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Friday 30 March 2018
Two MS-13 Members Plead Guilty to RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two members of MS-13 have pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston. They are the 38th and 39th defendants, respectively, to be convicted in a 61 defendant case.
Edgar Pleitez, a/k/a “Cadejo,” 28, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2018.
German Hernandez Escobar, a/k/a “Terible,” 30, a Salvadoran national, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 27 – the day he was scheduled to stand trial – to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the parties will jointly recommend that the Court impose a sentence of 23 years in prison. Judge Saylor scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2018.
According to court documents, Hernandez Escobar was a leader of MS-13’s Everett Loco Salvatrucha (ELS) clique. Several ELS clique members have pleaded guilty to participating in murders carried out on behalf of MS-13, including a July 5, 2015, murder of a 15-year-old in Lawrence. Hernandez Escobar also conspired with other MS-13 members to sell marijuana as a means of raising funds to promote the ELS clique’s criminal activities, including purchasing firearms. Pleitez, who was a homeboy, or full member of MS-13’s East Boston Loco Salvatrucha (EBLS) clique, conspired with other MS-13 members to distribute heroin.
After a three-year investigation, Pleitez and Hernandez Escobar were two of 61 defendants named in a superseding indictment targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts.
The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, a minimum of two years of supervised release, and a fine of no greater than $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Hernandez Escobar 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement.
Thomas T. Cullen Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Western District of VirginiaRead the Press Release
Roanoke, VIRGINIA – In a private ceremony Friday morning, Thomas T. Cullen was sworn in as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. The Honorable Michael F. Urbanski, Chief Judge for the Western District of Virginia, administered the oath of office at the U.S. District Courthouse in Roanoke in front of small group of family and friends.
President Donald J. Trump nominated Mr. Cullen to be the United States Attorney on February 16, 2018. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on March 22, 2018.
“I am honored to serve as U.S. attorney and look forward to leading the dedicated public servants who work in that office,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated. “We will work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners to implement our core investigative priorities, including combatting gun-related violence and the opioid epidemic.”
U. S. Attorney Cullen, 40, of Roanoke, is the former Deputy Criminal Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Roanoke and a former Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of North Carolina. During his time as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Cullen directed numerous multi-agency investigations and prosecutions, supervised Assistant United States Attorneys, and coordinated with officials at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
In 2013, Mr. Cullen joined Woods Rogers PLC as a partner in the firm’s white-collar criminal defense practice, where he represented a variety of individuals and companies in criminal matters, internal investigations, and complex civil litigation.
A graduate of Furman University, Mr. Cullen earned his law degree from William & Mary School of Law, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Following law school, he served as a law clerk for The Honorable Robert L. Gregory, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and for The Honorable Robert E. Payne, District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Tax Return Preparer Indicted on Additional Charges Related to Tax Fraud and Refund Theft Schemes Committed While on Pretrial ReleaseRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. - A federal grand jury in Newark has returned a 29-count second superseding indictment adding charges alleging that a former Bergen County, New Jersey, tax return preparer filed false federal income tax returns, stole client refunds, and committed identity theft in connection with refunds stolen from a deceased taxpayer, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Wayne Dunich-Kolb, 53, of Montvale, New Jersey, was originally charged by indictment in March 2014 with five counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of false federal income tax returns and four counts of subscribing to false tax returns. In December 2016, Dunich-Kolb was charged by superseding indictment. Today’s second superseding indictment adds five counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, 12 counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, all of which were allegedly committed while the defendant was on pretrial release.
Dunich-Kolb was arrested this morning. The initial appearance on the new charges is scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion.
According to the second superseding indictment:
Dunich-Kolb prepared and filed, through the U.S. mail, fraudulent returns through various tax preparation entities, including Dunich-Kolb LLC, Jadran Services Corp., Adriatica Payroll Corp., Adriatica Tax Planning LLC, and Adriatic Tax Planning LLC (collectively, the “tax preparation entities”), which he ran from his former residence in Saddle River and then from his current residence in Montvale. Dunich-Kolb also maintained a U.S. Post Office box in Las Vegas, Nevada, that he used in connection with his tax preparation business.
Dunich-Kolb caused many of his clients to form fictitious partnerships or corporations that existed in name only and had no business purpose other than to falsely reduce the clients’ tax liability. He prepared false and fraudulent business returns for clients’ fictitious businesses by fabricating and inflating business expenses, such as advertising, travel and other miscellaneous expenses, in order to generate fraudulent business and partnership losses, which he then used to substantially reduce taxpayers’ taxable income on their individual federal income tax returns.
Dunich-Kolb falsified clients’ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 individual federal income tax returns (original and amended), partnership returns, and corporation returns by fabricating and inflating: (1) business and partnership Schedule K-1 losses; (2) deductions for unreimbursed employee business expenses, including home office, vehicle mileage and fuel expenses; and (3) expenses and cost basis of rental properties, including vehicle mileage and travel expenses for rentals located within or a short distance from the primary residence.
Dunich-Kolb also falsified his own personal federal income tax returns by substantially underreporting income from his tax preparation and accounting business for tax years 2006, 2007, and 2008. For these tax years, Dunich-Kolb received gross income totaling approximately $500,000 to $657,000 per year. Dunich-Kolb falsely claimed income of only $400 for 2006, $526 for 2007, and $489 for 2008.
Dunich-Kolb also stole certain clients’ federal tax refunds, including the refunds of a deceased client, by causing the IRS to mail the refund checks to Dunich-Kolb’s Las Vegas Post Office box, from where they were mail-forwarded to Dunich-Kolb’s residence in Montvale. Dunich-Kolb, without authorization, used the Social Security numbers of the deceased client and another client on IRS forms claiming that the latter client was entitled to the deceased client’s refunds for tax years 2013 and 2014 and causing the IRS to mail the deceased client’s refunds to his Las Vegas Post Office box. Once in receipt of the clients’ tax refund checks that had been mail-forwarded to his residence, Dunich-Kolb deposited the checks into accounts that he controlled and converted the funds to his own personal use.
Each of the aiding and assisting in the filing of false federal income tax returns and subscribing to false tax returns counts carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the mail fraud counts carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of two years in prison that each must run consecutive to the sentence imposed on the underlying mail fraud counts. For committing a felony offense while on pretrial release, the maximum potential penalty is 10 years in prison that must run consecutive to the sentence for the underlying felony offense.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonca, and the Montvale Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jeremy Abrams, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The charges and allegations in the second superseding indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu, Chief of the Asset Recover Money Laundering Unit.
Defense counsel: Jeffrey G. Garrigan Esq., Summit, New Jersey
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Enticing a MinorRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — A South Carolina resident, Travis Daron Pitts, 51, was sentenced this morning by Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 120 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in November 2017 to one count of enticement and attempted enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Pitts has been in federal custody since his arrest in September 2017.
According to the plea agreement factual resume filed in the case, on August 11, 2017, Pitts, who lived in South Carolina, began communicating with an 11-year old female who lived in the Lubbock, Texas. Pitts and the minor female, Jane Doe communicated over the Internet, using an application that provides a way for individuals to share photos, videos, text messages and make phone calls. The sexually explicit communications between Pitts and Jane Doe took place in the “preteenies” girls only chat room. Jane Doe’s stepmother learned of the communications and notified authorities.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood leverages federal, state and local resources to better investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children. Project Safe Childhood also prioritizes identifying and rescuing victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag was in charge of the prosecution.
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Six Annapolis MS-13 Members Indicted on Charges Ranging from Racketeering Conspiracy, Murder, and Attempted MurderRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – On March 29, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted six MS-13 members on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including racketeering conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning for the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Baltimore Field Division; Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel Police Department; and State Attorney Wes Adams of the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office.
Charged in the nine-count indictment are Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales, a/k/a “Sicopata”, age 19; Marlon Cruz-Flores, a/k/a “Little S”, age 22; Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, age 20; Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, a/k/a “El Lunatic” and “Zomb”, age 19; Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro”, “El Pastor”, and “Gasper”, age 20; and David Diaz-Alvarado, age 20; all of Annapolis, Maryland.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to the indictment, prior to 2015, and continuing through 2017, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar participated in a racketeering conspiracy that included assaults, murder, attempted murder, robbery, and drug trafficking.
According to the indictment, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder a rival gang member. On or about March 11, 2016, Sandoval-Rodriguez lured the victim to a park in Annapolis, Maryland with the intent to murder the victim. On or about that same date, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, Sandoval-Rodriguez, and Diaz-Alvarado, and other members and associates of MS-13 murdered the victim in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.
According to the indictment, on October 23, 2016, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13. Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar, and other members and associates of MS-13 attempted to kill one of the victims by stabbing the victim multiple times and attempted to kill a second victim by shooting and stabbing the victim multiple times.
All of the defendants are currently detained on related federal or state criminal charges. Initial appearances have not yet been scheduled.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI, ATF, Anne Arundel Police Department, and Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Seema Mittal, Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg, who are prosecuting this case.
Sisters Indicted for Misusing a Social Security Number and Misrepresenting Immigration Status to Get JobsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted sisters from Guatemala for fraudulently using someone else’s Social Security number and identification in order to misrepresent their immigration status and get jobs in Marion County, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Margaret Moore-Jackson.
Separate indictments filed in U.S. District Court charge that both INES GLADDIS AVALOS-PAAU, 35, and LOURDES MAGDALENA AVALOS-PAAU, 33, used an alias, falsely claimed a Social Security number assigned to the person whose name they used, and fraudulently presented an Arkansas non-driver’s identification card in that name when they applied for jobs. The indictment also charges that the women fraudulently misrepresented on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ forms for employment eligibility verification that they were U.S. citizens.
Ines Gladdis Avalos-Paau misused the documents and misrepresented her immigration status in February 2014 when she applied for a job at Hamilton Plastic Products in Hamilton, according to her indictment.
Lourdes Magdalena Avalos-Paau misused the documents and misrepresented her immigration status in December 2017 when she applied for a job at Kith Kitchens in Haleyville, according to her indictment.
The maximum penalty for both falsely representing a Social Security number and for fraudulently using an identification document is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for making a fraudulent statement on a government immigration document is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
SSA, OIG, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis Barlow is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Pharmacy Owner and Pharmacist Sentenced to 160 Months in Prison for $4.3 Million Pain and Scar Cream Kickback Scheme Against Military Insurance ProgramRead the Press Release
The owner of an Orlando, Florida-area pharmacy, who was also a licensed pharmacist, was sentenced today for his role in a kickback scheme involving pain and scar creams that resulted in the payment of approximately $4.3 million in false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE. TRICARE provides coverage for active duty military members and their families, as well as retired veterans.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Eric Sporre of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and Resident Agent in Charge Brooke M. Harris of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD-OIG) Defense Criminal Investigative Service made the announcement.
Larry B. Howard, 53, of Oviedo, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron for the Middle District of Florida to serve 160 months in prison and ordered to forfeit over $4.3 million as proceeds of the crime. Howard was also ordered to forfeit two properties, worth approximately $340,000, that he purchased with the proceeds of the crime, and two cashier’s checks worth $25,000 each. The judge also ordered Howard to pay $4.3 million in restitution to the federal military health insurance program.
Howard; Nicole R. Bramwell, M.D., 52, of Apopka, Florida; and Raymond L. Stone, 57, of Orlando, were convicted after a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks and paying and receiving kickbacks. Howard was also convicted of two counts of paying health care kickbacks, and Bramwell and Stone were convicted of one count each of receiving health care kickbacks. In addition, Howard was convicted of two counts of money laundering.
According to evidence presented at trial, Howard was the owner of Fertility Pharmacy, located in Oviedo. The evidence showed that Howard paid illegal health care kickbacks to Stone, who in return referred patients to doctors previously selected by Howard. The doctors then prescribed expensive pain and scar creams to the patients, which Howard then billed to TRICARE. The evidence also showed that Howard paid illegal health care kickbacks to Bramwell, who in return wrote prescriptions for the expensive creams. The creams could cost up to $17,000 per bottle. Between October 2014 and May 2015, TRICARE paid Fertility Pharmacy over $4.3 million procured through illegal kickbacks. Bramwell’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9. Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27.
The case was investigated by the DOD-OIG and the FBI and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Senior Litigation Counsel John Michelich and Trial Attorneys Timothy Loper and Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Former Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Hunter previously prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 3,500 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $12.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Pharmacy Owner and Pharmacist Sentenced to 160 Months in Prison for $4.3 Million Pain and Scar Cream Kickback Scheme Against Military Insurance ProgramRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – The owner of an Orlando-area pharmacy, who was also a licensed pharmacist, was sentenced today for his role in a kickback scheme involving pain and scar creams that resulted in the payment of approximately $4.3 million in false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE. TRICARE provides coverage for active duty military members and their families, as well as retired veterans.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, Special Agent in Charge Eric Sporre of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and Resident Agent in Charge Brooke M. Harris of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD-OIG) Defense Criminal Investigative Service made the announcement.
Larry B. Howard, 53, of Oviedo, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron to serve 160 months in prison and ordered to forfeit over $4.3 million as proceeds of the crime. Howard was also ordered to forfeit two properties, worth approximately $340,000, that he purchased with the proceeds of the crime, and two cashier’s checks worth $25,000 each. The judge also ordered Howard to pay $4.3 million in restitution to the federal military health insurance program.
Howard; Nicole R. Bramwell, M.D., 52, of Apopka; and Raymond L. Stone, 57, of Orlando, were convicted after a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks and paying and receiving kickbacks. Howard was also convicted of two counts of paying health care kickbacks, and Bramwell and Stone were convicted of one count each of receiving health care kickbacks. In addition, Howard was convicted of two counts of money laundering.
According to evidence presented at trial, Howard was the owner of Fertility Pharmacy, located in Oviedo. The evidence showed that Howard paid illegal health care kickbacks to Stone, who in return referred patients to doctors previously selected by Howard. The doctors then prescribed expensive pain and scar creams to the patients, which Howard then billed to TRICARE. The evidence also showed that Howard paid illegal health care kickbacks to Bramwell, who in return wrote prescriptions for the expensive creams. The creams could cost up to $17,000 per bottle. Between October 2014 and May 2015, TRICARE paid Fertility Pharmacy over $4.3 million procured through illegal kickbacks. Bramwell’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9. Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27.
The case was investigated by the DOD-OIG and the FBI and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Senior Litigation Counsel John Michelich and Trial Attorneys Timothy Loper and Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Former Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Hunter previously prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 3,500 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $12.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Drugs into U.S. on Commercial FlightRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pennsylvania woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to smuggling drugs into the United States on a commercial flight from the Dominican Republic.
Natalia Alexander Duran, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of importation of a controlled substance - heroin and cocaine, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute - heroin and cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 28, 2018.
On May 30, 2017, Duran arrived at Logan International Airport on a flight from the Dominican Republic. Upon arrival, Duran, a U.S. citizen, was referred for a secondary baggage examination. Duran stated that she needed to use the restroom and was told that she would have to be “pat frisked” before she could do so. Duran was then pat frisked by a female officer, who felt an abnormality in Duran’s groin area. Duran subsequently admitted that she had drugs concealed in her clothing. 41 pellets of suspected cocaine were removed from a bodysuit worn by Duran. Concerned that Duran may have ingested additional pellets of drugs, she was transported to a local hospital and given an x-ray, which revealed numerous pellets inside her abdominal area. While at the hospital, Duran excreted an additional 68 pellets. A combined total of 109 pellets were recovered and tested and determined to be approximately 971 grams of cocaine and approximately 109 grams of heroin.
Duran faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. 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 William A. Ferrara, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to More Than Four Years for Trafficking in Synthetic MarijuanaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Thair Zatar (46, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, also known as “K2” or “Spice.” He pleaded guilty on August 21, 2017.
According to court documents, in April 2017, Zatar was pulled over for a traffic stop in Baker County, Florida, while driving from Tampa to his home. During a consensual search of his vehicle, authorities discovered that he was transporting 201 kilograms of individual packets of synthetic marijuana, labeled as “potpourri” and “not for human consumption.” Zatar confessed that three weeks prior, he had made another trip from Tampa to Pennsylvania and had transported a smaller quantity of packets. A laboratory analysis revealed that the substance in the packets was a synthetic cannabinoid referred to as AB-FUBINACA, a Schedule I controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
Pasadena Man Sentenced to 81 Months in Federal Prison for Leading an Organization Engaged in Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The lead defendant in a federal case against a sophisticated identity-theft ring that defrauded several victim financial institutions out of millions of dollars was sentenced on Monday to over six years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
Lei Chen, 51, of Pasadena was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. Chen was further ordered to pay restitution to eight victim financial institutions – American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citigroup, Discovery, and U.S. Bank – in the amount of $2,725,451.96.
Chen pled guilty in 2016 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The conviction for aggravated identity theft required the Court to impose a mandatory, consecutive term of 24 months’ imprisonment in addition to the custodial sentence for the fraud conspiracy.
Chen, known by the moniker “Uncle Chen,” was the leader of a large criminal organization that engaged in extensive credit card fraud and identity theft in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. According to court records, as part of their fraud scheme, defendant and his co-conspirators obtained personal identifying information (such as names, dates of birth, and social security numbers) of the victims for the purpose of obtaining credit cards in those identity theft victims’ names. Chen’s subordinates contacted credit agencies and financial institutions to change the victims’ addresses to “drop addresses,” that is, locations controlled by the organization. Co-conspirators working for Chen then applied for credit cards in the names of the victims and picked up the cards once they were delivered to the drop addresses.
In addition, Chen’s organization sent “shoppers” – i.e., impersonators who pretended to be the identity theft victims – to retail stores where they used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase luxury goods. The shoppers’ purchases included Rolex watches, iPhones, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and Chanel purses. Those purchases totaled millions of dollars resulting in millions of dollars in loss to the victim financial institutions that issued the credit cards.
The remaining three defendants charged in this case – Cynthia Li, Hsiang-Chi Yi, and Richard Wang – are scheduled for trial on September 25, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terrence P. Mann of the Santa Ana branch office.
Operation Kryptonite: Six Individuals Plead Guilty to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that multiple defendants entered pleas of guilty today. The defendants were charged in a single indictment on February 14, 2018 as a result of an investigation lead by the Drug Enforcement Administration into the distribution of methamphetamine in and around McAlester. A copy of the full indictment can be found online at https://go.usa.gov/xnefa.
Bethany Lynn Kendall, age 28, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Steven Alan Phifer, age 40, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Dylan Joseph Dempsey, age 25, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Conway Lee Kindle, age 43, of Stuart, Oklahoma; Dominic Alan Giaudrone, age 38, of Krebs, Oklahoma; and Angel Reanea Henderson, age 41, of Hartshorne, Oklahoma each entered guilty pleas. A sentencing date will be set by the Court after the Federal Probation Office completes their pre-sentencing reports.
Kendall pled guilty to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both; and to Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both.
Phifer pled guilty to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both; and to Distribution Of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment, and up to a $5,000,000.00 fine or both.
Dempsey pled guilty to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both; and to Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both.
Kindle pled guilty to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both; and to Distribution Of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000.00 fine or both.
Giaudrone pled guilty to Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, punishable up to 20 years imprisonment, and up to a $1,000,000.00 fine or both.
Henderson pled guilty to Distribution Of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), punishable up to 20 years imprisonment, and up to a $1,000,000.00 fine or both.
The one remaining defendant that is named in the indictment, Dustin Lee Hall, a/k/a Smalls, age 31, of Savanna, Oklahoma, is not in custody and members of the public are urged to contact law enforcement if they come into contact with Hall or know of his whereabouts.
The Drug Conspiracy charges arose from a joint investigation entitled “Kryptonite” coordinated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the Eastern District of Oklahoma. OCDETF is an initiative led and coordinated by the Office of the United States Attorney. The agencies involved in the investigation were, the McAlester Police Department, the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police, the Savanna Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the District 18 Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of presentence investigation reports.
Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington represented the United States.
New York Drug Supplier Sentenced to 18 YearsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A New York man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for his role as a source of heroin and cocaine to drug distributors in Virginia.
According to court documents, Tyrell Brown, 30, started supplying heroin to members of a heroin drug trafficking organization in Spotsylvania County, Orange, and Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2015. While other sources supplied the organization over the course of the three-year conspiracy, Brown supplied several ounces on a weekly basis until April 17, 2017, when law enforcement agents learned that he was traveling to Virginia with a large amount of cocaine and heroin in order to resupply multiple distributors in the area.
As a result of this information, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home of one of Brown’s co-conspirators, Sheronda Fox, where Brown, Fox, and a third co-conspirator were preparing large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and the controlled substance known as “molly” for distribution. Additionally, throughout the investigation, law enforcement found evidence that Brown received several Western Union cash payments from his co-conspirators in the Virginia area while Brown continued to reside primarily in New York. However, Brown made trips to Virginia multiple times per week for the express purpose of distributing narcotics. In sentencing Brown, the district judge noted that Brown was strictly in the heroin business as a dealer, not a user attempting to distribute drugs to satiate his own drug addiction.
Sheronda Fox, 26, of Fredericksburg, also was sentenced today to nine years in prison for her role in the drug conspiracy.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. The case was investigated by the Fredericksburg FBI Narcotics Task Force, which includes the DEA, FBI, Virginia State Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, and Fredericksburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-104.
Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Import Heroin from El SalvadorRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two men were sentenced today to over a combined 22 years in prison for their role in a conspiracy to import heroin and cocaine into the United States from El Salvador.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Rosemberg Martin Majano, 40, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, and Jose Alejandro Orellana Montalvo, 26, of Woodbridge, were participants in a conspiracy to smuggle more than $400,000 worth of heroin and cocaine into the United States from El Salvador. Majano carried the drugs in his checked luggage on a flight from El Salvador into Washington Dulles International Airport. When Majano arrived at the airport, officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered the heroin and cocaine concealed within food packaging in his luggage. Majano admitted that he was being paid to deliver the packages to someone in the airport.
In an ensuing surveillance operation, special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, identified Orellana Montalvo as the individual who was to pick up the narcotics from Majano. Orellana Montalvo was arrested after he tried to pick up Majano outside of a restaurant in Herndon.
Majano was sentenced to 121 months in prison, and Orellana Montalvo was sentenced to 151 months in prison.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., and Casey Owen Durst, Director of CBP’s Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas W. Traxler and Dennis M. Fitzpatrick prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are 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-204.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISIS and Terrorism FinancingRead the Press Release
Mohamed Elshinawy, 32, of Edgewood, Maryland, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS; terrorism financing; and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning of the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Office announced the sentence issued by U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander.
According to the plea agreement, Elshinawy conspired with others to knowingly provide material support and resources to ISIS, knowing that ISIS was a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. From February 2015 through about Dec. 11, 2015, in Maryland and elsewhere, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services (including means and methods of communication), and financial services, to ISIS. Elshinawy and his co-conspirators utilized various methods of secret communication in order to conceal their criminal association and activities from law enforcement.
As a part of the conspiracy, Elshinawy expressed his support for an Islamic caliphate and his belief in the legitimacy of ISIS. In addition, he expressed his hope that ISIS would be victorious and its enemies defeated, and discussed his readiness to travel to live in the Islamic State. In various other conversations, Elshinawy pledged his allegiance to ISIS, described himself as its soldier, committed to making violent jihad, and asked that others convey his message of loyalty to ISIS leadership.
Elshinawy also received payments from a foreign company totaling $8,700 to be used to fund a terrorist attack in the U.S.
In interviews with FBI agents in July 2015, in an effort to conceal and minimize his criminal involvement with ISIS, Elshinawy provided false information regarding the total amount of money he had received from ISIS operatives and claimed his intent was to defraud ISIS of funds. Throughout his interviews, Elshinawy mischaracterized the true nature and extent of his association with ISIS operatives and the support he had provided to ISIS.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Manuelian and Kenneth Clark, who prosecuted the case, and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section for its assistance with the prosecution.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Providing Material Support to Isis and Terrorism FinancingRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Mohamed Elshinawy, age 33, of Edgewood, Maryland, to 20 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS; terrorism financing; and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney of the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Office.
According to the plea agreement, Elshinawy conspired with others to knowingly provide material support and resources to ISIS, knowing that ISIS was a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. From February 2015 through about December 11, 2015, in Maryland and elsewhere, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services (including means and methods of communication), and financial services, to ISIS. Elshinawy and his co-conspirators utilized various methods of secret communication in order to conceal their criminal association and activities from law enforcement.
As a part of the conspiracy, Elshinawy expressed his support for an Islamic caliphate and his belief in the legitimacy of ISIS. In addition, he expressed his hope that ISIS would be victorious and its enemies defeated, and discussed his readiness to travel to live in the Islamic State. In various other conversations, Elshinawy pledged his allegiance to ISIS, described himself as its soldier, committed to making violent jihad, and asked that others convey his message of loyalty to ISIS leadership.
Elshinawy also received payments from a foreign company based in the United Kingdom. The payments, which totaled approximately $8,700, were to be used by Elshinawy to fund a terrorist attack in the United States.
In interviews with FBI agents in July 2015, in an effort to conceal and minimize his criminal involvement with ISIS, Elshinawy provided false information regarding the total amount of money he had received from ISIS operatives and claimed his intent was to defraud ISIS of funds. Throughout his interviews, Elshinawy mischaracterized the true nature and extent of his association with ISIS operatives and the support he had provided to ISIS.
Acting United States Attorney Schenning and Assistant Attorney General Demers commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Manuelian and Kenneth Clark, who prosecuted the case, and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section for its assistance with the prosecution.
Man Pleads Guilty to Reentry by an Alien After Removal and Illegal Alien in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – James Charlery, 53, currently of St. Croix, was sentenced on March 28, 2018, in District Count on the counts of Reentry by an Alien After Removal and Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
Chief Judge Wilma A. Lewis sentenced Charlery to fifteen (15) months in prison, followed by one (1) year of supervised release, and ordered Charlery to pay a fine of $500 and a special assessment of $200. Upon the completion of his sentence, Charlery faces deportation, as an immigration detainer has been placed on him by the Department of Homeland Security.
Charlery entered a guilty plea to these charges on December 29, 2017 and admitted that he was an illegal alien who had unlawfully reentered the Territory of the Virgin Islands after his deportation in 1995 to St. Lucia. He also acknowledged that on May 25, 2017, he illegally possessed a loaded firearm, a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, at the Frontline Bar and Restaurant in Frederiksted.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Lynn Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Role in Counterfeit Steroid ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to traffic counterfeit steroids, including testosterone and trenbolone, to customers across the country.
Philip Goodwin, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 130 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2017, Goodwin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to traffic counterfeit drugs, one count of trafficking counterfeit drugs, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
In April 2017, Goodwin and five others, including Tyler Bauman, a/k/a “musclehead 320,” were arrested and charged with operating a counterfeit steroid operation on the North Shore.
From approximately May 2015 until April 12, 2017, the conspirators manufactured steroid products - made from raw materials purchased overseas - in Goodwin’s home, and marketed them as “Onyx” steroids using “Onyx” labels that were also ordered from overseas suppliers. Onyx, now owned by Amgen Inc., is a legitimate pharmaceutical company that does not manufacture steroids.
The defendants sold the steroids online to customers across the United States using email and social media platforms, collected payment through money remitters, such as Western Union and MoneyGram, and used false identifications and multiple remitter locations to pick up the proceeds. Some of the defendants laundered proceeds from the steroid sales through Wicked Tan LLC, a tanning business located in Beverly, which they owned and operated specifically to launder the proceeds of the steroid operation.
In August 2017, Bauman pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced in March 2018 to 10 years in prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Harman Burkart and David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.
Long-Haul Trucker Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Production and Transmission of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
On March 26, 2018, a Lake Worth resident was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Kenneth A. Marra to a total of 20 years in federal prison for producing and transmitting child pornography.
Benjamin Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), and Kelly Harris, Acting Chief, Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD), made the announcement.
Kevin Scott Mitchell, 62, of Lake Worth, previously pled guilty to one count of production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a) and (e), and one count of transmission of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1). Mitchell was subject to a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison.
According to the court record, including factual statements made during the plea hearing, beginning in January 2016, Mitchell had sex with a 16 year old minor at a hotel in Boynton Beach. He took photographs and videos during the sexual encounters, when his trucking route brought him to South Florida. In May 2017, the minor reported the sexual abuse to law enforcement when Mitchell threated to release the videos to the victim’s friends and family. When Mitchell later texted the minor, BBPD undercover detectives responded as the victim. Mitchell then sent pornographic images of the minor to the detective. Mitchell was apprehended several days later in upstate New York and found in possession of digital devices containing pornographic videos of the minor.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and BBPD. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Schiller.
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.
Long Island Husband and Wife Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud and Medicaid FraudRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, defendants Joseph Atias and Sofia Atias were sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to 40 months’ and 28 months’ imprisonment, respectively, following their March 30, 2017 trial convictions for bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with the sale of their real property to Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead for athletic fields. They were also convicted of Medicaid fraud. As part of their sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay $465,965 in forfeiture and $49,956 in restitution.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“Joseph and Sofia Atias committed fraud schemes to try to get out from under mortgage debt and to fraudulently obtain Medicaid funds, essentially flaunting the laws to which we all must adhere,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will make every effort to ensure that those who would manipulate the system are called to account.
“In a clear case of double dipping, the defendants convinced the lending institution of their eligibility to qualify for a short sale on their property, recruited a relative to serve as a straw buyer for the property, and profited from the funds of a subsequent sale of the property,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “At the same time they were running this scheme, they were also found to have engaged in significant fraud against the government. May today’s sentencing remind those who exploit government programs and manipulate gaps in the mortgage and banking sectors that they will face the error of their ways.”
The Bank Fraud Scheme
At trial, the government’s evidence established that shortly before the sale of their property adjacent to Sacred Heart Academy for $925,000, the defendants sold the property in a short sale to Bank of America for $480,000 to discharge their mortgage debt. In negotiating the short sale with the bank, the defendants and their co-conspirator attorney concealed Sacred Heart Academy’s pending offer and submitted a fraudulent contract of sale and other false documents representing that they did not have funds to pay off the mortgages in full. As part of the fraudulent short sale, the defendants used a relative as a “straw buyer” of the property to create the appearance of an arms-length sale. Shortly after that sale, the defendant’s straw buyer sold the property to Sacred Heart Academy for approximately half a million dollars in profit.
The Medicaid Fraud Scheme
The government’s evidence at trial established that between 2009 and 2015 the defendants fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds, by concealing their self-employment income and available cash resources, including trust fund monies and the $465,000 in proceeds from the bank fraud scheme.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Burton T. Ryan, Jr., are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Madeline O’Connor of the Office’s Civil Division is handling matters related to forfeiture.
The Defendants:SOFIA ATIAS
Age: 48 years old
Residence: Great Neck, New YorkJOSEPH ATIAS
Age: 54 years old
Residence: Great Neck, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CR-403 (DRH)
Local Minister Sentenced to Ten Years for Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine announces the sentence of local minister Cedric Manior (44) of Rincon, Georgia, who was sentenced today to 10 years of incarceration by United States District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood. Manior was convicted last August of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Crack Cocaine and to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.
Evidence presented in court filings and at sentencing revealed that Cedric Manior, also known as “Preacher Man,” a minister of New Beginnings International Outreach Ministry, was involved in a major drug trafficking organization that sold cocaine and crack cocaine in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere. Manior stored and sold drugs from his home located in Rincon, Georgia. Manior also directed his adult son, Cameron Edwards, to sell illegal drugs on his behalf.
In January 2017, Chatham County Narcotics Team (CNT) agents, along with the Savannah Chatham SWAT team executed a search warrant at Manior’s residence in Rincon, Georgia. Agents seized marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription medication, drug scales, drug manufacturing and distribution tools, heat-sealing machine, baggies, beakers, body armor, cash, twenty (20) firearms, AR-style magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. On his bed, next to his bible, agents found a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Near his church robe, agents found a Tec 9, assault semi-automatic style pistol with an extended magazine that is capable of holding over 15 rounds of ammunition. Drug trafficking supplies and firearms were located throughout the residence. Many of the weapons were stolen. Manior was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of six (6) prior felony convictions for felonies committed on six separated dates.
United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine states: “Cedric Manior received a message from the United States government that nobody is above the law. Our office is committed to working with local and federal law enforcement to dismantle criminal organizations and to sentence drug dealers to real time in prison.”
Upon release from federal prison, Manior will be on court supervision for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
Manior is one of over twenty (20) defendants who have been convicted in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation. In this investigation, agents have seized kilograms of cocaine, pounds of marijuana, dozens of firearms, and hundreds of thousands of dollars. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Counter Narcotics Team (CNT), the Savannah Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Effingham Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
Laurel Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Joshua Durwin Parish, 37, of Laurel, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 63 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge J. Derryle Smith. Parish was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
A confidential source called Parish and discussed purchasing methamphetamine. On November 21, 2014, Parish met with the confidential source and sold approximately $850 worth of methamphetamine. The telephone calls and meeting were videoed and audio recorded. DEA agents tested the methamphetamine and it had a 98.7% purity and weighed 25.8 grams. Parish pled guilty on December 19, 2017, to possessing with intent to distribute the methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Rushing and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Last of Nearly Two Dozen Defendants Plead Guilty for Roles in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- Two men pled guilty today for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Derrick Lamar Staples, 41, of Charleston, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin. Shaun L. Givens, 40, of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Staples and Givens are two of 23 defendants indicted in June 2017 after a comprehensive investigation of drug trafficking in Southern West Virginia. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of several agencies, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service also provided assistance throughout the investigation.
“This investigation dismantled an entire drug trafficking organization responsible for peddling a smorgasbord of dangerous drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Staples and Givens will soon be joining their fellow drug thugs in federal prison,” continued Stuart. “I want to commend my team and our principal partners including the FBI and Raleigh County Task Force as well as other critical partners who assisted throughout this effort. Their efforts saved lives and our streets are safer today as a result of their efforts.”
Derrick Staples, admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy in Raleigh County with multiple participants involving the distribution of cocaine and heroin. Staples admitted to working with James Rodney Staples, Dominic Copney and others to distribute the controlled substances. Staples admitted that other members of the drug trafficking organization would come to his residence in Charleston to pick up materials used to “cut” or prepare heroin for distribution. He also admitted that on June 28, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Kanawha County. During the search, agents found 706.99 grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, 34.4 grams of cocaine, a kilo press used to prepare drugs for distribution and two firearms. Staples admitted it was his intent to distribute the controlled substances found during the search. Law enforcement officers also seized over $70,000 in cash, jewelry, a car, and real estate that Staples admitted were drug proceeds or purchased with drug proceeds. As part of the plea agreement Staples has agreed to the forfeiture of these items.
Shaun Givens admitted that between August 2016 and June 28, 2017, he too participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine and heroin in and around Raleigh County. Givens admitted that during this time period, he received in excess of 500 grams of cocaine from other members of the drug trafficking organization that he distributed in the Southern District of West Virginia. Givens also admitted that on June 28, 2017, police officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley. During the execution of the search warrant, officers found over seven grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, a small amount of cocaine base, seven firearms, and $1,127 in cash that defendant admitted were the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking.
Staples faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 24, 2018. Givens faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 25, 2018.
Several individuals implicated as a result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas to drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. Two defendants, Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, have been sentenced by United States District Judge Irene Berger. Cheyenne Fragale received a sentence of 12 years in federal prison while Macon Fragale will serve 16 years and 8 months. Velarian Carter, of Beckley, faces a mandatory minimum of not less than 20 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018. Dominic Copney, of Beckley, faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018. Detria Carter, of Beckley, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on April 24, 2018. Donald Scalise, of Montgomery, faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 25, 2018. Tiffany Ramsey, of Boomer, faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on May 2, 2018. Shawn Akiem Anderson, of Mt. Hope, faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 29, 2018. Rory White, of Montgomery, faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 6, 2018.
Karl Funderburk, of Teays Valley, who previously pled guilty to a gun charge, faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison for using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime when he is sentenced on May 29, 2018.
Shaun Jones has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Jonathan Moore has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Each faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on May 29, 2018.
Corey Larkin previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He also faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 5, 2018.
Esau Burnette, of Beckley, has entered a plea to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base and a quantity of cocaine. He faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 30, 2018. James Rodney Staples, of Woodbridge, Virginia, faces at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life when he is sentenced on May 30, 2018 after entering a plea to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one kilogram of heroin.
George E. Brockman, II, of Montgomery, entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of oxycodone. Charles Hill, aka “Unc,” of Beckley, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine. They both face at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on June 5, 2018.
Jonathan O. Brockman of Kimberly, Fayette County, previously entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, a quantity of fentanyl, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of marijuana for remuneration. David Shaun Coleman of Fayette County entered his plea to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and a quantity of oxycodone. Rashaun Carter, aka “Show,” of Raleigh County, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, more than 100 grams of heroin, and a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of fentanyl. Each of these defendants face at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on July 24, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of these prosecutions. The Staples and Givens plea hearings were held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.
These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Lake Worth Man Indicted on Federal Charges for Sex and Labor TraffickingRead the Press Release
A Lake Worth man has been charged federally with sex trafficking a minor and adults, and labor trafficking.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Dave Aronberg, State Attorney of Palm Beach County, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, (PBSO), made the announcement.
Alston Orlando Leroy Williams, 42, of Lake Worth, who has been living between Broward and Palm Beach Counties, was charged by indictment with one count of sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(a)(1) and (b)(2), three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, in violation of Title 18, United State Code, Section 1591(a)(1) and (b)(2), and one count of forced labor trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1589(a). If convicted Williams faces a statutory maximum term of life in prison. Williams is currently being detained without bond pending further court proceedings in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach.
According to court records, from 2008 through 2017, Williams allegedly trafficked multiple women, including one as young as 16 years old, for sex throughout south Florida. Williams had the women live at his homes and travel to hotels and other locations to meet adult men and engage in sex for money. Williams allegedly used force, violence and coercion to traffic the women and kept all of the money they earned. He was arrested on November 29, 2017 on related state charges, before being charged federally.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigatory efforts of the FBI and PBSO, and thanked the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office for their commitment to combatting these offenses. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Schiller and Special Assistant United States Attorney Justin Hoover.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
Laconia Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Timothy Raxter, 53, of Laconia, was sentenced in federal court to serve 57 months in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and firearm offenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 23, 2017, Laconia Police executed a search warrant on Raxter’s vehicle, seizing a .40 caliber pistol and approximately 10 grams of “ice” methamphetamine. As a previously convicted felon, Raxter is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Raxter pleaded guilty on November 7, 2017, to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Drugs and guns are a potentially lethal combination,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with our law enforcement partners to target drug traffickers, particularly those who use firearms or violence to further their unlawful activities. Those who commit these crimes will be prosecuted aggressively in order to protect the safety of our community.”
"As a convicted felon, Mr. Raxter should have known better than to possess a firearm and engage in drug trafficking. It's a dangerous combination, and the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, detect, and disrupt those who try to poison our neighborhoods and threaten them with violence," said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the police departments of Gilford and Laconia in conjunction with the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the police departments of Hudson, Manchester, and Nashua. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Kutztown Man Charged with Sex Trafficking A Minor and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Willie James Johnson, age 57, of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, was indicted on March 28, 2018, by a federal grand jury for sex trafficking of a minor and drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that from September 2014 to October 2015, Johnson trafficked a minor in York County for commercial sex acts. The indictment also alleges that between January 2013 and October 2017, Johnson distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute heroin in York County.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Northern York Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Schinnour is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Kilogram Level Cocaine Dealer Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Fairfax County man pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Roscoe Simpson, 47, was arrested on July 21, 2016 after being found in possession of three-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine and $65,000 in United States currency. Following his arrest, Simpson admitted to the distribution of approximately fifty kilograms of cocaine.
Simpson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life in prison when sentenced on June 27, 2018. 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; and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-60.
Isleta Pueblo Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Robbery ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Gilbert J. Zuni, 31, an enrolled member of the Isleta Pueblo who resides in Bosque Farms, N.M., was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 33 months of imprisonment for his conviction on a robbery charge. Zuni will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Zuni was charged with robbery in a felony information filed on Dec. 19, 2017. The information charged that Zuni committed the offense by unlawfully taking a purse and its contents on July 8, 2016, on Laguna Pueblo in Bernalillo County, N.M.
Zuni pled guilty to the felony information on Dec. 19, 2017, and admitted that on July 8, 2016, while at the Route 66 Casino on the Laguna Pueblo, he followed the victim to her vehicle, pushed the victim down, retrieved her purse from the floorboard of her vehicle, and fled in a vehicle driven by another person. Zuni admitted the purse contained checks and credit cards, and that the victim reported a loss of approximately $2,462.47.
This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for His Role in a Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Diego Morales-Ramirez, 25, a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally, was sentenced Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Morales-Ramirez was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in August 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled substance, said substance being 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Morales-Ramirez will be deported following completion of his prison term. He has been in custody since his arrest in March 2017.
According to documents filed in the case, on February 3, 2017, Morales-Ramirez was stopped by a police officer for failing to signal while changing lanes. During the stop Morales-Ramirez was extremely nervous and a K-9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance inside the vehicle. Also during the stop it was learned that Morales-Ramirez was inside the United States illegally and that he had been previously deported. Morales-Ramirez was advised he was going to be detained for being illegally present in the United States and officers offered to return his vehicle and some of his personal items to the apartment he just came from.
Upon arrival Morales-Ramirez gave officers consent to search his apartment. Before officers entered the apartment Morales-Ramirez said there was a gray bin on the right side with “stuff” in it. Upon opening the gray bin officers found several bags containing a crystal like substance that field tested positive for 10.97 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The offices of Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Task Force Officers from the Rowlett and Fate Police Departments investigated and assisted in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted.
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Hartford Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RUBEN TORRES, also known as “Rube,” “Ru,” and “T,” 26, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and crack cocaine in Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, and related overdoses. The investigation specifically targeted criminal activity being committed by members and associates of the Orange Street Killas (OSK), which operated principally in the area of Orange, Cherry and Arbor Streets. The investigation followed a series of reports of shots fired in the area, and a homicide that was committed on Cherry Street in October 2015. The prosecution was built on court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, all of which revealed that OSK members acquired heroin and crack cocaine and then sold the narcotics on the streets of Hartford.
The investigation revealed that TORRES, an OSK member, sold heroin and crack to drug users and other distributors.
On October 8, 2016, investigators intercepted TORRES on others on calls discussing firearms and planning a violent act. Investigators immediately notified Hartford Police that violence might be imminent in the Orange and Cherry Street area, but before police could respond, at approximately 10:12 p.m., a man was chased and shot multiple times in front of 7-9 Cherry Street. The victim was located in the backyard of 51 Orange Street. He was suffering from three gunshot wounds to his legs, was transported to the hospital and survived the shooting. Minutes after the shooting, TORRES and others referenced the shooting on the wiretap.
On October 31, 2016, TORRES and another individual were intercepted discussing a .40 caliber firearm. On January 26, 2017, TORRES sold 600 bags of heroin, approximately one-half ounce of crack cocaine, and 34 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition to an undercover officer.
On February 10, 2017, investigators arrested TORRES and several of his codefendants. On that date, a search of TORRES’s residence revealed approximately 260 bags of heroin, drug paraphernalia, assorted ammunition, a gun holster, a gun cleaner kit and $1,379 in cash.
TORRES has been detained since his arrest. On November 8, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Sixteen individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement When Purchasing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – William M. Broomfield, age 29, of Gulfport, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Broomfield is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Guirola on June 27, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, plus 3 years of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.
On June 15, 2016, William Broomfield purchased two firearms at Cook’s Gun Shop, in D’Iberville, Mississippi, for Tony D. Crawford, who was a local area resident. Broomfield purchased a Ruger Model American, 9mm pistol and a Romarm/Cugir, Model Draco, 7.62 caliber pistol for Crawford. Broomfield also purchased three high capacity magazines and distinctive "Red Army" ammunition for Crawford.
While Broomfield gave the appearance that he was purchasing the firearms for himself, he actually purchased the firearm for Crawford, in what is commonly known as a "straw purchase." In purchasing the firearms, Broomfield knowingly provided a false and fictitious written statement to the federal firearms licensee. Broomfield knew his false statement on the ATF Form 4473 contained information required to be kept in official records and that the gun shop could not complete the transaction if it was known that the firearm actually was being purchased for someone else.
Ultimately, the firearms, high capacity magazines and ammunition were found by law enforcement officials and were shown to have been in the possession of Crawford, who is a convicted felon. Crawford was previously prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 8, 2018, Crawford was sentenced to nearly 9 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Crawford also was sentenced to pay a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, along with the City of Biloxi, City of D’Iberville, City of Gulfport and City of Pass Christian Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Greer Man Sentenced to 120 months for Possession of Child Pornography Involving Prepubescent MinorsRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Leslie Earle Alverson, age 50, of Greer, South Carolina, was recently sentenced in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, for Possession of Child Pornography involving Prepubescent Minors, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Alverson to 120 months (10 years) and supervised release for life.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that between January 23, 2015 and February 24, 2015, Alverson spent substantial hours on a child pornography website. Law enforcement agents traced the activity to internet protocol (IP) addresses associated with Alverson. Agents executed a search warrant at Alverson’s residence and various computer hardware belonging to Alverson that contained thousands of images of child pornography. Alverson admitted that he possessed such child pornography. In total, law enforcement seized over 13,000 qualifying images. These images and videos included adults engaged in sexual acts with prepubescent minors as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.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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Georgia Residents Indicted for Distributing Meth in AlabamaRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted two Georgia residents on charges of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton.
A three-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges MICHAEL MONTOYA-AUSTRIA, 26, of Atlanta, and SERGIO ORTIZ, 31, a Mexican national living in Doraville, Ga., with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jefferson County between February and March. The indictment also charges both Montoya-Austria and Ortiz with possessing with intent to distribute that quantity of the drug on March 7.
The indictment charges Montoya-Austria with distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in St. Clair County on Feb. 27.
The penalty for each charge is 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $10 million fine.
DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Dimler is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Four Men Plead Guilty to Opioid Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Four men pleaded guilty this week in federal court in Boston to their roles in an opioid trafficking conspiracy involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone across Massachusetts and Florida.
George Noukas, 27, of Manchester, N.H., pleaded guilty on March 28 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Moses Rodriguez, 30, of Lawrence, Mass., pleaded guilty on March 29 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Craig Drummond, 26, of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and Juan Reyes, 29, of Lawrence, Mass., each pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper deferred acceptance of Noukas’ and Rodriguez’s pleas until sentencing, both of which she scheduled for June 25, 2018. Judge Casper scheduled Drummond’s and Reyes’ sentencings for July 17, 2018, and June 20, 2018, respectively.
Noukas, Rodriguez, Drummond, and Reyes were arrested in March 2017 for their roles in a widespread conspiracy involving opioid trafficking and money laundering offenses in Massachusetts and Florida. Their arrests were the result of a three-year federal investigation into opioid-trafficking in New England.
According to charging documents, from at least 2014, Rodriguez and Noukas distributed sizeable quantities of heroin and fentanyl in the greater Boston area, and Drummond and Reyes transported sizeable quantities of oxycodone from Miami, Fla., to Massachusetts, where it, too, was distributed in the greater Boston area. Proceeds from the illicit oxycodone sales were then transported back to Florida and laundered in various ways.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin provides for a minimum sentence five years and up to 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and forfeiture. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the property laundered, and forfeiture. 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; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Biddeford (Maine), Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Manchester (N.H.), Methuen, Millis, Natick, Stoughton, and Waltham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Beausey, Nadine Pellegrini and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Office are prosecuting the cases.
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.
Former Officials of Central United Talmudic Academy in Brooklyn Plead Guilty to $3 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Elozer Porges and Joel Lowy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud relating to their participation in a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Porges and Lowy committed this fraud while serving in the administrative offices of Central United Talmudic Academy (“Central UTA”), a school system located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Porges served as Central UTA’s Executive Director, and Lowy served as Porges’s assistant. The pleas were entered before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Mark Peters, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation, and Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, announced the guilty pleas.
According to the indictment, court filings and facts presented during the guilty plea, from between approximately 2013 and 2015, Porges and Lowy submitted documents to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) specifically falsely claiming that its school children had received meals which, in fact, had never been served. The defendants fraudulently inflated the number of meals served at various Central UTA schools in order to obtain larger reimbursement payments from the federal government’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the NYSDOH that is designed to assist schools and other institutions in providing meals to, among others, at-risk children. In total, Porges and Lowy, fraudulently obtained more than $3 million in reimbursement payments to CUTA.
At their guilty plea proceedings, Porges and Lowy admitted to submitting the inflated meal counts on behalf of Central UTA. As part of their plea agreements, Porges and Lowy are required to reimburse $3,256,338.68 to the USDA in restitution. Lowy is also required to pay restitution in the amount of $98,407.21 for food stamp and child care benefits he improperly obtained from New York City agencies.
When sentenced, Porges and Lowy each face a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Erik Paulsen and Maria Cruz Melendez are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
ELOZER PORGES
Age: 43
Brooklyn, NYJOEL LOWY
Age: 29
Brooklyn, NYE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-431
Federal Jury Finds Charleston Meth Dealer Guilty of Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – A federal jury found Don Lamont Wilkerson, 44, of Charleston, guilty of three counts of distributing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Wilkerson was convicted following a three day jury trial.
United States Attorney Stuart commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).“We are pleased that our community will have one less drug dealer as a result of this jury verdict,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Wilkerson’s prior felony drug conviction obviously didn’t motivate him to stop being a criminal, so now he gets the privilege of being locked up for a long time.”
Witnesses for the United States testified that Wilkerson sold a total of five ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on three separate occasions in September of 2016. The drug deals took place in retail parking lots in the South Hills and Kanawha City neighborhoods of Charleston. The drugs were subsequently analyzed by the U. S. Customs and Border Patrol’s Savannah laboratory. A forensic chemist testified that the drugs recovered were in fact methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 95%.
Wilkerson, who has a prior felony drug conviction, faces a mandatory minimum of twenty years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 7, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorneys Gabriele Wohl and Steven I. Loew are in charge of the prosecution and tried the case before a federal jury. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the trial.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Federal Agents Seize 63 Dogs from Suspected Dogfighting RingRead the Press Release
DUBLIN, GA: On March 23, 2018, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking the possession of 63 pit bull-type dogs that were allegedly involved in a dog fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Pursuant to a federal warrant, the animals were seized on March 19, 2018, in Eastman, Georgia, by United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) special agents working with the United States Marshals Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Oconee Drug Task Force, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
According to the complaint filed last week in federal court, the animals were seized after GSP troopers conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle inside of which an injured dog was found. The operator of the vehicle admitted to having been present at a dog fight in Eastman, Georgia, and provided law enforcement with the location of the fight. At the reported location, agents discovered a disassembled dog fighting “pit” and more than 60 pit bull-type dogs staked to the ground by heavy chains. The condition of a majority of the dogs, including scarring and aggression towards other dogs, was consistent with dog fighting and related training.
After obtaining a search warrant, agents found numerous indications of dog fighting at the Eastman property, including a treadmill with a rope attached to the front part of the machine, antibiotics and other injectable veterinary medications, and a jenny mill, which is used to develop a dog’s endurance and musculature by enticing the animal to run on a circular track. From four grave areas, agents unearthed the remains of seven dogs, five of which had scarring consistent with dog fighting and one of which had a broken leg. During the search, agents noted that none of the live animals had access to food, and most did not have access to water.
Following the seizure, the United States Marshals Service took custody of the animals. K2 Solutions, Inc. and the Humane Society of the United States are assisting with the care of the dogs, at least some of which are pregnant.
“Dog fighting is a barbaric spectacle that has no place in any civilized society, and it will enjoy no quarter in the Southern District of Georgia,” United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine said. “We know that animal fighting ventures often entail other forms of illegal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling, and this Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners at all levels to investigate and successfully prosecute those who contribute to the proliferation of crime and seek to profit off the abuse and suffering of helpless animals.”
USDA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Karen Citizen-Wilcox stated, “The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General-Investigations, actively investigates allegations of animal abuse. This agency has made animal fighting a high priority in order to demonstrate that these blatant acts of cruelty to animals will no longer be tolerated. We would like to thank United States Attorney’s Office for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of animal fighting.”
“The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division is pleased to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and federal and state law enforcement in this joint effort to remove these animals from harm’s way, pursuant to federal law, as quickly as possible,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We applaud the agents and attorneys who worked tirelessly and acted on very little notice to achieve this successful outcome.”
Dog fighting is a violent contest in which two dogs that are bred and conditioned for fighting are released by their owners or handlers in a controlled environment to attack each other and fight for purposes of entertainment or gambling. Fights usually end when one dog withdraws, when a handler “picks up” his dog and forfeits the match, or when one or both dogs die. Persons engaged in dog fighting typically use “pit bull”-type dogs, which dog fighters prefer for their compact muscular build, short coat, and the aggression that some display toward other dogs.
The federal Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive, or transport them for that purpose. The statute further authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of animals involved in dog fighting. Once the dogs are forfeited or surrendered to federal authorities, they can be evaluated and placed for adoption. Although federal funds will be used to pay for the care of the dogs while they remain in law enforcement custody, the Animal Welfare Act empowers the government to recover those costs from the dogs’ owners.
Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Xavier A. Cunningham are pursuing the forfeiture of the dogs on behalf of the United States. USDA-OIG is leading the related federal investigation. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
Federal Agents Seize 63 Dogs from Suspected Dog Fighting RingRead the Press Release
On March 23, 2018, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking the possession of 63 pit bull-type dogs that were allegedly involved in a dog fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Pursuant to a federal warrant, the animals were seized on March 19, 2018, in Eastman, Georgia, by United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) special agents working with the United States Marshals Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Oconee Drug Task Force, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
According to the complaint filed last week in federal court, the animals were seized after GSP troopers conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle inside of which an injured dog was found. The operator of the vehicle admitted to having been present at a dog fight in Eastman, Georgia, and provided law enforcement with the location of the fight. At the reported location, agents discovered a disassembled dog fighting “pit” and more than 60 pit bull-type dogs staked to the ground by heavy chains. The condition of a majority of the dogs, including scarring and aggression towards other dogs, was consistent with dog fighting and related training.
After obtaining a search warrant, agents found numerous indications of dog fighting at the Eastman property, including a treadmill with a rope attached to the front part of the machine, antibiotics and other injectable veterinary medications, and a jenny mill, which is used to develop a dog’s endurance and musculature by enticing the animal to run on a circular track. From four grave areas, agents unearthed the remains of seven dogs, five of which had scarring consistent with dog fighting and one of which had a broken leg. During the search, agents noted that none of the live animals had access to food, and most did not have access to water.
Following the seizure, the United States Marshals Service took custody of the animals. K2 Solutions, Inc. and the Humane Society of the United States are assisting with the care of the dogs, at least some of which are pregnant.
“The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division is pleased to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and federal and state law enforcement in this joint effort to remove these animals from harm’s way, pursuant to federal law, as quickly as possible,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We applaud the agents and attorneys who worked tirelessly and acted on very little notice to achieve this successful outcome.”
“Dog fighting is a barbaric spectacle that has no place in any civilized society, and it will enjoy no quarter in the Southern District of Georgia,” said United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “We know that animal fighting ventures often entail other forms of illegal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling, and this Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners at all levels to investigate and successfully prosecute those who contribute to the proliferation of crime and seek to profit off the abuse and suffering of helpless animals.”
“The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General-Investigations, actively investigates allegations of animal abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Citizen-Wilcox for USDA-OIG. “This agency has made animal fighting a high priority in order to demonstrate that these blatant acts of cruelty to animals will no longer be tolerated. We would like to thank United States Attorney’s Office for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of animal fighting.”
Dog fighting is a violent contest in which two dogs that are bred and conditioned for fighting are released by their owners or handlers in a controlled environment to attack each other and fight for purposes of entertainment or gambling. Fights usually end when one dog withdraws, when a handler “picks up” his dog and forfeits the match, or when one or both dogs die. Persons engaged in dog fighting typically use “pit bull”-type dogs, which dog fighters prefer for their compact muscular build, short coat, and the aggression that some display toward other dogs.
The federal Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive, or transport them for that purpose. The statute further authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of animals involved in dog fighting. Once the dogs are forfeited or surrendered to federal authorities, they can be evaluated and placed for adoption. Although federal funds will be used to pay for the care of the dogs while they remain in law enforcement custody, the Animal Welfare Act empowers the government to recover those costs from the dogs’ owners.
Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Xavier A. Cunningham are pursuing the forfeiture of the dogs on behalf of the United States. USDA-OIG is leading the related federal investigation. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
FBI Agent Convicted for Falsifying Information When Applying for a PassportRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas — Following a four-day trial, a federal jury has convicted a woman on felony offenses for submitting false information when applying for a passport in June 2014, announced Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Rhonda Lynn Chesser Lindstrom, 41, most recently from Washington, D.C., was convicted last week on three counts of false statement in application for passport. Each false statement count carries a statutory penalty of not more than 25 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Lindstrom is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Briones on June 7, 2018.
Because Chesser Lindstrom worked as a Special Agent in the El Paso FBI office, and presented cases to the Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s office, the Western District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys were recused and Northern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulina Jacobo was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General.
According to evidence presented at trial, on June 10, 2014, Chesser Lindstrom personally appeared at the United States Department of State, El Paso Passport Agency (EPPA), and submitted an Application for a U.S. Passport. As required by the application, Chesser Lindstrom provided as proof of citizenship a State of Louisiana Birth Certificate issued on August 22, 2011. The date of birth on the birth certificate was August 26, 1977. As proof of identity, Chesser Lindstrom provided a State of Maryland Driver’s License with a date of birth of August 26, 1977.
A Passport Specialist conducted a thorough and detailed review of Chesser Lindstrom’s Passport Application. He noticed that the birth certificate appeared to have been altered. Specifically, the birth certificate showed clear signs of handwritten alterations in three places, the Birth Number, the Birth Date, and the File Date. The birth certificate had erasures and numbers rewritten in the three places. Since it was obvious that the birth certificate was altered, the case was referred to the Fraud Prevention Manager (FPM).
On June 12, 2014, the Passport Application was further reviewed by the Fraud Prevention Office to verify all information submitted by Chesser Lindstrom. The results of the review indicated that Lindstrom’s correct date of birth was August 26, 1976; no record was found of a Rhonda Chesser born on August 26, 1977, as indicated on the birth certificate she provided to the EPPA.
The EPPA asked for additional information and Chesser Lindstrom provided additional false documents after enticing her older sister to participate in creating those documents.
The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General was the lead investigation agency, assisted by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Criminal Fraud Investigations, and the United States Department of State, El Paso Passport Agency Program Fraud Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paulina Jacobo and Chris Wolfe prosecuted.
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District Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting WomanRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Williams, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to three years in prison for groping a stranger after knocking her to the sidewalk in downtown Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu.
The victim was eight months pregnant at the time. Fortunately, both the victim and her baby sustained no serious injuries.
Williams pled guilty in September 2017, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of third-degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced by the Honorable Zoe Bush. Following his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for a 10-year period.
According to the government’s evidence, on Friday, May 5, 2017, at about 3:30 p.m., Williams approached the victim just outside the U.S. Tax Court in the 400 block of 3rd Street NW. He was stark naked. When the victim saw Williams approaching, she tried to flee, but Williams caught her, grabbed her, and tackled her to the sidewalk, where he groped her. A guard inside the Tax Court saw the assault and ran outside to try to intervene, but Williams fled. By happenstance, a homicide detective with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was driving by and saw a naked man running up 3rd Street. He jumped out of his car, pursued, caught and arrested Williams. Williams has been in custody since his arrest.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the quick action of the homicide detective and the security officers at the U.S. Tax Court who helped pursue the defendant. She also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Brenda C. Williams and Victim/Witness Advocate Juanita Harris. Finally, U.S. Attorney Liu expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
District Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Davon Rashad Wood, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for groping a 12-year old girl as she was walking into a community aquatic center in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu.
Wood pled guilty in September 2017, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of second-degree child sexual abuse. He was sentenced by the Honorable José M. López. Following his prison term, Wood will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 26, 2017, at about 10:45 a.m., the victim was walking into the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center in the 600 block of North Carolina Avenue SE. Wood held the door for the girl as she entered the aquatic center, then grabbed her buttocks as she walked past him. His actions were captured on the aquatic center’s security cameras. The girl did not know Wood. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) provided clips from security footage to the local media in hopes of getting the public’s assistance. Several people then called MPD to identify the man as Wood. Wood was arrested at his home in Southeast Washington on July 2, 2017.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu praised detectives from MPD’s Youth Division, the aquatic center employees who provided MPD with footage from the center’s security cameras, and members of the public, who helped identify Wood as the perpetrator. She also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Brenda C. Williams and Victim/Witness Advocate Juanita Harris. Finally, she commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
Connecticut Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Anthony Swift, 33, formerly of Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin.
Court documents and statements in court showed that on May 23, 2016, the New Hampshire State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by another individual as it traveled north on Interstate 95. Swift was the sole passenger in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 14.46 grams of fentanyl and 120.4 grams of heroin from a duffel bag in the trunk of the vehicle. Swift acknowledged that he purchased the drugs in Hartford, Connecticut and that the drugs would be distributed in the Presque Isle, Maine area.
Swift pleaded guilty to the charges on November 9, 2017.
“I commend the State Police for their work in preventing this substantial amount of drugs from being distributed,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to stop the sales of heroin and fentanyl in New England.”
This investigation was conducted by the New Hampshire State Police Mobile Enforcement Team. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Gang Member Pleads to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Shamari Delresse Jones, a/k/a “Amari,” age 33, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court established that on the evening of July 29, 2017, officers with the Columbia Police Department were on routine patrol on West Beltline Boulevard and observed Jones driving and knew that his driver’s license was under suspension. After confirming that Jones’ license was suspended and noticing that the license plate on the vehicle came back to a completely different vehicle, officers initiated a traffic stop. Jones, the driver, and the passenger both exited the vehicle and Jones was observed with a baggie in his hands. Jones fled on foot as the officers approached, but was apprehended and the baggie was found to contain rounds of .44 caliber ammunition. While the officers were pursuing Jones, the passenger left in the vehicle. Jones was arrested on state charges. The following day, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office responded to Jones’ mother’s home in Heath Springs in reference to a shooting. No one was injured, but while at the home, a number of firearms and rounds of ammunition were recovered by law enforcement, including a Bushmaster .223 caliber rifle with an extended magazine and two 12 gauge shotguns. The investigation revealed that upon Jones’ arrest for being in possession of the ammunition, several other individuals moved the firearms from Jones’ Columbia home to his mother’s home in an effort to keep law enforcement from finding the firearms. The investigation also showed that in October 2015, Jones, a known gang member, had attended an offender notification meeting in which he, and others, were advised by law enforcement officials that should they be found in possession of firearms and ammunition, their case would be considered for federal prosecution in light of their extensive prior record.
Jones is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior separate South Carolina state convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (2004), distribution of crack cocaine (2009), possession of cocaine (2009), assault with intent to kill (2 counts)(2009), unlawful carrying of a firearm (2009), assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (2006), possession of cocaine (2010), and possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2015).
Jones faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. However, if he is deemed an armed career criminal in light of his prior convictions, he would face a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, and 5 years of supervised release on the firearm charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Columbia Police Department, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local initiative focused upon aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Canyon, Texas Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
AMARILLO, Texas — Neal Edmond Brown, 46, of Canyon, Texas, was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 135 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in November 2017 to possession of prepubescent child pornography, announced Erin Nealy Cox, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Brown has been in custody since his arrest in October 2017.
According to the plea agreement factual resume filed in the case, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information that an image depicting child pornography had been uploaded using the Skype program. Law enforcement discovered that the IP address responsible for uploading the image belonged to the Region 16 Education Service Center (ESC) in Amarillo, Texas. With the assistance from Region 16 ESC personnel, agents were able to verify that Brown, the Director of School Finance Operations at Region 16 ESC, was uploading child pornography from his work computer.
On June 21, 2017, a search warrant was executed at Region 16 ESC and agents seized several electronic devices located in Brown’s office. A forensic examination revealed that the electronic devices contained over 900 images of child pornography and over 200 videos of child pornography.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood leverages federal, state and local resources to better investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children. Project Safe Childhood also prioritizes identifying and rescuing victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Amarillo Police Department are investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted.
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Cambridge, Massachusetts, Man Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court for Insider TradingRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that FEI YAN, who works as a post-doctoral associate at a major research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 15 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest. In 2016, YAN made almost $120,000 in connection with trading in stocks and options of publicly traded companies, based on misappropriated material nonpublic information.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Fei Yan blatantly circumvented the securities laws that are in place to deter people from doing exactly what he did – trading on nonpublic information to give him a leg up over other investors. Even after searching the internet on ways to get away with his crime, Yan was apprehended for his insider trading, and will now spend time in prison for his crimes.”
According to the Indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, previous court filings, and statements made a public court proceedings:
YAN’s spouse (the “Spouse”) worked at the New York office of an international law firm (the “Law Firm”). In the summer of 2016, the Law Firm was retained by a mining company (the “Mining Company”) to represent it in negotiations to acquire Stillwater Mining Company, a publicly traded company whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWC.” On August 25, 2016, in connection with the Spouse’s work at the Law Firm, the Spouse learned of the negotiations between the Mining Company and Stillwater Mining and continued to work on the transaction through December 9, 2016, when it was publicly announced for the first time that the Mining Company would be acquiring Stillwater Mining. While working on the transaction during the fall of 2016, the Spouse had access to material, nonpublic information regarding the potential acquisition.
The Law Firm required its employees, including the Spouse, to abide by a confidentiality policy, which prohibited disclosure of “information received from and about . . . clients . . . [and] other parties involved in transactions with clients.” In addition, YAN and the Spouse had a history, pattern, and practice of sharing confidences.
In early and mid-November 2016, the Spouse billed dozens of hours working on the potential merger between the Mining Company and Stillwater Mining, and YAN and the Spouse were in frequent phone contact. During this period, YAN conducted Internet searches for “yahoo swc” and “stillwater merger,” even though the Mining Company’s potential acquisition of Stillwater Mining had not yet been publicly announced.
On November 22, 2016, the Spouse participated in a call at the Law Firm regarding the potential acquisition. That same day, YAN, using a brokerage account he had previously set up in his mother’s name, bought 71 options to buy Stillwater Mining stock. The next day, there were two phone calls between YAN and the Spouse. After these calls, YAN bought an additional 200 options to buy Stillwater Mining stock.
Negotiations between the Mining Company, represented by the Law Firm, and Stillwater Mining continued to progress, and the Spouse continued to work on the transaction. On December 1, 2016, after a 78-minute phone call with the Spouse the night before, YAN purchased an additional 100 Stillwater Mining options.
The following day, YAN conducted multiple Internet searches and research related to mergers and acquisitions, including searches for “process of acquisition” and “company acquisition process.” Several minutes after conducting these searches, YAN called the Spouse.
YAN and the Spouse also spoke on the phone multiple times on the night of December 5 and the early morning hours of December 6, 2016. Later on the morning of December 6, 2016, YAN bought an additional 341 options to buy Stillwater Mining stock. Later that day, YAN conducted internet research related to insider trading. For example, YAN searched for “how sec detect unusual trade” and accessed at least three articles on financial websites related to insider trading. YAN also searched for the name of an individual who was charged in this District in May 2016 with insider trading.
The next day, shortly after speaking with the Spouse on the phone for approximately 30 minutes, YAN conducted an Internet search for “insider trading with international account” and, shortly thereafter, viewed articles entitled “U.S. Insider Trading Enforcement Goes Global” and “Want to Commit Insider Trading? Here’s How Not to Do It.” The following day, YAN bought an additional 54 options to buy Stillwater Mining stock.
Early on the morning of December 9, 2016, it was publicly announced that the Mining Company would acquire Stillwater Mining for $18 per share. Beginning at approximately 9:33 a.m. Eastern time, minutes after the open of regular market trading, YAN sold the Stillwater Mining options he had previously purchased, resulting in a profit of approximately $109,420. Also that day, YAN conducted Internet searches for “insider trading cases,” and “insider trading options.”
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In addition to his prison sentence, YAN, 31, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $119,428.50, representing the amount of proceeds obtained as a result of trading in Stillwater Mining and related relevant conduct involving trades in the Mattress Firm.
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and thanked the Securities Exchange Commission, which has filed civil charges in a separate action. Mr. Berman also thanked the FBI’s Boston Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for their assistance in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan F. Quigley is in charge of the prosecution.
Californian Man Indicted for Fraudulent Bank Accounts Opened with Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted a California man for stealing other peoples’ identities and using them to open accounts at the Birmingham-based BBVA Compass Bank, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.
A 12-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges EDUARDO FERNANDO VILLANUEVA ARANGUENA, 32, of Reseda, Calif., with six counts each of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Aranguena obtained personally identifying information for six individuals and opened an account or accounts in those individuals’ names at Compass Bank between Sept. 15, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, according to the indictment.
Aranguena used the fraudulently established accounts to deposit, withdraw and transfer money, as well as to make purchases, load gift cards, open lines of credit and apply for credit cards, according to the indictment.
“With today’s technology, cybercriminals can commit identity theft against a Birmingham, Alabama, bank from thousands of miles away,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Keim, who is prosecuting the case. “We appreciate the investigative assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California and the Western District of North Carolina and the Charlotte Field Office of the FBI.”
The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which would have to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed for bank fraud, and a possible fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.
The FBI investigated the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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California Men Plead Guilty to Roles in Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
AMARILO, Texas — Two men from California, Erasmo Ramirez-Romero and Jorge Ramirez, appeared yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, and pleaded guilty to their roles in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Ramirez-Romero, 31, and Ramirez, 22, each pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The defendants face a maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Judge Fitzwater set a sentencing date of July 11, 2018.
According to documents filed in the case, on January 14, 2018, law enforcement was working routine patrol in Carson County, Texas stopped a 2005 Nissan Altima for driving in the left lane when not passing. The officer made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Ramirez, and the passenger, who was later identified as Ramirez- Romero. The officer noticed indicators of possible criminal activity and inconsistencies with Ramirez’s and Romero’s stories about their trip.
Ramirez consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement located four bundles of Fentanyl, weighing approximately 10 pounds, in the passenger side quarter panel in the trunk.
The case is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto is in charge of the prosecution.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Sports ApparelRead the Press Release
A Mountain House, California man pleaded guilty today in Sacramento for trafficking in counterfeit sports apparel.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office and Sheriff Scott Jones of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department made the announcement.
Seyyed Ali Noori, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. of the Eastern District of California. Noori was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 14, 2016, and will be sentenced on June 15.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Noori owned and operated Goldstar Wholesale LLC, a regional wholesale distributor based in Tracy, California, and also sold goods at the Galt Flea Market in Galt, California. In August, October, and November 2013, undercover officers with the Sacramento Intellectual Property Task Force purchased hundreds of dollars of counterfeit hats, shirts, and other accessories from Noori. These items bore counterfeit trademarks belonging to professional sports franchises in the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League, as well as apparel brands like Monster Energy, Nike, and New Era. Purchases were made from Noori at the Galt Flea Market and the Goldstar warehouse.
Noori admitted that on Nov. 12, 2013, he was served with a notice directing him to cease-and-desist selling goods bearing counterfeit NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and Monster Energy trademarks. Noori signed a declaration that he understood the cease-and-desist notice and would refrain from selling such products in the future.
Nonetheless, according to Noori’s admissions, he continued to sell the counterfeit goods. On Dec. 3, 2013, undercover Task Force officers visited Noori’s retail stand at the Galt Flea Market, where Noori indicated that he could no longer display the counterfeit items for sale. Instead, he directed the officers to his box truck for the counterfeit goods, which they purchased. On Dec. 19, 2013, a search warrant executed at the Goldstar warehouse recovered thousands of items openly displayed for sale, including pieces of headwear, shirts, and accessories, all bearing counterfeit sports trademarks.
This case was investigated by the Sacramento Intellectual Property Task Force, the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorneys Aaron R. Cooper and Timothy C. Flowers of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.
CEOs and Owner Plead Guilty to Facilitating Substance Abuse Treatment Fraud Scheme Involving KickbacksRead the Press Release
This week, two CEOs and the owner of Zenith Health Services Inc., Monty Health Care Services, Inc., Peaceful Encounters, LLC, National Diagnostic Testing Inc., and Paramount Health Solutions Inc., pled guilty for their roles in a health care fraud scheme.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Jimmy Patronis, Florida Chief Financial Officer; Michael J. Waters, Special Agent in Charge, Amtrak Office of Inspector General (Amtrak-OIG); Isabel Colon, Regional Director, United States Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA); and Dennis Russo, Director of Operations, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), made the announcement.
John Michael Skeffington, 52, of Boca Raton, pled guilty to participating in a health care fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and obstructing a criminal health care investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1518(a) and 2. Co-defendant Babette Hayes, 58, of Sarasota, pled guilty to obstructing a criminal heath care investigation. Co-defendant Mona Montanino, 56, of Boca Raton, also pled guilty to obstructing a criminal health care investigation
According to court documents, Skeffington, Hayes and Montanino established five shell companies, disguised as “laboratory marketing companies,” in order to unlawfully refer medically unnecessary and excessive bodily fluid tests for residents and patients of sober homes and substance abuse treatment facilities to various clinical laboratories and rural hospitals. Hayes and Montanino purported to be the chief executive officers of some of the companies, but it was Skeffington who actually operated and controlled the companies and directed the co-defendants’ actions. In exchange for patient referrals, the laboratories and hospitals would provide a pre-set percentage of insurance payments (“kickbacks”) to the defendants, which they would then share with the sober homes and substance abuse treatment facilities.
The fraud scheme took advantage of higher insurance reimbursement rates for testing conducted by hospitals. In some cases, the hospitals would submit claim forms as if the patients submitted samples in person when, in reality, the patients were hundreds of miles away, were never treated at the hospitals, and were unaware that their insurance plans were billed for the services. During the course of the scheme, Skeffington increased his use of rural hospitals for the fraudulent testing, after insurance companies began to scrutinize claims from clinical laboratories for bodily fluid tests.
The kickback amounts, often disguised as payments for sales commissions to Skeffington’s companies, were based on written and unwritten agreements between Skeffington and the laboratories and hospitals. Upon receiving the payments, Skeffington would directly or indirectly provide kickback payments to the sober homes and substance abuse treatment center owners who were accomplices in the scheme.
Once Skeffington, Montanino and Hayes became aware of the FBI investigation into fraudulent medical claims, they created dozens of fake documents meant to obstruct the investigation and disguise the kickbacks as hourly payments for marketing services. They asked, both those from whom they had received kickbacks and those to whom they provided kickbacks, to sign the documents to further conceal their illegal activities. Signed documents and invoices were back-dated to make it appear as though they had been signed and submitted before the kickback payments were made.
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Kenneth A. Marra on July 6, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.
These cases are the result of the work of the Greater Palm Beach Health Care Fraud Task Force. The Task Force’s ongoing investigation into substance abuse treatment fraud in the Southern District of Florida has resulted in 18 convictions to date. Agencies of the Task Force include the FBI, IRS-CI, the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Amtrak OIG, DOL-EBSA, and NICB.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of all law enforcement agencies connected with the Task Force, as they continue to combat sober home abuses and health care fraud.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Marie Villafaña and Alexandra Chase.
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.
Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Geovane Jose Ferreira, 34, a Brazilian national, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for June 28, 2018.
On Aug. 2, 2017, law enforcement officers in Essex encountered Ferreira and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Ferreira was previously deported on Dec. 17, 2003.
Ferreira faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.