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10 January 2018
Sinaloa Cartel Cell Leader ConvictedRead the Press Release
Director of Media Relations Kelly Thornton
(619) 546-9726
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – January 10, 2018
SAN DIEGO – Sinaloa Cartel cell leader Damaso Lopez-Serrano, aka “Mini Lic,” pleaded guilty in federal court today following his self-surrender to United States law enforcement authorities at the Calexico West Port of Entry on July 27, 2017.
Lopez-Serrano, 29, is believed to be the highest-ranking Mexican cartel leader ever to self-surrender in the United States. Lopez-Serrano pleaded guilty to all charges in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in San Diego on August 19, 2016, charging him and five of his close associates with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin and Cocaine Intended for Importation and Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine, Heroin and Cocaine.
Lopez-Serrano also pleaded guilty to an indictment returned December 4, 2016, in the Eastern District of Virginia by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Intended for Importation.
In a proceeding today before United States District Judge Dana M. Sabraw, Lopez-Serrano accepted responsibility for his role as a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel, acknowledging that he organized the transportation and distribution of thousands of kilograms of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, for importation from Mexico into the United States. Lopez-Serrano also admitted to possessing firearms for the purpose of promoting the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics trafficking activities. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 12, 2018 at 10 a.m. before Judge Sabraw.
“Damaso Lopez-Serrano’s conviction strikes a serious blow to the leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and its violent drug trafficking activities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Administration, the Department and our law enforcement partners are steadfast in our commitment to pursuing and dismantling the international drug rings that poison our communities.”
“Cartel leaders have two options – self-surrender or we will work with our counterparts to find you, arrest you and extradite you to San Diego,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman. “For Lopez-Serrano’s distribution of literally tons of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin across the border to America, he will now face justice in a San Diego federal court.”
“The guilty plea of this defendant tells the drug traffickers what they need to know,” said DEA San Diego Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steve S. Woodland. “DEA will keep picking off these violent criminals one by one until there are no more willing to get involved for fear that law enforcement will be coming for them soon. In the face of the current drug crisis we face in this country, DEA will continue to investigate and bring to justice these violent criminals.”
The Southern District of California indictment in this case marked the conclusion of the fourth phase of a five-year investigation that, in total, has resulted in charges against over 125 people and has had a significant impact on the worldwide operations of the Sinaloa Cartel. This investigation has also offered one of the most comprehensive views to date of the inner workings of one of the world’s most prolific, violent and powerful drug cartels. Cartel members and associates were targeted in this massive investigation involving multiple countries, numerous law enforcement agencies around the United States, a number of federal districts and over 250 court-authorized wiretaps in this district alone.
This case began in late 2011 as an investigation of what was at first believed to be a small-scale drug distribution cell in National City and Chula Vista. It became evident that the drugs were being supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel, and the case evolved into a massive multi-national, multi-state probe that resulted in scores of arrests and seizures of 1,397 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2,214 kilograms of cocaine, 17.2 tons of marijuana, 95.84 kilograms of heroin, and $27,892,706 in narcotics proceeds.
The primary indictment in this investigation was previously unsealed targeting the alleged leader of the cartel, Ismael Zambada-Garcia, known as “El Mayo,” as well as two of his four sons - Ismael Zambada-Sicairos, known as “Mayito Flaco,” and Ismael Zambada-Imperial, known as “Mayito Gordo.” Zambada-Imperial was arrested by Mexican authorities in November 2014 and is pending extradition to the Southern District of California. Also part of that indictment is Ivan Archivaldo Guzman-Salazar, known as “Chapito,” whose father Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera was the alleged leader of the Sinaloa Cartel along with Mayo.
As part of this investigation, U.S. authorities previously arrested and prosecuted another son of Mayo - Serafin Zambada-Ortiz, who pleaded guilty in the Southern District of California in September 2014 to drug trafficking charges.
José Rodrigo Aréchiga-Gamboa, commonly referred to by his alias "El Chino Ántrax,” was arrested in the Netherlands, extradited to the United States by Dutch authorities in July 2014 and pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in May 2015. Arechiga-Gamboa is believed to have worked for the Sinaloa Cartel as the leader of a violent enforcement arm of the Sinaloa Cartel called “Los Antrax” and a key lieutenant of Mayo.
This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Sutton from the Southern District of California and Trial Attorneys Amanda Liskamm and Michael Lang of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.
DEFENDANT Case Numbers: 16CR1896-DMS and 17CR3687-DMS
Damaso Lopez-Serrano, aka Mini Lic Age: 29 Culiacan, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances for Purpose of Unlawful Importation, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 959, 960 and 963; Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960 and 963. Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.
AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration
Homeland Security Investigations
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol
United States Marshals Service
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia
Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations
Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs
Saugus Man Sentenced for Role in Lawrence-Based Heroin/Fentanyl Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Saugus man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a heroin trafficking scheme operating in and around Lawrence.
Edwin Soto, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to four years in prison, six years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $99,200 in forfeiture. In October 2017, Soto pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance – heroin and fentanyl.
From about April 2015 to March 2016, law enforcement investigated the drug distribution activities of Ramon Baez and his associates in and around the City of Lawrence. Baez obtained kilograms of heroin and cocaine from local suppliers and suppliers based in Mexico. Baez’s co-conspirator, Jose A. Rosario, supplied Baez with heroin, which Baez then repackaged for distribution.
Soto and co-defendant Waner Manuel Lara purchased heroin and fentanyl from Baez. On Dec. 29, 2015, law enforcement officers seized $99,200 in drug proceeds from Soto, intended for Baez. On March 19, 2016, agents seized from Lara 140 grams of heroin and fentanyl supplied to him by Baez.
Baez was sentenced in June 2017 to 121 months in prison, and Rosario was sentenced in September 2017 to 22 months in prison. Lara pleaded guilty in October 2017 and is awaiting a sentencing date.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the cases.
Salvadoran National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Salvadoran national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for an immigration crime.
Salvador Portillo-Diaz, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served and three years of supervised release. Portillo-Diaz will be subject to deportation. In October 2017, Portillo-Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
On March 18, 2006, and May 24, 2011, Portillo-Diaz was deported from the United States. On June 2017, federal agents encountered Portillo-Diaz at the Suffolk County House of Correction and determined him to be illegally present in the United States.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Richard B. Myrus Appointed First Assistant United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch today announced the appointment of Assistant United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus to the position of First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. Mr. Myrus, an experienced criminal prosecutor and civil litigator, most recently served as Civil Division Chief of the United States Attorney’s Office.
Appointed an Assistant United States Attorney in May 2007, Mr. Myrus has served as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division’s drug, gun and white collar crime units, and as a civil litigator in the office’s Civil Division. Mr. Myrus was named Civil Division Chief in February 2014.
In addition to successfully prosecuting a number of significant drug, firearm, fraud and identity theft cases, Mr. Myrus was co-counsel in an investigation of online search engine Google. The investigation determined that Google’s AdWords program targeted consumers in the United States, resulting in the unlawful importation of controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs into the United States by Canadian online pharmacies. The investigation resulted in a halt to the online advertisements and Google’s forfeiture of $500 million dollars. $240 million dollars of the forfeited funds were distributed to state and local law enforcement agencies in Rhode Island.
Prior to his appointment as an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Myrus was a partner in two Boston law firms specializing in patent litigation and served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
A veteran, Mr. Myrus served in the United States Navy as a helicopter aircraft commander and flight instructor. Mr. Myrus was awarded the United Nations Humanitarian Service medal for the rescue of Vietnamese refugees in the South China Sea.
A 1984 graduate of Columbia University and a 1992 graduate of the University of San Diego, Mr. Myrus earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1995.
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Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a wide-ranging operation that distributed cocaine and heroin throughout Bristol County, Mass., and Providence, R.I.
Jorge Luis Sanchez-Lopez, 43, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In September 2017, Sanchez-Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine.
Sanchez-Lopez was one of 10 individuals involved in a drug trafficking operation led by co-defendant Luis Lopez that imported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New Bedford and Fall River, as well as distributed heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl in Bristol County. Sanchez-Lopez coordinated shipments of cocaine through the U.S. mail with the assistance of co-defendant Chindy Diaz, who received cocaine-filled packages on Luis Lopez’s behalf and delivered it to Luis Lopez at his Fall River residence. Co-conspirator Israel Santiago also helped coordinate the receipt of cocaine on behalf of Luis Lopez, who then sold the cocaine to other drug dealers, including Nuno Fonseca and Tyson Britto.
In June 2016, the 10 defendants were charged for their individual roles in the operation. All of the conspirators have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. In January 2017, Luis Lopez was sentenced to 15 years in prison and Sharik Mendes was sentenced to 30 months in prison. In April 2017, Tyson Britto and Israel Santiago were sentenced to 78 months in prison and two years in prison, respectively. In June 2017, Fonseca was sentenced to 130 months in prison. In July 2017, Tyson Depina and Eric Desousa were sentenced to six years in prison and three years in prison, respectively; and in September 2017, Diaz was sentenced to three years in prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the cases.
Rhode Island Man Charged with Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Rhode Island man was charged in federal court in Boston with bank robbery.
Stephen A. Davidow, 55, of Pawtucket, R.I., was charged with one count of bank robbery. Davidow appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell yesterday and was ordered detained.
According to court documents, between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, 2017, an individual, later identified as Davidow, robbed four banks in the Greater Boston area. Based on the physical location of the banks, bank surveillance footage, the bank tellers’ descriptions of the robber, and other similarities, law enforcement determined that the same individual was involved in each robbery. On Dec. 15, 2017, having distributed images of the alleged perpetrator on the local news, law enforcement received a tip that the suspect was Davidow. Photos of Davidow were shown to one of the tellers who then positively identified Davidow as the man who robbed the bank. The investigation also revealed that Davidow has a 2007 bank robbery conviction in federal court in Rhode Island and had an active warrant for a violation of his supervised release.
The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; and Boston University Police Chief Kelly A. Nee made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rapper Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and HeroinRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Johnston, R.I., rapper whose songs include “Sell Drugz,” “Feds Watching” and “All White,” was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Providence to 36 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin and fentanyl.
Michael Persaud, aka “Montana Millz,” 30, also faces sentencing in Lebanon County, Pa., having been convicted at trial in August 2017 on 16 of 23 heroin trafficking, conspiracy and other drug trafficking related charges brought as a result of an investigation into his drug trafficking activities in Pennsylvania.
Persaud’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division.
The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 78-97 months. The government recommended the Court impose a sentence of 78 months in prison. Persaud pleaded guilty on October 23, 2017, to five counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count each of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of heroin.
According to information presented to the Court, during a 4 ½ month period of time beginning in October 2016, an East Providence undercover detective arranged for several purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Persaud. In total, nearly 22 grams of fentanyl and 2 grams of heroin were delivered to the detective. In several instances, Persaud used other individuals to assist in the delivery of the drugs. In at least two such instances, Persaud was driven by his girlfriend and mother of three of his children to deliver fentanyl to the undercover detective.
On March 30, 2017, members of the East Providence Police Department, with the assistance of the RI DEA Drug Task Force, executed a court-authorized search of the Providence residence of the mother of one of Michael Persaud’s children. Law enforcement seized 44 grams of fentanyl hidden in the residence by Persaud.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Ronald R. Gendron.
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Phoenix Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in a Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Hiban Molina Camacho, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced this week before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Camacho was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in May 2017 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a schedule II controlled substance.
Camacho was charged along with twenty-one others with various offenses related to a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Of the twenty-one charged, eighteen have pleaded guilty, five have been sentenced and three are awaiting trial.
According to the plea agreement factual resume filed in the case, on May 23, 2015, Camacho engaged in a series of conversations to request a kilogram of methamphetamine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted.
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Ohio Computer Programmer Indicted for Infecting Thousands of Computers with Malicious Software and Gaining Access to Victims’ Communications and Personal InformationRead the Press Release
An Ohio man was charged in a 16-count indictment today for allegedly creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 years in order to watch, listen to, and obtain personal data from unknowing victims, as well as produce child pornography.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office made the announcement.
Phillip R. Durachinsky, 28, of North Royalton, Ohio, was charged with Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations, Wiretap Act violations, production of child pornography, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Durachinsky is alleged from 2003 through Jan. 20, 2017, to have orchestrated a scheme to access thousands of protected computers owned by individuals, companies, schools, a police department, and the government, including one owned by a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy. He is alleged to have developed computer malware later named “Fruitfly” that he installed on computers and that enabled him to control each computer by accessing stored data, uploading files, taking and downloading screenshots, logging a user’s keystrokes, and turning on the camera and microphone to surreptitiously record images and audio.
As alleged in the indictment, Durachinsky used the malware to steal the personal data of victims, including their logon credentials, tax records, medical records, photographs, banking records, Internet searches, and potentially embarrassing communications. According to the indictment, Durachinsky used stolen logon credentials to access and download information from third-party websites.
Durachinsky is further alleged to have watched and listened to victims without their knowledge or permission and intercepted oral communications taking place in the room where the infected computer was located. In some cases, the malware alerted Durachinsky if a user typed words associated with pornography. According to the indictment, Durachinsky saved millions of images and often kept detailed notes of what he saw.
“For more than 13 years, Phillip Durachinsky allegedly infected with malware the computers of thousands of Americans and stole their most personal data and communications,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “This case is an example of the Justice Department’s continued efforts to hold accountable cybercriminals who invade the privacy of others and exploit technology for their own ends.”
“This defendant is alleged to have spent more than a decade spying on people across the country and accessing their personal information,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierleja.
“Durachinsky is alleged to have utilized his sophisticated cyber skills with ill intent, compromising numerous systems and individual computers,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI would like to commend the compromised entities that brought this to the attention of law enforcement authorities. It is this kind of collaboration that has enabled authorities to bring this cyber hacker to justice.”
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Brian L. Levine of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl, Michelle M. Baeppler and Om M. Kakani of the Northern District of Ohio.
Number of Federal Defendants Charged and Imprisoned Rises in 2017Read the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – The number of people charged with federal crimes in the Northern District of Alabama in 2017 and the percentage of those defendants sentenced to prison was the highest since 2011, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town.
“Charging more defendants, putting more criminals behind bars, and preventing future criminal activity makes the Northern District a safer place for our families,” Town said. “I am very proud that my office has successfully prosecuted the priorities of the Department of Justice and we will continue to do so. In addition to our impressive prosecutorial and litigation numbers, we continue to install and manage comprehensive violence reduction and crime prevention initiatives across the Northern District, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Public Safety Partnership, which will continue to make our communities more secure, our partnerships more robust, and our law enforcement agencies more impactful.”
The priorities of the Department of Justice to reduce illegal gun crimes, reduce violent crime, pursue criminal immigration matters, and to aggressively address the opioid epidemic in Alabama were all successfully executed by the Northern District in 2017. The U.S. Attorney’s Office showed vast improvement in all categories in 2017 over the previous fiscal year.
The data provided by the Department of Justice indicates that the Northern District’s conviction rate of 94.4 percent is the highest since at least 2004. Defendants charged totaled 540 for Fiscal Year 2017, up 32.4 percent from the 408 defendants charged in FY 2016. The number of defendants sentenced to prison in 2017 rose 15 percent, from 283 in 2016 to 325 in 2017.
The 239 defendants charged with violent crimes in 2017 was a 39.8 percent increase over the 171 charged with violent crimes in 2016. The 33 defendants charged with opioid-related crimes in 2017 represented a 65 percent increase over the 20 defendants charged with opioid crimes in 2016.
Illegal firearms prosecutions rose 36 percent in FY 2017 to 225 from 165 in FY 2016. Illegal firearms prosecutions are 57.9 percent higher than the average of the previous four fiscal years.
In FY 2017, the prosecution of criminal immigration cases saw a 212.5 percent increase in the number of defendants, rising from 16 in FY 2016 to 50, which is the highest number of defendants charged with criminal immigration violations since at least 2004.
Our Civil Division achieved favorable judgments in nearly every category of litigation. Our Appellate Division won 95.4% of all civil and criminal appeals.
See attachment for a full explanation of FY2017.
North Royalton man charged in a 16-count indictment for creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 yearsRead the Press Release
A North Royalton man was charged in a 16-count indictment today for allegedly creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 years in order to watch, listen to, and obtain personal data from unknowing victims, as well as produce child pornography.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office made the announcement.
Phillip R. Durachinsky, 28, was charged with Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations, Wiretap Act violations, production of child pornography, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Durachinsky is alleged from 2003 through Jan. 20, 2017, to have orchestrated a scheme to access thousands of protected computers owned by individuals, companies, schools, a police department, and the government, including one owned by a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy. He is alleged to have developed computer malware later named “Fruitfly” that he installed on computers and that enabled him to control each computer by accessing stored data, uploading files, taking and downloading screenshots, logging a user’s keystrokes, and turning on the camera and microphone to surreptitiously record images and audio.
As alleged in the indictment, Durachinsky used the malware to steal the personal data of victims, including their logon credentials, tax records, medical records, photographs, banking records, Internet searches, and potentially embarrassing communications. According to the indictment, Durachinsky used stolen logon credentials to access and download information from third-party websites.
Durachinsky is further alleged to have watched and listened to victims without their knowledge or permission and intercepted oral communications taking place in the room where the infected computer was located. In some cases, the malware alerted Durachinsky if a user typed words associated with pornography. According to the indictment, Durachinsky saved millions of images and often kept detailed notes of what he saw.
“For more than 13 years, Phillip Durachinsky allegedly infected with malware the computers of thousands of Americans and stole their most personal data and communications,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “This case is an example of the Justice Department’s continued efforts to hold accountable cybercriminals who invade the privacy of others and exploit technology for their own ends.”
“This defendant is alleged to have spent more than a decade spying on people across the country and accessing their personal information,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierleja.
“Durachinsky is alleged to have utilized his sophisticated cyber skills with ill intent, compromising numerous systems and individual computers,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI would like to commend the compromised entities that brought this to the attention of law enforcement authorities. It is this kind of collaboration that has enabled authorities to bring this cyber hacker to justice.”
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl, Michelle M. Baeppler and Om M. Kakani, as well as Senior Counsel Brian L. Levine of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Mon Valley Men Charged with Violating Federal Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Three Mon Valley men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count indictment, returned on January 9, 2018, named the defendants as:
- Deaubre Lightfoot, age 27, formerly of Monessen, PA;
- Anthony Davis, age 38, of Donora, PA; and
- Brandon Thomas, age 38, formerly of Donora, PA.
According to the indictment, on or about December 13, 2017, Lightfoot possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. On the same date, Davis and Thomas are charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both, for Lightfoot. For Davis and Thomas, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the South Strabane Police Department, the Elizabeth Borough Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Perryopolis Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mobile Man Sentenced to Prison for Email ThreatsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Lamarcus Moore, 32, of Mobile, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for emailing threats to kidnap and kill a woman in Mobile. United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose imposed the sentence.
Moore pled guilty to the charge in September. Court documents filed in connection with his plea indicate that Moore sent at least nine separate emails over a period of a month to the victim. The emails contained explicit threats to kill the woman. At the time, Moore was in federal prison in Yazoo City, Mississippi, serving a sentence on an unrelated charge. Following his release from prison, Judge DuBose ordered that Moore be supervised by the United States Probation Office for three years.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Costello.
Mission Man Convicted of Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald A. Parsons, Jr. announced that Jesse J. Waln, age 32, of Mission, South Dakota, was found guilty of two counts of Possession of Stolen Firearms as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
The charges each carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Waln was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017.
During the weekend of November 11 to 13, 2016, several co-defendants broke into a home located in Mission, and stole many household items, clothes, tools, power tools, an ATV, firearms, and ammunition.
Waln received and possessed a stolen Benelli SuperNova 12 Gauge Shotgun, which he later hid in a tree line. He also received a stolen Savage .204 caliber rifle that was traded for methamphetamine and recovered at a known drug house. Waln admitted he was also a regular user of methamphetamine.
The jury found the defendant knew the firearms were stolen and that the defendant possessed each of the firearms with such knowledge.
In addition, on the morning of the first day of the jury trial, the defendant admitted he burglarized another home in Mission in May 2016. Regarding that offense, he was convicted of First Degree Burglary and Larceny for working with others to purloin property from his neighbor’s house, and that he entered and stole a valuable Michael Jordan autographed poster.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Daniel C. Nelson prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing hearing was set for March 19, 2018, when Waln and several of his crime partners will be sentenced. Waln was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Missing Securities Broker IndictedRead the Press Release
BOISE – Rodney Allen, 65, the sole owner and president of KA Investments, LLC, of Boise, Idaho, was indicted on January 9, 2018, by a federal grand jury sitting in Boise for wire fraud, and an arrest warrant was issued, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
The indictment alleges that from in or about 2016 to in or about 2017, Allen devised a scheme to defraud clients of his brokerage company, KA Investments, LLC, and obtain their money by false pretenses and promises, and misappropriate their money. Namely, the indictment alleges that Allen misrepresented in monthly statements provided to clients that clients were earning positive returns on investments, when in truth and in fact, clients were earning negative returns on investments.
For instance, the indictment alleges that on December 6, 2016, Allen emailed a November 2016 monthly statement to client M.F. In the statement, Allen represented that M.F.’s account had earned 1.903 percent that month. In reality, M.F.’s account had lost 36.01 percent.
Further, according to the indictment, Allen misrepresented to clients of KA Investments, LLC that he was taking between a 14-percent and 18-percent commission on investment profits. In truth, he was misappropriating client deposits for his personal use, regardless of profit or loss, and at a greater percentage.
On April 20, 2017, Allen was reported missing. From April through September 2017, law enforcement conducted multiple searches for Allen in the vicinity of his abandoned truck, in a remote area near the Snake River. These searches included searches with cadaver dogs. The searches were unsuccessful in locating Allen or his body, and Allen remains missing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Allen’s arrest. In addition, Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Allen’s arrest.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boise Police Department.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Sex Trafficking and Forced LaborRead the Press Release
Paul Carter, 47, of Milwaukee was sentenced today to 21 years in prison, reduced by three years for time served, after pleading guilty on Oct. 6, 2017, to four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor and sex trafficking, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons.
According to documents filed in court and in connection with the defendant’s guilty plea, for over a decade, from 2001 to 2013, the defendant recruited young women and girls to dance at clubs using false promises of money and a better life. He then used a combination of physical violence, isolation, emotional manipulation, sexual assault, and threats to harm the victims’ families to exert control over the victims and compel them to engage in commercial sex acts.
For example, on one occasion, the defendant used a heated wire hanger to brand a “P” on a victim’s buttock to demonstrate his ownership of her. When he learned that another victim was considering leaving, he put the barrel of a gun in her mouth and threatened to “blow her head off.”
On another occasion, the defendant, believing that a victim had hidden money from him, responded by searching her genitals and then forcing her to engage in sexual intercourse with him. In another instance, the defendant required her to choose between two punishments: drowning or jumping out of a window. After the victim jumped out of the window and fell to the ground, the defendant kicked her several times in the head, threw the victim to the ground, and stepped on her head hard enough to break her teeth.
President Donald J. Trump recently announced January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which culminates on February 1, 2018 with the annual celebration of National Freedom Day. In February 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order, which directed the Attorney General to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, including those involved in human trafficking.
“Combatting sex trafficking—a heinous crime that often times preys on the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society—is one of the highest priorities of the Justice Department,” said Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand. “We will continue to work tirelessly to vindicate the civil rights of victims of human trafficking.”
“Sex traffickers target and prey upon some of the most vulnerable members of our society, threatening victims and subjecting them to extraordinary levels of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “Sex traffickers use violence not only to coerce victims into engaging in commercial sex acts, but also as a way to keep victims from cooperating with trafficking investigations and prosecutions. The United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to vindicate the rights of sex trafficking victims and to protect citizens from these violent and predatory offenses.”
“This case is an example of the ruthlessness of human traffickers who are willing to do anything, including victimizing women and girls, to make money,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and HSI will continue to collaborate with community partners to bring justice to those impacted by this terrible crime.”
Two of Carter’s co-defendants previously pleaded guilty. Defendant David Moore pleaded guilty on October 27, 2015, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and trafficking with respect to forced labor. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2018. Defendant Najee Moore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and use of an interstate facility to promote a prostitution business enterprise on June 9, 2014, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 22, 2016.
This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by the Eastern District of Wisconsin’s Human Trafficking Task Force and cooperative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Milwaukee Police Department, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karine Moreno-Taxman and Laura Kwaterski of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Middlesex County, New Jersey, Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $184,936 in Social Security Benefits Paid to Deceased RelativeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Perth Amboy, New Jersey, man today admitted stealing Social Security benefits that were mistakenly paid to his deceased great aunt, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Lance D. Nelson, 56, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to Count 1 of an indictment charging him with theft of government funds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Nelson’s great aunt received Social Security retirement benefits that were sent to a joint bank account that she shared with Nelson. The Social Security Administration, unaware of her death in February 1998, continued to issue her monthly retirement benefits.
Nelson admitted that he intentionally failed to notify the Social Security Administration of her death so that he could continue to receive her benefits, which he withdrew from their joint account and used for his personal benefit. In total, Nelson, who was employed as an assistant zoning officer for the City of Perth Amboy through the end of 2017, admitted today that he took $184,936 in Social Security benefits to which he was not entitled.
The charge to which Nelson pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Nelson must forfeit the $184,936 he stole from the Social Security Administration. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John F. Grasso of the New York Field Division, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. McCarren and Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
18-012
Defense counsel: Carol Gillen Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Members and Associates of Genovese Crime Family Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Racketeering Conspiracy and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging VINCENT ESPOSITO, STEVEN ARENA, FRANK GIOVINCO, FRANK COGNETTA, and VINCENT D’ACUNTO, JR., each a member or associate of the Genovese Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra, with racketeering conspiracy and related offenses arising out of a multi-year investigation. COGNETTA was arrested on January 8, 2018, and charged by criminal complaint. The remaining defendants were arrested this morning and are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses later today. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Victor Marrero.
The following allegations are based on the Indictment and other documents filed in Manhattan federal court[1]:
La Cosa Nostra, also known as the “Mob” or the “Mafia,” operates through entities known as “Families.” One of the Families operating in the New York City area is the Genovese Crime Family. From 2001 to 2017, ESPOSITO, ARENA, GIOVINCO, COGNETTA, and D’ACUNTO, along with other members and associates of the Genovese Crime Family, committed a wide range of crimes, including multiple acts of extortion, honest services fraud, and bribery. In particular, and as charged in the Indictment, ESPOSITO conspired with ARENA and D’ACUNTO to extort annual cash payments from an officer at a labor union by threatening the officer with violence and the loss of the officer’s job. COGNETTA, himself a labor union officer, engaged in multiple schemes to defraud his union of his honest services by, among other things, soliciting and accepting bribes and steering union benefit plans into investments in exchange for kickbacks.
* * *
Set forth below is a chart containing the names, ages, residences, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the NYPD, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Office of Labor-Management Standards, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared P. Lenow, Kimberly J. Ravener, and Jason M. Swergold are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
DEFENDANT
AGE
CHARGES
MAXIMUM PENALTY
VINCENT ESPOSITO
50
RICO Conspiracy; Extortion Conspiracy
40 years in prison
STEVEN ARENA
60
RICO Conspiracy; Extortion Conspiracy
40 years in prison
FRANK GIOVINCO
50
RICO Conspiracy
20 years in prison
FRANK COGNETTA
42
RICO Conspiracy; Six Counts of Honest Services Fraud; Two Counts of Bribery in Connection with Employee Benefit Plans
126 years in prison
VINCENT D’ACUNTO, JR.
49
RICO Conspiracy; Extortion Conspiracy
40 years in prison
[1] As the introductory phase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
McKeesport Gun Store and Owner SentencedRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Erik David Lowry, a resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of incarceration on his conviction for illegal firearms possession, tampering with evidence, and tampering with a witness, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms, the gun store owned and operated by Lowry, was also sentenced for illegally selling firearms, United States Attorney Brady announced.
Lowry, age 38, of McKeesport, PA, and Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms (originally incorporated as Renaissance Electric, LLC), were both sentenced on January 10, 2018 by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
According to information presented to the court, ATF Industry Operations (IO) employees perform standard inspections of all gun dealers to ensure that federal laws are being followed. Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) inspections of this type reveal that the majority of gun dealers diligently ensure that firearms are sold to law-abiding citizens, thereby enhancing the safety of the public. A January 11 through 19, 2016, IO inspection of Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms (PTF), owned and operated by defendant Erik David Lowry, noted numerous significant and clear violations of law-- including 27 guns located in the store’s gun rack which Lowry called “cash and carry” and was willing to sell without completing any paperwork. ATF Special Agents followed up and that in-depth investigation determined that Lowry and PTF had been illegally selling and acquiring over 100 “cash and carry,” “cash out the door,” or “turn and burn” firearms “off books” at his store and through gun shows between 2014 and January 19, 2016. That is, neither Lowry nor PTF completed the required paperwork for either the acquisition or disposition of these firearms. The investigation also located firearms transactions that were made: without any required background checks being performed; to a prohibited person with a criminal record who was previously denied the ability to purchase a firearm by a background check at PTF; to a prohibited person with a prior mental health commitment (who was denied the ability to purchase a firearm by two other gun dealers who actually did perform the required background check); and by knowingly using false information on paperwork that had been completed. Some of these transactions involved military-style weapons and the ATF has expended significant resources attempting to locate and recover these illegally sold firearms.
Further, Lowry acquired a “destructive device,” specifically a Penn Arms Striker 12 military-style 12-gauge weapon with a drum magazine, not suitable for sporting purposes, and bearing serial number 11170, which, like a machinegun, silencer, grenade, rocket, or landmine must be specifically registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, but was not. Lowry acquired it in the summer of 2015 and disguised that fact until it was located by the ATF on January 19, 2016. As the investigation proceeded, Lowry attempted to conceal his actions by contacting multiple people to have them hide or destroy the unregistered Striker 12 by throwing it in a dumpster, in order to, he said, avoid federal prison.
As these attempts failed, Lowry contacted the previous Striker 12 owner and created a false story about the date, time and manner of the acquisition, which he and the prior owner both provided to ATF.
United States District Judge Schwab imposed a 30-month period of incarceration on Lowry, along with a $30,000 fine, and ordered that Lowry be supervised by the United States Probation Office for a period of three years after he is released from federal prison. The corporation’s conviction means that Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms is no longer legally permitted to possess or sell firearms and Judge Schwab ordered that Lowry notify the Court of the corporation’s dissolution as soon as that is complete.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, a federal prosecutor with the Violent Crime Section of the Office of the United States Attorney, represented the federal government.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), including their Industry Operations investigators, and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, for the investigation that led to the prosecution of Erik David Lowry and his gun store, Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crimes.
McComb Man Pleads Guilty to Commercial Driver’s License FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Derrious Emadrick Dillon, 37, of McComb, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Regional Special Agent in Charge Marlies Gonzalez of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General.
Dillon previously worked for a company that provided training and certification to individuals seeking commercial driver’s licenses ("CDLs"). When his employment was terminated in 2014, he nonetheless continued providing paperwork to those whom wanted a CDL. Dillon obtained a list of authorized CDL instructors and their identification numbers in the State of Mississippi. He used names and identification numbers of those authorized CDL instructors to prepare fraudulent paperwork for individuals seeking CDLs. This fraudulent paperwork would be given to an individual seeking to obtain a CDL in exchange for payment to Dillon. Such fraudulent paperwork would be presented by these individuals to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in order to secure a commercial driver’s license. Dillon received $200-$400 for each set of fraudulent paperwork. A review of the commercial drivers’ paperwork in Mississippi showed that some of the applicants could not have achieved the results on the paperwork. Some Commercial Driver’s License holders were interviewed and said they had never taken the test and just paid Dillon for the paperwork.
"These types of crimes endanger our children, our families and the public at large on our roadways. When a person chooses to exchange our safety for their personal benefit, they will be prosecuted and held accountable. I commend our law enforcement partners for their excellent work to ensure our roads are and remain safe," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
"This investigation demonstrates our commitment to protecting the efficacy of DOT’s commercial driver’s license regulations and advancing safety on the roads by ensuring that only qualified individuals obtain CDLs," stated Marlies Gonzalez, Regional Special Agent-In-Charge at U.S. DOT-OIG. "Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our vigorous efforts to prevent, detect and prosecute fraud schemes which endanger the traveling public."
Dillon is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III, on April 10, 2018, in Jackson, Mississippi. He is facing a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a 250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Maryland man admits to bank fraud chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Baltimore, Maryland man has admitted to bank fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Steven Allen Baldwin, Jr., age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud.” Baldwin admitted to conspiring with others to steal checks from mailboxes, create counterfeit checks, and cashing those counterfeit checks. The crime took place in April 2016 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia. More than $9,900 was taken in this case.
Baldwin faces up to 30 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danae DeMasi-Lemon and Lara Omps-Botteicher are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Maryland Men Convicted of Sex Trafficking Three Minor Victims Throughout the East CoastRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted two Hyattsville, Maryland men today of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, including by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as sex trafficking three minors, throughout the East Coast over the course of several months in 2016.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement.
Ivan Duane Williams aka “Lucci,” 28, and Dennis Ray Davis Jr. aka “Dee,” 26, were convicted following a six-day jury trial before Senior U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III in the Eastern District of Virginia. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Williams and Davis recruited three underage girls whom they trafficked in multiple locations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Maryland; Northern Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; and Washington, D.C. The evidence presented at trial showed that Williams and Davis, working together and with two female co-conspirators in the sex trafficking ring, posted online advertisements of the victims, offering them for commercial sex with men throughout the region; reserved hotel rooms at which they and the victims would stay when traveling to engage in commercial sex acts; drove the victims to the hotels and other locations where the commercial sex acts would occur; and collected the money given to the victims by the commercial sex customers. The evidence further showed that when two of the minors tried to leave the group, the defendants resorted to violence, including threats, physical force, and brandishing firearms. Williams and Davis used the money earned by the victims to create rap music where they bragged about exploiting females, and to fund their day-to-day living expenses.
The victims were recovered after law enforcement with the Fairfax County Police Department and Henrico County Police Department responded in undercover capacities to online advertisements for the victims.
“Every American has the right to be safe from violence and exploitation, and it is the mission of this Department to help secure that right,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Today, during this Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we have won a major victory by securing the conviction of two men who trafficked and exploited underage girls for commercial sex. I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, our partners with the Fairfax and Henrico County police, and our dedicated and skilled prosecutors Maureen Cain and Jessica Urban for their hard work in ensuring the criminals are held accountable and justice is achieved for the victims. They have delivered results today that will make this country a safer place for children. I also want to thank President Trump for calling attention to this issue by designating January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Justice Department will remain steadfast in our efforts to rescue trafficking victims and put those who victimize children behind bars.”
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department and the Henrico County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Cain of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
President Donald J. Trump recently announced January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which culminates on February 1, 2018 with the annual celebration of National Freedom Day. In February 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order, which directed the Attorney General to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, including those involved in human trafficking.
Leader of Queens-Based Child Sex Trafficking Ring Sentenced to 15 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Michael Andres Miller was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto for trafficking minors for sex in Queens, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Miller previously pled guilty to this crime on May 9, 2017. Miller was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,500 to the minor victims identified in the indictment as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3.
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 James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“The defendant Michael Andres Miller targeted and recruited young girls to engage in prostitution with adult men for his personal profit and without regard for the harm he was causing these vulnerable victims,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his predatory conduct. This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and prosecute those who seek to profit from the sexual exploitation of children.”
“Children are supposed to be protected by adults, not used as a means to make money,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The mere idea that this man sold girls, one as young as 14, and even used them for his own sexual gratification boggles the mind. The FBI New York Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes the NYPD and other state and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to do all it can to stop these sex traffickers from taking advantage of young girls.”
According to court filings, the defendant oversaw a sex trafficking ring that preyed upon girls as young as 14 years old. He recruited girls online, using popular social media applications including “Meet Me” and “Kik,” posted advertisements for them and prostituted them through the web site Backpage.com, and had sex with at least two of these young girls. In August 2016, police officers arrested the defendant and a co-defendant in a hotel room in Pennsylvania, where they also recovered the middle school identification card of one of the defendant’s victims, who the defendant was prostituting at nearby hotels.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorney Nomi D. Berenson is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
MICHAEL ANDRES MILLER (also known as “Jason m,” “mikegmiller” and “Jay”)
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-536
Leader of Fraudulent Identification Document Conspiracy Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced the leader of a fraudulent identification document conspiracy to 39 months in prison, announced R. Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Juan Diego Gonzalez-Campos, 30, of Mexico, will also be subject to deportation proceedings upon the completion of his federal sentence. Gonzalez-Campos previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce fraudulent identification documents, aggravated identity theft and possession of firearm ammunition by an alien.
Greg Wiest, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia and the Carolinas, joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, from February 2016 to March 2017, Gonzalez-Campos and his co-defendants, Faustino Pelaez-Arellanes, Anabel Salinas-Marin, Hector Tellez-Crisanto, and Socorro Garcia-Merida, engaged in an illegal scheme to produce and transfer fraudulent identification documents, including but not limited to, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and state driver’s licenses. Gonzalez-Campos sold the falsified documents to numerous individuals, including to undocumented aliens, knowing the documents would be used as proof of eligibility to remain and work in the United States.
As the ringleader of the conspiracy, Gonzalez-Campos sold the fraudulent documents to individuals that Gonzalez-Campos either knew or were referred to him by his co-defendants. Court records also show that Gonzalez-Campos and his co-conspirators charged customers between $270 and $1,000 per document, depending on the type of fraudulent identification provided. According to court records and today’s sentencing hearing, Campos-Gonzalez often produced documents using stolen Social Security numbers of American citizens, to which the conspirators referred as “good numbers,” which often caused impacted individuals problems with filing tax returns and their credit.
In addition to the fraudulent identification conspiracy, law enforcement recovered 25 Remington Golden Saber High Performance Jacket 9mm luger rounds, which Gonzalez-Campos possessed unlawfully.
In announcing Gonzalez-Campos’s sentence, Judge Cogburn said, “The stealing of identities of real people is causing serious problems in this country.”
Gonzalez-Campos is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
ICE-HSI led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Smith, of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Benito Rivera, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 67 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2017, a federal jury convicted Rivera of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Rivera’s federal sentence will begin when he is released from state custody, where he is currently serving a two-year sentence for violating state probation.
On Aug. 7, 2016, a law enforcement officer stopped Rivera in Lynnfield for operating a motor vehicle with a revoked registration. After being ordered to exit the vehicle, Rivera fled the scene on foot. The foot chase ended when the officer tackled Rivera and the two men rolled onto Route 1. Two civilian witnesses saw Rivera throw an object into a nearby backyard as he was fleeing the scene. A search of the yard resulted in the seizure of a Hi-Point, Model C9, 9mm pistol loaded with seven rounds of 9mm ammunition. Previously, Rivera had been convicted in Massachusetts State Court of two counts of armed robbery and cocaine trafficking and in federal court of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Paruti, David G. Tobin, and Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Laredo Man Sentenced for Alien Harboring ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 43-year-old resident of Laredo has been ordered to federal prison for role in an alien smuggling incident which led to the kidnapping of multiple illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jesus Osorio pleaded guilty Aug. 7, 2017, admitting he conspired to harbor and transport undocumented aliens in which the defendant caused serious bodily injury to another person.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Osorio a 87-month sentence which will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was further ordered to complete 150 hours of community service. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted that during the conspiracy, some of the aliens were threatened with weapons and that at least one suffered severe bodily injury during an eventual kidnapping.
On July 5, 2016, law enforcement responded to an incident at a residence in Laredo where eight undocumented aliens were kidnapped and held hostage against their will. They had previously made arrangements to be smuggled into the United States. After their arrival, they stayed at a Laredo residence for two weeks.
They were then transported to a second location where Angel Alexis Diaz, 20, Jose Israel Diaz, 43, and Julio Osorio, 40, all of Laredo, held them hostage. The victims reported being beaten, forced to undress and ordered to contact family members to pay a ransom for their release.
Through further investigation, authorities learned Jesus Osorio was the man who drove the aliens from the stash house to the second residence where they were eventually kidnapped. During the course of the offense, one of the undocumented aliens was seriously injured and required hospitalization.
Jesus Osorio will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Angel Diaz, Jose Diaz and Julio Osorio were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap illegal aliens and received sentences of 262-360 months in prison.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher A. dos Santos is prosecuting the case.
Lake Charles woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $71,000 of father’s social security benefitsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lake Charles woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $71,000 of her deceased father’s Social Security benefits.
Heather Vincent, 43, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of theft of government funds. According to the guilty plea, Vincent’s father died on February 1, 2014. From that time until February 28, 2017, Vincent did not notify Social Security that her father was deceased, and she received and spent $71,463 in benefits as they were deposited into his bank account.
Vincent faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set an April 17, 2018 sentencing date.
The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.
Kentucky Moving Companies Enter into Consent Judgment to Resolve False Claims Allegations - Agree to Pay $264,826.52Read the Press Release
Overcharged shipping costs associated with moving members of the United States Armed Forces
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman today announced entering into a Consent Judgment between several Kentucky moving companies and the United States over allegations that the companies defrauded the United States out of monies by systematically overbilling the United States Army for shipping costs associated with deploying and/or relocating United States Service personnel. The Consent Judgment will resolve a lawsuit filed by the United States in the Western District of Kentucky styled United States of America v. Lynn Moving and Storage, Inc. et al., Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-000190-CRS (WDKY).
Specifically, Lynn Moving and Storage, Inc., Shadowens Moving and Storage Company, Inc., both of Brooks, Kentucky, and E-Town Moving and storage, Inc., located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, along with their individual owners, admitted to violating the False Claims Act and agreed to pay $264,826.52 in civil penalties and damages.
Having the same ownership and management, as alleged by the United States, the defendants engaged in a company-wide conspiracy between January 2009, and December 2014, to defraud the United States government by causing false, inflated weight tickets to be created in order to increase the weight of the shipments and the amount of payment to the companies by the military. The military’s Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) facilitates the shipment of service members’ household goods, unaccompanied baggage, privately owned vehicles, and other personal belongings. The program allows moving companies to bill for services that ties the freight rate of payment to the pounds moved and distance traveled.
Defendants inflated the net weight of numerous shipments by inflating the gross weights and/or deflating the tare weight (weight of the vehicle). Company employees accomplished this by adding fuel between the recording of the tare and gross weighs, adding personnel and pallets of paper when recording the gross weight and/or deliberately positioning the truck so that it was not fully on the scale, and removing equipment and packing materials when recording the tare weight.
Company owners routinely reminded crew members to engage in these practices, threatening termination should they refuse to do so.
In addition to the civil damages, owners William Kenneth Montgomery and Lonnie Curl were charged in United States District Court by Criminal Information, on November 28, 2017, with a single count of False Claims Conspiracy. If convicted at trial the defendants could be sentenced to no more than ten years in prison and fined up to $250,000. Montgomery and Curl are scheduled for a change of plea before Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, on January 25, 2018, in Louisville.
This case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service with assistance from the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Schecter and Joshua D. Judd.
KC Man Indicted for Eight Metro-Area Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to the armed robberies of eight metropolitan area businesses.
Calvin C. Wallace, III, 27, of Kansas City, was charged in a 14-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Wallace engaged in a conspiracy to commit robberies at eight Kansas City metropolitan area businesses from June 29 to Aug. 3, 2017. As part of that conspiracy, the indictment says, Wallace robbed Cosmo Prof, 9429 Mission Road in Leawood, Kan., at gunpoint on July 27, 2017. Wallace allegedly demanded that the clerk give him her ring, but she refused. The clerk opened two cash registers while Wallace pointed a firearm at her, the indictment says, and he took money from those registers, as well as a pair of hair clippers. Wallace allegedly demanded that the clerk go into the back of the store or he would shoot her.
According to the indictment, Wallace robbed Tobacco Outlet, 5020 Parvin Road in Kansas City, Mo., at gunpoint on June 29, 2017. Wallace allegedly took money, scales, a torch, tobacco wraps and boxes of cigarettes. The indictment also charges Wallace with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to that robbery.
According to the indictment, Wallace robbed (or attempted to rob) two businesses on July 24, 2017. Wallace allegedly attempted to rob GNC, 2682 N.W. Vivion Road in Kansas City, Mo., at knifepoint. Wallace allegedly robbed Conoco Minit Mart, 8100 Westridge Road in Raytown, Mo., at gunpoint. The indictment also charges Wallace with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to the Conoco Mini Mart robbery.
On July 27, 2017, Wallace allegedly robbed another Cosmo Prof, 5526 N. Antioch Road in Kansas City, Mo., at gunpoint. The indictment also charges Wallace with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to that robbery.
Wallace allegedly robbed Circle K, 909 N.W. Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit, Mo., at gunpoint on Aug. 1, 2017. According to the indictment, Wallace stole money and cartons of cigarettes. Wallace is also charged with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to that robbery.
Wallace allegedly attempted to rob Shell, 5401 Northwest 64th Street in Kansas City, Mo., at gunpoint on Aug. 2, 2017. Wallace is also charged with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to that robbery.
According to the indictment, Wallace robbed AT&T, 303 South Commercial Street in Harrisonville, Mo., at gunpoint on Aug. 3, 2017. Wallace allegedly stole money, cell phones and an iPad. Wallace is also charged with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in relation to that robbery.
Garrison cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Morgan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department, the Leawood, Kan., Police Department, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Harrisonville, Mo., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Belton, Mo., Police Department.
KC Man Faces More Charges for Stalking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that additional charges were filed today against a Kansas City, Mo., man for stalking and illegally possessing firearms.
Robert J. Gross, 66, of Kansas City, was charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint filed against Gross on Dec. 26, 2017.
The indictment charges Gross with two counts of stalking separate victims on Oct. 1, 2017, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of receiving a firearm while under indictment.
Gross allegedly was in possession of a 9mm Velocity “Uzi”-type firearm on Dec. 16, 2017. At that time, Gross was both a convicted felon and under indictment in the state of Kansas for aggravated sexual battery.
Gross allegedly was in possession of a Luger 9mm handgun on Dec. 17, 2017. At that time, Gross was both a convicted felon and under indictment in the state of Kansas for aggravated sexual battery.
Gross allegedly was in possession of a Springfield 12-gauge shotgun and a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. At that time, Gross was both a convicted felon and under indictment in the state of Kansas for aggravated sexual battery.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony, or who is under indictment, to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gross has prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and making terroristic threats to a former girlfriend.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Gross was destroying property and stalking individuals associated with massage parlors in Kansas, which led to him being placed under surveillance by law enforcement.
On Dec. 2, 2017, officers saw Gross purchase four sets of handcuffs, two black shirts with “SECURITY” written on them with badges on the front, and two balaclavas (a garment used to conceal facial identity) from a surplus store in Kansas City, Kan. The manager of the business told investigators that Gross had purchased two sets of handcuffs two weeks earlier.
On Dec. 16, 2017, officers saw Gross inquiring about the purchase of firearms at the Kansas City Gun Show located at the KCI Expo Center. Gross picked up and handled a 9mm Velocity Uzi-type firearm at one of the booths. The dealer at the booth told investigators that Gross, who approached his booth multiple times throughout the day, had asked about purchasing up to three firearms. The next day, the affidavit says, Gross visited the gun show again and was seen inquiring about the purchase of firearms. Gross visited a different booth, where he picked up a 9mm Luger handgun and asked about buying it.
On Dec. 22, 2017, Gross returned to the surplus store in Kansas City, Kan., and was observed purchasing four more sets of handcuffs and a balaclava. Gross also asked about purchasing a bulletproof vest.
On Dec. 22, 2017, officers observed Gross allegedly purchase two shotguns from an unidentified individual in the parking lot of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Liberty, Mo. According to the affidavit, Gross first drove to the Pizza Ranch parking lot, where he removed the license plate from the front of his car. The rear license plate had been removed as well. Then Gross drove to the nearby Lowe’s store, where he was met by an individual driving a white pickup truck. The unidentified individual allegedly sold Gross two shotguns, which he handed to Gross from his truck. As Gross was putting two shotguns in the trunk of his car, officers arrested him for being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to the affidavit, the individual who sold the shotguns to Gross told investigators that Gross called him the day before, after seeing the firearms advertised on a web site. Gross told him he wanted to buy two shotguns for $350 and they arranged to meet at Lowe’s to conduct the sale.
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. Attorneys Jeffrey Valenti and Jess Michaelsen. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Lawrence, Kan., Police Department, and the Douglas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Jury Convicts KCK Man Following Confrontation at Bolling Federal BuildingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Kansas City, Kan., man has been convicted at trial following a confrontation with law enforcement officers at the Richard Bolling Federal Building.
James E. Everett, Jr., 31, of Kansas City, was found guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, of threatening a federal law enforcement officer, forcibly resisting a federal law enforcement officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Everett arrived at the Richard Bolling Federal Building, 601 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo., at about 8:30 a.m. on March 10, 2016. He parked in an emergency vehicle-only parking space on 12th Street. At the building’s lobby entrance, Everett began yelling and demanded to speak to a federal judge. Four Federal Protective Service officers responded and encountered Everett on federal property, approximately 10 yards from the entrance. During the encounter, Everett threatened the officers, stating that he was going to “blow (their) brains out.” The officers then attempted to arrest Everett who fought them as they attempted to put him in handcuffs. It took all four FPS officers, as well as two Kansas City, Mo., police officers who responded to the scene, to restrain Everett.
During his arrest, Everett attempted to bite one FPS officer and spit on another. Three FPS officers received medical treatment following the encounter. After identifying the car in which Everett had arrived, a police officer found a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol underneath the driver’s seat.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Everett has a prior felony conviction for aggravated robbery as well as aggravated arson.
Under federal statutes, Everett is subject to a sentence of up to 24 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about an hour and a half before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Protective Service.
Jefferson City Man Indicted on Mail Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Dale Johansen was indicted today on mail fraud charges as part of a scheme to defraud residents of Rogue Creek in Potosi, Missouri.
According to the Indictment, Johansen owned Johansen Consulting Services LLC and was appointed as the receiver for Rogue Creek Utilities, Inc. which provided all sewer, water services and management to Rouge Creek. Rouge Creek was a vacation community containing three lakes located in Potosi and composed of approximately 90 active connections to the drinking water and sewer systems. Johansen’s duties as receiver was to collect samples and provide proper operation at Rogue Creek, including the oversight and maintenance of the water softener system.
On March 9, 2016, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR ) learned that the water softener system at Rogue Creek was not operational and thus for at least six months, the residents were receiving well water that was not treated for lead removal. On March 10, 2016, the water softener system was brought back on-line so that the water was again being treated to remove lead. On March 11, 2016, the MDNR performed testing on the drinking water which resulted three of five samples testing high for lead.
Johansen issued invoices to customers for water services and falsely represented to residents of Rogue Creek that their well water was clean, disinfected and safe for human consumption. He also issued monthly invoices for water services, including the removal of lead in their well water, with the knowledge that the well water was not being treated for lead removal.
“EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division takes any allegations involving a public drinking water system very seriously,” said Justin Oesterreich, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Missouri. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and seek prosecution of those whose actions put public health at risk.”
Johansen, 63, of Jefferson City, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four felony counts of mail fraud.
If convicted, Johansen faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both on each count. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty After Knocking on Stranger’s Window with A RevolverRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Tyree Alexia Hall (27, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, at around 2 a.m. on March 19, 2017, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call in a residential neighborhood involving Hall. Callers reported that Hall was holding a firearm and knocking on the window of a home, and that he had threatened to shoot a dog. Upon arriving at the location, two officers observed Hall standing in the road holding a dark object. After shining a light on him, the officers observed Hall drop the object in the street. Hall was apprehended and admitted to the officers that he had possessed a firearm. The gun was recovered and identified as a Ruger .38 caliber revolver.
Hall was previously convicted in 2010 and 2012 for possession of cocaine and burglary with assault or battery, respectively. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. 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.
Indictment: Junction City Woman Produced Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Junction City woman was indicted Wednesday on charges of producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Kayla Michelle Simpson, 22, Junction City, Kan., is charged with one count of using a child to produce child pornography and one count of violating the conditions imposed on a registered sex offender. The crime is alleged to have occurred in July 2016 in Junction City.
The indictment alleges that Simpson, who was registered sex offender, enticed a 16-year-old victim to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of producing child pornography.
If convicted, Simpson faces a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison on the production charge, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the sex offender charge. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Mack W. Colvin, Jr., 31, Park City, Kan., is charged with one count of bank robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm.
The indictment alleges Colvin robbed the Fidelity Bank branch at 1306 N. Woodlawn in Wichita on Dec. 13, 2017, and the Wheat State Credit Union at 1400 S. Oliver in Wichita on Dec. 19, 2017. In both cases, he is charged with brandishing a firearm.
If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each robbery charge, and not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on each firearm charge. The FBI and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
John Stephen Kissell, 31, who is in custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred in September 2017 in Topeka, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Illinois Man Sentenced to Prison for Using Stolen IDs of U.S. Air Force Members to File Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A Harvey, Illinois, man was sentenced to 63 months in prison today for his role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. for the Northern District of Illinois.
According to documents filed with the court, from around November 2014 to March 2015, Jonathan Herring, 34, working with at least two others, prepared and filed income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using stolen names and social security numbers of U.S. Air Force service members, and deposited the fraudulently obtained tax refunds into bank accounts that he controlled. In total, Herring filed approximately 225 fraudulent returns seeking approximately $845,979 in tax refunds.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Herring was ordered to serve four years of supervised release and to pay $593,786 in restitution to the IRS. Herring pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in February 2016.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S Attorney Lausch thanked agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Timothy M. Russo of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Houston Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Tilak Jewelers RobberyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Terrence Lynn Thompson, 54, of Houston, Texas was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to serve a total of 150 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in January 2017 to his role in the conspiracy to rob Tilak Jewelers in Irving, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.
Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. Thompson has been in custody since his arrest in March 2016.
Thompson was charged along with eleven other individuals in an indictment in February 2016. Afraybeom Traverom Jackson, Dominique Pearson, Hilton Murdock Aitch, Irving Tyrone Flanagan, Larry Solomon, Joshua Deunte Caldwell, Anthony Ray Turner, Jr, Treveon Dominique Anderson, Michael Cornelious, Xavier Rashad Ross, and Vanlisa Scott, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. On October 12, 2017, Jimmy Hatchett was charged for the same robbery. Out of the thirteen, eleven have pleaded guilty and two are set for trial on January 29, 2018.
According to plea documents filed in the case, in the early morning hours on November 17, 2013, Aitch, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Flanagan, Solomon, Aitch, Thompson, Turner, Anderson, Cornelious, and Ross, traveled from Houston, Texas, to the Dallas, Texas area with the specific intent to rob the Tilak Jewelers store located at 8300 North MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 100, Irving, Texas. They stole a cargo van and a minivan after they arrived in the Dallas, Texas, area in order to avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement.
Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross drove together in the stolen cargo van to the Tilak Jewelers store, with the specific intent to commit the robbery. Aitch, Flanagan, and Thompson participated in planning the robbery and positioned themselves outside the Tilak Jewelers store, but maintained communications with Jackson for the purpose of monitoring the robbery and alerting the participants of the presence of law enforcement.
Prior to entering the Tilak Jewelers store, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross disguised their identities by wearing longsleeved clothing, long pants, gloves, and items covering their faces. Jackson and the others entered the jewelry store by smashing the locked glass door with a hammer. After gaining entry into the store, they restrained the owners of the jewelry store with zip-ties, smashed jewelry display cases, and took jewelry from the owners and employees of Tilak Jewelers.
After securing the jewelry, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross fled from the robbery using the stolen cargo van. They abandoned the cargo van at a predetermined location, where Solomon was waiting in the stolen minivan. Solomon then drove them to a second predetermined location, where Cornelious was waiting in a switch vehicle. Cornelious then used the switch vehicle to further facilitate their flight from the robbery and avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement. Scott, who had traveled from Houston, met Thompson and the other coconspirators at a different location and took possession of the stolen jewelry for the purpose of safely transporting it to Houston, Texas.
The Irving Police Department, Houston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Robinson and John de la Garza were in charge of the prosecution.
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Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Scheme Using Children’s Social Security NumbersRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Houston resident has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
From on or about July 27, 2016, through approximately May 19, 2017, Amir Ali Bey enacted a scheme to obtain money, cars and other luxury items by using the identities of other individuals. Bey created a number of aliases, including the name Daniel Isaiah Murray, to create credit profiles that were under his exclusive ownership and control. Bey then utilized these credit profiles to apply for various lines of credit to obtain cash.
To create these profiles, Bey would intentionally steal the Social Security numbers of children, who typically do not monitor their credit histories in the same manner as adults. Bey would then link the stolen Social Security numbers to his name, or to another alias names under his exclusive ownership and control, by adding them as authorized users on existing credit card accounts in good standing. By doing so, he created a profile and credit history for those names with credit reporting agencies such as Experian.
To further facilitate the scheme, Bey would use fraudulent drivers’ licenses and fake pay stubs, and rent mailboxes at UPS stores using fraudulently-obtained identifications.
Law enforcement conducted a search of Bey’s apartment in May 2017, at which time they found multiple fraudulent identification documents, credit cards, bank statements and other items used the facilitate the wire fraud scheme.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt accepted the plea today and set sentencing for March 19, 2018. At the time, up to 20 years for the wire fraud and a mandatory 24 months for the aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. Both convictions also carry a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Bey was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie N. Searle is prosecuting the case.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to an immigration charge.
William Maradiaga-Oseguera, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2018.
On Aug. 29, 2017, law enforcement officers in Boston encountered Maradiaga-Oseguera and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Maradiaga-Oseguera was previously deported on March 27, 2009; March 17, 2012; July 9, 2012; and Nov. 13, 2013.
Maradiaga-Oseguera faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation proceedings 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 and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegal Re-Entry into United StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Leonel Antonio Rodriguez Ayala, age 29, and a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to time served (78 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
As part of his guilty plea, Rodriguez Ayala admitted that he is a citizen of Honduras, and that he illegally returned to the United States after he was removed to Honduras on October 3, 2013.
On October 24, 2017, an ICE Officer arrested Rodriguez Ayala in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Following his sentencing, Rodriguez Ayala was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.
This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Gilberto Ramirez-Ramirez, 27, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2018.
In April 2017, law enforcement in Lynn encountered Ramirez-Ramirez and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Ramirez-Ramirez had previously been deported on March 3, 2016.
The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released, and a fine of up to $250,000. Ramirez-Ramirez 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 and Michael S. Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Georgia Man Sentenced for Defrauding Staples Inc.Read the Press Release
BOSTON – A Georgia man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud Framingham-based Staples Inc. of more than $1.4 million.
Layne Michael Gosnell, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 21 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $443,913 in restitution and $443,913 in forfeiture. In October 2017, Gosnell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Gosnell pleaded guilty on Sept. 26, 2017, but the Court conducted a second plea hearing due to the fact that immediately after the first plea hearing it was determined that Gosnell tested positive for alcohol above the legal limit in Massachusetts.
Gosnell and co-conspirator John Douglas, among others, engaged in a complex scheme to defraud Staples of more than $1.4 million worth of customer loyalty rewards and product rebates by creating more than 1,100 Staples rewards accounts, often using fictitious names, addresses and contact information. Douglas created a computer script to query a Staples website and seek unclaimed customer loyalty rewards for purchases that neither he nor Gosnell made. The computer script made thousands of queries a day, amassing more than $889,000 worth of rewards in small increments, often less than one dollar at a time. Gosnell and Douglas then used the rewards like cash to buy merchandise at Staples retail locations throughout the southern United States and along the eastern seaboard, as far north as Massachusetts. Gosnell sold his share of the fraudulently obtained Staples merchandise on eBay.
Gosnell and Douglas used a similar method to claim more than $527,000 in cash rebates from Staples for products that they did not purchase.
Staples discovered the fraud and referred the matter to federal authorities.
Douglas was sentenced on Sept. 6, 2017, to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $691,327 in restitution and $553,061 in forfeiture.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Saint John, Indiana Resident ChargedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced that Christopher Raciti, age 48, formerly of Saint John, Indiana, was charged by Information with possession of child pornography.
According to documents filed in the case, between November 7, 2015 and continuing through March 9, 2016, Raciti knowingly possessed more than 600 visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his computer. A petition to enter a plea of guilty was filed in conjunction with the Information.
The United States Attorney’s office emphasizes that an Information is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This information results from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the case being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.
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Former Plattsburgh Resident Sentenced to 79 Months for Online FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jared R. Hudson, age 39, formerly of Plattsburgh, New York, was sentenced today to 79 months in prison and 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release for fraud and identity theft.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Plattsburgh Police Chief Kenneth R. Parkinson.
Hudson, who has also resided in Florida and Texas, pled guilty on August 2, 2017. He admitted that he and Thomas J. Howe, age 38, of Plattsburgh, devised a scheme to defraud banks, merchants and individual consumers by purchasing information including credit card numbers, bank account numbers, expiration dates, security codes, answers to security questions, and other personal identification information, and to using that information to electronically purchase goods, and to fraudulently transfer and attempt to transfer funds electronically, between October 2009 until at least December 13, 2014.
Initially, Hudson used stolen credit card numbers to order merchandise online and had the merchandise shipped to him. He then used other people’s personal identification information to sign up for credit cards. He then opened investment accounts in his name, which were funded with money taken from other people’s bank accounts using stolen account numbers, routing numbers, identification, and bank security information. Hudson admitted that his victims suffered at least $510,544.49 in actual and intended losses.
Hudson has been detained on federal charges since June 24, 2016. Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn ordered the 79-month sentence to be served consecutively to the 18-year prison sentence Hudson is serving in Texas for possession/promotion of child pornography.
Federal charges remain pending against Howe, who is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Plattsburgh Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
Former Missionary Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in HaitiRead the Press Release
Daniel John Pye, 36, an Ashdown, Arkansas, resident was sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for traveling in foreign commerce with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, also known as child sex tourism.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
Pye, originally of Bradenton, Florida, was convicted in November 2017, after a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro, of three counts of traveling in foreign commerce with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b).
According to court records and the evidence presented at trial, Pye was a missionary who operated an orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti, from the years of 2006 through 2012. The orphanage provided shelter, clothing, food, and school tuition to children without families and to children whose families could not afford to feed or otherwise support their children. Pye obtained financial support for the orphanage through his connections with numerous religious organizations and other nonprofit groups in the United States. During his time operating the orphanage, Pye would regularly sexually abuse the female residents of his orphanage, including girls as young as six years old. As described by the Haitian victims during trial, Pye routinely sexually abuse his victims both at the orphanage and while at the beach.
Since leaving Haiti, Pye resided in the Liberty Hill, Texas, Texarkana, Texas, and Ashdown, Arkansas, areas. Prior to arriving in Haiti, Pye resided in the Bradenton and Fort Lauderdale areas of Florida.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Widlanski and Ilham Hosseini.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Former CBP Officer Sentenced to Prison for Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 55-year-old man who formerly resided in Weslaco has been ordered to prison following his conviction of one count of conspiracy to transport aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer Sabas Salinas pleaded guilty Nov. 1, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez handed Salinas a 24-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted that Salinas was entrusted with authority from the people - the citizens of the community. She noted that one of his specific job responsibilities was to ensure that individuals who were not authorized to come into the U.S. were prevented from doing so, and he did the exact opposite. Additionally, in spite of his good background, and regardless of whether he was getting paid for his actions, she found his participation in the offense to be corrupt.
Salinas had admitted that while on duty at the Progreso Port of Entry, he was going to allow Juana Sifuentes-Villagomez, 48, a lawful permanent resident of Donna, to transport an illegal alien into the U.S.
On Aug. 14, 2017, Sifuentes-Villagomez arrived at the Progreso Port of Entry with Asiano Uresti-Segundo, 46, of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Salinas was attempting to conduct the initial inspection and planned to allow them entry in to the U.S., knowing Uresti-Segundo was an illegal alien and not permitted to do so. However, other CBP officers discovered Uresti-Segundo was a citizen of Mexico who had been previously deported and did not have permission to re-enter the country. Both Sifuentes-Villagomez and Uresti-Segundo were arrested that day.
The investigation led to the discovery that Uresti-Segundo was going to pay Sifuentes-Villagomez for smuggling him illegally into the U.S. through a port of entry and transporting him to Donna.
Salinas was later arrested for his part in the conspiracy on Sept. 14, 2017.
Salinas has been and will remain in federal custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Sifuentes-Villagomez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens within the United States and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 28, 2018. Uresti-Segundo entered a guilty plea to unlawfully attempting to enter the U.S. after being previously removed and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2018. They also remain in custody pending those hearings.
The Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and CBP – Office of Field Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Requénez prosecuted the case.
Five Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges, False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, Aggravated Identity Theft, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Illegal and Unlawful Alien in Possession of a FirearmRead 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 RAMIRO GOMEZ-SAN AGUSTIN, age 33, of Mexico, WALTER RAMIREZ-RODRIGUEZ, age 39, of Mexico, and RAMIRO MARTINEZ-ZACARIAS, age 38, of Mexico, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
Additionally, a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging ANGEL CASTRO, age 50, of Honduras, with False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, Aggravated Identity Theft, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Illegal Reentry of an Aggravated Felon.
Furthermore, a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging MOHAMED SAAD TARDA, age 30, of Morocco, with Illegal and Unlawful Alien in Possession of a Firearm.
If convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, RAMIRO GOMEZ-SAN AGUSTIN, previously deported two times and found in Wake County, WALTER RAMIREZ-RODRIGUEZ, previously deported four times and found in Pitt County, and RAMIRO MARTINEZ-ZACARIAS, previously deported three times and 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.
If convicted of False Representation of a Social Security Account Number, Aggravated Identity Theft, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Illegal Reentry of an Aggravated Felon, CASTRO, found in Wayne County, would face maximum penalties of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of Illegal and Unlawful Alien in Possession of a Firearm, TARDA, found in Cumberland County, would face maximum penalties of ten 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.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the cases.
Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
North Carolina Resident Indicted on Uttering a Forged Security. Rhonda F. Greer, age 54, of Shelby, North Carolina was charged in a one-count indictment. Rhonda F. Greer was charged with Uttering a Forged Security, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 513(a). The maximum penalty Greer could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.
Woman Indicted on Immigration Document Fraud Charge. Martha A. Zambrano Soriano, age 37, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a forged/counterfeit immigration document, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a). The maximum penalty Soriano could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney R. Trent Shores announced today the results of the January 2018 Federal Grand Jury.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Darren Lee Bryant. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Bryant, 25, of Broken Arrow, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Christopher Lee Caskey. Bank Robbery. Caskey, 32, of Inola, is charged with robbery of Arvest Bank by threatening to detonate a bomb and brandishing a pellet gun closely resembling a firearm. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Randy Alan Hamett. Kidnapping; Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Possessing and Receiving Stolen Firearm and Ammunition; and Possession of Firearms and Ammunition While Subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order. Hamett, 62, of Choctaw, is charged with kidnapping and transporting a person from Oklahoma to Arkansas, displaying a pistol during and in relation to a violent crime, and knowingly possessing and receiving a stolen revolver and ammunition while subject to a domestic violence protective order. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the kidnapping charge; a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of seven years and up to life in prison for the using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charge; and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the possessing and receiving a stolen firearm and ammunition and for the possessing firearms and ammunition while subject to a domestic violence protective order charges. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Broken Arrow Police Department, the Siloam Springs Police Department, and the Rogers State University Police are the investigating agencies.
Noel A. McFadden. Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Enticement; and Possession of Child Pornography. McFadden, 71, of Broken Arrow, is charged with exploiting and enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing graphic image files and video files. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the sexual exploitation of a child charge; a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the enticement charge; and the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the possession of child pornography charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigating agency.
Daniel Miranda-Barrera. Reentry of Removed Alien. Miranda-Barrera, 34, of Sand Springs, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in March 2011 from Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Rory Eugene Monk. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Monk, 33, of Broken Arrow, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This case arises out of Operation Blue Thunder, a joint federal and local task force concentrating on reducing violent crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Antonio Morales-Zuniga. Reentry of Removed Alien. Morales-Zuniga, 35, unknown residency, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in November 2015 from Laredo, Texas. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Randall Gene Mukes. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Mukes, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, he would forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. This case arises out of Operation Blue Thunder, a joint federal and local task force concentrating on reducing violent crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Shawn Dale Sexton. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Unregistered Firearm; Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; Using, Carrying, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Sexton, 26, of Bristow, is charged with possessing ammunition, possessing and discharging an unregistered semi-automatic rifle after prior felony convictions, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the felon in possession of firearm and ammunition charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the possession of an unregistered firearm charge, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine for the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine charge, and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime charge. In addition, he would forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Trevor James Thompson. Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Thompson, 31, of Locust Grove, is charged with knowingly attempting to entice minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depiction of such conduct. If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Homeland Security Investigations is the investigating agency.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald A. Parsons, Jr. announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on January 2, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Colton White Feather, age 23, was sentenced to 41 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
White Feather was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2017. He pled guilty on October 17, 2017.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on July 28 and 29, 2016, when White Feather went to an individual’s home with a 3/4" wooden mop handle and ended up in a dispute with people who were present and swung the mop handle, hitting the victim in the head which resulted in the victim breaking her jaw.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
White Feather was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald A. Parsons, Jr. announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on January 5, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Celby Noisy Hawk, Jr., age 42, was sentenced to 42 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Noisy Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 18, 2017. He pled guilty on September 26, 2017.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 9, 2017, when Noisy Hawk asked an individual for money to buy alcohol and the individual denied his request, telling Noisy Hawk that he was already very drunk. The denial resulted in an argument between Noisy Hawk and the individual, who then called the police department. Prior to law enforcement arriving, Noisy Hawk punched the victim several times in the head and face, and when the victim attempted to walk away, Noisy Hawk hit the victim again causing her to fall and breaking her ankle. The punches to the victim’s face caused a fracture in the right orbital socket, a closed head injury with a small subdural hematoma, and a small cortical convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Noisy Hawk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.