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8 May 2017
Waynesboro Man Sentenced for Having a Stolen Gun on Blue Ridge ParkwayRead the Press Release
Lynchburg, VIRGINIA – A Waynesboro man was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg to a federal gun charge, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.
Miguel Angel Fernandez, 19, of Waynesboro, Va., previously pled guilty to one count of knowingly possessing a stolen firearm. Today in District Court, Fernandez was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison and 2 years of supervised release thereafter.
During a previous hearing, the United States stated that its evidence included the following: on Sunday, September 11, 2016, a United States Park Ranger approached Fernandez and several others near a vehicle that was parked along the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 41 in Rockbridge County to inquire about litter outside of the vehicle. As the Ranger approached the vehicle to see if the occupants needed assistance, he told the occupants he needed to speak to them about the trash on the ground. It was at this point the Ranger smelled the odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.
While talking to passenger Fernandez, who appeared to be intoxicated, the Ranger noticed a bulge in Fernandez’s waistband and recovered a Springfield Armory XD .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. The gun had been reported stolen within the prior two days from the glovebox of a car. In a post-Miranda statement, Fernandez admitted that he knew the gun was stolen but he did not know who stole it and was just holding the gun for a friend.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorney Nancy S. Healey prosecuted the case for the United States.
Waterford Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD BRUNO, 47, of Waterford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to one count of production of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 5, 2016, the Connecticut State Police executed search warrants at BRUNO’s residence in Waterford and at his company’s warehouse located at 19 Mountain Avenue in New London. At BRUNO’s residence, investigators seized a hard drive that was connected to a computer. Analysis of the hard drive revealed 46 homemade videos depicting nine different females engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Most of the videos depicted BRUNO engaging in sex acts with the females. One of the females was 17 years old at the time.
The investigation revealed that BRUNO was the minor victim’s landlord. BRUNO met the minor victim in approximately November 2015 and she told him she was 17. On four occasions, BRUNO videotaped the minor victim engaged in sexual acts with him at his company’s warehouse. For each of these sessions, BRUNO paid the minor victim in either marijuana or cash.
The investigation further revealed that BRUNO communicated with the victim using the Kik instant messaging application. Analysis of BRUNO’s cellphone revealed messages from BRUNO to the victim, including “If you wanted to play around I get you some mon[ey].” “Or if you let me film you for a little whi[le].”
“This defendant plied a vulnerable girl who lived in his building with marijuana and cash in exchange for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “He also filmed this reprehensible conduct, and will now be sentenced to a significant prison term. I thank the FBI, Connecticut State Police and New London Police Department for investigating this matter and protecting other girls from this predator.”
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2017, at which time BRUNO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
BRUNO also has agreed not to object to the forfeiture of his company’s New London warehouse, a multi-family residence he owns at 27 West Coit Street in New London, and a van owned by his company.
Also, in a separate federal civil case (Doe v. Bruno 3:17cv217), on April, 20, 2017, the court issued a prejudgment remedy in the amount of $250,000 in the victim’s favor.
BRUNO has been in custody since May 19, 2016, when he was arrested on related state charges.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and New London Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Washington Resident Convicted of High-Speed Flight from an Immigration Checkpoint in ArizonaRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, LuCinda Marie Burlison, 42, of Lynnwood, Wash., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow. Burlison had previously pleaded guilty to high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint.
On Jan. 27, 2017, Burlison was selected for further inspection at the Border Patrol checkpoint on State Route 85 near Gila Bend, Ariz. When agents told Burlison they were going to have a narcotic detection dog sniff the air around her vehicle, Burlison “peeled out” and fled the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. Burlison drove at speeds over 80 miles per hour and evaded federal agents for approximately 20 miles.
ADVISORY - Fleeing from an immigration checkpoint in excess of the speed limit is a felony offense that carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. When an individual flees a checkpoint, the public and law enforcement agents are placed at a substantial risk of being struck by the fleeing vehicle. In the past year, at least seven individuals have been prosecuted and convicted for felonies in the District of Arizona after fleeing immigration checkpoints.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Border Patrol. The prosecution was handled by Matthew Binford, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-173-73-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-040_ Burlison
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Sex Trafficking A Sixteen Year Old GirlRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Heather Wagoner, age 31, of Buchanan, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to a sex trafficking conspiracy involving a sixteen year old girl.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick City Police Department.
According to her plea agreement, Wagoner and a co-conspirator conspired to engage in sex trafficking of a minor who was 16 years old at the time. From October 15, 2014 through December 19, 2014, Wagoner and her co-conspirator used the internet to solicit individuals for prostitution in Maryland. Wagoner instructed the victim to engage in sexual acts and provided condoms.
For two weeks in December 2014, the victim resided with Wagoner at various hotels in West Virginia and Maryland. Wagoner received calls from customers inquiring about the victim, and then relayed the information to her co-conspirator who facilitated the victim’s “date” with the customers. Wagoner and the victim would split the proceeds from the dates, and Wagoner would use some of her proceeds to pay her co-conspirator for driving the victim.
On December 19, 2014, detectives, acting in an undercover capacity, contacted the phone number provided on the website for the victim and spoke with Wagoner. The detectives arranged a meeting at a hotel in Frederick, Maryland, where investigators subsequently identified the victim as a minor and arrested the co-conspirator.
On the same day, investigator’s obtained a search warrant for the co-conspirator’s phone, which indicated numerous communications between the co-conspirator and Wagoner regarding sex trafficking of the victim. After police seized the co-conspirator’s phone, Wagoner continued to text the co-conspirator regarding the conspiracy to sex traffic the victim. Investigators arrested Wagoner on July 1, 2016.
Wagoner and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Wagoner will be sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for July 20, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "resources" tab on the left of the page.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and Frederick City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, who is prosecuting the case.
Valiant Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that AARON PAUL VICTORY, age 38, of Valiant, Oklahoma, pled guilty to FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000.00 fine or both; and to POSSESSION OF STOLEN FIREARM, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000.00 fine or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 28, 2016, within 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 Indictment further alleged that on or about December 28, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a stolen firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce either before or after being stolen, with the defendant knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm was stolen.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Choctaw County Sherriff’s Office, the Pushmataha County Sherriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and Lamar University Join Forces to Address RecidivismRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – Acting United States Attorney Brit Featherston announced today that as part of a federal reentry initiative, the United States Attorney’s Office is working with Lamar University in Beaumont in a new and innovative program designed to reduce recidivism by improving employment outcomes for ex-offenders in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with Lamar University’s Criminal Justice program, launched Project GROW in February. Project GROW, an acronym for "Getting Reentrants On a Working Path,” brings third- and fourth-year criminal justice and social work students into the federal prison and halfway house to work with inmates. Led by Criminal Justice Instructor Karen Roebuck, a former U.S. Probation supervisor, Lamar University professors help students use evidence-based practices to provide counseling and job readiness training for successful reentry.
In the program, as part of their coursework, students work with assigned ex-offenders to develop assessment skills to address ex-offender risks and needs. The goal is to understand what each individual needs to successfully navigate reentry. Depending on the ex-offender’s risks and needs, students create individualized case plans to address all determined barriers. The course also develops offender accountability, self-awareness, and relationship skills for family reunification.
Because lawful employment is so important to successful reentry, the students network to provide ex-offenders with interview clothing, assist the development of resumes, and conduct mock job interviews. The students also assist in job searching and even address transportation barriers by providing donated bicycles. As a direct result of these efforts, in a relatively short time, the program significantly reduced the unemployment rate at the halfway house.
“Too many former prisoners re-offend, and we will hold them accountable if they do, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many resources are available to help them succeed after prison, and pairing ex-offenders with those resources makes a difference,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “Keeping the community safe is our first priority, and addressing recidivism and helping ex-offenders re-enter that community is a part of our mission to prevent crime. This program is a good example of the community bringing resources forward to help us in that part of our mission.”
In coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and community service providers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office supports reentry initiatives as a means of reducing recidivism and keeping communities safe. Last year, the Eastern District received targeted funding from the Department of Justice to host a reentry summit and hire a specialist to promote reentry and other crime-prevention efforts. That reentry specialist, Dayana Borges, was instrumental in the development and execution of Project GROW, which is ongoing. The U.S Attorney’s Office is also working with a community-based reentry coalition to host an “employee awareness” luncheon later this spring. That luncheon will bring together prospective employers to share information about the practical benefits of hiring ex-offenders. The event will feature success stories from a panel of employers and the ex-offenders they have hired.
Two men plead guilty to federal heroin conspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men who participated in a heroin conspiracy in the Huntington area between 2014 and 2016 pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Mark Steven Bush, Jr., 29, of Detroit, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Tiquan R. Lang, 22, of Port St. Joe, Florida, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Between November 2014 and June 8, 2016, Bush conspired with others who either sold heroin for him, rented or purchased cars in their names for him, stored heroin and guns for him, and transferred the proceeds of drug trafficking for him. During the conspiracy, those selling heroin for Bush would receive heroin on consignment or “front.” Bush would later receive proceeds from the sales. Bush enlisted the aid of others who permitted Bush to title cars in their names in exchange for payments of heroin. These individuals also provided transportation for Bush and for those selling heroin on Bush’s behalf. Bush utilized another individual to make trips to Detroit to deliver money and transport heroin and oxymorphone pills back to Huntington. Bush also stored and distributed heroin at various residences in the Huntington area. In a law enforcement search of 729 Oxford Drive in Huntington on May 23, 2016, approximately 85 grams of heroin and four firearms were seized, all of which Bush admitted he possessed.
Lang admitted he participated in the conspiracy in early 2015. During this period, Lang permitted multiple individuals, including Bush, to stay in and distribute heroin from his apartment located at 1922 7th Avenue in Huntington. On multiple occasions, Lang received and distributed heroin when directed. On February 4, 2015, agents with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Lang’s apartment. During the search, agents seized two firearms, and Lang admitted his participation in the conspiracy to law enforcement.
Bush faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison. Lang faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2017.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecutions. The plea hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Two Detained in Meth Trafficking InvestigationsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Two men have been ordered detained in federal custody in on-going investigations into the trafficking of methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney; and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
Jon Cascella, 48, of Warwick, was ordered detained on Friday following an in initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging him with multiple counts of trafficking methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Cascella was arrested by members of an ATF task force on May 4, 2017, moments after he allegedly took possession of a firearm and cash during an exchange with an undercover law enforcement officer for 7.4 grams of methamphetamine.
It is alleged in court documents that on five occasions between March 29 and May 4, 2017, Cascella sold between 1.5 grams and 7.7 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover Warwick police officer for between $100 and $750. It is alleged that beginning shortly after the first transaction, Cascella repeatedly expressed an interest in purchasing a firearm for protection. The undercover Warwick officer agreed to assist Cascella obtain a firearm. On May 4, Cascella met with a second undercover officer who allegedly exchanged a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and $600 in cash for 7.4 grams of methamphetamine. Cascella was arrested moments after he allegedly took possession of the firearm. He later told investigators that he needed the firearm because methamphetamine had previously been stolen from his residence.
A court authorized search of Cascella’s residence on May 4 resulted in the seizure of approximately 9.6 grams of methamphetamine.
During the investigation into Cascella’s alleged methamphetamine trafficking activities, law enforcement developed information that Christopher Bergeron, 45, of Pawtucket, who was previously convicted in federal court of trafficking methamphetamine, was again allegedly involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine. On May 4, Bergeron’s vehicle was surrounded by Warwick police in the parking lot of a restaurant in Warwick. It is alleged that approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle. Pawtucket police executed a court authorized search of Bergeron’s residence and seized 121 grams of methamphetamine and 5.4 grams of cocaine.
Bergeron was charged by the Warwick Police Department with manufacture/possession/deliver of a schedule I/II controlled substance; by the Pawtucket Police Department with manufacture/possession/deliver of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, and maintaining a common nuisance/controlled substance.
On May 5, Bergeron was presented in U.S. District Court as a federal probation violator and was ordered detained in federal custody. Bergeron was sentenced in September 2016 to 3 years federal probation, having been convicted in U.S. District Court of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The DEA is currently assisting the ATF task force, and the Warwick and Pawtucket Police Departments in the investigation of these cases.
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Two Brothers Convicted of Attempted Extortion and Embezzlement of Suboxone ClinicRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two brothers were convicted today in connection with the attempted extortion and conspiracy to extort the co-owner of a suboxone clinic in Quincy and embezzling money from the clinic.
David Tkhilaishvili, 36, and Jambulat Tkhilaishvili, 46, both of Taunton, were convicted following a five-day trial of one count of conspiring to extort and one count of attempted extortion. David Tkhilaishvili was also convicted of two counts of embezzlement. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Aug. 14, 2017.
In 2014, the brothers approached the co-owner of a Quincy suboxone clinic and asked him to invest in a new suboxone clinic. The defendants claimed to have many years of experience in running medical clinics, including suboxone clinics. To convince the victim to invest, the defendants promised to repay the victim 50% of his investment in the clinic within five years if the business failed, with 5% interest per year, in the event that the victim did not recover his investment in the clinic. In December 2014, the victim agreed to invest in the clinic and, because of the size of his investment, insisted upon significant contractual protections, including that he would have full decision making authority over matters involving the clinic. The defendants agreed; however, shortly thereafter, the defendants began to demand that the victim surrender his ownership interest and, on multiple occasions, threatened him and his family with physical injury. One of the defendants told the victim that he had made nine people and their families, who had a problem with him in the past, disappear. Both defendants claimed to live the life of outlaws who associated with thieves-in-law. In addition, both of the defendants threatened physical harm to the victim and his family and to burn down the clinic if the victim did not comply with their demands. One of the defendants embezzled approximately $3,500 from the clinic.
The charge of conspiracy to extort and attempted extortion provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of embezzlement provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Weinreb’ s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Third Former Local Student Sentenced for Role in Drug and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead 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 Kevin Szura, 21, of Queens, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances and money laundering conspiracy, was sentenced to 34 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who handled the case, stated that Szura conspired with co-defendant Zhe Wang to sell mollies and Xanax. The defendant also conspired with Wang to use the proceeds of their Xanax sales to buy and attempt to buy approximately $74,000 in bitcoins, and then use the bitcoins to buy more drugs for distribution. In March 2016, law enforcement agents intercepted two packages mailed from Canada and addressed to another co-defendant, Adam Brzozowski, in Amherst that each contained nearly 3,000 Xanax bars. While Szura was awaiting sentencing, officers discovered that he was continuing to conspire with others to sell these drugs. All three defendants, who were UB students during the pendency of the conspiracies, have now been convicted and sentenced.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski.
Third Detroit-Area Physician Convicted in $17.1 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A third Detroit-area physician was convicted today for his role in a $17 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary physician visits.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios of the FBI’s Detroit Division and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office made the announcement.
Gerald Daneshvar, M.D., 40, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud after a jury trial lasting approximately two weeks. Daneshvar was a physician for Lake MI Mobile Doctors, a home visiting physician service based in Chicago, with an office in Southfield, Michigan, from 2012 to 2013. Daneshvar was also acquitted of two counts of health care fraud today.
The evidence at trial showed that Daneshvar visited patients who did not qualify for visiting physician services, and these visits were then billed to Medicare at the highest billing codes. For example, the evidence showed that Daneshvar billed Medicare for home visits that required complex, 40- or 60- minute examinations, but would instead rush through as many as 22 home visits per day, averaging about 15 minutes or less with each patient, so he could make more money. The evidence also showed that he ordered unnecessary tests, in order to receive larger bonuses.
In connection with this case, Leonard Van Gelder, M.D., 69, of Caledonia, Michigan, and Stephen Mason, M.D., 46, of Indianapolis, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in March 2017 and December 2016, respectively. As part of their guilty pleas, Van Gelder and Mason admitted to seeing patients who did not need their services and for whom bills were submitted to Medicare at the highest billing codes. Both Van Gelder and Mason testified at trial.
Lake MI Mobile Doctors billed Medicare approximately $17.1 million as a result of the scheme in which these doctors participated, the evidence showed.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case, which was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Amy Markopoulos and Stephen Cincotta prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 3,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $11 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Terre Haute man sentenced to 15 years for production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that a Terre Haute man was sentenced for his role in producing and possessing child pornography. David Roberts, 50, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
“Protecting our most vulnerable citizens from sexual predators has been and will remain a top priority of this office,” said Minkler. “If you abuse children in the Southern District of Indiana, you can expect the full wrath of federal prosecution.”
Between 2007 and 2012, Roberts placed hidden cameras in the bedrooms and bathrooms at a home he shared with two minor female victims, creating images of them in various stages of undress. One of the victims reported the activity to her mother who notified the Terre Haute Police Department.
Law enforcement served search warrants on his home and recovered more than 23,000 images and videos of pornography stored on electronic equipment and storage devices. Law enforcement also discovered that Roberts surreptitiously recorded five other female minor victims, who had visited the family home.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Terre Haute, Indiana, Police Department investigated this case.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston who prosecuted this case for the government, Roberts must serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
Tampa Man Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Stealing over $3 Million in Social Security ChecksRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday today sentenced Darius Vashon Tolbert (38, Tampa) to four years and four months in federal prison for receiving stolen government property and for possessing stolen mail. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $569,876.40 and ordered him to pay $151,971.80 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
A federal jury found Tolbert guilty on August 11, 2016.
According to evidence presented at trial, Tolbert purchased approximately $569,000 of stolen Social Security benefit checks between April and July 2012. The checks, belonging to more than 400 disabled or retired beneficiaries, were all destined for addresses in Pinellas County and had been stolen from the St. Petersburg Processing and Distribution Center by a postal mail handler. They were part of a larger theft of more than $3 million in checks by the same mail handler. The checks that Tolbert purchased were later cashed at a money services business in Live Oak.
On January 11, 2017, a federal jury found the mail handler, Stacy Darnell Mitchell, guilty. He was sentenced on April 5, 2017, to nine years and one month in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, as well as various local enforcement agencies. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.
St. Paul Accountant Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Long-Term Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker announced the sentencing of JOHN WILLIAM ROWAN, 65, to 41 months in prison for stealing more than $1.2 million from the insurance company where he was employed for more than 20 years. ROWAN, who pleaded guilty on January 19, 2017, to one count of wire fraud, was sentenced on May 5, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Susan R. Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minn.
“Over the course of nearly two decades, this defendant systematically abused the trust of his employer to steal more than $1.2 million,” said Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker. “This case exemplifies the seriousness of embezzlement and the damage it causes to small business owners. Criminals who engage in this type of conduct will be brought to justice.”
“Rowan abused his position of trust as he stole more than $1.2 million from the insurance business that employed him for many years,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “He diverted business funds to his own personal use while concealing his fraudulent activity. The case was the result of close cooperation involving the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau with local and federal law enforcement.”
According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, from at least October 1995 until July 2015, ROWAN, as the accountant and controller of his company, exploited his access to his employer’s financial accounts and stole more than $1.2 million. Using his insider knowledge of how the company managed its financial transactions, ROWAN issued a total of 150 unauthorized checks to himself from the company’s bank accounts causing a total loss of $1,216,218.64.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Minnesota Department of Commerce Fraud Bureau, and the North St. Paul Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle E. Jones.
Defendant Information:
JOHN WILLIAM ROWAN, 65
St. Paul, Minn.
Convicted:
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Wire fraud, 1 count
Sentenced:
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41 months in prison
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Three years of supervised release
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$ 1,216,218.64 in restitution
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
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South Carolina Man Arrested on Federal Charges for "Synthetic Identity" Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A South Carolina man was arrested today on bank, wire, and mail fraud charges in connection with a “synthetic identity” fraud scheme that defrauded financial institutions of more than $340,000, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The criminal bill of indictment against Charles Whitlock, Jr., 50, of Rock Hill, S.C. was returned by a federal grand jury on April 20, 2017, and was unsealed today following the defendant’s court appearance.
David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, join U.S. Attorney Rose in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, from least in or about December 2013, through in or about April 2017, Whitlock engaged in mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud by executing a synthetic identity fraud scheme, through which he fraudulently obtained more than $340,000 from one or more financial institutions. According to the indictment, a synthetic identity is a fictitious identity created with a combination of real and fabricated information about people, or sometimes entirely fictitious information about people, including names, social security numbers (SSN), dates of birth (DOB), addresses and telephone and cell phone numbers. As alleged in the indictment, Whitlock submitted more than 750 new credit card applications to financial institutions via the Internet and by telephone, using synthetic identity information. The credit cards issued by financial institutions in connection to Whitlock’s synthetic identity fraud scheme had credit limits ranging from $100 to more than $500.The indictment alleges that in some instances, Whitlock used “pollinated synthetic identities” when he submitted new credit card applications containing synthetic identity information to financial institutions. Pollinated synthetic identity means a synthetic identity is added as an authorized user of an existing credit card account. This enables fraudsters to inherit the credit history of the existing credit card account holder, and makes it easier to get multiple new credit card accounts and higher credit limits. As alleged in the indictment, Whitlock was able to obtain multiple new credit cards in the names of synthetic identities, and to obtain higher credit limits for new credit cards issued under the names, SSNs and DOBs of synthetic identities.
The indictment further alleges that, in order to evade the financial institutions’ new credit card fraud detection systems, Whitlock filled out the false and fraudulent applications using hundreds of addresses, including addresses of residences located within the Western District of North Carolina. The indictment alleges that Whitlock also used the online U.S. mail forwarding services of the United States Postal Service to divert fraudulently-obtained credit cards mailed by financial institutions to mailing addresses controlled or accessible to Whitlock.
The indictment alleges that Whitlock used the fraudulently-obtained credit cards to obtain money, goods and services through electronic payments at point-of-sale (POS) terminals; money from automated teller machines (ATMs); and to obtain money through one or more online merchants controlled by or accessible by the defendant.
Whitlock had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler and is currently detained pending his detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m.
- penalty for the bank fraud charges carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum $1 million fine. wire fraud and mail fraud charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was led by USPIS and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas O’Malley, of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Seattle Police Officer Arrested as Part of Drug Conspiracy Transporting Large Amounts of Marijuana to East CoastRead the Press Release
A Seattle Police Officer is one of four people arrested May 6, 2017, in connection with a ring smuggling hundreds of pounds of marijuana from the Seattle area to Baltimore, Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. ALEX CHAPACKDEE, 44, of Seattle, is a 16-year veteran of SPD and is the brother-in-law of alleged ringleader TUAN VAN LE, 42, of Maple Valley, Washington. The other two men arrested are 32-year-old PHI NGUYEN, and 38-year-old SAMATH KHANHPHONGPHANE. All four men will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 2:00 p.m. today.
“The trafficking of hundreds of pounds of marijuana from Washington to the streets of Baltimore will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “Drug trafficking organizations that ignore federal and state laws have always been and will continue to be targeted and held to account. The fact that a police officer was involved in this is obviously of particular concern.”
An investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Seattle Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI’s Public Corruption Squad revealed that on multiple occasions between June 2013, and April 2017, LE made trips between Seattle and Baltimore. While LE often flew one way or roundtrip, other members of the conspiracy made the trip by driving virtually non-stop. The vehicles allegedly carried marijuana to the Baltimore area and the cash proceeds back to Seattle. CHAPACKDEE participated in multiple trips driving his RV one or both ways in September, October and November, 2016. CHAPACKDEE, LE and the other conspirators linked up at both ends of the trip, apparently distributing drugs and the cash proceeds. Bank records indicate CHAPACKDEE deposited cash in his account in amounts just under $10,000 thereby avoiding reports to law enforcement.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint 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.
Conspiracy to distribute marijuana in these quantities is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison.
This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, Seattle Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Multiple agencies assisted with the arrests and the serving of search warrants including the Port of Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.
Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Public Affairs Officer Emily Langlie at (206) 276-5288 or [email protected].
Salem Oregon Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Prison for Operating a Drug Distribution OrganizationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – On May 8, 2017, Alfredo Pena-Lopez, aka Gerionda, 43, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Marco A. Hernández to 210 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Upon his release from prison, Pena-Lopez, who was in the United States without lawful authority, will be deported.
For at least five years, Pena-Lopez led a drug trafficking operation responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from sources in California and Mexico to customers in the Salem area. He sold methamphetamine in pound quantities after arranging to bring 5 to 10 pounds into Oregon at a time. Court-authorized wiretaps and surveillance showed that Pena-Lopez stored his methamphetamine in a U-Haul truck parked at an automobile-repair business in Salem operated by one of Pena-Lopez’s seven co-defendants. Pena-Lopez also personally delivered methamphetamine to his customers, including once at a McDonald’s in the Salem area, and once at a Flying J Truck Stop on Interstate 5 near Salem.
At the time of his arrest on federal charges, Pena-Lopez was storing three pounds of methamphetamine, three assault rifles and body armor at the automobile-repair business in Salem, and had $35,000 in cash at his home.
This case was investigated by the Salem office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Salem Police Department and investigators from the Oregon Department of Justice. The case was prosecuted by Thomas H. Edmonds and Thomas S. Ratcliffe, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Pine Ridge Man Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that James Robert Dowty, age 27, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, was found guilty of Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime of Violence at the conclusion of a federal trial in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on Friday, May 5, 2017.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count.
The conviction stems from Dowty shooting and killing a 13-year old juvenile victim in the early morning hours of July 20, 2016, on a street in Pine Ridge. The prosecutors’ credited the three teenage eyewitnesses who were with the victim that night for stepping forward to tell the jury what they witnessed.
Prosecutors were satisfied with the verdict. “We have confidence in the criminal justice system and trust the conclusion the jury reached,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman. “This was a tragic case and while obviously no verdict can bring her back, we are hopeful this outcome provides some consolation and healing to the victim’s family.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Kelderman and Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.
A sentencing date will be set. Dowty was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Defrauding Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Abdoulaye Diallo, 52, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for defrauding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the federal food stamp program, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
Diallo owned and operated Brothers Food Market, a grocery store on Germantown Avenue near Venango Street in Philadelphia. On January 12, 2017, at a trial before the Honorable Cynthia M. Rufe and a federal jury, the jury convicted Diallo on all counts of the indictment. The jury convicted Diallo of conspiring with another individual to buy SNAP benefits for cash from those who had SNAP benefit cards (also known as PA Access cards) between September 2011 and February 2015. The jury also found Diallo guilty of exchanging SNAP benefits for cash on five different dates during that period, each of which constituted wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud. The amount of money charged to the SNAP Program varied from $300 to almost $600 for each transaction.
.Between September of 2011 and March of 2015, Diallo submitted to USDA, on behalf of Brothers Food Market, fraudulent SNAP reimbursement requests for $1,063,541
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rufe imposed a term of supervised release of three years, restitution to USDA of $1,063,541, and a $1,300 assessment.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Floyd J. Miller and Albert S. Glenn.
Pennsylvania man sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Keith Derwin Freeman, 43, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 months incarceration and ordered to pay a $3,000 fine for distributing heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Freeman pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” in August 2016. He sold heroin in Berkeley County, West Virginia in September 2015.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Pennsylvania man sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Larry Stinson, Jr., 34, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today in federal court to 72 months incarceration for heroin distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Stinson pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin” in January 2017. The crime was committed in March 2016 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Owner of Sand City Motorcycle Business Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Daniel Laine Kyle pleaded guilty to tax fraud and structuring currency transactions to avoid reporting requirements announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf. The plea was accepted earlier today by the Honorable Edward J. Davila, United States District Judge.
According to the plea agreement, since November 1997, Kyle, from Carmel, Calif., owned and operated Kyle Racing, a performance motorcycle parts and tuning business in Sand City, Calif. Kyle acknowledged that he did not issue invoices to customers who paid cash. He also admitted that he instructed his employees to not issue invoices to cash-paying customers. Kyle admitted he took these steps to underreport his income to the IRS and used the cash he received from his customers to purchase money orders from various United States Post Offices.
In addition, Kyle admitted that between August 8, 2007, and March 22, 2014, he “structured” his cash purchases of money orders to avoid detection. He admitted that he knew anyone purchasing $3,000.00 or more in postal money orders in one day is required to submit a transaction report. Instead of submitting the report, Kyle admitted he intentionally purchased less than $3,000 per day to avoid triggering reporting requirements.
According to his plea agreement, between August 8, 2007, and March 22, 2014, Kyle purchased, with cash, more than $825,000 worth of money orders. Kyle used the money orders to purchase cars and jewelry from Audi Financial, BMW of Monterey, Tiffany and Company, Christies, Porsche Financial Services, Capital One Bank, Citibank, Monterey Credit Union, and Wells Fargo Bank. Kyle acknowledged that the tax loss for 2007 through 2013 resulting from his scheme was between $500,000 and $1,500,000.
On March 22, 2017, Kyle was charged by felony information with willfully making and subscribing a false individual income tax return for the 2007 calendar year, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1), and structuring currency transactions to avoid reporting requirements, in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 5324(a)(3) and 31 U.S.C. § 5324(d)(2). Pursuant to today’s plea agreement, Kyle pleaded guilty to both counts in the information.
The maximum sentence for willfully making and subscribing to a false tax return is three years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for and structuring currency transactions to avoid reporting requirements is ten years in prison and a fine of $500,000. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Kyle remains free on bond and is scheduled to appear before Judge Davila on August 21, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. for sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary G. Fry is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Wethersfield Warehouse BurglaryRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW ORECKINTO, 52, of Matawan, New Jersey, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffery Alker Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than 8,000 cartons of cigarettes from a Wethersfield warehouse in March 2011.
On February 13, 2017, a jury convicted ORECKINTO of one count of theft from an interstate shipment.
According to the evidence introduced during the trial, at approximately 7:00 a.m. on March 20, 2011, Wethersfield Police responded to an open garage door complaint at New Britain Candy, a business and warehouse located at 24 Maple Street in Wethersfield. The business distributes items to convenience stores in Connecticut and neighboring states. A glue-like substance had been forced into the front door lock causing it to be inoperable, exterior surveillance camera wires and a phone line had been cut, and alarm panels and speakers had been disabled. Approximately 8,012 cartons of cigarettes, as well as a pallet jack, were missing from the warehouse. The stolen cigarettes had a wholesale value of approximately $300,000 and a retail value of approximately $500,000.
One individual, subsequently identified as ORECKINTO, was seen on video surveillance footage. He was dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black gloves, a black face mask, and wore a headband light around his head.
Prior to the burglary, ORECKINTO had stolen a white box truck from a business in Hartford. The day after the burglary, the truck was found near a commercial construction site in Stamford. The stolen pallet jack was recovered from the cargo area of the truck.
The investigation included extensive analysis of prepaid cellphones and cell tower information. Examination of the call history of ORECKINTO’s prepaid phone ultimately led investigators to several other prepaid phones that had been used in multiple commercial burglaries in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. ORECKINTO previously was convicted of two of these other burglaries, including a burglary that occurred at a Waldbaum’s Supermarket in Rockville Centre, N.Y., overnight on December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2011, and a commercial warehouse burglary in Florham Park, N.J., on April 28, 2008, during which $100,000 worth of copper was stolen.
ORECKINTO has been detained since February 24, 2012, when he was arrested for the New Jersey warehouse burglary. He is currently incarcerated in New Jersey with a state sentence that is due to expire in October 2018.
Judge Meyer ordered ORECKINTO’s four-year federal sentence to begin today.
At the time of ORECKINTO’s arrest for the New Jersey burglary, a search of his car revealed a list of licensed cigarette distributors in the State of Connecticut that had been printed from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services web site. The list, which included the New Britain Candy warehouse in Wethersfield, also contained several handwritten notations next to many of the businesses, at least three of which also have been burglarized.
This investigation was conducted by the Wethersfield Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Nassau County Police Department and the Florham Park (N.J.) Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
Morris Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal Prison for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANNE CHARLOTTE SILVER, 63, of Morris, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 10 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing health care fraud. Judge Bolden also ordered SILVER to provide 100 hours of community service upon her release from prison, and to pay restitution of $1.6 million.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2011, SILVER was a licensed clinical social worker who owned and operated Silver Counseling Services, LLC, in Canton and Bantam. In March 2011, SILVER agreed with Patricia Lafayette and another individual to engage in a scheme to defraud Medicaid, in which SILVER permitted Lafayette and the other individual to bill Medicaid for licensed psychotherapy services using SILVER’s Medicaid provider number. The services were either performed by unlicensed individuals or not performed at all. Under the scheme, SILVER kept 25 percent of the proceeds, and paid the remaining 75 percent to Lafayette and the other individual.
Over the next four years, Lafayette submitted more than 18,000 false claims for psychotherapy using SILVER’s provider number. The claims included more than $71,000 in false claims for psychotherapy services purportedly provided to Lafayette’s daughter and grandchildren, and more than $67,000 in false claims for psychotherapy services provided to Lafayette’s son’s girlfriend and her children. All of these claims represented that SILVER personally provided the psychotherapy services, which was not true. In addition, SILVER did not supervise Lafayette or the services that Lafayette was billing, did not know who purportedly provided the service, and never verified that the services had in fact been rendered. Twice a month for four years, SILVER received the payment for these services from Medicaid, calculated Lafayette’s 75 percent share of the scheme, and met with Lafayette to deliver a check for that amount.
On May 2, 2016, SILVER pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud for her role in the scheme. As part of her plea, SILVER admitted to defrauding Medicaid of more than $1.6 million, of which SILVER received more than $300,000.
Lafayette pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on April 27, 2017, was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution of $1.6 million.
Lafayette’s son, Maurice Sharpe, pleaded guilty to the same charge on December 13, 2016. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 19.
The criminal case was jointly investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office. U.S. Attorney Daly thanked the Connecticut Department of Social Services for their role in identifying the fraudulent scheme and supporting the investigation and prosecution of the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s Office meet regularly as part of The Medicaid Fraud Working Group. The Working Group also includes representatives from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; the Connecticut Department of Public Health; the Drug Control Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI. The Working Group reviews pending issues and cases, identifies trends that might indicate fraudulent activity, and coordinates efforts for maximum results.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon and Auditor Susan Spiegel.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Military Policeman from Lemoore Naval Air Station Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. —Michael Brandon Kiper, 32, of Lemoore, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to 15 years in prison for two counts of receiving child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Kiper, who had been assigned duties as a military policeman at the Lemoore Naval Air Station in California, and while on temporary assignments in Nevada and in Bahrain, used accounts on Kik Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook to solicit sexually explicit images of numerous minor females throughout the United States and Canada. Kiper used an alias and claimed to be an agent for a modeling agency. Once he convinced minor females to send him at least one sexually explicit image of themselves, he threatened to post those images to social media sites unless the victims produced and transmitted additional sexually explicit images. One minor female told her mother about her communications with Kiper, and they contacted law enforcement.
This case was the result of an investigation by a multitude of law enforcement agencies, spearheaded by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Upper Perk (Pennsylvania) Police Department, and the Paoli (Indiana) Police Department. Forensic analysis of evidence was conducted by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, which is part of the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Enos prosecuted this 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.
Michigan Residents Plead to Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE — Michigan residents Devin Arthur Searcy, 23, and Juwuan Demilo Gordon, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Searcy pleaded guilty today and Gordon pleaded guilty on April 24. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise in February 2017.
According to court proceedings, Searcy and Gordon traveled to Idaho and other districts to make fraudulent purchases from retail stores using stolen credit card numbers. They traveled to Idaho on January 6 and 10, 2017, for the purpose of executing the scheme to defraud. Prior to traveling to the different districts, Searcy and Gordon obtained counterfeit credit and debit cards embossed with their names and stolen credit card numbers in Michigan. They traveled to at least seven retail stores in Idaho and made at least ten fraudulent purchases. On January 11, 2017, law enforcement officers contacted Searcy and Gordon near the Boise Airport and arrested them. Officers recovered approximately 105 gift cards and prepaid debit cards purchased by the defendants. Gordon and Searcy made additional fraudulent purchases in Colorado, Utah, and Oklahoma.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
Sentencing for Searcy is set for July 26, 2017, and sentencing for Gordon is set for July 27, 2017. Both sentencings are before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Boise Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 78 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, Ruben Betancourt-Hernandez, 29, of Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 78 months of imprisonment. Betancourt-Hernandez had previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and to the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
On Sept. 13, 2016, Border Patrol agents near Sonoita, Ariz., tracked a group of five suspected narcotic smugglers. Agents were able to apprehend two men, who were wearing camouflage shirts and pants. Nearby, agents located two bundles of marijuana, an AR-15 style rifle, and an AK-47 style rifle. Agents seized both rifles, which were loaded, extra magazines, and over 300 rounds of ammunition at the scene. During his guilty plea, Betancourt-Hernandez admitted that he intended to deliver the marijuana to other members of the drug trafficking organization and that he carried the AR-15 style rifle in order to protect the drug load.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security- Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Border Patrol. The prosecution was handled by Lawrence C. Lee, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-01935 TUC JGZ (JR)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-041_ Betancourt-Hernandez
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Maryland man sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Terard Ansor, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 60 months incarceration today for distributing heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Ansor pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin” in January 2017. He conspired with others to distribute heroin in Berkeley and Jefferson counties from August to November 2015.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Man and Woman from Manhattan Sentenced in Kidnapping, Death of Junction City WomanRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - A man and a woman from Manhattan were sentenced Monday to 28 years in federal prison for taking part in the kidnapping of a Junction City woman who was killed during the abduction, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Larry L. Anderson, 28, Manhattan, Kan. pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in death. His girlfriend, Marryssa M. Middleton, 26, Fort Riley, Kan. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death.
The body of Amanda Clemons, 24, of Junction City, was found in February 2014 in Geary County, Kan. In their pleas, Anderson and Middleton admitted that on Feb. 7, 2014, they and co-defendants met the victim, who was a prostitute, at a hotel in Junction City and kidnapped her. The defendants beat the victim in retribution for comments the victim had made on social media about having a sexual relationship with Anderson. During the beating, the defendants demanded the victim pay $300. They took the victim to another hotel room in an unsuccessful attempt to get the money, after which they transported the victim to a residence on Fort Riley.
While there, the defendants allowed the victim to call her mother. The victim’s mother realized the victim was in danger and called Junction City Police. When police called the victim’s number to check on her, and the defendants listened to the call on speaker phone. Fearing arrest, the defendants transported the victim to a bridge in a remote part of Geary County, where they resumed the beating and attacked her with a knife. The victim broke free and jumped off the bridge, falling 15 feet and breaking her ankle. Some of the defendants found the victim in the snow and resumed the assault during which they cut her throat and killed her.
Co-defendants include:
Drexel Woody, 26, who lived on Fort Riley at the time of the crime, is set for sentencing June 26.
Shantrell D. Woody, 27, Fort Riley, Kan., formerly an active duty service member, is set for sentencing May 30.
Christopher Pugh, 33, Junction City, Kan., is set for sentencing June 26.
Beall commended the Junction City Police Department, the Grandview Plaza Police Department, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, the Riley County Police Department, the Fort Riley Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag and Geary County Attorney Steven Opat for their work on the case.
Lehigh Acres Drug Dealer Sentenced to Eight Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Tacuma Ivan Horrobin (36, Lehigh Acres) to eight years in federal prison for drug distribution and firearm offenses. He pleaded guilty on January 9, 2017.
According to court documents, in 2015, Horrobin sold nearly $5,000 of heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer. A subsequent search of his residence revealed additional quantities of heroin, along with cocaine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam, suboxone, ecstasy, marijuana, and five firearms. As a previously convicted felon, Horrobin is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Officers also recovered numerous items used for the preparation, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances, including cutting agents, digital scales, and cookware from his home.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Leeman and Michael Bagge-Hernandez.
Lancaster Man Charged with Armed Bank Robbery and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Travis Jerome Jones, age 47, of Marietta, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 3, 2017, by a federal grand jury on charges of armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment was unsealed on May 5, 2017, and Jones is scheduled for arraignment on May 9, 2017, before United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Jones robbed an M&T Bank in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, on January 19, 2017, taking approximately $3,587. The indictment also alleges that Jones brandished a firearm (Hi-Point 9mm handgun) during the robbery and unlawfully possessed the firearm as a previously convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwestern Regional Police Department in York County, and the Investigation Division of the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 25 years of imprisonment for the bank robbery, a lifetime term of imprisonment for the firearms offenses, 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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Lakeland Couple Sentenced for Large Scale Immigration FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell has sentenced Rosa Cingari (68, Lakeland) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison and Domenico Cingari (68, Lakeland) to 8 years and 1 month in federal prison for conspiracy, making false statements in immigration applications and petitions, and mail fraud. The Court also ordered the Cingaris to forfeit real property located at 130 West Park Street in Lakeland, that was used to facilitate the offenses. As part of their sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $740,880, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
A federal jury found Rosa and Domenico Cingari guilty on November 9, 2016. They were indicted on July 9, 2015.
According to evidence presented at trial, Rosa and Domenico Cingari owned and operated R.E.P.C. Accounting and Translations out of their home on West Park Street in Lakeland. They assisted illegal aliens in obtaining Florida driver licenses by filing fraudulent immigration documents. Specifically, they filed I-589, Applications for Asylum and Withholding of Removal forms; I-130, Petitions for Alien Relative forms; and I-765, Work Authorization forms. Most of the applications and petitions submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the Cingaris contained materially false information. The Cingaris filed the fraudulent immigration documents in order to obtain USCIS I-797C Notices of Action. The Cingaris put their mailing address on all of the fraudulent forms so that USCIS would mail the Notices of Action to their business. They then sold the Notices of Action to their alien clients. The Cingaris charged their clients between $500 and $1,300 for the fraudulent immigration applications. They collected at least $740,880 from their clients during the fraud scheme.
"In maintaining the integrity of our immigration system, USCIS has zero tolerance for fraud," said Katherine Baranowski, USCIS Tampa Acting District Director. “Justice has been served with this sentencing, and we remain vigilant in detecting and bringing to prosecution any immigration fraud."
"Immigration fraud subverts the orderly process of citizenship and compromises the security of our homeland,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, acting special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI will move aggressively to investigate those who corrupt the integrity of our nation's immigration system.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacie B. Harris and Simon Gaugush.
Kansas Medical Supplier to Pay $1 Million to Settle False Claim AllegationsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Dodge City medical equipment supplier has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations it submitted false claims to the Medicare program, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.
Pos-T-Vac, Inc., a medical equipment supplier located in Dodge City, has agreed to pay the U.S. government $1 million to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act by improperly charging Medicare for durable medical supplies.
The United States alleged that from Jan. 1, 2009 through July 27, 2012, Pos-T-Vac submitted claims for male vacuum erection supplies that were not medically necessary, lacked documentation of medical necessity, and/or were not properly ordered by a physician.
Medicare no longer covers such supplies.
“We must prevent waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs,” said United States Attorney Tom Beall. “Billions of taxpayer dollars are at stake.”
“Our office will continue to protect the Medicare program by pursuing those providers who bill for medically unnecessary services and supplies,” said Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Kansas City, Mo.
During the investigation, Medicare suspended payments to Pos-T-Vac. Under the terms of the settlement, the government will retain those funds and Pos-T-Vac will make additional payments to the United States.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Fleenor represented the government.
Jury Finds Niagara Falls Man Guilty on Gun 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, following a five day trial, a federal jury has convicted Wilbert Hayes, Jr., 53, of Niagara Falls, NY, of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Astorga and Joseph M. Tripi, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on August 15, 2014, Niagara Falls Police officers executed a search warrant at 1318 Walnut Avenue in the upper apartment. During the search, officers recovered a shotgun belonging to Hayes who was in the apartment at the time of the search. The gun was discovered in a child’s bedroom. A quantity of marijuana and packaging materials was also found during the search in a fish tank in the dining room.
The defendant has three prior state felony convictions, which prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm.
The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 18, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara who presided over the trial.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Pedro Triminio-Caballero, age 41, and a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to time served (54 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
As part of his guilty plea, Triminio-Caballero admitted that he was a citizen of Honduras, and that he returned to the United States after he was previously removed to Honduras. Triminio-Caballero was removed from the United States to Honduras on three prior occasions: on October 6, 1996, March 20, 2005, and on April 16, 2012. Since his last re-entry, Triminio-Caballero had been residing in Miami, Florida.
On March 15, 2017, Triminio-Caballero was arrested by Border Patrol Agents in Champlain, New York. Agents encountered Triminio-Caballero in a taxi that was stopped by Border Patrol on a road in Champlain just south of the border.
Following his sentencing, Triminio-Caballero was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, which will place Triminio-Caballero into removal proceedings.
This case was investigated by United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Honduran Citizen Sentenced for Illegal Re-Entry into United StateRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jardel Florencio Escobar-Vargas, age 27, and a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to time served (54 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
As part of his guilty plea, Escobar-Vargas admitted that he was a citizen of Honduras, and that he returned to the United States after he was previously removed to Honduras. Escobar Vargas was removed from the United States to Honduras five times between September 20, 2013 and August 25, 2014. Since his last re-entry, Escobar-Vargas had been residing in Miami, Florida.
On March 15, 2017, Escobar-Vargas was arrested by Border Patrol Agents in Champlain, New York. Agents encountered Escobar-Vargas in a taxi that was stopped by Border Patrol on a road in Champlain just south of the border.
Following his sentencing, Escobar-Vargas was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, which will place Escobar-Vargas into removal proceedings.
This case was investigated by United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Herman Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Issuing Postal Money OrdersRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced that Allison Pluard, 30, of Herman, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to fraudulently issuing postal money orders.
Court records reveal that Pluard was employed at C&K Variety, a Contract Postal Unit (CPU) in Hermon. Between September and November 2016, she purchased low-denomination postal money orders from the CPU, but fraudulently imprinted them for up to $1,000. When confronted by inspectors, she confessed. The loss exceeds $4,200.
Pluard faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Haverhill Resident Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Participating in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Franklyn Morillo, 42, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and cocaine.
According to court documents and statements in court, Morillo and others worked together to distribute oxycodone pills and cocaine in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The prosecution of Morillo and his associates was the result of a lengthy investigation that included purchases of drugs by cooperating individuals, surveillance, wiretaps, and search warrants. The investigation showed that this group was responsible for the distribution of thousands of oxycodone pills and several kilograms of cocaine. Over $18,000 in cash and a quantity of cocaine were seized from Morillo’s residence in Haverhill during the execution of a search warrant in August of 2015. Morillo was arrested on October 1, 2015. A quantity of oxycodone pills and over $2,000 in cash were recovered from his residence at the time of his arrest.
Morillo is one of six individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on September 23, 2015, and charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances. The other defendants are: Mara Morillo, 41, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Juan Rojas, 32, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Justin Bartimus, 36, formerly of Methuen, Massachusetts; Jorge Medina, 25, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; and Michael Lally, 29, of Salem, New Hampshire. All of the defendants have pleaded guilty. Morillo pleaded guilty on October 28, 2017.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing opioids,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “All too often, the road to heroin or fentanyl addiction begins with the misuse of oxycodone pills. Those who profit from the illicit sales of these pills are contributing to the opioid crisis in the Granite State. We will continue to devote our efforts to putting drug distributors out of business. I commend the efforts of the law enforcement officers in this case for their success in dismantling this drug distribution operation.”
This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad led the investigation with assistance from the Haverhill, Massachusetts Police Department, the Methuen, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police. It is being prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
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Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS SANTIAGO, also known as “Choco,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 75 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 21, 2016, Hartford Police received information that a vehicle traveling in the area of Wadsworth Street and Seymour Street in Hartford was occupied by “Choco,” who was in possession of a loaded firearm. Officers located the vehicle, which attempted to speed away and enter I-91 from the Whitehead Highway. The vehicle lost control, struck a concrete barrier and rolled to a stop. Officers observed SANTIAGO drop a firearm from the driver side window as the car was rolling. SANTIAGO was apprehended, and a search of the roadway revealed a.380 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with 6 rounds of ammunition.
Prior to June 2016, SANTIAGO had been convicted of seven felony offenses, including multiple drug offenses, violating a protective order and second degree robbery.
SANTIAGO has been detained since his arrest. On February 13, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
Gloucester County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 106 Months in Prison for Overseeing Camden Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. - A Gloucester County man was sentenced today to 106 months in prison for his role in conspiring over 15 months to sell crack cocaine in Camden, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Harold Miller, 41, of Sewell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:Miller was arrested on Sept. 2, 2015, following a long-term investigation by the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force into an organization that controlled the distribution of crack cocaine on Pfeiffer Street in Camden.
Members of the drug organization sold crack cocaine to a confidential source and to customers who arrived in vehicles and on foot. Law enforcement officers intercepted conversations over multiple court-authorized wiretaps during which Miller and his conspirators discussed drug trafficking activities on Pfeiffer Street. Miller oversaw and managed the activities of this drug trafficking organization. Rasheed Wise, Rodney Wall, and David Wilkerson, all of Camden, previously pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the charged conspiracy. Wall was sentenced May 4, 2017, to 100 months in prison and Wilkerson was sentenced April 5, 2017, to 77 months in prison. Wise is awaiting sentencing.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Miller to three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Deputy Attorney-in-Charge Matthew J. Skahill of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.Defense counsel: Christopher H. O’Malley Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden
Gloucester County Man Sentenced to Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Timothy Justin George, 27, of Gloucester County, was sentenced today to six years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for distribution of child pornography.
George pleaded guilty on February 1. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in September 2016, law enforcement conducted a search of George’s home and seized a number of electronic devices. A forensic examiner completed a forensic analysis of the devices and found over 31,000 images of child pornography.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa R. McKeel prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-96.
Fort Worth Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Sentence for Role in Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas — Jake Lindsey Hardin, a/k/a “Cash,” 33, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge John McBryde to 240 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Hardin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Hardin was a fugitive for six months before his arrest in November 2016.
In between April and August 2016, 80 defendants were charged in drug conspiracy cases related to this one, including some members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas prison gang.
According to plea documents, in 2014 and 2015 Hardin received ounce quantities of methamphetamine from other co-conspirators often on consignment. In turn, Hardin distributed methamphetamine to various customers in the Fort Worth, Texas area.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fort Worth Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Smith and Frank Gatto prosecuted the case.
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Former Walnut Grove City Clerk Pleads Guilty to Embezzling City FundsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the former city clerk of Walnut Grove, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to a credit card fraud scheme in which she embezzled city funds.
Cari Gillmore, 45, of Springfield, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges her with credit card fraud.
By pleading guilty today, Gillmore admitted that she conducted financial transactions for personal expenses with credit cards that were issued to the city of Walnut Grove. Those purchases were made without the permission of city officials and were unrelated to the business or affairs of the city of Walnut Grove. Fraudulent credit card transactions conducted by Gillmore between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015, totaled $27,308. From January 2014 and June 13, 2016, Gillmore engaged in additional relevant conduct for a total loss amount of $67,598.
Under federal statutes, Gillmore is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Former Teller Sentenced for Embezzling from Bank in Coffey CountyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - A former teller at a bank in Burlington was sentenced Friday to 51 months in federal prison for embezzling from the bank, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today. She was ordered to pay more than $850,000 in restitution.
Denise Christy, 48, Burlington, Kan., was convicted in a jury trial in January on one count of embezzlement, six counts of making false bank entries, six counts of filing false tax returns and six counts of money laundering.
During trial, the prosecutor presented evidence the crimes were committed while Christy worked as a retail financial services representative and backup vault teller for the Burlington branch of Central National Bank. One of Christy’s duties was to sell cash in the bank’s vault to the Federal Reserve Bank. In May 2014 auditors determined that more than $700,000 was missing from the vault. Christy falsely claimed the money was shipped to the Federal Reserve Bank via the Garda security company. An investigation showed Christy falsified bank records to cover up the embezzlement and failed to report the embezzled funds as part of her income. In addition, she unlawfully conducted financial transactions in order to spend more than $77,000 in embezzled funds to pay off loans that she and her husband maintained at Farmers State Bank in Aliceville, Kan.
Beall commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.
Former Puerto Rico Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting JuvenileRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Shylene Lopez, former Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) officer with the Carolina Drug Unit, has pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the civil rights of a juvenile arrestee. According to an indictment unsealed in September 2016, Lopez and co-defendants Jose Cartagena, Carlos Nieves, and Jimmy Davis, all POPR officers, used excessive force against C.C., a minor arrested for drug possession, during a police operation on Nov. 15, 2014.
As a part of her guilty plea, Lopez admitted that on Nov. 15, 2014, while the defendants pursued C.C. from a police vehicle, and while C.C. fled from the defendants on his bicycle, co-defendant Nieves exited the police vehicle and shot C.C. in the back with his gun. The defendants eventually caught up with C.C., and C.C. complied with police commands to place his hands behind his back while lying face down on the ground. Lopez admitted that co-defendant Cartagena then held the victim’s hands together and struck the victim on the back of the head with a gun. The officers placed the victim in the rear of the police vehicle between co-defendant Nieves and Lopez. Lopez admitted that on the way to the police station, co-defendant Davis told the victim to talk or they would break his head open, and co-defendant Cartagena struck the victim with an open hand multiple times. Lopez admitted that she also struck the victim by using her open hand to slap the victim twice on the back of the head while he was handcuffed. Once they arrived at the police station, C.C. refused to answer questions. In response, co-defendant Davis took C.C. to a back room. While in the back room, co-defendant Davis struck the victim in the face while the victim sat in a chair. Lopez admitted that the defendants’ abuse caused C.C. extreme physical pain and required him to seek treatment at a local area hospital.
“Honorable law enforcement officers are the cornerstone of our system of Justice,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When law enforcement officers fail to follow the laws they are sworn to uphold, they undermine their fellow officers and the rule of law. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute those officers who violate their oaths by willfully using excessive force on persons in their custody.”
“Law enforcement officials are not above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico. “When they abuse their authority by violating the civil rights of the citizens they are sworn to protect, they will be held accountable.”
At sentencing, Lopez faces a maximum of ten years in prison. Sentencing will be set by the court on a future date.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys José Contreras and Victor Acevedo of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorney Gabriel Davis of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Former Puerto Rico Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting JuvenileRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Shylene Lopez, former Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) officer with the Carolina Drug Unit, has pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the civil rights of a juvenile arrestee. According to an indictment unsealed in September 2016, Lopez and co-defendants Jose Cartagena, Carlos Nieves, and Jimmy Davis, all POPR officers, used excessive force against C.C., a minor arrested for drug possession, during a police operation on Nov. 15, 2014.
As a part of her guilty plea, Lopez admitted that on Nov. 15, 2014, while the defendants pursued C.C. from a police vehicle, and while C.C. fled from the defendants on his bicycle, co-defendant Nieves exited the police vehicle and shot C.C. in the back with his gun. The defendants eventually caught up with C.C., and C.C. complied with police commands to place his hands behind his back while lying face down on the ground. Lopez admitted that co-defendant Cartagena then held the victim’s hands together and struck the victim on the back of the head with a gun. The officers placed the victim in the rear of the police vehicle between co-defendant Nieves and Lopez. Lopez admitted that on the way to the police station, co-defendant Davis told the victim to talk or they would break his head open, and co-defendant Cartagena struck the victim with an open hand multiple times. Lopez admitted that she also struck the victim by using her open hand to slap the victim twice on the back of the head while he was handcuffed. Once they arrived at the police station, C.C. refused to answer questions. In response, co-defendant Davis took C.C. to a back room. While in the back room, co-defendant Davis struck the victim in the face while the victim sat in a chair. Lopez admitted that the defendants’ abuse caused C.C. extreme physical pain and required him to seek treatment at a local area hospital.
“Honorable law enforcement officers are the cornerstone of our system of Justice,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When law enforcement officers fail to follow the laws they are sworn to uphold, they undermine their fellow officers and the rule of law. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute those officers who violate their oaths by willfully using excessive force on persons in their custody.”
“Law enforcement officials are not above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico. “When they abuse their authority by violating the civil rights of the citizens they are sworn to protect, they will be held accountable.”At sentencing, Lopez faces a maximum of ten years in prison. Sentencing will be set by the court on a future date.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys José Contreras and Victor Acevedo of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorney Gabriel Davis of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Former Meharry Medical College Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Program FundsRead the Press Release
Carolyn McCain-Davis, 54, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, pleaded guilty on Friday to embezzling funds from a federal program while employed at Meharry Medical College (“MMC”), announced Jack Smith, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to facts presented at the plea hearing, MMC receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. McCain-Davis was employed at MMC as a grants development specialist and was responsible for approving invoices and processing payment requests relating to MMC’s employees and vendors.
McCain-Davis admitted that between August 2009 and May 2013, she devised and carried out a scheme to defraud the United States by submitting false invoices, as an agent of MMC, from companies that were not legitimate vendors nor was any service provided to MMC. The false invoices were often submitted under the names of companies set up by McCain-Davis and she approved and submitted payment requests and directed payments to bank accounts under her control.
McCain-Davis also processed reimbursement payments to herself for expenses that were never incurred and intercepted re-imbursement payments to other employees, forged the signatures of the payees and deposited those checks into bank accounts under her control or under the control of a close relative. McCain-Davis fraudulently obtained over $133,000 through the operation of this scheme.
McCain-Davis faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three-year term of supervised release. She will be sentenced on August 9, 2017.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Toussaint is prosecuting the case.
Former Inmate at FCI-Berlin Sentenced for Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NH – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Jason Ponder, 36, an inmate who had been at the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing contraband in the prison. Ponder possessed a quantity of the synthetic cannabinoid known as AB-Fubinaca, a controlled substance. Ponder was transferred to another federal prison after the incident. Ponder’s sentence will be added to the federal sentence he is currently serving.
On March 12, 2016, Ponder was visited by his girlfriend and a minor child. While the three were in the prison’s Visitation Room, the girlfriend passed three small white packages to Ponder. The correctional staff monitoring the visitation room saw the activity and it was captured on the prison’s security cameras. Ponder’s visit was immediately terminated and the girlfriend surrendered two packages of material to prison officials. Laboratory analysis of the material confirmed it was the Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid known as AB-Fubinaca.
Synthetic cannabinoids are green leafy materials that have been sprayed with chemicals. These products (commonly referred to as “spice” or “K2”) are smoked in order to obtain a high. The chemicals that are sprayed on the products to produce the high are often illegal controlled substances or analogues of illegal controlled substances. The ingestion of these types of illegal products has caused some users to experience a variety of medical side effects and has led to numerous hospitalizations and, in some cases, deaths.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and was prosecuted by AUSA Don Feith.
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Former Erie County Democratic Party Chair Charged with Soliciting Illegal Campaign ContributionRead 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 G. Steven Pigeon, 56, of Buffalo, NY, was charged by complaint with unlawfully soliciting a campaign contribution from a foreign national and conspiracy to commit such an offense. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is working on the case, together with attorneys from the United States Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, stated that between 2010 and 2015, Pigeon was working, among other things, as a political consultant and lobbyist and ran various companies that were engaged in such consulting and lobbying activities. One of Pigeon’s clients was an online gaming company based in Montreal, Canada that was founded and operated by a Canadian national. Between 2010 and 2015, that Canadian company paid approximately $388,000 to Pigeon and his companies, for among other things, lobbying efforts aimed at the legalization of internet gambling.
According to the complaint, between January 31, 2014, and February 25, 2014, the defendant orchestrated a $25,000 donation from the founder and CEO of the Canadian online gambling company to the reelection campaign of a public official. After the donation was twice rejected, the campaign contribution was ultimately funneled through an individual from Florida.
The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on bond.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen, and the New York State Attorney General’s office, under the direction of Eric T. Schneiderman.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Fifteen Illegal Aliens Arrested on Federal Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – Fifteen illegal aliens working under false identities have been arrested on charges out of the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney Brit Featherston today.
On the evening of May 4, 2017, federal and state agents arrested 15 illegal aliens working under false identities at the LNG facility under construction in Cameron, Louisiana. Earlier in the week, a federal grand jury in Beaumont returned indictments charging the individuals with identity theft, using social security numbers of actual citizens, and making false claims of United States citizenship in order to obtain jobs at the facility over the past three years. The defendants, who are in the United States illegally, were all working under assumed names obtained through the possession of fraudulently obtained legitimate social security numbers and matching birth certificates, primarily issued in Puerto Rico. With such primary identifying information the defendants obtained State issued identification cards from Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and other states. The use of such documents allowed the illegal aliens to pass the E-verify systems used by their employers to ascertain U.S. citizenship or alien lawful work permits. All 15 aliens were identified after being arrested under their assumed names. Some had previous encounters with immigration authorities and had returned to the United States, which can lead to further charges being added or increased sentences upon conviction of the current charges. The defendants had all been hired by subcontractors who used hiring offices in Port Arthur, Texas, to accept applications, interview, and E-verify employees who then report to the jobsite in Louisiana upon hiring. Those arrested and making initial appearances in federal court today are:
- Miguel Roblero-Morales, 36, of Guatemala;
- Mario Arnulfo Pantaleon-Castaneda, 30, of Guatemala;
- Luis Angel Pulido Cervantes, 29, of Mexico;
- Joel Pulido-Gutierrez, 27, of Mexico;
- Juan Manuel Zavala-Leon, 30, of Mexico;
- Rigoberto Romo Martinez, 41, of Mexico;
- Jose De Jesus Vega-Gutierrez, 31, of Mexico;
- Juan Alexis Juarez-Coto, 46, of Honduras;
- Felix Jiminez-Ruiz, 25, of Mexico;
- Jose Gutierrez-Valencia, 27, of Mexico;
- Bernardo Hernandez-Gallo, 37, of Mexico;
- Elizar Alvarez-Barajas, 43, of Mexico;
- Roberto Carlos Cruz Cruz, 28 of Mexico;
- Guily Tenorio-Sierra, 21, of Mexico; and
- Arturo Rebollar-Osorio, 34, of Mexico.
“Protecting critical infrastructure is a national security priority for law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “To do so we must make sure that workers in our community, and especially those working in proximity to vital national interests like our oil and chemical industries, are legal and properly vetted as required by law. Further, we must remain vigilant to these concerns to protect the economy and the law abiding worker.”
If convicted, the defendants each face up to five years in federal prison. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing 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 U.S. Probation Office.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Rawls.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.