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4 April 2017
Zuni Pueblo Woman Sentenced for Federal Child Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Marlee Joy Pinto, 20, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., for her child abuse conviction. Pinto will be on probation for three years during which time she will be required to comply with special conditions which require that she complete an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation program and parenting classes.
Pinto was arrested in July 2016, on an indictment charging her with engaging in child abuse by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol on March 14, 2016, in Indian Country in Cibola County, N.M.
Pinto pled guilty to the indictment on June 30, 2016, without the benefit of a plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services with assistance from the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy prosecuted the case.
Waterbury Man Arrested in Credit Card "Bust Out" SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JANZAYB KHAN, 28, of Waterbury, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and making a false oath and false statement under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case. The charges stem from an alleged credit card “bust-out” scheme that defrauded over a dozen financial institutions.
As alleged in the complaint, KHAN obtained 31 credit cards from over a dozen financial institutions. In order to obtain the cards, KHAN made false statements to some of the financial institutions, including falsely stating his income, assets, address and employment history. Then, within a short period in January 2013, nearly all of the available credit on KHAN’s cards were rapidly utilized or “busted out.” More than $59,000 was spent on cash advances, gift cards and precious metals. Some of the proceeds from the cash advances were deposited into KHAN’s bank account and then transferred to bank accounts of other individuals. In addition, almost $70,000 was charged in sham transactions at collusive merchants, who then issued checks from the proceeds to one of KHAN’s acquaintances.
The complaint further alleges that after the bust-out, KHAN filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and attempted to discharge all of his credit card debt. In his bankruptcy court filings, KHAN falsely stated that the majority of his debt was due to gambling losses. KHAN also made a number of other false statements under oath during an examination by the U.S. Trustee in his bankruptcy case. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court later denied the discharge of KHAN’s debts.
The complaint alleges that the financial institutions that issued KHAN’s credit cards incurred losses of more than $165,000 as a result of the scheme.
KHAN appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond.
Bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud each carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. Making a false oath and a false statement under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
Warren County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography, Threatening and Stalking A ChildRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Washington, New Jersey, man with coercing a girl to produce sexually explicit images of herself and with stalking and threatening another girl, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Brandon McIntyre, 24, is charged in a six-count superseding indictment with two counts of production of child pornography, one count of online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct, two counts of interstate extortionate threat, and one count of stalking.
McIntyre was originally arrested on a complaint in September 2014 and indicted in January 2016 with one count of production of child pornography and one count of stalking. Today’s charges account for McIntyre’s use of the internet to entice a girl to produce images of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, his additional attempts – through threats – to have this same girl produce additional sexually explicit images, and McIntyre’s use of the internet to threaten a second girl.
According to the superseding indictment and other documents filed in this case:
McIntyre allegedly met various girls through Facebook, sometimes pretending to be a teenage girl. From Aug. 6, 2013 through Aug. 18, 2013, McIntyre communicated via Facebook with a girl. During his interaction with this girl over Facebook, McIntyre sent images of his genitals to the girl and asked her to send images of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After McIntyre threatened to injure the girl and others, the girl acquiesced and sent sexually explicit photographs of herself on two different dates in August 2013.
From March 22, 2014 through April 7, 2014, McIntyre – disguised under the Facebook alias of “Katie Thompson” – urged another girl over Facebook to go on trips with him. When she refused, McIntyre, still using the alias, repeatedly threatened to kill her boyfriend and family.
Each production of child pornography count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison. The online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. The counts of interstate extortionate threat and stalking each carry a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. All counts in the indictment carry a potential $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office for the investigation. He also thanked special agents from FBI in Anchorage, Alaska, and Albany, New York, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Liu of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Adalgiza A. Nunez Esq., Newark
Vivian resident pleads guilty to failing to report moving from Colorado to LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Vivian resident pleaded guilty to failing to update his sex offender registration after moving from Colorado to Louisiana last year.
Graham Cooper Gyde, 25, of Vivian, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of failure to update sex offender registration. According to the guilty plea, Gyde pleaded guilty to sexual assault on state charges in Golden, Colo., in October 2012. He registered as a sex offender in February 2013 and then again in April 2016, stating that he lived in Colorado. At some point after completing the last registration, he traveled to Louisiana and lived in Vivian for three and a half months. Vivian police arrested him in November 2016 for charges related to not updating his sex offender registration, which include reporting his new address.
Gyde faces up to 10 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of August 17, 2017.
The U.S. Marshals Service and the Vivian Police Department conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Paul Gillespie is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney’s Office co-sponsors Indianapolis job fairRead the Press Release
Office to work with Indiana University McKinney School of Law and PACE to bring job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals
PRESS RELEASE
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Dean Andrew Klein and PACE Executive Director, Rhiannon T. Edwards today announced a partnership to help bring community-wide resources and a job fair to individuals returning to Central Indiana after having been incarcerated.
When: Friday, April 7, 2017, from 11:00am – 2:00pm
Where: Light of the World Christian Church, 4646 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46228.
“Helping citizens return to a normal life after prison is a responsibility we all shoulder,” said Minkler. “Getting someone on their feet with a job, transportation, a place to live and a support system reduces crime and recidivism.”
As part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Smart on Crime Initiative, Minkler is collaborating with Indiana University McKinney School of Law and Public Advocates in Community re-Entry, (PACE) to host a resource and job fair for formerly incarcerated individuals.
“At McKinney, the law school has a demonstrated commitment to helping individuals re-enter into society,” said Dean Klein. “Professors, staff, and law students work with community agencies throughout the year to provide a supportive network to those newly released persons seeking independence and stability outside of the prison walls. The fair hopes to bring critical resources and opportunities together in one central location.”
“PACE has been dedicated to serving those returning to our community for more than 50 years,” said PACE Executive Director Rhiannon T. Edwards. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone receives a second chance and are thrilled to be partnering with the United States Attorney’s Office on this job fair. Obtaining self-sufficiency is key to the reduction of criminal activity and increased public safety. Criminal justice and community partnerships are essential to lowering recidivism in Marion County.”
Some of the employers participating in the job fair include City of Indianapolis-Marion County Human Resource Division, Marriott Hotels, Goodwill, Fed Ex, ABC Supply, UPS, Jiffy Lube, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and so many more, all of which are hoping to fill a range of positions. The goal of the job fair is to give formerly incarcerated individuals the opportunity to meet with many local employers from a wide range of industries.
fair participants will also be able to meet with a range of community service providers including Indiana Department of Workforce Development, PACE and Independence Job Corps. All of these community service providers have valuable resources to share with this population.
Members of the McKinney Law School community will be managing the resource fair with assistance from Faegre Baker Daniels, Indiana Legal Services, Inc. and lawyers from the community interested in offering assistance. The resource fair will focus on providing free brief service and advice regarding record expungement, child support, license reinstatement and specialized driving privileges. In addition, the fair will provide assistance with resume drafting, SNAP/HIP2 questions and applications, as well as Section 8 and low income housing information.
Formerly incarcerated individuals face many barriers upon their release. The purpose of the Community-Wide Job Fair and Resource Fair is to provide returning citizens with the opportunity to connect with useful re-entry and community agencies that will help provide referrals and resources to enhance their employment opportunities.
U.S. Attorney Minkler thanks all of our partners and the community for their continued support of this re-entry initiative.
U.S. Attorney's Office Commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 2-8Read the Press Release
HONOLULU – The United States Attorney’s Office in Hawaii, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 2-8, 2017, is participating with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in a Financial Literacy Fair on April 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Tamarind Park at Bishop Square in Honolulu, to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available. Last year, over five million individuals were a victim of a crime, and there were nearly 15 million property victimizations (according to the 2015 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics).
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) of the U.S. Department of Justice leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8, by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme—Strength. Resilience. Justice.—emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary responses and building the capacity of individuals, service providers, and communities to respond to crime and support the ongoing healing of victims and survivors. The theme also supports OVC’s Vision 21 Initiative to encourage research, address emerging issues, and build the capacity of victim service organizations by increasing the use of technology and training.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and OVC encourage widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Justice will host OVC’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime. Please call 855-4-VICTIM (842846) or visit www.VictimConnect.org for additional information about victims’ rights and options – confidentially. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, Victim Witness Program at 808-541-2850 or visit the OVC website, www.ovc.gov.
Tyler County man indicted for illegal possession of firearms and transporting stolen firearmsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jamie Villono, of Sistersville, West Virginia, was indicted by a grand jury today for illegal possession and transporting of stolen firearms, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Villono, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm,” and “Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Firearm.” Villono, having previously been convicted of breaking and entering in Tyler County Circuit Court, was alleged to have in his possession a 30-30 caliber rifle, a.22 caliber rifle, a.22-250 caliber rifle, and a .223 caliber rifle, all of which are alleged to have been stolen. It is also alleged that Villono transported some of the weapons for sale across state lines from West Virginia to Ohio. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in October 2016 in Tyler County.
Villono faces up to ten years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two former U.S. Postal Service employees sentenced to prison for fraudRead the Press Release
Two former U.S. Postal Service employees were sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal worker’s compensation benefits, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler.
Margaret M. Davis, 56, of Massillon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $49,249 in restitution after pleading guilty to making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Davis falsely stated in 2015 she had not been incarcerated the prior 15 months when completing forms to continue her disability benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act when she, in fact, had, according to court documents. The USPS OIG investigation showed she completed these forms while incarcerated in an Ohio prison.
Nicole M. Gates, 33, of Wickliffe, was sentenced to six months incarceration and ordered to pay $5,884 in restitution and a $2,500 fine. She was convicted by a jury to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Gates, a mail carrier, falsely represented her physical limitations in connection with her receipt of workers’ compensation benefits, according to court documents and trial testimony.
“The U.S. Postal Service paid over $2.7 billion in workers compensation costs last year, the majority of which went to employees who legitimately deserve it. However, a few employees, such as Nicole Gates and Margaret Davis, choose to defraud the system to receive money they are not entitled to,” Weyler said. “Investigations by USPS OIG special agents such as these are part of our mission of preventing and detecting criminal activity and serious misconduct within the Postal Service. Last year, with the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USPS OIG investigations nationwide saved the Postal Service over $320 million in future federal workers compensation costs. To report workers compensation fraud, or any other serious offenses committed by postal employees, contact our special agents at 888-USPS-OIG or www.uspsoig.gov.”
The cases are unrelated. Both were investigated by special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Seabury Gould prosecuted the Davis case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Kendra Klump prosecuted the Gates case.
Two Men Linked to Detroit-Based Drug Trafficking Organization Named in Federal Criminal Case Filed in Los AngelesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – As part of an investigation stemming from a multi-kilogram narcotics seizure at Los Angeles International Airport last month, two men have been named in a federal criminal complaint that alleges they were key operatives in a drug trafficking organization that shipped cocaine and heroin from Los Angeles to Detroit.
A Pasadena resident – Kevin Blair, also known as “Wood,” 45 – was taken into federal custody yesterday morning and was ordered held without bond at a court hearing late yesterday afternoon.
The second man charged in the complaint filed yesterday morning in United States District Court – Delano Leflore, also known as “Bop Bop,” 37, of Detroit – is a fugitive who is being sought by federal authorities.
The criminal complaint charges Blair and Leflore with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, a charge which carries a potential penalty of life in federal prison.
The case against Blair and Leflore follows the seizure of approximately two kilograms of heroin and approximately one kilogram of cocaine at LAX on March 7. After the narcotics were discovered in checked luggage, federal prosecutors charged a 28-year-old Detroit woman with being a drug courier. Last Friday, a federal grand jury indicted the woman, Kennsha Mason, on three counts: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mason, who remains in federal custody in Los Angeles, is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon.
During the investigation of Mason, investigators with the DEA Los Angeles International Airport Narcotics Task Force developed evidence that Blair and Leflore coordinated the shipment of narcotics that Mason was allegedly ferrying to Detroit.
According to the criminal complaint filed yesterday, Leflore hired Mason to transport narcotics and made arrangements for her to travel from Detroit to Los Angeles. Once in Los Angeles in early March, Mason travelled to a townhouse on South Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, where Blair allegedly supplied the narcotics that were discovered by law enforcement in her suitcase.
Blair was taken into custody on Friday by the Pasadena Police Department pursuant to an outstanding felony warrant for assault with intent to murder that was issued by a court in Wayne County, Michigan. After he was arrested, authorities found a receipt for a UPS shipment sent from Los Angeles to Detroit.
Yesterday morning, law enforcement authorities in Michigan intercepted the package Blair sent by UPS, and they recovered one kilogram of suspected heroin and one ounce of suspected fentanyl, according to the criminal complaint.
Blair was transferred to federal custody after the criminal complaint was filed yesterday.
At yesterday afternoon’s court hearing, Blair was ordered to appear in United States District Court for a preliminary hearing on April 17 and an arraignment on April 21.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The DEA Los Angeles International Airport Narcotics Task Force, an inter-agency task force based at LAX, is conducting this investigation. The Pasadena Police Department provided assistance.
In addition to the DEA, the Task Force is made up of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Airport Police, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Task Force also works closely with the United States Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration.
The case against Mason is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reema M. El-Amamy of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Two Florida Men Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISILRead the Press Release
Two Palm Beach County, Florida, residents pleaded guilty in federal court in West Palm Beach to conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. ISIL is also known by the acronym ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham). Both defendants are U.S. citizens.
Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg of the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and members of the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) made the announcement.
Dayne Antani Christian, aka Shakur, 32, of Lake Park, Florida, pleaded guilty on March 29, 2017 before United States District Judge Robin Rosenberg to conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1), and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Darren Arness Jackson, aka Daoud, 51, of West Palm Beach, pleaded guilty on April 4, 2017 before Judge Rosenberg also to conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL. Both defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy plea. Christian faces an additional statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for his plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. No sentencing date has been scheduled for the two defendants.
On July 21, 2016, Christian, Jackson and co-defendant Gregory Hubbard, aka Jibreel, were arrested by the FBI, after Jackson drove Hubbard and an FBI confidential human source (CHS) to Miami International Airport for an overseas flight to Germany. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Hubbard had purchased a ticket to Berlin, Germany, and planned to travel later to Turkey by train and then cross into Syria to join ISIL.
On July 26, 2016, an indictment was returned by the Grand Jury charging the three defendants with conspiring, and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIL), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B(a)(1). Christian was also charged with four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). According to the indictment, beginning in at least July 2015 and continuing until their arrests, Hubbard, Christian, and Jackson conspired to provide personnel to ISIL. According to admissions made as part of their guilty pleas, both Christian and Jackson talked with Hubbard and the CHS about their support of ISIL and various acts of terrorism committed by and attributed to ISIL and its supporters. Both Christian and Jackson expressed a desire to travel to Syria to join ISIL. At various times during the conspiracy both Christian and Jackson provided firearms (including an AK-47 style assault rifle provided by Christian) and firearms instruction so that Hubbard and the CHS could practice shooting at a remote area in Palm Beach County in preparation for their travel to Syria to join ISIL.
Hubbard is presently scheduled for trial in front of Judge Rosenberg for the trial period commencing October 30, 2017. All three defendants have been detained since their arrests.
The FBI and JTTF investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Transportation Security Administration; Miami International Airport Police Department; Boca Raton, Florida, Police Department; Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office; City of West Palm Beach Police Department and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen E. Gilbert and Edward C. Nucci and Trial Attorney Larry Schneider of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Two Florida Men Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISILRead the Press Release
Dayne Antani Christian, aka Shakur, 32, of Lake Park, Florida, pleaded guilty on March 29, to conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1); and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Darren Arness Jackson, aka Daoud, 51, of West Palm Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty on April 4, also to conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL. ISIL is also known by the acronym ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham). Both defendants are U.S. citizens.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and members of the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) made the announcement. Both pleas were entered before U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg.
On July 21, 2016, Christian, Jackson and co-defendant Gregory Hubbard, aka Jibreel, were arrested by the FBI, after Jackson drove Hubbard and an FBI confidential human source (CHS) to Miami International Airport for an overseas flight to Germany. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Hubbard had purchased a ticket to Berlin, Germany, and planned to travel later to Turkey by train and then cross into Syria to join ISIL.
On July 26, 2016, an indictment was returned by the Grand Jury charging the three defendants with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIL), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B(a)(1). Christian was also charged with four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
According to the indictment, beginning in at least July 2015 and continuing until their arrests, Hubbard, Christian and Jackson conspired to provide personnel to ISIL. According to admissions made as part of their guilty pleas, both Christian and Jackson talked with Hubbard and the CHS about their support of ISIL and various acts of terrorism committed by and attributed to ISIL and its supporters. Both Christian and Jackson expressed a desire to travel to Syria to join ISIL. At various times during the conspiracy both Christian and Jackson provided firearms (including an AK-47 style assault rifle provided by Christian) and firearms instruction so that Hubbard and the CHS could practice shooting at a remote area in Palm Beach County in preparation for their travel to Syria to join ISIL.
Hubbard is presently scheduled for trial in front of Judge Rosenberg for the trial period commencing October 30. All three defendants have been detained since their arrests.
Christian and Jackson face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy plea. Christian faces an additional statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for his plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. No sentencing date has been scheduled for the two defendants.
The FBI and JTTF investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Transportation Security Administration; Miami International Airport Police Department; Boca Raton, Florida, Police Department; Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office; City of West Palm Beach Police Department; and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen E. Gilbert and Edward C. Nucci for the Southern District of Florida, and Trial Attorney Larry Schneider of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Two Canadians Charged with Marijuana SmugglingRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Robert Eldridge, 67, and James Gauthier, 56, both residents of Quebec, appeared yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington following their arrest for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Eldridge on conditions pending his next hearing, but ordered that Gauthier be temporarily detained until another hearing on Wednesday.
According to the criminal complaint, the defendants were arrested in the evening on April 2 in North Troy, just south of the international boundary. Agents observed Gauthier hiking through the woods south from Canada, then saw him put two duffle bags into a car being driven by Eldridge. Agents detained both defendants, searched the bags and discovered about 30 pounds of marijuana.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
If convicted, the defendants face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
Eldridge is represented by Brad Stetler and Gauthier by Bob Katims. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
Three from Toledo sentenced to prison for forging will and stealing $2.2 millionRead the Press Release
Three Toledo residents were sentenced to prison for forging a will to fraudulently gain control of an estate worth approximately $2.2 million, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Carole S. Rendon, Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.
Susan M. Pioch, 60, was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.
Kurt L. Mallory, 53, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison.
Margaret L. McKnight, 42, was sentenced to four years in prison.
All three were convicted last year following a jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, 21 counts of bank fraud, seven counts of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Pioch, McKnight and Mallory were convicted on additional counts of money laundering. McKnight was convicted on an additional count of structuring cash withdrawals, three tax counts and seven counts of causing a financial institution to fail to file a required report.
“This trio stole used forgery and lies to steal more than $2 million that a man had spent a lifetime working for,” Sierleja said. “They deserve every day of their prison sentences.”
“All financial transactions leave a trail and we have the unique expertise to follow those leads, which ultimately lead to today’s sentencings in such an egregious case of greed,” Turner said. “The excellent partnership of the IRS, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Toledo Police Department not only resulted in with the successful convictions in this case, but also the forfeiture of the assets associated with this scheme to steal millions from a deceased man’s family.”
“This is yet another example of what a high level collaboration can achieve,” Kral said. “These predatory criminals will not have the opportunity to prey on our citizens any longer.”
Martin E. Fewlas executed a will in 1993 devising his entire estate to his brother. If his brother did not survive Fewlas, the estate was to go to his nephew and then his great-nephew, identified in the indictment as JRM.
Fewlas owned the duplex located at 2557 Broadway Street in Toledo. He lived in the lower half and for approximately 10 years, McKnight and Mallory lived together in the upper half, according to court documents.
Fewlas died on Aug. 28, 2010, leaving an estate worth approximately $2.2 million. On Sept. 2, 2010, McKnight, Mallory and Pioch – an attorney who had previously done legal work for McKnight and Mallory forged a will in Fewlas’ name. The forged will was drafted by Pioch and named McKnight as the executor and sole devisee of Fewlas’ assets. Pioch filed the forged will with the Lucas County Probate Court on or around Sept. 2, 2010. McKnight identified herself as executor of the estate and Pioch identified herself as attorney for the executor in probate court documents, according to court documents.
By filing the forged will and concealing its fraudulent nature, Pioch, McKnight and Mallory succeeded in obtaining Probate Court authority to take possession of Fewlas’ assets. After obtaining those assets, they disbursed the assets to themselves for their own enrichment, according to court documents.
Pioch, McKnight and Mallory used those assets to purchase, among other things, a used car dealership, a 2000 Discovery motorhome for $55,036, a classic 1972 Chevrolet El Camino for $17,000, a 2010 Kia Soul SUV for $21,338, as well as property. They also withdrew more than $500,000 in cash for Fewlas’ estate proceeds, according to court documents.
JRM, Fewlas’ great nephew and the sole remaining devisee from the 1993 will, received nothing, according to the indictment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Noah Hood following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Toledo Police Department.
Third Conspirator Pleads Guilty to 2012 Florida Cross BurningRead the Press Release
William A. Dennis, 56, of Port Richey, Florida, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, to one count of conspiring with others to threaten, intimidate, and interfere with an interracial couple’s enjoyment of their housing rights, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the Middle District of Florida.
According to court documents, in September and October 2012, Dennis was living on Seward Drive in Port Richey in a predominantly white community. After an interracial couple moved next door, Dennis joined others in harassing the African-American neighbor with racial slurs and derogatory statements.
On Halloween night, Dennis attended a party at a neighbor’s house, where several Seward Drive residents decided to burn an over six-foot tall cross in the front yard of the interracial couple in order to intimidate them and force them to move from the residence. Using wood and tools from the host of the Halloween party, Dennis and his co-conspirators constructed a wooden cross, and Dennis poured gasoline on the cross. Dennis and a co-conspirator carried the cross to the victims’ front yard, leaned it against their mailbox, and Dennis instructed the co-conspirator to set the cross on fire.
“The defendant and his co-conspirators’ racially-fueled actions to threaten and intimidate a couple in their own home and neighborhood are reprehensible and will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who engage in such violent acts of hate.”
“This guilty plea underscores our ongoing commitment to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who commit hate crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Muldrow.
“The FBI pledges to remain vigilant in protecting our communities from hateful acts of bias,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI Tampa Division. “This case is an example of that commitment and determination to investigate crimes of hate and bring the offenders to justice.”
Two of Dennis’ co-conspirators, Thomas H. Sigler, III, and Pascual Carlos Pietri, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. Pietri was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, and Sigler’s sentencing date is pending.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine W. Thomas and Simon A. Gaugush of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney William E. Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Third Conspirator Pleads Guilty to 2012 Cross BurningRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – William A. Dennis (56, Port Richey) pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring with others to threaten, intimidate, and interfere with an interracial couple’s enjoyment of their housing rights, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
According to court documents, in September and October 2012, Dennis was living on Seward Drive in Port Richey in a predominantly white community. After an interracial couple moved next door, Dennis joined others in harassing the African-American neighbor with racial slurs and derogatory statements.
On Halloween night, Dennis attended a party at a neighbor’s house, where several Seward Drive residents decided to burn an over six-foot tall cross in the front yard of the interracial couple in order to intimidate them and force them to move from the residence. Using wood and tools from the host of the Halloween party, Dennis and his co-conspirators constructed a wooden cross, and Dennis poured gasoline on the cross. Dennis and a co-conspirator carried the cross to the victims’ front yard, leaned it against their mailbox, and Dennis instructed the co-conspirator to set the cross on fire.
“This guilty plea underscores our ongoing commitment to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who commit hate crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Muldrow.
“The defendant and his co-conspirators’ racially-fueled actions to threaten and intimidate a couple in their own home and neighborhood are reprehensible and will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who engage in such violent acts of hate.”
“The FBI pledges to remain vigilant in protecting our communities from hateful acts of bias,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI Tampa Division. “This case is an example of that commitment and determination to investigate crimes of hate and bring the offenders to justice.”
Two of Dennis’ co-conspirators, Thomas H. Sigler, III, and Pascual Carlos Pietri, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. Pietri was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment, and Sigler’s sentencing date is pending.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine W. Thomas and Simon A. Gaugush and Trial Attorney William E. Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Tampa Man Sentenced to More Than Eleven Years in Federal Prison for Fraud, Identity Theft, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Larry Chance Cox (37, Tampa) to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. The judge ordered that he serve 54 months of his sentence consecutively to the 87-month term of incarceration that U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell sentenced him to last week for being a felon in possession of firearms. Between the two cases, Cox has been sentenced to a total of 11 years and 9 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty in January 2017.
According to court documents, Cox’s coconspirator, Anthony Harris, worked as an administrative employee at a pediatric gastroenterology practice where he had access to patient medical records containing the personally identifiable information (“PII”) of the practice’s patients, their parents, and their guardians. Cox directed Harris to steal the PII from his employer so that he, along with Maurice Rahmaan and others, could use the information to apply for credit cards online and to file fraudulent federal income tax returns. The conspirators further agreed to share in the proceeds of the credit card and tax fraud. Investigators recovered the PII of more than 13,000 individuals from Cox’s bedroom. In addition to applying for scores of unauthorized credit cards, the conspirators also attempted to file approximately 180 fraudulent federal income tax returns using the PII.
When law enforcement officers searched Cox’s residence in April 2015, they recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, a Mossberg 500 12-guage shotgun, a stolen Maverick model 88 12-guage shotgun, and a stolen Remington model 710 .243 gauge shotgun. At the time, Cox was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
Anthony Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. On March 29, 2017, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison. Maurice Rahmaan pleaded guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft on January 24, 2017, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Swindler Ronald McCullough Sentenced to 10 Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney John Stuart Bruce announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Ronald McCullough, 45, of Atlanta, GA to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He also was ordered to make payment of $1,726,400 in restitution.
McCullough was named in a Superseding Indictment filed on July 2, 2014. He was originally indicted on July 9, 2013. His co-defendant, David Mayhew, was previously convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
At the codefendant Mayhew’s trial, the Government presented evidence that Mayhew and MCCULLOOUGH were involved in an investment fraud scheme that spanned from January 2009 to May 2012 and swindled more than $2,000,000 from investors, promising them returns as much as 100% in 30 days. One victim testified that he had lost his family’s house as a result of the fraud. Two other victims testified that they had to back out of contracts to purchase property because of the fraud.
Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III stated, “The IRS, Criminal Investigation is committed to using our Agent’s financial expertise to help bring those that prey on innocent taxpayers for their own enrichment to justice.”
"When making investment decisions, Investors should always consider that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said David McGinnis, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Charlotte Division. "This case was especially egregious because the defendants used the victims’ religious beliefs to gain their trust and steal their money. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to vigorously pursue those who utilize the U.S. Mail to steal our customers’ hard earned money."
“For years, Ronald McCullough led a lavish lifestyle using money he swindled from innocent people. When his scheme was exposed, he chose to run rather than face his prison sentence. The FBI never stopped searching for McCullough and now he’s learned firsthand, you can’t escape justice,” said John Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation, the Postal Inspection Service, and the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office, Securities Division. Assistant United States Attorney David A. Bragdon represented the government at trial and Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government at MCCULLOUGH’S sentencing.
Supai Village Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Assaulting Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Victor Grounds, 36, of Supai, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 37 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Grounds, an enrolled member of the Havasupai Tribe, had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.
On the morning of July 18, 2016, a female resident of Supai Village, who is also an enrolled member of the Havasupai Tribe, reported that Grounds was intoxicated and had assaulted her that morning in the village. An officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services subsequently located Grounds, who was severely intoxicated and carrying a bottle of whiskey. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Grounds resisted arrest and assaulted the officer.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-8235-PCT-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-026_Grounds
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Summer Camps Must Reasonably Accommodate Children with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Rob Sneed (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina------With summer approaching, parents and camps alike are making plans for terrific, fun opportunities for young campers to learn new skills and grow in their confidence and abilities. The United States Attorney’s Office has taken the opportunity to increase the understanding of camp organizers and parents about the law that pertains to camps which ensures that all children are welcome, especially those with disabilities. To help ensure that children with disabilities are allowed the opportunity to attend summer camp, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently sent the attached flyer to hundreds of summer camps located within the District of South Carolina reminding them of their responsibilities and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
Under the ADA, summer camps, both private and those run by municipalities, must make reasonable modification to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in all camp programs and activities. This generally means that children with disabilities are entitled to attend any camp or activity that non-disabled children attend, that camps must evaluate each child on an individual basis, and that camps must train their staff in the requirements of the ADA. Camps are obligated to pay for the cost of any reasonable modifications necessary for disabled children to participate in camp activities, and parents should not be charged any additional fee beyond standard camp enrollment costs.
“Summer camps – whether in a tent or a gym - present tremendous growth opportunities for our children. Camp is not only fun, but the camp experience offers the camper the opportunity to try new things, develop some independence, and gain self-confidence in the process,” said U.S. Attorney Drake. “All of our kids should have access to summer camps and in fact the law requires camps to provide equal opportunities to disabled children whose needs can be reasonably accommodated.”
Additional information about the ADA is available at www.ada.gov, or through contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Team at (803) 929-3000 or https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/civil-rights.
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usao_sc_ada_camp_letter_flyer.pdfSouth Paris Woman Pleads Guilty to Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced that Stephanie Knightly, 50, of South Paris, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to transferring a firearm to a felon.
According to court records, on August 16, 2014, Knightly purchased a pistol in Scarborough, Maine. The private sale was arranged by Steven Piirainen, a person she knew to be a felon. Piirainen accompanied her to the sale and gave her cash to purchase the pistol. After the sale, Piirainen took the firearm. The next day, after stealing a truck, Piirainen engaged in a shootout with the Maine State Police in South Paris, was shot, and died. Prior to the shootout, Piirainen told Knightly that he knew his probation officer was going to arrest him soon and that he was “never going back” to prison.
Knightly faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Police; the Lewiston Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
South Carolina Man Arrested for Attempting to Join ISISRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2105
Columbia, SC –Zakaryia Abdin, 18, of Ladson, South Carolina, was indicted by the Federal Grand Jury sitting in Columbia, South Carolina. He was arrested by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force on Thursday evening, March 30, 2017. He made his initial appearance in the United States District Court the following day. Abdin was indicted for attempting to provide a material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terroirist orgnanization. The charge is based on Abdin’s alleged attempt to travel overseas to join the terrorist organization. Special Agents of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) took Abdin into custody at the Charleston International Airport before he boarded an outbound flight.
United States Attorney Beth Drake for the District of South Carolina and Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord made the announcement.
Charges are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Arraignment is scheduled to be held this Wednesday (April 5) at 1:30pm at the United States Courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina, located at 85 Broad Street.
This investigation is being handled by the FBI-JTTF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Kittrell of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
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South Bay Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to Ten Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Ramon Daniel Quezada was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Beth Labson Freeman, U.S. District Judge, following the entry of Quezada’s guilty plea to the charges on November 15, 2016.
According to his plea agreement, Quezada, 26, of San Jose, admitted that in April and May of 2016, he lived with two individuals with whom he sold methamphetamine and heroin. He acknowledged distributing methamphetamine, collecting money from the sale of the drugs, and using his cellular telephone to communicate with potential buyers and arrange the sales of the drugs. Quezada also admitted that on May 27, 2016, he was present at his home, in possession of a firearm, when law enforcement agents conducted a search of his residence and found approximately 1,745 grams of methamphetamine and over 1000 grams of heroin.
On July 7, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Quezada and his co-conspirators for their respective roles in the conspiracy. For his part, Quezada was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 846; and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a). Pursuant to his guilty plea, Quezada pleaded guilty to the heroin charges and the methamphetamine charges were dismissed.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman ordered Quezada to serve a five-year period of supervised release and ordered him to forfeit a handgun and assorted magazines and ammunition. Quezada is in custody and will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Nedrow is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Susan Kreider. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA.
Six Home Healthcare Workers and Patients Charged with Billing Medicaid while Working other Jobs, Going on a Cruise, and GamblingRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Six area home health care workers and patients were charged with making false statements to Medicaid regarding home healthcare services that were neither received nor provided. All of the Indictments involve allegations that the defendants made false statements in Medicaid timesheets that certain patients and workers provided or received personal care services (e.g. grooming, cleaning, feeding, and medication assistance) in the home setting during certain dates and times when, in reality, the patients or workers were actually somewhere else.
Regina Brown, 58, and James Smith, 75, both of St. Louis, Missouri, were charged by Indictment with three felony counts making false statements to Medicaid that Brown received Medicaid-funded home health care from Smith at Brown’s home. In reality, Brown was actually vacationing in New Orleans and on a cruise ship during the dates indicated on their Medicaid timesheets.
Benita Bell, 46, and Tammara Bell, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, were charged with making four false statements to Medicaid that Benita Bell was receiving Medicaid-funded home health care during timeframes when Benita Bell was actually gambling at local casino or working as a caregiver providing others with health care and personal care services.
Finally, Nova Paden, 50, and Demagio Smith, 27, both of St. Louis, Missouri, were charged by Indictment with making five felony counts of making false statements to Medicaid. The Indictment alleges that both Paden and Smith were working at other jobs during timeframes when they were falsely claiming to be receiving or providing Medicaid-funded home health care at Paden’s home. The Indictment also alleges that Smith was in New Jersey and California during some of the days that he and Paden claimed to be receiving or providing home health care.
Finally, Paden’s Indictment further alleges that Paden previously filed for disability payments from the Social Security Administration but failed to report income from her jobs, and therefore stole money from the Government that she was not entitled to receive. Five of the six defendants recently appeared in federal court for their initial appearances.
"Home health care is not only a more convenient alternative to skilled nursing facilities, it also saves tax dollars because it is less expensive," said William Woods, Special Agent in Charge, FBI St. Louis Division. "People who abuse and cheat the system siphon money away from those who truly need the services."
Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Kansas City Region, stated, “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those individuals who seek to defraud our programs and deprive our beneficiaries of the services they so need to ensure a good quality of life.”
Each false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. The theft of government property charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Offices of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Sex Offender from Roswell Sentenced to 200 Years for Conviction on Production of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, Texas, announced that Jim Walter Qualls Jr., 30, of Roswell, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 200 years of imprisonment for his conviction on production of child pornography charges. Qualls’ sentence was enhanced based on his prior state court conviction for enticement of a minor.
“This previously convicted child sex offender sexually exploited a three-year-old child, who was in his care, for the purpose of producing child pornography. As a result of the sentence imposed today, he will never again exploit another child,” said Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney. “This sentence should send a forceful message that law enforcement in New Mexico is committed to the protection of our children and will vigorously investigate and prosecute predators who exploit and abuse them.”
“Today’s sentence ensures that this predator will never have access to the most innocent among us – our children,” said Waldemar Rodriguez, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “This lengthy sentence is appropriate for a person who has proven his propensity to target children, and will ensure the defendant never harms a child again or sees the outside of a jail cell.”
Qualls was arrested on child pornography charges on July 31, 2014, based on a criminal complaint charging him with possession, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and enticement of a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. According to the criminal complaint, Qualls committed the crimes between Oct. 2013 and Feb. 2014, in Chaves County, N.M.
Court records reflect that HSI agents from Las Cruces, N.M., executed a search warrant at Qualls’ residence after investigation identified the residence as one associated with an IP Address that was being used to upload child pornography to the internet. During the search, HSI agents confiscated Qualls’ cell phone, which contained visual depictions of minors engaged in sexual activity.
Qualls was indicted on Oct. 16, 2014, and was charged with four counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. On May 7, 2015, Qualls pled guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement.
Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney commended HSI and the Roswell Police Department for their work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander B. Shapiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office who prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
The case also was brought as a part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force’s mission, which is to locate, track, and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 86 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies associated with the New Mexico ICAC Task Force, which is funded by a grant administered by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Anyone with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse is encouraged to contact federal or local law enforcement.
San Antonio Businessman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Personal Injury Clients, Tax Evasion and Hiding Assets from U.S. Bankruptcy TrusteeRead the Press Release
In San Antonio this morning, 47-year-old San Antonio businessman Elpidio Gongora (aka “Pete Gongora”) was sentenced to four years in federal prison for a scheme to defraud personal injury clients; evading payment of more than $1.6 million in taxes; and, attempting to hide assets valued at $429,000 from the Bankruptcy Trustee. That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division; William Cotter, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge; and, Judy A. Robbins, U.S. Trustee for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Fred Biery ordered that Gongora pay $3,490,000 restitution. Judge Biery also ordered that Gongora be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On July 28, 2016, Gongora pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of tax evasion. According to court documents, from 2009 through 2014, Gongora, aided and abetted by his co-defendants--Rosa Ramirez, Juan Rodriguez, and Ronald Higgins--operated the law offices of several personal injury attorneys, including the Law Office of Ronald Higgins in the city of San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico.
By pleading guilty, Gongora admitted that he stole money from the personal injury clients by failing to pay monies owed to clients under settlement agreements or to pay obligations for medical treatment and physical therapy after committing to do so. To carry out this scheme, Gongora collected the proceeds of fraudulently endorsed personal injury settlement checks and would hide from the attorneys his failure to pay clients settlement proceeds to which they were entitled.
In 2013, Gongora and his wife filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Western District of Texas. By pleading guilty, Gongora admitted to his failure to disclose to the Bankruptcy Trustee that he owned personal assets that included a 33-foot Chris Craft cabin cruiser; a 29-foot 2005 Seaswirl boat; a 2005 Ford F-150 truck; real property located on Elm Valley in San Antonio; and, a residence located in Aransas Pass, TX.
By pleading guilty, Gongora also admitted that he willfully attempted to evade paying over $1.6 million in taxes, penalties and interest owed to the Internal Revenue Service for calendar years 2003 through 2005 and 2007 through 2013.
Ramirez, Rodriguez, and Higgins have all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. This morning, Judge Biery sentenced Higgins to five years probation and ordered him to pay $1,490,000 restitution jointly and severally with Gongora. Sentencing for Ramirez and Rodriguez is scheduled for June 13, 2017.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the U.S. Trustee’s Office conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bud Paulissen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Rochester Man Sentenced for Murder and Three Others Defendants Sentenced on Cocaine and Heroin ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that four defendants, Tyshawn Simmons, 34, Franklin Brock, Jr., 23, Franklin Brock, Sr., 43, and Tina McDonald, 44, all of Rochester, NY, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa in connection with a long-term, violent drug distribution ring in the City of Rochester.
Defendant Simmons was sentenced to 330 months in prison for the murder of Ryan Adams. Franklin Brock, Jr., who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Brock’s father, Franklin Sr., who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, was sentenced to five years’ probation. Tina McDonald, a girlfriend of Tyshawn Simmons, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who handled the case, stated that Simmons murdered Ryan Adams because he believed that Adams had cooperated with law enforcement or intended to do so. Simmons shot Adams six times on Halloween night in 2012, while Adams sat in the driver’s seat of his car on Lincoln Street in Rochester. Adams managed to get out of the car and walk approximately 400 feet looking for help before collapsing.
Franklin Brock, Jr. conspired with Simmons and others to sell drugs. Brock, Jr. admitted to possessing guns during the conspiracy. Franklin Brock, Sr. helped his son sell crack cocaine during the term of the conspiracy.
Tina McDonald conspired with Simmons and others to distribute heroin. Among other things, she stored heroin in her residence where she lived with her children, and brought the heroin out of her residence to give to Simmons and others in the conspiracy for distribution to customers. McDonald also allowed other co-conspirators to store a gun in her residence. That gun was used by co-conspirator Marquis McMillian to shoot someone that he and Simmons suspected of having cooperated with police. After the shooting, McMillian hid the gun in McDonald’s house. Thereafter, another member of the conspiracy came to pick up the gun and, at Simmons’ direction, McDonald showed him where the gun was hidden in her house. McMillian was previously sentenced to 25 years for his role in the conspiracy.
Today’s sentencings are the culmination of an investigation headed by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent- in-Charge, New York Field Division.
Philadelphia Man Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud the United StatesRead the Press Release
Peterly Netus, 25, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States through claims, three counts of false claims against the United States, and with aiding and abetting, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. According to the Indictment, Netus conspired with others to use stolen or improperly-obtained personal identifying information of others for the purpose of obtaining payment of false, fictitious, and fraudulent tax refunds.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $1,000,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated jointly by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Terri A. Marinari and David J. Ignall.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oklahoma City Man to Serve 30 Months in Prison for Buying over $41,000 of Postage Stamps with Bogus ChecksRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Yesterday, ROBERT JORDAN CHILES, 32, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot to serve 30 months in federal prison for buying over $41,000 of postage stamps with checks backed by insufficient funds, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Chiles was charged by Information and pled guilty on October 19, 2016. Chiles admitted that in February and March 2016, he purchased $41,013.79 in United States postage stamps from various post offices in Oklahoma City. He admitted that he used checks drawn on bank accounts at USAA Federal Savings Bank, MidFirst Bank, and First United Bank and that he knew there were insufficient funds in those bank accounts to support the checks he wrote.
Chiles was ordered to pay restitution of $21,431.79 to the United States Post Office, $6,800.00 to MidFirst Bank, and $484.48 to First United Bank. Chiles was also ordered to forfeit 40,000 postage stamps that were found in his possession.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to Time Served for Failure to Present at a Border CrossingRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced that Rocky Allen Resides, 27, of Xenia, Ohio, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to time-served in U.S. District Court by Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison for unlawfully entering the United States without presenting himself at a border crossing point.
According to court records, on April 2, 2017, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Resides walking on U.S. Route 1 in Calais, Maine near the Canadian border. The investigation revealed that Resides illegally entered Canada in July 2016 and did not return to the United States on April 2, 2017 through a border crossing point.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol.
New York City Man Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Heroin DealingRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that, on April 3, 2017, Johnathan Goodwin, 22, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after his guilty plea to charges that he conspired to distribute heroin. U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered that Goodwin serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
According to court records, in June of 2016, Goodwin was bringing quantities of heroin and cocaine base from New York City to Vermont via bus in order to distribute those drugs. On June 28, 2016, agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) arrested Goodwin and his co-defendant, Annette Dupree, as they exited a bus from New York City in Burlington. From the pair, DEA seized approximately six ounces of heroin and one ounce of cocaine base. Goodwin has been in federal custody since.
For his crime, Goodwin faced a statutory maximum term of 20 years in prison. The United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are advisory, recommended that Goodwin receive a prison term between 41 and 51 months. The government argued for a sentence within this range. The defense advocated for a more lenient sentence. In determining that a 21-month sentence was appropriate, Judge Sessions considered the severity of the offense, as well as Goodwin’s difficult childhood and relatively minor criminal record, among other factors.
Acting United States Attorney Eugenia Cowles commended the efforts of DEA and the Burlington Police Department for their work in this investigation. Acting United States Attorney Cowles noted that this case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Vermont Heroin Initiative, which is a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat heroin distribution in Vermont.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr. Goodwin is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender David McColgin.
Muhammad Jaffer Ali Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Heading up Synthetic Marijuana Distribution RingRead the Press Release
In San Antonio, 54-year-old Muhammad Jaffer Ali was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his leadership role in a synthetic marijuana distribution scheme announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.
Senior United States District Judge Royce C. Lamberth handed down the prison term during a hearing late yesterday afternoon. On June 27, 2013, federal authorities arrested Jaffer without incident. He has remained in federal custody since.
On December 12, 2016, Jaffer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues. By pleading guilty, Jaffer admitted that from March 2013 to June 2013, he and others comprised the San Antonio-based Jaffer Drug Trafficking Organization (Jaffer DTO) that was responsible for the production and distribution of synthetic marijuana and bath salts in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Dallas as well as Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City. During the course of the enterprise, the Jaffer DTO manufactured, caused to be manufactured, attempted to manufacture, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute over 40,000 pounds (or 18,500 kilograms) of synthetic cannabinoids.
“The drugs the defendant was peddling are much more dangerous than the name ‘synthetic marijuana’ suggests,” stated U.S. Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. “These drugs are highly addictive and can cause death, seizures, organ failure, coma, and hallucinations. They are packaged with clever names like ‘Kush’ and ‘Scooby Snax,’ to make them attractive to kids and to appear harmless to unknowing parents. When their use is not deadly, it can be devastating, causing lasting damage to young brains. The defendant’s conduct was serious and has been punished accordingly.”
This prosecution resulted from the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration together with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, San Antonio Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Live Oak Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Jay Hulings are prosecuting this case.
Montezuma Man Sentenced to Three Hundred and Sixty (360) Months Imprisonment for Sale of Firearm and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney G. F. “Pete” Peterman, III announces that Carlton M. Butler, age 36, of Montezuma, Georgia was sentenced to serve 30 years (360 months) in federal prison for distribution of crack cocaine and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking crime. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Marc T. Treadwell in Macon, Georgia on March 31, 2017.
Through his plea, Mr. Butler admitted to selling a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and a quantity of crack cocaine to a confidential informant on May 28, 2014. At the time of the sale, Mr. Butler was a convicted felon on parole in two separate, state drug trafficking cases and was therefore prohibited from possessing any firearm. At the time of his plea, Mr. Butler also admitted that prior to his federal case, he had three previous convictions for drug trafficking crimes in the state of Georgia.
“Carlton Butler is the exact type of armed career drug dealer that our federal statutes are designed to put out of business. As with all federal sentences, there is no parole available to him as he does his thirty (30) years of “hard time” in a United States Penitentiary. At least for the next three decades, the citizens and children of the Middle District of Georgia will be safe from Mr. Butler and the poisons he sells,” said United States Attorney Peterman.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, through lead agent Brian Queener, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, through lead agent Shannon McCook, and additional assistance from the Montezuma Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Shanelle Booker prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 752-3511.
Mexico City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Importation of Cocaine and HeroinRead the Press Release
In Del Rio today, a federal judge sentenced 42-year-old Guillermo Rodriguez-Sanchez to 151 months in federal prison for importation of cocaine and heroin, announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division; and, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.
On October 19, 2016, jurors convicted Rodriguez-Sanchez of one count of importation of cocaine and one count of importation of heroin. According to evidence presented during trial, on March 16, 2016, Rodriguez-Sanchez, a Mexican citizen and resident of Mexico City, attempted to enter the United States of America through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry Number One. CBP officers subsequently discovered four bricks of cocaine and one brick of heroin hidden inside of a secret compartment that was built into the air intake manifold of the 2007 Toyota Tundra the defendant was driving. The total weight of the cocaine was approximately four kilograms; the heroin, approximately 1.4 kilograms. Testimony at trial established that the value of the narcotics was approximately $200,000. At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez-Sanchez denied knowledge of the drugs.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Goran Krnaich and Justin Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Mexican Truck Driver and a Laredo Woman Convicted of Trafficking DrugsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A Nuevo Laredo man and a Laredo woman have entered guilty pleas for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic drugs via the World Trade Bridge, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
Daniel Rodirugez Reyna, 45, entered his plea to conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. Vanessa Bernal, 33, pleaded guilty for her participation as a co-conspirator in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The investigation began in 2014 when authorities learned of a possible drug transaction with a commercial truck driver expected to be crossing drugs via the World Trade Bridge in Laredo. Upon conducting surveillance, they observed Reyna meet with a confidential source at a warehouse in Laredo as he placed a white plastic bag inside the source’s front passenger window. After he departed the area, authorities were able to obtain the bag, which contained three bundles wrapped in clear cellophane wrap and black electrical tape. Laboratory analysis confirmed the three bundles all contained heroin with a net weight of 2.85 kilograms.
On March 25, 2015, agents conducted surveillance of the same white semi-truck Reyna was driving after it crossed in to the United States from Mexico via the World Trade Bridge. Law enforcement followed Reyna as he drove the a warehouse on El Gato Road in Laredo. Shortly thereafter, a red Dodge Journey arrived. Bernal was later identified as the driver. Reyna then exited his vehicle, carrying a plastic shopping bag and placed it in the back seat of Bernal’s vehicle.
After they departed, authorities conducted a traffic stop and found the plastic bag. Inside, they discovered four bundles wrapped in brown tape which all contained crystal methamphetamine with a net weight of 3.9 kilograms.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the pleas today and set sentencing for July 31, 2017. At that time, both face a minimum 10 years and up to life for the conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Reyna faces the same penalty for the heroin conspiracy. Bernal was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing, while Reyna will remain in custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of task force members of the Webb County District Attorney’s Office and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead 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 Jose Maria Agustin, 43, a native and citizen of Mexico, most recently of Elba, NY, who pleaded guilty to reentry after deportation subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Counihan, who handled the case, stated that in 2009, the defendant was convicted in California of Forcible Rape and Assault with a Deadly Weapon and sentenced to five years in prison. After serving his prison sentence, Agustin was removed from the United States to Mexico by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As a result of that conviction, the defendant was permanently barred from returning to the United States.
In December of 2015, Agustin was found working in the United States. The defendant was doing so without having permission to reenter the United States and without employment authorization. In addition, Agustin was required to register as a sex offender in California and had not registered as a sex offender in New York State.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction Thomas P. Brophy, Acting Buffalo Field Office Director, and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff William Sheron, Jr.
Mercedes Man Gets Hefty Sentence for Transporting CocaineRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old Mercedes resident has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute approximately 84 kilograms of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Martin Perez pleaded guilty March 31, 2016.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack ordered Perez to serve a total of 262 months in prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Jack noted his previous conviction of possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana in 2005 and his prior aggravated assault conviction.
On Feb. 1, 2016, Perez was driving a tractor-trailer in Kleberg County when he was stopped for a traffic violation. A search of the trailer he was hauling resulted in the discovery of approximately 84 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a compartment in the bed of the trailer.
Perez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Leonard prosecuted the case.
Members of DeCavalcante Crime Family Sentenced to Prison Terms for Distributing CocaineRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two associates of the DeCavalcante organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra were sentenced today to prison terms for their roles in distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Rosario Pali, 33, of Linden, New Jersey, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and Nicholas DeGidio, 39, of Union, New Jersey, was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Both had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls, separate informations charging them with one count each of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Judge Walls imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
DeGidio and Pali were arrested and charged by complaint in March 2015, along with eight other members of the DeCavalcante crime family. Both admitted selling cocaine in conjunction with other family associates.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced DeGidio to two years of supervised release and Pali to three years of supervised release.Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the N.J. State Commission of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Executive Director Lee C. Seglem; the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, under the direction of Executive Director Walter M. Arsenault; and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.
The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley Sr. and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Donnelly.
Defense counsel: DeGidio: Ted Romankow Esq., Springfield, New Jersey
Pali: Christopher L. Patella Esq., Bayonne, New JerseyMaryland woman convicted for distributing heroinRead the Press Release
UPDATE
The defendant in this case, Sykebia Stewart, withrew her plea on April 16, 2018 before Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh.
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sykebia Stewart, of Dundalk, Maryland, was convicted today in federal court for aiding in the distribution of heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Stewart, age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin.” Stewart admitted to distributing heroin in Berkeley County on May 30, 2016.
Stewart faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Marianna Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jimmy Dale King, aka OG Zeek Woods, age 42, of Marianna, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance that Contained Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in September of 2016, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in conjunction with the Springdale Police Department received information that Jimmy Dale King was in Springdale distributing methamphetamine. Agents learned that King was from out of town and staying in a local hotel and obtained a description of the vehicle he was driving. On September 15, law enforcement used a confidential source to arrange for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from King. Agents set up surveillance and observed as King arrived at the predetermined meeting location. Because King was on parole, there was a valid search waiver on file. After searching and arresting him, officers found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and $327 cash on his person. Further searching his hotel room, officers located and seized a digital scale, $860 cash and two additional bags of methamphetamine. The suspected substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing.
King was named in a federal indictment in October of 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charge in December of 2016.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springdale Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Davis Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Stephen A. Turner, 36, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 27 years in federal prison for production of child pornography, announced Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Turner will also be subject to 15 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment and will be required to register as a sex offender. The Court also ordered Turner to pay a $100 special assessment.
Turner had utilized the chat function within the Marvel "Contest of Champions" game application to befriend an 11-year-old minor. He continued to cultivate a relationship by texting her and ultimately induced her to photograph her genitals and send him the photographs. The minor’s mother discovered the text messages and illicit photographs and immediately reported the crime to police.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The investigation was conducted by the Collier County, Florida Sheriff’s Office, the Wood River Police Department, and the United States Secret Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura V. Reppert.
Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison and 15 Years of Supervised Release for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. - Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced today that United States District Judge Jay A. García-Gregory sentenced 21-year-old Carlos Rafael Ocasio-Febres, to serve a term of imprisonment of five years followed by 15 years of supervised release. On June 16, 2016, Ocasio-Febres pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
In September 2015, the defendant knowingly possessed child pornography material depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After executing a search warrant, and seizing his electronic devices, HSI agents discovered over 400 videos and, at least 72 images, of child pornography. The defendant had downloaded and shared child pornography images and videos using his laptop and cellphones.
“The public has to understand that possession of child pornography is a very serious offense that victimizes and re-victimizes children every time and image is viewed, downloaded or shared,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “The US Attorney’s Office is fully committed to identifying and prosecuting anyone who searches for, downloads or possesses such contraband images or videos.”
Project Safe Childhood is an initiative of the Department of Justice aimed at preventing the abuse and exploitation of children by the use of digital cameras, computers and other digital and electronic media.
The criminal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Caraballo-Colón.
Man Admits Robbing the University of Maryland Inn and Conference CenterRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Jamal Ulysses Green, age 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty today to a commercial robbery and to using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
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; Chief David B. Mitchell of the University of Maryland Police Department; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.
According to his plea agreement, on September 6, 2016, Green and a co-conspirator robbed the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center (UMUC). Green, who was armed and was not wearing a mask, approached a security guard and advised the guard that he was making a delivery to UMUC. The guard followed Green to the loading dock, where Green grabbed the security guard. The security guard fought back. During the altercation Green fired his gun, but did not strike the guard.
Shortly after that, Green’s co-conspirator, wearing a mask and brandishing a handgun, entered the security office of UMUC demanding money and ordering the occupants to the ground. During this time, the security guard involved in the physical altercation with Green on the loading dock returned to the Security Office. As the security guard returned to the Security Office, the co-conspirator appeared in the doorway and fired his gun at the security guard, striking the security guard in the upper left arm, with the bullet going through his/her arm, and lodging next to the security guard’s spine. The injury to the security guard required emergency medical attention. A few seconds later, Green entered the security office. Green and his co-conspirator took three safes from the security office, and fled the area.
Prince George’s County Police Department’s (PGPD) K-9 Unit and Air One helicopter unit responded to 911 emergency calls, and performed a search for the two suspects. Several hours later, a K-9 unit tracked to a wood line directly across the street from the UMUC loading dock. PGPD K-9 found Green in the woods adjacent to the wood line, hiding in overgrown shrubs and trees. Green matched the physical description of the unmasked person seen in the UMUC security video, and was wearing clothing similar in color as one of the suspects who committed the robbery.
Two of the safes taken from the UMUC Security Office were located in the immediate vicinity of where Green was hiding. A third, larger safe, that Green was seen on video carrying out of the security office, was found near the loading dock area concealed amongst trees, next to a.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The pistol had a magazine in it, and was loaded with seven rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. The caliber of the firearm was the same as the shell casing found by the loading dock where the security guard was involved in the physical altercation with Green. A forensic analysis of the magazine recovered from the firearm revealed a fingerprint that matches Green’s fingerprint.
Green was arrested and subsequently charged in Prince George’s County District Court with several criminal offenses. Green was detained, at the Prince George’s County Correctional Center (PGCCC). By PGCCC policy, any calls made to or from inmates are recorded. Prior to any conversation, the inmate and the person calling the inmate are advised that the conversation is being recorded. On September 7, 2016, Green made a recorded call to an unidentified male during which he admitted that he fired his gun, but did not hit anybody.
Green faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the robbery, and a mandatory 10 years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, University of Maryland Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Nicolas A. Mitchell, who prosecuted the case.
Lynwood Woman Sentenced to 51 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Acting United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced that Angela Young, 45, of Lynwood, Illinois was sentenced before District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen for one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of knowingly disclosing HIPPA information and one count of unlawful use of social security numbers.
Young was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $64,791.74 in restitution.
According to documents in this case, between June 2007 and continuing through October 2009, Young was employed at a medical facility located in Illinois and was authorized to have access to a patient’s individually identifiable health information and other personal identifying information (PHI/PII). As an employee of the medical facility, Young had access to the names, dates of birth, social security account numbers (SSNs), drivers’ licenses, health insurance cards, credit cards, checking accounts, and billing statements of the patients and their representatives, i.e. individuals who made payments on behalf of the patients at the medical facility. She used her position to take various patients (PHI/PII) without the knowledge, authority, or permission of the patients and their representatives or the medical facility. She then disclosed the PHI/PII to her co-defendant who used the information to open credit card accounts in the names of the patients and their representatives without their knowledge.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Toi Houston.
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Local Businesswoman Pleads Guilty in $70 Million Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Connie Apostelos, also known as Connie Coleman, 51, formerly of Springboro, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to charges related to a $70 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded nearly 500 victims. Specifically, she pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office; Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Christopher White, Assistant Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; James Vanderberg, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; Joe Rivers, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; and Brian Peters, Enforcement Attorney, Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities, announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.
Apostelos and her husband, William Apostelos, were indicted in October 2015. According to court documents, beginning in 2009, and continuing for at least five years, the couple and others orchestrated a Ponzi scheme in the Dayton area in which nearly 480 investors lost more than $20 million collectively. They received $70 million in investment funds in total.
Connie Apostelos operated and oversaw multiple companies in the Dayton area, including Coleman Capital, Inc. and Silver Bridle Racing, LLC. These companies were operated through improper use of investor funds to William Apostelos’ companies.
William Apostelos also operated and oversaw multiple purported investment and asset management companies in the Dayton area, including WMA Enterprises, LLC, Midwest Green Resources, LLC and Roan Capital. He falsely reported that he held a degree in mathematics and was a registered securities broker.
The couple recruited investors from 37 states to invest in WMA and Midwest Green, telling the investors that their money would be used for acquiring stocks or securities, purchasing real estate or land, providing loans to business and buying gold and silver.
Rather than investing the money, the couple used it to pay for personal luxuries. According to court documents, the couple was spending $35,000 per month on Connie’s horse racing company and $400 per month on Victoria’s Secret lingerie.
When the defendants became late on interest payments to the victims, they advised that their bank account had been hacked, a bank mistakenly failed to wire payment and/or the deal the victim had invested in was temporarily on hold.
The government has seized two racehorses, vehicles, jewelry, artwork and cash totaling approximately $650,000 from the couple.
Money laundering in this case is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for August 2.
William Apostelos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and theft or embezzlement from an employee benefit plan. As part of his plea agreement, the parties involved have recommended to the court a sentence of 180 months in prison. That sentencing recommendation will be considered by the Judge at a sentencing hearing on June 30.
Steven Scudder, 62, of Centerville, an attorney who served as trustee of the WMA Trust, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on January 19 to wire fraud, admitting that he used his position as an attorney to facilitate the fraudulent investment scheme.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by law enforcement, and Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi and Deputy Criminal Chief Laura Clemmens, who are prosecuting the case.
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Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Chicago Area Tax Return PreparerRead the Press Release
Gregory T. Goss, of Dolton, Illinois, reported false information on federal income tax returns he prepared for his customers, according to a new lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice today. In the complaint, the government alleges that Goss prepared false tax returns individually and doing business as G & V Tax and Insurance (G & V Tax), a tax preparation firm located at 625 E. 170th Street in South Holland, Illinois. The government’s complaint, filed in federal court in Chicago, Illinois, asks the court to bar Goss and G & V Tax from preparing federal tax returns for others.
According to the complaint, Goss and G & V Tax prepare fraudulent federal tax returns for their customers by fabricating itemized deductions and falsifying self-reported income. Goss and G & V Tax falsified self-employment income and itemized deductions to inflate claims for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) on their customers’ tax returns, according to the complaint. The EIC is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. The EIC is a refundable credit meaning that it not only can reduce the amount of tax an eligible individual owes, dollar for dollar, but if some credit remains, it can result in a cash refund.
According to the complaint, the suit is a culmination of a lengthy Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigation into Goss and G & V Tax. The complaint alleges that the IRS audited 237 tax returns prepared by Goss and determined that 147 — or 60 percent — of those returns either understated his customers’ respective tax liabilities or overstated their refunds, including claims for the EIC. These 147 tax returns prepared by Goss underreported $323,547 in taxes, the complaint alleges. The suit alleges that Goss’s misconduct damages the public fisc, undermines public confidence in the U.S. tax system, and harms his customers, who now may owe taxes, interest, and penalties.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2017 and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has tips on its website for choosing a return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Johnstown Man Charged with Filing a False Income Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of filing a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The two-count indictment named Anthony A. Masciantonio.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about April 15, 2011, Masciantonio, on his U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, stated his taxable income for calendar year 2010 was $206,575, when he then and there well knew and believed his taxable income for calendar year 2010 was $297,147.63. Likewise, on or about April 15, 2012, on his U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, Masciantonio stated his taxable income for calendar year 2011 was $397,099, when he then and there well knew and believed his taxable income for calendar year 2011 was $470,350.02.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 6 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation 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.
Immigration Attorney Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Visa Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Terence S. Opiola, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Newark Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today the arrest of CHARLES JASON LORE for visa fraud, aggravated identity theft, and mail fraud. LORE was arrested this morning and presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Charles Lore, an immigration attorney, is alleged to have submitted fraudulent forms for over 150 clients, claiming a rare exception intended for individuals with extraordinary achievements in film and television. When approached by law enforcement about the unusually high number of exceptions he sought, Lore allegedly stole the identity of another attorney and filed almost 200 additional petitions for the same exception under the unsuspecting attorney’s name.”
HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Terence S. Opiola said: “Attorneys allegedly misrepresenting their role should be put on notice that their actions will be uncovered. I commend our special agents on a job well done.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
Beginning in April 2011 through January 2015, LORE participated in a scheme to submit fraudulent I-129 Forms in connection with applications for temporary nonimmigrant worker visas, known as O-1 visas. Specifically, LORE submitted over 150 fraudulent “no-objection letters” from trade associations that represent actors, musicians, and artists in support of scores of O-1 visa petitions. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services relies on these letters in determining whether the applicant possesses the extraordinary ability, or has demonstrated the requisite achievement necessary to obtain an O-1 visa. In addition, after he was approached by law enforcement agents concerning an apparently fraudulent letter, LORE stole the identity of an unsuspecting lawyer, and submitted nearly 200 additional visa petitions in this victim’s name.
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LORE, of Denville, New Jersey, is charged with one count of visa fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of mail fraud. Mail fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI. He also praised the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, and the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service for their assistance. He added that the investigation is ongoing.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Longyear is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Honolulu Massage Parlor Owner Found Guilty of Bribery of Federal AgentRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – A federal jury yesterday found Biyu Situ, 48, owner of Mayflower and Blue Angel Massage Parlors, guilty of two counts of bribery of a public official. The verdict followed a two and a half day trial. Situ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years for each count when she is sentenced on July 24, 2017, by Senior District Judge Susan Oki Mollway.
Elliot Enoki, Acting United States Attorney, said that according to information produced in court, on June 12, 2015, during a federal undercover investigation, Situ, the operator of the Blue Angel, a massage parlor front for prostitution activity, offered a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations $5,000 for protection of Blue Angel, consisting of advance notice of law enforcement inspections and raids. Other information produced during the trial showed that Situ also offered the special agent $5,000 to obtain United States citizenship without taking any citizenship test, and that Situ had previously operated the Mayflower Massage Parlor, another front for prostitution, which was shut down due to frequent police and immigration inspections.
The investigation resulting in the prosecution was led by Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Early and Larry Butrick.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston to being a previously deported alien present in the United States.
Rumeni D. Romero, 32, a Honduran citizen, pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment of being a previously deported alien present in the United States. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2017.
In January 2017, Romero was encountered by agents in Chelsea and determined to be illegally present in the United States. During an interview, Romero admitted to being an alien who had multiple prior deportations and that he had not received permission to reenter the United States.
According to court documents, between 2006 and 2013, Romero was deported four times. In 2004, he was determined to be illegally present in the United States and was placed into removal proceedings. On Feb. 23, 2006, he was deported to Honduras. In January 2010, while serving a sentence at the Suffolk County House of Corrections, Romero was again determined to be illegally present in the United States. Following the completion of his sentence, Romero was placed into removal proceedings, and on April 5, 2010, he was deported to Honduras. Later that same year, in December 2010, Romero was encountered by agents in Texas, determined to be illegally present in the U.S. and charged with illegal reentry. He pleaded guilty and was again deported in June 2011 following the completion of his sentence. In December 2012, Romero was arrested in Somerville, Mass., and deported for the fourth time on Dec. 12, 2013.
The charging statute 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. 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit.
Harrison County man indicted for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Siglinger, of Gypsy, West Virginia, was indicted by a grand jury sitting in Wheeling today for possession and distribution of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Siglinger, age 42, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Child Pornography” and one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Siglinger is accused of distributing and receiving child pornography and having in his possession child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor and a minor under the age of 12. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in December 2015 and May 2016 in Harrison County.
Siglinger faces up to twenty years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.