Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Friday 9 February 2018
Two Pittsburgh-area Men Charged in Fentanyl Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Two Allegheny County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The four-count indictment, returned on February 6 and unsealed today, named the defendants as:
• Edjuan Jackson, 28, of Duquesne, PA; and
• Anthony Ptomey, 26, of Steuben Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
According to the indictment, from on or about March 1, 2017, to on or about March 30, 2017, the defendants are charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of fentanyl. Individually, Edjuan Jackson is charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl on March 30, 2017. On the same date, Jackson is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Anthony Ptomey is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin fentanyl on April 17, 2017.
For Jackson, the law provides for a total maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both for the drug charges. For the firearms charge, Jackson faces a total maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. For Ptomey, the law provides for a total maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Pittsburgh-area Men Charged in Fentanyl Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Two Allegheny County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The four-count indictment, returned on February 6 and unsealed today, named the defendants as:
• Edjuan Jackson, 28, of Duquesne, PA; and
• Anthony Ptomey, 26, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to the indictment, from on or about March 1, 2017, to on or about March 30, 2017, the defendants are charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of fentanyl. Individually, Edjuan Jackson is charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl on March 30, 2017. On the same date, Jackson is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Anthony Ptomey is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl on April 17, 2017.
For Jackson, the law provides for a total maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both for the drug charges. For the firearms charge, Jackson faces a total maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. For Ptomey, the law provides for a total maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Newark Men Charged with Participating in Multiple Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two Newark men have been arrested and charged for their respective roles in a string of armed carjackings in Jersey City, New Jersey, in June 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Tarrance Atkins, 23, and Jarrett Nelson, 19, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of conspiracy to use or possess a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation, and one count of using or possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Atkins made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. Nelson made his initial appearance Feb. 8, 2018, before Judge Hammer.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From June 12, 2017, to June 18, 2017, Nelson, Atkins, and others committed six carjackings and attempted carjackings in Jersey City. For each carjacking or attempted carjacking, the victims were inside their vehicles, parked on residential streets. On each occurrence, two conspirators exited a getaway car and forced the passengers out of their vehicles at gunpoint. Over the course of three different evenings, Nelson, Atkins, and others carjacked four newer-model, high-end vehicles and attempted to carjack two others. After carjacking the vehicles in Jersey City, Nelson, Atkins, and others fled to Newark, where the cars were discovered shortly thereafter.
The conspiracy to commit carjacking count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison, and the count of conspiracy to use a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The carjacking count with which Atkins and Nelson are charged is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each of the four counts also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the Jersey City Police Department for their contribution to the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace Latzer of the General Crimes Unit and Senior Litigation Counsel Robert Frazer of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel:
Nelson: John Yauch Esq., Federal Public Defenders Office, Newark
Atkins: David Schafer Esq., Lawrenceville, New JerseyTwo More Sentenced on Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 84 of these defendants have been convicted, including 83 who have entered guilty pleas, and 60 of them have been sentenced.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
This week two Albuquerque residents were sentenced in federal court for their convictions on drug trafficking charges. Jesus Parra, 30, was sentenced on Feb. 5, 2018, to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. Timothy Dilley, 35, was sentenced today to 19 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for his heroin and methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Parra was charged in an indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with distribution of methamphetamine on May 12, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. On June 12, 2017, Parra pled guilty to an information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and admitted that on May 12, 2016, he distributed methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent.
Dilley and co-defendant Jonathan Aragon, 38, were arrested in July 2016, based on an indictment alleging that they participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy, and distributed methamphetamine and heroin in June 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. On Sept. 26, 2016, Dilley pled guilty to distributing heroin and methamphetamine on June 15, 2016. In entering the guilty plea, Dilley admitted selling heroin and methamphetamine to an undercover ATF agent. Aragon pled guilty on Jan. 20, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2018.
Sixteen of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.
These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF, and Parra and Dilley were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers.
Two Houston Men Sentenced for Their Role in Tilak Jewelers RobberyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Michael Cornelious, 27, and Larry Solomon, 43, both of Houston, Texas, were sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to lengthy prison sentences for their role in the conspiracy to rob Tilak Jewelers in Irving, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Cornelious pleaded guilty in October 2017 to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Judge Kinkeade sentenced Cornelious to 150 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $370,718.72 in restitution. Solomon pleaded guilty in June 2017 to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. Solomon was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison and also ordered to pay $370,718.72 in restitution.
Cornelious and Solomon were charged along with ten other individuals in an indictment in February 2016. Afraybeom Traverom Jackson, Dominique Pearson, Hilton Murdock Aitch, Irving Tyrone Flanagan, Terrence Lynn Thompson, Anthony Ray Turner, Jr, Treveon Dominique Anderson, Xavier Rashad Ross, Joshua Deunte Caldwell and Vanlisa Scott were each charged with one count of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. On October 12, 2017, Jimmy Hatchett was charged for the same robbery. Out of the thirteen, eleven have pleaded guilty and two are set for trial on January 29, 2018.
According to plea documents filed in the case, in the early morning hours on November 17, 2013, Aitch, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Flanagan, Solomon, Aitch, Thompson, Turner, Anderson, Cornelious, and Ross, traveled from Houston, Texas, to the Dallas, Texas, area with the specific intent to rob the Tilak Jewelers store located at 8300 North MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 100, Irving, Texas. They stole a cargo van and a minivan after they arrived in the Dallas, Texas, area in order to avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement.
Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross drove together in the stolen cargo van to the Tilak Jewelers store, with the specific intent to commit the robbery. Aitch, Flanagan, and Thompson participated in planning the robbery and positioned themselves outside the Tilak Jewelers store, but maintained communications with Jackson for the purpose of monitoring the robbery and alerting the participants of the presence of law enforcement.
Prior to entering the Tilak Jewelers store, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross disguised their identities by wearing longsleeved clothing, long pants, gloves, and items covering their faces. Jackson and the others entered the jewelry store by smashing the locked glass door with a hammer. After gaining entry into the store, they restrained the owners of the jewelry store with zip-ties, smashed jewelry display cases, and took jewelry from the owners and employees of Tilak Jewelers.
After securing the jewelry, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross fled from the robbery using the stolen cargo van. They abandoned the cargo van at a predetermined location, where Solomon was waiting in the stolen minivan. Solomon then drove them to a second predetermined location, where Cornelious was waiting in a switch vehicle. Cornelious then used the switch vehicle to further facilitate their flight from the robbery and avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement. Scott, who had traveled from Houston, met Pearson and the other coconspirators at a different location and took possession of the stolen jewelry for the purpose of safely transporting it to Houston, Texas.
The Irving Police Department, Houston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Robinson and John de la Garza were in charge of the prosecution.
# # #
Two Ghanian Men Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Bank and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge George L. Russell has sentenced Mark Dennis, age 30, of Laurel, to 27 months in prison, and Charles Mensah, age 32, of the Bronx, New York, to 30 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank and wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The charges stem from a scheme to defraud in 2014, which attempted to steal nearly $1.4 million in funds from the personal, retirement, and business accounts of various victims. The Court also ordered each man to pay over $229,000 in restitution. Both men are lawful permanent residents of the United States and citizens of Ghana.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Baltimore Office; and Police Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police.
According to evidence at presented at the 10-day trial, in 2014, co-defendant Mohammed Kwaning acquired account information from the individual victims, as well as forged checks containing bank account information of both individual and corporate victims from across the United States.
Mohammed then recruited individuals, including Dennis and Mensah, who registered corporate shell entities with the state of Maryland. The individuals Mohammed recruited then set up bank accounts at multiple banking institutions in the names of these shell entities. Kwaning then either directed that the funds from the compromised accounts be wired into those bank accounts or provided altered or fabricated checks from compromised accounts to Mohammed, who then provided the checks to Dennis and Mensah, to be deposited into those bank accounts. After doing so, those same individuals would attempt to withdraw as much of the stolen funds before the banks discovered that the source of the funds were compromised accounts.
Some of the accounts were compromised by individuals who called into investment firms pretending to be the actual account holders, and then eventually providing enough correct answers in order to reset the password for the account. Individuals also hacked the emails of victims and, posing as the account holders, requested funds be wired from their retirement accounts to the bank accounts of the shell corporations controlled by the conspirators. The loss attempted over the course of nine months was over $1.3 million; the conspirators were able to withdraw over $229,000 of stolen funds, which they then split amongst themselves.
Kwaning was also found guilty at trial and his sentencing hearing is pending. Badu, Mohammed, Davies, and Fosu had all previously pleaded guilty. Badu was sentenced to 6 months, and the remaining sentencing hearings are pending.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted this case.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that Edd Tawon Payne, 33, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery, at a hearing before District Judge Claire V. Eagan, on February 8, 2018.
On August 16, 2017, Payne, a co-defendant, and a juvenile conspired to rob the Bank of America located at 205 East Pine Street in Tulsa. Payne and his co-conspirators wore disguises and used a “hoax bomb” to rob the bank. Payne constructed his “hoax bomb” out of wires and a disassembled cell phone, shoved into a cosmetics bag. The bank robbers took approximately $11,012 in cash from the Bank of America, some of which Payne used to purchase a vehicle. Sentencing is set for May 7, 2018. Payne’s co-defendant, Manuel Britto, previously pleaded guilty on January 3, 2018, and is also awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Shores stated, “Bank robberies are inherently violent offenses that can jeopardize the lives of bank employees and customers. My office has focused our attention on reducing violent crime and gun crime. We will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to improve the safety of our community.”
This prosecution resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dennis A. Fries handled the prosecution of this case.
Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization DismantledRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Five men have pled guilty to their involvement in a transnational drug trafficking and money laundering ring that moved substantial quantities of drugs and money through Upstate New York and Canada.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.
In connection with their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that:
Between August 2014 and March 30, 2016, Iraklis Haviaropoulos led a money laundering and drug trafficking organization based in Montreal, Canada, which purchased and distributed more than 300 kilograms of cocaine and laundered more than $1 million.
In connection with the cocaine conspiracy, Haviaropoulos purchased cocaine from, among other sources, Carlos Alberto Ocampo Garcia in Piura, Peru, on the northern coast of Peru. Pilots working for Haviaropoulos picked up the cocaine at a clandestine airstrip outside of Piura, flew it to Guatemala, and then on to Mexico. In Mexico, truck drivers picked up the cocaine, smuggled it into the United States by crossing the Mexican border, and then smuggled it into Quebec, Canada. Some of the cocaine crossed through the Northern District of New York. During the investigation more than 337 kilograms of cocaine were seized, as well as fentanyl and marijuana.
The organization collected cash from selling marijuana in the United States and cocaine in Canada. The cash was delivered to couriers in, among other places, Albany County, Ulster County, and Montreal so that the cash could be delivered, either by a courier or by wire, to the cocaine suppliers, to pay for more cocaine. At least $1 million was sent to Chicago, Los Angeles, Peru, and Colombia; money was also wired to China. During the investigation, more than $1 million was seized.
“This sophisticated organization, which used transnational networks to move huge amounts of cocaine and illegal money through our communities, has now been dismantled thanks to the cutting-edge work of federal agents and their effective collaboration with our law enforcement partners in other states and countries, particularly our Canadian counterparts,” said United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith. “As this case demonstrates, we will use all of our resources to pursue foreign-based drug traffickers and bring them to justice.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “This highly significant trafficking organization was established in strategic positions around the globe to profit off the sale of cocaine, marijuana and fentanyl. Law enforcement’s investigation identified the organization’s circuitous route sending money from Quebec to South America Countries and China; and in return, sending drugs back to major cities in North America like Los Angeles, Chicago and Montreal. Law enforcement is committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those whose criminal actions enable drug addiction and inevitable drug overdoses.”
IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James D. Robnett said: “IRS-CI is united with the rest of the law enforcement community in our resolve to financially dismantle organizations that commit crimes against our society. We will target the profits of international narcotics traffickers and secure evidence that exposes their criminal activities.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly said: “This case is an effective demonstration of the combined power that federal, state, and foreign law enforcement agencies possess when working together as one. No matter how sophisticated or how large, working collectively, we possess the resources and the will to ensure that operations such as these get taken down as fast as they emerge.”
All of the following people have pled guilty to conspiracy to commit international or promotional money laundering, and Haviaropoulos, Garcia, and Ortiz Bolanos have also pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino:
Name
Age
Residence
Charges
Sentencing Date
Iraklis Haviaropoulos
41
Montreal, Canada
Cocaine conspiracy > 5 kilograms
International money laundering conspiracy
5/23/18
Carlos Alberto Ocampo Garcia
56
Cali, Colombia
Cocaine conspiracy > 5 kilograms
International money laundering conspiracy
3/26/18
Jose Mauricio Ortiz Bolanos
30
Cali, Colombia
Cocaine conspiracy > 5 kilograms
International money laundering conspiracy
3/14/18
Eduardo Nunez-Serna
44
Chicago, Illinois
Promotional money laundering conspiracy
3/19/18
James DeSantis
56
Pompano Beach, Florida
International money laundering conspiracy
5/30/18
This case is the result of the close, cooperative efforts of the DEA, led by the Albany District Office and including DEA offices in Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Worcester, Massachusetts; IRS-Criminal Investigation, and HSI. These federal agencies worked closely with the Sûreté du Québec, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Peruvian National Police, and the Colombian National Police. U.S. Border Patrol, the Malone Police Department, the New York State Police, the Chicago Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Watervliet Police Department also provided assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe. Three of the five defendants were extradited to face charges in the Northern District of New York with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Toledo man charged with producing and selling false identification documentsRead the Press Release
A Toledo man was charged in federal court in relation to the production of false identification documents, law enforcement officials said.
Mark A. Simon, 34, was charged with production of false identification documents, transfer of false identification documents and possession of equipment used to produced false identification documents.
Investigators seized 18 gold coins, 215 silver coins, 21 gold and silver bars, $7,000 in cash, numerous computers, hard drives and USB storage devices, latex gloves, photo paper, six modems, a photo printer and approximately $4.7 million in bitcoin taken from approximately 30 wallets stored on a USB thumb drive, and other items.
According to a 31-page affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, investigators were originally contacted by an employee of a pub in Springfield, Ohio, about fake IDs collected at the bar. A Wittenburg University student said he and a friend obtained the fake ID off reddit.com.
Agents identified the purported seller by the reddit username of TedDanzigSr, who posted on a daily basis on subjects related to fake IDs. Agents eventually ordered fake IDs from TedDanzigSr and were asked to pay in bitcoin.
Further investigation revealed prior to posting and advertising his manufacture and sale of false identifications on reddit, username TedDanzigSr sold fake IDs on the dark web marketplace Silk Road. Investigators determined that TedDanzigSr’s true identity was Mark Simon, who lives on Stengel Road in Toledo, according to the affidavit.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and United States Secret Service, Toledo Resident Agency, with assistance from the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. It is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah P. Hood and Robert Kern.
An charge is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Texas Woman Charged in Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud as Part of Lottery ScamRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DEBRA KROM, age 36, a resident of Wylie, Texas was charged yesterday in a one-count Bill of Information for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud.
According to the Information, on or before August 2013, and continuing through December 2015, KROM and others operated a scheme to contact elderly individuals and people with diminished capacity who would be susceptible to being scammed. The scheme involved contacting victims by telephone through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and informing them they had won the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes (PCH) or similar lottery and needed to pay KROM and others monies by cash, check, wire, and other methods in order to claim their lottery winnings.
Unknown members of the conspiracy, but believed to be residing in Jamaica, obtained names, addresses, and other biographical information from an unknown source. These individuals used the information to identify victims, telephone them, or directed others to telephone the victims and tell them that they had won the PCH sweepstakes. They needed to send KROM or other co-conspirators money to claim their winnings.
Co-conspirator, Andre Bowyer, charged in case 16-96 “J” in the Eastern District of Louisiana, directed KROM and others residing in the United States, including A.S., to open bank accounts in the United States for the purpose of receiving money from elderly victims and transferring the proceeds into Bowyer’s account in Jamaica. It was part of the scheme and artifice to defraud that on certain dates between August 2013 and December 2015, the defendant, KROM, A.S. and others, conspired with Bowyer to accomplish the unlawful scheme of fooling elderly victims into believing they had won a sweepstakes, causing the victims to send money via the United States Postal Service or by wire transfer to KROM, A.S. or others. Immediately after receiving the funds in the mail from the victims, KROM, A.S., and others transferred the ill-gotten proceeds from their accounts to Bowyer’s account in Jamaica.
If convicted, KROM faces a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 supervised release of up to 3 years, and a special assessment of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman.
Texas Man Sentenced to over 18 Years in Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Arnulfo Garza Gonzalez a/k/a "Peaty," age 41, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 223 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
A confidential informant provided information that beginning in 2016 and continuing through August 2017, Gonzalez was a source of supply of methamphetamine for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. During a search of a home in Gulfport, DEA agents were able to locate some of the methamphetamine that Gonzalez sent to Mississippi, and upon laboratory testing, it resulted in a 90% purity. During DEA’s investigation, agents also discovered Gonzalez conspired with a least three other individuals to traffic cocaine and marijuana from Texas to Mississippi.
On November 6, 2017, Gonzalez pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Taxicab Driver Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting PassengerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Yared Mekonnen, 24, a taxicab driver from Silver Spring, Md., was sentenced today to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a passenger he picked up last spring in the U Street area of Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced.
Mekonnen pled guilty in September 2017, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of second-degree sexual abuse and attempted kidnapping. He was sentenced by the Honorable Hiram E. Puig-Lugo. Upon completion of his prison term, Mekonnen will be placed on 20 years of supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of May 28, 2017, Mekonnen was driving his taxicab and picked up the victim and her boyfriend in the vicinity of U Street NW. Both the victim and her boyfriend were intoxicated. At some point, the boyfriend exited the taxicab. Once Mekonnen was alone in the taxicab with the victim, he sexually assaulted her. She tried to get out of the taxicab, but he prevented it. She screamed as he continued driving. There was a struggle, and while attempting to convince the victim not to call for help, Mekonnen grabbed her cellphone and it fell out of the window.
Finally, another driver pulled in front of the taxicab, forcing it to stop in the 4900 block of 16th Street NW. Shortly afterward, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived on the scene and Mekonnen was arrested. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, including the Sexual Assault Unit, which investigated the case. She also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist T.J. McPhail and Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins. Finally, she expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart D. Allen and Caroline Burrell, who investigated and prosecuted the case
Tan Co. Owner Sentenced on Federal Kidnapping ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Todd Beckman was sentenced to 240 months in prison for his role in kidnapping a Maplewood man.
According to court documents, on November 21, 2016, brothers Blake and Caleb Laubinger entered the victim’s residence and, when he arrived home, attacked and confined him with zip ties, threatening to kill him if he screamed. They transported the victim in a rental truck to Blake Laubinger’s residence, and held him in the basement in zip ties, handcuffs and duct tape. Todd Beckman and Kerry Roades arrived at the residence. Beckman and Roades beat the victim and pressed the barrel of a handgun to his head. They accused him of stealing from Blake Laubinger and demanded money. The next day, the Laubinger brothers told the victim if they did not get ransom money from his parents in Florida they would kill him. The victim was repeatedly beaten, tased, and assaulted by the kidnappers. The kidnappers made ransom calls to the victim’s parents demanding money in exchange for his life.
On November 22, Blake and Caleb Laubinger, and Todd Beckman, transported the victim in the rental truck to Todd Beckman’s property and confined him in a shipping container. Beckman put a handgun to the victim’s head and threatened to kill him.
On November 23, the victim’s parents paid approximately $27,000 in ransom to Todd Beckman. Shortly after, the kidnappers removed the victim from the shipping container and threatened to kill him if he said anything to anyone. The kidnappers took the victim in a “St. Louis Tan Co.” van to Gravois Bluffs shopping center, where they released him.
Todd Beckman, 53 of Fenton, pled guilty on November 2 to one felony count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
This case was investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maplewood Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys John T Davis and Stephen Casey are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Tampa Resident Convicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa resident convicted in federal court in the Southern District of Florida for his involvement in Tricare health care fraud scheme, kickbacks and money laundering.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Southeast Field Office, Peter H. Kuehl, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, and Frank Robey, Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit, made the announcement.
On February 5, 2018, a federal jury in Miami unanimously convicted Monty Ray Grow, 46, on 18 criminal counts including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347; conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; unlawful receipt of health care kickbacks, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(1)(A); and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.
Evidence presented at trial established that during an 8-month span in 2014-15, Grow participated in a scheme to defraud the Tricare program out of tens of millions of dollars. Tricare is the health care program for the U.S. military that pays the health care costs of active and retired military personnel and their families. That insurance benefit includes paying for any medications that a Tricare beneficiary needs. Grow enticed Tricare beneficiaries to order very expensive drugs that they did not need. Tricare, not the patients, paid the bill for these expensive drugs and the pharmacy split 50% of the profits with Grow. Evidence at trial established that Grow targeted Tricare beneficiaries and induced them to order expensive drugs they did not need by paying them either directly for their own prescriptions or indirectly for those of their family and friends. As a result of that scheme, Grow received nearly $20 million in kickbacks from a Broward County pharmacy.
In furtherance of his fraud scheme, Grow fraudulently inflated the price the pharmacy would bill to Tricare by manipulating the formulations and selling ingredients to the pharmacy that were artificially engineered in order to maximize profits. Grow also paid telemedicine companies whose doctors ratified those prescriptions he pre-selected with the knowledge that no doctor ever examined a single patient. Finally, Grow laundered the criminal proceeds of his scheme through the purchase of luxury items.
To date, at least eight additional co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges arising out of Grow’s fraud scheme, including Ginger Lay, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia; Paul Robinson, 40, of Ormond Beach, Florida; Deanna Dutting, 40, of Ormond Beach, Florida, Raymond Bear, 46, of Flemming Island, Florida; Robin Halliburton, 45 of Ponte Vedra, Florida; Michael Shane Matthews, 47, of Newberry, Florida, Michael Bowman, 43, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Sven Bjerke, 39, of Jacksonville, Florida. These individuals have collectively remitted property back to the United States valued in the approximate amount of $3.3 million. Grow is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno on April 16, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.
“Monty Grow has been held responsible for an egregious fraud scheme that unlawfully diverted approximately $20 million in federal health care monies that were set aside for the men and women in uniform who serve and protect our country and jeopardized the public’s health for personal gain,” stated United States Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to identify for prosecution individuals, including healthcare providers, who not only carry out fraudulent schemes against Tricare or other federal health care programs for their own personal financial benefit at a loss to the deserving beneficiaries, but also endanger our community.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to protecting the integrity of the U.S. military health care program to provide top quality medical care to America’s Warfighters and their families, while ensuring that health care providers and facilities comply with Federal laws,” said John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, DCIS - Southeast Field Office. “Through joint investigations with our law enforcement partners, DCIS aggressively pursues criminal prosecutions and all available remedies to bring violators to justice. This guilty verdict demonstrate the effectiveness of our investigative efforts.”
“The FDA is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who place their personal gain over the health of American consumers,” said Peter Kuehl, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We commend the efforts of the Department of Justice for vigorously pursuing the prosecution of this matter.”
“We are extremely pleased with the jury’s verdict in this case,” said Frank Robey, Director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “To in any way be culpable in swindling millions of dollars from a federal program that provides medical insurance for the U.S. military is completely unconscionable to me. Agents from our specialized fraud unit, along with investigators from other federal law enforcement agencies, are unwavering in our commitment to seek out and hold responsible all those who conduct criminal activity against the United States Army and the American taxpayer.”
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of DCIS, FDA-OCI and U.S. Army CID. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Larsen and Jon Juenger.
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.
St. Martinville man sentenced to 60 months in prison for drug distribution, firearms possessionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a St. Martinville man was sentenced to five years in prison for drug distribution and firearm charges.
Clay Anthony Robertson, 31, of St. Martinville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to five years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the October 23, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Robertson’s former apartment in Lafayette on January 19, 2017. Law enforcement agents recovered more than 500 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of marijuana dipped in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax and $64,280. Law enforcement also recovered a .40 caliber pistol, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, 30 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and 41 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Agents also discovered that the .40 caliber pistol was stolen, and that Robertson had previously been convicted of a felony controlled substance offense.
The DEA, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force and the St. Martin Parish Narcotics Division of the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Six Individuals Charged in $7 Million International Investment ScamRead the Press Release
Charges were unsealed today in Houston, Texas, against six individuals for their alleged participation in an elaborate international advance fee and money laundering scheme. The scheme allegedly involved the impersonation of Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) and JPMorgan Chase (Chase) executives, the fabrication of U.S. government documents, the creation of fraudulent investment agreements in the name of BB&T and Chase, and the purchase of luxury vehicles to launder the proceeds of the scheme.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office and Inspector General Steve A. Linick for the U.S. Department of State made the announcement.
Uju Okigbo, 48, of Richmond, Texas; Chioma Okafor, 28, of Houston, Texas; Marita Ranalan Underwood, 61, of Manila, Philippines; John Christian Rutledge, 64, of Yaphank, New York; and Osa May Martin, 68, of Carthage, Missouri, were charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas. All five defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Okigbo and Okafor were also charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, as well as two counts each of wire fraud and two counts each of concealment money laundering. Okigbo is also charged with three counts of engaging in transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity, and one count of aggravated identity theft for impersonating a U.S. banking executive. Underwood, Rutledge and Martin are also charged with one count of conspiracy to wrongfully use government seals.
Okigbo was already in custody as of today. Martin made her initial appearance this afternoon in front of a U.S. magistrate judge in Springfield, Missouri, and Rutledge is scheduled to make his initial appearance.
A sixth individual, Tiffany Sourjohn, 47, of Miami, Oklahoma, was charged by an information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wrongful use of government seals, which was also unsealed today. Sourjohn made her initial appearance this morning and entered a guilty plea to the information in front of Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. of the Southern District of Texas.
According to the charging documents, the scheme involved fraudulent offers of investment funding by perpetrators primarily living in Nigeria who impersonated U.S. bank officials and financial consultants over the Internet and over the phone. Victims in various countries were deceived into believing they would receive millions of dollars of investment funding as part of joint ventures with U.S. banks, usually BB&T or Chase. The perpetrators utilized false domain names to make it appear that senders of emails were actually affiliated with BB&T or Chase. To convince victims that the opportunities were authentic, the perpetrators recruited U.S. citizens to pose as bank “representatives” at in-person meetings with victims around the world, and, if occurring abroad, utilized sham visits to the local U.S. embassy or consulate and fabricated U.S. government documents to make the victims believe the U.S. government was sponsoring the investment agreements. The victims were then allegedly induced to pay tens of thousands, and often hundreds of thousands, of dollars to U.S.-based bank accounts on the belief that such payments were necessary to effectuate their investment agreements.
According to the charging documents, to ensure the proceeds made it back to Nigeria, after victims wired in funds, money movers who controlled the U.S. bank accounts liquidated the proceeds through outgoing wire transfers to exporters, cash withdrawals and purchases of vehicles, including luxury brands such as Land Rover and Mercedes Benz, which were then shipped to Nigeria. According to the charging documents, Okigbo and Okafor were primarily money movers in the scheme, while Underwood, Rutledge, Martin and Sourjohn were representatives.
The scheme allegedly resulted in losses of more than $7 million from victims in more than 20 countries. To date, a house in Richmond, a 2014 Land Rover Range Rover, and approximately $200,000 in cash, all directly traceable to victims’ payments, have been seized.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Department of State Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Elmilady of the Southern District of Texas. Forfeiture is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollinson of the Southern District of Texas.
Six Individuals Charged in $7 Million International Investment ScamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Charges were unsealed today against six individuals for their alleged participation in an elaborate international advance fee and money laundering scheme. The scheme allegedly involved the impersonation of Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) and JPMorgan Chase (Chase) executives, the fabrication of U.S. government documents, the creation of fraudulent investment agreements in the name of BB&T and Chase and the purchase of luxury vehicles to launder the proceeds of the scheme.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office and Inspector General Steve A. Linick for the U.S. Department of State made the announcement.
Uju Okigbo, 48, of Richmond; Chioma Okafor, 28, of Houston; Marita Ranalan Underwood, 61, of Manila, Philippines; John Christian Rutledge, 64, of Yaphank, New York; and Osa May Martin, 68, of Carthage, Missouri, were charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas. All five defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Okigbo and Okafor were also charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments as well as two counts each of wire fraud and two counts each of concealment money laundering. Okigbo is also charged with three counts of engaging in transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity and one count of aggravated identity theft for impersonating a U.S. banking executive. Underwood, Rutledge and Martin are also charged with one count of conspiracy to wrongfully use government seals.
Okigbo was already in custody as of today. Martin made her initial appearance this afternoon in front of a U.S. magistrate judge in Springfield, Missouri, and Rutledge is scheduled to make his initial appearance.
A sixth individual, Tiffany Sourjohn, 47, of Miami, Oklahoma, was charged by an information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wrongful use of government seals, which was also unsealed today. Sourjohn made her initial appearance this morning and entered a guilty plea to the information in front of Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. of the Southern District of Texas.
According to the charging documents, the scheme involved fraudulent offers of investment funding by perpetrators primarily living in Nigeria who impersonated U.S. bank officials and financial consultants over the Internet and phone. Victims in various countries were deceived into believing they would receive millions of dollars of investment funding as part of joint ventures with U.S. banks, usually BB&T or Chase. The perpetrators utilized false domain names to make it appear that senders of emails were actually affiliated with BB&T or Chase. To convince victims the opportunities were authentic, the perpetrators recruited U.S. citizens to pose as bank “representatives” at in-person meetings with victims around the world and, if occurring abroad, utilized sham visits to the local U.S. embassy or consulate and fabricated U.S. government documents to make the victims believe the U.S. government was sponsoring the investment agreements. The victims were then allegedly induced to pay tens of thousands, and often hundreds of thousands, of dollars to U.S.-based bank accounts on the belief that such payments were necessary to effectuate their investment agreements.
According to the charging documents, to ensure the proceeds made it back to Nigeria, after victims wired in funds, money movers who controlled the U.S. bank accounts liquidated the proceeds through outgoing wire transfers to exporters, cash withdrawals and purchases of vehicles, including luxury brands such as Land Rover and Mercedes Benz, which were then shipped to Nigeria. Okigbo and Okafor were primarily money movers in the scheme, while Underwood, Rutledge, Martin and Sourjohn were representatives, according to the charges.
The scheme allegedly resulted in losses of more than $7 million from victims in more than 20 countries. To date, a house in Richmond, a 2014 Land Rover Range Rover and approximately $200,000 in cash, all directly traceable to victims’ payments, have been seized.
The FBI and Department of State - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Suzanne Elmilady is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. AUSA Kristine Rollinson is handling forfeiture matters.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man convicted of transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes was sentenced on February 8, 2018 by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Jerome Davis Kent, age 51, was sentenced to 30 months custody, 6 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Kent was indicted for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2017. He pled guilty on October 19, 2017.
In October, 2016, Kent knowingly transported an adult female victim from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Marshall, Minnesota. Kent knew the woman and intended to transport her for the purpose of engaging in acts of prostitution. Kent supplied the woman with heroin and kept the money she received from her commercial sex acts.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper.
Kent was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Shelton Resident Sentenced for False Swearing in an Immigration MatterRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Robert C. Stuart announced that Eloy Daniel Nevarez Andazola, 40, a resident of Shelton, Nebraska, was sentenced February 9, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to two years probation, and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for False Swearing in an Immigration Matter.
Andazola, born in Mexico, was married in 1997, in Gosper County, Nebraska, to a United States citizen. The two never resided together, and Andazola used the sham marriage to further his pursuit of obtaining permanent legal status in the United States.
Andazola admitted he knowingly made a false statement when applying for status as a lawful permanent resident of the United States: he answered “no” to the question of whether he had “committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit a crime or offense for which he was not arrested,” and answered “no” to the question whether he had “married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
San Francisco Woman Who Helped Sell Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Sentenced to 151 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Candelaria Vazquez was sentenced in absentia today to over 12 years in prison for her role in a conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex Tse and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge.
Vazquez, 42, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on November 8, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds. According to the plea agreement, Vazquez admitted that for two years, she and her husband operated a pill press that generated thousands of fake oxycodone pills. Although stamped to appear like genuine oxycodone, the pills were in fact laced with fentanyl. Vazquez helped with the pill pressing operation and packaged, mailed, and delivered fentanyl pills for two years before the pair was arrested on June 10, 2016. She also conspired to launder the drug proceeds, which were received in bitcoin and exchanged for cash using unlicensed bitcoin brokers.
“Fentanyl is a potent drug that can be deadly for users,” said acting U.S. Attorney Tse. “Today’s sentence is just and reflects the grave danger when, as in this case, Fentanyl was used as an ingredient in counterfeit prescription medicines. This office will vigorously prosecute cases to address this threat that has devastated lives in our community.”
On June 21, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Vasquez charging her with conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Pursuant to her plea agreement, Vasquez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, and one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). After pleading guilty, Vazquez fled in April 2017 and became a fugitive. She was sentenced in absentia, and is still a fugitive.
Vazquez and her husband had distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills via online marketplaces. Fentanyl is a dangerous and highly potent opiate about 100 times more powerful than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can constitute a lethal dose. Fentanyl is particularly dangerous when it is used to create counterfeit pills. Illegal pill press operations will sometimes use fentanyl, which is cheaper than other opiates, to create fake pills that stamped to look like genuine oxycodone pills. Because fentanyl is such a powerful opiate, a small difference in the amount of fentanyl in a homemade pill can make a huge difference in its potency. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl have already been linked to numerous unintentional overdoses by users who believed they were ingesting a much less powerful opiate.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston sentenced Vasquez to a three-year period of supervised release. The defendant will begin serving the sentence upon her apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Lin is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amanda Martinez, Rawaty Yim, and Theresa Benitez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspector, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service. This case is the product of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Rochester Psychiatrist Sentenced for Illegally Distributing Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dr. Clifford Jacobson, M.D., 68, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of illegally distributing a controlled substance, was sentenced to one year probation to include four months of home confinement by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Jacobson was also required to surrender his license to practice medicine and pay to $75,000 in financial penalties, including to Medicaid and the federal government.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that Dr. Jacobson was a practicing psychiatrist. From 2014 to 2017, he sold prescriptions for Schedule IV controlled substances, including clonazepam, to undercover agents and patients who had no medical necessity for the drug but who sought to use it recreationally. The defendant charged his patients $120 for each illegal prescription.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and investigators of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, acting under the direction of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Ring Leader Pleads Guilty in Debt Collection SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today Joseph Ciffa, 49, of Grand Island, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing a false tax return before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell, who is handling the case, stated that Ciffa has been involved in the debt collection business since at least 2013. Since early 2015, the defendant ran, and conspired with others to run, an illegitimate debt collection business, operating out of multiple locations, which included: 1625 Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls, NY; 870 Ontario Street and 1567 Military Road, both in Kenmore, NY; and out of his home office on Grand Island.
The operation utilized fraudulent means to collect debts, to recollect on debts already collected, to over-collect on debts actually owed, and to process and transfer payments related to the collection of such debts. Debt collectors made threatening statements over the telephone to debtors in an effort to induce payment of debts. Those statements included reference to criminal statutes, and the filing of criminal complaints and/or warrants. In order to intimidate debtors and induce payment, debtors were routinely routed to employees who posed as attorneys during the calls.
Between January 2015, and December 2016, the defendant’s operation collected approximately $3,061,205 from victims.
Ciffa also filed a false tax return for the tax year 2015, underreporting his business income, thereby avoiding a total tax liability of approximately $15,651.
In addition, as part of the plea, the defendant admitted that in 2016, he committed fraud involving Medicaid benefits. Ciffa lied in an application to the Erie County Department of Social Services, by under-reporting his income, in order to obtain benefits for himself and his children.
Ciffa was charged along with five others defendants and is the first to be convicted. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
“The defendant sought to enrich himself by preying on those who were in debt and by fraudulently acquiring for his own use benefits that were intended for the less fortunate of our society,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “As this plea demonstrates, this Office remains committed to protecting the vulnerable and to bringing to justice those who seek to cheat the system.”
“Ciffa used threats to collect on debts, even on debts that were already paid,” said Kevin Kelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of HSI Buffalo. “This man preyed on the vulnerabilities of others, and HSI, along with its law enforcement partners, will continue joint investigations to stop others from using the same corrupt scheme.”
"Today's plea shows that people who file returns and do not report all of their income will be held accountable for their deceit," said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent- in-Charge James D. Robnett. "IRS Criminal Investigation, together with the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute those who violate our tax system."
"This defendant's myriad of embezzlement schemes knew no bounds,” said New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott. “He preyed on taxpayers through a brazen fraud enabling him to steal government health care benefits to which he was not entitled, and which were meant only for those truly in need. Today's plea is the result of an investigation and prosecution culminated through a successful partnership between State and federal law enforcement agencies. I will continue to aggressively investigate these cases and protect New Yorkers from such egregious fraud and abuse."The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special-Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James D. Robnett; the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Raymond Moss; and the New York State, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 24, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Randolph County Resident Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Brian A. Mudd, 60, of Ruma, IL, was recently sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine related charges, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On February 8, 2018, Mudd was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Mudd pleaded guilty to a one count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine on November 1, 2017.
As part of his guilty plea, Mudd admitted to being involved with others in the distribution of ice in southern Illinois. "Ice" is a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine of at least 80% purity. He obtained dealer amounts of ice and supplied it to others, primarily in Randolph County. On or about December 6, 2016, Mudd sold ice to a confidential source working for law enforcement. Searches of his home and vehicle located pre-recorded U.S. currency, a digital scale, paraphernalia, and other evidence of drug use and distribution. Defendant admitted that his relevant conduct included between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of ice.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Girardeau, Missouri Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda A. Robertson and Adam E. Hanna for prosecution.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Operating Forged Prescription Drug RingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, has been sentenced in federal court to 74 months, followed by three years supervised release and ordered to pay $3,533.62 on his conviction of a health care fraud conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Barry Lee Dorsey, II, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, Dorsey operated a forged prescription ring. Prescriptions were forged with the names, DEA numbers, medical license numbers, and signatures of real medical doctors. The prescriptions, most of which were forged for oxycodone and Percocet, were filled at a large number of Western Pennsylvania pharmacies and primarily paid for with Medicaid funds. The fraudulently obtained prescription pills were then sold on the street for substantial profit.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Brentwood Police Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Bellevue Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dorsey.
Pittsburgh Felon Admits Stealing Rifles and Ammunition from West Mifflin Sports StoreRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and stealing firearms from a licensed firearms dealer, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Marquis Trammel, aka Marquis Botelho-Trammel, aka Marquis Motelho-Trammel, 20, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two counts before Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
According to information presented to the court, on December 20, 2016, Trammel and a juvenile stole five rifles from a display case they broke open and an unknown number of boxes of handgun ammunition from the drawer below the rifle case located inside the Dunham’s Discount Sports store located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Trammel was convicted on or about December 9, 2015, in the Court of Common Pleas, County of Allegheny, Criminal Division of the crimes of Robbery, Terroristic Threats, and Theft by Unlawful Taking, which are crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and preclude him under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for May 31, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine not greater than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive and the West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Pickens Man Who Stole Guns from Firearms Dealer Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Estelle Cook, Jr., 28, of Pickens, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Carlton Reeves, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Around 2:30 a.m. on July 28, 2014, Estelle Cook and co-defendant Corey Hughes tore a hole in the side of Central Mississippi Firearms, a gun store in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and stole 41 guns. Cook, Hughes, and others sold at least a dozen of the stolen firearms in Durant and Lexington, Mississippi. Cook led the sale of at least ten of the stolen guns to seven different buyers at a home in Durant. He sold those guns for cash, pocketing $100 per gun.
On October 3, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Cook, Hughes, Darnell Branch, and Frederick Russell for their unlawful conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms. Frederick Russell pled guilty on January 10, 2018, to the conspiracy charge and will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on March 29, 2018.
Corey Hughes is scheduled to plead guilty on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, before Judge Reeves to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Darnell Branch is scheduled for trial on March 5, 2018, before Judge Reeves.
Estelle Cook, Jr. will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on May 15, 2018, in Jackson. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Case.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Physician Employees and Owners of Tennessee Pain Clinic Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
The indictment alleges the illegal drug trafficking resulted in a death
LONDON, Ky. – In a federal indictment unsealed yesterday, two owners of a Hixson, Tenn., pain clinic and two physicians working at the clinic have been charged with conspiring to illegally distribute prescription narcotics – including oxycodone and oxymorphone – in Eastern Kentucky. The indictment further alleges that their drug trafficking conspiracy resulted in a death. The clinic, the Tennessee Pain Institute (TPI), closed shortly after a search warrant was executed in May 2016.
The owners of TPI, Anwar Mithavayani, 54, and Pete Tyndale, 46, both of South Florida, are charged in the superseding indictment, along with two physicians working at the clinic: Timothy Gowder, 70, of Oak Ridge, Tenn. and Gary Moore, 66, of Ooltewah, Tenn. Gowder and Moore were initially charged in the case in May 2017. The indictment also charges the four with multiple counts of money laundering. The superseding indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on January 25, 2018 alleges that the defendants received more than $8 million as a result of their drug trafficking. Two others, James Bradley Combs, 40, of Woodbine, Ky., and Larry Karr, 73, of Keavy, Ky., have also been charged for their alleged roles in the offenses.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Chris Evans, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; Christopher Altemus, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS, Criminal Investigation Division; Andy Beshear, Kentucky Attorney General; and Richard W. Sanders, Commissioner of Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the charges.
The DEA, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Kentucky State Police conducted the investigation, with support from Appalachia HIDTA’s Diversion Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Rosenberg represents the United States in the case.
The trial is currently set for April 30. If convicted, Mithavayani, Tyndale, Gowder, and Moore face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. However, any sentence following a conviction would come after the Court considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Patton, Pa. Woman Sentenced to Probation with Home Confinement for Stealing MailRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Cambria County resident has been sentenced in federal court to three years’ probation, with the condition that the first six months of her probation be served by a term of home confinement, and was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service, as a result of her conviction of theft of mail, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Jennifer R. Miller, 29, of Patton, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, in Dec. 2011 Miller stole various pieces of mail from mail boxes.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Brady commended the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Miller.
Opelousas man sentenced to 57 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that an Opelousas man was sentenced Thursday to more than four years in prison for possessing a pistol even though he was previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Willie Jamal Reynolds, 28, of Opelousas, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the September 15, 2017 guilty plea, police arrested Reynolds on June 3, 2017 for possessing a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. After further investigation, police found a 15-minute video online of Reynolds and a friend in the presence of numerous firearms. Reynolds was convicted of a felony in September of 2013 and is not allowed to possess a firearm.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and the Opelousas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography PossessionRead the Press Release
An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Thaddus Caves, 40, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell. Sentencing is set for May 8.
“This prosecution is another example of law enforcement working together to protect the most vulnerable among us--our children,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “Predators will be pursued, investigated, prosecuted, and most importantly, held accountable by my office.”
According to admissions made in connection with the plea agreement, in October 2016, Caves knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The depictions included at least one prepubescent minor under the age of 12-years-old.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The matter is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff A. Gallant of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Ohio County man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Quashad Maurante Pugh, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Pugh, also known as “Q” and “Quavo,” age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Pugh distributed cocaine near Jensen Playground in October 2017 in Ohio County.
Pugh faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are investigating.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.Northern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $350,706,916.75 in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers and Crime Victims in Fiscal Year 2017Read the Press Release
DALLAS - U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox announced today that the Northern District of Texas collected $350,706,916.75 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2017. Of this amount, $322,529,436.78 was collected in criminal actions and $28,177,479.97 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Northern District of Texas worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect another $2,668,204.90 in cases pursued jointly with these offices. Of this amount, $101,752.75 was collected in criminal actions and $2,566,452.15 was collected in civil actions.
Overall, the Justice Department collected just over $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2017.
“The message in these numbers should be clear,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “This office will vigorously pursue all available enforcement remedies to recover assets for victims of crime and the federal treasury. It continues to be a critical aspect of our mission to pursue Justice on behalf of the citizens of the United States.”
Substantial collections in FY 2017 in the Northern District of Texas included:
- $287 million fine paid in the US v. ZTE Corporation terrorism financing case
- $16.3 million in forfeited assets restored to restitution to dozens of victims of wire fraud and money laundering in US v. Jeffrey David Gunselman
- $12.2 million settlement with International Tutoring Services, LLC et al., resolving allegations of improper kickbacks in association with healthcare claims
- $8.45 million settlement with MB2 Dental resolving allegations of submission of false claims associated with dental services
- $7.4 million in restitution in US v. Richard Ferdinand Toussaint, Jr. for health care fraud
- $1.8 million to dozens of oil and gas investor victims in US v. Brian Polito
- $900,000 in civil damages for disabled workers in the US v. Kenneth Henry and Hill Country Farms forced labor case
- $700,500 in restitution to victims of insurance fraud in US v. Vincent Bazemore
- $645,000 in restitution to a victim of bank fraud in US v. Nick Daryanani
- $415,000 in restitution to a victim of embezzlement in US v. Pamela and Richard Abeyta
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $6,578,012 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2017. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
# # #
Nineteen New United States Citizens Naturalized Thursday in NatchezRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – Nineteen people from 14 different countries were sworn in as United States citizens yesterday during a Naturalization Ceremony held at the United States District Court in Natchez, Mississippi.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bramlette III presided over the ceremony. Judge Bramlette welcomed family, friends, soon-to-be citizens, and special guests, including Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell. Following a performance of “America the Beautiful” and “My Country Tis of Thee” by Damira McGruder from Natchez Cathedral High School, the candidates were presented for citizenship by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kristi H. Johnson, on behalf of the Attorney General of the United States Jeff Sessions.
After Arthur Johnston, Clerk of the U.S. District Court, administered the Oath of Allegiance for citizenship, those assembled recited the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as United States citizens.
Judge Bramlette congratulated the new citizens and commended the honorees for their hard work to achieve citizenship. “We’re here this morning because you have seen the lighthouse beckoning you,” Bramlette said. “Each of you have your own story to tell . . . . Your hopes and dreams are as diverse as the regions that brought you here. You’ve come, perhaps to escape social oppression and discrimination and some strife, but all of you are here to enjoy justice, which is available to you in the land of the free. The pathway that was put out for some of you, perhaps all of you, has been emotionally and financially exhausting. Democracy is not easy.”
Judge Bramlette then presented them with certificates of citizenship. Representatives from the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented American flags and gift bags to the new citizens.
The new citizens originated from the following 14 countries: India, Vietnam, Turkey, Moldova, Lebanon, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Senegal, Yemen, Chile, and Australia.
Nigerian Man Sentenced for Using A False PassportRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ibilola Rasheedat Yussuf, 30, of Nigeria, who was convicted of using a passport secured by a false statement in application, was sentenced to nine months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who handled the case, stated that on September 12, 2017, the defendant applied for admission to the United States at the Peace Bridge Port-of-Entry in Buffalo. As proof of identity and citizenship, Yussuf presented a fraudulently obtained United States passport bearing the name Olivia Payne, born in 1981 in Chicago, Illinois. This passport was secured by reason of false statements provided in a passport application.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
Niagara Falls Man Sentenced for Selling Counterfeit GoodsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Mohsen Kassem Abdulrab, 58, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods, was sentenced to two years supervised release and fined $2,000 by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who handled the case, stated that between January 6, 2014, and February 13, 2014, the defendant sold or attempted to sell unauthorized copies of trademarked works at his store, the Hip Hop Center, located at 2417 Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls. The counterfeit merchandise included UGG, Michael Kors, The North Face, National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball, Polo Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Timberland, and others. The value of the counterfeit merchandise, if genuine, was more than $40,000.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
New Orleans Man Charged with Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DARREN RUFFIN, age 26, of New Orleans, was charged in a one-count Indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the Indictment, RUFFIN, who had previously been convicted of a felony in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, possessed a .40 caliber Glock Model 27 pistol in December 2017.
If convicted, RUFFIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.
Nashville Man Facing Federal Firearms Charges After Six-Hour Standoff with PoliceRead the Press Release
Justin Jerome Jones, 29, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged in a federal criminal complaint this afternoon with three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.
The complaint was filed in response to yesterday’s incident where Jones is alleged to have fired several rounds from a pistol, after which he barricaded himself inside an apartment in the Tony Sudekum public housing development and continued firing at responding Metro Nashville police officers.
According to the charging document, Jones had become upset with his 11-year old daughter and took her outside the apartment and begin firing rounds into the ground. MNPD officers arrived and observed Jones inside an apartment. Jones slammed the door and subsequently fired at responding officers on several occasions, including SWAT officers. One round struck an MNPD officer. After several hours, Jones exited the apartment and was taken into custody.
A search warrant was obtained shortly thereafter and officers recovered from inside the apartment, several spent shell casings, a cocked .357 caliber revolver; a .38 caliber revolver; and parts from a 9mm pistol. Additional firearms parts and boxes of ammunition were recovered from the apartment today.
The complaint also alleges that Jones had been convicted of aggravated robbery in Davidson County, Tenn., in 2007 and also convicted of aggravated robbery in Hamilton County Ohio in 2009, relating to armed bank robbery. Jones was released from custody in Ohio in December 2016 and paroled to the State of Mississippi.
If convicted, Jones faces up to 10 years in prison on each count.
U.S. Attorney Cochran praised the efforts of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the ATF in the resolution of this incident and the subsequent investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Motley County High School Teacher Sentenced for the Enticement of a Sixteen Year-Old StudentRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK — Shonna Lynn Calaway, 48, of Matador, Texas, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 188 months in federal prison for having a sexual relationship with a sixteen year-old student, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Calaway pleaded guilty in October 2017 to one count of enticement of a minor. She has been in custody since September 2017.
According to the plea agreement factual resume filed in the case, during the 2016-2017 school year, Calaway was employed as a teacher at Motley County High School. In December 2016, Calaway used the Snapchat application to communicate with a sixteen year-old sophomore, John Doe, at Motley County High School. Calaway sent John Doe a message asking him if he wanted to “hang out,” followed by sexually explicit photos.
Shortly after the Snapchat exchange, Calaway drove to a residence in Roaring Springs, Texas, and picked up John Doe. She drove him to a somewhat secluded scenic location near Roaring Springs and engaged in sexual conduct with John Doe.
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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office, Motley County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd County District Attorney’s Office and Lamb County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag was in charge of the prosecution.
# # #
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 65 Months in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Minneapolis, MN, man convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft was sentenced on February 8, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Jason Maurice Fagin, age 38, was sentenced to 65 months of custody and 3 years of supervised release. Fagin was also ordered to forfeit personal property and contraband, and to pay restitution and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Fagin was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2017, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. On November 9, 2017, Fagin pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
According to court documents, between September 2016 and November 16, 2016, Fagin engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions while using the personal identifying information of other individuals. Fagin would use the proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase methamphetamine for his use and to distribute to others for money.
More specifically, on November 16, 2016, Defendants Angelica Marie Hatch-Pequin (“Hatch”) and Jason Maurice Fagin were arrested at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, South Dakota, for attempting to negotiate counterfeit checks. While trying to negotiate the check, Hatch presented a driver’s license belonging to another individual. Hatch, aided and abetted by Fagin, used the identification of that individual without lawful authority.
Hatch and Fagin would steal mail from mailboxes located in affluent neighbors of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hatch and Fagin would target mail that appeared to contain bills and checks. Fagin would then use the personal, business, and banking information contained in those mail matters to create fraudulent checks. After Fagin created the fraudulent checks, Hatch would usually cash the counterfeit checks at convenience stores and casinos located throughout the Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota region. Hatch and Fagin created and passed fraudulent checks for approximately two months leading up to their arrests in November.
Two types of checks were created: payroll and personal checks. Payroll checks would be drafted in amounts ranging from $450 to $2,000; the check presented to the Royal River Casino was for $1,500. Personal checks were made in amounts from $100 to $800. The effected banks were insured by the FDIC at the time of the offenses. The stipulated loss amount relating to Fagin’s and Hatch-Pequin’s criminal conduct was between $40,000 and $95,000.
The investigation was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Flandreau Sioux Tribe’s Police Department and Security Department of the the Hotel and Casino, and the Flandreau Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
Fagin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service and the Bureau of Prisons. Hatch-Pequin also pleaded guilty to the same charges and was previously sentenced to federal prison.
Mineral County man sentenced for distributing heroinRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Lee Sutter, IV, of Keyser, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Sutter, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin” in October 2017. Sutter admitted to conspiring with others to distributing heroin in Mineral County and elsewhere from November 2010 to September 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Mexican National Sentenced to 37 Months for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LUIS CHAVEZ-LOPEZ, age 31, a native of Mexico, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.
United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced CHAVEZ-LOPEZ to 37 months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. According to court documents, CHAVEZ-LOPEZ was previously removed from the United States on February 5, 2015. He was found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on May 3, 2017, without permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the country.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution.
Medford Man Sentenced for Oxycodone TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Medford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing oxycodone throughout the North Shore.
Paul Williams, 54, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2017, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute oxycodone.
In March 2014, investigators began tracking the activities of Joseph Romano and eight co-defendants. Through surveillance and a cooperating source, investigators were able to make controlled purchases of oxycodone from Romano and his associates. Paul Williams, along with co-defendants Anthony Panarese and Jarod Presterone supplied Romano with oxycodone. On roughly a weekly basis, Romano contacted each of the suppliers separately to arrange meetings to obtain pills for redistribution. Co-defendant Eric Vaughn assisted Panarese in distributing Oxycodone pills. Through the conspiracy, Romano distributed more than 5,000 30 mg. Oxycodone pills.
In May 2015, Romano advised co-defendant Ashley Turner that he was going on vacation and asked that she distribute Oxycodone pills for him while he was away. Romano explained that Ashley Turner would need to get the pills to distribute from Paul Williams. Ashley Turner agreed to the arrangement and distributed pills on Romano’s behalf. Ashley’s father, David Turner Sr., served as a liaison and obtained pills from Paul Williams for Ashley Turner to distribute.
During an August 2017 search of William’s home, agents seized 400 30 mg. Oxycodone pills and approximately $23,350. In total, Williams was held accountable for the distribution of 1,678 Oxycodone 30 mg. pills.
Eight of the nine defendants have been sentenced. Romano was sentenced to four years in prison; Panarese was sentenced to 46 months in prison; Vaughn was sentenced to two years in prison; Marcelle Milbury was sentenced to one year in prison; David Turner Sr. was sentenced to five years of probation; Ashley Turner, who graduated from the Court-sponsored RISE program, was sentenced to four years of probation with a six-month curfew; and Sans Milbury, who also graduated from the Court-sponsored RISE program, was sentenced to three years of probation. Co-defendant Presterone has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Office; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Danvers Police Chief Patrick M. Ambrose made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Maryland woman sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Chasity Chadae Stone, of Brooklyn, Maryland, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for heroin distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Stone, age 25, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” in November 2017. Stone admitted to being in possession of heroin with the intent of distributing in May 2015 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Maryland man sentenced for selling crack cocaineRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Anthony McIntosh, also known as “Lo,” and “Polo,” of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced today to 120 months incarceration for selling cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
McIntosh, age 47, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base” in October 2017. Anthony admitted to selling crack cocaine in Berkeley County in November 2013.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Martinsburg men sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Martinsburg, West Virginia men were sentenced today for heroin distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Christopher Deshaun Walker, age 28, was sentenced to five years probation. Walker pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin” in November 2017. Walker admitted to selling heroin in October 2015 in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Henry Aaron Shepherd, age 36, was sentenced to five years probation. Shepherd pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin” in November 2017. Shepherd admitted to aiding another in selling heroin in November 2015 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drugs & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
###Man Sentenced for ID Theft and Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to four years in prison for his role in a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme that stole over 5,000 credit card numbers and resulted in a loss of over $1.5 million.
According to court documents, Alvin Serry, aka Blue, 24, was part of a years-long conspiracy that committed credit card fraud throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Members of the conspiracy would purchase stolen credit card numbers belonging to Americans from foreign-based criminal websites. Serry would then encode the stolen credit card numbers onto physical cards, provide those cards to a crew of individuals, and direct them to use the cards to make fraudulent purchases at retail stores using the credit card numbers of unsuspecting victims. Serry was twice caught in possession of stolen credit cards and thousands of dollars in cash, and is the fourth member of the conspiracy to be sentenced. Moussa Sy, Musa Kamara, and Maxx Tapp received sentences of 60, 37, and 12 months, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, M. Jay Farr, Chief of Arlington County Police, and Timothy J. Altomare, Chief of Anne Arundel County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Berrang and Kellen S. Dwyer 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. 1:17-cr-82.
Luzerne Man Charged with Drug Distribution Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael F. Bogdon, age 25, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 6, 2018, by a federal grand jury for drug distribution resulting in death.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on or about December 12, 2017, Bogdon knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a controlled substance, fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, resulting in the death of another. Bogdon is also charged in a separate count with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
The charges stem from a joint investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Scranton, and the Kingston Police Department. United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.
This case was 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.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for drug distribution resulting in death is life imprisonment. The maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 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.
# # #
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Romasiewicz, age 25, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on February 6, 2018, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Romasiewicz previously admitted to possessing a handgun in late July-early August 2017. At the time Romasiewicz possessed the handgun, he had a previous conviction for a federal drug trafficking offense.
Romasiewicz was charged in an Information filed by the United States Attorney’s Office in October 2017. Judge Munley also ordered Romasiewicz to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
# # #
Longmeadow Man Sentenced for Failing to Report Foreign Bank Account of over $2 MillionRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Longmeadow man was sentenced today for concealing from the Internal Revenue Service an Irish bank account he held with a balance of over $2 million.
Michael Fitzgerald, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to six months in prison, three months of community confinement, six months of home confinement, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a penalty of $1,115,320. In October 2017, Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to one count of willfully violating the foreign bank reporting requirements.
United States citizens and residents who have a financial interest in a foreign bank account with a value of more than $10,000 must file with the United States Department of the Treasury a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. From at least 2005 through 2012, Fitzgerald, the owner and operator of a local roofing company, held bank accounts with the Bank of Ireland in Isle of Man. In 2012, those bank accounts held a combined balance of over $2.3 million. Fitzgerald willfully failed to report his foreign bank holdings to the Treasury Department.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Liberty Man Sentenced for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Liberty, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to distribute child pornography over the internet.
Mark Anthony Barrett, 60, of Liberty, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to eight years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Barrett to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration, and ordered Barrett to pay $5,000 in restitution to one of the victims portrayed in his collection of child pornography (or $3,000 in restitution if paid within 30 days).
On Oct. 6, 2017, Barrett pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography over the internet. Barrett admitted that he used peer-to-peer file-sharing software to download child pornography from the Internet, which was also then made available to others on the sharing network. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence and seized a desktop computer, a laptop computer and five hard drives.
Barrett admitted to viewing child pornography for more than two years. Investigators found 272 images and 76 video files of child pornography (one of which was particularly violent and involved a female toddler) on a hard drive that had been removed from Barrett’s desktop computer. The majority of the images appeared to be of prepubescent females being sexually abused; the age of the victims ranged from toddler to prepubescent.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.Project Safe Childhood
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."