Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Friday 22 September 2017
Acting U.S. Attorney Durham Resigns; Interim U.S. Attorney AppointedRead the Press Release
Savannah, GA- James D. Durham resigned effective September 22, 2017, as the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Mr. Durham served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office’s Criminal Division from 2002 to 2007, as the Office’s Criminal Chief from 2007 to 2010, and as First Assistant United States Attorney from 2010 to March 2017, when he became the Acting United States Attorney.
Effective upon Mr. Durham’s departure, R. Brian Tanner was appointed as the interim United States Attorney by the Attorney General of the United States. Mr. Tanner has served as the Office’s Appellate Chief since 2010 and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division from 2006 to 2010.
U.S. Attorney Tanner said, “Jim Durham has been a relentless and formidable advocate for the people of the United States for over fifteen years. From the start of his career here, Mr. Durham has prosecuted the most complex and important criminal cases in our district, rightly earning the full respect of our law enforcement partners. His leadership has made this Office stronger and the people of the Southern District of Georgia safer. We thank him for his selfless public service, and we wish him great success in his future endeavors.”
Acadiana men sentenced for narcotics distributionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that multiple people were sentenced for their roles in distributing illegal drugs in Acadiana. The sentencing came after convictions following a long term investigation into drug trafficking and violent criminal activity in an area near the dead end of Delord Street in Lafayette.
Carroll Griffin, 34, of Lafayette was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Joshua Griffin, 35, of Lafayette, was sentenced and 36 months in prison and five years of supervised release; and Ashton Ventroy, 28, of Carencro, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced them on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to documents filed in the case, Joshua Griffin, Ventroy and others conspired to distribute crack cocaine in the area known as the “dead end” at the end of Delord Street in Lafayette. Carroll Griffin conspired to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents investigated the unlawful narcotics activity as well as violence in the area and firearms offenses.
“The defendants in this case were a blight on the Lafayette community who used extreme violence to further their drug trade,” Van Hook stated. “The charges brought and the sentences imposed show our unwavering commitment to protect the community from violent drug traffickers. We appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners who helped bring these criminals to justice.”
“Today’s harsh sentences handed down to these three defendants, as well as the lengthy federal sentences given to their co-conspirators within the last several months, should send a clear message to criminals that law enforcement officials in Lafayette will not tolerate narcotics trafficking in their community,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeff Sallet of the New Orleans Division. “This case is yet another great example of federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify and eradicate this illicit activity in the Lafayette area.”
As a result of the investigation, multiple defendants were prosecuted and received terms of incarceration including:
Alvontre Griffin, 21, of Lafayette, sentenced on May 5, 2017 to 97 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy and possession of a stolen firearm.
Jeremy Tyler, 30, of Rayne, La., sentenced on June 17, 2017 to 86 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy.
Chester Tyler, 20, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17, 2017 to four years of probation for unlawful use of a communication facility.
Nathan George, 35, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17, 2017 to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy.
Ronnie Thomas, 37, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17, 2017 to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release for maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.
Johnny Huntley, 23, of Duson, sentenced on June 17, 2017 to 24 months in prison and four years of supervised release for possession of a stolen firearm.
These convictions resulted from a multi-agency investigation coordinated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency Safe Streets Gang Task Force. The FBI, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Unit, Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary Sheriff’s Office, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard Counter Drug Unit participated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Kelly Uebinger prosecuted the case.
5 Middletown Residents Indicted for Million-Dollar Jewelry RobberyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged five Middletown residents with the strong-armed robbery of a diamond/jewelry merchant in Monroeville, Pa. on April 2, 2016.
Amit Patel (also known as Alex Patel), 48, Mimi Chang, 40, Andrea Mullins, 35, Deanna Williams (also known as Dee Dee Williams), 36, and Danny Ray Horne, 37, were each charged in the indictment. Three defendants appeared in federal court this afternoon for initial appearances and two defendants are currently in state custody.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the indictment returned September 6.
The indictment charges the defendants with one count of conspiring, beginning on or about March 30, to commit a Hobbs Act robbery. The Hobbs Act is a federal law prohibiting interference with interstate commerce and violating the law is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI began the investigation after the victim filed a police report with the Monroeville Police Department following the robbery.
“The government is seeking forfeiture in this case of more than $1 million, which represents the total amount of proceeds the defendants obtained as a result of the offense,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the FBI in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and the Monroeville Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Oakley, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
2017 Red Ribbon Campaign CelebrationRead the Press Release
Each year communities nationwide join together to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse by wearing a red ribbon from October 23rd to 31st, which is the National Red Ribbon Week. However, on Guam, various activities have been scheduled throughout the month of October to celebrate the Red Ribbon Campaign. Guam’s Red Ribbon Committee includes local and federal agencies, and private and non-profit organizations that have partnered to increase awareness of the National Red Ribbon Campaign’s significance and promote a drug-free Guam. This year’s theme is “Your FUTURE is Key, So Stay DRUG FREE.” The campaign provides communities with a forum to bring together parents, schools and businesses to find new and innovative ways to keep kids drug free.
Red Ribbon Week will kick off with a Proclamation Signing by Lt. Governor Raymond Tenorio at Upi Elementary School in Yigo, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 9:00 AM and a Resolution Presentation on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Merizo Elementary School at 9:00 AM., hosted by Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. An elementary school drawing contest and island-wide gate/wall decorating contest and video contest is open to all schools. In addition, Committee members are conducting drug awareness presentations at various schools.
The following activities have been scheduled for Red Ribbon Week 2017:
- Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Proclamation Signing by Lt. Governor Raymond Tenorio at Upi Elementary School, Yigo, 9:00am
- Friday, September 29, 2017, Resolution Presentation by Senator Frank Blas Aguon, Jr. at Merizo Elementary School, 9:00am
- Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, Community Outreach at the Micronesia Mall, 10:00am-2:00pm. Photos of Gate/Wall and Drawing contests will be on display and paper votes will be accepted.
- Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, Wear Red Day and Red Ribbon Wave in Hagatna at the Intersection of Route 1 and Route 4, 4:30-5:30pm. Red Ribbon Committee members and schools will wave to demonstrate commitment to the anti-drug campaign.
- Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, Say “Boo!” to Drugs, Agana Shopping Center, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Elementary School Drawing Contest Winners, Gate/Wall Decorating Contest Winners and Video Contest Winners will be announced and awards presented. Red Ribbon Committee will pass out candies to children who attend.
- Oct. 1-Oct. 31, 2017, Various TV, Radio and Print Media
The first Red Ribbon Celebration was organized in 1986 by a grassroots organization of parents concerned about the destruction caused by alcohol and drug abuse. The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the movement in honor of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug traffickers. The Campaign has reached millions of children and has been recognized by the U.S. Congress. Red Ribbon Week is a chance to be visible and vocal in our desire for a drug-free community. Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.
These activities are made possible by the Red Ribbon Campaign Committee, which is comprised of our government agencies, nonprofit and civic organizations, private sector, military counterparts, and our media partners.
For more information about Red Ribbon Week, please contact Corina Andre at 647-6060.
Thursday 21 September 2017
Zuni Pueblo Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Sexual Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Police Chief Timothy Trimble of the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Police Department announced that Justin Owen Poblano was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to five years in prison, including time already served, for his conviction on an aggravated child sexual abuse charge. Poblano will be on supervised release for 15 years after completing his prison sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Poblano, 25, an enrolled member and resident of Zuni Pueblo, N.M., was arrested in Aug. 2012, on an indictment charging him with engaging in a sexual act with a child between 12 and 16 years of age. The indictment alleged that Poblano committed the crime on June 10, 2012, on the Zuni Pueblo in McKinley County, N.M. Proceedings in the case were delayed during the pendency of competency proceedings, which concluded in Oct. 2014, when the Court found him competent to stand trial. Poblano has remained in federal custody from the time of his arrest.
On July 12, 2017, Poblano pled guilty to a felony information charging him with aggravated sexual abuse. In entering the guilty plea, Poblano admitted that on June 10, 2012, while at a residence on the Zuni Pueblo, he forced the victim to engage in a sexual act.
This case was investigated by the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Nayback prosecuted this case as part of the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native American women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
The case also is being prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Woman Sent to Prison for Scheme to Steal USDA Funds Intended to Feed Hungry ChildrenRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Patrick C. Harris, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced Thursday that United States District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr., sentenced Francine Leon, 49, of Wheatley, to prison for her role in a scheme to steal money intended for feeding children in low income areas.
Judge Moody sentenced Leon, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud on February 25, 2016, to 34 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,003,630.00.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) feeding programs in Arkansas are administered through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Sponsors who want to participate in the feeding programs must submit an application to DHS for approval. After they are approved, they can provide meals as part of the feeding programs, and they are reimbursed for the eligible meals they serve.
Leon is the tenth defendant to be sentenced for her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain USDA program funds intended to feed children in low income areas. Other defendants sentenced include: Kattie Jordan, 63 months’ imprisonment on March 15, 2016; Reuben Nims, 21 months’ imprisonment on November 2, 2016; Tonique Hatton, 108 months’ imprisonment on January 4, 2017; James Franklin, 24 months’ imprisonment on January 10, 2017; Maria Nelson, 30 months’ imprisonment on January 31, 2017; Michael Lee, 30 months’ imprisonment on May 1, 2017; Christopher Nichols, 3 years’ probation on May 16, 2017; Alexis Young, 18 months’ imprisonment on August 18, 2017; and Erica Warren, 18 months’ imprisonment on August 18, 2017.
Waymon Weeams and Dortha Harper have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud USDA feeding programs and are awaiting sentencing. Jacqueline Mills and Anthony Waits were convicted on April 6, 2017, following a jury trial and are also awaiting sentencing.
Leon operated as a sponsor for a feeding program through an organization called "Brighter Kids, Brighter Futures." At times during the period charged in the Information, Leon had approved sites in Cotton Plant, Wheatley, Poplar Grove, Morrilton, Brinkley and West Helena. In the 2012, 2013, and 2014 contract years, claims, which had inflated numbers of children fed, were submitted to DHS for reimbursement. Leon received a total of approximately $1,003,630. Leon withdrew approximately $534,710 in cash and paid a portion to two DHS employees.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the USDA–Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations. If you are aware of any fraudulent activity regarding feeding programs, please email that information to [email protected].
# # #
White Lake Township Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison on Production of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A White Lake Township man was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison on charges of producing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch.
Lemisch was joined in the announcement by David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Colin Boyle, 31, was sentenced this afternoon before United States District Judge Gershwin Drain in Detroit, Michigan.
Boyle pleaded guilty on April 4, 2017, to conspiring with his wife and co-defendant Anngela Boyle, to producing child pornography of four minor victims, ranging in age from 1 year to 9 years of age. Colin Boyle has two prior sex related convictions out of Oakland and Macomb Counties.
The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Smith.
West Haven Woman Sentenced to Prison for Role in Fraud and Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LORENA COBURN, 43, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a fraud and identity theft scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2012 and July 2016, Jamila Williams-Stevenson and COBURN worked together to steal personal identifying information from victims and commit fraud using the stolen information. The sources of the personal identifying information included patients at Yale New Haven Hospital, where Williams-Stevenson worked as a care companion.
As part of the scheme, Williams-Stevenson and COBURN submitted to the U.S. Postal Service change of address applications for their victims so that the victims’ mail, including checks that were intended for the victims, would be diverted from the victims’ true addresses to addresses that were controlled by Williams-Stevenson and COBURN. Williams-Stevenson and COBURN also stole checks from residential and business mailboxes and then counterfeited the checks so that they were payable to their identity theft victims. They then opened bank accounts in the names of identity theft victims, deposited the stolen and counterfeit checks into those accounts, and then withdrew the funds from those accounts.
Williams-Stevenson and COBURN also obtained a life insurance policy in the amount of $75,000 in the name of an identity theft victim, and Williams-Stevenson was named as the beneficiary on the policy. Forensic analysis of Williams-Stevenson’s iPhone, which was seized at the time of her arrest, revealed a series of text messages between Williams-Stevenson and COBURN discussing how they might be able to cause the death of this victim in order to collect on the life insurance policy.
More than 30 individuals were victimized through this scheme, resulting in an attempted loss of more than $150,000 to banks and victims.
Williams-Stevenson was arrested on July 21, 2016. On that date, agents executed searches at her house and storage unit and found more than 200 unique credit and debit cards in the names of various identity theft victims.
COBURN was arrested on July 27, 2016. On November 30, 2016, she pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Judge Bolden ordered COBURN to pay restitution of $53,365.37 to various financial institutions and a university that suffered financial losses.
On December 12, 2016, Williams-Stevenson pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. On August 8, 2017, she was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and $53,365.37 in restitution.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force and the West Haven, New Haven and Orange Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.
Washington D.C. Woman Charged with Providing Marijuana to Federal InmateRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on September 19, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted a Washington, D.C., woman for providing contraband to an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan (USP Canaan), Waymart, Pennsylvania, and that the inmate has been charged with possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the charges in the indictment stem from an incident on July 1, 2017, in which Tianna Thompson, age 25, of Washington, D.C., allegedly provided several small packages of marijuana to inmate Charles Elegalam, age 30, formerly of Washington D.C., during a social visit at USP Canaan. The marijuana packages were subsequently seized from Elegalam by prison staff members.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
# # #
Virginia man sentenced for traveling across state lines to have sex with a minorRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Johnnie William Bateman, III, of Culpepper, Virginia, was sentenced today to 46 months incarceration for traveling across state lines to meet a minor for sex, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Bateman, age 39, pled guilty to one count of “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct” in June 2017. Bateman admitted to traveling from Virginia to Berkeley County, West Virginia in August 2016 to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Virginia Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Manassas, Virginia man was indicted today on five counts of producing child pornography of prepubescent minors announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Clark E. Settles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).
According to the indictment, Dwayne Stinson, 52, coerced minors into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pornographic images on at least five separate occasions.
Trial Attorney James E. Burke IV of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Russell of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Upper Darby Man Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
Rudy Otoniel Alvarez-Esquivel, a/k/a “Rudy Vasquez,” of Upper Darby, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges that on or about August 15, 2017, Alvarez-Esquivel, an alien, and native and citizen of Honduras, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about August 30, 2012, January 16, 2013, and November 18, 2016.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of two years.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Judy Goldstein Smith.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces First “Alaska Hope Court” GraduateRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a graduation ceremony was held today for Rashad Arnsworth, 38, of Anchorage, for his completion of the 18-month long federal reentry program, known as Alaska Hope Court.
The Hope Court was established in May 2015 through an order of the District Court of Alaska. The Hope Court team members include the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States District Court, the Office of the Federal Defender, and the United States Probation Office.
The Hope Court has received invaluable assistance from community partners including Partners for Progress, Partners Reentry Center, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Alaska Native Justice Center and the Alaska Wellness Court Alumni Group, according to Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith, presiding judge of the court. Each of these organizations are essential to the success of the Hope Court participants, according to Judge Smith.
Mr. Arnsworth met the following graduation requirements of Hope Court, which are demanding and are aimed at building life skills:
- Complete Moral Reconation Therapy, an evidence-based program designed to build life skills and critical thinking;
- Obtain stable housing;
- Obtain and maintain stable employment, ideally employment that can lead to a career unless excused by Probation;
- Successfully complete any recommended substance abuse treatment;
- Successfully complete any recommended counseling;
- Complete approximately 60 hours of a volunteer project of their choice to “give back” to the community; and
- Complete at least 18 successful months in Hope Court with six months of continuous sobriety before graduation.
Because Mr. Arnsworth successfully graduated from the program, the Hope Court team recommended to U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason that Mr. Arnsworth receive a 15-month reduction in his period of supervised release. Judge Gleason accepted the recommendation.
Judge Smith noted: "Mr. Arnsworth has turned his life around. He has successfully graduated and did it in record time. He has quietly set an example for others and always been willing to assist other court participants." Mr. Arnsworth was recently hired as a peer counselor with Cook Inlet Tribal Council.
U. S. Attorney’s Office and Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Announce Members of Independent Oversight Board for Youth ProtectionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song and Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced the names of the five persons appointed to the Independent Oversight Board for Youth Protection for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The Diocese created the Independent Oversight Board earlier this year pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diocese and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Diocese established the Independent Oversight Board to supervise the implementation and provide ongoing review of the expanded child protection efforts of the Diocese. The five members chosen by Bishop Bartchak are:
- James W. Brown is a former Chief of Staff to both U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey. Mr. Brown will serve as Chair of the Board.
- Walter “Pete” Carlson is a former criminal investigator for the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Eileen Dombo, PhD, LICSW is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America.
- Mary Herwig experienced abuse as a young child and is an advocate for child protection in all its forms.
- J. Alan Johnson served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania for eight years.
Two Virginia Beach Men Sentenced for Cocaine and Gun SalesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Juan Rivera-Gutierrez, 35, and Pedro Pabon, Jr., 42, both of Virginia Beach, were sentenced today for their respective roles in a three-and-a-half year cocaine conspiracy. Rivera-Gutierrez was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and Pabon to 30 months’ imprisonment.
According to court documents, Rivera-Gutierrez and Pabon conspired to sell wholesale quantities of cocaine from September 2013 to April 2017. Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted nine controlled purchases and recovered over 500 grams of cocaine. During one controlled purchase, Pabon suggested that a confidential informant add a cutting agent to cocaine known as “Aroma,” a product commonly used as a carpet cleaner, to increase profits. On another controlled purchase, Rivera-Gutierrez sold a wholesale quantity of cocaine and five firearms with multiple 100-round clips and a silencer. The silencer was a Department of Defense asset and the firearms included a Russian Izhmash Saiga 12 caliber shotgun, an Israeli Tavor Sar 556 caliber rifle, a DMPS Panther 223 caliber rifle, a stolen Olympic MRF AR-15 multi-caliber rifle, and a Colt M4LE 556 caliber rifle.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Bosse prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-60.
Two Solano County Men Indicted for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned two separate indictments today against Maurice Darnell Jones, Jr. 21, of Vacaville, and Jerry Lyle Andrews, Jr., 34, of Vallejo, charging each with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
U.S. v. Maurice Darnell Jones Jr., 2:17-cr-173 JAM
According to court documents, on August 27, 2017, the Vacaville Police Department encountered Jones and recovered a .40-caliber handgun near his vehicle. Jones is prohibited by law from possessing firearms.
This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, the Vacaville Police Department, and the Vallejo Police Department.
U.S. v. Jerry Lyle Andrews Jr., 2:17-cr-174 MCE
In a separate case, on July 26, 2017, law enforcement officers confronted Andrews in a hotel parking lot in Fairfield where he allegedly discarded a .40‑caliber semi-automatic handgun under a car before he was arrested. The gun was loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition, including seven rounds of hollow point ammunition. Andrews is prohibited by law from possessing firearms.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Fairfield Police Department.
If convicted, Jones and Andrews each face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the district court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two More Springfield Women Plead Guilty to $718,000 Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Springfield, Mo., women pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a $718,000 tax fraud conspiracy.
Carolyn Alice Cobb, 56, and Clementine Lockett, 43, both of Springfield, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool. In addition to the conspiracy, Cobb pleaded guilty to two counts of presenting a false claim and one count of theft of government property. Cobb remains in federal custody without bond. Lockett, who is on bond, also pleaded guilty to two counts of presenting a false claim.
Co-defendant Nancy Lorine Walker, 55, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Aug. 10, 2017, to her role in the conspiracy. Walker also pleaded guilty to one count of presenting a false claim, one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Cobb, Lockett and Walker each admitted that she participated in a conspiracy, which operated from January 2010 to April 23, 2013, to submit false federal income tax returns and make false claims for federal income tax refunds for the 2009-2012 tax years.
Conspirators used the means of identification of individuals, including their names and social security numbers, and Turbo Tax to prepare and electronically file federal income tax returns. Those returns were false and fraudulent in that they included fictitious IRS Form W-2 information, listing employers who did not employ the individual listed on the return and reporting wages not earned and employment taxes not withheld from the individual.
The conspiracy resulted in a total of $718,927 in false claims for federal income tax refunds. Conspirators actually received a total of $317,498 in refunds.
Under federal statutes, Cobb is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Lockett is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Walker is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Two Men Sentenced for Laundering Money from Victims of Internet Dating ScamRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Olusola Olla, age 50, of Browns Summit, North Carolina, to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit money laundering and structuring arising from a scheme to defraud elderly victims of millions of dollars. Olla also was ordered to forfeit and pay restitution in the amount of $349,095. Judge Grimm also sentenced Adeyinka Awolaja, age 35, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of New Carrollton, Maryland, to three years of probation, including two years of home confinement, for conspiracy to commit money laundering arising from the same scheme to defraud. Awolaja also was ordered to forfeit and pay restitution of $145,045.75.
The sentences were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to evidence presented at Olla’s 11-day trial, from January 2011, to May 18, 2015, members of the conspiracy searched online dating websites to initiate romantic relationships with vulnerable male and female individuals. They phoned, emailed, texted, and used internet chat messenger services to form romantic relationships with the victims, who lived in Maryland and around the country.
Witnesses testified that members of the conspiracy used false stories and promises to convince the victims to give them money, including fake hospital bills, plane trips to visit the victims, and problems with overseas businesses. Olla and co-conspirators opened bank accounts, called “drop accounts,” that received millions of dollars from the victims. Testimony at trial showed that victims provided money to Olla and Awolaja as a result of the false stories and promises, either by depositing money directly into drop accounts controlled by the defendants, or by sending checks to them. Payments from victims ranged from $1,720 to $50,000.
Olla, Awolaja, and the co-conspirators dispersed money received from the victims by transferring funds to other accounts they controlled, by obtaining cashier’s checks, and by writing checks to individuals or entities, all done to conceal the nature, source, and control of those assets. Relatedly, many of the currency transactions were “structured,” or designed to avoid the filing of currency transaction reports, which financial institutions are required to file with the Internal Revenue Service for currency transactions exceeding $10,000.
The following co-defendants were previously convicted at trial or pleaded guilty:
Gbenga Benson Ogundele, a/k/a “Benson Ogundele,” age 58, of Laurel, Maryland;
Victor Oyewumi Oloyede, age 42, of Laurel, Maryland;
Olusegun Charles Ogunseye, a/k/a “Charles O. Ogunseye,” age 58, of Laurel, Maryland;
Babatunde Emmanuel Popoola, a/k/a “Emmanuel Popoola” a/k/a “Tunde Popoola, age 34, of Bowie, Maryland;
Mojisola Tinuola Popoola, a/k/a “Mojisola Oluwakemi Tin Popoola” and “Moji T. Popoola,” age 42, of Laurel, Maryland; and
Olufemi Wilfred Williams, a/k/a “Wilfred Olufemi Williams” and “Femi Williams,” age 26, of Owings Mills, Maryland.
The Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 United States Attorneys’ Offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas P. Windom, Ray D. McKenzie, and Leah Jo Bressack, who prosecuted the case.
Two Charged with Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Bailegh Noelle Coleman, 20, of Starke, Florida, was arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Gainesville after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging her and co-defendant Rajheem Kwamaine Roddey, 23, with conspiracy, sex trafficking of a minor, and benefiting financially from sex trafficking of a minor. The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that, between April and June 2017, Roddey and Coleman recruited and transported a person under age 18 for commercial sexual activity. The indictment further alleges that they benefited financially from the sex trafficking. Coleman is in custody, and Roddey has not been arrested yet. Coleman’s trial is scheduled for November 28, 2017, at 8:30 a.m.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Twelve Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced the arrests of Glenn Quanta Pernell, 39, Donald Lee Robinson, 51, Antonio Debor Gowans, 42, Danielle Johnnie Sarvis, 40, Whitney Sad’e Pernell, 27, Hattie F. Pernell, 55, Fatima Flesinears Ford, 32, Myra L. Dixon, 25, Cynthia Jantoria Williams, 39, Kevin Gerard Mullins, 36, Kevin Barry Myers, 52, and Elijah Tyrone Davis, 39. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with their participation in a conspiracy to traffic heroin, cocaine, and “crack” cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.
The defendants were arrested on Wednesday, and appeared in court today where they all entered not guilty pleas. Four others, Santerrio Montinez Smith, 29, Dantrell Markeis Smith, 32, Terrence Vernon Dunlap, 23, and Stacey Vallario Fuller, 50, were also named in the Indictment but have not yet been arrested.
The government requested that six of the defendants—Glenn Pernell, Robinson, Gowans, Mullins, Myers, and Davis—be held without bail pending trial. The Honorable Paige J. Gossett, United States Magistrate Judge, will conduct a hearing on Wednesday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. and will decide whether to grant the government’s request.
These arrests were the result of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Columbia Violent Gang Task Force (CVGTF), working in conjunction with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the Conway Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Service and the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). Assistant United States Attorney Jane B. Taylor of the Columbia office will prosecute the case.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####
Three Men Arrested and Charged with Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jose Rivas, age 40; Jose Luis Santiago Almonte, age 37; and Ryan Espinosa Ogando, age 30, all natives of the Dominican Republic living in New Jersey, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a fine of $10,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in July of 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration in Gulfport, Mississippi obtained information regarding the drug trafficking activities of defendant Santiago. Specifically, Agents learned that Santiago and co-conspirators were arranging to purchase 50 kilograms of cocaine. The co-conspirators agreed to provide two vehicles as down payment for the cocaine. Defendants Santiago and Rivas traveled from New York City to Gulfport in order to make the arrangements, and multiple down payments in the form of vehicles or cash, were made.
In September of 2017, DEA Agents received information that the defendants planned to travel to the Buffalo area in order to obtain kilograms of cocaine. A sale was arranged in Buffalo during which the defendants provided approximately $20,000 more in order to secure six kilograms of cocaine. All three defendants showed up for the exchange. During the exchange, defendant Espinosa took possession of a backpack containing sham cocaine, provided by the DEA. The defendants were arrested at that time.
The complaint is the is the culmination of investigation by the Buffalo Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division, and the DEA Gulfport, Mississippi Resident Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Texas Men Charged with Murder Outside Parole OfficeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has returned a seven-count indictment against two men allegedly responsible for the killing of a man as he sat in his car outside a Houston parole office, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez and Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Ronald Donell Brown aka Dorsey Robinson or Nook or Nookie, 44, and Clyde Williams aka Pete, 50, both of Houston, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, intentional killing related to drug trafficking and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a murder. David Roberts aka Cuz, 42, of Houston, is also named in the indictment and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Brown is also charged in that count in addition to kidnapping and using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that on July 1, 2014, Marcus Celestine had a pre-arranged meeting with his parole officer in Houston. Shortly thereafter, he was shot numerous times as he sat in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in the parking lot, according to the charges.
The murder for hire conspiracy allegedly began after the victim and another individual were believed to have stolen cocaine from a member of Brown’s drug organization. Roberts and others regularly transported large quantities of cocaine for Brown, driving from Houston to Atlanta on a weekly basis, according to the indictment. In April 2014, Roberts received two duffle bags filled with cocaine. Soon after, he was allegedly robbed.
Brown believed Celestine and another individual were responsible for the robbery and he assembled a plan to kill them, according to the indictment. On April 23, 2014, Brown and others allegedly kidnapped the other individual, zip-tied his arms and legs and put him in the trunk of a car. While being transported, the victim was able to break free, open the trunk and jump out of the vehicle. According to the indictment, a good Samaritan saw him, picked him up and attempted to drive him to safety. However, Brown allegedly pursued them and eventually shot at them repeatedly, ultimately striking the good Samaritan in the upper body and the victim in the head. Both men survived the attack.
The indictment further alleges that following this failed attempt, Brown turned his attention to Celestine. Brown allegedly hired Williams to kill Celestine and provided him a firearm. Brown was able discover that Celestine was to meet with his parole officer on July 1, 2014, and informed Williams, according to the charges. Following that meeting, Celestine returned to his vehicle in the parking lot, at which time Williams allegedly fired multiple shots, some at close range. Celestine died at the scene.
Brown and Williams could potentially face the death penalty. For his role in the drug conspiracy, Roberts faces up to life in prison, if convicted.
This case is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative announced in June 2017 which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal of the initiative is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and enhancing training, public awareness and education.
The FBI, Houston Police Department’s Homicide and Major Offenders Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Marshals Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steve Mellin and Sebastian Edwards are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Teresa Polinske of the Department of Justice’s Capital Case Section.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Telia Company AB and Its Uzbek Subsidiary Enter into a Global Foreign Bribery Resolution of More Than $965 Million for Corrupt Payments in UzbekistanRead the Press Release
Stockholm-based Telia Company AB, an international telecommunications company that was formerly an issuer of publicly traded securities in the U.S., and its Uzbek subsidiary, Coscom LLC, entered into a global foreign bribery resolution and agreed to pay a combined total penalty of more than $965 million to resolve charges arising out of a scheme to pay bribes in Uzbekistan.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim of the Southern District of New York, Chief Don Fort of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Lechleitner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Washington, D.C., Field Office made the announcement.
“This resolution underscores the Department’s continued and unwavering commitment to robust FCPA and white-collar criminal enforcement. It also demonstrates the Department’s cooperative posture with its foreign counterparts to stamp out international corruption and to reach fair, appropriate and coordinated resolutions,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco. “Foreign and domestic companies that pay bribes put honest companies at a disadvantage and distort the free and fair market and the rule of law. Today’s resolution reflects the significant efforts of law enforcement, the Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to bring such companies to justice, and to maintain a competitive and level playing field for companies to do business, create jobs and thrive.”
“Today, we announce one of the largest criminal corporate bribery and corruption resolutions ever, with penalties totaling just under a billion dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kim. “Swedish telecom company Telia and its Uzbek subsidiary Coscom have admitted to paying, over many years, more than $331 million in bribes to an Uzbek government official. Telia, whose securities traded publicly in New York, corruptly built a lucrative telecommunications business in Uzbekistan, using bribe payments wired around the world through accounts here in New York City. If your securities trade on our exchanges and you use our banks to move ill-gotten money, then you have to abide by our country’s laws. Telia and Coscom refused to do so, and they have been held accountable in Manhattan federal court today.”
“Today marks the second resolution of proceedings against corporate entities who have engaged in a global bribery scheme of government officials,” said Chief Fort. “It also further demonstrates the dedication we have to identifying illegal financial transactions being used for bribery in the international community. It is important that the global economy remain on a fair playing field and IRS-CI will remain committed in our efforts to dismantle these kinds of corrupt financial schemes.”
“Today’s resolution marks a win against a foreign corruption scheme where millions of dollars in bribery funds were paid to Uzbekistan officials and laundered through the U.S. financial system.” said Special Agent in Charge Lechleitner. “HSI, working hand in hand with our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation, leveled the playing field for publicly traded companies by exposing these corrupt practices and helped the U.S. government collect nearly $275 million in criminal penalties”
Telia entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in connection with a criminal information filed today in the Southern District of New York charging the company with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels. In addition, Coscom pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Judge Daniels on a one-count criminal information charging the company with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Pursuant to its agreement with the Department, Telia agreed to pay a total criminal penalty of $274,603,972 to the U.S., including a $500,000 criminal fine and $40 million in criminal forfeiture that Telia agreed to pay on behalf of Coscom. Telia also agreed to implement rigorous internal controls and cooperate fully with the Department’s ongoing investigation, including its investigation of individuals.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Prosecution Service of the Netherlands (Openbaar Ministrie, or OM) announced separate settlements with Telia in connection with related proceedings. Under the terms of its resolution with the SEC, Telia agreed to a total of $457,169,977 in disgorgement of profits and prejudgment interest, and the SEC agreed to credit any disgorged profits that Telia pays to the Swedish Prosecution Authority (SPA) or OM, up to half of the total. Telia agreed to pay the OM a criminal penalty of $274,000,000 for a total criminal penalty of $548,603,972, and a total resolution amount of more than $1 billion. The Department of Justice agreed to credit the criminal penalty paid to the OM as part of its agreement with the company. The SEC agreed to credit the $40 million in forfeiture paid to the Department as part of its agreement with the company. Thus, the combined total amount of criminal and regulatory penalties paid by Telia and Coscom to the U.S., Dutch, and Swedish authorities will be $965,773,949.
According to the companies’ admissions, Telia and Coscom, through various managers and employees within Telia, Coscom and affiliated entities, paid approximately $331 million in bribes to an Uzbek government official, who was a close relative of a high-ranking government official and had influence over the Uzbek governmental body that regulated the telecom industry. The companies structured and concealed the bribes through various payments including to a shell company that certain Telia and Coscom management knew was beneficially owned by the foreign official. The bribes were paid on multiple occasions between approximately 2007 and 2010, so that Telia could enter the Uzbek market and Coscom could gain valuable telecom assets and continue operating in Uzbekistan. Certain Telia and Coscom management also contemplated structuring an additional bribe payment in late 2012, after Swedish media began reporting about Telia’s corrupt payments in Uzbekistan, Swedish authorities began a criminal investigation and Telia opened an internal investigation.
A number of significant factors contributed to the Department’s criminal resolution with the companies. Among these, the companies received significant credit for their extensive remedial measures and cooperation with the Department’s investigation. Specifically, the criminal penalty reflects a 25 percent reduction off the bottom of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines fine range. However, the companies did not receive more significant mitigation credit, either in the penalty or the form of resolution, because the companies did not voluntarily self-disclose their misconduct to the Department.
The resolution, reached in coordination with the SEC and authorities in the Netherlands, marks the second such resolution by a major international telecommunciations provider for bribery in Uzbekistan. On Feb. 18, 2016, Amsterdam-based VimpelCom Limited and its Uzbek subsidiary, Unitel LLC, also entered into resolutions with the Department of Justice and admitted to a conspiracy to make more than $114 million in bribery payments to the same Uzbek government official between 2006 and 2012. The investigation has thus far yielded a combined total of over $1.76 billion in global fines and disgorgement, including over $500 million in criminal penalties to the Department of Justice. In related actions, the Department has also filed civil complaints seeking the forfeiture of more than $850 million held in bank accounts in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Ireland, which constitute bribe payments made by VimpelCom, Telia and a third telecommunications company, or funds involved in the laundering of those corrupt payments, to the Uzbek official.
* * *
Law enforcement colleagues within the OM and the SPA provided significant cooperation and assistance in this matter. Law enforcement colleagues in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom have also provided valuable assistance. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance, as well. The SEC referred the matter to the Department and also provided extensive cooperation and assistance.
The IRS-CI and ICE-HSI are investigating the cases as part of the IRS Global Illicit Financial Team in Washington, D.C. Senior Litigation Counsel Nicola J. Mrazek and Trial Attorney Ephraim Wernick of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Imperatore of the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the criminal case, with substantial assistance from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). MLARS Trial Attorney Michael Khoo is prosecuting the forfeiture case with substantial assistance from the Fraud Section and former MLARS Trial Attorney Marie M. Dalton, now an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the U.S. should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to [email protected].
Stockton Man Sentenced for Tax Refund FraudRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tosh Babu, 33, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to two and a half years in prison for conspiracy to submit false claims, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Judge Nunley also ordered Babu to pay $94,451 in restitution to the IRS.
According to court documents, between September 28, 2010, and October 30, 2012, Babu conspired with others to submit tax returns to the IRS that falsely claimed that the persons named on the returns were entitled to tax refunds. The conspirators obtained the names, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information of various individuals and used that information, often without the knowledge of those people, to submit the tax returns in their names. Altogether, they submitted at least 1,367 false tax returns, requesting approximately $962,853 in tax refunds. The IRS paid more than $252,000 in fraudulent tax refunds as a result of the scheme.
“Mr. Babu took personal identifiable information (PII) from homeless individuals and used the PII for personal gain by preparing and filing false tax returns with IRS,” said Michael T. Batdorf, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation. “He then negotiated those fraudulent tax refund checks by depositing them in bank accounts under the control of co-conspirators. Individuals thinking about participating in fraudulent tax schemes should consider the real consequences of these types of illegal actions. Those include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back restitution to the IRS for all the taxes owed.”
Babu pleaded guilty on May 25, 2017. On July 14, 2017, co-defendant Christopher M. Grady, 35, of Stockton, was sentenced to three years of time already served in prison for conspiring to submit false claims to the Internal Revenue Service and aggravated identity theft. Co-defendant Jacob Cook, of Stockton, pleaded guilty on May 4, 2017. He was sentenced by Judge Nunley on September 7, 2017, to two and a half years in prison.
Co-defendant Jeffrey Grady, of Stockton, is next scheduled for a status hearing before Judge Nunley on December 14, 2017. The charges against him are allegations only, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Morris is prosecuting the case.
Standish Man Sentenced to More than Five Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced that Kyle Braga, 28, of Standish, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” He pleaded guilty on April 4, 2017.
Court records reveal that on January 20, 2016, the defendant distributed cocaine. Following this distribution, law enforcement stopped his car and seized heroin, cocaine, and crack from a magnetic box under the car.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in conjunction with the Southern Maine Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers from the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Portland, South Portland, and Lewiston Police Departments.
Springfield Man Sentenced to Prison for Transporting Cocaine to ConnecticutRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROLANDO PINO-MARTINEZ, 29, of Springfield, Mass., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2015, the DEA New Haven Task Force initiated an investigation into a cocaine trafficking organization headed by Halby Lopez, also known as “Harv,” of New Haven. Omar Polanco-Mendez and Bernardo Roman-Rolan served as Lopez’s second and third in command, respectively. The investigation revealed that Lopez, Polanco-Mendez and Roman-Rolan were obtaining bulk quantities of cocaine from multiple suppliers and redistributing the cocaine to a network of New Haven-area street-level dealers. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of drugs and the seizure of multiple kilograms of cocaine.
Between January 2016 and March 2016, Lopez, with the assistance of Polanco-Mendez, arranged for the delivery of approximately seven kilograms of cocaine. Lopez used the La Familia Barber Shop located on Howard Avenue in New Haven, which he owned and operated, to distribute cocaine.
PINO-MARTINEZ acted as a courier for a Springfield-based cocaine supplier. On February 11, 2016, investigators learned that PINO-MARTINEZ would be making a delivery of cocaine to the Lopez organization, which Polanco-Mendez had arranged. At approximately 9:00 p.m. on that date, the Connecticut State Police stopped PINO-MARTINEZ’s vehicle on I-91 South in Meriden. A subsequent search of the car revealed two kilograms of cocaine that were concealed in a cereal box.
PINO-MARTINEZ was arrested on federal charges on March 16, 2016. On March 24, 2016, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 13-count indictment charging PINO-MARTINEZ, Lopez, Polanco-Mendez, Roman-Rolan and six other individuals with various narcotics offenses. On October 4, 2016, PINO-MARTINEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
All of the 10 defendants in this case pleaded guilty, and PINO-MARTINEZ is the last to be sentenced.
Lopez and Polanco-Mendez are currently serving prison terms of 10 years, and Roman-Rolan is serving a 68-month prison term.
The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Caruso and Jennifer Laraia.Serial Bank Robber Receives 15 Year Plus Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
G.F. Peterman, IIII, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Quinn Morgan of Milledgeville, GA, age 60, was sentenced in Macon by the Honorable Marc Treadwell, United States District Judge, to 188 months imprisonment for multiple counts of bank robbery in this district and elsewhere. There is no parole in the federal system.
Between May 2, 2016 and June 28, 2016, Mr. Morgan robbed the BB&T Bank located at 201 Second Street, Macon, GA; the CGR Credit Union located in the Navicent Health Center (formerly the Medical Center of Central Georgia) located at 770 Pine St., Macon, GA; and the Robins Financial Credit Union located at 577 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA. He would enter the bank/credit unions wearing different clothing and present a note demanding money. Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Mr. Morgan within minutes of the Robins Financial Credit Union robbery.
After his arrest, FBI agents discovered that Mr. Morgan had committed other bank robberies outside of the Middle District of Georgia. It was determined that on February 12, 2016, he had robbed the Day Air Credit Union located at 4100 West Third Street, Dayton, OH; the Wells Fargo bank located at 12830 Highway 9 North, Alpharetta, GA on June 3, 2016; and the SunTrust Bank located at 3020 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA on September 29, 2015.
For each of the robberies, Mr. Morgan would attempt to disguise his appearance and present a note demanding money from the bank teller.
After his arrest by Bibb County deputies, Mr. Morgan confessed to all of the robberies.
“It was the excellent police and investigative work by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI that led to the capture of this serial robber and brought his nine month crime spree to an end,” said United States Attorney Peterman. “It is good to know that Mr. Morgan will not be able to feed his addiction to other people’s money for the next one and a half decades.”
“The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is proud of the swift action by our deputies to arrest this serial bank robber, which has resulted in him being put behind bars for over a decade,” said Sheriff David J. Davis.
“Thanks to a quick response by Bibb County Sheriff deputies, a string of bank robberies that would have surely continued, was ended,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta FBI Field Office. “And thanks to a thorough investigation by FBI Agents and Bibb County after that arrest, Mr. Morgan’s lengthy spree of bank robberies was uncovered, ending in a prison sentence that will give him plenty of time to think about changing his path in life.”
The case was investigated by Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Solis handled the prosecution for the Department of Justice.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pam Lightsey, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Schenectady Man Sentenced for Crack Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – James Hileman, age 29, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for distributing crack cocaine.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Vadim D. Thomas of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed an 8-year term of supervised release, to begin after Hileman’s release from prison.
As part of his guilty plea, Hileman admitted that in March 2015, he sold more than 28 grams of crack cocaine to another person. At the time, he had multiple, prior drug felony convictions and was on parole.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne A. Myers.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Scheme to Defraud the Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation ProgramRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, a federal judge sentenced 54-year-old Mack Cole, Jr., to 27 months in federal prison for scheming to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Program announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
In addition to the prison term, Chief United States District Judge Orlando Garcia ordered that Cole pay $375,055.85 restitution to the Veteran’s Benefit Administration and $59,538.60 restitution to the Veterans Health Administration. Judge Garcia also ordered that Cole be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On June 14, 2017, a federal jury convicted Cole on four counts of health care fraud and two counts of making false statements in a matter involving a health care benefit program.
Evidence presented during trial revealed that Cole, who was deployed with the Kansas Army National Guard to Kosovo in 2004, injured his lower back in a state-side training accident prior to the deployment.
In 2006, Cole was granted military retirement and was later deemed eligible for monthly benefits as a retired disabled veteran. The jury found that Cole misrepresented the severity of his service-connected injuries in order to collect a higher level of benefits, adaptations to his residence, and extensive durable medical equipment.
Special Agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) conducted video surveillance of Cole, who represented to his VA physicians that he was not able to walk. Over the course of several months, Special Agents of the VA OIG recorded video of Cole mowing his front lawn, walking around his driveway and lawn without assistance, and otherwise demonstrating that he had the ability to walk.
Special Agents with the VA OIG investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Bud Paulissen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 58-year-old Theodore Edward DeAubrey was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, Chief United States District Judge Orlando Garcia ordered that DeAubrey pay a total of $30,000 restitution to six known victims depicted in the images he distributed. Judge Garcia also ordered that DeAubrey be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
DeAubrey was the subject of an undercover child pornography investigation conducted by the FBI. On January 15, 2016, agents executed a search warrant and seized the defendant’s home computer. Upon examination, agents discovered the computer contained approximately 200 files, mostly video files, depicting child pornography.
On November 15, 2016, DeAubrey pleaded guilty to the distribution charge. By pleading guilty, DeAubrey admitted to distributing approximately 1,500 files on April 10, 2015, most of which depicted prepubescent children, including toddlers, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Thompson and Diana Cruz-Zapata prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Rock Island Man Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Prison on Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A Rock Island, Ill., man has been sentenced to serve a total of 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid ordered Tyheme Tarkett Robertson, 28, of the 3000 block of 24th Street, Rock Island, to serve 40 months in federal prison on the felon in possession of a firearm count, to be followed by a consecutive 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Following his release from prison, Robertson was ordered to serve a three year term of supervised release. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Robertson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
In court documents and statements, Robertson admitted that on Dec. 20, 2016, he possessed a Smith & Wesson .40 pistol and a Cobray M-11 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number in furtherance of his drug trafficking operation. Robertson also admitted that he possessed both firearms after being previously convicted of a felony offense in the State of Iowa.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mehochko, and the charges were the result of an investigation by the Rock Island Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Reynoldsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding 44 Clients out of More Than $1.4 MillionRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Edward I. Campbell, 41, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to charges related to a $1.4 million investment fraud scheme that defrauded at least 44 individuals. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of wire fraud.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court documents, between July 2011 and June 2013 Campbell operated an investment business known as Rosewood Consulting LLC in Baltimore, Ohio. Campbell told victims their contributions would be invested through Rosewood Consulting into two types of investment programs: historical bonds issued by China and the exchange of Bougainville Kina – currency from the autonomous region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea – into U.S. dollars.
Campbell represented that he had access to a trading platform in which he could monetize gold-backed bonds issued by China in 1913 for a very high return. Campbell offered to sell the historical bonds to investors for $10,000 to $15,000 each for a promised return on investment of anywhere from $50,000 to upwards of possibly $10 million per bond within 10 to 60 days.
Campbell also offered to exchange the Bougainville Kina, which he allegedly possessed, into U.S. dollars if the investors hired him for a $100,000 fee. The investors were supposed to receive a return of $1.5 million or more within 10 to 120 days.
Campbell told investors that their investments were refundable if the returns were not paid within the provided timeframes. In addition, he told investors that he had prior success with these investment programs, was a former Navy SEAL, once worked in an investment house, had traveled internationally closing deals and he had nearly 600 investors.
The investigation revealed that none of the investors received the returns on their investments that Campbell had promised. Only a few of the 44 investors have been refunded the money they paid for his services and those refunds were paid for with other investors’ funds.
Campbell usually depleted the funds he received from investors shortly after receiving them, by using the funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of two automobiles and expenses at hotels and restaurants.
As part of his plea agreement, Campbell has agreed to pay $1,408,854 in restitution.
Money laundering in this case is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and wire fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“A person who creates a web of financial lies will soon be caught up in it. Edward Campbell offered higher rates of return than normal to his clients and unfortunately these were false promises,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS and FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Quad Cities Real Estate Developer Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Defrauding InvestorsRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A Rock Island, Ill., businessman, Todd B. Raufeisen, has been sentenced to 72 months imprisonment for defrauding investors in his land development and management projects of approximately $1.7 million. In May 2017, Raufeisen, 56, entered his guilty pleas to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow also sentenced Raufeisen to three years of supervised release following release from prison and ordered him to pay over $1.72 million in restitution to his 22 victims of fraud. Raufeisen was ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons on Oct. 23, to begin serving his sentence.
In court documents and statements, Raufeisen admitted that from 2010 to August 2016, he engaged in a scheme that defrauded approximately 22 investors in his development projects and resulted in a loss of approximately $1.7 million. Raufeisen engaged in business under various business names, including RDC Hotel Solutions.
As part of the scheme, Raufeisen promised prospective investors a higher rate of interest than conventional, insured investments and short turnarounds on return of the principle and interest. In exchange for the money invested, Raufeisen promised certain investors that the money would be placed in escrow until needed, would only be used for specific development or management projects, and, if unused, the money would be returned to the investor. In fact, Raufeisen used the investors’ money for personal expenses and to pay previous investors to whom he was indebted.
Further, Raufeisen provided certain investors with promissory notes that promised repayment of invested principle and interest. The notes were purportedly signed and guaranteed by persons who knew nothing of the promissory notes and had not guaranteed repayment to the investors. In fact, Raufeisen admitted that he forged the signatures on the promissory notes.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and, the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Allegro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Powell Resident Sentenced to Serve Eight Years in Federal Prison for Tax Evasion, Mail Fraud and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On September 20, 2017, Andrea Rudd, 38, of Powell, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, Chief U.S. District Judge, to consecutively serve 60 months for tax evasion and 36 months for mail and wire fraud, for a total of 96 months in federal prison. Upon her release from prison, she will be supervised by U.S. Probation for three years. Rudd was also ordered to pay $15,766,417.32 in restitution to the victims of her offenses, $10,377,785.04 of which will go to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In April 2017, Rudd, pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging her with the above-referenced offenses. This information, on file with U.S. District Court, contains a detailed account of her scheme in committing these crimes.
Rudd was the owner of HR Comp, LLC (HR Comp) in Powell, Tennessee. HR Comp, conducted business through several subsidiaries collectively known as the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Entities. Operating both independently and in the name of the PEO Entities, HR Comp entered into contracts with client companies to process their payroll. In conjunction with handling the payroll, HR Comp was responsible for collecting and remitting money owed by the companies and their employees for payroll taxes to the IRS. Additionally, HR Comp, both independently and through the PEO Entities, entered into contracts with the client companies to provide worker’s compensation insurance.
Between 2011 and 2015, instead of remitting the money collected from her client companies for payroll taxes to the IRS, Rudd converted the funds for her own personal use. Additionally, client agencies sent money to HR Comp, in exchange for what Rudd and her co-conspirators represented to be worker’s compensation insurance. However, false certificates of insurance were provided to the client companies and the insurance was never purchased.
Investigative agencies involved in this case included IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dale represented the United States through court proceedings.
###
Philadelphia Man Charged with Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Scott Wayne Turner, 49, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by Indictment with one count of bank robbery, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and a three-year period of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Priya T. De Souza.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Peter E. Deegan Jr. Sworn in as United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. – Peter E. Deegan, Jr. has taken the oath of office today to become the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. Mr. Deegan was nominated by President Donald Trump on July 19, 2017, and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 14, 2017. He took the oath of office from United States District Judge Linda R. Reade.
“Having been part of the office for most of my professional career, I know first-hand that it is made up of an exceptional group of dedicated and talented public servants,” said Deegan. “It’s both an honor and a privilege to be chosen to serve as the United States Attorney.”
As United States Attorney, Mr. Deegan is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Northern District of Iowa. He oversees a staff of 46 employees, including 25 attorneys and 21 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Mr. Deegan’s career as a federal prosecutor began in 1998 when he joined the Northern District of Iowa’s Sioux City branch office as a Special Assistant United States Attorney employed through the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Deegan prosecuted methamphetamine manufacturers and traffickers as part of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area’s methamphetamine initiative. In 1999, as an Assistant United States Attorney, he began prosecuting a full variety of federal criminal cases from narcotics and violent crime to complex fraud, child sexual exploitation, and business crimes. Mr. Deegan moved from Sioux City to the Cedar Rapids office in 2001.
From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Deegan served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Detroit where he prosecuted general criminal matters including alien smuggling, medical device smuggling, and financial fraud. He also successfully tried a Detroit police detective and his brother for bank robbery conspiracy.
After returning to Cedar Rapids in 2006, Mr. Deegan prosecuted the two largest financial fraud cases in the history of the district. These included a $215,000,000 fraud committed by the owner of Peregrine Financial Group, Inc. He also co-led the investigation and prosecution of a large-scale criminal immigration enforcement action and the subsequent prosecution of several employer personnel for alien harboring and related offenses. In recent years, Mr. Deegan led the investigation and prosecution of federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and public corruption crimes related to the largest food-borne salmonella outbreak in the nation’s history.
From 2015 until his confirmation as United States Attorney, Mr. Deegan served as the Chief of the Criminal Division in the Northern District of Iowa.
Mr. Deegan has received several Department of Justice honors and awards for his work as a federal prosecutor, including the Executive Office for United States Attorney’s Director’s Award and a Special Commendation award from the Civil Division.
Mr. Deegan has taught Federal White Collar Crime as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa Law School. He has also served as a regular trial advocacy instructor at the Department of Justice’s National Trial Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, and as a visiting trial advocacy instructor at the University of Notre Dame Law School. Mr. Deegan has served on multiple boards and service committees.
Mr. Deegan earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Middle East Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1992 and received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1995. Prior to joining the office, he clerked for United States District Judge Lawrence P. Zatkoff in the Eastern District of Michigan. He also practiced law in Chicago where he represented small businesses in labor and employment related litigation. He is a member of the State Bars of Iowa and Michigan and an inactive member of the State Bar of Illinois. He lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife and seven children.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Papillion Man Sentenced in Federal Court to 50 Months in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Leonard E. Megee, 65, was sentenced in federal court Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing child pornography. The Honorable John M. Gerrard sentenced Megee to 50 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Megee will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Megee was order to pay $5,000 and a $100 special assessment. Megee was further ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution to victims in his collection of child pornography.
An Internet Service Provider reported that a computer from within Megee’s Papillion residence had uploaded an image of child pornography. It was determined that Megee had exchanged images of child pornography with the email accounts of at least three others.
A search warrant was served by members of the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force in September 2016. A search of his computers and email accounts recovered 9 videos and 75 images of child pornography. The images were of prepubescent children, most between the ages of 5 and 8 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Cyber Crime Task Force (CCTF).
Owner of Washington Produce Business Sentenced to Prison for Filing Fraudulent Federal Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A Chelan Falls, Washington man was sentenced in absentia to 30 months in prison for filing a fraudulent 2011 federal tax return, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to documents filed with the court, from 2009 through 2012, Jose L. Echeverria, 46, owned and operated a produce sales business in Chelan Falls. Echeverria filed fraudulent individual income tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2012 that underreported the income he received from his business by a total of $564,292, causing a tax loss of approximately $183,191. During this timeframe, Echeverria wired hundreds of thousands of dollars in unreported income to an account in Mexico to purchase land, vacation homes and vehicles for his personal use.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Court Judge Lonny R. Suko ordered Echeverria to serve one year of supervised release, and to pay $183,191 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Echeverria pleaded guilty in February. Echeverria is believed to have fled to Mexico and remains a fugitive.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Lisa L. Bellamy and former Trial Attorney Gregory Bernstein of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg also thanked Joseph H. Harrington, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, and the members of his office for their assistance.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Owner and Healthcare Company Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare Fraud and Conspiracy to Pay and Receive Illegal KickbacksRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LISA CRINEL age 52; of New Orleans, and PCAH, INC. a/k/a PRIORITY CARE AT HOME, INC. d/b/a ABIDE HOME CARE SERVICES INC. (“ABIDE”), were sentenced today for their roles in approximately $30,052,295 in Medicare fraud.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced CRINEL to 80 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and restitution to Medicare in the amount of $16,088,222. The corporation CRINEL owned, PCAH, INC. a/k/a PRIORITY CARE AT HOME, INC. d/b/a ABIDE HOME CARE SERVICES INC., was sentenced today to five years of probation and restitution to Medicare in the amount of $16,088,222.
On March 12, 2015, CRINEL and ABIDE were indicted along with 19 other defendants in a 26-count indictment.
On October 2, 2015, CRINEL pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks. That same day, ABIDE pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to court documents, CRINEL was the owner and operator of ABIDE, a business that provided home health care services to homebound individuals who were primarily Medicare beneficiaries. As the owner and Chief Operating Officer of ABIDE, CRINEL took a “100 percent hands on approach” that extended to “almost every aspect of the operation” of the business. Home health experts trained CRINEL and her staff on who qualified for home health and how home health services should be documented. Evidence seized at the search of ABIDE’s office established that CRINEL maintained ABIDE’s Medicare Provider Number and routinely certified on behalf of ABIDE that she would not knowingly present or cause to be presented false or fraudulent claims for payment by Medicare. Nevertheless, CRINEL instructed her staff not to discharge patients, even those who did not require home health services. ABIDE, under CRINEL’s direction, also routinely falsified diagnoses codes and medical records to cause inflated reimbursements from Medicare. CRINEL and ABIDE created an atmosphere where nurses and other healthcare professionals would compromise their medical and ethical judgment in order to defraud Medicare. Court documents also show that CRINEL and ABIDE entered into sham employment contracts and medical director contracts with doctors and others to cover up the illegal kickback relationship between CRINEL, ABIDE, and those doctors and other individuals. Four physicians have since been convicted for their roles in the conspiracies and are awaiting sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrice Harris Sullivan, Hayden M. Brockett, Sharan Lieberman, and Maria Carboni were in charge of the prosecution.
Orange County Man Sentenced to over 17 Years for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Nathan P. Perez (35, Orange County) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for receiving and possessing child pornography. He pleaded guilty on June 19, 2017.
According to court documents, Perez had a large number of videos and images on his electronic devices depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, many of whom were under the age of 12. Based on his criminal history and additional evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, the Court determined that Perez poses a continued danger to the public, which was a factor mentioned by the Court in imposing yesterday’s sentence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Nine Alleged Members of Chicago Street Gang Charged with Participating in Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Multiple MurdersRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal indictment unsealed this week charges nine alleged members of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang with participating in a criminal organization that murdered six people and violently protected drug-dealing territories on the West and Southwest Sides of Chicago.
Authorities uncovered the alleged gang activity through a lengthy investigation conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), with assistance from the Chicago FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA), the ATF’s Chicago Crime Gun Strike Force, and the Chicago Police Gang Investigations Division.
The indictment charges that the Four Corner Hustlers dealt drugs and robbed rival dealers, used violence and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement, and tried to avoid detection by monitoring police scanners and outfitting its members with a security detail. The gang engaged in numerous acts of violence, including murder, robbery, extortion and aggravated battery, according to the indictment.
The gang operated primarily in the Chicago neighborhoods of West Garfield Park and Humboldt Park on the West Side, and in the former LeClaire Courts public housing development on the Southwest Side, the indictment states.
Nine alleged Four Corner Hustlers are charged with racketeering conspiracy. Two other defendants are charged in the indictment with participating in an extortion conspiracy, bringing the total number of charged defendants to eleven. The indictment identifies three Four Corner Hustlers who engaged in the racketeering conspiracy but died before they could be charged.
The indictment was returned Sept. 14, 2017, and ordered unsealed after several of the defendants were arrested this week. The defendants have begun making initial appearances in federal court in Chicago.
The indictment was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Celinez Nunez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Eddie T. Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by the Illinois Secretary of State Police Department, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Illinois State Police.
Charged with racketeering conspiracy are LABAR SPANN, 38; SAMMIE BOOKER, 43; TREMAYNE THOMPSON, 33; JUHWUN FOSTER, 37; MARCHELLO DEVINE, 30; RONTRELL TURNIPSEED, 24; KEITH CHATMAN, 29; STEVON SIMS, 27; and DEANDRE SPANN, 40; all of Chicago.
The indictment holds all nine members of the racketeering conspiracy criminally responsible for the murders of six people: Carlos Caldwell on Jan. 19, 2000; Maximillion McDaniel on July 25, 2000; Levar Smith on Aug. 14, 2000; George King on April 8, 2003; Willie Woods on April 16, 2003; and Rudy Rangel on June 4, 2003. Specifically, the indictment charges that Labar Spann participated in all six slayings, with assistance in five of them from at least one other member of the conspiracy. Individual counts in the indictment charge Labar Spann, Thompson and Foster with committing the murder of Woods; and Labar Spann with committing the murder of Rangel. The charges allege that the Woods and Rangel murders were carried out for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Four Corner Hustlers.
Charged with participating in an extortion conspiracy are Labar Spann; Thompson; MIKAL JONES, 33, of Chicago; and ANTONIO DEVINE, 25, of Chicago.
The investigation was conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of OCDETF is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The racketeering conspiracy charge generally carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, but a life sentence is possible for certain underlying racketeering activities referenced in the indictment. The murder counts in connection with the slayings of Woods and Rangel each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of the death penalty. The extortion conspiracy is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter S. Salib, Timothy J. Storino and William Dunne.
New York City Men Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Leading Large Drug and Fraud Organization in Vermont and MaineRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Gary Delima, 28, of Copiague, New York, and Sharif Cargo, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, were sentenced today for conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, and 28 grams of cocaine base, and for conspiring to commit access device fraud. Chief District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Delima to a 156-month term of incarceration for the drug trafficking offense, and a concurrent 63-month term of incarceration for the fraud offense. Chief Judge Reiss sentenced Cargo to a 132-month term of incarceration for the drug trafficking offense, and a concurrent 57-month term of incarceration for the fraud offense.
According to Court records, Delima and Cargo were the leaders and organizers of a large drug trafficking organization that imported heroin and cocaine base to multiple cities in Vermont and Maine for distribution from approximately the fall of 2012 until March of 2015. Utilizing the alias “Jeff,” both Delima and Cargo communicated by telephone with the customers in Vermont, and directed them to meet with their coconspirators at various locations in Burlington. Delima and Cargo utilized local addicts to function as hosts for their out-of-state coconspirators, providing safe-harbor for their drugs. Law enforcement linked Delima and Cargo’s drug distribution activities to at least one overdose death.
In addition to drug trafficking, Delima and Cargo engaged in sex trafficking, acting as the pimps for various women engaged in prostitution in Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania. Delima and Cargo used the physical and emotional pain of heroin withdrawal as a coercive tool to force women to engage in additional acts of prostitution.
After a coordinated law enforcement operation that involved numerous law enforcement agencies in the states of Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and New York, Delima and Cargo were arrested at a residence in Lewiston, Maine. A search of the residence revealed approximately 300 counterfeit credit cards, and various equipment used to manufacture counterfeit credit cards. Law enforcement also obtained a search warrant for Delima’s residence in Copiague, where agents discovered numerous emaciated dogs and apparatus used to train dogs for the purpose of dog fighting.
Acting United States Attorney Eugenia A. P. Cowles commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Burlington, Vermont Police Department; the Winooski, Vermont Police Department; the South Burlington, Vermont Police Department; the St. Albans, Vermont Police Department; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Rutland, Vermont Police Department; the Vermont State Police; the Lewiston, Maine Police Department; the United States Secret Service; and the New York City Police Department, in the successful arrests and prosecutions of Delima, Cargo, and twenty-one other related defendants.
Delima was represented by Brooks McArthur, Esq. and David Williams, Esq. Cargo was represented by Thomas Sherrer, Esq. The United States was represented in the District of Vermont by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt, and in the District of Maine by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Perry.
Muskogee Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that BLAKE ALAN MILLER, age 34, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, pled guilty to POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), punishable by not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years imprisonment, and up to a $5,000,000.00 fine or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about March 7, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, BLAKE ALAN MILLER, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney John David Luton represented the United States.
Metairie Man Pleads Guilty in Methamphetamine-Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DWAYNE CLAUSE, age 54, of Metairie, pled guilty yesterday to participating in a methamphetamine-distribution conspiracy throughout the New Orleans area. Specifically, CLAUSE pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, in 2016, codefendant STEVEN LYONS was a New Orleans-based drug trafficker who was receiving parcels of methamphetamine via common mail carriers. CLAUSE would assist LYONS in receiving these packages and distributing the quantities of methamphetamine in the New Orleans area.
For his role in the conspiracy, CLAUSE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000 and at least four years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for CLAUSE on December 20, 2017.
LYONS pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Division Office, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Long is in charge of the prosecution.
Marion County Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges today sentenced Jonathan Thomas Pearce (38, Citra) to 14 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. The Court also ordered him to forfeit a laptop computer, which he had used to facilitate the offense. Pearce pleaded guilty on May 4, 2017.
According to court documents, on January 12, 2017, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Citra, where Pearce, a registered sexual predator, resided. During the investigation, agents recovered images of child pornography from Pearce’s laptop computer. The images included toddlers and children between the ages of 3 and 10 years old.
"This predator re-victimized very young children with his crimes," said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Tampa James C. Spero. "This sentence should also serve as a sobering reminder to child predators that HSI will continue to work diligently to hold these criminals accountable for their actions.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations - Orlando Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale R. Campion.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Manassas Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Manassas man with five counts of production of child pornography.
According to the indictment, Dwayne Stinson, 52, coerced minors into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pornographic images on at least five separate occasions.
Stinson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years in prison if convicted. 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; Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Dougherty Russell and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Burke are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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 are 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-211 or 1:17-mj-349.
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.
Leuders Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — Steven Michael Turnbow, 33, of Leuders, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to serve a total of 87 months in federal prison and an eight-year term of supervised release, following his guilty plea to receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Turnbow has been in custody since his arrest in March 2017. He pleaded guilty in May 2017 to one count of receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, between 2015 through July 30, 2016, Turnbow received, by way of the Internet, several images and videos which depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Turnbow used the Wi-Fi signal from his neighbor’s house to access the Internet. When he saw that his neighbors’ residence was being searched by law enforcement, he removed the computer hard drive from his desktop computer, which he had been using to search for, and download, images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and threw it in a river near his residence.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy prosecuted the case.
# # #
Las Vegas man sentenced for bank robberyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Vance Lawrence Burns, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced to 48 months incarceration for robbing an Ohio County bank, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Burns, age 57, pled guilty to one count of “Bank Robbery” in July 2017. Burns admitted to robbing the United Bank in Bethlehem in April 2014, taking $3,202.00.
Burns was also ordered to pay $3,202 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick. P Stamp. Jr. presided.
Laguna Pueblo Man Sentenced to Prison for Assault by Strangulation ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Robert T. Maestas, 26, an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo who resides in Paguate, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., for his conviction on an assault by strangulation charge. Maestas will serve a 33-month prison term followed by three years of supervised release.
Maestas was arrested on March 17, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with domestic assault by a habitual offender and assault of an intimate partner by strangulation. According to the complaint, Maestas assaulted the victim on Feb. 10, 2017, in the Laguna Pueblo within Cibola County, N.M., by holding her neck against a car door with his forearm prohibiting her from breathing, and by striking her on the chest and shoulder.
Maestas was indicted on March 28, 2017, and was charged with domestic assault by a habitual offender and assault of an intimate partner by strangulation or suffocating. According to the indictment, Maestas previously was convicted in the Laguna Tribal Court of domestic violence offenses in Dec. 2011 and Jan. 2012.
On June 6, 2017, Maestas pled guilty to Count 2 of the indictment charging him with assaulting an intimate partner by strangulation. In entering the guilty plea, Maestas admitted that on Feb. 10, 2017, after brandishing a shotgun at the victim, he assaulted her by grabbing her throat with his hand and applying pressure to cause pain, striking her rib and chest area, and using his forearm to apply pressure to her neck prohibiting her from breathing. Maestas acknowledged that the victim suffered physical pain as well as bruising and marks to her forearms, neck, chest and shoulder as the result of the assault.
This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA Office of Justice Services and the Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy B. Solimon prosecuted the case pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Kingston Man Sentenced for Firearms FelonyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 20, 2017, United States District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy sentenced LeShawn Burgman, age 35, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, to five years’ imprisonment for possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Burgman was arrested in October 2016 after he sold MDMA, or “Molly,” and marijuana to confidential informants. Burgman pleaded guilty to a criminal information on June 20, 2017, charging him with possessing three firearms, a Hi-Point semi-automatic, .380 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer semi-automatic .45 caliber pistol, and a Colt .38 caliber revolver, in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. All three firearms were recovered during the execution of a search warrant in Burgman’s residence and vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Kingston Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.
# # #