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Tuesday 25 July 2017
Convicted Sex Offender from Albuquerque Sentenced to Ten Years for Child Pornography ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Randal Gordon Paul, 48, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced late yesterday afternoon in federal court to 120 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for his conviction on a federal child pornography charge. Paul also was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to victims of Paul’s criminal conduct. Paul will be required to register as a sex offender when he completes his prison sentence.
Paul was arrested on Dec. 2, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity from June 2015 through Nov. 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Paul began in Nov. 2014, after an email address belonging to Paul, was used to register an account with a website known to show images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further investigation revealed that Paul was a registered sex offender with two prior convictions; the first in 1996 for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and the second in 1998 for aggravated sexual abuse. On Nov. 16, 2016, law enforcement searched Paul’s residence and found a computer containing a video and at least 30 images of child pornography.
On March 7, 2017, Paul pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing child pornography between Dec. 2012 and Nov. 2016, in Bernalillo County. In his plea agreement, Paul admitted downloading child pornography from the internet and saving them on electronic devices, including a desktop computer.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the New Mexico Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Colombian National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Eliseo De Jesus Restrepo, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien before U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who immediately sentenced Restrepo to time served and one year of supervised release. Restrepo will be subject to deportation.
Restrepo was previously deported on March 30, 2011. On Dec. 15, 2016, law enforcement in Boston encountered Restrepo and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Cockeysville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Kevin Graham Conlon, age 30, of Cockeysville, Maryland, to 20 years in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release for the production of child pornography and cyberstalking. Judge Motz ordered that, upon his release from prison, Conlon must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, between 2014 and January 2017, Conlon used online social media accounts pretending to be both a minor female and minor male to induce four minor females and two minor males to take photographs and videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The victims then sent the content to Conlon. Conlon also created fictitious accounts using the identities of some of the victims, and distributed the child pornography he induced them to create to others, in order to entice the others to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos. When the victims stopped complying with Conlon’s demands to produce and send images, Conlon sent the explicit files to the victim’s families and friends. Conlon also repeatedly created additional online accounts to contact the victims and their families, with the intent to cause the victims and their families substantial emotional distress.
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.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "resources" tab on the left of the page.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the federal case.
Christopher David Grippe Sentenced to Serve over Twenty-Three Years in Prison for Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On Tuesday, July 25, 2017, Christopher David Grippe, 29, of Wartburg, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, Chief U.S. District Judge, to serve 280 months in federal prison for possession and distribution of child pornography. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S Probation Office for life.
In January 2017, Grippe pleaded guilty to charges included in a federal indictment. His plea agreement, which is on file with U.S. District Court, contains detailed information regarding his offenses. According to that plea agreement, in August 2016, an investigator with the Knoxville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce (ICAC) received two Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reporting that a Google account user attempted to upload files containing images of child sexual abuse. The ensuing investigation revealed that the email address associated with the Google account belonged to Grippe. Additional NCMEC Cybertips revealed that Grippe had distributed images of child pornography using his Facebook account since April 2016.
Further investigation revealed that during the time of his most recent offenses, Grippe was incarcerated in a state prison, serving an eight–year sentence for his 2012 conviction of possessing images depicting minors engaged in sexual activity. A search of his cell resulted in the confiscation of a phone, which he was actively using at the time of the search. A forensic search of the content of the phone revealed 161 images and 38 videos of child sexual abuse. Some of the material involved children as young as infants. Additionally, the forensic search revealed conversations regarding sexually abusing children that Grippe had with other individuals using a phone application called KIK messenger.
“Aggressive prosecution of individuals who victimize vulnerable, young children, will continue to be a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Nancy Stallard Harr, U.S. Attorney.
This case was investigated by the Knoxville Police Department ICAC. Assistant U.S. Attorney LaToyia T. Carpenter represented the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty in Simpsonville Gun Shop RobberyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake, announced today that Sahier Lavon Richardson, age 18, of Charlotte pled guilty to charges stemming from his involvement in the pre-dawn break-in and theft of firearms from The Gun Shop in Simpsonville in October of 2016. Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the pre-sentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The facts, presented by AUSA Bill Watkins at the guilty plea hearing, established that on October 13, 2016, at approximately 2:52 a.m., a burglary occurred at The Gun Shop and Indoor Range, a federal firearms licensee, in Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681. Surveillance camera footage from the store depicted a minivan driving though the front of the store and then three subjects (one of which was Richardson), wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and carrying bags, entering the store. Richardson and his associates used a sledge hammer and a baseball bat to break the glass from display cases containing firearms before loading handguns into the bags. The three men were in the store for just under one minute before they fled in a getaway car and abandoned the van at the scene. A subsequent inventory of the missing guns revealed that a total of forty-three (43) handguns had been stolen to include various models of Auto Ordnance, Bersa, Glock, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and Taurus firearms. The van was identified as a white Chrysler Town & Country which had been reported stolen from Denver, North Carolina.
Ms. Drake also thanked law enforcement for the excellent police work: “The Simpsonville and Charlotte police, ATF and the Lincoln County Sheriff, they pulled together to solve this one. Working together for safer communities is what it’s about.”
The maximum penalty Richardson faces is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment fee of $100.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance and cooperation of the Simpsonville Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the Lincoln County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Department. The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins and First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick for prosecution. The investigation is still ongoing.
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Cape Cod Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Heroin and Suboxone TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the Nauti-Bloc gang was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in trafficking heroin and suboxone.
Tyrone Gomes, 31, of Hyannis, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to 20 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. On April 5, 2017, Gomes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute suboxone.
In October 2015, federal investigators determined that Gomes, Denzel Chisholm – the Nauti-Block leader, and other co-conspirators were responsible for a significant quantity of the heroin distributed on Cape Cod. Gomes received large quantities of heroin from Chisholm, which he sold to other drug dealers and individual users. On March 6, 2016, Chisholm arranged to sell Gomes 12 grams of heroin in exchange for cash and 10 suboxone strips. The suboxone was ultimately destined for Browning Mejia, an inmate at MCI-Norfolk and an associate of Chisholm. As a result of the investigation, agents were able to stop Gomes’ vehicle and recover 12 grams of heroin from Gomes.
In April 2016, 13 members and affiliates of the Nauti-Block gang were charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Both Gomes and Chisholm also face charges in Massachusetts state court related to the September 2015 murder of Christine Ferreira at a rest stop on Route 6 on Cape Cod.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and Miranda Hooker of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Canadian Couple Pleads Guilty in Case Involving Synthetic Drugs from ChinaRead 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 Karl and Sorina Morrison, both 60, of Kitchener, Ontario, who were convicted of attempt to export pentylone and furanyl fentanyl and misprision of a felony, respectively, were sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who handled the case, stated that on August 29, 2016, American law enforcement officers intercepted a package that was mailed from China and addressed to Karl Morrison at a location in Niagara Falls, NY. The package contained four sample-sized packets of powder, two of which were determined to contain 4-methoxy butyryl fentanyl and para-fluoro butyryl fentanyl. If intended for human consumption, these synthetic substances are analogues of the Schedule II controlled substance fentanyl.
On October 15, 2016, Morrison and his wife Sorina entered the United States from Canada at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry. The couple retrieved four packages, bought shipping supplies, and repackaged the contents into new envelopes that they paid to ship back to Canada, including one to their home address. Sorina Morrison falsely declared that the contents of one of the repackaged parcels contained cinnamon butter. Other than packaging materials, that parcel contained more than 500 grams of powder containing pentylone. Another of the repackaged parcels contained approximately 6 1/2 grams of powder containing furanyl fentanyl. All three repackaged parcels were intercepted by American law enforcement officials before shipment to Canada.
The couple discarded the Chinese shipping labels of the original packages in various garbage cans around Niagara County to cover their tracks. They also obtained the name and address of an unsuspecting citizen in Niagara Falls to use as the return address on the packages they shipped to Canada, to further disguise the origin of the illegal contents. The Morrison’s were arrested as they drove back across the Lewiston Bridge toward Canada.
Several days later, law enforcement officials recovered yet another Chinese parcel that had been delivered for Karl Morrison, which contained nearly 500 grams of powder containing pentylone.
Pentylone is a synthetic cathinone that is commonly used as a designer drug for its stimulant effect and is comparable to MDMA. Furanyl fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is far more potent than heroin.
The sentencings are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski.
Canadian Citizen Pleads Guilty to Cash SmugglingRead 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 Richard Clarke, 48, a Canadian citizen residing in Buffalo, pleaded guilty to bulk cash smuggling out of the United States before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on November 16, 2016, Clarke transported more than $10,000 in United States currency from the U.S. into Canada. However, the defendant failed to report the transportation of the currency, which he was legally required to do.
Clarke was charged in this case along with co-defendants Joshua Castro and Barrett Johnson. Castro has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for conspiring with others to possess and distribute “Molly,” a Scheduled I controlled substance. Charges are pending against Johnson. 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 plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero, and the Border Enforcement Security Taskforce which includes the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police Services.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Burneyville Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Firearm Possession (Destructive Device)Read the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that JACOB RHETT HOLLAND, age 24, of Burneyville, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release for POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED FIREARM (DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE), in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d), 5841 and 5871.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 25, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a destructive device, which is a firearm, as defined in Title 26, United States Code, Section 5845, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Love County Sherriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The Honorable James H. Payne, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the nonparoleable sentence will be served.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
Bookkeeper Sent to Prison for Embezzling over $400,000 in Just over a YearRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Natalee Christine Crumley was sentenced to 38 months in prison, $425,939.80 in restitution, $427,816.17 in forfeiture, and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing occurred on July 25, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris, in Great Falls, Montana.
Crumley worked as a bookkeeper at Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens P.C. (JCCS), which is a firm providing Certified Public Accountant and business advisory services throughout Montana. Crumley’s job duties included providing bookkeeping services for Anderson Glass Doors and Windows (“Anderson Glass”) and Doors & Hardware Unlimited, Inc. (Doors & Hardware).
In just over a year, Crumley forged over 100 checks and embezzled $425,939.80 from Anderson Glass and Doors & Hardware. After embezzling the money, Crumley withdrew over $140,000 in cash, purchased NCAA Final Four Tickets, furniture, clothes, and took trips to Miami, Long Beach, Houston, and Spokane. Crumley also spent significant sums of money at Victoria’s Secret and even rented a Ferrari while on vacation.
In a sentencing memo filed in federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon stated, “Ms. Crumley held a position of trust because she was supposed to know right from wrong.” This is why the victims of the crime explained, “In today’s world, stealing has become all too common. Why work when you can just take what you want and hope the punishment will be little more than a slap on the hand.”
As a result, Judge Morris sentenced Crumley to 38 months in prison, $425,939.80 in restitution, and $427,816.17 in forfeiture. All total, Crumley must now pay the victims and the United States $853,755.97. Because there is no parole in the federal system, the truth in sentencing guidelines mandate that Crumley will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Crumley does have the opportunity to shorten the term of custody by earning credit for good behavior. However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
The Crumley case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, and the Great Falls Police Department.
Bonners Ferry Man Sentenced to Five Years for Possession of Sexually Explicit Images of MinorsRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Thurlo Eugene Clark, 72, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, was sentenced today in federal court in Coeur d’Alene to 60 months in prison for possession of sexually explicit images of minors, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered a ten-year term of supervised release following Clark’s release from prison.
According to the plea agreement, Clark admitted that on May 6, 2016, law enforcement officers contacted him because officers received information that Clark tried to send child pornography via the internet. Clark admitted to law enforcement that he knowingly possessed child pornography which he had received by email. With Clark’s consent, law enforcement officers recovered various computer equipment that contained child pornography. At the time law enforcement contacted Clark, he possessed some 21,000 images of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Balch Springs Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DALLAS—Francisco Javier Lopez Echeverria, 19, of Balch Springs, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to serve 420 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release, following his guilty plea to two child pornography offenses, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Echeverria has been in custody since his arrest in August 2016. He pleaded guilty in December 2016 to two counts of production of child pornography.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, on August 20, 2016, DPD executed a search warrant at Echeverria’s residence. Echeverria was at the residence along with a male 17-month-old child, John Doe. Echeverria acknowledged he possessed sexual explicit images of John Doe, who lived at the residence. Echeverria uploaded images and videos of child pornography to his Flickr account that he produced of John Doe. There are several videos and images that show Echeverria sexually abused the minor child on multiple occasions in May 2016 through July 2016.
In addition, the forensic review of Echeverria’s devices showed that Echeverria possessed additional child pornography. Currently six image files of Echeverria’s collection were of identified children known to law enforcement as victims of sexual abuse. Also, Echeverria possessed hundreds of additional images of nude toddlers and some nude infants.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Read prosecuted the case.
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Attorney General Sessions Announces Immigration Compliance Requirements for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ProgramsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today posted a solicitation for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Programs (“Byrne JAG”). Recipients for FY 2017 will be notified of new conditions of their grants that will increase information sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement, ensuring that federal immigration authorities have the information they need to enforce immigration laws and keep our communities safe.
"So-called 'sanctuary' policies make all of us less safe because they intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “These policies also encourage illegal immigration and even human trafficking by perpetuating the lie that in certain cities, illegal aliens can live outside the law. This can have tragic consequences, like the 10 deaths we saw in San Antonio this weekend. As part of accomplishing the Department of Justice's top priority of reducing violent crime, we must encourage these 'sanctuary' jurisdictions to change their policies and partner with federal law enforcement to remove criminals. From now on, the Department will only provide Byrne JAG grants to cities and states that comply with federal law, allow federal immigration access to detention facilities, and provide 48 hours notice before they release an illegal alien wanted by federal authorities. This is consistent with long-established cooperative principles among law enforcement agencies. This is what the American people should be able to expect from their cities and states, and these long overdue requirements will help us take down MS-13 and other violent transnational gangs, and make our country safer."
Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Developing and Distributing Prolific MalwareRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Taylor Huddleston, 26, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today to charges of aiding and abetting computer intrusions.
According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Huddleston developed, marketed, and distributed two products that were extremely popular with cybercriminals around the world. The first is the “NanoCore RAT,” which is a type of malicious software, or “malware,” that is used to steal information from victim computers, including sensitive information such as passwords, emails, and instant messages. The NanoCore RAT even allowed users to surreptitiously activate the webcam on the victim computers in order to spy on the victims. Huddleston’s NanoCore RAT was used to infect and attempt to infect tens of thousands of computers. Huddleston’s other product, “Net Seal,” was licensing software that he used to distribute malware for co-conspirators for a fee. For instance, Huddleston used Net Seal to assist Zachary Shames in the distribution of malware to 3,000 people that was in turn used it to infect 16,000 computers. In his guilty plea, Huddleston admitted that he intended his products to be used maliciously.
Huddleston faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on December 8. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the lead investigative agency, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer and Senior Counsel Ryan K. Dickey of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-CR-289.
Anchorage Man Sentenced to a Combined 18 Years for Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Bernard Yamura White, 36, of Anchorage was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison for charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. White, a third-time felony drug offender, also received a consecutive three-year sentence for violating his prior terms of supervised release by committing the charged crimes. Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the 18-year sentence on White.
On Aug. 22, 2016, White attempted to ship a parcel containing $59,610 in drug proceeds from Anchorage to an address in California. On Jan. 12, 2017, White attempted to ship another parcel containing $30,980 in drug proceeds from Anchorage to another address in California.
On Feb. 8, 2017, White was contacted at a traffic stop by law enforcement officers in Anchorage and was found in possession of 118 grams of heroin, 59 grams of powder cocaine, and 35 grams of crack cocaine. White’s residence was searched later that day, and law enforcement officers found 786 grams of methamphetamine, 1318 grams of heroin, 176 grams of cocaine, and 837 grams of marijuana. In addition, the officers found 11 firearms, including rifles, semi-automatic pistols, and shotguns. White is a felon and prohibited from possession of firearms due to his two prior federal drug trafficking felonies.
At White’s sentencing hearing, a former neighbor of White’s asked to speak with the court, and expressed concern for the community that White had been convicted of three drug trafficking offenses and after significant time in prison still continued to engage in the same dangerous conduct.
Before imposing a sentence, Judge Beistline, who had sentenced White on one of his prior convictions, recounted White’s history with the court. Judge Beistline referenced the current opioid epidemic in Alaska, and the number of drug overdose deaths caused by drug traffickers like White, who was motivated by profiting off other’s addictions. Judge Beistline compared drug traffickers like White to domestic terrorists: “We must protect our community from those that want to destroy us.” Among the many things Judge Beistline took into account when fashioning White’s sentence was his conclusion that White was a danger to the community.
Acting U.S. Attorney Schroder commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives, and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. White.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Heroin Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joshua Greene, 19, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court to 87 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his conviction on heroin trafficking charges. Green also was ordered to forfeit $28,135 in cash, a handgun, and a gold necklace set with 1,728 natural diamonds valued at $11,555 to the United States, and to pay a money judgment in the amount of $28,250.
Greene and co-defendant Kayleb Reyos, 23, of Rio Rancho, N.M., were arrested in May 2016, as the result of a DEA investigation into heroin and methamphetamine trafficking in northwest Albuquerque. The complaint alleges that Greene and Reyos sold an aggregate of 36 ounces (2.25 pounds) of heroin and 3 ounces (.18 pounds) of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents during a series of transactions occurring between Feb. 2016 and May 2016. The two men were arrested when the DEA executed a federal search warrant at their residence in northwest Albuquerque. During the search, the DEA seized an additional pound of heroin, bulk amounts of cash, a handgun, and drug paraphernalia.
Greene and Reyos subsequently were charged in a ten-count indictment filed on June 14, 2016. The indictment charged Greene and Reyos with conspiracy to distribute heroin from Feb. 2016 to May 2016. It also charged the two defendants with distributing heroin on Feb. 25, 2016, April 12, 2016, and May 4, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on March 23, 2016. Greene separately was charged with distributing heroin on Feb. 4, 2016, March 9, 2016, and March 22, 2016, and possessing heroin with intent to distribute on May 17, 2016. Reyos separately was also charged with possessing heroin with intent to distribute on May 17, 2016.
On April 11, 2017, Greene pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy and distribution of heroin. In entering the guilty plea, Green admitted that from Feb. 4, 2016 through May 17, 2016 he directed a small-scale drug trafficking organization in northwest Albuquerque. Greene further admitted that on March 22, 2016, he sold approximately 135.1 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement agent.
On May 23, 2017, Reyos pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy and distribution of heroin. In entering the guilty plea, Reyos admitted that from Feb. 4, 2016 through May 17, 2016, he was part of a small-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in northwest Albuquerque. Reyos admitted that on April 12, 2016, he drove Greene to a parking lot in Albuquerque, where Greene sold approximately 423.8 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement agent. Reyos faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Reyos is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25, 2017, in Albuquerque.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristopher Houghton and Alexander Uballez are prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins, Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Monday 24 July 2017
Williamsport Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Cormier, age 32, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to serve 180 months’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the charges resulted from a shooting incident outside the 5th Avenue Tavern in Williamsport in February 2015, during which Cormier was apprehended with a 9mm Taurus semiautomatic pistol. Cormier, whose status as a convicted felon prohibited him from possessing firearms, pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2016. He was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act which provides for enhanced penalties for persons previously convicted of three or more drug felonies or violent crimes.
The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Williamsport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.
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Washington, D.C. Post Office Manager and Two Letter Carriers Found Guilty of Bribery and Conspiracy to Distribute MarijuanaRead the Press Release
A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) post office manager and two letter carriers were convicted Friday after a week-long jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on one count each of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and conspiracy to distribute marijuana as a result of their roles in a scheme to use their positions at the USPS to deliver hundreds of pounds of marijuana to individuals in the District of Columbia in exchange for cash. Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Deenvaughn Rowe, 48, of Odenton, Md., was the Acting Manager of the River Terrace Post Office. Rowe used his USPS computer to track packages containing marijuana mailed from the West Coast to the Lamond-Riggs Post Office in Washington, D.C. The packages were typically addressed to fictitious individuals or non-existent addresses. The evidence at trial revealed that once the packages arrived at the Lamond-Riggs Post Office, Rowe would coordinate the delivery of the packages with Lamond-Riggs Post Office Letter Carrier Kendra Brantley, 32, of Washington, D.C., and Carrier Technician Alicia Norman, 39, also of Washington, D.C., by cell phone and text message. The evidence presented at trial showed that once the packages of marijuana arrived at the Lamond-Riggs Post Office, Brantley and Norman would load the packages into their postal vehicles, and,, in coordination with Rowe, deliver them to individuals they met on the street in exchange for cash.
Norman will be sentenced September 12, Brantley on September 15 and Rowe on October 2, before the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan, U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia.
This case was investigated by the USPS Office of the Inspector General’s Capital Metro Field Office, and the Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division. Trial Attorneys Mark J. Cipolletti, Shamiso Maswoswe, Molly Gaston and Nicholas Connor of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
Virginia resident convicted of identity theftRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Virginia resident was convicted today of identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Angela Roberts, age 41, of Stephenson, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Identity Theft.” Roberts admitted to using another’s identifying information to commit bank fraud. The crime occurred June 27, 2016 in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Roberts faces up to five 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
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Undocumented Alien Charged with Identity TheftRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - An indictment was filed charging Eulogio Bautista, an undocumented alien from Mexico, with producing a false identification document after he obtained a Pennsylvania driver’s license in the name of a person who is a citizen of Puerto Rico.
According to the indictment, Bautista obtained the false driver’s license using the other person’s name, date of birth, and social security number in 2009, and then renewed the false driver’s license in 2013 and 2017.
If convicted, Bautista faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment on each count.
The case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid
Topeka Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Interstate Sex Trafficking BusinessRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - A Topeka man who owned a Lawrence nightclub has pleaded guilty to a federal sex trafficking charge, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Frank Boswell, 43, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty July 21 to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. In his plea, Boswell admitted he and co-defendants employed female commercial sex workers who served clients in Kansas and other states. Boswell used the Internet, cell phones, texting and social media to keep in touch with conspirators, track the movements of sex workers and advertise sexual services.
Boswell’s organization looked for women who needed money and a place to live wherever they found them - including homeless shelters - to recruit as commercial sex workers. They targeted single mothers and women with drug problems. The conspirators used drugs well as the threat of violence to make the women compliant. The women turned the money they made over to Boswell and he paid for their rent, utilities and cell phones.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 23. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 51 to 63 months in federal prison.
Co-defendants include:
Barry M. Johnson, who was sentenced to 46 months.
Michaela Hekekia, who is awaiting sentencing.
Shannon Nelson, who is awaiting sentencing.
Sean P. Hall, who is awaiting sentencing.
Rachel Flenniken, who is awaiting sentencing.
Beall commended the Topeka Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
Toldeo, Ohio Man Convicted of Multi-State Heroin Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Ricky Thompson, aka Boom, 43, of Toledo, Ohio was convicted on Friday of conspiracy to distribute over 1 kilogram of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, announced Jack Smith, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. A federal jury in Nashville found Thompson guilty on all charges, after a two-week trial, including conspiracy to commit money laundering; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and conspiracy to commit witness intimidation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith praised the law enforcement agencies and trial team in securing the guilty verdicts, “Thanks to the exemplary cooperation between law enforcement agencies spanning several states, we have now dismantled another organization responsible for pumping large quantities of addictive and deadly drugs into our communities. We will continue to expand our efforts to bring those to justice who feed the devastating heroin epidemic.”
During 2015-2016, Thompson and four other individuals were indicted in connection with this case on drug distribution charges.
Testimony at trial established that Thompson operated a multi-state drug-trafficking operation that was responsible for the distribution of narcotics in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio and Tennessee. Thompson’s heroin was responsible for multiple heroin-related overdoses in Tennessee, and at least one fatal overdose of a young woman in Ohio.
In March 2015 agents with the DEA Drug Task Force executed a series of search warrants in Nashville, Tennessee that resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of approximately 300 grams of heroin and cocaine in a stash-house maintained by Thompson’s organization. Those arrested in 2015 included John Rupley, 35, of Toledo, Ohio; Derek Gilligan, 25, of Toledo, Ohio; Justin Clements, 30, of Nashville, Tennessee; and Tiffany Wright, 28, also of Nashville. All of these co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Proof at trial showed that following the 2015 arrests, Derek Gilligan attempted to warn Thompson that authorities had identified him as the head of the operation. On March 2, 2016, agents with the DEA, FBI, and local Toledo law-enforcement executed federal search warrants at four locations operated by Thompson in Toledo, Ohio. Authorities seized 8 firearms, more than $200,000 of heroin, cocaine, crack-cocaine, marijuana and suboxone, 5 vehicles, and almost $10,000 cash.
Even after Thompson’s arrest and subsequent extradition to Nashville, he directed remaining members of his drug-trafficking organization in Toledo to intimidate and harass persons whom he discovered had been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury in Nashville.
Thompson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, up to life, when he is sentenced in November 2017.
This case was investigated by the DEA; the FBI; the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department; the Lebanon Police Department; the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department; the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department; the Toledo, Ohio Police Department; the Lucas County, Ohio Sheriff’s Department; the Ohio State Police; and the Oldham County, Kentucky, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clay Lee and Phillip Wehby.
Three Sentenced to Prison for Running “Star Reliable Mortgage” Foreclosure Rescue Scam in Bakersfield, Visalia and SalinasRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Three defendants were sentenced today for running a foreclosure rescue scam in Bakersfield, Visalia and Salinas, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill sentenced Martin Calzada, 30, of Norwalk, to nine years in prison; Juan Curiel, 38, of Visalia, to three years and five months in prison; and Santiago Palacios-Hernandez, 48, of Salinas, to two years and seven months in prison. On March 10, 2017, Calzada was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy and eight counts of mail fraud affecting a financial institution. In December 2014, Curiel and Palacios-Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud
According to evidence presented during Calzada’s four-day trial, the defendants conspired to defraud homeowners facing foreclosure. The three men operated Star Reliable Mortgage, which had offices in Bakersfield, Visalia, and Salinas, and targeted distressed homeowners with a fraudulent “loan elimination” scheme. Between approximately August 2010 and October 2011, Star Reliable charged clients an upfront fee for its services — ranging from $2,500 up to $4,500 — as well as monthly fees, for ostensibly helping the clients own their homes “free and clear.” Clients paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to Star Reliable and at least $300,000 was transferred from Star Reliable into Calzada’s bank accounts.
To advance the scheme, Calzada, Curiel, and Palacios-Hernandez filed fraudulent documents at county recorders’ offices on behalf of the homeowner-clients. The fraudulent documents purported to replace the legitimate property trustees with fictitious trusts, all in an effort to “cloud title” and halt or stall the foreclosure process. The defendants and other employees working at their direction told Star Reliable clients to stop paying their mortgages. They also falsely represented that Star Reliable clients had $1 million in a U.S. government account that could be used to pay off a homeowner’s mortgage.
As part of their sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay more than $1.1 million dollars in restitution to former Star Reliable clients and mortgage loan owners Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which suffered financial losses upon the foreclosure of several clients’ homes.
These cases were the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Baker and Patrick J. Suter prosecuted the cases.
Three Felons Plead Guilty to Illegal Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Three defendants pleaded guilty today in three separate cases to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on March 19, 2016, Juan Gonzalez, 40, of Orosi, was driving a car and fled from officers who attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. He reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour before the officers cancelled the pursuit. During the chase, a deputy saw Gonzalez throw a dark object out of the window on Millerton Road near Lake View Estates. After the pursuit ended, the deputy returned to the location and found a Glock 27, .40‑caliber pistol. Gonzalez was stopped later that morning by Clovis police officers for failure to stop at a red light and arrested him for driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also identified as the driver of the fleeing vehicle who tossed the gun. Gonzalez has prior felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm. (1:17‑cr‑031)
In the second case, court documents indicate that on May 4, 2016, Jerrett Newman, 27, of Fresno, possessed a Star Bonifacio Echeverria .22-caliber pistol he tossed while running from police. Newman has multiple prior felony convictions. (1:16‑cr‑086)
In the third case, court documents show that on May 2, 2017, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Team encountered Rodney Heather, 36, of Fresno, who was wanted for a probation violation. When deputies approached Heather, they saw him reaching for his waistband and removing a black object and tossing it on the driver’s side floorboard. Despite warnings to show his hands, Heather reached down and appeared to push something under the seat. The deputies arrested Heather and found a Glock Model F 22, .40-caliber handgun under the seat. Heather has multiple prior felony convictions. (1:17‑cr‑117)
These cases are the product of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the cases.
The cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to combat gun and gang crime. At the core of PSN is increased federal prosecution to incapacitate chronic violent offenders as well as to communicate a credible deterrent threat to potential gun offenders.
Gonzalez and Newman are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on October 16, 2017. Heather is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on October 16, 2017. Each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Thibodaux Woman Charged with Wire Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JILL ANDRAS LEBLANC, a/k/a JILL FREMIN, age 38, of Thibodaux, was indicted last Friday and charged with eighteen counts of wire fraud and money laundering.
According to the Indictment, LEBLANC stole several hundred thousand dollars from her mother's retirement account. More specifically, LEBLANC was appointed power of attorney on October 29, 2008, for her mother who was terminally ill with cancer. LEBLANC’s father, an oil field worker, had accumulated a substantial individual retirement account (IRA) during his working life. He passed away several years prior to 2011. This investment account was managed by a national brokerage house whose home offices are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During LEBLANC’s administration of her mother's account, she stole approximately $369,701 from the account and spent it on personal, frivolous items.
If convicted, LEBLANC faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment per count, and/or a fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. LEBLANC will be ordered to pay restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Office of the Louisiana State Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Statement Regarding BRPD Chief RetirementRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA - Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson stated, “We greatly appreciate Chief Carl Dabadie’s strong leadership and sacrifice in leading the men and women of the Baton Rouge City Police Department through a very difficult chapter in our city's history. Under his leadership, our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have coordinated against violent crime in an unprecedented way. This unified front will remain essential in continuing to better our community by addressing the challenges we face.”
Southbridge Man Sentenced for Dealing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Southbridge man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for distributing oxycodone.
Richard Gonzalez, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to time served and three years of supervised release, six months of which is to be served in home detention. In February 2017, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and one count of distribution of oxycodone.
In June 2016, Gonzalez was arrested and charged along with three others for distributing oxycodone in Worcester County. Gonzalez distributed oxycodone pills on two occasions in Southbridge to co-defendant John Tautenhan III. On both occasions, Tautenhan resold the oxycodone to an undercover officer.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Previously Convicted Bank Robber Sentenced to More Than 12 ½ Years in Federal Prision for Multiple Bank Robberies Committed While on Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
JULY 24, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact BAILEY DRUMM
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4854
Baltimore, Maryland – Roger Irwin Harp, age 50, of Baltimore, Maryland was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz. Harp pleaded guilty to bank robbery and to violating conditions of supervised release.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department.
In August 2002, Harp pleaded guilty in federal court in Baltimore, Maryland to charges related to a string of twelve bank robberies in 2001. He was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release, which began in May 2014. According to his plea agreement, between June 2014 and October 2015, Harp committed multiple violations of supervised release.
While under conditions of supervision pending a hearing in federal court on his supervised release violations, Harp absconded from supervision and committed eight bank robberies and attempted bank robberies in Baltimore throughout the month of March 2016. For example, on March 16, 2016, Harp walked into a bank and handed a note to a teller stating, “Give me all the money NOW!! Before I blow your head OFF!!” The teller removed $2,620 from a cash drawer and handed it to Harp, who then walked out of the bank. In total, Harp robbed three different banks of $10,750 on different dates in March 2016.
After three attempted robberies of other banks on March 21, 2016, Harp was apprehended by Baltimore Police Department officers and eventually admitted his involvement in the eight robberies.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Maddox, who prosecuted the case.
Phelps County Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Assisted Living CenterRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Denise Rea Barner appeared today before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sipple and entered a plea of guilty to fraudulently using her employer’s debit card for personal gain.
According to court documents, from July 1991 to February 25, 2016, Barner was an employee of the Robert L. Kyle Center Home for Semi-Independent Living Inc. She was named as a “Director” of the Kyle Center in about November of 2004 and her duties included general accounting.
Beginning in about November 2007 and ending in February 2016, Barner falsely and fraudulently used the Kyle Center debit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases and ATM withdrawals. The Kyle Center sustained a loss of between $95,000.00 and $150,000.00.
Barner, 54, Rolla, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of access device fraud. Sentencing has been set for October 20, 2017.
Access device fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00 or both. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the Rolla Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Passaic County Man Admits Defrauding Clifton-Based Trucking Company of $900,000Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a scheme to defraud a trucking company out of more than $900,000, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Angel D. Vidal, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to Count 1 of an indictment charging him with wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:
Lisa Popewiny, 55, of Clifton, New Jersey, was the payroll clerk at Clifford B. Finkle Jr. Inc., a Clifton-based company that provided transportation and freight services to various public and private entities located in New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. From June 2012 to April 2015, Popewiny, Vidal, and his two brothers, Angel Gabriel Vidal, 23, and Miguel Vidal, 23, a former truck driver for the company, engaged in a scheme to defraud the company out of $920,380. On June 26, 2017, Angel Gabriel Vidal pleaded guilty before Judge Arleo to Count 2 of an indictment charging him with wire fraud. On March 30, 2017, Miguel Vidal pleaded guilty to an information charging him with wire fraud. Popewiny is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 2, 2017.
Popewiny allegedly falsified payroll records in order to generate fraudulent paychecks payable to non-existent employees, including the Vidal brothers. All of the Vidal brothers have admitted to allowing the use of their personal identifying information to generate the fraudulent paychecks. The three men then converted the checks, many of which were deposited into their bank accounts and then funneled out of the accounts in cash. Miguel Vidal admitted to recruiting other individuals to provide their personal information so that Popewiny could allegedly falsely add them to the payroll. Over the course of the scheme, Popewiny allegedly input false hours for at least 12 different individuals. The scheme came to light when owners of the company, in an effort to investigate suspected fraud, distributed the payroll checks to employees – a task normally completed by Popewiny. After all of the payroll checks had been distributed, several paychecks remained unclaimed that turned out to be fraudulently issued.
The charge to which Angel D. Vidal and his brothers pleaded guilty carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick credited criminal investigators in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and postal inspectors from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division.
The charges and allegations against Popewiny are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pain Management Group Agrees to Pay $312,000 to Resolve False Claims Act and Overpayment AllegationsRead the Press Release
Pain Management Group P.C. (“PMG”), based in Antioch, Tenn., has agreed to pay $312,000 to settle federal and state False Claims Act and overpayment allegations, announced Jack Smith, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The settlement resolves allegations that PMG caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and TennCare for medically unnecessary urine drug tests. The settlement also resolves allegations that PMG caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and TennCare for non-Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved pharmaceuticals Botox, Supartz, and Eufflexa, which PMG purchased from foreign-based suppliers. The United States contends that PMG administered the non-FDA approved pharmaceuticals to Medicare and TennCare patients and then billed Medicare and TennCare for the pharmaceuticals.
The United States’ investigation was initiated after extensive data analysis identified PMG as a potential outlier in the provision of urine drug testing to Medicare patients. Over the course of the investigation, the United States discovered information regarding PMG’s administration of non-FDA approved drugs to Medicare and TennCare patients. Once informed of the investigation, PMG cooperated and instituted remedial measures to address the United States’ allegations. The alleged conduct occurred during 2014-2015.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Ehrlinspiel represented the United States.
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Dr. James Norman, the owner and operator of James Norman, MD, PA, a/k/a James Norman, MD, PA Parathyroid Center, d/b/a Norman Parathyroid Center (collectively, Norman) has agreed to pay $4 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by knowingly engaging in various unlawful billing practices with respect to Medicare and other federal health care programs and their beneficiaries.
Specifically, the government alleges that, from April 2008 through December 2016, Dr. Norman submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare, TRICARE, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program for pre-operative examinations performed on the day before or the day of surgery, and charged and collected extra fees from federal health care beneficiaries for services for which he had already received payment from the government. These extra fees ranged from $150 to $750 for Florida residents, to $1,750 or more for patients who lived out-of-state. Collectively, Dr. Norman and his practice pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result of these illicit billing practices.
“Fraudulent billing of the government, while also charging Medicare and other federal health care beneficiaries extra fees for services that the government has already paid for victimizes taxpayers, military veterans, the elderly, and other members of our community, and will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “This lawsuit and today’s settlement demonstrates our office’s ongoing efforts to safeguard federal health care program beneficiaries from the effects of such illegal conduct.”
In addition to paying $4 million, Norman has also agreed to enter into an integrity agreement with the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Physicians who systematically overbill Federal health care programs and their vulnerable patients will be held responsible for this fraudulent behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of HHS-OIG. “Those who engage in such schemes can expect a thorough investigation and strong remedial measures such as those in the Integrity Agreement we signed with Dr. Norman.”
The settlement concludes a lawsuit originally filed by a former patient of Dr. Norman, Myra Gross, and her husband, Dr. David Gross, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The lawsuit was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. Act also allows the government to intervene and take over the action, as it did in this case. Ms. Gross and her husband, Dr. Gross, will receive roughly $600,000 of the proceeds from the settlement with Norman.
The government’s action in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. It was handled Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tuite.
The case is captioned United States ex rel. Gross, et al. v. James Norman, MD, PA, et al., Case No. 8:14-cv-978-T-33EAJ. The settlement resolves the United States’ claims in that case. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
North Bay Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to Ten Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Jose Vasquez Bautista was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, U.S. District Judge, following the entry of Bautista’s guilty plea to the charge on February 27, 2017.
Bautista, 42, of Lodi, Calif., admitted that on June 3, 2015, he attempted to sell approximately four pounds (1.8 kilograms) of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Napa. Court documents indicate that Bautista attempted to sell the methamphetamine for $5,300 per pound, for a total of $21,200, and wanted to establish a methamphetamine pipeline in Napa County. In addition, Judge Henderson found that Bautista maintained a storage unit in Lodi that contained approximately twenty-five pounds (11.3 kilograms) of methamphetamine and a large amount of liquid used to manufacture more of the drug. Further, Judge Henderson found that Bautista possessed three firearms in connection with his offense.
On January 5, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Bautista and charged him with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Bautista pleaded guilty to the charge without a written agreement.
Judge Henderson ordered Bautista remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service today and Bautista will begin serving his sentence immediately. In addition to the prison term, Judge Henderson ordered Bautista to serve a five-year period of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Lloyd-Lovett and Helen Gilbert are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the ATF and the Napa County Special Investigations Bureau.
Newark Police Officer Admits Conspiracy to Commit Fraud Against Housing Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark police officer today admitted conspiring to fraudulently obtain payments under the federal public housing assistance program known as “Section 8,” Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Luis Cancel, 50, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of agreeing with another individual to obtain Section 8 public housing benefits to which they were not entitled.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Section 8 Program is a federal public housing assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It provides rent subsidies to qualified low-income individuals. HUD provided federal grant money to the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) for the Section 8 Program. Under the NHA’s Section 8 Program, a tenant’s rental assistance was based upon the tenant’s anticipated family gross income. Tenants receiving Section 8 assistance from the NHA had to inform the NHA of all members of the household and the annual household income.
From January 2010 to May 2015, Cancel, then a Newark police officer, lived with another person (Individual 1) who was receiving Section 8 benefits. Cancel and the other individual agreed not to disclose to the NHA that they were living together or that Cancel was a Newark police officer, and, also, a security guard with the Robert Treat Hotel. Individual 1 submitted fraudulent documents to the NHA that failed to disclose these facts. Cancel also submitted letters to the NHA falsely indicating that he lived at a separate residence. Based upon their misrepresentations, Cancel and Individual 1 received approximately $74,000 in Section 8 subsidies to which they were not entitled.
The count to which Cancel pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Joseph D. Rotella Esq., NewarkMexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Duane A. Evans announced that MIGUEL TERRAZAS-ORDONEZ, age 40, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty last Thursday to a one-count Indictment charging him with illegal reentry of a removed alien.
According to court documents, TERRAZAS-ORDONEZ was found in the United States on May 11, 2017, after having been previously deported on December 28, 2000.
TERRAZAS-ORDONEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for August 31, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Man from El Salvador sentenced to 11 months in prison for reentering the U.S. illegally for 2nd timeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a citizen of El Salvador was sentenced last week to 11 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally.
Jose Edmundo Martinez-Ortiz, 24, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the April 17, 2017 guilty plea, Lake Charles police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle containing illegal aliens on November 15, 2016. Martinez-Ortiz admitted to being in the United States illegally. Upon further investigation, law enforcement agents found that the defendant had been found guilty of armed robbery in Maryland on September 11, 2014 and had been removed from the United States in 2016.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
Los Angeles Private Investigator Sentenced to Prison for Role in Violent Gambling OrganizationRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Benjamin Katz (619) 546-9604, Andrew Young (619) 546-7981 or Mark W. Pletcher (619) 546-9714
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 24, 2017
SAN DIEGO – Daniel Portley-Hanks, a Los Angeles based private investigator, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison for his role in the gambling organization run by former USC football player Owen Hanson.
Portley-Hanks entered a guilty plea to Hobbs Act extortion on December 27, 2016. According to his plea agreement, he was paid $7,000 by Hanson to drive from Los Angeles to a Pennsylvania cemetery where the family burial plot of an individual who owed Hanson’s organization money was located. Once there, Portley-Hanks took photos of the family tombstone, splattered it with red paint, and later altered the photographs to add the targeted individual’s name and the words “Very Soon” as the date of death. Another photo was altered to include an image of a masked Hanson standing over the family grave with a shovel. The photos and other documents created by Portley-Hanks were then mailed to the individual along with a video depicting two beheadings.
The government’s sentencing documents attached numerous emails between Hanson and Portley-Hanks that showed that for a period of more than three years, Portley-Hanks assisted Hanson’s organization by running background and location checks on gamblers and law enforcement officers, conducting surveillance, and connecting Hanson with Jack Rissell, another co-defendant who served as an “enforcer” for Hanson’s enterprise.
Rissell – who also pleaded guilty to extortion – is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2017. In total, 21 of 22 defendants charged in relation to Hanson’s enterprise have entered guilty pleas. The remaining defendant, Khalid Petras, is set for trial on August 29, 2017. He is accused of money laundering and running an illegal gambling business. The charges against this defendant are merely accusations, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty.
The case arose out of a joint investigation by FBI and the New South Wales (Australia) Police Force in conjunction with the New South Wales Crime Commission. Hanson was initially indicted and arrested on September 9, 2015, after arranging the delivery of five kilograms of cocaine and five kilograms of methamphetamine.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 15CR2310-WQH
Daniel Portley-Hanks Age: 71
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Hobbs Act Extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951
Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years’ supervised release.
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation – San Diego Field Office
Internal Revenue Service – San Diego
Australian Crime Commission
New South Wales Police Force
New South Wales Crime Commission
Leader of Violent Bloods Street Gang Gets 12 Years in Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A leader of the Sex Money Murder set of the Bloods street gang was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy that involved murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Rajohn Wilson, a/k/a “1090,” 26, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to Count Two of a superseding indictment charging him with racketeering conspiracy. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Bloods street gang is organized into subgroups that operate in specific geographic locations. Sex Money Murder is the subgroup that operates primarily in Essex County, New Jersey.
Rajohn Wilson – who served as a “five-star general” of Sex Money Murder and is the younger brother of Narik Wilson, a/k/a “Spaz,” the leader or “O.G.” of the gang – admitted that from 2007 to 2011 he committed a series of violent crimes to advance the gang’s objectives.
Rajohn Wilson admitted that he conspired with members of Sex Money Murder on Feb. 4, 2007, and Feb. 16, 2007, to murder rival gang members, and that he and others carried out drive-by shootings of two victims in and around Newark. Wilson also admitted conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Wilson to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; and the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Govan and Mary Toscano, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Howard Brownstein Esq., Union City, New Jersey
Lancaster Woman Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Social Security Benefit MoneyRead the Press Release
Carmen Perez, 40, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for theft of government funds, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The Honorable Edward G. Smith, United States District Judge, also ordered Perez to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term and pay full restitution of $78,768.06 to the Social Security Administration.
As the defendant admitted during her guilty plea hearing on February 28, 2017, during the commission of the charged offense, she was employed as a case manager for an organization that managed Social Security benefits for individuals who could not manage their own funds. a case manager for that organization, from March 2012 until July 2016, Perez stole Social Security benefits intended for the payment of financial obligations of 39 of her clients. Perez admitted further when she pleaded guilty, during the course of the scheme, she stole a total of approximately $78,768.06 in Social Security benefit money and used it for her own purposes.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.
Kuna Man Pleads Guilty to Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
BOISE – Aaron G. Hynes, 27, of Kuna, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to making false statements to the United States Department of Transportation (“USDOT”), Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Pursuant to a written plea agreement filed with the court, Hynes pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information.
According to the plea agreement, in August of 2015, Hynes solicited assistance from computer programmers to create a computer program that would automatically fill out at least 10,000 applications for USDOT numbers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) website, using false and fictitious names, addresses, telephone numbers of applicants and company officials. The FMCSA issues USDOT numbers to commercial motor carriers to track safety or other operational violations. Hynes’s purpose was to fraudulently obtain the 10,000 USDOT numbers and sell them to motor carriers for a profit.
According to the plea agreement, in October of 2015, Hynes caused to be submitted to the FMCSA, through its website, approximately 2,100 applications for USDOT numbers, using names, addresses, telephone numbers of applicants and company officials he knew to be false and fictitious. The false and fictitious names, addresses, telephone numbers of applicants and company officials submitted to the FMCSA caused FMCSA to register the fictitious applicants and issue approximately 2,100 USDOT numbers.
According to the plea agreement, Hynes’s submission of the approximately 2,100 applications caused a loss of $51,389. $32,439 of this loss was attributable to the time and resources FMSCA expended to identify and deactivate the approximately 2,100 fraudulent USDOT numbers that it issued. The remainder of the loss related to the implementation of preventative measures by the FMCSA.
Sentencing is set for October 17, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. A violation of making false statements to a government agency is punishable by up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release up to three years, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General.
Keene Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Jeremiah Pless, 33, of Keene, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography. Pless was convicted by a jury on April 11, 2017.
The jury was presented with evidence that, in February 2015, the Hinsdale Police Department obtained a search warrant to search a residence in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, based on probable cause that the residence was connected to the downloading of child pornography. Chief Todd Faulkner and Commander Tom Grella assembled a team of specially trained officers from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to assist in the search. While at the residence on February 18, 2015, the search team found evidence that Pless possessed child pornography that he had downloaded using the Shareaza file sharing program. A review of the hard drive taken from Pless’ computer later confirmed that the images of child pornography included images of known minor children.
Pless was also sentenced to ten years of supervised release which will begin after he is released from prison. During the period of supervised release, Pless’ conduct will be monitored by the United States Probation & Pretrial Services Office. Pless will also have to register as a sex offender.
The investigation was led by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hinsdale Police Department. The ICAC Task Force provided invaluable assistance in the investigation as did officers from the Portsmouth Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Don Feith.
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Kansas Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Plot to Explode Car Bomb at Fort RileyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – John T. Booker Jr., 22, of Topeka, Kan., was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for attempting to detonate a vehicle bomb on the Fort Riley military base in Manhattan, Kan. On Feb. 3, 2016, Booker pleaded guilty to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and one count of attempted destruction of government property by fire or explosion.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall of the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Darrin E. Jones of the FBI’s sKansas City Division made the announcement.
“With this sentence, John Booker is being held accountable for his plan to kill U.S. military personnel on American soil in the name of ISIS,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is countering terrorist threats and protecting American lives by bringing to justice those who plot to attack us. I want to thank the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who made this result possible.”
“Violent extremism is a threat to America and all its people,” Acting U.S. Attorney Beall said. “Our goal is to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from inspiring, financing or carrying out acts of violence.”
“The investigation leading to today's sentencing illustrates the FBI's commitment to disrupting acts of terrorism,” said Special Agent in Charge Jones. “If Mr. Booker had been successful in detonating a car bomb, the results could have been dozens, if not hundreds, of casualties. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting the citizens of the United States and thwarting acts of terrorism.”
In his guilty plea, Booker admitted he intended to kill American soldiers and to assist ISIS’s (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) fight against the U.S. His plan called for constructing a bomb containing 1,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Booker intended to trigger the bomb himself and die in the process, and filmed a video he intended Americans to see after his death.
“You sit in your homes and think this war is just over in Iraq,” Booker said in the video. “Today we will bring the Islamic State straight to your doorstep.”
Unbeknownst to Booker, the bomb that he constructed was made with inert materials, and the two men working with him were undercover informants for the FBI.
The FBI began investigating Booker in March 2014 after he posted on his Facebook page that he wanted to commit jihad. Booker admitted that he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army in order to commit an insider attack against American soldiers like the one at Fort Hood in Texas, but his deadly plans were thwarted when he was denied entry into the Army. In October 2014, Booker began communicating with an undercover FBI informant. He told the undercover FBI informant that he dreamed of being a fighter in the Middle East, and proposed capturing and killing an American soldier.
In March 2015, Booker was introduced to another FBI informant who he believed would help him plan an attack. Booker said he wanted to detonate a suicide bomb because he couldn’t be captured, all the evidence would be destroyed, and he would be guaranteed to hit his target. On March 10, 2015, Booker made a video filmed at Freedom Park near Marshall Army Airfield at Fort Riley in which he pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. That month, he rented a storage unit in Topeka where the bomb would be assembled.
On April 10, 2015, Booker and the informants drove to an area near Fort Riley that Booker believed to be a little-used utility gate where they could enter Fort Riley undetected. He was arrested when he made the final connections on the device that he believed would arm the bomb.
Mr. Boente and Mr. Beall commended the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for their investigation of this case. They also thanked Assistant Trial Attorneys Josh Parecki and Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted this case.
Kansas Man Sentenced 30 Years in Plot to Explode Car Bomb at Fort RileyRead the Press Release
John T. Booker Jr., 22, of Topeka, Kan., was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for attempting to detonate a vehicle bomb on the Fort Riley military base in Manhattan, Kan. On Feb. 3, 2016, Booker pleaded guilty to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and one count of attempted destruction of government property by fire or explosion.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall of the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Darrin E. Jones of the FBI’s sKansas City Division made the announcement.
“With this sentence, John Booker is being held accountable for his plan to kill U.S. military personnel on American soil in the name of ISIS,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is countering terrorist threats and protecting American lives by bringing to justice those who plot to attack us. I want to thank the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who made this result possible.”
“Violent extremism is a threat to America and all its people,” Acting U.S. Attorney Beall said. “Our goal is to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from inspiring, financing or carrying out acts of violence.”
“The investigation leading to today's sentencing illustrates the FBI's commitment to disrupting acts of terrorism,” said Special Agent in Charge Jones. “If Mr. Booker had been successful in detonating a car bomb, the results could have been dozens, if not hundreds, of casualties. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting the citizens of the United States and thwarting acts of terrorism.”
In his guilty plea, Booker admitted he intended to kill American soldiers and to assist ISIS’s (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) fight against the U.S. His plan called for constructing a bomb containing 1,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Booker intended to trigger the bomb himself and die in the process, and filmed a video he intended Americans to see after his death.
“You sit in your homes and think this war is just over in Iraq,” Booker said in the video. “Today we will bring the Islamic State straight to your doorstep.”
Unbeknownst to Booker, the bomb that he constructed was made with inert materials, and the two men working with him were undercover informants for the FBI.
The FBI began investigating Booker in March 2014 after he posted on his Facebook page that he wanted to commit jihad. Booker admitted that he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army in order to commit an insider attack against American soldiers like the one at Fort Hood in Texas, but his deadly plans were thwarted when he was denied entry into the Army. In October 2014, Booker began communicating with an undercover FBI informant. He told the undercover FBI informant that he dreamed of being a fighter in the Middle East, and proposed capturing and killing an American soldier.
In March 2015, Booker was introduced to another FBI informant who he believed would help him plan an attack. Booker said he wanted to detonate a suicide bomb because he couldn’t be captured, all the evidence would be destroyed, and he would be guaranteed to hit his target. On March 10, 2015, Booker made a video filmed at Freedom Park near Marshall Army Airfield at Fort Riley in which he pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. That month, he rented a storage unit in Topeka where the bomb would be assembled.
On April 10, 2015, Booker and the informants drove to an area near Fort Riley that Booker believed to be a little-used utility gate where they could enter Fort Riley undetected. He was arrested when he made the final connections on the device that he believed would arm the bomb.
Mr. Boente and Mr. Beall commended the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for their investigation of this case. They also thanked Assistant Trial Attorneys Josh Parecki and Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted this case.
Jury Convicts Buffalo Man of Gun and Drug 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 a federal jury has convicted Donte Lee, 44, of Buffalo, N.Y., of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Paul C. Parisi, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on November 3, 2015, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force turned onto Sherman Street off Genesee Street to execute an arrest warrant when they observed a large group of people scattering in all directions. Officers observed Lee holding what appeared to be a black firearm in his hand while running in the area of Sherman and Johnson Streets. While on foot, the defendant tripped and fell. He got up, ran back to his vehicle, and headed down Sherman Street. Officers attempted to pull the defendant over, but he did not comply and a chase ensued. Lee attempted to drive through a vacant lot between Sherman Street and Fox Street where his vehicle crashed into a fence. Defendant got out of his vehicle and attempt to escape on foot. He was apprehended in the same area. Subsequently, officers recovered a 9mm pistol loaded with approximately 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Since 1992, the defendant has been convicted of three separate felonies in state and local courts and is prohibited from legally possessing a gun.
The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict.
Sentencing for October 20, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara who presided over the trial of the case.Juneau Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for the Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a Juneau man was sentenced to federal prison for the distribution of child pornography.
Gilberto Valadez-Garcia, 40, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess. Valadez-Garcia was sentenced to five years imprisonment for a single count of distribution of child pornography. Upon the completion of his prison term, Valadez-Garcia must complete a 20-year term of supervised release.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, informed the court that Valadez-Garcia became the subject of a federal investigation after federal law enforcement officials had downloaded child pornography from Valadez-Garcia through the use of a peer to peer (P2P) file sharing program. Agents downloaded 12 videos from the defendant containing images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s employer, as Valadez-Garcia was actively downloading images of child pornography using the employer’s internet service. A subsequent search of Valadez-Garcia’s computer revealed 69 images and 47 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In an interview, Valadez-Garcia admitted to downloading the images and videos located on his computer and admitted to using a P2P program that distributed the images to others. Valadez-Garcia further admitted that he knew it was illegal to view, possess, and distribute child pornography, but that he did not expect that it would be investigated.
The charges against Valadez-Garcia are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice ongoing Project Safe Child (PSC) initiative. In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, identify and rescue victims and to educate the public about safe Internet use, thereby reducing the risk that children might fall prey to online sexual predators. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or call the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.
INTERPOL Washington Participates in Counter-ISIS WorkshopRead the Press Release
On July 12, 2017, officials from INTERPOL and INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau-- participated in a gathering of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS who met at the U.S. Department of State to synthesize the senior level Global Coalition meetings and discuss priorities to build on the progress in Mosul and Raqqa. The Small Group consists of key coalition stakeholders who play a major role, whether military or non-military, in the campaign to defeat ISIS. The day before, the 72-member Global Coalition met to discuss how to speed up Coalition efforts to defeat ISIS in the remaining areas it holds in Iraq and Syria, and maximize pressure globally on its branches, affiliates, and networks. The Small Group meetings sought to assess the campaign and discuss ways to intensify pressure on ISIS in each of the critical areas of counter finance, foreign terrorist fighters, stabilization support, and communications.
INTERPOL Washington Assistant Directors Royce Walters and Scott Suitts discussed “INTERPOL Tools and Techniques” during a panel on “Radical Information Sharing.” This panel explored the critical role information sharing plays between countries seeking to detect and disrupt ISIS plotting and ISIS-inspired homegrown attacks. The session addressed both available and merging tools, as well as strategies to overcome barriers to information sharing that can slow progress. The goal for the panel was to encourage attendees from various agencies to discuss the latest policy and practical developments within their institutions.
Walters and Suitts emphasized the opportunities for additional information sharing on a case-by-case basis between agencies with diverse roles–within single countries and between different countries. Additional progress in this area would make it possible to build a more comprehensive, cross-cutting picture of known and potential terrorists, and possibly to flag a higher percentage of potential attacks earlier in their planning stages, they said.
In addition, they described current information-sharing architecture, including INTERPOL’s I-24/7 and Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) databases. They underscored the importance of collating information from diverse sources and regions to obtain a more comprehensive picture of potential terrorist activity. For example, taken separately, known associations with violent extremists in one country, travel into areas of conflict in a second country, and suspect financial transactions in a third country may not provide sufficient grounds for heightened surveillance. However, taken together, these discrete activities may form a pattern that may indicate a connection with potential terrorist action.
According to Walters, “Many coalition partners expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and military for the significant advances that have occurred over the last few months to defeat ISIS and liberate large areas of the country. It is clearly understood; however, that the fight is far from over. Some ISIS fighters will invariably attempt to blend in with the Iraqi population or try to enter another country. Coalition members recognize this and expressed a need for continued collaboration and tighter border controls to address this threat.”
A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, INTERPOL Washington is co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As the designated representative to INTERPOL on behalf of the Attorney General, INTERPOL Washington serves as the national point of contact for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States.
Heroin and Cocaine Vendor on AlphaBay Sentenced to 6.5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Abudullah Almashwali, 31, a Yemeni national formerly residing in Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to six and a half years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Almashwali and co-defendant Chaudhry Ahmad Farooq, 24, a Pakistani national residing in Brooklyn, New York, were large-scale heroin and cocaine distributors on the dark web marketplace AlphaBay. Almashwali and Farooq used the vendor names “Area51” and “DarkApollo.”
According to the criminal complaint, Almashwali and Farooq accepted orders for heroin and cocaine on AlphaBay, and then mailed the narcotics from post offices in New York to customers throughout the United States. They received payment in Bitcoin. In May 2016, law enforcement officers made two undercover purchases of heroin from “Area51,” which were delivered to a post office box in the Eastern District of California. Postal records revealed that Almashwali purchased the postage for the two heroin parcels mailed to law enforcement, and that Farooq was involved in other mailings. Law enforcement agents were also able to determine that the encrypted email address used by “Area51” and “DarkApollo” was associated with actual Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts used by Farooq.
Dark web marketplaces are operated on computer networks designed to conceal the true Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the computers accessing the network. They allow for payments to be made only in the form of digital currency, most commonly Bitcoin. While not inherently illegal, digital currency is used by dark web marketplaces because online transactions in digital currency can be completed without a third-party payment processor and are therefore perceived to be more anonymous and less vulnerable to law enforcement scrutiny.
Last week, the Justice Department announced that AlphaBay, the largest criminal marketplace on the internet, was shut down and that its creator and administrator was arrested following an indictment (1:17-cr-144-LJO), filed in Fresno on June 1. The indictment charged racketeering and various narcotics, identity theft, and money laundering offenses. Law enforcement authorities in the United States worked with numerous foreign partners to freeze and preserve millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrencies that were proceeds of the AlphaBay organization’s illegal activities. A related civil forfeiture complaint has also been filed against numerous high value assets, including luxury vehicles, and real estate located throughout the world, including in Thailand, Cyprus, Lichtenstein, and Antigua & Barbuda.
U.S. Attorney Talbert stated: “The sentencing in this case is timely, as it closely follows our seizure and shut down of the AlphaBay criminal marketplace. That case resulted in an indictment filed in our district, but involved significant coordination and assistance from our partners in the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, as well as the FBI and DEA. Although other markets are likely to open or continue to operate after AlphaBay’s demise, we have shown our ability to prosecute those who commit crimes using the dark web and to shut down the criminal enterprises that attempt to hide there. Today’s sentence highlights that people committing crimes on the dark web will be brought to justice.”
“Those who conduct criminal activity on the dark web under the guise of anonymity are mistaken, and this sentence serves as a reminder,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. “Recently, the DEA Fresno Resident Office worked tirelessly with our law enforcement counterparts to shut down the largest criminal marketplace on the internet, and we have no intention of stopping there. We will continue to investigate those who traffic drugs on the dark web or any place else.”
On January 17, 2017, Farooq pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic heroin. According to the plea agreement, Farooq admitted to selling 636.5 grams of heroin on the dark web marketplace Alpha Bay in exchange for $145,807 in Bitcoin. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2018. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is a product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant B. Rabenn and Ross Pearson are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Guatemalan National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that VENACIO ORTIZ-LEON, age 29, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged last Friday in a one-count Bill of Information with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of 8 U.S.C. ' 1326.
According to the Bill of Information, ORTIZ-LEON reentered the United States on or about June 3, 2017, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about January 27, 2011.
If convicted, ORTIZ-LEON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of up to $250,000, one year of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Greenfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a 10-Year-Old BoyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Greenfield man was sentenced in federal court in Springfield today for sexually exploiting a 10-year-old boy.
Derek Lecompte, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 15 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release. In January 2017, Lecompte pleaded guilty to three counts of child exploitation.
Lecompte befriended a 10-year-old boy and his family and eventually spent time at their house and then alone with the boy. While alone with the child, Lecompte engaged in sex acts with the boy and took sexually explicit photos of the child, including photos of the two engaged in sex acts. Lecompte then distributed the photos on the internet. Lecompte faced state charges in connection with this case and has pleaded guilty in state court to aggravated rape and abuse of a child.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan; and Greenfield Police Chief Robert H. Haigh Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
The case was 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/.
Georgetown Indiana woman sentenced for stealing Social Security incomeRead the Press Release
Defrauded Social Security of over $114,000
PRESS RELEASE
New Albany –United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that a Georgetown, Indiana, woman was sentenced in federal court for defrauding the government of Social Security Income funds. Michelle A. South, 40, was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt after pleading guilty to Social Security Income fraud.
“SSI funds are designed to help the aged, blind and disabled, not able-bodied individuals,” said Minkler. “When funds are taken from those in most need, you can expect to face federal prosecution.”
From March 2001 through March 2016, South concealed the fact that she had been residing with her husband in their home in Georgetown, Indiana. She claimed on several federal government forms that she lived apart from her husband with three children and had no other sources of income. In reality, she lived with her husband who had income and would not have been eligible had she been truthful on her applications.
This investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General.
“This sentence sends a clear message that there is no tolerance for egregious crimes committed against tax payer funded programs like SSI,” said Tracey Thanos, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Kyle M. Sawa who prosecuted this case for the government, South must make restitution of $114,633 and serve three years of supervised release after her prison term.