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18 November 2016
Ohio Woman Sentenced to 78 Months for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine and for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. — A Milford, Ohio woman, who possessed heroin and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute them, and used a firearm to further her drug trafficking, was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison.
U.S. District Court Judge Amul Thapar sentenced 28 year-old Courtney Kolb and ordered her to serve 10 years of supervised release following her sentence. Under federal law, Kolb must serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence.
In August 2016, Kolb pleaded guilty and admitted that she had quantities of heroin and crack cocaine that she intended to distribute in the Greater Cincinnati area and possessed a firearm in order to protect her drugs and drug proceeds.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Ft. Thomas Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.
North Dakota Man Convicted of Government Property TheftRead the Press Release
A North Dakota resident was convicted today in connection with the theft of copper wire from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Christopher Myers of the District of North Dakota.
Benjamin Guidry, 41, was convicted after a jury trial of theft of government property. Sentencing has been set for March 20, 2017.
In February 2013, Guidry was working for a local Afghan company. The evidence at trial demonstrated that he solicited two civilian contractors at Kandahar Airfield to obtain various materials for him in exchange for cash. The contractors reported the defendant to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command (Army CID) at Kandahar Airfield.
With the assistance of the U.S. Air Force and others, Army CID set up a sting operation. According to the evidence presented at trial, as part of the sting operation, Guidry offered one of the contractors $4,000 in exchange for stolen spools of copper wire worth approximately $54,000. Guidry was apprehended after leaving the Air Force compound with the copper wire.
Army CID investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Frank Rangoussis and Ann Marie Ursini of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section prosecuted the case.
New York man sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tyler M. Purvis-Mitchell, 22, of Albany, New York was sentenced to 19 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Purvis-Mitchell selected a firearm from Cashland II Pawn Shop and coordinated to have another individual purchase the firearm for him. That individual falsely represented that she was the actual buyer of the firearm and used money from Purvis-Mitchell to purchase the firearm. He pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Provide a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm” 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 investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Mission Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Frank White Thunder, age 29, was indicted on May 17, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 8, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
On April 29, 2008, White Thunder was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. As a result of his conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between April 24, 2016, and May 17, 2016, White Thunder, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender.
The charge is merely an accusation and White Thunder is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
White Thunder was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Medical Doctor Convicted of Federal ‘Structuring’ Charges for Making Cash Deposits to Avoid Federal Reporting RequirementsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles doctor has been convicted of federal “structuring” charges for making cash deposits totaling nearly a half million dollars that were designed to circumvent federal reporting requirements.
Washington Bryan II, 48, of Westwood, was found guilty yesterday afternoon by a jury in United States District Court.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial, the jury found Bryan guilty of 29 counts of structuring, finding that he made a series of illegal cash deposits totaling approximately $478,000 between October 2011 and January 2013.
Bryan made deposits of less than $10,000 into four separate accounts for the purpose of preventing banks from reporting the deposits to the federal government, which is required for every cash transaction of more than $10,000. For each of the 29 counts, Bryan made cash deposits into multiple bank accounts on the same day – sometimes within minutes of each other – that added up to more than $10,000.
The jury learned that Bryan received a letter in 2007 from Wachovia Bank informing him of the reporting requirement and alerting him that his pattern of currency deposits at the time appeared to be violating federal law.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Bryan structured the cash deposits for the purpose of concealing income he received from thousands of prescriptions that he issued for narcotic painkillers and HIV medications out of his Brentwood office.
The evidence at trial showed that Bryan was disciplined by the Medical Board of California for excessively prescribing narcotic medications, including OxyContin, and place on three years of probation. The cash structuring began after Bryan was placed on probation and while he continued to routinely prescribe high dosages of painkillers to patients – most of whom paid $500 in cash each time they visited Bryan’s Brentwood office and obtained prescriptions, sometimes without ever seeing the doctor.
“The federal structuring statute is part of a comprehensive anti-money laundering program enacted to expose the large profits that can be generated by criminal activity,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “As this conviction demonstrates, criminals cannot escape punishment by arranging financial transactions to avoid bank reporting requirements.”
“Going to two or three banks in the same day, usually just minutes apart, to conduct a transaction that could have been completed at one bank has no benign explanation,” stated IRS Criminal Investigation’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, Anthony J. Orlando. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial transactions where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their money.”
As a result of yesterday’s guilty verdicts, Bryan faces a statutory maximum sentence of 145 years in federal prison when he is sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner on February 27.
The investigation into Bryan was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the California Department of Justice and the Los Angeles Police Department.
This is case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Damaris M. Diaz and William Rollins of the General Crimes Section and Assistant United States Attorney Mark Aveis of the Major Frauds Section.
Mechanics Falls Woman Sentenced to 30 Days in Tax CaseRead the Press Release
Contact: James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Amanda Ouellette, 38, of Mechanics Falls, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to 30 days in prison and two years of supervised release for failing to account for and pay over federal employment taxes. She was also ordered to pay $114,488 in restitution. She pleaded guilty on July 12, 2016.
According to court records, from 2008 to 2013, Ouellette operated Daddy O’s, a restaurant in Oxford, Maine, and paid wages on a regular basis to several employees. She withheld federal income and FICA taxes from her employees’ gross pay, but from 2009 through 2013, she failed to file quarterly federal income tax returns and pay over the taxes she withheld to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), as required.
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of International Drug Traffickers for Their Involvement in Conspiracy to Import Narcotics into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William R. Sherman, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced that ROBERTO PONCE-ROCHA was extradited from Colombia where he had been arrested for charges arising out of his leadership role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving the transportation of large-scale quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine into the United States. As part of the DEA’s investigation of PONCE-ROCHA, which began in or around 2013, law enforcement authorities in the United States and abroad have seized thousands of kilograms of cocaine and other narcotics. PONCE-ROCHA, a Mexican citizen, arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday, and was presented today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.
Previously, on or about May 24, 2016, two co-conspirators charged in the same Superseding Indictment, Juan Caicedo-Zuniga and Adan Munoz-Cordoba, arrived in the Southern District of New York following their extradition from Panama. Caicedo-Zuniga and Munoz-Cordoba, who are both Colombian citizens, were arrested on charges arising out of their participation in some of the same narcotics transactions organized and facilitated by PONCE-ROCHA.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, Roberto Ponce-Rocha was for years a leader of a drug trafficking organization that moved thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to countries around the world, including to the United States. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the DEA and its international counterparts, Ponce-Rocha will now face justice in a United States court.”
DEA SAC William R. Sherman said: “The extradition of these alleged international drug traffickers sends a clear message to those who are thinking about endangering the citizens of our country with these potentially deadly drugs: your greed will get you an all expenses paid trip to the United States and a nice long stay in a federal detention facility.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment as well as statements made in Court:[1]
From at least in or around July 2013 through in or around January 2016, PONCE-ROCHA was a leader in a large-scale international narcotics trafficking conspiracy based in Central and South America that used various methods, including commercial shipments, drivers, and couriers to move narcotics around the world, and to import narcotics into the United States. PONCE-ROCHA was involved in the transportation of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as the shipment of large-scale quantities of cocaine from Colombia to countries throughout the world, including the United States. Caicedo-Zuniga and Munoz-Cordoba conspired with PONCE-ROCHA to import narcotics into the United States and other countries.
PONCE-ROCHA was arrested by Colombian authorities on or about March 20, 2016, in Colombia.
* * *
PONCE-ROCHA, 55, is charged in one count of conspiring to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, at least one kilogram of heroin, and at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, knowing that such substances would be imported into the United States. That charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.
Mr. Bharara praised the DEA for its work in the investigation. Mr. Bharara also expressed his appreciation to the DEA Special Operations Division, Homeland Security Investigations San Diego, United States Customs and Border Protection San Diego, the Fontana California Police Department, the Policia Nacional de Panama Unidad de Investigaciones Sensitivas (UEIS), the Colombian National Police Direccion de Investigaciones Criminal e INTERPOL (DIJIN), the Costa Rica Policia Control de Drogas (PCD), the Republica Dominicana Direccion Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD), and the Spanish Guardia Civil for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys James M. McDonald, Kimberly J. Ravener, and David Zhou are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
US v. Roberto Ponce-Rocha et al. S1 Indictment.pdf
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Mancelona Man Sentenced to Seventeen and A Half Years in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Thomas Arlan Evans, 55, of Mancelona, Michigan was sentenced today to 210 months (17.5 years) in federal prison for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced. In addition to the prison term, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker imposed a seven-year term of supervised release that will commence once Evans is released from imprisonment. Evans will also be required to register as a sexual offender.
Evans pled guilty on July 15, 2016, to possessing child pornography. Evans came to the attention of law enforcement in August 2015 in connection with a domestic-abuse investigation. Police subsequently executed a search warrant at Evans’ home, where they seized a variety of electronic media containing more than 19,000 images and dozens of videos of child pornography. The material depicts victims as young as toddler-aged children, and a number of the images and videos depict sadistic sexual assaults on very young and vulnerable children. Further investigation revealed that Evans had recently had access to a child, and two additional victims disclosed that Evans sexually abused them when they were children.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Antrim County Sherriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Lewis prosecuted the case.
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Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. - Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced today that United States District Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced Noel Aquino Florenciani to serve a term of imprisonment of 22 years followed by 10 years of supervised release. On April 7, 2016, Aquino-Florenciani pled guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
In December, 2015, the defendant was charged for production and possession of child pornography. The evidence in this case revealed that the defendant sexually abused and/or engaged in illicit sexually explicit conduct with at least one male minor and documented his sexual abuse by making visual depictions of such conduct. The defendant had also used peer-to-peer file sharing program and had downloaded child pornography using his laptop and phones. This evidence was discovered during the execution of a search warrant by Homeland Security Investigations agents during which a laptop computer and three cellular phones were seized.
“Justice was done today. This sentence should serve to reassure the public that we are paying close attention to the well-being of our children, and that we will spare no expense to take child predators off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “All child sexual predators will be held accountable for the unspeakable crimes they commit and the harm they cause to their victims and their families.”
Project Safe Childhood is an initiative of the Department of Justice aimed at preventing the abuse and exploitation of children by the use of digital cameras, computers and other digital and electronic media.
The criminal prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea.
Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the VARead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that David B. Watson, Sr., 66, of Madison, Maine pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
According to court records, the defendant conspired with his daughter-in-law to illegally obtain for her VA compensation benefits. Watson submitted documents to the VA on her behalf, falsely claiming she had suffered from mental disabilities that were connected to her service in the U.S. Army and told her how she should falsely describe her mental condition to VA doctors.
Watson faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the VA Office of the Inspector General.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Misprision of a FelonyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney, Deborah R. Gilg, announced that on November 18, 2016, Cody M. Lacefield, 22, of Lincoln, was sentenced to three years on probation for misprision of a felony. The three-year probation term includes 90 days of home confinement. Lacefield was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
The charge arose from an investigation into photos posted to Facebook by three friends/associates of Lacefield, in which the friends or associates were holding firearms belonging to Lacefield. All three of these persons were marijuana users, making it unlawful for them to possess firearms. When Lacefield was contacted by Lincoln Police Department officers, he admitted that one friend had handled his firearms but said he did not know the friend was prohibited from possessing a firearm. At that time, Lacefield failed to notify the officers that two other marijuana-using associates had also had Lacefield’s firearms in their possession.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff and Portage, Indiana, Mayor Indicted Separately on Public Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana David Capp announced today the return of two public corruption indictments; one naming Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and the other naming Portage Mayor James Snyder.
Buncich, his chief deputy, Timothy Downs, and William Szarmach were named in a multi-count indictment alleging a deprivation of honest services and receipt of illegal money in connection with towing contracts in Lake County.
Buncich is the Lake County Sheriff. Buncich earlier served as sheriff from 1994-2002, and was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2014. Pursuant to a Lake County ordinance, the sheriff has exclusive authority to determine what entity would do any towing as required by the sheriff’s department. Downs is the chief in the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the second person in command, having been appointed to that position by Buncich. Szarmach owns and operates CSA Towing, located at 2599 DeKalb Street, Lake Station, Indiana.
The indictment alleges that from February 2014 continuing into October 2016, Buncich, Downs and Szarmach devised a scheme to deprive the citizens of Lake County of their right to the honest services of the sheriff’s office. The scheme was designed to enrich Buncich personally and his campaign committee, known as Buncich Boosters. The indictment details a number of checks and cash payments, often collected by Downs, from Szarmach and an Individual A in exchange for Buncich awarding county towing business and towing in the city of Gary for ordinance violations. Individual A is the owner of a tow truck business who voluntarily came forward and cooperated with the United States during the course of this investigation.
Buncich is also charged individually with a violation of the federal bribery statute. Specifically, Buncich is alleged to have corruptly solicited, demanded and received over $25,000 in cash and $7000 in checks in exchange for favorable actions by Buncich regarding the towing contracts.
The second indictment names Portage Mayor James Snyder and John Cortina. Snyder was first elected as mayor in 2011 and was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2015. Cortina owns and operates a towing business, Kustom Auto Body, 5409 US Highway 6 in Portage.
Snyder and Cortina are both charged with a violation of the federal bribery statute. Snyder is alleged to have corruptly solicited and received two checks totaling $12,000 from Cortina and Individual A (same individual above), in exchange for a towing contract in the city of Portage, Indiana. Cortina is charged with corruptly offering those checks to Snyder.
Snyder is also charged with a second violation of the federal bribery statute. That count alleges that between Jan. 1, 2012 and Jan. 10, 2014, Snyder corruptly solicited and agreed to accept a bank check in the amount of $13,000 in connection with Portage Board of Works contracts, a Portage Redevelopment Commission project and other consideration.
The final charge against Snyder alleges obstruction of the internal revenue laws. This count sets forth an alleged scheme, undertaken by Snyder between January 2010 and April 2013, to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) collection of personal taxes he owed and payroll taxes owed by his mortgage business, First Financial Trust Mortgage LLC. Snyder is alleged to have diverted funds away from FFTM to a sole proprietorship he created and submitted three forms to the IRS which failed to disclose, among other things, the existence of the sole proprietorship and its bank account – all during a time when the IRS was attempting to collect the aforementioned tax debt.
“These investigations are not over,” said U.S. Attorney Capp. “Our public corruption team will continue its work, particularly into the towing contracts in both Lake and Porter counties.”
Anyone with information related to these public corruption charges is encouraged to call the FBI at 219-769-3719.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
These indictments were the result of an extensive, ongoing investigation conducted by the FBI and IRS, Criminal Investigation Division. Assistance was provided throughout by the Indiana State Police. These indictments will be handled in the U.S. Attorney’s Office by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Benson, Gary T. Bell and Jill R. Koster.
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and Portage Indiana Mayor James Snyder Indicted Separately on Public Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – United States Attorney David Capp announced today the return of two public corruption indictments; one naming Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and the other naming Portage Mayor James Snyder.
Buncich, his chief deputy Timothy Downs, and William Szarmach were named in a multi-count indictment alleging a deprivation of honest services and receipt of illegal money in connection with towing contracts in Lake County.
John Buncich is the Lake County Sheriff. Buncich earlier served as sheriff from 1994-2002, and was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2014. Pursuant to a Lake County ordinance, the sheriff has exclusive authority to determine what entity would do any towing as required by the sheriff’s department. Downs is the Chief in the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the second person in command, having been appointed to that position by Buncich. Szarmach owns and operates CSA Towing, located at 2599 DeKalb Street, Lake Station, Indiana.
The indictment alleges that from February 2014 continuing into October 2016, Buncich, Downs and Szarmach devised a scheme to deprive the citizens of Lake County of their right to the honest services of the sheriff’s office. The scheme was designed to enrich Buncich personally and his campaign committee, known as Buncich Boosters. The indictment details a number of checks and cash payments, often collected by Downs, from Szarmach and an Individual A in exchange for Buncich awarding county towing business and towing in the City of Gary for ordinance violations. Individual A is the owner of a tow truck business who voluntarily came forward and cooperated with the United States during the course of this investigation.
Buncich is also charged individually with a violation of the federal bribery statute. Specifically, Buncich is alleged to have corruptly solicited, demanded and received over $25,000 in cash and $7000 in checks in exchange for favorable actions by Buncich regarding the towing contracts.
The second indictment names Portage Mayor James Snyder and John Cortina. Snyder was first elected as mayor in 2011 and was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2015. Cortina owns and operates a towing business, Kustom Auto Body, 5409 US Highway 6 in Portage.
Snyder and Cortina are both charged with a violation of the federal bribery statute. Snyder is alleged to have corruptly solicited and received two checks totaling $12000 from Cortina and Individual A (same individual above), in exchange for a towing contract in the City of Portage. Cortina is charged with corruptly offering those checks to Snyder.
Snyder is also charged with a second violation of the federal bribery statute. That count alleges that between January 1, 2012 and January 10, 2014, Snyder corruptly solicited and agreed to accept a bank check in the amount of $13,000 in connection with Portage Board of Works contracts, a Portage Redevelopment Commission project and other consideration.
The final charge against Snyder alleges obstruction of the internal revenue laws. This count sets forth an alleged scheme, undertaken by Snyder between January 2010 and April 2013, to obstruct and impede the IRS’s collection of personal taxes he owed and payroll taxes owed by his mortgage business, First Financial Trust Mortgage, LLC. Snyder is alleged to have diverted funds away from FFTM to a sole proprietorship he created, and submitted three forms to the IRS which failed to disclose, among other things, the existence of the sole proprietorship and its bank account – all during a time when the IRS was attempting to collect the aforementioned tax debt.
United States Attorney Capp stated, “These investigations are not over. Our public corruption team will continue its work, particularly into the towing contracts in both Lake and Porter counties.”
Anyone with information related to these public corruption charges is encouraged to call the FBI at 219-769-3719.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
These indictments were the result of an extensive, ongoing investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. Assistance was provided throughout by the Indiana State Police. These indictments will be handled in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip C. Benson, Gary T. Bell and Jill R. Koster.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISILRead the Press Release
Mohammed Hamzah Khan, 21, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and 20 years supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization, by attempting to travel overseas to Syria to join ISIL.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon for the Northern District of Illinois and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office.
U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp Jr. imposed the 40-month prison term and ordered that it be followed by 20 years of intensive supervised release. Among the special terms of supervised release, Khan must participate in a mental health treatment program; consent at any time to a search by a probation officer or designated law enforcement official of his home, property and electronic communication devices in his possession and control; attend violent extremism counseling; and comply with the requirements of a computer monitoring program, which includes the installation of computer-monitoring software on all devices in Khan’s possession and control that are capable of accessing the Internet.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Khan agreed to fully and truthfully cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
Khan, a U.S. citizen from southwest suburban Bolingbrook, has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2014, at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. Khan pleaded guilty to these charges in 2015. According to his plea agreement, beginning no later than about February 2014, Khan used the internet to obtain introductions to ISIL members in Syria and to assist him with traveling there to join the terrorist group. Khan admitted to then speaking with ISIL members to coordinate the logistics of his admission into ISIL-controlled territory.
Khan further admitted in the plea agreement that he knew ISIL had been designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization. Khan intended to work in Syria under the direction and control of ISIL, and to be under the requirement to take any assignment ISIL gave him.
The case was investigated by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The Chicago JTTF is comprised of FBI special agents, the Chicago Police Department officers and representatives from an additional 20 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the Illinois State Police provided significant assistance in the investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Hiller, Angel Krull and Sean Driscoll of the Northern District of Illinois, and Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Ice Arrests 2 Ponce Area Men on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin authorized a criminal complaint against 34 year-old William Javier Vega-Valentín, and 26 year-old Carlos Manuel Borrero-Vélez, both residents of Aristides Chavier public housing project, charging them with child pornography and child exploitation crimes, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working jointly with the Puerto Rico Police Department’s (PRPD) Ponce Sexual Crimes Division, conducted the investigation that led to the arrests.
Vega-Valentín was charged with production of child pornography, while Borrero-Vélez was charged in a separate criminal complaint with attempted production of child pornography and sexual enticement of a minor. They were arrested at their respective residences during the execution of a federal search warrant by HSI special agents. According to the charging documents, Borrero-Vélez, a.k.a. “Carlito,” and Vega-Valentín made sexually explicit approaches to a 14-year-old minor identified as “MM” and requested sexually explicit images and videos from the minor. According to the Affidavit in Support of the Criminal Complaint, Vega-Valentín works as a sports youth leader at the Aristides Chavier public housing project.
“The sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals will not be tolerated. Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate and prosecute the abuse that these victims suffered at the hands of these offenders. The children of Puerto Rico deserve no less,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Child exploitation in all its forms is a very serious crime. HSI will continue investigating and arresting those who think they can victimize our children and get away with it,” said Ricardo Mayoral, special agent in charge of HSI. “These allegations are especially disturbing given the position of trust one of these defendants occupied. Identifying people who violate their positions of trust by contributing to the exploitation of children is a top priority for HSI. Anyone who targets children for sexual exploitation should also consider themselves a target by HSI and by our law enforcement partners regardless of who they are. We have an obligation to protect those most vulnerable in our society who cannot protect themselves.”
HSI encourages the public to call the toll free number 1-800-981-3030 or (787) 729-6969 to report any information that may lead to the identification and rescue of additional victims regarding this case.
Both men are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge McGiverin today for their initial appearances, after which they will be transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting their respective detention hearings.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Caraballo is prosecuting the case. If convicted defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ incarceration up to a maximum term of life in prison. A criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page. HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
Howes Man Indicted for Malicious MischiefRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Howes, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Malicious Mischief.
Lawrence Parker, III, age 25, was indicted on November 8, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on November 10, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on June 4, 2016, at Eagle Butte, Parker willfully and maliciously damaged the screen on an Automated Teller Machine.
The charge is merely an accusation and Parker is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Parker was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Hawaii Couple Sentenced for Tax Violations Resulting in Non-Payment of over $4 Million in TaxesRead the Press Release
HONOLULU -- United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson yesterday sentenced Calvin Kim, 55, and Chun Cha Kim, 64, husband and wife to 36 and 12 months in prison, respectively, for violations of federal tax laws. Calvin Kim pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States by dishonest and deceitful means for the purpose of impeding, impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful functions of the IRS in the assessment and collection of federal income taxes, while Chun Cha Kim pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay taxes for the years 1999-2012.
Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that Judge Watson also ordered Calvin Kim and Chun Cha Kim to pay restitution in the amounts of $1,969,463 and $1,937,267, respectively, which represent all back taxes and penalties. Criminal fines of $250,000 and $100,000 were also imposed on Calvin Kim and Chun Cha Kim, respectively. In addition, both defendants agreed to the imposition of a fraud assessment by the IRS, which may amount to an additional civil penalty of $3 million. According to information produced to the court, the Kims already have paid more than $4 million in back taxes and interest.
According to documents filed with the court, Mr. and Mrs. Kim operated two companies which sold heating pads and other products. In October 2000, they became followers of so-called "tax protestors" and decided not to file a valid tax return from then till May 2014. The court documents reflect that from 2005 to 2012 alone, the tax returns of the Kims’ businesses, of which they were then the sole shareholders, showed payments ranging from $418,238 to $971,983 for Calvin Kim for each year, and $271,564 to $1,000,562 for Chun Cha Kim, resulting in taxes owed for each of those years ranging from $133,009 to $325,375 for him and $83,828 to $335,378 for her.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The prosecution has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall Silverberg.
Gangster Disciple Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – An armed career criminal andmember of the Gangster Disciples has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Arthur Alford, aka "Snoop," 35, of Ripley, Tennessee, unlawfully possessed a firearm, ammunition and drugs during the summer of 2015.
In December 2014, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began working with local law enforcement officials in Lauderdale County to prosecute crimes committed by a group of individuals who were identified as members of street gangs.
As part of the investigation, on July 16, 2015, the agents executed a narcotics search warrant at the home of Alford, who they identified as a member of the Gangster Disciples. During the search, officers found $2,114 in drug proceeds, multiple grams of synthetic marijuana, packaging material, receipts, scales, drug ledgers, a loaded 9mm and a box of ammunition.
Alford has multiple felony convictions and is categorized as an armed career criminal.
In July 2016, Alford pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm.
On Wednesday, November 16, 2016, U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Alford to 180 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the 25th Judicial Drug Task Force.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Stringfellow prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Franklin Family Sentenced in Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that Paul Bouraxis (age 67), his wife, Freida Bouraxis (age 61), son, Andreas Bouraxis (age 40), and son-in-law, Reiad “Ray” Awadallah (age 45), were sentenced in federal court today for federal tax offenses.
Previously, Paul, Freida, and Andreas Bouraxis pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, by skimming cash from various restaurants they operated in the Milwaukee area, failing to report substantial income on their personal income tax returns, paying employees under the table in cash, and failing to pay federal payroll taxes on those cash wages. As part of this scheme the defendants skimmed more than $3 million form their businesses and underreported and underpaid federal income and payroll taxes by approximately $1.4 million. Paul Bouraxis also pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. Awadallah pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false federal return based on his failure to report cash he was paid under the table as a general manager of one of the Bouraxis’ restaurants.
Paul Bouraxis was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Andreas Bouraxis was sentenced to 1 year and one day in prison. Freida Bouraxis and Awadallah were each sentenced to three years of probation, during which they will spend 6 months in home confinement.
Paul, Freida, and Andreas Bouraxis were also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution, which will be collected from funds the IRS seized from the defendants’ businesses and safe deposit boxes. The defendants agreed to forfeit an additional $442,000 of the seized funds to the United States to settle a related civil forfeiture action.
Federal agents also seized gold and silver coins and bars, as well as jewelry, from the defendants’ business and Paul and Freida’s residence. Virtually all of these items will be sold and the proceeds paid to the IRS to cover penalties and interest on the taxes the defendants attempted to evade. Finally, Paul Bouraxis will assist in transferring funds held in a bank account in Greece to the IRS. Separately, Awadallah paid approximately $40,000 to the IRS for the taxes he underpaid, as well as penalties and interest.
“Those who willfully cheat the tax system unfairly shift the tax burden to honest American taxpayers who pay their fair share,” said Shea Jones, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s St. Paul Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to ensuring that those who to engage in illegal schemes to evade their income and payroll tax obligations are held accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jacobs.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig 414-297-1700
Fort Thompson Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Kyle Marks, age 32, was indicted on November 9, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 14, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between September 1, 2016, and October 12, 2016, Marks failed to register and update his registration as a sex offender.
The charge is merely an accusation and Marks is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Marks was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Fort Mill Resident Sentenced in Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
Contact Person: William Day (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Robert Eric Fockler, age 58, of Fort Mill, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for wire fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Curry sentenced Fockler to imprisonment for 37 months, 3 years supervised release, and ordered restitution of $263,457 be paid.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that from October 2008 to December 2013 Fockler defrauded Lexmark International, Inc.. While working at Lexmark as a customer service manager, Fockler created false invoices to make it appear the subcontractors had performed services for Lexmark. To hide the fact that Fockler was involved, he submitted the false invoices to a billing service operated by one of his friends who then submitted them to a corporation (Unigroup) that did business with Lexmark. Unigroup then submitted the invoices to Lexmark. Fockler also submitted false expense account claims to Lexmark for reimbursement by creating false hotel, restaurant, airline and other travel bills to falsely make it appear that he had incurred these expenses. Fockler’s fraudulent schemes caused Lexmark losses of more than $285,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Former Pike County Man Sentenced for False Bankruptcy DeclarationsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Wise, age 55, formerly of Tafton, Pennsylvania, currently residing in New York, NY, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton, to 2 years’ probation and 100 hours’ community service, for making false declarations in bankruptcy proceedings. Judge Munley also ordered Wise to pay a $30,000 fine.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Wise filed three Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions in the Middle District of Pennsylvania between August 14 and November 21, 2012. An indictment returned on October 14, 2015, alleged that Wise intentionally failed to reveal his ownership of a $2.4 million promissory note and that he was actively engaged in litigation over the note in New York. Under bankruptcy law, he was required to make those disclosures in his bankruptcy petitions.
On July 13, 2016, Wise pleaded guilty in a proceeding before Judge Munley. He admitted that he made false declarations in connection with the bankruptcy petition filed on November 21, 2012. He further admitted to making false sworn declarations during a January 14, 2013, creditors’ meeting. Wise’s bankruptcy petitions were eventually dismissed on March 13, 2013.
The case was investigated by the Scranton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel.
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Former Owner of Miami Based Pharmacy Convicted at Trial of $700,000 Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
The former owner of a Miami based retail pharmacy was convicted, following a three-day trial, for his participation in a scheme that involved the fraudulent submission of approximately $700,000 dollars in false billing to Medicare.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Shimon R. Richmond, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), made the announcement.
Andres Alfonso, 54, of Miami, was convicted of three substantive counts of health care fraud. Alfonso faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years in prison for each count of conviction. Alfonso is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2017, by United States District Judge James I. Cohn in Fort Lauderdale.
Evidence presented at trial showed that, for less than six months in 2014, Andres Alfonso owned a retail pharmacy called La Gloria Pharmacy, in Miami. During that time, Alfonso stole approximately $700,000 from Medicare Part D, by stealing the identities of doctors and Medicare beneficiaries and billing for prescription drugs he never purchased nor dispensed. The beneficiaries testified at trial that, although La Gloria Pharmacy had submitted claims for prescription drugs in their names, they had never heard of La Gloria Pharmacy, never received the drugs for which the pharmacy had submitted claims, and had never been treated by the doctor listed in the claim. The doctors testified that, although their names were listed as the prescribing physician in La Gloria Pharmacy’s claims submissions, they had never treated, nor prescribed medication for, any of those beneficiaries.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of HHS-OIG. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Perwin and James V. Hayes, in coordination with the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the Medicare Strike Force.
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.
Former Orange County Teacher in Sex Tourism Case Found Guilty of Traveling to Philippines to Molest Young Girls and Filming the AbuseRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A former teacher with the Santa Ana School District who traveled to the Philippines to engage in sex with two girls and produced videos of the abuse has been convicted in federal court of seven child exploitation offenses.
Robert Ruben Ornelas, 65, of Santa Ana, a onetime school teacher and girl’s softball coach, was found guilty yesterday afternoon of seven counts – two counts of engaging in sexual conduct in a foreign place, three counts of producing child pornography, and two counts of possessing child pornography.
As a result of the guilty verdicts, Ornelas faces a statutory maximum penalty of 190 years in federal prison when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney on February 27. At sentencing, Ornelas will face mandatory minimum 15-year prison terms for each of the three child pornography production charges.
The evidence presented during a six-day trial showed that Ornelas traveled to the Philippines on multiple occasions. He was convicted in relation to three specific trips – in 2006, 2008 and 2012 – where he sexually assaulted two girls who were as young as approximately 8. During all three trips, Ornelas took videos of the molestation and brought the images with him when he returned to the U.S.
The two victims travelled to the United States to testify during the trial about the sexual assaults.
“Pedophiles in the U.S. will not escape prosecution by traveling to foreign lands to victimize children,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “Federal law contains provisions designed to protect children, whether they live in the United States or abroad. This case serves as a lesson and warning to any other person considering trips to engage in sex with minors. American law enforcement is adept at investigating this crime and will pursue a criminal case that could lead to a very lengthy prison sentence.”
The investigation into Ornelas began in 2013 when federal authorities received a tip that he possessed a large quantity of child pornography. During the execution of a search warrant, investigators found images, videos and information on Ornelas’ computer and digital media.
The federal charges are the product of an investigation by the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Newport Beach Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“This conviction should serve as a warning to every sexual predator who mistakenly believes they can evade justice by violating the innocence of children overseas,” said Joseph Macias, special agent in charge of HSI Los Angeles. “There can be no place for the abuse of foreign children by our citizens, and HSI will seek to defend the rights of those victims no matter how far they live from our shores.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandy N. Leal and Anne C. Gannon of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Former Ohio Music Instructor Sentenced to 25 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Brian M. Sze, 36, of Seattle, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 25 years in prison for production of child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Marlon V. Miller, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs and members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
According to court documents, the investigation began in July 2015 after a tip was reported to ICAC, which indicated that Sze had engaged in sexually suggestive communications with a minor. The investigation revealed that Sze had also engaged in illicit sexual contact with a minor and caused recordings of the child engaged in sexual activity to be recorded.
“The defendant was a teacher, entrusted with the care of countless students,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Mr. Sze’s abusive sexual acts with a child may forever distort the child’s understanding of healthy sexual relationships and sentence the child to a potential lifetime of distrust, anger and shame. Today’s sentence is reflective of the life-long damage his actions have caused.”
Sze pleaded guilty in March to one count of production of child pornography.
The Franklin County ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency effort dedicated to the fight against computer facilitated crimes against children. The following agencies are members:
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Ohio ICAC
Grove City Police Department
Columbus Police Department
Grandview Heights Police Department
Westerville Police Department
Hilliard Police Department
Franklin County Prosecutor's Office
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Ohio Attorney General’s Office (BCI)
The Ohio State University Police Department
Upper Arlington Police Department
Circleville Police Department
Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the members of the ICAC Task Force for the cooperative investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Hill, who is representing the United States in this case.
Former Missouri Valley Resident Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Council Bluffs, IA- On November 17, 2016, Steven Robert Hill, a 33 year-old former Missouri Valley resident, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey, to 54 months in prison to be followed by fifteen years of supervised release for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.
Hill entered a guilty plea to the charge on June 9, 2016. The investigation began with a report of a domestic assault involving Hill as a victim. During the investigation, law enforcement learned Hill was in possession of child pornography. A search of Hill’s residence located data storage devices that contained child pornography images. Shortly after law enforcement obtained the images, Hill moved to the State of Washington.
This investigation was conducted by the Missouri Valley Police Department, the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force -- Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Former Madison County Deputy Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Lying Under Oath to Obstruct Investigation into BeatingRead the Press Release
HUNTSVILLE – A federal judge today sentenced former Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Watson to three years in prison for lying under oath with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.
U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Watson, 32, on the charge, which he pleaded guilty to in January.
According to his plea agreement, Watson, while off-duty, got into a bar fight with a handyman. Watson searched for the man over the next several weeks, and when he observed the man driving down the highway, Watson pulled him over and ordered him out of his truck. Watson proceeded to strike the man in the face, hit him with a baton and choke him until he was unconscious. At a criminal proceeding arising out of those charges, Watson knowingly and falsely claimed, under oath, that he had never seen the man before the traffic stop and that he had not gotten into a bar fight with the man.
“Watson lied under oath to obstruct an investigation into his allegedly flagrant abuse of power and violent assault,” Gupta said. “When officers deliberately try to impede rather than cooperate with federal investigations, their actions violate the law.”
“Although the vast majority of police officers perform their duties with integrity, Justin Watson did not, using his badge to interfere with an investigation into police misconduct,” Vance said. “Communities must be able to expect fair treatment from law enforcement. Watson violated the community’s trust and will now go to prison as a result.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Stuart Burrell and Trial Attorney Christopher J. Perras of the Criminal Section of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
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Former Doctor Sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to 18 Months in Prison for Selling Oxycodone PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), George N. Longworth, Commissioner of the Westchester County Police Department, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) announced that FREDERICK WEINTRAUB was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for illegally selling Oxycodone prescriptions for cash. WEINTRAUB was a podiatrist who wrote and sold multiple prescriptions for Oxycodone, an opiate and controlled substance. WEINTRUAB pled guilty on August 5, 2016, to one count of distributing an illegal controlled substance. He was sentenced today in White Plains federal court by U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Illegally diverted prescription opiates feed the vicious cycle of addiction and abuse that is devastating too many of our communities. As a doctor, Frederick Weintraub was supposed to care for the health of his patients, not help fuel the country’s most acute health crisis.”
Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said: “A doctor selling prescriptions for cash in a hotel parking lot is a drug dealer perpetuating one of America’s #1 health threats - opioid abuse. Through invaluable collaboration with members of the TDS and law enforcement partners, this opioid supplier is off the streets and faces 18 months in jail.”
Superintendent George P. Beach II said: “Oxycodone is a highly addictive, often abused medication. By illegally selling prescriptions for these painkillers, Frederick Weintraub put the community he served at risk. I applaud the hard work of the members involved in this investigation. Together we will continue the fight to keep drugs off our streets and to prevent prescription drug abuse.”
Commissioner George N. Longworth said: “The successful investigation into Frederick Weintraub is just the latest example of the great partnership that exists among federal, state, county, and local law enforcement in our region. The Westchester County Police remains firmly committed to continuing our participation in these joint task forces. They are a critical way to combat the distribution and sale of illegal narcotics in our communities.”
According to the Complaint and Information filed in White Plains federal court, as well as statements made in connection with the plea and sentencing proceedings:
Weintraub was a podiatrist whose medical license was permanently suspended in 2014. Following this suspension, Weintraub began illegally selling prescriptions for controlled substances in exchange for cash. Between November 2015 and January 2016, Weintraub sold at least seven prescriptions for Oxycodone, at prices ranging between $500 and $700 per prescription, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement. This individual made recordings of several purchases and provided the prescriptions he purchased to law enforcement. Each sale took place in Weintraub’s car, which was parked in the lot of a Rockland County hotel, and had no connection to any medical examination. During these sales, Weintraub negotiated prices and attempted to arrange a long-term relationship with the customer in which Weintraub would provide weekly Oxycodone prescriptions to the customer, who would then fill the prescriptions and resell the pills at a premium.
In addition to his prison term Weintraub, 65, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, was sentenced to two years of supervised release.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the NYPD, the New York State Police, Town of Orangetown Police Department, Rockland County Drug Task Force, Westchester County Police Department, and New York City Department of Investigation. In addition, Mr. Bharara thanked the Northvale Police Department and Town of New Windsor Police Department for their assistance on this investigation..
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Maurene Comey is in charge of the case.
Former Cheyenne Resident Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced today that former Cheyenne resident Scott Leslie Glover has been convicted in federal court. A jury found Glover guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after a three-day jury trial in the United States District Court in Cheyenne. Glover is scheduled to be sentenced on January 31, 2017.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Szott and Stuart S. Healy III, with the assistance of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Cheyenne office of IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Florida Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking in Connection with Human Trafficking Scheme Targeting Foreign University StudentsRead the Press Release
Defendant Used False and Fraudulent Promises to Recruit Foreign Students to Further a Prostitution and Erotic Massage Enterprise
Jeffrey Jason Cooper, 46, of Miami Beach, Florida, was convicted late yesterday on all 11 counts for organizing a scheme to lure foreign university students into the United States under false pretenses of legitimate summer jobs, only to advertise the students to customers of his prostitution and erotic massage enterprise.
Cooper was convicted of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking by fraud, wire fraud, importation of persons for prostitution or immoral purposes and use of a facility of interstate commerce to operate a prostitution enterprise. A jury in the Southern District of Florida returned the verdict after four days of trial.
According to evidence presented in court, Cooper recruited foreign students from Kazakhstan through the State Department’s J-1 Summer Work Travel Program, using false and fraudulent promises of clerical jobs in a fictitious yoga studio in order to bring the students into the United States. After the students arrived in Miami in May 2011, Cooper revealed that the yoga studio did not exist and that he expected the students to perform erotic massages and commercial sex acts as part of his prostitution and erotic massage enterprise. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the students were advertised to customers from June 2011 until they were recovered by law enforcement in August 2011.
“Jeffrey Cooper used deception to lure unsuspecting foreign university students across the globe, only to be exploited for the defendant's own personal profit,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to our international efforts to combat human trafficking - whether by fraud, force or otherwise.”
“Cooper preyed on students seeking to broaden their opportunities through an educational exchange program, using fraud and false promises to sell their bodies for his own profit,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As this case demonstrates, the Civil Rights Division will continue to work vigorously with our Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team partners to bring traffickers to justice and vindicate the rights of vulnerable victims.”
“This case is the perfect example of how victims can travel half way around the world in an effort to better themselves only to be defrauded and exploited sexually,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “HSI along with our federal and international law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to ensure that individuals like Cooper do not exploit educational work programs for their own profit.”
“Diplomatic Security is committed to using all of the tools at our disposal to prevent human trafficking,” said Director Bill A. Miller of the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Our global presence enables our agency to serve as a liaison between U.S. and foreign law enforcement counterparts assisting both in their efforts to stop those that would manipulate instruments of international travel in order to exploit international students in this way.”
Cooper faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $2,750,000 and an order to pay mandatory restitution to the victims. U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore of the Southern District of Florida will sentence Cooper on Feb. 16, 2017.
The case was investigated by HSI and DSS, with assistance from the Prosecutor General’s Office in Kazakhstan; the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Astana, Kazakhstan; the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Miami Dade Police Department and the North Bay Village, Florida, Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth M. Schlessinger of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Matthew T. Grady of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
The Southern District of Florida is one of six Phase I Pilot Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams (ACTeams) convened through an interagency collaboration of the Departments of Justice, Labor and Homeland Security to develop high-impact federal human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud and coercion.
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.
Florida Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking in Connection with Human Trafficking Scheme Targeting Foreign University StudentsRead the Press Release
Defendant Used False and Fraudulent Promises to Recruit Foreign Students to Further a Prostitution and Erotic Massage Enterprise
Jeffrey Jason Cooper, 46, of Miami Beach, Florida, was convicted late yesterday on all 11 counts for organizing a scheme to lure foreign university students into the United States under false pretenses of legitimate summer jobs, only to advertise the students to customers of his prostitution and erotic massage enterprise.
Cooper was convicted of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking by fraud, wire fraud, importation of persons for prostitution or immoral purposes and use of a facility of interstate commerce to operate a prostitution enterprise. A jury in the Southern District of Florida returned the verdict after four days of trial.
According to evidence presented in court, Cooper recruited foreign students from Kazakhstan through the State Department’s J-1 Summer Work Travel Program, using false and fraudulent promises of clerical jobs in a fictitious yoga studio in order to bring the students into the United States. After the students arrived in Miami in May 2011, Cooper revealed that the yoga studio did not exist and that he expected the students to perform erotic massages and commercial sex acts as part of his prostitution and erotic massage enterprise. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the students were advertised to customers from June 2011 until they were recovered by law enforcement in August 2011.
“Cooper preyed on students seeking to broaden their opportunities through an educational exchange program, using fraud and false promises to sell their bodies for his own profit,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As this case demonstrates, the Civil Rights Division will continue to work vigorously with our Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team partners to bring traffickers to justice and vindicate the rights of vulnerable victims.”
“Jeffrey Cooper used deception to lure unsuspecting foreign university students across the globe, only to be exploited for the defendant's own personal profit,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to our international efforts to combat human trafficking – whether by fraud, force or otherwise.”
“This case is the perfect example of how victims can travel half way around the world in an effort to better themselves only to be defrauded and exploited sexually,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “HSI along with our federal and international law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to ensure that individuals like Cooper do not exploit educational work programs for their own profit.”
“Diplomatic Security is committed to using all of the tools at our disposal to prevent human trafficking,” said Director Bill A. Miller of the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Our global presence enables our agency to serve as a liaison between U.S. and foreign law enforcement counterparts assisting both in their efforts to stop those that would manipulate instruments of international travel in order to exploit international students in this way.”
Cooper faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $2,750,000 and an order to pay mandatory restitution to the victims. U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore of the Southern District of Florida will sentence Cooper on Feb. 16, 2017.
The case was investigated by HSI and DSS, with assistance from the Prosecutor General’s Office in Kazakhstan; the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Astana, Kazakhstan; the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Miami Dade Police Department and the North Bay Village, Florida, Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth M. Schlessinger of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Matthew T. Grady of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
The Southern District of Florida is one of six Phase I Pilot Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams (ACTeams) convened through an interagency collaboration of the Departments of Justice, Labor and Homeland Security to develop high-impact federal human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud and coercion.Falmouth Doctor Convicted of Tax Evasion, Illegal Drug Distribution and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Contact: David B. Joyce
James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Dr. Joel A. Sabean, 69, of Falmouth, Maine, was found guilty today following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court of five counts of tax evasion, 52 counts of drug distribution for other than legitimate purposes, and one count of health care fraud. He was indicted on October 20, 2015.
According to court records, between January 2008 and December 2013, the defendant sent over $2.3 million to a relative who resided in Florida and had her fabricate and send him phony medical bills so that he could write off about $3 million in medical expenses on his 2008 through 2012 income tax returns. From 2007 through 2014, the defendant also wrote invalid prescriptions for the relative, in her name and the names of others, for controlled and non-controlled drugs, some of which were illegally reimbursed by the defendant’s insurance company that did not cover the relative. These prescriptions were invalid because, among other things, they were issued to a close family member who was not a patient without a medical examination.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine on the tax charges, up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the drug charges, and up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the health care fraud charges. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Portsmouth (NH) Tactical Diversion Squad.
Elizabeth City Woman Sentenced for Cocaine and Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that in federal court on November 10, 2016, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced SHIRITA MARIE JAMES, 37, from Elizabeth City, NC, to 135 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana. JAMES pled guilty to the charge on July 19, 2016.
On June 20, 2011, JAMES, her husband, Shawn Christopher Elliott, and her brother, William Thomas James, were arrested by the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration when they attempted to buy 1 kilogram and 100 pounds of marijuana for $106,000 from a confidential informant. On November 10, 2015, members of the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested JAMES in Lewiston-Woodville, NC, when she was delivering 498 grams of cocaine to a co-conspirator. The investigation revealed that between June 20, 2011, and November 10, 2016, JAMES was responsible for conspiring to distribute approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of marijuana.
Elliott and William James were sentenced in 2013. Elliott received 70 months in prison followed by 8 years of supervised release. William James received 71 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The federal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry. Mr. Perry is a prosecutor with the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office. Pitt County District Attorney Kimberly Robb has assigned Mr. Perry to the United States Attorney’s Office, pursuant to funding provided by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters.
Eleven Indicted in Trans-National Methamphetamine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Eleven men have been indicted in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering ring operating between Massachusetts and California.
Eleven men from Massachusetts and California were indicted on offenses including conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments:
- Jesse Gillis, 31, of Boston;
- James Giannetta, 61, of Quincy;
- Christopher Halfond, 35, of Carlsbad, Calif.;
- Matthew Metz, 41, of Boston;
- Steven Beadles, 58, of Chelsea;
- Russell Ormiston, 50, of Chelsea;
- Jorge Grandon, 47, of Boston;
- Mario Castro, 48, of Boston;
- Jeffrey Carlo, 28, of Dorchester;
- Bruce Reisman, 57, of Boston; and
- Daniel Ponce, 38, of Boston.
The indictment alleges that beginning in at least 2013 and continuing to November 2016, Gillis, Giannetta, and their co-defendants participated in a conspiracy to transport significant quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego, Calif., to Massachusetts, where it was distributed in the greater Boston area. Proceeds from the sale of that methamphetamine were then transported and/or transferred back to California and laundered in various ways.
The charges of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine each provide for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. The charges of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved, whichever is greater. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Reading, Watertown, Quincy, Chelsea, Braintree, Peabody, Waltham, and Woburn Police Departments; and Connecticut State Police assisted with the investigation. Karen Beausey of Ortiz’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Eagle Butte Man Indicted for Burglary and LarcenyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Third Degree Burglary and Larceny.
Daniel LeBeau, age 30, was indicted on November 8, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on November 11, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for the Burglary is up to 10 years in custody, and is 5 years for the Larceny. Each offense carries a maximum fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The indictment alleges that between June 2, 2016, and June 13, 2016, at Eagle Butte, LeBeau unlawfully entered or remained in an unoccupied structure and after doing so, took or carried away the personal property of another.
The charges are merely accusations and LeBeau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
LeBeau was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
District Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Sexual Attack Against Woman in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Juwaun Evans, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison on charges involving a home invasion and sexual assault at an apartment building in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Evans pled guilty in September 2016, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count each of attempted first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree burglary. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a prison term of eight years. The Honorable Michael Ryan accepted the plea today and sentenced Evans accordingly. Upon completion of his prison term, Evans will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. Evans also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
During the plea proceedings, Evans admitted that on the afternoon of Aug. 17, 2014, he encountered the victim near her apartment building in the 3900 block of Georgia Avenue NW. Evans, whom the victim did not know and had never met, followed her into the building and to her floor. There, he forced his way into her apartment against her will, overcoming her as she attempted to stop him from entering. Evans admitted that he threatened the victim, sexually assaulted her, and then fled the apartment.
Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified Evans as the suspect and an arrest warrant was issued on Feb. 23, 2016. As part of his plea, Evans admitted to sexually assaulting the victim and forcing his way into her apartment against her will.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson and Paralegal Specialist D’Yvonne Key. Finally, he acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Park and John Timmer, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Sexual Attacks Against Women in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Darius Nelson, 28, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 40-year prison term on charges involving a series of sexual assaults in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Peter Newsham, Interim, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Nelson pled guilty in September 2016, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to three counts of first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a prison term of 40 years, to run consecutively to the 22-year sentence that Nelson is currently serving for other sexual assault convictions. The Honorable José M. López accepted the plea today and sentenced Nelson accordingly. Upon completion of his prison term, Nelson will be placed on supervised release for the rest of his life. He also must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
In the earlier case, Nelson pled guilty in 2014 to sexually assaulting two women in separate attacks in Southeast Washington in October of 2013. In this case, in September, he pled guilty to assaulting three other women in separate incidents in 2012 and 2013.
In his guilty plea in this case, Nelson admitted that late in the evening on April 11, 2012, he was walking with the first victim when he put her into a chokehold and dragged her to the rear of a residence in the 1600 block of 21st Place SE. He threw her to the ground, punched her in the face, and sexually assaulted her. After the sexual assault, he again physically assaulted her.
Nelson further admitted that in the early morning hours of Aug. 18, 2012, the second victim was walking on Minnesota Avenue SE, near Pennsylvania Avenue, when he started a conversation with her. During that conversation, Nelson hit her in the face and put what he told the victim was a knife to her back. He then forced her to the rear of a gas station where he sexually assaulted her. Afterward, he ordered her to stay on the ground and not get up, and he fled.
Finally, Nelson admitted that late in the evening on Sept. 18, 2013, he grabbed the third victim from behind in a chokehold and forced her into an alley in the rear of the 2200 block of Nicholson Street SE. In the alley, he robbed her, then pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. When finished, he told her to stay down and remain still, and he fled the scene.
The victims were all taken to Washington Hospital Center, where they each received a sexual assault examination. Swabs taken from two of the victims during their examinations were sent to Bode Technology for DNA testing. A male DNA profile found on the swabs was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a web of state and national databases containing DNA profiles from convicted offenders and crime scenes that is used as an investigative tool. Nelson was identified as a suspect through a CODIS search and DNA “cold hit.” His DNA profile had been loaded into the CODIS database following his 2014 convictions for sexually assaulting the other two women. During an interview with detectives from the MPD’s Sexual Assault Unit in November 2014, Nelson admitted to committing his crimes against the three women in the case that led to the plea today.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Interim Chief Newsham commended the work of the detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson and Paralegal Specialists Tierra Nanches, Angelina Slagle, and Wanda Trice. Finally, they acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julianne Johnston, Jodi Lazarus, and Lindsay Suttenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Detroit Man Charged with Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
A 67 year-old Detroit man was taken into custody after a criminal complaint was filed in federal court charging him with sex trafficking, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department.
Richard Knider Jackson was charged in the complaint.
The criminal complaint alleges that on November 17, 2016, a 911 call was placed to the Detroit Police Department regarding a home on South Electric Street in Southwest Detroit. When police arrived, they found a woman who reported that Jackson had forced her and four others—2 adults and 2 juveniles—to prostitute from the home. She said that Jackson provided all of them with drugs, and that he was violent with them. Police also found a large black steel gate and lock on the stairs to the upstairs of the residence. The other two adult victims were present in the home when police arrived, but the juveniles had escaped through a bathroom window earlier in the day. They have not been recovered, and their whereabouts are unknown.
Jackson made his initial appearance this afternoon in federal court and was temporarily detained until his bond hearing on Monday, November 21 at 1pm.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The FBI is currently looking for the two juveniles who had escaped from the house. Anyone with information about the juveniles, or with information about Jackson’s sex trafficking operation, is asked to contact the FBI at (313) 965-2323
Dallas Man Sentenced to 240 months in Federal Prison for Role in Conspiracy to Transport, or Assist in Transporting, a Substance Represented to be Cocaine on Flights from DFW Airport as part of an Undercover Law Enforcement OperationRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A Dallas-area man who admitted to his role in transporting a substance that was represented to be cocaine on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) was sentenced today to a lengthy federal prison sentence, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Funaki Falahola, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 240 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in May 2016 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least five kilograms or more of cocaine. Falahola has been in custody since mid-July 2015 following a law enforcement operation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dallas Police Department and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, in which numerous defendants were arrested on drug distribution conspiracy and related charges outlined in a federal superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Dallas the previous month.
That superseding indictment charged Funaki Falahola and three others, Moniteveti Katoa, 53, Molitoni Katoa, 34, and Janelle Isaacs, 42, with the cocaine distribution conspiracy offense. All four defendants pleaded guilty to the offense. In September 2016, Moniteveti Katoa was sentenced to 188 months and Molitoni Katoa was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison. Janelle Isaacs is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2016. The statutory penalty for the offense is not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a $10 million fine.
Funaki Falahola told undercover officers he had family members that could transport controlled substances via commercial airline. Funaki Falahola introduced Moniteveti Katoa to agents as his Uncle and family leader. Molitoni Katoa was also introduced as Falahola’s cousin and a person that could smuggle controlled substances into the DFW airport through his job at the cargo area at the DFW airport. Moniteveti Katoa’s wife, Janelle Isaacs, worked for American Airlines.
According to documents filed in the case, the four used their positions of employment at DFW, or contacted a person or persons who had a position or positions of employment at DFW, to bypass security in order to transport kilogram quantities of a substance that was represented to be cocaine, in what they did not know was an undercover law enforcement operation. As part of the conspiracy, that ran from approximately April 18, 2013, through July 14, 2015, the substance that was represented to be cocaine was transported on commercial airlines flying from DFW to destinations in Las Vegas, Nevada; Newark, New Jersey; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois; Wichita Kansas; and San Francisco, California.
Falahola introduced Moniteveti Katoa to the undercover officer who was interested in smuggling cocaine from DFW Airport. He noted that Moniteveti Katoa had worked for American Airlines for 25 years and was a leader in the Tongan community. Falahola advised the undercover officers that they could transport the cocaine to major U.S. cities as well as to Hawaii and New Zealand. Moniteveti Katoa advised the undercover officer that he was willing to fly to locations in advance of smuggling the cocaine to conduct security checks. In fact, from September 2013 through May 2015, Moniteveti Katoa smuggled what he thought was cocaine on at least six flights from DFW Airport to Las Vegas, Newark, Chicago, Wichita, San Francisco, and Tempe, Arizona. Falahola was with Moniteveti Katoa on the Las Vegas trip.
In June 2013, Falahola and other defendants provided security in a drug protection arrangement for the sale of 20 kilograms of cocaine in Dallas. Falahola was paid $2800 for his protection services, and he paid the others out of this money.
The FBI, Dallas Police Department and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety; the DFW Department of Public Safety; the U.S. Department of State; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Transportation Security Administration; the U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Fort Worth, McKinney, Mesquite, and Plano Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal is in charge of the prosecution.
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D.C. Heroin Dealer Sentenced for DistributionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Anthony Taylor, 59, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Taylor pleaded guilty on August 12. According to court documents, Taylor was a member of a crew that distributed heroin in and around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The leader of the crew was Taylor’s cousin, Allen Christopher Morton, who has pleaded guilty to federal gun and drug charges. When customers drove to Morton’s residence in Washington, D.C., Taylor would walk outside, deliver heroin to the customers who were typically waiting in their vehicles and collect drug proceeds on Morton’s behalf. Taylor worked for Morton delivering heroin for approximately two-and-a-half years. During that time period, Taylor and his co-conspirators distributed between 700 grams and 1 kilogram of heroin.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washing5ton Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Tyler McGaughey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-171.
Correctional Officer and Two Others Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy at Eastern Correctional InstitutionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Correctional Officer Rachelle Hankerson, age 26, of Salisbury, Maryland; Ramel Chase, age 34, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Miguel Matos, age 46, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, pleaded guilty this week to racketeering conspiracy operating at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland. Hankerson also pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law for participating in the stabbing of an inmate.
The guilty pleas 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, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Secretary Stephen T. Moyer of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to their plea agreements and court documents, the Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) is the largest state prison in Maryland, operating since 1987 near Westover, in Somerset County, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. During the conspiracy, Hankerson was a Correctional Officer (CO) at ECI, Chase was an inmate, and Matos was the father of an inmate at ECI.
Hankerson admitted that she accepted payments from facilitators and inmates to smuggle contraband into ECI, including narcotics, cell phones and tobacco. Hankerson charged at least $500 per package of contraband she smuggled into ECI. Hankerson also admitted that she approached a co-defendant who was a member of the Bloods gang at ECI for whom she smuggled contraband, and asked the inmate to confront inmate D.S., with whom Hankerson had had a verbal dispute. Hankerson twice allowed her co-defendant onto the tier where D.S. was housed. The second time that the co-defendant entered D.S.’s cell he violently attacked D.S., stabbing him multiple times. Another inmate told Hankerson about the violent confrontation, but rather than notifying prison authorities, Hankerson left the area. She later told an inmate to provide a false story to prison authorities that Hankerson had not been on the tier when the attack occurred.
Chase admitted that he bribed and attempted to bribe COs to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, into ECI. Chase managed a contraband smuggling and distribution network involving co-defendants and others. Matos admitted that he facilitated his son’s contraband smuggling in ECI by obtaining narcotics and other contraband and transferring it to co-conspirators who smuggled it into the facility. In addition, Matos performed financial transactions in furtherance of the smuggling.
Law enforcement intercepted multiple calls in which Hankerson, Chase, Matos and others working with them discussed contraband, arranging meetings with correctional officers, and payment for contraband. In calls between Matos and his son, investigators overheard them discussing COs who smuggled contraband into ECI for them. Matos was also overheard discussing the packaging and delivery of contraband with a supplier.
The defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. Hankerson also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law for her participation in the stabbing of an inmate. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for Matos on February 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.; for Hankerson on March 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.; and for Chase on January 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
The U.S. Attorney expressed appreciation to Secretary Moyer whose staff initiated the ECI investigation and who has made the full resources of the DPSCS available to assist the three-year investigation. U.S. Attorney Rosenstein also recognized the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force which has brought together federal, state and local agencies in meetings to generate reforms in prison procedures and facilitate joint investigations of prison corruption and prison gangs. Mr. Rosenstein thanked the members of the Maryland Prison Task Force and the and other agencies who assisted in this investigation and prosecution.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Baltimore Police Department and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise, Robert R. Harding, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Conspirators Plead Guilty to Defrauding Columbia Health Care ProvidersRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Winston Holliday (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Timothy Weldon Arthur, age 39, of Columbia, and Danielle Nicole Burroughs, age 35, of Duncan, entered guilty pleas in federal court in Columbia on Wednesday to Conspiracy, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence them at a later date. Gary Lee Joiner, age 56, of Columbia, pled guilty to the same offense on September 29, 2016.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Joiner was the Director of Orthopedic Services for Moore Orthopedic Clinic between 2006 and 2015. In 2010, when Moore Orthopedic merged with Providence Hospital, Joiner established a fake durable medical equipment (DME) company, Creative Casting Concepts (CCC). He then proceeded to submit false invoices to Moore and Providence, representing that CCC was providing orthopedic boots, when they were not. Burroughs was recruited by Joiner to put her name on CCC in order to keep Moore Orthopedic from learning of Joiner’s connection. She helped manage a bank account and post office box and received approximately $191,000 in compensation over five years. Arthur took Joiner’s position at Moore Orthopedic in January 2015, when Joiner retired. Arthur agreed to continue to submit fake invoices. He received approximately $24,000 in compensation before the scheme was discovered in June 2015. Overall, Joiner submitted $2.8 million in bogus invoices between 2011 and 2015.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for Conspiracy is imprisonment for twenty years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr. of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Citizen of Honduras Sentenced on Illegal Reentry ChargeRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA – A citizen of Honduras, who has been removed from the United States or voluntarily returned to Mexico at least five times previously, was sentenced today in Federal Court for the illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported, United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced.
Elmer Navarro-Navarro, 37, a citizen of Honduras, previously pled guilty to one count of reentering the United States after being previously being removed due to a conviction for an aggravated felony. Today in District Court, Navarro-Navarro was sentenced to a twelve-month term of imprisonment.
“We will continue to work with our partners to enforcement our immigration laws,” United States Attorney Fishwick Jr. said today. “Ensuring that those who have been justly removed from the United States do not return is paramount to keeping our country safe.”
According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant United States Attorney C. Patrick Hogeboom III and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kari Munro, Navarro-Navarro came to the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being arrested for malicious wounding in Roanoke City. Navarro-Navarro was removed from the United States on five prior occasions.
Investigation of the case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Roanoke City Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney C. Patrick Hogeboom III and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kari Munro prosecuted the case for the United States.
Chief Financial Officer and Manager Plead Guilty and Another Manager Sentenced in $31 Million Fraudulent Debt Collection SchemeRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MAURICE SESSUM, the co-owner, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of a Buffalo, New York-based debt collection company (the “Company”), pled guilty yesterday before Judge Katherine Polk Failla to orchestrating a scheme to coerce thousands of victims across the country, through false threats and representations, into paying a total of more than $31 million to the Company to resolve debts these victims purportedly owed. In addition, earlier today before Judge Faila, JIMMY STOKES, a Company manager, pled guilty, and TACOBY THOMAS, another Company manager, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for their respective roles in the scheme. All 14 defendants who were charged for their participation in this fraud have now pled guilty.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Now that all of the 14 defendants behind the largest debt collection scheme ever prosecuted have admitted their guilt, the process of restitution to the thousands of victims across the country can begin. Thanks to the dedicated work of our Office’s criminal investigators and the Federal Trade Commission, this so-called ‘business’ is no longer able to victimize consumers.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made during the plea proceedings and THOMAS’s sentencing proceeding:
Between 2010 and February 2015, SESSUM was the co-owner, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of the Company. In that capacity, SESSUM, together with his co-defendant and co-owner, Travell Thomas, oversaw four debt collection offices operated by the Company in Buffalo and a team of managers and debt collectors. As part of the scheme, SESSUM and Travell Thomas falsely inflated the balances of debts owed by consumers in the Company’s debt collection software so that debt collectors could collect more money from the victims than the victims actually owed.
SESSUM approved debt collection scripts that contained a variety of misrepresentations and instructed his collectors to make those misrepresentations to consumers over the telephone. The Company’s debt collectors, in turn, attempted to trick and coerce thousands of victims throughout the United States into paying millions of dollars in consumer debts through a variety of false statements and false threats. Among other things, STOKES misrepresented to victims that he would have a bench warrant issued for their arrest, would contact the “county” to initiate legal proceedings, and was not calling from a collection agency. Among other things, THOMAS misrepresented to victims that he was a “process server” from “U.S. Couriers” with “legal documents” to serve on victims, that victims had committed “check fraud,” and that THOMAS was calling from an “arbitration firm.”
In total, from about January 2010 through November 2014, the Company collected over $31 million from thousands of victims across the United States. Of the money that the Company took in from victims, approximately $1.5 million was paid in cash to SESSUM and Travell Thomas, approximately $1.4 million was withdrawn from banks and ATMs, and tens of thousands of dollars were used to pay for SESSUM’s personal expenses.
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SESSUM, 40, of Buffalo, New York, and STOKES, 39, of Charlotte, North Carolina, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. SESSUM is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Failla on March 1, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. STOKES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Failla on May 18, 2017.
In addition to his prison term, THOMAS, 34, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $896,605.03.
In total, 14 individuals associated with the Company have pled guilty to defrauding consumers as part of this debt collection scheme. In addition to SESSUM, STOKES, and THOMAS, co-owner and chief executive officer Travell Thomas, former Company mangers Heather Gasta, Mark Lavin, and John Salatino, and debt collectors Jessica Mann, Charles Starks, William Clark, Anthony Caba, Columbus Simmons, Michael Calandra, and Jennifer Sherk, each pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Starks, Clark, Calandra, and Mann were sentenced by Judge Failla to prison terms of 37 months, 30 months, 15 months, and one year and one day, respectively. The sentencing of the other defendants who have pled guilty is pending.
Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the Office’s Criminal Investigators and he thanked the Federal Trade Commission for its assistance in the case.
The prosecution of this case is being overseen by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward A. Imperatore, Jennifer L. Beidel, and Jordan L. Estes are in charge of the prosecution.
Chicago Restaurateur Sentenced to a Year and a Day in Federal Prison for Failing to Pay Taxes on More Than $9.8 Million in Cash ReceiptsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The owner of several Chinese restaurants in the Chicago area was sentenced today to a year and a day in federal prison for withholding taxes by underreporting receipts paid in cash.
HU XIAOJUN, also known as “Tony Hu,” owns and operates several restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs, including the eateries operating under the Lao Sze Chuan brand. From January 2010 to September 2014, Hu intentionally withheld sales taxes from the Illinois Department of Revenue and the city of Chicago for receipts that customers paid in cash. Hu deposited the unreported cash into his personal bank account and used the money to pay personal expenses.
All told, Hu hid more than $1 million in taxes from state and local government from more than $9.8 million in cash sales.
Hu, 49, of Chicago, pleaded guilty in May to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve also fined Hu $100,000.
“Business leaders like the defendant owe a special obligation to abide by our tax laws and pay their fair share,” Assistant U.S. Attorney William Ridgway argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “When they fraudulently hide income it erodes the public’s trust in the tax system.”
The charges were announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and James D. Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
The government is represented by Mr. Ridgway.
Chapman Man Sentenced to 2½ Years for Illegally Possessing HandgunRead the Press Release
Contact: James M. Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Frank Lavway, 66, of Chapman, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. to 2½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also fined $7,500. Lavway pleaded guilty on August 18, 2015.
Court records reveal that on September 13, 2014, a Maine State Trooper encountered the defendant at his Chapman residence carrying a loaded Derringer handgun in his pocket. The defendant was prohibited from possessing the handgun because he had a 2009 Maine felony drug conviction.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Woodcock found that Lavway used the handgun in connection with maintaining a drug-involved premises where bath salts had been distributed.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Maine State Police.
Businessman Sentenced for Offering Millions to DoD Procurement OfficialRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Razak A. Dosunmu, 61, of Washington, D.C, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for offering bribes to a procurement official with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), while negotiating aviation fuel contracts worth over $1 billion.
Dosunmu was found guilty by a federal jury on August 18. According to court documents, Dosunmu was the owner and operator of United Globe Auto Body, LLC, a classic cars restoration and auto repair shop and international trade and business development company located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Beginning in mid-2014, on behalf of United Globe, Dosunmu solicited government contracts with DLA-Energy. DLA-Energy is responsible for the procurement of large volumes of aviation and marine diesel fuel for the military services. In May 2015, investigators received an allegation that Dosunmu, while negotiating for a supply contract with DLA-Energy, offered to buy a procurement official a house in exchange for awarding the contract to United Globe.
According to court documents, the procurement official cooperated with the investigation and over a six-month period recorded several conversations during which Dosunmu pursued two separate contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including one to provide the aviation fuel needed by military forces in the Middle East. The recordings, documents, and the testimony of several witnesses confirmed the existence of the original offer and revealed that the defendant offered multi-million dollar payments for official acts by the procurement officer. In addition to offering a house, $2 million in cash, and percentage points on future contracts, Dosunmu explicitly discussed how to conceal the illicit relationship and payments.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Robert E. Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Hanly and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Sullivan prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-54.
Buffalo Man Sentenced for Selling Drugs That Were Smuggled into the Attica Correctional FacilityRead 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 Jerome Tallington, 28, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and conspiracy to commit such offenses, was sentenced to 21 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who handled the case, stated that the defendant sold heroin and marijuana to Elizabeth Camue Martinez. Between September 2013 and December 2013, Martinez then smuggled gram quantities of heroin and ounces of marijuana into the Attica Correctional Facility and provided it to her husband, Andres Martinez, who was at that time incarcerated in the facility. Mrs. Martinez did so knowing that her husband was, in turn, distributing the heroin and marijuana to other inmates.
Elizabeth Camue Martinez and her husband Andres Martinez have also been convicted and sentenced to 34 and 45 months in prison respectively.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Office, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli, the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Major Wayne C. Olson, the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard, the Wyoming Country District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Donald O’Geen, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Anthony Annucci.Brewer Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ronald Boersma, 38, of Brewer, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possession of child pornography.
According to court records, in February of 2016, law enforcement, using a peer-to-peer file sharing program, downloaded files containing images of child pornography from the defendant’s home computer. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for the defendant’s residence where a forensic examination of the defendant’s computer revealed additional images of child pornography. On the day the search warrant was executed, the defendant was interviewed and admitted that he had searched for and downloaded sexually explicit images via the internet and that his specific interest was in females between 8 and 10 years of age.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the U.S. Secret Service.
Bolingbrook Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISILRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Bolingbrook man was sentenced today to 40 months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for attempting to travel overseas to join a foreign terrorist organization in Syria.
MOHAMMED HAMZAH KHAN, 21, pleaded guilty last year to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The organization is identified in a written plea agreement as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”).
U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp Jr. imposed the 40-month prison term and ordered that it be followed by 20 years of intensive supervised release. Among the special terms of supervised release, Khan must participate in a mental health treatment program; consent at any time to a search by a probation officer or designated law enforcement official of his home, property and electronic communication devices in his possession and control; attend violent extremism counseling; and comply with the requirements of a computer monitoring program, which includes the installation of computer-monitoring software on all devices in Khan’s possession and control that are capable of accessing the Internet.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Khan agreed to fully and truthfully cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
The sentencing was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Mary B. McCord, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Khan, a U.S. citizen from southwest suburban Bolingbrook, has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2014, at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. According to his plea agreement, beginning no later than approximately February 2014, Khan used the Internet to obtain introductions to ISIL members in Syria and to assist him with traveling there to join the terrorist group. Khan admitted speaking with ISIL members to coordinate the logistics of his admission into ISIL-controlled territory, the plea agreement states.
Khan further admitted in the plea agreement that he knew ISIL had been designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. Khan intended to work in Syria under the direction and control of ISIL, and be required to take any assignment ISIL gave him.
The case was investigated by the Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of FBI special agents, Chicago Police Department officers, and representatives from an additional 20 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Illinois State Police provided significant assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Hiller, Angel Krull and Sean Driscoll; and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.