Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
19 March 2018
Delaware Man Pleads Guilty in Enticement of a Minor CaseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Joshua Rutherford pled guilty to one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss of the District of Delaware.
Today, Rutherford, 37 years old of Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, and Newark, Delaware, and a former teacher at Smyrna High School, pled guilty before the Honorable Gregory M. Sleet of the U.S. District Court of Delaware.
According to statements made in court at the hearing, Rutherford responded to an online advertisement posted by an undercover detective with the Delaware State Police looking for men who were interested in incest with minor children. Using a mobile chat application, Rutherford responded to the advertisement and communicated with the undercover detective for almost a month. In those conversations, Rutherford expressed his desire to see nude pictures of a girl he believed to be 14 years old, Rutherford expressed his willingness to have sexual intercourse with the same minor while her father watched, and Rutherford demanded that the father have sexual contact with the minor first – while Rutherford watched – in order to prove that the father was not a member of law enforcement. Rutherford scheduled a time to meet the man he believed to be the father of a 14-year-old girl along with that 14-year-old girl for the purpose of having sex with that 14-year-old girl. Rutherford was arrested when he arrived at the rendezvous.
U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated, “Our office reaffirms its unrelenting commitment to take whatever steps are necessary to pursue and prosecute those predators who seek to victimize our most precious and vulnerable citizens – our children.”
Rutherford is being detained until sentencing where he faces a sentence of ten years. Rutherford also faces a term of supervised release following imprisonment and will be required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction in which he lives, works, or attends school. Sentencing is scheduled for June 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Delaware Child Predator Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham L. Robinson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Decatur Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Child Sex-Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A Decatur man pleaded guilty today in federal court to kidnapping and child sex-trafficking charges as part of a detailed plan to hire someone to kidnap a woman and her 14-year-old daughter, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.
BRIAN DAVID “Blaze” BOERSMA, 48, entered his guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor to attempted kidnapping of a minor, attempted kidnapping, attempted sex trafficking of a child, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. A sentencing date has not been set.
“Boersma has revealed the worst parts of human depravity and his guilty plea provides little comfort to those who would have suffered unspeakable horrors,” Town said. “He will spend most, if not all, of the remainder of his life in prison…and then he has hell to look forward to.”
“It is unacceptable for adults to take advantage of minors in such a way that will forever impact their lives, and the deplorable behavior exhibited in this case is beyond comprehension,” Sharp said. “Human trafficking steals the innocence from our children and young women, and individuals like Boersma, who prey upon the vulnerable, need to be removed from our society.”
Boersma worked at the Alabama Farmers’ Cooperative in Decatur shuttling trailers from the storage yard to the warehouse where they would be loaded with merchandise for shipment to other locations. His plea agreement with the government lays out his efforts in the fall of 2017 to encourage a co-worker at the co-op to find someone willing to kidnap a woman and her daughter for payment. Boersma, in installments, gave the co-worker $3,440 to hold for a kidnapping payment. The co-worker alerted the FBI to Boersma’s plan in mid-September and the bureau sent two undercover employees to pose as willing kidnappers.
According to Boersma’s plea agreement, he intended to carry out the kidnappings and child sex-trafficking as follows:
Boersma boasted to his co-worker that he would sell the child to a pimp he knew in Memphis, Tenn., and hoped to get as much as $40,000 because she was “a young, clean virgin.” Ultimately, his contact in Memphis offered him only $8,000 for the girl, Boersma said.
Boersma had outfitted a trailer at the co-op with a mattress and restraints for holding the mother and daughter. He also placed inside the trailer a metal “sex device” he had built so the woman could be tied to it, beaten and raped.
Boersma claimed that the woman’s ex-husband wanted the woman and child kidnapped as retribution for the woman divorcing him and taking him to court for child support. He said the ex-husband wanted to beat the woman with a bullwhip and it would be a “bloody mess” in the trailer. He said he put plastic down inside the trailer to help with clean up. Boersma also told the undercover FBI employees that once the woman was dead, he would “have to go get 300 pounds of lime and dig a hole.” He said he would get the lime from the co-op and bury the body under a nearby bridge.
On Oct. 10, Boersma and his co-worker met at a Decatur hotel with the undercover FBI agents who Boersma believed would kidnap the mother and child. Boersma told the agents what he wanted done, provided photos of the two intended victims and handed the agents $3,440. He then led the agents to the woman’s workplace, to her home and to the co-op, where he showed them the trailer he had prepared for holding the victims.
Shortly after returning to the hotel, police arrested Boersma as he approached his pickup truck. A loaded Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber pistol was recovered in a subsequent search of the truck. Boersma was prohibited from possessing the gun because of a felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance conviction in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1998.
The prison penalty for attempted kidnapping of a minor is a minimum of 20 years. Attempted sex trafficking of children carries a prison penalty of 10 years to life. Attempted kidnapping carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The maximum prison sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is 10 years. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime carries a minimum five-year prison sentence that must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.
The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis Barlow is prosecuting.
###
Costa Rican Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Fraud Scheme Involving Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Costa Rica has been sentenced in federal court to 33 months with three years of supervised release on his conviction of mail fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Donetta Ambrose imposed the sentence on Ramiro Navarro Quesada, 40, of San Jose, Costa Rica.
According to information presented to the court, Quesada used a Costa Rican website to advertise the Internet sale of Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances, which were exported from India and received in the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, the Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Quesada.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 44 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Bobby Eric Spates, age 26, of Florence, SC, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Spates to 44 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release to follow.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on March 31, 2017, members of the Florence Police Department (FPD) responded to a 911 call regarding a pedestrian pointing a gun at a motorist on West Evans Street in Florence. Based on the description of the armed pedestrian received from the motorist, FPD made contact with the pedestrian, identified as Spates, detained him in handcuffs, and asked Spates if he had any weapons on him. Spates responded he had a gun in his pants pocket. The officer proceeded to pat-down Spates and felt what appeared to him to be a gun in Spates’ right front pants pocket. The officer then removed a loaded Phoenix Arms .22 caliber pistol. The officer advised Spates of his Miranda warnings and advised Spates he was under arrest. The officer next secured a box of .22 caliber ammunition from the same pocket where the firearm was located. Prior to his possession of the firearm, Spates had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department and the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled 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.
#####
Convicted Felon and His Sister Charged in Indictment Stemming from Violent Encounter with Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A brother and sister from Plainfield, New Jersey, were indicted today on drug distribution, felony possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and other charges resulting from a violent encounter with law enforcement officers in October 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Arthur Forman, 35, is charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the course of committing a drug crime, and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Courtney Jessica Forman, 30, is charged with misprision of a felony for taking acts to conceal Arthur Forman’s alleged crimes. Both defendants are charged with obstruction of justice. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Newark federal court at a later date.
According to the documents filed in this case:
During an encounter with law enforcement on Oct. 13, 2017, Forman allegedly resisted arrest by choking a Plainfield detective. During the encounter, Forman transferred a bag containing contraband to Courtney Jessica Forman, who attempted to dispose of the contraband by throwing it out a window. The bag was recovered by law enforcement officers from a nearby rooftop landing. Law enforcement officers recovered cocaine, marijuana, and a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with eight rounds from the bag and multiple oxycodone pills from Arthur Forman’s apartment.
Based on the combined charges, Arthur Forman faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Courtney Jessica Forman faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the misprision charge and five years in prison for the obstruction of justice charge.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John Devito, the Plainfield Police Division, under the leadership of Director Carl Riley, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Michael Monahan, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Healthcare Fraud Unit and Desiree Grace Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel:
Arthur Forman: Wanda M Akin Esq.
Courtney Jessica Forman: David Holman Esq.Columbia County Man Arrested on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Brady, age 68, of Philmont, New York, was arrested and charged earlier this month with distribution and receipt of child pornography.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Brady was arrested on March 1 and appeared in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered him detained pending trial.
If convicted, Brady faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone who wants to provide law enforcement with information about the defendant should contact the FBI Albany Field Office at (518) 465-7551.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare.
This multi-agency approach is a hallmark of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Coeburn Doctor Sentenced on Healthcare Fraud, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A Coeburn physician, who prescribed Ritalin and hydrocodone to an undercover investigator, will serve two years’ probation, pay a $25,000 fine, surrender his medical license and pay $945,000 in restitution and forfeiture, announced United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.
Gurcharan Singh Kanwal, 82, of Wise, Va., was sentenced last week in the United States District Court after previously pleading guilty to one count of healthcare fraud and one count of distributing Ritalin and hydrocodone. In addition to surrendering his medical license, Kanwal agreed to never reapply for a medical license.
After receiving numerous complaints that controlled substances were being diverted by employees and patients at the Coeburn Medical Clinic, agents with the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force opened a formal investigation into Kanwal. During the course of the investigation, an undercover agent visited Kanwal’s practice as a patient and obtained prescriptions for Ritalin and hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and beyond the bounds of medical practice. The investigation also revealed that Kanwal fraudulently billed Virginia Medicaid $472,500 for services provided that were not medically necessary or not actually provided.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Big Stone Gap Police Department, City of Norton Police Department, Southwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force, the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Virginia State Police. The following agencies also assisted with the execution of a search warrant in connection with the investigation: Bristol, Virginia Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Coeburn Police Department, Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Martinsville Police Department, Richlands Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Tazewell Police Department, UVA-Wise Police Department, Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Wise Police Department, and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Special Assistant Janine M. Myatt, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, prosecuted the case for the United States.
Chenango County Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding IRSRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Lavyette Anna Louisa Garcia, age 41, of Oxford, New York, pled guilty today to making a false claim against the United States and to assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation.
As part of her guilty plea, Louisa Garcia admitted that she prepared tax returns for a fee while residing in Oxford and also Norwich, New York. She admitted to preparing at least 110 false tax returns between 2011 and 2014, resulting in an intended loss to the United States of $848,196.
Louisa Garcia admitted to preparing a 2012 tax return for a customer that falsely claimed self-employment income and several tax credits. Lavyette Garcia also admitted to preparing a 2009 tax return for another customer that falsely claimed income and several tax credits. These false returns caused the United States Treasury Department to issue refunds to which the taxpayers were not entitled.
Louisa Garcia faces up to 8 years in prison, post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years, and a maximum $250,000 fine, when she is sentenced on July 17, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Camden, New Jersey, Woman Admits Defrauding FEMA after Natural DisastersRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden woman today admitted defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in 2014 after Hurricane Sandy struck New Jersey in 2012, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Shanyra Bennett 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle in Camden federal court to an information charging her with one count of Disaster Benefits Fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
When a natural disaster or federal emergency occurs in the United States, federal agencies, such as FEMA, provide relief and assistance to effected individuals and entities. FEMA provides financial assistance by, among other things, helping effected individuals repair their property.
Due to FEMA's vast size and the typically large number of victims resulting from a disaster, FEMA is frequently targeted in disaster fraud schemes by individuals or groups seeking benefits to which they are not entitled. They do this by submitting fraudulent applications to FEMA for among other things, repairs and rental assistance.
In October 2012, various counties of southern New Jersey, including Camden County, sustained significant damage due to wind, rain, and flooding from Hurricane Sandy.
On Oct. 30, 2012, then-President Obama signed a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of New Jersey, enabling eligible individuals to seek financial assistance from FEMA when displaced by the storms.
Bennett admitted today that she applied for FEMA benefits in November 2012, requesting rental assistance, assistance to replace personal property that was damaged and assistance for transportation, as her car was damaged and not drivable.
Bennett faxed FEMA documents claiming that she worked as a senior health aide, which required her to travel for work. She sent FEMA a fraudulent letter indicating that she had insurance through Mercury Indemnity Co. of America. At the time of the hurricane, Bennett did not have insurance with Mercury Indemnity. Bennett also submitted fraudulent invoices from a mechanic in Camden.
Based on these false representations and fraudulent documents, on Dec. 10, 2012, FEMA electronically transferred $5,162 into Bennett’s bank account to replace her 2004 Dodge Durango, which she falsely reported destroyed by the hurricane.
To support her claim for personal property assistance, Bennett faxed FEMA a letter purported to be on the letterhead of her employer, which indicated that she was a Certified Home Health Aid and that her position required a laptop to perform her job. She also faxed FEMA earning statements from a company in Camden for July 2013, August 2013, September 2013 and October 2013. At the time of the hurricane, Bennett was unemployed.
As part of the application process for rental assistance, Bennett provided a fraudulent copy of a lease agreement for a house on South 41st Street, Camden, and fraudulent copies of rental receipt payments for June 2013 through November 2013. Bennett neither rented the property nor paid rent for use of the property.
Based on Bennett’s false statements and representations, between December 2012 and September 2013, FEMA transferred $22,190 in disaster related funds through electronic fund transfers into Bennett’s bank account.
Bennett admitted that she also defrauded FEMA in 2011, when Hurricane Irene struck the area. She admitted that between September 2011 and November 2012, based on her fraudulent claims and representations, she received approximately $30,200 in FEMA disaster related funds.
The charge to which Bennett pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Bennett=s sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark Tasky, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Camden in the criminal case.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Steve Jones, 35, from Riverside, California, pled guilty today before United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. At the hearing, Jones admitted to obtaining pound quantity packages of methamphetamine on at least two occasions in 2017 that had been shipped from California to West Virginia and delivering them to another individual who had arranged their shipment. Once Jones delivered the packages he and others he was involved in distributing methamphetamine with in the Kanawha Valley were supplied large amounts of methamphetamine to sell. The proceeds were then returned to the individual who had arranged the shipments. Jones further admitted to having been involved in the distribution of between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Jones faces from 10 years to life imprisonment and a $10,000,000.00 fine when he is sentenced on June 14, 2018. Stuart praised the joint investigation conducted by MDENT, DEA and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.
“Meth dealers like Steve Jones who come to our state from California are not welcome here. It is my sincere hope that since Mr. Jones decided to distribute large amounts of poison to our people, he will spend every day of the rest of his life behind bars,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. These out-of-state drug traffickers are a disgrace to humanity and a threat to honest law abiding citizens in our communities,” continued Stuart.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
###
Bronx Woman Sentenced for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lourdes Rivera, age 40, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today to time served (44 days in jail) for distributing heroin.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Rivera to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, including 6 months of home confinement.
Rivera, formerly of Albany, pled guilty in July 2017. Rivera admitted that she obtained heroin from suppliers in the Bronx and Amsterdam, New York. She sold the heroin on more than 6 occasions during the summer of 2016.
On July 25, 2016, law enforcement searched Rivera’s residence in Albany and found 160 small bags of heroin. A search of Rivera herself located a hidden bag that contained 58.3 grams of heroin.
This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe.
Brockton Man Convicted by Federal Jury of Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was convicted by a federal jury in U.S. District Court in Boston on Friday, March 16, 2018, of fentanyl distribution.
Dany Brandao, 30, was convicted of four counts of fentanyl distribution and one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 6, 2018.
On Oct. 7, 2016, Oct. 11, 2016, Oct. 25, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, Brandao met with an undercover police detective and sold him plastic baggies containing fentanyl. On Nov. 8, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brandao’s home, where they located fentanyl, plastic baggies, cash, and a digital scale. The controlled purchases and search resulted in the seizure of more than 180 grams of fentanyl from Brandao. At the time of these offenses, Brandao was on federal supervised release stemming from a June 2013 conviction for heroin trafficking conspiracy.
Brandao faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michal J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police; Brockton Police Chief John Crowley; East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen; and Marshfield Police Chief Phil Tavares made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Foley, Ann Taylor, and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
Bancroft Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joseph P. Kelly announced that Lenn W. Zuhlke, age 56, of Bancroft, Nebraska, was sentenced today by the Honorable Laurie Smith Camp having previously pled guilty to aiding and abetting a bank robbery at the First Bank of Bancroft. Zuhlke was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment and 2 years’ supervised release.
On April 20, 2017, Zuhlke drove Jeffrey Bonneau to pick up an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that Bonneau had previously stolen. While in Zuhlke’s vehicle, Bonneau changed his clothes and covered his face. Zuhlke knew Bonneau was going to rob a bank. At approximately 5:35 p.m., Jeffrey Bonneau rode the stolen ATV to the First Bank of Bancroft and parked it on the sidewalk. He was wearing a dark motorcycle helmet, camouflage clothing and gloves. He entered the bank and demanded money from the teller, He was given $6,745.00 and then fled the bank on the ATV. He was tracked to a wooded grove near 2345 R Road. At one point he told officers he had a gun and fired a shot in the air. After he fired the shot, Bonneau fled again through the grove and was ultimately arrested after he crashed the ATV. He was taken to Pender Hospital and it was found he had methamphetamine in his system. All of the money was recovered. There was no evidence he used or possessed the gun during the bank robbery. Prior to Bonneau crashing, the plan was for Zuhlke to pick him up and get a share of the robbery proceeds.
Bonneau previously pled guilty to the robbery and possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance. He received a 30-month sentence for both charges and was ordered to serve them both at the same time.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bancroft Police Department, Cuming County Sheriff’s Department and Nebraska State Patrol.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Forcible Assault on Federal EmployeeRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland –United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Idialyon Helm, age 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for forcible assault on a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier, and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. Helm also admitted to one additional armed robbery, as well as an attempted armed robbery.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Commissioner Darryl De Sousa of the Baltimore Police Department.
“While protecting postal employees is of paramount importance to Postal Inspectors, we are pleased that the results of this investigation have improved the safety of the entire community,” stated Inspector in Charge Wemyss.
According to his plea agreement, on December 29, 2016, at between 10:00 and 10:15 AM, Helm robbed a USPS letter carrier at gunpoint while the letter carrier was on his route in the 3100 block of Chesterfield Avenue in Baltimore City, taking the victim’s wallet and smart watch, among other things.
Helm was indicted for forcible assault on a federal employee and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. In pleading guilty to those charges, Helm also acknowledged that he committed two other robberies/attempted robberies just days before the robbery of the letter carrier. According to his plea agreement, on December 25, 2016, at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, Helm approached a male victim outside of a convenience store on Caton Avenue in Baltimore, pointed a silver handgun at him, and stole his shoes—a pair of Ugg Boots. Later that afternoon, Helm also attempted to rob a female victim at an M&T Bank ATM on Belair Road in Baltimore. He approached her, pointed a silver handgun at her, and said “Give me what you got.” In response, she fled and observed Helm get into a silver Infiniti SUV and drive away.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Riley and Judson Mihok who prosecuted the case.
Attorney General Sessions Issues Statement on President Trump’s Plan to End the Devastating Opioid EpidemicRead the Press Release
Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions released the following statement on President Trump’s plan to end the devastating opioid epidemic: “Drug dealers show no respect for human dignity and put their own greed ahead of the safety and even the lives of others. Drug trafficking is an inherently violent and deadly business: if you want to collect a drug debt, you collect it with the barrel of a gun. As surely as night follows day, violence and death follow drug trafficking, and murder is often a tool of drug traffickers.
“At the Department of Justice, we have made ending the drug epidemic a priority. We will continue to aggressively prosecute drug traffickers and we will use federal law to seek the death penalty wherever appropriate.
“I want to thank the President for his strong leadership on this issue and I join him in sending the message that business as usual has ended.”Antioch Man Facing Federal Charges for Making False Statement to Purchase FirearmRead the Press Release
Khari Milak Whitehead, 26, of Antioch, Tennessee, was charged on Friday in a criminal complaint with making a false statement in connection with the attempted purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.
Whitehead was arrested Friday morning by ATF and FBI agents and is currently in federal custody. He will appear before a federal magistrate judge for a preliminary and detention hearing on March 21, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.
According to the criminal complaint, in early 2018, agents received numerous alarming notifications about Whitehead’s behavior and attempts to purchase a firearm from businesses in the middle Tennessee area, after a judicial officer had committed him to a mental institution for an evaluation.
The complaint outlines incidents recorded in reports by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”), where on July 5, 2013, Whitehead was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon, after displaying a hand grenade in a crowded downtown nightclub. The grenade was later found to be inert. MNPD records also indicated that on November 7, 2017, police went to Whitehead’s residence, where a family member told them that Whitehead was “acting out of control and crazy.” The family member also told officers that Whitehead had converted to Islam and may have become radicalized and they feared that he might commit a mass murder. The following day, the family member told officers that Whitehead was watching ISIS propaganda videos on the internet and he stated, “White people are going to end up getting it.”
According to the criminal complaint, on December 7, 2017, a judicial officer in Rutherford County, Tennessee, ordered Whitehead to be committed for a mental evaluation, due to his behavior in researching ISIS and mass shootings and his attempt to purchase a sniper rifle and ammunition from Wal-Mart. The judicial official in Rutherford County signed another order committing Whitehead for an evaluation on December 19, 2017.
During the course of this investigation, the complaint alleges that Whitehead attempted to purchase a firearm from Wal-Mart on February 22, 2018. Whitehead was particularly interested in purchasing a semi-automatic rifle that had the capacity to hold a lot of ammunition. Whitehead submitted the ATF purchase application forms and indicated that he had never been committed to a mental institution. The purchase was denied based on a background check and denied a second time when Whitehead requested that the background check be resubmitted.
If convicted, Whitehead faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the FBI; and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Safeeullah is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Acting Captain and Two Soldiers in the Bonanno Crime Family Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy, Agree to Pay $2.25 Million in ForfeitureRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Ronald Giallanzo, also known as “Ronnie G,” an acting captain in the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Bonanno family”), and Michael Palmaccio, also known as “Mike,” a soldier in the Bonanno family, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, admitting their involvement in multiple acts of loansharking over 10 years. On March 8, 2018, Nicholas Festa, also known as “Pudgie,” a soldier in the Bonanno family, also pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to additional acts of loansharking. The proceedings were held before Chief United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Division (FBI), announced the guilty pleas.
“Through their acts of violence, Giallanzo, Palmaccio and Festa reaped substantial illicit profits at the expense of their loansharking victims,” said United States Attorney Donoghue. “With today’s guilty pleas, these defendants are being held responsible for their destructive role in perpetuating organized crime’s presence in the community.” Mr. Donoghue thanked the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Police Department and the U.S. Probation Department of the Eastern District of New York for their assistance in the investigation.
“Mobsters are known for lending large amounts of money at exorbitant rates to individuals who they know lack the financial means of paying off their loans,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “They intentionally extort their victims over extended periods of time using threats of violence as a means of collecting their weekly payments. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book for these crime families, and they’ve shown no inclination to stop harassing and intimidating communities in our area. Today’s guilty pleas demonstrate that the FBI’s New York Joint Organized Crime Task Force continues to investigate these organized crime groups to hold them accountable and to protect the public.”
According to the indictment, court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Giallanzo, Palmaccio and Festa were members of a Bonanno family “crew” that operated primarily in Howard Beach, Queens. Giallanzo operated a lucrative loansharking business in which he provided money to, among others, Palmaccio and Festa, to extend and collect extortionate loans to numerous individuals. Even while incarcerated for a prior federal conviction for racketeering and extortion conspiracy, Giallanzo kept watch over his illicit loansharking business, directing his associates to commit acts of violence to ensure that the customers paid the exorbitant weekly interest rate. At one point, Giallanzo had lent over $3 million in extortionate loans to customers. Giallanzo, Palmaccio and Festa were arrested by the FBI in March 2017.
At his guilty plea, Giallanzo admitted to participating in the affairs of the Bonanno family by extending and collecting extortionate loans to five different victims, and agreed to forfeit $1.25 million. As part of his agreement with the government, Giallanzo is also required to sell the Howard Beach mansion he constructed with loansharking proceeds while he was on supervised release stemming from his prior federal conviction. Palmaccio and Festa admitted to participating in the affairs of the Bonanno family by extending and collecting extortionate loans to five victims and two victims, respectively, and each agreed to forfeit $500,000.
When sentenced, Giallanzo, Palmaccio and Festa each face a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. Seven co-defendants have previously pleaded guilty in this case.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime & Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole M. Argentieri, Lindsay K. Gerdes and Keith D. Edelman are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
RONALD GIALLANZO (also known as “Ronnie G”)
Age: 47
Queens, New YorkMICHAEL PALMACCIO (also known as “Mike”)
Age: 46
Queens, New YorkNICHOLAS FESTA (also known as “Pudgie”)
Age: 37
Oceanside, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-155 (S-1) (DLI)
17 March 2018
Wounded Knee Man Sentenced for Child AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Wounded Knee, South Dakota, man convicted of Felony Child Abuse and Neglect was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Antuwon Hawk Wing, age 19, was sentenced on March 7, 2018, to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Hawk Wing was charged on March 21, 2017. The charge relates to Hawk Wing assaulting a two-year old at Kyle in March 2017, causing extensive bruising, a fractured clavicle, and a lung injury.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.
Winner Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Winner, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on March 9, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Duane Hosek, age 62, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Hosek was one of ten men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting persons willing to pay to have sex with underage girls or boys obtained through the Internet. The conviction stemmed from Hosek communicating with someone he believed to be a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts, and requesting that the minor send pornographic images to Hosek.
The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.
Hosek was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Syrian National Convicted for Conspiring to Kill American Soldiers in IraqRead the Press Release
Today, Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah, a Syrian national who had been living in Iraq, was convicted by a jury, following a six-week trial, of conspiring and supporting the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades, an insurgent group that planted road-side bombs to attack and kill American soldiers in Iraq. A jury convicted Alahmedalabdaloklah on Conspiracy to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Conspiring to Maliciously Damage or Destroy United States Property by Means of an Explosive, Aiding and Abetting Other Persons to Possess a Destructive Device in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, and Conspiracy to Possess a Destructive Device in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Sentencing is set for June 5, 2018 before District Judge Roslyn O. Silver.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Elizabeth A. Strange, First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, and Michael Deleon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix Field Office, made the announcement.
“Alahmedalabdaloklah conspired with a violent Iraqi insurgent group to kill American soldiers in Iraq,” said First Assistant Strange. “Today’s verdict underscores our commitment to use every available resource to bring justice to American soldiers who were killed or injured by such terrorist acts. I commend the FBI and the prosecution team for their tremendous efforts in securing this conviction.”
"The FBI's highest priority is preventing acts; both in the United States and abroad," said Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon. "We want to thank the Department of Justice and the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, agents, analysts, and both local and foreign partners for working together to bring Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah to justice. This is a prime example of the FBI's commitment to pursuing justice even in the most complex and difficult cases. The FBI also wants to voice our sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families and friends. The FBI will continue our mission of preventing terrorist acts and pursuing those who plan to do us harm. "
Between 2006 and 2011, United States soldiers were deployed to Iraq to support the fledgling Iraqi government and to provide security to the Iraqi people. Multiple insurgent groups, including the 1920 Revolution Brigades (“1920s”), opposed the Iraqi government and committed violent acts in an effort to destabilize Iraq and expel American forces from the country. American soldiers faced daily attacks from snipers, small team ambushes, and deadly improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”) planted along major military supply routes.
Alahmedalabdaloklah supported the 1920s by designing, making, and supplying parts for remote-controlled IED initiator switches for roadside bombs. In August 2006, during a search and seizure weapons clearing mission, American soldiers located an apartment in Baghdad that had been converted into an IED switch-making factory. Soldiers seized numerous items used to detonate IEDs, including receivers, transmitters, cell phones, key fobs, modified hands-free headsets, and ready-to-use IED switches. Over a thousand finger and palm prints belonging to Alahmedalabdaloklah were discovered on the items found there, including instructions for making IEDs.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster from the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Melissa Karlen, and Bill Solomon, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.
St. Francis Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 8, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Israel Left Hand Bull, age 34, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Left Hand Bull was indicted on October 17, 2017. He pled guilty on December 29, 2017.
Left Hand Bull was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in January 2012. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. In April 2017, Left Hand Bull was released from custody and began a term of supervised release. He initially registered and resided at a residence in St. Francis. In September 2017, it was discovered that he had been living at a different residence in West St. Francis for approximately a month and had not updated his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Left Hand Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 97 Months for Distribution and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of distribution and receipt of child pornography on March 15, 2018.
Eric VanEmmerik, age 46, was sentenced to 97 months custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and forfeit his computer.
VanEmmerik was indicted for distribution and receipt of child pornography by a federal grand jury on December 6, 2016. He pled guilty on December 11, 2017.
On September 11, 2016, a detective with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office discovered that VanEmmerik distributed child pornography on the internet. When members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched his home, they found his computer with thousands of photos of child pornography. VanEmmerick immediately confessed that he had been viewing and downloading child pornography for years.
This case was investigated by the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper.
VanEmmerik was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Woman Sentenced for Felony Child Abuse and NeglectRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Felony Child Abuse and Neglect was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Darcel Featherman, age 34, was sentenced on March 8, 2018, to 3 years of probation, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and $4,293 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
Featherman was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury on May 23, 2017. The charge related to Featherman giving temporary custody of her children to her mother and sister, knowing that they were unable to care for the children.
On November 11, 2016, law enforcement found the two young children starving, and they were transported to Rapid City Regional and hospitalized for starvation. The attending physician stated the children were extremely emaciated. The physician advised law enforcement that this was the worst case of child abuse he had ever seen in his experience as a physician, and if the children had not been found, they would have passed from chronic starvation.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Money Laundering and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Money Laundering and Bank Fraud was sentenced on March 9, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Steven Knigge, age 71, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $31,793.60 in restitution.
Knigge was charged on March 22, 2016. The charges related to Knigge, an auditor and former fraud investigator for the South Dakota Department of Revenue, participating in a scheme in which e-mails were sent to various banks across the United States containing false and fraudulent information. The writer claimed to be an account holder, and instructed bank employees to wire large amounts of money to a separate bank account in South Dakota belonging to Knigge. In each case, the account holder’s e-mail address had either been hacked or mimicked using an e-mail address that closely resembled the bank customer’s actual e-mail address. A total of five banks were targeted, two of which transferred the money to Knigge’s account. When the money arrived, Knigge took a large portion of the money and sent it overseas using MoneyGram and Western Union.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Nathanial Geiger, age 33, was sentenced on March 8, 2018, to 7 years of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Geiger was charged on March 21, 2017. The charge related to Geiger, a previously convicted felon, illegally being in possession of a Remington, model Sportsman 58, 12-gauge shotgun in Rapid City on February 22, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Escape from CustodyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Escape from Custody was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Daryl Plumman, age 25, was sentenced on March 7, 2018, to 4 months in custody and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Plumman was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2017. The charge related to escaping from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons at the Community Education Centers, previously known as Community Alternatives of the Black Hills, where he was in custody on August 17, 2017.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
Plumman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Charged with Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Joseph Marr, age 24, was charged on February 21, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on March 7, 2018, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Marr illegally possessing two pistols between April and June 2017 at Rapid City. The charges are merely an accusation and Marr is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Marr was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced for Felony Child Abuse and NeglectRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Felony Child Abuse and Neglect was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Darshan Featherman, age 31, was sentenced on March 7, 2018, to 10 years in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund
Featherman was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury on December 6, 2016. The charge related to Featherman and others intentionally starving two young children, one of whom had been placed in Featherman’s custody.
On November 11, 2016, the two young children were transported to Rapid City Regional and hospitalized. The attending physician stated the children were extremely emaciated. The physician advised law enforcement that this was the worst case of child abuse he had ever seen in his experience as a physician, and if the children had not been found, they would have died from chronic starvation.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.
Featherman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Lower Brule Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine Charges and Assault on a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, woman charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on March 8, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Samantha Dolezal, age 25, was sentenced to 54 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000 on the Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine felony, and 18 months custody on the Assaulting a Federal Officer felony, to run concurrent with the 54 month sentence. Dolezal was also ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims fund in the amount of $200.
The methamphetamine conviction is a result of Dolezal receiving distributable quantitates of methamphetamine and distributing it in South Dakota beginning in January of 2015. It was reasonably foreseeable to Dolzeal that between 200-350 grams of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of the conspiracy. This methamphetamine was distributed by Dolzeal on the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Indian reservations.
Dolezal’s resisting and assaulting a federal officer conviction comes from an incident on August 21, 2016, when a BIA officer attempted to pull over a stolen vehicle that was being driven by Dolezal. She did not stop and a high speed chase ensued with speeds in excess of 100 mph. Dolezal stopped the vehicle where a foot pursuit began. Dolezal ran into a stranger's home and refused to answer the door, but the officer was able to open the door slightly by putting his arm through the door to deploy his OC spray. While the officer’s arm was in the door opening, Dolezal slammed the door on the officer’s arm causing pain. After another foot pursuit began, the officer caught up with Dolezal and was able to arrest her.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys SaraBeth Donovan and Meghan Dilges prosecuted the cases.
Dolezal was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse was sentenced on March 7, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
James St. Cloud, age 37, was sentenced to 156 months in custody, followed by 8 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. St Cloud was further sentenced to an additional 24 months in custody, consecutive to the 156-month sentence, for violating the terms of his supervised release. This results in a 15-year sentence for St. Cloud.
St. Cloud was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2016. He pled guilty on December 6, 2017.
The conviction stems from an incident on September 16, 2016, when the 16-year-old victim and her friend were walking along a road in Lower Brule. They were approached by a Jeep being driven by St. Cloud, who is related to the victim. St. Cloud, along with his girlfriend, offered the girls a ride and they accepted.
Once inside the Jeep, the girls were offered alcohol to drink. They began to drink and drive around Lower Brule. While in Lower Brule, they stopped at a house and picked up St. Cloud’s 19-month-old son. They drove to another house so that St. Cloud’s girlfriend could use the bathroom, and while she was inside, St. Cloud left with the victim, her friend, and his 19-month-old son in the Jeep.
St. Cloud drove down near the river. The victim’s friend was passed out in the back seat. The victim passed out in the driver’s seat and when she awoke, St. Cloud was having sex with her. She tried to kick and honk the horn, but she was too drunk to move. St. Cloud admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim while she was incapable of consenting to the sexual intercourse.
St. Cloud was convicted in 1999 of Aggravated Sexual abuse in violation of 18 USC 2241(a). At the time he committed the instant offense, St. Cloud was on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
St. Cloud was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Lower Brule Man Charged with Sexual Abuse and AssaultsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Assault of a Spouse by Strangulation, and Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender.
Cody Crazy Bull, age 27, was indicted on February 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 7, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $750,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between October 14, 2017, and October 17, 2017, Crazy Bull knowingly caused and attempted to cause his dating partner to engage in a sexual act, by the use of force. He is also alleged to have unlawfully assaulted the same victim by strangling and suffocating her.
Crazy Bull is alleged to have unlawfully committed the above domestic assaults upon his partner when he had a final conviction, on at least two separate occasions, for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an assault against a spouse and intimate partner.
The charges are merely accusations and Crazy Bull is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Crazy Bull was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A jury trial has been scheduled for May 1, 2018.
Kyle Man Sentenced for Assaulting a WomanRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Jeremy Lee Old Horse, age 32, was sentenced on March 6, 2018, to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Old Horse was charged on January 24, 2017. The conviction stems from Old Horse stabbing a woman in the arm during an argument at Wounded Knee in July 2016. The assault caused a laceration, which required several stiches,
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner.
Benjamin Morrison, age 37, was indicted on March 13, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 15, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about February 25, 2018, Morrison did unlawfully assault an individual with a dangerous weapon, that is, shod feet with the intent to do bodily harm, and said assault did result in serious bodily injury to an intimate partner.
The charges are merely an accusation and Morrison is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Morrison was released on bond, subject to conditions, pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
16 March 2018
Woman Sentenced for $1.3 Million Investment FraudsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria woman was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for a fraud scheme that victimized members of a church congregation and other investors.
According to court documents, Grenetta Wells, 48, served as the Chief Operating Officer of Micro-Enterprise Management Group (MEMG), a Virginia company that alleged to help poor people in developing countries by providing small, short-term loans to start or expand existing businesses by working with a network of established micro-finance institutions. Wells worked with Terry Wayne Millender, the former senior pastor of Victorious Life Church in Alexandria and Chief Executive Officer of MEMG, and his wife Brenda Millender, who was a founding member of MEMG to solicit investors. Wells and the Millenders lured investors by emphasizing MEMG’s Christian mission and use of funds to help the poor, promising guaranteed rates of return, assuring investors that the loans’ principal was safe and backed by the assets of MEMG. Instead, the money was used to conduct risky trading on the foreign exchange currency market and day trading by Wells using a company she owned called Golden Strategies, Inc. Wells was also responsible for creating website and promotional material for MEMG, as well as helping victims fill out paperwork to set up self-directed individual retirement accounts (IRAs) so that they could use retirement savings to fund their MEMG investments. In addition to her prison sentence, Wells was ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution to victims of the fraud scheme.
Wells pleaded guilty on Jan. 13, 2017, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Terry and Brenda Millender were convicted by a federal jury on Dec. 19, 2017, and are currently awaiting sentencing.
Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kimberly Lappin, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine L. Wong, Jamar K. Walker, and Kimberly R. Pedersen 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. 1:16-cr-239.
United States Reaches Settlement with Maryland Healthcare Providers to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to in Office TestingRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that it has in recent weeks reached settlements with four health care providers to settle claims that they submitted false claims to the United States for services not rendered.
St. Agnes Healthcare, Inc., which owns and operates St Agnes hospital in Baltimore, has agreed to pay $69,906.90. Horizon Vascular Specialists, a medical practice with offices in Frederick, Germantown, Olney and Rockville, has agreed to pay $518,479.50. Riverside Medical Associates, a medical practice located in Riverdale, Maryland, has agreed to pay $176,511.17. Maryland Specialty Group, a medical practice in Glenn Dale, Maryland, has agreed to pay $87,393.89. Itsuro Uchino, M.D., a physician in Hagerstown, has agreed to pay $91,476.02.
The settlement agreements were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.
In their practices, each of these providers had occasion to administer tests to patients to assess the venous sufficiency in the lower extremities. As part of this process, they performed a venous Doppler duplex examination. The purpose of this examination was to determine if there were blood flow issues including deep vein thromboses in the patient’s legs. They billed Medicare under CPT 93970 for this work.
Billing records showed that each billed for an additional test using CPT 93965. CPT 93965 references an older, different technology, one that has generally been replaced by the CPT 93970 technology. Upon inquiry by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the HHS Office of Inspector General, each agreed that the billing of CPT 93965 was incorrect.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Maryland Specialty Group, St Agnes Healthcare, Riverside Medical Associates, Dr. Uchino, and Horizon Vascular Specialists have denied the allegations.
Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Allen Loucks and Investigator Steven Capobianco who handled these cases.
U.S. Gold Refinery Pleads Guilty to Charge of Failure to Maintain Adequate Anti-Money Laundering ProgramRead the Press Release
U.S. Gold refinery Elemetal LLC, based in Dallas, Texas, doing business as “Elemetal” and “NTR Metals,” pled guilty today to a single-count information charging Elemetal with failure to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a plea agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Randy A. Hummel, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Carlos L. Mitchem, Regional Director, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA-Peru), Southern Cone Region, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA-Miami), Miami Field Office, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
On March 12, 2018, Elemetal was charged in a sealed, single-count information for failure to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program under the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”). The case is U.S. v. Elemetal LLC, Case No. 18-20173-CR-MORENO. On March 16, 2018, U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno unsealed the information and accepted Elemetal’s guilty plea.
According to the stipulated facts filed with the court, from August 2012 through November 2016, Elemetal purchased and refined billions of dollars of gold from countries around the world, including from Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Europe. The international gold trade was a common method for laundering illegally mined gold, narcotics and other criminal proceeds. Criminals frequently trade illegal gold through illicit shell companies using false or incomplete documents. The gold is often smuggled through third-party countries and then sold to refineries in the United States, in an effort to hide the true source of the gold from foreign and United States law enforcement.
Recognizing the high risk of gold-based money laundering, federal law requires precious metals dealers to establish anti-money laundering programs, under the BSA. Elemetal was subject to the BSA and aware of its obligations, but willfully failed to develop, implement, and maintain a reasonably designed anti-money laundering program as required. More specifically, according to the stipulated facts filed with the court, Elemetal:
- Accepted gold from persons and entities without requesting or obtaining adequate, or in some instances any, identification and information regarding those persons or the source of their gold, including from: third-parties in foreign countries directly providing gold to the defendant on consignment to the defendant’s approved customers; third-parties in foreign countries who the defendant knew to be supplying gold to the defendant’s approved domestic customers; and third-parties in foreign countries who appeared as the manufacturer or shipper of the gold on U.S. customs declarations;
- Accepted gold from foreign gold suppliers who represented themselves to be “gold collectors,” a vague business that involves nothing more specific than someone who buys gold from others without requesting or obtaining adequate, or in some instances any, information as to the source and origin of gold;
- Accepted gold from countries and customers where the defendant’s country-by-country and customer-by-customer sales volume records indicated that gold was likely being smuggled across borders in response to law-enforcement crackdowns and that customers were using rotating front companies, without requesting or obtaining adequate, or in some instances any, follow-up information as to the source and origin of gold;
- Accepted gold from specific customers and suppliers where open-source and publicly available information indicated that those specific customers and suppliers were supplying criminally derived gold, without requesting or obtaining adequate, or in some instances any, follow-up information as to the source and origin of gold;
- Failed to request or obtain adequate, or in some instances any, follow-up information as to the source and origin of gold where open-source and publicly available information indicated that the defendant or the defendant’s agents were purchasing criminally derived gold; and,
- Failed to request, obtain, preserve adequately, or in some instances any information regarding the content of communications between gold suppliers and the defendant’s agents occurring on encrypted, peer-to-peer chat services, such as WhatsApp or Skype.
Pursuant to the terms of the Plea & Forfeiture Agreement filed with the court, Elemetal has agreed to recommend that it forfeit $15,000,000 to the United States, develop and maintain an effective compliance and ethics program, and be subject to a 5-year term of probation, during which time it will be prohibited from purchasing precious metals from outside the United States and required to comply with all further investigations. U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno will determine Elemetal’s sentence at a later hearing.
Former NTR Metals Miami employees, Samer H. Barrage, Renato J. Rodriguez, and Juan P. Granda previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in related case, U.S. v. Barrage, et al., Case No. 17- 20215-CR-SCOLA. On January 19, 2018, U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola sentenced Barrage and Granda to 80 and 72 months’ imprisonment respectively, and on January 31, 2018, Judge Scola sentenced Rodriguez to 90 months’ imprisonment.
These cases are the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Operation Arch Stanton, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Mr. Hummel commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI, FBI, DEA-Peru, DEA-Miami, and IRS-CI. Mr. Hummel also thanked the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance in this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco R. Maderal.
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.
- Accepted gold from persons and entities without requesting or obtaining adequate, or in some instances any, identification and information regarding those persons or the source of their gold, including from: third-parties in foreign countries directly providing gold to the defendant on consignment to the defendant’s approved customers; third-parties in foreign countries who the defendant knew to be supplying gold to the defendant’s approved domestic customers; and third-parties in foreign countries who appeared as the manufacturer or shipper of the gold on U.S. customs declarations;
U.S. Attorney’s Office Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted a roundtable discussion today on sexual harassment in housing, which brought together local legal services organizations, fair housing organizations, and domestic violence advocates.
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often affects the most vulnerable populations – single parents, individuals who have financial difficulties, and people who have suffered sexual violence in their past.
“There are landlords and property managers who abuse their positions to extort sexual favors from, or even sexually assault, vulnerable tenants, and that is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling said. “This conduct is an egregious violation of a person’s right to fair housing, and my Office’s Civil Rights Unit is dedicated to aggressively investigating such allegations and vigorously enforcing the law.”
In October 2017, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the Sexual Harassment Initiative, an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department’s initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts – both among survivors and those they may report to – and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help survivors quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is collaborating with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to raise awareness of the options that are available to help individuals experiencing sexual harassment. Community organizations, such as legal services offices, fair housing organizations, domestic violence advocates, shelters, and transitional housing providers, can identify the misconduct and recommend that individuals report sexual harassment to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department brings cases each year involving allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual favors in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures.
In 2017, the Justice Department recovered more than $1 million in damages for harassment victims. Many instances of sexual harassment in housing continue to go unreported. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years or decades and identify numerous victims who never reported the conduct to federal authorities.
The Justice Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Unit by calling (617) 275-8756 or emailing [email protected]; or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing [email protected].
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2015 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
Two indicted for illegally reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
Two men were indicted for illegally reentering the United States.
Ignacio Alvarez-Perez, 25, a citizen of Guatemala, was found in Stark County after having been previously deported, according to the indictment.
Raul Fernando Dominguez, 27, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Salem, Ohio after having been previously deported, according to the indictment.
Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn G. Andrachik is prosecuting the cases following investigations by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of 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.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Romanian Nationals Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy and ATM SkimmingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Romanian nationals were sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with an ATM skimming scheme operating throughout Massachusetts and other states including Connecticut, New York and South Carolina.
Denisa Bonculescu, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $43,082 and forfeiture of $10,773. In a separate hearing, Anamaria Margel, 24, was sentenced by Judge Young to 16 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $27,582 and forfeiture of $4,597. Bonculescu and Margel will face deportation proceedings upon completion of their sentences. In December 2017, Bonculescu and Margel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices and money laundering conspiracy.
In May 2017, Bonculescu and Margel were indicted in connection with the ATM skimming scheme along with 12 others.
The defendants, except for one, were members of the Hornea Crew, led by Constantin Denis Hornea and Ludemis Hornea, and engaged in ATM skimming – obtaining debit card numbers and PINs from unsuspecting bank customers, creating counterfeit cards, and making unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.
Over a period of 18 months, the Crew installed skimming devices and made unauthorized withdrawals in seven states, including Massachusetts. In particular, members of the Crew installed skimming devices in the following locations: Amherst, Bellingham, Billerica, Braintree, Chicopee, Quincy, Southwick, Waltham, Weymouth, and Whately, Mass.; Enfield, Conn.; Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, Mauldin, and Saluda, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Yadkinville, N.C. The Crew made unauthorized withdrawals at ATMs in approximately 29 Massachusetts towns; seven Connecticut towns; six New York towns; Salem, N.H.; and Sumter, S.C.
Members of the Hornea Crew transferred money throughout the United States and to Romania and the People’s Republic of China. Some of those transfers were for the purchase of skimming devices and related components from abroad.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was also provided by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Service; Massachusetts Department of Correction; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Amherst, Billerica, Braintree, Boston, Quincy, Southwick, Waltham, Whately, and Westwood Police Departments; Connecticut State Police; Greenwich Police Department; the New York City Police Department; Houston Police Department; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Department; Florence and Saluda (South Carolina) Police Departments; and the Solicitor’s Offices of Greenville and Saluda Counties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Tribunal de Jurados Federal Condenan Mujer de El Paso en Caso de SecuestraciónRead the Press Release
El Abogado de los Estados Unidos John F. Bash junto con Emmerson Buie, Jr., Agente Especial en Cargo de la Oficina de Investigaciones Federales (FBI por sus siglas en inglés) anunciaron en El Paso que el tribunal de jurados federal condenaron Norma Juarez Taha (Taha), 36 años, de cargos federales en conexión con la secuestración de una mujer de El Paso de 20 años en febrero.
El tribunal de jurados federal condenaron Taha de un cargo de secuestración y un cargo de posesión de una arma de fuego durante crimen de violencia. Evidencia presentada durante la tribuna reveló que la Demandada, conocida a la víctima como Hermana Norma, fue a la casa de la víctima aproximadamente a las 3:30 de la mañana y la engañó fuera de la casa por medio de que su familia estaba en riesgo y las autoridades inmigratorias atentaban de deportarlos. Taha llevó la víctima a una residencia lejana en el este de El Paso pertenecida a la madre de la Taha. Llegando a la residencia la víctima vió que Taha estaba en posesión de una arma de fuego. Seguido, Taha situó la víctima en la camioneta de su madre y la inyectó con una mezcla de drogas. La madre de Taha cruzó la frontera y llevó la víctima a una residencia en Juarez. La madre de Taha la dejó en la residencia y nunca regresó. Dos personas llegaron a la residencia el 13 de febrero, 2017 a las 10:30 de la noche y transportaron la víctima a la Puerte de Entrada Paso del Norte. La víctima fue transportada a un hospital en El Paso, donde recibió asistencia médica.
Fue revelado durante de la investigación por los agentes de la FBI que Taha estaba de acuerdo de secuestrar la víctima porque su moda de vida era una vergüenza para la familia. Durante la busca de la camioneta y la residencia, los autoridades encontraron la arma de fuego y la medicina usada por Taha para inyectar la víctima durante la secuestración.
Taha puede recibir la pena de cadena perpetua por el cargo de secuestración y un mínimo de cinco años en prisión federal por el cargo de arma de fuego durante un crimen de violencia. Taha está bajo custodia federal. Su audiencia para recibir su condena está citada frente el Juez Frank Montalvo de El Paso el 22 de mayo, 2018.
El FBI investigaron éste caso. Patricia Acosta y Shane Wagman son las abogadas fiscales de parte del gobierno.
Three Dominican Nationals Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Three Dominican nationals were arrested and charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in seizures of approximately two kilograms of suspected fentanyl.
Wareng Jhonny Villar-Ortiz, 39, Saul Martinez Escarfuller, 31, and Julio Cesar Baez, 49, were charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.
According to court documents, a federal wiretap on phones used by Villar-Ortiz and Martinez Escarfuller revealed that Martinez Escarfuller was supplying drugs to Villar-Ortiz, who then distributed the drugs to various individuals.
During intercepted communications, agents learned that Villar-Ortiz was not satisfied with the quality of certain drugs provided to him by Martinez Escarfuller and wanted to return the drugs to him. On Feb. 14, 2018, Martinez Escarfuller went to Villar-Ortiz’s residence to retrieve the drugs. Agents followed Martinez Escarfuller after he left Villar-Ortiz’s residence, and, a short while later, agents observed Baez exit Martinez Escarfuller’s vehicle and enter into a second vehicle. During a subsequent frisk of Baez, a law enforcement officer observed inside Baez’s coat a large plastic bag, which contained an off-white substance that field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. Agents arrested both Baez and Martinez Escarfuller on state charges and seized five cell telephones and $6,000 from Martinez Escarfuller.
Court documents further indicate that on Feb. 15, 2018, agents executed a search of Villar-Ortiz’s residence and seized a kilogram of suspected heroin/fentanyl, a quantity of cocaine, $10,400 in U.S. currency, and other drug-related paraphernalia.
According to court documents, Villar-Ortiz and Baez entered the United States illegally.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Villar-Ortiz and Baez will be subject to deportation upon completion of their sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans made the announcement today. The Ipswich, Arlington, Somerville, and Medford Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Syrian National Convicted for Conspiring to Kill American Soldiers in IraqRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah, a Syrian national who had been living in Iraq, was convicted by a jury, following a six-week trial, of conspiring and supporting the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades, an insurgent group that planted road-side bombs to attack and kill American soldiers in Iraq. A jury convicted Alahmedalabdaloklah on Conspiracy to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Conspiring to Maliciously Damage or Destroy United States Property by Means of an Explosive, Aiding and Abetting Other Persons to Possess a Destructive Device in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, and Conspiracy to Possess a Destructive Device in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Sentencing is set for June 5, 2018 before District Judge Roslyn O. Silver.
The verdict was announced by Elizabeth A. Strange, First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona and Michael Deleon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix Field Office
“Alahmedalabdaloklah conspired with a violent Iraqi insurgent group to kill American soldiers in Iraq,” said First Assistant Strange. “Today’s verdict underscores our commitment to use every available resource to bring justice to American soldiers who were killed or injured by such terrorist acts. I commend the FBI and the prosecution team for their tremendous efforts in securing this conviction.”
"The FBI's highest priority is preventing acts; both in the United States and abroad," said Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon. "We want to thank the Department of Justice and the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, agents, analysts, and both local and foreign partners for working together to bring Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah to justice. This is a prime example of the FBI's commitment to pursuing justice even in the most complex and difficult cases. The FBI also wants to voice our sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families and friends. The FBI will continue our mission of preventing terrorist acts and pursuing those who plan to do us harm. "
Between 2006 and 2011, United States soldiers were deployed to Iraq to support the fledgling Iraqi government and to provide security to the Iraqi people. Multiple insurgent groups, including the 1920 Revolution Brigades (“1920s”), opposed the Iraqi government and committed violent acts in an effort to destabilize Iraq and expel American forces from the country. American soldiers faced daily attacks from snipers, small team ambushes, and deadly improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”) planted along major military supply routes.
Alahmedalabdaloklah supported the 1920s by designing, making, and supplying parts for remote-controlled IED initiator switches for roadside bombs. In August 2006, during a search and seizure weapons clearing mission, American soldiers located an apartment in Baghdad that had been converted into an IED switch-making factory. Soldiers seized numerous items used to detonate IEDs, including receivers, transmitters, cell phones, key fobs, modified hands-free headsets, and ready-to-use IED switches. Over a thousand finger and palm prints belonging to Alahmedalabdaloklah were discovered on the items found there, including instructions for making IEDs.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by David Pimsner, Melissa Karlen, and Bill Solomon, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, and Joseph Kaster, Trial Attorney from the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
CASE NUMBER: CR-12-01263-PHX-ROS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-027_ Alahmedalabdaloklah
# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Superseding Indictment Returned Against Two Westbank Men for Violating the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
DAVID TRAN, age 39, and DAVID TRAN, age 31, (same name but no relation), both residents of Bridge City, Louisiana, were charged in a four-count superseding indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for 1) conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 100 grams or more of heroin (Count One); possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl (Count Two); possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count Three); and manufacture of 100 plants or more of marijuana (Count Four), announced U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on November 7, 2017, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, with assistance from Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department, executed a search warrant for a warehouse in Bridge City, Louisiana. They found a large-scale, indoor marijuana grow operation with more than 500 marijuana plants. Significant work and expense had been put into remodeling the warehouse, including thousands of dollars in lights, cooling systems, and ventilation. In addition to the marijuana grown, agents found a safe that contained a kilogram of fentanyl, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, and thousands of MDMA pills. The execution of the warrant followed an extended investigation by the DEA that included multiple Title III wire intercepts.
If convicted, TRAN and TRAN each face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life, a fine of $10,000,000, and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney David Haller.
St. Louis Man Sentenced on Sex Trafficking Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Sean McChord O’Donnell was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for charges of racketeering, involving the use of interstate facilities to promote prostitution occurring between November 2016 and January 2017.
According to court documents, in November 2016, O’Donnell travelled to the First Western Inn, 4828 North Broadway, Saint Louis, Missouri. He did so to meet with a 21-year-old heroin-addicted prostitute and paid her to engage in commercial sex acts. He also drove her on prostitution calls, provided security for her, rented hotel rooms for her and lent her money. The defendant also posted online advertisements on her behalf on escort/prostitution websites. During the course of a late November visit, O’Donnell observed 15-year-old Jane Doe in the hotel lobby. Jane Doe had just recently left her pimp. Jane Doe was a missing juvenile and St. Louis County Police had been looking for her since September 2016. O’Donnell handed Jane Doe his card and told her to call him. O’Donnell subsequently engaged in commercial sex acts with Jane Doe.
Between late November and January 2017, Jane Doe moved between several hotels in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, Missouri. O’Donnell rented most of the rooms for Jane Doe since she had no identification. O’Donnell began to post and pay for Jane Doe’s advertisements on Backpage.com. The defendant took pictures of a scantily clad Jane Doe, which were included in postings. He posted the advertisements with her pictures using his email address. O’Donnell continued to engage in commercial sex acts with Jane Doe and took explicit photos of Jane Doe and used his phone to send images to others.
Officers had been searching for Jane Doe since September 2016, and on or about January 23, 2017, observed her image on Backpage.com. Police attempted to arrange a prostitution visit with Jane Doe and determined that she was at the Econolodge at 4576 Woodson Road, in a room rented by O’Donnell. On January 24, 2017, officers were able to locate and retrieve Jane Doe from a motel room.
O’Donnell, 53, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty in December to one felony count of Racketeering Using Interstate Facilities to Promote, Manage, Establish and Carry on the Unlawful Activity of Prostitution. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department, St. Charles County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Howard Marcus is handling the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for illegally possessing firearms.
Eric Lopez, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 114 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2016, Lopez pleaded guilty to three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. In November 2015, Lopez and his co-defendant, Francisco Figueroa, were arrested and charged.
Lopez was arrested as part of an investigation into firearms and narcotics trafficking by members of the Springfield and Holyoke chapters of the Latin Kings. In total, 11 members and leaders were arrested as part of the investigation.
Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a prior criminal conviction. On two occasions in November 2014 and one occasion in January 2015, Lopez possessed a Zastava, model SKS (M59/66A1), 7.62mm rifle; a CZ, model CZ527M Carbine, 7.62mm rifle; approximately 140 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition; approximately 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; a Marlin, model 1894CB, .45 caliber rifle; a Sturm Ruger, .22 caliber handgun; approximately eight rounds of .22 caliber ammunition; an Arsenal, model SLR-105R, 5.45mm rifle; and approximately 23 rounds of 5.4mm ammunition.
Figueroa pleaded guilty in June 2016. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2018.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Charged with Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was charged yesterday in federal court in Springfield with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Hector Navarro, 29, was charged by indictment with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Navarro is scheduled to have an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson on Monday, March 19, 2018.
According to the indictment, in September 2016, Navarro possessed a Mossberg, model 500, 12 gauge shotgun, and in October 2016, he possessed a Stoeger, model Cougar 8000, 9mm pistol; an Irwindale Arms Inc., model Automag III, .30 caliber pistol; a Coast to Coast, model CC660, 12 gauge shotgun; approximately 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition; approximately one round of .380 ammunition; and approximately three rounds of .30 caliber ammunition.
Due to a prior conviction of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, the defendant is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, at least one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Southern Illinois Residents Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 13, 2018, two southern Illinois residents were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine offense, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
Jeremy J. Humphries, 33, of Red Bud, and Mandy L. Hagen, 30, of Lenzburg, had previously pled guilty to a one-count second superseding indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between 2015 and April 2017, in Perry, Randolph, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties. Humphries was sentenced to 235 months of incarceration, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was fined $200.00. Hagen was sentenced to 84 months of incarceration, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was fined $200.00.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Humphries and Hagen were involved with each other and numerous other persons in the distribution of ice. Ice is methamphetamine, which has a purity level of at least 80%. At sentencing, the district court found that Humphries was responsible for the distribution of over 1.3 kilograms of ice. Humphries received an enhanced sentence based on his possession of a stolen SKS rifle during his drug involvement. The district court determined that Hagen was responsible for the distribution of 372 grams of ice. Evidence also established that Hagen had allowed methamphetamine to be manufactured at her apartment.
Co-defendants Jeremy Copple and Paige Gleghorn have previously received prison sentences of 168 months and 140 months, respectively, for their role in the methamphetamine
conspiracy. Five additional co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Tactical Unit, Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois, Chester Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Belleville Police Department, Lenzburg Police Department, Perry County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph County States Attorney’s Office and the Monroe County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Somerset County Man Indicted for Role in $1 Million Medicare Fraud that Deceived Seniors into Unnecessary DNA TestsRead the Press Release
Defendant Used Purported Non-Profit to Convince Seniors to Submit to Unnecessary Testing; Paid Healthcare Providers to Falsely Claim Tests Were Necessary
NEWARK, N.J. –A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for using the purported non-profit The Good Samaritans of America to defraud the Medicare Program of more than $1 million by convincing hundreds of senior citizens to submit to unnecessary genetic testing, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Seth Rehfuss, 43, of Somerset, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to wrongfully access individually identifiable health information and to pay illegal remunerations to health care professionals.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
From July 2014 through December 2015, Rehfuss, conspirator Sheila Kahl of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and others allegedly used The Good Samaritans of America and offers of “free ice cream” to gain access to low-income senior housing complexes. Rehfuss and other members of the scheme claimed that The Good Samaritans of America was a “trusted non-profit” that assisted senior citizens in navigating federal benefit programs. In reality, The Good Samaritans of America was a front to present information about genetic testing.
In order to convince senior citizens to submit to genetic testing, Rehfuss used fear-based tactics during the presentations, including suggesting the senior citizens would be vulnerable to heart attacks, stroke, cancer and suicide if they did not have the genetic testing. In addition, Rehfuss claimed that the genetic testing allowed for “personalized medicine.”
As part of the scheme, Seth Rehfuss and others frequently took DNA swabs in the community rooms where the presentations took place or made arrangements to visit the senior citizen’s apartment on another day to take the DNA swab. Regardless of the timing or location of the swabbing, the DNA swab was collected without the involvement of any healthcare provider and without any determination by a healthcare provider that such testing was medically necessary or appropriate.
To get the tests authorized, Rehfuss used advertisements on Craigslist to recruit healthcare providers for the scheme. After entering into contractual relationships with The Good Samaritans of America, the healthcare providers received requisition forms that often included a patient’s personal information, Medicare information, medication lists and diagnosis codes.
The healthcare providers were paid thousands of dollars per month by Rehfuss and Kahl to sign their names to requisition forms authorizing testing for patients they never examined and were in no way involved in the patients’ care or treatment. Rehfuss and Kahl used fraudulent email accounts to access the individually identifiable health information of the senior citizens, specifically the results of the DNA analysis.
Rehfuss, Kahl and others caused the Medicare program to pay more than $1 million to two clinical laboratories. Rehfuss obtained more than $100,000 and distributed commissions to Kahl of tens of thousands of dollars.
Rehfuss and others were actively working towards expanding the scheme outside of New Jersey into other states, including: Georgia, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Arizona.
The healthcare fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sheila Kahl previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, along with special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government is represented by Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Public Protection Unit in Newark.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possession of a firearm, methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing methamphetamine and a pistol in his car.
William Charles Riggs, 44, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Louisiana State Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Riggs’ vehicle on April 28, 2017 in Bossier Parish. The trooper observed the car straddling the center line, and when the traffic stop was initiated, the car sped off at a high rate of speed. The car eventually crashed, and Riggs escaped on foot. He was later apprehended. Troopers searched the vehicle and found 27.21 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded model 22; .40 caliber Glock pistol.
Riggs faces five to 40 years in prison for the drug count and not less than five years in prison for the firearms count. He also faces five years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of June 14, 2018.
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, DEA, Louisiana State Police and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Serial Armed Robber Pleads Guilty to Six RobberiesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Camron D. Brown, 21, of Mountain Home, Idaho, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to six counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A Boise federal grand jury indicted Brown on May 9, 2017.
At the hearing, Brown admitted to robbing six businesses at gun point: Jackson’s Food Store and Elements Massage on February 20, 2017; Human Bean Coffee stand on February 21, 2017; Game Stop on February 25, 2017; Continental Loans on March 8, 2017; and Motel 6 on March 13, 2017. During each robbery Brown brandished a firearm and demanded money.
U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis stated: “Thanks to the cooperative efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners, Mr. Brown’s extensive violent crime spree that targeted hard working members of our community will result in an appropriately lengthy prison sentence. There will be no tolerance of those who show a total and repeated disregard for law and order in the District of Idaho. Given that there is no parole in the federal system, it is important for law enforcement to consider federal prosecution in these types of cases.”
The charge of interference with commerce by robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of up to three years of supervised release. The charge of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is punishable by up to life and at least seven years consecutive to any other sentence, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of at least five years of supervised release.
Sentencing is set for June 11, 2018, before the Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.
This case was investigated by the Boise City Police Department, Nampa City Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This was a collaborative effort as part of Project Safe neighborhoods, a joint effort among local, state and federal law enforcement authorities aimed at reducing gang and gun violence.