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26 October 2017
Five Army National Guardsmen Sentenced in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABTH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Greenbelt, Maryland – On October 24, 2017, United States District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Vincent A. Grant, age 28, of Laurel, Maryland, to 58 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Judge Hazel earlier ordered the following sentences for Grant’s co-defendants -
James C. Stewart, III to 66 months in prison;
Derrick K. Shelton, II to 49 months in prison;
Jamal A. Moody to 48 months in prison; and
Quentin T. Stewart to 40 months in prison.
Each of the defendants’ sentences included a 2-year consecutive mandatory minimum sentence for committing aggravated identity theft.
The sentences were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig Jr. of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Thorpe of the DCIS - Cyber Field Office.
The defendants were found guilty of conduct occurring from July 2014 to May 2015, during which time the defendants used Bitcoin, a form of digital currency to purchase stolen credit and debit card numbers of individuals and businesses from foreign internet websites. The defendants selected and purchased stolen credit and debit card numbers of individuals and businesses holding federal credit union accounts, and those with billing addresses in or near Maryland. They bought magnetic strip card-encoding devices and software to re-encode credit, debit, and other cards with the stolen credit and debit card numbers. The defendants then used the cards they fraudulently re-encoded to buy merchandise, including gift cards, electronic items, and luxury goods, from Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores on U.S. military bases, also known as PX stores, and other locations in Maryland and elsewhere. They used the merchandise themselves or resold the merchandise to individuals they knew or through Craigslist postings.
James Stewart was convicted after trial on June 1, 2017, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Vincent Grant was convicted of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Derrick Shelton and Quentin Stewart pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Jamal Moody pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Moody, Shelton, James Stewart, and Grant were specialists, and Quentin Stewart was a former sergeant, all in the District of Columbia Army National Guard.
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 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the DCIS for its work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan E. Foreman and Thomas P. Windom; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gustav William Eyler, of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division - Fraud Section; and Trial Attorney Jessee Alexander-Hoeppner, of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division - Fraud Section, who prosecuted the case.
Fifteen Individuals Charged in Multi-Million Dollar International Money Laundering and Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Fifteen individuals, including twelve Florida residents, have been charged in a multi-million dollar international money laundering and fraud scheme in two Indictments.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Timothy R. Langan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security (ICE-HSI), made the announcement.
One Indictment charges Roda Taher, 38, of Beruit, Lebanon, Geannis Gonzalez, 31, of Peyton, Colorado, Alfredo Tovar, 36, of Miami Gardens, Quiana Velasco, 35, of Miami, Jose Daniel Estrella, 38, of Hallandale, Pedro Reyes, 38, of Hialeah, Robinson Castillo, 32, of Pembroke Pines, and Jamie Vives Castillo, 41, of Pembroke Pines, with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laudering, and conducting transactions in criminally derived property. Hanan Jaafar, 26, of Beruit, Lebanon, is also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to the Indictment, from 2008 to the present, Taher has managed and supervised a criminal organization engaged in money laundering and transactions in criminally derived property that has received approximately $94 million dollars in fraudulent proceeds. The organization utilized bank accounts established in the names of shell corporations to receive the proceeds of various fraudulent schemes, including romance frauds, email hacking schemes, and inheritance and lottery scams, that victimized individuals and corporations across the United States. The defendants would recruit individuals to act as “money mules,” establishing the shell corporations in the money mules’ names. The defendants would then have the money mules open bank accounts throughout South Florida in the names of their shell corporations, instructing the mules to falsely represent to the banks that the shell corporations were legitimate businesses engaged in the import, export, or sale of various goods. Once these bank accounts received money wired from a fraud victim, the defendants would instruct the money mules to wire the money to other accounts overseas. Defendants Gonzalez, Tovar, Velasco, Estrella, Reyes, Castillo, and Vives Castillo all incorporated shell corporations and eventually graduated to recruiting and managing money mules on behalf of the organization. Defendant Jaafar, Taher’s wife, also received criminal proceeds from other members of the organization and transferred portions of those proceeds to accounts overseas.
A second Indictment charged Luis Angel de Jesus Alfonseca Pujols, 24, of Sunrise, Gary Alberto Camillo, 26, of Pembroke Pines, Jean-Phillipe Etienne, 25, of Pembroke Pines, Randy Eliessel Santos, 29, of Hollywood, and Cosme Daniel Enrique Vasquez, 36, of Miramar, with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, international money laundering, money laundering, and bank fraud. The indictment also charged Karina Marie Ocasio, 24, of Weston, with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, money laundering, and bank fraud.
If convicted of the charged conduct, the defendants face a possible maximum statutory sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud; 30 years’ imprisonment for bank fraud; 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit money laundering; 20 years’ imprisonment for money laundering; 20 years’ imprisonment for international money laundering; and 10 years’ imprisonment for conducting transactions in criminally derived property.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, HSI and the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in connection with the investigation of this matter. The case against Taher et.al. is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared M. Strauss and Michael G. Walleisa. The case against Alfonseca Pujols, et. al. is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne E. Williams.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov
Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict Against Arizona Man on Marijuana Trafficking Charges in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – This afternoon, a federal jury sitting in Las Cruces, N.M., found John Leroy Milne, 56, of Phoenix, Ariz., guilty on marijuana trafficking charges and acquitted his co-defendant following a three-day trial. Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Borak of the El Paso Division of the DEA and Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Self of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sectorannounced the verdict.
The DEA and U.S. Border Patrol arrested Milne on June 23, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing 111.58 kilograms (245.99 pounds) of marijuana with intent to distribute. Milne and his co-defendant, Manuel Pavon-Rodriguez, 36, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, subsequently were indicted on July 19, 2017, and were charged with participating in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the crimes on June 23, 2017, in Hidalgo County, N.M.
The evidence at trial established that U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Milne in Rodeo, N.M., on June 23, 2017, after Milne stopped his vehicle in front of the agents, got out of the vehicle, and initiated a conversation with the agents. The agents had been following Milne because Milne’s vehicle did not have a visible license plate. Agents testified that Milne gave conflicting and confusing accounts about this his travel plans until the agents asked him to show them the paper license plate for his vehicle. The agents testified that they observed five burlap backpacks and detected the strong scent of marijuana from the back of vehicle as Milne attempted to remove the paper license plate from the back window of his vehicle.
When the agents opened the back of the vehicle to inspect the backpacks, they observed Pavon-Rodriguez, who was wearing camouflage clothing, attempting to hide in the back of the vehicle with the backpacks so he could illegally enter the United States. The five burlap backpacks contained 12 square bales of marijuana, weighing approximately 246 pounds that were wrapped in duct tape.
The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning a guilty verdict against Milne and a not guilty verdict against Pavon-Rodriguez.
At sentencing, Milne faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and maximum of 40 years in federal prison. Milne remains in custody pending sentencing hearings, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfred J. Perez and Kathleen Robeson of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Drug and Explosive OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that Wednesday, a federal jury in New Bern found JAMES CURTIS DENTON guilty of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and possession and transportation of an explosive by a drug user with the intent to injure or kill an individual.
DENTON was named in a superseding indictment originally filed on May 3, 2016, which included a drug conspiracy with four co-defendants and other drug offenses. He was arrested shortly thereafter. While in custody and after further investigation, DENTON was named in a second superseding indictment including the explosive charges on August 2, 2016.
In the early morning of May 28, 2015, an improvised explosive device (IED) constructed of PVC pipe, black powder, and pellets was affixed under the vehicle of DENTON’S ex-spouse’s boyfriend’s vehicle. Later that day, the IED exploded as the victim was driving down a neighborhood street. Fortunately, the victim was unharmed. During the investigation, it was discovered that DENTON was involved in drug use, and, as the drug investigation continued, evidence regarding DENTON’s motive to place the IED was revealed. Investigators and the federal prosecutor were able to tie DENTON to the IED based on the statements and interviews of multiple witnesses, including a co-defendant who accompanied DENTON to the neighborhood when he placed the IED.
At sentencing, DENTON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cary Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Kellhofer represented the government.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Pomona Police Officer on Civil Rights Offense for Allegedly Assaulting Minor at L.A. County FairRead the Press Release
Three officers with the Pomona Police Department (PPD) surrendered this morning to face federal charges that allege one officer violated the civil rights of a minor who was beaten at the Los Angeles County Fair two years ago, and that all three took illegal steps to justify and cover-up the attack.
PPD Corporal Chad Kenneth Jensen is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly beating the minor victim on September 16, 2015. The indictment alleges that Jensen violated the victim’s constitutional rights, which includes the right to be free from the use of unreasonable and unnecessary force, and that the assault resulted in bodily injury.
Jensen and his partner–PPD Officer Prince Taylor Hutchinson–are charged with preparing false reports that attempted to justify the use of force. The indictment alleges that, in a report prepared soon after the incident, Jensen falsely wrote that the minor victim attempted to punch Jensen’s face, and that the minor victim came within arm’s reach of another officer who was escorting an individual who had been placed under arrest. Hutchinson similarly is accused of writing a report that falsely stated the victim had come within two to three feet of the officer who was escorting an individual who had been placed under arrest, and that the victim had attempted to incite unrest among at the crowd at the Fair as Hutchinson escorted the minor victim to a holding facility at the Fair.
Jensen and Hutchinson are further charged with obstruction of justice for giving false testimony during state court proceedings regarding criminal charges against the victim. Both Jensen and Hutchinson gave false testimony similar to that in their reports and created the false impression that the minor posed a physical threat to other officers before Jensen assaulted him.
The third defendant in the case–PPD Sergeant Michael Timothy Neaderbaomer, who was assigned to the PPD’s Internal Affairs Unit–is charged with obstruction of justice for making false statements to the victim’s family designed to dissuade them from reporting the incident to law enforcement. According to the indictment, Neaderbaomer “attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade” the victim and his parents by falsely claiming that the PPD had a video showing the victim punching Jenson and by telling the victim’s mother that the parents would not be allowed to attend PPD’s interview of the victim in relation to the citizen’s complaint, in violation of PPD policy.
Neaderbaomer is also charged with making false statements to FBI agents who were investigating the alleged civil rights violation by Jensen.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, the charges of excessive force carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, the charges of witness tampering and falsifying records carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the charges of false statements to federal agents carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The case against the police officers is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Stout of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and by Justice Department Trial Attorney Donald Tunnage of the Civil Rights Division.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Pomona Police Officer on Civil Rights Offense for Allegedly Assaulting Minor at L.A. County FairRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Three officers with the Pomona Police Department (PPD) surrendered earlier today to face federal charges that allege one officer violated the civil rights of a minor who was beaten at the Los Angeles County Fair two years ago, and that all three took illegal steps to justify and cover-up the attack.
PPD Corporal Chad Kenneth Jensen, 50, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly beating the minor victim on September 16, 2015. The indictment alleges that Jensen violated the victim’s constitutional rights, which include the right to be free from the use of unreasonable and unnecessary force, and that the assault resulted in bodily injury.
Jensen and his partner – PPD Officer Prince Taylor Hutchinson, 31 – are charged with preparing false reports that attempted to justify the use of force.
The indictment alleges that, in a report prepared soon after the incident, Jensen falsely wrote that the minor victim attempted to punch Jensen’s face, and that the minor victim came within arm’s reach of another officer who was escorting an individual who had been placed under arrest.
Hutchinson similarly is accused of writing a report that falsely stated the victim had come within two to three feet of the officer who was escorting an individual who had been placed under arrest, and that the victim had attempted to incite unrest among the crowd at the Fair as Hutchinson escorted the minor victim to a holding facility at the Fair.
Jensen and Hutchinson are further charged with obstruction of justice for giving false testimony during state court proceedings regarding criminal charges against the victim. Both Jensen and Hutchinson gave false testimony similar to that in their reports and created the false impression that the minor posed a physical threat to other officers before Jensen assaulted him.
The third defendant in the case – PPD Sergeant Michael Timothy Neaderbaomer, 49, who was assigned to the PPD’s Internal Affairs Unit – is charged with obstruction of justice for making false statements to the victim’s family designed to dissuade them from reporting the incident to law enforcement. According to the indictment, Neaderbaomer “attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade” the victim and his parents by falsely claiming that the PPD had a video showing the victim punching Jenson and by telling the victim’s mother that the parents would not be allowed to attend PPD’s interview of the victim in relation to the citizen’s complaint, in violation of PPD policy.
Neaderbaomer is also charged with making false statements to FBI agents who were investigating the alleged civil rights violation by Jensen.
All three PPD officers were arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in United States District Court. All three defendants entered not guilty pleas and were ordered released on $50,000 bond. A trial in this case was scheduled for December 19.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The civil rights charge related to the use of excessive force carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, the charges of witness tampering and falsifying records carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the charges of false statements to federal agents carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Therefore, if they were to be convicted of the charges in the indictment, Jensen would face a maximum sentence of 50 years, Hutchinson would face up to 40 years, and Neaderbaomer would be subject to a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case against the police officers is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Stout of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and by Justice Department Trial Attorney Donald Tunnage of the Civil Rights Division.
Euclid man indicted for having more than 200 grams of carfentanilRead the Press Release
A Euclid man was indicted for having cocaine and more than 200 grams of carfentanil, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer.
Troy Baker, 37, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute carfentanil and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Baker had approximately 218 grams of carfentanil, as well as cocaine, on June 27, according to the indictment.
“This amount of carfentanil could kill tens of thousands of people,” Herdman said. “This is an example of a tip from a citizen resulting in police action and a safer community.”
“This investigation, conducted by members of the Euclid Police Department -- Narcotics and Vice Unit, shows the power and importance of tips from the public,” Meyer said. “These tips can be provided anonymously. It is the responsibility of all to combat this opiate epidemic. We are very pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has adopted this case for prosecution.”
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney following an investigation by the Euclid Police Department and Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Drug Trafficking Organization Members IndictedRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss – Six people have been charged in a five-count federal indictment with drug trafficking offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
The indictment charges Dexter Jones, 42, of Soso, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distibute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; John Baxter, 35, of Stockton, California, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetmine; Darrion Jones, 32, of Laurel, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Mitchell Jones, 42, of Soso, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Jamie Wheat, 41, of Laurel, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and John Foster, 41, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The indictment alleges that beginning in 2015, the defendants conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute narcotic drug controlled substances including methamphetamine and cocaine in the Eastern Division of the Southern District of Mississippi.
"The way to address our drug crisis is to attack the criminal organizations that perpetuate it. I commend our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for their diligent investigation. We will not stop prosecuting these criminal enterprises until our citizens are safe and our communities are protected," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
"With these arrests, DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners have taken down an organization responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in the state of Mississippi. By removing these violent criminals from the streets, they can no longer threaten the health and safety of our communities. We will continue to work together to target criminal organizations and their assets to ensure that drug traffickers are held responsible for the harm they cause," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
"This is another great example of how the efforts of DEA and MBN continue to dismantle drug trafficking organizations within our state," said MBN Director John M. Dowdy, Jr.
If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison and fines of up to $10,000,000.
Five of the defendants appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker on October 25, 2017 for initial appearances and arraignments. The remaining defendant, John Baxter, will be arraigned at a later date. A jury trial is scheduled for December 18, 2017, before United States District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hattiesburg Police Department.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an allegation and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Southeast Washington BankRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Syles Kealoha, 23, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a federal bank robbery charge for a hold-up in August 2016 in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kealoha entered the plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on March 15, 2018 by the Honorable Rudolph Contreras. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a likely range of 30 to 37 months in prison and potential financial penalties
According to the government=s evidence, on Aug. 12, 2016, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Kealoha entered a Wells Fargo bank in the unit block of M Street SE and presented a demand note which stated, “I didn’t come to hurt anyone. Give me all the money or everyone dies.” Kealoha also handed the teller a plastic bag in which to place the money. After reading the note, the teller ducked behind the counter and began placing money into the plastic bag, and pressed the panic button in the bank, triggering law enforcement response.
After banging on the glass to get the teller’s attention, Kealoha fled, leaving the note behind, without obtaining any money. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement obtained video surveillance from the bank, which captured the bank robbery and showed the defendant. The demand note was sent to the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia for testing and analysis. Specifically, the note was tested for the presence of DNA and fingerprints or palm prints. Two palm prints were located on the note and were identified as belonging to Kealoha.
Kealoha was arrested on March 27, 2017.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge Vale, and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the FBI Laboratory. They acknowledged the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Teesha Tobias, Legal Assistant Peter Gaboton, and Law Clerk Jennifer Newman. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder for Setting Fire That Killed 4-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jerome C. Lewis, 50, of Washington, DC, has been found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances, second-degree murder, and first-degree cruelty to children in a fire that led to the death of a four-year-old child.
The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Gregory M. Dean, Chief of the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS).
Lewis was found guilty on Oct. 25, 2017, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Milton C. Lee scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26, 2018. Lewis faces a potential sentence of life in prison without parole.
According to the government’s evidence, Lewis owned a home in the 2600 block of 33rd Street SE. In late 2011, Lewis began renting the first and second floors to relatives while he lived in the basement. In early 2013, his relationship with his tenant-relatives had become strained and he was experiencing a financial crisis. On Feb.17, 2013, in the early hours of the morning, he set fire to his mattress located in his basement living area, causing a fire that spread throughout the basement and to the first floor of the home.
Everyone was able to escape the home, with the exception of four-year-old Samauri Michelle Jenkins. She was rescued from a second floor bedroom by the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She was taken to a hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, but died from her injuries two days later.
Lewis was arrested on the morning of the fire and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Liu, Chief Newsham, Special Agent in Charge Chittum, and Chief Dean commended the work of the D.C. Arson Task Force, which is comprised of members from MPD, the Washington Field Division of the ATF, and DCFEMS. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Sharon Newman; Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Gilbert; Legal Secretary Dawn White; Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator David Foster; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Supervisory Administrative Services Specialist Tina Wall, and Administrative Services Specialist Sallie Rynas.
Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberley C. Nielsen and Michelle D. Jackson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
DOJ Awards more than $3.7 Million to Washington State Entities to Advance Forensic Science and Crime Fighting DatabaseRead the Press Release
The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded four grants totaling more than $3.7 million to Washington State entities to enhance forensic science and criminal records systems, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The grant awards advance scientific research and improve criminal justice record keeping.
“In a very competitive environment, local researchers and law enforcement submitted grant proposals that earned substantial backing from the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “These federal funds will improve the ways we use DNA, and will enhance critical records used to bring criminals to justice.”
University of Washington researchers were awarded two grants. The largest grant, for $902,440 will continue work focused on producing statistical procedures for providing the quantitative strength of DNA evidence. The researchers are working with population genetic theory to calculate match probability and genetic markers. The second grant, $509,728 advances work on damaged or mixed DNA samples. This second grant involves work with the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) also received more than $2 million in grants. The largest, $1,559,282, will allow for the testing of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. State law enforcement currently has a backlog of more than 6,000 previously unsubmitted test kits. The second grant to the Washington State Patrol funds improvements to record keeping in the National Criminal History database. WSP will use the $741,964 in federal funds to improve the state records submitted to the national database in a number of ways: researching missing records; finding incomplete records; improving the way records are input into the national system; and deploying technology to various jurisdictions to improve the entering of records.
Some of these grants continue work undertaken by researchers and law enforcement in prior funding periods.
Specific information about the work being funded can be obtained from Susan Gregg at the University of Washington [email protected] and from Bob Maki at WSP 360-593-4045.
DEA and United States Attorneys Office Prepare for Prescription Drug Takeback DayRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores announced the DEA will hold the 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, October 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at ten collection sites throughout the Northern District of Oklahoma. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“I encourage Oklahomans to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of outdated and unused prescription drugs collecting at their homes.” USA Shores said. “Unused prescription drugs just laying around the house may unintentionally create the opportunity for their improper use or fuel an addiction problem.”
Last April Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept needles or sharps. The DEA can accept pills, patches, and tightly sealed liquids.)
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
The collection sites in the Northern District of Oklahoma are:
- Bartlesville Police Department - 615 S. Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003
- BIA-OJS Miami Agency - 34 A Street, Miami, OK 74355
- Miami Nation Tribal Police - 3401 P. Street, Miami, OK 74335
- Osage Nation Police Department - 627 Grandview Ave, Pawhuska, OK 74056
- Tulsa Police Department - 12466 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74129
- Tulsa Police Department - Patrick Henry Elementary School, 3820 E. 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135
- Craig County Sheriff's Office - 210 W. Delaware Ave. #101, Vinita, OK 74301
- Vinita Police Department - 104 E. Illinois Avenue, Vinita, OK 74301
- Wyandotte Tribal Police Department - 64700 E. Hwy 60, Wyandotte, OK 74370
- Eastern Shawnee Tribal Police Department - 10250 South 695 Rd, Wyandotte, OK 74370
For more information or to locate a collection site nearest you go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Takeback Day This SaturdayRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina – U.S. Attorney Beth Drake will join the DEA on October 28th for its 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including over 65 locations across South Carolina. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
take_back_approved_sites.xlsDEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Des Moines Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other participating law enforcement agencies will give the public its 14th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have collected over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. In addition, flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash create separate potential safety and health hazards.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day website at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at [email protected] (link sends e-mail).
DEA and Local Law Enforcement Partners Take Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs October 28Read the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – This Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and its local law enforcement, community and tribal partners will give the public its 14th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Individuals can take pills and other solid forms of medication to one of almost 5,000 collection sites manned by more than 4,000 partners nationwide. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.) They can find nearby collection sites at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that unused and unwanted prescription drugs are disposed of properly,” said United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch. “The DEA Takeback program is one proven way we can ensure that these potentially dangerous drugs no longer pose a threat to our community.”
“Disposing of leftover painkillers or other addictive medicines in the house is one of the best ways to prevent a member of your family from becoming a victim of the opioid epidemic,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “More people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs than any other substance. The abuse of these prescription drugs has fueled the nation’s opioid epidemic, which has led to the largest rate of overdose deaths this country has ever seen.”
“America is in the midst of a prescription drug crisis and the home medicine cabinet is a major source. Let’s work together to help put an end to this epidemic by cleaning out that cabinet and disposing of unwanted medication at a take back location,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin.”
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.
Last April the public turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.
Columbia Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Alshura Tabil Annessa Frazier, age 36, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, for sex trafficking of children, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a) (1) and for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, imposed a sentence of 420 months (35 years) imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a $5,200 special assessment fee. Judge Lewis also ordered Frazier to pay the victims restitution totaling $159,500.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the victim in this case was a minor (under the age of eighteen) from North Carolina. Around Memorial Day in 2015, the victim left her family and met Frazier in Myrtle Beach. Following this encounter, Frazier and others had sex with the victim in exchange for providing her with the recreational drug “Molly” and shelter for the night. After leaving Myrtle Beach, Frazier brought the victim to Columbia where Frazier recruited her to perform sexual acts with clients for money. Frazier transported her to and from North Carolina and South Carolina on multiple occasions for the purpose of prostitution. Frazier received 100% of the profits made from the prostitution. The victim was sixteen-years-old at the time she began working as a prostitute for Frazier. During this time, Frazier knew that the victim was under the age of eighteen.
In addition, on March 18, 2015, after a Richland County deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a car driven by Frazier, Frazier refused to stop and a chase ensued. During the chase, Frazier pulled into a parking lot and let a female passenger exit the vehicle. The female passenger, later identified as a prostitute working for Frazier, ran from the scene carrying a box. Unable to locate Frazier that day, officers, with the help of citizens, found the female passenger hiding in the woods. She then led officers to the box that she exited the vehicle with earlier which contained a 10mm Glock pistol, cocaine, crack cocaine, and the suspected drug, “Molly.” The female passenger told officers that the box belonged to Frazier and that he gave it to her when he stopped to let her out and told her to run.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springdale Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Cleveland men indicted for using firearms to rob bank on Shaker BoulevardRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland men were indicted for the armed robbery of a bank on Shaker Boulevard, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Maurice Montgomery, Jr., 20, and Jeremiah A. Johnson, 19, were each indicted on one count of bank robbery. They are accused of robbing the U.S. Bank on Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland on Aug. 26.
Both are also indicted on one count of using or brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
“We will seek long prison sentences for those who use firearms to commit crimes and prey upon others,” Herdman said.
"These two individuals put Saturday morning bank customers and employees at risk with the dangerous, gun-wielding robbery they committed,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and the public in getting every bank robber identified, in custody, and prosecuted -- just like these two.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Pinjuh following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Captain with Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Indicted for Smuggling Profits to PortugalRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Captain with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in connection with helping Carlos Rafael, the owner of one of the largest commercial fishing businesses in the U.S., smuggle the profits of his illegal overfishing scheme to Portugal.
Jamie Melo, 45, of North Dartmouth, Mass., was indicted on one count each of bulk cash smuggling, structuring and conspiracy. In August 2017, Melo was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint.
In May 2015, federal agents began an undercover operation targeting Carlos Rafael, the owner of one of the largest commercial fishing businesses in the U.S. In the fall of 2015, undercover agents, posing as potential buyers of Rafael’s business, met with Rafael to negotiate buying his fishing business. Rafael told the agents that he hid the cash proceeds of his illegal fishing sales, in part, by smuggling the money to Portugal. As alleged in court documents, Rafael said that he sometimes took the money himself, but also used the services of others, and referred to knowing several members of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, including Melo, whom he described as, “the captain at the prison.”
As alleged, on Nov. 10, 2015, agents conducting surveillance at Logan Airport saw Melo and Rafael arrive in a van, marked as belonging to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, for a flight to Portugal. Melo completed TSA screening without incident, but Rafael was found in possession of $26,400, for which he completed a federal reporting form. Several other acquaintances of Rafael and Melo were also on the flight and, allegedly coordinated by Melo, helped Rafael smuggle an additional $50,000 in cash to Portugal. It is further alleged that before the flight, Melo distributed envelopes of cash to these acquaintances, each of whom took an envelope on the flight and returned it to Melo or Rafael after landing in Portugal. Two days later, on Nov. 13, 2015, Portuguese bank records indicate that Carlos Rafael deposited $76,000 in U.S. currency into a Banif Bank account.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of bulk cash smuggling provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of structuring carries a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Gregory K. Null, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Philadelphia Field Office; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bucyrus man indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
Wesley A. Muchow, 51, of Bucyrus, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Muchow knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place from Aug. 10, 2015, through Feb. 23, 2017, according to the indictment.
Muchow possessed an eMachine computer and a Dell computer, each of which contained child pornography, on Feb. 23, 2017, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mansfield Police Department and the Canton Police Department.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Brockton Gang Member Sentenced for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the Flameville Legend Boys gang was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegal possession of a firearm.
Caetano Oliveira, 26, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 86 months in prison and three years of supervised release, during which time he is prohibited from affiliating with gang associates. In June 2017, Oliveira pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In July 2016, law enforcement launched an investigation into a suspected Brockton drug dealer, with whom Oliveira lived. On Aug. 5, 2016, during a search of the suspect’s apartment, law enforcement seized drug trafficking paraphernalia and heroin as well as two loaded handguns – a Sig Sauer 9mm Magnum and a Taurus .40 caliber pistol – and ammunition, which were recovered in Oliveira’s bedroom. Oliveira admitted to law enforcement officers that the firearms were his.
According to court documents, Oliveira was previously convicted of several firearm and drug offenses. In 2010, Oliveira was sentenced to two 18-month jail sentences after being convicted in state court of illegal gun possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In 2013, Oliveira pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for ordering an associate to open fire on a car in which two undercover police officers were meeting with a witness, who was one of Oliveira’s rivals.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Glenn MacKinlay, Chief of Weinreb’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit, prosecuted the case.
Brazilian National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Brazilian national charged with an immigration crime pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in federal court in Boston.
Henrique Ortmayer, 23, a Brazilian national residing in Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Ortmayer to time served (approximately five months) and three years of supervised release, with the first six months to be spent in a community residential reentry program. Ortmayer will be subject to deportation upon completion of the sentence imposed.
In 2014, Ortmayer was convicted of heroin distribution in Salem District Court. Upon completion of his sentence, Ortmayer was placed into removal proceedings, and on Nov. 16, 2015, he was deported to Brazil.
In April 2017, Ortmayer was encountered by police and arrested on open state warrants. Ortmayer’s fingerprints revealed he was in the United States illegally having been previously deported in November 2015.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Danvers Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Bradenton Man Convicted for Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida– Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Alvoid Kennon (39, Bradenton) guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2018.
Kennon was indicted on December 15, 2016.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on April 13, 2016, members of the Bradenton Police Department (BPD) were scheduled to execute a search warrant at 1106 3rd Street in Bradenton. Prior to executing the warrant, a BPD detective observed Kennon arrive at the location and park his vehicle at the residence. Kennon had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and a suspended driver’s license. Kennon walked away from the vehicle and head down the street. A few minutes later, additional detectives arrived at the location and when Kennon saw them, he attempted to flee.
After arresting Kennon on the outstanding warrant, detectives returned him to the home and recovered a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol from the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Kennon has multiple prior felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Bradenton Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shauna S. Hale and Charlie D. Connally.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN) — a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety-one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Bossier City man pleads guilty to damaging Air Force property with vehicleRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Bossier City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to driving a vehicle onto Barksdale Air Force Base and damaging property.
Jeffery Jermaine Francis, 33, of Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of willful damage to property of the United States. According to the guilty plea, Francis was driving a green 2003 GMC Yukon on August 20, 2017 and struck a bollard at the West Gate of Barksdale Air Force Base. When approached and asked to place the vehicle in park, Francis instead drove onto the base. Barksdale security forces had to deploy a vehicle entrapment barrier on Barksdale Boulevard, which disabled the vehicle. He then fled the scene on foot. Security forces later discovered that the vehicle belonged to Francis’s girlfriend, and that he was driving under suspension. The estimated cost of damage to the vehicle and Barksdale property was $17,600.
Francis faces up to 10 years in prison, three years to life of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. The court set a February 1, 2018 sentencing date.
United States Air Force Police Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.
Bartonsville Man and Hotel Charged with Sex and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Faizal Bhimani, age 41, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, and Om Sri Sai, Inc., doing business as a hotel operator in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, were indicted on October 24, 2017, by a federal grand jury on sex and drug trafficking charges. The case was unsealed yesterday following the arrest of Bhimani.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that from June 2014 to present, Bhimani, the manager of a hotel in Bartonsville, along with Om Sri Sai, Inc., facilitated and profited from drug trafficking and commercial sex induced by force, fraud, and coercion.
The government is also seeking forfeiture of all assets including real property, and the liquor license of the hotel.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Stroud Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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 for this offense is life 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.
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Baltimore Man Convicted of Carjacking, Conspiracy and Destruction of Property Resulting in Breach at the National Security AgencyRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4855
Baltimore, Maryland – On October 25, 2017, a federal jury convicted Dontae Small, age 43, of Baltimore, Maryland on conspiracy, carjacking, and destruction of government property, after he rammed a stolen car into a security gate at the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Maryland.
The verdict was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare, the National Security Agency Police and the Ft. George G. Meade Police Services Division.
According to evidence at presented at trial, on October 4, 2015, Small and his co-conspirators were riding in a white minivan in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, looking for victims to rob. At approximately 10:09 p.m. Small texted a male co-conspirator the following message: “Get the dude cpming down da st.I parked on smoking a pipe” [sic].
Three masked co-conspirators assaulted Victim 1 on Grindall Street in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore. The carjackers pointed a silver handgun at the victim and robbed him of the keys to his car, a 2008 Acura TSX. The conspirators then took the car. On that same night, two of the conspirators approached Victims 2 and 3 a block away on Riverside Avenue, and brandished a silver handgun. The robbers obtained an iPhone phone that had fallen from Victim 3’s pocket before fleeing.
On October 7, 2015, Small drove the stolen Acura to Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Anne Arundel Police identified the car as stolen and set up surveillance. When Small returned to the vehicle and unlocked it using Victim 1’s keys, the police attempted to arrest him. Instead, Small took off over a curb in the parking lot, narrowly missing pedestrians and drove without his lights out of the Mall at a high rate of speed. The police followed and Small engaged him in a high-speed pursuit, eventually turning into Ft. Meade and then crashing the car into a security gate protecting the National Security Agency. Small then fled and hid in a nearby sewer for hours as security personnel and police attempted to find him. The NSA was closed to essential personnel for a day while the search continued. When Small emerged from the sewer the next morning, the police were able to arrest him after a brief foot chase and struggle.
Small faces a sentence of 15 years in prison for carjacking; a maximum of 10 years in prison for destruction of government property; and a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy. Sentencing is set for 11:00 a.m. on February 6, 2018 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended FBI, the Baltimore City Police Department, Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, Anne Arundel County Police Department, National Security Agency Associate Directorate for Security and Counterintelligence (Office of General Counsel) and Ft. George G. Meade Police Services Division for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Riley and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the case and NSA attorney Hillary Hellmann for her assistance in the prosecution.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions Announces Department of Justice has Settled with Plaintiff Groups Improperly Targeted by IRSRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced today that the Department of Justice has entered into settlements, pending approval by the district courts, in two cases brought by groups whose tax-exempt status was significantly delayed by the Internal Revenue Service based on inappropriate criteria. The first case, Linchpins of Liberty v. United States, comprised claims brought by 41 plaintiffs, and the second case, NorCal Tea Party Patriots v. Internal Revenue Service, was a class action suit that included 428 members. Attorney General Sessions released the following statement about the cases: “Chief Justice John Marshall wrote 'that the power to tax involves the power to destroy … [is] not to be denied.' And it should also be without question that our First Amendment prohibits the federal government from treating groups differently based solely on their viewpoint or ideology.”
"But it is now clear that during the last Administration, the IRS began using inappropriate criteria to screen applications for 501(c) status. These criteria included names such as “Tea Party,” “Patriots,” or “9/12” or policy positions concerning government spending or taxes, education of the public to “make America a better place to live,” or statements criticizing how the country was being run. It is also clear these criteria disproportionately impacted conservative groups.”
“As a result of these criteria, the IRS transferred hundreds of applications to a specifically designated group of IRS agents for additional levels of review, questioning and delay. In many instances, the IRS then requested highly sensitive information from applicants, such as donor information, that was not needed to make a determination of tax-exempt status.”
"The IRS’s use of these criteria as a basis for heightened scrutiny was wrong and should never have occurred. It is improper for the IRS to single out groups for different treatment based on their names or ideological positions. Any entitlement to tax exemption should be based on the activities of the organization and whether they fulfill requirements of the law, not the policy positions adopted by members or the name chosen to reflect those views.”
“There is no excuse for this conduct. Hundreds of organizations were affected by these actions, and they deserve an apology from the IRS. We hope that today’s settlement makes clear that this abuse of power will not be tolerated.”[Linchpins of Liberty, et al., v. United States of America, et al., No. 1:13-cv-00777-RBW in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia]
[NorCal Tea Party Patriots v. Internal Revenue Service, et al., No. 1:13-cv-00341 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio]
Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Gabriel Sanchez, 29, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to firearms charges under a plea agreement that recommends a seven-year prison sentence.
Sanchez’s co-defendant Virgal Malott, 23, also of Albuquerque, was charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 18, 2015. According to the complaint, officers of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Malott on outstanding state felony warrants on Feb. 14, 2015. Thereafter, APD executed a state search warrant at Malott’s residence as part of an investigation into a series of armed robberies of Albuquerque-area businesses. During the search, APD found a loaded firearm, which provided the basis for a federal criminal complaint charging Malott with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition that was filed on Feb. 18, 2015, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In June 2015, Malott was charged in an 11-count indictment with violating the Hobbs Act by robbing seven businesses engaged in interstate commerce, carjacking, using and brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleged that Malott committed the crimes in Bernalillo County, N.M., between Dec. 2014 and Jan. 2015.
The indictment was superseded in Aug. 2015, to add two more defendants, Sanchez and Paul Lujan, 22, also of Albuquerque, and two more charges. The superseding indictment charged the three men with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act by robbing businesses engaged in interstate commerce in Jan. 2015, the armed robbery of five Albuquerque-area businesses, and using and brandishing firearms during crimes of violence. It also charged Malott alone with the armed robbery of two additional Albuquerque-area businesses, carjacking, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The superseding indictment alleged that the three men committed the crimes in Bernalillo County between Dec. 2014 and Jan. 2015.
During today’s change of plea hearing, Sanchez entered a guilty plea to Count 12 of the superseding indictment, which charged him with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In entering the guilty plea, Sanchez admitted that on Jan. 30, 2015, he carried and brandished a firearm during the armed robbery of the Title Max Loans located at 3900 San Mateo Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.
Malott previously entered a guilty plea on Aug. 17, 2017, to three counts of the superseding indictment charging him with the armed robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce, carjacking, and using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In entering the guilty plea, Malott admitted robbing a title loan business located in Albuquerque on Dec. 22, 2014. Malott acknowledged that he was armed when he committed the robbery, and that he pointed the firearm at the business’s three employees and threatening to kill them. Malott also admitted committing a carjacking on Jan. 19, 2015, by pointing a firearm at an individual at an Albuquerque convenience store and demanding his wallet and keys. Malott fled from the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Malott will be sentenced to a term of 15 to 20 years of imprisonment to be followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
On Aug. 15, 2017, Lujan pled guilty to a felony information charging him with using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and Lujan admitted that on June 30, 2015, he acted as the getaway driver during the armed robbery of the Loan Max Title Loan in Albuquerque. Lujan admitted that he discarded a firearm while running from the police after the robbery. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Lujan will be sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Malott was arrested in Nov. 2015, and Sanchez and Lujan were arrested in Dec. 2015. The three men remain detained pending sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF with assistance from APD and the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rumaldo A. Armijo and David M. Walsh are prosecuting the case.
Addis Man Convicted of Stealing over $250,000 from InvestorsRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced today the conviction of an Addis businessman who stole over $250,000 from investors.
On October 26, 2017, WILLIAM TODD CUTRER, age 52, of Addis, Louisiana, pled guilty to mail fraud before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles. As a result of his guilty plea, CUTRER faces a significant term of imprisonment, fines, restitution orders, forfeiture, and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
As CUTRER acknowledged in court during his guilty plea, from in or about January 2014 through at least November 2016, he executed a scheme to defraud victim investors by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, promises, and representations. CUTRER owned and operated West Baton Rouge Credit, Inc. (“WBRC”), a Port Allen lending company that made high-interest loans to individual customers. CUTRER raised capital for WBRC by obtaining lines of credit from local banks and by personally soliciting investments from individual investors. CUTRER guaranteed to his victims that he would pay interest on their investments and that their funds could be redeemed at any time upon written notice.
Instead of using the funds as promised, CUTRER wrote checks to himself and his family members, and made interest payments to prior investors who were due interest on their principal. When CUTRER failed to make the payments he owed to his victim investors, he sent them a letter falsely claiming that because of the August 2016 flood, he was having difficulty collecting payments on WBRC’s high-interest loans. In reality, however, CUTRER had used his victims’ money to make payments to himself and his family and to other investors. As a result of his scheme, CUTRER fraudulently obtained over $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “Investment-related fraud is a significant danger in our community. Those who hold themselves out as investment advisors have a unique opportunity to abuse the trust that their investors have placed in them to line their own pockets. I greatly appreciate the willingness of CUTRER’s victims to come forward and make us aware of this scheme and the hard work of the investigative agencies and the prosecutor in this important prosecution.”
This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Rezaei.
25 October 2017
York Man Sentenced to 50 Years’ Imprisonment for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Senior Judge Sylvia H. Rambo sentenced Michael Charles Clarke, 44, of York, Pennsylvania, to 600 months’ imprisonment for production, possession and transportation of child pornography, followed by 25 years of supervised release.
According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, this sentencing followed Clarke’s November 15, 2016, guilty plea to each of those charges, which stemmed from his sexual assault of a minor child from 2010 to 2015 on multiple occasions and included recording the abuse. Clarke was arrested by the Southwestern Regional Police Department on September 26, 2015, and charged with rape of a child and associated offenses. When Clarke’s home was searched, multiple computers, hard drives, thumb drives and cds were seized. The FBI forensically examined this evidence and discovered that Clarke had downloaded and saved child pornography images on a number of the devices. Further investigation revealed that in 2010, Clarke made recordings of another minor girl by using hidden cameras and then transported images of that child pornography across state lines, from Iowa to Pennsylvania.
At today’s sentencing proceeding, one of the victims, her mother and her brother presented heartfelt and moving statements to the Court conveying the extensive damage Clarke has caused in their lives. Members from the South Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) organization also attended the hearing to support the victim.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southwestern Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor prosecuted 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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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Wisconsin Man Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charges for Allegedly Transporting a Minor to Chicago to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Wisconsin man has been indicted on federal sex trafficking charges for allegedly transporting an underage girl to Chicago from West Virginia to engage in prostitution.
A three-count indictment charges BLAKE STECKEL, 33, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisc., with sex trafficking of a minor, production of child pornography, and transporting an individual in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution.
Steckel allegedly began communicating with the victim in July via Snapchat and text messages. Steckel purchased the girl’s plane ticket from West Virginia after promising to arrange work for her as a model or escort in the Chicago area, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit previously filed in the case. After the girl arrived in Chicago, Steckel took sexually explicit photographs of her and posted them in commercial sex advertisements on Backpage.com and ExplicitChicago.com, the complaint states. He then arranged multiple meetings for her to engage in prostitution in various hotels in the Chicago suburbs, including Schaumburg, Elk Grove, Itasca and Rosemont, according to the complaint. Steckel kept a portion of the money the girl earned performing commercial sex acts, the complaint states.
The indictment was returned Tuesday in federal court in Chicago. Arraignment has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; John P. Selleck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James E. Lamkin, Chief of the Schaumburg Police Department; and Michael Nerheim, Lake County State’s Attorney. The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Chicago and Milwaukee offices of the FBI and the Schaumburg Police Department.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J.B. Franzblau.
According to the charges, Steckel threatened to post the victim’s sexually explicit photographs on Facebook and Instagram if she refused to engage in prostitution for him. At one point the victim said she wanted to go home to West Virginia, but Steckel forced her to continue working for him, the complaint states.
Law enforcement rescued the girl in a Schaumburg hotel room on Aug. 21, 2017, after an undercover officer responded to an online posting for a “date” with the victim, the complaint states. The undercover officer engaged in a series of text messages with Steckel to set up the meeting, the complaint states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The sex trafficking count is punishable by a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Production of child pornography carries a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years. Transporting an individual for prostitution is punishable by up to ten years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
White Plains Accountant Sentenced to 22 Months in Prison for $23 Million Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSEPH CERVONE was sentenced to 22 months in prison on tax fraud charges. CERVONE plead guilty on March 29, 2017, to one count of endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws and one count of subscribing to false tax returns before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, who imposed today’s sentence.
According to the Information previously filed in White Plains federal court and court proceedings:
From 2009 through 2012, CERVONE, a certified public accountant with an office in White Plains, obstructed and impeded the IRS by filing false tax returns claiming more than $23 million of energy and coal credits on behalf of his clients in order to obtain tax refunds. In addition, CERVONE also filed false tax returns for the tax years 2010 and 2011 that failed to report income relating to personal expenses paid on behalf of CERVONE from funds obtained as a result of his clients’ false tax returns.
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In addition to the prison term, CERVONE, 64, of White Plains, New York, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and a $15,000 fine.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding efforts of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. He also thanked U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division for its significant assistance in the investigation
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Collins Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.
Weare Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Kenneth Bailey, 52, of Weare, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court today to six counts of distributing controlled substances.
Court filings and statements made in court showed that on five occasions in 2013, and once in 2014, a cooperating individual purchased methamphetamine or a combination of cocaine and methamphetamine from Bailey at his residence.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 1, 2018.
“Even as our state faces the serious challenge of the opioid crisis, methamphetamine also continues to pose a threat to our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Using this dangerous drug can cause significant harm or death. We will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution illegal drugs in the Granite State.”
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to do everything it can to target individuals like Mr. Bailey who distribute dangerous narcotics and contribute to the opioid epidemic,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
The case was investigated by the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which is comprised of the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the Police Departments of Hudson, Manchester, and Nashua. This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
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Virginia Man Indicted for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Virginia man was indicted today on child pornography charges, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle of the Western District of Virginia.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone, 57, of Charlottesville, Virginia, was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia on three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Charlottesville Police Department, the Virginia State Police and the Albemarle County Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Leslie Williams Fisher of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Healey.
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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 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.
U.S. Attorney's Office to Honor Excellence in Law Enforcement and Victim SupportRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Carol Casto will honor more than 60 law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and community leaders during the 2017 U.S. Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at noon at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston.
During the ceremony, U.S. Attorney Casto will present awards for outstanding law enforcement work on major cases involving drug crime, violent crime, white collar crime and child exploitation. Other awards include Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, Distinguished Law Enforcement and Community Service, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Crime Victim Service Award, Allied Professional Award, Federal Service Awards, Volunteer for Victims Award, and the Special Courage Award.
The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, recognizes exemplary service of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, as well as victim advocates, criminal justice professionals, and others who have made significant contributions on behalf of the criminal justice system.
WHO: United States Attorney Carol Casto, joined by representatives from the law enforcement community, crime victim advocates, and others
WHAT: 2017 U.S. Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards Ceremony
WHEN: Thursday, October 26, 2017, at noon
WHERE: Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse – Fifth Floor
300 Virginia Street, East
Charleston, WV 25301*Please be advised that cameras and other recording devices will be permitted on the fifth floor of the Courthouse for the ceremony only.
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Two Men Sentenced for Their Roles in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dashawn Abrams, 27, of Denver, CO, and Damarcus Hennings, 26, of Buffalo, NY, were sentenced to 51 months in prison and 78 months in prison respectively by U.S. District Elizabeth A. Wolford. Abrams was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, marijuana, and money laundering. Hennings was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that between April 2015, and September 2015, the defendants conspired with Shaquata Hennings, Arthur Clark, Shahana Beaver, and Janice Humphrey, to ship, receive, and distribute more than 50 packages containing marijuana sent from Denver, Colorado, to Buffalo, New York. The defendants also conspired to send the cash proceeds from resulting marijuana sales back to their marijuana source of supply in Denver.
Shaquata Hennings, Shahana Beaver, Janice Humphrey and Arthur Clark have all been convicted.
The sentencings are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division.
Two Beckley felons plead guilty to federal gun crimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two Beckley felons pleaded guilty today to federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Ryan Henry Guerrant, 26, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a separate prosecution, Clennel Pierre Cobb, 45, also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On August 10, 2017, an officer with the Beckley Police Department conducted a traffic stop in Beckley. Guerrant, a passenger in the back seat, informed the officer that he had an Omega, Model 100, .22 caliber revolver at his feet. Guerrant later admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the gun, and that he knew he was not supposed to possess the gun because he was a convicted felon. Guerrant was prohibited from possessing any firearm because of felony convictions in Raleigh County Circuit Court for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in 2013 and escape and attempted robbery in 2010.
In a separate prosecution, Cobb admitted that on August 12, 2016, he possessed a High Point, Model C9, 9mm pistol. Cobb was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of multiple felony convictions, including drug convictions in 2006 and 2017 in Raleigh County Circuit Court.
Guerrant and Cobb each face up to 10 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on February 7, 2018.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beckley Police Department conducted the investigations. The plea hearings were held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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Two Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry OffensesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces that a federal grand jury in Wilmington has returned indictments charging ERICK TABORA-TABORA, age 36, of Honduras, and RIGOBERTO TREJO-PONCE, age 37, of Mexico, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
If convicted, TABORA-TABORA, found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
TREJO PONCE, found in Johnston County, is alleged to have been previously deported subsequent to a felony conviction (possession of drugs). Therefore, if convicted, he would face a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations.
Tonawanda Man Arrested on Cocaine ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jesus Rojas, 32, of Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, between October 27, 2016, and October 12, 2017, the defendant sold cocaine to a confidential source working with law enforcement officers on four separate occasions. On October 23, 2017, officers executed a search warrant at Rojas’s residence on Military Road in Tonawanda and seized a quantity of marijuana.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Three Previously Deported Aliens Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that three previously deported aliens were indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Jesus Prado-Gomez, age 41, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States in June 2014. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2014, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. In May 2009, he was convicted in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania of forgery, an offense which subjects him to enhanced penalties in the current case.
Because of Prado-Gomez’s previous conviction, under federal law he faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Rogelio Chavez-Jimenez, age 40, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in June 2011. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2011, and was found in the United States in Perry County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Jose Contreras-Chavez, age 25, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in July 2012. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after July 2012, and was found in the United States in Perry County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Under federal law, Chavez-Jimenez and Contreras-Chavez both face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell is prosecuting the cases.
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.
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.
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Three Foreign Nationals Indicted for Being in U.S. after DeportationRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted three foreign nationals for being in the United States illegally after previous deportation, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer.
Separate and unrelated indictments filed in U.S. District Court charge JESUS PREITO-ROSAS, 34, who is also known as Louis Martinez, and ADAN MIRELES-JARAMILLO, 30, both of Mexico, and PEDRO EDGARDO PORTILLO-PORTILLO, 43, of El Salvador, with illegal re-entry after deportation.
According to Preito-Rosas’ indictment, he was in Jefferson County on Sept. 26 after having been removed from the United States to Mexico in October 2011 following a conviction for an aggravated felony. The maximum penalty for that charge is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Mireles-Jaramillo was in Jefferson Count on Sept. 18 after having been removed from the United States in December 2010 and August 2013, according to his indictment.
Portillo-Portillo was in Shelby County on Sept. 15 after having been removed from the United States in July 2015 and August 2016, according to his indictment. The maximum penalty for the charge against both Mireles-Jaramillo and Portillo-Portillo is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
ICE investigated the cases, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is prosecuting.
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Thirty-nine people indicted for trafficking heroin in MansfieldRead the Press Release
Thirty-nine people were indicted in federal court for their roles in two separate conspiracies to obtain large amounts of heroin, and in some cases, other drugs, from out of state and sell the drugs in Mansfield, law enforcement officials said.
Eighteen people are charged in a 41-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted. They are: Lennon Hayes, 44; Roberto Calderon, 36, of Chicago; Demond Steele, 45; Tara Jones, 29; Edward Jones, 39, of Chicago; Mazzarney Hardy, 39, of Maywood, Illinois; Michael Ginn, 28; Steve Hollins, 42; Cupree Howard, 39; Marcus Garmon, 32; Ashley Kriedman-Crider, 28; Rickell Fields, 24; Marrico King, 40; Terrance Jones, 27; Natasha Brookins, 34; James Alexander, 32; Vanness Oliver, 39, and Jacquis Mordica, 26.
In a different case, 21 people are charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted. They are: Kevin Burton, 41; Antoine Jefferson, 39; Damon Slaughter, 41, of Westerville; Lewis Pinkston, Jr., 40; Brian Nowell, 44; Dorthea Burton, 34; Larry Ferguson, 41, of Louisville, Kentucky; Ericka Fortner, 27; Shadawn Smith, 25; Corey Motley, 36; Bronson Jones, 43; Deon Gamble, 34; Willie Feagin, 62; Jon Martel Jefferson, 30; Keith Maddox, 36; Amanda Huffman, 28; Michael Sloan, 60; Shantia Crawford, 27; Cardoves Haslett, 34; Shakela Williams, 23, and Joe Ware, 20.
In one conspiracy, Lennon Hayes and Edward Jones obtained large amounts of heroin from Roberto Calderon in Chicago and then sold it in the Mansfield area. This took place between June 2015 and the present, according to the indictment.
Hayes and Jones sold the heroin to other dealers, including Demond Steele, Tara Jones, Mazzzarney Hardy, Michael Ginn, Steve Hollins, Cupree Howard, Marcus Garmon, Ashley Kriedman-Crider, Rickell Fields, Marrico King, Terrance Jones, Natasha Brookins, James Alexander, Vanness Oliver and Jaquis Mordica, according to the indictment.
Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the heroin, including: 575 Crescent Ave. (Hayes and Tara Jones), 278 South Main Street (Hardy), 371 2nd Ave. and 743 Bowman Ave. (Edward Jones) and 204 Linden Road (Hollins and Cupree), according to the indictment.
Hayes, Jones and others used firearms and other weapons to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.
In a different conspiracy, heroin, cocaine and marijuana was obtained from suppliers in Columbus and California, then resold in Mansfield and Louisville, Kentucky.
Kevin Burton obtained large amounts of cocaine from Antoine Jefferson. Burton sold the cocaine and also cooked some of it into crack cocaine. Burton and Lewis Pinkston also obtained large amounts of heroin from Damon Slaughter in Columbus, according to the indictment.
Burton sold the drugs to other dealers in the Mansfield area, including Pinkston, Brian Nowell, Dorthea Burton, Larry Ferguson, Corey Motley, Bronson Jones, Deon Gamble, Willie Feagin, Jon Martel Jefferson, Keith Maddox, Amanda Huffman, Michael Sloan, Rochelle Arrington, Shantia Crawford, Cardoves Haslett, Shakela Williams and Joe Ware, according to the indictment.
Some of the heroin and cocaine was later transported to Louisville and sold by Dorthea Burton and Larry Feguson, according to the indictment.
Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the drugs, including: 160 Reba Ave. (Burton and Fortner), 642 Johns Ave. and 461 Busch Ave. (Maddox), 708 Carol Lane (Jones), 1520 Silver Lane (Jefferson) and 35 West Arch Street (Motley), according to the indictment.
Burton, Maddox, Jefferson, Ware and others used firearms to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.
“These groups brought heroin into Mansfield from out of state, sold it from houses in neighborhoods with families and used firearms to protect their operations,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Law enforcement did a tremendous job in dismantling these organizations.”
“These 39 individuals were involved in a violent drug trafficking organization right here in middle America -- Mansfield, Ohio,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “Law enforcement will continue to work together and use every tool in our tool bag to rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and firearms, and hold these criminals accountable.”
Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said: “Federal and local law enforcement are working together to combat the opioid epidemic in Richland County from many fronts. This investigation focused on the ones distributing heroin and drugs which are killing people in our community.”
“The collaborative efforts between local law enforcement and our federal partners has made a significant impact on drug trafficking within our communities,” said Mansfield Police Chief Kenneth Coontz. “We plan to continue this effort by targeting more dealers polluting our community. I would also like to thank the many law enforcement agencies that assisted METRICH and the FBI in order to make this a successful operation.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “Putting a stop to the efforts of this dangerous group, that was distributing large quantities of heroin and cocaine into the community, is a victory for the residents of Mansfield. In DEA, we understand the importance that drug prevention and drug treatment, play in fighting the current opioid epidemic, but we also recognize that putting a permanent dent into the supply of these poisons will help to reduce addiction rates and ultimately overdose deaths.”
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
These indictments are the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, METRICH Enforcement Task Force, Mansfield Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshal Service, with assistance from the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasile Katsaros is prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thirteen Alleged Baltimore Drug Dealers Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4855
Baltimore, Maryland –A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging thirteen defendants with conspiring to distribute controlled substances. The superseding indictment, which was unsealed today, charges the defendants with distribution of heroin and cocaine. One defendant is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. One defendant is further charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the three-count indictment, in November of 2016, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Baltimore Police Department initiated an investigation into the McRae and Bagley drug trafficking organization. Between January 2012 and October 18, 2017, the organization was allegedly responsible for distributing large quantities of heroin and cocaine at an open-air drug "shop" operating near 1100 North Montford Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland.
The following defendants are charged in the indictment unsealed today:
Rodney Addison, a.k.a. “Black,” a.k.a. “Freddy,” age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Deandre Anderson, a.k.a. “Meatball,” age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Kurt Atkins, age 55, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Jackie Bagley, a.k.a. “Bruce,” a.k.a. “Juice,” a.k.a. “Juicy,” age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Vernon Bartee, age 51, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Johntae Brown, a.k.a. “Tipp,” age 19, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Dominic Durham, a.k.a. “Nick,” age 18, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Wilbur Forrester, a.k.a. “Man Man,” a.k.a. “Dreads,” age 38; of Joppa, Maryland;
Keith Johnson, a.k.a. “Tree,” age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Antonio Jones, a.k.a. “Dre,” age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Andrew Manuel, a.k.a. “Low Low, age 21, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Stancil McNair, a.k.a. “Deandre,” a.k.a. “Do-do,” age 20, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Ernest McRae, a.k.a. “Rat,” a.k.a. “Man Man,” age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland.
All of the defendants face a maximum of life in prison for the drug conspiracy charge with the exception of Manuel and Durham who face a maximum of 20 years in prison. McRae faces 15 to life on the felon in possession of a firearm charge. McNair faces a minimum of 5 years in prison to run consecutive with a maximum sentence of life for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Ten defendants have been detained. The whereabouts of Wilbur Forrester, Antonio Jones, and Dominic Durham are unknown.
Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Forrester, Jones or Durham is asked to contact the ATF- Baltimore Field office at 1(888) ATF-TIPS.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the ATF and Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Mike Hanlon who are prosecuting the case.
Texas man sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Texas man was sentenced last week to 120 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Shreveport area and possessing a firearm.
Daniel D. Garza, 26, of Laredo, Texas, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to 60 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to 60 months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime to run consecutively. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty pleas, law enforcement officers received information on November 16, 2016 that Garza was at a Shreveport hotel attempting to distribute methamphetamine. The next day, law enforcement officers saw Garza leaving the hotel in a red Ford Focus with codefendants Bart W. Rogers II, 33, and Rachel Fothergill, 35, both of Dallas, Texas. Law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop and searched the vehicle. A blue backpack was found in the front passenger side floorboard that contained a large gallon-sized Ziploc-style baggie with three more clear baggies inside containing approximately 195 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, a 9 mm SAR Arms semi-automatic handgun, model SAR B6P, was located in a gun holster in the backpack. The firearm was loaded and the backpack also contained an additional loaded clip. Additionally, agents found another baggie that contained approximately 79 grams of methamphetamine in the glove box and a scale.
Rogers was sentenced on September 21, 2017 to 96 months in prison and four years of supervised release for the conspiracy count. Fothergill was sentenced on October 13, 2017 to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release for the conspiracy count.
The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles Jr. and Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Supervisory Pharmacist of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis OutbreakRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Glenn Chin, the supervisory pharmacist of New England Compounding Center (NECC) was convicted today by a federal jury of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, and false labeling in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.
After a five-week trial, the jury convicted Glenn Chin, 49, of Canton, Mass., of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 30, 2018.
“Mr. Chin ran NECC’s clean room operations with depraved disregard for human lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb. “As a licensed pharmacist, Mr. Chin took an oath to protect patients, but instead deliberately violated safety regulations, causing the largest public health crisis caused by a pharmaceutical drug in U.S. history. Time and time again, Mr. Chin made dangerous decisions: he decided to cut corners, to improperly sterilize and test drugs, to mislabel drugs, to skip cleanings and ignore contamination in the clean rooms, and to endanger patients’ lives. Now, the jury has found that Mr. Chin must be held accountable for the consequences of his decisions. I want to express my profound gratitude to the victims and survivors for supporting the five-year investigation and prosecution of this case. I also want to acknowledge the tireless commitment of the trial team, whose perseverance has brought us one step closer to a just conclusion.”
“We’ve seen the tragic impact poorly compounded drugs can have on patients. Above all else, we must continue to make protecting the public health a top priority by doing all we can to ensure that the compounded drugs that patients rely on are of high quality,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “No patient should suffer harm or be put at risk because of poorly compounded drugs. The FDA will continue to prioritize implementing the Drug Quality and Security Act in a way that encourages compounders to adhere to new safeguards, and the agency will take aggressive action against those who put patients at risk by violating the law.”
“Today’s verdict holds Glenn Chin responsible for his role in one of the largest public health crises in this country’s history. Mr. Chin gambled with patients’ lives by cutting corners and ignoring the warning signs that his production methods were unsafe. Hundreds of patients were unnecessarily harmed from his reckless disregard for health and safety regulations,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “We’ll continue to keep the victims and families of this deadly outbreak in our prayers, and the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will do everything in our power to combat fraudulent and abusive health care practices.”
In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) manufactured by NECC. Of those 753 patients, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 64 patients in nine states died.
Chin manufactured the three lots of the contaminated MPA, which comprised more than 17,000 vials of medication. In doing so, Chin ignored NECC’s own drug formulation worksheets and standard operating procedures. Specifically, he sterilized the MPA substantially less than what the recipe required and failed to validate or verify the sterilization process at all. Despite knowing these deficiencies, Chin directed the MPA to be filled into thousands of vials and shipped to NECC customers nationwide. Further, as the supervising pharmacist who oversaw all of NECC’s drug compounding operations, Chin directed the shipping of drugs prior to receiving test results confirming their sterility and directed pharmacy technicians to mislabel drugs to conceal this practice. He also directed the compounding of drugs with expired ingredients, including chemotherapy drugs that had expired several years prior. Chin prioritized drug production over cleaning, directed the forging of cleaning logs, and routinely ignored mold and bacteria found inside the clean rooms. Lastly, for more than three years, Chin, along with co-conspirators, utilized a pharmacy technician whose license had been revoked by the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy to compound highly sensitive cardiac drug solutions, and took steps to conceal the technician’s presence inside the clean room from state regulators.
“The health and safety of U.S. military members, retirees and their dependents is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s verdict demonstrates DCIS’ ongoing commitment to work with the USAO-MA and its law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who endanger the public by disregarding pharmaceutical regulations and safety protocols.”
“Today’s conviction is another important step in holding those accountable who put public health at risk.” said Special Agent in Charge Donna L. Neves, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. “The VA Office of Inspector General will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure veterans receiving care at VA medical centers receive safe and unadulterated medications.”
“Today’s verdict in Glenn Chin's trial reflects the hard work of law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice who are committed to keeping the American public safe,” said Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Chin’s conviction cannot undo the harm that was caused in the nation's largest public health crisis resulting from a pharmaceutical product but it can show that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”
Chin faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution on each count of the racketeering, racketeering conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Donna Neves, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George P. Varghese and Amanda P.M. Strachan of Weinreb’s Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Suffolk County District Attorney and Chief of Investigations Indicted for Obstructing Federal Civil Rights InvestigationRead the Press Release
A four-count indictment was returned this morning by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging Thomas J. Spota, the Suffolk County District Attorney, and Christopher McPartland, the Chief of Investigations and Chief of the Government Corruption Bureau of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO), with (1) Conspiracy to Tamper with Witnesses and Obstruct an Official Proceeding, (2) Witness Tampering and Obstruction of an Official Proceeding, (3) Obstruction of Justice, and (4) Accessory After the Fact to the Deprivation of Civil Rights. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon before United States District Judge Leonard D. Wexler at the United States Courthouse in Central Islip, New York.
Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (USAO-EDNY), and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“Prosecutors swear oaths to pursue justice and enforce the law. Instead of upholding their oaths, these defendants allegedly abused the power of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, attempted to cover up the assault of an in-custody defendant, and attempted to thwart a federal grand jury investigation,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rohde. “Abuses of power by law enforcement authorities cannot and will not be tolerated. There are serious consequences to such actions.”
“While FBI agents were working to restore justice in a civil rights investigation, District Attorney Thomas Spota and Assistant District Attorney Christopher McPartland were conspiring to obstruct it, as alleged today. The crimes they're charged with are rivaled only by the conduct they allegedly attempted to conceal. Make no mistake about it, this type of activity will not be tolerated. Today our message is clear: those seated at the highest levels of the law must still operate within its confines – there are no exceptions,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.
As set forth in the indictment and a bail letter filed earlier today, on December 14, 2012, an individual (John Doe) was arrested on suspicion of burglarizing motor vehicles, including a motor vehicle issued to and possessed by Burke. Thereafter, John Doe was transported to the Fourth Precinct of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), placed inside an interview room, and handcuffed to a permanent fixture inside the room. Later that day, Burke and other members of the SCPD entered the interview room and assaulted John Doe. Thereafter, John Doe confessed to the burglary of the vehicle. Initially, the Government Corruption Bureau of the SCDAO, under the supervision of defendant McPartland, who reported directly to defendant Spota, handled the prosecution of John Doe. Subsequently, John Doe alleged that his confession was involuntary because, in part, he had been assaulted by Burke, and a special prosecutor was then assigned to the prosecution.
In April 2013, the USAO-EDNY and the FBI initiated a federal grand jury investigation of the December 14, 2012 assault of John Doe. Thereafter, the scope of the federal investigation was expanded to include the investigation of obstruction and attempted obstruction of justice offenses, which investigation continued until the date of today’s indictment. On June 25, 2013, FBI special agents served members of the SCPD with federal grand jury subpoenas, and, that same day, defendants Spota and McPartland were informed of both the existence of the federal investigation and the service of the federal grand jury subpoenas, and began to attempt to obstruct that investigation.
As alleged in the indictment, between December 2012 and the present, defendants Spota and McPartland, together with others including Burke and other members of the SCPD, had numerous meetings and telephone conversations discussing the assault of John Doe, John Doe’s allegations against Burke, and the federal investigation. During those meetings and telephone conversations, defendants Spota and McPartland and Burke and other members of the SCPD agreed to conceal Burke’s role in the assault and to obstruct and attempt to obstruct the federal investigation in order to protect Burke. More particularly, defendants Spota and McPartland, Burke and others used the power of their positions with the SCDAO and SCPD to obstruct and attempt to obstruct the federal investigation by, among other means, using intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion to pressure multiple witnesses, including co-conspirators, not to cooperate with the federal investigation, to provide false information, including false testimony under oath, and to withhold relevant information from the USAO-EDNY, FBI and the federal grand jury investigating the assault of John Doe.
Ultimately, the attempts to thwart the grand jury investigation were unsuccessful and, on February 26, 2016, Burke pleaded guilty to a deprivation of John Doe’s civil rights and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Thereafter, on November 2, 2016, United States District Judge Wexler sentenced Burke to 46 months in prison, and he currently is serving that sentence.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and defendants Spota and McPartland are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Lara Treinis Gatz and John J. Durham are in charge of the prosecution assisted by Financial Analyst William J. Hessle.
The Defendants:
THOMAS J. SPOTA
Age: 76
Mount Sinai, New YorkCHRISTOPHER MCPARTLAND
Age: 51
Northport, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-587 (LDW)
Stillwater Man Sentenced to 27 Months for International Money Laundering and Steroids DistributionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean T. Dubanowich, age 43, of Stillwater, New York, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for distributing steroids throughout the country and laundering his drug proceeds overseas for the purpose of acquiring more steroids to sell.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Boston Division.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin following Dubanowich’s release from prison.
In pleading guilty on June 1, 2017, Dubanowich admitted that he imported anabolic steroids from Thailand and other countries, via the United States Postal Service (USPS), in 2015 and 2016. The steroids he received from overseas were commercially packaged and marketed, among other things, as Mesviron 25, Promax, DecaMax, Primoprim, Susatanon, and TestoRapid.
Dubanowich further admitted that he distributed the steroids he received to customers throughout the United States and Canada, via mailings sent through the USPS. He then used the proceeds from the drug sales to purchase more steroids from abroad. For instance, between January 1, 2015 and June 29, 2016, he sent international wire transfers totaling $105,107: $53,647 to Thailand for “electronics” and “Christmas gifts,” and $51,360 to India for “vitamins and nutritional supplies.” Dubanowich admitted that these transfers were, in fact, all payments for steroids.
This case was investigated by the DEA, USPIS, and Homeland Security Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett
Southbury Hotel Agrees to Make Changes to Comply with Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Wyndham Southbury Hotel in Southbury, Connecticut, to resolve allegations that the hotel had not been operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).
The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Wyndham Southbury Hotel was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, which include significant improvements to designated accessible guest rooms, the addition of accessible public restrooms in the lobby, and the addition of parking spaces, including van accessible parking spaces, for individuals with disabilities. The hotel will continue to make improvements over the next two years.
Under federal law, private entities that own or operate “places of public accommodation,” including hotels, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities. The Department of Justice is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.
U.S. Attorney Daly noted that the Wyndham Southbury Hotel’s management has worked quickly and cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues without litigation.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s hotels and other public accommodations,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “Our Office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse population of patrons who live, work, and visit Connecticut. We appreciate the cooperation of the management of the Wyndham Southbury Hotel and their willingness to make the necessary changes to the hotel in order to increase accessibility.”
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a hotel or any other place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Second York Gang Leader Sentenced to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the leader of a gang that has operated for a decade or more in the City of York was sentenced to life in prison for racketeering and drug distribution conspiracies.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane imposed a sentence of life in prison on Marc Hernandez, a/k/a “Marky D,” age 32, who was identified as a leader of the “Southside” street gang as well as a member of the Bloods. When imposing sentence, Judge Kane noted Hernandez’s leadership in the gang that ravaged the community in York for over a decade, causing numerous deaths and many other victims. Judge Kane indicated that Hernandez “was the leader of an organization that destroyed a community,” a group that committed countless drive-by shootings and killings of many individuals including innocent bystanders. Judge Kane also noted that “even from jail, he continued as a leader” in the same group doing the same activities.
At the sentencing, the government presented evidence that Hernandez’s gang related activities continued from his jail cell while he awaited sentencing. Including smuggling drugs and phones into prison and attempting to order the murder of individuals outside of prison. There was also evidence introduced at sentencing that Hernandez had risen to national leadership within his set of the Bloods gang. The government asked for a life sentence and pointed to the evidence that Hernandez continued to sell drugs and participate in violent retaliation while in prison. The government argued to court that it should have no confidence that Hernandez will ever stop his violent, drug trafficking ways, as demonstrated by his ongoing criminal conduct. Judge Kane noted that Hernandez was comparable to his co-defendant, Rolando Cruz, Jr. who was sentenced to life in prison on October 3, 2017.
In November 2015, a jury convicted Hernandez of racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracies after a seven-week trial. It included over 100 witnesses called by the government, including York City Police officers and detectives, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI and gang members who had previously pleaded guilty and featured the presentation of over 500 exhibits. Among the exhibits were videos of violent incidents involving the Southside Gang, drugs, cash and property seized by police and ATF agents as part of the investigation.
The jury convicted the other 11 men who went to trial with Hernandez.
The gang, labeled by the government as a criminal enterprise, is known as Southside. It operated in southern York, centered in the area of Maple and Duke Streets. There was no formal structure but the participants included senior leaders, drug traffickers engaged in distribution and sales of narcotics, particularly crack cocaine, and “shooters,” individuals who committed acts of violence, including use of firearms on behalf of the gang and to protect its members from other gangs in York. Order was maintained through intimidation and threats and, in some cases, murder. The Southside Gang includes a group of violent drug traffickers, originally affiliated with the “Bloods,” primarily a New York-based national violent street gang.
Violence against a rival York gang, called “Parkway,” allegedly resulted in death or shootings of members of both gangs and innocent bystanders.
ATF, together with the York City Police Department and the York County District Attorney’s Office, began an intensive two-year investigation of Southside in 2012. It culminated in a September 2014 grand jury indictment of 21 individuals.
Eight of the indicted persons, including James Abney, a senior Southside leader, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy charge prior to the trial, as did seven other individuals included in the September 2014 indictment.
Many individual Southside gang members were investigated and previously prosecuted by York County law enforcement agencies on state charges. The federal prosecution aimed at dismantling the organization by exposing and attacking its continuity and leadership. The federal investigation of gang violence and drug dealing in York is continuing in full cooperation with local police and the York County District Attorney’s Office.
Overall, the jury found seven of the 12 men on trial guilty of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute drugs, mainly cocaine base (crack) and cocaine, but including heroin in some instances. Two others were found not guilty of the racketeering charge but were found guilty of the drug distribution conspiracy count of the indictment. Three of the defendants were found not guilty of either of the conspiracy counts. The jury found all 12 defendants guilty of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute. Two defendants were also charged and found guilty of, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The principal defendants, specifically the most violent and those in leading roles, were found guilty of the racketeering conspiracy charges.
The individual defendants and the charges on which they were awaiting sentencing or were sentenced:
Rolando Cruz, Jr., “Mico,” age 32; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, drug possession with intent to deliver and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts) was sentenced on October 3, 2017, to life in prison.
Douglas Kelly, a/k/a “Killer,” age 39; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Roscoe Villega, a/k/a “P Shawn,” age 43; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Tyree Eatmon, a/k/a “Ree,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Maurice Atkinson, a/k/a “Mo,” age 30; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Anthony Sistrunk, a/k/a “Kanye,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Eugene Rice, a/k/a “B Mor,” age 29; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Angel Schueg, a/k/a “Pocko,” age 28; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,
Jalik Frederick, a/k/a “Murder Cat,” age 22; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 33 months in prison on June 5, 2017,
Brandon Orr, a/k/a “B Or,” age 23; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 34 months in prison on November 10, 2016,
Jabree Williams, a/k/a “Minute,” age 24; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 60 months in prison on May 15, 2017.
Southside gang members who pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy prior to the trial are and who are awaiting sentencing are:
James Abney, a/k/a “Doocs,” age 31.
Malik Sturdivant, a/k/a “Base,” age 25.
Jahkeem Abney, a/k/a “Foo,” age 27.
Ronald Payton, a/k/a “Ron Ron,” age 25.
Cordaress Rogers, a/k/a “Tank,” age 31.
Marquis Williams, a/k/a “Quis,” age 29.
Jerrod Brown, a/k/a “Boogie,” age 28.
Quintez Hall, a/k/a “Q,” age 25.
Richard Nolden, a/k/a “Rich,” age 27.
The case included the participation and assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, West York Borough Police Department, Spring Garden Township Police Department, the York County Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio, William Houser, and Joseph Terz prosecuted the case.
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Sacaton Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Enrique Xavier Bandin, 21, of Sacaton, Ariz., a member of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 15 years in prison. Bandin had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. A year ago, on Oct. 23, 2016, Bandin pistol-whipped the victim, also a GRIC member, in the head. The gun discharged, shooting the victim in the head. Bandin left the victim’s body on the side of the road in the center of Sacaton, Ariz., a half a mile from the local hospital.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-01360-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-105_Bandin
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
SDNY Personnel Among Those Honored at 65th Annual Attorney General AwardsRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recognized 202 Department of Justice employees – including seven from the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) who received the Department’s highest award for employee service – for their distinguished public service today at the 65nd Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony. This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said: “Every single day, the 115,000 men and women of the Department of Justice work to protect our national security against terrorist threats, defend the civil rights of all Americans, reduce violent crime in our communities, stop deadly drug dealers and their organizations, and strengthen the rule of law. This work benefits every American, and each Department of Justice employee plays a role that helps us accomplish our objectives. Today, we take a moment to recognize those who have distinguished themselves by exemplary service to the Department. Each one of these men and women – through their dedication and commitment – has made a difference. Meeting with them and their families today, I am more confident than ever that the Department – and the safety of the American people – are in good hands.”
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Department’s highest award for employee service, was presented to SDNY Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nola B. Heller, Sarah R. Krissoff, Matthew J. Laroche, Michael D. Maimin, Rachel Maimin, and Micah W.J. Smith, and paralegal specialist Darci Brady. This team, along with fellow award recipients ATF Special Agents Kenneth G. Crotty and Andrew J. Daher, DEA Special Agents William D. Melodick and Moises Walters, HSI Special Agent Paul H. Pasuco, and NYPD Detectives Pedro Alfonso, Paul Jeselson, and John Urena, investigated, arrested, and prosecuted more than 100 members of the violent Bronx-based Trinitarios gang. These RICO cases resulted in clearance of numerous murders and other acts of extreme violence through guilty pleas or convictions at trial. The Trinitarios cases had a direct impact on the homicide rate in the Bronx, which has declined to record-low levels in the aftermath of the initial takedown and subsequent investigation and prosecution.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Our Office serves no higher mission than helping to keep the citizens of our city safe, including from gang and gun violence. That is why we are extremely proud of those in our Office and with our law enforcement partners who received today the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Department's highest honor for employee service. These fine women and men were honored for their work in investigating and prosecuting the vicious and violent Trinitarios gang, including prosecutions that dismantled its leadership and took over a hundred violent gang members off the streets. Their commitment has helped make Bronx safer and has had a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers.”
Nineteen other individuals outside the department were also honored for their work. The department will also present one posthumous award to Deputy Commander Patrick T. Carothers of the U.S. Marshals Service for exceptional heroism in the line of duty during a fugitive apprehension in Georgia last November in which Deputy Commander Carothers was mortally wounded.