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Friday 8 September 2017
Five Siblings Sentenced to Prison for Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that five members of a Milwaukee family were sentenced to prison by the United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller for their involvement in several armed bank and business robberies in Milwaukee and West Allis, Wisconsin. The siblings received the following sentences:
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Bobby Mickey (25) was sentenced to 184 months in prison after pleading guilty to five robberies and one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.
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Terrill Brown (29) was sentenced to 154 months in prison after pleading guilty to three robberies and one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.
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Brandon Mickey (21) was sentenced to 152 months in prison after pleading guilty to four robberies and one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.
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Dominique Brown (30) was sentenced to 58 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting one bank robbery.
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Doris Brown (27) was sentenced to 48 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting one bank robbery.
The siblings were involved in a series of bank and commercial robberies in 2015 and 2016, the purpose of which was to obtain money, liquor, and firearms. The sisters, Dominique and Doris Brown, aided and abetted the robberies by “casing” the banks and holding doors open at locked entrances to allow their brothers access to the banks.
At the sentencings, federal prosecutors discussed the emotional, life-long impact these violent crimes have on the victims, and the financial impact of these crimes on the community. At the sentencings, Judge Stadtmueller also noted that these types of violent acts “cry out” for lengthy prison terms.
According to United States Attorney Haanstad: “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to combatting violent crime in this district and will continue to seek substantial prison sentences for those who use firearms in the commission of crimes.” Haanstad also emphasized that “the successful prosecution of this case was the result of a collaborative law enforcement effort by the Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the West Allis Police Department.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Milwaukee Division, Justin Tolomeo said: “The FBI prioritizes these types of investigations and works collaboratively with MPD and local police departments to identify the offenders and bring them to justice. We all work together to make our community a safe place.”
The matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the West Allis Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.
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Final Defendant Convicted in RICO Case Stemming from Bribery Scheme to ‘Fix’ Criminal and Traffic Cases in O.C. Superior CourtRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A federal jury has returned four guilty verdicts against the final defendant charged in a racketeering scheme that paid over $250,000 to a clerk in the Orange County Superior Court in exchange for him resolving hundreds of criminal cases and traffic violations without the knowledge of judges or prosecutors.
Javed Asefi, also known as “Joey,” 44, of Ladera Ranch, was found guilty late yesterday afternoon of conspiring to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and paying bribes. At the conclusion of a six-day trial, Asefi was also convicted of lying on a citizenship application and violating the terms of his pretrial release by sending an associate to find out if a co-defendant was cooperating against him.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Asefi participated in the scheme by providing information on 15 traffic infractions and at least one driving-under-the influence case to a middleman, who provided the data to a Superior Court clerk. With Asefi’s assistance, 11 people saw the dismissal of their traffic tickets.
The clerk at the center of the bribery scheme changed court records to falsely show that the cases had been dismissed or, in the case of the DUI charges, had been “pleaded down” to lesser charges. Asefi and others who benefited from the official actions paid bribes to the clerk through middlemen.
“At least one of the bribes collected and paid by [Asefi] was in the amount of $5,000 to $6,000 and was in exchange for pleading down a driving under the influence charge to a ‘wet-reckless’ charge,” according to court documents.
Asefi is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton on December 8. At sentencing, Asefi will face a statutory maximum sentence of 45 years in federal prison.
The former Superior Court clerk – Jose Lopez Jr., 37, of Anaheim – pleaded guilty in March to a RICO conspiracy charge. The bribes paid to Lopez’s middlemen were as high as $8,000 to “fix” cases.
When he pleaded guilty, Lopez admitted the he “improperly resolved approximately 1,034 cases, including 69 misdemeanor driving under the influence cases, 160 other misdemeanor cases and 805 traffic-related infraction cases.”
Over the course of more than five years, Lopez “resolved” cases by entering information into the court’s computers to make it appear that a defendant had pleaded guilty, paid required fees or had performed community service. In some cases, Lopez fraudulently created records that made it appear drunk driving charges had been dismissed or defendants had served mandatory jail time.
In addition to taking more than $250,000 in bribes and falsifying court records, Lopez forged the signature of a prosecutor with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The conspiracy ended in the spring of 2015 when the court learned about the misconduct and took steps to correct the cases that Lopez tampered with.
Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Staton on September 22, at which time he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Yesterday’s guilty verdicts against Asefi came exactly one year after the unsealing of a 38-count indictment that outlined the bribery scheme. With Asefi’s conviction, all 12 defendants who participated in the racketeering scheme have been found guilty. Three other people who funneled bribes to Lopez pleaded guilty prior to the indictment.
Five of the defendants have been sentenced and have received terms of imprisonment of up to two years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Orange County Superior Court, Irvine Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance during the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vib Mittal and Bradley E. Marrett of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Eden Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Offenses Involving ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eden, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Abuse Sexual Contact was sentenced on August 17, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Tyrell Redstar Eastman, age 21, was sentenced to 13 years in custody, followed by ten years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
According to the court documents, between August 15, 2014, and April 2, 2015, Eastman engaged in sexual contacts with a child. To perpetrate the sexual assault, Eastman threatened and placed the victim in fear. Such sexual contact involved the defendant’s intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the victim’s genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, and buttocks. Defendant had the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, and gratify his sexual desires. At the time of this sexual assault, the defendant was 18 years old.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
Eastman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Conway Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison on Distribution of Heroin ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Andrew Garcia, age 21, of Conway, was sentenced in Florence yesterday to 100 months imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. On April 18, 2017, Garcia entered a guilty plea in federal court to three counts of distribution of heroin. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell imposed the sentence.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that, pursuant to a heroin trafficking investigation in Horry County, a team of law enforcement from multiple agencies conducted extensive surveillance and effected several controlled purchases of heroin from targets of the investigation. Agents made two controlled purchases of heroin from Garcia in August 2014 and a third controlled purchase of heroin in September 2014. Agents also obtained warrants to search two Myrtle Beach residences linked to Garcia where they recovered over 600 grams of heroin, nine firearms, and $68,000 in cash.
The case was investigated by agents with the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), the Horry County Police Department (HCPD), and the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Colombian Man Sentenced for Escaping from Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — Juan Carlos Marin-Cardona, 47, a citizen and national of Colombia, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 30 months in federal prison, which he will serve consecutively to the 70-month prison sentence imposed in 1993, for escaping from federal custody. The announcement was made today by U.S Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Through a diligent investigation by the United States Marshals Service (USMS), deputies located Marin-Cardona living in a foreign county under the name Alexander Rey Marin Cardona. In March 2017, USMS deputies were ultimately able to apprehend Marin-Cardona in Houston, Texas, at the airport. He has been in custody since his arrest.
According to plea documents filed in the case, on January 22, 1993, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida sentenced Juan Carlos Marin-Cardona to 70 months imprisonment for the felony offenses of importation of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Marin-Cardona was later transferred to federal custody at the Eden Detention Center in Eden, Texas.
On November 3, 1994, an Eden maintenance officer went to retrieve Marin-Cardona from the front of the institution but Marin-Cardona wasn’t there. The Eden Detention Center initiated a lockdown and emergency headcount. It was confirmed that Marin-Cardona was not in the Eden Detention Center and had left federal custody without permission. Marin-Cardona was placed on escape status.
The United States Marshal Service and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag prosecuted.
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Clarksburg man sentenced for firearm offensesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Plaugher, of Clarksburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for making false statements in purchasing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Plaugher, age 26, pled guilty to two counts of “False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.” He admitted to falsely representing that he was the actual buyer of four pistols when he was actually attempting to purchase the firearms on behalf of another buyer. The crimes occurred in October 2014 and January 2015 in Harrison County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
California Man Gets 63 Months in Prison for Possessing with Intent to Distribute 29 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A South Gate, California, man who was arrested with 29 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a tractor trailer was sentenced today to 63 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Tomas Lopez Beltran, 46, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements in the court:
On Oct. 28, 2016, law enforcement lawfully searched a tractor trailer driven by Beltran and recovered approximately 29 kilograms of methamphetamine and $73,500 in cash from a concealed compartment located inside the cab of the trailer. Beltran admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and cash to an individual in Georgia.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Beltran to three years of supervised release
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski in Newark, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine K. Lou and Karen D. Stringer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Eric J. Marcy Esq., Woodbridge, New Jersey
Buffalo Man Arrested on Fentanyl ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Luis Matias, of Buffalo, 27, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute; and to distribute, butyryl fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, butyryl fentanyl. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in July 2017, law enforcement officers developed information that the defendant was distributing large quantities of heroin in the Buffalo area. During the investigation, a confidential source and undercover officers were used to conduct controlled heroin purchases from Matias.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
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.
Bristol Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on September 7, 2017, a Federal grand jury in Burlington returned a single-count indictment, which charged Cody Clark, 26, of Bristol, Vermont, with production of child pornography. If convicted, Clark faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a mandatory minimum term of five (5) years and up to life on supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000.
According to court records, the investigation into Clark began when Google sent a “Cybertip” to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the user of one of its platforms had uploaded images of child pornography. NCMEC forwarded the Cybertip to the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), which conducted further investigation into Clark, the suspected user of the Google account. The ICAC obtained a warrant to search what it believed to be Clark’s residence. During execution of the search warrant, images of child pornography were found on Clark’s computer. The images identified in the Cybertip were among the images found on Clark’s computer. Clark told law enforcement that he produced these images of child pornography and he used them for sexual gratification.
Acting U.S. Attorney Eugenia A.P. Cowles emphasized that the indictment is an accusation only and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Clark’s sentence will be determined by the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Acting U.S. Attorney Cowles commended the efforts of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, University of Vermont Police Services, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson is handling the prosecution of Clark. Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth K. Quinn represents Clark.
Acting U.S. Attorney Cowles noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Albuquerque Felon Facing Federal Firearms Charges for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jaime Santiesteban, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance in federal court this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Santiesteban was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for Sept. 11, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge John J. Durastanti, Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Gorden E. Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) said that Santiesteban, whose prior criminal history includes eight prior felony convictions, will be prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
According to the criminal complaint, APD officers arrested Santiesteban in a residential neighborhood in the northeast heights of Albuquerque on Sept. 7, 2017, after Santiesteban allegedly discharged a firearm in the direction of an officer who was conducting surveillance in connection with an ongoing law enforcement operation. Santiesteban allegedly fled from the scene of the shooting in a truck, which he later abandoned while continuing his flight by foot. Officers who had received information regarding Santiesteban’s whereabouts from officers who were tracking his flight from a helicopter arrested Santiesteban shortly thereafter.
During the investigation of this case, officers found an ammunition magazine in the truck allegedly abandoned by Santiesteban and a firearm that was missing a magazine in the backyard of a residence along Santiesteban’s alleged flight path. According to the complaint, Santiesteban was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. Court records reflect that Santiesteban has eight prior felony convictions, including four drug-related convictions, a firearms-related conviction, and a conviction for battery on a peace officer.
If convicted on the charge in the complaint, Santiesteban faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment. If the court determines that Santiesteban should be sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act, he faces an enhanced sentence of not less than 15 years of imprisonment. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the ATF’s Albuquerque office and APD, and is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley.
4 Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Refusing to Testify during Heroin TrialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Newark, New Jersey and three residents of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, each have been sentenced in federal court to nine months of incarceration and three years of supervised release on their convictions for Contempt of Court, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton imposed the sentence on Khayri Battle, 36, of Newark, New Jersey, Shane Brooks, 30, Victoria Morgan, 32, and Bobby Rodgers, 48, all of Duquesne, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, Battle, Brooks, Morgan and Rodgers refused to testify at the trial of Anthony Pryor and Lance Yarbough, for charges that included conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, despite a written order compelling them to testify pursuant to a grant of immunity from United States District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton. .
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Battle, Brooks, Morgan and Rodgers.
"Real Time”: Greenville Man Found Guilty in Firearms Jury Trial Sentenced to over 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Carlton Tyrone Nash, age 37, of Greenville, was sentenced to 310 months (25.8 years) in federal prison. In April of this year, a jury returned a guilty verdict, following a two-day jury trial in federal court in Anderson, finding Nash guilty of possession by a firearm and ammunition by a felon. United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain, who presided over the trial, sentenced Nash yesterday in Anderson.
The government presented multiple witnesses during the course of the trial. Witness testimony and the evidence presented by the government at trial established that in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Nash, while wearing a Hillary Clinton mask, forced entry into a residence and fired a shot from the .25 caliber pistol he obtained earlier that day. The shot barely missed one of the residents of the house. Nash then dragged that resident from the home at gunpoint into the street where a fight ensued. While Nash and his initial victim were fighting, the victim’s roommate exited the house with a baseball bat, striking Nash in the head with the bat. After a blow to the head from the bat, Nash removed his now bloodied mask revealing his identity to the victims. Nash dropped the gun during the scuffle in the street and left his mask behind as he fled the scene.
After receiving a 911 call from the initial victim, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded within minutes. A forensic technician from the Greenville County Forensic Division arrived shortly thereafter to process the scene and collect evidence. Experts from the Greenville County Forensics Division were able to match Nash’s DNA to the blood in the recovered mask. Based on their investigation, GCSO investigators were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Nash and arrested him just days after the offense. Working in concert with GCSO through the multi-agency initiative “Operation Real Time”, Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) served a federal arrest warrant on Nash shortly after his state arrest. Nash, after being advised of his Miranda rights, admitted to ATF agents that he had the mask and the gun. Nash has been detained since this incident and remains in custody.
The Nash case was expedited for federal prosecution pursuant to “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community. “Real Time” is a working collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as state and federal prosecutors. Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 120 defendants and seizure of over 160 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons in the upstate.
“ATF is extremely appreciative of our partners and this collaborative effort to make our communities safer,” said Charlotte Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman. “ATF has committed our resources to help tackle illegal firearms possession and violent crime. That commitment, combined with the cooperation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies, our federal partners, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, has resulted in a very successful effort with a long-term impact on violent crime in the upstate and beyond.”
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between local, state, and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs, sheriffs, and solicitors in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville County Forensic Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins and First Assistant United States Attorney A. Lance Crick prosecuted the case.
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Thursday 7 September 2017
York County Woman Charged with Acquiring Controlled Substances by Forgery and DeceptionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Shannon Marie Lengal, age 46, of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with acquiring controlled substances by forgery and deception.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the criminal information alleges that from March 2011 to March 2016, Lengal forged a physician’s signature on prescriptions for hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. Lengal then presented the prescriptions to a pharmacy for filling.
The criminal information was filed pursuant to a plea agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, wherein it is indicated that Lengal intends to plead guilty to the charges when she appears in federal court for her arraignment.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is four years’ imprisonment, a term of three years’ supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 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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White River Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a White River, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact.
Duane Mednansky, age 47, was indicted on August 16, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 6, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between on or about May 1, 2013, and September 1, 2013, Mednansky knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female. The Indictment further alleges that between May 1, 2013, and September 1, 2014, Mednansky engaged in sexual contact with a second female without her permission.
The charges are merely accusations and Mednansky is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mellette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Mednansky was released pending trial, which is set for October 31, 2017.
Westerly Resident Indicted for Receipt, Possession and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a three-count indictment charging Jonathan Breslin, 33, of Westerly, with receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography.
Breslin has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on August 11, 2017, following a court authorized search of his residence by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of members of the Westerly and Warwick Police Departments. During the search, law enforcement seized of a computer, a digital media storage device and a cell phone allegedly containing child pornography.
The indictment of Breslin is announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England; Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Westerly Police Chief Richard G. Silva; and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
According to court documents and information presented to the court at the time of Breslin’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court, it is alleged that in late March 2016, a law enforcement officer in Saskatchewan, Canada, arrested an individual in an unrelated matter. A search of a cell phone belonging to the individual resulted in the discovery of an online mobile chat application allegedly used to discuss and share child pornography images and videos to a network of users. A review by Saskatchewan law enforcement identified 78 unique users who allegedly shared and/or communicated about child pornography.
Information developed and records obtained by Canadian law enforcement through Canadian court orders were provided to HSI agents who, through further investigation, identified IP address in the United States that were allegedly used to participate in some of the conversations, and/or to upload and view child pornography. Among the IP address identified was one allegedly belonging to Breslin.
Further investigation by an HSI agent in Rhode Island included online chats between Breslin and the agent posing as an individual interested in discussing, viewing and sharing child pornography. It is alleged that Breslin discussed viewing, possessing and attempted production of child pornography.
An indictment is merely an allegation 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.
Possession of child pornography is punishable statutory penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and lifetime supervised. Receiving and distribution of child pornography are each punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and lifetime supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick, Cranston, Newport, East Providence Police, Pawtucket, North Kingstown, Portsmouth and Woonsocket Police Departments and agents from Homeland Security Investigations and United States Postal Inspection Services.
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Wanblee Man Sentenced for Second Degree Murder and Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Wanblee, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on September 7, 2017, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Leon “Gogg” Between Lodges, a/k/a Leon Milk, age 34, was sentenced to 15 years in custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,023.37 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on the Second Degree Murder charge. Between Lodges was sentenced to 10 years in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on the Assault with a Dangerous Weapon charge. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
The conviction stems from Between Lodges using a stiletto automatic knife to stab two male individuals on May 27, 2016, at Wanblee. One of these individuals was stabbed in the chest, striking his carotid artery and fatally injuring him. The second victim was stabbed in the back two times and was life-flighted to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, for treatment.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Between Lodges was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Wanblee Man Indicted for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Wanblee, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Assault on a Federal Officer.
Shawn Ashley, age 47, was charged on August 22, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 25, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge relates to Ashley, while on bond in a separate criminal case, assaulting an on-duty Oglala Sioux Tribe police officer in June 2017 at Wanblee. The charge is merely an accusation and Ashley is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Ashley was released pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
U.S. Attorney's Office Concludes Investigation into Fatal Shooting in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who was involved in the fatal shooting on Dec. 25, 2016, of Gerald Hall in Northeast Washington.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) conducted a comprehensive review of the incident. This included interviews of civilian and law enforcement witnesses; physical evidence recovered on the scene, including three knives; body-worn camera footage; recorded audio transmissions; autopsy, toxicology, and DNA reports; and MPD and District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences reports, diagrams, and photographs.
According to the evidence, the events unfolded in this manner:
On Dec. 25, 2016, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Mr. Hall was in the home of his girlfriend in the 3200 block of Walnut Street NE, when they started to argue and she told him to leave. When his girlfriend walked away, Mr. Hall turned on all of the burners on the stove and set fire to a paper towel. Shortly after 11 a.m., a 911 caller requested that police go to the house because “my neighbor’s getting beat up over there” and that she was “screaming for help.” The MPD officer and his partner arrived moments later. Mr. Hall’s girlfriend, who had no visible injuries, told police that a physical fight had not occurred and that she had called her sister and would leave with her. The MPD officer and his partner left the scene.
When the sister arrived, the two women attempted to get into the house, but Mr. Hall pushed on the door to keep it closed. When the women were finally able to get in, Mr. Hall was holding a large knife with a grey handle and he started walking towards his girlfriend’s sister, who then picked up a large knife with a black handle to defend herself. The girlfriend stepped in between the two and started tussling with Mr. Hall so that the sister could get out of the house.
As the sister left the house, Mr. Hall locked the door behind her. He then slammed down the knife with the grey handle, breaking the tip, and picked up a large carving knife with a brown handle. Immediately after being locked out, the sister dropped the knife she was holding on the landing outside the door, and called 911 at 11:22 a.m. and stated that, “my sister is locked in the house. Her boyfriend is crazy. He got a knife. He turned on the gas and I’m locked out.” At the same time, a neighbor also called 911 and reported that, “he is beating her up!” The neighbor’s son went over to the house just as Mr. Hall’s girlfriend opened the door and dropped the knife with the grey handle onto the landing.
The dispatcher sent the MPD officer and his partner back to the residence “Code 1” (lights and sirens) for the “man with a knife,” and they arrived less than five minutes later. Both officers had already activated their body-worn cameras while driving to the scene, and they kept them on throughout the duration of the incident. When the officers walked up the stairs, there were already two large knives on the landing – the one with the grey handle, once held by Mr. Hall, and the one with the black handle, once held by the girlfriend’s sister. The neighbor’s son, who was leaving the house, told the officer that Mr. Hall “got a knife on him.” The MPD officer looked through the door and saw Mr. Hall standing near his girlfriend, holding a large knife. The officer ordered Mr. Hall to “put the knife down, put the knife down, put the knife down!” as the girlfriend moved quickly towards the door saying, “he’s all right, he’s all right.” Mr. Hall then pushed his girlfriend out of the door and closed it. As the girlfriend sat down on the door stoop, a large cut was visible on her arm.
The officers yelled for the girlfriend and the neighbor to get out, and get off the door stoop. As the girlfriend stood up with her back towards the door, the door suddenly opened and Mr. Hall stood in the threshold behind her with the large knife in his right hand. The officer immediately fired his weapon four times and Mr. Hall fell to the floor just inside the door. From the time that the MPD officer first started going up the stairs until the time that Mr. Hall fell to the floor after being shot, 35 seconds elapsed.
Mr. Hall, 29, was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia determined that Mr. Hall was shot four times, including twice in the chest.
After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer used excessive force under the circumstances. To the contrary, there is sufficient evidence that the officer was acting in self-defense and defense of others at the time of the shooting.
Use-of-force investigations generally
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all police-involved fatalities to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to conclude that any officers violated either federal criminal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law. To prove such violations, prosecutors must be able to prove that the involved officers willfully used more force than was reasonably necessary. Proving “willfulness” is a heavy burden. Prosecutors must not only prove that the force used was excessive, but must also prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids. A conclusion that “there is insufficient evidence” is not meant to suggest anything further about what evidence, if any, exists.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.
Two Sentenced for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
Concord, N.H.— Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Celestino Nieves Vasquez, 42, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison and Jose Hernandez Corchado, 40, was sentenced to serve 16 months in prison for their roles in distributing cocaine in Manchester, New Hampshire.
According to statements made in court and court documents, on several occasions in June and July 2016, investigators used a confidential source to purchase cocaine from Nieves Vasquez at his Manchester residence. On at least one of these occasions, Corchado was present and assisted Nieves Vasquez in the collection of money owed to complete a drug transaction. Both defendants are former residents of Manchester.
Nieves Vasquez previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and cocaine distribution charges and Corchado previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge.
“This case demonstrates the commitment of federal law enforcement officers to identifying and prosecuting those who are distributing drugs in Manchester,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend that teamwork of the law enforcement officers who participated in this investigation. We will continue to work together to combat drug trafficking in Manchester and throughout our state.”
“Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Corchado profited from addictions that destroy lives and tear apart families,” said Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw. “This case is another example of FBI’s ongoing commitment to rid neighborhoods in New Hampshire of drug trafficking enterprises.”
"DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking organizations who are responsible for distributing cocaine to the citizens of New Hampshire," said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire."
This matter was the product of an investigation of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force. 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. Other and state and local authorities involved in the investigation included the Manchester Police Department, the Hudson Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Nashua Police Department, and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. Investigators also received assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Two Indicted in Seizure of 19 Kilos of Cocaine Set for Delivery in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a two-count indictment charging two men from Florida with conspiring to traffic cocaine in connection with the seizure by law enforcement of more than 19 kilograms of cocaine allegedly shipped to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police announce the indictment of Rinaxo M. Rufino, 33, of Miramar, FL., and Gabriel Concepcion, 27, of Kissimmee, FL., which charges them with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Additionally, Concepcion is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
An investigation by U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspectors and members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force resulted in the seizure of more than 19 kilograms of cocaine allegedly shipped from Puerto Rico to residences in Providence, Woonsocket and Central Falls. Rufino and Conception were arrested on August 26, 2017, and ordered detained in federal custody following initial appearances the next day in U.S. District Court in Providence.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, beginning on August 7, 2017, USPIS Inspectors intercepted five shipments of cocaine in various sized packages allegedly shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in Providence, Woonsocket and Central Falls. Each of the packages were addressed to individuals not associated with the address to which the packages were shipped. In each instance, a police K-9 detected the odor of narcotics in each package prior to delivery. The packages were seized by law enforcement.
Rinaxo M. Rufino was arrested at a Central Falls residence on August 26, moments after he allegedly took possession of a package that he believed contained approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine. Gabriel Concepcion was arrested moments later after he was stopped by a Rhode Island State Police trooper as he allegedly drove away from the area of the residence. A loaded firearm was allegedly located in Conception’s vehicle.
It is alleged in court documents that Rufino and Concepcion, who had been under law enforcement surveillance for some time, were seen surveilling the area of the Central Falls residence prior to and after the package was left on the doorstep of the residence by a U.S. Postal carrier. Prior to the delivery of the package, USPIS Inspectors had removed the cocaine.
Prior to the arrest of Rufino and Concepcion, USPIS Postal Inspectors took custody of packages allegedly containing cocaine earmarked for delivery to other residences in Providence, Central Falls and Woonsocket. In each instance, a police K-9 allegedly detected the odor of narcotics in each package.
- On August 4, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Providence, which allegedly containing 8.16 kilograms of cocaine.
- On August 10, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Woonsocket, which allegedly contained 1.2 kilograms of cocaine.
- On August 26, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Woonsocket, which allegedly contained 3.48 kilograms of cocaine.
- On August 26, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to Central Falls residence, different from the residence where Rufino was arrested. The package allegedly contained 3.48 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, the investigation began in April 2017, when a package mailed from Providence to Puerto Rico was intercepted by USPIS Inspectors after a police K-9 allegedly reacted positively for the presence of the odor of narcotics. Acting on a federal court authorized search warrant, postal inspectors opened the package and discovered $58,010 in cash.
An indictment is merely an allegation 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.
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine is punishable by statutory penalties of 10 years to life in federal prison, a fine of $4,000,000 and lifetime supervised release. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Cranston Police Department and Rhode Island State Police K-9 Units for their assistance in this investigation.
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Three Men Plead Guilty in Connection to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that three defendants pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. Jr. for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy:
• Scott Kennedy, 40, of Beaver Dams, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The defendant a faces a minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $20,000,000 fine.
• Jared Mendez, 32, of Bradford, NY, pleaded guilty theft of anhydrous ammonia with knowledge it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine and faces eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Terry Champion, 48, of Bradford, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of a listed chemical with knowledge it will be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2012, and May 4, 2016, Scott Kennedy conspired with others, including Jared Mendez and Terry Champion, to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Kennedy distributed large amounts of methamphetamine with and to people throughout the area of Schuyler, Chemung, and Steuben Counties in New York. During this time, the defendant personally manufactured large amounts of methamphetamine at his home at 44 Campground Road in the Town of Catlin and on the property maintained by his sister Wendy Kennedy at 2200 County Route 19 in the Town of Dix.
During this time, Kennedy also received the assistance of numerous co-conspirators who provided him with supplies with the intent that he would use those supplies to manufacture methamphetamine. Between July 2015 and October 2015, Jared Mendez stole anhydrous ammonia and sold it to Kennedy.
Between January 2016, and May 4, 2016, Terry Champion obtained quantities of pseudoephedrine and sold it to Scott Kennedy. In addition, on January 22, 2016, Champion possessed approximately 182 pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. On that date, the defendant was pulled over while driving on South Valley Road in Steuben County. During a search of the vehicle, officers located the pseudoephedrine pills.
Charges are pending against Wendy Kennedy and another co-defendant Quinton Harrison. 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.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Special Investigations Unit, Rochester; the New York State Police, CNET Southern Tier, under the direction of Major Richard Allen; the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of William Yessman; and the Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Joseph Fazzary.
Scott Kennedy is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2017; Terry Champion on November 30, 2017; and Jared Mendez on December 1, 2017, all before Judge Geraci.
Three Indicted on Federal Bankruptcy ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned indictments charging three individuals with fraud on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. It is alleged that the defendants provided false information under oath in order to conceal cash funds they controlled when petitioning the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for bankruptcy protection.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; and William Harrington, U.S. Trustee for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, announce the indictment of Marcus A. Collier, 51, of Pawtucket, with one count each of concealment of bankruptcy assets, false statements under oath and false bankruptcy declaration, and, in a separate matter, the indictment of Danys Rivera, 47 and Diana Acevedo, 51, of Providence, with one count each of concealment of bankruptcy assets, false statements under oath and false bankruptcy declaration.
In the matter of Marcus Collier, it is alleged in the indictment that, in documents filed under oath with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the defendant concealed $18,000 from the trustee charged with control of the debtor's property, and from the creditors and the United States Trustee.
In the matter of Diana Acevedo and Danys Rivera, an indictment alleges that the defendants failed to disclose and did conceal an insurance settlement of $61,064.43 from the trustee charged with control of the debtor's property, and from the creditors and the United States Trustee.
An indictment is merely an allegation 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.
Concealment of bankruptcy assets, false statements under oath and false bankruptcy declaration are each punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years supervised release.
The cases, investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the U.S. Trustee, are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
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Texas Restaurant Owners Indicted for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
An indictment charging the owners of several Austin, Texas area restaurants with federal tax crimes was unsealed today, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
The indictment charges Michael Herman and his wife, Cynthia Herman, with conspiring to defraud the United States by impairing the legitimate functions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and filing false individual income tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2012. Michael Herman is also charged with filing false corporate tax returns for 2010 through 2012.
According to the indictment, the Hermans owned Cindy’s Gone Hog Wild, a restaurant and bar in Travis County, Texas, which filed corporate tax returns, and two restaurants in Bastrop County, Texas, Cindy’s Downtown and Hasler Brothers Steakhouse, which reported their income and expenses on the Hermans’ personal tax returns. The indictment alleges that the Hermans deposited only a portion of the restaurants’ cash receipts into their business bank accounts and reported only those deposits to their tax return preparer. The Hermans also allegedly paid for personal expenses out of the business accounts, including repair of their swimming pool, utilities for their home and the salary of a household employee. The indictment charges that the Hermans filed false tax returns that underreported their income and falsely deducted personal expenses paid out of the corporate account as business expenses.
If convicted, the Hermans face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and three years in prison on each of the false return charges. They also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg thanked agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Robert A. Kemins and David Zisserson, who are prosecuting the case. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas for their substantial assistance.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Woman for Prostitution in Hobbs, New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Markell Quashan Sweargin, 19, of Lubbock, Tex., pled guilty this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to transporting a person for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
Sweargin was arrested in June 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with transporting a person in interstate commerce for the purpose of forcing the person to engage in a commercial sex act. The complaint alleged that on June 14, 2017, officers of the Hobbs Police Department arrested Sweargin on state charges after responding to a domestic disturbance call from a woman (victim) who claimed that Sweargin strangled and assaulted her during an altercation arising from her refusal to engage in a sexual act with another man for money.
According to the criminal complaint, Sweargin, the victim and another person traveled from Lubbock to a hotel in Hobbs, N.M. Once in the hotel room, Sweargin attempted to coerce the victim into having sex with other men for money, and became angry when the victim refused. When Sweargin and the other person left the hotel room, a man came to the room with the expectation of having sex with the victim. After the victim refused to have sex with him, the man departed the room after telling the victim that he had come in response to an advertisement on a webpage known to advertise prostitution services. When Sweargin returned to the hotel room, he was very angry because the victim did not have sex with the man in return for money, began to hit the victim, and blocked the door to the hotel room to prevent the victim or the third person from leaving. The victim and third person fled from the room when Sweargin stepped away from the door.
During today’s proceedings, Sweargin pled guilty to a felony information charging him with transporting a person across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. In entering the guilty plea, Sweargin admitted that on June 14, 2017, he traveled from Lubbock to Hobbs with the victim with the intention of having the victim engage in prostitution in New Mexico.
At sentencing, Sweargin faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. Sweargin remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations Las Cruces office and the Hobbs Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
Tampa Woman Arrested on Tax Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the arrest and unsealing of an indictment charging Ashley Stanback with five counts of theft of government property in connection with income tax fraud. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.
According to the
indictment , from October 2012 through August 2013, Stanback stole more than $1,000 in government funds in connection with fraudulent tax refunds issued in other individual’s names. The United States is also seeking forfeiture of the proceeds from these fraudulent tax refunds in excess of $38,000.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.
St. Petersburg “Spice” Manufacturers SentencedRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Fayez Abu-Aish (51)and Nedal Abu-Aish (48) to 14 years in prison each for conspiring to distribute, distribution of, and possession with the intent to distribute a substance containing XLR-11. A federal jury found them both guilty in April 2017.
Trial testimony revealed that XLR-11 is a synthetic cannabinoid, typically imported from China, that is applied to plant material to create a smokable drug often called “Spice.” On March 28, 2014, following a lengthy investigation, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force raided a clandestine laboratory in St. Petersburg where the Abu-Aish brothers were manufacturing these smokable synthetic cannabinoids using the chemical XLR-11. Agents seized finished product, other chemicals, plant material, and packaging materials. Searches of storage units resulted in the seizure of thousands of packages containing XLR-11-laced plant material ready for distribution. Some of the brands seized included “Scooby Snax,” “OMG,” “Mr. Happy,” and “Mind Trip.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Clearwater Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston
St. Lawrence County Man Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael J. Ward, age 54, of Gouverneur, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Binghamton to three felony counts of violating the Clean Water Act, announced Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in New York; and Joe Schneider, Director of Law Enforcement, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
In pleading guilty, Ward admitted that between January 2013 and September 2015, while employed as the Technical Director in charge of environmental compliance at the APC Paper Group paper mill in Norfolk, New York, he caused the paper mill to violate its Clean Water Act permit by discharging wastewater containing excessive levels of biochemical oxygen demand (“BOD”) into the Raquette River. BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen necessary for microorganisms in the water to break down organic material. BOD levels also provide an index for measuring the effect discharged wastewater will have on the body of fresh water receiving it. In this case, the paper mill’s Clean Water Act permit restricted the amount of BOD that could be discharged through wastewater. Ward admitted in court today that he was responsible for monitoring, calculating, and reporting the paper mill’s compliance with its Clean Water Act permit. He further admitted that he hid and falsified data regarding the BOD levels in the mill’s wastewater discharges, thus allowing the mill to violate its Clean Water Act permit on a regular basis. Additionally, he repeatedly falsified monthly reports to the DEC to hide the continuing Clean Water Act violations. The defendant’s illegal conduct was discovered after he was fired by APC Paper Group for unrelated reasons in the fall of 2015.
The charges to which Ward pled guilty today carry a maximum sentence of up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $800,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year. Ward will be sentenced in federal court in Binghamton on January 26, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by EPA-CID and the New York State DEC, Division of Law Enforcement and Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation Unit (BECI), and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
St. Francis Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on September 5, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Craig Edward Valandra, age 35, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Valandra was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 19, 2016. He pled guilty on March 7, 2017.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 20, 2016. On that date, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Police Officers responded to a report that Valandra was causing a disturbance and firing a gun outside a house in St. Francis. The officers subsequently located Valandra at a nearby house, arrested him, and seized a .357 caliber revolver and a .40 caliber pistol from his person.
Valandra was convicted of Arson in U.S. District Court in 2004, making it illegal for him to possess firearms. Valandra will forfeit ownership of the firearms seized in the case to the United States.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Valandra was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sentencings for September 5 - 7, 2017Read the Press Release
Jose Melendez-Tarin, 31, formerly of Greeley, Colorado, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on September 7, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Melendez-Tarin was arrested in Mexico City, Mexico and extradited to the United States. He received 85 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service.
Gerardo Reyes-Salinas, 21, of Tepic, Nayarit, Republic of Mexico, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on September 5, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Reyes-Salinas was arrested in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Seneca Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James LaRock, II, 42, Seneca Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return before the U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that for the tax years 2010-2013, the defendant, who is self-employed in the logging and firewood business, filed false personal income tax returns. Among other things, LaRock understated his gross receipts and omitted the cost of goods. In total, the defendant omitted approximately $280,470.72 in taxable income, resulting in a tax loss of $107,749 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The criminal complaint was the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of James D. Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
San Diego Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Mark Wilson, age 30, of San Diego, California was sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment on September 7, 2017 for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
At his change of plea hearing on April 11, 2017, Wilson admitted that he helped to distribute multiple kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in the Beardstown, Illinois area between June, 2015 and August, 2016.
The investigation which resulted in Wilson’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Rochester Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Edward Mighty, 40, of Rochester, NY, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Mighty was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,
Mighty was arrested in February 2015 along with Seymour Brown, Andre Taylor a/k/a Stamma, Ricardo Bailey a/k/a Diji, Robert Wilson a/k/a Bose, and Kenneth Harper a/k/a Frenchy a/k/a Pudge, Desmond Bice a/k/a Dez, and Christopher Samuels a/k/a Cutty, all of Rochester. In addition, Winifredo Gonzales, of Brooklyn, NY, was charged by criminal complaint on February 11, 2015, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that Mighty was one of the leaders of a Rochester-based drug trafficking organization. The defendant obtained kilogram quantities cocaine from Winifredo Gonzales in Brooklyn that were transported to Rochester. The powder cocaine was processed, re-packaged, and distributed in various quantities of both powder and crack cocaine through multiple sellers in the greater Rochester area. Mighty had several members of his drug trafficking organization utilize their cell phones to conduct the drug business. These individuals include Andre Taylor, Seymour Brown, and Ricardo Bailey. The defendant’s organization supplied numerous upper and mid-level cocaine distributors, including Robert Wilson and Wilson’s partner Kenneth Harper. Wilson further supplied, among other individuals, Desmond Bice. Christopher Samuels worked with Bice in further distributing the cocaine.
On February 10, 2015, law enforcement monitored a vehicle utilized by the organization to transport kilograms of cocaine from Brooklyn to Rochester. Shortly before 2:30 pm, surveillance officers observed the vehicle arrive at 126 New Jersey Avenue in Brooklyn and depart about 15 minutes later. As agents executed a search warrant and arrested Gonzales at 126 New Jersey Avenue, other agents monitored the vehicle as it traveled to Rochester. Inside the Brooklyn residence, law enforcement officers found 17 kilograms of cocaine in a hydraulic secret compartment behind a wall with two handguns, including an UZI 9mm pistol. Agents also seized approximately $70,000 in U.S. currency wrapped in black tape and plastic wrap from a safe.
The vehicle was monitored as it traveled from Brooklyn to 54 Strong Street in Rochester, the center of the Rochester drug distribution activities. The trap car arrived at 54 Strong Street shortly after 10:00 pm. A few minutes later, officers executed search warrants on 54 Strong Street, the trap car, and 319 Alphonso Street. At 54 Strong Street, Mighty was taken into custody along with Bailey, who was the driver of the trap car in which officers later found one kilogram of cocaine in a hydraulic compartment behind the front center vent. Andre Taylor fled on foot running through the snow-covered backyards, and was taken into custody in the vicinity of 93 Tyler Street, a short distance away. Inside 54 Strong Street, a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with 11 rounds of live ammunition, 13 rounds of live .357 caliber ammunition, Western Union receipts, multiple cell phones, drug distribution paraphernalia, and $3,941 in U.S. currency were seized.
Brown was arrested at his residence at 319 Alphonso Drive in Rochester. During the search of that location, officers seized multiple cell phones, a loaded .357 caliber handgun, and $3,147 in U.S. currency. In total, over 17 kilograms of cocaine, $145,000 in U.S. currency, 15 handguns, and 16 pounds of marijuana were seized.
All defendants charged have been convicted.Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a joint federal and state wiretap investigation on the part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in- Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division, and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Darien Bordeaux, 33, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that on October 22, 2016, Rochester Police Department officers were on patrol in the area of Curlew Street when they stopped a Dodge Grand Caravan because the registration had expired. The defendant was riding in the front passenger seat. The driver and co-defendant, Kalib Gladney, gave a false name when asked by officers. Bordeaux and Gladney were asked to get out of the van and officers searched it. Inside a jacket found on the floor, between the front passenger and driver seats, officers discovered a loaded Arminius Futche-Industre revolver with a defaced serial number. The defendant’s identification card was also found with the revolver. Bordeaux was previously convicted in 2004 of Robbery in the First Degree and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge in the Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that David Triplett a/k/a Stuffy, 34, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Triplett was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at his residence at 3 Athens Street in Rochester. During the search, law enforcement officers found over 380 envelopes containing heroin, 150 bags of cocaine, fentanyl, seven cell phones, and a .32 caliber revolver, as well as drug distribution paraphernalia, including digital scales, baggies, and chemicals for mixing drugs.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. before the Judge Wolford.
Revere Man Indicted on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Revere man was indicted today in federal court in Boston on child pornography charges.
Ian Silver-Eck, 21, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. In August 2017, Silver-Eck was charged in a criminal complaint and arrested. He has been detained in federal custody since that time.
According to court documents, following an investigation into the online trade of child pornography through Kik Messenger, a text messaging app, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Silver-Eck’s home in Revere, where they found evidence of child pornography on his cell phone. Silver-Eck is currently on probation following a conviction for a similar offense in state court.
The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Due to his prior conviction, Silver-Eck faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. 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 and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking-Child Exploitation Task Force with valuable assistance provided by the Boston, Arlington, Newton, and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Weinreb’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Revere Man Charged with Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Revere man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for failing to register as a sex offender.
Steven Veno, 55, was indicted on one count of failing to register as a sex offender. Veno is required to register as a Level 2 sex offender in Massachusetts based on Massachusetts state court convictions for rape of a child in 1993. Pursuant to the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, he is also required to register in any jurisdiction where he lives or works. Law enforcement officers recently became aware that over the past several years Veno has been periodically living and working in Florida, but has never registered in Florida. Veno is presently in custody.
Failing to register as a sex offender provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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 and John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Weinreb’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Realtor Pleads Guilty to Violating Lead-Based Paint Disclosure RulesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Maureen S. Walck, 72 of Lockport, NY, pleaded guilty to failure to provide lead paint hazard warning notice, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, a real estate broker with RealtyUSA, executed a contract on January 15, 2014, with the owner of a residence in Lockport, which gave the defendant the exclusive right to sell the residence. The residence was built in approximately 1900, and the owner was aware that lead-based paint hazards were present. The owner informed Walck of the hazards and showed a copy of the lead-based paint inspection reports to the defendant.
On January 25, 2014, a prospective buyer made an offer to purchase the residence. As part of the sales contract, a lead-based paint rider and disclosure form was included. Walck indicated that records pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards at the residence were provided to the prospective buyer. After an inspection of the residence, and after reviewing the lead-based paint records, the prospective buyer cancelled the sales contract.
On February 6, 2014, a second prospective buyer made an offer to purchase the residence. As part of the sales contract, another lead-based paint rider was included. However, unlike the rider with the first prospective buyers, Walck indicated that the seller had no knowledge of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards at the residence and that there were no records pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards for the residence. The second prospective buyers purchased the residence and closed on the residence on April 11, 2014. In September 2015, the new owners learned that their child was diagnosed with lead poisoning.
The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-In-Charge Tyler Amon, and Special Agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Donna L. Neves.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2017, at 10 a.m. before Magistrate Judge McCarthy.Rantoul Man Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography,Possession of Prepubescent Child PornographyRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Rantoul, Ill., man, Robert A. Decker, 56, of the 400 Block of S. Steffler Street, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Urbana on Sept. 8, 2017, for arraignment on charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of prepubescent child pornography.
The grand jury returned the two-count indictment on Sept. 5, 2017. The indictment alleges that Decker distributed images of child pornography using a facility of interstate or foreign commerce on or about June 6, 2017. The indictment also alleges that on July 17, 2017, Decker possessed computer processing units, hard drives, mobile devices and other digital storage materials, which contain images and videos of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained twelve years of age.
If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for each count of distribution and possession of prepubescent child pornography is 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Decker was arrested on Aug. 11, 2017, in the Eastern District of Arkansas after being charged in a criminal complaint in the Central District of Illinois. During a court appearance on Aug. 14, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe, in Little Rock, Ark., Decker was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office; the Urbana Police Department; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division=s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Ohio Man Charged with Transporting Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – An October trial date has been scheduled for an Ohio man charged with transporting a minor across state lines in December 2016, to engage in criminal sexual activity. Andrew Stone, 32, of Rocky River, Ohio, is also charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.
Stone appeared in federal court in Rock Island today for arraignment. A trial date of Oct. 30, 2017, was scheduled, and Stone was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing scheduled on Sept. 18, 2017.
Stone was arrested in Ohio on July 28, 2017, and charged in a federal criminal complaint filed under seal on July 26, in the Central District of Illinois. Stone made his initial appearance in the Northern District of Ohio on July 31, before U.S. Magistrate Judge David A. Ruiz. Stone was ordered to remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his transportation to central Illinois.
The grand jury returned its indictment of Stone on Aug. 22. The indictment alleges that Stone transported a minor across state lines on or about Dec. 20, 2016, with the intent to engage in sexual activity that is criminalized by state law. In addition, Stone allegedly produced visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor, and transported those visual depictions across state lines.
The affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint alleges that Stone traveled from Ohio to Illinois in December 2016, to meet a minor female he met using an online application known as “Whisper.” Stone allegedly met and drove the girl from her home in Illinois to a hotel in Le Claire, Iowa, where he engaged in sexual acts with the minor and recorded some of the acts on his cell phone.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith DeCarlo. The charges are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, Illinois State Police, the Moline Police Department, and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This is an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Secret Service; anyone with information about the defendant, Andrew Stone, is encouraged to call 217-726-8453.
If convicted, the statutory minimum penalty for transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity is ten years and up to life in prison. For sexual exploitation of a minor, the minimum prison term is 15 years to 30 years in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
New York Man Charged with Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
A grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Adam Raishani, aka, “Saddam Mohamed Raishani,” 30, of the Bronx, N.Y., with conspiring to provide, providing and attempting to provide, and aiding and abetting the provision and attempted provision of material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, by allegedly facilitating another ISIS supporter’s travel to join ISIS overseas. Raishani had already been charged, in an Indictment filed on June 29, with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, by allegedly attempting to travel abroad to join ISIS himself.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim for the Southern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office and Commissioner James P. O’Neill of the NYPD made the announcement. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
Raishani was arrested on June 21, at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, N.Y., as he allegedly attempted to travel overseas to join ISIS. The Superseding Indictment adds charges against Raishani for allegedly facilitating another individual’s travel to join ISIS abroad in the fall of 2015.
“According to the charges, Raishani conspired to provide material support to ISIS and helped another individual travel to join the designated terrorist organization before attempting to do the same,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is countering terrorist threats, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of foreign fighters abroad and bring to justice those who conspire to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations. I would like to thank all of the agents, analysts and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”
“As alleged, Adam Raishani provided material support to ISIS by helping a co-conspirator travel abroad to fight for that terrorist organization,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kim. “A year later, Raishani himself attempted to travel overseas to join ISIS. Fortunately through the outstanding work of law enforcement, Raishani’s travel plans were detected and thwarted before he was able to inflict any further harm.”
“As we allege, Raishani not only provided support to another individual located in the US who was determined to join ISIS overseas, but arranged for his departure, and expressed disappointment for not being able to travel with that individual at that time,” said Assistant Director in Charge Sweeney, Jr. “Along with our partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, we'll continue to identify those who support terrorist organizations and their agenda in any way, as we’ve done here today”
“Over the past several weeks, there have been a number of defendants charged with helping others travel to Syria or prepare to engage in their own Jihad,” said Commissioner O’Neill. “This is the latest – troubling – example. My thanks for the detectives and agents whose investigation on the original Joint Terrorism Task Force here in Manhattan led to today’s arrests.”
As alleged in the Superseding Indictment filed today and the criminal Complaint initially filed against Raishani:
Beginning in at least the fall of 2015, Raishani conspired with another ISIS supporter (CC-1) to provide material support to ISIS by means of CC-1 traveling abroad to join and fight for ISIS. On or about Oct. 30, 2015, CC-1 departed from JFK Airport for Istanbul, Turkey. Raishani arranged for the transportation of CC-1 from the Bronx, New York, to JFK Airport, and Raishani accompanied CC-1 from the Bronx to JFK Airport.
Raishani continued communicating with CC-1 following CC-1’s departure. For example, on or about Jan. 2, 2016, Raishani sent an email to CC-1 stating: “Glad tidings brother. Its [sic] been some time since your voyage. I pray to Allah The ALL MIGHTY to grant you success. Until next time." On or about April 1, 2016, Raishani sent another email to CC-1 stating: “I hope Allah has bestowed you what you were seeking. . . . May Allah grant you sincere and clean intentions and make you among the righteous in Janatal Firdaus [a reference to Islamic paradise]. . . . Please return this email and respond to what we agreed upon before your departure. Until next time.” On or about May 3, 2016, CC-1 responded to Raishani, informing Raishani that CC-1 was “fine and well,” that CC-1 “wished you [Raishani] were here with me,” and that “here we are living with izza [honor].”
Also in May 2016, CC-1 posted content on a particular social media application (“Application-1”) indicating that CC-1 was living in the Islamic State and fighting on its behalf. For example, CC-1 sent messages to another user of Application-1 stating: “I’m living in the Islamic state safely and secure by the permission of Allah,” “[h]ere we are fighting the kuffars [non-believers],” and “I left the land of kuffars now I’m living in the khilafah [the caliphate].” CC-1 also posted a photograph on Application-1 that shows CC-1 carrying an assault rifle and a flag representative of ISIS.
Between January and June of 2017, Raishani engaged in a series of meetings with an individual who was, unbeknownst to Raishani, a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement (the CS). In the course of those meetings, Raishani admitted to the CS that, some time ago, he had helped another person to travel overseas to join the Islamic State. Raishani told the CS, among other things, that he took that person to JFK Airport and gave him money on the day of his departure for the Islamic State. Raishani expressed regret to the CS at not having traveled himself to join ISIS at that time, and Raishani revealed that, as of April 2017, he was actively planning to travel abroad to join and serve ISIS. Raishani indicated that he aspired to join ISIS in Syria and that he aimed to travel before the end of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month that ran from approximately May 26 through June 24 of this year. In June 2017, Raishani made preparations to leave, including by paying off debts and purchasing clothing that he intended to wear for training with ISIS overseas. On June 21, Raishani attempted to board a flight bound for Turkey (via Portugal) at JFK Airport, where he was arrested by the FBI.
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Raishani is charged with allegedly conspiring to provide, providing and attempting to provide, and aiding and abetting the provision and attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court after considering the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Mr. Boente and Mr. Kim praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, and the NYPD’s Intelligence Division. Mr. Kim also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, as well as the New York Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys George D. Turner, Sidhardha Kamaraju and Jane Kim of the Southern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Kevin C. Nunnally of the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
New Orleans woman pleads guilty to possessing 282 counterfeit credit/debit cardsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a New Orleans woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing 282 counterfeited credit/debit cards.
Brittany Sanders, 34, of New Orleans, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of possession of 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, a Louisiana State Police trooper pulled over a rental car January 9, 2015 on Interstate 10 in St. Martin Parish that Sanders and codefendant Bruce Daliet, 33, also of New Orleans, were traveling in. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a pink suitcase that belonged to Sanders. Inside were 282 counterfeit credit/debit cards and $4,000 worth of gift cards. Law enforcement agents discovered that 156 of the credit/debit cards were embossed with Sanders’ name, and 126 were embossed with Daliet’s name. The loss to the credit card companies is $13,907.22.
Sanders faces up to 10 years in prison. Daliet pleaded guilty on August 28, 2017 to access device possession. He faces up to 20 years in prison. They both also face three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court did not set sentencing dates.
The U.S. Secret Service and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Pornography “Sextortion”Read the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hubert Young, age 45, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, was sentenced to 25 years in prison today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for producing and attempting to produce child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Young previously pleaded guilty to creating two Facebook accounts with fictitious names, posing as a teenager on those accounts, and using a cell phone and computer to persuade minors to take pornographic images of themselves and send them to him.
As part of this “sextortion” scheme, once the minors sent the pornographic images to Young, he threatened to post the images on the internet unless the victims sent him more images. At least 12 minor victims between the ages of 11 and 17 from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Indiana, fell prey to Young’s criminal activities between January 2015 and June 2016.
Judge Munley also ordered Young to pay a special assessment of $5,100, and serve 10 years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Young must also receive sex offender treatment and comply with sex offender registration and notification requirements.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and Pittston Police. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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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New Haven Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARCO PADILLA, 51, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that members of the organization regularly purchased bulk quantities of heroin from suppliers located in the Bronx, New York, and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors, including PADILLA, on the streets of New Haven.
The investigation has resulted in federal charges against 23 individuals.
PADILLA has been detained since his arrest on March 16, 2017. On May 22, 2017, PADILLA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
PADILLA’s criminal history includes numerous prior convictions, including several narcotics-related convictions.
The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Shelton, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments. The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy C. Brown and Patrick F. Caruso.
Nashville Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Federal Firearms Violations Resulting from Shooting 62 Year-Old ManRead the Press Release
George Ivory aka GI, 27, of Nashville, Tenn., was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, for being a felon in possession of ammunition and other federal drug and firearm offenses, as a result of shooting 62 year-old Cecil Grissette on May 1, 2015, announced Mark H. Wildasin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Although the firearm used during the commission of the crime was not recovered, shell casings found at the scene formed the basis for the charge.
“As this case demonstrates, drug dealing and gun violence are inextricably linked and have serious consequences, said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “Cases such as this remain a top priority of this office and will be diligently pursued by this office and our law enforcement partners.”
Ivory was indicted on May 27, 2015, and pleaded guilty in November 2016, to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, Cecil Grissette was in the area of 16th Avenue North and Buchanon Street, in Nashville, attempting to buy crack cocaine from an individual when Ivory demanded that Grissette buy crack cocaine from him instead. When Grissette decided to buy the drugs from the other dealer, Ivory shot Grissette in the head, torso, and leg. Grissette survived the shooting but was left blinded and received other life altering injuries as a result.
In pronouncing the sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Marvin E. Aspen of the Northern District of Illinois, sitting by designation in the Middle District of Tennessee, stated that he hopes Ivory will "smarten up" and decide whether he wants to be involved in street life when he gets out of prison and if he chooses to do so, Judge Aspen warned Ivory that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and Ahmed Safeeullah prosecuted the case.
Moses Lake Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane– Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Daniel Lee Vadnais, age 53, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced, after having previously pleaded guilty on May 25, 2017, to Receipt of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Vadnais to a nine-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a twenty- year term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. In addition, Vadnais agreed to forfeit to the United States the computers he used to receive child pornography images and videos. Upon release from prison, Vadnais will be required to register as a Sex Offender.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, between January 3, 2016 and April 6, 2016, an officer working undercover for the FBI in Rochester, New York, discovered that Vadnais was using peer to peer (P2P) file sharing to download images of child pornography over the internet. Special Agents from FBI obtained a federal search warrant that was executed on April 6, 2016 at Vadnais’s residence in Moses Lake, Washington. During the execution of the search warrant, Vadnais advised law enforcement that he had been using P2P software to download child pornography files. Law enforcement discovered Vadnais’ HP desktop computer contained over 300 child pornography images of child pornography.
Harrington said, “Prosecuting offenders who receive and possess child pornography is one of the priorities of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. This Office will continue to prosecute aggressively and seek appropriate punishment for child pornography crimes. I commend the excellent work of the FBI Special Agents who investigated this case.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States 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. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
• Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
• Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
• Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
• Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
• Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Stephanie J. Lister, an Assistant United States Attorney and PSC Coordinator for the Eastern District of Washington.
Moosic Man Indicted for StalkingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Anthony Frank Angeli, Jr, age 54, of Moosic, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for stalking. The case was unsealed today following Angeli’s initial appearance before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that between July 7, 2017 and August 14, 2017, Angeli used the internet to engage in a course of conduct to harass and intimidate another individual.
This case was investigated by the Moosic Police Department, the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Monongalia County woman admits to her role in an oxycodone distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bobbie Jo Phillips, of Morgantown, West Virginia, pled guilty today to an oxycodone and cocaine distribution charge, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Phillips, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” He admitted to using a phone to aide in the distribution of oxycodone and cocaine in Monongalia County in March 2017.
Phillips faces up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Valley Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Monmouth County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Receiving Images of Child Sexual Abuse over InternetRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for using his e-mail and instant messaging accounts to receive images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Matthew Kaminsky, 51, of Matawan, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper to an information charging him with one count of receiving child pornography. Judge Cooper imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Kaminsky allegedly met various underage girls through online chat applications and sent them naked pictures of himself. In late January of 2015, over the course of several days, he began corresponding with a 13-year-old girl over an online chat application and induced her to take nude pictures of herself and to send them to him. In March 2015 law enforcement officers recovered computer equipment belonging to Kaminsky containing images and videos appearing to be of child sexual abuse. Law enforcement officers located and interviewed the 13-year-old girl Kaminsky had chatted with online in January of 2015, and she confirmed that she had chatted online with Kaminsky and had sent him nude pictures of herself at his request.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Cooper sentenced Kaminsky to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Debra Parker, Newark, and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge John Walker, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly S. Lorber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
Defense counsel: Brian Reilly Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
Mobridge Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mobridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on September 1, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Justin Jerome Howard, age 34, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Howard was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017. He pled guilty on June 6, 2017.
The conviction stems from Howard failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law between December 5, 2016, and December 14, 2016. Howard had previously been convicted of a sex offense in federal court, which requires him to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Howard was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Sentenced for BurglaryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Third Degree Burglary was sentenced on September 5, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Preston White Feather, age 21, was sentenced to 8 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. White Feather was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,815.
White Feather was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2017. He pled guilty on June 27, 2017.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of September 17, 2016. At approximately 5:00 a.m., White Feather broke into the Todd County Achievement School in Mission and stole property belonging to the Exceptional Education Department.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
White Feather was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.