, Edwards was stopped by an agent with the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team (SMMET) for a traffic violation. As the agent and a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy approached Edward’s vehicle, the deputy observed an object being thrown from the passenger’s side window. Edwards was the only person in the vehicle. The agent was able to determine that Edwards tossed two "bricks" of cocaine that weighed 1,985 grams. Upon searching the vehicle, they also located $19,029.00. Edwards pled guilty on January 11, 2018.
The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the SMMET, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn Van Buskirk.
Morris County, New Jersey, Woman Charged with Smuggling American Aircraft Components to Iranian Airline CompaniesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. - A Morristown, New Jersey, woman appeared in federal court today to face charges for her alleged role in an international procurement network that smuggled over $2 million worth of aircraft components from the United States to Iran in violation of export control laws, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Joyce Eliabachus, a/k/a “Joyce Marie Gundran Manangan,” 55, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the Philippines, was arrested at her home on April 24, 2018, following a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement.
Eliabachus is charged in a three-count criminal complaint with conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States. She made her initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond with home confinement.
According to the complaint:
Eliabachus – the principal officer and operator of Edsun Equipments LLC, a purported New Jersey-based aviation parts trading company run out of her Morristown residence – is allegedly part of a sophisticated procurement network that has secretly acquired large quantities of license-controlled aircraft components from U.S. manufacturers and vendors, and exported those parts to Iran through freight-forwarding companies located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, in violation of U.S. export control laws.
From May 2015 through October 2017, Eliabachus and her conspirators facilitated at least 49 shipments containing a total of approximately 23,554 license-controlled aircraft parts from the U.S. to Iran, all of which were exported without the required licenses.
Eliabachus conspired with the owner of an Iranian-based procurement firm, identified in the complaint as “CC-1,” whose international network helped initiate the purchase of U.S.-origin aircraft components on behalf of CC-1’s clients in Iran. The network’s client list was comprised of Iranian airline companies, several of which have been officially designated by the U.S. government as posing a threat to the country’s national security, foreign policy, or economic interests, including Mahan Air Co., Caspian Airlines, and Kish Air, among others.
Using Edsun Equipment in New Jersey, Eliabachus finalized the purchase and acquisition of the requested components from the various U.S.-based distributors. She then re-packaged and shipped the components to shipping companies in the UAE and Turkey, including Parthia Cargo and Reibel Tasimacilik Ve Tic A.S., where her Iranian conspirators directed trans-shipment of the components to locations in Iran.
In order to obscure the extent of the network’s procurement activities, Eliabachus routinely falsified the true destination and end-user of the aircraft components she acquired. She also falsified the true value of the components being exported in order to evade the necessity of filing export control forms, which further obscured the network’s illegal activities from law enforcement.
The funds for the illicit transactions were obtained from the various Iranian purchasers, funneled through Turkish bank accounts held in the names of various shell companies controlled by the Iranian conspirators, and ultimately transferred into one of Edsun Equipments’ U.S.-based accounts. The network’s creation and use of multiple bank accounts and shell companies abroad was intended to conceal the true sources of funds in Iran, as well as the identities of the various Iranian entities who were receiving U.S. aircraft components.
“Eliabachus and others allegedly ran an international smuggling ring that shipped $2 million in aircraft parts to multiple Iranian airlines, including an airline that has provided financial, material, and technological support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “This arrest, which was made possible by a close collaboration between our office and its partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the Office of Export Enforcement, has snuffed out another source of funds and goods to overseas entities that may endanger our national and economic security.”
“Today’s action is the result of outstanding collaborative efforts by the Office of Export Enforcement, the Justice Department, and Homeland Security Investigations,” Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Office of Export Enforcement said. “This arrest will cut-off a key supplier to a proliferation network which illegally sold U.S. origin items to Iran. Violations such as these jeopardize national security and undermine U.S. foreign policy. We will continue to vigorously pursue violators wherever they may be.”
“HSI is committed to leveraging its broad jurisdiction to prevent the illegal exportation of controlled items,” said Brian Michael, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Newark. “This investigation is a culmination of an extensive joint law enforcement effort to dismantle a criminal enterprise. HSI will continue to pursue complex criminal investigations while using our unique statutory authorities to prevent smuggling operations like this that threaten national security.”
The charge of conspiracy to violate the ITSR carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The charge of conspiracy to smuggle goods carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carson in New York, with the investigation. He also thanked officers of the Morristown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Demnitz, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis C. Carletta of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit and Sarah Devlin of the office’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.
Defense counsel: John Yauch Esq., Federal Public Defender, Newark
Mississippi felon pleads guilty to possessing rifle in car after Delhi, La traffic stopRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Mississippi resident pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal possession of a rifle and ammunition after being stopped for speeding in Dehli.
Terrance Deon Jordan, 35, of Terry, Mississippi, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurce Hicks Jr. to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, a Louisiana State Police trooper pulled over Jordan’s vehicle on June 2, 2017 in Dehli, Louisiana, for speeding 104 miles per hour in a 70-mile-an-hour zone. The trooper saw a rifle with a shortened stock in the driver’s seat next to Jordan’s right leg when he approached the vehicle. The firearm was later identified as a Norinco rifle: SKS; caliber: .223; and the trooper also found ammunition. Jordan is a felon who was convicted in Mississippi on multiple charges.
Jordan faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and forfeiture of the seized weapons. The court set sentencing for August 29, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Milford Man Sentenced to 7½ Years for Stealing and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Travis J. Stinson, 40, of Milford, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 7½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for stealing firearms from a licensed firearms dealer and for being a felon in possession of firearms. He was also ordered to pay $3,657 in restitution. Stinson pleaded guilty on July 21, 2017.
Court records reveal that on October 12, 2016, Stinson enlisted the aid of an accomplice to steal guns from a Bangor pawn shop in exchange for heroin. Stinson drove his accomplice to the vicinity of the pawn shop. His accomplice broke a window at the pawn shop, took 16 handguns --15 of which were semi-automatic pistols -- and absconded. Stinson drove the getaway car. Stinson was prohibited from possessing firearms because of felony theft convictions in Kentucky.
The investigation was conducted by the Bangor Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Miami-Dade County Resident Sentenced to 65 Months in Prison for Structuring and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division; Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division; Juan J. Perez, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD); and Michael J. DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced that resident Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez was sentenced today to 65 months in prison and has agreed to forfeit over $18 million, following his money laundering conviction.
On February 7, 2018, Hernandez-Gonzalez, 45, of Miami Lakes, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title l8, United States Code, Section 1956(h), and one count of causing and attempting to cause a financial institution to fail to file a currency transaction reports as part of a pattern of criminal activity involving more than $100,000 in a twelve-month period, in violation Title 31, United States Code, Section 5324(a)(1) and(d)(2. Hernandez-Gonzalez was sentenced to 65 months, forfeiture of $18,000,000.00 in seized U.S. currency and $42,051.00 in seized blank money orders, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert N. Scola.
“Those who seek to deceptively circumvent established financial reporting requirements will be called to pay for their misdeeds, by forfeiting the monies acquired through their illicit conduct,” stated U.S. Attorney Benjamin Greenberg. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state and local partners will continue to target for prosecution those who launder money, including narcotics trafficking proceeds, through our banking systems and the U.S. Postal Service.”
"The primary mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the protection of our employees, our customers, and, thus, our communities to ensure that the Postal Service is not used to avoid federal reporting requirements or launder drug trafficking proceeds,” said Miami Division Inspector in Charge Antonio J. Gomez. "This case is an excellent example of the partnerships we have established across federal and state jurisdictions to help us fulfill that mission."
“The sentencing of Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez puts a final end to his money laundering operation,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Adophus P. Wright. “This case is a result of the strong partnership and working relationship with our law enforcement partners.”
“Structuring financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements is a criminal violation of federal law under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Today's sentencing is a reminder that there are serious consequences for this type of criminal behavior,” stated Michael J. DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to unravel this and other complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their income and deliberately avoid BSA requirements.”
From on or about January 2, 2010, to on or about June 28, 2016, Hernandez-Gonzalez knowingly made deposits or purchased money orders with over $17,700,000 in United States currency in a manner designed to avoid the Department of Treasury Currency Transaction Report (CTR) filing requirement. These deposits and money order purchases were made at banks or United States Postal Service branches and were part of a pattern of criminal activity involving more than $100,000 in a twelve-month period.
From April through June 2016, Hernandez-Gonzalez assisted marijuana traffickers to cultivate their products. During a search warrant in Tennessee, law enforcement discovered approximately 242 marijuana plants. Hernandez-Gonzalez deposited funds that he received from the Tennessee marijuana trafficking activity into business bank accounts he controlled or he purchased USPS money orders with the narcotics proceeds. The deposits and money order purchases were conducted in a manner that was designed to conceal and disguise, in whole or in part, the nature, the location, the source, the ownership and the control of the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, or to knowingly evade the CTR filing requirement on the receipt of the marijuana trafficking funds.
On June 28, 2016, pursuant to an investigation into the defendant’s criminal conduct, law enforcement seized over $21 million from Hernandez-Gonzalez’s residence - the majority of which were contained in orange buckets inside a hidden compartment in the attic and walls. In addition, law enforcement seized over $665,000 in currency and $42,000 in money orders from the defendant's Miami business.
In total, $17,700,000 in currency and more than $42,000 in postal money orders were funds/property involved in, or traceable to the evasion of the CTR reporting requirement. Of that amount, $300,000 was involved in, or traceable to transactions Hernandez-Gonzalez received from the Tennessee marijuana traffickers.
This prosecution is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of USPIS, DEA, MDPD and IRS-CI. Mr. Greenberg thanked the DEA – Nashville District Office for their assistance with this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Abraham. Assistant United States Attorney Evelyn B. Sheehan is handling the forfeiture proceedings.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
AMARILLO, Texas — This afternoon, U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater sentenced Noel Cuellar, 37, of Amarillo, Texas, for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in the Amarillo area, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Cuellar pleaded guilty in January 2018 to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He has been in custody since the time of indictment in November 2017.
According to the plea agreement factual resume, on May 5, 2015, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division agents executed a search warrant on Jammie Lee Moore’s residence located in Amarillo, Texas. DPS agents located approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine and $10,000 in United States Currency in a Chevrolet pickup parked outside Moore’s residence and that agents had previously seen Moore driving.
Through further investigation, law enforcement learned that Cuellar had previously distributed this methamphetamine to Moore. Cuellar admitted to distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine for further distribution in the Amarillo area.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, Drug Administration Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto was in charge of the prosecution.
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Mass. Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling Interstate to Engage in Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Brockton, MA, man pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence, RI, on Tuesday to traveling interstate on multiple occasions to engage in illicit sex with a 15-year-old minor he met on an online forum.
Andy Joseph, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts of traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England Michael S. Shea, and Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Tuesday, Joseph admitted to the Court that in June 2016, after meeting the victim in an online forum, he traveled from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, engaging in illegal sex acts with the victim and causing her to become engaged in commercial sex acts that took place in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Joseph did this by advertising the victim for commercial sexual purposes on the website Backpage.com. These ads, paid for by Joseph, contained a cell phone number to call for the sexual services, as well as actual pictures of the 15 year-old victim. This activity continued until Joseph’s arrest on December 1, 2016.
Joseph, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20, 2018. Traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 30 years in federal prison, 5 years to lifetime years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly. The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Pawtucket Police.
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Manchester Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUQMAN GOTTI, formerly known as Timothy Pennington, 37, of Manchester, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with receiving and soliciting child pornography.
GOTTI appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford. GOTTI has been in state custody since November 13, 2017, when he was arrested on related state charges.
According to the criminal complaint, on June 14, 2017, GOTTI and a 13-year-old boy were communicating through the Kik messaging application after GOTTI responded to an ad the boy had posted on Craigslist. After the boy informed GOTTI that he was 14 years old, GOTTI asked the boy for pictures and sent the boy a sexually explicit image. In return, the boy sent sexually explicit pictures himself to GOTTI. Later in the conversation, GOTTI told the boy “I already went to jail over a 14 year old not trying to go through that again.” GOTTI then asked the boy for more sexually explicit pictures. In response, the boy sent GOTTI another sexually explicit photograph and video of himself.
The complaint further alleges that GOTTI has a prior felony conviction under the name Timothy Pennington in the state of Connecticut for second degree sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. According to the complaint, GOTTI legally changed his name from Timothy Pennington.
If convicted, GOTTI faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on GOTTI’s criminal history.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Long Island Pediatrics Practice Agrees to Pay $750,000 to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Improper Billing PracticesRead the Press Release
Long Island-based pediatrics practice Freed, Kleinberg, Nussbaum, Festa & Kronberg M.D., LLP, doing business as Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (the “Practice”), as well as current and former partner physicians of the Practice, including Arnold W. Scherz, M.D., Mitchell Kleinberg, M.D., Michael Nussbaum, M.D., Robert Festa, M.D., and Jason Kronberg, D.O. (“Partners”), have agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that they billed the Medicaid Program for services provided by physicians who were not enrolled in the program. The settlement, which resolved government claims under the federal False Claims Act and the New York State False Claims Act, was approved by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the settlement.
“Providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries must be properly credentialed and thoroughly vetted to ensure that proper care is provided and to preserve the integrity of the Medicaid Program, which serves our neediest citizens,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Today’s settlement reflects this Office’s commitment to safeguarding taxpayer programs like Medicaid by vigorously investigating allegations of fraud in False Claims Act cases.”
Mr. Donoghue thanked the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the New York State Attorney General for its assistance in the investigation.
The government’s investigation revealed that, from July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2010, the Practice and Partners employed a number of physicians who were not enrolled in the Medicaid Program who provided care to Medicaid patients. Because the physicians were not enrolled in the program, the Practice and Partners could not seek reimbursement from Medicaid for the services provided by these physicians. The defendants nonetheless did so by submitting requests for payment under the Partners’ Medicaid provider identification numbers, thereby misrepresenting the identities of the individuals who were actually providing treatment to the Practice’s pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries. This improper billing practice occurred at many of the Practice’s Long Island locations, including facilities in Holbrook, Port Jefferson, Shirley and Wading River.
The allegations were brought to the government’s attention through the filing of a complaint pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery.
The government’s case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jolie Apicella of the Office’s Civil Division.
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CV-3943 (JS)
Lincoln County Man Sentenced to over 4½ Years on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Michael Burns, 34, of Dresden, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 55 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon. Burns pleaded guilty to the charge on November 2, 2017.
According to court records and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, in 2016, Burns borrowed a .22 caliber rifle from a neighbor. He kept the rifle in his home. On August 28, 2016, during an argument, Burns attempted to strangle his live-in girlfriend while her minor child watched. Burns then grabbed and loaded the rifle and threatened to “blow his [own] head off” in front of his girlfriend and her child.
Burns was prohibited from possession the firearm because he had prior Maine felony convictions for illegally possessing firearms, theft, and aggravated assault. At the time of the offense, Burns was on probation for a domestic violence related aggravated assault on another former girlfriend.
The investigation was conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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 a 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.
Lexington County Hells Angel Sentenced to the Statutory Maximum of 10 years in prison for Murder for Hire of PlotRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jerry Oliver, age 52, of Lexington County, South Carolina, who plead guilty in January of this year to Murder for Hire was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Oliver to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison.
Evidence against Oliver established that the defendant was a member of the Hells Angels and it was through this membership that the defendant met a person who was a FBI informant. The informant was working as a driver at the defendant’s place of work. The informant was charged with DUI and worried that he would lose his job as a driver, so the informant approached Oliver for help. Oliver recommended an attorney who Oliver knew and Oliver offered to cover the cost of the attorney if the informant would kill Oliver’s ex-wife. Oliver was involved in a contested family court proceeding where a hearing was scheduled regarding Oliver’s failure to comply with the divorce decree with his ex-wife. Oliver stated that the murder needed to occur before Oliver’s next family court appearance. The informant contacted the FBI who provided recording materials to the informant to record the interactions with Oliver. Numerous recordings of in-person and over the phone discussions of killing the ex-wife were captured. The informant told Oliver numerous times that he was a felon and the two discussed how to make the killing look like a robbery gone bad.
On September 29, the informant again told Oliver that he was a felon and needed help getting a firearm to do the murder. Oliver stated he would put a Glock in a truck on Oliver's property. The informant contacted Oliver who confirmed the weapon was in place for the informant to retrieve. The informant recorded his retrieval of a loaded Glock. The informant and Oliver discussed locating pictures of the ex-wife on Facebook, a recording of Oliver accessing the ex-wife's Facebook was captured – when Oliver told the informant to monitor the ex-wife’s location using Facebook.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.
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Leader of Bronx Gang “18 Park” Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Participation in Gang-Related MurdersRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that one of the leaders of the violent Bronx gang known as “18 Park,” MARQUIS WRIGHT was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to 35 years in prison for firearms offenses in connection with two murders that he helped to commit on behalf of the gang. WRIGHT, 30, had previously pled guilty to two counts of possessing and using firearms in connection with his role in the September 28, 2008, murder of Brandon Howard, 18, and the May 29, 2011, murder of Johnny Moore, 16. WRIGHT’s co-defendant, Jonathan Rodriguez, who also participated in the murder of Brandon Howard, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2018.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “The tragic and senseless murders of Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore reflect the dangers of gang- and drug-related violence in our city. While nothing can bring back Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore, Marquis Wright’s sentence means he will spend decades in prison and not pose a threat to others in the Bronx. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their tremendous work on this important investigation.”
According to the allegations in court documents, including the Information and a previously filed criminal complaint, and statements made during court proceedings:
From 2006 to 2016, the 18 Park gang operated primarily in and around the Patterson Houses, a New York City public housing development in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx. Members of 18 Park sold crack cocaine and marijuana on a near-daily basis, turning the area in and around the Patterson Houses into an open-air drug market. 18 Park members used firearms and violence to assert the gang’s control over the area. WRIGHT served as one of the leaders of 18 Park, and played an integral role in running the gang’s drug trade.
On September 28, 2008, WRIGHT accompanied Rodriguez to a house party at 315 East 143rd Street in order to confront 18-year-old Brandon Howard, whom WRIGHT and Rodriguez regarded as a rival. Rodriguez brought a gun to the party. Upon arriving at the party, WRIGHT served as a lookout for Rodriguez as Rodriguez confronted Howard in the hallway immediately outside the party and shot Howard to death.
On May 29, 2011, WRIGHT drove another 18 Park member, Wali Burgos, to the vicinity of 2625 Third Avenue so that Burgos could shoot and kill a member of a rival gang. Burgos did not shoot a rival gang member, but instead fired his gun into a crowd and killed 16-year-old Johnny Moore. After the shooting, WRIGHT drove Burgos away from the scene of the crime. Burgos previously pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Johnny Moore. On January 13, 2017, Burgos was sentenced to 262 months in prison.
Mr. Berman thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York City Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Nicholas, Jordan Estes, Dina McLeod, and Samson Enzer are in charge of the prosecution.
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Defendant faces up to 30 years in federal prison and up to life on federal supervised release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man pled guilty today to a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Robert Daniel Mullins, 37, of South Charleston, entered his guilty plea to production of child pornography. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the West Virginia State Police, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Toronto Police Service.
“Unconscionable,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Pedophiles like Mullins belong in prison and away from our children.”
Mullins admitted that between August 5, 2017, and February 18, 2018, he took several sexually explicit photographs of a toddler, at least one of which depicted sexual contact between Mullins and the minor. Mullins further admitted that he distributed at least two of the sexually explicit images of the toddler to others via the messaging service Kik. In addition to producing and distributing these images of child pornography, Mullins also admitted to using the Kik messaging service to exchange child pornography with users in Canada and Australia, and he further admitted that he had offered to take sexually explicit photographs of minors to send to the individual in Australia.
Mullins faces at least 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 11, 2018. Upon his release from prison, he will be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Kalamazoo Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Adam Robert Hassell, 26, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced. In addition, U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney imposed a twenty-year term of supervised release that will commence once Hassell is released from prison. Hassell will also have to pay $5,100 in special assessments and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Hassell pleaded guilty in January 2018 to sexual exploitation of a child, i.e., production of child pornography. Hassell came to law enforcement attention in January 2017 when investigators discovered that someone at Hassell’s IP address was sharing child pornography via peer-to-peer file sharing software. In April 2017, investigators executed a search warrant at his residence and discovered thumbnail images of a nude eight-month-old infant on the SD card of Hassell’s cellphone. Hassell admitted taking, but then deleting, the images. The investigation revealed that he actually produced images involving lascivious displays of the infant and possessed sadistic images of the exploitation of other minors. Hassell ultimately admitted having a sexual interest in children and seeking child pornography online as a way to manage his urges.
At sentencing, the mother of the infant expressed the emotional and psychological toll the case had taken on her, and described Hassell’s crime as “an act of evil and an act of terror to all mothers.” In sentencing Hassell, Judge Maloney noted, “when you exploit children, the crime is serious and it needs to be addressed with a serious sentence.”
“This prosecution represents the commitment of my office to the protection of children and the punishment of child predators,” said U.S. Attorney Birge.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis M. Sanford prosecuted the case.
Justice Department Requires Martin Marietta to Divest Quarries to Preserve Competition in Connection with Its Acquisition of Bluegrass MaterialsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. to divest quarries in Georgia and Maryland in order to proceed with its proposed $1.625 billion acquisition from LG Panadero, L.P. of Panadero Corp. and Panadero Aggregates Holdings, LLC, the entities that own Bluegrass Materials Company, LLC.
The department’s Antitrust Division and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed transaction. At the same time, the department filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the department’s competitive concerns.
“Today’s settlement will ensure that aggregate customers, and ultimately taxpayers, in Georgia and Maryland continue to benefit from vigorous competition for this critical input used in road construction,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Antitrust Division. “The acquisition, as originally proposed, would have left customers in Georgia and Maryland with few competitive choices and given Martin Marietta the ability to increase prices and reduce customer service.”
According to the department’s complaint, Martin Marietta and Bluegrass produce and sell aggregate, an essential input in asphalt and ready mix concrete that is used in road building and other types of construction. The complaint alleges that, for a significant number of customers in and immediately around Forsyth and north Fulton County, Georgia, and in the Washington County, Maryland area, Martin Marietta and Bluegrass are two of only three competitive sources of aggregate qualified by the respective states’ Departments of Transportation. According to the complaint, the loss of competition between Martin Marietta and Bluegrass would likely result in higher prices and poorer customer service for aggregate customers in these areas.
Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Martin Marietta must divest Bluegrass’s Beaver Creek quarry in Hagerstown, Maryland, and all of the quarry’s assets to an acquirer approved by the United States, in consultation with the State of Maryland. Martin Marietta must also divest the lease to its Forsyth quarry in Suwanee, Georgia, and all of the quarry’s assets to Midsouth Paving, Inc., or an alternate acquirer approved by the United States. The department required an upfront buyer for the Forsyth quarry assets because of the unique nature of the lease being divested. Midsouth is a subsidiary of CRH plc and CRH Americas Materials, Inc. (commonly known in the industry as “Oldcastle”).
The settlement includes several provisions designed to improve the effectiveness of the decree and the Division’s future ability to enforce it.
Martin Marietta is a North Carolina corporation with its headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Martin Marietta is a leading supplier of aggregate and heavy building materials in the United States, with operations in 26 states. In 2017, Martin Marietta had net sales of $3.9 billion.
Bluegrass is a Delaware limited liability company with its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Bluegrass operates 17 rock quarries, one sand plant, and two concrete manufacturing plants across Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Bluegrass is owned by Panadero Aggregates Holdings, LLC, an entity majority-owned by Panadero Corp. LG Panadero, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership headquartered in New York, New York, owns Panadero Corp.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with the department’s competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days of its publication to Maribeth Petrizzi, Chief, Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 8700, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the court may enter the final judgment upon a finding that it serves the public interest.
The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. to divest quarries in Georgia and Maryland in order to proceed with its proposed $1.625 billion acquisition from LG Panadero, L.P. of Panadero Corp. and Panadero Aggregates Holdings, LLC, the entities that own Bluegrass Materials Company, LLC.
The department’s Antitrust Division and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed transaction. At the same time, the department filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the department’s competitive concerns.
“Today’s settlement will ensure that aggregate customers, and ultimately taxpayers, in Georgia and Maryland continue to benefit from vigorous competition for this critical input used in road construction,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Antitrust Division. “The acquisition, as originally proposed, would have left customers in Georgia and Maryland with few competitive choices and given Martin Marietta the ability to increase prices and reduce customer service.”
According to the department’s complaint, Martin Marietta and Bluegrass produce and sell aggregate, an essential input in asphalt and ready mix concrete that is used in road building and other types of construction. The complaint alleges that, for a significant number of customers in and immediately around Forsyth and north Fulton County, Georgia, and in the Washington County, Maryland area, Martin Marietta and Bluegrass are two of only three competitive sources of aggregate qualified by the respective states’ Departments of Transportation. According to the complaint, the loss of competition between Martin Marietta and Bluegrass would likely result in higher prices and poorer customer service for aggregate customers in these areas.
Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Martin Marietta must divest Bluegrass’s Beaver Creek quarry in Hagerstown, Maryland, and all of the quarry’s assets to an acquirer approved by the United States, in consultation with the State of Maryland. Martin Marietta must also divest the lease to its Forsyth quarry in Suwanee, Georgia, and all of the quarry’s assets to Midsouth Paving, Inc., or an alternate acquirer approved by the United States. The department required an upfront buyer for the Forsyth quarry assets because of the unique nature of the lease being divested. Midsouth is a subsidiary of CRH plc and CRH Americas Materials, Inc. (commonly known in the industry as “Oldcastle”).
The settlement includes several provisions designed to improve the effectiveness of the decree and the Division’s future ability to enforce it.
Martin Marietta is a North Carolina corporation with its headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Martin Marietta is a leading supplier of aggregate and heavy building materials in the United States, with operations in 26 states. In 2017, Martin Marietta had net sales of $3.9 billion.
Bluegrass is a Delaware limited liability company with its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Bluegrass operates 17 rock quarries, one sand plant, and two concrete manufacturing plants across Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Bluegrass is owned by Panadero Aggregates Holdings, LLC, an entity majority-owned by Panadero Corp. LG Panadero, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership headquartered in New York, New York, owns Panadero Corp.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with the department’s competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days of its publication to Maribeth Petrizzi, Chief, Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 8700, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the court may enter the final judgment upon a finding that it serves the public interest.
Jury Finds California Man Guilty on Two Counts of Drug Trafficking and One Count of Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Rasheen Murdock, age 37, of Modesto, California was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of aiding and abetting in the distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of witness tampering following a three-day jury trial in Hot Springs. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the trial.
According to evidence presented at the trial, in March 2016, law enforcement investigators in Hot Springs, Arkansas received information from a cooperating source (CS) that Murdock was engaged in a methamphetamine drug trafficking operation. After receiving the information, investigators equipped the CS with audio/video surveillance equipment. The CS’s surveillance information revealed communications between Murdock and others involved in the drug trafficking organization, discussing the sale of methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs. The investigation further revealed that Murdock supplied eight ounces of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator during the operation and that he supplied additional amounts of methamphetamine to others involved in the conspiracy that were distributed in the Hot Springs area in March of 2016. After learning of the arrest of one of his co-conspirator’s on March 14, 2016, Murdock left the Hot Springs area and returned to California, where he was ultimately arrested. In November of 2017, while awaiting trial, Murdock was housed in the same cell as one of his co-conspirators. Murdock forced the co-conspirator to write a letter to the Court and the AUSA prosecuting his case stating that Murdock was innocent of all charges. The co-conspirator advised the Court and Jury that he felt that if he did not do what Murdock asked, there would be conflict, and that the letter Murdock had him write contained all lies.
Murdock was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury. The Second Superseding Indictment was returned by the Federal Grand Jury on March 6, 2018. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The penalty for the count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine is not more than 20 years of imprisonment, not more than $1,000,000 fine, or both. The penalty for the count of aiding and abetting in the distribution of methamphetamine is a mandatory minimum of 20 years, and not more than life imprisonment; not more than a $20,000,000 fine, or both; a term of supervised release for not less than 10 years and up to life. The penalty for count three, Witness Tampering, is not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than $250,000 fine, or both. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court during a hearing to be held on a later date.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the local drug enforcement task force in Garland County, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys David Harris and Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
Jury Convicts Chinese Citizen of Transporting AliensRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury today voted to convict Zhi “David” Zeng, age 33, of Brooklyn, New York, of transporting aliens in the United States for the purpose of financial gain, following a 3-day trial.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector; and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The evidence at trial showed that Zeng, a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is a citizen of China, picked up and transported two illegal aliens (Chinese citizens) from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Hogansburg, New York, on August 8, 2016. Zeng was to receive a cash payment for transporting the illegal aliens. Border Patrol Agents arrested him on August 8, 2016 in Fort Covington, New York. The investigation demonstrated that Zeng had made a prior smuggling trip in July 2016, during which he transported two individuals from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation to New York City.
Zeng faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on August 14, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and HSI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
Jacksonville Man Indicted for Distribution of Heroin that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
Raleigh – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that RANDON AUSTIN JENKINS, A/K/A “JERZ,” was indicted yesterday on additional charges, including distribution of a quantity of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury and death.
JENKINS was named in a Superseding Indictment filed on April 24, 2018, charging him with eleven counts of narcotics and firearms offenses, including: distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack; possession of a firearm by a felon; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the charge alleging distribution resulting in serious bodily injury and death, he would face a minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, up to a $2,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
Mr. Higdon commented: “The United States Justice Department and the United States Attorneys’s Office are aggressively pursuing distributors of heroin and fentanyl. These drugs pose a serious danger to the people of Eastern North Carolina and we intend to remove that danger as part of our effort to “Take Back North Carolina” from the drug traffickers and violent criminals.”
The charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigation of this case is being conducted by the Jacksonville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Laura S. Howard is representing the government.
Inmate and Conspirator Convicted of Using Contraband Cellphone to Deal Drugs and Obtain a Mail Bomb from the Dark WebRead the Press Release
Columbia, SC - A federal jury convicted Michael Young Jr. and Vance Volious Jr. of dealing drugs and plotting to kill Young’s ex-wife with a mail bomb they bought with bitcoin from the Dark Web’s Alpha Bay Market. United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Young, 32, and Volious, 36, both of Columbia S.C., were convicted of conspiracy, transport of an explosive with the intent to kill, mailing a non-mailable explosive with the intent to kill, and carrying an explosive during the commission of another felony. Judge J. Michelle Childs presided over the trial and will impose sentence after a presentence report is prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that while incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Young obtained a contraband cellphone smuggled into the Broad River Correctional Institution. Young used that contraband cellphone to run a drug business distributing marijuana he obtained from a California supplier and from purchases on the Dark Web. Drugs purchased by Young would be shipped to a conspirator’s residence before being picked up by Volious for re-distribution.
While this drug conspiracy among Young, Volious, and others was operating, the conspirators also plotted to kill Young’s ex-wife. This was not the first time that Young had tried to kill her, as he was serving a fifty-year sentence after having been convicted of attempting to kill her and of murdering her father in an incident in 2007. Young turned back to the Dark Web on his contraband cellphone looking to purchase a mail bomb. Young used Bitcoin to pay for the mail bomb to be sent to a conspirator’s residence in Irmo. He also had re-shipment labels addressed to his ex-wife to be sent to Volious’ house in Columbia. Co-conspirator Tyrell Fears – who previously pleaded guilty – obtained the labels from Volious, armed the mail bomb, and delivered the inert explosives package to the Post Office in Irmo on June 6, 2017. After a United States Postal Inspector recovered the mail bomb, search warrants and interviews the next morning led to the federal arrest and indictment of Young, Volious, and Fears.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake thanked the law enforcement team that worked the case, “This was a particularly challenging operation, and we got a great result because of great policing. The case certainly brings to bare the very real and dangerous problem that is contraband cell phones in our prisons.”
South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling lauded the collaborative effort between local, state, and federal law enforcement in this matter and emphasized the escalating threat that contraband cell phones in prisons pose to citizens across South Carolina. “I would to thank our local, state, and federal partners for working alongside SCDC’s Division of Police Services in this investigation to convictions in this case. These convictions underscore what I have been saying for years—contraband cell phones in the hands of prisoners pose a significant threat to not only other prisoners and corrections staff but to the general public as well.”
“This conviction was made possible by the coordinated efforts and exceptional work of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, all our law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office,” said Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Columbia Division. “Our ability to stop a horrific crime from being committed and dismantle a drug trafficking enterprise speaks to the past and present commitment of the FBI and our partners to come together and devote significant resources for the protection of our communities.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Terrorism Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, South Carolina Department of Corrections’ Division of Police Services, State Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Information and Intelligence Center, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington Country Sheriff’s Department, Irmo Police Department, USC Division of Law Enforcement and Safety, and Columbia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Will Lewis and Jay Richardson with assistance from Dan Goldberg of the Fifth Circuit’s Solicitor’s Office.# # #
Illinois Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A DeKalb, Illinois, man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in an international drug trafficking organization, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Henry Zamora, 38, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to the first count of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From June 2014 through December 2014, Zamora engaged in a conspiracy with members of a drug trafficking organization, with cells operating in New Jersey, to transport and distribute bulk quantities of heroin. On Nov. 21, 2014, Zamora was arrested while transporting four kilograms of heroin contained in a hidden compartment in his vehicle. Following the arrest, officers recovered an additional two kilograms of heroin from his home.
In December 2014, co-defendants Dany Francisco-Valerio, 44, and Vionel Rondon-Cortorreal, 29, both of Bronx, New York, conspired with members of the drug trafficking organization to transport and distribute kilogram quantities of heroin. On Dec. 24, 2014, Francisco-Valerio and Rondon-Cortorreal were arrested in Warren County, New Jersey, while transporting 15 kilograms contained in a hidden compartment in a vehicle they were operating. Francisco-Valerio and Rondon-Cortorreal both pleaded guilty before Judge Sheridan to informations charging them with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Francisco-Valerio has been sentenced to 51 months in prison by Judge Sheridan while Rondon-Cortorreal is awaiting sentencing.
Two other members of the conspiracy, Harry Madrid, 26, of Anaheim, California, and his brother, Wilson Madrid, 32, of Norcross, Georgia, previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in conspiring to launder drug proceeds on behalf of the organization. Harry Madrid has been sentenced to 46 months in prison and Wilson Madrid has been sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Sheridan.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Zamora to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito praised special agents of the DEA, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, officers from the N.J. State Police under the direction of Acting Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and officers from the DeKalb (Illinois) Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gene Lowrey, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office OC/Gangs Unit in Newark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamari Buxton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Andrea Bergman Esq., Trenton
Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Bernice, LaRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Mexican national was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a rifle.
Gerardo C. Rodriguez, 53, of Samluispotosi, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. On December 11, 2016 around midnight, Union Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbing-the-peace call at an apartment complex in Bernice, Louisiana. Deputies found Rodriguez intoxicated and passed out in his car with the keys in the ignition. They arrested Rodriguez and towed his vehicle. While in the back of the deputies’ car, Rodriguez tried to kick out the windows and also tried to kick the deputies multiple times when they opened the doors to get him out. At the detention center, deputies noticed a gunshot wound to his thigh and sent him to the hospital for treatment. The next day, Rodriguez told deputies he shot himself accidentally with a .22 caliber pistol while drunk. He also told deputies he owned a rifle seized from his vehicle the day before. Rodriguez admitted to re-entering the United States illegally and possessing the rifle as a convicted felon. Rodriguez was previously convicted of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in 2004, after which Rodriguez was removed to Mexico.
Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and Union Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Howard Man Ordered to Pay $13,662.57 for Killing and Trapping Migratory BirdsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy sentenced a Howard, South Dakota, man convicted of taking, killing, and possessing migratory birds on April 23, 2018.
Armand Joseph Dornbusch, age 63, was sentenced to pay $13,662.57 restitution and $10 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Dornbusch was indicted for taking, killing, and possessing migratory birds by a federal grand jury on January 9, 2018. He pled guilty on March 21, 2018.
On August 12, 2017, the Miner County Sheriff’s Office received a report about metal traps on wooden fence posts. Officers found 21 steel-jawed leg-hold traps containing 4 birds still alive and 8 dead birds, including four hawks and one great-horned owl. Three of the live birds were raptors and underwent surgery at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls to amputate severely damaged digits on their feet. The treatment was successful and they were eventually released back into the wild. As part of his sentence, Dornbusch lost his hunting privileges for 3 years and forfeited all of the traps.
This case was investigated by the Miner County Sheriff’s Department, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper prosecuted the case.
Gustavo Falcon Sentenced to 135 Months for Narcotics ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gustavo Falcon, a member of the Falcon-Magluta criminal organization, was sentenced by United States District Judge Federico A. Moreno today to 135 months in prison for his participation in a narcotics conspiracy.
Randy A. Hummel, First Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Amos Rojas, Jr., United States Marshal, United States Marshals Service (USMS), made the announcement.
On February 1, 2018, Falcon pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, an offense punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Prior to his arrest in April 2017, Falcon was a fugitive for approximately 26 years.
Falcon’s conviction arises out of his participation in the cocaine trafficking organization headed by his older brother, Augusto Guillermo Falcon, a/k/a “Willie,” and Salvador Magluta. From the early 1980s through mid-October 1991, the Falcon-Magluta organization was an extraordinarily prolific cocaine trafficking organization based in the Southern District of Florida and elsewhere. As an illustration of the scope of the organization’s activities, cocaine ledgers seized from a residence controlled by Magluta that covered the period of January 1, 1990, through October 15, 1991, recorded the distribution of 8,921 kilograms of cocaine for a total price of $142,509,800.
In the mid-1980s, the Falcon-Magluta organization established a base in Southern California. From that base, the organization distributed cocaine in the Southern California area and moved large tractor-trailer loads of cocaine from California to various destinations in the United States, including the Southern District of Florida. On almost a daily basis, the organization’s local distribution operations in Southern California received between $50,000 and $200,000 in cash drug proceeds.
Falcon’s wife’s brother was a Falcon-Magluta organization cocaine trafficker. In 1986, the defendant’s brother-in-law told the defendant that he had a client in California that he needed to supply with cocaine. The defendant gave his brother-in-law the names of two organization members working in the Los Angeles area and told his brother-in-law that one of them would be able to supply any cocaine he needed.
After his arrest in Los Angeles in mid-December 1986, the defendant’s brother-in-law returned to South Florida. In late 1987, Falcon asked his brother-in-law to receive large shipments of cocaine transported from California and introduced him to the organization member responsible for delivering the cocaine to a farm in west Miami-Dade County. The tractor-trailers arrived every one to two months and generally contained 1,000 kilograms of cocaine per load. After the loads were delivered to the farm, the defendant’s brother-in-law then would transport the cocaine to stash houses in the South Florida area.
In late 1989, Falcon contacted a separate organization member and offered him $10,000 per month to stash large quantities of cocaine in his house. After this organization member accepted the defendant’s offer, he received and stored organization cocaine through 1991. A search of that organization member’s house in early January 1992 yielded 3.093 kilograms of cocaine from his attic.
On April 10, 1991, a federal grand jury returned a cocaine trafficking indictment in this case that charged ten Falcon-Magluta organization members. Those charged included Falcon, Willie Falcon, Salvador Magluta, and the defendant’s brother-in-law. After the indictment was unsealed on May 20, 1991, Falcon and others learned of the charges against them. In mid-September 1991, Falcon obtained a false Florida driver’s license in the name of “Luis Andre Reiss.”
In April 2017, the USMS located the defendant in the area of Kissimmee, Florida, where he had been living for a number of years under the “Luis Reiss” alias identity he had established in September 1991. Deputy Marshals captured the defendant on April 12, 2017.
Mr. Hummel commended the investigative efforts of the DEA and USMS and thanked the Miami-Dade Police Department for their assistance with this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Clark.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Four fraudsters sentenced for filing bogus tax returnsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Sean Demetrius West and Curry Anthony Love, Jr. were sentenced for their roles in a scheme to claim fraudulent tax refunds using bogus Form 1099s. Darrel Asquith Palmes and Emory Leon Harris, Jr. were previously sentenced for their roles in the scheme.
“This case is a reminder that the government will identify and prosecute individuals who file fraudulent tax returns,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “When caught, you are facing a felony conviction, prison, and a judgment for the amount stolen from the Treasury.”
“IRS Criminal Investigation works vigorously to stop the issuance of these fraudulent tax refunds based on bogus Forms 1099. The criminals are inventing new ways to circumvent the system and the sentencings handed down in this investigation show the stiff penalties for doing so,” said Thomas J. Holloman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: West and Love, along with Harris, the organizer of the scheme, recruited taxpayers to file tax returns using bogus Form 1099s claiming a total of $2,688,591 in fraudulent refunds. Harris and West introduced Palmes, a tax preparer, to the recruited taxpayers. Harris and West provided Palmes with fake 1099s and other documents and Palmes in turn prepared the fraudulent returns. These forms listed fictitious employers for the taxpayers and claimed hundreds of thousands in withholdings already paid to such employers. The fictitious withholdings resulted in claimed refunds ranging from $134,990 to $1,000,000 for each taxpayer involved. Love, who filed his own fraudulent tax return, was the only taxpayer whose return was processed for a refund. The IRS identified and rejected six other fraudulent returns.
●Sean Demetrius West, 44, of Conyers, Georgia was sentenced to 18 months of home confinement and ordered to pay $435,990 in restitution. West pleaded guilty to interference with the administration of IRS laws on July 27, 2016.
●Curry Anthony Love, Jr., 51, of Lithonia, Georgia was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $435,990 in restitution. Love pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a federal income tax return on November 2, 2017.
●Darrell Asquith Palmes, 71, of Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $435,990 in restitution on March 1, 2018. Palmes pleaded guilty to interference with the administration of IRS laws on July 24, 2017.
●Emory Leon Harris, Jr., 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $435,990 in restitution on October 24, 2016. Harris pleaded guilty to interference with the administration of IRS laws on July, 26, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Michael Pearce prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Four More Defendants Sentenced for $1 Million Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Four more defendants have been sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of methamphetamine in southern Missouri and in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
Travis Lee Bethel, 46, of Urbana, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays today to nine years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Bethel to pay the government a money judgment of $1,060,070.
Jake Ian Nixon, 20, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole ordered to pay the government a money judgment of $181,000. Two co-defendants, Tara L. Harken, 45, of Marion, Ill., and Kara Rene Baze, 25, of Springfield, were each sentenced on the same day to five years of probation and each ordered to pay the government a money judgment of $302,000.
On Aug. 11, 2017, Bethel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2014, to Nov. 17, 2016, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Co-defendant Kenneth Bryant Lake, 57, of Strafford, Mo., was the original head of the drug-trafficking organization, coordinating vehicle transport shipments of methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel source in Texas to Springfield. Conspirators in Springfield divided the methamphetamine for distribution to the Lebanon, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., areas. Lake has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Co-defendant Michael Ryan Nevatt, 28, of Springfield, subsequently became the head of the organization. Nevatt was convicted at trial on April 6, 2018, of all seven counts contained in a Nov. 17, 2016, federal indictment. Nevatt and other conspirators made regular trips, and sometimes travelled several times a week, to pick up multiple-pound supplies of methamphetamine. For example, Nevatt traveled to Texas regularly to pick up 10 pounds of methamphetamine and bring it back to Springfield. Nevatt would later return to Texas with approximately $100,000 in cash to pay for it. On one occasion, Nevatt met sources in Dallas, Texas, to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Mexican sources also delivered multiple-pound shipments of methamphetamine by truck or car to Springfield.
Bethel assisted Nevatt with distributing more than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine for Nevatt’s organization and with collecting drug proceeds for methamphetamine delivered. Bethel also provided Nevatt and others with salvage title vehicles. These vehicles were traded for methamphetamine and/or paid for with drug proceeds. Bethel also assisted Nevatt with repairs for vehicles, again paid for with methamphetamine or drug proceeds.
Nixon was arrested by Springfield police officers on July 15, 2015, for possession of approximately three ounces of methamphetamine and a .32-caliber handgun. Nixon had been purchasing quarter pound quantities of methamphetamine in Springfield every other day for $3,400. Nixon was arrested on three more occasions in 2016; at the time of each of those arrests, Nixon was in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. He was arrested again on June 9, 2016, for possession of methamphetamine.
Nixon pleaded guilty on Aug. 8, 2017, to the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies and to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes.
Harken, who is Nevatt’s mother, and Baze, who is the mother of one of Nevatt’s children, both pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines in aid of a racketeering enterprise. Harken and Baze admitted that they facilitated the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies. Harken moved and stored property purchased with drug proceeds or used in Nevatt’s money-laundering and drug-tracking conspiracy, stored drug proceeds, and rented a storage unit used in the conspiracy. Baze stored drug proceeds and rented facilities, rooms and cars used in the conspiracy.
On Aug. 28, 2015, Baze and Lake were arrested during a search at a hotel room in Springfield. Officers recovered $102,787, a loaded handgun and a small amount of methamphetamine. Nevatt and co-defendant Jarub Ray Baird, 27, of Carthage, arrived in a black Corvette and after a brief chase were apprehended.
Bethel, Nixon, Harken and Baze are among 15 defendants who have been convicted in this case. Baird was sentenced on April 18, 2018, to 11 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Scott Bryan Sands, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on April 12, 2018, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Aaron Randall Stull, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on Feb. 8, 2018, to eight years in federal prison without parole.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Central Oklahoma Metro Interdiction Team.
Former Vermeer Employee, and Others, Charged with FraudRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On April 24, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Scott Randell Whitehead, age 54, and others with defrauding Vermeer Corporation of Pella, Iowa, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. According to the indictment, Whitehead was Vermeer’s maintenance manager. Whitehead is alleged to have approved $3.6 million in invoices for products from two chemical companies, which were never received by Vermeer. Whitehead is also alleged to have received kickbacks from the two chemical companies. The two chemical companies are All Industrial Chemical of Hallendale Beach, Florida, and National Chemical Company of Davie, Florida. Whitehead is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Also charged are Natalia A. Sheps, age 38; Boris Vaysman, age 63; and Ana Hallon Gallego, age 57. Sheps and Vaysman are alleged to control All Industrial Chemical, which is alleged to have received more than $3.1 million from Vermeer; they are charged with conspiracy and money laundering offenses, based on checks written from Sheps and Vaysman. Gallego is alleged to control National Chemical Company, which is alleged to have received more than $500,000 from Vermeer; she is charged with conspiracy and money laundering, based on the transfer of funds between National Chemical Company’s bank accounts.
All four defendants are scheduled to appear in United States District Court in Des Moines on May 15, 2018. At that time, a trial date and other deadlines will be scheduled. The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Des Moines Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Former U.S. Postal Service Employee Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former postal employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for embezzling over $22,000 from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Dennis Reis, 37, of Taunton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $22,773. In January 2018, Reis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records.
Reis started working for the USPS in approximately 2000, and in 2014, became the Lead Sales & Service Associate at the East Taunton Post Office. In that capacity, Reis sold stamps to customers and maintained accountability for the funds and stamp stock. From January 2015 to March 2017, Reis engaged in a scheme to embezzle funds by voiding cash transaction sales of stamps so that the system did not account for the cash paid by customers. Reis then entered a “no sale” transaction into the system, causing the cash drawer to open and taking the cash paid by customers for his own use. Through this scheme, Reis embezzled at least $22,773 from the USPS.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Tulsan Sentenced for $2,000,000 Wire Fraud Scheme and $500,000 Tax Evasion CaseRead the Press Release
Chief District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Shawn Christopher Gorrell, 39, formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and now of Belgrade, Montana, to 64 months in prison on each of the 3 counts of wire fraud a jury found Gorrell committed and 60 months in prison on the 3 tax evasion counts. All prison sentences are to run concurrently with one another. The court also ordered Gorrell to pay $2,006,908 in restitution to victims of his wire fraud scheme and a special monetary assessment totaling $600. After release from prison, Gorrell must serve 3 years under the supervision of the United States Probation Office. As a condition of his supervised release, the court ordered Gorrell pay $509,256 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for the taxes he owes. The court has also entered a criminal money forfeiture judgment against Gorrell for $2,006,908.
After a one-week trial in January 2018, the jury determined that, between 2007 and 2012, Gorrell fraudulently induced victims to entrust him with over $2 million for investing on their behalf in various ventures that Gorrell touted. In fact, Gorrell used the funds to pay personal expenses, to gamble and to day-trade in his personal trading account. In addition to providing the investors with reassuring statements of venture performance, Gorrell used their funds to make Ponzi-type payments back to them, creating the illusion that the ventures were operating according to his representations. Except for those funds that he paid to investors as purported “returns,” Gorrell spent all of the victims’ invested moneys.
In addition, the jury determined that Gorrell evaded the payment of taxes on the funds that he fraudulently obtained from investors. The funds should have been reported for the tax years 2009, 2011 and 2012, but Gorrell willfully avoided doing so and, at sentencing, the court ordered him to pay the taxes owed.
“Fraudulent investment schemes often do serious damage, and the one perpetrated by Shawn Gorrell was especially catastrophic to his victims,” United States Attorney R. Trent Shores stated. “Gorrell, through his fraudulent activity, wiped out victims’ retirement funds and devastated the lives of their families. In addition, Gorrell failed to comply with the duty of all law-abiding citizens – the accurate reporting of income and payment of taxes. He took a free ride with investor funds, and on the backs of those who pay their taxes. I appreciate the sentence imposed today by Chief Judge Frizzell, which emphasizes the serious nature of Shawn Gorrell’s crimes.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Oklahoma Department of Securities and Oklahoma Department of Insurance investigated the matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch, Joseph F. Wilson, and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
Former Procurement Officer at Federally Funded Nuclear Research and Development Facility Sentenced to Prison for Wire Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
A former procurement officer employed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), a nuclear research and development facility of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was sentenced to three years in prison for orchestrating a scheme to obtain approximately $2.3 million in federal funds through fraudulent means and for laundering the fraudulently obtained proceeds through her father’s companies.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
Carla Sena, 56, of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Parker of the District of New Mexico. Judge Parker also ordered Sena to forfeit $643,000, the approximate amount that she laundered through her father’s companies.
Sena pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering in December 2017. According to admissions made in connection with her plea agreement, in late 2010, Sena was tasked with managing the bidding process for the award of a multi-million-dollar contract for moving services at SNL. In anticipation of the bidding process for this contract, she created New Mexico Express Movers LLC (“Movers LLC”), prepared a bid on Movers LLC’s behalf, and submitted the bid to SNL under an acquaintance’s name to conceal her involvement. Sena made several material and fraudulent misrepresentations in Movers LLC’s bid to give the appearance of meeting the mandatory requirements in the bidding process, and she then used her position to ensure that these misrepresentations went undetected. Sena also used her position to access other bidders’ documents and information that she in turn leveraged to ensure award of the contract to Movers LLC.
Sena admitted that as a direct result of her scheme to defraud, Movers LLC received approximately $2.3 million in DOE funds. Of that, Sena transferred via negotiated checks at least $643,000 to legitimate businesses owned by her father with the intent to conceal her subsequent use of the proceeds for personal gain.
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Victor R. Salgado and Rebecca Moses of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
Former Lexington Resident Sentenced to 41 Months for Theft from Pension PlansRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – George S. Hofmeister, 65, formerly of Lexington, was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for pension plan theft and money laundering.
Hofmeister previously admitted that he embezzled money from the Hillsdale Hourly and Salaried Pension Plans. Hofmeister was the Trustee of the Plans at the time. Hofmeister also admitted that Plans’ assets were diverted for the benefit of his companies and his family’s trusts. Hofmeister pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2017.
Under federal law, Hofmeister must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and L. Joe Rivers, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), jointly made the announcement. “Employer sponsored retirement plans serve a vital role in providing a financially secure retirement for American workers,” said Director Rivers. “This case underscores EBSA’s commitment to pursing any individual who would divert these funds for their own enrichment.”
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor’s EBSA and Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Elaine K. Leonhard and former Assistant United States Attorney Robert K. McBride.
Former Detroit Police Officers Sentenced for ExtortionRead the Press Release
Former Detroit Police Department Officers James Robertson and Marty Tutt were sentenced yesterday to 24 months imprisonment (Robertson) and 12 months imprisonment (Tutt) for accepting bribes from automobile collisions shops in exchange for referring stolen and abandoned vehicles recovered in the City of Detroit to the shops, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Timothy Slater, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Patricia Armstrong, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Division and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department. The defendants were actively employed with the Detroit Police Department at the time of the offenses.
James Robertson, age 45, and Marty Tutt, age 30, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland. Robertson previously pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion. Tutt also previously pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion.
According to the facts alleged in the informations and further developed at the plea hearing and in sentencing briefing, Robertson and Tutt each accepted cash payments from owners/operators of Detroit collision shops in exchange for referring abandoned vehicles to the shops for repairs and for writing police reports.
Robertson and Tutt are the second and third defendants to have been sentenced as a result of this investigation. The others awaiting sentencing or a trial are:
• Jamil Martin, 46, pleaded Guilty to an Information charging 1 count of Extortion
• Charles Wills, age 52, pleaded guilty to two counts of Extortion charged in a Superseding Indictment.
• Deonne Dotson, age 45, is awaiting trial.
All of the Officers were charged with engaging in extortion for using their official positions as Police Officers to refer cars to certain collision shops in exchange for cash payments.
“These defendants are an unfortunate exception to the majority of Detroit Police Officers who are courageous, dedicated public servants,” U.S. Attorney Schneider said.
"The misconduct and abuse of authority displayed by these officers is unfortunate, and contrasts with the commitment to the rule of law demonstrated by the vast majority of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department each day", said Timothy R. Slater, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit FBI.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Police Department and the following agencies from the FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force: Michigan State Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, Investigative Operation Division.
The FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force is comprised of personnel from the Detroit Division of the FBI; Michigan State Police; Michigan Department of Attorney General; Detroit Police Department; U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, Investigative Operations Division; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and
Fraud Investigations; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Resnick Cohen and Craig A. Weier.
Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Contraband Smuggling at Jackson County Detention CenterRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center pleaded guilty in federal court today to smuggling contraband cell phones and other items to inmates at the Jackson County Detention Center.
Andre Lamonte Dickerson, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to two counts of using a telephone in furtherance of the unlawful activity of acceding to corruption, related to a public servant taking a bribe in return for violating his legal duty.
By pleading guilty today, Dickerson admitted that he told a confidential informant that he would smuggle two packs of cigarettes, a cell phone and a cell phone charger to an inmate in the detention center for $500. Dickerson met the informant at a Church’s Fried Chicken restaurant on June 2, 2017, where he received the payment and the contraband items.
The next day, June 3, 2017, Dickerson entered the inmate’s cell and put the contraband on the bed. They engaged in a conversation regarding potential future contraband transactions. Dickerson asked if the inmate would be interested in paying him a monthly fee of $2,500. In exchange, Dickerson would ensure he would be the only inmate on the fifth floor to receive contraband cigarettes, narcotics and telephones. Other inmates would then shop through him for their contraband.
The inmate smoked one of the packs of cigarettes and exchanged the second pack of cigarettes with other inmates for food from the commissary. On the same day, detention center personnel searched his cell and found the phone and phone charger.
On June 18, 2017, a corrections officer found Dickerson’s cell phone in the fifth floor control station. Text messages contained information recording drug deals between Dickerson and inmates within the Jackson County Detention Center.
Dickerson was arrested on June 27, 2017. At the time of his arrest, Dickerson had two cell phones in his possession while he was on duty in the inmate area of the detention center. Corrections officers are not allowed to have cell phones in their possession while on duty and in the areas of the detention center where inmates are housed.
In a separate but related case, another former corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center, Jalee Caprice Fuller, 30, of Independence, Mo., has also pleaded guilty. Fuller admitted that she conspired with others – including co-defendant Carlos Laron Hughley, 32, of Kansas City, an inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center – to smuggle contraband to inmates between May 2 and June 26, 2017. Fuller also admitted that she actually smuggled contraband into the Jackson County Detention Center and delivered the contraband to an inmate.
Hughley, as well as co-defendants Marion Lorenzo Byers, also known as “Cuddy,” 36, and Janikkia Lashay Carter, 36, both of Kansas City, have pleaded guilty.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Dickerson will be sentenced to one year and four months in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy U.S. Attorney Gene Porter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the FBI and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Detention Center.
Federal Jury Convicts Twin Brothers for Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft in Gas Pump Skimmer CaseRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found identical twin brothers Noel Graveran-Palacios (37, Tampa) and Yoel Graveran-Palacios (37, Tampa) guilty of conspiracy, credit card fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Each faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy count, 10 years’ imprisonment for each credit card fraud count, and a consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count. The sentencing hearings have been scheduled for July 20, 2018.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Noel and Yoel Graveran-Palacios worked together, and with others, to place skimmers on gas pumps in the Tampa Bay area. Using the account numbers stolen from the skimmers, they made counterfeit credit cards and then used them to purchase merchandise at area retailers, including gas, toys, clothes, and gift cards. The twins then used the gift cards to purchase merchandise at home improvement stores, and later returned the items for cash. Trial evidence included hundreds of recovered stolen account numbers, as well as dozens of store surveillance videos featuring the conspirators using the counterfeit credit cards. While the jurors were deliberating, the brothers fled the area together, but were later re-arrested in Texas, near the Mexican border.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Federal Inmates Sentenced on Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution at Beckley were sentenced for being in possession of weapons. The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
“It’s unfortunate that these inmates chose to continue their criminal behavior once inside prison walls,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “It only guarantees they will have a longer stay.”
Daqone Lance, 23, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, to be served consecutively to the sentence he is now serving. Lance pled guilty in January and admitted that on June 3, 2017, a Bureau of Prisons staff member found an object hidden inside the waist band of his pants. The object was a handcrafted weapon consisting of a sock tied to a combination lock.
Michael Camp, 30, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, also to be served consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. Camp pled guilty in January, admitting that on July 17, 2017, a Bureau of Prisons staff member discovered an object in Camp’s boot. The object was a handcrafted weapon commonly referred to as a “shank.” It was a toothbrush about six inches long and sharpened to a point on one end.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the sentencing hearings. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution.
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Federal Indictments Unsealed; 14 Former SCDC Employees and Correction Officers Arrested by the FBIRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Beth Drake announced the indictment and arrest of fourteen former employees of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) on federal charges related to accepting bribes and bringing contraband into South Carolina prisons.
The federal violations include: Use of Interstate Facilities to Facilitate Bribery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Depriving South Carolina of the Right to Honest Services, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, in violation 21 U.S.C. § 841.
The individuals charged include: Rachel Burgess (age 39); Joshua Cave (age 29); Jamal Early (age 23), James Harvey (age 54), Douglas Hawkins (age 29), Robert Hill (age 53), Sharon Johnson-Breeland (age 29), Darnell Kleckley (age 33), Holly Mitchem (age 37), Frank Pridgeon (age 64), Catherine Prosser (age 60), Camille Williams (age 65), Miguel Williams (age 41), and Shatara Wilson (age 29). All defendants were arraigned on their respective indictments today.
Since 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has partnered with state law enforcement to investigate the smuggling of contraband into prisons by staff at SCDC. The investigation uncovered a number of SCDC employees who accepted bribes to smuggle into prison various contraband, such as cell phones, narcotics, or tobacco. Additionally, joint investigations over the last year, targeting the use of contraband cell phones in our state prisons, have led to the federal convictions of multiple defendants in two other prosecutions in the upstate and most recently, just last week, in Columbia. See links below.
Inmate and Conspirator Convicted of Using Contraband Cellphone to Deal Drugs and Obtain a Mail Bomb from the Dark Web
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/inmate-and-conspirator-convicted-using-contraband-cellphone-deal-drugs-and-obtain-mail-0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/USAO_SC/status/989170992755986432
Jury Convicts Spartanburg Brothers in Federal Court of Drug and Money Laundering Charges (sentencing hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 27th, 2018, at 9:30 am at the G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Federal Building United States Courthouse, 315 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29624)
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/jury-convicts-spartanburg-brothers-federal-court-drug-and-money-laundering-charges
Twitter: https://twitter.com/USAO_SC/status/953365064345702400
Fifteen Charged in Drug Trafficking Ring that Operated from Inside South Carolina Prisons
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/fifteen-charged-drug-trafficking-ring-operated-inside-south-carolina-prisons
This operation was a combined law enforcement effort by the FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), SCDC, and U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership: “This operation signals our joint commitment to prosecute those who abuse their position for personal gain at the cost of the safety of our communities and prisons. If you have information about public employees and officials abusing their position, please contact the Columbia (South Carolina) FBI office at (803) 551-4200 or www.fbi.gov/tips.”
This case is assigned for prosecution to Assistant United States Attorney Jay Richardson and Assistant United States Attorney Will Lewis.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Eagle Butte Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
Nathaniel Potter, age 23, was indicted on November 14, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 23, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about September 8, 2017, Potter did unlawfully assault an individual with a dangerous weapon, that is, a knife, and said assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
The charges are merely accusations and Potter is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Potter was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Evergreen Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Violation of Endangered Species Act Related to African Elephant HuntRead the Press Release
DENVER – Paul Ross Jackson, age 63, of Evergreen, Colorado, pleaded guilty on April 24, 2018, to violating the Endangered Species Act announced U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement (FWS-OLE) Special Agent in Charge Steve Oberholtzer. The defendant was also immediately sentenced to pay the maximum fine of $25,000 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak.
According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the defendant’s plea agreement, the defendant violated Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wild Life Act when he shot and killed an African Elephant inside Gonarezhou National Park in the spring of 2015. The defendant, working with a South-Africa based professional hunter, a New-York based export facilitator, and several Zimbabwe-based hunting businesses, gave instructions to have the elephant exported to South Africa, where he hoped to sell in foreign commerce 26 and 27 kilogram ivory tusks. When the government of Zimbabwe initially blocked the defendant’s effort to export the elephant to South Africa, on the ground that the defendant lived in Colorado and not South Africa, the defendant worked with others to try to obtain documentation that he was a resident of South Africa.
In a plea agreement, the defendant agreed to a four-year worldwide hunting ban that prohibits the hunting of any species designated as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The defendant also agreed to work with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to return the ill-gotten ivory to the government of Zimbabwe.
“When American hunters violate the laws of foreign countries in the unethical pursuit of trophies, they don’t just undermine the conservation efforts that make hunting possible. They break the law,” said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer. “Our prosecutors, working closely with Fish and Wildlife agents stationed around the globe, are committed to holding poachers accountable so that elephants and other threatened and endangered species can be appreciated by future generations.”
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to protecting imperiled species around the globe from poaching and trafficking,” said Steve Oberholzer, the Special Agent in Charge of the Mountain-Prairie Region. “When a U.S. citizen unlawfully kills a protected species in another country or attempts to smuggle wildlife products, we work with that nation under our federal statutory authorities to investigate the incident and bring that person to justice. These cooperative law enforcement efforts strengthen and protect America’s borders while ensuring the conservation of cherished wildlife species."
The case was investigated by FWS-OLE.
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan D. Fields and Suneeta Hazra.####
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Department of Justice Announces Initiative to Terminate “Legacy” Antitrust JudgmentsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division today announced an initiative to terminate outdated antitrust judgments.
“Today, we are taking a first step toward freeing American businesses, taxpayers, and consumers from the burden of judgments that no longer protect competition,” said Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We will pursue the termination of outdated judgments around the country that presently do little more than clog court dockets, create unnecessary uncertainty for businesses or, in some cases, may actually elicit anticompetitive market conditions.”
From the early days of the Sherman Act until the late 1970s, the Division often entered into final judgments that did not include an express termination date. In 1979, the Division adopted the general practice of including sunset provisions that automatically terminate judgments, usually 10 years from entry. However, nearly 1300 “legacy” judgments remain on the books of the Antitrust Division, and nearly all of them likely remain open on the dockets of courts around the country. The vast majority of these judgments no longer protect competition because of changes in industry conditions, changes in economics, changes in law, or for other reasons.
To facilitate the termination of these judgments, the Antitrust Division announced that it will review all of its legacy judgments to identify those that no longer serve to protect competition. The Division has assigned each judgment to a Division attorney, who will examine court papers, internal case files, and publicly available information to determine whether each judgment continues to serve competition.
Although the Antitrust Division’s review is ongoing, it already has identified many judgments that it likely will seek to terminate unilaterally after a public comment period. It will begin its efforts by proposing to terminate a set of judgments entered by the federal district courts in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia.
The process by which the Antitrust Division intends to seek unilaterally the termination of these outdated judgments is described on a public website (www.justice.gov/atr/JudgmentTermination) that will serve as the primary source of information for the public regarding this initiative. In brief, the process is as follows:
- The Antitrust Division will review its outstanding judgments to identify those that no longer appear to protect competition such that termination would be appropriate.
- When the Antitrust Division identifies judgments it believes are candidates for termination, it will post the name of the related case with a link to the relevant judgment on the public website.
- The public may submit comments regarding each proposed termination to the Division at [email protected] within 30 days of the date the judgment is posted on the public website.
- Following the comment period, if the Antitrust Division still believes termination is appropriate, it will seek to terminate the judgment by filing a motion with the appropriate court; the Division will post court filings and any related orders to the public website.
Members of the public are encouraged to check www.justice.gov/atr/JudgmentTermination often. The Antitrust Division will post updates to the website as it continues its ongoing review of legacy judgments and proposes judgments for termination. In addition, the Division has established a mailing list that will provide notice of new postings to the website, including judgments the Division has identified as appropriate for termination. Members of the public may subscribe to the mailing list at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOJ/subscriber/new.
The Division will post a statement that describes the initiative in detail to the public website, and publish it in the Federal Register. Defendants who have information related to possible termination of a legacy judgment, as well as members of the public who have questions about the initiative, are encouraged to contact Dorothy B. Fountain, Chief Legal Advisor, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, at [email protected].