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31 January 2018
Tucson Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On January 29, 2018, Taylor Ray Freeman, 28, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to serve 97 months in prison. Freeman had previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Freeman’s term of imprisonment will be followed by lifetime supervised release, with stringent sex offender conditions, including the condition that he register as a sex offender.
Until his arrest, Freeman was employed as a live-in “house parent” by a charitable organization that houses at-risk children. An investigation revealed that Freeman had been distributing sexually explicit images of children online, and seeking to trade for new images. After Freeman’s arrest, authorities found more than 440 images and videos depicting child sex abuse from his cellphone, along with non-pornographic images of some of the children in his care.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Tucson. Carin C. Duryee, District of Arizona, and Tucson handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00194-TUC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-009_Freeman
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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.
Three KC Men Indicted for Kidnapping, MurderRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that three Kansas City, Mo., men have been indicted for the kidnapping and murder of a victim they were attempting to rob.
Jonathan M. Bravo-Lopez (also known as “Jonathan Vravo,” and “Shadow”), 23, and Juan D. Osorio (also known as “Spexx”), 24, both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., and Marco A. Sosa-Perea, 23, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.
Bravo-Lopez, Osorio and Sosa-Perea are charged together with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of using a firearm to commit murder. The federal indictment alleges that they conspired to kidnap and attempted to rob a victim identified as “C.E.”, transporting him across state lines from Missouri to Kansas, on April 3, 2017.
According to the indictment, Bravo-Lopez and Osorio arranged to purchase $300 of marijuana from the victim; they traveled with Sosa-Perea to the victim’s residence on April 3, 2017. Bravo-Lopez and Osorio, armed with firearms, allegedly forced the victim into their vehicle and drove to Kansas. When they reached the 200 block of Donovan Road in Kansas City, Kan., the indictment says, the victim was forced out of the car, shot, and left to die on the side of the road.
Additionally, Osorio is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Osorio allegedly was in possession of an Action Arms .45-caliber handgun on April 7, 2017.
Bravo-Lopez is also charged with illegally reentering the United States after having been deported.
Garrison cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.
Southbury Man Who Detonated Pipe Bomb Sentenced to 57 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN FLUMAN, 34, of Southbury, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing and detonating a pipe bomb.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 15, 2017, FLUMAN detonated a pipe bomb, which he had built, in the vicinity of Upper Grassy Hill Road in Woodbury.
On June 8, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of FLUMAN’s Southbury residence and seized three pipes with end caps, Pyrodex, a fuse, an electric blasting cap, and a semi-automatic rifle.
FLUMAN’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for larceny, burglary and narcotics possession.
FLUMAN has been detained since his arrest on July 26, 2017. On November 15, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a destructive device by a convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and Woodbury Resident Trooper’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.
Social Security Administration Employee Found Guilty of Conspiring to Commit Immigration Fraud and Falsifying Government RecordsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A claims representative for the Social Security Administration in Sacramento, was found guilty today in federal court for conspiring to commit immigration fraud and falsifying government records, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
After four days of trial, a jury convicted Nelli Kesoyan, 45, of Rancho Cordova, of one count of conspiring to make false statements in a matter related to naturalization and citizenship and to obstruct, impede, or influence a pending agency proceeding, and one count of falsifying government records. The trial was held before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr.
According to evidence presented at trial, in January 2014, Kesoyan conspired with others to make false statements in Vanik Movsesyan’s application for naturalization, submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Kesoyan’s co-conspirators included her husband, Grigor Kesoyan and Movsesyan, both of whom pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.
Kesoyan and her co-conspirators agreed to make false statements under oath to USCIS regarding Movsesyan’s residence. Kesoyan used her position with SSA to repeatedly access Movsesyan’s SSA file and create fraudulent letters to support Movsesyan’s naturalization application. When a USCIS immigration officer continued to question whether Movsesyan actually lived in Sacramento (in fact he lived in Burbank, California), the conspirators began creating and submitting additional false documents to support the lies. Kesoyan again used her job at SSA to, access Movsesyan’s SSA file and create yet another fraudulent letter in September 2014, submitted in support of the lies to USCIS. Kesoyan also had another individual, who could not read or write in English, notarize an affidavit written in English that claimed Movsesyan lived at his house in Sacramento; this affidavit was also submitted to USCIS.
As the evidence at trial showed, Kesoyan engaged in additional misconduct. When USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security officers conducted a November 17, 2014, site visit at Movsesyan’s purported Sacramento residence, Kesoyan got on the phone with the actual resident and directed him to lie to USCIS officers. Concerned that the resident was not saying what he was supposed to say, Kesoyan also sent her husband, Grigor Kesoyan, and another individual to the residence to make statements to USCIS officers.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nirav K. Desai and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case.
After the verdict, Kesoyan was taken into custody. Movsesyan and Grigor Kesoyan previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy. On March 3, 2017, Grigor Kesoyan was sentenced to time served and two years of supervised release.
Nelli Kesoyan and Movsesyan are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Burrell on April 27, 2018. Kesoyan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Seven Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges, False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, False Claim of United States Citizenship with Intent to Engage Unlawfully in Employment, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned indictments charging VALENTIN GARCIA-CRUZ, age 21, of Mexico, JUAN ALVAREZ-GUTIERREZ, age 39, of Mexico, ANA ROSA FERNANDEZ, age 53, of Honduras, JUAN LOPEZ-RODRIGUEZ, age 42, of Mexico, and MARCIO SANTOS-PORTILLO, age 44, of Honduras, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
Additionally, a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging JOSE NOEL IZAGUIRRE-INESTROZA, age 42, of Honduras, and WILSON ABAD INESTROZA, age 37, of Honduras, with False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, False Representation of United States Citizenship with Intent to Engage Unlawfully in Employment in the United States, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
If convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, GARCIA-CRUZ, found in Wake County, ALVAREZ-GUTIERREZ, found in New Hanover County, and LOPEZ-RODRIGUEZ, found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
SANTOS-PORTILLO, found in New Hanover County, is alleged to have been previously deported subsequent to a felony conviction (evading arrest). If convicted, he would face maximum penalties of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
FERNANDEZ, found in Onslow County, is alleged to have been previously deported subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction (conspiracy to manufacture marijuana). If convicted she would face maximum penalties of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, False Representation of United States Citizenship with Intent to Engage Unlawfully in Employment in the United States, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, IZAGUIRRE-INESTROZA, found in Sampson County, and INESTROZA, found in Sampson County, would face maximum penalties of twelve years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Robbing Banks in Connecticut and MassachusettsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT CHADRONET, 41, formerly of East Providence, R.I., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing three bank robberies in 2015, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release following a previous federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, CHADRONET used force, violence and intimidation to rob approximately $1,000 from a branch of TD Bank located at 1003 West Main Street in Branford, Conn., on July 27, 2015; approximately $2,329 from a branch of Citizens Bank located at 1187 Boston Post Road in Westbrook, Conn., on August 27, 2015, and approximately $697 from a branch of Citizen’s Bank located at 2991 Cranberry Highway in Wareham, Mass., on September 9, 2015.
At the time of this criminal conduct, CHADRONET was on federal supervised release for a prior bank robbery conviction in the District of Rhode Island.
On October 4, 2016, CHADRONET pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of bank robbery.
CHADRONET has been detained since September 10, 2015, when he was arrested on state charges related to a bank robbery that occurred in Milford, Connecticut, on August 18, 2015. CHADRONET pleaded guilty in state court for the Milford robbery and was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration.
Judge Bryant ordered CHADRONET to pay $4,026 in restitution.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Branford Police Department, Milford Police Department and Wareham (Mass.) Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Rensselaer Man Charged with Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Darrell Chapman, also known as “Bishop” and “Sly Foxx,” age 37, of Rensselaer, New York, was indicted today for narcotics and firearms offenses.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II, and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
A four-count superseding indictment charges Chapman with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, from approximately November 2016 until October 18, 2017; possession with intent to distribute the same quantities of cocaine and heroin; possession of four handguns and two rifles in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of one of the drug offenses, Chapman faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life. Chapman also faces a consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison if convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 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.
Chapman previously appeared before United States Magistrate Judge F. Christian Hummel in Albany, and was detained pending trial.
This case is being investigated by the New York State Police and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
Renewal Resident Charged with EscapeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of escape, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on January 30, 2018, named Derek Webb, 53, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment, on June 26, 2017, the defendant escaped from the Renewal, Inc. Residential Reentry Center, where he had been confined pursuant to a judgment order of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Putnam County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of A 12-Year-Old Girl in 2003Read the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOHN ASMODEO, 34, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for engaging in, and videotaping, sexual activity with a minor in the fall of 2003. ASMODEO pled guilty on October 23, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti, who also imposed today’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them. We will continue to use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who sexually exploit children.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
In the fall of 2003, when ASMODEO was 20, he engaged in sexual intercourse with a then 12 year-old girl (“Victim-1”) and he used a camera to record the sexual activity. He took photographs of Victim-1 as well as videos of the sexual intercourse. The camera used to create the video files was a Fujifilm Finepix 3800, a camera manufactured in Japan.
Later, ASMODEO copied the video files of Victim-1 onto a compact disk he labeled “Girls.” He gave that “Girls” disk to a third party in 2005. In 2016, that third party provided the “Girls” disk to law enforcement.
In or about April 2014, ASMODEO’S residence in Putnam County came to the attention of Homeland Security Investigations because it appeared that an Internet Protocol address connected to that residence was making child pornography available via a peer-to-peer file sharing network. A search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of numerous computers. The forensic examination of these items revealed thousands of sexually explicit images of prepubescent children. The examination also revealed that, on various dates in 2013, ASMODEO used a hidden camera to videotape a 10-year-old girl undressing in his bathroom.
In announcing the sentence, Judge Briccetti underscored that the defendant’s conduct was “appalling” and “extraordinarily harmful to the victim.”
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In addition to the prison term, ASMODEO, 34, of Carmel, New York, was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release.
Mr. Berman praised the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Carmel Police Department, and the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Marcia S. Cohen and Lauren Schorr are in charge of the prosecution.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with December Robbery of First National Bank in Mt. WashingtonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - One resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on January 30, 2018, named Matthew Gallo, age 34, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 4, 2017, Gallo robbed First National Bank, located at 55 Wyoming Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211. First National Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pharr Woman Convicted of Bank FraudRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A former bank employee has entered a guilty plea to allegations she stole more than $1 million from customer accounts, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Cynthia Luna Rodriguez, 45, of Pharr, acknowledged she committed two counts of bank fraud and one count of embezzlement that occurred over eight years. Rodriguez admitted to illegally withdrawing money from customers’ accounts and to hiding the unauthorized withdrawls by back-filling the accounts with money from other customers’ accounts and by changing the address on the customer accounts without authorization.
Rodriguez worked at First National Bank in Edinburg. Beginning in at least January 2006, she began taking money from customer accounts without authorization. She continued to do so during the time PlainsCapital Bank took over First National Bank.
A PlainsCapital Bank audit resulted in her firing on Aug. 12, 2014. Following her termination, employees discovered documents at her desk including a 1099 statement belonging to one of the victims. The statement had been altered with whiteout over the address and interest earned sections and new information typed over them. The new address was actually a private mailbox that Rodriguez leased.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on that private mailbox, at which time they discovered multiple mailings to account holders at her address.
Further investigation revealed a large amount of unexplained money deposited into some of Rodriguez’s accounts which corresponded with the time of the unauthorized withdrawls from the victim accounts. The victim accounts belonged to individuals who interacted with Rodriguez directly when she was employed at the bank. The accounts primarily belonged to elderly individuals and to individuals living out of the country whom were not likely to regularly monitor their accounts. When account holders or their representatives came in to close their statements, Rodriguez moved money from another victim’s account to backfill the account about to be closed.
A forensic audit conducted by an outside accounting firm determined that approximately $1.3 million was taken from six victim accounts over an eight-year time span. As part of her plea, Rodriguez agreed to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution.
U.S. District Court Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea and sent sentencing for April 11, 2018. At that time, Rodriguez faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a possible $1 million fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Leonard is prosecuting the case.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 300 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOISE – Timothy Raymond Schmidt, 35, of Cincinnati, Ohio was sentenced today in
United States District Court to 300 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexual exploitation of children, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.According to the plea agreement, from January 28 to April 9 of 2015, the defendant, while in the State of Ohio, used Skype to communicate with two minor victims, ages seventeen and thirteen, located in Valley County, Idaho. On at least 12 occasions, the defendant persuaded, induced, and coerced the seventeen year-old victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct over live Skype video transmissions. On at least 11 occasions, the defendant persuaded, induced, and coerced the thirteen year-old victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct over live Skype video transmissions.
The defendant’s conduct was discovered by adult relatives of the victims and reported to the Valley County Sheriff’s Office. The case was referred to Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI) and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. ICAC detectives examined the victim’s computer and discovered 33,000 lines of archived Skype chats between the defendant and both victims, sexually explicit images of both victims, and images of the defendant. Within the chats, the defendant provided personal identifying information to the victims, including his name, hometown, his place of work, where he went to college, and a description of his tattoos. ICAC detectives were also able to identify two locations in Ohio from where the defendant had engaged in the chats.In May of 2016, HSI Agents from Idaho and Ohio served a search warrant at one of the locations in Ohio from where the Skype communications originated. Agents determined that the defendant currently resided there. They seized computers belonging to the defendant from the residence.
HSI Agents also contacted a resident of the second location in Ohio where Skype communications originated from, and confirmed that the defendant had previously stayed at the residence. Agents observed items in the residence that were consistent with items the victims reported observing in the background of the defendant’s live chats, including a Darth Vader statue and model airplanes hanging from the ceiling. An HSI forensic examiner examined the defendant’s computers and discovered evidence that both had been used to communicate with the victims via Skype.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Schmidt to forfeit two laptop computers used in the commission of the charged offense. As a result of his conviction, Schmidt will be required to register as a sex offender.
“It’s so important that people realize the reach of online predators. Parents who are concerned about sexual predators living in the neighborhood should be equally concerned about online sexual predators living in other states or countries,” U.S. Attorney Davis said. “I commend the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, who work so hard to catch and bring to justice online sex offenders like Mr. Schmidt.” Davis continued.
“This sentence should serve as a powerful reminder to child sex offenders who mistakenly believe that their actions on the internet or social networks will be undetected by law enforcement,” said Brad Bench, special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “HSI works closely with its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Idaho, and across the globe, to hold accountable those who victimize our vulnerable children.”The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Idaho Internet
Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Valley County Sheriff’s Office. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the
Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and
Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”North Carolina man pleads guilty to attempted enticement of a minorRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A North Carolina man pleaded guilty today to a federal sex crime involving a minor, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Timothy Sean Coogle, 46, of Lexington, entered his guilty plea to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the FBI in North Carolina.
“There are severe consequences for those who prey on our children, and these penalties should serve as a warning for anyone who even attempts this criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “The officers working on these cases deserve our thanks. Their work protects our most vulnerable from sexual predators.”
Coogle admitted that from August 12, 2017, through September 22, 2017, he used his cell phone and the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice a minor residing in the Southern District of West Virginia to engage in sexual activity. Specifically, Coogle admitted that he sent messages to a 13-year-old minor female, commenting on a photo of her. The minor’s mother discovered messages from Coogle and contacted law enforcement. Soon after, Coogle began engaging in sexually explicit conversation with a person he believed to be the minor, but was actually an undercover officer. He additionally requested that the person he believed to be the minor send him sexually explicit photos and video footage, and he also sent a sexually explicit video. Coogle admitted that he engaged in all of this communication in order to persuade the person he believed to be the minor to engage in sexual activity when she visited North Carolina.
Coogle faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. After his release from prison, Coogle will be required to serve a term of federal supervised release of at least five years and up to life, and he will also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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New Jersey Couple Sentenced for Unsuccessful Bribing of SEPTA OfficialsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Nazik Modawi and Abboud Wali were sentenced to prison for their conspiring to bribe a SEPTA employee. Modawi, who bribed SEPTA employees on two occasions, earned a sentence of one-year imprisonment. Wali, who was involved with one of those bribes, was given a sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment. The Honorable Harvey Bartle III, United States District Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, remarked that bribing public officials “strikes at the heart of our democracy.”
Modawi and Wali owned and operated companies, called Rides, Inc. and Safe Rides, LLC, that provided transportation services for children and adults with special needs. Modawi and Wali sought a “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” (DBE) certification from SEPTA in order to obtain various government contracts. To expedite their application, Modawi and Wali gave cash payments to the SEPTA employee. The total amount of the bribes given to Septa employees were $10,000. The SEPTA employee immediately alerted authorities.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, and SEPTA Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf.
New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RUBEN GONZALEZ, 39, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization led by GONZALEZ’s brothers, Bienvenido and Antonio Gonzalez. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that the Gonzalez brothers regularly purchased bulk quantities of heroin from suppliers located in the Bronx, New York, and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors in New Haven and elsewhere.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against 24 individuals.
During the investigation, RUBEN GONZALEZ, who was incarcerated in state custody, instructed his girlfriend, Marimar Roman, to purchase large quantities of heroin from Bienvenido Gonzalez and then distribute the drug RUBEN GONZALEZ’s customers.
On November 6, 2017, RUBEN GONZALEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
Judge Meyer ordered GONZALEZ to begin serving his 77-month federal sentence after he completes his state sentence, which is scheduled to conclude in approximately six months.
Bienvenido Gonzalez, Antonio Gonzalez and Marimar Roman previously pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.
The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELVIN PLAZA, also known as “Jordan,” 40, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization led by Bienvenido and Antonio Gonzalez. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that the Gonzalez brothers regularly purchased bulk quantities of heroin from suppliers located in the Bronx, New York, and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors, including PLAZA, in New Haven and elsewhere. PLAZA regularly purchased between 200 and 300 grams of heroin from Bienvenido Gonzalez and then sold the drug to his own customers.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against 24 individuals.
PLAZA was arrested on March 16, 2017. On November 1, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
Bienvenido Gonzalez and Antonio Gonzalez pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.
PLAZA has 10 prior convictions, including three drug-related convictions, and a sexual offense that involved a minor victim.
The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Robbery and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAQUILLE RICHARDSON, 23, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to federal robbery and firearm charges.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 30, 2016, at approximately 1:41 a.m., New Haven Police officers were dispatched to Ferry Street after a report of person who had been shot. At the scene, officers found two victims. One victim had been shot in the left elbow and was bleeding heavily, and the other victim was bleeding from the nose.
The investigation, which has included witness interviews, DNA evidence, ballistics evidence and footage from a surveillance video, revealed that RICHARDSON and another individual attacked the two victims after they exited a convenience store in an attempt to steal marijuana from the victims. RICHARDSON struck one of the victims in the face with a gun.
Officers apprehended RICHARSON near the scene of the robbery. When RICHARDSON was found, he was bleeding from a gash to his hand where one of the victims had slashed him with a knife in self-defense.
RICHARDSON pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2018.
RICHARDSON has been detained since his arrest on June 30, 2016.
This matter is being investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
New England Compounding Center Pharmacist Sentenced for Role in Nationwide Fungal Meningitis OutbreakRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former supervisory pharmacist of New England Compounding Center (NECC) was sentenced today in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 64 and caused infections in 793 patients.
Glenn Chin, 49, of Canton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to eight years in prison, two years of supervised release, and forfeiture and restitution in an amount to be determined later. In October 2017, Chin was convicted by a federal jury in Boston of 77 counts, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.
“Mr. Chin was a pharmacist, but again and again he acted with complete disregard for the health and safety of patients,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Mr. Chin will now be held responsible for producing contaminated drugs that killed dozens and grievously harmed over 750 people across the country. No patient should suffer harm at the hands of a medical professional, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud and abuse in the health care system.”
“A key aspect of the FDA’s mission is to ensure that drugs are made under high quality conditions so that no patient is at risk of harm due to poorly compounded products,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “In response to episodes where patients were harmed by poorly compounded drugs, Congress passed a new set of laws to improve the FDA’s oversight of these products. We’re committed to the efficient, timely and robust implementation of that framework to help make sure patients can trust the reliability and safety of compounded drugs, recognize the benefits of pharmacy compounding, and that we protect consumers from harm.”
“As a licensed pharmacist, Glenn Chin took an oath to protect his patients,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “In contrast, he failed miserably by cutting corners, ignoring warning signs, and harming hundreds of people with his reckless disregard for their safety. Dozens of unsuspecting patients died because of the tainted drugs that were distributed on his watch. Now, Mr. Chin is finally being held accountable for his role in one of the worst pharmaceutical disasters in this country. The FBI hopes today’s sentence will bring some comfort to the hundreds of victims and their families who have suffered so much.”
In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) manufactured by NECC. Of those 753 patients, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 64 patients in nine states died. The government has since identified a total of 793 patients throughout the country harmed by NECC’s contaminated steroids.
Chin manufactured three lots of contaminated MPA, which comprised more than 17,000 vials of medication. In doing so, Chin ignored NECC’s own drug formulation worksheets and standard operating procedures. Specifically, he improperly sterilized the MPA, failed to verify the sterilization process, and improperly tested it to ensure sterility. Despite knowing these deficiencies, Chin directed the MPA to be filled into thousands of vials and shipped to NECC customers nationwide. During the fungal meningitis outbreak, the CDC identified 18 different types of fungi from MPA vials and patient samples. In the words of one public health official, NECC was a “fungal zoo.”
Chin directed the shipping of drugs prior to receiving test results confirming their sterility, and he directed NECC staff to mislabel drugs to conceal this practice. He also directed the compounding of drugs with expired ingredients, including chemotherapy drugs that had expired several years prior. Chin prioritized drug production over cleaning, directed the forging of cleaning logs, and routinely ignored mold and bacteria found inside the clean rooms. Lastly, for more than three years, Chin, along with co-conspirators, utilized a pharmacy technician whose license had been revoked by the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy to compound highly sensitive cardiac drug solutions, and took steps to conceal the technician’s presence inside the clean room from state regulators.
“One of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) priorities is to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the U.S. Defense Department's health care program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates DCIS’ commitment to work with the USAO-MA, the FBI, the FDA-OCI and its other law enforcement partners, to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who disregard pharmaceutical regulations and endanger the health and safety of U.S. military members, retirees and their families.”
“The VA provides healthcare to those who have sacrificed so much for our country and fortunately no veterans receiving VA care were harmed by the fungal meningitis outbreak. However, it is appalling that NECC staff acted with such reckless disregard for patients by putting profits over safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean J. Smith for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. “The VA Office of Inspector General is honored to work with our partners in law enforcement on such an important investigation and assist in bringing those individuals who were responsible to justice.”
“The sentence imposed today on Glenn Chin demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners, to the safety and health of the American public,” said Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Chin’s actions as a supervising pharmacist jeopardized the health of many patients and we will continue to investigate and take action against those who take part in this type of egregious behavior.”
U.S. Attorney Lelling, FDA Commissioner Gottlieb, M.D., FBI SAC Shaw, DCIS SAC Barzey, VA OIG SAC Smith, and Acting Inspector in Charge of USPIS Moss made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George P. Varghese and Amanda P.M. Strachan of Lelling’s Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
National Retailer Sentenced for Shipping Hazardous Materials Without Required LabelingRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Glow Industries, Inc., a tobacco related product distributor headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, was sentenced on Monday in United States District Court after pleading guilty to a felony violation for shipping hazardous materials in packaging that did not display a required hazardous material label or marking on the package. United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson sentenced Glow to a five-year term of probation and a fine of $250,000.
On July 18, 2012, Glow shipped a package containing 72 butane cartridges from its Riverside, California facility to a smoke shop in Anchorage, Alaska. Butane is a highly flammable liquid used in lighters. The package containing the cartridges did not display any hazardous material warning. After being transported by air to Anchorage, the package was damaged; consequently, the butane cartridges were found inside. Investigation later revealed that a Glow employee had inverted the package so that the hazardous material marking originally placed on the package would not be visible.
According to the plea agreement, Glow admitted that it had directed and instructed various managers and employees, who were responsible for packaging and/or shipping products, to conceal the hazardous nature of Glow’s hazardous material products from its shippers. Pursuant to that policy, butane cartridges, which were originally shipped by suppliers to Glow in boxes containing a hazardous material warning, were intentionally removed from the marked boxes and inserted into boxes that had no hazardous material marking or labeling. Glow further admitted that ozium, another hazardous material product sold by Glow, would be delivered to Glow in a box that displayed a hazardous material warning. However, prior to shipping the ozium to its customers, Glow employees would razor out the hazardous material warning and then provide the box to its shipper without the box displaying any hazardous material warning.
Shipping companies rely upon hazardous material products bearing required labeling in order to properly handle and transport such items. Among the conditions of probation ordered by the Court, Glow is required to maintain an extensive compliance program which includes in person training for its employees or contractors and periodic audits to assure that Glow complies with any federal or local requirements for the labeling and shipping of hazardous materials.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dennis Mitchell and Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Bettinelli of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.
Monongalia County woman sentenced for drug distribution chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Hollie Jo Exline, of Dellslow, West Virginia, was sentenced today to time served and six months home detention, to be followed by six months of supervised release, for a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Exline, age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility” in September 2017. Exline admitted to using a phone to distribute and assist in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The crime occurred in Monongalia County in February 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Mobile County Woman Receives 5 Years Probation and Ordered to Pay $45,120.07 Restitution to Social Security Administration and Alabama Medicaid AgencyRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney, Richard W. Moore, announces that Tamara Wallace, a 43 year old, resident of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced today to five (5) years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $31,308.00 to the Social Security Administration and $13,812.07 the State of Alabama Medicaid Agency.
From January 2012 through September 2016, Wallace received Title XVI Supplemental Disability Income and Title XIX Medicaid Insurance Benefits that she was no longer entitled to due to her marriage and work activity. Wallace was required to report her marriage and work income to the Social Security Administration so her benefits could be reevaluated and she failed to do so as required by law. Wallace pled guilty to theft of public money on October 25, 2017.
Special Agents of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General along with special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General investigated the case and presented it to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The prosecutor assigned to the case was Assistant United States Attorney, Gina S. Vann.
Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SALVADOR TENOCO-RODRIGUEZ age 40, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information for illegal reentry of a removed alien after deportation.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced SALVADOR TENOCO-RODRIGUEZ to 30 months imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release, $5,000.00 fine and a $100.00 special assessment.
According to the Bill of Information, on or about August 29, 2017, SALVADOR TENOCO-RODRIGUEZ was found in the United States after having been officially deported. He was ordered removed and deported on or about October 27, 2006.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Massachusetts Man Convicted of Receiving Firearms with Intent to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that late Tuesday afternoon, a federal jury found Edward McLarnon, 69, of Malden, Massachusetts, guilty of receiving firearms with intent to commit murder, as well as three related weapons and explosive charges, after a six-day trial.
Evidence presented at trial showed that in October of 2015, McLarnon made contact with a person he believed to be an arms dealer (who was actually an undercover FBI agent) for the purpose of buying illegal weapons. McLarnon negotiated with the undercover agent at a store in Chichester, New Hampshire and paid a total of $700 in cash to obtain the weapons. On November 6, 2015, the defendant took possession of a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer, an AK-47-style semi-automatic rifle, ammunition, and two hand grenades containing high explosives at a rest stop in Seabrook. He was taken into custody shortly after taking possession of these items. The evidence further showed that McLarnon intended to use the weapons to kill his ex-wife's husband, as well as a Boston federal judge, and a former Massachusetts Attorney General.
The jury found the defendant guilty of: (1) receiving an unregistered silencer; (2) receiving firearms with the intent to commit murder; (3) receiving explosive materials; and (4) receiving an explosive with the intent to harm persons or property. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison for each count of conviction. He will be sentenced on May 10, 2018.
“I am grateful to the jury for rendering this swift and just verdict,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The evidence at trial demonstrated that the defendant devised a frightening plan to use weapons to kill several individuals to express his frustration with the legal system. Thanks to the hard work of the brave law enforcement officers who participated in this investigation, the defendant’s violent plan was stopped before anyone was hurt.”
“Edward McLarnon purchased an AK-47, grenades, a silencer, and ammunition with the sole intent of killing the former Massachusetts Attorney General, a sitting federal judge, and other government officials. Today’s conviction ensures that Mr. McLarnon will not be able to further endanger innocent lives,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Boston Division. “This case is a testament to the tireless efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where the close coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement led to the successful disruption of McLarnon’s plot. Each and every day, the Joint Terrorism Task Force strives for a perfect record, and we’d like to thank all of our partners for their dedication and hard work in bringing this case to a safe and successful conclusion.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
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Maryland Man Found Guilty by Jury of Sexually Abusing 13-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Chuvala, 41, of Berlin, Md., has been found guilty by a jury of sexually abusing a former teenage piano student, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), announced today.
Chuvala was found guilty on Jan. 30, 2018 of four counts of first-degree child sexual abuse, three counts of second-degree child sexual abuse, one count of indecent sexual proposal to a minor, one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child, and one count of use of a minor in a sexual performance. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2018. In addition to any sentence of imprisonment, Chuvala will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
According to the government’s evidence, Chuvala was the victim’s piano teacher in 2011 at Middle C Music in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Northwest Washington. At the time of the lessons, Chuvala was 34, and the student was 13 years old. When the lessons had concluded, Chuvala asked the girl to stay in touch, and they began a relationship over text communications.
The two got together a few days later and walked to a park in Montgomery County, Maryland, where Chuvala kissed the girl and engaged in the first sexual contact with her. Chuvala has pled guilty in Montgomery County to three counts of third-degree sex offense for this conduct, and is pending sentencing there on Feb. 15, 2018.
Shortly after that, Chuvala and the girl met on at least two occasions in the middle of the night in Washington, D.C. During those two incidents, Chuvala performed oral sex on the victim and had her perform oral sex on him, among other sexual conduct. After these sexual encounters, Chuvala and the victim continued to exchange numerous texts with each other at all hours of the day and night. When Chuvala moved from the Washington, D.C. area, he engaged in conversations with the girl over video Skype, in which he would ask her to undress, masturbating as he watched her, and would ask her to masturbate.
In the spring of 2012, the victim first disclosed the abuse to a friend, and her friend told a school counselor. The counselor notified law enforcement, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) opened an investigation. However, the victim was not ready to go forward with a police investigation at the time, and persuaded her parents not to provide the abuser’s name to police. Ultimately, in the fall of 2014, the victim decided that she was prepared to go forward with a police investigation. The investigation led to Chuvala’s arrest on June 24, 2015. Following the verdict, the judge ordered that he be placed in custody pending sentencing.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham praised the work of detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists D’Yvonne Key and Brenda Williams, Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan, Investigative Analyst William Hamann, and Litigation Technology Specialist Anisha Bhatia. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elana Suttenberg and Nicholas Miranda, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
Mansfield woman charged with claiming nearly $800,000 in false tax returnsRead the Press Release
A Mansfield woman was indicted for falsely claiming that she was owed nearly $800,000 in tax refunds, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.
Teresa Flohr, 56, was indicted on two counts of making false claims.
Flohr falsely claimed a refund of $389,966 for tax year 2012 and for $407,649 for tax year 2013, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Man Charged with Tax Evasion and Other Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A local man has been taken into custody following the return of an indictment alleging a total of eight tax crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Edward J. Crouse turned himself in to federal authorities today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy as early as 10:00 a.m.
A federal grand jury returned the eight-count indictment Jan. 25, 2018. Crouse is charged with two counts of tax evasion for his 2011 and 2012 U.S. Individual Income Tax returns, five counts of willfully failing to truthfully account for and to pay over employment tax withholdings and one count of obstructing and impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code.
If convicted, he faces up to five years for each of the tax evasion charges and for willfully failing to truthfully account for and to pay over employment tax withholdings, while the obstruction charge carries a three-year-maximum term. He also faces a possible $250,000 fine on each of the counts.
IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.###
Man Admits Role in Identity Theft and Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWARK N.J. – A Georgia man today admitted using fake driver’s licenses in order to obtain checks issued in response to false statements and representations, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Abdulrasheed Yusuf, 29, of Lilburn, Georgia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Yusuf was a member of a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain money, including by committing identity theft, impersonating account holders and obtaining money from their accounts. On Aug. 8, 2017, a member of the conspiracy contacted an entity where an individual (Victim 1) had an account. The caller impersonated Victim 1 and stated that he/she wanted to withdraw $34,636 from his/her account. The entity sent a check through a mail carrier to the account holder at his/her address.
A member of the conspiracy caused the mail carrier to hold the packages containing the check for Victim 1 at one of its branch locations. On Aug. 14, 2017, Yusuf entered the branch and, using a driver’s license with Yusuf’s picture and Victim 1’s name and address, obtained a package he believed contained the check to Victim 1. Yusuf used a separate fake driver’s license in connection with obtaining a different check similarly issued in response to fraudulent statements.
The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to others, whichever is greater. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a sentence of two years in prison, which must be consecutive to any imprisonment ordered concerning the conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to others, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for May 10, 2018.U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka in New York, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas. He also thanked the Salt Lake City, Utah, Police Department for its role in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: David B. Glazer Esq., Livingston New Jersey
Leominster Woman Indicted for Stealing Social Security and Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leominster woman was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston for theft of Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.
Joyce Progin, 70, was indicted on two counts of theft of public funds. Progin was released after appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy today at 3:00 p.m.
According to the indictment unsealed today, from November 2009 through March 2017, Progin stole approximately $55,267 in Social Security benefits, and from November 2009 through November 2017, she stole approximately $269,978 in benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Sean Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Latham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Short-Barreled RifleRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph T. Clemente, Jr., age 34, of Latham, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a short-barreled rifle.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
As part of his plea, Clemente admitted that he intentionally removed the upper receiver of a rifle that he had purchased at a gun store, and replaced it with an upper receiver he purchased on the Internet, which he knew included a 9-inch barrel. The resulting firearm he possessed was a rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches, also known as a “short-barreled rifle,” which is illegal to possess.
Clemente faces up to 10 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on May 31, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. 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 ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Lake City Men Sentenced to More Than Five Years for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida– U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Jeremy Roldan (45, Lake City) and Gene Wakeley (43, Lake City) to five years and five months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Roldan was also sentenced for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Roldan pleaded guilty on June 19, 2017, and Wakeley pleaded guilty on October 20, 2017.
According to court documents, on December 13, 2016, Roldan and Wakeley sold approximately seven grams of methamphetamine to an individual in Lake City for $400. On February 1, 2017, Roldan also sold a .38 caliber revolver to an individual for $200. Roldan was previously convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, selling/distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, and cheating. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a historical program involving the successful collaboration of law enforcement, at all levels, to reduce violent crime and making neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception (2001). In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Justice Department Announces Religious Liberty Update to U.S. Attorneys’ Manual and Directs the Designation of Religious Liberty Point of Contact for All U.S. Attorney's OfficesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced the update of the United States Attorneys’ Manual (USAM) with a new section titled, “Associate Attorney General’s Approval and Notice Requirements for Issues Implicating Religious Liberty.”
On Oct. 6, 2017, the Attorney General issued a Memorandum for All Executive Departments and Agencies entitled Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty. The memo directed components and United States Attorney’s Offices to use the guidance in litigation, advice to the Executive Branch, operations, grants, and all other aspects of the Department’s work.
In order to ensure compliance with the Attorney General’s memo, the USAM will be updated with language that directs relevant Department of Justice components to:
- Immediately inform the Office of the Associate Attorney General upon receiving service of a suit filed against the United States raising any significant question concerning religious liberty;
- Coordinate decisions about merits arguments and significant litigation strategy questions in religious liberty cases with the Office of the Associate Attorney General; and
- Obtain the approval of the Office of the Associate Attorney General with respect to any affirmative civil suit that impinges on rights under the Free Exercise Clause, Establishment Clause, or Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The updated USAM will also instruct relevant Justice Department components to consult the 20 religious liberty principles laid out in the Attorney General’s October 6 memo when considering whether the notice or approval requirements are initiated.
In order to fully effectuate the approval and notice requirements in the updated USAM, the Department will instruct all U.S. Attorneys to designate a point of contact to lead these efforts for their office.
“Religious liberty is an inalienable right protected by the Constitution, and defending it is one of the most important things we do at the Department of Justice,” said Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand.
At President Trump's direction, Attorney General Sessions issued a robust and clear guidance document in October that clearly explains how the federal government is to apply the religious liberty protections currently on the books. The requirement that each of the U.S. Attorney offices designate a religious liberty point of contact will ensure that the Attorney General’s Memorandum is effectively implemented. The designees will be responsible for working directly with the leadership offices on civil cases related to religious liberty, ensuring that these cases receive the rigorous attention they deserve.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Illegally Re-entering United States After Rape ConvictionRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Cosme Pimental-Armenta, age 39, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 21 months in prison, the highest guideline sentence available to the judge, for the crime of illegal re-entry by deported alien after a conviction for an aggravated felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Joseph Banco, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
Pimental-Armenta pled guilty on October 24, 2017. Upon release from prison, he was ordered to be placed on supervised release for three years. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. Any return to the United States during the period of his supervised release period will constitute a violation of the defendant’s supervised release.
On August 30, 2017, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop for careless driving on a 2008 Toyota Tundra with a Texas license plate in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. During the stop, Pimental-Armenta handed the agent a Florida driver’s license that identified himself as Danthony Martinez-Rivas. The agent asked Pimental-Armenta if he had ever been arrested and Pimental-Armenta stated that he had not.
The agent questioned Pimental-Armenta as to his citizenship and he told the agent that he was a United States citizen from Puerto Rico. The agent finger-printed him and discovered that he was an illegal alien from Mexico. Records further revealed that Pimental-Armenta had earlier been removed from the United States on July 26, 2004, and had been previously convicted in Orange County, California, of forcible rape on April 5, 2002.
"The President and Attorney General Sessions have made border security and immigration enforcement a priority for our country. We will continue to do our part in making sure Americans are safe by vigorously prosecuting violent criminals like this who blatantly violate our laws," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
"As this conviction illustrates, the U.S. Border Patrol New Orleans Sector and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, through its ongoing integrated enforcement efforts serves as a prime example of our joint commitment to prevent potentially dangerous people from reaching our communities," said Chief Banco.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the diligent work and cooperation exhibited by U.S. Border Patrol agents and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Golden prosecuted the case.
Honduran Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that YONI LAGOS, age 25, a native of Honduras, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.
United States District Court Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced LAGOS to the maximum sentence, 2 years, followed by one year of supervised release, a $100 special assessment fee, and a $5,000 fine. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings after he completes his sentence.
According to court documents, on March 21, 2017, LAGOS was found in the United States after having been previously deported from the United States on January 13, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri was in charge of the prosecution.
Holyoke Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Springfield to receiving child pornography.
Edward F. Dupont, 75, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and is scheduled for sentencing on April 26, 2018. Dupont was arrested in August 2015 and has been detained since.
On June 23, 2015, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Dupont’s residence where they seized a computer containing over 16,000 images and 35 videos of child pornography. Four of the videos depicted the rapes of girls as young as five-years-old.
Dupont also possessed a 170-page manual entitled, “How to Practice Child Love.” The manual is a professionally designed document that presents itself as “an education and a step-by-step guide for adults to engage and practice sexual relationships with children.” The manual states: “You do not even need to leave your own house or lot to meet new children and child love candidates. If you are bound to stay at your house, and preferably living alone, you can actually get the kids all the way to your front door – and even inside. This might even be a very safe option too – since as soon as you get the kids inside, no one can watch your activities from outside.”
During the search, Dupont waived his Miranda rights and stated that he has a sexual interest in young children; he has used his computer to access child pornography sites and to download child pornography images and videos; and he possessed child pornography on his home computer.
Though Dupont denied ever having sexual contact with children, he admitted that neighborhood children came over to play in his backyard and in his basement. He had also given copies of his house keys to the neighbors so that their children could come over any time they wanted, and he maintained a cupboard with games for the children to play.
If the Court accepts the terms of the binding plea agreement, Dupont faces a sentence of at least seven years and up to 15 years in prison, seven years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $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 and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS ORTIZ, also known as “Cuko,” 30, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in September and October 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force and Hartford Police made 10 controlled purchases of heroin from ORTIZ.
ORTIZ was arrested on October 30, 2014. On that date, a search of ORTIZ’s apartment revealed quantities of fentanyl and heroin, a digital scale, a grinder used to process heroin and heroin packaging stamps.
After his arrest, and while he was released on bond to participate in a drug rehabilitation program, ORTIZ absconded. He was arrested in Puerto Rico on June 23, 2016.
ORTIZ has been detained since his arrest. On May 18, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug involved premises, and one count of escape.
The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Guatemalan national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to failing to register as a sex offender and to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Jary Vincente Valenzuela, 27, a Guatemalan national formerly residing on Nantucket, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2018.
On July 16, 2012, Valenzuela was found guilty in state court of rape of a child – a 14-year-old - and sentenced to 18 months in prison. As a result of his conviction, Valenzuela was classified as a Level 1 sex offender and is required to register as such. Upon release from his state sentence, Valenzuela was taken into immigration custody and processed for deportation to Guatemala. On Aug. 8, 2013, Valenzuela was deported.
In June 2017, law enforcement learned that Valenzuela had re-entered the United States and was living on Nantucket. Law enforcement confirmed with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board that Valenzuela had a legal obligation to register as a sex offender and had not done so since illegally returning to the United States. On July 25, 2017, law enforcement arrested Valenzuela.
The charge of illegal reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of failure to register as a sex offender provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Valenzuela will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Former New York City Buildings Inspector Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Extortion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Inspector Massimo Dabusco was sentenced by United States Chief District Court Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 18 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit extortion, to be followed by a term of three years’ supervised release. The Court also imposed a $4,000 fine. Dabusco, also known as “Max,” pleaded guilty to the charge on May 22, 2017.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Mark G. Peters, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the sentence.
“By engaging in extortionate conduct for personal financial gain, Dabusco violated the mission entrusted to him to enforce the New York City building and construction codes honestly and fairly,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in rooting out corruption and prosecuting those, like Dabusco, who abuse their position of public trust.”
According to court filings, between December 2013 and June 2015, while serving as an inspector for the DOB, Dabusco was also a silent partner in a construction company, A&G Contracting Group Corp., in violation of New York City law. Dabusco used his official position to influence property owners and contractors, over whom he had regulatory authority, to hire A&G, which was operated by his co-defendant Vito Menadi, to perform excavation and demolition jobs. In exchange for his actions, Dabusco shared in A&G’s profits. Dabusco also illegally warned other contractors about impending inspections by DOB and threatened economic harm against property owners and contractors if they did not pay outstanding fines owed by A&G. Dabusco resigned from DOB in August 2015.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Martin E. Coffey is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
MASSIMO DABUSCO
Age: 55
Residence: Yorktown Heights, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-559 (DLI)
Former Goffstown Youth Coach is Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Matthew Riehl, 25, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements in court, Riehl coached youth sports teams in Goffstown. Between July of 2015 and August of 2016, while posing as a teenage girl, he contacted his victims using social media accounts, including Instagram, Snapchat and KIK Messenger, and persuaded his victims to take sexually explicit photographs of themselves and send the photographs to him. When some of the victims sent pictures that were not sexually explicit, Riehl worked to convince them to take photographs showing more sexually explicit conduct. In some instances, Riehl was able to coerce the victims to send explicit photographs by threatening to post on social media photographs that the victims previously had sent to him.
On August 31, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Goffstown and Riehl’s cell phone was seized. A forensic examination of the phone by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force revealed approximately 500 photographs of minor boys, in various states of dress, including examples of child pornography. Numerous photographs depicted individuals who were members of teams that Riehl had coached.
Riehl, who previously pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender for life.
“This 25-year sentence demonstrates that those who use the Internet to prey on young victims will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “It is a sad fact of modern life that some individuals adopt false identities on the Internet in order to manipulate and exploit their young victims. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who create child pornography. I commend the bravery of the victims and their families who cooperated with this investigation and encourage all parents to speak to their children about the dangers that lurk on the Internet.”
“This case involves an egregious breach of public trust, given Mr. Riehl’s former position in the community, and today’s significant sentencing ensures that he no longer has access to children,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Shea of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. “HSI is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders aggressively engaged in the effort against child predators.”
“This investigation is another fine example of the collaborative efforts of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies working to bring to justice those who prey on society's most innocent victims,” said Detective Sergeant Thomas A. Grella, Commander, New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The Goffstown Police Department would like to thank everyone involved in this case for coming forward and providing crucial information that has been instrumental in seeing this case come to a successful conclusion.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Goffstown and Bedford Police Departments, the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes members of several other police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arnold Huftalen and Georgiana Konesky.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Former Fannie Mae Employee Arraigned on Charges of Accepting Bribes and Approving Below-Market Sale of Foreclosed HomesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Riverside woman who worked at Fannie Mae offices in Irvine faces fraud charges alleging that she earned more than $1 million from a scheme in which she took bribes and approved discounted sales of Fannie Mae-owned properties to herself and to brokers in exchange for cash kickbacks.
Shirene Hernandez, 45, of Corona, was arraigned Friday afternoon on two counts of wire fraud. After entering a plea of not guilty and being released on a $65,000 bond, Hernandez was ordered to stand trial on March 20, 2018.
As alleged in the indictment, at all relevant times Hernandez was a real estate owned (REO) foreclosure specialist at the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae). Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored entity under conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). As part of its operations, Fannie Mae acquires properties – sometimes called REO properties – through foreclosure and otherwise, and it then manages and sells those properties for Fannie Mae’s benefit. Under FHFA’s conservatorship, since at least 2012 Fannie Mae’s profits have gone to the United States Treasury Department, for the benefit of the American taxpayer.
As an REO foreclosure specialist, Hernandez’s duties included assigning Fannie-Mae owned properties to listing brokers and approving sales of those properties based on offers submitted by those brokers. During the scheme, which is alleged to have begun no later than April 2011 and continued through at least July 2016, Hernandez allegedly approved sales of Fannie Mae-owned properties at discounted prices to herself and to brokers who paid her cash kickbacks, and she allegedly received bribes, in the form of cash payments, gifts, and other things of value, from brokers in exchange for listing opportunities and the resulting commissions that brokers earned on sales.
According to the indictment, one of the Fannie-Mae owned properties that Hernandez purchased was purchased through intermediaries and alter egos who rented out the property and provided rent proceeds to Hernandez.
The indictment alleges that Hernandez’s profits from the fraud exceeded $1 million.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If Hernandez were to be convicted of the two charges in the indictment, she would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison on each count.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). Agents continue to investigate this case and other allegations of bribes accepted by other Fannie Mae employees. If you believe you have information relevant to this investigation, please contact FHFA-OIG Senior Special Agent James Shields at 202-730-4013.
The prosecution of Hernandez is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section.
Former Detroit-Based Technology Company CEO Indicted for Multi-Year Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
The former chief executive officer of FutureNet Group Inc., a Detroit-based information technology company, was indicted yesterday for his role in orchestrating a scheme to bribe an official from the City of Detroit to obtain benefits for FutureNet, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Parimal D. Mehta, 54, of Northville, Michigan, is charged in an 11-count indictment filed in the Eastern District of Michigan with five counts of honest services mail and wire fraud, one count of federal program bribery, and five counts of unlawfully using interstate facilities to commit bribery under Michigan law.
According to the indictment, from 2009 through August 2016, Mehta made multiple cash payments to Charles L. Dodd, the former Director of Detroit’s Office of Departmental Technology Services, including two cash bribes hand-delivered by Mehta to Dodd in the restrooms of Detroit-area restaurants in 2016. Mehta is also alleged to have employed Dodd’s family members at FutureNet and its subsidiaries. Dodd previously pleaded guilty to bribery on Sept. 27, 2016.
The indictment alleges that Mehta paid these bribes to Dodd in exchange for preferential treatment for his company, FutureNet, which received approximately $7.5 million from Detroit in 2015 and 2016. According to the indictment, Mehta and FutureNet benefitted from Dodd’s influence over the administration of city contracts, expenditures under those contracts, and the hiring and selection of contract personnel. The indictment further alleges that Mehta obtained confidential information about Detroit’s internal budgets for specific technology projects.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Detroit Division. Trial Attorneys Robert J. Heberle and James I. Pearce of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
Florida-Based School Chain to Pay United States Government $600,000 for Submitting False Claims for Federal Student Financial AidRead the Press Release
Florida Technical College, Inc. (“FTC”) will pay the United States $600,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that FTC’s Cutler Bay Campus (“FTC-Cutler Bay”) falsely certified compliance with federal student aid programs’ eligibility requirements and submitted claims for 27 ineligible students.
Benjamin G. Green, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, made the announcement.
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (“HEA”), as amended, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1070 et seq. (“Title IV, HEA Programs”), authorizes federal student aid programs. The Title IV, HEA Programs, administered by the United States Department of Education, provide students with financial aid in the form of, among other things, Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans.
“Federal financial aid is meant to help qualified students obtain a quality education from an eligible institution, and we are committed to ensure colleges comply with the rules to make certain that federal financial aid is provided to those individuals it is meant to assist,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg.
The United States alleged that certain FTC-Cutler Bay employees engaged in fraudulent practices to induce students to enroll in the school. As a result of those admissions personnel, FTC submitted to the U.S. Department of Education false information regarding the eligibility of 27 FTC-Cutler Bay students to receive Title IV, HEA Program funds. Specifically, FTC-Cutler Bay employees provided false documentation that the students had a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent from a qualified secondary school, when the those students did not have such credential.
In providing such false documentation, FTC-Cutler Bay’s enrollment numbers were falsely increased, and consequently, the amount of federal dollars the school received also increased at the expense of taxpayers and students, who incurred long-term debt. FTC cooperated in the investigation and FTC no longer employs the admissions personnel or their managers involved.
The lawsuit was filed on March 8, 2016, by Laurie Astacio, a former administrative assistant in the FTC-Cutler Bay admissions office. She filed the complaint under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government and receive a share of any recovery. The Act also authorizes the government to intervene in and assume primary responsibility for litigating the lawsuit.
“The Office of Inspector General has a unique and special law enforcement mission – to protect public education funds for eligible students. Today’s settlement is an example of our commitment to this mission,” said Neil Sanchez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southern Regional Office. “The OIG will continue to pursue allegations of violations of the False Claims Act in carrying out our important public service.”
This matter was investigated and the settlement negotiated by Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Weinkle. The case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Laurie Astacio v. Florida Technical College, Inc., Case No.: 16-20842-CIV-Seitz (S.D. Fla.). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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.
Florida Man Sentenced in Penny Stock SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Palladino, 54, of Delray Beach, Florida, who was convicted of conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to six months in prison and ordered to forfeit $175,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that between February and June of 2011, the defendant and other co-conspirators, participated in a scheme to acquire, manipulate, and trade publicly available stocks of companies with low stock prices (known as "penny stocks"). During the scheme, the defendant and others, directed co-conspirators to issue newsletters containing fictitious and misleading information regarding a targeted stock, which was done in an effort to manipulate the length and intensity of the penny stock promotion scheme. During the scheme, Palladino and others utilized personal brokerage accounts and bank and brokerage accounts in the names of entities they owned and controlled, to fund, trade, and manipulate the price of penny stocks.
During the scheme, the defendant and others made payments totaling $175,000 for the fraudulent stock promotions knowing that the funds used to make the payments constituted criminally derived proceeds from wire fraud activities.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of James D. Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.
Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Nationwide Scheme to Defraud Casinos and Credit Card CompaniesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Vivian Wang, 54, of Alpharetta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a nationwide casino and credit card scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between August 2008 and August 2014, Wang and co-defendant Frank Luo, 49, of Las Vegas, Nevada, participated in a scheme to defraud casinos and credit card companies across the country. The scheme involved using false identities in the names and Social Security numbers of migrant workers to apply for casino credit called “markers” and to open credit card accounts. A marker is a cash advance provided by a casino to a patron, and it is often secured by a check from the patron’s bank account. Wang and Luo initially timely repaid several markers at different casinos and several credit cards in order to give the impression of creditworthiness to future casinos and credit card companies. Wang and Luo recruited “clients” to participate in the scheme to induce the casinos and credit card companies to part with even more money under fraudulent pretenses.
Wang, and others working with her, coordinated their gambling activity in order to give the appearance of losing money (and thereby encouraging the casinos to issue future markers) when in fact one schemer would “lose” money while another would gain the same. In other instances, one schemer would surreptitiously deliver the issued gambling chips to another in order to give the appearance of having spent them. At the end of the scheme, Wang and her co-schemers did not repay the casino markers or the significant outstanding credit card balances accrued in a short amount of time once creditworthiness had been established. The combined fraud led to over $1.1 million in losses to casinos and credit card companies.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Gambling Control. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Yelovich is prosecuting the case
Co-defendant Luo pleaded guilty, and on August 23, 2017, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Wang is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on May 16, 2018. Wang faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud, and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for aggravated identity theft. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Felon from Carlsbad Sentenced to Prison for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Paul Jay Harry, 33, of Carlsbad, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Harry will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Harry was arrested on Jan. 17, 2017, and was charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) on May 2, 2016, in Chaves County, N.M. According to the complaint, Harry was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to comply with probation following a routine traffic stop. Law enforcement officers subsequently executed a state search warrant on Harry’s vehicle and seized a sawed off rifle, which was not registered to Harry in the NFRTR, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
Harry was indicted on April 19, 2017, and was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Harry had a prior burglary conviction.
On May 25, 2017, Harry pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on May 2, 2016, he possessed a short-barreled rifle. Harry further admitted that he could not legally possess firearms or ammunition because of his convictions in 2009 for vehicle burglary and forgery.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Roswell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock E. Taylor of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury Finds Pittsburgh-Area Man Guilty of Defrauding Investors of $2 Million, Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - After deliberating seven hours, a federal jury of eight men and four women yesterday found Albert P. Majkowski, Jr. guilty of three counts of wire fraud, two counts of tax evasion and two counts of a lesser included offense of failure to file a tax return, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Majkowski, Jr., 59, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was tried before United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton in Pittsburgh.
According to evidence presented at trial established that Majkowski defrauded potential investors of nearly $2 million over a five-year period by, among other things, making false statements about his own success in “incubating” start-up businesses and misrepresenting that investor monies’ would be used only for legitimate business expenses. He also evaded his income tax obligations for the years 2009 through 2010 by a variety of means including failing to file tax returns, putting his assets into the names of other persons and cashing a series of checks made out in blank. Additionally, he failed to file income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2008. The total loss for the tax charges was $181,456.
Judge Walton scheduled sentencing for May 25, 2018 at 2 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 27 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, for each wire fraud count and up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, for each count of tax evasion. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court revoked the defendant’s bond.
Assistant United States Attorneys James Wilson and Shardul Desai are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Majkowski.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments Charging 25 Individuals in DecemberRead the Press Release
MACON— A federal grand jury has returned indictments during the month of December. Charles “Charlie” E. Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced Monday, December 31, 2018 that the grand jury true billed indictments charging 25 new individuals. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The successful collaboration between law enforcement at every level helped bring these cases before a federal grand jury,” said U.S. Attorney Peeler. “I want to thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for their dedication and hard work.”
Indictment #1
JANARVIS TUCKER, 21, of Sandy Springs, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Tucker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years up to the possibility of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Howard.
Indictment #2
CLIFFORD TERRELL, 43, of Barnesville, Georgia is charged with the following:
1-3) Bank Robbery
If convicted on Counts 1-3, Mr. Terrell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Forsyth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes.
Indictment #3
MARCRESS WILLIAMS a/k/a “BEAST”, 26, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
2-4) Distribution of Methamphetamine
5) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
STEPHANIE THOMAS, 25, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
2-4) Distribution of Methamphetamine
5) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
If convicted on Count 1 and/or Count 5, Mr. Williams and Ms. Thomas face maximum sentences of life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Counts 2-4, the defendants face a maximum of 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts.
Indictment #4
CLAUDIA WASHINGTON, 59, of Valdosta, Georgia is charged with the following:
1 and 4) Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methadone and Hydrocodone
3) Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
If convicted on Counts 1-4, Ms. Washington faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit.
Indictment #5
RANDY ANGELO HILL, 32, of Tifton, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Bank Robbery
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Hill faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tifton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis.
Indictment #6
RUSBELY LUCAS-CARBAJAL, 33, of Mexico is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Lucas-Carbajal faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
Indictment #7
HECTOR BAROJAS-SANCHEZ, 33, of Mexico is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Barojas-Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
Indictment #8
MARCOS LEON-CRUZ, 46, of Mexico is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Leon-Cruz faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
Indictment #9
GILBERTO AMBROSIO-RAMIREZ, 28, of Mexico is charged with the following:
1) Illegal Reentry into the United States
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Ambrosio-Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
In addition to the above indictments, the following individuals were indicted for firearms offenses. All of these cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was launched in 2001 by the Office of the Attorney General.
Indictment #10
LAXAVIER PATTERSON, 39, of Valdosta, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Theft of a Firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee
2) Possession of a Stolen Firearm
3) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted on Counts 1-3, Mr. Patterson faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Valdosta Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit.
Indictment #11
JOHMAR CHANDLER, 40, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
2) Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
3) Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
4) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Chandler faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Chandler faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Chandler faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 4, Mr. Chandler faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a minimum $2,500 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams.
Indictment #12
FREDDIE CLARK, 42, of Columbus, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
2) Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
3) Possession of a Firearm in furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Clark faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Clark faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $8,000,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Clark faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbus Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams.
Indictment #13
ARRINGTON CULPEPPER, 33, of Columbus, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Culpepper faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Community Supervision and the Columbus Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams.
Indictment #14
CALVIN AMOS, 35, of Albany, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
3) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
4) Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Amos faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Amos faces a maximum of five (5) years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Amos faces ten (10) years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted on Count 4, Mr. Amos faces five (5) years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Albany Dougherty Drug Unit and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane.
Indictment #15
DADGE PARRISH, 32, of Columbus, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Xanax
2) Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
3) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Parrish faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Parrish faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of five (5) years with a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Parrish faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Georgia State Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.
Indictment #16
JOSHUA WAYNE COKER, 37, of Hartwell, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
2) Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Coker faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Coker faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, consecutive to any time imposed for Count 1, a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Hartwell Sheriff’s Office, with collaboration from Parks White, District Attorney for the Northern Judicial Circuit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett.
Indictment #17
IDRIS SHAMSID-DEEN, 32, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Person who has been Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Shamsid-Deen faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes.
Indictment #18
BRANDON WILLIAMS, 25, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
2) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Williams faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Williams faces a maximum sentence of one (1) year in prison, a $1,000 minimum fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes.
Indictment #19
RONNIE LEE HUGHES, 38, of Griffin, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted, Mr. Hughes faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCommon.
Indictment #20
TYLAUN RASHARD MULLINS, 19, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Theft of a Firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee
2) Possession of a Stolen Firearm
CHRISTIAN JABARI BLACK, 19, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Theft of a Firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee
JACQUES STEWART, 20, of Macon, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Theft of a Firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Mullins, Mr. Black and Mr. Stewart face a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Mullins faces the same additional penalties.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCommon.
Indictment #21
ISAIAH WALKER, 34, of Valdosta, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Walker faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers.
Indictment #22
DAVEY BARGE, JR., 37, of Moultrie, Georgia is charged with the following:
1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Barge faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the Moultrie Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers.
Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Elizabeth City Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years for Drug Distribution and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that Monday in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced JAMES MARVIN POOLE, 33, of Elizabeth City, to 262 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
POOLE was named in a 4-Count Criminal Information filed on September 12, 2017. On that same day, POOLE pled guilty to 3-Counts of Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin and 1-Count of Possession and Brandishing of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
In June 2016, a Confidential Informant (CI) advised law enforcement in Pasquotank County, that he/she had been buying heroin from POOLE for the past year. The CI also advised law enforcement that POOLE sold and/or stored drugs at two locations in Elizabeth City. The CI specifically identified an apartment on South Griffin Street and a house on College Street which were connected to POOLE.
On June 15, 2016, the CI, working at the direction of law enforcement, arranged to meet with POOLE at the residence on College Street to purchase heroin. The CI subsequently purchased 1 gram of heroin. During the recorded conversation, POOLE can be heard discussing his “pistol.”
On June 21, 2016, CI arranged a controlled purchase of heroin from POOLE. POOLE subsequently met with the CI at the residence on College Street. POOLE entered the CI’s vehicle while immediately pulling a semi-automatic pistol out of his waistband and placing it between the CI and POOLE. POOLE instructed the CI to claim the pistol as his/her own if they were stopped by the police because of his prior felony convictions. POOLE instructed the CI to drive to the South Griffin Street apartment. Once there, POOLE exited the vehicle and entered the apartment, returned to the vehicle, and instructed the CI to drive back to the College Street house. There, the CI purchased 2 grams of heroin from POOLE.
Following the two successful controlled purchases of heroin from POOLE, agents obtained a search warrant for the house and apartment associated with POOLE. On June 28, 2016, agents entered POOLE’s apartment. Officers proceeded to the second floor where POOLE was located exiting the bathroom with the toilet still flushing. A search of the apartment revealed a loaded Glock 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition. On March 6, 2017, agents utilized a second Confidential Informant (CI2) to perform an undercover buy from POOLE. CI2 met with POOLE and subsequently purchased .5 gram of heroin from POOLE.
On March 9, 2017, agents interviewed a cooperating witness who advised them that he/she had been purchasing 1 gram of heroin per day from POOLE for six months (180 grams of heroin). A second cooperating witness advised agents on March 8, 2017, that he/she had purchased at least .4 gram of heroin, five days per week, from POOLE for the past 18 months (144 grams of heroin). A third cooperating witness advised agents on March 29, 2017, that he/she purchased 120 grams of heroin from POOLE between February 2016 and January 2017.
On March 17, 2017, agents arrested POOLE on the federal charges. POOLE advised agents that he received ½ ounce at a time from his source. Based on the evidence, POOLE is responsible for the distribution of 447.5 grams of heroin. POOLE also possessed a firearm in connection with the offense.
The Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Bradford Knott handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
East St. Louis Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Preparation of False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Evelyn Johnson, 56, of East St. Louis, Illinois was sentenced to serve eighteen months in prison following her conviction for 29 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal tax returns, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Following her release from prison Johnson will serve one year of supervised release.
Johnson operated the E.J. Johnson Tax Service in East St. Louis. Evidence presented showed that the Internal Revenue Service sent an undercover agent to have her taxes prepared after the I.R.S. Scheme Development Center detected a potential pattern of fraudulent returns. Johnson prepared a false return for the undercover agent that falsified Schedule A itemized deductions. The tax service business offered a "refund guarantee." The overall tax loss to the United States was established to be over $769,000. Johnson was convicted of preparing the false return for the undercover agent and convicted of preparing twenty-eight other false federal tax returns.
The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Dallas Woman Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Disaster FraudRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – DOROTHY D. BARNEY, 58, of Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for fraud in connection with federal disaster relief, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
On May 20, 2013, a tornado caused significant damage in Moore, Oklahoma. According to an indictment filed on December 6, 2016, Barney applied for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") relating to the tornado in early June 2013. Rather than using her own name, she used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a person with the initials C.W. The application claimed damage to an apartment at 854 S.W. 10th Street in Moore. There was no apartment at that address, however. Furthermore, C.W. had not given Barney permission to submit an application for disaster aid and did not live in Moore.
On August 11, 2017, Barney pleaded guilty and admitted she had used a materially false document to request disaster aid from FEMA.
Today U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Barney to 14 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $14,974.83 in restitution to FEMA.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security–Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
DEA, Pittsburgh Police Investigation Results in Indictment of Pittsburgh Man for Dealing Heroin and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as crack, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on January 30, 2018, named Devon Horne, 31, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment, on or about January 4, 2018, Horne did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and crack cocaine.
For Horne’s offense, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of not more than $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.