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Thursday 12 October 2017
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Robert Senices, 26, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 14, 2016, Senices cashed a fraudulent $7,270 check at a Citizens Bank in Concord, New Hampshire. The check was purportedly drawn on a Citizens Bank account owned by a Massachusetts business. Approximately one hour later, Senices cashed a fraudulent $7,325 check that was purportedly drawn on the same account at a Citizens Bank in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. On both occasions, Senices presented a New Jersey driver’s license and was photographed by bank surveillance cameras.
Senices will be sentenced on January 22, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
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Navajo Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting a Federally Commissioned Tribal OfficerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Abner Joe, 55, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 33 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer. Joe will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
The FBI and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety (NNDPS) arrested Joe on Aug. 10, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a federal officer. According to the complaint, Joe assaulted a NNDPS officer on Aug. 4, 2016, by spitting on her and threatening her with a hammer and a wooden board. At the time, the officer was commissioned as a Special Federal Officer by the BIA’s Office of Justice Services.
Joe was indicted on Aug. 23, 2016, and was charged with assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and assault involving physical contact. The indictment alleged that Joe committed the crimes on Aug. 4, 2016, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, N.M.
On July 12, 2017, Joe pled guilty to assaulting a federal officer. In entering the guilty plea, Joe admitted that on Aug. 4, 2016, he threatened two uniformed tribal officers as he approached them while holding a raised 2” x 4” board. He also admitted throwing a hammer at a federally commissioned tribal officer.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock office of NNDPS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Murphy prosecuted the case.
NYC Pair Sentenced for Their Role in Mortgage Scheme Against Flaherty FundingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Angelo Louissaint, 42, and Jennifer Johnson, 42, both of West Babylon, NY, who were convicted of conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, were sentenced by U.S. District Elizabeth A. Wolford for their role in a mortgage fraud scheme that victimized Flaherty Funding, a mortgage company located in Rochester, NY. Louissaint was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Johnson was sentenced to five years probation to include six months home detention.Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, stated that the defendants worked together to prepare false mortgage applications in the names of straw buyers and used fraudulent supporting documents. Louissaint and Johnson worked together with another individual, against whom charges remain pending, to concoct the scheme to obtain mortgage loans from Flaherty Funding using fraudulent information. As a result of the scam, the defendants successfully obtained approximately $1,200,000 in loans, and sought an additional $900,000 for loans that ultimately did not close.
The sentencings are the culmination of efforts by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski; the United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Adam S. Cohen, Special Agent-in-Charge.
Munster Man Charged with Possession of an Destructive Device and Transporting Explosive MaterialsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced that Eric P. Krieg, age 45, of Munster, Indiana was charged with knowing possession of a destructive device and transporting explosive materials.
The complaint alleges that, on or about September 6, 2017, Krieg mailed a package at an US Postal Facility in East Chicago, Indiana that exploded. On or about September 29, 2017, Krieg mailed a suspicious package to another individual. On October 12, 2017, search warrants were executed on Krieg’s residence, place of employment and vehicle. After executing the search warrants, Krieg was arrested on the above charges.
The United States Attorney’s office emphasizes that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This complaint results from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshal’s Service; East Chicago Police; Hammond Police; Indiana State Police; Munster Police; Porter County Sheriff’s Department. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua P. Kolar and Jennifer Chang.
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Monongalia County man admits to drug distribution chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Pursglove, West Virginia man has admitted to a drug distribution charge, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Floyd Pancoast, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Pancoast admitted to using a telephone to help distribute oxycodone in Monongalia County in February 2017.
Pancoast 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 prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Mexican Man Admits Illegal Re-entry into United StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Juan Carlos Cruz Figueroa, 30, of Mexico, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Field Office Director Thomas E. Feeley, Buffalo, New York Field Office.
Cruz Figueroa was removed from the United States to Mexico on September 22, 2007 and again on November 7, 2007. On September 11, 2017, he encountered and arrested by an ICE officer in Saratoga, New York. A fingerprint check of Cruz Figueroa resulted in the discovery of the prior removals. Cruz Figueroa admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2007 removals.
As a result of his conviction, Cruz Figueroa faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on February 1, 2018. 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 United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Albany, NY, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Methamphetamine Conspirators SentencedRead the Press Release
HELENA – Barbara Jean Satrom, 33, of Missoula was sentenced today to serve 27 months in prison and five years on supervised release for her participation in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribution and distribution of methamphetamine. The charge stemmed from a one-count superseding information filed in May of this year. Satrom entered a guilty plea to the single count in June. U.S. District Court Judge Charles C. Lovell issued the sentence.
Judge Lovell previously sentenced Satrom’s codefendants on similar charges this summer. Tillian Jay Gonzalez, 33, of Yakima, Washington was sentenced to 130 months in prison and five years’ supervised release on June 15, 2017. Rebecca Jean Belling Frankforter, 33, of Helena was sentenced on June 20, 2017, to 40 months in prison and five years supervised release.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the United States was prepared to prove that during the month of May 2016, controlled purchases of methamphetamine were made from Tillian Jay Gonzalez, Barbara Satrom, and Rebecca Frankforter in Missoula and Helena, Montana. Gonzalez brought methamphetamine from Washington to Montana where Satrom and Frankfurter sold the methamphetamine for Gonzalez. Gonzalez also sold methamphetamine himself. The investigation ended with a pursuit of Gonzalez from Mineral County, Montana, to Shoshone County, Idaho.
On May 3, 2016, Barbara Satrom sold four ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Missoula, Montana. It was later determined through the course of the investigation that Gonzalez was Satrom’s supplier of the methamphetamine.
On May 6, 2016, Gonzalez sold four ounces of methamphetamine to the undercover officer in Missoula, Montana. On May 7, 2016, Gonzalez sold another four ounces to the undercover officer in Missoula, Montana.
On May 10, 2016, an undercover officer purchased eight ounces of methamphetamine from Gonzalez and Frankforter in Helena, Montana. Arrangements were made between the undercover officer and Gonzalez, for Gonzalez to deliver one pound of methamphetamine to the undercover officer on May 15, 2016.
On May 15, 2016, law enforcement attempted to stop Gonzalez as he entered Montana. A vehicle pursuit took place. After Gonzalez stopped his vehicle in Shoshone County, Idaho, he fled on foot. He was apprehended after he threw approximately four pounds of methamphetamine into the woods. Law enforcement seized the methamphetamine.
All of the methamphetamine purchased and recovered was sent to the DEA laboratory for testing. It was all 97 to 99 percent pure.
The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 91 Months in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NH – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that a man who has used multiple names and previously resided in Andover, Massachusetts was sentenced to serve 91 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements in court, from approximately October 2015 through July 2016, the defendant conspired to distribute fentanyl on multiple occasions in and around Lawrence, Massachusetts. In addition to delivering the drugs himself several times while under police surveillance, the defendant also sent a runner on other occasions to make the deliveries after New Hampshire-based customers called the defendant's telephone. The defendant was known by some of his customers as "Sample Dude" because he frequently provided customers with free samples of fentanyl to entice them to purchase larger quantities. After the defendant's arrest, law enforcement searched the defendant's apartment in Andover, Massachusetts and found an additional quantity of fentanyl.
Although the defendant has used the names Rolando Sierra-Oyola and William Santiago, his true identity is not clear.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address the significant presence of fentanyl in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This defendant distributed substantial quantities of a very deadly substance. I commend the law enforcement officers who worked together to put this drug dealer out of business. We will continue to work each day to target drug trafficking organizations that are responsible for distributing fentanyl and other opioids in our community.”
The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Tactical Diversion Unit, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the New Hampshire State Police, the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department, the Exeter, New Hampshire Police Department, the Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, the Wilmington, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Seth Aframe prosecuted the case.
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Man from Nicaragua pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Nicaraguan man pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed.
Manuel Vargas-Perez, 46, of Nicaragua, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers conducted a roadside stop on the vehicle Vargas-Perez was driving on July 3, 2017 in Calcasieu Parish. He had no identification and told officers he was from Nicaragua. It was later discovered that he had been deported before and had not obtained permission to return to the United States.
Vargas-Perez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Customs and Border Protection and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Man from Mexico pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United States for third timeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed twice.
Lucas Rosales-Arcos, 32, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Jennings police arrested Rosales-Arcos on May 27, 2017 for domestic battery. Border Patrol agents interviewed the defendant who admitted to being in the United States illegally. He was removed in September of 2013 and April of 2014, and had not obtained permission to return.
Rosales-Arcos faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for February 20, 2018.
United States Customs and Border Protection and the Jennings Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
Man from Mexico pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United States for fifth timeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed four times.
Marco Antonio Reyes-Escutia, 42, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Sulphur police arrested Reyes-Escutia on July 10, 2017 for stealing from a local retail store. Border Patrol agents interviewed the defendant who admitted to being in the United States illegally. He was arrested and removed once in 2010, twice in 2012 and once in 2013.
Reyes-Escutia faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for January 12, 2018.
United States Border Patrol and the Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Man Indicted for Threatening to Murder U.S. OfficialsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Herndon man with threatening to murder officials, officers, and employees of the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. State Department, as well as Virginia law enforcement officers.
William Lewis Weaver II, 36, is charged with two counts of threatening to assault and murder federal officials, officers, and employees and three counts of transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing threats to injure the person of another. The indictment alleges that between August 23 and September 16, Weaver used a Twitter account to post tweets that threatened to murder a number of government officials, including specific threats involving bombs and a shotgun.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Berrang is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-235.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
MS-13 Leader Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The leader of MS-13’s East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for RICO conspiracy involving an aggravated assault, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Santos Portillo Andrade, a/k/a “Flaco,” 33, a Salvadoran national residing in Revere, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison and four years of supervised release. He will also be subject to deportation hearings upon completion of his sentence. In June 2017, Portillo agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and admitted responsibility for an aggravated assault on an individual he believed was a rival gang member in Malden in December 2008. Portillo also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
After a three-year investigation, Portillo was one of 61 defendants named in a January 2016 superseding indictment targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. He is the 19th defendant to be sentenced in the case.
Portillo was the leader of the East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique of MS-13. According to court documents, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches or “cliques” operate throughout the United States, including Massachusetts. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to gain promotions and maintain membership and discipline within the group. Specifically, MS-13 members are required to attack and murder rival gang members whenever possible.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief Joseph Cafarelli; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Logansport man sentenced to 35 years in prison for selling methamphetamine, kidnapping conspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Logansport man was sentenced Wednesday to 420 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in Many, La., and kidnapping a victim in east Texas.
Christopher L. Douglas, 36, of Logansport, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release. According to the April 6, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents recorded Douglas selling 2 ounces of methamphetamine on April 26, 2016 for $2,000 in Many. In addition, he previously pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy charge from the Eastern District of Texas, in which he participated with others to kidnap the victim, demand ransom, and ultimately attempted to kill the victim, all arising out of related drug trafficking.
The FBI, ATF-Tyler Texas, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Carthage Police Department and Longview Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case for the Western District of Louisiana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hable prosecuted the case for the Eastern District of Texas.
Levittown Man Charged with Illegal Reentry and Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Hakan Yildiz, of Levittown, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, and Social Security fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges that on or about September 7, 2017, Yildiz, an alien, and native and citizen of Turkey, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about August 15, 2000. He is also alleged to have obtained a Social Security Number after falsely representing to the Commissioner of Social Security that he had work status. According to the indictment, Yildiz then utilized this Social Security Number to obtain a Pennsylvania Identification Card.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of seven years.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Lead Defendant Sentenced to 288 Months in Steubenville Heroin Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Frederick A. McShan, 37, of Steubenville, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. Distirct Court to 288 months in prison for his role in running a Steubenville-area heroin-trafficking ring.
McShan and his brother, David McShan, 39, were each convicted following a weeklong jury trial in March.
Specifically, Frederick McShan was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, 12 counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. David McShan was also convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
David McShan was sentenced on August 31 to 74 months in prison and eight years of supervised release.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane M. Hanlin and members of the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
According to court documents and testimony, the McShan brothers helped lead a drug organization that was responsible for street-level heroin sales in Steubenville, Ohio, including in the Market Street apartment public housing area, Weirton, W.Va., Wheeling, W.Va. and Bellaire, Ohio.
A yearlong investigation in this case by local, state and federal law enforcement culminated in the seizure of eight firearms, three vehicles and approximately $110,000 of narcotics proceeds.
Seven co-defendants in this case have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. They include:
Donae F. Grier, 38, of Irving, Texas, who was sentenced to 60 months in prison;
Christopher J. Bishop, 32, of Weirton, W.Va., who was sentenced to 120 months in prison;
Kerris D. Moncrease, 32, of Weirton, W.Va., who was sentenced to 42 months in prison;
Perrier D. Coleman, 21, of Steubenville, Ohio, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison;
Terrence L. Smith, 27, of Steubenville, Ohio, who was sentenced to 87 months in prison;
Michael K. Greathouse, 25, of Steubenville, Ohio, who was sentenced to 100 months in prison and
Erica L. Jury, 37, of Steubenville, Ohio, who was sentenced to time served.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative efforts of law enforcement, as well as Deputy Criminal Chief Michael Hunter, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jane M. Hanlin who are prosecuting the case.
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Justice Department Provides Last Chance for Cities to Show 1373 ComplianceRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today responded to seven jurisdictions following a preliminary assessment of the jurisdictions’ compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373. These jurisdictions were identified in a May 2016 report by the Department of Justice’s Inspector General as having laws that potentially violate 8 U.S.C. 1373.
The following jurisdictions have preliminarily been found to have laws, policies, or practices that may violate 8 U.S.C. 1373:
- Cook County, Illinois;
- Chicago, Illinois;
- New Orleans, Louisiana;
- New York, New York; and
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The department found no evidence that the following jurisdictions are currently out of compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373:
- Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; and
- the State of Connecticut.
The department also previously sent letters to the following jurisdictions notifying them that the department found no evidence that they are currently out of compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373:
- Clark County, Nevada; and
- Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Jurisdictions that were found to have possible violations of 8 U.S.C 1373 will have until Oct. 27, 2017 to provide additional evidence that the interpretation and application of their laws, policies, or practices comply with the statute.
“Jurisdictions that adopt so-called ‘sanctuary policies’ also adopt the view that the protection of criminal aliens is more important than the protection of law-abiding citizens and of the rule of law,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “I commend the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the State of Connecticut on their commitment to complying with Section 1373, and I urge all jurisdictions found to be out of compliance in this preliminary review to reconsider their policies that undermine the safety of their residents. We urge jurisdictions to not only comply with Section 1373 but to establish sensible and effective partnerships to properly process criminal aliens.”
Johnson City Resident Sentenced to Serve 150 Months in Prison for Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On October 11, 2017, Christopher Horton, a.k.a. “Slim,” 30, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 150 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base “crack,” possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Upon his release from prison, he will be supervised by U.S. Probation for five years. There is no parole in the federal system.
In June 2017, a jury convicted Horton of these charges, which arose from his early morning arrest by Johnson City Police Officers, on January 4, 2015, near the WJHL office on State of Franklin Street. Horton brandished a firearm outside the Old South bar, which resulted in a brief pursuit by officers. During the pursuit, an officer saw him duck down beside a car in a parking lot. After his arrest, a firearm and quantity of crack cocaine were found under the vehicle where he was earlier seen. Officers recognized that fibers on the firearm appeared similar to that of a torn pocket on Horton’s jacket. Forensics experts from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found that the fibers on the firearm did match the type of fibers in Horton’s jacket. Additionally, DNA matching Horton was also found on the firearm.
Agencies involved in this investigation included the Johnson City Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. J. Gregory Bowman, Assistant U.S. Attorney represented the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.
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Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, along with Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Division, announced today that Cameron Dee Neal, 34, of Jacksonville, was sentenced to 240 months or 20 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.
United States District Court Judge D. Price Marshall, Jr. sentenced Neal on Thursday following an investigation that revealed Neal had sexually exploited and produced child pornography of a six year-old girl. Judge Marshall also ordered Neal complete 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $18,776 in restitution to the victim.
The investigation began on December 14, 2015, when HSI agents in Boston discovered 75 images of a minor child, some of which were child pornography, being shared on the internet through a photo-sharing website. These images were uploaded to the website on December 12, 2015.
The images contained a prepubescent female, approximately six years old, in various stages of undress and nudity. The images were taken at various times of the day and night and some of the images appear to have been taken when the victim was sleeping. In some images the victim is wearing adult underwear and the focus of these images is the victim’s buttocks and vagina. There are also images of the victim in the shower and on the toilet, as well as images of the victim (dressed) at venues outside a home.
On December 18, 2015, agents were able to identify the six-year old minor. Agents interviewed her at her school where she stated that Neal took pictures of her in her bedroom, but told her the pictures were a “secret” because “no one wants to see pictures of my naked bottom and private.” The minor stated that Neal would give her old, stretchy panties to wear for the pictures.
That same day agents arrested Neal, who provided a statement. Neal admitted that he took nude photographs of the minor and uploaded them to Imgsrc.com. Neal stated that he had been taking photographs of the minor for approximately 6 months. Neal admitted that he told the minor how to pose in some of the pictures, including bending over and wearing her mother’s thong underwear. Neal also stated that he told the minor not to tell anyone about the pictures and that he was aroused when he took them.
“Taking advantage of innocent children in this way is a heinous crime,” Hiland said. “This young child’s photos were shared to the world, and she will have to live with that forever. Today’s sentence sends a strong message that this behavior, in addition to being morally reprehensible, has significant consequences.”
Neal admitted that he looked for child pornography on the internet and that in the previous six months he had uploaded approximately 50 images of child pornography. HSI agents showed Neal 11 pornographic photographs of the minor, and he admitted that he took each of them and uploaded them to the internet.
“Child pornography steals the innocence of children and destroys lives,” Parmer said. “The production of child pornography is the most heinous aspect of this illegal activity. Sexual abuse scars children for life, and HSI will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to identify the perpetrators of these horrendous acts and seek justice on behalf of their victims.”
Neal was indicted on January 5, 2016, in a two-count indictment charging him with sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography. On May 19, 2017, Neal pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor.
There is no parole in the federal system. When Neal is released upon completion of his 20-year sentence, he will serve 10 years of supervised release. Conditions of his supervised release include registering as a sex offender and no contact with minors under the age of 18.
The case was investigated by HSI and the Arkansas State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.
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Indictment: Mother Took Children and Fled to RussiaRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Russian-born woman was indicted here today on charges of international parental kidnapping, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Bogdana Alexandrovna Mobley, 37, is charged with one count of international parental kidnapping. Mobley was arrested Sept. 29 in Wichita after spending more than three years in Russia. Investigators believe her children are still in Russia.
According to court records, Mobley emigrated from Russia to the United States in 2003 and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. In March 2014, her second husband filed for divorce in Sedgwick County District Court. While the case was pending and Mobley was pregnant with her third child, she fled to Russia with her two children – one born in 2004 when she was married for the first time and the other born in 2013 while she was married to her second husband. Her third child was born about two months after she returned to Russia.
In December 2014, a Sedgwick County judge granted full custody of the two younger children to Mobley’s ex-husband and ordered her to return them to him.
While she was in Russia with the children, she allowed her ex-husband to communicate with his children only by cell phone or Skype. In January 2015, he flew to meet her on the border of Poland and Russia but she did not allow him to see the children and she told him to give her money if he wanted to talk to them.
If convicted, she faces up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the kidnapping charge. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Jose Hernandez-Alejos, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Sept. 27, 2017, in McPherson County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Roberto Garcia-Zaragosa, 58, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with lawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Sept. 20, 2017, in Seward County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Holliston Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holliston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for unlawful possession of ammunition after a substantial weapons trove was uncovered during a search of his home.
Joseph Gargiulo, 41, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to time served (approximately 14 months), pending acceptance by and entrance into an intensive mental health inpatient treatment facility. Once placed in a treatment facility, Gargiulo will be on supervised release for three years. In July 2017, Gargiulo pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Gargiulo was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to an active restraining order issued against him in Wrentham District Court.
On July 27, 2016, agents received information that Gargiulo had acquired parts to make an AR-15 rifle and that he was stockpiling other weapons, including tasers, mace guns, hunting knives and incendiary chemicals. Around the same time, Gargiulo stated that he “will plant bombs in police stations…and kill as many homeland security officers as he can before they kill him.” Further investigation revealed that Gargiulo had stated that he wanted to attack a mosque and/or kill President Obama. Gargiulo said he wanted to “chain a mosque closed and burn it down,” but he never mentioned a specific mosque or time for such an attack.
A search of Gargiulo’s residence resulted in the seizure of parts needed to assemble an AR-15 rifle, over 250 rounds of ammunition for an AR-15 rifle, over 100 rounds of nine millimeter ammunition, chemicals that could be combined to create incendiary or explosive compounds, and hand written notes threatening violence against members of the Islamic faith.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Holliston Police Chief Matthew Stone; and Medway Police Chief Allen M. Tingley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Weinreb’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Henderson Man Sentenced for Possession of Ammunition by a FelonRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that in federal court on October 10, 2017, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard, sentenced QUINCEY TYRONE CHAMPION, 38, of Henderson, NC to 85 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
CHAMPION was named in an Indictment filed on April 24, 2017. On July 14, 2017, CHAMPION pled guilty to Possession of Ammunition by a Felon.
On December 17, 2016, officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the Auto Brite Car Wash in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival and while securing the crime scene, officers were approached by the victim’s cousin, who advised that he had taken the victim to the hospital. The men were washing their vehicles when he heard three shots. The victim ran toward another vehicle and then reported that he needed to go to the hospital. They saw a tall male wearing a hoodie running towards the back of the car wash and jumping the fence. One of the officers found two shell casings and one live bullet in the parking lot near the crime scene. Meanwhile, another officer responded to Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson to interview the victim, who had been admitted to the emergency room. The victim stated that he was washing his vehicle at the car wash when he heard a gunshot and then felt a sharp pain in his left ankle. The victim identified CHAMPION as the shooter.
CHAMPION, a convicted felon, was in possession of ammunition on December 17, 2016. Additionally, the defendant used or possessed a firearm or ammunition in connection with another felony offense, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury.
This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.
The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
Head of Amtrak Transportation at Union Station in Chicago Guilty of Corruption for Steering Work to Wife’s CompanyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The head of Amtrak transportation at Union Station in Chicago admitted in federal court today that he steered work to his wife’s company to photograph Amtrak’s “Polar Express” train event last holiday season.
BENJAMIN SHEETS, an Amtrak employee and superintendent of transportation at Union Station, admitted in a plea agreement that he steered work to his wife’s suburban photography company to photograph train riders and families at Amtrak’s “Polar Express” event. Sheets also worked for his wife’s company as the business manager – a fact he failed to disclose to Amtrak. When Sheets learned that Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General was investigating the contract, he created false records and made false statements to the Inspector General’s investigators.
Sheets, 50, of Downers Grove, pleaded guilty to making false statements to Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General. U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras set sentencing for Feb. 27, 2018, at 9:45 a.m.
The guilty plea was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Thomas Howard, Inspector General of Amtrak.
“The American people deserve fair and honest services from those entrusted to manage aspects of our nation’s passenger rail service,” said Inspector General Howard. “Amtrak personnel who make false statements in an effort to achieve personal gain will be held accountable. Our office will vigorously investigate and help bring to justice those who engage in such criminal activity as we work to protect Amtrak funds, American taxpayers, and the traveling public.”
Amtrak’s “Polar Express” event is a family-oriented holiday celebration that includes festively decorated trains departing Union Station on a daily basis in December, with actors re-enacting the train ride from the 2004 “Polar Express” film starring Tom Hanks.
On Nov. 2, 2016, Sheets received an email from his wife that listed debts in excess of $25,000, prompting Sheets to respond, “We need to write an agreement for Polar Express,” according to a criminal information previously filed in the case. Soon thereafter, Sheets steered the work for Polar Express photography to his wife’s Downers Grove-based company, without following Amtrak procurement procedures. During the “Polar Express” event in December 2016, the wife’s company set up a photo booth in Union Station’s Great Hall and sold 3,679 photos for $10 each.
When Sheets learned in early 2017 that Amtrak Inspector General investigators were looking into the award of work, Sheets had the promotions company that staged the event prepare a back-dated, phony contract to make it appear that the wife’s photography business had been hired by the promotions company prior to the commencement of the Polar Express event. Sheets tendered the contract to Inspector General investigators in March 2017, even though he knew it was phony.
Making false statements is punishable by up to five years in prison. The Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry M. Kinney.
Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PEDRO VELEZ, also known as “Petey,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force learned that VELEZ was receiving kilogram quantities of heroin from a supplier, packaging the drug and then distributing it to street-level dealers in the Hartford area. On September 8, 2016, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of 44 “stacks” (approximately 4,400 bags) of heroin from VELEZ. Subsequent laboratory testing showed that the heroin had a net weight of 114 grams.
On October 21, 2016, investigators arrested VELEZ. On that date, a court-authorized search of an apartment in Vernon where VELEZ had been staying revealed an additional 5.3 grams of heroin.
VELEZ has been detained since his arrest. On April 5, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
VELEZ’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for possession of narcotics and criminal possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The firearm conviction stemmed from an incident in November 2011 during which VELEZ engaged in a drive-by shooting of a group on individuals on Orange Street in Hartford.
At the time VELEZ committed this federal offense, he was on state probation arising from a state narcotics conviction, and was on pretrial release on a $900,000 bond with respect to pending assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a firearm charges, stemming from an alleged drive-by shooting in Hartford in September 2015. He also was on release on a $225,000 bond with respect to a pending violation of probation charge.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Harrison County man admits to illegal firearm chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Salem, West Virginia man has admitted to an unlawful possession of a firearm charge, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Justin Paul Crofford, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Crofford, having previously been convicted of a felony in Smith County, Texas Circuit Court, admitted to possessing a 12-gauge shotgun in January 2017 in Harrison County, West Virginia.
Crofford faces up to 10 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 Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Anmoore Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Guatemalan National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was indicted today in federal court in Boston on a federal immigration charge.
Cecilio Castro-Zacarias, 38, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
According to court documents, on Sept. 26, 2017, law enforcement officers in New Bedford encountered Castro-Zacarias and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Castro-Zacarias was previously deported on Aug. 12, 2005.
Castro-Zacarias faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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. 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.
Guatemalan Man Admits Illegal Re-entry into United StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gerardo Froilan Lopez Velazquez, 51, of Guatemala, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Field Office Director Thomas E. Feeley, Buffalo, New York Field Office.
Lopez Velazquez was removed from the United States to Guatemala on January 30, 2014 and again on April 9, 2014. On September 7, 2017, he was encountered and arrested by an ICE officer in Middleburgh, New York. A fingerprint check of Lopez Velazquez resulted in the discovery of the prior removals. Lopez Velazquez admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2014 removals.
As a result of his conviction, Lopez Velazquez faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on February 1, 2018. 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 United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Albany, NY, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Gregg Paul Smith Sentenced to Serve 151 Months in Prison for Receiving Child Pornography and Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On October 11, 2017, Gregg Paul Smith, 48, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 151 months in federal prison as a result of his July 2017 guilty plea to receipt of child pornography and possession of stolen firearms. Upon his release from prison, he will be supervised by U.S. Probation for 15 years. There is no parole in the federal system.
The investigation of Smith was initiated when investigators with the Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) obtained child pornography images and videos uploaded through an internet file sharing service from an IP address associated with his address. A search warrant was executed at the residence and officers from the Kingsport Police Department and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office seized computer equipment, which was found to contain thousands of images and videos containing child pornography. During the search, officers also found multiple firearms that were stolen from a firearms dealership where Smith was employed.
Agencies involved in this investigation included the Sullivan County Sheriff Department, Kingsport Police Department, Knoxville Police Department ICAC Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. J. Gregory Bowman, Assistant U.S. Attorney represented the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a Department initiative launched in 2006 that aims to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC Marshals federal, state, tribal 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 visit ProjectSafeChildhood.gov.
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Fresno Gamecock Breeder Indicted on Animal Cruelty ChargesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Thomas Lee Crow, 48, of Fresno, charging him with aiding and abetting an unlawful animal fighting venture, attending an animal fighting venture, and unlawfully possessing animals for an animal fighting venture, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The offenses all involve cockfighting.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers searched Crow’s rural Fresno residential property last summer after he was allegedly found on April 21, 2017, at a large cockfighting enterprise in Kerman. At the cockfight, Fresno County deputies and detectives recovered 129 fighting roosters, including 28 dead and 9 injured roosters. Three spectators were also arrested. Detectives also seized cockfighting equipment, such as gaffs, blades, sheaths, gamecock leather boots, and scales.
This case was the product of an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General – Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice also provided assistance.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with the Rural Crimes and Animal Cruelty Unit of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office in coordinating the filing of charges against Crow and three spectators at the cockfight in Kerman. The District Attorney’s Office has charged Job Hernandez, 35, of Visalia, Javier Flores-Arreola, 48, of Los Banos, and Javier Cerda, 65, of Reedley with animal cruelty charges. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case against Crow. Deputy District Attorney Lynette Gonzales is prosecuting the state charges against the three spectators arrested at the event.
If convicted of the most serious offenses, Crow faces a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frankfort Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Frankfort man has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison, for producing sexually explicit images of a minor and then sending them to another man.
Yesterday, United States District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove formally sentenced Matthew Craig Fosson, 41, on his conviction. Under federal law, Fosson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Following the completion of his prison term, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for life.
In his guilty plea earlier this year, Fosson admitted that, in August 2016, he produced sexually explicit images of a minor female, who was in his custody and care. He sent those images to a Pennsylvania man, who in turn sent sexually explicit images of another minor female to Fosson.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Amy S. Hess, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentence.
Fourth Baltimore City Police Detective Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Heroin Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – Detective Momodu Bondeva Kenton Gondo, age 34, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin.
The guilty plea 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, Baltimore Field Office.
Gondo joined the Baltimore Police Department on November 29, 2005 and was later assigned to the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF), a division of the Baltimore Police Department. According to the plea agreement, Gondo schemed to steal money, property, and narcotics by detaining victims, entering residences, conducting traffic stops, and swearing out false search warrant affidavits. In addition, Gondo prepared and submitted false official incident and arrest reports, reports of property seized from arrestees, and charging documents. The false reports concealed the fact that Gondo and his co-conspirators had stolen money, property, and narcotics from individuals.
According to his plea agreement, beginning in 2015, Gondo robbed civilians he detained and in some cases arrested and stole money and drugs from them. Gondo shared the proceeds with co-defendants Jemell Rayam, Wayne Jenkins, Daniel Hersl, Marcus Taylor, and others, and on other occasions, he kept all of the proceeds for himself.
Gondo participated in eight robberies from March 2015 through July 2016. Gondo admitted that he was armed with his BPD service firearm during the robberies, that individual victims of the robberies were physically restrained to facilitate the commission of the offense, and that he authored false and fraudulent incident reports and other official documents in some cases in order to conceal his criminal conduct and otherwise obstruct justice.
On October 5, 2015, Gondo and his co-conspirators robbed a drug dealer after Gondo and Rayam placed a tracking device on the victim’s car without court authorization so that they could rob his apartment when he was not home. Gondo acted as a look out while Rayam and Glen Kyle Wells entered the victim’s apartment. Rayam and Wells stole a Rolex watch, a firearm, $12,000 to $14,000 in cash, and at least 800 grams of heroin. After the robbery, Gondo and his co-conspirators split the money they had stolen. Wells took the Rolex, the gun, and the drugs and sold some of the drugs. Rayam also sold some of the drugs and shared proceeds with Gondo.
Gondo admitted to committing multiple robberies with Sergeant Thomas Allers. For example, on March 11, 2015, Gondo, Rayam, and Allers searched a residence and discovered a large quantity of cash. Rayam, Gondo and Allers each took some of the cash. Gondo took between $8,000 and $10,000.
Gondo admitted that he sold a seized gun and marijuana to a drug dealer. In June 2016, Gondo, Rayam and Jenkins conducted a car stop and then went to the driver’s residence, without a warrant, and seized a 9mm handgun and a pound of marijuana. After Jenkins directed the sale of the gun and marijuana in order to repay a debt Rayam owed Jenkins for drugs, Gondo arranged for an associate of his, a drug dealer, to buy the marijuana and handgun.
On July 8, 2016, Gondo and his co-defendants Hersl and Rayam detained two victims after a car stop. Gondo stole money from one of the victims. At Jenkins’s direction, Hersl, Rayam, and Gondo transported the two victims to a BPD office to interrogate them. Jenkins told his co-conspirators to treat him like he was the U.S. Attorney. After speaking with one of the individuals, Jenkins, Hersl, Gondo, and Rayam then transported both of the victims to their home and robbed them of $20,000. Jenkins, Hersl, Rayam, and Gondo divided the $20,000.
In a separate seven-count indictment, Gondo and five co-defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin as part of the Shropshire drug trafficking organization (DTO). According to the indictment, the conspirators primarily distributed heroin near the Alameda Shopping Center in Baltimore. A jury trial against the five co-defendants, Antonio Shropshire, Antoine Washington, Glen Wells, Alexander Campbell, and Omari Thomas, is scheduled to begin October 16, 2017 in courtroom 1A.
Gondo provided sensitive law enforcement information to other conspirators in order to help the DTO and protect his co-conspirators. According to his plea agreement, Gondo admitted to providing protection, information and tips to his co-conspirator and co-defendant Antonio Shropshire about how to avoid being arrested. For example, on March 31, 2016, Gondo alerted Shropshire, an alleged drug dealer, that the Drug Enforcement Administration had installed a GPS tracking device on his vehicle. Shropshire, under Gondo’s instruction, then removed the GPS device and placed it on another vehicle.
According to the plea agreement, Gondo also admitted that he routinely submitted false and fraudulent individual overtime reports defrauding the Baltimore Police Department and the citizens of the State of Maryland. On these reports, Gondo falsely certified that he worked his entire regularly assigned shifts, when he did not, and that he worked additional hours for which he received overtime pay, when he had not worked all and in some cases any of those overtime hours. Gondo also admitted that he submitted false and fraudulent overtime reports on behalf of his co-defendants.
Lastly, Gondo admitted to obstructing law enforcement by alerting his co-defendants about potential investigations of their criminal conduct, coaching each other to give false testimony to investigators from the Internal Investigations Division of the BPD, and turning off his body cameras to avoid recording encounters with civilians.
Gondo faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for the narcotics conspiracy conviction, with a minimum mandatory of 5 years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Former Employee of Commercial Supply Company Gets A Year in Prison for Fraud, False Testimony Before Grand JuryRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A former salesman at Bayway Lumber, a Linden, New Jersey, company that sold commercial and industrial products to numerous public and private entities, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for conspiring to defraud customers and lying to a federal grand jury, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Adam Martignetti, 44, of South River, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to Counts 1 and 6 of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false declarations before a grand jury. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Martignetti admitted that from 2011 through 2013, he conspired with others to defraud certain Bayway Lumber customers by providing free items to the customers’ employees and then recouping the cost of the items – plus additional revenue for Bayway Lumber – by overbilling the customers. Martignetti also admitted supplying lower-quality, less expensive plywood to a customer while still charging it for the more expensive, higher-quality plywood that it had ordered.
Martignetti gave a variety of personal items to employees of Bayway Lumber’s customers, including Amtrak, the City of Elizabeth, and the Plainfield Board of Education. These items included a laptop, several iPads, a camera and sound system, patio furniture, and other merchandise. Under the supervision of Robert Dattilo, president and partial owner of Bayway Lumber, Martignetti then overbilled those customers. Dattilo kept a running tally of how much Martignetti and others fraudulently billed customers, which many at Bayway Lumber referred to as the “Bank,” to ensure that Bayway Lumber recovered the full cost of the free items.
Martignetti also conspired to provide one Bayway Lumber customer, Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc. (Con Edison), with lower-quality wood than it ordered and paid for. When Con Edison ordered plywood that had been graded to meet a certain set of specifications, Martignetti, at Dattilo’s instruction, routinely sent plywood that was of a lower grade or not graded at all, including “reject” plywood, all while still charging Con Edison for the higher-quality plywood.
Martignetti also admitted giving false testimony before a federal grand jury while appearing as a witness under oath in March 2013, including stating that he had never given Bayway Lumber items to City of Elizabeth employees for free, and that Elizabeth was never charged for items that were for Elizabeth employees’ personal use.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Martignetti to three years of supervised release.
Dattilo previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and was sentenced in July 2016 to 48 months in prison and ordered to pay $708,386 in restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents with the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi; the Office of Inspector General, Amtrak, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Waters; and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara R. Llanes, Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense Counsel: Michael Armstrong Esq., Willingboro, New Jersey
Former Chemours Employee Charged with Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets in Connection with Plan to Sell Trade Secrets to Chinese InvestorsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A federal grand jury in Wilmington has charged a former Chemours employee with conspiring to steal trade secrets and attempting to monetize them with Chinese investors, announced Acting U.S. Attorney David Weiss and Gordon B. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Division.
According to the indictment, the conspiracy involved sodium cyanide, a chemical used in mining and for which Chemours is the world’s largest producer. Chemours, based in Wilmington, performs the research and development for sodium cyanide at the Experimental Station in Wilmington. Sodium cyanide is most often used to mine gold, silver, and other precious metals. Earlier this summer, Chemours broke ground on a $150 million sodium cyanide plant in Mexico.
The individual charged in the indictment is Jerry Jindong Xu, who moved from China to North America in 2011 while employed by DuPont, and became a Chemours employee when Chemours spun off of DuPont in 2015. Xu, terminated by Chemours in 2016, was a marketing professional specializing in sales of sodium cyanide. Xu was aided by an unnamed co-conspirator, who was also a longtime DuPont employee before leaving the company in 2014 to open a cyanide and mining consulting business.
According to the indictment, Xu completed several overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy. His main objective was either to help investors build a competing sodium cyanide plant or become an import competitor in North America. Over the course of one year, all while employed at Chemours, he:
- Misled colleagues and fabricated assignments in order to accumulate vast amounts of pricing and other information, including obtaining passwords for spreadsheets.
- Contacted potential Chinese investors to solicit funding for building a sodium cyanide plant. They would communicate in English and Chinese, sometimes over an encrypted Chinese messaging service.
- Explained to one Chinese investor that he wanted to do this project “for himself and not to slave away at this only to benefit someone else”
- During a 2016 trip to China, accessed Chemours documents and told his co-conspirator he had “out-of-the-big (sic) ideas cooking” that he was anxious to discuss. He also asked how much their plant project would be worth. “Would you say in the millions?”
- Created a company, made his wife the director, and executed a non-disclosure agreement with his co-conspirator.
- Asked for and received a tour of Chemours’ sodium cyanide plant, during which he secretly took pictures of plant system diagrams and sent them to himself.
- In the week after he was notified of his termination, he copied and/or sent himself many Chemours confidential documents, and then falsely certified that he had returned all Chemours files.
Xu is charged with conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1832(a)(5). The maximum penalties he faces are 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine. Xu was arrested in New York in August and arraigned in Wilmington on September 28, 2017.
Chemours was formed in July of 2015 after the DuPont Corporation separated its performance chemicals business line from its other business. Chemours is a publicly traded corporation with its corporate headquarters located in Wilmington, Delaware. It is the world’s largest sodium cyanide producer.
“We are committed to prosecuting anyone—be they rogue actors or foreign nations—who tries to line their pockets by jeopardizing the hard work our businesses perform every day,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Weiss. “This brazen conduct goes to the heart of intellectual property protection and our office will aggressively and diligently pursue anyone who breaks laws and threatens corporate innovation.”
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Johnson said, “The FBI investigation and this indictment reveal a broken trust from a company employee who stole trade secrets in a structured, multi-faceted fashion,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division. “The FBI will vigorously investigate cases whenever trade secrets are stolen or otherwise compromised. Private sector entities should be alert to protect trade secrets, and report indicia of their theft to the FBI."
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie McCall and Alexander Mackler. The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by the FBI.
Former Chairman of the North Hempstead Democratic Party and Nassau County Board of Elections Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Earlier today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Gerard Terry pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion for the tax years 2000 through 2015 in the amount of $992,057. The proceeding took place before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. When he is sentenced, Terry faces a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000 and mandatory restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
The plea was announced by Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and James Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (IRS-CI).
According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceedings, Terry, an attorney licensed to practice in New York State, attempted to evade substantial income tax due and owed by him, even though he earned income from numerous government and quasi-government positions in Nassau County, including the Democratic Party in the town of North Hempstead, the Nassau County Board of Elections, the Town of North Hempstead, the Long Beach Housing Authority, the North Hempstead Housing Authority, the Freeport Community Development Agency, the Roosevelt Public Library, the Village of Port Washington, and the Village of Manorhaven. Since January 2000, despite earning over $250,000 per year, Terry has failed to pay a federal tax debt of over $1.4 million which includes additional fees, interest and penalties.
During the period charged in the indictment, Terry routinely failed to file personal Form 1040 tax returns, filing years later and only after vigorous pursuit by the IRS. Even then, Terry filed Forms 1040 that contained false information and failed to report income. Moreover, Terry has still failed to file returns for tax years 2009 and 2010. Terry also evaded the IRS’s attempts at levy collection by cashing hundreds of wage and compensation checks worth over $500,000, rather than depositing them into checking or savings accounts where they could be seized. When depositing those checks into his bank account, Terry did so in the minimum amounts necessary to cover checks and payments for his own personal expenses and luxury items, thereby making sure there were insufficient funds upon which the IRS could levy. In his communications with the IRS, Terry routinely provided false, misleading and incomplete information to obstruct internal revenue laws. For example, Terry created and utilized a checking account in the name of a corporate nominee so as to conceal income and avoid levy collection. Additionally, Terry had one of his employers make direct payments to his credit card rather than issuing him a paycheck, allegedly to avoid levy collection by the IRS.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Artie McConnell is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
GERARD TERRY
Age: 62
Residence: Roslyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-37 (JS)
Former Army Manager Sentenced to Prison for Taking $1 Million in Illegal GratuitiesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months incarceration and a $100,000 fine, on charges of taking illegal gratuities, income tax evasion and making false statements to federal law enforcement officers, United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Judge Schwab imposed the sentence on Anthony A. Shaw, 55, of Rochester Hills, Michigan.
According to the information presented to the court, Shaw was a Deputy Project Manager responsible for directing development of and managing government contracts for combat vehicle systems such as U.S. Army High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (hereinafter Humvees) at the U.S. Department of Army, Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). TACOM is located in Warren, Michigan, and is the Department of Defense's facility responsible for contracting for design, production, modification and maintenance of vehicles used by the Armed Services. During a wartime buildup, it has been responsible for as much as $65 billion of contracts.
Because of his position at TACOM, Shaw came to know the Buckner brothers, who were 50/50 owners of Ibis Tek, LLC (hereinafter Ibis Tek). Ibis Tek’s main office was located at 912 Pittsburgh Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16002, and it had an office at Ibis Tek Victory Road facility, 220 South Noah Drive, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Ibis Tek manufactured both military and commercial products but specialized in the development of transparent armor and accessory products for tactical and military combat vehicles. The Buckners were perennially interested in getting TACOM business. Over time, Ibis Tek held several subcontracts and prime contracts for TACOM.
In addition to his TACOM job, Shaw purchased houses in the Detroit area, and either flipped them or rented them. He owned more than 90 houses when the housing market sank in 2008. Shaw came from Detroit to the Buckners and complained about carrying more than $400,000 of credit card debt, explained that he needed money to avoid bankruptcy, which could result in him losing his job. As a result, from 2008 through 2011 Shaw took $1,055,500 in illegal gratuities from the Buckners. Shaw failed to pay income tax on these monies and ran up a criminal tax liability of $325,800. In addition, when federal agents interviewed Shaw, he lied to them by denying that he ever traveled in a car, a boat or an airplane owned by Thomas Buckner or John Buckner, and denied that he ever stopped to see Thomas or John Buckner in Pennsylvania while on a motorcycle trip, when in fact, he had done each of these things.
There are two more related guilty pleas entered in this investigation and each of these defendants is awaiting sentencing.
Harry H. Kramer, 52, of Wexford, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud for his role as CFO of Ibis Tek in a $6,085,709 fraud scheme against TACOM. Counts Two and Three charged him with filing false returns for Ibis Tek for 2009 and 2010.
David S. Buckner, of Warren, Michigan, (no relation to Thomas or John Buckner) pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with impeding the IRS by acting as a financial intermediary who received and then paid out money from Ibis Tek, LLC to Anthony Shaw, for the purpose of concealing that the monies were income of Shaw.
"Today's sentencing, the third of five related cases, is the successful product of a joint investigation conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania," stated Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent-in-Charge, DCIS Northeast Field Office. "Confidence in the integrity of the public officials working in the DoD procurement process and supply chain is of vital importance to all Americans. DCIS is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to investigate any violations of this public trust.”
"IRS-Criminal Investigation provides financial investigation expertise in our work with our law enforcement partners," said IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge Ed Wirth. "Pooling the skills of each agency makes a formidable team as we investigate allegations of wrong-doing. Today's sentence demonstrates our collective efforts to enforce the law and ensure public trust".
Assistant United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Special Agents of the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of these defendants.
Five MS-13 Gang Members Charged with MurderRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging five members and associates of MS-13 with the murder of Christian Alexander Sosa Rivas, 21, on January 1 at a park in Dumfries.
According to allegations in the indictment, Edgar Oswaldo Blanco Torres, Jose Martir Larios Espenal, Samuel Enrique Villalobos Sanchez, Dimas Misael Canales Santos, and Keyri Sujey Portillo Gonzalez conspired together and with others to kidnap and murder Sosa Rivas because they believed he was a member of a rival gang who was falsely representing himself as a member of MS-13. The indictment further alleges that the defendants kidnapped and murdered Sosa Rivas for the purpose of gaining entrance to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13, which is an enterprise engaged in racketeering activity.
Name
Age, Country of Origin
Charges
Max Penalty
Edgar Oswaldo Blanco Torres
25, El Salvador
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering;
Murder in Aid of Racketeering;
Kidnapping Resulting in Death
10 years
Death or Life in prison
Death or Life in prison
Jose Martir Larios Espenal
21, El Salvador
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Kidnapping Resulting in Death
10 years
Death or Life in prison
Death or Life in prison
Samuel Enrique Villalobos Sanchez
19, El Salvador
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Kidnapping Resulting in Death
10 years
Death or Life in prison
Death or Life in prison
Dimas Misael Canales Santos
27, El Salvador
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Kidnapping Resulting in Death
10 years
Death or Life in prison
Death or Life in prison
Keyri Sujey Portillo Gonzalez
19, El Salvador
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Murder in Aid of Racketeering
Kidnapping Resulting in Death
10 years
Death or Life in prison
Death or Life in prison
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebeca H. Bellows, J. Tyler McGaughey, and Nicholas U. Murphy are prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office and the Prince William County Police Department. The Virginia Commonwealth Attorney's Office provided significant assistance with the investigation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-238.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Five Gang Members and Associates Indicted in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal grand jury indicted five members and associates of the Sureno Mob Trece gang for crimes including drug distribution and unlawful possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. The charges stem from an investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.
The indicted defendants are Sebastian Tate Levasseur, 22, of Nampa; Isaac Alexander Carreno, 20, of Nampa; Christian Bradley James Barker, 18, of Meridian; Abel Arturo Negrete, 41, of Nampa; and Thomas Antonio Pinto, 21, of Meridian. All were indicted on October 11, 2017. Levasseur is charged with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. Carreno is charged with two counts distribution of methamphetamine and two counts distribution of hydrocodone. Barker is charged with four counts distribution of methamphetamine. Negrete is charged with two counts unlawful possession of a firearm. Pinto is charged with one count distribution of methamphetamine.
Levasseur is currently in the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections and Barker is currently in custody at the Ada County Jail. Negrete was arrested yesterday. Warrants have been issued for Pinto and Carreno.
Federal drug trafficking charges are generally punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a fine up to $1 million and at least three years of supervised release. Where some of the defendants are charged with distributing higher amounts of methamphetamine, they face a minimum term of incarceration of five years, with a maximum term of up to forty years in prison, a fine up to $5 million and at least four years supervised release.
The charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
The indictments are the result of an investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force. The Task Force was created approximately 12 years ago and is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and the Idaho Department of Corrections. The Task Force conducts complex long-term investigations of criminal gangs.
The charges are being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:
Beaufort Man Indicted on Firearm and Drug Charges. J Dorian M. Allen, age 33, of Beaufort County, was charged in a 3-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, a violation of Title 21, U. S. C. §841(a)(1), Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §924(c)(1)(A)(i), and Felon in Possession of Firearm or Ammunition, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Allen could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000,000,. The case was investigated by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is assigned to Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Two Indicted for Making and Passing Counterfeit Currency. Bryan Lambert, age 30, and Kayla Nichols, age 25, both of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were charged in a 4-count Indictment with Making and Passing Counterfeit Currency, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 471 and 472. The maximum penalty that Lambert and Nichols could receive is 20 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and the Moncks Corner Police Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Andrews Woman Indicted for Theft of Government Property. Denise Mack, age 54, of Andrews, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Theft of Government Property, a violation of 18 U. S. C. § 641. The maximum penalty that Mack could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Eric Matthew Reddick Arrested on Federal Armed Robbery and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Initiative
ALBUQUERQUE – Eric Matthew Reddick, 22, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance in federal court this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the Hobbs Act and federal firearms laws. The charges against Reddick arise out of the alleged armed robbery of a convenience store on Oct. 6, 2017, during which Reddick allegedly shot and injured two individuals. Reddick remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for Oct. 13, 2017.
Reddick is being prosecuted under 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 work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
The FBI arrested Reddick early this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the Hobbs Act by robbing a business engaged in interstate commerce and with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence on Oct. 6, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 6, 2017, Reddick allegedly entered an Albuquerque-area convenience store and placed a pack of gum and a dollar bill on the counter. When the store clerk opened the cash drawer, Reddick allegedly pointed a firearm at the store clerk, and demanded and obtained cash from the store clerk. As he left the convenience store, Reddick allegedly fired several rounds of ammunition at the store clerk and a witness who was taking photographs of him with a cellular telephone, hitting and injuring both of them.
Later that day, officers of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Reddick, who was in the vehicle in which he allegedly used to flee from the convenience store, on related state charges, which have been dismissed in favor of federal prosecution. In the vehicle, the officers allegedly observed a firearm during an inventory search.
If convicted on the charges in the criminal complaint, Reddick faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the Hobbs Act charge. Reddick also faces a statutory mandatory minimum of ten years of imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, which must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the other charge. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and APD, with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Trembley is prosecuting the case.
Reddick ComplaintEl Paso Man Sentenced for Using Interstate Communications to Threaten Las Cruces Police OfficersRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Sean Stinson, 33, of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to time-served (406 days) in custody for using interstate communications to threaten the lives and safety of Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) officers. Stinson will be on supervised release for three years.
Stinson was arrested on Sept. 2, 2016, for making telephone calls from El Paso to individuals in Las Cruces during which he threatened the lives of LCPD officers. According to the criminal complaint, Stinson had several telephone calls, including some which were recorded, with LCPD officers during which Stinson threatened to shoot, kill and otherwise injure specific officers.
Stinson subsequently was indicted on Sept. 21, 2016, and was charged with seven counts of transmitting interstate communications with intent to threaten to injure another person. According to the indictment, Stinson committed the crimes between Aug. 24, 2016 and Sept. 2, 2016.
On July 24, 2017, Stinson pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Aug. 24 and 25, 2016, he made several telephone calls from El Paso to the LCPD during which he threatened to injure an LCPD officer. Stinson acknowledged that he intended his calls to be perceived as threats.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the LCPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office prosecuted the case.
East Hartford Resident Charged with Child Enticement OffenseRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging JOSE ANTONIO QUIROZ-MARTINEZ, 26, last residing in East Hartford, with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The indictment alleges that in April and May 2017, QUIROZ-MARTINEZ used a cell phone to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity constituting a violation of federal law prohibiting the production of child pornography.
If convicted of the charge, QURIOZ-MARTINEZ faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
QUIROZ-MARTINEZ has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on May 4, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
Eagle Butte Man Convicted of Simple AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that Carlin Jimi Jewett, Jr., a/k/a Jimmy Jewett, Jr., age 37, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was found guilty of Simple Assault as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 6 months in custody and/or a $5,000.00 fine, a $10.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.
Jewett was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2017.
The conviction stems from an incident on March 31, 2017, when the defendant held a pocket knife, with the blade exposed, to the neck of a juvenile female at her home in Timber Lake, South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Dewey County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date is set for January 2, 2018. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
District Man Sentenced to 4 1/2-Year Prison Term for Robbing Man of His SUV in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marcquise Smith, 27, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to a prison term of four and a half years for robbing a man of his sport utility vehicle last summer, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced.
Smith pled guilty to a robbery charge in August 2017 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Juliet McKenna. Upon completion of his prison term, Smith will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to a factual proffer submitted at the time of the plea hearing, on June 27, 2017, at approximately 11:25 p.m., Smith approached two men after they had just parked a black Nissan Pathfinder in the unit block of P Street NE. While pretending that he was armed, Smith demanded that the driver of the SUV give him everything that he had, including his car keys. The victim gave his car keys to Smith, who then unlocked the vehicle and rode off.
The victims provided a description of the suspect, including that he was wearing jeans and a black belt with a silver buckle, and that he covered the majority of his face with a yellow T-shirt. Law enforcement broadcast a lookout for the stolen black Nissan Pathfinder with Tennessee tags. Within minutes, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) observed the black Nissan Pathfinder heading eastbound in the 1300 block of New York Avenue NE. The officers attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, but Smith refused to listen to the officers’ commands and fled southbound on West Virginia Avenue NE.
The officers pursued the black Nissan Pathfinder with full emergency equipment activated, until Smith crashed the stolen vehicle at 19th Street and Maryland Avenue NE. Smith fled on foot, but officers quickly located him inside an apartment building. At the time he was arrested, Smith was wearing blue jeans, a brown belt with a golden buckle, red tennis shoes and was shirtless. Law enforcement subsequently located an orange T-shirt in the road that Smith drove on during his flight from the police, and the victim who handed Smith his car keys identified him as the assailant. Smith has been in custody since his arrest.
In 2008, Smith committed a series of robberies in the District of Columbia and he later pled guilty to armed robbery and other offenses. He was sentenced in October 2011 to more than five years of incarceration, and was eventually placed on supervised release on May 12, 2017. Within six weeks of his release back into the community, Smith committed the robbery.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. She also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, who prosecuted the matter.
Deputy Leader of Violent Grape Street Crips Gang Admits Murder, Attempted Murders, Plot to Kill Witness, as Part of Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Plea Calls for Prison Sentence of 39 to 45 Years
NEWARK, N.J. – The second-in-command of the New Jersey set of the Grape Street Crips street gang today admitted his role in committing a murder, participating in numerous attempted murders, plots to kill a state witness and to kidnap a heroin trafficker, and conspiring to distribute heroin, all as part of a racketeering conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Kwasi Mack, a/k/a “Welches,” 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to eight counts of the sixth superseding indictment, which charged him with murder and attempted murders as part of a RICO conspiracy, assaults with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Mack admitted that as the second-in-command of the NJ Grape Street Crips he committed the following violent acts in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy:
- In August 2006, Mack used two firearms simultaneously to kill a rival gang-member and, in the process, severely injured an individual who was with the rival.
- On Oct. 10, 2011, during an outdoor cookout, Mack used an assault rifle to attempt to kill a gang-member who had previously cooperated in a murder investigation and whose loyalty to the gang was in question. Mack shot eight individuals, at least two of whom suffered permanent or life-threatening injuries.
- After being charged by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with the Oct. 10, 2011, attempted murder, Mack was provided during the discovery process with the identity of the only witness against him. Mack ordered fellow gang-members to kill that witness. Gang-members took substantial steps to carry out Mack’s orders, but the murder never took place.
- In 2013, Mack and others planned to kidnap a major heroin-trafficker in order to rob him.
- On Oct. 5, 2013, Mack ordered the murder of a person identified in the indictment as “Victim-1.” On Oct. 27, 2013, following Mack’s orders, several gang-members repeatedly shot Victim-1 and Victim-4.
- On Oct. 7, 2013, Mack and others participated in the attempted murder of rival gang-members in retaliation for the murder of a fellow gang-member.
Mack also admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, possessing firearms in furtherance of the RICO and narcotics conspiracies, using minors to commit these offenses, and engaging in these offenses as a pattern of criminal conduct engaged in as a livelihood.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mack will be sentenced to 39 to 45 years in prison five years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2018.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl Kotowski, and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked prosecutors and detectives of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino, police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Armando B. Fontoura, for their work on the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Osmar J. Benvenuto and Barry Kamar of the Criminal Division, and Richard J. Ramsay of the Office’s Appeals Division in Newark.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Defense counsel: Robert J. Fettweis, Esq., Moonachie, New Jersey
- In August 2006, Mack used two firearms simultaneously to kill a rival gang-member and, in the process, severely injured an individual who was with the rival.
Connecticut Woman Pleads Guilty to Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Cara M. Blewitt, 30, of Oakville, Connecticut, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to aiding and abetting bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery. The charges arose from the robberies of a TD Bank branch and a Dollar Tree store.
Court records reveal that on May 28, 2017, an individual robbed a TD Bank branch in Bangor absconding with cash. The next day, the same individual robbed the Dollar Tree store in Bangor at gunpoint, again, absconding with cash. The defendant served as the getaway driver for both robberies. Officers from the Bangor Police Department arrested the robber and the defendant within minutes of the Dollar Tree robbery.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and full restitution. The defendant will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
Columbus 'Pimp' Sentenced for Trafficking WomenRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Lerenzo M. White, aka “Justice” and “Justin,” 31, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison and release supervision for life for sex trafficking women through force, fraud or coercion.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and members of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, including Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
White pleaded guilty in May to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
According to the Statement of Facts in this case, undercover officers conducted a prostitution sting operation at a Crowne Plaza Hotel in Columbus on June 4, 2014. While conducting the operation, officers observed White drop off two females at the hotel for the purpose of exchanging sexual acts for money.
In August of 2015, one of the females made a report of domestic violence against White to the Columbus Division of Police. She stated she had worked for White since the spring of 2014 and was beaten and choked on the few occasions she had indicated she did not want to engage in prostitution. White frequently beat her for other reasons, she was fearful of White, and White maintained all the money that she made.
White used Backpage.com to create prostitution advertisements of the victim. Further investigation of his activity on the website confirmed numerous other adult females had worked as prostitutes for White.
Three of those females stated White had been physically violent towards them. An additional female stated she stayed with White and worked for him for several months because she was addicted to heroin and White provided her with the drug; however, White would not permit her to obtain any heroin until she had made a certain “quota” through prostitution activities.
“White forced women to engage in prostitution through physical force or controlling them with drugs,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “He controlled where they lived, where they went, and their contact with the outside world. If one escaped, he would find another to victimize. We must remember that adult women can be victims, too, and bring to justice abusers like White, who exploit victims for their own gain.”
“HSI has a vast investigative portfolio of crimes, but the trafficking of women is among the most sinister and must be met with swift action by law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “HSI along with our partners will continue to aggressively investigate cases such as these to identify and rescue its innocent victims.”
“This case proves just how serious state, federal, and local authorities are about putting a stop to human trafficking in Ohio,” said Attorney General DeWine. “The investigation found that this defendant forced women into the sex trade against their will. This is modern day slavery, and those who commit this heinous crime will be held accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and includes authorities from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Columbus Division of Police, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and Powel Police Department, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch, Director of the Franklin County Special Victims Unit, who are prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Selling Crack Cocaine to Undercover Police OfficerRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jamey O. Green, a/k/a “Hog”, age 42, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia sentenced Green to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in federal prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that after receiving complaints from citizens, members of the Columbia Police Department (CPD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into drug distribution in the Martin Luther King Park area of Columbia. On five separate dates between May and September of 2014, agents made undercover crack cocaine purchases from Green.
Earlier this year, Green pled guilty in federal court to one of those distributions, a sale of crack cocaine he made to an undercover officer on July 30, 2014. On this date, the undercover officer met Green at a home in the area to purchase an ounce of crack cocaine. Green agreed and walked to the rear of the residence to retrieve the crack cocaine. When he returned, Green sold the officer approximately an ounce of crack cocaine for $1100.
The case was investigated by officers and agents of the City of Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Chico Fraternity and Former Chapter President Plead Guilty and Are Sentenced for Cutting Down Trees in Lassen National ForestRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State University, Chico chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig M. Kellison to 9,800 hours of community service, a three-year term of probation, and a $4,000 fine after pleading guilty to illegally cutting or otherwise damaging any timber, tree, or other forest product. The court also ordered the fraternity to pay restitution in the amount of $4,387.97 to the Lassen National Forest, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
In addition, the former president of the Chico fraternity chapter, Evan Clinton Jossey, was sentenced to a term of court probation and $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to the same offense.
According to the criminal complaint, Jossey and other members of the fraternity participated in an initiation ceremony at the Deer Creek Trailhead in the Lassen National Forest. During the course of the initiation ceremony, 32 trees were cut down at the site.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement and Investigations. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Cook prosecuted the case.
Canadian Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Possessing 290 Pounds of CocaineRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – David Ayotte, 46, of Maribel, Canada, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the filing of the plea documents today.
Law enforcement and other agencies involved in this case include: Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Ohio University Police Department, the Ohio University Airport, Athens County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Program, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Attaché Office Montreal, Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency and Service de Police del la Ville de Montreal.
Ayotte and Sylvain Desjardins, 48, also of Maribel, Canada, pleaded guilty in May 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
According to the Statement of Facts filed in this case, on March 29, 2017, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations center official in Riverside, Calif. detected an aircraft that departed from the Bahamas and was traveling to Windsor, Ontario, Canada but had diverted to Gordon K. Bush Airport at Ohio University.
The official contacted the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, who, along with agents from HSI, executed a search warrant on the plane upon arrival. While doing so, investigators discovered approximately 132 kilograms or 290 pounds of cocaine.
Desjardins was the pilot and Ayotte was his passenger. The two men intended on flying the cocaine to Canada to then distribute, but discovered that the plane was having mechanical issues.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation of this case by law enforcement, as well as Deputy Criminal Chief Michael J. Hunter, who is representing the United States in this case.
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Camden, New Jersey, Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of MinorRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Camden, New Jersey, woman was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Aja M. Easley, 24, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging her with one count of sex trafficking of a minor. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
Easley, Aaron J. Gray, 30, of Camden, and Kenneth A. Mertz, 36, of Collingswood, were previously charged in a criminal complaint with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. Gray was also charged in the complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Easley admitted that on March 2, 2015, she communicated with the victim, a minor, using a popular social media website. Easley told the victim she was “worried about” the victim because of a previous assault by the victim’s ex-boyfriend. She offered the victim money, food, clothing, and shelter, and met the victim at the Camden Transportation Center. There, Easley told the victim about a “dating website,” and said that the victim could make money through the website by going on “dates.” Easley and the victim later met Gray and Mertz at a residence in Camden. Easley, Mertz, and Gray agreed to advertise the minor online for commercial sex acts and drove the minor to a motel in Cherry Hill for that purpose.
At the motel, Gray and Easley convinced the victim to engage in commercial sex acts. Using her cellular telephone, Easley took provocative photos of the victim, and uploaded them to an online advertisement that she had created advertising the victim for commercial sex acts. After the advertisement was online, Easley used her cellular telephone to communicate with multiple individuals who responded to the advertisement. Gray gave the victim instructions on what to do when the respondents arrived. Easley instructed the victim to tell the individuals, regardless of her real age, that she was 21 years old. Easley also instructed the victim how much time each individual could spend with the victim at the motel and how much each individual owed the victim. Easley also told the victim that if any trouble arose, Gray was outside the motel with a firearm. While at the motel in Cherry Hill, the victim engaged in sex acts in exchange for money with multiple individuals, which the defendants split between themselves and the victim.
The next day, at a motel in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, at the defendants’ direction, the victim again engaged in sex acts in exchange for money with multiple individuals who responded to the advertisement. Later that evening, the defendants told the victim that they were taking the victim to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to meet another person who had responded to the advertisement and was willing to pay $1,200 for an entire evening with the victim.
On the way to Atlantic City, the defendants agreed to let the victim stop at a residence in Gloucester City, New Jersey. The victim went inside and contacted the police, leading to the defendants’ arrest.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Easley to five years of supervised release.
Gray previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced March 16, 2017, to 151 months in prison. Mertz previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of violation of the Travel Act. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 28, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, and members of the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Dennis Cribben, and the Gloucester City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Chief Michael Morell, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Brendan Day of the Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Defense counsel: Joshua Markowitz Esq., Lawrenceville, New Jersey