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3 February 2017
Oklahoma City Woman to Serve 27 Months in Prison for Committing Health Care Fraud and Food Stamp FraudRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Scott Pruitt, Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, jointly announce that SHALONDA SUGGS, 36, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Joe Heaton to serve 27 months in federal prison for submitting false claims to Medicaid for behavioral health counseling services and for stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps). Suggs was also ordered to pay restitution to Medicaid in the amount of $204,334.24 and to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the amount of $4,959.00.
On April 5, 2016, Suggs was indicted on sixteen counts of health care fraud and one count of theft of government funds. The Indictment alleged that in July 2013, Suggs opened a behavioral health counseling agency called Focus Pointe Counseling, LLC. It was alleged Suggs obtained a contract with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), which allowed Focus Pointe to receive reimbursement from Medicaid for providing behavioral health counseling services to Medicaid-eligible children. It was alleged that Suggs then submitted Medicaid claims for behavioral health counseling services that were purportedly provided by four counselors supposedly employed by Focus Pointe. It was alleged that the counselors were never actually employed by Focus Pointe and never provided any of the counseling services claimed by Focus Pointe. It was alleged that the OHCA paid Focus Pointe for the false claims and that Suggs used the proceeds for her personal benefit. It was further alleged that during the time period Suggs was fraudulently receiving funds from the OHCA, she was receiving SNAP benefits by making false statements to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that she was unemployed and had a negligible source of income.
On June 30, 2016, Suggs pled guilty to two counts of the Indictment. Suggs admitted that she used Focus Pointe Counseling to submit a claim to the OHCA using the name and Medicaid provider number of a certain counselor for a behavioral counseling session. Suggs admitted that the counselor was not in fact employed by Focus Pointe and that the counseling session never actually occurred. She also admitted that from August 2014 through May 2015, she was receiving SNAP benefits that she obtained by making false statements about her lack of income.
Medicaid and SNAP are programs that are funded and administered jointly by the federal government and the State of Oklahoma. This case is the result of a cooperative federal and state investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green and Oklahoma Assistant Attorney General Lory Dewey.
North Carolina drug dealer sentenced to federal prison for heroin crimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A North Carolina heroin dealer was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Adam Denson, 29, of Gastonia, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.
Denson admitted that on May 14, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place at Little Page Terrace in Charleston. Denson further admitted that he sold heroin to a confidential informant on three additional occasions in May 2015.
The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.
This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Nigerian Man Sentenced to Prison for DoD Contract Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Babatunde Aniyi, 33, of Lagos, Nigeria, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for a conspiracy to defraud United States defense contractors and impersonation of United States officers. Aniyi was also ordered to pay $1,515,524.18 in restitution to his victims.
Aniyi pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, 2016. According to court documents, Aniyi and a co-conspirator in Nigeria impersonated U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) officials using fake DOD email accounts and websites. Aniyi and his co-conspirator would order computers and smart phones in the name of DOD officials and divert the packages to Nigeria, with the help of two of the U.S.-based co-conspirators, Solomon Oyesanya and Oludayo Edgal. Oyesanya and Edgal pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges last year and were sentenced to 60 and 27 months in prison, respectively. According to court documents, the conspiracy caused more than $1.5 million in losses.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeffery Thorpe, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Cyber Field Office; and Gordon B. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen S. Dwyer and Maya D. Song prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:14-cr-311.
Newport News Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Tidewater RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Sylvester Lipscombe, 49, of Newport News, was sentenced to 20 years in prison his role in a string of commercial robberies in Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News in 2015.
Lipscombe was pleaded guilty on Sept. 22, 2016. According to court documents, Lipscombe completed multiple commercial robberies from September 29 to Dec. 28, 2015. Over the 90 day period Lipscombe completed the following five robberies: 1) Burger King in Suffolk, Sept. 29, 2015; 2) Krispy Kreme in Hampton, Oct. 18, 2015; 3) Hampton Health Mart in Hampton, Dec. 1, 2015; 4) Checksmart in Hampton, Dec. 4, 2015; 5) Metro PCS in Newport News, Dec. 23, 2015. At sentencing Lipscombe was ordered to pay $8,816.22 in restitution, and was sentenced to an additional two years in prison for violating the terms of his federal supervised release.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police; Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division; and Thomas E. Bennett, Chief of Suffolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Cross prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-40.
Monroe County Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Possession of Firearm by Felon and Possession of Stolen Motor VehicleRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Todd O. Sweet, 51, of Monroe County Illinois, was sentenced in federal court today to 100 months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, following his plea of guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon in possession and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
At the time of commission of these crimes, Sweet was living in a tent in heavy woods located in Monroe County, having absconded from supervised release following his conviction in the Eastern District of Missouri for Possession of Body Armor by a Violent Felon. The owner of the land where Sweet kept his tent called the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office when he discovered Sweet trespassing on his land. Deputies discovered a GPS device in Sweet’s backpack; the device led deputies to Sweet’s tent location, and inside the tent they found a stolen firearm. Nearby, they also found a truck that had been previously stolen in Missouri.
The case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ali Summers and Stephen Clark.
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Mongols Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Use and Possession of Firearm in Connection with KidnappingRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO– Eric Lundin was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for use and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence follows a guilty plea entered November 10, 2016, in which Lundin admitting using the weapon to enhance or maintain his status with the racketeering enterprise of the Mongols Motorcycle Club.
According to his guilty plea, Lundin, 67, of Arcadia, Calif., admitted that on April 22, 2013, he used a Colt .38 caliber revolver and a semi-automatic handgun to instill fear in, intimidate, and detain a female kidnapping victim. Lundin admitted that he targeted the victim at least in part because he believed his daughter and his home had been robbed by an associate of a relative of the victim. Lundin believed it was important to maintain respect for the Mongols, and his status as a member, by responding to the robbery. Lundin acknowledged that during the course of the kidnapping, his victim was trapped in the vehicle and he stated “Mongols don’t leave witnesses.”
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge. In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar also imposed a term of three years of supervised release during which time he may not associate with any members of the Mongols. The defendant currently is in custody and will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Assistant United States Attorneys William Frentzen and Zinzi Bonilla are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Bridget Kilkenny. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arcada Police Department, and the Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office.
Mississippi Corrections Officers Plead Guilty to Inmate Assault and Cover-UpRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced that Mississippi corrections officer, Lawardrick Marsher, pleaded guilty today in federal court to beating an inmate in Mississippi’s Parchman prison. A second officer, Robert Sturdivant, pleaded guilty to helping conceal the beating of the inmate.
According to his guilty plea, Marsher, 29, used excessive force in punching and kicking the victim, identified as K.H., who suffered a broken orbital bone, permanent vision loss and severe blood loss. The assault occurred on March 9, 2014. Marsher also admitted to submitting a false report and lying to the FBI. Sturdivant, 47, Marsher’s supervisor, admitted that he also punched and kicked K.H. and urged fellow officers to submit false statements to their department and to lie to the FBI.
“Every American, including those who are incarcerated, is protected by the U.S. Constitution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When officers who we expect to uphold those rights willfully violate them, and lie to cover it up, the Justice Department will vigorously enforce the laws prohibiting this misconduct.”
“The defendant abused his authority, violated the law and the public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Felicia C. Adams of the Northern District of Mississippi. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi is committed to aggressively prosecuting those correctional officers who break the law and violate an individual’s constitutional rights.”
“Occasionally, incarceration can lead to an emotionally charged atmosphere, but we lose credibility and moral authority when prison guards are guilty of violating the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI Jackson Division. “While incarcerated individuals have relinquished their right to freedom, they have not renounced their civil rights.”
On June 21, 2016, Marsher and Sturdivant were indicted by a grand jury. Two other officers, Deonte Pate, 23, and Romander Nelson, 44, pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the beating. Pate admitted to conspiring to cover up the beating, and Nelson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to protect K.H.
Marsher faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; Sturdivant faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison. Sentencing for Marsher and Sturdivant is tentatively scheduled for June 9 and 8, respectively. Pate’s sentencing is scheduled for March 16; Nelson’s sentencing is scheduled for April 6.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson Division, with cooperation from the Mississippi Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Coleman of the Northern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorneys Rebekah Bailey and Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Convicted of Civil Rights Offenses for Stealing Property from Motorists and Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal jury convicted former Miami-Dade Police Detective William Kostopoulos, 49, with using his law enforcement authority to violate the civil rights of two motorists as well as obstructing justice.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.According to evidence presented during the two week trial, in 2013, Kostopoulos stopped two separate motorists in order to steal their money, in violation of the motorists’ rights under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to be free from unreasonable seizures of their property. Kostopoulos subsequently obstructed justice by making misleading statements in order to prevent the communication of information about his crimes to federal law enforcement officers.
“The defendant abused the power granted to him as a law enforcement officer to prey upon unsuspecting motorists for personal gain and then lied about his criminal actions to investigating detectives,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “He violated not only the law, but also the public trust.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice and the FBI stand committed to holding those who betray the public trust accountable for their criminal actions, while supporting the overwhelming majority of men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve and protect the community as law-abiding police officers,” said U.S. Attorney Ferrer.
“This officer's abuse of authority will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Piro. “His actions do not represent all other law enforcement officers who are diligent, hard working professionals.”
Kostopoulos faces a statutory maximum sentence of 22 years in prison on these charges. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19 before U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke in Miami, Florida.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Homestead Police Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Tonya R. Long of the Southern District of Florida and Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division.Miami-Dade Police Detective Convicted of Civil Rights Offenses for Stealing Property from Motorists and Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal jury convicted former Miami-Dade Police Detective William Kostopoulos, 49, with using his law enforcement authority to violate the civil rights of two motorists as well as obstructing justice. Kostopoulos is scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Judge Marcia G. Cooke, in Miami, on April 19, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer, Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to evidence presented during the two-week trial, in 2013, Kostopoulos stopped two separate motorists in order to steal their money, in violation of the motorists’ rights under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to be free from unreasonable seizures of their property. Kostopoulos subsequently obstructed justice by making misleading statements in order to prevent the communication of information about his crimes to federal law enforcement officers.
U.S. Attorney Ferrer said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice and the FBI stand committed to holding those who betray the public trust accountable for their criminal actions, while supporting the overwhelming majority of men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve and protect the community as law-abiding police officers.”
“The defendant abused the power granted to him as a law enforcement officer to prey upon unsuspecting motorists for personal gain and then lied about his criminal actions to investigating detectives,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “He violated not only the law, but also the public trust.”
“This officer's abuse of authority will not be tolerated,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro. “His actions do not represent all other law enforcement officers who are diligent, hard working professionals.”
Kostopoulos faces a statutory maximum sentence of 22 years in prison on these charges. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19 before U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke in Miami, Florida.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Homestead Police Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Tonya R. Long of the Southern District of Florida and Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Convicted of Civil Rights Offenses for Stealing Property from Motorists and Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal jury convicted former Miami-Dade Police Detective William Kostopoulos, 49, with using his law enforcement authority to violate the civil rights of two motorists as well as obstructing justice. Kostopoulos is scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Judge Marcia G. Cooke, in Miami, on April 19, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer, Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to evidence presented during the two-week trial, in 2013, Kostopoulos stopped two separate motorists in order to steal their money, in violation of the motorists’ rights under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to be free from unreasonable seizures of their property. Kostopoulos subsequently obstructed justice by making misleading statements in order to prevent the communication of information about his crimes to federal law enforcement officers.
U.S. Attorney Ferrer said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice and the FBI stand committed to holding those who betray the public trust accountable for their criminal actions, while supporting the overwhelming majority of men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve and protect the community as law-abiding police officers.”
“The defendant abused the power granted to him as a law enforcement officer to prey upon unsuspecting motorists for personal gain and then lied about his criminal actions to investigating detectives,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “He violated not only the law, but also the public trust.”
“This officer's abuse of authority will not be tolerated,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro. “His actions do not represent all other law enforcement officers who are diligent, hard working professionals.”
Kostopoulos faces a statutory maximum sentence of 22 years in prison on these charges. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19 before U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke in Miami, Florida.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Homestead Police Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Tonya R. Long of the Southern District of Florida and Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division.
Mexican National Facing Federal Charge Arising Out of Seizure of Ten Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier this week, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., found probable cause to support a methamphetamine trafficking charge against Juan Carlos Corral-Garcia. Today the Magistrate Judge ordered Corral-Garcia, 28, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, detained pending trial based on findings that he poses a risk of flight and danger to the community.
Corral-Garcia is charged by criminal complaint with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleges that Corral-Garcia committed the crime on Jan. 27, 2017 in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the complaint, a New Mexico State Police officer allegedly found 10.03 kilograms (22.12 pounds) of methamphetamine in Corral-Garcia’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop. The methamphetamine allegedly was contained in four clear packages each of which contained 20 smaller packages of methamphetamine.
If convicted of the charge against him, Corral-Garcia faces a statutory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney and NYPD Commissioner Announce Arrest of Narcotics Dealer Responsible for Heroin Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a complaint charging FABRICE DIAZ, 24, with narcotics dealing that resulted in the overdose death of a 25-year-old man.
The complaint alleges that DIAZ participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, and that heroin distributed by DIAZ resulted in the death of Robert Vivolo, age 25, of the Bronx, New York, on October 21, 2016. DIAZ was arrested this morning and will be presented later today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. DIAZ faces a mandatory minimum term of 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “Once again, we are confronted with the lethal effects of the opioid abuse epidemic. As alleged, Fabrice Diaz sold the heroin that sadly killed Robert Vivolo. Thanks to the outstanding partnership with the New York City Police Department, we seek to combat the deadly opioid crisis one alleged drug dealer at a time.”
According to the Complaint[1]:
From at least in or about October 2016 up to January 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, FABRICE DIAZ and others conspired to sell heroin. As part of that conspiracy, on or about October 21, 2016, DIAZ exchanged text messages with Robert Vivolo, a 25-year-old heroin addict who lived on City Island, in the Bronx, New York. In those messages, DIAZ arranged to sell heroin to Vivolo, and DIAZ delivered heroin to Vivolo’s home. A short time later, Vivolo overdosed on that heroin and died.
After Vivolo’s death, DIAZ was arrested on separate charges in New Rochelle, New York, on or about January 11, 2017, in possession of 17 envelopes of heroin.
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DIAZ faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the NYPD. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the New Rochelle Police Department for their assistance in the investigation. Mr. Bharara noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
This matter is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney David W. Denton Jr. 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.
Manhattan Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that PAAL KLYKKEN, 35, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and supervised release for seven years for distributing and receiving child pornography. KLYKKEN pled guilty on September 1, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, who also imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “Paal Klykken admitted to serially taking advantage of and victimizing his minor neighbor. Today, he has been sentenced to prison for his predatory criminal behavior.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
From at least early 2015 up to and including January 2016, KLYKKEN communicated by email and a social messaging app with a minor girl (the “Minor Victim”) who lived in a neighboring apartment. Because of the relative positions of their respective apartments, KLYKKEN was able to view inside the Minor Victim’s bedroom from his own apartment window while they communicated. The communications were often sexual, and KLYKKEN repeatedly enticed the Minor Victim to pose in sexual positions and engage in sexually explicit conduct while KLYKKEN watched from his home, often with the aid of a camera.
On March 18, 2016, KLYKKEN was arrested in Manhattan. After his arrest, KLYKKEN admitted, among other things, that, in addition to the conduct with the Minor Victim, for approximately 18 years, he had live-streamed and downloaded child pornography.
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Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and expressed deep appreciation for the contribution of the New York City Police Department Vice Major Case Squad to this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Rebold is in charge of the prosecution.
Long Island Investment Adviser Sentenced to 42 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – Earlier today, Daniel Winston LaMarco, a Huntington, New York investment adviser, was sentenced to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release following his August 2016 guilty plea to wire fraud and commodities fraud. As part of the sentence, LaMarco was also ordered to pay $872,600 in restitution to the investors in a commodity pool he ran which invested in the Foreign Exchange Market. The sentencing proceeding was held before United States District Judge Arthur D. Spatt.
The sentence was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Mr. Capers thanked the criminal investigators in the United States Attorney’s Office for their excellent work on this investigation.
Beginning in approximately January 2011, LaMarco began to solicit investors to fund a commodity pool he ran which invested in the Foreign Exchange Market. LaMarco made false claims regarding his investment performance, and touted the safety of his investment strategy. Among his victims, LaMarco encouraged two individuals to invest proceeds from a home equity loan with him. As part of his fraud scheme, LaMarco sent false monthly statements to investors representing that their investments were growing, inducing new investments from the investors, and discouraging them from withdrawing their investments with him. The monthly statements claimed the investments had more than doubled in value and were worth as much as $1,796,126.22. In truth, LaMarco had lost almost all of the investors’ money, which totaled more than $872,000, in the Foreign Exchange Market.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Bini is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges were brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory, and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions, and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
The Defendant:
DANIEL WINSTON LAMARCO
Age: 51
Huntington, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-433 (ADS)
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney, Deborah R. Gilg, announced that on February 3, 2017, Travis John Haas, 37, of Lincoln, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, (120 months), for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine between April 17, 2015, and November 12, 2015. Following the prison term, Haas will serve five years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
Information obtained by law enforcement indicated that Haas was responsible for the distribution of at least 500 grams, (approximately 18 ounces) of methamphetamine during that time. In August of 2015, Haas was contacted by Lincoln Police officers, and he was found in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. On November 12, 2015, cleaning staff at a Lincoln motel found approximately ¾ ounce of methamphetamine in a make-up bag left behind in a room after Haas and a companion checked out. Haas was contacted by Lincoln Police officers in the motel parking lot after he returned to the motel in an effort to retrieve the methamphetamine. At that time, Haas told officers that he had been selling large quantities of methamphetamine for six to seven months.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Leader of Interstate Pill-Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Benjamin Edward Henry Bradley, 33, of Detroit, Michigan, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, for his role as the primary supplier of tens of thousands of diverted prescription pills that were shipped from the Detroit area into Middle Tennessee, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Bradley and 17 co-defendants were indicted on March 11, 2015, and charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, Schedule II controlled substances, including Oxycodone and Oxymorphone. Bradley and two co-defendants were also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The charges stemmed from a multi-year investigation conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. That investigation, which included the use of wiretap interceptions, revealed that Bradley, who worked at a hospital in Detroit, regularly bought up large quantities of diverted pills from a variety of sources, and sent them to Tennessee through the mail or by paying co-conspirators to deliver them. The conspirators then laundered the proceeds by making cash deposits in Tennessee into bank accounts controlled by Bradley in Detroit.
On June 8, 2016, Bradley pleaded guilty to both charges. At the sentencing hearing on February 1, 2017, U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger found that Bradley was a leader of a drug-trafficking organization that dated back to 2009 and involved the distribution of tens of thousands of pills. Bradley’s 17-year prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
This extensive investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the FBI; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Rutherford County, Tenn. Sheriff’s Dept.; the Smyrna, Tenn. Police Dept.; the Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Police Dept.; the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force; the Michigan State Police; the Brighton, Mich. Police Dept.; and the Clinton township, Mich. Police Dept. Assistant United States Attorneys Cecil VanDevender and Brent Hannafan prosecuted the case.
Largo Man Sentenced to Almost 13 Years for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell has sentenced Zhenya Bulgakov (40, Largo) to 12 years and 11 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Court also ordered him to forfeit a Hummer limousine that is traceable to the proceeds of the offense. Bulgakov pleaded guilty on September 19, 2016.
According to court documents, on April 29, 2016, Bulgakov was driving with a passenger in his truck in the Clearwater Beach area. During a traffic stop and search of that vehicle, law enforcement officers located a hidden safe containing more than $113,000 in cash and approximately 360 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. Prior to that date, Bulgakov had purchased, transported, and sold 14 pounds of methamphetamine and had arranged to purchase a similar amount in the near future.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory T. Nolan.
Judge Sentences Washington County Man to 3 Years’ Probation for Ticket Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a term of three years probation, of which two months will be on home detention, for his conviction of conspiracy and wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Jamie McNamara, 32, of Washington, PA.
According to information presented to the court, from on or about March 1, 2014 to March 17, 2014, McNamara falsely represented that he had tickets to entertainment events to potential purchasers on Craigslists. He would then have potential purchasers wire money for these tickets, but McNamara did not provide any tickets.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of McNamara.
Jacksonville Man Arrested for His Role in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, announces the arrest of Dreshawn Royell Mays (23, Jacksonville) for conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces 12 years’ imprisonment and could be ordered to pay restitution of at least $67,859 to the Internal Revenue Service. Earlier this week, Mays was ordered detained pending trial. He was indicted on May 26, 2016.
Charmaine Bates (42, Jacksonville) also was indicted on May 26, 2016, and she has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and aggravated identity theft. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 28, 2017, in Jacksonville.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation’s North Florida Financial Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
Jacksonville Businessman Sentenced to 14 Years in Connection with Faking His DeathRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Jose Salvador Lantigua (63) to 14 years in federal prison for bank fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. His wife, Daphne Simpson, was sentenced to 5 years’ probation but had already served 17 months of pretrial detention. Both will also be ordered to make complete restitution to the victims of the charged offenses. They pleaded guilty in September 2016.
According to court documents, Lantigua owned and operated Circle K, a furniture store in Jacksonville. In 2012, Circle K was suffering financial problems and Lantigua sought financing for the business from banks and personal lenders. Using false and fraudulent documents, Lantigua procured $2 million in loans from a Jacksonville bank.
In January 2013, Lantigua lied to Simpson and told her that he was suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), commonly referred to as “Mad Cow Disease,” that he had six months to a year to live, and that he could receive surgical treatment for his disease, but not in the United States. Initially, Lantigua told Simpson that he would be traveling to Colombia, South America, for the potentially life-saving surgery. Shortly before he was scheduled to leave, however, he told her that he did not have CJD, but that his past was catching up with him from his time with an Army military special operations “team.” He explained that the “team” had killed a drug cartel leader and he was currently being blackmailed by a rogue CIA agent who would expose Lantigua’s identity to the alleged cartel member’s son if he did not satisfy the blackmail demands. He also told his wife that both their families were in danger and that he needed to fake his death in order to protect them. This new explanation was also entirely false. Lantigua then developed a plan to leave the country and to secure a fraudulent death certificate.
In April 2013, Lantigua traveled to Margarita Island, just off the coast of Venezuela, and purchased a sham death certificate and a fraudulent certificate of cremation. Later in the month, Simpson joined Lantigua in Venezuela, where she obtained a certificate of death abroad using the sham death certificate and certificate of cremation. She then returned to Jacksonville.
In June 2013, Simpson began to submit fraudulent claims to seven life insurance companies. The death benefit applications claimed that her husband had died due to complications from CJD and that the purpose of his trip to Venezuela had been to seek medical treatment. In total, Lantigua had seven separate life insurance policies cumulatively valued at more than $6.6 million. Based upon issues identified by several of the companies, however, only three polices paid death benefits, which totaled $871,067.11.
In the fall of 2013, Simpson took a cruise to the Bahamas to meet up with Lantigua. While in the Bahamas, they paid an individual $5,000 to smuggle them into the United States on a fishing boat. Once in the United States, Lantigua traveled under a false identification, using the name Harry Fields. In early December 2013, he traveled by bus to Jacksonville, where Simpson picked him up and they drove to a house they had purchased on their honeymoon in Cashiers, North Carolina.
On September 30, 2014, Lantigua went to a North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office and fraudulently obtained a driver’s license in a false name. Less than two months later, he went to a United States Post Office in North Carolina and fraudulently applied for a passport using the false name. Officials detected the passport fraud and also discovered a previous passport issued in the name Jose Salvador Lantigua.
On March 21, 2015, Special Agents from the State Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations conducted surveillance near the home that Lantigua had used in his fraudulent applications, confronted Lantigua, and then arrested him.
This case was investigated by the United States State Department, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the North Carolina Bureau of Investigations, and the Florida Department of Financial Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Devereaux.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Heroin Trafficking in SpringfieldRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Oak Lawn, Ill., man and a Springfield, Mo., man have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a heroin trafficking conspiracy in the Springfield area.
Deauntee Q. Mosby, 24, of Oak Lawn, and Joshua C. Leamon, 26, of Springfield, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Mosby was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison without parole. Leamon was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
Both Mosby and Leamon pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin in Greene County, Mo., between May 29, 2013, and Feb. 12, 2015.
Mosby admitted that he bought heroin in the Chicago, Ill., area and had it transported in vehicles to the Springfield area, where it was sold to Leamon and other co-conspirators for distribution.
Mosby was stopped by law enforcement officers on two occasions. On Aug. 28, 2013, he was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped in Nixa, Mo. Mosby, who smelled of marijuana, was asked to get out of the vehicle. The officer searched the vehicle and found a syringe that contained heroin between the front driver and passenger seat, a digital scale with heroin residue, and $2,373 in the driver’s wallet. The officer also found a firearm in the trunk. Mosby was also stopped in Pulaski County, Mo., on Jan. 12, 2015, by a St. Robert, Mo., police officer. The officer smelled marijuana in the vehicle and arrested Mosby for an active warrant. Officers searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag behind a panel below the center console that contained 59.36 grams of heroin.
Mosby also admitted that he sold seven grams of heroin to a confidential law enforcement informant in Springfield for $1,100 on Sept. 13, 2013.
Leamon admitted that he purchased heroin from Mosby and other conspirators. He would then distribute the heroin for $30 for each tenth of a gram. Leamon sold and used approximately a quarter of an ounce of heroin per week. Leamon also admitted that he accompanied others to Chicago, St. Louis, Mo., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to buy large amounts of heroin.
Leamon admitted that he sold a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol and .93 gram of heroin during an undercover drug buy with Springfield Police Department detectives and a confidential informant on Feb. 12, 2015.
Mosby and Leamon are the final defendants among seven co-defendants who have been sentenced in this case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
INFORMATION: Federal Court ArraignmentsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Cavan in Billings on January 30, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- ETHEL MARIE BRADY, a 38-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of involuntary manslaughter, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, BRADY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference. 17-02
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Cavan in Billings on January 25, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- ROBERT WESLEY LAFOUNTAIN, a 43-year-old resident of Lodge Grass, appeared on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury, assault of a dating partner by strangulation, and interstate domestic violence. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LAFOUNTAIN faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference. 16-120
- JESSE JAMES MEYERS, a 25-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, MEYERS faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference. 17-06
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on January 24, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- SEAN ROBERT ROBINSON, a 30-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ROBINSON faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls Police Department. PACER Case Reference. 16-39
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Cavan in Billings on January 24, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- DONALD THEODORE FULLER, a 33-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, FULLER faces life in prison, $5,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Montana HIDTA. PACER Case Reference. 17-05
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls, on January 19, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- GILBERT DUANE BRADLEY, a 45-year-old resident of Harlem, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, BRADLEY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services. PACER Case Reference. 17-02
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Cavan in Billings on January 11, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- SIDNEY CHARLES DECRANE, a 39-year-old resident of Pryor, appeared on charges of abusive sexual contact with a minor. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, DECRANE faces 2 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference. 16-118
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Cavan in Billings on January 10, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- HOLLY NICOLE NIEMI, a 37-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, NIEMI faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference. 16-124
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls, on January 10, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- THOMAS LEE SCOTT, a 20-year-old resident of Chelsea, appeared on charges of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, SCOTT faces 8 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice and the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference. 16-83
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls, on January 9, 2017 and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- MICHAEL EDWARD COPENHAVER, a 28-year-old resident of Belgrade, appeared on charges of possession of stolen firearm or ammunition, stealing firearm from a licensed dealer, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, COPENHAVER faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference. 16-18
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
Hancock Woman Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Bank EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Contact: F. Todd Lowell
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jodi L. Webber, 37, of Hancock, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by John A. Woodcock, Jr. to a year and a day in prison and five years of supervised release for embezzling bank funds. She was also ordered to pay $19,400 in restitution. Webber pled guilty on September 21, 2016.
According to court documents, in September 2015, Webber was hired by Camden National Bank as a teller at its Bar Harbor (Town Hill), Maine branch. Between November 2015 and February 2016, Webber stole $19,400 from her teller drawer and replaced it with money she withdrew from five customer accounts. She targeted the accounts of elderly customers and forged their signatures on withdrawal slips. She typically reversed those withdrawals on the same day that she made them after the bank’s cash audit had been completed. Her embezzlement scheme was discovered when a customer questioned an unauthorized withdrawal from the customer’s account that had not been reversed. That inquiry caused the bank to conduct a comprehensive examination of the defendant’s transactions and to contact law enforcement.
In imposing sentence, Judge Woodcock said: “You violated a fundamental obligation an employee owes to an employer not to steal from the employer or cheat its customers.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Guatemalan national pleads guilty to immigration crimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Guatemalan national pleaded guilty today to an immigration crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Obed Zabaleta, 23, entered his guilty plea to illegally reentering the United States.
Zabaleta had previously been removed from the United States to his home country of Guatemala on July 24, 2014, and again on January 15, 2015. Zabaleta then illegally reentered the United States and was found in Charleston after a traffic stop by the West Virginia State Police on November 9, 2016, on I-79 near Exit 1. Zabaleta had not formally applied for permission to legally reenter the United States and was not otherwise in the United States legally.
Zabaleta faces up to two years in federal prison when he is sentenced in March 2017. He is also subject to deportation proceedings at the conclusion of this case.
The Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
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Guatemalan National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RUDY OTONIEL AZANON-RODAS, age 51, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information for reentry of a removed alien, in violation of8 U.S.C. § 1326.
According to the Bill of Information, on or about December 29, 2016, AZANON RODAS was found in the United States after having been officially deported and removed on or about May 2, 1986.
If convicted, AZANON-RODAS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of $250,000, one year supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene Gonzalez is in charge of the prosecution.
Fullerton Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Federal Income Tax Returns in $1.1 Million Fraudulent Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Fullerton return preparer has pleaded guilty in a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service through the filing of bogus returns claiming tax refunds.
Michael Raymond Martinez, 48, of Fullerton, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before United States District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false tax return.
Martinez, who often met with clients at their homes or at neutral locations, operated under the names Your Home Tax Service, Great Tax Services and Great Tax Solutions. According to a plea agreement filed in this case, from at least the beginning of 2009 until April 2015, Martinez prepared and filed with the IRS at least 245 false federal income tax returns that resulted in tax losses to the United States of approximately $1,155,006.
“This defendant falsely claimed to be a certified public account and a former IRS agent to gain credibility with clients and potential clients,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “He typically met with his clients at locations other than his office, the meetings typically lasted for only a few minutes, and he ‘guaranteed’ large refunds. All of these factors are red flags that taxpayers should heed when choosing a tax preparer.”
During his brief meetings with clients, Martinez received clients’ income documents, taxpayer questionnaires, and documents pertaining to interest and expenses. Martinez also took payment during these meetings. Martinez typically prepared and electronically filed the tax returns, but he would not review the returns with his clients.
“To build faith in our nation’s tax system, honest return preparers need to be assured that dishonest preparers will be held accountable,” stated IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Orlando. “IRS Criminal Investigation, together with the Department of Justice, will continue to investigate and prosecute those who violate our tax system.”
In addition to the 245 fraudulent tax returns filed for clients, Martinez failed to report taxable income from his tax preparation business for the tax years 2011 and 2012 in the amounts of $162,479 and $111,000, respectively. The failure to report income for these two years created an additional loss to the government for 2011 and 2012 of $52,884 and $33,842, respectively.
Martinez faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in federal prison when he is sentenced by Judge O’Connell on May 15. Martinez may also be ordered to pay restitution.
Return preparer fraud is one of the Internal Revenue Service’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2016. The IRS has some tips on their website for choosing a tax preparer, and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.
This case is the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Rochmes of the Tax Division.
Fort Washington Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Hameed Jide Bello, 38, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Bello pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2016. According to court documents, Bello sold cocaine from May 2015 until his arrest in July 2016 while attempting to sell four ounces of cocaine. During much of that time, Bello regularly sold cocaine in amounts ranging from one ounce to one kilogram to Cristan Taylor of Springfield, who will be sentenced on March 3. Taylor would then redistribute the cocaine to others in Fairfax County and elsewhere.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated by the FBI and DEA as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Operation Fifty Pounder. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-219.
Former Treasurer of Patterson Fire Department Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Embezzlement and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that ALBERT MELIN, the former treasurer of the volunteer Patterson Fire Department (“PFD"), was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Roman to 33 months in prison for fraud and tax charges arising out of his embezzlement of more than $1.1 million from the PFD.
According to documents filed in court, MELIN, a chiropractor, was elected treasurer of the PFD in 2013. From in or about December 2013 to in or about October 2015, MELIN embezzled PFD funds under his control by writing checks to the two businesses he owned, 211 Medical, P.C. (“211 Medical”), and N.A.S. Management Co., Inc. (“N.A.S.”). MELIN then deposited the checks to bank accounts held by 211 Medical or N.A.S. MELIN also charged expenses of 211 Medical and N.A.S. to the PFD’s debit card.
MELIN embezzled more than $1.1 million by writing more than 130 fraudulent checks. He used the money to support 211 Medical and N.A.S., to make payments on his home mortgage loan and to pay personal expenses, including the costs of family vacations. MELIN failed to report this income on his personal return for 2014 and falsely reported some of the embezzled funds as revenue on the corporate return for 211 Medical in an effort to disguise their source.
On November 2, 2016, MELIN pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of subscribing to false tax returns, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
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In addition to the prison sentence, MELIN, 46, of Cary, North Carolina, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Judge Roman also ordered MELIN to forfeit $1,151,665.76 in ill-gotten gains and to pay $1,349,318.76 in restitution.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the IRS, FBI, New York State Comptroller, and New York State Police. He thanked the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney James McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.
Former TSA Transportation Security Officer Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Circumventing Security Checkpoint ScreeningRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Kiana Scott Clark, 29, of Oakland, Calif., was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by obstructing, impeding, and interfering with the aviation security functions of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and for conspiring to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and TSA Office of Inspection, Investigations Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Connie M. Youngers. The sentence follows a plea agreement entered June 17, 2016.
According to the plea agreement, Clark admitted she abused her official, public, and sensitive position as a TSA Transportation Security Officer between 2013 and 2015 to enable drug smugglers, with whom she conspired, to circumvent the required TSA screening of carry-on baggage. Clark acknowledged that on April 16, 2015, she was a TSA officer at the Oakland International Airport and had informed her co-conspirators of the security lane where she was positioned and the time when she was the TSA officer responsible for the x-ray screening of carry-on baggage at the TSA security checkpoint. Instead of performing or requesting additional screening as her TSA duties required, Clark allowed her co-conspirator and the carry-on baggage to clear the TSA security checkpoint. Clark’s co-conspirator entered the secure area of the airport and boarded a commercial aircraft. Clark admitted that her conduct on April 16, 2015, facilitated the smuggling of approximately 10.9 kilograms of marijuana. Clark further admitted that she had engaged in such corrupt and criminal conduct on multiple prior occasions and had conspired in such conduct between 2013 and 2015.
“Congress created the TSA two months after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to ensure the security of aircraft and airports throughout the United States,” said U.S Attorney Stretch. “As federal employees charged and entrusted with carrying out this mission, TSA Transportation Security Officers take an oath to faithfully discharge their duties. In this case, through her deception and dishonesty, Clark corruptly and repeatedly violated this oath. Clark betrayed not only the public trust and the TSA, but also her fellow TSA officers who strive to perform their duties consistently, conscientiously, and faithfully to ensure aviation security. This office will vigorously prosecute people who violate the law and put the public at risk.”
Clark was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 15, 2015, and charged with two counts of conspiring to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and two counts of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841. Pursuant to her plea agreement, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance.
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge. In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release. The defendant will begin serving her sentence on April 7, 2017.
This case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions and National Security Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office, and is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, TSA Office of Inspection, Investigations Division, City of Tracy Police Department, and San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Former Payroll Specialist Pleads Guilty in Embezzlement CaseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – KaShaun Perkins, 43, of Upper Marlboro, Md., pled guilty today to the federal charge of wire fraud for embezzling from his employer, causing a loss in excess of $275,000, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips.
Perkins, who pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is to be sentenced on April 21, 2017 by the Honorable Christopher R. Cooper. Under the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a possible prison sentence of 21 to 27 months. Perkins also agreed to pay $249,096 in restitution, and a forfeiture money judgment in the same amount.
According to a statement of the offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Perkins worked as a payroll specialist from December 2014 to July 2015 at a global consulting firm. As a payroll specialist, he managed external payroll provider services in order to ensure salaries were accurately and timely processed for payments. Perkins also updated the payroll and human resources information systems with bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, addresses, and names of employees and maintained these employee records.
From January to July 2015, according to the statement of offense, Perkins caused his employer to pay out approximately $275,000 in bogus salary and tax withholding payments for “ghost” employees. Perkins altered a terminated employee’s payroll profile, repeatedly changing entries such as name, Social Security number, bank account number, address, and salary payments. In fact, none of the altered data corresponded to an actual employee. Through these changes to the payroll system, Perkins caused the unauthorized salary payments to be directly deposited into accounts in his name, accounts with his joint ownership, and accounts under his control. By directing the payroll provider service to make these payments, Perkins obtained “salary” payments of “ghost” employees totaling $249,096. The employer paid an additional $26,092 in tax withholdings, for a total loss of $275,188.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips expressed appreciation for the work performed by Forensic Accountant Jean Luc Guerrier of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as Paralegal Specialist Christopher Toms, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas, who assisted with forfeiture issues, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Cheatham, who is prosecuting the case.
Former Owner of Environmental Services Company Indicted for Illegally Disposing of Hazardous WasteRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A federal grand jury in Lexington, Ky., returned an indictment against a former central Kentucky businessman on one count of conspiracy and seven counts of environmental law crimes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
The indictment, returned on Thursday, specifically charges Kenneth Gravitt with illegal storage, transportation and disposal of a hazardous waste.
Kenneth Gravitt was the owner and operator of Global Environmental Services (GES), which operated at sites in Georgetown, Cynthiana, and Winchester. In 2013, GES began recycling Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), which are the vacuum video tubes inside older box televisions and computer monitors. Because CRTs contain large amounts of lead, their disposal presents a potential environmental hazard and is regulated by RCRA. Lead is extremely toxic and can cause serious health problems upon exposure, and therefore must be disposed in a particular way that is safe for the community.
According to the indictment, GES received for recycling many more loads of CRTs than it could process and disposed of numerous CRTs illegally. Specifically, Gravitt, aided and abetted by others, allegedly transported the CRTs to a Georgetown landfill that did not have a permit to handle hazardous waste; stored ground-up CRT glass containing excessive amounts of lead in large, open, outdoor piles; and put thousands of CRTs and glass in a large hole that had been dug behind the Georgetown facility, all in violation of federal environmental laws.
Carlton S. Shier IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky made the announcement today.
If Gravitt is convicted, the maximum punishment on each count is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The investigation was conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division. The case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Taylor and Erin Roth.
Any sentence upon conviction will come after the Court considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statue.
Former IRS Employee Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Lynchburg, VIRGINIA – A former employee of the Internal Revenue Service pled guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg to health care fraud charges related to his misuse of government health insurance benefits, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.
Ronald Lewis Hooper, 69, of Lynchburg, Va., pled guilty today to one count of health care fraud.
According to evidence presented at today’s guilty plea hearing by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering, should this case have gone to trial, the United States would have proven that Hooper misused his government health benefits to seek opiate drugs such as Nubian, Phenergan, and others, at various emergency departments. The United States would have proven that Hopper began seeking these drugs at various emergency departments only after his primary physician began to restrict the number of injections he would provide to Hooper to two per week. Hooper sought additional injections at emergency departments at hospital facilities throughout Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Between December 2002 and December 2012, Hooper received services at hospitals and emergency rooms on approximately 1,700 separate occasions seeking injections of Nubian and Phenergan, incurring more than $824,000 in fraudulent medical payments.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Office of Personnel Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Special Investigations Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering prosecuted the case for the United States.
Former Ford Dealership Manager Pleads Guilty to Prescription Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Richard Winston West II, aka Richie West, former manager of the Jones-West Ford dealership in Reno, Nev., pleaded guilty today to prescription drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Steve Corner of the DEA’s Los Angeles field office, and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the Las Vegas field office. At the time of sentencing, West faces up to 20 years in prison for his plea of guilty to the conspiracy charge. Sentencing is set for May 8, 2017.
“Prescription drug abuse is a major public health and public safety issue. Nevada citizens should be concerned and be aware of its dangerous impact and effects,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “We are fighting collaboratively with our law enforcement partners pursuing dirty doctors and illicit pill mills to ensure that our communities remain safe and that we bring wrongdoers to justice and stem the rising tide of prescription drug abuse.”
“While the immediate impact on the Reno community is profound, sadly this case is representative of the broader national threat we face in prescription opioid misuse and addiction,” said SAC Comer. “Torn communities, broken homes and lost lives demonstrate vividly the fight we are engaged in, and DEA will continue to combat these horrors by identifying, investigating and arresting those responsible for the illicit distribution of controlled pharmaceutical drugs.”
“The successful investigation of this case is through the extraordinary and dedicated work by the FBI and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. This case shows the seriousness the FBI places on the upward trend of opioid addiction supported by the unscrupulous acts of the very people who should be looking out for their patients’ best interests. This is not the end of this problem, but the community should know that the FBI will be steadfast in our resolve to stem the tide in Nevada,” said SAC Rouse.
West, 40, was one of nine defendants charged on May 11, 2016, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including oxycodone. According to admissions made in the plea agreement, beginning in November 2012 and continuing to April 2016, West conspired with co-defendant Dr. Robert Gene Rand, a Nevada physician who operated Rand Family Care in Reno, and others to illegally distribute and possess with intent to distribute prescription controlled substances, including oxycodone. At relevant times of the conspiracy, West obtained oxycodone prescriptions from Rand not for a legitimate medical purpose and ultimately distributed at least 500 oxycodone pills in 30 milligram dosages to others. In addition, West arranged the distribution of oxycodone via text messages to co-defendants, each of whom were at one time or another employees of the vehicle dealership. West referred several of the co-defendants to Rand to obtain prescriptions for painkillers, some of which were prescribed and obtained for neither a legitimate medical purpose nor in the usual course of medical practice. At the time of West’s arrest, he possessed a Sig Sauer pistol in furtherance of the conspiracy to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Co-defendants Rand, 53, Omar Ahsan Ahmad, 31, Joshua Ross Green, 34, Clint Mitchell Bloodworth, 40, Kathleen Griffin, 43, Alan Russel Martinez, 59, and Braden Kyle Riley, 40, all of Reno, and Ryan Daniel Smith, 40, of Carson City, were each charged in the same conspiracy. Rand is also charged with one count of distribution of oxycodone resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Jury trial is set for April 25, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost two million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids in 2014. Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids. Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record, and over one-half of those deaths were from prescription opioids. For information on opioid overdose and how you can manage pain without prescription drugs, go to http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/index.html.
The case is being investigated by the Northern Nevada Unified Drug and Gang Enforcement Task Force, which includes the DEA, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, ICE-HSI, ATF, Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Susanville, California Police Department, Nevada Department of Corrections, Nevada Gaming Control, Nevada Department of Public Safety, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the State of Nevada Division of Welfare, Office of Investigations and Recovery.
The case is being by prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Keller, Sue Fahami, and Shannon Bryant.
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Former Financial Adviser at Global Bank Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Multimillon-Dollar Scheme to Defraud ClientsRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that BARRY CONNELL was charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly using his position as a financial adviser at a global financial institution based in New York City (the “Bank”) to defraud multiple Bank clients out of at least $5 million over a one-year period. CONNELL was arrested this morning in Henderson, Nevada, and will be presented later today in federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, Barry Connell used his clients’ bank accounts as his own, siphoning off millions of dollars to pay for his extravagant lifestyle, including a country club membership and private jet expenses.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “The reliability of our banking system is paramount to the success of our economy and ability of our markets to flourish. But when that confidence deteriorates because people allegedly breach the expectation of trust, we all suffer. There’s no excuse for this type of alleged crime, especially when a client’s hard-earned money is involved.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
From December 2015 to November 2016, CONNELL, a former financial adviser at the Bank, effected numerous unauthorized transactions from five accounts belonging to a single family of Bank clients, and as a result defrauded the clients of at least approximately $5 million.
In some instances, CONNELL effected the fraudulent transactions by submitting Bank forms falsely stating that he had received client instructions authorizing wire transfers to third parties for the client’s benefit, when in fact he had not received client authorization and the wire transfers were for CONNELL’s own benefit. In other instances, CONNELL effected the fraudulent transactions by using one client’s checks, which had been intended only to pay the client’s bills, to instead pay for CONNELL’s own expenses.
CONNELL used the client funds to pay for numerous exorbitant personal expenses, including a year’s rent for a house near Las Vegas, country club membership fees, and private jet expenses. CONNELL also paid bills for a credit card account in his spouse’s name, and made payments for his own benefit to automobile dealerships, an entertainment company, and a yacht company.
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CONNELL, 50, of Chester, New Jersey, is charged with one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. 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. Bharara praised the work of the FBI and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Chester Township, New Jersey, Police Department and the Henderson, Nevada, Police Department for their assistance. He added that the investigation is continuing.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Won S. Shin 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.
Former Albuquerque Post Office Employee Sentenced for Conviction on Theft of Government Funds ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Janie M. Byrd, 53, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a misdemeanor theft of government funds charge. After entering her guilty plea, Byrd was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $949.13 in restitution and a $200 fine.
Byrd was charged in a misdemeanor information filed on Sept. 28, 2016, with theft of government funds in an amount less than $1,000. According to the information, Byrd committed the crime between May 2016 and July 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Byrd entered a guilty plea to the information. In entering the guilty plea, Byrd admitted that between May 10, 2016 and July 28, 2016, she stole money from the United States by keeping for herself money belonging to the U.S. Postal Service for sales of Postal Service stamps. Byrd admitted that she sold the books of stamps but did not record the payments or submit the payment to the U.S. Postal Service.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.
Federal Search Warrants ExecutedRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On February 3, 2017, federal search warrants were executed at the following locations in Des Moines, Iowa:
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Franklin Avenue
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Douglas Avenue
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East 16th Street
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16th Street
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Jefferson Avenue
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Hickman Road
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SE 19th Street
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1st Street
The searches at these locations were an official law enforcement action led jointly by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The official law enforcement action also involved agents and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Indianola Police Department, Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, and Central Iowa Drug Task Force. Assistance was also provided by members of the Iowa Department of Human Services, and the Metro STAR, SERT, and Jasper County tactical teams.
The following individuals were charged with distribution of heroin:
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Bruce Edward McGee, 26, of Des Moines.
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Charles Junior Sims, 26, of Des Moines.
- Earl Deangelo Smith, of Des Moines.
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Bernard Calvin Stigler, 28, of Des Moines.
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George Lamar Stigler, 26, of Johnston.
- Artellious Demond Young, 22, of Des Moines.
The following individuals, each of whom reside in Des Moines, were charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm:
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Peter Marcus Greene, 45.
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Clinton Ossie Taylor, 41.
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Artell Jamaryo Young, 25.
No other information or comments will be released until documents have been filed with the court as part of the public record.
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Learn more about this release by contacting Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at [email protected]
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Ecuadorian Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich has sentenced Freddy Geovainni Mero Ancentales (36, Ecuador, South America) to 14 years in federal prison for conspiring with others to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. In January 2017, Judge Kovachevich sentenced co-defendants Juan Pablo Anchundia Calderon (38) and Joffre Lizandro Vilela Valencia (34), both of Ecuador, to 11 years and 3 months and 8 years and 1 month in federal prison, respectively, for committing the same offense.
Calderon and Vilela Valencia pleaded guilty on July 22, 2016. Mero Ancentales pleaded guilty on August 31, 2016.
According to court documents, in April 2016, Mero Ancentales, Vilela Valencia, and Anchundia Calderon were interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard in the eastern Pacific Ocean and were caught jettisoning 14 bales of cocaine, weighing approximately 698 kilograms.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray and former Special Assistant United States Attorney James R. Zoll.
Drug-Related Shootout in the Arizona Desert Results in Lengthy Prison Sentences for Six Traffickers and BanditsRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Yesterday, Pedro Ojeda-Ramirez, 24, and Ulises Alaim Saijas-Zamorano, 22, both of Mexico, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to prison terms of 140 months and 60 months, respectively. Both had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and Ojeda-Ramirez also had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. In addition, four other defendants had previously pleaded guilty to related drug and firearm offenses and received prison terms ranging from 60 to 140 months.
“This outcome is a testament to the dedicated and collaborative work of our partner law enforcement agencies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “The convictions and sentences should serve as a warning to both smugglers and bajadores alike.”
“This sentence is yet another example of the vital work being conducted by HSI and its law enforcement partners to target and ultimately dismantle dangerous transnational drug trafficking organizations that are spreading crime and violence in our communities,” said Louie Garcia, acting special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix. “HSI’s collaborative efforts to combat this threat will continue. For those who are still out there committing these types of crimes, we have a warning, “wherever you are, we’ll reach you and you’ll be brought to justice for your insidious actions.”
On May 2, 2016, U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a 911 call from a male subject who claimed he had been shot near a known drug-smuggling corridor within the Tohono O’odham reservation in Arizona. Agents in helicopters, vehicles, and on foot responded to the remote scene and found two men, one of whom had sustained gunshot wounds to his legs. Agents also found ten bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 224 kilograms, two AK-47-style firearms, a pistol, ammunition, a tactical vest, and a black ski mask.
After determining the two men were bajadores, or bandits, who had stolen the drugs from a rival group of drug traffickers, agents began searching for members of the other group. That night, agents located Ojeda-Ramirez less than three miles from the scene of the shooting. Ojeda-Ramirez admitted that he and others had shot at the bajadores in an effort to retrieve the stolen drugs but had fled once they heard the approaching Border Patrol helicopters. A few days later, a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop near Arizona City, Ariz., of a Ford pickup truck containing thirteen men. Agents determined that all thirteen occupants were unauthorized aliens and further determined that three of the occupants (including Saijas-Zamorano) had been involved in various ways in the robbery and retaliatory shooting.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Border Patrol, and the Tohono O’odham Police Department. The prosecutions arising from the investigation were handled by Serra M. Tsethlikai, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-1111-TUC-CKJ and CR 16-1112-TUC-CKJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-008_ Pedro Ojeda-Ramirez et al.
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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.
District Man Found Guilty of Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Antoine Miller, 34, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of a federal weapons offense following his arrest last year by a gun recovery team from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Peter Newsham, Interim Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Miller was found guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Feb. 2, 2017, following a bench trial before the Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson, of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. In an earlier case, Miller was sentenced in 2004 to a prison term of 11 years and eight months, to be followed by three years of supervised release, following his conviction of drug and weapons offenses.
Miller will be sentenced in this case on May 4, 2017. He faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and potential financial penalties. In a separate proceeding, he also faces revocation of his probation in the earlier case. The Court ordered that Miller be held without bond pending his sentencing.
According to the government=s evidence, on March 31, 2016, at approximately 9:50 pm, members of the MPD Narcotics and Special Investigation Division – Gun Recovery Unit were driving and operating a gray Ford Explorer. While the officers traveled northbound in the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE, they observed Miller walking with another person southbound on the sidewalk. The officers slowed the vehicle, greeted the two males, identified themselves as police, and asked if they had any guns on them. Miller immediately stated “no,” and turned around so that his back was facing the officers. He then lifted the back of his puffy vest jacket, deliberately not showing the officers the front of his waistband.
As Miller did this, the other male continued to walk, keeping his head down, and at this time walking faster and ahead of the defendant. Seeing these actions from both individuals, the officers exited their vehicle to talk to the two men. One officer approached Miller and again calmly asked the defendant, “Hey, man can I talk to you?”, whereupon Miller stopped walking and turned and faced the officer. Subsequently, he turned and faced the officer and stated, “I told you I have! I been telling you I have one! You can have it! Just take it! Just take it! You can have it!” Moreover, a passing pedestrian called out, “You good slim?,” at which time the defendant replied, “They got me with a gun and all that.” The firearm was identified as a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber loaded with 9 rounds of ammunition.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Interim Chief Newsham commended the actions of those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Teesha Tobias. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emory V. Cole and Veronica Jennings, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Cross Junction Man Pleads Guilty to Misbranding ChargeRead the Press Release
Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – A Virginia man who purchased and later distributed misbranded drugs that were intentionally masked to look like candy pled guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.
Christopher Michael Sweeney II, 20, of Cross Junction, Va., pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, namely, with the intent to defraud and mislead, to ship and receive in interstate commerce a misbranded drug.
“This case underscores how extremely dangerous it is to take drugs, no matter how innocent they are made to appear, that are not clearly labeled with information such as the content, ingredients, and source. This dangerous synthetic drug was ruthlessly packaged to look like candy, sold by the defendant as Xanax and caused tragic harm to unsuspecting customers,” Acting United States Attorney Mountcastle said today. “I implore anyone who might be thinking about experimenting with drugs like this to stop and consider that you are putting your life and your health at risk. I am grateful for the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, the Virginia State Police, the DEA, and AUSA Kulpa’s hard work and dedication in resolving this very difficult case and for their continued efforts against the drug epidemic in the Western District of Virginia.”
“With the dangers of non-controlled substances that are being falsely marketed and sold over the internet, law enforcement and prosecutors are having to constantly adjust and improve their investigative techniques,” said Supervisory Special Agent Josiah C. Schiavone, Coordinator of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force for the Virginia State Police. “We are happy that in this case, through collaborative efforts, we were able to find a route to successful prosecution.”
“This case clearly demonstrates the dangers of purchasing illicit drugs off of the internet. Purchasers do not know the true contents of what they are purchasing to ingest and thereby are placing their safety and their lives in the hands of an unscrupulous manufacturer,” said Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Field Division.
According to evidence presented at today’s guilty plea hearing by Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa, should this case had gone to trial the United States would have proven that between June 2015 and September 2015, Sweeney purchased and received sugar tablet candies, or Smarties, laced with flubromazolam, a designer synthetic drug that is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and is not approved for human use because of its toxicity and other potential harmful effects. In some individuals, flubromazolam can cause and has caused serious bodily injury as a result of ingesting the substance.
In addition, the United States would have proven Sweeney purchased this substance via the “dark web” and that the substance was delivered on Smarties candies. They arrived delivered in packages that did not contain packing or labels listing the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, did not have adequate directions for use or warnings against use in those pathological conditions or by children where its use may be dangerous to health or bore a label bearing the words “Rx Only.”
Sweeney purchased the Smarties in quantities of 100-300 tablets per purchase, at a price of approximately $0.38 per tablet. The defendant paid his co-conspirators using digital currency transfers through electronic media and had the Smarties mailed to him either at his home address or to a post office box, the United States would have proven at trial.
The defendant consumed, gave away or sold the Smarties he purchased from the “dark web.” Sweeney sold the Smarties for between $5-$8 per tablet. He referred to the tablets laced with flubromazolam as “Smarties” and told some customers they contained “Xanax,” and told some others the Smarties contained Xanax plus a research chemical that added intensity to its effect. The Smarties he distributed did not contain labeling identifying that they contained flubromazolam. During the time he was selling the Smarties, Sweeney acknowledged the powerful effects of the drug, noting to his customers that some people had blacked out from taking the drug and some had crashed their cars after taking the drug and driving.
The investigation of the case was conducted by Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, the Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa prosecuted the case for the United States.
Columbus, Ohio Woman Sentenced for Heroin and Cocaine OffensesRead the Press Release
Yesenia Romero-Samano, 38, of Columbus, Ohio has been sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for possession with intent to deliver heroin and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois announced today. The sentencing occurred in the U.S. District Court in East St. Louis on February 2, 2017.
Romero-Samano pled guilty to the federal charges on September 30, 2016. At her change of plea hearing, Romero-Samano admitted that she had been transporting six kilograms of heroin (approximately 13 pounds) and 1 kilogram of cocaine when her car was stopped by the Illinois State Police on Highway 55/70 for traffic offenses on March 3, 2016.
Romero-Samano has been continuously confined since her arrest. After Romero-Samano completes her prison sentence, she will then serve a term of 3 years of supervised release.
The investigation resulting in Romero-Samano’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Illinois State Police and by Department of Homeland Security agents.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
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Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Mail FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced today that Benedict T. Palen, Jr., age 63, of Denver, Colorado waived indictment and entered a guilty plea to a one count Information which charged him with mail fraud. Sentencing has been set for May 5, 2017. Under the statute, Palen is subject to a maximum punishment of up to twenty years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
According to documents filed in the case, in September of 2012, Palen, acting through his company, Great Plains Farms, sold a John Deere tractor to an individual in Holdrege, Nebraska for $45,000 representing it to be free and clear of liens. A $20,000 check was mailed to Palen as a down payment. On the same date, Palen sold the same tractor to an individual in South Dakota. Further investigation revealed that not only was there a lien against the tractor held by a bank in Kansas, but the same tractor had actually been sold in 2011 by the defendant, as vice-president of Pull Pans, Inc., to a company in Florida. When Palen had not delivered the tractor to the Holdrege buyer by April of 2013, Palen claimed there was a discrepancy in the number of hours on the tractor and modified the agreement to provide for delivery of a different John Deere tractor thereby causing the buyer to mail a $25,000 check to Palen for the remaining amount due. However, this alternate tractor had also been sold in 2011 by the defendant, as vice-president of Pull Pans, Inc., to the Florida company.
This case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service.
Chicago Drug Treatment Worker Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin via the InternetRead the Press Release
A 47-year-old Chicago man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to distributing controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. KEVIN C. CAMPBELL sold heroin and prescription drugs such as Xanax and valium using the dark web. In August 2013, CAMPBELL sold heroin and prescription medications to a 27-year-old Bellevue, Washington man who died after taking the prescription drugs and shooting up with heroin.
“This case is an outrage and a tragedy at the same time,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “What allowed this defendant to work at a drug treatment center with people in the grips of addiction, and at the same time peddle dangerous drugs across the country via the dark web? The heroin this defendant sold killed one of his customers. At sentencing we will ask the Court for a sentence that reflects that fact.”
According to records filed in the case, emergency crews were called to a home in Bellevue in August 2013, when a house guest found 27-year-old Jordan Mettee unconscious in his bedroom. On the computer in front of him was the ‘Silk Road’ website, an online black market where illegal goods and services were anonymously marketed and sold. On the screen were messages from a vendor, later determined to be CAMPBELL’s online identity. The investigation revealed that CAMPBELL was a drug dealer on the dark web site, sending prescription drugs, heroin and other illegal substances to customers across the country who ordered online and paid via bitcoin. CAMPBELL concealed and delivered the drugs in altered DVD cases. One DVD case recovered near Mettee’s body was found to have CAMPBELL’s fingerprint on it. Even after the Silk Road website was shut down, CAMPBELL continued to sell drugs to customers, in one instance sending Xanax pills to a customer in Colorado who was working with law enforcement. In May 2014, law enforcement obtained a search warrant to search CAMPBELL’s Chicago home and found evidence of his drug trafficking including a small amount of drugs, digital scales, notes, empty DVD cases and shipping materials.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors can ask for up to ten years in prison when CAMPBELL is sentenced on May 9, 2017, by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bellevue Police Department and the Eastside Narcotics Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Masada.
Cheko’s Crew/7th Street Gang Member Sentenced on Rico Charge for His Role in Two MurdersRead 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 Ritchie Juarbe, 26, who was convicted of Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, was sentenced to 210 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was a member of the Cheko’s Crew/7th Street Gang which was responsible for multiple acts of violence and the distribution of illegal narcotics on the West Side of Buffalo between 2000 and 2012. The narcotics included heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.
On November 6, 2008 Juarbe and co-defendant Efrain Hildalgo went to Raquan Lloyd’s house where Hidalgo shot and killed Lloyd. After the murder, Juarbe discarded the murder weapon, throwing it into the Niagara River. Juarbe also participated in the August 11, 2009 murder of 10th St. Gang associate Eric Morrow.
A total of 18 defendants have been charged and convicted in the 7th Street case.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict.
Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with International Cybercrime SchemeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Vyacheslav Khaimov pled guilty at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, to the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with his role in an international cybercrime operation.
The plea was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).
According to court filings, the scheme involved sophisticated malware, which co-conspirators used to obtain unlawful access to victims’ bank accounts – most of which were in U.S. banks. The illegally obtained funds were then transferred via wire to the bank accounts of a network of individuals within the United States who, in turn, further transmitted the money, or portions of the money, either to additional U.S.-based intermediaries or directly overseas. As part of this scheme, Brooklyn-based Khaimov received over $230,000 in funds fraudulently withdrawn from the bank accounts of at least eight bank account takeover victims via wire transfers and cashier’s checks from a network of intermediary “mules.” To date, the FBI has identified over $1.2 million in losses attributable to the malware scheme and more than $6 million in attempted losses.
“The proliferation of malicious software is a scourge on our society. Cybercriminal networks like the network that the defendant allegedly was a part of are responsible for pillaging innocent victims’ bank accounts and wreaking havoc on our financial institutions through the use of malware. They will be pursued and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” stated United States Attorney Capers.
“Modern-day bank robbers no longer need a gunman and a getaway driver. Today, they just need a malware operator and money mules to carry out their crime from anywhere in the world. Brooklyn-based Vyacheslav Khaimov, pleaded guilty for his role as a money mule in a multi-million dollar malware scheme where he moved funds from victim accounts into other accounts. This is an ongoing investigation conducted by the FBI’s Cyber Task Force. We will continue to investigate all co-conspirators and bring them to justice,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Una A. Dean, Tiana Demas, and Margaret Lee.
The Defendant:
VYACHESLAV KHAIMOV
Age: 55
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-25 (ERK)
Binghamton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Anthony Randolph, 30, of Binghamton, New York, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and James Jewell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Randolph admitted that between January 2014 and November 17, 2015, he conspired with others to acquire cocaine and cocaine base from suppliers in Broome County, New York and from New York City. Randolph admitted that he and others “converted” or “cooked” cocaine into cocaine base, which was later packaged and stored at different locations in Broome County, New York for later distribution. Randolph acknowledged in court that he and others used cellular telephones and vehicles to take orders from customers and deliver cocaine base and that a search warrant executed on November 17, 2015 led to the seizure of 55 grams of cocaine base and a .40 caliber pistol and ammunition from Randolph’s residence in Binghamton.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2017 in Binghamton before Senior District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. Randolph faces a minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 10 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, Binghamton Police Department, New York State Police, Broome County Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.
Belleville Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Andrew C. Tillman, 32, of Belleville, IL was sentenced today to ten years of imprisonment for drug and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois announced. On October 27, 2016, Tillman pled guilty to three federal charges, namely possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
At his change of plea hearing in October, Tillman admitted that on December 14, 2015, he had been arrested in Belleville with 80 grams (approximately 3 oz.) of methamphetamine which he had intended to sell. Tillman also admitted possessing a semiautomatic pistol at the time of his arrest, and he acknowledged that he had a prior felony conviction as well. Tillman has been continuously confined since his arrest.
The investigation which resulted in Tillman’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Belleville Police Department and by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Drug Tactical Unit.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
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Arlington Man Sentenced to Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – James Jeffrey Schroeder, 50, of Arlington, a former teacher’s assistant in Texas, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for receiving and downloading child pornography. Schroeder was also sentenced to 20 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $182,000 in restitution to victims.
Schroeder pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2016. According to court documents, from approximately 1997 to 2015, Schroeder received and downloaded child pornography from the internet and from a family member. A forensic review of Schroeder’s electronic media revealed more than 13,000 images and 400 videos of child pornography. Numerous images and videos were sadistic or masochistic in nature.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Dougherty Russell prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-242.
Anchorage Woman Sentenced to 42 Months for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that an Anchorage woman was sentenced yesterday to 42 months in prison for conspiring to obtain stolen checks and then forging and negotiating the stolen checks at different banks and grocery stores in Anchorage.
Victoria Kosetatino, 25, of Anchorage, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, who also ordered Kosetatino to pay full restitution.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward, who prosecuted the case, Kosetatino and Jeremy Tamapolu conspired together to obtain checks stolen from vehicle break-ins, home burglaries, and mail theft, and then forge and negotiate the stolen checks at different banks and grocery stores in Anchorage. They also utilized bank accounts opened in other individuals’ names to pass the stolen and forged checks. Kosetatino was released from a state sentence for similar conduct in November 2015, and started her fraudulent conduct in this case in December 2015, continuing to April 2016, when she was apprehended. Kosetatino and Tamapolu obtained approximately $9,000 before they were apprehended in this case.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Burgess noted that Kosetatino is a serial fraudster that had not been deterred by her prior convictions and sentences for fraud. Chief Judge Burgess also noted the significant impact to the safety of the community from the nature of the thefts and the identity theft.
Jeremy Tamapolu is scheduled for trial on March 6, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Loeffler commends the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation of this case.
Anchorage Man Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that Jahkeel Joseph, 23, resident of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 16 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2016, to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).
According to documents filed in the case, in the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 2016, a resident of an apartment complex in Anchorage called police to report a loud “bang” in the apartment next door. He called back a few minutes later to report finding shotgun holes in the walls of his kitchen. According to the neighbor, the defendant and the female occupant of the next door apartment had been arguing for about an hour before the “bang.”
While police were on route to the apartment in response to the neighbor’s call, the police passed the defendant as he drove away. The defendant turned into the wrong lane of traffic and nearly collided with the police cruisers. He then failed to stop at a stop sign. Police turned and gave chase. The defendant initially failed to stop, before finally pulling into a parking lot about a mile from the apartment. Located on the seat next to the defendant was a shotgun (with one spent round in the chamber and five rounds in the side saddle). A field sobriety test was started.
At sentencing, Judge Burgess noted the “incredibly serious” nature of the defendant’s conduct, and his prior history with guns, including an incident in 2014 in which the defendant shot another person during a fight in the face. According to Judge Burgess, the 16-month sentence was appropriate given the defendant’s criminal history. “He wasn’t supposed to have a gun in the first place,” said Judge Burgess. “He is making a bad choice that could have significant consequences for him and others around him.” Judge Burgess went on to add that his sentence was intended to send a message to the defendant that he needs to “grow up.” “I think it is important that you be deterred, and that you understand that there are consequences to your conduct,” said Judge Burgess.
The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Anchorage Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.