Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Thursday 19 October 2017
Houston Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for IH-10 Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 21-year-old Houston woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Emily Eliza Villarreal pleaded guilty on June 27, 2017 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 27, 2016, law enforcement officers pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 10 eastbound in Beaumont for a traffic violation. Villarreal was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Hugo Alejandro Garcia. The driver was extremely nervous and during questioning he and Villarreal provided officers with inconsistencies as to their travel plans. Garcia gave consent to search the vehicle which resulted in officers discovering four bundles wrapped in black electrical tape and concealed under the carpet in the trunk. Garcia admitted to transporting narcotics and stated he was on his way to Louisiana with the drugs. The bundles contained four kilograms of crack cocaine. Garcia and Villarreal were indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 2, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Rapp.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, announced that LUIS ALONSO MUNOZ-MADRID, age 35, pled guilty today to being in the United States illegally.
According to the court documents, on August 29, 2017, MUNOZ-MADRID, a citizen of Honduras, was found in the Eastern District of Louisiana after having been previously deported from the United States on December 14, 2011.
MUNOZ-MADRID faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years and a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant, one year of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing will be held before the Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown on November 30, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, announced that LUIS ALONSO MUNOZ-MADRID, age 35, pled guilty today to being in the United States illegally.
According to the court documents, on August 29, 2017, MUNOZ-MADRID, a citizen of Honduras, was found in the Eastern District of Louisiana after having been previously deported from the United States on December 14, 2011.
MUNOZ-MADRID faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years and a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant, one year of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing will be held before the Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown on November 30, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.
Great Falls Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Robert David Linn, Jr., a 52-year-old resident of Great Falls, was sentenced today to 300 months in prison followed by 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in July. U.S. District Judge Brian Morris handed down the sentence.
In late 2015, the Russell Country Drug Task Force began investigating the defendant, Robert David Linn, Jr., for trafficking methamphetamine in Great Falls, Montana. Through further investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant typically sold a pound of methamphetamine for $15,000, or an ounce of methamphetamine for $1,250. On occasion, the defendant sold smaller quantities of heroin. Law enforcement also acquired information that the defendant frequently traded methamphetamine for stolen property.
Throughout 2016 and 2017, law enforcement seized approximately five pounds of actual methamphetamine from various individuals in Great Falls who had all received their methamphetamine directly from the defendant. On April 8, 2017, law enforcement arrested the defendant after receiving information that he had recently received approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine through delivery by a shipping company.
Following the defendant’s arrest, law enforcement executed numerous search warrants. First, law enforcement went to a home in Great Falls where agents had information that the defendant stored his methamphetamine supply. There, agents seized 4359.2 grams, or approximately ten pounds, of actual methamphetamine from a concealed location in the home. Agents also seized 13 firearms located in extremely close proximity to the methamphetamine. These firearms included two semi-automatic rifles, four revolvers, and seven semi-automatic pistols. Upon further examination, two of the firearms possessed obliterated serial numbers, and agents discovered three of the firearms were stolen. Law enforcement also seized 202.2 grams of actual methamphetamine from the defendant’s truck. Lastly, in addition to the methamphetamine seizures, agents recovered over $250,000 in cash proceeds from the defendant and his associates.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley and investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime. Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
Germantown Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Her Employer of More Than $1 MillonRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact BAILEY DRUMM
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Greenbelt, Maryland – Sobeida Maria Laboy, age 47, of Germantown, Maryland was sentenced today by United States District Judge Peter J. Messitte to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for bank fraud arising from a scheme to defraud the financial institution for which she worked of more than $1 million. Laboy was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss to the victims.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning, and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to her plea agreement, Laboy worked in the Chevy Chase branch office of a financial institution that offered online banking services to its customers and had affiliates that offered homes loans and other financial services. Laboy admitted that from December 2007 through June 19, 2014, she created fraudulent invoices, which she submitted, along with check requests, for payment by her employer. The invoices purported to be for services provided by a specific vendor. Laboy submitted the fraudulent invoices along with a check request form, stating that the check should be sent to her at her office in Chevy Chase. Laboy forged the signature of another employee in the “approval” section of the form. Instead of sending the checks for payment to the vendor, Laboy endorsed the checks with her own signature and deposited them into her personal bank accounts.
Over the course of the scheme, Laboy deposited at least 60 checks issued by her employer and made payable to the vendor. Laboy deposited at least six additional checks either issued by her employer and made payable to other vendors, or issued by other vendors and made payable to her employer. As a result of the scheme, Laboy fraudulently obtained at least $1,020,576.28
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Eyler Kaplan and Nicolas A. Mitchell, who prosecuted the case.
Former postal worker pleads guilty to stealing methamphetamine from the mailRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former postal worker who stole methamphetamine from a package pleaded guilty today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Turner Connolly, 25, of Charleston, entered his guilty plea to theft of mail by a postal employee.
Connolly was a mail processing clerk who was employed at the South Charleston Post Office. Through his work experience, Connolly was able to identify packages that were intended for the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory. On November 4, 2016, he stole a package from the Marshall County Drug Task Force that was to be delivered to the laboratory. This package contained approximately 1.69 grams of methamphetamine. Connolly gave a statement to federal officers in which he admitted stealing the package, and he is no longer an employee of the United States Postal Service.
Connolly faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 22, 2018.
The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
- Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews
Former President of Linens Supply Company Admits Using Corporate Credit Card to Steal $245,000Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Sewell, New Jersey, man and the former president of a linens supply company today admitted defrauding his employer of $245,000 that he disguised as legitimate business expenses, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Michael A. Vicchairelli, 62, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between January 2012 and August 2014, while he was the president of the victim company, Vicchairelli used his corporate American Express Card for personal unauthorized expenditures, including costs related to gentleman’s lounges, escorts, auto repairs and restaurants. Vicchairelli then submitted reimbursement claims to the company for these expenses.
To conceal the fraud, Vicchairelli instructed company employees to hide these personal charges by coding them within the company’s ledger system as legitimate business expenses, such as maintenance, tolls, and delivery charges. Overall, Vicchairelli received at least $245,000 in reimbursements and other unauthorized payments from the company.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Vicchairelli has agreed to pay restitution to the victim company. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2018.Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
17-391
Defense counsel: Michael J. Engle Esq., PhiladelphiaFormer Bath Man Sentenced to more than 27 Years in Prison on Federal Child Sex Abuse ChargeRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that David Miller, 54, of Flushing, Michigan (formerly Bath, Maine) was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 327 months months in prison and five years of supervised release for transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual abuse. Miller pleaded guilty to the charge on June 1, 2017.
Court records reveal that during the summer of 1995, Miller, then age 33, was working as a long haul truck driver for a company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. In June and July of that year, Miller took his adopted thirteen-year-old daughter with him on two trips through several states, including Maine and Nebraska. Miller sexually assaulted his daughter multiple times in his truck and at a motel in Nebraska. The FBI in Maine began investigating the case in 2015 when Miller’s daughter came forward to report the 1995 abuse. She was prompted to make the report when she saw a Facebook photograph which showed a five-year-old girl sitting on Miller’s lap. In October 2016, Miller was interviewed by FBI agents in Flint, Michigan and he admitted that he had sexually abused his daughter during the 1995 cross-country trips.
The investigation was conducted by the Bath Police Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Portland ME, Boston MA and Detroit MI.
Foreign National Sentenced for Role in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme Using Hacked UPMC Employee InfoRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A foreign national residing outside of the United States has been sentenced in federal court to term of imprisonment of time served as to Count 17 and six months imprisonment as to Count 18, to run consecutive as to Count 17 on his conviction of charges of money laundering and aggravated identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Yoandy Perez Llanes.
According to the information presented to the court, early in 2014, thousands of employees of UPMC had their personal information stolen by hackers, who intruded into a UPMC database and stole names, social security numbers, and PII. This data was then used to file false 2013 federal tax returns. Investigators learned that names and other identifiers were used by Llanes and other conspirators to file 935 false tax returns in which unlawful refunds were requested in the form of Amazon.com gift cards. Quick action by the IRS, UPMC, and Amazon.com frustrated the efforts of the fraudsters to file additional false returns and obtain further fraudulent proceeds. Though the perpetrators sought approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent refunds, $1.4 million was actually disbursed in Amazon.com gift cards, which were used by the fraudsters to purchase electronic merchandise.
This criminal scheme was complex and crossed national borders. Llanes and the conspirators used anonymous and encrypted email to disguise their identities and proxy computers to file returns. Using the fraudulently obtained Amazon.com gift cards, Llanes and others purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars in electronic merchandise for shipment through reshipping services in Miami, Florida, to overseas destinations in Maracay or Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service for the successful investigation leading the prosecution of Yoandy Perez Llanes.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Making Telephonic Threat to Shoot Congregants at the Islamic Center of Greater MiamiRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that Gerald Wallace, 35, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to threatening to shoot members of a mosque in Miami Gardens, Florida. Wallace pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by making the threatening call.
During the plea hearing, Wallace admitted that on the evening of Feb. 19, he left a voicemail message for the Islamic Center of Greater Miami, located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The defendant admitted leaving a hate-filled and profanity laden message against Islam, the prophet Mohammed, and the Koran, during which he threatened to go to the mosque, and stated, “I’m gonna shoot all y’all.” He further admitted that by leaving this threatening message, he obstructed congregants who worship at the Islamic Center from freely exercising their religious beliefs.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate threats of hate violence, which threaten whole communities’ sense of safety and security,” said John Gore, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes so that all people, no matter how they worship, the color of their skin, or their country of origin, can live their lives freely and without fear.”
“Hate crimes, no matter their form, engender fear and have no place in our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “By leaving a hate-filled and profanity laden message against Islam and threatening to shoot the members of the mosque he targeted, Gerald Wallace obstructed the free exercise of religion. Hate crimes not only violate our laws, but they are contrary to our country’s most fundamental principles. We will not tolerate the targeting of any community in our society. We will continue to prosecute hate crimes aggressively to ensure that all members of our community can live without fear.”
Wallace faces a maximum statutory penalty 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his guilty plea to the hate crime charge. Sentencing is set for Jan. 17, 2018, in front of U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the Miami Gardens Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr. of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Making Telephonic Threat to Shoot Congregants at the Islamic Center of Greater MiamiRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that Gerald Wallace, 35, pleaded guilty to threatening to shoot members of a mosque in Miami Gardens, Florida. Wallace pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by making the threatening call.
During the plea hearing, Wallace admitted that on the evening of Feb. 19, he left a voicemail message for the Islamic Center of Greater Miami, located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The defendant admitted leaving a hate-filled and profanity laden message against Islam, the prophet Mohammed, and the Koran, during which he threatened to go to the mosque, and stated, “I’m gonna shoot all y'all.” He further admitted that by leaving this threatening message, he obstructed congregants who worship at the Islamic Center from freely exercising their religious beliefs.
“Hate crimes, no matter their form, engender fear and have no place in our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “By leaving a hate-filled and profanity laden message against Islam and threatening to shoot the members of the mosque he targeted, Gerald Wallace obstructed the free exercise of religion. Hate crimes not only violate our laws, but they are contrary to our country’s most fundamental principles. We will not tolerate the targeting of any community in our society. We will continue to prosecute hate crimes aggressively to ensure that all members of our community can live without fear.”
“The Justice Department will not tolerate threats of hate violence, which threaten whole communities’ sense of safety and security,” said John Gore, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes so that all people, no matter how they worship, the color of their skin, or their country of origin, can live their lives freely and without fear.”
Wallace faces a maximum statutory penalty 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his guilty plea to the hate crime charge. Sentencing is set for Jan. 17, 2018, in front of U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the Miami Gardens Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr. of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division.
ARelated 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.
First in the Nation Criminal Indictment of a Chinese National for Manufacturing and Distributing Fentanyl and Other OpiatesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss- A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Mississippi recently indicted a Chinese national for conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other deadly chemicals in the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam, Mississippi Commissioner of Public Safety Marshall Fisher and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director John M. Dowdy, Jr.
This Chinese national is the first manufacturer and distributor of fentanyl and other opiate substances to be indicted in the history of the United States while being designated as a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT). CPOT designations are those who have "command and control" elements of the most prolific international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and are considered by DEA to be some of the most significant drug trafficking threats in the world. On Sept. 7, Xiaobing Yan, 40, of China, was indicted in the Southern District of Mississippi on two counts of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, and seven counts of manufacturing and distributing the drugs in specific instances. According to the Indictment, Yan, a distributor of a multitude of illegal drugs, used different names and company identities over a period of at least six years and operated websites selling acetyl fentanyl and other deadly fentanyl analogues directly to U.S. customers in multiple cities across the country. Yan also operated at least two chemical plants in China that were capable of producing ton quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Yan monitored legislation and law enforcement activities in the United States and China, modifying the chemical structure of the fentanyl analogues he produced to evade prosecution in the United States. Over the course of the investigation, federal agents identified more than 100 distributors of synthetic opioids involved with Yan’s manufacturing and distribution networks. Federal investigations of the distributors are ongoing in 10 judicial districts, and investigators have traced illegal proceeds of the distribution network. In addition, law enforcement agents intercepted packages mailed from Yan’s Internet pharmaceutical companies, seizing multiple kilograms of suspected acetyl fentanyl, potentially enough for thousands of lethal doses.
"This case illustrates that the opioid crisis we face is a global epidemic with international roots and deadly outcomes in our local communities. The President and Attorney General have made combating this scourge a priority and we will continue to pursue local traffic stops involving these horrific substances all the way up to the international drug kingpins that supply them in order to safeguard and protect our citizens. Our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners are to be commended, as they are united with us in this effort and we together will not be stopped," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam stated: "Opioids, including fentanyl, are killing people across this country at horrific rates. In this investigation, law enforcement literally reached across a hemisphere to strike a blow against a criminal drug trafficking organization that was a vital lifeline to several domestic manufacturing and distribution networks. DEA is proud to be part of this historical effort in fighting this opioid crisis. This indictment alleges that Xiaobing Yan manufactured and imported tons of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues into the United States. Currently, a criminal drug trafficking organization that misused technology to open the world’s medicine cabinet, placing unbridled greed before public health and safety, has been stopped."
"At a rate of 175 overdose deaths per day, agencies working together on cases like this one is essential to the fight against the opioid epidemic plaguing our state and nation as a whole," said Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher. "Citizens need to be aware of the dangers of ordering illicit drugs online and the gravity of the number of people that are dying from doing so."
"This indictment is a significant enforcement action that hopefully will help curb the tide in the opioid epidemic we’re fighting," said MBN Director John Dowdy. "Our partnerships with the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to be invaluable in this fight. Fentanyl is a death drug and we must use every available asset to get this killer off our streets."
"This case is evidence of how illegal substances on the streets of our communities are provided through complex organizations that cross local, state and national borders." said Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania. "It also shows that no criminal organization can avoid the collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement efforts."
The indictment announced today is the result of a coordinated, multi-agency, multi-national investigation conducted by agents and investigators of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a partnership between federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies, including in this case Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Gulfport, and D'Iberville Police Departments, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
If convicted, Yan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Felon Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Possessing Gun and Ammo While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to six years of imprisonment on his conviction of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and the related violation of his supervised release, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Marcus Thompkins, age 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, Thompkins was on supervised release from a prior federal drug trafficking conviction that involved the armed robbery of a drug dealer. Two United States Probation Officers attempted to visit Thompkins on December 12, 2016 when Thompkins pointed a firearm at them. On the next day, Officers from the Probation Office and the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force conducted a search of Thompkins’ residence, and they recovered the firearm and ammunition.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Schwab stated that he considered, as part of his sentence, the need to protect the safety of the Probation Officers as they go about their excellent work.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Song commended the United States Probation Office and the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thompkins.
Federal Jury Convicts Apopka Felon of Cocaine and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Joshua Otis Gordon Carter (26, Apopka) guilty of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2018.
Carter was indicted on October 26, 2016.
According to evidence presented at trial, on February 29, 2016, officers executed a search warrant at a home in Apopka, where Carter lived with his girlfriend and three small children. In the master bedroom closet of the home, officers discovered a loaded firearm, more than one kilogram of cocaine, and more than $11,000 in cash. At the time of the search, Carter was a previously-convicted felon and, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan W. Hill and Shawn Napier.
Family Dollar Store Robber Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Karlos Alexander Wilson, Jr. (24, Pinellas Park) today pleaded guilty to two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 32 years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, on January 14, 2017, Wilson and a co-conspirator (CC-1) committed an armed robbery at a Family Dollar Store in Tampa, stealing approximately $3,300 from the store. On June 3, 2017, Wilson and CC-1 committed another armed robbery at a Family Dollar Store in Hillsborough County, stealing approximately $685 from the store. Forensic analysis of DNA from the crime scene led to his arrest.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN) — 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, Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Fairview Heights Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Michael S. Putman, 51, of Fairview Heights, was sentenced on October 18, 2017, to 77 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for robbing the Regions Bank in Collinsville, Illinois, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. After serving this federal sentence, Putman will serve an additional sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections for burglarizing the China King restaurant in Fairview Heights in January of 2017.
Putman had previously pled guilty to the February 10, 2017 robbery of the Regions Bank at #1 Eastport Plaza in Collinsville, Illinois. When officers attempted to pursue Putman after the bank robbery, a high-speed chase ensued through East St. Louis, wherein Putman finally crashed his vehicle and was apprehended near the entrance to the Eads Bridge.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Collinsville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshal Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James G. Piper, Jr.
Fairmont man and Morgantown woman admit to their roles in an oxycodone distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two West Virginia residents have admitted to their roles in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Powell announced.
Leon Jamar Maddox, age 34, of Fairmont, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone.” Maddox admitted to selling oxycodone in Monongalia County in September 2015.
Amanda Maddox, age 32, of Morgantown, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” She admitted to using a telephone to assist in distributing oxycodone in Monongalia County in March 2017.
Leon Maddox faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Amanda Maddox faces up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Valley Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Federal Jury Convicts Child Pornographer on All CountsRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced today that a federal jury unanimously convicted CHRISTOPHER G. WAGUESPACK, 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles. The defendant had been charged in a Superseding Indictment with distribution of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(2), and possession of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B). A sentencing date has not yet been set, but WAGUESPACK faces a significant term of imprisonment, including a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 5 years, as a result of his convictions.
The evidence at trial demonstrated that WAGUESPACK used his computer to search for, download, store, categorize, and share images of children, under twelve years old, engaged in explicit sexual activity. WAGUESPACK then took actions to conceal his misconduct and evade detection by law enforcement by employing anti-forensic software, wiping software, and encryption on his computer.
Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson stated, “Justice was done today. The evidence at trial established the defendant as a sophisticated child pornographer with a sexual interest in children. His conviction contributes to the safety and security of children not only in our community, but around the world. The market for child pornography is perpetuated by those, like this defendant, who possess and distribute such despicable material. I greatly commend the excellent work of the prosecutors and agents involved in this important matter, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit.”
Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the New Orleans office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated, “Cases like this one reinforce our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners. This is another example of the success of Operation Broken Heart and shows how we can continue to remove these threats to our children when we work together.”
This matter was a joint investigation between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office – Cyber Crime Unit, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamie A. Flowers, Jr. and Cam Le.
FBI Arrests Individual for Attempted Hobbs Act RobberyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Magistrate Judge Camille L. Vélez-Rivé authorized a criminal complaint against Franklin Martínez-Rodríguez, charging him with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) are in charge of the investigation.
According to the criminal complaint, on October 16, 2017 at approximately 8:00 pm, two individuals entered a fast food located at Calle José De Diego in San Juan, and announced a robbery. Both men were carrying and brandishing firearms. One of the individuals, later identified as defendant Martínez, hopped the counter to retrieve the restaurants money from the register. At the same time, a private security officer emerged from the rear of the store. When the security officer saw the masked man holding a handgun he opened fired against the defendant. Martínez also fired his gun.
Two restaurant patrons were struck during the exchange of gunfire. A male patron was struck in the hand and a female patron was struck in the shoulder and across the chest. The unidentified individual fled the restaurant when the shooting began and entered a waiting vehicle just outside the restaurant. Shortly, emergency personnel arrived at the scene and Martínez was taken into custody by PRPD.
If convicted defendant faces a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment (for discharging a firearm), as well as a period of supervised release of not more than five years. A criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo Hernández has been assigned to prosecute this case.
# # #
Eight Members and Associates of the Mount Vernon Goonies Street Gang Charged in Federal Court with Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Anthony A. Scarpino Jr., Westchester County District Attorney, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARKEL OVERTON, a/k/a “Kellz,” THOMAS BLANTON, a/k/a “LT,” MARQUIS COLLIER, a/k/a “Keise,” KADEEM DINHAM, a/k/a “Polo,” DONNIE DIXON, a/k/a “Scooter,” RAHEEM JONES, a/k/a “Rah Trigger,” a/k/a “Trigga,” JAMAAL SINCLAIR, a/k/a “Diggz,” and NOEL SMITH, a/k/a “Georgie,” with various crimes relating to racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses. The defendants have been charged as a result of their membership in the “Goonies” street gang that operated in the City of Mount Vernon, New York. OVERTON was arrested on these charges yesterday. COLLIER and DIXON were arrested on these charges today. DINHAM, who was already in custody on state charges, was transferred to federal custody today; BLANTON, SINCLAIR, and SMITH, who were also already in custody on state charges, will be transferred to federal custody as soon as possible; and JONES was already in federal custody on related charges. The defendants will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa M. Smith this afternoon in White Plains federal court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, the eight members and associates of a violent Mount Vernon street gang charged today engaged in attempted murder, drug dealing and firearms offenses. One of our most important missions, as federal prosecutors, is to investigate and prosecute street gangs that threaten our communities through violence and narcotics trafficking, as the Goonies allegedly did in Mount Vernon.”
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said: “This gang was allegedly engaged in serious criminal activity that included shooting incidents, armed robberies, gun possession and narcotics distribution. We are pleased that this is now coming to an end. I want to thank our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District and the New York office of the FBI for their unstinting dedication and determination that led to this indictment and today’s arrests.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “As alleged, the motives of this gang were sinister and criminal, using violence and illegal drugs to intimidate the community. The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force works diligently with our law enforcement partners every day to stop these gangs, and keep them from negatively impacting communities.”
According to the Indictment[1] unsealed today in White Plains federal court:
From 2007 to 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, OVERTON, BLANTON, DINHAM, DIXON, JONES, SINCLAIR, and SMITH were members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Goonies.” In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Goonies committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including attempted murder and robbery; they conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute narcotics; and they obtained, possessed, and used firearms, including by brandishing and firing them. BLANTON, COLLIER, DINHAM, DIXON, and JONES also conspired with one another, and certain other members of the Goonies, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana.
* * *
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided in the attached table for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Kim thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives from the Yonkers Police Department, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Westchester County Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, New York City Police Department, and U.S. Probation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Anden F. Chow, Christopher J. Clore, Sarah Krissoff, Olga Zverovich, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys John O’Rourke and Lauren Abinanti are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States v. Markel Overton, et al.
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAXIMUM PENALTIES
Count One
Racketeering Conspiracy
MARKEL OVERTON
a/k/a “Kellz”
THOMAS BLANTON
a/k/a “LT”
MARQUIS COLLIER
a/k/a “Keise”
KADEEM DINHAM
a/k/a “Polo”
DONNIE DIXON
a/k/a “Scooter”
RAHEEM JONES
a/k/a “Rah Trigger”
a/k/a “Trigga”
JAMAAL SINCLAIR
a/k/a “Diggz”
NOEL SMITH
a/k/a “Georgie”
20 years in prison
Count Two
Firearms Offense
MARKEL OVERTON
THOMAS BLANTON
MARQUIS COLLIER
KADEEM DINHAM
DONNIE DIXON
RAHEEM JONES
JAMAAL SINCLAIR
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
Count Three
Firearms Offense
NOEL SMITH
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison
Count Four
Narcotics Conspiracy
THOMAS BLANTON
MARQUIS COLLIER
KADEEM DINHAM
DONNIE DIXON
RAHEEM JONES
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
DEFENDANT
AGE
MARKEL OVERTON
27
THOMAS BLANTON
24
MARQUIS COLLIER
33
KADEEM DINHAM
25
DONNIE DIXON
28
RAHEEM JONES
28
JAMAAL SINCLAIR
29
NOEL SMITH
24
[1] As the introductory phrase 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.
Dubuque Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Fraud that Targeted Elderly Victims Throughout the United StatesRead the Press Release
A Dubuque man who participated in a scheme to defraud victims across the United States have pled guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Tobey Hines, age 33, from Dubuque, Iowa, pled guilty today and was convicted of one count of wire fraud.
At the plea hearing, Hines admitted he participated in a scheme to defraud people throughout the United States and that the fraud was primarily targeted towards the elderly. Hines admitted that other individuals called victims on the phone and told these victims that a relative was in jail. The caller would then ask the victims to wire money via Western Union or Money Gram to get the relative released. Hines further admitted that the money was being wired to various participants in the fraud who would pick up the wire transfers. Hines admitted that he was one of the participants in and around Dubuque who received wire transfers from the victims.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hines remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Four other people have previously pled guilty to their role in the scheme. On March 2, 2017, Shawn Vaassen pled guilty and admitted that he too was picking up wire transfers sent to the Dubuque area by victims. At the same plea hearing, Vaassen also pled guilty to unlawfully possessing a sawed off shotgun. On May 9, 2017, Carlos Rodriguez pled guilty and admitted that he was also picking up wire transfers sent to the Dubuque area by victims. Michael and Stephanie Marcov, a married couple, each pled guilty to wire fraud on May 19, 2017, and admitted to picking up wire transfers sent by victims.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Vavricek and Anthony Morfitt and were investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Investigations and the Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file numbers are 17-CR-1001, 17-CR-1004, and 17-CR-1038.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Dracut Attorney Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dracut attorney was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for filing false federal tax returns.
John F. Paczkowski, 73, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole to six months in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $192,974. In November 2016, Paczkowski pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false personal tax returns for 2009 and 2010.
Paczkowski operated a legal office in Dracut as a sole practitioner. In this capacity, he was required by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers and the Rules of Professional Conduct to hold client funds in a trust account separate from his own funds. However, Paczkowski embezzled and misappropriated funds from the trust account and used clients’ funds for his own uses. Paczkowski failed to report to the IRS more than $630,000 he took from clients and failed to pay more than $192,000 in federal taxes.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Felipe Rodolfo Baez-Romero, 46, was indicted today in federal court in Boston on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
According to the indictment, law enforcement in Boston encountered Baez-Romero on Sept. 29, 2017, and determined that he was unlawfully present in the United States. Baez-Romero was previously deported on May 7, 2013.
The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised released and a fine of up to $250,000. Baez-Romero will face 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Man Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Murder While Armed in July 4, 2015 Slaying of Kevin SutherlandRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jasper Spires, 21, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge of first-degree murder while armed for the July 4, 2015 slaying of Kevin Sutherland on a Metrorail train, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Ron Pavlik, Chief of the Metro Transit Police.
Spires pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for an agreed-upon sentence in the range of 30 to 35 years. The Honorable Judith Bartnoff set a hearing for Jan. 12, 2018 to determine whether to accept the plea and sentencing range.
According to a proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, on July 4, 2015, at approximately 12:43 p.m., Spires was standing near the fare machines at the entrance to the Rhode Island Avenue – Brentwood Metro Station, in the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE, when 24-year-old Kevin Sutherland entered the station. Mr. Sutherland proceeded through the turnstiles and up the escalator to the platform, where he walked toward the front end of the platform to wait for a downtown-bound Red Line train.
A short while later, Spires followed through the entrance and up the escalator. As he stepped off the escalator and onto the platform, Metro digital surveillance cameras captured Spires putting gloves on his hands. Spires also walked towards the front end of the platform.
When a downtown-bound Red Line train arrived, both Spires and Mr. Sutherland boarded the second car of the train. Mr. Sutherland sat down near the middle of the car, in a seat facing inward, towards the center of the car. As the train traveled between the Rhode Island Avenue and NOMA-Gallaudet University Metro stations, Spires approached Mr. Sutherland and snatched Mr. Sutherland’s cellphone from his hand. Spires then began to attack Mr. Sutherland with a knife. He stabbed Mr. Sutherland repeatedly in the abdomen, upper right back, left side, right side, left arm, and right arm. As Spires stabbed him, Mr. Sutherland fell to the floor of the train. Spires continued to stab Mr. Sutherland as he lay on the floor. He also kicked Mr. Sutherland in the body and head. At the end of the attack, Spires threw Mr. Sutherland’s cellphone at him, striking him in the head.
During this attack, witnesses aboard the train attempted to notify the train’s operator. Spires menaced one of these witnesses with his knife and told the witness to “Shut up.” He also menaced two other witnesses on the train with a knife and took their property. When the train pulled into the NOMA-Gallaudet station, Spires walked off the train and ran down the stairs leaving the platform. He discarded the knife in a trashcan before continuing his flight. As he hopped the exit turnstiles of the station, Spires dropped a backpack. He hesitated for a moment, as though he would stop to pick up the backpack, but then continued his flight without retrieving the backpack. Meanwhile, Metro employees and some civilians who had been on the train with Mr. Sutherland called 911, and some witnesses sat with Mr. Sutherland as they waited for emergency personnel to arrive. By the time first responders got to the scene, Mr. Sutherland was unresponsive and emergency personnel pronounced Mr. Sutherland to be deceased.
Spires was arrested on July 6, 2015, and has been in custody ever since.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia conducted an autopsy on Mr. Sutherland. During the autopsy, the deputy medical examiner observed 19 stab wounds and 16 cutting wounds on Mr. Sutherland’s body. Several of the stab wounds were very deep and caused damage to Mr. Sutherland’s internal organs.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Chief Newsham, and Chief Pavlik commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Metro Transit Police. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences and Bode Cellmark Forensics.
They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon Donovan, David Gorman, Michelle D. Jackson, Colleen M. Kennedy, Silvia Gonzalez-Roman, Mark Aziz, Kara Traster, and Anwar Graves; Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation; Forensic Operation Program Specialist Benjamin Kagan-Guthrie; Criminal Investigators Durand Odom and Mark Crawford; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney, Sandra Lane, Lashone Samuels, and Michelle Chambers; former Paralegal Specialists Karen Hansen and Vanessa Trent- Valentine; the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, including Victim/Witness Advocates Jennifer Clark and Marcia Rinker and Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, and Administrative Services Specialist Sallie Rynas.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Macey and Kathryn Rakoczy, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Dangerous Child Sexual Predator Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – On Thursday, October 19, U.S. Senior District Judge Anna J. Brown sentenced Jose Antonio Mejia, 33, of Woodburn, Oregon, to 15 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release and sex offender registration. Mejia previously plead guilty to a federal Indictment charging him with Transportation of a Minor Across State Lines with the Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity.
Investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local authorities revealed that, in March 2016, Mejia transported two minors—including one who was under the age of 12—from Oregon to Washington, without their parents’ permission. Once there, Mejia attempted to rape the younger minor. The following day, Mejia returned the minors to their parents and the younger minor subsequently disclosed Mejia’s abuse. A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Mejia on Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault and Travel with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. Following his arrest, Mejia has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
At sentencing, prosecutors noted Mejia’s “shockingly heinous” conduct, and urged that it “must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.” Prosecutors noted that Mejia chose a particularly young and vulnerable victim, who he sought to isolate and, having done so, attempted to rape.
“This sentence represents another step in our continuing efforts to protect children in Oregon and elsewhere from sexual predators. These abhorrent crimes are indefensible and destructive to victims.” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “I remain grateful for the dedication and collaboration of our federal, state, and local partners who diligently followed the evidence in this case.” Williams added, “I am also grateful for the amazing courage that the minor victims in this case showed in coming forward. Thanks to their bravery, a dangerous criminal will remain behind bars for a very long time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Salem Police Department, Seattle (Washington) Police Department, and Woodburn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Sinha prosecuted the case in federal court.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice and led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Takeback DayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. encourages the public to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at thousands of collection sites around the country, including over 50 here in the Northern District of Iowa. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
United States Attorney Deegan stated, “Opioid and prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high in our country, and the human toll is devastating.” Deegan added, “Everyone can help combat this epidemic by taking time to get rid of outdated and unused prescription drugs.”
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
Collection sites will be set up throughout communities nationwide. To locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback where you can search by zip code, city, or state. The service is free and anonymous.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Corpus Christi Man Heads to Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 69-year-old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to prison after admitting he possessed child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Henry Franklin Reddick pleaded guilty April 28, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos handed Reddick a 36-month sentence. At the hearing, a Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) computer forensic expert testified that Reddick was saving numerous images of child pornography on a digital storage device a month before his arrest. Reddick was further ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
The investigation into Reddick began after authorities received a CyberTipline report from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The CyberTipline provides the public and electronic service providers with the ability to report online instances of child pornography. The CyberTipline report indicated that an individual using the email address of [email protected] had uploaded 79 images of suspected child pornography onto a cloud storage service.
Law enforcement was able to determine Reddick was associated with that email address and executed a search warrant at his residence. At that time, agents seized various electronic devices on which forensic analysis later revealed more than 450 images and 13 videos of child pornography.
Reddick was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department—Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez and Elsa Salinas, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Columbus Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Kidnap Man After Cocaine Sale FailedRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Citlaly Casillas, 22, of Columbus, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit kidnapping following a failed drug transaction.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Gahanna Police Chief Dennis Murphy and Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer announced the plea offered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King.
According to the Statement of Facts in this case, Casillas and co-defendant William Hernandez Castillo conspired to kidnap an individual from April 4 through April 7.
In March, the individual told Casillas that an associate of his wanted to buy one kilogram of cocaine. Casillas and Hernandez agreed and intended to sell the cocaine for more than $30,000.
When the time came to complete the transaction on April 4, the associate took the cocaine without paying.
Hernandez then called the owner of the drugs, who was in Mexico, to discuss how to respond. The owner of the drugs told Hernandez to hold the individual responsible for his associate. The owner said if he did not receive the drugs or the money, he would send enforcers to deal with the individual and his family.
Following the phone call, Hernandez told the individual that he had to come with Hernandez and Casillas.
From April 4 through April 7, Hernandez and Casillas seized, confined and kidnapped the victim for ransom at their Columbus residence. Hernandez told the victim that people from Mexico would harm his family if the drug owner did not receive the drugs or money.
“During his confinement, Casillas told the victim stories of a 2015 fatal shooting at La Michoacana market in Columbus in order to scare him and keep him from leaving the residence,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “She joked that Hernandez would cut off one of the victim’s fingers if he left.”
After contacting his girlfriend and mother, the victim was driven by Hernandez on April 7 to a location in Columbus, where they believed ransom money was waiting. When the victim arrived at the drop location, law enforcement secured him.
Casillas was arrested during the execution of a search warrant at her residence on April 17. Hernandez was arrested the same day, and the two have remained in custody since.
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Hernandez has also signed a plea agreement agreeing to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping. His hearing to formally plead guilty has not yet been scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, DEA, Gahanna Police and Westerville Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Colfax County Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Assaulting Federal EmployeeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Cody Martinez, 31, of Raton, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting a federal employee. The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, 8th Judicial District Attorney Donald Gallegos, and Inspector in Charge Keith Fixel of the Phoenix Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Martinez was arrested on Jan. 29, 2016, on a federal criminal complaint for assaulting a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier. According to the criminal complaint, Martinez struck the victim in the back of the head with a brick while the victim was delivering mail in Colfax County, N.M., on Jan. 20, 2016. Martinez was apprehended shortly thereafter while attempting to flee from law enforcement officers. The victim sustained serious injuries as a result of the assault.
Martinez was indicted on Feb. 24, 2016, and was charged with assaulting a federal employee resulting in bodily injury. On Nov. 4, 2016, Martinez pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Jan. 20, 2016, he assaulted a federal employee, a mail carrier, by striking him in the head with a dangerous weapon, a brick, causing bodily injury.
Martinez was arrested on Jan. 20, 2016 on local charges filed by the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Those charges were dismissed in favor of federal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Raton Police Department, with assistance from the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez prosecuted the case.
Cohoes Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Donna M. Smith, age 57, of Cohoes, New York, pled guilty today to making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to fraudulently obtain Disability Insurance Benefits.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John F. Grasso, Special Agent in Charge of the SSA Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.
As part of her plea, Smith admitted to submitting two false statements in which she claimed to have not worked between 2006 and 2015, when in fact she had worked for a total of eight Capital Region employers. Disability Insurance Benefits are designed to replace, in part, the loss of income due to a disability.
Smith faces up to five years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and post-imprisonment supervised release of up to three years when she is sentenced on February 1, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. White.
Cleveland Heights woman sentenced to more than three years in prison for tax fraudRead the Press Release
A Cleveland Heights woman was sentenced to more than three years in prison for fraudulently claiming false tax refunds for more than $700,000, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.
Janice Parks, 57, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi sentenced Parks to 41 months in prison and ordered her to pay $701,052 in restitution.
Parks represented herself as a tax preparer, first as the operator of J & H Professional Tax Services, which she operated from her home, then as the operator of Cleveland-based Jantaxx.
Parks and others falsely claimed tax credits on behalf of people who were not entitled to the credits. She directed others, including her incarcerated sons, to recruit people whose identities she could use to file fraudulent tax returns, according to court documents.
In many instances, Parks requested that portions of the refunds be directed to various bank accounts that she used for her personal gain, according to court documents.
Parks filed returns claiming nearly $1.5 million in fraudulent tax returns. The IRS paid refunds totaling approximately $700,000, according to court documents.
“This defendant stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from taxpayers and earned this prison sentence,” Herdman said.
“This defendant stole $700,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds and today’s sentencing proves that stealing from the government is a serious crime,” Korner said.
Helen Wynder, 55, of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to her role in the crime. She was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $701,052 in restitution.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen E. Henderson and Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.
Charleston man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Jason Lee Smith, 39, previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. After Smith is released from prison, he will be on federal supervised release for 15 years, and will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Smith admitted that on March 21, 2015, he possessed over 600 images and videos of minors engaged in sexual acts. Many of the images and videos depict prepubescent minors. The images and videos were contained on his personal computer and other media devices seized from two separate locations in Charleston. The investigation revealed that Smith was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download, receive, and distribute child pornography.
The West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Parkersburg Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
- Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews
Central Ohio Man Sentenced to 204 Months for Creating Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jason E. Hoar, 32, of Reynoldsburg and Pickerington, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 204 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for producing child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Hoar had admitted that he created child pornography and, in August 2016, communicated with an undercover detective via Kik messenger.
The undercover officer had posted online bulletin messages on specific social media forums that are frequented by individuals who have a sexual interest in children. Hoar sent the detective explicit photos of minor females to whom he had access.
This information was subsequently sent to the FBI in Columbus and a task force officer there reached out to Hoar in an undercover capacity providing information about an undercover profile on social media.
Hoar responded to the task force officer and again provided details of his sexual interests in babies and children.
Hoar told the officer that “girls shower pics” were some of his “favs” and that he had discussed “installing a hidden camera.” Hoar recorded prepubescent females in the bathtub, whom were unaware of the video recording, and sent it to the undercover officer.
Hoar told undercover officers that letting ‘guys jack off to pics’ of children he photographed was ‘sorta harmless.’
“In no way is this behavior harmless,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Producing child pornography creates trauma for victims that they often have to relive for the rest of their lives as images of their abuse are shared time and again.”
Hoar pleaded guilty in April to one count of production of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and Jonathan J.C. Grey, who are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
California Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearms after a Domestic Violence ConvictionRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that QUINTON COOKS, 36, of California, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm after having been convicted previously of a domestic violence offense.
U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced COOKS to 41 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment.
According to court documents, on April 26, 2015, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) detectives responded to the 3700 block of Earhart Boulevard because of reported gunshots. They observed an empty vehicle that had sustained several gunshots still running and in drive, with a door ajar. There were spent casings trailing down the sidewalk. The detectives encountered COOKS at the scene. Detective determined that COOKS exchanged gunfire with another vehicle and then hid the firearm in a nearby residence. The detectives recovered the firearm hidden in a shoe in the closet of the residence.
A week later, on May 3, 2015, Louisiana State Police troopers observed a hand-to-hand transaction between a pedestrian and a vehicle that was stopped on Loyola Avenue near Julia Street in New Orleans. COOKS and two others occupied the vehicle. As the troopers approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle, and observed the passengers making suspicious movements. The troopers searched the vehicle and recovered two firearms with extended magazines and a plastic bag containing marijuana. COOKS testified in state court that one of the firearms belonged to him.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department for investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Matthew R. Payne were in charge of the prosecution.
Brookfield Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Andrew McKenzie, 28, of Brookfield, New Hampshire was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.
On July 5, 2017, McKenzie pleaded guilty to one count of child pornography production. According to court documents and statements made in court, in October of 2016, McKenzie began an instant messenger conversation through Kik with an undercover agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The defendant agreed to send the undercover agent sexually explicit photographs of a minor child. The investigation determined that the images sent by the defendant were of a minor child known to the defendant.
“Preventing the production of child pornography is a high priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute these troubling cases. By aggressively pursuing those who produce child pornography, we hope to deter others from engaging in similar egregious conduct in the future. This horrific conduct is harmful to young children and their families and does serious damage to our entire community.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Rochester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Helen White Fitzgibbon and Donald Feith.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
###
Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Launder $20 Million in Proceeds from the Telexfree FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiring to launder approximately $20 million in proceeds from the TelexFree pyramid scheme.
Cleber Rene Rizerio Rocha, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Dec. 7, 2017.
In April 2014, agents executed a search warrant at the headquarters of TelexFree Inc., a massive pyramid scheme based in Marlborough, Mass., that caused billions of dollars in losses to nearly two million victims. Later that same day, Carlos Wanzeler, one of the founders of the company, fled first to Canada and then to Brazil, his native country. In his haste to flee the United States, however, Wanzeler left millions of dollars hidden in the greater Boston area.
In mid-2015, an intermediary working on Wanzeler’s behalf contacted an associate for help transferring the money from the United States to Brazil. The associate, who later cooperated with federal authorities, arranged with Wanzeler’s representative in Brazil to launder cash through Hong Kong, convert it to Brazilian Reals, and then transfer it to Brazilian accounts. In January 2017, Rocha, working as a courier for Wanzeler’s representative in Brazil, flew from Brazil to New York City. Rocha later met the cooperating witness in Hudson, Mass., where Rocha gave him a suitcase containing $2.2 million of Wanzeler’s hidden TelexFree money, intending that the cooperating witness would help launder the cash out of the United States. After the meeting, agents followed Rocha to an apartment in Westborough, Mass., and he was later arrested. A search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of approximately $20 million in cash found hidden in a mattress box spring.
Wanzeler and TelexFree co-founder James Merrill were indicted in July 2014 on charges that they operated TelexFree as a massive pyramid scheme. Merrill pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced in March 2017 to six years in prison. Wanzeler remains a fugitive.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Rocha will also be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew E. Lelling and Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
Bluffton Man Indicted for Distribution of Heroin and Opioids, Including Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Edwin M. Jenkins, Jr., age 30, of Bluffton, South Carolina was charged in a 7-count superseding indictment with two counts of distribution of heroin, one count of distribution of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, one count of a mixture of heroin and furanyl fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of a mixture of furanyl fentanyl and U-47700 resulting in death, all violations of Title 21, U. S. C. Sections 841. The maximum penalty Jenkins could receive is life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000,000.
US Attorney Drake said, “Those who are dealing in heroin and opioids should know that we will use the full array of our enforcement tools to reduce the supply of these deadly narcotics here in our communities in South Carolina. Some great policing as a result of an extraordinary level of collaboration between federal and local law enforcement brought forth the evidence we needed to file these charges.”
“The FBI is thoroughly engaged in fighting this epidemic. We are proud to work these matters with our law enforcement partners like the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bluffton Police Department and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Together with the help of our communities, we can turn the tide,” said Alphonso “Jody” Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in South Carolina. Bluffton Police Department Chief Joseph Manning added, “The agencies’ cooperation during this investigation was vital in bringing the charge before the court and hopefully lends some comfort to at least one family who has lost a loved one. We will continue to actively pursue offenders who poison our community.”
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bluffton Police Department and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office for prosecution. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####
Berkeley County woman admits to heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia woman has admitted to her role in a heroin distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Powell announced.
Brandy May, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.” She admitted to conspiring with others to distribute heroin in Berkeley County in February and March 2017.
May faces up to 20 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.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lydia Lehman is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Benavides Man Sentenced for Assault on Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old resident of Benavides has been ordered to federal prison for assaulting a Border Patrol agent by use of a deadly or dangerous weapon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. A federal jury sitting in Laredo convicted Oscar David Gonzalez II on April 12, 2017, after a two-day trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia-Marmolejo, who presided over the trial, ordered Gonzalez to serve 84 months in federal prison immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
On Dec. 2, 2016, a Border Patrol agent was working highway interdiction on State Highway 16 south of Hebbronville. At approximately 10:20 p.m., he observed a Toyota Camry followed by a Nissan Altima traveling north in tandem at a high rate of speed. The agent positioned his marked unit behind the Camry and observed several subjects in the back seat attempting to hide. Another agent arrived in his marked unit to assist in a traffic stop on both vehicles.
The first agent conducted a traffic stop on the Camry, while the second agent continued following the Altima. As the first agent approached the Camry on foot, Gonzalez drove away in the direction of the second agent and the Altima and intentionally swerved into the driver’s side of the Border Patrol marked vehicle. The collision forced the second agent onto the shoulder of the highway, broke the vehicle’s driver side mirror and scraped the fender. Gonzalez continued driving the Camry north for a couple of miles before he as stopped and taken into custody by additional responding Border Patrol agents.
Border Patrol and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Julian Castaneda and former AUSA Jorge Vela prosecuted the case.
Atwater Real Estate Professionals Among Four IndictedRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On October 12, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against John Ballard, 55, and Judy (Calderon) Ballard, 54, of Atwater and Sherry Herbert, 54, and Andrea Todd, 53, of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy, wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with a fraudulent short-sale scheme, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to the court documents, Ballard and Calderon were both licensed real estate salespersons and they owned a home in Atwater, which was their primary residence. When the couple defaulted on a loan on the property, they asked permission to short-sell the property to Herbert and Todd, but had no intention of actually transferring the property to them. They used a series of false and fraudulent representations to obtain approval from banks to conduct this transaction and caused these financial institutions to approve the charge-off of funds and the financing for the short-sale.
Herbert and Todd were arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Erica P. Grosjean. Ballard and Calderon's arraignments are currently set for November 29, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Merced County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael G. Tierney and Christopher D. Baker are prosecuting the case.
If any of the four defendants are convicted, they face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Attorney General Applauds FBI's Massive Sex Trafficking CrackdownRead the Press Release
Note: Relevant video can be found here.
Underage Sex Trafficking Crackdown Leads to Recovery of 84 Minors
On Oct. 18, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), announced that 84 minors were recovered and 120 traffickers were arrested as part of Operation Cross Country XI, a nationwide effort focusing on underage human trafficking that ran from Oct. 12 to 15.
The Attorney General made the following statement on this crackdown:
“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. Today we take the next step toward that mission with the arrest of more than 120 alleged sex traffickers and the recovery of more than 80 trafficking survivors.
“I want to thank and commend the dedicated men and women of the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and our local, state and international law enforcement partners who made these arrests and rescues possible. They have delivered results that make this country safer and show clearly that collaboration makes us more effective in combating child exploitation.
“The Justice Department will continue to pursue our mission and, to that end, we will remain tireless in our efforts to rescue victims and put those who victimize children behind bars.”
From the FBI Release:
This is the 11th iteration of the FBI-led Operation Cross Country (OCC), which took place this year in 55 FBI field offices and involved 78 state and local task forces, consisting of hundreds of law enforcement partners. This year’s coordinated operations took place with several international partners, including Canada (Operation Northern Spotlight), the United Kingdom (Aident 8), Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
“We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested—and the number of children recovered—reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation isn't just about taking traffickers off the street. It's about making sure we offer help and a way out to these young victims who find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of abuse."
As part of Operation Cross Country XI, FBI agents and task force officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, and truck stops, as well as on street corners and Internet websites. The youngest victim recovered during this year’s operation was 3 months old, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old. Minors recovered during Cross Country Operations are offered assistance from state protective services and the FBI’s Victim Services Division. Depending on the level of need, victims are offered medical and mental health counseling, as well as a number of other services.
“Child sex trafficking is happening in every community across America, and at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we’re working to combat this problem every day,” said NCMEC President and CEO John Clark. “We’re proud to work with the FBI on Operation Cross Country to help find and recover child victims. We hope OCC generates more awareness about this crisis impacting our nation’s children.”
Operation Cross Country XI is part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost National Initiative, which began in 2003 and has yielded more than 6,500 child identifications and locations. For additional information on Operation Cross Country XI and the Innocence Lost initiative, please visit www.fbi.gov.
Examples of stories from various cities that took part in Operation Cross Country XI:
On October 13th, FBI Denver recovered two minor girls—one 3-month-old and one 5-year-old. The subject, a friend of the children's family, offered an undercover officer access to the two children for sexual purposes in exchange for $600. The FBI is working with Child Protective Services to conduct a forensic interview and secure safe placement of the children. The subject was placed under arrest.
Also on October 13th, a 16-year old female victim was recovered by FBI El Paso, after an undercover agent called an online advertisement for entertainment. Shortly thereafter, the agent met with a 21-year-old female, who offered a fee of $200 to engage in sexual intercourse with her and another female, the 16-year-old victim. Further investigations revealed that a second adult female drove the minor and the 21-year-old to the undercover’s location. Both female subjects have been arrested on federal charges.
Note to Editors: B-Roll and interviews associated with this year’s operation can be downloaded at www.fbi.gov.Armed Meth Trafficker Faces 20 to Life After Plea in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Clinton Kent French, age 32, of Lexington, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Additionally, French entered a guilty plea to Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report that will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that French was arrested on June 24, 2017 at the Roadway Inn Hotel in Lexington County. After arresting French, Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on the room and located 135 grams of crystal methamphetamine packaged in five separate baggies for resale. Agents also located a Springfield XDS, 9-millimeter firearm loaded with 11 rounds in the room. French admitted to possessing the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. French has multiple prior felony drug convictions which qualify him as both a "career offender" under the United States Sentencing Guidelines as well as an “armed career criminal" pursuant to Title 18, U.S.C. § 924(e). As a result of his guilty plea to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm, French faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years with a maximum possible sentence of life without parole.
The case was investigated by agents of the ATF and Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
#####
45th Defendant Sentenced on Federal Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 80 of the 103 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas and 45 of them have been sentenced.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Today, Albuquerque, N.M., resident Matthew Sandoval, 38, was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on a heroin trafficking charge.
Sandoval and co-defendant Keith Thompson, 48, were arrested in July 2016, and were charged in a two-count indictment with distributing heroin on May 9, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 19, 2016. Sandoval entered a guilty plea on June 30, 2017, and Thompson entered a guilty plea on June 29, 2017. In entering their guilty pleas, Sandoval and Thompson both admitted that on May 9, 2016, they sold heroin to another individual. Thompson is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 31, 2017.
Twenty of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.
This case against Sandoval was investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado.
30 Members and Associates of the “Nine Trey Gangster Blood” Gang Federally IndictedRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Federal agents have arrested 17 members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods criminal street gang on charges of RICO conspiracy and related charges stemming from an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2017. A total of 30 gang members and associates were indicted.
“The alleged crimes relate to drug distribution in the Atlanta area and acts of violence perpetrated largely against the gang’s own members. Shockingly, the Nine Trey Gangsters in this case appear willing to kill someone or to commit violence over the smallest perceived slight,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Thanks to the hard work of federal and local law enforcement officials, these individuals will now face prosecution for their alleged crimes.”
“The federal grand jury indictment and the resulting arrests sweeps made by the FBI and its many law enforcement partners stem from an intensive and exhausting FBI led Safe Streets Gang Task Force effort to remove these violent gang members, collectively known as Nine Trey Gangsters, from our streets,” Said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office. “The FBI continues to provide significant investigative resources directed toward the dismantling of these types of organized and violent criminal enterprises that do so much harm to our communities and the joint law enforcement operation clearly illustrates this.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning by at least 2013, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy charge committed murder, attempted murder, conspired to commit murder, robbery, extortion, firearm crimes, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice and other crimes in furtherance of the Nine Trey Gangsters.
The indictment alleges that Nine Trey Gangster members committed one murder, attempted to commit two other murders, and conspired to commit multiple additional murders. In addition, the Nine Trey Gangsters allegedly trafficked in illegal narcotics including methamphetamine, illegal prescription drugs, and marijuana.
The RICO conspiracy charge names the following alleged Nine Trey Gangster members as defendants:
-
- Gordon Evans, a/k/a “QB,” 36, of Atlanta, GA;
- Patrick Caple, a/k/a “Zoe,” 52, of Atlanta, GA;
- Gary Sartor, a/k/a “G-Stacks,” 33, of Atlanta, GA;
- Tyrone Clark, a/k/a “Tight-Eye,” 36, of Marietta, GA;
- Joseph Riley, III, a/k/a “Joe Blow,” 33, of Atlanta, GA;
. - Khajavious Mitchell, a/k/a “KJ,” 23, of Atlanta, GA;
- Tashied Reed, a/k/a “Row,” 24, of Atlanta, GA;
- Michael Jackson, a/k/a “MJ,” 23, of Clayton County, GA;
- Brandon Asberry, a/k/a “B5,” 28, of Atlanta, GA;
- Jimmy Rosser, a/k/a “Lil Jimmy,” 25, of Atlanta, GA;
- Kierra Maheia, a/k/a “Erra,” 26, of Atlanta, GA;
- Cetera-Bowles Griffin, a/k/a “Bella,” 28, of Atlanta, GA;
- Alfonzo Nalls, a/k/a “Offset,” 29, of Atlanta, GA; and
- Raekwon Williams, a/k/a “B-Ray,” 20, of Atlanta, GA.
- Gordon Evans, a/k/a “QB,” 36, of Atlanta, GA;
In addition to the RICO conspiracy the Indictment alleges multiple counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering against the following alleged Nine Trey Gangster members: Evans, Caple, Sartor, Clark, Riley, Mitchell, Tashied Reed, Jackson Asberry, Rosser, Bowles-Griffin, Nalls, Williams, Westly Shivers, a/k/a “Owon,” 27, of Atlanta, GA, and Wajzim Reed a/k/a “Wazi,” 23, of Atlanta, GA.
The indictment also alleges a drug trafficking conspiracy that includes trafficking in methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription medications and heroin, against the following alleged Nine Trey Gangster members: Evans; Caple; Sartor; Clark; Riley, Tashied Reid; Jackson; Asberry; Rosser; Bowles-Griffin; Williams; Marcus Russell, a/k/a “Double M,” 26, of Jessup, GA; Calmetrius Dawkins, 22, of Atlanta, GA; J’mon Hawkins, 21, of Atlanta, GA; and Earl Smiley, 27, of Greeneville, SC, and the following alleged gang associates: Linnie Andrews, 34, of Atlanta, GA; Adrian Ansley, 27, of Bethlehem, GA; Fred Arceneaux, 58, of Bonaire, GA; Erick Balcazar, 34, of Marietta, GA; Sheena Brown, 32, of Marietta, GA; Tremaine Garrison, a/k/a “Paperwork,” 35, of Marietta, GA; Cedrick Hill, a/k/a “Ced,” 25, of Marietta, GA; Monique Preston, 30, of Marietta, GA; Demario Ridley, a/k/a “Lil Yo,” 23, of Atlanta, GA; and Travis Todd a/k/a “T-Raw,” 25, of Atlanta, GA.
Maheia and Mitchell are charged with maintaining a drug premises that the gang used as a base to conduct their illegal activities. Mitchell and Williams are also charged with possessing firearms during their drug trafficking activity.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Atlanta's Safe Streets Gang Task Force, composed of members of the FBI, Atlanta Police Department (PD), Alpharetta PD, Clayton County PD, Cobb County PD, DeKalb PD, GA Dept. of Community Supervision, GA Dept. of Corrections, Gwinnett County PD, Marietta PD and United States Postal Inspection Services. Investigative assistance was also proved by the GA State Patrol, Covington PD, Clayton County District Attorney’s Office and Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.-
10 Members of Bronx Drug Trafficking Organization Charged with Distributing Thousands of Pounds of Marijuana Worth over $22 MillionRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), James D. Robnett, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging HALLIL TABAR, ASMIN HERNANDEZ, JOHN MUNOZ-GARCIA, JAIRO CIENFUEGOS, WILLIAM BAEZ, HENRY RODRIGUEZ, DANNY HANNAH, JR., KEVIN UMEJEI, and STARLY HERNANDEZ with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and a Complaint charging LORNE VICTORIA with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Nine of the defendants were arrested yesterday and presented before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court, and STARLY HERNANDEZ was arrested this morning and will be presented before Judge Netburn later today.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, these defendants conspired to ship millions of dollars’ worth of drugs across the country for eventual sale in New York City. Searches of apartments where the defendants allegedly resided uncovered guns and ammunition, multiple kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of pounds of marijuana, and thousands of dollars in cash. Drug trafficking organizations endanger public safety, and today’s multi-agency effort has successfully halted another such alleged organization.”
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said: “Yesterday’s arrests were part of ‘Operation Green Giant’, a Strike Force investigation targeting an organization allegedly reaping millions off the sale of marijuana in New York City. The alleged operation traversed the country with $22 million worth of marijuana sent to our city and the profit laundered back to California. I commend the good work of the Strike Force, Southern District of New York and our law enforcement partners on these arrests and dismantlement.”
As alleged in the Indictment and Complaint unsealed yesterday and today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
The defendants are members of a Bronx-based large-scale drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) that shipped hundreds of boxes containing thousands of pounds of marijuana from California to various locations in New York. Between at least March 2016 and the present, the DTO trafficked in over 6,600 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $22 million, which was sent to residences and businesses in Manhattan, the Bronx, and New Rochelle. After the drugs were shipped to New York, the defendants transferred multiple boxes of marijuana per week to several stash houses from which the DTO members further distributed the drugs to customers and dealers.
In connection with yesterday’s arrests, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at 12 locations in the Bronx, including apartments occupied by several of the defendants. During the execution of those search warrants, agents recovered, among other items, three handguns, one sawed-off shotgun, ammunition, multiple kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of pounds of marijuana, and thousands of dollars in cash. DEA agents previously seized over $230,000 in cash from TABAR on October 14, 2017, at San Francisco International Airport.
* * *
Charts setting forth the names, ages, charges, residences, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, which comprises agents and officers of the DEA, the NYPD, HSI, the New York State Police, IRS-CI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, the Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The Strike Force is partially funded by the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is a federally funded crime fighting initiative and part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDTEF”) program.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Catherine Geddes and Nicholas Folly are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment and Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
United States v. Hallil Tabar et al. &
United States v. Lorne Victoria
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(b)(1)(A)
HALLIL TABAR,
JAIRO CIENFUEGOS,
WILLIAM BAEZ,
HENRY RODRIGUEZ,
DANNY HANNAH, JR.,
STARLY HERNANDEZ,
and
LORNE VICTORIA
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(b)(1)(B)
ASMIN HERNANDEZ,
JOHN MUNOZ-GARCIA,
and
KEVIN UMEJEI
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison
Use of Firearms in Furtherance of Narcotics Trafficking
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
LORNE VICTORIA
Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison
DEFENDANT
AGE
RESIDENCE
HALLIL TABAR
29
BRONX
ASMIN HERNANDEZ
27
BRONX
JOHN MUNOZ-GARCIA
30
BRONX
JAIRO CIENFUEGOS
27
BRONX
WILLIAM BAEZ
31
BRONX
HENRY RODRIGUEZ
41
BRONX
DANNY HANNAH, JR.
48
BRONX
KEVIN UMEJEI
25
BRONX
STARLY HERNANDEZ
30
CALIFORNIA
LORNE VICTORIA
37
BRONX
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and Complaint, and the description of the Indictment and Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Wednesday 18 October 2017
Zapata Couple and Convicted Felons Sentenced on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 43-year-old Zapata man and his common-law wife have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of being felons in possession of firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Jesus Jose De Jesus and Amira Elizabeth Saenz, 35, each pleaded guilty March 21, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered De Jesus to serve 46 months in prison, while Saenz received a six-month term of imprisonment plus an additional six months to serve on home confinement for revocation of a prior supervised release. After completion of their sentences, both will serve three years of supervised release.
De Jesus is a convicted sex offender and multiple-time convicted felon. Saenz is a convicted drug felon. As such, both are prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law. On Oct. 27, 2015, law enforcement officers were conducting compliance checks on sex offenders in Zapata County, at which time they encountered four firearms inside a residential trailer located on the 3400 block of South U.S. Zapata Highway 83 in Zapata.
The next day, agents recovered the four firearms located in the bedroom the couple shared. The firearms included a .308 caliber rifle, .22 caliber rifle, seven millimeter rifle and a .410 caliber shotgun.
Saenz was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. De Jesus will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys José Homero Ramirez and José Angel Flores Jr. prosecuted the case.
Yakima Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose Alberto Abundiz, a.k.a. “Scarface”, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after previously having pled guilty on June 28, 2017, to distribution of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Abundiz to a 150-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, in August of 2016, a citizen advised that a person known as “Scarface” was selling methamphetamine. The citizen later identified “Scarface” as Jose Alberto Abundiz. Law enforcement officers subsequently confirmed that Abundiz was distributing methamphetamine in the Yakima, Washington area. On September 7, 2016, law enforcement officers executed multiple search warrants in Yakima. The officers seized over $4,000 in U.S. currency, ammunition, firearms, and a significant amount of methamphetamine.
Harrington said, “This case again highlights the commitment, dedication, and strong partnership among local, state, and federal law enforcement officers in combating drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Washington. I commend the officers and agents for a job very well done.”
The Yakima Police Department, FBI, and the Washington State Department of Corrections conducted the investigation of this matter. The case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Williamson County Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On October 18, 2017, Shaundale J. Johnson, a/k/a "Shug," 35, Marion, pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. The offenses occurred on March 17, 2017, and March 20, 2017, in Williamson County. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 30 years of imprisonment, to be followed by six years of supervised release, and a $2,000,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
Waynesburg Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Drugs, Guns and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges involving the possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The four-count Indictment, returned on October 17, named Julius Maurice Hurt, 32, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about May 3, 2017, Hurt possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and a quantity of cocaine. The Indictment also charges Hurt, a felon previously convicted of a felony drug offense, with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition, and with unlawfully possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to life, a fine of $2,500,000, 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 of the defendant.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Waynesburg Police Department, and the Greene County District Attorney’s Office, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Initiative to Reduce Violent Crime in AlaskaRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Today, Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office statewide Anti-Violent Crime Strategy, which brings together municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat the tide of rising crime in Alaska. Earlier this month, Attorney General Jefferson Sessions announced the renewal of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” (PSN) a program that successfully contributed to the reduction of violent crime approximately 15 years ago. As part of this renewed effort, the Attorney General tasked each U.S. Attorney’s Office with arriving at a comprehensive plan to address rising crime in their districts. A fundamental element of PSN is partnership with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and the Strategy described below was developed in consultation with state and local Alaska agencies, including Department of Law.
The Alaska Anti-Violent Crime Strategy, which has been in development for the past several months, has five major components designed to stem to tide of violent crime:
-
- A federal “duty agent” will be called out to every murder scene and shooting scene. Their function will be to provide assistance, intelligence from any federal investigations, and to explore federal charges if requested to do so by state and local law enforcement and the Department of Law.
- A ballistics task force will review ballistic evidence at every shooting to match up ballistics from crime scenes and recovered firearms. There are already approximately 60 correlations between ballistics evidence at different crime scenes, and the ATF will be following up on each correlation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of violent assaults in the most appropriate forum.
- Project “Real Time” is a program committed to the identification of violent offenders and the initiation of prompt federal prosecution.
- Anti-violence efforts in rural Alaska will focus on the partnership with the Alaska State Troopers, and be directed toward federal prosecution of violent felons and domestic abusers who possess firearms.
- Reentry and Prevention efforts. The goal of PSN and the Alaska Anti-Violent Crime Strategy is to prevent crime – not fill prisons. To this end, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is coupling the above programs with new reentry efforts. For example, Project Face to Face, which will be aimed at meeting with certain high-risk inmates scheduled to be released from custody. The purpose of this project is to make clear that violence and drug trafficking by repeat offenders will not be tolerated, but help is available for all those who wish to break the cycle of violence, drug trafficking and gang activity to become productive citizens. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with its federal partners, will continue organizing events at secondary schools all over Alaska to discuss the dangers of opioid abuse. This program, based on the DEA/FBI-produced documentary called “Chasing the Dragon,” will continue this year, as federal prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and medical professionals will join together to discuss their experience with the opioid epidemic.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska and our partners have been employing some of the above strategies for the past two months. Following this model, the office has had a record number of federal charges filed since August 2017. In the past two months, federal charges have been filed against 68 individuals in 56 separate violent crime cases. This represents approximately twice as many indictments and defendants charged, compared to a similar two-month period last year. Many of these cases resulted from the cooperation of federal, state, and local entities, including cooperation from the Department of Law. Some representative cases include:
- U.S. v. Twigg and Conangnan. This case charged the defendants with interfering with commerce by robbery of two coffee stands on September 25, as well as using a firearm in furtherance of these crimes. Defendant Shane Twigg, 35, has seven prior felonies and had a pending assault case when the robberies occurred. Myles Conangnan, 27, has a prior felony for Burglary, as well as 16 other convictions, including six convictions from four separate cases in 2017 alone. Both defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 32 years in federal prison if they are convicted.
- U.S. v. Sampo. This case charged carjacking by a four-time prior felon, Michael Sampo, 28. It is alleged that on September 12, Sampo approached a woman who had just left the Subway restaurant near the Northway Mall. Sampo presented a gun and demanded her keys and purse. When the victim said that her keys were somewhere in the bottom of her purse, Sampo shot his gun into the ground. The woman threw her purse into the car and ran back into Subway, after which Sampo drove off in her vehicle. About 90 minutes later, APD spotted the stolen car, which led to a chase that ended with police ramming the vehicle to a stop on 5th Avenue in Anchorage. Sampo fled the car and was apprehended by a K9 unit. The K9 unit later found the handgun Sampo had discarded while attempting to flee. Sampo faces up to 15 years on the carjacking charge, plus a mandatory minimum ten-year consecutive sentence for using the firearm to commit the carjacking.
- Numerous charges alleging felon in possession of firearms against several members of the 1488 gang, which is a white supremacist prison gang. Several of the gang members had been recently released from prison and were all found in possession of firearms.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Acting U.S. Attorney Schroder thanked the Alaska Department of Law, the Anchorage Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshal Service, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, all of which contributed to one or more of the above cases, as well as actively participated in the formulation of the Alaska Anti-Violent Crime Strategy. Acting U.S. Attorney also thanked the Anchorage Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, which, since 2007, has assigned a prosecutor to work as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) on violent crime cases in Anchorage. In the past two months, this SAUSA has charged over ten violent crime cases.
-