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30 May 2018
South Burlington Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Trafficking 10,000 Bags of Heroin into VermontRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on May 29, 2018, Adam Jankowski, 33, was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison after his guilty plea to the charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. United States District Court Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford also ordered that Jankowski serve four years of federal supervised release after his prison term.
According to court records, in July of 2016 the Burlington Police Department commenced an investigation into the defendant and his involvement in trafficking heroin. In November of 2016 the Burlington Police Department seized nearly 2,500 bags of heroin from a vehicle returning to South Burlington from Holyoke, Massachusetts. Following his arrest, Jankowski admitted to trafficking at least 10,000 bags of heroin into Vermont between August and December of 2016.
For his crimes, Jankowski faced a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence and a statutory maximum term of 40 years in prison. In imposing a sentence of 92 months, Judge Crawford considered a number of factors, including the severity of the offense, the harm heroin has caused to Vermont communities, and Jankowski’s criminal record.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan commended the efforts of the Burlington Police Department for their work in this investigation.
“During his 92 months in federal prison, Mr. Jankowski will have time to reflect on the ways he exploited Vermonters and stripped them of their dignity,” said Brandon del Pozo, Burlington Chief of Police. “There are no set of mitigating circumstances that ‘force’ Jankowski to profit from destroying people’s lives. The court has sentenced him accordingly. I’d like to thank our police, marshals and the US Attorney for Vermont for making that possible.”
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Burris. Jankowski was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Quinn.
South Bend Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Delano Murray, age 29, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Murray was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in September 2017, Murray possessed drugs and drug-dealing paraphernalia in his car while also possessing a firearm that he used for protection while dealing.
This case was investigated by the DEA and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Barrett.
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South Bend Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Teddy King, age 37, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr for distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
King was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, King, who has had 3 previous felony convictions and over 15 other contacts with law enforcement, was involved in transporting and distributing a large amount of methamphetamine in Indiana. The charges that King entered a plea of guilty to are from October 20017 when he and a co-defendant drove to Peru, Indiana to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the DEA and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Schaffer and Molly Donnelly.
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Smithfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Felon in Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, Chief Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced AFRIES SANDONICAES MAHAM, 34, of Smithfield, North Carolina, to 180 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
MAHAM was named in an Indictment on August 22, 2017 charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. On January 8, 2018, MAHAM pled guilty to that charge.
On February 20, 2017, officers with the Smithfield Police Department (SPD) responded to a domestic call at a home in Smithfield. As officers were approaching the residence, a female exited the home and met the officers. She appeared upset, but had no visible signs of injury. One of the officers then knocked on the door of the residence and her boyfriend answered. Immediately officers noticed an odor of marijuana emanating from his person. When questioned by officers, he admitted to smoking marijuana, but maintained there was no marijuana in the residence.
During a subsequent search of the residence, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from an upstairs bedroom. Officers knocked on the door of the bedroom and asked the occupants of the room to exit. MAHAM and a female came out of the bedroom. A search of the room uncovered approximately 0.5 gram of marijuana in a plastic bag, a partially burned marijuana cigarette in an ashtray, and a stolen .38 caliber revolver. The female acknowledged ownership of the glass smoking pipe; however, MAHAM advised that the gun belonged to him. MAHAM admitted that he was a convicted felon and should not have a firearm in his possession.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
In support of PSN, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Smithfield Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
Ruby J. Ngirmekur Sentenced to Prison for Financial Institution Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant RUBY J. NGIRMEKUR, age 38, was sentenced in District Court today by Designated Judge Ramona V. Manglona to 33 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud. The Court also ordered her to pay $13,090 in restitution and a $100 assessment fee, and to perform 50 hours of community service.
From May 2014 to July 2014, NGIRMEKUR and others participated in an ATM debit-fraud and check-fraud scheme involving Bank of Guam (BOG) funds and checks drawn from other financial institutions. As part of the conspiracy, the defendant deposited fraudulent checks into third party BOG accounts via ATM transactions, and then withdrew funds based upon those checks. For the entire period of the conspiracy, the defendant and her co-conspirators attempted to obtain $95,100 from BOG by depositing over 120 fraudulent checks drawn from closed and nonsufficient funds accounts at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Bank of Hawaii, and Navy Federal Credit Union.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Guam Police Department, and prosecuted by Marivic P. David, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Guam.
Richmond Man Sentenced to Prison for Card-Cracking SchemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to 39 months in prison for bank fraud and identity theft.
According to court documents, Rellkwaun Carle, 22, used social media platforms to recruit accountholders of local banks to provide their debit cards and PINs. For more than two years, Carle used the associated accounts to deposit worthless and counterfeit checks totaling over $130,000. Carle withdrew funds credited upon these deposits in a series of transactions, causing losses to multiple banks of nearly $60,000.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Joseph Cronin, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Alfred Durham, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Kaitlin G. Cooke prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-163.
Providence Man Admits to Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Providence man who stole the personal banking information of several individuals, including a retired Providence firefighter, and used that information to gain access to their funds, pleaded guilty today to federal bank fraud and identity theft charges.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Jamal Mansaray, 28, pleaded guilty to one count each of bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Mansaray’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Resident Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service Brian Deck, and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Harold H. Shaw.
According to information presented to the Court, a Providence Police Department investigation determined that in September 2017, an individual attempted to cash a check drawn on a Citizens Bank account belonging to a retired Providence firefighter without his consent. In an effort to confirm that cashing the check was permissible, an employee of the bank called the retired firefighter on a telephone number on file with the bank. The phone call actually rang to Mansaray’s cell phone. After Mansaray failed to properly respond to all of the questions posed by the bank employee, the employee declined to cash the check. An investigation revealed that the telephone number on file with the bank had been altered and other personal identifying information on file with the bank belonging to the firefighter had been compromised. Further investigation determined that $82,000 was transferred from the retired firefighter’s money market account to his checking account without his knowledge.
Further investigation revealed that Mansaray had accessed to funds belonging to at least four other individuals. At the time of his guilty plea, Mansaray admitted to fraudulently obtaining a total of $74,600.
Mansaray is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 20, 2018.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the Providence Police Department, with the assistance of the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Steven P. Springer II, 25, of Pittsfield, Maine, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to providing false information during the purchase firearms.
According to court records, on February 22, 2015, Springer purchased a Kel-Tec PF9 semi-automatic pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer. In connection with the purchase, Lewis completed a Firearms Transaction Record form in which he falsely reported that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm. Two days later, Springer purchased two Kel-Tec P11 semi-automatic pistols from another federally licensed dealer, again falsely reporting on the form that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms. On both occasions, Springer was buying the firearms for another individual who was prohibited from purchasing them.
Springer faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Paterson Police Officer Charged with Conspiring to Violate Civil Rights and Concealing A FelonyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A City of Paterson police officer was arrested today for allegedly participating in the assault of a patient at a Paterson hospital, recording the conduct on his cellphone, and failing to include the assault in the related police report, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Roger Then, 29, of Paterson, was arrested by federal agents this morning and charged by complaint with conspiring to violate an individual’s civil rights and with misprision of felony for concealing the civil rights violation. Then is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre in Newark federal court.
According to the complaint:
On March 5, 2018, Then and another Paterson police officer – identified in the complaint as “Police Officer 1” – responded to a call from an attempted suicide victim. Then and Police Officer 1 met the victim at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.
In the hospital surveillance footage, the victim, while in a wheelchair, appears to throw an object down the hall. Afterwards, Police Officer 1 pushes the wheelchair and punches the victim in the face. As the victim falls, Then grabs him by the back of the neck and pushes him to the ground.
In the second video, which was allegedly taken by Then using his cellphone, the victim is on his back in a hospital bed. After the victim verbally insults Police Officer 1, Police Officer 1 puts on a pair of hospital gloves and violently strikes the victim twice across the face. Police Officer 1 then stands over the victim and says, “I ain’t fucking playing with you.”
Then and Police Officer 1 filed a police report in connection with the events of March 5, 2018. The police report did not mention that Police Officer 1 punched the victim or that Then grabbed the victim by the neck and pushed him towards the ground, as captured in the first video. The police report also did not mention that Police Officer 1 violently struck the victim in a hospital room, as depicted in the second video.
As a result of these assaults, the victim suffered multiple injuries to his face, including an eye injury that required surgery.
The conspiracy to violate civil rights count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The misprision of felony count carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison. Both counts are also punishable by a fine of up to $250,000.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest. He also thanked the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale and Police Chief Troy Oswald, and the Paterson Police Department Office of Internal Affairs, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
New York Man Sentenced to over 16 Years in Prison in Sextortion CaseRead the Press Release
A man who solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from a minor and distributed them on the Internet was sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss of the District of Delaware made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonard P. Stark of the District of Delaware.
Justin R. Gulisano aka Emma Alexander Gulisano, 26, of Newark, New York, was charged on March 10, 2016, and pleaded guilty on Sept. 28, 2017.
According to admissions made in connection with the plea agreement, Gulisano met the victim online when the victim was 15 years old. Gulisano began requesting and received sexually explicit images and videos from the victim. Gulisano posted the sexually explicit videos of the victim on a pornography website where they were downloaded, posted, and reposted by other viewers to additional pornographic websites. Eventually, the victim refused to make and send additional images and videos. Mr. Gulisano responded by threatening the victim on more than one occasion. He threatened to post the victim’s images and videos on the Internet again, he threatened to share the images and videos with the victim’s brother, and he threatened the victim’s life.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Delaware Child Predator Task Force investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Lauren Britsch of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham L. Robinson of the District of Delaware prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New London Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BASHON WHITLEY, 27, of New London, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 3, 2017, a court-authorized search of a New London apartment connected to WHITLEY and his uncle revealed approximately 14.5 grams of heroin, approximately 27 grams of cocaine, approximately 177 grams of crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun, ammunition and $9,180 in cash. WHITLEY and his uncle were arrested on state charges at that time.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for August 27, 2018, at which time WHITLEY faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
WHITLEY has been detained since his federal arrest on January 24, 2018.
WHITLEY’s uncle has been charged with federal narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses and is detained while awaiting trial. U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, and New London Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
Navajo Man from McKinley County Sentenced for Child Sexual Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Clyde Peterson, 46, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Yahtahey, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 21 months of imprisonment for his conviction on a sexual abuse of a minor or ward charge. Peterson will be on supervised release for eight years after completing his prison sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Peterson was arrested on April 18, 2016, on an indictment charging him with sexual abuse of a child between the age of 12 and 16 years from June 1, 2014 through Aug. 31, 2014, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M.
On Feb. 22, 2018, Peterson pled guilty to the indictment, and admitted that between June 1, 2014 and Aug. 31, 2014, he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim who was between the age of 12 and 16 years.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was driven largely by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
More Than Thirty Charged with Federal Gun Law ViolationsRead the Press Release
Law enforcement agencies across the state continue to make Iowa safer by addressing the problem of gun crime and violence. United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. announced charges and arrests in thirty-one recent federal gun cases at a press conference held at the United States Attorney’s Office. Deegan was joined by Donald Dockendorf, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Thomas Reinwart, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chief Dan Trelka, Waterloo Police Department, Deputy Chief Thomas Jonker, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Sergeant James Trainor, Iowa State Patrol, Investigator Nicholas Schlosser, Dubuque Police Department, and Captain Greg McGivern, Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
“Historically, gun violence rises during the spring and summer months,” Deegan stated. “All too often, an unlawfully-possessed gun can lead to an act of gun violence. The Department of Justice and this office is committed to working with all of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to help keep our communities safe by taking unlawfully-possessed guns – and those who possess them – off the street.”
In recent weeks, the work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the following matters in federal court in Cedar Rapids:
Harold Amos, age 39, of Tama County, Iowa; Brady Morgan, age 24, of Raymond, Iowa; Jesse Andrew Hall, age 20, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Sejuan Marquise Walker, age 22, of Coralville, Iowa; Eric Allen Boyer, age 35, Alan Cherry, age 39, Willie B. Hodges II, age 57, Shane Lee LaGrange, age 35, Riley Michael Neff-Gonzales, age 19, Cleveland Dwayne Cole Smith, age 31, Alfred Washington, age 39, Victor Charles Wicher, age 37, Dominique Dwight Williams, age 29, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ian Michael Bonnette, age 38, Jevonne Martell Coleman, age 32, Michael Joseph Dennison, age 41, Montecarlos Marteze Gant, age 35, Javontae Ernie Grisson, age 22, Patrick Andrew Lugrain, age 21, Kenneth Lamont Sanders, age 38, Marliesha Scott, age 38, Gerald Francis Straka, age 60, Davion Lashaun Trawick, age 18, William James Wesley, age 24, all of Dubuque, Iowa; Laika Burt, age 41, Scott Francis Gilson, age 38, Antonio Scott McGhee, age 27, Denzale Devon Babuta Ratliff, age 24, Antonio Rodriguez Ross, age 23, John Joseph Sanford, Jr., age 42, Mario Ronrico Smith, age 18, all of Waterloo, Iowa; have all been charged with various violations of federal law including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The charges are contained in complaints and indictments filed recently in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The complaint filed against Walker alleges that, on January 29, 2018, Walker was involved with stealing items, including a wallet and a Smith and Wesson 9mm semiautomatic handgun, from a vehicle in Alburnett, Iowa. Later that day, Walker used a credit card from the wallet at the Wal-Mart in Anamosa. In February, Walker was arrested outside an apartment complex in Coralville and the Smith and Wesson 9mm semiautomatic handgun was later recovered from a clothes dryer in the common area of the apartment building. The case file is 18-MJ-171.
The complaint filed against Boyer alleges that, on April 5, 2017, the Cedar Rapids Police Department executed a search warrant at Boyer’s home. Officers located Boyer hiding in a closet in a bedroom. In that same bedroom, officers seized a Glock .40 caliber pistol, a Ruger Super Redhawk .45 caliber revolver, and approximately 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The case file is 18-MJ-165.
The complaint filed against Washington alleges that, on November 1, 2017, officers with the Coralville Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Washington. Washington refused to stop, eventually escaping from police. Later that evening, officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department observed Washington’s vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Washington fled from officers, at times reaching speeds of approximately 85 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone. Washington eventually crashed the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers eventually placed Washington in custody and located a Smith and Wesson SD40VE .40 caliber pistol approximately ten yards from where Washington was taken into custody. Washington had previously been convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. The case file is 18-MJ-166.
The complaint filed against LaGrange alleges that, on December 29, 2017, the officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department stopped LaGrange for driving with a suspended license. During a search of LaGrange’s vehicle, police located a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol which had previously been reported stolen. Police also located methamphetamine in LaGrange’s coat pocket. LaGrange had previously been convicted of at least five felony offenses including perjury, burglary, and felony drug crimes. The case file is 18-MJ-162.
The complaints and indictments filed against Amos, Burt, Cherry, Coleman, Gant, Hodges, Morgan, Ratliff, Sanders, Sanford, Smith, and Wicher allege that these defendants were in possession of a firearm after sustaining at least one conviction for a felony offense.
The complaints and indictments filed against Dennison, Gilson, Grisson, Hall, McGhee, Neff-Gonzales, Lugrain, Ross, Scott, Smith, Straka, Trawick, and Williams, allege that these defendants were in possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Dennison is also charged with possessing a sawed-off shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Lugrain is also charged with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Neff-Gonzales is also charged with possessing a stolen firearm.
The indictment filed against Bonnette alleges that he possessed a Mossberg 500A 12-gauge shotgun after previously being committed to a mental institution. The indictment filed against Wesley alleges that he possessed a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver while subject to a court order of protection and while under indictment for a felony offense.
If convicted on these charges, all defendants face at least a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Defendants Scott Francis Gilson, Riley Neff-Gonzales, Antonio Rodriguez Ross, Kenneth Lamont Sanders, Cleveland Swayne Cole Smith, and Davion Lashaun Trawick remain fugitives. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of is asked to contact Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 319-232-5583, or 855-300-8477 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463).
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force (composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal Service, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department), the Waterloo Federal Task Force (composed of the Waterloo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department), the Dubuque Police Department, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.
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Monmouth County Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Manalapan, New Jersey, man who was previously employed by a family amusement center in Freehold, New Jersey, was arrested today for allegedly convincing children to engage in sexually explicit conduct online, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Angelo Curato, 26, is charged by complaint with one count of producing visual depictions of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Curato is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.
According to the complaint:
Curato used online applications, including Skype, to interact with dozens of boys while pretending to be a 17-year-old girl. During these online communications, Curato received naked pictures of the children and watched them engage in sexually explicit conduct on video.
On June 2, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Curato’s residence. A forensic review of Curato’s laptop revealed hundreds of sexually explicit chat messages on his Skype accounts and hundreds of screenshots of boys engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charge of producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact 866-DHS-2-ICE.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Mexican National Charged with Passport FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Leticia Corona Salazar, age 39, a Mexican national, was indicted for committing passport fraud. The indictment was returned on March 17, 2015, but remained under seal until her apprehension on May 24, 2018.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Salazar provided false information in an attempt to obtain a United States passport on May 29, 2008. The indictment also alleges that Salazar provided a false name, date of birth, and social security number in the passport application.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys William Houser and Phillip J. Caraballo are prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charge is up to 10 years of imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Mescalero Apache Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Ellis Arkie Sago, 23, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Nation who resides in Mescalero, N.M., pled guilty this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to assaulting a federal officer.
The BIA arrested Sago on Feb. 2018, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a federal officer. According to the criminal complaint, Sago was arrested on tribal charges after he assaulted a BIA officer. Sago committed the assault on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in Otero County, N.M., on Sept. 9, 2017, by kicking the officer in the legs while the officer was arresting Sago.
Sago subsequently was indicted on April 18, 2018, and was charged with assaulting a federal officer in Otero County on Sept. 9, 2017.
During today’s proceedings, Sago pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Sept. 9, 2017, he assaulted a BIA officer by kicking the officer in the legs. At sentencing, Sago faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Mental Health Counselor Indicted for Health Care Fraud and Perjury Offenses Stemming from Montgomery “Pill Mill”Read the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, May 29, 2018, a licensed professional counselor was arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury for her role in working at a Montgomery “pill mill,” announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. The defendant arrested was Johnnie Chaisson Sanders, 48, of Wetumpka.
According to court documents, Sanders previously provided mental health counseling services at Family Practice, located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. The owner of Family Practice, Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, was a Montgomery physician who has pleaded guilty to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges. Four of the other health care providers employed by Family Practice have also pleaded guilty to federal charges. While working at Family Practice, Sanders provided mental health counseling services to patients of Dr. Sanchez who were receiving controlled substances.
The indictment charges Sanders with health care fraud and perjury offenses. As for the health care fraud, the indictment charges Sanders with committing that offense in two different ways. First, Sanders is alleged to have provided bogus diagnoses of mental health conditions for the purpose of allowing Dr. Sanchez to support prescribing unnecessary medications. Second, the indictment states that Sanders collected cash payments from patients for counseling services even though she knew that Dr. Sanchez’s office would bill the patients’ insurance companies for the same services. As for the perjury charge, Sanders allegedly testified before a grand jury and falsely claimed that Dr. Sanchez did not require patients to undergo counseling sessions with her. In fact, as Sanders then knew, Dr. Sanchez required patients who received prescriptions for controlled substances to visit Sanders for mental health counseling.
If convicted, Sanders faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on the health care fraud counts and a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment on the perjury count. She also faces substantial fines and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Opelika Police Department assisted in this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross is prosecuting the case.
Medical Practice Manager Convicted of Fraud and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a woman last night on multiple charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and filing false federal income tax returns.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Sherea Darnell, 34, who recently resided in Williamsburg, worked as the practice manager for the Cullom Eye and Laser Center in Williamsburg from 2012 to 2016. Both Darnell and Dr. Robert Cullom were actually W-2 employees of Riverside. Over a four-year period, Darnell used three of Dr. Cullom’s credit cards to conduct personal transactions for her own benefit totaling approximately $514,000. She also obtained access to Dr. Cullom’s Wells Fargo Advisors accounts, which she used to pay the balances of the credit cards without his authority, including an account that had been established to pay for medical equipment, but which Darnell diverted into making payments on the credit cards. Darnell used the victim’s credit cards to pay for her son’s pre-school tuition which she deducted on her 2016 tax return. She also took over $90,000 in cash advances, transferred funds into her personal bank accounts, hired a maid service, purchased high-end clothing and airline tickets for herself and her family and made a deposits and payments on luxury vehicles. Darnell failed to report any of these funds obtained via the credit cards on her tax returns for the years 2013-2015. Following her resignation in August 2016, Darnell continued to use Dr. Cullom’s credit cards to pay her moving expenses, obtain additional cash advances and make other purchases until Dr. Cullom discovered the fraud and shut down the accounts.
Darnell faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when sentenced on October 24. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kelly R. Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Brian J. Samuels are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:17-cr-92.
Martinsburg man admits to heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia man has admitted to distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Steven Jonathan Blunt, age 43, pled guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 100 grams of Heroin.” Blunt admitted to distributing heroin in September 2017 in Berkeley County.
Blunt is facing up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.Louisiana Woman Sentenced in Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –A resident of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for her involvement in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Jackie Chaney, also known as Jackie Scott, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit theft of public money, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, members of the conspiracy obtained the names and Social Security numbers of individuals for use in filing false tax returns. Chaney and her co-conspirators used this stolen information to prepare false tax returns seeking bogus refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS issued the refunds in the form of checks or on to prepaid debit cards and Chaney further conspired with others to convert the proceeds into cash.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan ordered Chaney to serve two years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $809,605.
Chaney’s co-conspirator, Alicia Washington, previously plead guilty in Feb. 2017 and was sentenced earlier this month to 42 months in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Evans commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden Brockett and Tax Division Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Louisiana Woman Sentenced in Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A resident of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for her involvement in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Jackie Chaney, also known as Jackie Scott, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit theft of public money, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, members of the conspiracy obtained the names and Social Security numbers of individuals for use in filing false tax returns. Chaney and her co-conspirators used this stolen information to prepare false tax returns seeking bogus refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS issued the refunds in the form of checks or on to prepaid debit cards and Chaney further conspired with others to convert the proceeds into cash.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan ordered Chaney to serve two years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $809,605.00.
Chaney’s co-conspirator, Alicia Washington, previously plead guilty in Feb. 2017 and was sentenced earlier this month to 42 months in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Evans commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden Brockett and Tax Division Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Louisiana Contractor Pleads Guilty to Filing A False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
The owner of general contracting business pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to court documents, Wade Ybarzabal, of Mandeville, Louisiana, owned a general contracting business, Ybarzabal Contractors LLC. On his 2012 tax return, Ybarzabal underreported his business’s gross receipts by more than $475,000, resulting in an additional tax liability of more than $160,000. Ybarzabal also underreported his business’ gross receipts on his 2013 and 2014 tax returns. The total tax loss resulting from Ybarzabal’s fraudulent conduct for is less than $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 29, 2018. Ybarzabal faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison. He also faces a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans commended special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera and Tax Division Trial Attorney Grace E. Albinson, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
LaGrange Farmer Sentenced for Crop Insurance Fraud, Fraudulent Federal Crop Disaster Claims, Aggravated Identity Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that in federal court today, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced JAMES TRUMAN WIGGINS, JR.¸68, of LaGrange, North Carolina to 25 months of imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. In addition the court ordered WIGGINS to pay restitution in the amount of $5,669,891.00 and he is excluded from participating in any federal crop insurance programs for 5 years. The court also ordered forfeiture in the amount of $5,600,433.00.
WIGGINS previously pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging him with conspiracy to commit various offenses against the United States, false statements to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, material false statements to the Farm Service Agency, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to the Criminal Information, WIGGINS and other persons worked together to defraud the United States of America, through the filing of false federal crop insurance claims and false federal crop disaster relief claims, to structure transactions to evade reporting requirements, and to engage in various financial transactions to conceal the fraud. The conspirators owned and rented farmland in Lenoir, Wayne, and Greene Counties, and produced, among other crops, tobacco, corn, wheat, and soybeans. The conspirators hid some or all of their tobacco and/or grain productions by selling it in nominee names or for cash to a co-conspiring tobacco warehouseman and grain dealers. The conspirators profited under the scheme because they were paid twice for each pound of tobacco or bushel of grain: once through the false crop insurance claim, and also through the sale of the hidden crop. WIGGINS used nominee names, as well as a stolen identity, to conceal the sale of the crops. WIGGINS also submitted the false production data in connection with his federal crop disaster claim, thereby getting disaster relief monies to which he was not entitled. At one point, WIGGINS created a fictitious entity, fabricated sale bills, and submitted those records to his insurance company in order to obtain better coverage for his crops.
Between 2007 and 2011, WIGGINS and his conspirators collectively filed false claims in excess of $5.6 million. The conspirators, among other things, paid farming expenses and outstanding loan balances with the proceeds from their criminal conduct.
Mr. Higdon commented: “Put very simply, this defendant stole more than $5 million from the taxpayers of this State and this Country. This type of crime is what undermines the solvency of our federal programs and deprives those who need the funds of that support. I want to commend the investigators who have pursued these cases for so long. Their effort to protect the public’s money is key to the success of programs like the Federal Crop Insurance Program.”
"Today's sentencing is a direct result of the excellent partnership the IRS, USDA and the U.S. Attorney’s office has in combating violations of Federal law. With both law enforcement and financial investigation expertise, our agents are uniquely qualified to investigate not only tax crimes but all other related financial crimes. The sentence Wiggin’s received is a testament to the investigative team’s hard work and commitment and should serve as a deterrent to those who might contemplate similar fraudulent actions," said Matthew D. Line, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS, Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office.
The charges in this case stem from the on-going, multi-target crop insurance fraud investigation in the Eastern District of North Carolina. To date, the office has prosecuted 48 other farmers, agents, and/or adjusters for similar criminal conduct.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations; the United States Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Investigations; and the United States Department of Agriculture - Risk Management Agency, Special Investigations Branch. Assistant United States Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan is handling the prosecution on behalf to the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Keyser man admits to cocaine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Keyser, West Virginia man has admitted to distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Emilio Regueno pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.” Regueno admitted to distributing cocaine in May 2016 in Hampshire County.
Regueno is facing up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.Key Lieutenant of “Thief-In-Law” Razdhen Shulaya Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ZURAB DZHANASHVILI, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest to the charge of conspiring to commit racketeering offenses in furtherance of the illicit activities of the Shulaya Enterprise, a violent and prolific criminal organization dismantled in June 2017 upon the arrests of DZHANASHVILI, Razhden Shulaya, and over 25 other members and associates of the Enterprise.
As part of his guilty plea, DZHANASHVILI acknowledged his leadership role within the Shulaya Enterprise and his participation in numerous criminal acts undertaken in furtherance of the Enterprise, including: a plot to seduce, subdue, and extort individuals lured by a female co-conspirator acting at DZHANASHVILI’s direction; a scheme to operate a profitable underground gambling business that recovered debts through extortion and physical violence; a scheme to steal cargo from victim trucking companies, including the theft of approximately 10,000 pounds of chocolate peanut butter confections; and a nationwide scheme to defraud businesses and banks through the use of false identification documents and forged checks.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Zurab Dzhanashvili today admitted to leading a criminal enterprise engaged in schemes that could easily be mistaken for a Hollywood thriller. Among other crimes, the enterprise engaged in bribery of local law enforcement, use of a female member to seduce, drug, and extort their victims, and theft of over 10,000 pounds of chocolate. This script ends with Dzhanashvili pleading guilty to his crimes and facing serious time in prison.”
According to the charging documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceedings and earlier court appearances:
The Shulaya Enterprise was an organized criminal group operating under the direction and protection of Razhden Shulaya, a/k/a “Brother,” a/k/a “Roma,” a “vor v zakonei” or “vor,” which are Russian phrases translated roughly as “Thief-in-Law” or “Thief,” and which refer to an order of elite criminals from the former Soviet Union who receive tribute from other criminals, offer protection, and use their recognized status as vor to adjudicate disputes among lower-level criminals. As a vor, Shulaya had substantial influence in the criminal underworld and offered assistance to and protection of the members and associates of the Shulaya Enterprise. Those members and associates, and Shulaya himself, engaged in widespread criminal activities, including acts of violence, extortion, the operation of illegal gambling businesses, fraud on various casinos, identity theft, credit card frauds, and trafficking in large quantities of stolen goods.
The Shulaya Enterprise operated through groups of individuals, often with overlapping members or associates, dedicated to particular criminal tasks. While many of these crews were based in New York City, the Shulaya Enterprise had operations in various locations throughout the United States (including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Nevada) and abroad. Most members and associates of the Shulaya Enterprise were born in the former Soviet Union and many maintained substantial ties to Georgia, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation, including regular travel to those countries, communication with associates in those countries, and the transfer of criminal proceeds to individuals in those countries.
The Shulaya Enterprise was led principally by Shulaya and DZHANASHVILI, the principal lieutenant within the Enterprise. The Enterprise’s nefarious activities included:
- The operation of illicit poker businesses in Brighton Beach;
- The extortion of gamblers who became indebted to the Shulaya Enterprise;
- Attempts to extort local business owners;
- Efforts to defraud casinos in Atlantic City and Philadelphia by using electronic devices and computer servers to predict and exploit the behavior of electronic slot machines;
- The theft of cargo shipments, including a shipment containing approximately hundreds of thousands of dollars of electronic equipment, lighting equipment, agricultural products, and approximately 10,000 pounds of chocolate confections;
- DZHANASHVILI’s use of a female member of the Shulaya Enterprise to seduce men, incapacitate them with chloroform, and then rob or blackmail them;
- Attempts to create an after-hours nightclub that would host, among other things, the sale of narcotics;
- The transportation and sale of numerous cases of untaxed cigarettes;
- Plans to pay bribes to local law enforcement;
- Assaults of debtors, offending underlings, rivals, and even innocent civilians whom Shulaya perceived as having insulted or undermined his authority; and
- Creation and use of forged identification documents, checks, and invoices.
DZHANASHVILI’s guilty plea does not fully resolve the case against the Shulaya Enterprise. Shulaya himself, along with key enforcer and former middleweight boxing titleholder Avtandil Khurtsidze, are scheduled for trial before Judge Forrest beginning June 4, 2018.
DZHANASHVILI faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. DZHANASHVILI is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Forrest on November 30, 2018.
* * *
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the New York Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and the Atlantic City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami offices; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and the New York City Police Department for their investigative efforts and ongoing support and assistance with the case.
The prosecution of this case is being overseen by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew C. Adams, Andrew Thomas, and Andrew Chan are in charge of the case.
Keshena Men Indicted for Firearm Offenses on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced that on May 15, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against two men allegedly involved in firearms offenses on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment charges Jeremy Fish (age: 33) and Bobby Joe Sanapaw (age: 32), both from Keshena. Count One charges Fish with Felon in Possession of Firearms in violation of Title 18, United States Code 922(g). Count Two charges Fish and Sanapaw with Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5681. As to each count, the defendants face a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
According to the indictment, on or about July 12, 2017, Fish and Sanapaw possessed firearms, one of which was a short-barreled shotgun. The incident occurred at a residence in Keshena.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods’ strategy brings together all levels of law enforcement and community resources to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in all our neighborhoods.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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For additional information contact:
Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig at 414 297-1700
Jury Convicts Leader of Hampton Roads Heroin Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Portsmouth man today for his role in leading a heroin trafficking conspiracy that distributed in excess of 100 kilograms of heroin over a 10-year period in Hampton Roads from 2007 through 2017.
“Those who choose to pump poison into our communities will be held accountable for their actions,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Let this case be an example of how this will end for those who choose to destroy families by trafficking opioids. I want to thank our trial team and our investigative partners for their extraordinary effort and dedication to this important case. This is a textbook example of the power of true federal, state, and local collaboration.”
According to court documents and testimony, the FBI began investigating Leroy Perdue, 45, of Portsmouth, and his associates after the arrests of other heroin dealers he supplied, including the Alonzo Outten Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) in 2015, and the 2016 arrest of Carlos Brown, who was ultimately convicted in EDVA and sentenced to 30 years for Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death. Over the last decade more than a dozen drug dealers in Hampton Roads were supplied wholesale quantities of heroin by Perdue.
“My team and I have been working hand-in-hand with our federal and local partners to interrupt the supply of heroin and fentanyl into Hampton Roads,” said Attorney General Mark R. Herring. “Operation Hardest Hit and other multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional operations like it are putting dangerous suppliers behind bars while we continue to educate the public on the dangers of opioids and pursue a comprehensive community based response to this crisis. I appreciate all the hard work and cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors who brought this defendant and his co-conspirators to justice.”
On June 22, 2017, the FBI, in partnership with the Chesapeake Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Virginia State Police, executed an interdiction operation and arrest, which resulted in the recovery of over 800 grams of heroin with a street value in excess of $50,000.
“Today’s successful conviction was a team effort by our investigative partners and prosecutors who worked side by side to systematically crush this dangerous distribution network and protect Hampton Roads from predators who profit from poisoning our community,” said Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Division. “The heroin epidemic is one of the most devastating threats to the community we have seen in a generation and the FBI is dedicated holding traffickers and criminal organizations accountable for their part in proliferating this crisis.”
Less than two months later, in the early morning hours of Aug. 14, 2017, over 300 law enforcement agents made arrests and executed nearly a dozen search warrants in Virginia, Georgia, and New York. The takedown was the result of a multi-year, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-agency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation designated Operation Hardest Hit.
“Through Operation Hardest Hit, HSI and its law enforcement partners struck back against one of Hampton Roads’ most notorious heroin dealers and his associates,” said Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Norfolk. “Heroin is a deadly drug that has absolutely no place in our communities.”
At trial, the United States presented video evidence of Perdue selling heroin during an undercover operation. On the day of Perdue’s arrest, the FBI also recovered a notebook next to Perdue’s bed with lyrics to a song in which he proclaimed himself the “Dogfood King” – dogfood being a common coded reference to heroin.
Perdue was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute heroin, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. He faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison when sentenced on September 19. Twelve of his co-conspirators have already been sentenced to a combined total of over 173 years’ in prison. See table below for additional details.
Name, Age
Hometown
Guilty Plea
Sentence
Abraham Atkins, 35
Portsmouth
Sept. 5, 2017
20 Years
Eddie L. Tyson, 46
Portsmouth
Sept. 5, 2017
15 Years
Edward Muckle, 32
Portsmouth
Sept. 5, 2017
9 years
Jamars Cooper, 26
Portsmouth
Sept. 5, 2017
11 years
Victoria Waller, 42
Portsmouth
Sept. 6, 2017
10 years, 6 months
Dominic Diablo Mosley, 35
Portsmouth
Sept. 6, 2017
15 years
Nicholas Godwin, 37
Portsmouth
Sept. 6, 2017
12 years, 4 months
Kevin Lawrence, 37
Portsmouth
Sept. 7, 2017
13 years
Tywon McKelvy, 42
New York
Oct. 3, 2017
19 years, 6 months
Darion Perdue, 24
Portsmouth
Oct. 17, 2017
19 years
Christina James
New York
Oct. 18, 2017
5 years
Rhadu Schoolfield, 33
Portsmouth
Oct. 18, 2017
24 years
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Division, Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Norfolk, and Kelvin L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the verdict.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Tidewater Violent Crime Task Force, in partnership with HSI’s Norfolk Field Office, Chesapeake Police Department, and the Virginia State Police. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bosse and William B. Jackson prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Operation Hardest Hit. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-116.
Judge Sentences Verona Man to Six Years in Prison for Robbing Edgewood BankRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Verona, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a term of imprisonment of 72 months to be followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Christopher Gregg, 46, formerly Verona, Pennsylvania.
According to the information presented to the court, on February 22, 2016, Christopher Gregg walked into First Commonwealth Bank in Edgewood and passed the teller a note, which stated, "no dye packs, hand over the money". Gregg kept his hand in the left pocket of his jacket and acted as though he had a gun in his waist area. He took $4,799 from the teller along with the note. Gregg was identified after surveillance video was shown on the news. He confessed to robbing the bank and stated that he spent all of the money on drugs.
Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Allegheny County Police and Edgewood Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
Jamaican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Jamaican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Anthony Durrant, 51, a Jamaican national residing in Dorchester, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Sept. 13, 2018.
On Nov. 28, 2017, law enforcement officers in Boston encountered Durrant and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Durrant was previously deported on July 26, 2012.
Durrant faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Thomas P. Brophy, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Jacksonville Man Who Sold Firearms and Crack Cocaine to Undercover Agent Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Darrick “Block” Stafford (41, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 50 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Stafford participated in a series of transactions involving the sale of firearms (including assault-style rifles) to an undercover agent and a confidential informant working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Stafford also sold the undercover agent powder cocaine and crack cocaine. When Stafford was arrested by detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, they recovered a .45 caliber pistol that had been hidden under the hood of the car that he was driving. Due to his prior felony convictions, including robbery and firearms offenses, Stafford is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Sex Abuse Videos over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Pryce Elijah Demars (25, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on November 15, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Demars’s residence in connection with a child exploitation investigation involving online users of a particular file-sharing program. FBI agents had determined that between August 2016 and April 2017, Demars distributed videos online depicting young children being sexually abused. During an interview, he admitted, among other things, that he had searched for child pornography on the internet, downloaded it, and then distributed it to another individual in exchange for video games and other items of value.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Humboldt Man Sentenced for Meth Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A former federal inmate who distributed approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine while on federal supervised release was sentenced on May 29, 2018, to more than 14 years in federal prison.
Zachary Tew, 25, from Humboldt, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 13, 2017, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at sentencing showed that in July 2015, Tew was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Upon his release from prison, Tew began a term of supervised release and almost immediately began violating the mandatory terms and conditions. Then, in August 2016, after having been on supervised release for approximately six months, Tew failed to appear for a revocation proceeding and ceased all communication with his probation officer. On November 7, 2016, approximately three months later, law enforcement apprehended Tew after a short pursuit and seized approximately 13 ounces of methamphetamine; $17,856; a handgun with loaded magazines; and boxes of ammunition. Tew later admitted to having distributed approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine while on supervised release, possessing stolen firearms, and arranging to find a stash house that would store up to 150 pounds of methamphetamine.
Tew was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Tew was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment. This sentence must run partially consecutive to the 60 months’ imprisonment imposed for his violations while on supervised release. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Tew 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 Ajay Alexander and investigated by DEA Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-3004-MWB.
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Guatemala National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that PEDRO BRITO-MARCOS, age 22, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the bill of information, PEDRO BRITO-MARCOS reentered the United States on or about March 8, 2018, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about January 19, 2018.
If convicted, PEDRO BRITO-MARCOS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, one year supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Great Falls Man Sentenced for Counterfeiting in Great FallsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that 42-year old Bobby Lamere of Great Falls, Montana, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Additionally, Lamere was ordered to pay $4,335.00 in restitution. U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the hearing.
Beginning in March of 2017, numerous businesses in Great Falls began to report to the police department that customers were presenting counterfeit bills on a frequent basis. The Great Falls Police Department responded to the complaints, seized the counterfeit bills, and looked for suspects.
During early May of 2017, law enforcement attempted to locate the defendant, Bobby Lamere, concerning an outstanding warrant. On May 15, 2017, law enforcement found Lamere sleeping in the backseat of a car parked in a business parking lot. When the driver of Lamere’s car came out of the store, the driver told officers that they would find narcotics, counterfeit money, and a handgun inside the car. The driver also alluded that Lamere was making counterfeit money.
Officers subsequently searched the car and found numerous counterfeit $20, $10 and $5 bills consisting of varying serial numbers. These counterfeit bills had a resemblance to genuine United States currency. In addition, detectives found two laptop computers, printing paper, printing ink, software programs, and four sheets of $20 and $100 counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, as well as a firearm on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.
Following this search, police continued to receive reports of counterfeit activity in Great Falls. In late May of 2017, the Secret Service completed processing a large number of counterfeit bills. This analysis showed an extensive amount of counterfeit currency all originating from Great Falls. The Secret Service also conducted an analysis of the counterfeit serial numbers found in Lamere’s car, and determined counterfeit bills with these same serial numbers had been passed throughout Great Falls.
Detectives subsequently interviewed Lamere. He explained that he manufactured counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Lamere stated that he only provided the bills to people for narcotics and that he did not actually pass the bills himself. Lamere learned to wash the bills, flatten them out, and then place them on a printer to make a template. He then would make several sheets of counterfeit bills and cut the sheets with a paper cutter. Following that process, Lamere used gel pens to enhance the bills. At some point, Lamere became addicted to heroin and started manufacturing more bills to trade for the drug. Lamere believed he had manufactured approximately $6000-$7000 worth of counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes since December of 2016.
The Secret Service subsequently examined the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes passed in Great Falls and observed much of this counterfeit consisted of the same type of paper, pen and ink known to be used by Lamere in his counterfeiting activities. On September 8, 2017, law enforcement again came into contact with Lamere and found him in possession of 16 counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes consisting of $20 and $50 bills.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley and investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Great Falls Police Department.
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.
Georgia Man Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Role in Identity Theft and Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWARK N.J. – A Georgia man was sentenced today to 26 months in prison for using a fake driver’s license in order to obtain a check issued in response to false statements and representations, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Temilade Adekunle, 32, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an information charging him with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Adekunle was a member of a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain money, including by committing identity theft, impersonating account holders and obtaining money from their accounts. On Aug. 8, 2017, a member of the conspiracy contacted an entity where an individual (Victim 2) had an account. The caller impersonated Victim 2 and asked to withdraw approximately $85,000 from the account. In response, the entity sent a check through a mail carrier to the account holder’s address.
A member of the conspiracy caused the mail carrier to hold the package containing the check for Victim 2 at one of its branch locations. On Aug. 14, 2017, Adekunle entered the branch and, using a driver’s license with Adekunle’s picture and Victim 2’s name and address, obtained the package containing the check. Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2018.
In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Adekunle to three years of supervised release, including 10 months of home confinement.U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka in New York, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, Utah, under the direction of Sheriff Rosie Rivera, for its role in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Jean Barrett Esq., Montclair, New Jersey
Franconia Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Jeffrey Bacon, 27, of Franconia, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2017, law enforcement officers from the Franconia, Sugar Hill, and Littleton, New Hampshire police departments executed a search warrant for the defendant's apartment in Franconia, New Hampshire. In that apartment, officers found approximately 48 grams of fentanyl.
Bacon is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2018.
“Fentanyl continues to pose a very serious threat to the health and safety of the citizens New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners throughout the Granite State to identify and prosecute those who are distributing this deadly drug. This case shows that this dangerous drug can be found in all parts of our state.”
This matter was investigated by the Franconia Police Department, with assistance by the Sugar Hill and Littleton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.
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Four Anchorage Residents Charged with Attempting to Smuggle Drugs into Prison for DistributionRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that four Anchorage residents have been charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into the State of Alaska Department of Corrections (“DOC”) Anchorage Correctional Complex (“ACC”).
Steven Cao, 32, a federal inmate at the time of the offense, Brandon Beltz, 26, Jennifer Delossantos, 33, and Allyson Moore, 20, all of Anchorage, were named in the indictment charging each of them with drug conspiracy and attempt to obtain a prohibited object by a prison inmate. The indictment also charges Cao and Delossantos with use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and Beltz and Moore with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the indictment, between Nov. 13, 2017, and continuing to Dec. 7, 2017, Cao, Beltz, Delossantos, and Moore allegedly attempted to obtain buprenorphine, also known as “subutext,” a narcotic drug, for Cao while he was in federal pre-trial custody at ACC. It is further alleged that they conspired to distribute these drugs to other inmates being held ACC.
Specifically, the plan was to recruit an individual who was subject to State of Alaska pre-trial supervision to whom the conspirators would deliver the drugs. The individual would then internally smuggle the drugs into the correctional institution by intentionally violating his conditions of release so that the state would remand him back into prison custody for 72 hours. During this short period of re-incarceration, the smuggler was to deliver the drugs to Cao, who would then distribute the drugs to other inmates. Cao and Delossantos allegedly gave a firearm to Beltz and Moore as payment in furtherance of executing the plan to smuggle drugs into ACC.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Anchorage Police Department (“APD”) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC, which led to the charges in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan Collins.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Paterson Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioner Admits Accepting KickbacksRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former commissioner with the now-defunct Paterson Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) today admitted his role in two schemes to steal funds from the authority, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Erik Lowe, 50, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right and one count of extortion under color of official right.
According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:
Lowe was a commissioner of the PMUA from February 2009 through May 2015 and exercised control over the authority’s finances. The PMUA was created to manage the hydroelectric plant on the Passaic River in Paterson and to care for and manage certain surrounding properties.
Lowe and Carnell Baskerville, a self-employed contractor, entered into an agreement whereby Lowe would approve payments from the PMUA to Baskerville’s company for services. Both men knew Baskerville had not performed and would not perform any services. Between December 2014 and May 2015, Lowe wrote $146,500 in checks from the PMUA to Baskerville’s company. Lowe directed Baskerville to deposit these checks into Baskerville’s bank account and to kick back to Lowe a significant percentage of this amount in cash to reward Lowe and a fellow MUA commissioner for their official assistance in carrying out the scheme. Baskerville pleaded guilty in February 2018 to his role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 6, 2018.
From August 2012 through November of 2014, Lowe engaged in a similar scheme with a second contractor whose company installed and repaired fences for residential homes and commercial business. Lowe admitted that initially he inflated the checks paid to this contractor substantially above the value of the jobs the contractor performed so that the contractor could kick back thousands of dollars to Lowe. Near the end of the scheme, Lowe was issuing checks worth thousands of dollars to the contractor knowing that no job had been or would be performed. Lowe issued checks totaling $141,700 to the contractor and accepted tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.
The two counts to which Lowe pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Linda Foster Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Former Niagara Falls Police Officer, Co-Defendant Sentenced for Their Roles in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that former Niagara Falls, NY, Police Officer Stephanie A. Costanzo, 29, who was convicted of managing a drug involved premises, was sentenced to time served and three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. In addition, co-defendant Lindsay Carrier, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to serve 70 months in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Violanti, who handled the case, stated that between July 28, 2016, and November 8, 2016, co-defendant Raymond Hopson made several sales of crack cocaine to an undercover (UC) officer posing as a drug customer. During that time, Hopson was living with Stephanie Costanzo, at her residence on Grand Avenue in Niagara Falls. Hopson would store some of his cocaine, along with paraphernalia used to weigh and distribute the cocaine, at the residence.
On November 9, 2016, Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the Niagara Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at Costanzo’s residence. Agents and officers recovered approximately 5.6 grams of cocaine, a digital scale used for weighing and distributing the cocaine, and drug paraphernalia used to package and distribute the cocaine. Although she did not participate in the distribution of the controlled substances, Costanzo was aware that Hopson stored his cocaine and paraphernalia at her residence.
Lindsay Carrier conspired with Raymond Hopson to distribute crack cocaine. On five occasions between July 28, 2016, and November 8, 2016, Hopson obtained crack cocaine from Carrier and then sold it to an undercover officer. A search warrant executed at the Willow Avenue residence of Carrier’s mother, resulted in the seizure of quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine.
Raymond Hopson was previously convicted and will be sentenced at a later date.
“When a person turns a blind eye to criminal conduct, they become complicit in it,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Today’s sentencings make clear that in our community there will be no refuge granted to drug dealers or to those who assist drug dealers.”
The sentencings are the result of an investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Bryan Dalporto, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.Former Navy Sailor Sentenced for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A former U.S. Navy sailor, formerly of Norfolk, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Dustin Lee Sharbono, 29, of Kalispell, Montana, downloaded hundreds of images and videos of child pornography prior to a deployment. Sharbono’s criminal activity was revealed when a fellow Sailor discovered Sharbono’s cellular phone misplaced in a common area aboard the ship. The Sailor attempted to identify the phone’s owner, and stumbled upon images of child pornography within the “Kik Messenger” application. NCIS’ investigation of Sharbono, who was by then at sea, discovered a laptop computer and tablet device in Sharbono’s possession, both containing additional child pornography.
Sharbono attempted to conceal his activity by using an application known as “Hide It Pro,” which stores files in a seemingly benign folder on one’s digital media devices, and disguises itself as an audio manager application. Metadata associated with the Kik application, and other child pornography media in Sharbono’s possession confirmed that he downloaded the images in the weeks leading up to his deployment while his ship was in port in Norfolk.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources” for more information about Internet safety education.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Cliff Everton, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Layne prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-121.
Former Cox Communications vice president sentenced for embezzling millions of dollarsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Janet West, a former vice president at Cox Communications, was sentenced to two years, one month in federal prison for her part in an embezzlement scheme that cost the company millions of dollars.
“This greedy defendant misused her high-ranking position to deceive and steal millions of dollars from her employer,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “She then used the money to fund her own lifestyle, including paying for two houses she owned. Whether the defendant is in the public or the private sector, unauthorized use of funds belonging to others for personal gain is a crime.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: West was in charge of a nationwide field marketing plan to bring gigabit speed connections to markets throughout the U.S. Beginning in 2011, West directed her assistant to make payments, on the assistant’s corporate credit card, to a third-party company for supposed marketing services. In reality, a significant portion of the marketing services never occurred and the majority of the payments for the services were covertly transferred back to the defendant. The defendant caused Cox Communications to make payments to the third party, totaling $2.4 million.
West repeatedly falsified conflict of interest certifications with Cox Communications, failing to disclose the payments she made to herself. The defendant used the embezzled funds for her own personal benefit, including making payments on two houses she owned in Arizona.
Janet West, 49, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, was sentenced two years, one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. West was also ordered to forfeit her interest in the two properties and to pay full restitution to the victim.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Thomas J. Krepp, Chief of the Data Analytics Unit – Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S Attorney Kelly K. Connors 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.
Former Connecticut Attorney Admits to Stealing over $1.3 Million from Clients, Friends and Family MembersRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS M. MURTHA, 62, of Birmingham, Michigan and formerly of Newtown, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud related to his theft of more than $1.3 million from victims.
According to court documents and statements made in court, MURTHA operated a law practice under the name Maher & Murtha LLC in Bridgeport. Beginning in approximately November 2011, MURTHA stole at least $1.3 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members. More than $516,000 of the stolen funds were for the benefit of an individual with mental health issues. As part of the scheme, MURTHA submitted false or forged documents to victims. He also incurred charges on credit cards in the names of others without their knowledge or permission.
The investigation revealed that MURTHA used some of the stolen funds in connection with the purchase of a $725,000 house in Birmingham, Michigan.
In September 2016, MURTHA resigned from the bar after three grievance complaints were filed against him. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 5, 2017, and a grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against him on August 16, 2017.
MURTHA is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on September 11, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
MURTHA has agreed to pay total restitution of at least $1,364,119.15, and to forfeit his interests in the house in Michigan and a 2.11 carat diamond engagement ring that the government has seized.
MURTHA is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and David T. Huang.
Former Carlisle Diner Owner Sentenced to One Year and One Day Imprisonment for Income Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Atef Hussein, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, former owner/operator of the Fairground Diner in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to one year and one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones III, for income tax evasion.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hussein understated income and taxes due, resulting in false income tax returns for tax years 2011 through 2015 causing a tax loss of approximately $139,293.
Judge Jones ordered Hussein to pay $139,293 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
“Crimes such as tax evasion directly impact our shared obligation as citizens to support vital government services,” said United States Attorney Freed. “I commend our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Clancy for their diligence in pursuing this case.”
“Taxpayers thinking about participating in fraudulent tax schemes, including failing to report all forms of income, should stop in their tracks and simply look at the consequences of taking the next step,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. “Those consequences include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest.”
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.
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Former CEO of Detroit-Based Technology Company Pleads Guilty to BriberyRead the Press Release
The former chief executive officer of FutureNet Group Inc., an information technology company, pleaded guilty today for his role in orchestrating a scheme to bribe an official from the City of Detroit to obtain benefits for FutureNet, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Parimal D. Mehta, 54, of Northville, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of federal program bribery before U.S. District Judge Robert H. Cleland of the Eastern District of Michigan. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 27.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, from 2009 through August 2016, Mehta hand-delivered more than $6,500 to Charles L. Dodd, the former Director of Detroit’s Office of Departmental Technology Services, including two cash bribes paid in the restroom of a Detroit-area restaurant in 2016. Dodd previously pleaded guilty to bribery on Sept. 27, 2016.
According to the plea agreement, Mehta sought preferential treatment for FutureNet in exchange for the bribes he paid to Dodd. Among other things, Mehta asked Dodd to cause FutureNet to be selected to fill open positions for contract personnel and to implement particular technological projects in various city departments. Mehta also asked Dodd to supply him with confidential information regarding Detroit’s internal operations, including information regarding Detroit’s internal budgets for particular technology projects and personnel, which would benefit FutureNet in its dealings with Detroit.
The FBI’s Detroit Division investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Robert J. Heberle and James I. Pearce of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
Former Associates of New Jersey Clinical Laboratory Sentenced to 21-Month Prison Terms for Roles in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two former associates of Parsippany, New Jersey-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS) were each sentenced today to 21 months in prison for their roles in a test referral bribery scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Cliff Antell, 43, of Rumson, New Jersey, and Craig Nordman, 39, of Whippany, New Jersey, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to informations charging each with one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act and one count of money laundering. Judge Chesler imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Nordman was a BLS employee and the CEO of Advantech Sales LLC – an entity used by BLS to make illegal payments. Antell was an associate who used an entity – Brown’s Dock Consulting – to disguise the bribe payments to doctors.
The investigation has resulted in 53 convictions – 38 of them doctors – in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case. The investigation has recovered more than $15 million through forfeiture. On June 28, 2016, BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty and was required to forfeit all of its assets.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Chesler sentenced Antell to three years of supervised release and fined him $10,000. Nordman was sentenced to one year of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos; IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, with the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph N. Minish; Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Co-Chief of the Public Protection Unit; Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark; and Senior Litigation Counsel Barbara Ward of the office’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit.
Defense counsel: Nordman: Timothy R. Anderson Esq., Red Bank, New Jersey
Antell: Robert A. Weir Esq., Red BankFive Pennsylvania Men Charged with Conspiring to Defraud the United States and Violate the Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Gavin Rexer, age 29, Dennis Paulhamus, age 39, Timothy Sweitzer, age 41, all of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Joseph Powell, age 31, of Hickory, Pennsylvania, and John Joseph, age 38, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, were charged in a criminal information on May 25, 2018, with conspiring to impede the lawful functions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), and to violate the Clean Air Act.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Rexer, Powell and Joseph were employees of Rockwater Northeast LLC, a company that serviced the fracking industry. In the course of their employment, Rexer, Powell, and Joseph conspired to modify the emissions systems on approximately 30 Rockwater heavy-duty diesel trucks by using “defeat devices.” The defeat devices were obtained from Paulhamus and Sweitzer and their purchases were concealed in Rockwater’s books and records by mislabeling them as exhaust systems. The conspirators also are accused of taking the modified commercial motor vehicles to state approved inspection stations, including Sweitzer’s Garage, to pass federally regulated commercial motor vehicle inspections falsely.
“We take seriously our job of protecting the environment in Pennsylvania, and we won’t hesitate to prosecute individuals committing environmental crimes,” said United States Attorney Freed.
“For years, the defendants engaged in a broad-based criminal conspiracy to manipulate vehicle emission components as a cost savings measure,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Lynn of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. “EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to holding responsible those who violate environmental laws for competitive advantage.”
“This investigation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient travel of commercial motor vehicles,” said Douglas Shoemaker, regional Special Agent-in-Charge of the DOT Office of Inspector General. “Working with our Federal, State, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues, we will continue to protect the public’s safety from those that would seek to circumvent DOT-related laws and regulations.”
The matter was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division and the DOT’s Office of the Inspector General, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Sean Camoni, and by Special Assistant United States Attorney Patricia C. Miller.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Federal Jury Convicts Three Sampson County Members of a Violent Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that, ANTONIO KEVIN MCKOY, 31, of Garland, NC, TONY CHEVALLIER, 31, of Turkey, NC, and JABARR RYEHEINE RUDOLPH, 38, of Clinton, NC were convicted in Federal Court following a seven day jury trial before Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III. The jury found all three men guilty of Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute significant quantities of multiple controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine, and "Molly". Additional convictions were sustained for the distribution of various controlled substances and multiple firearm related charges.
The investigation giving rise to the charges faced at trial began in 2013. Multiple and extensive investigative techniques were utilized throughout this case. The evidence presented at trial detailed a significant drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) that was built and lead by ANTONIO MCKOY. The DTO maintained contacts with individuals throughout the Southeastern United States who supplied the drugs sold primarily within Eastern North Carolina. In addition to trafficking drugs, the DTO maintained a sophisticated apparatus that was used to launder the proceeds derived from drug sales. The evidence presented at trial showed a trucking company that MCKOY started in early 2016 was used to conceal the money collected in the drug business.
The case is a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Probation Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina Departments of Revenue and Emergency Management. Assistant United States Attorneys Brad Knott and Toby Lathan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Federal Jury Convicts Ohio Man in eBay ScamRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa - After deliberating one hour, a federal jury found Atticus Sliter-Matias guilty of two counts of mail fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Sliter-Matias, 29, of Euclid, Ohio was tried before visiting United States District Judge Bill Wilson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorneys Shardul Desai and Colin Callahan, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that from around June 2015 to on or about July 5, 2016, Sliter-Matias advertised electronic devices for sale on 161 eBay accounts. However, Sliter-Matias mailed empty packages through the United States Postal Service to the purchasers instead of the purchased merchandise. Sliter-Matias often used the proceeds from these fraudulent sales to purchase gold or silver bars and coins.
Judge Wilson scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Slither-Matias be continued on bond.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sliter-Matias.
Federal Jury Convicts Armed Bank RobberRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Late yesterday, a federal jury in the Western District of North Carolina convicted Anthony Lamont Caldwell, 48, of Charlotte, of armed bank robbery and firearms charges, announced R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. presided over the trial.
U.S. Attorney Murray is joined in making today’s announcement by John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina, and Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, Caldwell planned the bank robbery, recruited two teenagers to rob the bank, and served as the getaway car driver. Court records show that on December 9, 2016, Caldwell’s co-conspirators entered a Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 10210 Couloak Drive in Charlotte. Both were armed, and as they approached the teller area of the bank they pointed the firearms at the tellers behind the counter and demanded money. The tellers complied with the bank robbers’ demands and handed Caldwell’s co-conspirators $5,791.60 in cash. The two men fled the bank in a car driven by Caldwell. Shortly after the robbery, law enforcement located Caldwell hiding in a wooded area near a bag which contained $5,614 in cash and a GPS tracker from the bank. They also located the vehicle Caldwell was driving nearby.
According to court documents, Caldwell told law enforcement that he had been carjacked while picking up a pizza, and claimed that he had been forced out of his vehicle at gunpoint by two males and into the backseat of the car. Witness testimony and trial evidence established that Caldwell had not been carjacked. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement recovered from clothing and other items in Caldwell’s vehicle along with the two revolvers used to perpetrate the robbery.
The jury convicted Caldwell of bank robbery conspiracy, bank robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court records, Caldwell has two previous federal convictions for bank robbery in 1997, and attempted bank robbery in 2004. Caldwell’s co-conspirators are facing state charges.
Caldwell will remain in custody until his sentencing date, which has not been set. The bank robbery conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of five years; the armed bank robbery charge carries a maximum prison term of 25 years; the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence offense carries maximum prison term of five years and the possession of a firearm by a felon charge carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.
The FBI and CMPD investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Stetzer and William Bozin are in charge of the prosecution.
Federal Charge Filed in Topeka Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A man who is in jail in Vermont was indicted today on a charge that he robbed a Topeka bank, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
A grand jury indictment alleges that on April 26, 2018, Mark Triolo, 46, robbed the Alliance Bank at 3001 Southwest Wanamaker in Topeka.
Triolo was arrested May 4, 2018, in Vermont.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI and the Topeka Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Dwayne M. McCoy, 28, who is in custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 19, 2018, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
Timothy Hoggan, 32, who is in custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 19, 2018, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.