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11 May 2018
St. Thomas Boat Captain Arrested on Charges of Smuggling Illegal Aliens from Dominican Republic and Others Arrested for Illegal Reentry by Aggravated Felons into the United StatesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On May 10, 2018, Shawn A. Callwood, 36, of St. Thomas, Glenys Gruz-Calcano, 28, Anyi Paola Calcano, 19, Luis Alberto Pimentel Gautier, 42, and Rafael Morales-Osoria, 35, all of Dominican Republic, made their initial appearances before U.S. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, after being charged in criminal complaints with alien smuggling and illegal reentry into the United States, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. Judge Gomez detained all five defendants pending further proceedings.
According to the complaint, on May 9, 2018, the Marine Interdiction Agents (MIA) of the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) intercepted Callwood’s vessel in the U.S. territorial waters near St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Callwood failed to yield to both lights and sirens directing him to stop, and a warning shot was fired across the bow of Callwood’s vessel. Five undocumented illegal aliens, including Glenys Gruz-Calcano, Anyi Paola Calcano, Luis Alberto Pimentel Gautier, and Rafael Morales-Osoria, were discovered on board when the vessel came to a stop. Luis Alberto Pimentel Gautier and Rafael Morales-Osoria both have been previously deported from the United States pursuant to felony convictions.
Callwood is facing up to 10 years in prison for smuggling illegal aliens into the United States. Luis Alberto Pimentel Gautier and Rafael Morales-Osoria both face up to 20 years in prison for illegal reentry by an aggravated felon.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO), the USCG and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anna A. Vlasova.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Croix Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery of St. Thomas Jewelry StoreRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On May 10, 2018, District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Robert Brown, 28, to 4 years imprisonment and three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Brown to perform 400 hours of community service and pay a special assessment of $100.
On January 4, 2018, Brown pleaded guilty to a one-count Information, charging him with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
On October 20, 2017, Brown was charged in a one-count Information, which was a result of an investigation into Hobbs Act robbery of Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry Store on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on September 16, 2013. According to the Information, Brown and other individuals conspired to rob this jewelry store and brandished weapons to threaten and intimidate the storeowner.
This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anna A. Vlasova and Kim L. Chisholm.
Sharon Woman Arrested for Stealing Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Sharon woman was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston with stealing Social Security benefits intended for her children.
Stacey Orlando, 59, was indicted on two counts of theft of public funds. She is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal today at 2:15PM.
According to the indictment that was unsealed today, from May 2011 through October 2013, Orlando stole approximately $35,716 in Social Security benefits that were paid to her on behalf of her two children.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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 Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Salvadoran National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salvadoran national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Manuel Erazo-Posada, 37, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
Law enforcement in Boston encountered Erazo-Posada on April 30, 2018, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Erazo-Posada was previously deported on June 28, 2010.
Erazo-Posada faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and 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 Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Richardson Tax Preparer Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Rene Barrera, Sr, of Del Rio, Texas, who was one of several tax preparers at Tax Genius in Richardson, Texas, appeared in federal court Tuesday, May 8, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez and pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Sentencing is set for December 14, 2018, before Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn. Barrera faces a statutory maximum penalty of three years in federal prison and a $100,000 fine. He may also be ordered to pay restitution.
On September 21, 2016, Barrera and co-defendants Jimmy Luis Briseno, Mike Cano and Christopher Lee DeLeon were charged with conspiracy to defraud the IRS and other charges related to the filing of false tax returns. According to the factual resume filed in the case, from January 2011 through April 2011, Barrera prepared and electronically filed taxes at Tax Genius in Richardson, Texas. In his plea papers, Barrera admitted that he and other employees prepared and caused to be electronically filed with the IRS individual income tax returns that contained one or more of the following falsely inflated or fictitious items: false Forms Schedule C; false and fabricated Education Credits, and false items used to inflate and maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on the tax return. During this period, Barrera and other Tax Genius employees engaged in a fraudulent scheme in which false and fraudulent information and documents were submitted to the IRS with the intent to defraud the IRS by causing the IRS to pay fraudulent refunds based on this false tax information.
Barrera caused the filing of eight false tax returns resulting in a tax loss of $67,100 due to false refunds claimed.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Jarvis is in charge of the prosecution.
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Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jason D. Boudreau, 43, of Woonsocket, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to federal child pornography charges.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Boudreau pleaded guilty to access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates.
According to information presented to the Court, in November 2015, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations agents and members of the Woonsocket Police Department executed a court authorized search of Boudreau’s residence, and seized several digital media storage devices, including a cellular telephone.
A forensic examination of the devices revealed 750 images of child pornography. The images depict nude prepubescent females, including infants and toddlers engaged in sexual acts with adult males, bondage, and the graphic and lascivious exhibition of their genitals.
According to court records, Boudreau was convicted in Rhode Island state court in March 2012 for 2nd degree child molestation and in January 2014 for possession of child pornography. At the time of his sentencing for possession of child pornography in state court, Boudreau was ordered to register as a sex offender.
Boudreau, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on December 29, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 21, 2018.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton and Richard W. Rose.
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Randolph County Resident Sentenced to 15 Years for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
On May 11, 2018, Jason M. Stoker, 35, of Chester, Illinois, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for a methamphetamine offense, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Stoker previously pleaded guilty on January 26, 2018, to a one-count superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
As part of his guilty plea, Stoker admitted his involvement with others in the distribution of ice in Southern Illinois. "Ice" is a substance containing methamphetamine of at least 80% purity. Stoker obtained dealer amounts of ice and supplied it to others. On August 24, 2016, Stoker sold ice to a confidential source working for law enforcement. He admitted that he should be held responsible for distributing between 150 and 500 grams of ice.
On October 28, 2016, Officer James I. Brockmeyer of the Chester, Illinois Police Department attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Stoker. Because he had ice in his car, Stoker refused to pull over and instead fled from law enforcement at a high rate of speed. During the ensuing pursuit, Officer Brockmeyer lost control of his vehicle and was killed as a result of the crash. Officer Brockmeyer was 22 years old and also served as a volunteer firefighter in Chester.
At sentencing, Officer Brockmeyer’s mother, Dixie, and Chief Ryan Coffey of the Chester Police Department spoke in open court about the impact of his death. Stoker received an enhanced sentence for recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury in the course of fleeing from a law enforcement officer.
The investigation was conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Police Department, Illinois State Police, Cape Girardeau, Missouri Police Department, Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, United States
Marshals Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda A. Robertson and Adam E. Hanna for prosecution.
Pittsfield Man Indicted on Drug, Firearms and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Pittsfield man was charged in federal court in Springfield yesterday with distributing marijuana, illegally possessing 10 guns and money laundering.
Matthew Murray, 40, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of money laundering.
As alleged in the indictment, Murray possessed and distributed more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, possessed 10 firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking, and concealed the proceeds of his drug trafficking.
The drug charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a $5 million fine. The firearms charge provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering transaction. The United States will also seek to forfeit Murray’s interest in his residence on Southbrook Lane in Pittsfield, at least $799,259 in drug proceeds, an Audi A6, a Ducati Motorcycle and the firearms and ammunition used in furtherance of the crimes.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pimps Sentenced to Prison for Sex Trafficking Three MinorsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Hyattsville, Maryland men were each sentenced today to 26 years in prison for sex trafficking three minors throughout the East Coast from September through November 2016.
According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, Dennis Davis Jr. aka Dee, 26, and Ivan Williams aka Lucci, 28, sex trafficked three underage girls while working with their convicted co-conspirators, Chelsea Canterbury aka Katt, 26, and Rebecca Hamilton aka Becca, 22, also of Hyattsville. Davis, Williams, and their co-conspirators recruited the three underage girls, whom they trafficked in numerous locations, including Northern Virginia, Richmond, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia. They worked together to post online advertisements of the victims offering them for commercial sex with men throughout the region, reserved hotel rooms at which they and the victims would stay when traveling to engage in commercial sex acts, drove the victims to the hotels and other locations where the commercial sex acts occurred, and collected the money given to the victims by the commercial sex customers. The evidence further showed that when two of the minors tried to leave the group, Davis and Williams resorted to violence, including physical force and brandishing firearms. Davis and Williams used the money earned by the victims to create rap music where they bragged about exploiting females, and to fund their day-to-day living expenses.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, John P. Cronan, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, and Humberto I. Cardounel Jr., Chief of Henrico County Police Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen C. Cain of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecuted the case.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department and the Henrico County Police Department.
This investigation was a 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-196.
Pimps Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Three Minor Victims Throughout East CoastRead the Press Release
Two Hyattsville, Maryland men were both sentenced today to 26 years in prison for sex trafficking three minors throughout the East Coast from September through November 2016.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Fairfax County Chief of Police Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. and Chief Humberto I. Cardounel Jr. of Henrico County Police Division, made the announcement.
Dennis Davis Jr. aka Dee, 26, and Ivan Williams aka Lucci, 28, were sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Judge Ellis ordered Davis and Williams to serve 10 years of supervised release following their 312-month prison sentence. Both defendants were ordered to register as sex offenders. Davis and Williams were each found guilty by a federal jury on Jan. 10, 2018, of three counts of sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, Davis and Williams sex trafficked three underage girls while working with their convicted co-conspirators, Chelsea Canterbury aka Katt, 26, and Rebecca Hamilton aka Becca, 22, also of Hyattsville, Maryland. Davis, Williams and their co-conspirators recruited the three underage girls, whom they trafficked in numerous locations, including Northern Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Maryland; Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia. They worked together to post online advertisements of the victims on websites such as Backpage.com offering them for commercial sex with men throughout the region; reserved hotel rooms at which they and the victims would stay when traveling to engage in commercial sex acts; drove the victims to the hotels and other locations where the commercial sex acts occurred; and collected the money given to the victims by the commercial sex customers. The evidence further showed that when two of the minors tried to leave the group, Davis and Williams resorted to violence, including physical force and brandishing firearms. Davis and Williams used the money earned by the victims to create rap music where they bragged about exploiting females, and to fund their day-to-day living expenses.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department and the Henrico County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen C. Cain of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecuted the case.
This investigation was a 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.
Novato Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - David Andrew Nielsen was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for possessing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge, following the entry of a guilty plea on February 2, 2018.
According to his guilty plea, Nielsen, 54, of Novato, Calif., admitted to possessing over 600 images and videos of child pornography, including images of minors younger than 12 years old and portrayals of the sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler. Further, in determining the applicable calculation under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Illston found that an enhancement should be imposed because the defendant engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor.
On August 31, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Nielsen with possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B).
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston ordered Nielsen to serve a 7-year period of supervised release following his custodial sentence. As part of his release conditions, Nielsen must register as a sex offender and participate in sex offender-specific treatment. Nielsen has been in custody since his arrest in August 2017, and he will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sailaja M. Paidipaty and Christina McCall are prosecuting the case with assistance from Marina Ponomarchuk and Michelle Alter. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by ICE, the Novato Police Department, the Concord Police Department, and the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.
North Carolina Podiatrist and His Son Face Wire Fraud Charges in Connection with Unemployment Insurance Benefits SchemeRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A North Carolina podiatrist and his son are facing federal charges in connection with an unemployment insurance benefits scheme, announced R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. A criminal bill of information was filed in U.S. District Court in Asheville today, charging Dr. Jerry Gross, 72, and his son, Jason Lee Gross, 51, both of Rutherfordton, N.C., with wire fraud.
Nick S. Annan, Special Agent in Charge of ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia and the Carolinas; Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; and Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General, join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents, Dr. Jerry Gross owned and operated the Foot & Ankle Center of the Carolinas, P.A. (Foot & Ankle Center), located in Forest City, N.C. Dr. Jerry Gross’s son, Jason Lee Gross, also worked at the Foot & Ankle Center, managing the practice’s business operations, including payroll and personnel decisions. Filed documents show that, from September 2009 to March 2013, Dr. Jerry Gross and Jason Lee Gross carried out a scheme to defraud the State of North Carolina by placing employees of the Foot & Ankle Center on Unemployment Insurance Benefits (“UI Benefits”) while those employees continued to work at the business in excess of what was permitted by the program eligibility requirements. According to court records, the scheme enabled Foot & Ankle Center to survive the economic downturn during those years by creating a free labor force.
According to filed court documents, during the relevant time period, Jason Lee Gross laid off, at various times, employees of the Foot & Ankle Center, including himself and Dr. Jerry Gross. Court records show that Jason Lee Gross made UI Benefits claims on behalf of the laid off employees, including himself and his father. Jason Lee Gross certified the initial eligibility for UI Benefits of each of the employees, and continued to certify their eligibility on a weekly basis for the UI Benefits they received. Jason Lee Gross did so despite knowing that at least four of the employees regularly failed to comply with the program eligibility requirements, including by regularly working in excess of the hours allowed by the program.
Court records show that Dr. Jerry Gross did not file any such certifications, but knew that Jason Lee Gross had placed the employees on unemployment, and was aware that at least four of those employees continued to work on a full-time or near-full-time basis, while the practice continued to generate revenue. Court documents further show that Dr. Jerry Gross also collected considerable UI Benefits himself, despite deliberately turning a blind eye to whether or not he was complying with the eligibility requirements for the program, when in fact he was not complying. Court records show that the scheme caused the State of North Carolina to pay out at least $149,970 in UI Benefits to laid-off Foot & Ankle center employees that did not meet the eligibility requirements.
The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Signed plea agreements were also filed today. Plea hearings have not been set.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked HSI, SBI, and the Department of Labor for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bradley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is in charge of the prosecution.
New Bedford Man Sentenced for Distributing Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization that operated in Taunton and Boston.
David Tejeda, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2017, Tejeda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. In February 2017, Tejeda and 22 co-defendants were arrested in connection with the conspiracy.
From mid-2016 through February 2017, federal law enforcement investigated a heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization led by Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero. Lugo-Guerrero allegedly operated his organization in Fall River and Boston and sold to numerous customers, including Tejeda. On Feb. 14, 2017, agents arrested Tejeda and seized from his New Bedford residence 119 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and 117 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and cocaine.
Lugo-Guerrero has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Fall River Police Chief Daniel S. Racine; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; Taunton Police Chief Edward James Walsh; Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans; and Bristol Country District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Missouri Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Eliseo Alvarez Sr. age 52, of Pineville, Missouri, was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in federal prison, to run partially concurrent with a sentence previously ordered against him in the Eastern District of Arkansas, followed by five years of supervised release. Alvarez Sr. was also ordered to pay a $4,900.00 fine on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in May 2017, during the course of an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the Western District of Arkansas, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) identified Alvarez Sr. as a methamphetamine source of supply for local distributors of methamphetamine. During the investigation, agents observed Alvarez Sr. meeting with a known methamphetamine distributor and drop off a green colored bag. After the meeting, agents arrested the known distributor for an outstanding warrant. During a search of the vehicle, agents located 433.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine that was located in the green bag. The suspected methamphetamine was sent the DEA South Central Lab for testing. The results confirmed that the substance was in fact a mixture of substance that contained actual methamphetamine.
Alvarez was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2017 and pled guilty in January 2018.
This case was investigated by HSI and the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Brice White prosecuted the case for the United States.
Midland Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
In Midland, United States District Judge David Counts sentenced 27-year-old Kenneth James Barfield yesterday to 30 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson; and, Midland Interim Police Chief Seth Herman.
On January 10, 2018, Barfield pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, Barfield was responsible for distributing more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine throughout the Permian Basin from April 2017 to November 2017.
Barfield has remained in custody since being arrested by Midland Police on November 17, 2017.
The Midland Police Department together with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brandi Young prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Meridian Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – James Stewart Maxheimer, 46, of Meridian was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court to 72 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
According to the plea agreement, between May and June of 2016, detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force downloaded images of child pornography from the defendant’s computer using a peer to peer network. On July 13, 2016, ICAC detectives served a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Boise. They discovered an external hard drive hidden in an “Asteroids” video game console, and two laptop computers. The defendant admitted downloading images of child pornography using the peer to peer network on his computer, and to storing the images on the external hard drive. In all, detectives discovered 10,172 images and 378 videos depicting child pornography, including images of infants, toddlers, and children subjected to sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Maxheimer to pay $5,100 in special assessments and forfeit the external hard drive and two laptop computers used in the commission of the charged offense. As a result of his conviction, Maxheimer will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal 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.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Menands Man Charged with Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kenneth J. Monahan, age 43, of Menands, New York, made his appearance yesterday in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Janelle M. Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The criminal complaint filed against Monahan alleges that he possessed child pornography on his home computer and downloaded child pornography through a peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
If convicted, Monahan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a mandatory term of supervised release of 5 years and up to life, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and a maximum $250,000 fine. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia G. Suarez.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Mail carrier from Broadview Heights locked up for three months for stealing packages containing marijuanaRead the Press Release
A mail carrier from Broadview Heights was sentenced to three months of incarceration for stealing packages containing marijuana.
Thomas N. Schaefer, 44, previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail.
Schaefer was assigned to the Newburg Post Office, zip code 44127 in Cleveland, when he stole two parcels in 2017 which contained more than 10 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents.
On March 22, 2017, Schaefer took a parcel addressed to a house on Dolloff Road in Cleveland. He suspected it contained marijuana. He opened it and found four vacuum-sealed one-pound bags of marijuana, according to court documents.
Schaefer took a parcel addressed to an address on Melgrove Avenue in Garfield Heights on Aug. 4 and kept it for himself. The parcel contained 6.7 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents.
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, said: “The jail sentence in this case should send a message to those postal employees who decide to go into the drug dealing business for themselves by stealing drug parcels from the mail. When they are caught by Special Agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and Postal Inspectors, they lose their career, benefits, retirement, and, in this case, their freedom. They also put their fellow employees at risk. This investigation was initiated when Schaefer’s supervisor was assaulted by drug dealers looking for a drug parcel Schaefer may very well have stolen. Postal employees should be advised that USPS OIG special agents make these types of investigations a top priority. To report criminal activity or serious misconduct committed by postal employees, contact USPS OIG special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”
Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Morrison prosecuted the case following an investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Macon Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MACON: United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, announces that Robert Murphy, age 25, of Macon, Georgia entered his guilty plea on May 11, 2018 to possession of child pornography in front of United States District Judge Marc T. Treadwell.
According to the plea agreement, on or about April 21, 2016, a federal law enforcement agent identified that a number of child pornography files available for sharing through an internet connection associated with Mr. Murphy’s residence. A federal search warrant was later executed by members of Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Murphy was found at the residence and admitted to searching for and downloading child pornography using peer-to-peer programs. He also admitted to looking for child pornography, downloading, watching, and later deleting the files. A forensic examination of Mr. Murphy’s computer, which was seized during execution of the warrant, revealed evidence of 109 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
"The viewers of child pornography provide the market that leads the producers to corrupt and defile children in the making of it; thus the users are as guilty as anyone else in the production/distribution chain, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by my office," said United States Attorney Peeler.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Macau Billionaire Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Role in Scheme to Bribe United Nations Ambassadors to Build A Multibillion-Dollar Conference CenterRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced today that NG LAP SENG, a/k/a “David Ng,” the chairman of a Macau real estate development company, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role in a scheme to bribe United Nations ambassadors to obtain support to build a conference center in Macau that would host, among other events, the annual United Nations Global South-South Development Expo. NG was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick.
NG was convicted on July 27, 2017, after a five-week trial, of two counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, one count of paying bribes and gratuities, one count of money laundering, and two counts of conspiracy.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Billionaire Ng Lap Seng corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations in pursuit of a multibillion-dollar real estate deal in Macau. Ng exploited a center for international diplomacy as an instrument for his greedy intentions. This Office is committed to policing official corruption wherever it may be found.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan said: “Corruption at any level of government undermines the rule of law and cannot be tolerated. But corruption is especially corrosive when it occurs at an international body like the United Nations. By paying bribes to two U.N. ambassadors to advance his interest in obtaining formal support for the Macau conference center project, Ng Lap Seng tried to manipulate the functions of the United Nations. The sentence handed down today demonstrates that those who engage in corruption will pay a heavy price and serves as a reminder that no one stands above the law.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, NG, the chairman of the Sun Kian Ip Group, conspired with and paid bribes to Francis Lorenzo, a former UN Ambassador from the Dominican Republic, and John W. Ashe, the late former Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN and the 68th President of the UN General Assembly (“UNGA”). With the assistance of Jeff C. Yin, an accountant and co-conspirator who worked with NG and others and previously pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States, NG orchestrated a scheme with the principal objective of obtaining the formal support of the UN for a multibillion-dollar facility that NG hoped to build in Macau using the Sun Kian Ip Group (the “Macau Conference Center”). NG wanted the Macau Conference Center to serve as a location for meetings, discussions, forums, and other events associated with the UN. In particular, he wanted it to serve as the permanent home of the annual “Global South-South Development Expo,” which is run by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, and is hosted in a different country or city every year.
The trial evidence showed that NG bribed Ambassador Ashe and Ambassador Lorenzo (together, the “Ambassadors”) in exchange for their agreement to use their official positions to advance NG’s interest in obtaining formal UN support for the Macau Conference Center. As the evidence demonstrated at trial, NG paid the Ambassadors in a variety of forms. For example, NG appointed Ambassador Lorenzo as the president of South-South News, a New York-based organization – funded by NG – which described itself as a media platform dedicated to advancing the implementation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, a set of philanthropic goals. NG provided bribe payments to Ambassador Lorenzo through South-South News, and by transmitting payments from Macau to a company in the Dominican Republic affiliated with Ambassador Lorenzo’s brother (the “Dominican Company”). Through South-South News, NG also made payments to Ambassador Ashe, including to Ambassador Ashe’s wife, who was paid for a no-show job as a “consultant” to South-South News, and to an account that Ambassador Ashe had established, purportedly to raise money for his role as president of UNGA.
According to the trial evidence, one of the actions that the Ambassadors took in exchange for bribe payments, to advance NG’s objectives, was to submit an official document to the then-UN Secretary-General in support of the Macau Conference Center (the “UN Document”). The UN Document claimed that there was a need to build the Macau Conference Center to support the UN’s global development goals. Ambassador Ashe, aided by Ambassador Lorenzo, initially submitted the UN Document to the UNGA in or about late February 2012. More than a year later, at NG’s behest, the Ambassadors revised the UN Document to refer specifically to NG’s company, the Macau Real Estate Development Company, as a partner in the Macau Conference Center project. The UN Document requested that the Secretary-General circulate the UN Document “as a document of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly,” under a specific item of the official UNGA agenda. The Secretary-General followed this request, thereby making the UN Document an official part of the UNGA record.
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In addition to the 48-month prison term, NG, 69, of Macau, China, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. NG was also and ordered to pay a fine of $1 million, to forfeit $1.5 million, and to make restitution to the UN for its legal fees.
Five other defendants have been charged in this matter. Lorenzo and Heidi Hong Piao pled guilty to various charges, including bribery, and are awaiting sentencing. Jeff C. Yin pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and was sentenced to seven months in prison. Shiwei Yan pled guilty to bribery and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Co-defendant Ashe died in 2016 and the charges against him were dismissed.
This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Richenthal, Janis M. Echenberg, and Douglas S. Zolkind, and Trial Attorney David A. Last of the Fraud Section, are in charge of the prosecution.
Last of “Operation Homeless” Defendants Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced the remaining two defendants in an “operation homeless” bank fraud prosecution, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Travis Bolston, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to time served, which amounted to approximately nine months (he was held in custody after his arrest). Leshelica Reese, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, also was sentenced to time served, but with three additional months of home detention. On March 12, 2018, their co-defendant, Daronte Jones, 40, of Decator, Georgia, was sentenced to time served, which amounted to approximately seven months (he was held in custody after his arrest).
All defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for participating in an “operation homeless” bank fraud scheme. According to the defendants’ plea agreements, their group stole checks that local businesses had placed in the mail. The defendants then made forged checks drawn on the bank accounts of those local businesses. Jones and Bolston then went to downtown Boise and persuaded a homeless man to cash the checks for them, initially promising him that he would be given a chance to work to earn money. Jones and Bolston then sent the homeless man into three different bank branches to cash the checks for them while they remained outside in a vehicle in case their fraud was detected. Jones and Bolston received the proceeds and, after leaving the area of the banks, handed them off to Reese.
Fortunately, the banks became suspicious and notified law enforcement. The Boise Police Department caught Bolston, Jones, and Reese with the evidence of their crimes.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Boise Police Department.
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Kewa Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Tenorio, 50, an enrolled member and resident of Kewa Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to child sexual abuse charges. Tenorio’s plea agreement recommends a sentence within the range of 57 to 97 month in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Tenorio will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Tenorio was arrested on March 21, 2017, on a seven-count indictment alleging kidnapping and abusive sexual contact charges. The indictment charged Tenorio with kidnapping the first victim, a child under the age of 18 on May 18, 2016; engaging in abusive sexual contact with the first victim, a child under the age of 12, two separate times between Jan. 1, 2015 and Jan 31, 2015, and three separate times on May 18, 2016. It also charged Tenorio with engaging in abusive sexual contact with the second victim, a child between the age of 12 and 16, two separate times between Aug. 23, 2006 and Aug. 22, 2017. According to the indictment, Tenorio committed the crimes on Kewa Pueblo in Sandoval County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Tenorio pled guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact. In entering the guilty plea, Tenorio admitted that on May 18, 2016, he engaged in sexual contact with the first victim, who was under the age of 12. Tenorio also admitted engaging in sexual contact with the second victim, a 13-year-old child between Aug. 23, 2006 and Aug. 22, 2006. Tenorio previously pled guilty to the same charges in tribal court. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Southern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl Laced Heroin, Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Dominican national who had previously been convicted in federal court in Boston in 1998 for trafficking cocaine, sentenced to 72 months in federal prison and ordered deported, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to reentering the county illegally and conspiring to possess and distribute nearly 300 grams of fentanyl laced heroin.
Juan Manuel Bautista Arias’ drug trafficking activity in Hartford, Conn., was identified by the Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Task Force during an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that regularly imported kilograms of heroin and cocaine from Mexico via the Southwest border of the United States directly into Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Triple Play,” in reference to three brothers who entered the country illegally and allegedly ran the drug trafficking operation, was dismantled by law enforcement in April 2017. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals, at least 9 of which have been determined to have been in the United States illegally. Numerous kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, substantial amounts of cash, and at least 9 vehicles were seized.
Appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., Bautista admitted that shortly after he was released from a prison in Bani, Dominican Republic, on an unrelated criminal matter, he was illegally brought to the United States by the Rhode Island and Massachusetts based drug trafficking organization. The organization provided him with an apartment in Hartford, Conn., from which he ran a heroin and cocaine drug distribution operation, at their direction.
In April 2017, law enforcement a executed a court authorized search warrant at Bautista’s residence and seized nearly 287 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, and $3,200 in cash. Bautista was found to be in possession of a fraudulent Puerto Rican birth certificate. Bautista’s fingerprints had been surgically altered.
Bautista, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and illegal reentry, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on July 26, 2018.
Bautista’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Field Division Harold H. Shaw.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance in the government’s case against Juan Manuel Bautista Arias.
Operation Triple Play is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation initiated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Under the direction of the FBI, the participating agencies in this investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration (Providence and Boston Resident Agencies); Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Rhode Island State Police; Providence Police Department; Woonsocket Police Department; Central Falls Police Department; Cranston Police Department; Warwick Police Department and; the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
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Holyoke Man Sentenced for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for receiving child pornography.
Edward F. Dupont, 75, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to eight years in prison and seven years of supervised release. In January 2018, Dupont pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. Dupont was arrested in August 2015 and has been detained since.
On June 23, 2015, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Dupont’s residence where they seized a computer containing over 16,000 images and 35 videos of child pornography. Four of the videos depicted the rapes of girls as young as five-years-old.
Dupont also possessed a 170-page manual entitled, “How to Practice Child Love.” The manual is a professionally designed document that presents itself as “an education and a step-by-step guide for adults to engage and practice sexual relationships with children.” The manual states: “You do not even need to leave your own house or lot to meet new children and child love candidates. If you are bound to stay at your house, and preferably living alone, you can actually get the kids all the way to your front door – and even inside. This might even be a very safe option too – since as soon as you get the kids inside, no one can watch your activities from outside.”
During the search, Dupont waived his Miranda rights and stated that he has a sexual interest in young children; he has used his computer to access child pornography sites and to download child pornography images and videos; and he possessed child pornography on his home computer.
Though Dupont denied ever having sexual contact with children, he admitted that neighborhood children came over to play in his backyard and in his basement. He had also given copies of his house keys to the neighbors so that their children could come over any time they wanted, and he maintained a cupboard with games for the children to play.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Gautier Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Jermaine Antonio Newell, 32, of Gautier, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 60 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a schedule I controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith. Newell was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On November 15, 2017, DEA agents executed three search warrants at three locations known to be used by Newell. Based on information obtained showing online purchases, agents believed there would be evidence of drug trafficking activities at the properties. As agents executed one of the search warrants in Soso, Mississippi, a Jones County Deputy saw Newell drive by the property and begin throwing bags from the van’s window. Newell threw a bag containing 951 grams of heroin, along with various pills, cocaine, marijuana, a digital scale and approximately $11,000 in cash. Shortly after seeing Newell throw the items, he was stopped and arrested. Newell admitted to conspiring to possess the heroin and intending to distribute it. He pled guilty on January 30, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ellisville Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Fugitive Marijuana Trafficker Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Peyton Erwin Eidson was sentenced this morning to 36 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Perlman of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service San Francisco Field Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge, following Eidson’s guilty plea to the charges on January 5, 2018.
According to his plea agreement, Eidson admitted he had been a part of a conspiracy to import almost 6,700 pounds of marijuana from Thailand in the mid-80s. Eidson admitted that he went to Thailand to arrange for the load and that he tracked the distribution of those drugs once they made it to the United States. Eidson also admitted he fled the United States in 1985, after he was arrested in connection with the drug offense, and that he obtained a passport in another person’s name to facilitate his flight. He further admitted he renewed that passport in 1995 and 2005, and that he submitted false information to the State Department each time he did so. Eidson eventually settled in Australia and lived there under his assumed identity for approximately 26 years, until agents from the Diplomatic Security Service discovered who he was. Eidson was returned to the United States in 2017 to face drug charges filed against him in 1988 (based on the 1985 conduct) and charges arising out of his use of fraudulent documents to obtain U.S. passports.
“Peyton Eidson’s arrest and successful prosecution, 32 years later, should send a strong message to all fugitives of crime, and to the community, that the government will not give up just because time has passed,” said Acting United States Attorney Tse. “Mr. Eidson was involved in an international smuggling ring responsible for transporting a large amount of drugs. Today, he has finally answered for his crime,” Tse said.
“Our tremendous success in finally closing this decades-old case could never have been possible if not for the diligent efforts of our Diplomatic Security Service colleagues overseas and the assistance and close cooperation of the Australian Federal Police,” said Special Agent in Charge Perlman of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The investigation of Eidson’s participation in drug trafficking began in 1985 with an undercover operation involving special agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department. On August 8, 1985, DEA agents and sheriff’s deputies arrested Eidson and several others in Santa Rosa, Calif. The next day, they seized about 2,000 of the 6,700 pounds of marijuana that Eidson and others had imported from Thailand. Eidson fled the country shortly after that arrest, while his co-defendants were convicted of drug trafficking and importation charges.
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge. The defendant is in custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Four Individuals Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit ArsonRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On May 10, 2018, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against four defendants charged with conspiracy to commit arson in furtherance of wire fraud, wire fraud, and other arson related charges, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is in charge of the investigation.
According to the information contained in the indictment, from May until July 2016, defendants Rafael García-Sánchez, Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, and Jesús Torres-Lazzu, a.k.a. “Bimbo,” conspired to use fire to commit the offense of wire fraud. They agreed to set the physical premises of Organización Pro Ayuda a Personas con Impedimentos (OPAPI) in Río Grande, PR on fire for the purpose of collecting insurance proceeds, and in furtherance of this scheme, García-Sánchez caused items to be sent and delivered by wire in interstate commerce.
Rafael García-Sánchez solicited assistance from Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, Jesús Torres-Lazzu, and Christian Aponte-Charbonier to set on fire the physical premises of OPAPI in order to file a fraudulent insurance claim with Universal Insurance Company. Christian Aponte-Charbonier (now deceased), with the assistance of his brother Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, and Jesús Torres-Lazzu set fire to the physical premises of OPAPI, causing damage to said premises and its contents. While starting the fire, Christian Aponte-Charbonier suffered major burn injuries and died because of said injuries on July 10, 2016. García-Sánchez, aided and abetted by others, filed a fraudulent claim for $250,000.00 with Universal Insurance Company in connection with the damages at OPAPI in Río Grande.
On July 11, 2016, Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier falsely reported to agents of the Puerto Rico Police Department that Christian Aponte-Charbonier sustained his burn injuries while working with an electric generator at the premises of OPAPI Casa Dorada in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, a story that he concocted with Rafael García-Sánchez and Raúl García-Sánchez. After reporting this false information, García-Charbonier accompanied agents of the PR Police Department to the premises of OPAPI Casa Dorada, where they encountered a staged accident scene with a fire-damaged electric generator.
The fourth defendant, Raúl García-Sánchez is charged with one count of accessory after the fact for assisting the other defendants in staging an accident scene involving a fire-damaged electric generator at the premises of OPAPI located in Yabucoa. Raúl García-Sánchez is also charged in one count of obstruction of justice for his role in attempting to cover up the crime.
“Rafael García-Sanchez solicited members of his family to commit an act of violence in an effort to fraudulently collect insurance. The defendants then devised a scheme to conceal their unlawful acts, and the death of Christian Aponte-Charbonier,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, US Attorney for the District of PR. “Insurance fraud, particularly when it results in loss of life, is a serious criminal act and our office will continue to investigate and prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
ATF Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Ari C. Shapira said: “I am proud of the hard working and dedicated men and women of ATF who utilized a broad array of investigative resources to successfully investigate this violent crime. In partnership with the US Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico we will continue to fight against lawlessness and protect the public.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Alum and Edward Veronda. If convicted, defendants García-Sánchez, García-Charbonier, and Torres-Lazzu face up to life in prison and García-Sánchez is facing up to 20 years in prison. An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Former Roswell city councilman sentenced for producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Kent Igleheart, a former Roswell, Georgia city councilman, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for multiple counts of producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.
“Igleheart violated the public’s trust with his heinous conduct and possibly caused long-lasting harm to his victims” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “U.S. Judge District Judge Amy Totenberg described the defendant’s conduct as ‘taking a knife’ and ‘producing a deep wound in the lives of the four minors.’ Igleheart’s lengthy prison sentence reflects the seriousness of his exploitation of young girls for his sexual interest.”
“The pain and harm caused to the children, victimized by this so-called community leader, are irreparable. There is no sentence that can lessen their anguish,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Rest assured, the FBI led Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force (MATCH) will continue to devote significant resources to pursuing anyone who chooses to prey on our community’s children.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and evidence presented at court: In October 2016, E.B. then 17 years old, contacted the DeKalb County Internet Crimes Against Children Unit to report that she had been communicating online since she was 13 years old with someone who had portrayed himself to be 17 years old. E.B. reported that she had exchanged sexually graphic photographs and had sexually explicit conversations with the individual. E.B. later discovered that the person with whom she was communicating was Igleheart – not the teenage boy depicted in Igleheart’s profile photograph.
Igleheart acknowledged that he and E.B. had exchanged sexually graphic photographs beginning when she was 13 years old. He also booked a hotel and made plans to meet with E.B. on October 20, 2016, to engage in sexual activity with her. Investigators arrested him when he arrived at Northlake Mall, the pre-arranged location. DeKalb County investigators and the FBI conducted searches of Igleheart’s phones and computers and found some of the images that E.B. had produced and sent to the defendant at his request.
Searches of Igleheart’s phones and computers also revealed that he posed online as “Kent Allen,” presented himself as a teenage boy between the ages of 14 and 17 years, and engaged in sexually graphic communications with numerous teenage girls, some of whom were as young as 13 years old. During these conversations, Igleheart persuaded and enticed the girls to take photographs of their genitalia and videos of themselves engaging in sexual conduct and transmit the images to him via the Internet.
Kent Igleheart, 55, of Roswell, Georgia has been sentenced to 20 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by U.S. Judge District Judge Amy Totenberg. He must also register as a sex offender as a condition of his supervised release. Igleheart was convicted of four counts of producing child pornography, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography on January 5, 2018, after he entered a guilty plea.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yonette Buchanan and Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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 home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.
Former Mexican Federal Police Commander Enters No Contest Plea to Obstructing United States Investigation into Drug CartelRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former high-ranking commander in the Mexican Federal Police entered a no contest plea in U.S. District Court today to the charges of obstruction of justice and conspiring with others to corruptly impede a U.S.-based narcotics trafficking investigation. A no contest plea is one in which a defendant acknowledges that the facts of the case would result in a verdict of guilt, although the defendant is not admitting to those facts.
IVAN REYES ARZATE, 46, of Mexico City, also known as "La Reina," entered a no contest plea to charges that he obstructed and conspired to obstruct an investigation being carried out by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Reyes acquired information regarding the United States investigation through his position as a commander in the Mexican Federal Police, which was working with the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago to investigate an international drug trafficking and money laundering organization.
An indictment was returned in July 2017 charging Reyes and he has been in custody since the announcement of the charges. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve accepted the plea, and set the sentencing for August 29, 2018 at 9:30.
Today’s plea was announced by John R. Lausch Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Brian McKnight, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA. The investigation was conducted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois State Police, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"Today’s plea is historic in that it represents the first time in this district that a high level foreign law enforcement officer is being held criminally accountable in a U.S. courtroom for obstructing a U.S. investigation targeting transnational organized crime," said U.S. Attorney Lausch. "This result follows over a year of hard work on behalf of our partners at the DEA and our counterparts in Mexico. We remain steadfast in our commitment to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and fight against corruption at all levels."
"The Drug Enforcement Administration continues to work tirelessly with the US Attorney’s Office as well as our Mexican counterparts in this shared fight against transnational organized crime, violence and drug trafficking," remarked Special Agent in Charge McKnight. "Chasing corruption across the border and holding those accountable for obstructing lawful investigations reinforces to narcotics traffickers that justice does prevail."
The obstruction of justice charge carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Sawyer and Devlin Su.
Former Fayetteville IRS Revenue Agent Sentenced to over 4 Years in Federal Prison for False Representation of A Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, AR – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas announced that Ryan Payne, age 36, of Barling, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 52 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $9,953.13 in restitution for False Representation of a Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity Theft. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in 2015, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration launched a criminal investigation of Payne stemming from his employment at the IRS in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as a revenue agent. Payne resigned from his position in January 2015. As part of his duties as a revenue agent, Payne conducted an official audit of a business for the tax year 2010. The owner of the business provided Payne a flash drive containing business records, as well as personal identifying information. Payne retained the flash drive after leaving employment at the IRS and compromised the business owner’s identity. Specifically, Payne set up a credit account using the business owner’s name and social security number without authorization.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Sydney Butler prosecuted the case for the United States.
Former Energy Company Executive Pleads Guilty in Connection with the Bribery Scheme of Former Executive Deputy Secretary to the Governor of New YorkRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that PETER GALBRAITH KELLY JR., a former executive at Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), pled guilty to defrauding CPV by misrepresenting that the former Executive Deputy Secretary to the Governor, Joseph Percoco, had obtained state ethics approval for his wife to work at CPV. After an eight-week jury trial, co-defendants Joseph Percoco and Steven Aiello were convicted of charges relating to bribery. The jury was deadlocked on the charges against Kelly. Joseph Gerardi was acquitted of all charges. KELLY pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before United States District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said: “Braith Kelly was involved in a criminal scheme to bribe of one of the most powerful men in New York in exchange for favorable treatment for his energy company. Today he pled guilty for his part in the scheme and now faces time in prison. Corruption in Albany casts a shadow over the many honest public servants who do good work in the administration of government, and deprives the citizens of New York of the honest representation they deserve.”
According to the evidence introduced at trial, other proceedings in this case, and documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court:
KELLY ran monthly payments to Percoco and his wife through a consultant who worked for the Energy Company in order to disguise the source of the payments. KELLY also made sure that Percoco’s wife’s photograph and full name were not included in promotional materials for the Energy Company, and he falsely told his superiors at the Energy Company – on two separate occasions – that Percoco had obtained an ethics opinion from the Governor’s Office approving of Percoco’s wife’s employment with the Energy Company, when in fact no such opinion existed. For his part, Percoco concealed the criminal scheme by failing to include the Energy Company as the source of payments on his State-mandated financial disclosure forms.
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KELLY, 54, of Canterbury, Connecticut, pled guilty to an Information that charges him with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. It carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of the greatest of $250,000, twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense, or twice the gross pecuniary loss to persons other than the defendant resulting from the offense. KELLY is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2018, by Judge Caproni.
Percoco was convicted on March 13, 2018, after an eight-week trial, of soliciting and accepting bribes in return for taking official state action to benefit CPV and Syracuse-based real estate developer COR Development (“COR”). Percoco is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Caproni on June 11, 2018.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
U.S. Attorney Berman praised the work of the Buffalo Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, which jointly conducted this investigation with special agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Mr. Berman also thanked the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janis Echenberg, Robert Boone, David Zhou, and Matthew Podolsky are in charge of the prosecution.
Former Cartersville police officer sentenced for obstructing an FBI wiretap investigationRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. - Bryson-Taylor Wayne Banks, a former Cartersville, Georgia police officer, was sentenced to federal prison for notifying drug traffickers that the FBI was conducting a court-authorized wiretap of their phones.
“The defendant chose to protect a network of drug dealers and attempted to cover up his illegal conduct by sabotaging an FBI investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “When those who are sworn to protect the public violate their oath, they will be prosecuted for their misconduct.”
“Not only did Banks violate the trust of the community he served as a law enforcement officer, he undermined an FBI investigation and put law enforcement officers in imminent danger,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “By choosing to align himself with drug dealers he has earned a sentence that will allow him to spend more time with them in prison.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: In 2015, Banks, then an officer with the Cartersville Police Department and member of the Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force, was investigating a number of drug traffickers operating in the Cartersville area, including Tomas Pineda Mendoza, using a female confidential source (“CS”) to obtain information about the network. In cultivating his relationship with the CS, Banks improperly gave her information from law enforcement databases and illegally sent her a picture of another cooperating source.
Separately, the FBI was investigating an inmate in a Georgia state prison, Francisco Palacios Baras, a/k/a “Shorty,” who was using contraband cell phones to coordinate methamphetamine transactions outside of the prison. Using a court-authorized wiretap on two of Shorty’s cell phones, the FBI learned that Mendoza was one of Shorty’s associates, and that Mendoza was scheduled to pick up two kilograms of methamphetamine. The FBI also learned that the CS had been storing drugs for Mendoza. The FBI planned to arrest Mendoza after he picked up the drugs, and to search the CS’s house.
The morning of the planned arrest, in the interest of sharing information and coordinating operations with fellow law enforcement agencies, an FBI agent informed Banks of the wiretap investigation and the plan to arrest Mendoza and search the CS’s house. At that time, the FBI did not know that Banks had been illegally providing the CS with confidential information that allowed the drug traffickers to identify federal agents and other cooperating sources. Banks, knowing that Mendoza was about to be arrested and that the CS’s house may contain drugs and evidence of the information Banks had illegally been providing to her, contacted his CS and instructed her to tell Mendoza to not pick up drugs that day because the FBI planned to arrest him. Banks also told the CS that the FBI knew about Mendoza because they were wiretapping Shorty’s phones.
Mendoza did not pick up the methamphetamine as planned, but was intercepted over the wiretap calling Shorty and telling him that “one of the girls” had warned Mendoza not to pick up the drugs. Mendoza said that he had identified the agents watching his apartment, as “the girl” had warned, and that law enforcement was listening to Shorty’s phones. Following this, Shorty stopped using the phones being wiretapped by the FBI.
With the arrest plan compromised, the surveillance team identified, and the wiretap exposed, the FBI agents had to take precautions for agents’ personal safety and try to rebuild the investigation. Fortunately, the renewed investigation was ultimately successful, resulting in Shorty and Mendoza being arrested and sentenced to nine years and seven months and 10 years and 10 months of imprisonment, respectively, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Bryson-Taylor Wayne Banks, 31, of Calhoun, Georgia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy to one year, six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Banks pleaded guilty to unlawful notification of electronic surveillance on March 1, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herskowitz and Garrett Bradford 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 CIA Contractor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Retaining Classified MaterialsRead the Press Release
Reynaldo B. Regis, 53, of Fort Washington, Maryland, and a former CIA contractor, pleaded guilty today to unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, and making material false statements to federal law enforcement officers.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick for the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the plea.
According to court documents, Regis is a former employee of a government contractor who was assigned to the CIA between August 2006 and November 2016. During his time at the CIA, Regis conducted unauthorized searches in classified databases and copied classified information into personal notebooks, which he removed from his workspace at the CIA and stored in his home without authorization. When initially interviewed by federal law enforcement, Regis lied about having done so. During a search of his home, FBI agents recovered approximately 60 notebooks containing classified information. The classified information contained in the notebooks included information relating to highly sensitive intelligence reports, disclosure of which could cause serious damage to the national security.
Regis faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Regis is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Danya E. Atiyeh of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting this case.
Former CIA Contractor Guilty of Illegally Retaining Classified MaterialsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) contractor pleaded guilty today to unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, and making material false statements to federal law enforcement officers.
According to court documents, Reynaldo B. Regis, 53, of Fort Washington, Maryland, is a former employee of a government contractor who was assigned to the CIA between August 2006 and November 2016. During his time at the CIA, Regis conducted unauthorized searches in classified databases and copied classified information into personal notebooks, which he removed from his workspace at the CIA and stored in his home without authorization. When initially interviewed by law enforcement, Regis lied about having done so. During a search of his home, FBI agents recovered approximately 60 notebooks containing classified information. The classified information contained in the notebooks included information relating to highly sensitive intelligence reports, disclosure of which could cause serious damage to the national security.
Regis pleaded guilty to unauthorized removal and retention of classified material, and making material false statements. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on September 21. 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.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danya E. Atiyeh of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-209.
Former Boca Raton Resident Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A former Boca Raton resident, who purported to operate a tax preparation business in Pompano Beach, pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a multi-million dollar stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael J. DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
Wilson Lasset, 48, formerly of Boca Raton, Florida, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Lasset faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge, followed by a mandatory sentence of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge. Lasset is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2018, by United States District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams.
According to stipulated facts filed in court, Lasset applied to the IRS for identification numbers, enabling him and the business he incorporated, Triangle International Training Center, to prepare and electronically file tax returns on behalf of other people. The business operated out of two addresses in Pompano Beach, Florida. In 2012, using these identification numbers, the defendant filed approximately 1,606 tax returns with the IRS. These tax returns included at least 25 returns filed using the names and social security numbers of individuals living with cerebral palsy who did not need to file tax returns and who did not authorize Lasset to file tax returns on their behalf. The unauthorized filings also included returns using the identities of approximately 386 incarcerated individuals. These returns, as well as the filings using the identities of the individuals with cerebral palsy, included falsely claimed earned income tax credits, based on false claims of earning income as “household help” employees, and falsely claimed education credits designed to reimburse college and other higher education expenses.
In total, Lasset’s identification numbers were used to claim more than $2.7 million in fraudulent tax refunds. The IRS paid approximately $788,611 in refunds based on these fraudulent tax returns. Approximately $51,000 was deducted directly from these refunds as preparer’s fees that were deposited into a bank account Lasset opened and controlled for Triangle International Training Center. Lasset used the money deposited into this account to fund his travel and other personal expenses.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI in connection with the investigation of this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared M. Strauss.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Former Army Official Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Bribery Scheme Involving Contracts at Aberdeen Proving GroundRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4855
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced John Kays, age 44, of Pinehurst, North Carolina (formerly of Bel Air, Maryland) to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for accepting bribes of $800,000 from 2009 to 2012 related to contracting at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), in Harford County, Maryland. Judge Blake also ordered forfeiture in the amount of $631,705, as well as restitution of at least $886,519.52.
Kays' wife Danielle Kays, age 43 and Matthew Barrow, age 44, of Toledo, Ohio were also charged in the scheme and have pled guilty. Danielle Kays is presently serving an 18-month sentence with the Bureau of Prisons. Barrow is awaiting sentence.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr. of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Special Agent in Charge L. Scott Moreland, Mid-Atlantic Fraud Field Office, Major Procurement Fraud Unit, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
In March 2006, the U.S. Army Contracting Command at APG awarded a 10-year, $19.2 billion contract to seven prime contractors to provide technology services to support the integrated engineering, business operations, and logistics needs for the Army. John and Danielle Kays each had leadership positions as civilians at APG related to this contract.
According to court documents, John Kays, Danielle Kays, and Barrow all graduated from West Point together. In 2008, John Kays and Danielle Kays had leadership positions within CECOM as civilian employees of the Army. Barrow worked for a glass manufacturer in Toledo, OH. Barrow formed a company called MJ-6, to which John Kays admitted that he steered CECOM subcontracts in exchange for money.
According to the plea agreements, from August 2008 to June 2014, John Kays agreed to take official actions favorable to Barrow and MJ-6 in return for Barrow paying them a total of approximately $800,000. Mrs. Kays has admitted using her official position to benefit Barrow and MJ-6 during the period from 2011to 2014. Specifically, the Kays used their official positions to add MJ–6 as a subcontractor acceptable to the Army, steer potential employees for government contractors to work for MJ-6, approve MJ-6 employees to work on various Task Orders, and approve the pay rates, status reports, and travel reimbursements for MJ-6 employees. Total contracts steered to MJ-6 by the Kays exceeded $21 million.
In order to conceal his corrupt relationship with the Kays, Barrow caused the glass company he worked for to enter into contracts and make payments to Transportation Logistics Services, LLC, a company incorporated by John Kays, until the glass company fired Barrow. Barrow then made payments to the Kays in cash, which Barrow withdrew from his personal accounts and from MJ-6 accounts. To conceal the scheme, John and Danielle Kays made false statements on the government ethics forms that they were required to file by failing to disclose the cash payments received from Barrow. The Kays used the cash for their personal benefit, including payments for home renovations, two new vehicles, a powerboat, jewelry, a pool party at their country club, and credit card bills.
Barrow later agreed to pay the Kays the proceeds of the scheme from MJ-6 disguised as employment salary.
The National Procurement Fraud Task Force was formed in October 2006 to promote the early detection, identification, prevention, and prosecution of procurement fraud associated with the increase in government contracting activity for national security and other government programs. The Procurement Fraud Task Force includes the United States Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community and a number of other federal law enforcement agencies. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to helping ensure the integrity of the government procurement process.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Army Criminal Investigation Command, and the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joyce K. McDonald and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case.
Florida Felon Sentenced to Prison for Federal CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Keystone Heights, Florida, man was sentenced yesterday to 50 months for a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Derrick Shane McCullough, 28, previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stuart applauded the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.
“We are aggressively enforcing laws aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The penalties for ignoring federal gun laws are significant.”
On July 16, 2016, an officer with the Charleston Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia. The defendant was a passenger in the vehicle. The defendant admitted to bringing a gun in the car, and officers found a sawed-off shotgun under his seat. McCullough was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of felony convictions, including a 2013 conviction for grand theft in Florida.
Assistant United States Attorney Gabriele Wohl is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
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.
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Federal Jury Convicts Navajo Man on Rape ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., returned a verdict late yesterday afternoon finding Melvin Russell guilty on an aggravated sexual abuse charge following a four-day trial. Russell, a previously convicted sex offender, faces a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment when he is sentenced on the conviction. U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, and Director Jesse Delmar of the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety (NNDPS) announced the jury’s guilty verdict.
The FBI and NNDPS arrested Russell, 53, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Fruitland, N.M., in July 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with sexually abusing a Navajo woman on May 20, 2014, on the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, N.M. Russell subsequently was indicted on July 24, 2014, and was charged with aggravated sexual abuse.
Trial on the indictment commenced on May 7, 2018, and concluded yesterday afternoon when the jury returned a guilty verdict against Russell on the sole count of the indictment.
Testimony at trial established that late in the evening on May 19, 2014, until the early morning of May 20, 2014, Russell forced the victim to engage in sexual intercourse with him by threatening her with a large samurai sword. The victim, a friend, and the friend’s child were at Russell’s residence on the evening of May 19, 2014, where they all consumed alcohol.
The victim testified that, after the friend and the child went to sleep, Russell became sexually aggressive towards her, while grabbing her around the neck, choking her. The victim testified that Russell then pulled out a large samurai-type sword and threatened to kill her if she did not submit to him. The victim testified that Russell sexually abused her while continuing to strike and choke her. On the morning of May 20, 2014, the victim, the friend, and the child left Russell’s residence, contacted police, and sought medical care for the victim for injuries and trauma caused by the sexual assault.
The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning a guilty verdict.
At sentencing, Russell faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and will be required to register as a sex offender. Russell remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock office of the NNDPS. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Joseph M. Spindle and Elisa Dimas are prosecuting this case as part of 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 American women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven 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.
Federal Jury Convicts Abilene Man on Drug Charges Related to Near-Fatal Heroin OverdoseRead the Press Release
ABILENE, Texas — Following a two-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, a federal jury has convicted Michael Deon Thompson, 37, of Abilene, Texas, for his role in a heroin drug conspiracy resulting in serious bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Specifically, on Tuesday a federal jury convicted Thompson on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Cummings ordered a presentence report prepared and will set a sentencing date once the presentence report is filed. The United States filed a Notice of Enhancement based on Thompson’s three prior felony drug convictions. If the Court finds those convictions final and valid, then, the Court must impose a sentence of life imprisonment as to the count charging distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin resulting in serious bodily injury. Thompson has been in federal custody since his arrest in February 2018.
“Fighting the opioid epidemic that is ravaging the Big Country and the rest of the Northern District of Texas is going to require a shared effort by law enforcement and our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “The conviction of Michael Thompson is an example of just how successful those shared efforts can be. Through the efforts of citizens, state and local law enforcement, and federal authorities, Michael Thompson will never push heroin in the Abilene community again.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on October 6, 2017, Bobby Mason telephoned Thompson to coordinate for the delivery of heroin to Mason and A.M. in Abilene, Texas. Thompson distributed about two grams of heroin to Mason. Mason and A.M. then prepared to intravenously use some of the heroin that Thompson had given them. As soon as A.M. injected the heroin, she collapsed. Mason called 911 and then left the scene. Officers with the Abilene Police Department, and medical personnel from MetroCare and the Abilene Fire Department responded. When they arrived, they found A.M. cyanotic and with agonal respiration. According to the testimony of a medical expert, the heroin provided by Thompson caused A.M. a substantial risk of death and, but for the intervention of medical personnel, would have been fatal. Medical personnel administered Narcan to A.M. and she recovered.
The United States also presented evidence that on October 11, 2017, officers with the Abilene Police Department went to Thompson’s residence in Abilene to arrest Thompson and execute a search of his residence. When officers approached Thompson, he fled into his residence and stayed in the residence for about 25 minutes before finally surrendering to police. Upon searching Thompson’s residence, they discovered evidence of Thompson’s involvement in trafficking heroin and other illegal controlled substances such as cocaine, Xanax, and marijuana.
The defendants’ sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
The Abilene Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Juanita Fielden and Jeffrey Haag are prosecuting the case.
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Federal Grand Jury Returns Fourteen IndictmentsRead the Press Release
MACON: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that a Grand Jury, sitting in Macon Georgia, has returned fourteen (14) indictments. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. “I want to thank our Federal and State law enforcement partners for their hard work bringing these cases before the Federal Grand Jury,” said United States Attorney Peeler.
Indictment #1:
Robert Abacan a/k/a “Rob”, aged 40, of Valdosta, Georgia, is charged with ten (10) counts of Production of Child Pornography. If convicted, Mr. Abacan faces a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
Frances Abacan, aged 40, of Valdosta, Georgia, is charged with eight (8) counts of Production of Child Pornography. If convicted, Mrs. Abacan faces a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen.
Indictment #2:
Samuel Howard a/k/a “Sam”, aged 24, of Doerun, Georgia, is charged with two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both on Count 1 and forty (40) years’ imprisonment, a $5 million fine, or both, on Count 2, if convicted.
Tokesha Bailey, aged 28, of Moultrie, Georgia, is charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $10 Million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #3:
Franshaw Riggins, aged 30, of Albany, Georgia, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Bainbridge Department of Public Safety, Georgia State Patrol and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen.
Indictment #4:
Raymond Gutierrez, aged 45, of Savannah, Georgia, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Calhoun.
Indictment #5:
Carlos Mendez, aged 44, of Orlando, Florida, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
Vanessa Cantres, aged 39, of Orlando, Florida, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Calhoun is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #6:
Maria Lopez, aged 21, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Amber Hass, aged 30 of Columbus, Georgia, are charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and face maximum sentences of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #7:
Dionicio Garcia Aguirre, aged 35, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with Aggravated Illegal Reentry having been deported and removed from the United States on July 3, 2014 and March 10, 2009 and returning without the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security to re-apply for admission. If convicted, Mr. Garcia Aguirre faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, United States Probation and Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #8:
Frank Douglas, aged 59, of Augusta, Georgia, is charged with ten (10) counts of Assault on a Federal Employee and faces a maximum sentence of eight (8) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #9:
Natu Patel, aged 68, of Sylvester, Georgia, is charged with four (4) counts of Unlawful Dispensation of a Controlled Substance and faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen.
Indictment #10:
Douglas Moss, aged 57, of Valdosta, Georgia and Shawn Tywon, aged 49, of Valdosta, Georgia are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud (Count 1) and Health Care Fraud (Counts 2-7) and face a maximum penalty of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja B. Profit is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #11:
Steven Dukes, aged 35, of Mauk, Georgia, is charged with Receipt of Child Pornography (Count 1), Distribution of Child Pornography (Counts 2,3,5), and Possession of Child Pornography (Counts 4,6). If convicted, Mr. Dukes faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals.
Indictment #12:
Ryan Dumouchel, aged 25, a citizen of Canada, is charged with Illegal Reentry having been deported and removed from the United States on September 24, 2015 and not receiving the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security to re-apply for admission. If convicted, Mr. Dumouchel faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Valdosta Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #13:
Juan Carlos Mac-Quej, aged 27, a citizen of Guatemala, is charged with Illegal Reentry having been deported and removed from the United States on December 29 2014 and not receiving the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to re-apply for admission and faces a maximum sentence of three (3) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, of both, if convicted.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration - and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis is prosecuting the case.
Indictment #14:
Aristeo Ramirez-Hernandez, aged 29, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with Illegal Reentry having been removed and deported from the United States on July 31, 2014; September 19, 2014; and December 30, 2014 and not receiving the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security to re-apply for admission.
The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis is prosecuting the case.
Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Federal Court Bars Wichita Tax Return Preparer from Preparing Tax Returns for OthersRead the Press Release
A federal court in Wichita, Kansas, permanently barred Ma Guadalupe Valenzuela (a/k/a Maria Guadalupe Valenzuela a/k/a Lupe Valenzuela, individually and doing business as Servicio de Income Tax) from preparing federal income tax returns for others. The civil injunction order, to which Valenzuela agreed, was signed by Judge Broomes, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
In its complaint, the government alleged that Valenzuela unlawfully understated her customers’ income tax liabilities and overstated her customers’ refunds. Valenzuela prepared federal tax returns that lowered her customers’ federal tax liabilities by claiming bogus child tax credits, improper dependency exemptions, and false filing statuses, according to the allegations in the complaint.
Return preparer fraud was one of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2018 and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has some tips on their website for choosing a return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Euless Man Who Was Previously Convicted of Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm and Drug ConvictionsRead the Press Release
DALLAS —Bryan Anthony Adams, 29, of Euless, Texas, who pleaded guilty in September 2017 to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn to 108 months in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas made the announcement today.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made on the record at his sentencing hearing yesterday, on April 7, 2016, law enforcement executed a narcotics search warrant at an apartment on East Ash Lane in the City of Euless, Texas. A search of the apartment resulted in the discovery of approximately 51 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine, three firearms, digital scales and baggies-drug distribution paraphernalia. Law enforcement discovered that Adams, had been previously convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
The Irving Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives , investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay prosecuted.
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Elkton Woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Charges Related to Murder-For-HireRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – On March 9, 2018, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Susan Anderson, age 57, of Elkton, Maryland to six years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on charges related to a murder-for-hire.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to the plea agreement, in late April 2017, Anderson approached “SF” a frequent customer of the store (“SF”) where she worked. She then solicited SF, who she had befriended at the store, to murder the ex-boyfriend of her niece. SF spoke with Anderson on more than one occasion to confirm that she indeed wanted SF to commit the murder. SF then informed the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Defendant’s solicitation of the murder. Over the next two weeks, SF agreed to record conversations with the Defendant inside the store. Law enforcement also procured the surveillance video from the store showing the conversations.
In these conversations, SF confirmed with Anderson: “Are you sure you want me to go along with committing this murder?” Anderson replied: “Yep.” Elsewhere in the conversations, SF and Anderson discussed the terms of the contact, the timing and locations of the murder, as well as what Anderson wanted done with the body upon completion of the killing. When SF did not accomplish the murder as promptly as Anderson wished, she stated: “I want it done. Just get it done now. Just get it done. I want it done now.” After further delay, Anderson stated she could “blow him away myself.”
After this conversation, the FBI terminated the investigation and sought an arrest warrant for Anderson. On May 11, 2017, SF had a final recorded conversation with Anderson. He stated that the murder had been accomplished. SF asked if Anderson was happy, and she replied: “Yes.” Shortly thereafter, law enforcement arrested Anderson.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, who prosecuted the case.
Dublin Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking and Other Related ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS: United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, announces that Jessie Lee Hall, Jr., age 38, of Dublin, Georgia entered his guilty plea on May 9, 2018 to one (1) count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, five (5) counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity, and one (1) count of inducement to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity in front of United States District Judge Marc T. Treadwell.
According to the plea agreement, Mr. Hall acted as a pimp for the several victims referenced in the indictment. The first victim of the conspiracy was encountered by law enforcement on June 12, 2016, at a hotel in Macon. The victim stated that Hall was her pimp and she met him through the internet. In May 2016, Mr. Hall convinced the victim to travel from Ohio and work as a prostitute for him in Georgia. The victim was forced by Hall to perform commercial sex acts in hotels throughout Central Georgia.
During the investigation, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office received information that Mr. Hall was trafficking other women for sex. A second victim confirmed that Mr. Hall was her pimp and that she had worked for him from approximately July 2013 until February 2016. Mr. Hall advertised her services on Backpage.com and transported her to hotels inside and outside Georgia for commercial sex acts.
A third victim was also identified and was required to perform commercial sex acts throughout central Georgia.
All three women stated that a combination of threats of force, fraud, or coercion had been used by Mr. Hall to cause them to perform commercial sex acts.
Mr. Hall will be facing the following penalties:
Ct. 1: up to life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years up to maximum of life, and a mandatory assessment of $100.00.
Ct. 3-6, 8: up to 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years up to maximum of life, and a mandatory assessment of $100.00.
Ct. 9: up to 20 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years up to maximum of life, and a mandatory assessment of $100.00.
“The FBI and its law enforcement partners have made human trafficking a top priority, and this case is an example of our determination,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Human trafficking is an unspeakable crime against some of the most vulnerable in our society and we will continue to devote significant resources toward these reprehensible crimes.”
Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Bleckley County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Dorchester Man Sentenced for Kidnapping, Loansharking and Illegal GamblingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man was sentenced on Wednesday, May 9th, in federal court in Boston for kidnapping, loansharking and illegal gambling.
Quang PT Le, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. Le was also ordered to pay $6,300 in restitution. In February 2018, Le pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means, and operating an illegal gambling business. In August 2017, Le was indicted along with co-defendants Ban Tran, a/k/a “Bo,” 26; Vinh Huynh, 35, and Kim Nguyen, 25, all of Dorchester.
On Nov. 14, 2016, Le, who was armed with a knife, and his co-conspirators kidnapped a victim from the front of the victim’s residence, drove the victim to Dorchester, and beat the victim in an attempt to collect a gambling debt of $40,000. Le and his co-conspirators released the victim and demanded a payment of $10,000 the next day. That day, the victim went to law enforcement and, under the direction of law enforcement officers, made a series of controlled, recorded payments to Le. Over the course of eight months, the victim made payments totaling $22,350 to Le. In August 2017, Le and others were arrested before the last payment was due.
Huynh pleaded guilty in December 2017 and is awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty and are pending trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans; and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan, made the announcement today. The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Correction assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
The remaining defendants charged in this case are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to International E-Mail Impersonation and Fraud ScamRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scam in which he and co-conspirators defrauded victims by pretending to be employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Leonel Alexis Valerio Santana, 28, pleaded guilty to two conspiracies: a conspiracy to commit money laundering, and a separate conspiracy to commit wire fraud, to impersonate a federal employee, and to misuse a government seal. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Aug. 14, 2018. In January 2018, Valerio Santana was arrested and charged by criminal complaint along with co-conspirator Frank Gregory Cedeno, 27, of Ocoee, Fla.
From at least June 2015 through November 2017, Valerio Santana conspired with others to defraud victims by pretending to be employees of the SEC. In that guise, members of the conspiracy demanded money from victims, directing them to send it to members of the conspiracy, including members in Boston. The conspirators who received the money generally withdrew it from bank accounts quickly, then forwarded much of it to individuals in the Dominican Republic, including to Valerio Santana, who received it. In one common version of the scam, victims received e-mails that used official-seeming documentation with the SEC seal to support a false claim that the victim must pay a fee in order to receive a portion of a legal settlement. In another version of the scheme, victims received e-mails and official-seeming documents labeling the victim as a defendant in a civil lawsuit alleging that the victim owed tens of thousands of dollars in supposed disgorgement, penalties and fees. The documents gave the victim a choice of either appearing in court to contest the lawsuit or paying a smaller fee.
Between June 2015 and June 2017, there were at least 95 victims targeted by the scam, with fraudulent solicitations exceeding $1.3 million and actual losses of more than $235,000.
Cedeno was indicted in March 2018 and has pleaded not guilty.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss in the offense, and restitution. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the funds involved in the money laundering offense, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Carl W. Hoecker, Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Inspector General; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Pérez‑Daple of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Man Sentenced to 8 ½-Year Prison Term for 2015 Killing in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Davon Peyton, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a prison term of eight and a half years on charges stemming from the killing of a man in a dispute that took place in 2015 in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced.
Peyton was found guilty by a jury in February 2018 of involuntary manslaughter and related weapons charges. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Danya A. Dayson. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Nov. 13, 2015, the victim, Ray Harrison, along with his fiancée and her female friend from Texas, drove unannounced to Peyton’s apartment at 2:30 a.m. Mr. Harrison and his fiancée were friends with Peyton and his girlfriend.
When Mr. Harrison and the two women arrived in the 1300 block of Adams Street NE, the two women stayed in the car while he walked up the steps and knocked on the front window of Peyton’s apartment. In response, Peyton pulled a gun from his waistband and went to the front door. He confronted Mr. Harrison on the front steps of the building, demanding to know why he there at that hour of night. A tussle ensued. Peyton then shot Mr. Harrison in the chest. Mr. Harrison, 21, staggered to the curb, where he collapsed and died.
Peyton was arrested on Nov. 20, 2015, after a warrant was issued for his arrest, by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). She also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. She acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation; Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Mannarino and Nicholas Coleman; Criminal Investigator Zachary McMenamin; Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney and Stephanie Gilbert; Litigation Technology Specialists Anisha Bhatia and Leif Hickling; Forensic Operation/Program Specialist Benjamin Kagan-Guthrie; Marcia Rinker, Katina Adams-Washington, and LaJune Thames, all of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, and Intern Shani Brown.
Finally, she commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Gonzalez Roman, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Earnest and Jennifer Fischer, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
District Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Fatal 2015 Drive-By Shooting in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Dominique Williams, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 24 years in prison for killing a man in a drive-by shooting in September 2015 in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Williams was found guilty by a jury in March 2018 of second-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and related firearms offenses. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Judith Bartnoff.. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
A co-defendant, Maricco Knight, 25, also of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by the same jury of acting as an accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice for his role in assisting Williams while Williams was evading law enforcement prior to his arrest. Knight is to be sentenced on May 15, 2018.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 19, 2015, shortly after 1 a.m., Williams, Knight and another man pulled over a Honda Accord in the 3200 block of 28th Street SE. Williams was in the rear passenger seat, Knight was in the front passenger seat, and the third man was driving. A short distance away from the Accord, gathered in an alley, were three men and an 11-year-old boy. Williams had earlier disputes with persons who resided or sometimes gathered in the block, but none of those persons was among the group in the alley.
After the Accord pulled over, Williams leaned out of the car and fired eight shots from a 9-millimeter handgun at the group. One person was hit – Marcellus Green, 39. He was shot once and was declared dead about an hour later. The three people in the Accord drove off.
MPD officers were on the scene within a few minutes. Witnesses gave the police a description of the Accord and its license plate number. At about 1:40 a.m., an officer in a marked MPD cruiser spotted the Accord, still occupied by the three men, in a different neighborhood. Before the officer could even activate his emergency equipment, the Accord began to drive off at a high rate of speed. After a 20-minute chase, during which the 9-millimeter handgun was tossed out, the Accord crashed and all three occupants fled on foot. Within two minutes, the driver and Knight were stopped.
Williams, however, got away. An arrest warrant was issued for him three months later and he was ultimately apprehended on July 20, 2016, at the residence of Knight’s girlfriend. During the search for Williams, according to the government’s evidence, Knight assisted in helping Williams hide out despite the fact that he was told repeatedly by law enforcement that Williams was wanted for the murder.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation; Forensic Operation/Program Specialist Benjamin Kagan-Guthrie; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Paralegal Specialist Alesha Matthews; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; former Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator David Foster; Victim/Witness Security Specialist Lesley Slade; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, and Interns Korey Johnson and Shani Brown.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman who investigated and prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset, who prosecuted the case.
Department of Justice Hosts Protecting Houses of Worship Training ProgramRead the Press Release
BILLINGS - The U.S. Attorney’s Office is hosting a training program to share best practices for security at houses of worship.
The Protecting Houses of Worship program will take place on Monday, May 14, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Billings.
The program will provide faith-based community leaders and members with information to help them develop and implement security measures, share information, and address potential risks, such as active shooter situations. The program will also include information on additional training and grant programs that may be available.
Speakers include U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme and representatives from the Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service and United States Attorney’s Office organized the program.
All faith-based community leaders and members are welcome to attend. To obtain more information and/or RSVP for the event please e-mail [email protected].
Protecting Houses of Worship FlyerDark Web Opioid Distributor Sentenced to 15 Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina------- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Ana Milena Barrero, age 24, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment today in Federal Court in Greenville.
The evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and at the sentencing hearing showed that Barrero and her boyfriend, Theodore Khleborod, formed an agreement to sell large quantities of opioids, including U-47700 and fentanyl, using a dark web internet site called “AlphaBay.” Interfacing with customers on AlphaBay under the username “PetertheGreat,” Khleborod and Barrero would ship opioids to customers via the U.S. Mail, and these customers would pay for the drugs using bitcoin. The investigation culminated in the arrest of Khleborod and Barrero on April 26, 2017, and a search of their apartment in downtown Greenville. Police seized approximately 43 pounds of substances they believe to be opioids during the search of the apartment, and authorities believe that drugs distributed by Barrero and Khleborod resulted in the deaths of at least two people and the serious bodily injury of a third.
The case was investigated by Special Agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Police Department, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Criminal Chief for the Narcotics Division, prosecuted the case.
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