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24 August 2017
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Four Carjackings and MurderRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – U.S. District Court Senior Judge Daniel R. Domínguez sentenced Carmelo Velázquez-Aponte a.k.a. “Boty,” to two terms of life in prison for one carjacking and murder of Richardson Mieses-Pimentel, and a consecutive 130-year imprisonment term for the other three carjacking counts, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (carjacking), and possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.
On July 19, 2016, Velázquez-Aponte was found guilty by a jury of four counts of carjacking, one including the murder of Richardson Mieses-Pimentel, four counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm.
During the 14-day trial, the government presented pictures and witness testimony that narrated the criminal incidents of carjacking and robbery that the defendant perpetrated against innocent victims. According to the testimony, on June 18, 2011, the defendant stole the licensed firearm belonging to Richardson Mieses-Pimental and his vehicle, and then executed him. After that event, Velázquez-Aponte committed other carjackings. During his attempt to escape his arrest on June 20, 2011, he also stole a police officer’s gun and shot a Police officer. The defendant also stole a police cruiser and engaged in two other shootouts with police officers, before he was arrested. The defendant fired the stolen weapons at the police officers.
“I hope that these life sentences help the victims to find closure and continue the healing process,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the prosecution team, the FBI, the Carolina Municipal Police and the Puerto Rico Police Department for their excellent work in bringing this defendant to justice. We will continue to work diligently to prosecute violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda.
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Lake County Indiana Sheriff Convicted After 14-Day TrialRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Clifford D. Johnson, announced that John Buncich, age 71, of Crown Point, Indiana was convicted of all 6 counts of the superseding indictment, after a 14-day jury trial before District Court Senior Judge James T. Moody.
John Buncich, Timothy Downs and William Szarmach were indicted in November 2016 on multiple federal charges. Buncich, the current Lake County Sheriff, served as sheriff from 1994-2002, and was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2014. Timothy Downs, formerly the Chief in the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, was the second person in command at that Department; Downs was appointed to that position by Buncich. William Szarmach owns and operates CSA Towing in Lake Station, Indiana.
Pursuant to a Lake County ordinance, the sheriff has exclusive authority to determine who would do vehicle towing as required by the sheriff’s department. From February 2014 continuing into October 2016, Buncich devised a scheme to deprive the citizens of Lake County of their right to the honest services of the sheriff’s office. The scheme was designed to enrich Buncich personally and his campaign committee, known as Buncich Boosters. The trial evidence established that a number of checks and cash payments, often collected by Downs, from Szarmach and Scott Jurgensen were exchanged for Buncich awarding them county towing business and towing in the City of Gary for ordinance violations. Mr. Jurgenson, a former Merrillville Police Officer, is the owner of Sampson Relocation and Towing. Mr. Jurgenson provided significant assistance to the United States during the course of this investigation.
The jury convicted Buncich of 5 counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud in connection with this scheme. The jury also convicted Buncich of a charged violation of the federal bribery statute in connection with corruptly soliciting, demanding, and receiving over $25,000 in cash and $7,000 in checks in exchange for favorable actions by Buncich regarding the towing contracts.
Both Szarmach and Downs, who both testified at trial, await sentencing on their guilty pleas to the following charges in the indictment: Timothy Downs entered a plea of guilty to one count of Honest Services Wire Fraud and; William Szarmach entered a plea of guilty to three counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud, Bribery and Failure to File a Tax Return.
Acting United States Attorney Clifford Johnson states that “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to vigorously prosecute public officials who use their public office as means for personal enrichment. All citizens deserve public officials who work for the public interest and not their own interest.”
"Public officials who abuse their positions for personal financial gain at the expense of the taxpayers will not be tolerated. The FBI and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to aggressively pursue those across Indiana who corrupt their office for self-serving motives," said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Indianapolis Division. "Also instrumental in these investigations are the honest and patriotic citizens who come forward and assist in uncovering the truth as was the case in Lake County."
Gabriel Grchan, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge stated, "Taxpayers expect their elected officials to protect and improve their communities. Rather than serve his community Buncich abused his position and devised a pay-to-play towing scheme that benefited him and few others financially. Today's verdict reminds us that public corruption will not be tolerated and no one is above the law."
This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip C. Benson and Maria N. Lerner.
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Jury Finds A Man Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in Tulsa and ElsewhereRead the Press Release
A jury found Juan Garcia, also known as "Shorty," guilty of Drug Conspiracy, announced Loretta F. Radford, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The jury determined that Garcia conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and elsewhere. The jury also found the scope of the conspiracy involved at least 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
On January 26, 2017, Tulsa Department Police (TPD) officers pulled over a Chevrolet truck in which Garcia was a passenger. The truck had been following a Chevrolet Cruze from Oklahoma City, which was transporting three pounds, or approximately 1400 grams, of methamphetamine. TPD officers pulled the Cruze over and found the methamphetamine. TPD officers seized a phone and $19,915 from Garcia's person. TPD officers also discovered three other cellphones in the Chevrolet truck.
TPD officers and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested and interviewed co-conspirators, and extracted data from all of the cellphones seized in this case. From these interviews and data extractions, law enforcement learned that Garcia was the supplier of the three pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also learned that Garcia had been supplying methamphetamine to the other co-conspirators at least as far back as November 2016.
Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and will sentence Garcia on December 4, 2017. Garcia faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years supervised release following his release from imprisonment. Garcia also faces deportation to Mexico.
This case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department's Special Investigations Division, the DEA, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong.
Judge Sentences Pittsburgh Heroin Dealer to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH– Cody Duncan was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute at least 1 kilogram of heroin, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Duncan, age 26, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Nora Barry Fischer. Judge Fischer ordered that Duncan serve five years of supervised release after he is released from prison. Duncan’s sentencing guideline range for the heroin trafficking conviction was increased as a result of his possession of a dangerous weapon.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rachael L. Dizard and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police led the multi-agency investigation of this case that also included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Scott Township Police Department, the Munhall Police Department, the Baldwin Police Department, and the Pleasant Hills Police Department. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Jonestown and Lykens Men Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on August 9, 2017, Kerry L. Boltz, Sr., age 54, of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and Chester L. Hubler, III, age 38, of Lykens, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment for multiple drug trafficking crimes. Boltz was also indicted on firearms charges. The case was unsealed on August 23, 2017.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the superseding indictment alleges that Boltz and Hubler conspired to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine between February 2017 and April 2017, and that the two distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions during that time period. The superseding indictment also alleges that Boltz distributed heroin and fentanyl, unlawfully possessed firearms (Marlin Firearms Company 336CS 30-30 caliber rifle, a Mossberg Model 46M 22-caliber rifle, and Weatherly Orion 12-guage shotgun) as a previously convicted felon, and possessed a short-barreled shotgun (Remington Wingmaster Model 870 12-gauge shotgun) that was not properly registered.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case was also 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Jamestown Man Sentenced on Cocaine ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Taylor Larson, 32, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on May 19, 2015, the Jamestown Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant, which authorized the search of defendant’s residence on Keller Road in Ashville, NY and his 2005 gray Saab sedan and Jeep Liberty. During the search of the residence, officers found approximately 21 grams of cocaine in an upstairs bedroom, along with a roll of camouflage tape, baggies, and a scale. An additional 36 grams of cocaine was found inside the Saab, and approximately 286 grams of cocaine was found inside the Jeep.
Subsequently, officers searched a vacant apartment located immediately behind the defendant’s residence and recovered an additional 300 grams of cocaine. The cocaine was wrapped in the same camouflage duct tape that was found earlier in the defendant’s residence. Combined, over 500 grams of cocaine was seized from the defendant’s residence, Saab, Jeep, and back vacant apartment.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings.
Indiana Animal Control Officer Pleads Guilty to Interstate Diversion of Veterinary DrugsRead the Press Release
The Acting Superintendent of Animal Control and Parks for the city of Whiting, Indiana, pleaded guilty today to diverting prescription veterinary antibiotics that were the property of the city’s animal shelter, to a resident of Chicago whom he knew to be involved in dog fighting activities, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Clifford D. Johnson, and USDA, OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony V. Mohatt.
Martin Jakubowski, 48, of Whiting, Indiana, pleaded guilty today before Judge John E. Martin of the Northern District of Indiana to one count of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by introducing a prescription veterinary drug into interstate commerce without the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian. Sentencing is set for November 17.
“This prosecution further demonstrates our commitment to end unlawful animal fighting and to bring to justice those who unlawfully participate in this criminality,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“In partnership with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for the USDA-OIG,” said OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony V. Mohatt. “We will aggressively pursue and dedicate resources to assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling.”
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, Jakubowski oversaw the operation of the city of Whiting’s animal control program and animal shelter. While acting in that role, he gave prescription veterinary antibiotics to Pedro Cuellar to drug his dogs. Cuellar recently pleaded guilty to a federal dog fighting conspiracy charge in the District of New Jersey. The drugs had been purchased by the city animal shelter and were intended to treat two sick shelter cats.
Jakubowski also admitted that at various times between approximately 2011 and 2016, he housed dogs for Cuellar in buildings used by the animal shelter for periods of time extending from three days to more than a year. One of the dogs had scarring consistent with scars on dogs used in fights. Jakubowski also gave two pit bull-type dogs from the city’s animal shelter to Cuellar without standard adoption paperwork, knowing that Cuellar intended to transfer the dogs to other people. Jakubowski also admitted to his own prior involvement in a “roll” dog fight in 2004. A “roll” is a dog fight staged for the purpose of assessing the fighting characteristics of a dog or dogs, rather than for wagering purposes, and is generally stopped by the handlers before serious injuries result.
This case is part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The phrase “Grand Champion” is used by dog fighters to refer to a dog with more than five dog-fighting “victories.” To date, 98 dogs have been rescued as part of Operation Grand Champion, and either surrendered or forfeited to the government.
This part of Operation Grand Champion was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Anthony Mohatt. The government is represented by Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toi Denise Houston.
Illegal Alien Possessing Firearms Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge today sentenced a Honduran national to nearly seven years in prison for being in the United States illegally and possessing firearms, one that was used in a 2016 homicide at a Bessemer nightclub, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer.
U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins sentenced WALTER ALONSO MARTINEZ-CHANDIAS, 27, to six years and nine months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm by an alien illegally in the U.S. Martinez-Chandias pled guilty to the charge in March.
Following an Oct. 23, 2016, homicide at a nightclub in Bessemer, Birmingham Police identified Martinez-Chandias as a suspect, according to his guilty plea. Birmingham officers arrested him following a traffic stop near his Bessemer residence when they saw an AR-style .223-caliber pistol on the front passenger seat next to Martinez-Chandias and a Taurus PT-111 Pro 9mm pistol on the driver’s seat next to his leg, according to the plea. Martinez-Chandias was the only person in the car.
He later admitted to detectives that he possessed the Taurus pistol in connection to the nightclub shooting, according to his plea. Immigration records confirmed that Martinez-Chandias was in the country illegally.
Martinez-Chandias faces state charges in connection to the Bessemer homicide. Judge Hopkins ordered that his federal prison sentence run concurrently with any sentence that might be imposed for the state crime.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Birmingham Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Shutt prosecuted.
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Hobbs Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Felipe T. Castillo, 38, of Hobbs, N.M., pled guilty yesterday afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to assaulting a federal law enforcement officer under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Castillo was arrested on June 13, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the complaint, Castillo pointed a firearm at a DEA Task Force Officer on May 31, 2017, in Lea County, N.M. The complaint further indicates that Castillo was on parole for a prior firearms offense when he assaulted the Task Force Officer by pointing a firearm at him. Court documents indicate that Castillo was previously convicted in Texas of engaging in organized criminal activity in 2000, and discharging a firearm in 2002.
During yesterday’s change of plea hearing, Castillo pled guilty to a felony information charging him with assault on a federal officer. In entering the guilty plea, Castillo admitted that on May 31, 2017, he pointed a firearm at a DEA Task Force Agent who was engaged in his official duties.
At sentencing, Castillo faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. Castillo remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI and the Hobbs Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terri J. Abernathy and Dustin Segovia of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
Hearing Set for Brandon Michael Council in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that a hearing for Brandon Michael Council, age 32, of Wilson, North Carolina, has been set for Thursday afternoon, August 24, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. in the federal courthouse in Greenville, North Carolina, 216 S. Evans St.
Council has been charged in a criminal complaint with Armed Bank Robbery with a Deadly weapon Resulting in Death and with Use, Carry, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Conway Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Beach Police Department, Wilson North Carolina Police Department, Greenville North Carolina Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the United States Marshal’s Service.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Haverhill Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Haverhill man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston to robbing a branch of Santander Bank in Boston. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on probation for a prior bank robbery conviction in federal court.
Gregory Carter, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of unarmed bank robbery. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Nov. 16, 2017. Carter was arrested and charged in May 2017.
On the morning of March 25, 2017, an individual entered a branch of the Santander Bank on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and handed a teller a note indicating a robbery. The perpetrator stated that he had a gun and repeatedly gestured to his pocket. During the robbery, the perpetrator pulled down a facemask he was wearing and exposed his skin and a thin moustache. The teller handed the man $6,000 in cash, and the robber exited the bank.
Following the robbery, the teller gave the police a description of the robber, and officers reviewed images from exterior surveillance cameras, which revealed that the robber drove through the area in a black Ford Fusion sedan. Bank surveillance also recorded the robber returning to the sedan and driving away.
On March 28, 2017, an officer aware of the recent bank robbery observed a black Ford Fusion on Dudley Street in Boston. The driver, who matched the description of the robber, exited the vehicle and approached a branch of Bank of America. When a police cruiser stopped in front of the bank, the individual turned around and returned to his vehicle. The officer queried the vehicle’s registration number and learned that it belonged to Carter, and a criminal record check revealed that Carter was currently on probation for a prior bank robbery conviction in U.S. District Court.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge bases upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Somerville Police Chief David Fallon; Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIC MUNOZ, 21, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 31 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that David Alvarado, also known as “Flaco,” was distributing heroin to street-level dealers and drug customers in the vicinity of his residence on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford. Between August 2014 and May 2015, investigators made eight controlled purchases of heroin from Alvarado.
A wiretap investigation revealed that Alvarado was being supplied with heroin by MUNOZ and other individuals. At times, MUNOZ also obtained distribution quantities of heroin from Alvarado when Munoz’s sources were “dry.”
On May 26, 2015, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Alvarado’s residence and seized raw heroin, bagged heroin, heroin stamps, digital scales, thousands of wax folds, and other items used to process and package heroin. Investigators also seized a 9mm Beretta pistol with a loaded magazine, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
On May 11, 2017, MUNOZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Greensboro Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – An individual who pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography was sentenced today, announced Sandra J. Hairston, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
DANTRE DAVIS, 28, of Greensboro, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on June 5, 2017, to one count of receipt of child pornography occurring from February 2016 to April 2016. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs to 72 months imprisonment followed by 15 years supervised release. DAVIS was also ordered to forfeit a laptop computer and two external storage drives containing child pornography.
Investigators searched DAVIS’ home on April 5, 2016, after observing child pornography being shared online from DAVIS’ IP address. They found thousands of images and videos of child pornography on the computer and storage devices in DAVIS’ home. At the time, Davis was a licensed physician assistant in North Carolina.
The investigation was led by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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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Georgia Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of A Louisiana ChildRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced today that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced ERIK VINCENT CLARK, 27, of Chamblee, Georgia, to 300 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor. CLARK was ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release following his release from imprisonment. CLARK was also ordered to pay a $5,100 special assessment. At the conclusion of the sentencing, the Court ordered CLARK to begin serving his sentence immediately and remanded CLARK to the custody of the United States Marshal.
In 2012, CLARK pled guilty to two counts of sexual battery in the State of Georgia. Because of these prior convictions, CLARK was required to register as a sex offender.
On May 12, 2017, CLARK pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a) and (e). In connection with his guilty plea, CLARK admitted that, in September 2015, he became acquainted with Child Victim A, a minor child resident of Livingston Parish, Louisiana, through online gaming and social media. In his online chats with Child Victim A, CLARK falsely represented himself to be a 16-year-old boy. After a few days, CLARK obtained Child Victim A’s address and mailed new Xbox headphones to Child Victim A for his use. As their online chats progressed, CLARK asked Child Victim A to engage in sexually explicit conduct via live video chat. CLARK also expressed his intent to travel to Louisiana from Georgia to meet Child Victim A. On October 5, 2015, an investigator assumed Child Victim A’s online identity and sent a fake video file purportedly depicting sexually explicit conduct by Child Victim A to CLARK. Upon receipt, CLARK attempted to open the file and then asked the undercover investigator to send the video again.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “Thanks to the courage of the victim, and the coordinated action of state and federal law enforcement officers in Louisiana and Georgia, Erik Clark did not succeed in his ultimate goal. My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and stop sexual predators. This case is a reminder to us all that technology that enhances our everyday lives, such as online gaming and social media, also allows sexual predators to target our children far too easily. More than ever, it is important for families to educate themselves about internet safety.”
“The conviction and sentencing of Erik Clark is a direct result of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies on the local, state, and federal levels work together,” said Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. “My office will not rest in our efforts to find child predators and bring them to justice.”
“Identifying and arresting sexual predators remains a top priority for HSI,” said HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. “HSI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to arrest those that exploit our children.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Criminal Division of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office conducted this joint investigation, with assistance from the DeKalb County (Georgia) Police Department, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Sex Offender Unit of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le, who serves as the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Middle District of Louisiana, prosecuted this matter.
These federal charges are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the U.S. 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “Resources” tab for information about Internet safety education.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to $258,000 Identity Theft, Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Georgia man pleaded guilty in federal court today to using dozens of stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns seeking $258,063 in refunds.
Jalen Ortez Gude, 40, of Hillsboro, Ga., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of wire fraud and one count of identity theft.
By pleading guilty today, Gude admitted that, between January 2014 and March 13, 2015, he used the stolen identity information of at least 46 victims (including their names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth) to file fraudulent tax returns and receive tax refunds from both the federal government and the state of Missouri. According to court documents, those victims included residents of Cole County, Mo., whose stolen identity information had been released over the Internet.
The IRS stopped $94,592 in refunds from being processed; as a result, the aggregate amount of restitution due is approximately $163,470 to 10 of Gude’s victims.
Gude opened bank accounts in the names of his identity theft victims so that the IRS and the Missouri Department of Revenue would transfer the refunds to bank accounts he controlled. This process permitted Gude to remain anonymous and to conduct his scheme, in part, from outside Missouri. Gude also used the stolen identity information to submit fraudulent online credit applications at banks and credit card companies.
Under federal statutes, Gude is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for wire fraud, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole for identity theft. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri Department of Revenue – Compliance and Investigation Bureau and the Missouri Department of Revenue – Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Fort Hall Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Murray James Plentywounds, 30, of Fort Hall, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to assault with a dangerous weapon, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez, announced. Plentywounds was indicted in February 2017 by a federal grand jury in Pocatello.
According to the plea agreement, on November 29, 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was advised that a stabbing had occurred on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. The female victim was in the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. An FBI agent met her there. The agent found that the victim was being treated for a stab wound to her left shoulder. The victim stated that she had been with friends on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation when she got into a vehicle with another female driving and Plentywounds in the back seat. As they were driving around, Plentywounds became angry at the victim and punched her in the left shoulder. At that time, the victim saw that Plentywounds was holding a knife and she realized that her clothing was cut, she was bleeding and she had been stabbed. The victim was treated at the hospital and has since recovered from her injuries.
The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
Sentencing will be November 20, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Tribal Police.
Former UVA Football Player Convicted of $10 Million FraudRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a former University of Virginia football player today of his role in a $10 million fraud scheme.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Merrill Robertson, Jr., 36, of Chesterfield, started Cavalier Union Investments, LLC, and Black Bull Wealth management, LLC, with co-conspirator Sherman Carl Vaughn. From 2009-2016, Robertson and Vaughn solicited individuals to invest money in private investment funds that they managed, as well as distinct investment opportunities that they proposed. Robertson identified potential investors through various contacts; including contacts he developed playing football at Fork Union Military Academy, the University of Virginia, and in the National Football League, while Vaughn focused on developing investment opportunities.
“Behind every lie is a choice,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Mr. Robertson lied to his friends and mentors, and many times had the opportunity to come clean and tell the truth. Instead, he chose to continue his lies and fraud, which had devastating effects on his victims. I applaud the terrific efforts of the trial team and our law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this important case.”
Robertson and Vaughn led individuals to believe they were experienced investment advisors, and that they employed other experienced investment advisors to manage their investment funds. For example, Vaughn represented that he was a long-time investor and philanthropist with extensive experience in business and real estate. In fact, Vaughn filed for personal bankruptcy four times, including twice during the time he was soliciting investors for Cavalier.
“There are consequences for people's choices,” said Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. “Today Mr. Robertson was convicted for his scheme of manipulating friends and associates into trusting him with their savings and ultimately using it for his personal gain. I would like to commend the investigative team and the United States Attorney's Office for their dedication to bring justice to the victims associated with this case.”
As a result of this conspiracy, Robertson and Vaughn fraudulently obtained more than $10 million from over 50 investors, spending much of the money on their own personal living expenses, including mortgage and car payments, school tuitions, spa visits, restaurants, department stores, and vacations.
“The longevity and scope of Mr. Robertson’s scheme to defraud investors is simply astonishing,” said Kimberly Lappin, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office. “Through the joint efforts of IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners, Mr. Robertson has been brought to justice and convicted by a jury of his peers. Today’s verdict is a reminder that IRS-CI will remain vigilant in our investigation of these schemes in order to combat this type of criminal conduct.”
“This case is merely the latest in a long tradition of Postal Inspectors relentlessly pursuing anyone who misuses the nation's mail system to commit fraud and take advantage of the American public.” said Inspector in Charge Robert Wemyss. “I'm proud of the work done by all the agents involved in this investigation, and look forward to the continued efforts of the Richmond Securities Fraud Task Force.”
Robertson was convicted of mail fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of 330 years in prison when sentenced on December 6. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Kimberly Lappin, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr., accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Lee Martin and Stephen E. Anthony are prosecuting the case.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission Division of Securities and Retail Franchising assisted with the investigation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-133.
Former Tribal Executives Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that former executive board members of the Big Coulee District of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe were sentenced in federal court on August 21, 2017.
Gerald German Jr., 46, of Peever, South Dakota, was sentenced to 3 months of imprisonment, ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $79,960, and ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000. German’s restitution amount includes $63,000 to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, which is from a separate case in which he was indicted. That case was dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.
Gerald Heminger Jr., 58, of Sisseton, South Dakota, was sentenced to 3 months of imprisonment, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,337.50, ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $2,000, and to serve 3 years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Colette White, 57, of Peever, was sentenced to 3 years of probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,160, and ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $3,000.
According to court documents, from approximately June 2010, through March 2013, each of the defendants conspired to embezzle, steal, and knowingly convert to their own use funds from the Big Coulee District of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, an Indian tribal organization. The Big Coulee District is a political subdivision of the Tribe. The defendants were all elected executive board members or employees of the District at the time.
During the conspiracy, they stole a total of $81,542.50 from the District. German Jr. received $16,960 of the stolen funds, Heminger Jr. received $5337.50 of the stolen funds, and White received $5,160 of the stolen funds. Each defendant used the funds for his or her own purposes.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (605)330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Former Professional Track Athlete and Paralympic Gold Medalist Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraudulent SchemeRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson of the Middle District of Louisiana announced that RAPHEW T. REED, JR., age 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been sentenced to serve forty eight (48) months in federal prison as a result of his convictions for false representation of a Social Security number and wire fraud. At yesterday’s sentencing, Judge John W. deGravelles further ordered REED to make restitution to his victims totaling $140,973.75 and pay $200 in special assessments. Additionally, REED will be required to forfeit $125,000 in proceeds from his crimes. Following his release from prison, REED will be required to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
REED is a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As REED represented at the sentencing hearing, he is an accomplished track and field athlete, having competed at the collegiate level for the University of Mississippi, in the Paralympic Games as a member of the United States Track & Field Team, and ultimately as a professional track athlete. After his track career ended, REED returned to Baton Rouge and entered the world of finance, holding himself out as a financial advisor and as someone who could assist individuals and businesses in obtaining credit and financing.
Ultimately, REED turned to fraud. As REED has admitted, in May of 2012, he knowingly provided a federally insured credit union with a false Social Security number and false documents that misrepresented his identity, income, and credit score, in an attempt to secure a loan. When that scheme failed, from late 2012 through April 2013, REED executed a scheme to defraud another company, which, on November 27, 2012, wired $125,000 to REED. REED fraudulently diverted the funds to his friends, family members, others to whom he owed money, and to another one of his own bank accounts. In 2013, when the victim repeatedly asked REED to return the funds, as he had promised he would do, REED falsely represented to the victim that he was in the process of returning the company’s funds.
During the sentencing hearing, the Court found that REED’s fraudulent conduct spanned several years. In fact, REED defrauded another victim in June of 2014—a former teacher of REED’s in Baton Rouge who believed, based on REED’s representations, that he would invest her money in a hedge fund. Then, in the spring of 2015, REED defrauded a technology company in Los Angeles, California, by making false representations and causing the company to incur expenses based on the false pretense that REED would purchase the company. In total, REED’s scheme had an intended loss of more than $200,000, not counting the potential loss associated with several fraudulent foreign securities and bonds that REED attempted to deposit at various financial institutions during the same time period described above. These fraudulent foreign bonds had a total face value in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “Thankfully REED’s string of colorful schemes—all of them fraudulent—has finally come to an end. REED’s conduct justifies every day of the lengthy sentence that the Court handed down in this case. We appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners to put a stop to REED’s conduct and bring this serial fraudster to justice, and we will continue to aggressively pursue others who would attempt the same type of criminal conduct.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Sallet stated, “This case is an excellent example of the dedication and focus exhibited by the FBI, United States Attorney's Office, and law enforcement partners throughout this investigation. This outcome should serve as a deterrent to those who attempt to defraud others, particularly those who attempt to use deceit and sophisticated means to avoid prosecution.”
This matter was investigated by the Baton Rouge office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan A. Stevens, who serves as Chief of the office’s Criminal Division.
Former Investment Advisor Arrested for $20 Million FraudRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – The former owner of a Virginia Beach investment company was arrested today for his alleged role in leading an investment fraud scheme that caused losses of at least $20 million.
Daryl Gene Bank, 47, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Raeann Gibson, 45, of Palm City, Florida, were previously residents of Virginia Beach. Each have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail and wire fraud, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. According to the allegations in the indictment, Bank created, owned and operated dozens of Virginia limited liability companies, including Dominion Investment Group (DIG), and Dominion Private Client Group (DPCG), with offices in Virginia Beach and in Port St. Lucie.
According to allegations in the indictment, Bank and Gibson engaged in a conspiracy by which they operated several investment fraud schemes from approximately January 2012 through July 2017. For example, in one fraud scheme, Bank caused numerous material misrepresentations and omissions to be made to several investors, including BC, who was blind and in his late 70s at the time he invested $20,000 of his retirement funds in an investment fraud called Prime Spectrum. Immediately upon receipt of BC’s funds, Bank and Gibson misappropriated 70 percent investment funds and sent BC a statement reflecting his investment in Prime Spectrum was fully invested.
During the various fraud schemes, Bank and Gibson prepared materially false and misleading investment offerings, and knowingly omitted information and made material misrepresentations to at least 300 investors, causing his victims to lose at least a combined $20 million.
According to the indictment, in 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint against Bank and entities he controlled accusing him of running a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud investors. That same year, the Virginia State Corporation Commission filed a civil enforcement action against both Bank and Gibson to enjoin them from the fraudulent sale of unregistered securities.
If you believe you may be a victim in this case, please call the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office at: 757-609-2514.
Bank faces a maximum penalty of 260 years in prison if convicted, and Gibson faces a maximum penalty of 240 years in prison if convicted. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, Kimberly Lappin, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa E. O’Boyle and Elizabeth M. Yusi are prosecuting the case.
The FBI’s Miami Field Office provided significant assistance with the execution of the arrest and search warrants.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-126.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Former IT Director Sentenced for Embezzling Hundreds of Thousands from EmployerRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The former director of Information Technology (IT) Services for a Houston-based real estate services company has been ordered to prison following his conviction related to a conspiracy in which he stole nearly $800,000, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Bradley David Freitas, 37, of Tomball, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake handed Freitas a sentence of 33 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. His wife - Loren Elizabeth Freitas, 34, had also been convicted in the case. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was ordered to serve a term of probation. The couple are both required to pay $773,555 in restitution.
From approximately April 14, 2009 through Jan. 14, 2014, Bradley Freitas embezzled $773,500 from the company, at times with the help of his wife.
Bradley Freitas was hired as the Director of IT services for the real estate company on March 5, 2009. Throughout his employment, he created false explanations on internal company justification documents so that the unauthorized purchases were masked as IT related items. Bradley Freitas would miscode justification documents to mask the unauthorized personal purchases for several years and made these unauthorized purchases with the company credit cards issued to him for IT purchases only. The merchandise was purchased from online retailers, such as Amazon, NewEgg and CDW, and mailed either to his office or home.
Several of the items, such as a dining room table with chairs, a Gucci purse and wallet, home entertainment systems, televisions and more, were purchased for the Freitas’ own personal enrichment. Other items, such as ipads and laptops, were sold on eBay or to their own private customers in New York and elsewhere for them to obtain a profit. At times, Loren Freitas would direct her husband as to what to purchase and then mailed the various items to be sold to their customers via FedEx or UPS.
Previously released on bond, Bradley Freitas was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suzanne Elmilady is prosecuting the case.
Former Fresno Resident and Teacher Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jack Mootz, 63, of Sacramento, formerly of Fresno, was sentenced on Wednesday to nine years in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd also imposed a term of supervised release of 15 years during which Mootz will be required to register as a sex offender and his access to the internet, computers, and children will be restricted.
According to court documents, a law enforcement officer in Plano, Texas detected that Mootz was sharing thousands of images of child pornography through the BitTorrent network. Most of the images depicted children as young as infants and toddlers being sexually abused by adults.
Mootz had been employed in numerous school districts throughout Central California as a teacher, often working with special needs students. Mootz had been living in Fresno but relocated to Sacramento after a search warrant was executed at his residence. Mootz was indicted on March 9, 2017, and pleaded guilty without a plea agreement on May 31, 2017.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Dallas, Texas and Fresno, California as well as the Plano Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Final Two Defendants in Multi-State Methamphetamine Ring Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey Amundson announced the final two sentencings in a federal prosecution aimed at a drug trafficking organization that operated in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. On Wednesday, August 23, 2017, TIMOTHY ROUSSEL, age 38, of Saint Amant, Louisiana, and BRANDON BOURGEOIS, age 43, of Baker, Louisiana, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge James J. Brady for their roles in the drug ring.
These defendants were prosecuted as part of an investigation targeting methamphetamine traffickers operating in and around Baton Rouge. The investigation resulted in federal charges against 15 individuals for federal narcotics violations, including, among others, conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. The leaders of the organization were convicted and sentenced as follows:
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RANDY TIBBITS BROWN, a.k.a. Randall Brown, age 37, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced on February 2, 2017, to serve 15 years in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy.
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TRAYMONDA OWENS, a.k.a. Traymonda Jarmichael Owens, age 26, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on October 13, 2016, to serve 10 years in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of substance containing methamphetamine, and using a communications facility to facilitate these crimes.
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TONYA C. BRELAND, a.k.a. Tonya Crawford, age 43, of Pride, Louisiana, was sentenced on June 15, 2017, to serve 5 years in prison following her convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and using a communications facility to facilitate these crimes.
Yesterday, Judge Brady sentenced BOURGEOIS to serve 18 months in federal prison and sentenced ROUSSEL to serve 366 days in federal prison for their roles in the drug trafficking ring. In all, through the investigation, 9 defendants were sentenced to prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “By successfully pursuing and prosecuting leaders and facilitators of this multi-state drug trafficking group, a group responsible for poisoning our community has been neutralized. Indeed, the enforcement of our federal drug laws must be a significant part of any solution to our current epidemic. I greatly appreciate the dedicated efforts of the prosecutors and agents who contributed to this important operation.”
"These sentencings today deliver a strong message to all who engage in the distribution of illegal drugs that we will work together to see that you are brought to justice. Federal and local law enforcement successfully collaborated in order to put these individuals in federal prison as a result of their desire to supply the citizens of Baton Rouge with methamphetamine,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Brad L. Byerley.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Piedrahita, Kevin Sanchez, and Ryan Rezaei.
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Fairfield Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Involved in Deep River Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOHN VIBBERT, 37, of Fairfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early hours of May 31, 2016, Connecticut State Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Deep River and found an unresponsive 35-year-old male. Although CPR was performed and Narcan was administered, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation, which has included analysis of the victim’s cellphone and a witness interview, revealed that, on May 30, 2016, the victim contacted VIBBERT to purchase heroin. The victim then drove to a restaurant near I-95 in Bridgeport where he met VIBBERT to complete the purchase.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the cause of death to be “acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities.”
VIBBERT was arrested on a criminal complaint on March 27, 2017.
VIBBERT is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on November 15, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $50,000 bond.
This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Monroe Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Runowicz.
Elkins Park Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Matthew McAlpin, 41, of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania was charged today by Information with one count of possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
It is alleged that on December 10, 2015, McAlpin possessed over five thousand images or videos of child pornography, or visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and that his collection included depictions involving the sexual victimization of minors under the age of 12 years.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release, $250,000 fine, mandatory restitution, forfeiture, a $100 special assessment, and a $5,000 additional special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Abington Township Police Department, and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Priya T. De Souza.
Denver Area Meth and Cocaine Dealer from Mexico Found Guilty Following Jury TrialRead the Press Release
DENVER – Jorge Loya-Ramirez, age 49 of Denver, and a citizen of Mexico was convicted late yesterday of nine counts of various drug charges following a jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Denver Division and the Metro Gang Task Force announced. The trial lasted seven days, and the jury deliberated for three hours before reaching their guilty verdicts. Loya-Ramirez is the last defendant of multiple defendants charged under the case name Operation Black Rhino. All other defendants had previously pled guilty and have or await sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Loya-Ramirez and 27 others were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2015. Of the 27 other defendants, most have pled guilty, some have been sentenced, and others had their cases dismissed. The nine counts of conviction include: one count of Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine; five counts of Possession and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of Possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and three counts of Use of a telephone during the commission of a drug offense.
According to the facts presented at trial, the defendant claimed to be a man who sold tacos from a food truck. However, the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Loya-Ramirez was the “El Jefe” or “The Boss” of a large-scale drug trafficking organization. He was responsible for importing nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine, which was then distributed in the Denver metro area, Ft. Morgan, Greeley and southwest Kansas. Additionally, the defendant dealt with kilogram quantities of cocaine.
Further, the prosecution established that the defendant used violence and intimidation in order to make his drug organization function. His tactics included acts of violence and assaults on workers in Colorado as well as threat against family members of his associates here and in Mexico. While claiming to be a taco salesman, he built two high priced homes in Mexico during the course of the conspiracy.
At sentencing, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for his crimes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer praised the trial team, Assistant United States Attorneys Tim Edmonds and Zachary Phillips for their hard work. He also recognized the FBI and the Metro Gang Task Force for their outstanding work investigating this complex drug trafficking organization.
Council Bluffs Woman Pleads Guilty to Identification FraudRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On August 23, 2017, Gina K. Malloy, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of an identification document, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Malloy will be sentenced by Senior United States District Court Judge James E. Gritzner on January 24, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Council Bluffs Federal Courthouse.
According to the plea agreement, in 2014, Malloy applied for a $30,000 loan from Windset Capital Corporation. The loan application was made in the name of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs, where Malloy was the Executive Director. The promissory note required a second signature from a Habitat for Humanity member. Malloy signed the name of an unknowing victim, used the victim’s name, social security number, and attached the victim’s driver’s license’s copy to the promissory note. The application was then sent to Windset Capital Corporation via an electronic transfer service.
Malloy also admitted she applied for a U.S. Bank business Visa credit card for Habitat for Humanity on or about January 13, 2015. The application was sent to the U.S. Bank by Malloy, and contained the same victim’s personal data. Malloy has agreed to pay at least $13,490 to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and $12,100 to U.S. Bank in restitution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at [email protected].
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On August 23, 2017, Ivan Wade Diaz-Rodrigues, 26, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by Senior United States District Court Judge James E. Gritzner to 70 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Diaz-Rodrigues will serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Diaz-Rodrigues pleaded guilty to these charges on April 3, 2017, and admitted he offered to sell methamphetamine to a confidential source in Council Bluffs in February of 2017. Diaz-Rodrigues was apprehended by authorities after arranging the methamphetamine sale, and was found in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded .40 caliber handgun.
The case resulted from an investigation by Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, which consists of the Council Bluffs Police Department, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the firearm investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at [email protected].
Corpus Christi Man Heads to Prison for Online Solicitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 35-year-old resident of Corpus Christi has admitted he attempted to meet an underage girl for the purpose of sex, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. David Lee Vann pleaded guilty April 27, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Hilda G. Tagle handed Vann a term of 120 months in federal prison. Vann was further ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In June 2016, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Corpus Christi Police Department - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (CCPD-ICAC) conducted a joint investigation targeting individuals involved in online solicitation of minors. Vann was communicating with a person he believed was the mother of a 14-year-old female. In reality, he was talking to an undercover agent. Vann made arrangements to meet and engage in sexual activity with the mother’s minor female child.
Vann was apprehended as he arrived at the designated meeting place, at which time he was in possession of a box of condoms and lubricant. He also admitted to authorities that he had sent messages indicating his intention to engage in sexual acts with the child. Vann was also in possession of a cellular telephone. A forensic examination of the phone resulted in the discovery of 35 images and 20 videos of child pornography.
Vann was arrested on the federal charges in November 2016. He has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing hearing.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez and Elsa Salinas, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Columbia Man Sentenced on Firearm and Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Michael D. Quattlebaum, age 45, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Quattlebaum to 68 months imprisonment with 3 years of federal supervised release to follow.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on April 17, 2016, Quattlebaum attempted to allude officers of the Columbia Police Department during a routine traffic stop. Evidence showed that Quattlebaum left his vehicle and led officers on a foot chase. During the foot chase, officers observed Quattlebaum opening large packages of cocaine and attempting to get rid of the controlled substance. Officers eventually apprehended Quattlebaum and discovered a quantity of cocaine on his person. From the vehicle, officers also recovered a firearm, a Walther PPX, 9mm pistol, ammunition, and various drug paraphernalia, which all belonged to Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior state convictions and adjudications for pointing and presenting a firearm and assault and battery.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbia Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa L. Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man who was involved in a shooting at a local gas station was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Turbo Lindsey Midgyett, 31, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to five years in federal prison without parole.
Midgyett pleaded guilty on April 3, 2017, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Columbia police officers responded to a gas station in the 1400 block of Rangeline in the early morning hours of March 6, 2016, where shots had reportedly been fired. Officers responded to a chaotic scene, with a large crowd (approximately 100 people) of uncooperative witnesses, and reviewed surveillance video to determine what had happened. Officers located two cars with damage from gunfire and found three 9mm casings. Video from the gas station showed a man pulling out a firearm, which appeared to misfire. The video showed Midgyett, the second shooter, racking a handgun and firing several times in the direction of the first shooter.
Officers went to Midgyett’s residence and spoke with his girlfriend, who told officers that Midgyett is allowed to use her gun and vehicle, and that the gun was usually in the glove box. Officers looked in the glove box and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, which had three rounds missing. The brand of ammunition in the firearm was the same as the three rounds found at the shooting scene. Midgyett was arrested.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Midgyett has three prior felony convictions for robbery.
According to court documents, Midgyett and an accomplice robbed a Casey’s convenience store in Columbia on July 25, 2003, holding a store employee in a vehicle while another employee was taken inside to access money from the store safe. A few days later, Midgyett robbed a different Casey’s, ordering employees back into the store so that he could steal money. The night after that, Midgyett robbed yet another convenience store in Columbia.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.
Career Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Distributing Heroin and CocaineRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Henrico man who distributed a combined total of more than 20 kilograms heroin and cocaine into the Richmond area in 2016 was sentenced today to 262 months in prison.
Alphonso Jones, 43, pleaded guilty on May 23. According to court documents, Jones, who has multiple previous drug related convictions, admitted that he been involved in the distribution of more than seven kilograms of heroin and 15 kilograms of cocaine. These quantities convert to over 220,000 individual doses. Jones also admitted to possessing a .38 caliber handgun and ammunition as a convicted felon. In addition to his prison sentence, Jones was ordered to forfeit the firearm, and a monetary judgment was entered in the amount of $1.05 million, which represented the proceeds of Jones’ drug trafficking activities.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, Alfred Durham, Chief of Richmond Police, and Colonel Thierry Dupuis, Chief of Chesterfield County Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-34.
Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jean Luc Gaudreau, 39, of Ottawa, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to importing more than 100 kilograms of marijuana into the United States.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Bonanno and Patricia Astorga, who are handling the case, stated that on February 1, 2006, the defendant imported approximately 498 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Canada at the Lewiston Bridge Port-of-Entry. During primary inspection, Gaudreau, a Canadian citizen and truck driver for a Canadian freight company, gave a Customs and Border Protection officer a manifest listing four shipments. During a secondary inspection, CBP officers performed a gamma ray scan of the defendant’s truck, which revealed a fifth shipment in the truck that was not listed on the manifest. The fifth shipment comprised 14 cardboard boxes filled with vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2018, before Judge Arcara.
California Man Sentenced for $460,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a California man was sentenced in federal court today for a nearly $460,000 bank fraud scheme that involved stolen checks and false identities, with much of the illegal proceeds used to purchase gold coins that remain hidden.
Michael Keefe White, 61, of Winnetka, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to nine years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered White to pay $288,769 in restitution.
On Feb. 9, 2017, White pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. White admitted that he obtained checks stolen from the mail, then used counterfeit identification (such as driver’s licenses with his photo and the name of a victim) to open bank accounts in Missouri and other states in which to deposit the stolen checks as well as counterfeit checks modeled from the stolen checks. White then withdrew or wire transferred the money out of the account.
According to court documents, White laundered his bank fraud proceeds through gold coin companies in California; he wired the proceeds of his fraud to purchase at least $227,628 in gold coins in May and June 2016. The court earlier found White breached his plea agreement when he did not truthfully account for the gold coins he bought with proceeds of the bank frauds.
White used numerous counterfeit driver’s licenses to open bank accounts in both Kansas City and Portland, Ore., in a total attempted fraud amount of at least $977,441.
The specific bank fraud to which White pleaded guilty involved an account at a Parkville, Mo., bank in which White deposited a $48,700 counterfeit check. White was arrested at Bank Liberty while trying to redeem a $167,728 check payable to another victim whose identity White had also stolen.
In addition to this case, according to court documents, White committed similar bank frauds in Portland from 2014 to 2016, in which he opened accounts in the names of other men, deposited fraudulent checks, and withdrew $40,614 before the checks were discovered to be counterfeit. White intended to defraud the Portland banks of $517,545. Including his criminal activity in both Kansas City and Portland, the total actual loss from White’s bank frauds is $288,769 and the total intended loss is $977,441.
Court documents note that White, who has never held legitimate employment, has an extensive and uninterrupted criminal history.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Treasury – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspector Service.
Burlington Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – An individual who pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography was sentenced today, announced Sandra J. Hairston, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
HAROLD WAYNE LAIL, 75, of Burlington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on June 5, 2017, to one count of receipt of child pornography. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs to 60 months imprisonment followed by 10 years supervised release. LAIL was also ordered to pay $30,500 in restitution and forfeit an Apple iMac and several storage devices containing child pornography.
Investigators searched LAIL’s home on June 30, 2016, after discovering that someone tried to access child pornography using LAIL’s IP address. They found thousands of images and videos of child pornography on a computer and storage devices in LAIL’s home.
This case was investigated by members of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Burlington Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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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Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to StructuringRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jessica Lopez, 28, of Buffalo,, NY, pleaded guilty to structuring before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years prison.Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2012, and January 18, 2013, the defendant, who was working as a teller at Bank of America, knowingly structured bank deposits for co-defendant Steven Bennett in an attempt to avoid the bank’s transaction reporting requirements for cash deposits exceeding $10,000. Specifically, Bennett, or his associates, would provide the proceeds from their unlawful sales of controlled substance to the defendant who, in turn, would make cash deposits into bank accounts related to Bennett. The total amount of cash deposits structured by the defendant amounted to approximately $85,300.
Steven Bennett has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.
Buffalo Men Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Bank FraudRead 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 Michael Rosier, 23, and Cody Kross-Rosier, 23, both of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryEllen Kresse, who is handling the case, between January and March 2014, Rosier and Kross-Rosier conspired with others to defraud and fraudulently obtain money and funds from federally insured financial institutions. As part of the scheme, the defendants used existing bank accounts and opened new accounts at six financial institutions in order to obtain and attempt to obtain money, services and merchandise totaling over $120,000. Rosier and Kross-Rosier floated checks between the accounts in an effort to prevent the financial institutions from discovering that there were insufficient funds to cover checks deposited into and written on the accounts.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Lewis Robinson.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2017, before Judge Arcara.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Cocaine ChargeRead 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 Michael Early, 32, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to 72 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on September 27, 2013, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Buffalo Police Department executed search warrant at 66 Connelly Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, officers found crack cocaine and $6,495 in cash.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Bettendorf Doctor Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On August 22, 2017, Dr. Paul Matthew Bolger, 45, of Bettendorf, Iowa, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of false statements relating to health care matters and five counts of introduction of misbranded drugs. He also pleaded guilty to one count of false statements relating to health care matters for conduct occurring in California and transferred from the Central District of California to the Southern District of Iowa, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Bolger will be sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey on January 9, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. at the Davenport Federal Courthouse.
Bolger knowingly and willfully made false statements by signing multiple prescription forms authorizing prescription drugs and indicating prescriptions were medically necessary. Bolger signed and attested to the validity of each prescription based only on an intake form recorded by non-medical staff (generated by call centers outside of the United States), and an accompanying prescription form. Bolger signed each of the prescription forms without talking to the patient, conducting a physical examination, or reviewing medical records. These signed prescription forms were then faxed to DCRX, a Florida pharmacy; or Haoeyou, a California pharmacy; the pharmacies filled the prescriptions, mailed them to the patients, and billed Tricare. Tricare is a federal health care benefit program providing medical care for U.S. military members and their dependents. Tricare reimbursed the pharmacies for the fraudulent compounded medication prescriptions.
Bolger authorized a total of 1,375 prescriptions for compounded medications from March through April of 2015. Based on 284 patients and 763 prescriptions Bolger authorized and filled by DCRX, Tricare paid approximately $2,920,354. Based on 32 patients and 112 similar prescriptions filled by Haoeyou (or its designee), Tricare paid approximately $566,836.
Bolger additionally wrote prescriptions for patients in 16 states where he was not licensed and misbranded those prescriptions. Bolger issued misbranded prescriptions for 11 Alabama patients, costing Tricare $268,000. Approximately 105 patients, located in states where he was licensed, received prescriptions authorized by Bolger, costing Tricare approximately $681,000.
The maximum penalty for counts related to false statements is five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 per count. The maximum penalty for misbranding charges is one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a special assessment of $25 per count. Bolger agreed to pay at least $10,000 in restitution to Tricare.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Defense conducted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa and the Central District of California.
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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at [email protected].
Bank Fraud Ring that Stole Wallets and more than $700,000 in Ten States Indicted in SeattleRead the Press Release
Eight people tied to a ten-state theft and bank fraud scheme were indicted today by a grand jury in Seattle on 18 federal crimes including bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. Five of the eight defendants have been arrested, and another is already serving a prison sentence in Nevada and will be arraigned on the indictment on August 31, 2017, and September 7, 2017.
According to the indictment and other records filed in the case, the theft ring was led by ALEXANDRA SHELBURNE, 24, and DARRYL KILGORE, 55, who used the proceeds of their scheme to buy and flip homes in the greater Los Angeles area, further laundering their stolen money. Between July 2014, and July 2017, the couple would prowl the aisles of grocery stores throughout the country, including the greater Seattle area. After creating a distraction, they would steal the victim’s wallet and immediately use the credit and debit cards, the identification documents, and blank checks for fraud. The couple, who were arrested at their home in Las Vegas, Nevada, recruited other co-conspirators to pose as the victims at area banks to make large cash withdrawals or obtain cash advances. In western Washington alone the fraud totaled more than $230,000. In the states of Minnesota, Oregon, California, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio, and Utah the fraud totaled more than $500,000.
Other defendants indicted in the case are ROBIN PERRY, 54 of Las Vegas, Nevada, AMBER OKHOMINA, 35 of Ontario, Canada, FREDERICK JACKSON, 62 of Los Angeles, California, SUSAN KOLLER 49, of Toronto, Canada, STACIA QUARTO, 63 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ELIZABETH EVANS, 43, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
All of the defendants are charged with Conspiracy to commit bank fraud which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. KILGORE and SHELBURNE are charged with eight counts of bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and five counts of money laundering. KILGORE and SHELBURNE are both charged with three counts of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year sentence per count on top of any sentence imposed on the other charges. ROBIN PERRY, AMBER OKHOMINA, STACIA QUARTO and SUSAN KOLLER are each charged in one count of aggravated identity theft.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Kirkland Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie Dalton.
shelfurne_et_al_indictment_0.pdfAtoka Couple Sentenced to 3 Months, $67,000 Restitution for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS, age 58, of Atoka, Oklahoma, and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS, age 59, of Atoka, Oklahoma were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release respectively, for THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 641 and 2; CONCEALMENT OF A MATERIAL FACT, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(4) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, and FALSE STATEMENT, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(2) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. They were also ordered to pay $67,633.00 to the Social Security Administration.
Evidence at trial proved that from in or about September 2010, and continuing through March 10, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants, MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS, did knowingly and willfully embezzle, steal, and convert to their own use, money and things of value from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), a department or agency of the United States, which money had been paid to the defendants as Social Security disability payments for the benefit of MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS to which the defendants knew MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS was not entitled, and having a value in excess of $1,000.00.
Evidence at trial further proved that from on or about September 2010, and continuing through March 10, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS, in a matter within the jurisdiction of Social Security Administration, having knowledge of the occurrence of an event affecting the right to receive or continue to receive Social Security Disability Income payments, concealed and failed to disclose such event with the intent to fraudulently secure payment when no payment was authorized. Specifically, defendants MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS intentionally concealed that MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS secured gainful employment in order to receive and continue to receive Disability Income payments made by the Social Security Administration to them. By such action, defendants MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS took approximately $67,633.00 in Social Security Disability Income payments to which they were not entitled.
Evidence at trial further proved that on or about November 30, 2015, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendants MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS, did knowingly make or cause to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact to the Social Security Administration in any application for any payment or for a disability determination. Specifically, MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS jointly completed a Continuing Disability Review Report wherein MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS and HYDIE ROYLENE EUBANKS stated that MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS had not worked since the date of MICHAEL FERRARIE EUBANKS last medical disability determination.
The verdict obtained was the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendants will report to a federal facility at which the nonparoleable sentences will be served.
Assistant United States Attorney Melody Nelson and Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.
Arizona Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Federal Drug Trafficking Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Eugene Daniel Gonzalez, 38, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Gonzalez was arrested on Dec. 2, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with committing a methamphetamine trafficking offense in March 2016, in Hidalgo County, N.M. According to the complaint, law enforcement officers found two bags containing an aggregate of 938.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a vehicle in which Gonzalez was a passenger.
On April 11, 2017, Gonzalez pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Gonzalez admitted that on March 25, 2016, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for speeding in Hidalgo County. Gonzalez further admitted that officers who searched the vehicle found approximately 938 grams of methamphetamine in a suitcase in the vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA, the HIDTA Regional Interagency Drug Task Force/Metro Narcotics Task Force and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office prosecuted the case.
The HIDTA Regional Interagency Drug Task Force/Metro Narcotics Task Force is comprised of officers from the Las Cruces Police Department, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, HSI and the New Mexico State Police. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.
Allegations Against Philadelphia Retail Food Store of Selling Improperly Labeled Chicken Held Under Insanitary ConditionsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Since the United States of America’s filing of a civil complaint in federal district court on February 15, 2017 against Philadelphia retail store J & B Poultry Market, Inc., and its president Johnny Wong, the parties have entered into a Consent Decree to resolve allegations that the defendants sold improperly labeled chickens stored under insanitary conditions, in violation of the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen today announced the resolution.
The Poultry Products Inspection Act prohibits companies and individuals from selling “misbranded” or “adulterated” poultry. The Complaint alleges that United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) inspections of the retail store established that chickens stored by the defendants were misbranded because they lacked safe handling instructions and other information required by law, and were adulterated because they were held under unacceptable conditions, including in the back of a pick-up truck outside, and at ambient temperatures in the store as high as 80 degrees.
The Consent Decree, which is not final until accepted by the United States District Court, resolves the allegations in the Complaint, prohibits defendants from committing future violations of the Act, and calls for monetary penalties, and other appropriate relief, in the event of future violations.
“This resolution furthers the Department of Justice’s and the USDA’s goal of educating individuals and companies on safe food handling practices, and ensuring compliance with those practices,” said Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey L. B. Smith. The matter was investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, with legal assistance provided by Lauren Axley, USDA Attorney Advisor.
27 Southwestern Pennsylvania Residents Indicted for Trafficking Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Twenty-seven southwestern Pennsylvania residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking and other controlled substances offenses, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today. The indictments were returned on Tuesday, August 22, and unsealed today.
These 27 defendants are charged in two separate, but related, indictments, one of which (“the Skyler Carter Indictment”) contains four counts and names:
- Skyler Carter, 36, of Clairton, PA;
- Dawndre Bivins, 30, of North Versailles, PA;
- Jojuan Bray, 21, of Clairton, PA;
- Courtney Carter, 39, of Clairton, PA;
- Jalea Carter, 25, of Clairton, PA;
- Bernard Dawkins, 60, of Clairton, PA;
- Jammie Fridley, 48, of West Mifflin, PA;
- Malcolm Howard, 25, of Clairton, PA;
- Jean Hull, 52, of Clairton, PA;
- Kevin Jackson, 34, of Clairton, PA;
- Samuel Lopresti, 55, of Clairton, PA;
- Cameron Ranson, 42, of Clairton, PA;
- Eugene Reddick, 35, of Dunlevy, PA;
- Paul Sedor, 36, of Elizabeth, PA;
- Katie Spratt, 31, of Pittsburgh, PA;
- Erika Turner, 30, of Clairton, PA;
- Terrence Wade, 47, of Clairton, PA.
The second indictment (“the Corey Jackson Indictment”) contains three counts and names:- Corey Jackson, 31, of Clairton, PA;
- Alex Brown, 39, of Clairton, PA;
- John H. Jenkins, Jr., 48, of Finleyville, PA;
- Quintin Napper, 30, of Clairton, PA;
- Tywan Napper, 33, of Clairton, PA;
- Colleen Paff, 47, of Finleyville, PA;
- William Paff, 52, of Finleyville, PA;
- Herbert Ranson, 30, of Clairton, PA;
- David Stevenson, Jr., 32, of Clairton, PA;
- Samuel Terrant, 49, of Finleyville, PA.
According to the indictments presented to the court, the above-named defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin and various other controlled substances. The Skyler Carter Indictment alleges that he and the other defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine between March and August of 2017. The Corey Jackson Indictment alleges that he and the other defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine between January and August of 2017. The quantity of crack cocaine attributed to Skyler Carter, Corey Jackson, and David Stevenson, Jr. is 28 grams or more. In addition, in the Skyler Carter Indictment, Courtney and Jalea Carter are each charged with using or maintaining a drug involved premises between March and June 2017. In the Corey Jackson Indictment, Alex Brown, Jr. is charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of butyryl fentanyl (a fentanyl analog that is temporarily controlled under Schedule I) and fentanyl (a Schedule II controlled substance) on February 23, 2017. Tywan Napper is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin on February 28, 2017.For Skyler Carter, Corey Jackson, and David Stevenson, Jr., the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both. For the remaining defendants in both indictments, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises. Assistant United States Attorney Conor Lamb is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
15 Individuals Charged with Trafficking Heroin, Crack Cocaine, and Fentanyl for Two YearsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment charging 15 individuals from Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut with various narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses. All 15 defendants are alleged to have conspired to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and fentanyl from on or about March 2015 through March 2017. The indictment was returned on June 20, 2017, but remained under seal until all 15 defendants were apprehended.
The individuals charged in the indictment are:
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Charles Gibson, Jr. of the Bronx, NY, age 38;
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Victoria Kraynak of Plymouth, PA, age 26;
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Amanda Romano of Wilkes-Barre, PA, age 43;
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John Maybank of the Bronx, NY, age 24;
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Luis Nevarez of the Bronx, NY, age 19;
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Adam Gottstein of Kingston, PA, age 30;
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Cara Dubaskas of Kingston, PA, age 25;
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Kassandra Martin of Wilkes-Barre, PA, age 36;
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Tanay Jones of the Bronx, NY, age 25;
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William Waring of the Bronx, NY, age 26;
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Siobhan Daniels of Wilkes-Barre, PA, age 30;
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Josh Lenchick of Luzerne, PA, age 28;
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Chad Eckrote of Plymouth, PA, age 24;
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Adonis Smith of New London, CT, age 37;
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Kristyna Shotwell of Plymouth, PA, age 29.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, in addition to the conspiracy charge against all defendants, the indictment charges Gibson, Kraynak, Romano, Maybank, Nevarez, Dubaskas, Gottstein, Daniels, Waring, Jones, Martin, and Smith with a combined 18 counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. Defendants Cara Dubaskas, Adam Gottstein, and Kristyna Shotwell also are charged with maintaining drug premises. Amanda Romano is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of her trafficking activities.
Several of the defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute drug weights that trigger mandatory minimum sentences:
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Defendants Gibson and Kraynak are charged with conspiring to distribute in excess of one kilogram of heroin, which is the equivalent of at least 40,000 individual doses of heroin, and carries a 10-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
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Defendants Maybank, Nevarez, Gottstein, Dubaskas, Martin, Jones, Waring, Daniels, and Lenchick are charged with conspiring to distribute in excess of 100 grams of heroin, which is the equivalent of at least 4,000 individual doses of heroin, and carries a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
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Defendants Gibson, Kraynak, Romano, Maybank, Gottstein, and Dubaskas are charged with conspiring to distribute in excess of 280 grams of crack cocaine, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
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Defendants Nevarez, Martin, Jones, Waring, Daniels, and Lenchick are charged with conspiring to distribute in excess of 28 grams of crack cocaine, which carries a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kingston Police Department, and by the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
The 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.
The case also was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses is up to life in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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23 August 2017
Wheeling man admits to cocaine distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man pled guilty today to cocaine distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Sylvester “Sly” Walker, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He admitted to distributing cocaine near Luau Manor in Ohio County on January 25, 2017.
Walker faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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 Randolph J. Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Wagoner Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that AARON EMIL WEEDEN, age 37, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, and 3 years supervised release for FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
The Indictment alleged that on or about November 13, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Wagoner Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, 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 Kristin Harrington represented the United States.
Two Carbon County Men Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jared Andrew Novy, age 37, of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and Keith Keiser, age 26, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, were indicted separately on August 22, 2017, by a federal grand jury with multiple child exploitation crimes.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, both indictments allege that Novy and Keiser produced multiple videos and images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictments further allege that Novy and Keiser received, distributed and possessed material in the form of visual depictions involving the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations – Philadelphia Division. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the cases.
Both cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for Novy is 150 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for Keiser is 120 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Alleged Heroin and Fentanyl Dealers IndictedRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Two former residents of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The two-count indictment, returned on August 22, named David Anthony Somerville, aka Charles Payne, aka Midnite, age 29, of Pittsburgh, PA, and Natel Deque Walker, aka Natel Harper, aka Davone Scott, age 30, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the defendants.
According to the indictment, from September 11, 2015 to January 9, 2016, Somerville and Walker conspired with each other and others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. The indictment further alleges that on January 9, 2016, Somerville and Walker possessed with intent to distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The law provides for a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Twenty people from Youngstown indicted laundering $16 million obtained through computer hacking and other fraudRead the Press Release
Twenty people from the Youngstown area were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to launder $16 million obtained through computer hacking and other fraud, law enforcement officials said.
Indicted are: Julius Smith Williams, 46; Jamal Perry, 37; Joseph Joe III, 40; William Howell, 47; Terry Marlowe, 53; Emmett Conner, 44; Sterling Green, 47; Keisha Johnson, 32; Kayla Neeley, 29; Isiah Patterson, 29; Donald Washington, Jr., 43; Terrance Phillips, 41; Steve Croom, Jr., 40; Crystal Jefferson, 39; Dulcinea Purdue, 32; Terrance Howard, 43; Cobie Phillips, Jr., 41; Ray Wynn, 43; Jermaine Donlow, 45, and Semira Stone, 29.
They are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The defendants are accused of working as conspirators in an international fraud organization with conspirators operating from Canada, Africa and other parts of the United States.
These 20 defendants were recruited and managed by a mid-level operator identified in court documents as Z.H. He operated in and around Youngstown, Columbus and Atlanta. Working at Z.H.’s direction, the defendants established shell companies and business bank accounts used to receive and launder at least $16 million obtained through various fraud schemes, according to the indictment.
The larger conspiracy involved several different fraud schemes designed to dupe unsuspecting law firms, businesses and people to think they were engaging in legitimate business or financial transactions when, in fact, they were not. These schemes often involved computer hacking, spoofed emails and computer takeovers, according to the indictment.
Z.H. provided the conspirators in Canada and elsewhere with the numbers and other information about the accounts opened by the defendants. The victim funds were transferred into the bank accounts. Then the defendants, working at Z.H.’s direction, transferred the fraudulently obtained money out of the accounts, typically in multiple smaller transactions designed to conceal the source of the proceeds and hinder efforts to recover the money, according to the indictment.
The defendants shared in the proceeds of the fraud schemes, typically commensurate with their respective roles, according to the indictment.
Ten other people have already pleaded guilty to criminal informations for their roles in the conspiracy.
“These defendants were a vital cog in an international theft ring,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “They laundered millions of dollars of stolen money and now have to answer for their actions.”
“These individuals took great efforts devising various fraudulent schemes in an effort to conceal the illegal source of their money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners through long term investigations, such as this one, to ensure fraudsters are brought to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s offices in Youngstown, Buffalo and Tampa, as well as by the Toronto Police Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ranya Elzein and Paul Flannery.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.