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Friday 17 March 2017
D.C. Man Sentenced for Purchase of Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Anthony Darnell McCutchen, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for his role in the illegal purchase of two firearms.
McCutchen pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2016. According to court documents, on Oct. 1, 2016, McCutchen met an individual, who he recruited to purchase two firearms on his behalf, at a Virginia gunshow. McCutchen aided and abetted this individual’s false statements to a firearms dealer by, among other things, accompanying the individual to the firearms dealer to help select the firearms for purchase, providing the purchaser with the money to purchase the firearms, and directing the purchaser how to behave when purchasing the firearms. Law enforcement observed McCutchen’s activity in the gun show and, after learning of McCutchen’s prior conviction for armed robbery in Washington, D.C., executed a traffic stop shortly after McCutchen left the gun show. Law enforcement recovered the two firearms from McCutchen’s possession.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-248.
Correctional Officer Charged with Violating an Inmate's Civil RightsRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Willie L. Walker, 57, of Lynn Haven, Florida, has been arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Panama City after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with depriving an inmate at the Gulf Correctional Institution of constitutional rights. The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that, in March 2015, Walker, while acting as a correctional officer of the State of Florida, assaulted an inmate, resulting in bodily injury.
The trial is scheduled for May 15, 2017, at 8:15 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Panama City.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aine Ahmed.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]
Coachella Valley-Based Day Trader Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Bilking Investors in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former Coachella Valley resident has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for soliciting investments in his money-losing day-trading operation that cost victims millions of dollars in losses.
Robert Charles Butler, 50, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips. Butler currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, but was residing in La Quinta when he ran the investment scam.
Butler solicited victims by falsely claiming to be a successful day trader with a proprietary trading program who had created private investment funds. Even though he had actually lost millions of dollars trading stocks, Butler told victims to expect up to a 10 percent return on their investments. After taking at least $7 million from victims and continuing to suffer substantial losses as a result of his trading, Butler produced fake account statements claiming substantial profits and sent them to victims. In addition to the trading losses, Butler used some of the victims’ money to pay personal expenses, including gambling losses.
When he pleaded guilty, Butler specifically admitted that he caused more than $2.5 million in losses. The exact loss figure will be determined by Judge Phillips during a restitution hearing scheduled for March 27.
Butler defrauded at least one family member and friends of the relative who lived in Indio. Many of the investors withdrew funds from their retirement accounts after meetings at Butler’s lavish home office containing seven to eight computer screens showing stock activity.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean D. Peterson of the Riverside Branch Office.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Cocaine ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Alexis Javier Centeno-Baez, 22, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted following a jury trial of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 63 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wei Xiang and Brendan T. Cullinane, who handled the case, stated that on August 25, 2015, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package shipped from Puerto Rico to an address in Buffalo. A search warrant was executed and revealed two individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine stuffed inside a LEGO box. During a controlled delivery, Centeno Baez went to the address and retrieved the package. When Drug Enforcement Administration Agents approached to arrest him, the defendant left the package in his car and fled on foot. Agents pursued Centeno Baez and apprehended him about three blocks away.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski.
Boylston Man Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boylston man was arrested and charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Worcester for distributing child pornography.
Randy Alan Chaplis, 32, was charged in a criminal complaint with distributing child pornography. Chaplis was arrested on Thursday, March 16, 2017, and was detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 20, 2017.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 9, 2017, Chaplis sent an email to an undercover law enforcement officer that included multiple images of child pornography. During other email communications with this undercover officer, Chaplis stated that he likes 3-to-10 year olds and that he has “fun” with his girlfriend’s five-year-old daughter when her mother is not home. Chaplis emailed graphic descriptions of sexual acts he had purportedly performed with this child and asked whether the undercover officer intended to have sexual intercourse with an infant daughter once she turned three or four. The complaint also alleges that Chaplis bragged to another internet user about having sexual intercourse with a four-year-old-girl.
On March 15, 2017, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Chaplis’s residence and located an external hard drive and a desktop computer that included multiple images of child pornography.
The charging statute provides a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime 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 Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’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/.
Binghamton Man Pleads Guilty to Twelve Counts of Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTOM, NEW YORK - Jared Flanders, 34, of Johnson City, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Binghamton, New York, to twelve (12) counts of distributing child pornography videos and images via the internet, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in Charge James Spero, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Flanders will be sentenced on July 19, 2017 and remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Flanders faces a minimum sentence of five (5) years and up to twenty (20) years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Bettendorf City Employee Sentenced to Prison for BriberyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On March 16, 2017, Robert W. Webster, heather Jean Reekr66, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 12 months and one day in prison for conspiracy to bribe a public official, 12 months and one day on each of two counts of bribery of a public official, the sentences to run concurrently, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Webster was fined $50,000 and will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. Chief Judge Jarvey ordered Webster to pay $300 in assessments.
On July 22, 2016, Webster pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery from as early as 2004 until July of 2010 concerning programs receiving federal funds, and two additional counts charging bribery on March 27, 2009, and September 18, 2009, concerning programs receiving federal funds.
As part of a written plea agreement, Webster admitted he was the Bettendorf City Electrician and for several years he received payments from Brown Traffic Products (BTP), Inc., and its subsidiary Traffic Systems Solution Company. Payments included travel, meals, drinks, entertainment and other expenses – such as tickets to NASCAR events in Las Vegas and Chicago and trips to business conferences, to reward and influence him to conduct business with BTP. Webster admitted on March 27, 2009, his wife received a check for $2,700 for a trip funded by BTP. Webster also admitted on September 18, 2009, he received golfing fees in Gilbert, Arizona, from an employee of BTP to reward and influence him.
During the sentencing hearing, Chief District Judge Jarvey found Webster had obstructed the due administration of justice and had not accepted responsibility for his crimes.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the complete cooperation of the City of Bettendorf. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Learn more about this release by either calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at [email protected]
Bethlehem Man Sentenced to 87 Months’ Imprisonment for Cocaine Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on March 16, 2017, United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Clyford Francois, age 38, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to 87 months’ imprisonment for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, and for possessing two firearms in furtherance of his narcotics trafficking activities.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Francois was arrested with over 12 grams of cocaine and two loaded firearms, a Smith and Wesson 9mm and a Titan .25 caliber, during a routine traffic stop. Law enforcement officials also recovered $612. Francois admitted that he intended to sell the cocaine and that some of the money was from prior cocaine sales.
Francois was indicted by a grand jury on December 15, 2015, and pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on September 6, 2016. He has been in custody since his arrest.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and by the Hanover Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.
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Baltimore Career Offender Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Edward Leon Samuel, Jr., age 50, of Baltimore, Maryland , on March 16, 2017, to 13 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, Samuel distributed heroin and cocaine in Baltimore City. On February 2, 2016, members of the DEA and Baltimore City Police Department executed a search warrant at Samuel’s residence and recovered 171 grams of heroin and 25.8 grams of cocaine, which Samuel admits he intended to distribute to his customers. Law enforcement also recovered three loaded firearms, including a .40 caliber handgun, a 9mm handgun with no serial number, and a 454 revolver with no serial number. Samuel admits that he possessed the firearms to further his drug trafficking activities.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek E. Hines and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.
Ball man sentenced to 21 months in prison for stealing more than $100,000 in Veterans Affairs benefitsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Ball man was sentenced Thursday to 21 months in prison for stealing more than $100,000 in Veterans Affairs benefits from a deceased woman’s bank account.
Tracy Marler, 51, of Ball, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell for one count of theft of government property. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $101,250.10 restitution. The defendant was found guilty on December 13, 2016 after a two-day trial. Evidence admitted at trial revealed that from February 25, 2008 until April 30, 2014, Marler withdrew $101,250.10 from a deceased woman’s account. The woman was receiving the benefits on behalf of her deceased husband who had served in the U.S. armed forces. Marler had a joint bank account with the woman. After she died in February of 2008, he continued to receive her Veterans Affairs benefit payments to which he was not entitled.
The Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Anesthesiologist and Forest Park Medical Center Founder Pleads Guilty to $40 Million Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Richard Ferdinand Toussaint, Jr., 58, of Dallas appeared today before U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay health care bribes and kickbacks and one count of offering or paying illegal remuneration and aiding and abetting under the Travel Act announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Toussaint faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Co-defendants Andrea Kay Smith, 37, of Rockwall, Kelly Wade Loter, 48, of Dallas, and Israel Ortiz, 49, also of Dallas previously pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy. The remaining 17 defendants are awaiting trial scheduled for July 10, 2017.
According to plea documents filed in the case, Toussaint, an anesthesiologist, met co-defendant Barker in approximately 2003 and began providing anesthesia services for his cases around 2005. Around 2008, Toussaint and Barker decided to start their own physician-owned hospital, Forest Park Medical Center (FPMC). All the surgeries at FPMC were to be elective in nature. FPMC targeted bariatric and spinal surgeons because their surgeries generated the most money. The original plan was for FPMC to go in-network with the major insurance carriers when possible. Instead, FPMC attempted to negotiate better reimbursement rates and remained out-of-network so it could collect more in reimbursements.
All of the founders at FPMC, including Toussaint and co-defendants Beauchamp, Burt, Barker, and the other founders knew that FPMC would pay surgeons marketing checks in exchange for bringing surgeries, especially lucrative out-of-network surgeries, to FPMC as opposed to other facilities. Beauchamp discussed the details of the payments with each doctor, and he kept tabs on how many surgeries they brought to FPMC. Beauchamp used a metric to calculate the payments based on the surgeons anticipated case volumes at FPMC. The payments quickly grew from $300,000 a month to $1.2 million a month. Beauchamp would update Toussaint and Barker on the bribe payments. Toussaint would often be copied on emails where Barker would ask Beauchamp how much certain doctors were being paid.
To induce patients with both in-network and out-of-network benefits to come to FPMC, and to facilitate the bribe and kickback payments, FPMC systematically waived coinsurance or reduced it to in-network levels. According to Toussaint, this practice was concealed or misrepresented to insurance carriers so they would not refuse to reimburse the hospital. Everyone associated with FPMC, including Beauchamp, Burt, Toussaint, Barker, and the surgeons receiving bribe and kickback payments, knew that FPMC guaranteed patients prior to surgery that they would not pay or would pay only the equivalent of in-network patient-responsibility payments.
Toussaint and Barker owned a commercial real estate company that was working on the continued development of FPMC. Beauchamp used the company to funnel bribe and kickback payments in exchange for patient referrals.
FPMC also made bribe and kickback payments to chiropractors to induce them to send their patients that needed surgery to FPMC as opposed to other facilities. Toussaint would often meet with chiropractors for these discussions and there was a clear quid-pro-quo, that is, the chiropractors were paid to refer their patients to FPMC.
In addition to paying surgeons bribes and kickbacks for cases being performed at FPMC in the form of marketing money, FPMC also used the opportunity to invest in FPMC, and the number of investment units a surgeon could purchase, to induce surgeons to bring their patients to FPMC. The more surgeries a surgeon could bring to FPMC, the more they were allowed to invest and profit from the hospital’s billings. Beauchamp, Barker, and Toussaint often decided how many shares a surgeon should be able to purchase based on the number of surgical cases the surgeon could steer to FPMC. Surgeon-investors who did not bring enough surgical cases to FPMC were divested or their shares were cut.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense - Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Wirmani, Kate Pfeifle and Mark Tindall are prosecuting the case.
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"Bad Santa" Sentenced for Stealing Packages from US MailRead the Press Release
On March 17, 2017, Cody J. Alexander, 26, of Coffeen, Illinois, was sentenced to federal prison for Theft of United States Mail, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Alexander who pled guilty on December 23, 2016, to one count of Theft of United States Mail, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 months of home detention and 3 years of supervised release. He as was also ordered to pay restitution to those whose mail parcels and packages were stolen. Alexander took the packages while employed with a contracting company hired by the postal service to deliver holiday packages in December of 2015. Alexander admitted taking packages, opening them, and then pawning or attempting to sell at least some of the items at a pawnshop.
At sentencing, the court considered Alexander’s personal history, the circumstances of the offense, and the fact that after his arrest, Alexander was released on bond and failed to appear for a court hearing set for December 15, 2016. On that date, the court issued an arrest warrant for his failure to appear. Ironically, the man charged with stealing holiday packages was arrested while dressed as Santa Clause on December 19, 2016, in Waterloo, Illinois. He has remained in jail since his arrest.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Marshal Service assisted in the failure to appear arrest. Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian prosecuted the case.
Thursday 16 March 2017
Worcester Sex Offender Sentenced to 17 Years on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Neil Sweeney, 51, was sentenced on Monday, March 13, 2017, by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 17 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In October 2016, Sweeney was convicted by a federal jury of possessing and distributing child pornography.
The charges arose from a federal online operation. In April 2015, an individual, later determined to be Sweeney, used Gigatribe, an internet file sharing program, to distribute dozens of videos and images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct to an undercover federal agent in Newark, NJ. The investigators established through subscriber records, email records and other internet social networking activity that Sweeney was the user of the Gigatribe account. The investigation further revealed that Sweeney resided in Worcester, and in May 2015, law enforcement agents arrested Sweeney.
In 1995, Sweeney was convicted in Worcester Superior Court for the indecent assault and battery on two boys, both under the age of 14. As a result of those convictions, Sweeney was required to register as a Level 3 sex offender.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent, made the announcement today. Homeland Security Investigations and the Massachusetts State Police assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and Karin M. Bell of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison in Connection with Cocaine Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI - Dellana Magner, 23, of St. Thomas, was sentenced in federal court to five years in prison on March 16, 2017, followed by five years of supervised release for her conviction for cocaine possession, Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced. District Judge Curtis V. Gomez also ordered Magner to pay a $100 special assessment, and perform 400 hours of community service.
On January 26, 2017, Magner pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute not less than 3.5 and not more than 5 kilograms of cocaine in connection with a drug smuggling ring operated by Nilda Morton who utilized airline employees at the Cyril E. King Airport and female couriers to smuggle cocaine to the U.S. mainland. On three occasions between June and July 2016, airport security surveillance footage captured Magner and other drug couriers in the public restroom located in the Spirit Airlines lounge exchanging vacuum-sealed packages of cocaine before boarding their flights. The investigation culminated on July 1, 2016, with the arrest of Magner after she smuggled three kilograms of cocaine onboard an American Airlines flight destined for Miami, Florida.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pittsburgh, New York, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Thomas. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
Washington D.C. Man Exiled to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Rondell McLeod, age 23, of Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2017, to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for two armed commercial robberies and for using and brandishing a firearm during a crime a violence. Judge Titus also ordered McLeod to pay restitution of $10,568.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Acting Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, between March 28 and April 1, 2016, McLeod conspired with Tyrell Bailey and Steven Mosby to rob cellular phone stores in Bethesda and Forestville, Maryland. In both the March 28 and April 1 robberies, McLeod entered the store to commit the robbery and brandished a firearm at store employees, while Mosby was the get-away driver. Bailey participated in the April 1st robbery, entering the store with McLeod to commit the robbery. McLeod and his co-conspirators stole cash, cellular phones and other high-end electronics, with a total value of approximately $30,658.
After the second robbery on April 1, 2016, a witness who saw the robbers drive away from the store called 911 and provided a description of the car. The witness followed the vehicle for some distance before losing sight of the vehicle. A Prince George’s County Police plain clothes officer in an unmarked car saw the getaway vehicle a short time later speeding, driving on the shoulder of the road, and driving through a red light. A marked Prince George’s County Police vehicle was able to start following the getaway car. Prince George’s County Police officers were also conducting aerial surveillance of the pursuit and saw McLeod and his co-conspirators flee from the vehicle. The aerial officers noticed that McLeod was gripping his waistband consistent with someone who was concealing a firearm. The aerial officers directed pursuing foot officers to the rear delivery door of a business that McLeod had entered, and McLeod was arrested. Officers found a loaded .40 caliber handgun on the ground where McLeod had been laying and recovered a cellular telephone from McLeod.
Tyrell Bailey, age 20, and Steven Walter Mosby, age 26, both of Washington, D.C., were also arrested after the chase on April 1, 2016. On December 13, 2016, Bailey pleaded guilty to robbery, and to using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Bailey and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Bailey will be sentenced to seven years and one day in prison. Judge Titus has scheduled sentencing for Bailey on March 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. On December 15, 2016, Mosby pleaded guilty to a robbery conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 10, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Michael T. Packard, who prosecuted the case.
Virginia Man Indicted on Child Pornography and Sex Tourism ChargesRead the Press Release
A Virginia man was indicted today and charged with multiple crimes involving travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minors and child pornography.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
Carl Sara, 63, of Springfield, Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today with one count each of attempted sex trafficking of children, attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sex, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minors, and transportation and possession of child pornography.
According to the indictment, beginning in approximately May 2013, Sara allegedly used the internet to communicate with sellers of child pornography, and others, in the Philippines in order to obtain child pornography. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Sara traveled to the Philippines on one occasion to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Further, the indictment also alleges that Sara transported child pornography across state lines.
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is investigating the case. Trial Attorney James E. Burke IV of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Smith are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by CEOS and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Valdosta Dentist Sentenced to Twenty-Seven (27) Months in Prison for Healthcare FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney G. F. “Pete” Peterman, III, announces that Dr. Stanley B. Marable, DDS, age 55, a dentist from Valdosta, Georgia, was sentenced March 16, 2017 to serve twenty-seven (27) months in Federal prison for Healthcare Fraud followed by two (2) years of supervised release. In addition, Dr. Marable was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000.00 and a $100.00 mandatory assessment fee. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Valdosta, Georgia.
Dr. Marable entered a plea of guilty on October 13, 2016. Facts admitted showed that he was a general practice dentist in Valdosta who was reimbursed through Medicaid payments from the State of Georgia. In 2012, at the request of the Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Medical Assistance (DCH), an audit was performed by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (DOOA). Several billing irregularities were discovered. Further investigation by the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that from January 2011 through September 30, 2013, Dr. Marable was paid for 3,145 claims for the extraction of teeth and received Medicaid payments for these extractions totaling more than $789,000.00. The investigation of the claims revealed that Dr. Marable had not actually extracted the teeth from many of the patients for whom claims of reimbursement had been submitted. Several patients had never had any teeth extracted, including one individual who did not even know Dr. Marable was a dentist.
As part of his plea agreement, Dr. Marable agreed to pay a total of $789,841.00 in restitution to the Georgia Medicaid Program. The full amount of restitution was paid prior to sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Georgia Department of Community Health – Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sonja Profit and Tamara Jarrett and Georgia Assistant Attorney General James Mooney.
“The Office of the Attorney General applauds the court’s sentence in the case of Dr. Stanley Marable for Healthcare Fraud,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “I am especially proud of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for working with the Georgia Department of Community Health and the Georgia Department of Audits to develop crucial evidence for the inception of this case and provide vital support throughout the prosecution. Our team was led by Assistant Attorney General Jim Mooney, Investigator Kevin White, Investigative Auditor Denise Colson, Intelligence Analyst Kirste Young and former Investigative Auditor Kenyetta Smith. I congratulate our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia for a successful prosecution, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to prevent truly bad actors from defrauding our systems in Georgia.”
Said United States Attorney Peterman, “Dr. Marable’s conduct in this case was egregious. In many cases he claimed to have pulled twenty or more teeth from a single patient. In one case he claimed to have extracted 31 of the patient’s 32 teeth. He fully deserves the sentence imposed upon him today.”
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Brittney Kish Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 752-3511.
VSP detectives continue investigation of Rooker death; Wayne Oddo charged with a federal firearms offenseRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont and the Vermont State Police stated:
On March 15, 2017, Wayne Oddo (53), of Poultney, Vermont, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont with being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(3). Law enforcement became aware of Oddo during the on-going investigation into the death of Alexandra Rooker. Preliminary investigation revealed that Rooker was reported missing on March 8, 2017 by family members who had not heard from her since March 2, 2017. Rooker was reportedly last seen by friends on March 3, when she was dropped off by a friend at the residence of Wayne Oddo, located at 1953 Morse Hollow Road in Poultney. Detectives interviewed Oddo during the past week in an attempt to locate Rooker. Oddo told detectives that Rooker had been at his residence but was no longer there. Investigation further revealed that both Rooker and Oddo are heroin users.
As part of an ongoing drug investigation, Vermont Drug Task Force detectives working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtained a search warrant for Oddo’s residence. On Wednesday, 3/15/17, Vermont State Police troopers, detectives and FBI agents executed the federal search warrant and discovered the body of Alexandra Rooker.
An autopsy was performed this morning at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington. Preliminary autopsy results revealed no signs of trauma; determination of cause and manner of death is pending. Time and date of death is unknown and currently under investigation. This death is being treated as suspicious at this time and possibly related to a drug overdose.
Oddo had an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy on March 16, 2017. He was detained pending a further hearing on March 24, 2017. At that hearing, Judge Conroy is expected to rule on the government’s motion seeking detention of Oddo pending trial.
The criminal complaint charging Oddo with being a drug user in possession of a firearm is an accusation only; he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted on the firearms charge, he faces up to 10 years in prison. The actual sentence, in the event of conviction, will be determined by the Court with reference to the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory sentencing factors.
Detectives with the Crime Scene Search Team continue to process the scene at 1953 Morse Hollow Road in Poultney this afternoon. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101. This investigation is a collaborative effort of the Vermont State Police, ATF, and FBI.
Vietnam Government Officials Visit Interpol WashingtonRead the Press Release
INTERPOL WashingtonOn Wednesday, March 15, 2017, officials from the Government of Vietnam visited INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—to learn about the agency’s mission, role, and functions in the United States and internationally. They also discussed police cooperation between the United States and Vietnam in efforts to combat transnational crime and enhance border security. The six-member group is in the United States participating in the Strategic Leadership Development for Senior Vietnamese Government Officials (S-LEAD) program. Established in 2016, the program is supported by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnam Initiative at Indiana University, and the U.S. Department of State.
S-LEAD provides executive-level training to select senior officials slated for promotion to vice-ministerial positions in Vietnam. Each year, two groups of Vietnamese officials spend two months in the United States participating in research and training. The activities include taking graduate courses and conducting research at Indiana University, visiting and studying different U.S. federal and state government agencies, and participating in an executive leadership program at Harvard University.
In addition to listening to the INTERPOL Washington mission overview, the Vietnamese visitors toured the INTERPOL Operations and Command Center, which operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, INTERPOL Washington is co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As the designated representative to the International Criminal Police Organization on behalf of the Attorney General, INTERPOL Washington serves as the national point of contact for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States.
United States Attorney’s Office and IMPD announce art project unveilingRead the Press Release
Self-esteem project at Daniel Webster Elementary School becomes legacy mural at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Southwest District
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh Minkler and IMPD Chief Brian Roach together announced a legacy art project that will adorn the gymnasium walls of the IMPD Southwest Police District for many years to come.
“I am pleased to see our community working together to honor the brave officers of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department with the one word that always comes to mind when we think of law enforcement: COURAGE,” said Minkler. “Rather than the conflict narrative we hear about so often, this project represents a legacy created by our youth working with our police department to build something that will benefit our city in the future. This project is symbolic of 5th and 6th grade girls from Daniel Webster, serving a cause much greater than themselves; building community trust. For these girls, that took courage.”
“This mural is a testament to the talents of our richest treasure – our youth,” said Chief Roach. “Our community is encouraged, inspired, filled with a sense of zeal, that when provided with the needed resources and given the appropriate opportunities our youth can achieve amazing and lasting accomplishments.”
U.S. Attorney employees and officers from the IMPD Southwest District partnered for over eight weeks with 23 young 5th and 6th grade girls from IPS Daniel Webster Elementary (DWES) School on an after-school project intended to address issues of self-worth, confidence and self-esteem. Both offices invested time and mentoring partners to encourage the girls to follow their dreams and see themselves as beautiful.
The self-portraits created by the students will be featured in a large mural permanently displayed in the IMPD Southwest District Roll Call site, 551 N. King Avenue, not far from DWES. The after-school workshops encouraged the girls to reject inappropriate labels, increase their self-respect and their respect for others., The mural entitled COURAGE, will serve as a legacy to remind participants and everyone entering the building the important lessons learned during the eight-week project.
The US Attorney’s Office and IMPD collaborated with Holly and Dave Combs, co-founders of the Department of Public Words and Art with A Heart to facilitate the program.
"It was an honor for Dave and I to be a part of the most loving, dynamic, and diverse collection of people in our classroom ever,” said Holly Combs. “Every person that came to class should know that they are stars and they're beautiful."
“Our middle school girls have benefitted immensely from the partnership with our friends at the US Attorney’s Office and IMPD,” said Daniel Webster Principal Karen E. Linn. “When we began with our initial orientation meeting, there were stares and polite grins all around, and we weren’t quite sure how we would connect. Now our girls run and hug their mentors and every time we get together, it’s like reuniting with family. The Art with A Heart program has taught our girls to stand taller, speak positively about their futures, and envision themselves as future professional women with choices and the confidence to define their own destinies. Thank you, dear friends, for the gift of you!”
The Mural was unveiled today at the IMPD Southwest District annual community-policing luncheon.
Torrance County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Arising Out of Seizure of 45 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – David Krowner, 42, of Estancia, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to federal methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges arising out of a seizure of 20.7 kilograms (45.54 pounds) of methamphetamine and firearms. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Krowner will be sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, and Chief Gorden E. Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).
Krowner was arrested in June 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes. According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Krowner began on June 1, 2016, when HSI received information that Krowner was transporting large quantities of illegal drugs into the Albuquerque area. HSI agents and APD officers arrested Krowner in Albuquerque on June 17, 2016, after searching his vehicle and discovering a large bin containing 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.8 kilograms of heroin, two bags of unidentified pills, seven packages of steroids, two handguns, a shotgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They also seized approximately $21,750.00 from the vehicle and another $4,500.00 from a pocket of Krowner’s pants.
Krowner was indicted on June 30, 2016. The four-count indictment charged him with possessing methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes. The indictment charged Krowner with committing these crimes on June 17, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., and included forfeiture provisions requiring Krowner to forfeit $26,250 to the United States.
During today’s proceedings, Krowner pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In entering the guilty plea, Krowner admitted that on June 17, 2016, HSI and APD found approximately 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, eight firearms, and multiple rounds of ammunition in the Krowner’s vehicle during a traffic stop. In his plea agreement, Krowner admitted that he was a convicted felon at the time of the traffic stop, having previously been convicted of a drug trafficking offense and armed robbery.
Krowner remains in custody federal pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by HSI’s Border Enforcement and Security Taskforce, which includes APD officers, and APD’s Central Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe is prosecuting the case as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Topeka Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Topeka, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing a bank in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Kishahn Lewis, 20, of Topeka, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to the charge contained in a Sept. 20, 2016, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Lewis admitted that he stole $150 from the National Bank of Kansas City, located in Excelsior Springs, on Sept. 12, 2016. Lewis handed a note to a bank teller that demanded money and claimed he had a weapon. The teller complied with the demand by giving Lewis three $50 bills.
According to court documents, a witness saw Lewis run from the bank and through a parking lot before getting into a gray Volvo. Lewis then drove south to 69 Highway. An Excelsior Springs police officer spotted the Volvo as it entered southbound Interstate 35 from 69 Highway and pulled his patrol car alongside Lewis’s vehicle. When Lewis saw the police officer, he immediately exited onto 291 Highway, and then exited that highway. The police officer located the Volvo parked at the intersection of A Highway and 291 Highway but did not see anyone inside the car. The officer passed the Volvo and radioed to other units that the car was abandoned. However, when the officer circled back, the car was gone. A few minutes later, Pleasant Valley police officers located the Volvo and stopped the car at a Quik Trip at Interstate 35 and Pleasant Valley Road.
Lewis was arrested with the demand note and the three $50 bills in his possession.
Under federal statutes, Lewis is subject to a sentence of up to 20 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 David Raskin. It was investigated by the FBI, the Excelsior Springs, Mo., Police Department and the Pleasant Valley, Mo., Police Department.
Three Charged with Alleged ID Theft of Jail InmatesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Delanio Vick, 31, and Teresa Gallop, 49, of Norfolk, and Jessie Davis, 20, of Portsmouth, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements in an application to a federally insured institution, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, these individuals conspired to obtain the personal property and identifying information of inmates housed in local jails. Conspirators inside the jails recruited inmates to retain the services of a fictitious legal services company, FamUnited, also known as Famm United or FamilyTranzitions. Other conspirators posed as paralegals during recorded jail calls with these inmates. During these calls, conspirators falsely promised to help the inmates obtain bonds in exchange for the release of their personal property from the jails’ custody. Some inmates agreed to release their property as instructed. For those who did not, conspirators submitted forged property release forms to the jail authorizing the release of inmate property to other conspirators. After obtaining inmate property, including wallets and cell phones, conspirators accessed and opened bank accounts in the inmates’ names. In some cases, conspirators created forged durable powers of attorney that purported to authorize them to act on the inmates’ behalf. Conspirators used these documents to add themselves as authorized users to the inmates’ existing bank accounts. Conspirators then used the compromised and newly created bank accounts to conduct fraudulent transactions, including worthless deposits and unauthorized withdrawals, through which they obtained money, goods, and services.
Persons who believe they may have information regarding this case are encouraged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 804-418-6104.
The defendants were initially indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 16, 2016. The superseding indictment returned yesterday includes additional charges. The defendants each face a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison to run consecutive to a maximum possibly penalty of 30 years in prison. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Michael Goldsmith, Chief of Norfolk Police; and Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin C. Gratton is prosecuting the case.
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-88.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Ten Arrested in Multi-State Oxycodone and Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON –Ten men were arrested today in connection with an oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl trafficking and money laundering operation operating between Massachusetts, Maine and Florida.
Each of the ten men were charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today, with offenses including conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments:
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Jesus Gonzalez, 22, of Haverhill, Mass.;
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Jenssi Astacio, 30, of Miami, Fla.;
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Gorky Gonzalez, 24, of Biddeford, Maine;
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Craig Drummond, 25, of Miami, Fla.;
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Darren Infante, 26, of Miami, Fla.;
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Moses Rodriguez, 29, of Lawrence, Mass.;
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George Noukas, 27, of Manchester, NH;
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Juan Reyes, 29, of Lawrence, Mass.;
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Johnny Urena, 29, of Lawrence, Mass.; and
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Jeffrey Brathwaite, 32, of Lawrence, Mass.
The superseding indictment, which was the result of a three-year investigation, alleges that beginning in at least 2014, Jesus Gonzalez, Astacio, Gorky Gonzalez, Drummond, Infante, Reyes, Urena, and others, participated in a conspiracy to transport sizeable quantities of oxycodone from Miami, Fla., to Massachusetts, where it was distributed in the greater Boston area. Proceeds from the sale of the drug were then transported and/or transferred back to Florida and laundered in various ways. It is further alleged that beginning in at least 2014, Jesus Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Noukas, Urena, and Brathwaite participated in a conspiracy to distribute sizeable quantities of heroin and fentanyl in the greater Boston area.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin or 40 grams or more of fentanyl provide for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved, whichever is greater. 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; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the District of Massachusetts; and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police; Lawrence, Methuen, Natick, Stoughton, Millis, Manchester (New Hampshire), Biddeford (Maine), Haverhill, Framingham, and Waltham Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Beausey of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the superseding indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Spokane Area Cardiologist, Dr. Romeo Pavlic, to Pay $300,000 Resolving Alleged False Health Care ClaimsRead the Press Release
Spokane, WA – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of Washington announced a settlement agreement with Dr. Romeo Pavlic and various companies he owns. The settlement resolves allegations that for years Dr. Pavlic, a Spokane-area cardiologist, falsely billed Medicare and Medicaid by repeatedly and falsely claiming to have provided services and tests to vulnerable patients when in fact he had not.
The settlement agreement, which was entered into with both the United States as well as the State of Washington, calls for Dr. Pavlic to pay a total of $300,000 within 5 days- $279,190 to the United States and $20,810.00 to the State of Washington for its portion of the Medicaid payments that Dr. Pavlic allegedly took through his knowingly false billing.
According to the settlement agreement, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, Dr. Pavlic was ostensibly providing medical services and tests to the vulnerable adult residents of Lakeland Village in Medical Lake. Lakeland Village is a State operated facility that provides training, education, and healthcare for about 250 individuals with developmental disabilities. People who receive services at Lakeland Village have profound physical and mental disabilities.
The United States alleges that Dr. Pavlic would conduct “cardiac clinics” at Lakeland Village approximately once per month. These “cardiac clinics” would run two to three hours, during which time Dr. Pavlic would see approximately 20-35 residents, scheduled at five to ten minute intervals; at times seeing as many as 40-55 residents, according to allegations.
It was during those “cardiac clinics” that Dr. Pavlic allegedly billed for services not provided and tests not conducted. Specifically, Dr. Pavlic would routinely bill Medicare and Medicaid for a longer and more detailed patient evaluation than he actually provided, according to the allegations in the settlement agreement. In addition, Dr. Pavlic would routinely bill Medicare and Medicaid for a complete echocardiogram when in fact he was only providing a limited echocardiogram, according to the allegations in the settlement agreement. The United States also alleges that, at least as to providing supposedly full echocardiograms Dr. Pavlic was warned in writing in December of 2012 that while other cardiologists in his area billed for full echocardiograms on approximately 12% of their Medicare/Medicaid patients, Dr. Pavlic was claiming to have done so on over 90% of his Medicare/Medicaid patients. Despite this clear warning that his billing practices were suspect, Dr. Pavlic continued to bill for the full tests which were not provided, according to the United States’ allegations.
Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said: “This settlement agreement resolves some very serious allegations very favorably for the tax payers.” Harrington went on to state that, “doctors, especially those providing services to our most vulnerable citizens, must not violate their duty to the tax payers who are funding those needed services. If doctors do violate that duty they can expect, at a minimum, to pay back the tax payers much more than they took.”
“When doctors exploit vulnerable patients and bill for procedures that were never performed, they violate the basic trust that patients and taxpayers extend to healthcare providers,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in health care fraud.”
This case was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Investigator, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Washington Office of the Attorney General.
A copy of the settlement agreement is attached.
South Korean Businessman Convicted on Fraud Charges in Scheme to Deceive U.S. Municipalities out of Federal Stimulus FundsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A jury has convicted a South Korean businessman on multiple fraud charges for deceiving U.S. municipalities into spending federal stimulus money on his company’s foreign-made products.
HEON SEOK LEE, Chief Executive Officer and President of KTURBO and KTURBO USA, secured contracts to supply numerous municipalities across the United States with wastewater-treatment aeration blowers that Lee falsely represented had been manufactured in the United States. The false representations entitled Lee’s companies to win contracts funded through the stimulus package that the federal government provided to municipalities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In reality, Lee knew that KTURBO fully assembled its aeration blowers in South Korea and shipped them in final form to the United States, with the intention of obtaining in excess of $1.3 million from the fraudulently obtained contracts.
After an eight-day trial in federal court in Chicago, the jury on Wednesday found Lee, 50, of Seoul, South Korea, guilty of five counts of wire fraud and three counts of fraudulent importation of goods into the United States. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman has not yet scheduled sentencing.
The conviction was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; James M. Gibbons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and Joseph Gonzales, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General also provided assistance.
Congress passed ARRA to combat the Great Recession of 2008. Billions of dollars in stimulus funds went into the U.S. economy, including funds provided to municipalities and other local governments for the construction and renovation of wastewater treatment facilities. In order to receive ARRA funding, municipalities had their general contractors and engineering firms confirm that the contractors, subcontractors and vendors provided manufactured goods that complied with the “Buy American” provision in ARRA, which required that manufactured goods be “substantially transformed” in the United States.
Evidence at trial revealed that South Korea-based KTURBO, under Lee’s leadership and direction, in 2010 placed phony placards on its equipment stating that it was “Assembled in USA.” The fully assembled equipment – with placards – was then shipped from South Korea to the United States, for distribution to several municipalities across the country.
Law enforcement in 2011 searched KTURBO’s local facility in suburban Batavia, seizing blowers that had been fully manufactured in South Korea, as well as other relevant evidence. Lee was extradited to the United States in 2015.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Otlewski and Megan Cunniff Church.
Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing Precursor Chemicals Used to Manufacture MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CRYSTAL LANGDON, age 35, of Slidell, pled guilty today to buying cold medications with the knowledge that they would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
According to court documents, LANGDON was engaged in “smurfing,” which involves various individuals going to the same or nearby stores and each making individual purchases of cold medication, which are then grouped together in order to make a batch of methamphetamine. This “smurfing” activity is in response to laws that have been passed in order to combat the domestic production of methamphetamine by restricting the sale of over-the-counter cold medications. These medications often contain pseudoephedrine, which is a precursor chemical that can be processed to create methamphetamine. LANGDON admitted to participating in this “smurfing” activity from May through June of 2015 and to buying over the counter cold medication that she gave to another individual so that he could use it to produce methamphetamine at a house on Swan Street in Slidell.
LANGDON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of four years, a fine of up to $25,000, and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for June 15, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.
Six Robeson County Men Face Narcotics ChargesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces that six (6) Robeson County men were arrested today in a coordinated law enforcement operation for allegedly engaging in selling narcotics in the Robeson County area.
The following individuals were charged by way of Criminal Complaint:
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Mitchell Locklear, 54 of Maxton, NC
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Torrey Locklear, 37 of Maxton, NC
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Christopher Locklear, 34 of Maxton, NC
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Timmy Lloyd Hunt, 42 of Maxton, NC
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Kevin Clark, 30 of Rowland, NC
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Kevin Dwayne Revels, 35 of Maxton, NC
Mitchell Locklear, Christopher Locklear, and Timmy Lloyd Hunt were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine. Torrey Locklear and Kevin Clark were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, and oxycodone. Kevin Revels was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine and with possession of firearms by a felon.
In the process of serving the Criminal Complaints, sixty-eight (68) firearms were seized.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Additional assistance was provided by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina National Guard, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence J. Cameron is prosecuting the case for the government.
The charges and allegations contained in the Criminal Complaints are merely accusations. The defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Six Members and Associates of the Hells Angels Charged in White Plains Federal Court with Racketeering, Narcotics, and Money Laundering OffensesRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI’), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging six members and associates of the Hells Angels with various racketeering, narcotics, and money laundering offenses, including the assault of a rival gang member with a hammer.
THOMAS SCHMIDT, JOSEPH KAPLAN, JOHN CALVACCHIO, JEFF AMATO, and GARY PAGANELLI were taken into federal custody this morning and were presented before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. MICHAEL PICCIONE was taken into federal custody this morning near Los Angeles, California, and will be presented later today before a magistrate judge in the Central District of California. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, through the sale of cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana and their violent conflict with rival gangs, members of the New Roc Hells Angels wreaked havoc on the streets of Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties. Together with our law enforcement partners, we are determined to combat gang and drug violence throughout the Southern District of New York.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Violent gangs such as the Hells Angels often use violence and intimidation as a means to establish themselves or protect their ‘turf.’ In this case they allegedly used those tactics by attacking a rival gang member with a hammer in the middle of a restaurant and placing innocent people in danger. Regardless of the name these men operate under, the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Gang Task Force works daily to remove these alleged violent members of our society and to create a safer community for everyone.”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1] and in court proceedings:
The New Roc Hells Angels were a criminal enterprise that operated principally in and around Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, from at least 2008 up to and including August 2014. The New Roc Hells Angels’ objectives included narcotics trafficking, extortion, money laundering, contraband cigarettes, prostitution, and altered motor vehicle parts.
Members and associates of the New Roc Hells Angels engaged in acts of violence against rival gang members. One of these acts was a December 2012 gang assault committed against a rival motorcycle gang – the Diablos – where members and associates of the New Roc Hells Angels beat a member of the Diablos on the head with a hammer at a restaurant in Poughkeepsie, New York, while innocent bystanders were dining. This violent act was to retaliate against the Diablos, who had encroached on the territory controlled by the New Roc Hells Angels, and otherwise to promote the standing and reputation of the New Roc Hells Angels among rival gangs.
Count One of the Indictment charges THOMAS SCHMIDT, the former Vice-President of the New Roc Hells Angels, with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.
Count Two charges SCHMIDT and JOSEPH KAPLAN with assault in aid of racketeering activity in connection with the December 2012 assault of a member of a rival gang.
Count Three charges SCHMIDT, MICHALE PICCIONE, JOHN CALVACCHIO, JEFF AMATO, and GARY PAGANELLI with participating in a narcotics conspiracy, in connection with the distribution of cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana.
Count Four charges SCHMIDT and PICCIONE with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Count Five charges PAGANELLI with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine.
Count Six charges AMATO with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing methamphetamine.
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Charts containing the names, ages, residences, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney John P. Collins Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Racketeering conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
THOMAS SCHMIDT
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2
Assault in aid of racketeering activity
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3)
THOMAS SCHMIDT
JOSEPH KAPLAN
20 years in prison
3
Narcotics conspiracy
21 U.S.C. § 846
THOMAS SCHMIDT
MICHAEL PICCIONE
JOHN CALVACCHIO
JEFF AMATO
GARY PAGANELLI
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
4
Money Laundering
Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)
THOMAS SCHMIDT
MICHAEL PICCIONE
20 years in prison
5
Possessing with Intent to Distribute and Distributing Cocaine
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C)
GARY PAGANELLI
20 years in prison
6
Possessing with Intent to Distribute and Distributing Methamphetamine
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C)
JEFF AMATO
20 years in prison
DEFENDANT
AGE
RESIDENCE
THOMAS SCHMIDT
52
Staten Island, NY
JOSEPH KAPLAN
30
Valhalla, NY
MICHAEL PICCIONE
33
Arieta, CA
JOHN CALVACCHIO, a/k/a “Uncle”
53
Kent, NY
JEFF AMATO
50
Mamaroneck, NY
GARY PAGANELLI
47
Cortlandt Manor, NY
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Sentencings for March 10 - March 15, 2017Read the Press Release
Jose Esteban Ramirez-Hernandez, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on March 15, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Ramirez-Hernandez was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received time served plus 10 days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Rene Mendez-Mendez, 37, of Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on March 15, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Mendez-Mendez was arrested in Jackson, Wyoming. He received time served plus 10 days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Chad Cullen Porter, a/k/a Nick Stevens, 46, of Anderson, North Carolina, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on March 14, 2017, for wire fraud. Porter was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received six months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $32,000.00 in restitution and a $100.00 special assessment. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department.
Robert Martin Butler, 43, of Bath, Illinois, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on March 10, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Butler received 63 months and 19 days of imprisonment, to be followed by three years supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department.
Hector Reza-Colmenero, 22, of Albin, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on March 10, 2017, for unlawful user of a controlled substance and unlawful alien in possession of a firearm. Reza-Colmenero was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received 21 months of imprisonment, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Salem Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution Charge Related to OverdoseRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEE HENRICI, 32, of Salem, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 22, 2016, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a hotel room at the Foxwoods Resort on the report of a drug overdose involving a female victim. The victim was transported to the hospital and survived. The victim’s boyfriend, who was present in the room, informed officers that the victim used heroin just prior to collapsing on the floor and losing consciousness. Officers seized opened and unopened wax packets of suspected heroin, and a hypodermic needle, from the scene.
The investigation, which included witness statements and analysis of surveillance video and text messages from the victim’s cell phone, revealed that HENRICI drove to the hotel in the morning of June 22, picked up money from the victim, drove to Hartford to purchase heroin from his source, returned to the hotel and delivered heroin to the victim.
HENRICI was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 17, 2016.
HENRICI is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on June 28, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $50,000 bond.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Sacramento Woman Sentenced to 5 Years and 11 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud, ID Theft and Possession of Stolen MailRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In three separate Sacramento area cases involving the theft of mail for the purpose of committing identity theft, one defendant was sentenced and three pleaded guilty today, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: “Postal Inspectors worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those individuals responsible for thefts of mail and Identity theft crimes committed against the public.”
2:16-cr-045 MCE
U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. sentenced Michele Reyes Serrano, 35, of Sacramento, to five years and 11 months in prison for bank fraud and attempted bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen U.S. mail. According to court documents, between June 1, 2015, and January 21, 2016, Serrano and her husband, co-defendant Raleigh Figueras, 35, obtained personal and financial information from stolen U.S. mail and used the stolen bank account numbers, credit cards, and checks to get money, goods, and services at the expense of the banks. Surveillance cameras caught the defendants cashing checks or making purchases at Sacramento-area Target and Wal‑Mart stores.
On January 21, 2016, agents found in the defendants’ residence stolen mail and stolen and counterfeit identification documents with the true identification information of a victim. Serrano admitted to stealing U.S. mail on a regular basis. Figueras pleaded guilty on February 9, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2017.
2:17-cr-037 TLN
Orangevale residents Patricia Ann Anchondo, 38, and Angel Marie Galvin, 27, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen U.S. mail. Anchondo additionally pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Anchondo is scheduled to be sentenced May 25, 2017, and Galvin is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2017.
According to court documents, between March 23, 2016, and November 17, 2016, Anchondo and Galvin stole mail and used the personal and financial information of the mail theft victims to open credit card accounts and to take over existing bank accounts owned by the victims. When a search was conducted at the defendants’ residence, law enforcement agents found stolen U.S. mail, profiles of victims’ information, bank records for a church, and numerous identification documents of a victim. The defendants confessed that they stole mail from the church and used the church’s bank account number to make payments to other victim credit cards to keep the cards’ associated lines of credit active for further unauthorized transactions.
Galvin admitted she drove to various counties and stole U.S. mail in order to take over mail theft victims’ identities. Anchondo and Galvin each stated that they would apply for bank accounts and credit cards online to go shopping and to buy gift cards, which the two would then sell online. Anchondo additionally confessed to law enforcement that she possessed methamphetamine, and evidence found in her home and on her phone indicated that she also sold the drug.
2:17-cr-035 MCE, 2:16-cr-147 MCE
Shellby Moore, 29, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and possession of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Moore and co-defendant Trevor Lichnock-Gembe, 28, of Sacramento, obtained stolen mail and used the personal information of victims to open checking and savings accounts and to obtain debit cards. After opening the accounts, the defendants used them to deposit stolen, counterfeit, and altered checks. Surveillance cameras at various locations showed the defendants opening accounts and making phony deposits at banks, making purchases with the fraudulent debit cards, and breaking into mail boxes at apartment complexes.
On April 20, 2016, law enforcement agents conducted a probation search where Moore lived with Lichnock-Gembe. Inside the residence, officers seized stolen property, stolen credit and debit cards, stolen identifications, passports, and stolen U.S. mail. Moore pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine on March 1, 2017, while housed as a federal inmate in the Nevada County Jail. Lichnock-Gembe has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unlawful possession of five or more identification documents and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2017. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2017.
These cases are the product of investigations by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Sacramento County Probation Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. The Postal Inspection Service conducted these investigations with assistance of its Narcotic and Economic Crimes Investigations Task Force (NECI). NECI is a partnership between local and federal law enforcement to combat theft and unlawful use of the U.S. Mail. The Placer County District Attorney’s Office and Sutter County Sheriff’s Office have each dedicated law enforcement personnel to the task force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez prosecuted each of these cases.
The statutory maximum penalties are 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud; two years in prison consecutive to any other sentence and a $250,000 fine for aggravated identity. theft; five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of stolen U.S. mail, five to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for possession of methamphetamine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Sacramento Nail Salon Arsonist Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Paul La, 59, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to five years in prison, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to his plea agreement, in 2011, La set fire to his business, Golden Nails & Hair, located at 8335 Folsom Boulevard in Sacramento, using acetone as an accelerant. After burning down the business, La submitted fraudulent insurance claims based on purported losses from the fire.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson and Amanda H. Beck prosecuted the case.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transportation Across State Lines for Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Brandon Lamont Walton, 38, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 10 years in prison for transportation for illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in June 2013, Walton contacted an 18-year-old female using an online social networking website. Soon thereafter, they met in person, and he transported her from Washington state to California where he posted online advertisements that offered her for paid sexual services. In July of 2013, he transported her to New Mexico and Texas, where he continued that activity. In mid-July, the victim’s mother contacted police in Texas, and they helped to arrange the victim’s return to her mother. At an earlier sentencing hearing, the district court determined that the victim credibly testified that the defendant sexually assaulted her during the course of his crime.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes FBI agents and detectives from the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Michele Beckwith and Jason Hitt prosecuted the case.
Sacramento Area Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 34 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. sentenced Isreal “Puck” Washington, 43, of Sacramento, today to 34 years in prison for trafficking heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents and evidence presented in July 9, 2015, at a five-day trial, Washington and oversaw the distribution of thousands of doses of crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine between 2006 and 2013 in Sacramento. Washington used various businesses as a front to conceal and disguise his extensive drug trafficking and operated a large “crew” of gang members as his drug distribution organization. During an investigation in 2010 and 2011, one of Washington’s businesses, Wet Ways Auto Body and Paint Shop, was identified as a place where Washington and his associates conducted drug deals.
In 2012, an undercover operative bought heroin and methamphetamine from Washington’s organization. The drug traffickers operating under Washington included co‑defendants Deyonte Spears, 29, of Oakland, and Sacramento residents Tyrone Weathersby, 48; Anthony Joaquin Sanchez, 32; and Myron Meadows, 45. On May 21, 2013, DEA agents served search warrants at two Sacramento-area stash pads controlled by Washington. Agents seized a stolen firearm and more than three pounds of heroin at stash pads maintained by the group.
U.S. Attorney Talbert stated: “Washington oversaw an extensive drug trafficking operation for several years and is responsible for the distribution of large amounts of dangerous drugs into our community. That conduct has devastating effects on the lives of those who abuse such drugs, their family members, and the community as a whole. The sentence handed down today appropriately reflects the seriousness of Washington's crime and the harm he caused. I want to thank the DEA, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, whose hard work made this prosecution possible.”
“Motivated by greed and power, Washington led a gang-affiliated drug trafficking ring concealing criminal activity through a variety of his businesses,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. “This type of behavior terrorizes a community and rips at its sense of security. Washington’s 34-year sentence pays a debt to society that he clearly owes.”
Co‑defendant Spears was sentenced on July 16, 2015, to 10 years in prison; co‑defendant Weathersby was sentenced to 18 months in prison on October 24, 2014; co‑defendant Sanchez was sentenced on December 17, 2015, to five years and 10 months in prison; and co‑defendant Meadows was sentenced on September 10, 2015, to three years in prison.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Jill M. Thomas prosecuted the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program that was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
When prosecuted in federal court, drug traffickers typically receive much harsher sentences. In addition to the longer sentences imposed, unlike state court prisoners who are released early on parole, there is no early release on parole in the federal system.
Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera Charged in Violent Robbery and Kidnapping of Bronx Man, Which Resulted in Man’s DeathRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), and James P. O’Neill, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of ROBERT PIZARRO and JUAN RIVERA on charges of kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, robbery conspiracy, robbery, and firearms offenses. The defendants have been remanded and remain in custody.
Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera robbed, terrorized, and ultimately killed 36-year-old Robert Bishun. Today’s arrests mark the end of an exhaustive investigation by the DEA, the NYPD, and the New York State Police, and the beginning of justice for Bishun’s family.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division James J. Hunt said: “This investigation led law enforcement through a violent series of events leading to a murder by strangulation. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force’s REDRUM Group and the U.S. Southern District of New York identified the alleged crimes committed by Pizarro and Rivera and worked collaboratively to arrest them today.”
NYSP Superintendent George P. Beach II said: “I applaud the hard work of our law enforcement partners on the DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. Through solid police work, two suspects have been put behind bars and two dangerous men are off of our streets. These men not only allegedly kidnapped a man from his business, robbing him of hard earned money – but they ultimately took his life. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Task Force, and bringing those who commit these heinous types of crimes, to justice.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “As alleged, the brazen violence carried out by the defendants named in this indictment demonstrates a blatant disregard for both the law and human life. I commend the prosecutors, investigators, and agents who diligently brought this case to its swift conclusion.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1] and other documents in the public record, and statements made in court:
On September 20, 2016, PIZARRO and RIVERA robbed Robert Bishun at gunpoint in his auto body shop in the Bronx. They then kidnapped Bishun, forcing him into his own car, and driving it away. Bishun’s body was found several hours later in the back seat of his car. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City concluded that the cause of Bishun’s death was strangulation.
On a prior occasion, in January 2015, PIZARRO robbed Robert Bishun at gunpoint at the same auto body shop, taking approximately $10,000 cash from Bishun.
* * *
PIZARRO, 37, of the Bronx, and RIVERA, 39, of the Bronx, are each charged with one count of kidnapping conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a maximum sentence of death; one count of robbery conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. PIZARRO is also charged with one count of robbery related to his January 2015 robbery of Bishun, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by a judge
Mr. Kim praised the investigative efforts of the DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, which comprises agents and officers of the DEA, NYPD, and NYSP.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Graham, Jessica Fender, and Jared Lenow are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
RGB, INC. Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Gambling ViolationsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney John Stuart Bruce announced that today in federal court, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced RGB, Inc., a business known as Godwin Music in Selma, NC, and Raleigh Amusements in Garner, NC to 4 years probation. RGB pled guilty to Conducting an Illegal Gambling Business and pursuant to the plea agreement, RGB paid $2,334,500 in forfeiture and a $150,000 fine. RGB pled guilty this morning and was sentenced shortly thereafter.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Government moved to dismiss the related gambling charges against David Ricky Godwin and David Ricky Godwin, Jr., and the Court dismissed those charges.
RGB was named in a Second Superseding Indictment filed on August 11, 2015. It was originally indicted on June 9, 2015. The charges related to RGB’s operation of a gambling business involving video sweepstakes machines that included games such as video poker, video keno, video lotto, and eight liner. RGB placed these machines in convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and other businesses in Eastern North Carolina.
Investigation of this case was conducted by Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney David A. Bragdon represented the government.
Quincy Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Quincy man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston to multiple bank robberies throughout the Boston area.
Kyle P. Nathan, 28, pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2017.
According to court documents, on various dates in February and March 2016, a number of banks were robbed in the Greater Boston area. Due to the similarity of how the banks were robbed, and the physical description of the robber, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in each of the robberies.
Law enforcement identified Nathan as the individual responsible for the robberies of a branch of the East Boston Savings Bank in South Boston on February 27, 2016; a branch of the East Boston Savings Bank in Dorchester on March 8, 2016; a branch of the Santander bank in Chelmsford on March 10, 2016; and a branch of the Citizens Bank in Chelmsford on March 18, 2016.
On March 18, 2016, following the robbery of the Citizens Bank in Chelmsford, law enforcement officers arrested Nathan. At the time of his arrest, Nathan was wearing the same clothing he had been wearing during the prior robberies.
The charging statue provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Poteau Man Sentenced to 9 Months for Stolen Money OrdersRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that ADRIAN VINCENT CROSS, age 52, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for CONSPIRACY TO STEAL, POSSESS AND UTTER STOLEN UNITED STATES POSTAL MONEY ORDERS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; for POSSESSION OF STOLEN POSTAL MONEY ORDERS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 500; and for multiple counts of PASSING AND UTTERING OF STOLEN POSTAL MONEY ORDERS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 500.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 24, 2015, and continuing thereafter until on or about January 13, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, did knowingly and willfully conspire, confederate and agree together, and with other persons both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States; namely, did knowingly steal, receive, possess, pass and utter, and attempt to pass and utter stolen United States Postal Service Money Order Forms with the intent to convert them to his or her own use or gain, and the use or gain of another, knowing said United States Postal Service Money Order Forms to have been stolen and converted.
It Indictment further alleged that on or about December 24, 2015, and continuing thereafter until on or about January 13, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, did knowingly receive and possess stolen and converted blank money order form provided by, and under the authority of, the United States Postal Service with the intent to convert it to his own use and gain and the use and gain of another.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Pocola Police Department, the Shady Point Police Department, the Leflore County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Postal Service.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the nonparoleable sentence will be served.
Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington represented the United States.
Philadelphia Felon Charged with Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Darnell Peace, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Indictment[1] with 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and 1 count of possession of controlled substances announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges that on or about September 17, 2016, Peace, who has a prior felony conviction, possessed a HI-Point 9mm Model C, silver and black, semi- automatic firearm, bearing serial number P038255, loaded with 5, 9mm rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one in the chamber. Peace was also in possession of two controlled substances.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Virgil B. Walker.
[1]An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Hate Crime AssaultRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Jeffrey Allen Burgess, 54, was charged in a one-count indictment. According to the indictment, on or about Nov. 22, 2016, Burgess is alleged to have violated the Matthew Shepard and James Bryd Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act by willfully causing bodily injury to A.M. because of A.M.’s perceived race, color, and national origin.
If convicted, Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
The FBI and the Bethel Park Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Rachael L. Dizard and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Tona Boyd are prosecuting this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Hate Crime AssaultRead the Press Release
A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Jeffrey Allen Burgess, 54, was charged in a one-count indictment. According to the indictment, on or about Nov. 22, 2016, Burgess is alleged to have violated the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act by willfully causing bodily injury to A.M. because of A.M.’s perceived race, color, and national origin.
If convicted, Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
The FBI and the Bethel Park Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Rachael L. Dizard and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Tona Boyd are prosecuting this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pasco Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane– Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Sergio Magana, Jr., age 26, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison as a result of his convictions for production and receipt of child pornography.
On November 1, 2016, Magana was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. Today, United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., who presided over the trial, sentenced Magana to a 20-year term of imprisonment for Production of Child Pornography, and a 5-year term of imprisonment for Receipt of Child Pornography, to be served concurrently. Judge Mendoza further imposed a lifetime term of supervised release, and sex offender registration.
According to the evidence presented at trial or disclosed during court proceedings, Magana came to the attention of law enforcement in 2014, after a fourteen-year-old girl reported that she had been raped by an adult male at her family’s residence in Pasco. The adult male was later identified as Magana. During the course of the rape investigation, a Pasco police detective received Magana’s cellular phone from a third party. The cellular phone was subsequently examined, and determined to contain child pornography depicting a fifteen-year-old girl. The cellular phone also contained communications between Magana and the fifteen-year-old girl, during which Magana solicited child pornography depicting the minor, inquired where the minor lived, and stated that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with the minor. The Pasco Police Detective located and identified the fifteen-year-old minor. Evidence obtained by law enforcement officers during the course of the investigation revealed that Magana had engaged in a pattern of behavior whereby he contacted minor girls on Facebook and subsequently sought to meet or obtain photographs of said girls.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “The law enforcement officers with Homeland Security Investigations, the Pasco Police Department, and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force must be commended for their tireless work on this matter. Their seamless working partnership resulted in the successful prosecution of this case. Prosecuting offenders who produce and receive child pornography is a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.”
“Predators who view pornographic images of children fuel the disturbing actions of like-minded criminals who create the illegal content. Both rob the innocence of their victims and leave permanent scars that can never be entirely healed,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle. “This sentence is a testament to our dedicated HSI agents and law enforcement partners who aggressively hunt down these abusive pedophiles and bring them out of the shadows to ensure they receive the judgment they deserve.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May, 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
• Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
• Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
• Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
• Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
• Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Homeland Security Investigations, the Pasco Police Department, and Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation of this matter. The case was prosecuted by Laurel J. Holland, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Northern California Real Estate Investor Sentenced for Rigging Bids at Public Foreclosure AuctionsRead the Press Release
A Northern California real estate investor was sentenced yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to rig bids at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California, the Department of Justice announced.
John Michael Galloway was charged on Dec. 3, 2014, in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of California. He pleaded guilty to one count of bid rigging in Oakland, California, on Nov. 16, 2016. Yesterday, Galloway was sentenced to serve 12 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay a $74,899 criminal fine and $265,050 in restitution.
Between June 2008 and January 2011, Galloway conspired with others not to bid against one another, instead designating a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Contra Costa County. The members of the conspiracy then held second, private auctions to award the properties to members of the conspiracy and determine payoffs for other conspirators who had agreed not to bid against each other at the public auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held. The primary purpose of the conspiracies was to suppress and eliminate competition in order to obtain selected real estate offered at Contra Costa County public foreclosure auctions at noncompetitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at public auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with the remaining proceeds, if any, paid to the homeowner.
Yesterday's sentence is a result of the department’s ongoing investigation into bid rigging at public real estate foreclosure auctions in California’s San Francisco, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties. These investigations are being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office and the FBI’s San Francisco Office
Anyone with information concerning bid rigging or fraud related to public real estate foreclosure auctions should contact the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office at 415-934-5300 or call the FBI tip line at 415-553-7400.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 20 Years Imprisonment in Interstate Heroin CaseRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LEJEUNE HARRIS, age 43, of New Orleans, was sentenced today. HARRIS previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin, and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin.
U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced HARRIS to 240 months imprisonment on the drug conspiracy and 120 months each on the possession and attempted possession charges, to run concurrently. HARRIS was also placed on ten years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
According to court records, during a traffic stop of a Fiat on Interstate-10 East in Calcasieu Parish, law enforcement officers found four packages of heroin weighing approximately one kilogram in total. The driver admitted that LARRY DUPOR of Houston had paid her $1,000 in cash to deliver the heroin to HARRIS at a car wash in New Orleans East. The driver stated that she had made similar trips before to deliver heroin between DUPOR and HARRIS. The driver agreed to assist law enforcement by following through with a delivery of ‘sham’ heroin to HARRIS. While under law enforcement surveillance, the driver was met by HARRIS, who took the ‘sham’ packages weighing approximately 750 kilograms in total and then handed the driver $2,000 in cash. HARRIS entered the car wash office and was detained by surveillance agents. Agents obtained a search warrant for the car wash office and recovered an additional 479 grams of heroin in a hidden area where HARRIS had stored the three packages of ‘sham’ heroin.
DUPOR pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and attempted distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin. DUPOR is scheduled for sentencing on April 6, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael B. Redmann and Shirin Hakimzadeh were in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Use of an Interstate Facility to Promote ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID MICHAEL WHITE, JR., a/k/a “Prince Loyalty,” age 33, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to use of an interstate facility to promote prostitution.
U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced WHITE to 33 months incarceration, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. WHITE was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment.
According to court documents, WHITE operated a prostitution business based in New Orleans, Louisiana. To recruit customers, WHITE used the internet website www.backpage.com (“Backpage”) to post “escort” ads and market women for prostitution. In August 2015, WHITE arranged for a victim, a 19 year-old woman from Shreveport, whom he met over the internet, to visit him for a date. When WHITE picked up the victim from the bus station, WHITE told the victim he was a pimp. WHITE persuaded and enticed the victim to engage in commercial sex acts for his personal financial benefit, by posting advertisements of her for commercial sex services on Backpage. WHITE also pled guilty to advertising a 19-year-old female victim from New Orleans on Backpage in January 2013. WHITE received all the proceeds from the commercial sex acts both victims performed as result of WHITE’S Backpage postings.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans was in charge of this prosecution.
Mexican National Sentenced for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARIO FUENTES-VELASQUEZ, age 29, a native of Mexico, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with illegal entry of a removed alien.
U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced FUENTES-VELASQUEZ to time served (seven months), one year of supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, on September 7, 2016, FUENTES-VELASQUEZ was found in the United States after having been officially deported and removed on August 29, 2013. He also had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri was in charge of the prosecution.
Meth Dealers Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven E. Butler of the Southern District of Alabama announced that three members of a methamphetamine ice distribution operation were sentenced in federal court last Friday. Kevin Espinosa, 19, of Galveston, Texas, Matthew Ramirez, 25, also of Galveston, and Miguel Trevino, 34, of Alvin, Texas, were indicted in Mobile last March for their participation in a methamphetamine ice distribution conspiracy. All three entered guilty pleas to the conspiracy charge.
United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of time served for Espinosa, finding his minimal participation, his age and cooperation in the investigation justified a departure from the advisory guideline range. She also ordered that Espinosa serve a three year term of supervised release and pay the mandatory $100 special assessment. In Ramirez’s case, Judge Dubose imposed a sentence of 120 months, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay the mandatory special assessment of $100. In Trevino’s case, the judge imposed a sentence of 188 months, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The mandatory special assessment was imposed in his case as well. No fine was imposed in any of the cases.
The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
Meadville Man Indicted on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The three-count indictment named Dennis Michael Kerr, 27, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Kerr received, transported and possessed computer images and movies depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
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.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Massachusetts Man Charged with Online Enticement of A Child to Engage in Criminal Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Dracut, Massachusetts, man who allegedly made arrangements to engage in sexual conduct with a child was arrested this morning at a North Jersey hotel, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Richard Bly, 66, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint:On Feb. 7, 2017, Bly posted an advertisement on an internet website seeking to meet a parent willing to make their child available to him for sexual activity. Over the course of several weeks, Bly had numerous e-mail exchanges with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as the mother of an eight-year-old girl. Bly repeatedly expressed his interest in engaging in sexual activity with the child and made plans to meet the child and her mother at a hotel in Ramsey, New Jersey. Law enforcement officers arrested Bly this morning at the hotel.
The online enticement of a minor charge carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terrence Opiola, with the investigation. He also thanked the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of under the direction of Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal, for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit.
Defense counsel: David Holman Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender