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Monday 7 November 2016
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Gun Charge Involving A HomicideRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jose L. Ramirez-Merced, 31, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking which caused the death of a person, was sentenced to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Duszkiewicz and Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in June 2012, Merced, co-defendant Alexander Duarte and others sold heroin on the West Side of Buffalo. On July 15, 2012, the group planned a home invasion robbery targeting the residence of Jose Rivera. However, the defendants and others invaded the wrong residence and stole cocaine and cash.
As a result, Jose Rivera began making threats against individuals in the group and attempted to kill one of the individuals known as L.B. In response, the group decided to murder Rivera. On July 31, 2012, Merced, co-defendant Alexander Duarte retrieved a gun and proceeded to a residence on West Avenue in Buffalo where they opened fire, killing Rivera and wounding a female.
Alexander Duarte has also been convicted and will be sentenced on January 12, 2017.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Boone County man pleads guilty to federal gun crimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gregory Scott Runion, 33, of Seth, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Runion admitted that on March 25, 2016, he sold a KBI SKS-45 rifle to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The deal took place in Seth in Boone County. Runion was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2009 felony gun possession conviction in Monroe, Michigan.
Runion faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 2, 2017.
The U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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Berkeley County man sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Thomas Dale Sims, Jr., 34, of Gerrardstown, West Virginia, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Sims, who had previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, was discovered in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun in October 2015. He pled guilty to one count of “Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence,” in July 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Berkeley County man pleads guilty to heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sean Dickerson, 29, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pled guilty to the distribution of heroin in federal court today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Dickerson admitted that he sold heroin in Berkeley County, West Virginia and he now faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Taylor, also of the Berkeley County Proseucting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Authorities Make Numerous Arrests in Poly-Drug and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - A total of 15 people are in custody following law enforcement actions in multiple cities that began on Friday involving a drug and money laundering conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Yeyo Express targeted Gulf Cartel infrastructure and transportation cells operating in South Texas and the distribution of multiple drugs throughout the United States and returning proceeds to Mexico.
Those arrested locally include Guillermo Morales aka Don Gio, 54; Erick Alan Torres Davila aka Cachorro, 30, Elizabeth Lopez-Perez, 30, all of Edinburg; David Martinez, 42, of Mercedes; Hector Hernandez Cardenas, 52, of San Juan; Jose Gonzalez aka Lalo, and Elmer Macario Ramos, 42, both of Weslaco; Armando Tanguma, 29, of Edcouch; Andrew Martinez, 38, and Heather Segura, 34, both of La Feria; and Amairani Flores aka Lizeth, 23, of Donna.
All have made their initial appearances in McAllen federal court, at which time the government requested they remain in custody. Detention hearings are set for Thursday, Nov. 10.
Jesus Remedios Manqueros, 40, of Dallas, was also taken into custody. He made his initial appearance in Dallas and is expected to be transported to McAllen in the near future.
Three defendants were already in custody on related charges. They include Anthony Ray Sanchez, 19, of Dallas; and Mario Gonzalez, 44, and Efrain Dimas-Lopez, 46, both of Edinburg.
All are in custody on a multi-count indictment charging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as several substantive drug possession charges. The indictment alleges the conspiracy ran from February 2013 to Nov. 1, 2016. Each defendant faces no less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, upon conviction. Morales is also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces another maximum 20-year-term of imprisonment.
In addition, the indictment gives notice of criminal forfeiture of three real properties located in Hidalgo County.
The OCDETF investigation and subsequent arrests were a combined effort by the DEA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Texas Army National Guard; Air National Guards in Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas; Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; Texas Department of Public Safety; police departments in Pharr, McAllen, Palmview, Mission, Weslaco, Dallas and San Juan; and the Hidalgo County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Pat Profit is prosecuting the case. AUSA Sarah Wilson is handling the forfeiture matters.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Assistant United States Attorney to Serve as District Election Officer for Seven Counties during November 8 General ElectionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins will serve as the District Election Officer during tomorrow’s general election and will lead the local efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program.
As District Election Officer, AUSA Jenkins is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses. If complaints are received AUSA will coordinate with the FBI Field Office in Los Angeles and will consult with the Justice Department in Washington.
AUSA Jenkins will serve as District Election Officer for the Central District of California, which includes the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
“Every citizen is entitled to cast a ballot without interference or discrimination, and has a right to have that vote counted,” said United States Attorney Decker. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
“The right to vote in the United States is a privilege of our democratic society and every eligible American citizen is entitled to carry it out without unlawful interference,” said Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will play a role in protecting the rights of the American voter by investigating allegations of fraud or discrimination during the election process.”
The Justice Department has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and will combat these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process, by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against crimes such as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.
Federal law also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from intimidation or harassment. For example, actions designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice. Additional information about voting rights protected under federal law is available on the Justice Department’s website.
In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8 and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA Jenkins and AUSA Carol Chen will be on duty while the polls are open. Members of the public can reach them at the United States Attorney’s Office by calling (213) 894-2400.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available across the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. Agents at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office can be reached by the public at (310) 477-6565.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at (800) 253-3931, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email at [email protected], or by using the complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate,” said United States Attorney Decker. “It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI or the Civil Rights Division in Washington.”
Arizona Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Federal Meth Trafficking Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – James Thomas Vance, 47, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced today in in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 120 months in prison for his conviction on a methamphetamine trafficking charge. Vance will be on supervised release for five years after he completes his prison sentence
Vance was arrested in Sept. 2015, and charged by criminal complaint with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents discovered 969.16 grams of methamphetamine in Vance’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop.
Vance was subsequently indicted on Oct. 7, 2015, and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Sept. 18, 2015, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
On June 30, 2016, Vance pled guilty to the indictment. In entering the guilty plea, Vance admitted that on Sept. 18, 2015, when he was stopped on Interstate 40 for a traffic violation, he consented to have the officers search his vehicle. The officers subsequently located 10.77 grams of methamphetamine in the driver’s door and approximately 958.39 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle’s trunk. Vance further admitted that he was driving from Phoenix to Bernalillo, N.M., and planned to deliver the methamphetamine to other individuals.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of HSI and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Wishard.
Architect of Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Deed Theft Scheme Sentenced to 75 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily W. Allen (619) 546-9738 and Andrew J. Galvin (619) 546-9721
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 7, 2016
SAN DIEGO – Mazen Alzoubi, a longtime Southern California real estate investor, was sentenced today to 75 months in custody by U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant for leading a scheme to steal title to homes and then “sell” the properties to unsuspecting buyers – before the buyers realized who the true owners were and before the true owners could put a stop to the sale.
From September 2012 through his arrest in November 2014, Alzoubi fraudulently sold or attempted to sell at least 15 homes worth more than $3.6 million that actually never belonged to him. On at least ten occasions, he was successful—earning illicit proceeds of nearly $2.2 million.
Alzoubi pleaded guilty in January 2016 to fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. As part of this plea, he admitted that he forged deeds that would make it appear the true owners of property had sold the home to a sham “investment” business Alzoubi controlled, when, in reality, the true owners were entirely unaware of Alzoubi’s actions.
Alzoubi would then record the forged deeds at county recorder’s offices, to make them appear legitimate. Once the fraudulent documents were recorded in the chain of title, Alzoubi would pose as the new owner—using a web of aliases and sham businesses (with names like “Land Investments 01”) and immediately try to sell the properties. Alzoubi worked with co-conspirators to set up bank accounts for the sham companies, so that the proceeds could be diverted directly to them. In this way, Alzoubi collected all the proceeds of the sale, and the true owners were left with nothing.
Alzoubi and his co-conspirators assumed the identities of others in order to keep the scheme going, setting up dummy email accounts and obtaining fake driver’s licenses. They also forged the signatures and notary stamps of real notaries to make fake documents look legitimate, and forged the signatures of real lawyers to prepare and file fraudulent court documents. Alzoubi, the ringleader of the scheme, assumed multiple fake identities to keep the fraud going. He also posed as real people, pretending on one occasion that he was the attorney for one of the true owners. (Unbeknownst to Alzoubi at the time, he was talking to an undercover federal agent.) As a result, Alzoubi was charged with, and pled guilty to, aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of 2 years in prison in addition to his sentence for the fraud and money laundering.
Alzoubi’s co-conspirator Daniel Deaibes pleaded guilty in March 2015, admitting that he participated in the scheme according to Alzoubi’s directions. He used the alias “John Moran” to pose as the seller’s representative in several of the fraudulent sales. Deaibes went so far as to introduce himself as “Moran” and present a fake driver’s license to two notaries public in 2014. He admitted that he signed fraudulent documents using this alias in an effort to sell or encumber properties that belonged to unsuspecting owners. On October 24, 2016, Judge Bashant sentenced Deaibes to 24 months in custody for his role in the scheme.
Mohamed Daoud, another co-conspirator, pleaded guilty in July 2015, admitting that he helped Alzoubi launder the proceeds of the scheme. They used Daoud’s company, “Norway LLC,” to pretend to acquire title to some of the properties. Daoud received approximately $270,000 in proceeds. In December 2015, before he was sentenced, Daoud fled the country and is now a fugitive.
Most of the properties the co-conspirators “sold” were post-foreclosure homes owned by banks or institutions such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government sponsored enterprises with a mission to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the United States housing and mortgage markets. As part of this mission, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase residential mortgages in the secondary market, enabling lenders to replenish their funds to finance additional single family loans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can become the property owners if they own the mortgage loan at the time a home is foreclosed.
“The strength of our housing market and public confidence in our economy depends on strong enforcement efforts to root out schemes like this,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “The lengthy sentence in this case is a loud, clear message to anyone inclined to prey on the fallout from the devastating economic meltdown: your crimes will not be tolerated or go unpunished.”
Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Leslie DeMarco said, “Mazen Alzoubi and his co-conspirator’s greedy scheme undermines the stability of the housing market, which in turn places additional burden on innocent taxpayers. Alzoubi earned the sentence he received today, and he has no one to blame but himself. We will continue to root out bad actors and work to protect the housing market.”
“This fraud scheme involved each co-defendant playing a role in a tangled web of deceit. Today’s sentencing of Mr. Alzoubi highlights the ability and commitment of law enforcement to untangle the web in order to protect innocent victims and ultimately the taxpayers from mortgage fraud schemes,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum. “We are proud to be a part of the multi-agency effort to hold accountable those who engage in mortgage and bank fraud.”
“Identity theft fraud schemes are a growing problem that victimizes both the United States government and individuals who are law-abiding consumers. IRS Criminal Investigation takes these complex schemes very seriously,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Orlando. “As today’s sentence shows, the government will hold accountable those who use fraud and deceit to line their pockets with money, especially when that money represents taxpayer dollars and causes harm to U.S. financial institutions.”
In addition to his jail sentence, Alzoubi was ordered to pay $2,506,414 in restitution to the victims of the fraud.
DEFENDANT:
Mazen Alzoubi, 14CR3325-BAS Age: 33 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
COUNT ONE: Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349.
Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss resulting from the offense, $100 special assessment, restitution, and forfeiture.
COUNT TWO: Mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341.
Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss resulting from the offense, $100 special assessment, restitution.
COUNTS THREE AND FOUR: Aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A.
Maximum Penalties: mandatory 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, $250,000 fine, $100 special assessment, restitution.
COUNT FIVE: Conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).
Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, $100 special assessment, restitution, and forfeiture.
CO-DEFENDANTS:
Daniel Deaibes, 14CR3325-BAS Age: 38 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
COUNT ONE: Mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341
Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss resulting from the offense, $100 special assessment, restitution.
Mohamed Daoud, 14CR3326-BAS Age: 53 Norway
COUNT ONE: Conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)
Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, $100 special assessment, restitution, and forfeiture.
AGENCIES
Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
Albuquerque Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Escape of a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Colleen Calamia, 38, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to harboring and concealing a federal fugitive, announced U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and U.S. Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria.
Calamia was arrested in May 2016, on a criminal complaint charging her with harboring her husband, Mario Montoya, 31, after he absconded from a halfway house in Albuquerque on May 20, 2016. Court records reflect that Montoya, who was under indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of mail, was released from federal custody on an order requiring him to reside in an Albuquerque-area halfway house and to comply with other conditions. According to the complaint, Montoya violated the conditions of his release on May 20, 2016, by absconding from the halfway house and violating other release conditions. Montoya fled from the halfway house in a black sport utility vehicle.
On May 20, 2016, the court issued an emergency warrant authorizing Montoya’s arrest for violating his release conditions. According to the criminal complaint, on May 24, 2016, the USMS learned that Montoya was frequenting a residence located at 312 Western Skies (the residence) in Albuquerque. While conducting surveillance near the residence, USMS Deputies and Task Force officers allegedly observed Calamia driving a black Escalade that parked in front of the residence. They then observed Calamia and Montoya exit the vehicle and move objects from the vehicle and into the residence.
According to the complaint, Calamia then left the residence in the black Escalade and USMS Deputies executed a traffic stop on her vehicle. When the Deputies questioned Calamia about Montoya’s whereabouts, she told them that Montoya was alone in the residence.
According to the complaint, when a USMS arrest team attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Montoya, he fired upon the deputies, initiating an exchange of gunfire. After the arrest team was able to retreat to a safe location, a second team later entered the residence. The second team found Montoya in a closet; he had been struck in the exchange of gunfire and was dead.
Calamia was subsequently indicted on June 14, 2016, and charged with aiding and abetting an escape of a convicted felon on May 20, 2016, and concealing a person from arrest on May 24, 2016. According to the indictment, both crimes took place in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Calamia pled guilty to aiding and abetting an escape and admitted that on May 20, 2016, she aided and abetted the escape of Montoya from an Albuquerque-area halfway house.
At sentencing, Calamia faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
The USMS investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard is prosecuting it. Mr. Wishard was also prosecuting the case against Montoya, which was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Friday 4 November 2016
Wounded Knee Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Wounded Knee, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on October 26, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Kelly Tyrell Bell, age 27, was sentenced to 6 months’ custody, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Bell pleaded guilty to the charge on May 20, 2016. The conviction stems from Bell having sexual contact with another male, who was incapable of declining participation in the sexual contact, in the Kyle jail on January 22, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
Bell was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Westerly Resident Detained on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Jay Gaccione, 39, of Westerly, today was ordered detained in federal custody on a criminal complaint charging him with production and possession of child pornography. He was arrested earlier today by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and members of the Rhode Island State Police and the State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Gaccione made an initial appearance late this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
Gaccione’s arrest is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; and Acting Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
As part of an on-going investigation, HSI agents and Rhode Island State Police today executed court authorized search warrants at Gaccione’s residence where they seized, among other items, electronic and digital storage devices.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise M. Barton.
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Waltham Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Customers of Former Newton Travel AgencyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Waltham man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with a scheme in which he defrauded hundreds of customers of the now-defunct Tom Harper Cruises, of more than $2 million in cruise trip deposits.
Bret A. Gordon, 43, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud and two counts of filing a false personal tax return. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Feb. 8, 2017.
In 2013, Gordon established and owned a 65% interest in Tom Harper Cruises, a business selling overseas river cruise vacations. As the company’s manger, Gordon had exclusive control of its bank accounts and finances. Soon after Tom Harper Cruises began operating, Gordon started to take money from its bank account for his own use, primarily for casino gambling. The funds received by the company were customer payments for trips, which were operated by independent cruise companies, so Tom Harper Cruises needed to retain sufficient funds to pay those independent companies.
As a result of Gordon’s actions, Tom Harper Cruises became unable to pay some of its regular business expenses and, inevitably, to pay the independent cruise companies for the trips ordered by customers. In June 2015, Tom Harper Cruises closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy. Between September 2013 and June 2015, Gordon took about $2,258,500 from Tom Harper Cruise’s accounts for his own use. About 400 customers were left without the trips they planned for, after paying Tom Harper Cruises a total of approximately $3,167,128.
Gordon also failed to report the money he had taken as income on his personal income tax returns. He failed to report about $165,000 that he received in tax year 2013, and about $900,000 that he had taken in tax year 2014.
The mail fraud statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. The tax statute provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Balthazard of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Vancleave Man Sentenced for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Ricky Wade Perry, 46, of Vancleave, Mississippi, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to five months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for theft of government funds, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis. Perry was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $105,702.90 to the Social Security Administration.
Perry represented to the Social Security Administration that from July, 2009, through March, 2015, he was unable to return to work due to a disability. However, Perry did in fact perform substantial work in the truck driver business during this time period and failed to disclose his true work activities to the Social Security Administration. As a result, Perry caused an overpayment to him of Social Security Disability Insurance benefit payments in the amount of $105,702.90.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General - Office of Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
University Hospital Nurse Arrested Following Grand Jury Indictment for Illegally Obtaining and Tampering with Fentanyl and HydomorphoneRead the Press Release
DENVER – Kacye Unruh, age 30, of Aurora, Colorado, a former nurse at University of Colorado Hospital, was arrested yesterday following the return of a federal grand jury indictment charging her with crimes related to taking vials containing controlled substances, and then replacing said vials with tampered material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA OCI) announced. Unruh made her initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge this afternoon, where she was advised of her rights and the charges pending against her. She is due back in court on November 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. for arraignment and detention hearing. Pending that hearing, Unruh will remain in federal custody.
According to the indictment, from June 29, 2016 through July 12, 2016, Unruh, with reckless disregard for the risk to others of placing others in danger of bodily injury, tampered with and attempted to tamper with vials containing Schedule II Controlled Substances. She also allegedly knowingly and intentionally obtained and attempted to obtain those same controlled substances by deception. Specifically, the defendant allegedly removed vials containing Fentanyl or Hydromorphone from the hospital’s dialysis area. She then replaced the vials with other substances to conceal her conduct.
In addition to illegally obtaining the controlled substances and tampering with their containers, Unruh allegedly made four false statements to a special agent with FDA OCI. Two of the false statements involved her work at a medical facility in Oklahoma. She was asked if she diverted drugs at the medical facility where she worked in Oklahoma. She said “no” when in fact she had diverted drugs there. She also was asked if she failed a drug test in Oklahoma. She said no when in fact she had failed a drug test there. Finally, she allegedly lied twice about the vials that contained the controlled substances. She said she replaced the narcotics with sterile saline, when in fact she replaced the contents with material other than sterile saline. She also said she had not cross-contaminated material when in fact she had.
If convicted of Tampering with a Consumer Product, the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine per count, for each of the 14 counts. If convicted of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Deceit or Subterfuge, the defendant faces not more than 4 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine per count, for each of those 14 counts. And if convicted of making a False Statement, the defendant faces not more than 5 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FDA OCI. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Pena.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
ROBERT L. CAPERS and PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorneys for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, respectively, announced today that special telephone numbers have been set up to receive complaints of possible violations of federal election laws relating to the upcoming primary elections in New York City and other counties in their districts.
The United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 8, 2016:
(718) 254-6323 (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties)
(646) 369-4739 (Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan
and Westchester counties)
In addition, complaints of possible violations of federal election laws may be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at (212) 384-1000.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on election day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
City Board of Elections
Main Office (866) 868-3692
TTY #: 212-487-5496
Bronx (718) 299-9017
Brooklyn (718) 797-8800
Manhattan (212) 886-2100
Queens (718) 730-6730
Staten Island (718) 876-0079
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571- 8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
Assistant United States Attorney CATHERINE MIRABILE is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Eastern District of New York.
Assistant United States Attorney DAVID J. KENNEDY is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Southern District of New York.
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and ROBERT L. CAPERS, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today that special telephone numbers have been set up to receive complaints of possible violations of federal election laws relating to the upcoming general elections in New York City and other counties in their districts.
The United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 8, 2016:
(646) 369-4739 (Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties)
(718) 254-6323 (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties)
In addition, complaints of possible violations of federal election laws may be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on election day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
City Board of Elections
Main Office (866) 868-3692
TTY #: 212-487-5496
Bronx (718) 299-9017
Brooklyn (718) 797-8800
Manhattan (212) 886-2100
Queens (718) 730-6730
Staten Island (718) 876-0079
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571- 8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
Assistant United States Attorney DAVID J. KENNEDY is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Southern District of New York.
Assistant United States Attorney CATHERINE MIRABILE is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Eastern District of New York.
U.S. Attorney Hickton Statement on Resignation of Pittsburgh Police ChiefRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – United States Attorney David J. Hickton released the following statement today:
“Cam McLay has been an outstanding Police Chief for the City of Pittsburgh. He has implemented many needed reforms in keeping with the principles of 21st Century policing. While we will miss him and wish him well, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is in a much improved position today because of his good work.”
U.S. Attorney Hickton Statement on Indictment of Gregory Brown, Jr. for 1995 Fire that Killed Three Pittsburgh FirefightersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – United States Attorney David J. Hickton released the following statement today:
“The Bricelyn Street fire and deaths of three brave Pittsburgh Firefighters is a scar from which this community has never recovered. We still mourn and honor the memory of Thomas Brooks, Patricia Conroy and Marc Kolenda tragically killed while fighting the fire that resulted after being intentionally set. The investigation of the fire by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, City of Pittsburgh Arson Squad and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal established that the fire was intentionally set making their deaths all the more devastating.
“Federal and local investigators and prosecutors have worked cooperatively since the inception of the investigation after the fire occurred in 1995. Even though jurisdiction existed in both state and federal court, it was agreed between the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office and the United States Attorney’s Office that the case would originally be brought in state court and a joint prosecution team from both offices would prosecute the case.
“After a trial before then Common Pleas Court Judge David Cercone, Gregory Brown, Jr. was convicted of the fatal arson and his mother, Darlene Buckner, was found guilty of insurance fraud. Brown was sentenced to life in prison and Buckner was sentenced to three years’ probation
“Years later, Brown challenged his conviction and Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Williams ordered a new trial at which he would preside. The District Attorney's Office challenged Judge Williams’ decision alleging partiality and asked him to recuse himself. He declined the request to recuse himself and that decision was affirmed by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
“Substantial questions have been raised which undermine confidence in a retrial in state court.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and in consultation with the Allegheny County District Attorney, and after application of the Principles of Federal Prosecution, we have decided that the interests of justice are best served by a trial of this matter in federal court. Accordingly, a sealed indictment was presented to and returned by a federal grand jury on November 1, and we have unsealed it today.
“There is federal jurisdiction, there is a substantial federal interest in protection against arson, there is a substantial community interest in securing justice for firefighters killed by arson and there is no federal statute of limitations given the arson caused the death of the victims.
“Our paramount interest throughout has been the cause of justice; for the victims and their families, for the defendants and for the community. We believe justice can best be ensured through this course.”
Two Pakistani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Defendants Shipped More Than $780,000 Drugs into United States
Two Pakistani nationals, who have been held in continuous custody since their October 2012 arrest in London, have been sentenced by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, after pleading guilty to charges related to their operation of Internet sites that illegally shipped pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and the United Kingdom to customers in the United States, the Department of Justice announced.
Sheikh Waseem Ul Haq, 43, and Tahir Saeed, 54, operated Internet sites that, from late 2005 until October 2012, illegally shipped $2 million of pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and the United Kingdom to customers worldwide, including nearly $780,000 in sales to U.S. purchasers.
Ul Haq was sentenced today to time served. On Sept. 23, Saeed was sentenced to time served. Both defendants will remain in federal custody pending their removal from the United States to Pakistan. Following both defendants October 2012 arrest at a hotel near Heathrow Airport by the London Metropolitan Police Service Fugitive Squad, they were extradited to the District of Columbia in the spring of 2013, following the return in November 2012 of a 48-count indictment. In addition to their prison terms, each defendant agreed to forfeit $388,265.11.
Ul Haq pleaded guilty to all 48 counts of the indictment, which charged him with conspiracy to import Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals into the United States; conspiracy to distribute Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals; conspiracy to introduce misbranded pharmaceuticals into interstate commerce; importation and distribution of controlled substance pharmaceuticals; introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded drugs and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Saeed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals into the United States; conspiracy to introduce misbranded pharmaceuticals into interstate commerce and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
As part of the guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that they owned and operated two businesses, Waseem Enterprises and Harry’s Enterprises. Both businesses were used to conduct wholesale pharmaceutical sales, as well as to unlawfully distribute a wide variety of controlled substances and prescription drugs through Internet sites. The defendants directed U.S. customers to submit payments via Western Union to numerous individuals in Karachi, Pakistan, in order to conceal the fact that the funds were going to Ul Haq and Saeed. In e-mails, the defendants admitted that they paid bribes to Pakistani customs officials to facilitate shipment of the drugs out of Pakistan. The defendants packaged the drug shipments in ways that reduced the likelihood of interdiction by customs inspectors.
The drugs the defendants shipped into the United States included methylphenidate (sold as Ritalin); various anabolic steroids; alprazolam (sold as Xanax); diazepam (sold as Valium), lorazepam (sold as Ativan); clonazepam (sold as Klonapin) and other controlled and non-controlled substances.
“This prosecution demonstrates how the use of the Internet to distribute drugs illegally is a major threat to consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “These defendants operated their Internet marketing scheme from Pakistan and were able to ship drugs illegally and directly to U.S. citizens. We will enforce the law to protect consumers from adulterated, contaminated and counterfeit drugs and assure that only medically necessary drugs are dispensed by licensed pharmacists who are filling legitimately issued prescriptions by licensed physicians.”
“We will continue to work with our partners, nationally and internationally, to protect our country from those who are intent on shipping unregulated and potentially dangerous drugs into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia.
The Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force sponsored and supported this complex investigation, which was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition and additional assistance was received from the London Metropolitan Police Service, INTERPOL and law enforcement agents in Germany. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Dominguez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.
Two Pakastani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United StatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Pakistani nationals, who have been held in continuous custody since their October 2012 arrest in London, have been sentenced by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, after pleading guilty to charges related to their operation of Internet sites that illegally shipped pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and the United Kingdom to customers in the United States, the Department of Justice announced.
Sheikh Waseem Ul Haq, 43, and Tahir Saeed, 54, operated Internet sites that, from late 2005 until October 2012, illegally shipped $2 million of pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and the United Kingdom to customers worldwide, including nearly $780,000 in sales to U.S. purchasers.
Ul Haq was sentenced today to time served. On Sept. 23, Saeed was sentenced to time served. Both defendants will remain in federal custody pending their removal from the United States to Pakistan. Following both defendants October 2012 arrest at a hotel near Heathrow Airport by the London Metropolitan Police Service Fugitive Squad, they were extradited to the District of Columbia in the spring of 2013, following the return in November 2012 of a 48-count indictment. In addition to their prison terms, each defendant agreed to forfeit $388,265.11.
Ul Haq pleaded guilty to all 48 counts of the indictment, which charged him with conspiracy to import Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals into the United States; conspiracy to distribute Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals; conspiracy to introduce misbranded pharmaceuticals into interstate commerce; importation and distribution of controlled substance pharmaceuticals; introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded drugs and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Saeed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance pharmaceuticals into the United States; conspiracy to introduce misbranded pharmaceuticals into interstate commerce and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
As part of the guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that they owned and operated two businesses, Waseem Enterprises and Harry’s Enterprises. Both businesses were used to conduct wholesale pharmaceutical sales, as well as to unlawfully distribute a wide variety of controlled substances and prescription drugs through Internet sites. The defendants directed U.S. customers to submit payments via Western Union to numerous individuals in Karachi, Pakistan, in order to conceal the fact that the funds were going to Ul Haq and Saeed. In e-mails, the defendants admitted that they paid bribes to Pakistani customs officials to facilitate shipment of the drugs out of Pakistan. The defendants packaged the drug shipments in ways that reduced the likelihood of interdiction by customs inspectors.
The drugs the defendants shipped into the United States included methylphenidate (sold as Ritalin); various anabolic steroids; alprazolam (sold as Xanax); diazepam (sold as Valium), lorazepam (sold as Ativan); clonazepam (sold as Klonapin) and other controlled and non-controlled substances.
“This prosecution demonstrates how the use of the Internet to distribute drugs illegally is a major threat to consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “These defendants operated their Internet marketing scheme from Pakistan and were able to ship drugs illegally and directly to U.S. citizens. We will enforce the law to protect consumers from adulterated, contaminated and counterfeit drugs and assure that only medically necessary drugs are dispensed by licensed pharmacists who are filling legitimately issued prescriptions by licensed physicians.”
“We will continue to work with our partners, nationally and internationally, to protect our country from those who are intent on shipping unregulated and potentially dangerous drugs into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia.
The Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force sponsored and supported this complex investigation, which was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition, and additional assistance was received from the London Metropolitan Police Service, INTERPOL and law enforcement agents in Germany. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Dominguez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.
Two More Individuals Sentenced in Tax Fraud and Money Laundering CaseRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Nov. 3, 2016, Luis Carvajal, 52, of Loudon, Tenn., was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, Chief U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 30 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to submit false tax returns and a conspiracy to commit money laundering. Carvajal previously pleaded guilty to both these charges.
Amado Valdez-Morales, 50, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., was also sentenced by Chief Judge Varlan to serve 42 months in prison, for his role in the false tax return and money laundering conspiracies as well as illegal entry by a previously deported felon. Valdez-Morales, who is an illegal immigrant and citizen of Honduras, previously pleaded guilty to these charges.
In addition to their prison sentences, Carvajal was ordered to forfeit a residence in Loudon, $376,152 in seized funds and received a money judgement against him for $7,859,000. Valdez-Morales was ordered to forfeit $630 in cash seized by federal investigators and received a money judgement against him in the amount of $2.5 million. He will also be subject to deportation to Honduras upon his release from prison.
The offenses of Carvajal and Valdez-Morales were part of a scheme that involved the use of phony identification documents for the submission of fraudulent federal income tax returns in order to obtain refundable tax credits. The scheme resulted in the theft of more than $10.8 million from the U.S. taxpayers. Other who were previously sentenced for their roles in these conspiracies included: husband and wife Bertha Del Pilar Vargas, 48, and Martin Ayala, 45, both of Knoxville, Tenn.; Mayra Edith Blair, 41, of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Nery Irrael Grande-Jinenez, of Durham, N.C.
Agencies involved in this investigation included the Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Tennessee Highway Patrol Identity Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank M. Dale, Jr. and Jennifer Kolman represented the United States.
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Twenty from Virginia and New York Charged in Racketeering Gang Case, Three Former Virginia Department of Corrections Officers ChargedRead the Press Release
Twenty members and associates of the Mad Stone Bloods (MSB) street and prison gang were charged in an indictment and other court documents unsealed today following the arrest of the majority of the defendants, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. of the Western District of Virginia
The indictment was returned under seal last week and charges 13 defendants with violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and related offenses. Charges against seven additional MSB gang members and associates in related cases were also unsealed. According to the indictment, the MSB gang operates in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Maryland, and engages in activities involving murder, narcotics trafficking, wire fraud and mail fraud both in and outside of prisons. The gang’s national leaders are based in New York and MSB leaders in Virginia report to those New York leaders. The indictment also alleges that the defendants committed shootings, armed robberies, narcotics trafficking, interstate firearms trafficking and fraud.
According to the indictment, Shaunda Rochelle Jones, aka Lady Stone, 20, and Jaymese Jenee Jones, aka Precious Stone, 20, both of Farmville, Virginia, and a third defendant were employees of the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) who allegedly conspired to smuggle controlled substances into prison facilities and deliver the drugs to other MSB gang members for use and distribution within the Virginia prisons. A fourth former DOC employee who worked as inmate counselor has been charged in a related case for smuggling contraband items to an incarcerated MSB gang leader with whom she was engaged in a sexual relationship.
The defendants charged with RICO Act violations include six Virginia-based MSB gang members, Michael Demont Dove, aka Dugatti Black, 31, formerly of Newport News, Virginia; Terrance Nathaniel Brown Jr., aka War, 28, formerly of Norfolk, Virginia; Clifford Alexand Jennings, aka Big Cliff, 47, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Anthony Alfred Day, aka Rokko, 35, formerly of Portsmouth, Virginia; James Albert Bumbry, aka J. Black, 39, of Cave Springs, Virginia; and Ronnie Monroe Nicholas Jr., aka RG, 36, formerly of Hopewell, Virginia. Corey Owens, aka Gutta, 28, formerly of Norfolk, and Jermaine Shiquill Epps, aka MMM, 26, of Virginia, are also charged with crimes related to MSB gang activity.
The above-named defendants are in custody. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
During the course of the investigation, Aaron Markeith Gerald, aka Big A, 33; Carlos Williams, aka Bang Em, 33; Christie Bailey, aka Summer, 37; Nicholas Johnson, aka Auto, 24; Adrienne Yvonne Williams, aka Scarlett, 38; Reginald Ball, aka RR, 34; and Rontea Lakey Gunn, aka Hit Man, 39, each pleaded guilty under seal to one count of racketeering conspiracy. These guilty pleas were entered and remained under seal until today’s unsealing of the indictment and related cases. Documents unsealed in those cases detailed a variety of criminal conduct by MSB gang members, including conspiracies to murder, armed robberies, other acts of violence and narcotics trafficking both inside Virginia prison facilities and on the streets.
The FBI’s Richmond and Norfolk Divisions; the Virginia State Police; the Virginia DOC; the Norfolk Police Department; the Harrisonburg, Virginia, Police Department; the Rockingham County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office; and the Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney investigated the case. Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman of the Western District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
Twenty from Virginia and New York Charged in Racketeering Gang Case, Three Former Virginia Department of Corrections Officers ChargedRead the Press Release
ROANOKE- Twenty members and associates of the Mad Stone Bloods (MSB) street and prison gang were charged in an indictment and other court documents unsealed today following the arrest of the majority of the defendants, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. of the Western District of Virginia
The indictment was returned under seal last week and charges 13 defendants with violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and related offenses. Charges against seven additional MSB gang members and associates in related cases were also unsealed. According to the indictment, the MSB gang operates in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Maryland, and engages in activities involving murder, narcotics trafficking, wire fraud and mail fraud both in and outside of prisons. The gang’s national leaders are based in New York and MSB leaders in Virginia report to those New York leaders. The indictment also alleges that the defendants committed shootings, armed robberies, narcotics trafficking, interstate firearms trafficking and fraud.
According to the indictment, Shaunda Rochelle Jones, aka Lady Stone, 20, and Jaymese Jenee Jones, aka Precious Stone, 20, both of Farmville, Virginia, and a third defendant were employees of the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) who allegedly conspired to smuggle controlled substances into prison facilities and deliver the drugs to other MSB gang members for use and distribution within the Virginia prisons. A fourth former DOC employee who worked as inmate counselor has been charged in a related case for smuggling contraband items to an incarcerated MSB gang leader with whom she was engaged in a sexual relationship.
The defendants charged with RICO Act violations include six Virginia-based MSB gang members, Michael Demont Dove, aka Dugatti Black, 31, formerly of Newport News, Virginia; Terrance Nathaniel Brown Jr., aka War, 28, formerly of Norfolk, Virginia; Clifford Alexand Jennings, aka Big Cliff, 47, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Anthony Alfred Day, aka Rokko, 35, formerly of Portsmouth, Virginia; James Albert Bumbry, aka J. Black, 39, of Cave Springs, Virginia; and Ronnie Monroe Nicholas Jr., aka RG, 36, formerly of Hopewell, Virginia. Corey Owens, aka Gutta, 28, formerly of Norfolk, and Jermaine Shiquill Epps, aka MMM, 26, of Virginia, are also charged with crimes related to MSB gang activity.
The above-named defendants are in custody. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
During the course of the investigation, Aaron Markeith Gerald, aka Big A, 33; Carlos Williams, aka Bang Em, 33; Christie Bailey, aka Summer, 37; Nicholas Johnson, aka Auto, 24; Adrienne Yvonne Williams, aka Scarlett, 38; Reginald Ball, aka RR, 34; and Rontea Lakey Gunn, aka Hit Man, 39, each pleaded guilty under seal to one count of racketeering conspiracy. These guilty pleas were entered and remained under seal until today’s unsealing of the indictment and related cases. Documents unsealed in those cases detailed a variety of criminal conduct by MSB gang members, including conspiracies to murder, armed robberies, other acts of violence and narcotics trafficking both inside Virginia prison facilities and on the streets.
The FBI’s Richmond and Norfolk Divisions; the Virginia State Police; the Virginia DOC; the Norfolk Police Department; the Harrisonburg, Virginia, Police Department; the Rockingham County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office; and the Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney investigated the case. Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman of the Western District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
The Cleveland Museum of Art to transfer 14th-century manuscript leaf to U.S. government for delivery to ItalyRead the Press Release
Carole Rendon, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and The Cleveland Museum of Art (the Museum) announced today the transfer of a 14th-century manuscript leaf from an Antiphonary to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for delivery to Italy making possible its re-integration with the Antiphonary.
The Master of Dominican Effigies, an important illuminator, created an illuminated manuscript known as Codex D sometime between 1335 and 1345. Codex D, essentially a type of hymnal, is parchment with leather binding and contained seven illuminated pages.
The illuminated page with the initial L depicts Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia). A portion of the page was removed from the Antiphonary and is known as a leaf. The leaf is ink, tempera and gold on parchment. It measures 44.3 cm high and 35.2 cm wide
The Antiphonary was formerly in the Church of Saints Ippolito and Biagio of Castelfiorentino and is now preserved in the Museum of Santa Verdiana, Castelfiorentino, Italy.
The leaf was purchased, in good faith, by the Museum in 1952, at which time it was attributed to a different artist. It has not been on display for more than 10 years.
The Museum was contacted by ICE after a second leaf appeared on the Swiss market. That leaf was recently turned over to the Italian government. Working collaboratively with ICE to research the history of the leaf and after evaluating the information provided by the Italian government, the Museum agreed the leaf should be transferred to Italy to be reunited with the Antiphonary.
“Once we were able to substantiate the information provided, we decided that the best place for the leaf was back with the Antiphonary. We feel the leaf has greater significance if it is reunited with the other illuminations in the manuscript. Along with the recovery of a second leaf, the Antiphonary will now be complete” said William Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. “We appreciate Homeland Security bringing this to our attention and working with us to effectuate the right result for the work.”
Rendon noted that the cooperation between her office, ICE and the Museum has resulted in the transfer.
“This story of a beautiful illuminated page missing from the Antiphonary for many years will have a happy ending thanks to the work of the Italian government, ICE’s presence in Rome, ICE here in Cleveland, our office and the Museum,” Rendon said.
“Cultural artifacts and antiquities have a monetary value in the markets where they are bought and sold. But to the item’s true owners, the value cannot be measured monetarily,” said Steve Francis, acting special agent in charge for HSI Detroit. “We’re pleased to announce with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and with the Museum that today’s transfer brings us one step closer to reuniting this treasure with its rightful owner, the Italian people."
The Antiphonary is a partially illuminated liturgical manuscript intended for use by a choir. A delivery date to the Italian government is being finalized.
Texas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Rosenaldo Benitez, Jr., age 37, of Mission, Texas, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, during the course of an ongoing investigation, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted multiple controlled phone calls in which they learned that Benitez and co-conspirator Robert Sandoval were transporting approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine across the country. Benitez was arrested by law enforcement when he stopped to meet with Sandoval in the Western District of Arkansas. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in March, 2016 and pleaded guilty in June, 2016.
Co-Conspirator Roberto Sandoval was sentenced on September 7, 2016 to 51 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
TSA Former Employee and Another Individual Indicted for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 2nd, 2016, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against two defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is in charge of the investigation with collaboration from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Transportation Security Agency (TSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Police of Puerto Rico.
The indictment, unsealed today, alleges that from on or about 2008, José Cruz-López smuggled kilogram quantities of cocaine while employed as a TSA Officer at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (LMMIA) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the time, Cruz-López worked at the TSA X-Ray machine in the airport. Cruz-López would “clear” suitcases containing kilograms of cocaine by allowing them to pass through the X-Ray machines and onto airplanes without detection. In 2008, Edwin Francisco Castro began assisting Cruz-López with the drug smuggling ventures. Castro was employed by Empresas Santana, an airport service company, as a supervisor in the Wheelchair Section at LMMIA.
During the course of the conspiracy, Cruz-López and Castro smuggled suitcases, each containing at least 8 to 12 kilograms of cocaine, through the TSA security system at LMMIA. From 2008 through 2016, Cruz-López and Castro helped smuggle approximately 1,500 kilograms of cocaine through LMMIA.
According to the indictment, Cruz-López, in his capacity as a TSA employee, was a public official who accepted bribe payments. Cruz-López took multiple cash payments totaling in excess of $215,000.00 in exchange for allowing luggage, which he knew contained kilogram quantities of cocaine, bypass normal baggage screening procedures so that the luggage could be placed on outbound airplanes departing the LMMIA for destinations in the continental United States.
This case is part of the ongoing efforts of the Airport Investigations and Tactical Team (AirTAT). Originating in January 2015, AirTAT is a multi-agency initiative created to identify, locate, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute Domestic and Transnational Criminal Organizations (DTCOs) and its operatives using the LMMIA, the Fernando Luis Rivas Dominicci Airport (the Isla Grande airport), and peripheral airports as platforms to smuggle narcotics, weapons, human cargo, counterfeit documents, illicit proceeds, and others. These airports play a strategic role for DTCOs to conduct contraband smuggling activities inbound and outbound to the continental US as well as internationally.
“These two individuals were involved in a conspiracy to traffic massive quantities of illegal narcotics to the continental United States,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “These arrests demonstrate the Justice Department’s continued commitment to arrest and hold responsible those who engage in drug trafficking. The creation of AirTAT has successfully collocated a dedicated group of state and federal law enforcement officers, whose mission is to ensure that our airports are not used in the drug traffickers’ illicit businesses.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander is in charge of the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Díaz-Rex, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Unit. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Supermarket Owner, Accomplice Sentenced in Identity Theft, Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Juan Vasquez, 53, of Providence, the mastermind behind a long-running scheme to use the stolen identities of more than 400 individuals on fraudulent tax returns resulting in the receipt of more than $2.6 million in fraudulent tax refunds, was sentenced today to 6 years in federal prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Vasquez ran the scheme out of his business, the former Dominican Supermarket in Pawtucket.
An accomplice to Juan Vasquez, his sister Belkis Vasquez, 50, of Central Falls, was sentenced today to serve 3 years probation, the first 8 months in home detention with GPS electronic monitoring, and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
Juan Vasquez were ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $2,682,042.88. Belkis Vasquez was ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $325,490.
Juan Vasquez pleaded guilty on August 19, 2016, to one count of conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft. Belkis Vasquez pleaded guilty on August 17, 2016, to one count of conspiracy.
The sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Brian Deck, Resident Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service; and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
On September 27, 2016, a federal jury convicted Doris Morel 44, of Central Falls, a full-time cashier at the Dominican Supermarket, on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft of government property, four counts of money laundering and four counts of aggravated identity theft. The jury also convicted Erika Tomasino, 44, of Central Falls, a secretary for Juan Vasquez, on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft of government property, three counts of mail fraud, three counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Morel and Tomasino are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on December 22, 2106.
According to the government’s evidence, for nearly four years, beginning in January 2010, the defendants participated in a scheme in which they used stolen personal identifying information of more than 400 individuals, most of whom are residents of Puerto Rico, to file fraudulent tax returns.
According to the government’s evidence, fraudulent treasury checks were mailed to various locations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York, and later deposited by the co-conspirators into 26 different bank accounts. The bank accounts were controlled by the co-conspirators or other individuals affiliated with the Dominican Supermarket.
The government’s evidence showed that the defendants and their co-conspirators withdrew the proceeds of the checks, caused others to withdraw some of the proceeds, transferred the proceeds between accounts, and spent the funds on personal expenses. Additionally, according to the government’s evidence, more than $235,000 of fraudulently obtained funds were transferred to a bank in the Dominican Republic.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pawtucket Police Department.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Stratford Man Admits Role in Large-Scale Fencing OperationRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MATTHEW HARWOOD, 42, of Stratford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to charges stemming from his participation in a large-scale fencing operation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between January 2012 and December 2014, HARWOOD participated in a conspiracy to purchase stolen property from “boosters,” who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions, and then resell the property at online websites. HARWOOD and others instructed the boosters to steal certain items from retail stores such as Petco, Staples, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond, and paid cash for the stolen items at approximately one-third of their retail price. At times, HARWOOD provided expenses for car rentals and spending money for overnight or out-of-state trips to steal products.
After receiving the stolen merchandise, HARWOOD and a co-conspirator stored the merchandise at multiple locations, including HARWOOD’s former residence in Durham, and business locations in North Haven. HARWOOD and his co-conspirator then sold the stolen products at online sites, including eBay and Amazon, usually in the names of family members and associates.
Through this scheme, retailers lost more than $3.9 million.
HARWOOD pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
In pleading guilty, HARWOOD also agreed to forfeit the house in Durham where he formerly resided, and two mutual fund accounts in his name.
HARWOOD has been released on a $100,000 bond since his arrest on July 15, 2016.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
This matter is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, United States Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut Department of Correction, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the New Haven, North Haven, Milford, West Haven, Wallingford, Hamden and Orange Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Staunton Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescribing of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA – A Staunton physician practicing in Lexington at Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital Emergency Department pled guilty today to a federal drug distribution charge United States Attorney John P. Fishwick, Jr., announced.
Stanley Elmer Heatwole, 73, of Staunton, Virginia, waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty this morning to an Information charging him with one count of distribution of controlled substances.
“This defendant used his position as a physician to write prescriptions for narcotics to persons he knew to have drug addictions as part of his inappropriate sexual relationships with his patients,” United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. said today. “This defendant’s prescriptions issued outside of his professional practice is drug dealing by an individual who believed the rules didn’t apply to him. As today’s conviction clearly shows, the rules apply to everyone equally.”
From 2009 to 2014, Stanley Elmer Heatwole wrote controlled substance prescriptions, specifically hydrocodone, to a female patient with whom he had an intimate relationship. These prescriptions were not for a legitimate medical purpose and were outside the usual course of professional practice. In 2014, his license to practice medicine was suspended.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Tactical Diversion Squad of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine CaseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on October 31, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
James Joseph Thompson, age 37, was sentenced to 150 months in custody, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Thompson was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on May 10, 2016. He was found guilty on August 10, 2016, after a two-day jury trial.
On August 26, 2015, a search warrant was executed at Thompson’s residence in Sioux Falls. Law enforcement located approximately 19 grams of methamphetamine, drug dealing paraphernalia, and over $26,000 in cash. During the execution of this warrant, law enforcement learned that Thompson had rented a storage unit in Luverne, Minnesota. A search warrant was obtained for that storage unit and on August 27, 2015, law enforcement executed the warrant and located approximately 116 grams of methamphetamine and over $36,000 in cash.
Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.
Thompson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Seven Associates of Bloods Gang Charged for Drug Distribution in WilmingtonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON – United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced today that seven individuals associated with the United Blood Nation - Nine Trey gang in Wilmington have been charged in Criminal Complaints and in connection with the illegal possession and distribution of heroin. KEJUAN TIZOM SHABAZZ SMITH aka Bobby, 24, DAENZAL XAVIER MURPHY aka Zilla, 24, THEODORE PIERCE, JR., aka Three, 19, ALICIA RASHAWN JOHNSON aka Lili, 18, DARRELL TYKWAN ATKINSON aka Dada, 19, THEODORE ROOSEVELT HARDY, III, aka Trey, 23, and KHALIL DJOUR TRUESDALE, 20, were taken into custody on October 24, 2016. Detention hearings were held on October 31, 2016, and on November 1, 2016.
According to the Criminal Complaints filed on October 19, 2016, an investigation was begun in early April, 2016. In April and May, 2016, controlled purchases of heroin were coordinated and executed.
If convicted on the charges, all the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Police Department, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wilmington Police Department.
The charges contained in the criminal complaints are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Offender in Longview Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A 56 year-old Longview man pled guilty in federal court to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm announced Acting U.S. Attorney, Brit Featherston, today.
According to the evidence presented at his plea hearing, Gerald Dwayne Templeton (Templeton) was found to be in possession of weapons and cocaine at a residence in Longview, Texas when the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement (CODE) Unit executed a search warrant there on March 1, 2016. Templeton and his co-defendant, Teresa Ann Bean, (Bean) were both located within the residence at the time of the search. During the search of the residence, officers recovered several pieces of cocaine, used rubber gloves and a box of unused rubber gloves, significant since Templeton was wearing rubber gloves when he was arrested. Officers also found several empty plastic bags, staples, razor blades and cocaine residue, all indicative of drug trafficking. Altogether, agents recovered approximately 35 grams of cocaine.
In addition to the drugs, officers also recovered two shotguns, one of which had been “sawed off,” and multiple rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
At sentencing, Templeton is facing a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine. Charges against Bean are still pending.
This case was investigated by the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement (CODE) Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Tyler Field Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on October 26, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Lavern E. Looking Cloud, age 33, was sentenced to time served in custody, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Looking Cloud pleaded guilty to the charge on July 15, 2016.
The charge related to Looking Cloud failing to register as a convicted sex offender between April 25, 2014, and June 16, 2015.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding was sentenced on October 28, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Rudolph Twiss, a/k/a Rudy Twiss, age 19, was sentenced to time served in custody, 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Twiss pleaded guilty to the charge on July 1, 2016.
The charge related to Twiss stabbing the male victim in the neck with a knife on September 13, 2015, at Pine Ridge. The victim was transported to the hospital and received eight staples to his neck to close the wound.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Man Indicted for Illegal Use of InternetRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.
Charles Drust Jr., age 62, was indicted on October 18, 2016, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on November 2, 2016. He pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 5 years up to 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Drust using a computer to receive and possess images of child pornography. The charges are merely an accusation and Drust is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the case.
Drust was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Porcupine Man Sentenced for KidnappingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Kidnapping was sentenced on October 26, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Jesse Miller, age 29, was sentenced to 30 years’ custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Miller pleaded guilty to the charge on July 1, 2016. The conviction stems from Miller holding a middle-aged woman against her will in her home on April 6, 2016, near Porcupine. Miller then sexually assaulted the victim, using force against her by grabbing her, hitting and slapping her, dragging her from one room in her home to another while holding her throat, and pushing her down onto a bed. For a period of time Miller prevented her from leaving or moving about of her own free will. The victim was eventually able to run from the residence to a neighbor’s house for help after Miller passed out in her bed.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
Miller was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Murder was sentenced on October 24, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Jerome Warrior, age 20, was sentenced to 14 years’ custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Warrior pleaded guilty to the charge on July 8, 2016. The charge related to Warrior and others striking the victim with a cinder block, kicking the victim in the head and face, beating the victim with a stick, and striking the victim in the back of his head with a machete on July 12, 2015. The cause of death was multiple blunt trauma to the head, including a skull fracture and hemorrhaging.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Warrior was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Owner of Baltimore Real Estate Consulting Company and Real Estate Agent Each Sentenced to over Two Years in Federal Prison for Mortgage Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced real estate consultant Alexander Sivels, II, age 32, of Baltimore, and real estate agent Christopher A. Kwegan, age 59, of Randallstown, Maryland, each to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for related mortgage fraud schemes. Judge Bredar also ordered Sivels to pay restitution of $1,317,314.35, and ordered Kwegan to pay restitution of $530,641.27. Kwegan was sentenced today and Sivels was sentenced yesterday.
Sivels previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving the fraudulent purchase of at least nine properties in Baltimore using fraudulent loan documentation and settlement documents, resulting in actual or attempted losses of more than $1.3 million. Kwegan participated in the fraudulent sale of two properties with losses of more than $530,000.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Bertrand Nelson of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office.
“Mortgage fraud perpetrators steal by inducing lenders to make loans that will never be repaid, and they harm neighborhoods when the inevitable foreclosures drive down property values,” stated U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to Sivels’ plea agreement and other court documents, Sivels owned Royal Real Estate Consultants LLC, and co-conspirator Cecil Chester worked as an accountant from an office located on New Hampshire Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. Co-conspirator Andreas Tamaris purchased, renovated, and then resold distressed row houses in Baltimore City, primarily in Highlandtown. In 2007 or 2008, Sivels met Andreas Tamaris and agreed to assist Tamaris to find purchasers for houses he had bought and renovated, or that were owned by developers who owed money to Tamaris for renovation work. Tamaris told Sivels the amount he needed to receive from the sale of each property to recover his investment and earn a profit. Tamaris told Sivels that he could keep any excess funds generated if Sivels sold the house for more than the amount Tamaris needed to cover his costs.
Between 2008 and 2011, Sivels participated in the sale of at least nine properties, all of which were eventually foreclosed upon, resulting in losses of more than $1.3 million. In 2008 and 2009, Sivels and Chester recruited buyers to purchase houses, knowing that they did not qualify for the home mortgages. To enable the buyers to purchase the properties, Sivels and his co-conspirators prepared fraudulent mortgage applications which misrepresented the buyers’ income and assets. Sivels sometimes created fake tax documents and false pay stubs, and falsified bank statements to reflect the substantial balances referenced by the loan application. The conspirators often inflated the price of the house to insure a profit for themselves. At the settlements for the properties, the proceeds of the sale were generally distributed to Tamaris, who would write checks to Sivels for his portion of the profits. From the sale of just four of the properties Sivels received payments totaling more than $200,000.
In 2010 and 2011, Sivels assisted with the sales of several other Tamaris-owned properties by providing prospective lenders with fraudulent verifications of employment for the purchasers, falsely representing that they worked at a home renovation company Sivels owned, receiving cash payments in return for his assistance.
According to his guilty plea, in the summer of 2008, Kwegan learned that the owner of a row house on Washington Boulevard in Baltimore City was trying to sell his home. The owner had purchased the property 10 years earlier for $11,500 and Kwegan told him that he could sell it for $75,000. The owner agreed to sell it for that price. Rather than trying to sell the property at the actual market price, Kwegan requested assistance from Cecil Chester, who was already operating a mortgage fraud scheme and they set the sale price of the row house at $250,000.
Kwegan arranged to use the personal identifiers of an individual recruited by Chester to buy the property as a straw purchaser. Kwegan and his co-conspirators knew that the straw purchaser lacked the necessary assets to pay for the down payments and closing costs on the property, or the income to keep up the mortgage payments on the house after the transaction closed. Chester provided a mortgage loan broker with a false loan application and fraudulent supporting documents which inaccurately represented that the straw purchaser’s employment, annual income, and assets. Based upon these false representations, a bank wired $242,500 to finance the purchase of the property, at the settlement on September 30, 2008. Kwegan used his own funds to obtain a cashier’s check in the amount of $9,391.53 to cover the down payment and the straw purchaser’s share of the closing costs. After the settlement, just $15,773.65 was disbursed to the seller of the property. In contrast, $145,000 was wired to an entity identified as “CAK,” which were Kwegan’s initials. These funds were transferred into Kwegan’s bank account. Kwegan then wrote a check to Chester for $35,000. No payments were made on the mortgage. The property went into foreclosure and remains unsold at this time, resulting in a loss of between $150,000 and $235,000. At today’s hearing, the Court found that Kwegan was also involved in the fraudulent sale of another property with Chester, resulting in a loss of $296,000. Kwegan derived over $100,000 in proceeds from this transaction and paid another $40,000 to Chester for his assistance.
Andreas E. Tamaris, age 46, of Bel Air, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, 2016. Co-conspirator Cecil Sylvester Chester, age 69, of Mitchellville, Maryland pleaded guilty to the fraudulent purchase of seven properties in Baltimore, using fraudulent loan documentation and straw purchasers, resulting in losses of over $1.4 million. Chester is scheduled to be sentenced on November 28, 2016. Michael Gerard Camphor, age 60, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty for his participation in the fraudulent purchase of four properties in Baltimore resulting in losses of over $736,000. Judge Bredar scheduled Camphor’s sentencing for December 19, 2016.
The Maryland Mortgage Fraud Task Force was established to unify the agencies that regulate and investigate mortgage fraud and promote the early detection, identification, prevention and prosecution of mortgage fraud schemes. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect consumers from fraud and promote the integrity of the credit markets. Information about mortgage fraud prosecutions is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-md/financial-fraud-and-identity-theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken 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’s 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.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, HUD OIG - Office of Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson M. Gray, who prosecuted the cases.
New Orleans Men Indicted in Heroin and Firearms ConspiracyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today that KEITH FOSTER, age 37; KERMERIC JOHNSON, age 33; and THOMAS MAROLD, age 52; all of New Orleans, were charged yesterday in a six-count Indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.
According to the Indictment, from June to October 2015, FOSTER, JOHNSON and MAROLD conspired to distribute heroin. FOSTER was also charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamines. If convicted of the either of the charges, FOSTER, JOHNSON and MAROLD face a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
FOSTER and JOHNSON were also charged with conspiracy to possess and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. JOHNSON, who had previously been convicted of a felony, was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. On October 29, 2015, FOSTER and JOHNSON possessed a .22 caliber rifle and a 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun. If convicted of these gun charges, each defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of at least five years, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, and a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the ATF New Orleans Division Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Nolan D. Paige is in charge of the prosecution.
Naperville Man Charged with Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a Naperville man on charges of possessing child pornography, obstruction of justice and conversion of government property.
FLOYD O’HARA, 62, is charged with one count of possessing child pornography, one count of conversion of government property, and two counts of obstruction of justice. Arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer in Chicago.
According to the indictment, O’Hara possessed child pornography, which was discovered on a laptop computer and a flash drive. O’Hara obstructed justice by altering, destroying and concealing two hard drives in an effort to prevent their use in a prosecution against him, according to the indictment.
O’Hara was formerly employed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The indictment alleges O’Hara converted for his own use eight devices owned by the EPA without the EPA’s authorization.
The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzales of the EPA Inspector General’s Office.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charges in the indictment are punishable by a total maximum sentence of 70 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kutcher.
IndictmentMichigan men indicted for credit card fraudRead the Press Release
Two Michigan men were indicted for credit card fraud for having 94 cards with stolen account numbers and names, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Timothy Darnel Keith, 25, of Canton, Michigan, and Chris Monte Huddelston, 22, of Flint, Michigan, were charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, possession of counterfeit and unauthorized access devices and possession of access device making equipment.
Keith and Huddleston purchased stolen and/or fraudulently obtained credit card account information and other bank account information over the Internet. The pair had a credit-card reader and writer which they used to produce counterfeit credit cards, according to the indictment.
They then drove to Ohio from Michigan to use the counterfeit gift cards and stored value credit cards they had produced. They had 94 such cards on April 6, according to the indictment
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the United States Secret Service in Toledo. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah P. Hood.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Michigan man sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Keith Antonio Cohens, 35, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for distributing heroin, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Cohens distributed heroin in Monongalia County, West Virginia, after he transported it from Detroit, Michigan into West Virginia. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” in May 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Miami Resident Who Shot at a Florida City Police Officer Convicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Miami resident yesterday of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, after he shot a stolen gun multiple times at a Florida City Police Department officer.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Brandt Schenken, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, and Pedro W. Taylor, Chief, Florida City Police Department (FCPD), made the announcement.
Andrew Eckel, 25, of Miami, was convicted by a trial jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Eckel was previously convicted of felony offenses and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Eckel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., by Senior U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King.
According to the court record, including evidence presented at trial, on November 16, 2015, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a Florida City police officer was on patrol in a marked vehicle when he observed a white Kia car that matched a description provided in a police radio request for assistance. The officer began to follow the white car. Eckel, who was driving the white Kia attempted to elude law enforcement. Eckel slammed on his brakes, before driving the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Eckel immediately made a made a left turn and leaned out of the driver’s side window to fire a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver three times in the direction of the officer.
After the officer radioed for additional assistance by members of law enforcement, Eckel proceeded to lead several marked police vehicles on a high-speed chase. During the chase, Eckel fled his still-moving vehicle, ignored the officers’ commands to stop, and jumped over a wall into a trailer park community in Florida City. Eckel left a stolen firearm with three spent shell casings, two live rounds, gloves, and a ski mask at the crime scene.
“We will not tolerate acts of violence against the brave men and women of law enforcement who protect and serve our South Florida community,” stated U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office condemns the unlawful possession of firearms and will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who violate the law and put our citizens in harm’s way.”
ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge, Brandt Schenken stated, “This case is a great example of how decisive police action and collaboration with ATF can lead to the apprehension and prosecution of individuals that pose a potential danger to South Florida communities.”
“The law enforcement community is here to protect and serve,” stated FCPD Chief Pedro Taylor. “Andrew Eckel’s conviction sends a clear message that those who pose a threat to the community’s safety will be held accountable. The Florida City Police Department is grateful for the support of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in the pursuit of justice.”
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the ATF and FCPD. Mr. Ferrer thanked the Miami Dade Police Department Special Response Team for their assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne P. McNamara and Rilwan Adeduntan.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
McKeesport Man Charged with Making False Statements to Acquire 16 FirearmsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The nine-count indictment, returned on Nov. 2 and unsealed today, named Joseph E. Flack, age 23, of McKeesport, PA.
According to the indictment, between October 28, 2014, and January 4, 2015, Flack made false statements in connection with the acquisition of 16 firearms from licensed dealers in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Local Man Sentenced to 35 Years on Charges Involving an Armed Assault on Arch PropertyRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Kilwa Jones, St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on multiple charges involving the September 25, 2015, shooting of Christopher Sanna, as well as the robberies of both Sanna and his companion, Lisa Simpson. The robberies and the assault occurred near the Old Cathedral in the northbound lanes of Memorial Drive, which is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
According to court documents, on September 25, 2015, victims Christopher Sanna and Lisa Simpson were walking back to their car, which was parked on the Old Cathedral parking lot, after attending a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Kilwa Jones confronted them with a semi-automatic pistol and demanded their property. As the victims attempted to ignore Jones and walk toward their vehicle, Jones shot Sanna in the back, rifled his pants pockets as he lay paralyzed on the ground and forcibly grabbed Simpson’s purse. Jones then jumped into a car and drove away.
Jones pled guilty in July to assault with a dangerous weapon while on federal property, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, two counts of robbery while on federal property and the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Bird handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Leader of Violent Sex Trafficking Ring Sentenced to 35 YearsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Michael Lawrence Maynes, Jr., 34, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 420 months in prison for leading a violent sex trafficking ring responsible for prostituting women and girls in Alexandria, Richmond, Springfield, Chantilly, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, and other locations.
Maynes was found guilty by a federal jury on May 19. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Maynes was the leader of a sex trafficking organization known as “Horse Block Pimpin.” From 2010 to 2013, Maynes prostituted countless women in and out of Virginia. Maynes convinced women to work for him by claiming he wanted a relationship or that they would be able to keep part of the profits from their work as prostitutes. At times, Maynes targeted women who had lost custody of their children and promised to help them stabilize their lives so they could regain custody. Maynes also recruited women who were homeless or were addicted to drugs. At times Maynes would isolate the women geographically and socially, use violence and drugs to control them, and would withhold access to their children until they reached a daily quota.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Maynes recruited the mother of his child to work for him recruiting, posting advertisements, collecting proceeds, and transporting the women to various hotels. Maynes also recruited his cousin, Robert Bonner, Jr., and a pretend half-brother, Michael Randall, as co-conspirators in his sex trafficking organization. The men operated together by recruiting, harboring, and prostituting women and girls, as well as trading women back and forth and working the women together at the same hotel. The men used force, coercion, and drugs to keep the women prostituting and the victims were required to give the prostitution proceeds to Maynes and his co-conspirators. Bonner and Randall previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 30 years and 25 years in prison, respectively.
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 Liam O'Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia T. Giles and 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. 1:15-cr-336.
LRGP Associate Sentenced to 11-½ YearsRead 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 Demario Devon Nance, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of RICO conspiracy, was sentenced to a total of 138 months by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Duszkiewicz and Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that Nance assisted his cousin Dewayne Gray and other members of the LRGP gang in dealing crack cocaine within the gang’s territory in the streets surrounding the Broadway Market area. The LRGP gang, in addition to cocaine distribution, also engaged multiple acts a violence to protect their territory, including numerous shootings and murders as part of the racketeering activity. AUSA Duszkiewicz noted that Nance was sentenced to 120 months on the RICO charge to be served consecutively with an 18-month sentence imposed for violating the terms of his supervised release from a prior Federal drug conviction. Gray, Nance and 16 other defendants were previously convicted as a result of the same investigation.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict, New York Field Office and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Indiana Man Convicted of Impersonating Psychiatrist and Prescribing Medications to Dozens of Patients in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted an Indiana man on fraud charges for holding himself out as a psychiatrist while prescribing medications to a nine-year-old child and dozens of others.
SCOTT C. REDMAN, 37, of Hammond, Ind., used the identity of an Illinois physician to see patients and prescribe medications at a clinic on Chicago’s Near North Side. The real physician is employed by a different Illinois medical facility.
Redman assumed the physician’s name to prescribe medications to more than 40 individuals from September 2015 to February 2016. The purported patients included a nine-year-old child, for whom Redman prescribed a 30-day supply of Vyvanse, a medication that treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
After a four-day trial in federal court in Chicago, the jury Thursday convicted Redman on three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of furnishing false information to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and five counts of distributing a controlled substance.
U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan set sentencing for Feb. 8, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.
The verdict was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Dennis A. Wichern, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA.
Evidence at trial revealed that Redman maintained office hours at the clinic to treat his supposed patients. A purported profile of Redman on the clinic’s website contained the name of the real physician, alongside a photograph of Redman and fraudulent biographical and educational information. In addition to the Vyvanse, Redman prescribed other controlled substances, including Adderall, Clonazepam and Xanax.
The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 166 years in prison. The Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katie M. Durick and Matthew F. Madden.
INTERPOL Washington Visits District 5 Coffee ClubRead the Press Release
On November 2, 2016, the Maryland Prince George’s County Police Department’s District 5 Coffee Club met at the Colony South Hotel and Conference Center. The Club, a non-partisan public forum for the Prince George's County police COPS unit, citizens, business owners, other public offcials and organizations, addresses issues effecting the community. Staff from INTERPOL Washington attended the meeting.
Each week, during the Coffee Club, citizens of District 5 bring their concerns directly to the police officers and firefighters working within their District. Public figures, like the District 5 Police Commander and the County Fire Battalion Chief, are loyal attendees and provide valuable insight to citizens via informational updates that address their concerns.
The community outreach efforts of the Prince George’s County Police Department showcase inventive ways to engage the community. The Coffee Club is one of ten community outreach programs that the District offers. Other programs include:
- Community Advocates for Family and Youth
- Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T. of South County)
- The DISTRICT 5 Citizens Advisory Council (CAC)
- Judicial Watch
- Neighborhood Watch
- Police Athletic League
- Police Explorers
- Triad/SALT
- Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
The Prince George's County Police Department supports INTERPOL Washington, the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB), by providing a detailee to our State and Local Outreach Office. The current detailee, Sergeant William Heggs, facilitated the USNCB visit. Maryland is one of 12 states and the District of Columbia that participates in federation, allowing law enforcement agencies throughout the state full access to INTERPOL’s tools and services.
As the designated representative of the Attorney General, INTERPOL Washington serves as the national point of contact for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States.
INTERPOL Washington The Prince George's County MD District 5 Coffee Club met on November 2, 2016.Houma Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that REHER MORRIS, age 28, of Houma, pled guilty yesterday to crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
The joint U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana Bureau of Investigations’ Cyber Crime Unit investigation began as a result of a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators determined MORRIS was downloading images of child pornography at his place of employment in Houma. On December 7, 2015, state and federal investigators executed a search warrant and found MORRIS in possession of an Apple iPhone containing over 12,000 images and 115 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
MORRIS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five years and a maximum sentence of up to twenty years’ imprisonment, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. MORRIS will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for February 2, 2017.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations’ Cyber Crime Unit in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Section Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.