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Friday 26 August 2016
Cleveland, Virginia Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA – A Russell County man, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous criminal convictions, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon after previously pleading guilty to federal firearms charges, United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced.
Roger Allen Combs, 51, of Cleveland, Virginia, previously pled guilty to one count of possession of an explosive device by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a firearm not registered on the National Firearms Registry and Transfer Record and one count of being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm. Today in District Court, Combs was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.
“The first crucial step in making our communities safer is getting illegal guns out of the hands of prohibited users and off the streets,” United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. said today. “We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to find these illegal guns and get them off the streets.”
According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Russell County Commonwealth’s Attorney and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Patton, Combs, who has several prior criminal convictions, was observed by law enforcement coming in and out of a storage unit in Russell County with a bag. Law Enforcement officers executed a traffic stop on a vehicle Combs was traveling in and found a firearm. Based on that evidence, officers obtained a search warrant for the storage unit where they found several guns, parts of guns, ammunition and a blasting cap.
The investigation of the case was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Russell County Commonwealth’s Attorney and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Patton prosecuted the case for the United States.
Chicago Man Charged with Federal Weapons Violation for Allegedly Selling Handguns and Ammunition out of His HomeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Chicago man was charged with a federal weapons violation for allegedly selling handguns and ammunition out of his home in the North Lawndale neighborhood.
JYMIL CAMPBELL, 29, sold three pistols, five magazines and ammunition out of his home in the 2100 block of South Millard Avenue, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. One of the magazines was an extended-capacity magazine, the complaint states. Unbeknownst to Campbell, the buyer was working as a confidential informant for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and had surreptitiously videotaped the transactions, according to the complaint.
Campbell was arrested yesterday in Chicago. The complaint charges him with one count of dealing firearms without a license. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary M. Rowland ordered him detained during an initial appearance this morning in federal court. A detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.
The complaint states that two of the alleged gun sales were held in March, while a third sale was completed in May. Per Campbell’s instructions, the informant paid a total of $2,300 for the weapons, the complaint states.
The complaint was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffery Magee, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the ATF.
The charge of dealing firearms without a license carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Devlin N. Su.
Complaint
California Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— A California man, with ties to Miami, Oklahoma, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Claire V. Eagan to serve 210 months in prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Matthew Thomas Chaffin, 32, pleaded guilty on May 16, 2016, after being indicted by a Grand Jury on January 8, 2015.
According to admissions made at the change of plea hearing, Chaffin, also known by his rap music alter-ego, “King Fobia,” coerced a six-year-old to perform sexual acts upon him in a hotel room in Miami, Oklahoma, and filmed the abuse with his cell phone. Chaffin’s crime was discovered after a resident of Northeastern Oklahoma later came across Chaffin’s abandoned cell phone and reported finding suspected child pornography on the phone to law enforcement.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) was the investigating agency. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Hofland and Jeffrey A. Gallant prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
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Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Mailing Threatening Letters to Federal and State CourthousesRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that BRIAN CAVALIER, age 34, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been sentenced to serve ninety-two (92) months in federal prison, as a result of his convictions for making threats by mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e). Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson ordered the sentence to run consecutive to criminal sentences that CAVALIER may also face as a result of unrelated criminal conduct charged in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish and the 23rd Judicial District Court in Ascension Parish. Following his release from prison, CAVALIER will be also required to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
CAVALIER previously admitted that on November 1, 2013, he mailed a threatening letter to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in which he falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the federal courthouse and that the bomb was set to detonate within twenty-four (24) hours. CAVALIER had also placed a small amount of a white powdery substance inside the letter’s envelope, and the letter falsely stated that anyone who inhaled the powder would die a “painful death” within 24 hours. CAVALIER’S letter also falsely stated that there were “shooters” outside the federal courthouse and that anyone who attempted to exit the courthouse would be “shot to death.”
CAVALIER also admitted that approximately one month later, on or about December 2, 2013, he mailed a second threatening letter, this time to the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge, which also falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the state courthouse and that the bomb would soon detonate. The defendant also falsely represented that there were armed men with “high power guns” watching the building and that they would kill people inside the building, too. This second letter also contained a small amount of suspicious white powder, wrapped in plastic. At the time CAVALIER sent both letters, he was in state custody in the Avoyelles Detention Center, in Cottonport, Louisiana, on unrelated charges.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “Today’s sentence should send a strong message that terroristic threats to the judiciary and others working in the criminal justice system will be dealt with severely. The defendant’s conduct had a direct impact on hard-working men and women in government who, in the fall of 2013, were just trying to do their jobs and serve the public. The defendant’s conduct also needlessly diverted first responders and other precious resources away from the legitimate needs of our community. I appreciate the hard work of the FBI, BRPD, EBRSO, and the Baton Rouge Fire Department, in bringing this defendant to justice, and I appreciate the work of all of the first responders who are called out to potentially-dangerous situations each and every day.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working in close coordination with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan A. Stevens, who serves as a Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
BGF Member Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Kimberly McIntosh, age 47, of Baltimore today to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes; and Chief William Henry of U.S. Probation.
On August 23, 2011, McIntosh pleaded guilty to participating in the affairs of a racketeering enterprise, specifically the Black Guerilla Family (BGF). As part of her plea, McIntosh admitted that one of the purposes of BGF was to support incarcerated members of the gang, either through smuggling contraband, or providing monetary support. She was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On February 12, 2014, McIntosh was released from prison and began her term of supervised release.
According to her plea agreement, in June 2015, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Investigative Unit contacted McIntosh’s probation officer to report that she had sent over $4,000 to 36 different inmates, including several of the co-defendants from her BGF case. The continued contact with felons was a violation of the conditions of her supervised release and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Based on the information provided by BOP, law enforcement believed McIntosh was still involved in BGF and obtained a search warrant for her residence. On October 20, 2015, McIntosh was arrested as she left her residence and the search warrant was executed. Law enforcement recovered three bags containing a hard brown substance, later determined to be 11 grams of heroin, approximately 70 gelatin capsules of heroin packaged for street level sale, cutting agents and other drug paraphernalia, from McIntosh’s bedroom. In addition, law enforcement recovered hundreds of letters, photographs and correspondence between McIntosh and inmates at state and federal correctional facilities that were written or received by McIntosh during her period of supervised release.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA,U.S. Marshal Service and U.S. Probation for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Wallner, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl Named Prosecutor of the Year by Texas Narcotic Officers AssociationRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl was named Prosecutor of the Year during the Texas Narcotic Officers Association (TNOA) 2016 Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, this week, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
TNOA President Tommy Hale presented the award to AUSA Meitl on Wednesday evening at the organization’s awards banquet. The TNOA, established in 1970, is dedicated to providing high quality training for law enforcement professionals. Its membership, not exclusive to narcotic officers, includes local, state and federal peace officers, reserve officers, prosecutors, law enforcement personal and other national and international associates.
“This award from the Texas Narcotic Officers Association is true recognition of P.J.’s dedication to making our communities safer by aggressively prosecuting drug trafficking, fraud, violent crime and public corruption cases,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “His work ethic and drive on behalf of the United States are unparalleled; P.J. is indeed an exemplary representative of our office and the Department of Justice and truly deserving of this recognition. Thank you to the TNOA for the great work of its members in fighting crime and for recognizing AUSA Meitl.”
AUSA Meitl has been a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Dallas headquarters office of the Northern District of Texas since January 2013. AUSA Meitl received his undergraduate degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara in 2001. He obtained his law degree and Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University in May 2006. Prior to becoming an AUSA, he worked in private practice at a major law firm in Washington, D.C.
AUSA Meitl has a proven track record of working hand-in-hand with local, state and federal authorities to rid communities of dangerous criminals. While AUSA Meitl currently works in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) section of the Criminal Division where he prosecutes complex drug trafficking organizations, he carries a diverse caseload that includes all types of cases, such as complex fraud, violent crime and public corruption, and he is recognized as one of the District’s “go to” prosecutors. Just in the past year, AUSA Meitl has prosecuted more than 120 defendants from cases brought by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other law enforcement agencies.
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Akron man in custody in connection with Huntington heroin overdosesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man is in federal custody in connection with a rash of heroin overdoses earlier this month in Huntington, United States Attorney Carol A. Casto and Huntington Chief of Police Joe Ciccarelli announced today. Bruce Lamar Griggs, 22, was arrested in Ohio and is being held on the basis of a federal criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of West Virginia, which charges Griggs with distribution of heroin.
According to an affidavit submitted in support of the criminal complaint by Huntington Police Department (“HPD”) Sgt. Paul Hunter, the investigation of Griggs began August 15, 2016, when the HPD responded to a large number of heroin overdoses in a short period of time in the area of St. Louis Avenue and Marcum Terrace. The affidavit states that one of the overdose victims identified the seller of the heroin as Griggs and that numerous others provided corroborating information linking the heroin to Griggs. The affidavit also states that surveillance video shows a person matching Griggs’ description engaging in activity indicative of hand-to-hand drug distribution in the Marcum Terrace area shortly before the overdoses began. A copy of the complaint and a redacted version of the affidavit, which are publicly available, are attached to this release.
Griggs was arrested by officers of the Tallmadge, Ohio police department and made an initial appearance yesterday before a United States magistrate judge in the Northern District of Ohio. He will be transported back to West Virginia to face the criminal charge against him.
The case is being investigated by the HPD and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
NOTE: The criminal complaint in this case is only an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court proceeding.
Complaint
Redacted Affidavit
Thursday 25 August 2016
Wyoming Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Robert Wayne Vawdrey, 53, of Robertson, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on August 22, 2016, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Vawdrey was arrested in Evanston, Wyoming. He received 15 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 fine and a $100.00 special assessment. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Wichita Man Charged in Federal Court with Kidnapping St. Louis TeenRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. - A Wichita man was charged Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Wichita with kidnapping a teenage girl from St. Louis, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Johnny Angel Vallejo, 49, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of kidnapping a minor born in 1999, and one count of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activities.
An affidavit filed in the case alleges the investigation began Aug. 19 when the Kansas Highway Patrol was notified that a teenager had been taken from the St. Louis area and the kidnapper was traveling south on the Kansas Turnpike. Investigators tracked the teenager’s phone to Wichita. They interviewed Vallejo at his residence in the 1200 block of South Washington, but did not find the teenager.
Later, the KHP responded to a call about a distraught teenager. They found the victim at the Bionic Burger restaurant at 3257 E. Harry. They learned Vallejo had first contacted the teenager on Facebook and had traveled to St. Louis to visit the teenager. On Aug. 19, Vallejo picked up the teenager at school. Vallejo made threats and forced the teenager to accompany him to Kansas.
If convicted, Vallejo faces up to life in federal prison on the kidnapping charge, and not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the transportation charge. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Waterbury Store Operators Charged with Food Stamp FraudRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TALLAT MAHMOOD, 63, of Waterbury, RAUL CARLOS MONARCA, 40, of Waterbury, and TAHIR SHAHZAD, 32 of Harrison, N.Y., have been arrested on criminal complaints charging them with federal food stamp fraud and illegally trafficking in food stamp benefits at a retail food store in Waterbury. MAHMOOD and MONARCA were arrested by federal law enforcement agents on August 18 and SHAHZAD surrendered to authorities yesterday afternoon.
The federal food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP), is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and utilizes federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households to provide them with the opportunity to achieve a more nutritious diet by increasing their food-purchasing power. SNAP recipients purchase eligible food items at retail food stores through the use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and SNAP benefits may be accepted by authorized retailers only in exchange for eligible items. Items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, paper goods and soaps are not eligible for purchase with food stamp benefits, and it is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the food stamp program to allow benefits to be used to purchase ineligible items. SNAP benefits may not lawfully be exchanged for cash under any circumstances. The program is designed so that the total amount of each purchase is electronically transferred to the retailer’s designated bank account.
According to the criminal complaints, MAHMOOD, MONARCA and SHAHZAD worked at WB Trade Fair Grocery, located at 43 Willow Street in Waterbury. From November 2014 until June 2016, MAHMOOD, MONARCA and SHAHZAD illegally allowed customers to redeem their food stamp benefits for cash and other ineligible items, including cigarettes, glass pipes, bongs and hookahs. The store operators often charged a premium for these illegal transactions.
According to the complaints, given the stock of eligible food items at the store, the number of registers, and the customer amenities, it is estimated that WB Trade Fair Grocery could lawfully redeem at most between $120,000 to $240,000 per year in food stamp benefits. However, during this approximately 18-month period, food stamp redemptions at the store totaled approximately $3.2 million.
Following their arrests, MAHMOOD, MONARCA and SHAHZAD appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven. MAHMOOD and SHAHZAD were ordered to surrender their passports and were released on bond. MONARCA was ordered detained.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000 and full restitution to the government.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and Neeraj N. Patel.
United States Postal Service Employee Charged with Theft of MailRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a U.S. Postal Service employee for stealing gift cards from the mail, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Special Agent in Charge Maximo Eamiguel, Southern Area Field Office, United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges TERRILL CHATMAN, 48, of Birmingham, with theft of mail by a Postal Service employee in September and October of 2015. According to the indictment, Terrill Chatman stole a $50 Publix gift card from the mail in Birmingham in September 2015, and the next month stole a $10 Walmart gift card.
The maximum penalty for theft of mail by a Postal Service employee is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis Barlow is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service Warn of Jury Duty Phone ScamRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Twice this week a criminal impersonated a U.S. Marshal and threatened senior citizens, announced U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr., and U.S. Marshal Thomas Hession, both of the Middle District of Alabama. The basics of the scam are simple: the criminal contacts the victim, tells the victim that he or she has missed federal jury duty, and demands the victim pay a fine to avoid being arrested.
To make the scheme believable, the scammer provides the victim with factual information such as the title and badge number of a law enforcement officer or court official, the name of a federal judge, and the courthouse address. Scammers are even using technology to mask their phone number on caller ID and make it appear as if the call is actually coming from the court or a government agency. This tactic is called “spoofing” and has become very common with scammers nationwide. In some cases, the scammer may carry the scheme out via email with an official looking email address.
The U.S. Marshals have received several calls inquiring about this scheme over the past few days and are advising the public that this is a scam. If you receive a jury duty related call or email, do not provide any personal information or send money. The Federal Courts do not call or email prospective jurors or ask for money or personal information and they never serve an arrest warrant by phone. Real, valid arrest warrants are always served in person. The court also does not demand the payment of money in lieu of arrest, nor does it accept payment via prepaid card.
Anyone that receives a “Jury Duty Scam” phone call or email should report it right away to their local United States Marshals Service office, or the local FBI office. If available, please have the caller ID or email address information of the scammer when you call. Here, in Montgomery, the public can report the scam to the U.S. Marshals at (334) 223-3094.
Two men sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men, one from Detroit and one from Barbour County, were sentenced for their role in the distribution of heroin, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Jeffrey Motley, 25, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced to 46 months in prison today for distributing heroin. Motley pled guilty in March 2016 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.”
Craig Coffee, 48, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for distributing heroin. Coffee pled guilty in March 2016 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin.”
Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Two Men Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on August 24, a grand jury in Harrisburg indicted two men on charges of possessing and conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges Delfin Ricardo-Hechevarria, 55, Albany, NY, and Jorge Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 59, Reading, PA, with possessing methamphetamine and with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine on July 3, 2016 in Cumberland County. Both men were arrested when a search of their vehicle incident to a traffic stop led to the seizure of methamphetamine. Both defendants are in custody.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The maximum penalty under federal law on each charge is life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Nevada Standoff CaseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Two of the 19 defendants charged in the Nevada criminal case involving the armed standoff over Cliven Bundy’s trespassing cattle, pleaded guilty today to felony charges before Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.
“Federal law enforcement officers must be able to engage in their official duties, including executing federal court orders, without fear of assault or losing their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “Persons who impede and interfere with the official duties of these law enforcement officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Gerald A. DeLemus, 61, of Rochester, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and one count of interstate travel in aid of extortion.
Blaine Cooper, 36, of Humboldt, Ariz., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and one count of assault on a federal officer.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1. DeLemus faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy count, up to 20 years in prison on the extortion count, and fines of up to $250,000 on each count. Cooper faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy count, up to 20 years in prison on the assault count, and fines of up to $250,000 on each count.
DeLemus and Cooper are the first of 19 defendants charged in the case to plead guilty. The remaining 17 defendants, including Cliven D. Bundy, Ryan C. Bundy, and Ammon E. Bundy, are scheduled for trial beginning in February 2017.
Beginning on about March 28, 2014, federal law enforcement officers from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) were attempting to execute federal court orders authorizing them to remove and impound Cliven Bundy’s cattle that were trespassing on federal public lands in and around Bunkerville, Nev. Bundy had trespassed on the public lands for over 20 years, refusing to obtain the legally-required permits or pay the required fees to keep and graze his cattle on the land. In an effort to prevent the federal law enforcement officers from removing the cattle, the defendants are alleged to have recruited and organized followers to use armed force against them, and on April 12, 2014, the defendants led a massive armed assault against the officers in order to extort them into abandoning the cattle that they had gathered.
DeLemus’ plea agreement states that he learned of Cliven Bundy and placed a telephone call from New Hampshire to Cliven Bundy in Nevada on or about April 8, 2014. During that call, DeLemus understood Bundy to tell him that federal officers had guns and that Bundy needed “bodies.” DeLemus agreed to assist Bundy. Shortly thereafter, DeLemus gathered multiple firearms and gunmen, and they traveled from New Hampshire to Nevada. DeLemus arrived in Bunkerville on or about April 13, 2014, after the cattle had been forcibly obtained by Bundy and his conspirators. For weeks thereafter, DeLemus provided personal security for Bundy and other conspirators, organized and led other gunmen in conducting patrols and manning security checkpoints, called for others to travel to Bunkerville, and displayed firearms and made public statements to show and threaten force. DeLemus admitted that when he traveled to Nevada, he joined a conspiracy to display force and aggression in order to influence, impede or interfere with the duties of federal law enforcement officers.
Cooper’s plea agreement states that he knew that Cliven Bundy and his sons and others planned to thwart, impede and interfere with the impoundment operations, and that he knowingly agreed to participate in the plan by recruiting others to join the conspiracy and encouraging and inciting others to confront and interfere with federal law enforcement officers and by providing protection for Cliven Bundy. Cooper knew other members of the conspiracy used and carried firearms and planned to use and carry them to display force and aggression against law enforcement officers. Cooper admitted that on April 12, 2014, at least one member of the conspiracy assaulted federal law enforcement officers by brandishing a firearm during the impoundment operations in order to intimidate and instill fear in the officers.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and BLM. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven W. Myhre and Nicholas D. Dickinson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadia J. Ahmed and Erin M. Creegan.
Trade Show Manager Sentenced to Prison for $376K Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 14 months incarceration and $376,603 in restitution on his conviction of mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence yesterday on Anthony Allen Aubrey, 50 of White Oak, PA.
According to the information presented to the court, the court was advised that Aubrey was a trade show manager for Phillips Home Healthcare Solutions responsible for setting up venues and hiring vendors for everything from carpentry to food. He had a good working relationship with Carpenter Connection (CC) and at Aubrey’s request CC would pay vendors and individuals on behalf of PHHS who could not be easily paid through the PHHS system due to timing and administrative issues. In turn CC would be reimbursed by PHHS. Aubrey developed a relationship with Melissa Dougherty and hired her to assist with some of the trade shows. However, the relationship became romantic and Aubrey began to request additional payments for her for services she did not perform or had already been paid for. He created and/or inflated Dougherty’s invoices on his company laptop to support the fraudulent payments. He asked CC by email to issue checks to her and have them overnighted by FedEx. One of those checks forms the basis for Count One. When an audit revealed discrepancies and Aubrey was questioned, he admitted what he had done and cooperated fully. The loss to PHHS was $376,603.
Assistant United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Postal Inspection Service for the investigating leading to the successful prosecution of Anthony Allen Aubrey.
Topeka Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced Thursday to 35 years in federal prison for drug trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Faustino Soto, 43, Topeka, Kan., was convicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances.
Prosecutors told the court that during an investigation that began in the fall of 2013 Soto was identified as a multi-pound supplier of methamphetamine to a trafficking organization that was operating in Franklin, Shawnee, Anderson, and Douglas counties in Kansas. When investigators served a search warrant at Soto’s residence in the 100 block of SE Rice Road in Topeka they recovered methamphetamine, firearms, and more than $17,000 in cash.
In sentencing Soto, the judge took into account evidence that Soto obstructed justice by intimidating three witnesses prior to trial.
Beall commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania for their work on the case.
Three more defendants plead guilty for roles in California-to-West Virginia drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
Los Angeles father and son each face up to 40 years; Mexican national faces up to 5 years
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three defendants pleaded guilty today for their roles in a California-to-West Virginia methamphetamine conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Rafael Garcia Serrato, 45, and Cesar Garcia, 20, a father and son from Los Angeles, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Marco Antonio Bojorquez-Rojas, 21, a Mexican national residing in California, pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime.
Serrato and Garcia admitted that in March 2016, they, along with other codefendants, arranged to transport five pounds of methamphetamine from California to West Virginia. Serrato and Garcia further admitted that they packed a vehicle with the drugs. Serrato and Garcia also admitted that they maintained telephone contact with the vehicle as it traveled to West Virginia to keep apprised of the progress of the drug delivery. Garcia admitted that on March 25, 2016, he flew from Los Angeles to Huntington to collect money for the drugs being delivered to West Virginia. On March 26, 2016, law enforcement stopped the vehicle transporting the methamphetamine in South Charleston and recovered the drugs.
Bojorquez-Rojas admitted that in January 2016, he traveled with some of his codefendants to Charleston from California to collect money for methamphetamine that had been delivered to West Virginia. On January 11, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a hotel room where Bojorquez-Rojas and some his codefendants, including Serrato and Garcia, were staying and recovered a bag containing $12,000 cash. Bojorquez-Rojas also admitted that this cash was payment for a portion of the methamphetamine that had been delivered to West Virginia. Bojorquez-Rojas additionally admitted that in March 2016, he traveled from California to Huntington to collect money for methamphetamine that had been driven to Huntington by codefendants Kelly Newcomb and Cara Linn Monasmith. Shortly after the arrival of Bojorquez-Rojas in Huntington on March 19, 2016, law enforcement arrested him and three of his codefendants in a Huntington hotel room.
Serrato and Garcia face at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on December 6, 2016. Bojorquez-Rojas faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on December 7, 2016.
This prosecution is the result of a multi-agency investigation that led to an eight-count indictment implicating 14 defendants, including Serrato, Garcia, and Bojorquez-Rojas. All of their codefendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. As part of this conspiracy, Daniel Ortiz-Rivera, a Mexican national, and Velarian Sylvester Carter, of Beckley, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Ortiz-Rivera is scheduled to be sentenced on October 11, 2016. Carter is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2016. Additionally, three women who were used as mules to transport methamphetamine, Danielle Dessaray Estrada, of Los Angeles, Kelly Newcomb, of Nevada, and Cara Linn Monasmith, also of Nevada, pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime. Estrada and Newcomb are scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2016. Monasmith is scheduled to be sentenced on November 8, 2016.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
Southbridge Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Assault Rifle and Pistol PartsRead the Press Release
Boston – A Southbridge, Mass., man was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Worcester in connection with illegally shipping hundreds of firearm parts to people in 20 countries, including France, Finland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and Germany.
David L. Maricola, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 33 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit 30 firearms and more than 1,000 firearm components. In April 2016, Maricola pleaded guilty to a 32-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, illegally exporting defense articles, making false statements on customs forms, and money laundering.
In 2015, Maricola and Arto Laatikanien, a 32-year old Finnish citizen, were indicted in connection with illegally exporting hundreds of assault rifle and firearm components, including parts for M16, M4, AR-15 assault rifles, Glock pistols, and UZI submachine guns.Between November 2010 and March 2012, Maricola shipped more than $100,000 worth of firearm components to Laatikainen in Finland though the U.S. Postal Service.After receiving the parts, Laatikainen sold them to criminal organizations in Finland, including the Cannonballs Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.Numerous firearm parts Maricola illegally exported to Laatikanien were used in two gang shootings in Finland.During one of the shootings that occurred on December 31, 2012, one person was killed and another seriously wounded.
At the plea hearing, Maricola admitted to illegally exporting and conspiring to illegally export hundreds of firearm parts overseas using the Postal Service, lying on customs declaration forms about the contents and value of the articles he was sending, and money laundering. Maricola acknowledged that he had obtained many of the parts he illegally exported overseas from Gunbroker.com, and instructed his customers to send money to him using Paypal. Additionally, Maricola admitted that he repeatedly falsely described gun parts on customs forms as merely being “AIRSOFT” or replica firearms rather than being for actual, lethal guns. On numerous occasions, Maricola also falsely described AR-15 assault rifles parts as “aluminum sculptures.”
Laatikanien remains in Finland as Finland does not extradite its own nationals.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Craig Rupert, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; and Michael S. Imbrogna, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided substantial assistance during the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Stephanie Siegmann of Ortiz’s National Security Unit.
South Paris Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Andrew Bean, 51, of South Paris, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after being convicted of four felony offenses. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2016.
According to court records, on November 21, 2015, a Maine Game Warden discovered Bean in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun in the Paris, Maine area. Bean was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior felony convictions for Operating Under the Influence and for Operating after Revocation in 2002 and, again, in 2006.
The case was investigated by the Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Sixteen Defendants Charged in Criminal Complaints Alleging Broad-Ranging Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A total of sixteen defendants have been named thus far in a federal criminal complaint alleging a broad-ranging criminal conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs in both the Eastern and Northern Districts of California, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. The complaint, unsealed today, and related documents filed in the Eastern District of California allege that the following defendants participated in the conspiracy:
- Oscar Vladimir Escalante, aka “Cuddy,” aka “Hoggy”
- Melina Patricia Escalante
- Claudia Munoz
- Jorge Gomez, aka “George”
- Alfredo Guadalupe Ortiz, aka “Pep”
- David Vigil aka “Chepp,” aka “Carlos”
- Julian Marc Reayoung, aka “Marcus”
- Christian Victor Vanleer, aka “Buggy,” aka “Buggy B”
- Michael Anthony Vicochea, aka “Mikey,” aka "Money Mike"
- Ignacio Gonzalez, aka “Pelon”
- Daniel Medina-Garay;
- Adam Mustafa Abdelwahhab
- Louis Ramirez, aka “Louie”
- Joel Salcedo
- Sean Constantine Chin, aka “Miami”
- James Hinkle, aka “Big Jim”
According to the complaint, the defendants all were part of a conspiracy whose objective was to distribute large quantities of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription pills. The conspirators also maintained marijuana grow houses in San Francisco, Oakland, Antioch, Discovery Bay, Tracy, and Delano, California.
According to the complaint, Oscar Escalente orchestrated many aspects of the alleged conspiracy, including working with an armorer to modify firearms so as to make them fully automatic for use in furtherance of the conspiracy. The complaint also describes the various roles that the defendants allegedly played in the conspiracy. The allegations set out the following:
- Melina Escalante, Oscar’s wife, assisted him in laundering the proceeds of his drug business;
- Claudia Munoz, Oscar’s girlfriend, managed utilities and rental of real property for the grow houses;
- Jorge Gomez managed a number of the grow houses;
- David Vigil managed cultivation in a grow house and supplied methamphetamine;
- Alfredo Ortiz assisted in the operations at four grow houses;
- Julian Reayoung distributed heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana;
- Christian Vanleer distributed heroin, cocaine, and alprazolam;
- Michael Vicochea operated a grow house and distributed methamphetamine;
- Ignacio Gonzalez managed a grow house and collected money from people who received drugs;
- Daniel Medina-Garay distributed heroin and functioned as a street-level dealer;
- Adam Abdelwahhab modified firearms to make them fully automatic and then supplied them to the conspirators;
- Louis Ramirez assisted in growing and distributing marijuana and concentrated cannabis;
- Joel Salcedo supplied heroin and methamphetamine to Oscar Escalante and Michael Vicochea;
- Sean Chin was involved with at least one marijuana grow; and
- James Hinkle assisted with growing and transporting marijuana plants.
All the defendants were charged with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, alprazolam, and 100 or more marijuana plants, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; and illegal use of a communication facility, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). In addition, Oscar Escalante, Vicochea, Abdelwahhab, and Salcedo were charged with possession of a machine gun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o); and Oscar and Melina Escalante, Munoz, Reayoung, and Vicochea were charged with money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846 is 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5,000,000; the maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b) is 4 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000; the maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) is 10 years; and the maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) is 20 years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yesterday, the DEA made 17 arrests and searched at least 14 locations in coordinated activity. The defendants are scheduled to make the following appearances for detention hearings:
Defendant
Next appearance before
U.S. Magistrate Judge*
David Vigil
8/26/2016
James Hinkle
8/29/2016
Oscar Escalante
8/31/2016
Melina Escalante
8/29/2016
Claudia Munoz
8/29/2016
Jorge Gomez
8/30/2016
Alfredo Ortiz
8/30/2016
Julian Reayoung
Not yet scheduled
Christian Vanleer
8/26/2016
Michael Vicochea
8/31/2016
Ignacio Gonzalez
8/30/2016
Daniel Medina-Garay
8/30/2016
Adam Abdelwahhab
8/31/2016
Louis Ramirez
8/29/2016
Joel Salcedo
9/6/2016
Sean Chin
8/29/2016
* All appearances will be made before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis Westmore except Vigil and Hinkle who will appear before U.S,. Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone, in Sacramento and Salcedo who will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu in San Jose.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Special assistance was provided by the San Ramon Police Department with additional assistance from the Marin County Sheriff and the Oakland Police Department.
Sex Trafficking Operation Results in ArrestsRead the Press Release
PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley, United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler, Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris, and Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom announce that the Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations have conducted investigations into sex trafficking in Rapid City.
“It is important that we protect our children with law enforcement operations that focus on removing sexual predators from our streets. Our operations continue to protect children and send a message that South Dakota is off-limits to anyone seeking to harm our children,” said Jackley.
“Despite the intense publicity and focus on human trafficking these past few years, these undercover operations serve as a somber reminder that some people will throw caution to the wind and succumb to their perverted instincts,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler. “I’m proud of the joint collaboration displayed by law enforcement and our united efforts to bring sex traffickers to justice.”
The investigation resulted in the following felony arrests for sex crimes:
Marshall Brown, 26, Ellsworth AFB, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b)) and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor (18 USC 1470)
Duane Hosek, 61, Rapid City, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b)) and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor (18 USC 1470)
Ryan Kammerer, 26, Box Elder, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b))
Brendan Leiter, 24, Elkhart, IN, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b))
Noah Schottenstein, 27, Rapid City, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b))
Andries Snyman, 42, Isabel, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b))
Cody Two Lance, 33, Rapid City, SD, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b)) and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor (18 USC 1470)
Joel Zupnik, 51, Ft. Collins, CO, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b))
The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years in prison, up to life. Hosek, Two Lance, and Brown, could face an additional 10 years in prison if convicted of the Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.
All these individuals are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.
The Attorney General’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Sturgis Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations for their efforts and continued cooperation.
Seven people indicted for conspiracy to traffic cocaine in East LiverpoolRead the Press Release
Seven people were named in a 79-count indictment for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic crack and powder cocaine in and around East Liverpool, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Indicted are: Brady Carmichael, 26, of Columbus; Bryan Carmichael, 27, of Columbus; Guy Dorsey, 54, of Wellsville; Katie Riley, 26; Jacqueline Riley, 30; Phyllis Chamberlain, 55, and Allana Baker, 30, all of East Liverpool.
It was part of the conspiracy that the Carmichaels and Katie Riley transported cocaine from the Columbus area to East Liverpool between June and July 2016. The Carmichaels and Riley would then convert the cocaine into crack cocaine for redistribution around the East Liverpool area, according to the indictment.
The Carmichaels and Katie Riley supplied crack cocaine to Baker, Chamberlain and Dorsey for redistribution around the East Liverpool area. The defendants used cellular telephones, code words and phrases to facilitate their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Columbiana County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Serial Bank Robber, Arrested as a Result of a Crime Stopper’s Tip, is Sentenced to 125 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A Dallas man, Joshua Sefnathn Chavez, 24, who admitted robbing or attempting to rob five banks in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex during the first two weeks of September 2015, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 125 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Chavez pleaded guilty in March 2016 to five counts of bank robbery. He admitted entering each of the following five banks with the intent to commit bank robbery. In most of the robberies, he acted similarly, handing a teller a bank bag and note, indicating it was a robbery, and indicating he had a gun. In all but the bank robbery in North Richland Hills, the teller complied, giving Chavez cash.
September 1, 2015 Chase Bank, 11611 Preston Road, Dallas
September 3, 2015 First Convenience Bank, 752 Wynnewood Village Shopping Center, Dallas
September 3, 2015 Bank of Texas, 3200 Heritage Trace Parkway, Fort Worth
September 9, 2015 Wells Fargo Bank, 6700 Iron Horse Boulevard, North Richland Hills
September 10, 2015 Comerica Bank, 2121 Maple-Routh Connection, Dallas
The Dallas Police Department issued a press release to the local media and to social media asking for the public’s help in identifying the bank robber. Crime Stopper’s received a tip identifying Chavez as the suspect.
The FBI and the Dallas Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson prosecuted.
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Serial Armed Robber Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Michael Toliver, age 40, of Baltimore, today to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for a series of armed robberies. Judge Hollander also entered an order requiring Toliver to pay restitution totaling $13,577.17.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from May 17 to June 4, 2014, Toliver and others robbed commercial businesses located in Baltimore, Baltimore County and Howard County at gunpoint. In several of the robberies co-defendant Marcus Gray stood at the door and acted as the lookout, while Toliver pointed a gun at employees and demanded money. Toliver admitted to robbing the following stores in Maryland:
Exxon gas station, Forest Rd., Columbia, on May 17;
Burger King, Rolling Mills Road, Dundalk, on May 17;
Bob Evans, Wholesale Club Dr., Nottingham, on May 19;
Safeway Food Stores, Harford Rd., Baltimore, on May 23;
Dunkin Donuts, Reisterstown Rd., Baltimore on May 23;
Sprint, Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, on May 24;
Royal Farms, Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, on May 31;
BP gas station, Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, on May 31;
Royal Farms, Southwick Dr., Baltimore, on May 31; and
Royal Farms, Edmondson Ave., Baltimore, on June 4.During the Dunkin Donuts robbery on May 23, 2014, Toliver struck the manager in the head with a handgun, causing injury. During the Sprint store and BP gas station robberies, Toliver fired his gun into the floor or ceiling, when the managers of each store did not open the store’s safe.
Law enforcement reviewed video recordings of the robberies and identified Toliver as one of the robbers. On June 4, 2014, law enforcement arrested Toliver and executed a search warrant on his car. They seized a handgun and ammunition, along with a BB gun, a SWAT vest and gloves. Gray was arrested the following day. Law enforcement executed additional search warrants and seized from Toliver’s residence another handgun, ammunition, $3,780 in coins or cash, and clothing worn by Toliver during several robberies. Subsequent investigation revealed that the gun seized from Toliver’s vehicle was the gun fired during the BP Gas station robbery.
Marcus Gray, age 42, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in several of the robberies and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore City Police Department, Howard County Police Department and Baltimore County, City and Howard County State’s Attorney=s Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Debra L. Dwyer, who prosecuted the case.
Russian Cyber-Criminal Convicted of 38 Counts Related to Hacking Businesses and Stealing More Than Two Million Credit Card NumbersRead the Press Release
Hacking Scheme Defrauded Banks of More Than $169 Million
A federal jury today convicted a Vladivostok, Russia, man of 38 counts related to his scheme to hack into point-of-sale computers to steal and sell credit card numbers to the criminal underworld, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington.
Roman Valerevich Seleznev, aka Track2, 32, was convicted after an eight-day trial of 10 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, nine counts of obtaining information from a protected computer, nine counts of possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices and two counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones of the Western District of Washington scheduled sentencing for Dec. 2, 2016.
According to testimony at trial and court documents, between October 2009 and October 2013, Seleznev hacked into retail point-of-sale systems and installed malicious software (malware) to steal credit card numbers from various businesses from a server he operated in Russia. Many of the businesses were small businesses, some of which were restaurants in Western Washington, including the Broadway Grill in Seattle, which was forced into bankruptcy following the cyber assault.
Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the malware would steal the credit card data from the point-of-sale systems and send it to other servers that Seleznev controlled in Russia, the Ukraine or in McLean, Virginia. Seleznev then bundled the credit card information into groups called “bases” and sold the information on various “carding” websites to buyers who would then use the credit card numbers for fraudulent purchases, according to the trial evidence. Testimony at trial revealed that Seleznev’s scheme caused 3,700 financial institutions more than $169 million in losses.
When Seleznev was taken into custody in July 2014 in the Maldives, his laptop contained more than 1.7 million stolen credit card numbers, some of which were stolen from businesses in Western Washington. The laptop also contained additional evidence linking Seleznev to the servers, email accounts and financial transactions involved in the scheme.
Seleznev is charged in a separate indictment in the District of Nevada with participating in a racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO) and conspiracy to engage in a RICO, as well as two counts of possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices. Seleznev is also charged in the Northern District of Georgia with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and four counts of wire fraud. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force investigated the case. The task force includes detectives from the Seattle Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Intelligence Section in Washington, D.C. Trial Attorney Harold Chun of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Norman M. Barbosa and Seth Wilkinson of the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. The CCIPS Cyber Crime Lab and its Director, Ovie Carroll, provided substantial support for the prosecution. The Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Guam also provided assistance in this case.
Russian Cyber-Criminal Convicted Following Eight-Day TrialRead the Press Release
Seattle – A federal court jury today convicted Roman Valerevich Seleznev, aka “Track2,” 32, of Vladivostok, Russia, of 38 counts related to his scheme to hack into point-of-sale computers to steal and sell credit card numbers to the criminal underworld, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The jury deliberated six hours following an eight-day trial. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2016.
The 40-count indictment charged Seleznev with the theft and sale of more than 2.9 million credit card numbers. According to testimony at trial and court documents, between October 2009 and October 2013, Seleznev hacked into retail point-of-sale systems and installed malicious software to steal credit card numbers from various businesses. Many of the businesses were small businesses, and included restaurants and pizza parlors in Western Washington. The Broadway Grill in Seattle was one of the better known victim businesses, which was forced into bankruptcy following the cyber attack.
Seleznev operated a server in Russia that he used to install malware on the point-of-sale computer systems. The malware would steal the credit card data from the point-of-sale systems and send it to other servers controlled by Seleznev, including in the Ukraine and McLean, Virginia. Seleznev would bundle the credit card information into groups called “bases” and sell the information on various criminal “carding” websites. The buyers would then use the credit card numbers for fraudulent purchases. Testimony at trial revealed that 3,700 financial institutions lost more than $169 million because of the scheme.
When Seleznev was taken into custody in July 2014 in the Maldives, his laptop contained more than 1.7 million stolen credit card numbers– some from businesses in Western Washington. Also on the laptop was additional evidence linking Seleznev to the servers, email accounts and financial transactions involved in the scheme.
In closing arguments prosecutors told the jury that if they “follow the digital fingerprints” Seleznev left across the internet, they would find “one of the most prolific credit card thieves in history.”
In particular, Seleznev was convicted of ten counts of wire fraud, eight counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, nine counts of obtaining information from a protected computer, nine counts of possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison and a $1 million fine. Intentionally causing damage to a protected computer resulting with a loss of more than $5,000 is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Obtaining information from a protected computer is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Possession of more than 15 unauthorized access devices is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by an additional two years in prison on top of any sentence for the underlying crimes. It is important to keep in mind that these are maximum possible sentences that could be imposed on individual counts in this case. They are not a statement of what the United States will recommend at the time of sentencing. Further, in determining what sentence to impose, at the time of the sentencing hearing, the Court will apply the United States Sentencing Guidelines to the specific facts of this case to come up with a non-binding sentencing guidelines range.
Seleznev is also charged in a separate indictment in the District of Nevada with participating in a racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO) and conspiracy to engage in a racketeer influenced corrupt organization, as well as two counts of possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices. Seleznev is also charged in the Northern District of Georgia with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and four counts of wire fraud.
The Seattle case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Seattle Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Intelligence Section in Washington, D.C. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Norman M. Barbosa and Seth Wilkinson of the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Harold Chun of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. The U.S. Department of Justice Cyber Crime Lab, and its Director, Ovie Carroll, provided substantial support for the prosecution. The Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam also provided assistance in this case.
Redding Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Ray Robertson, 64, of Redding, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 11 years and three months in prison for distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between June 2012 and November 2012, undercover investigators located a computer in the Redding area making child pornography available over a peer-to-peer file sharing service. Agents executed a search warrant at Robertson’s residence and located a computer containing numerous images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children and making those files available to others over the internet. On March 24, 2016, Robertson pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as part of “Operation Sunflower,” which was a nationwide investigation targeting purveyors of child pornography that began in 2012. The name is based on a case in which a sunflower-shaped highway road sign identified in online images led to the rescue of an 11-year-old girl in Kansas. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew G. Morris prosecuted the case.
“Operation Sunflower resulted in more than two dozen arrests in northern California alone and HSI’s tireless work to identify child predators and rescue their unwitting victims are ongoing,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, the special agent in charge who oversees HSI’s investigative efforts throughout northern California. “Bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice not only furthers public safety, we believe it also sends a powerful message to those who sexually exploit children online that cyberspace affords no refuge from detection.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Port St. Lucie Resident Charged with Running Fraudulent Tax Preparation BusinessRead the Press Release
A Port St. Lucie resident is charged in a fifty-two count indictment with running a fraudulent tax preparation business in order to file fraudulent tax returns on behalf of her clients and for filing false individual returns on her own behalf.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
Dianne Mowatt, 39, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, is charged by indictment with fifty counts of assisting in the filing of false tax returns and two counts of filing false tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 7206(2) and (1). If convicted, Mowatt faces a maximum statutory sentence of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of $100,000, and one year of supervised release, as to each count.
According to the indictment, from January 1, 2012 and into 2016, Mowatt owned, operated, or otherwise provided services to Mowatt Financial Services and Proven Tax Services, both being tax return preparation businesses located in Port Saint Lucie and Miami, Florida. Mowatt prepared and submitted individual tax returns (Forms 1040), with accompanying schedules, to the IRS on behalf of taxpayers claiming false deductions and credits for tax years 2011 through 2014. Mowatt also filed false individual returns for herself for the tax years 2010 and 2011 by falsely claiming five different people as her dependents.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell Killinger and Marton Gyires.
An indictment is merely an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
Operator of Store in Epsom Pleads Guilty to Misbranding ChargeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Brett Scott, 24, pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to a federal charge related to the sales of misbranded drugs, announced United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice.
According to court documents and statements at the plea hearing, Scott operated a “Smoke N Discount,” a retail store in Epsom, New Hampshire. A law enforcement investigation showed that the store was selling synthetic cannabinoid products with names like “Colorado Kush” and “Peak Ultra.” The investigation found that the products being sold at the store contained analogues of controlled substances.
The labels of the synthetic cannabinoid products sold at the store were misleading in multiple ways. The packaging misleadingly indicated that the products were not for human consumption, when in fact, the products were intended for human consumption and ingested by consumers. The packaging made misleading representations suggesting that the product was not unlawful by representing what the package did not contain, but did not identify the actual ingredients that were contained in the packages. The labels did not contain information bearing the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. The labels also did not contain adequate directions for use or adequate warnings for use.
As part of his plea agreement, Scott agreed to forfeit $30,000 to the United States.
United States Magistrate Judge Andrea Johnstone scheduled sentencing for December 12, 2016.
Synthetic cannabinoids are green leafy materials that have been sprayed with chemicals. These products (commonly referred to as “spice” or “K2”) are often marketed as incense or potpourri. As in this case, the packaging materials often contain attractive logos that are designed to appeal to young people. Although the products are often identified as “not for human consumption,” the products are smoked in order to obtain a high. The chemicals that are sprayed on the products to produce the high are often illegal controlled substances or analogues of illegal controlled substances. The ingestion of these types of illegal products has caused some users to experience a variety of medical side effects and has led to numerous hospitalizations.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Epsom and Concord Police Departments
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Farley.
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Ogdensburg Man Charged with Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Harry McCarthy, age 55, of Ogdensburg, New York, was indicted yesterday for sexually exploiting a child for the purpose of creating child pornography, and for distributing, receiving, possessing and transporting child pornography.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian; Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.
McCarthy appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro and was detained pending further proceedings. If convicted of all charges, McCarthy faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for each charge of child exploitation, and at least 5 years and up to 20 years for each charge of distributing, receiving, and transporting child pornography. If convicted, McCarthy would also face mandatory, post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and would be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
According to the indictment, in 2013 and 2014, McCarthy induced a 13-year-old child into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating images of such conduct. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/
Norwich Resident Admits Role in Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PIERRE JEUDY, 56, of Norwich, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of wire fraud stemming from his involvement in an insurance fraud scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between April 2011 and February 2014, JEUDY and others participated in a scheme to stage approximately 50 car crashes in eastern Connecticut for the purpose of defrauding automobile insurance companies and enriching themselves. A high percentage of these planned crashes were single-vehicle accidents on remote roads where there were no witnesses other than the occupants of the crashed vehicle. After each staged accident, the defendants filed fraudulent property damage and bodily injury claims with various automobile insurance companies. They then collected payouts on the fraudulent claims from the victim insurance companies. These payouts typically ranged from about $10,000 to about $30,000 per accident.
In pleading guilty, JEUDY admitted his personal involvement in a staged automobile crash in Norwich on October 22, 2013.
JEUDY was arrested on May 20 and is released on bond. He is a citizen of Haiti and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for November 29, 2016, at which time JUEDY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Norwich Police Department and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, with the assistance of the Mohegan Tribal Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.
New York man pleads guilty to possessing counterfeit credit, debit cardsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott Garcia, 21, of New York, pled guilty to possessing multiple counterfeit credit and debit cards in federal court today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Garcia pled guilty to one count of “Fraud Related to Access Devices.” He admitted to possessing fifteen or more counterfeit devices, to wit: fraudulently produced Western Union netSpend, MasterCard debit cards, gift cards fraudulently obtained from various retail merchants, and stolen credit card numbers in Ohio County, WV.
He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
New Haven Man Who Shot Victim in the Face During Robbery Attempt Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY ANDERSON, also known as “Ace,” 23, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for using a firearm during a violent robbery attempt.
This matter stems from an investigation into a criminal enterprise known as the Red Side Guerilla Brims (“RSGB”), a sect of the Bloods street gang that operated in New Haven from 2011 through 2015, which was engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults and armed robberies.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 21, 2011, ANDERSON ordered a quantity of crack cocaine from Marquise Moore, whom he knew to be a drug dealer. ANDERSON claims his objective in ordering the crack cocaine was not to purchase it, but to rob Moore of the drugs and any cash he had on him at the time. When ANDERSON met Moore, he pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and shot him in the face. ANDERSON fled before completing the robbery.
ANDERSON was incarcerated in state custody on November 29, 2011, for an unrelated armed robbery offense. He was transferred into federal custody on May 29, 2015. On March 9, 2016, he pleaded guilty one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Hamden Police Department. The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office also provided critical assistance in the investigation.
An instrumental component of the investigation has been the work of the Connecticut State Crime Laboratory in utilizing the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to analyze ballistics evidence.
This matter is being prosecuted in the District of Connecticut by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Spector and Peter D. Markle. A related case in the District of Maine is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Casey.
New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Computer Hacking and “Sextortion” Scheme Involving Multiple Female VictimsRead the Press Release
A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today to remotely hacking into the online accounts of almost a dozen female victims and sending them threatening online communications, in some instances containing sexually explicit photos, in order to force the victims to send him sexually explicit photos of themselves.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Emily Rice of the District of New Hampshire and Resident Agent in Charge Holly Fraumeni of the U.S. Secret Service’s Manchester, New Hampshire, Field Office made the announcement.
Ryan J. Vallee, 22, formerly of Belmont and Franklin, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to a 31-count superseding indictment charging him with 13 counts of making interstate threats, one count of computer hacking to steal information, eight counts of computer hacking to extort, eight counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of cyberstalking. On March 16, 2016, while Vallee was awaiting trial, he was re-arrested on new criminal charges and has remained in custody since then. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1, 2016, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, from 2011 through March 2016, Vallee, using various aliases that included “Seth Williams” and “James McRow,” engaged in a computer hacking and “sextortion” campaign designed to force numerous victims to provide him with sexually explicit photographs of themselves and others.
Vallee admitted that he employed a variety of techniques to force his victims to cede to his “sextortionate” demands. For example, according to the plea agreement, he repeatedly hacked into and took control over the victims’ online accounts, including their email, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Once he had control of these accounts, Vallee locked the victims out of their own accounts and, in some cases, defaced the contents of the accounts, he admitted. According to the plea, in at least one instance, Vallee hacked into a victim’s Amazon.com account, which stored her payment information and shipping address, then ordered items of a sexual nature and had them shipped to the victim’s home. Vallee also admitted that in some instances, he obtained sexually explicit photos of the victims and their friends and distributed them to the victims, their friends and their family members. With at least one victim, Vallee created a Facebook page using an account name that was virtually identical to the victim’s real Facebook account name, with one letter misspelled, he admitted. He then posted sexually explicit photos of the victim on this fake Facebook page and issued “friend requests” to the victim, her friends and her family members, according to the plea agreement.
Vallee admitted that he repeatedly sent threatening electronic communications to his victims, usually by using spoofing or anonymizing text message services, in which he threatened his victims that unless they gave him sexually explicit photographs of themselves, he would continue with the above-described conduct. According to the admissions in the plea agreement, when most of the victims refused to comply with Vallee’s demands and begged him to leave them alone, Vallee responded with threats to inflict additional harm.
The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Belmont Police Department. Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen of the District of New Hampshire are prosecuting the case.
Victims of “sextortion” schemes such as this often may be hesitant to come forward. The Justice Department encourages individuals who may be the victims of similar schemes to contact their local law enforcement agencies to report this conduct.
Naples Man Pleads Guilty to $2.2 Million Online Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Jeffrey Ihm (49, Naples) today pleaded guilty to 14 counts of wire fraud and 5 counts of aggravated identity theft. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and each aggravated identity theft conviction is punishable by a term of two years’ imprisonment, consecutive to the sentence imposed for the wire fraud convictions. The indictment also notifies Ihm that the United States intends to forfeit $315,000 in fraud proceeds previously seized from a Suncoast Credit Union checking account and a house located in Naples, which are alleged to be traceable proceeds of the offense. The United States is also seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,234,681, representing the proceeds Ihm is alleged to have received as a result of the fraud scheme.
According to court documents, between February 2013 and July 2014, Ihm assumed the identities of and posed as executives of a number of companies, including Roper Industries, Inc., Kinetic Technologies, LLC, CSX Corporation, and Convergence Consulting Group, Inc. He then generated false and fraudulent emails and other documents in the names of the companies’ executives in order to defraud financial institutions, causing them to transfer to him $2,234,681 to which he was not entitled. Ihm used the monies to purchase real property and for other personal enrichment.
This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Office of the United States Secret Service and the Jacksonville Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Economic Crimes Unit of the Collier County Sherriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David G. Lazarus and Dale R. Campion.
Miami Doctor Pleads Guilty to Pharmaceutical Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DR. RAFAEL PRATS, age 62, a resident of Miami, Florida pled guilty yesterday to a twelve-count Indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit theft of medical products, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, beginning sometime prior to December 2012, PRATS and others conspired to use Marea Distributors and Logistics, LLC of Louisiana, and Marea Distributors, LLC of Florida to fraudulently re-sell diverted pharmaceuticals. Working together, the defendants would collect dispensed drugs of known and unknown origin, counterfeit drugs, expired drugs, and drugs not authorized for resale and then fraudulently reintroduce them into the pre-retail, wholesale market for eventual sale under false pretenses to pharmacies and end users. According to court documents PRATS served as a broker in obtaining the diverted pharmaceuticals from various sources.
Among other things, the defendants would create and scan fraudulent invoices and send them from Marea Distributors in Florida to Marea Distributors & Logistics in Louisiana by email. In Louisiana, Marea Distributors & Logistics would then send the fraudulent invoices by email from Louisiana to wherever the diverted pharmaceuticals were shipped. When necessary, Marea Distributors & Logistics in Louisiana would create invoices for the products and email them to customers who were making purchases.
During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants opened or caused to be opened bank accounts in the names of various entities, including Marea Distributors & Logistics and Marea Distributors. The defendants used those accounts to deposit the proceeds obtained from the sale of diverted pharmaceuticals and then to further distribute those proceeds to bank accounts controlled by them.
PRATS faces a possible penalty of up to 15 years in prison for Count 1, Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Medical Products, and a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person. For Counts 2 through 11, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, Aiding and Abetting, PRATS faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person. For Count 12, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, PRATS faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person. He also faces up to three years of supervised release and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee for each count. U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman set sentencing for December 14. 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Food and Drug Administration, and the Miami Dade Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore R. Carter, III, and David Haller are in charge of the prosecution.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 10 years in prison for liquid meth possession and distribution conspiracyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Mexican citizen was sentenced Monday to 120 months in prison for conspiring to transport and distribute methamphetamine.
Eduardo Guerrero, 24, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the April 14, 2016 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck traveling eastbound on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish in March of 2015. After a search of the vehicle, two gas tanks were found on the vehicle, one of which contained 16 gallons of liquid methamphetamine or 28.8 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Neither the driver nor the passenger owned the vehicle. Guerrero was the registered owner of the vehicle. The methamphetamine was transported from El Paso, Texas, and was intended for Atlanta, Georgia. State police arrested Guerrero in the New Orleans area while he traveled to retrieve the truck and methamphetamine.
The DEA, Department of Homeland Security, and Louisiana State Police, Troop F, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell and Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Mescalero Apache Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Matthew Joel Torres, 27, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Nation who resides in Mescalero, N.M., pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to an assault charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Torres was arrested on April 18, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a Mescalero Apache man on June 13, 2015, by stabbing him twice in the stomach. The assault occurred on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in Otero County, N.M.
Torres pled guilty yesterday to a felony information charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon. In entering the guilty plea, Torres admitted that on June 13, 2015, he assaulted the victim by stabbing him in the abdomen twice with a knife with intent to cause bodily harm.
At sentencing, Torres faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Memphis Couple Collectively Sentenced to More Than 30 Years for Robbing Multiple BusinessesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A couple has been collectively sentenced to more than 390 months in federal prison for robbing multiple businesses throughout Memphis. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.
According to information presented in court, between May and June 2015, Julius Knight, 33; and Deidra Mason, 25; both of Memphis; participated in the armed robbery of multiple Family Dollar Stores, a Subway, Papa John’s, and Dollar General. Knight robbed two additional restaurants independently.
During the robberies, Knight would enter the businesses with a weapon and demand employees to remove money from the cash registers. In some of the robberies, Knight used various methods to disguise his identity, including wearing a red wig, skull cap, or baseball cap, as well as pantyhose over his face. Mason, his girlfriend at the time, served as his getaway driver.
Law enforcement discovered that the description of the person who robbed the aforementioned businesses were similar. Furthermore, a blue Ford Taurus was identified as the getaway car used in the robberies of a Family Dollar, Subway and Papa John’s.
On June 1, 2015, officers stopped a blue Ford Taurus that matched the description of the reported getaway vehicle. Mason was driving the car. After officers discovered her driver’s license was suspended, they arrested her. They later discovered Mason served as the getaway driver in the series of robberies.
Following Mason’s arrest, Knight executed two business robberies barefaced. On June 3, 2015, Knight robbed a Church’s Chicken on Chelsea Avenue. Five days later, he robbed another Church’s on Thomas Avenue. When officers responded to the June 8th robbery, Church’s employees informed them that Knight approached one of the employees from behind as they worked the drive-through window. He demanded money from the register before jumping over the counter and fleeing. There were customers at the drive-through window when the robbery took place who were able to see Knight’s face and weapon. Fingerprints were lifted from the store that matched Knight’s, and he was later located and arrested.
In April 2016, Mason pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman to six counts of aiding and abetting Knight during the robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce.
In May 2016, Knight pleaded guilty before Judge Lipman to six counts of aiding and abetting Mason in the robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce; one count of using a firearm during the robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce; and two counts of robbing a business engaged in interstate commerce.
On Tuesday, August 2, Judge Lipman sentenced Mason to 63 months in federal prison.
On Thursday, August 25, Judge Lipman sentenced Knight to 336 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Memphis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lorraine Craig and Dean DeCandia prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Media Advisory: Fort Dodge Hosts Hate Crimes/Bias Incident ForumRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is joining with the FBI, DOJ’s Community Relations Service, Webster County Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, Fort Dodge Police Department, and the Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission to host a forum designed to identify and address key issues related to hate crime reporting, investigation, prosecution and prevention. The forum is designed to build collaboration among key partners in an effort to prevent and respond to bias incidents and hate crimes.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau will be present and joined by Darryck Dean, a DOJ Conciliation Specialist with the Community Relations Service located in Kansas City. Mr. Dean was actively involved in community conciliation efforts following the incidents in Ferguson, Mo. A flyer announcing the forum is attached.
Event Details
When: Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Where: Iowa Central Community College, Bio-Health Science Building Auditorium, One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Time: Starts at 6:00 p.m., ends at 8:00 p.m.
This is a “pen and pad” opportunity for the press. Photography permitted. A press release will be provided and interview opportunities will be available.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Maryland Man Allegedly Used the Internet to Entice Minor Victims to Engage in Sexually Explicit Activity in Order to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury charged Roy David Evans, Jr., age 31, of Essex, Maryland, for sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct; and for receipt and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on August 22, 2016, and unsealed on August 24, 2016.
Evans had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on August 23, 2016, and was ordered to be detained following a detention hearing on August 24, 2016.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to the six count indictment, and information presented at today’s detention hearing, Evans posted advertisements on Craigslist for young girls to contact him via email or via Kik, a messaging application where users can text, livecam, and send digital images and videos to one another. Evans’ Kik username was “roddanger86.” The indictment alleges that Evans enticed and coerced a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce images of that conduct. Further, the indictment alleges that Evans then received videos of the victim engaged in sexually explicitly conduct via the internet.
Evans’ alleged victims ranged from ages 14 years old to 16 years old. According to evidence presented in court, multiple victims, at the request of Evans and sometimes on their own, sent videos and images of sexually explicit conduct to Evans via Kik. Evans also allegedly offered to pay cash to the victims in exchange for sexual activities. At least one victim, a 14-year-old female, engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual activities with Evans on at least three occasions.
Based on their investigation, law enforcement believes there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423), which is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Evans faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison for production of child pornography; a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor; a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. For each count, Evans faces up to lifetime supervised release following his imprisonment.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly O'Connell Hayes, who is prosecuting the federal case.
Marianne Matchette IndictedRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –United States Attorney David A. Capp announced that a federal grand jury in Fort Wayne returned a 15 count indictment against Marianne Matchette, 50, of Roanoke, Indiana for access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud and mail fraud.
According to the indictment, Matchette allegedly used a number of company accounts that she was given access to as an employee for personal benefit. The government will be seeking forfeiture of $156,776.11 in United States Currency which is the alleged amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the offenses related to the Indictment.
This case was investigated by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indiana State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tina Nommay and Stacey Speith.
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.
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Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston to stealing nearly $80,000 in veterans benefits.
John Ladd, 73, pleaded guilty today to theft of public money. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Dec. 5, 2016.
In 2009, Ladd’s neighbor was receiving monthly veterans benefits when she died; however, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was not properly notified of the death, so it continued to deposit her benefits each month into her bank account. Ladd had been assisting his neighbor before her death, and this enabled him to access her checkbook. Although Ladd was not entitled to his neighbor’s veterans benefits, he routinely wrote checks to himself from his neighbor’s account after her death, forging her signature on each check. Ladd then deposited the checks into his own bank accounts. Ladd ultimately wrote himself 70 checks totaling $79,958.
The charge of theft of public money provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, 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 and Jeffrey Hughes, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty in $3 Million Foreclosure Rescue ScamRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge related to a long-running mortgage rescue scheme that involved nearly $3 million in illegal fees charged to distressed homeowners and about 200 fraudulent bankruptcy petitions.
Karl Robinson, 52, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of bankruptcy fraud before United States District Judge Manuel Real.
Robinson operated the foreclosure rescue scheme from 2008 until 2013 under his own name and other names, including “Stay In Your Home Today,” “21st Century Development” and “Genesis Ventures Corporation.” The businesses provided illegal foreclosure- and eviction-delay services to homeowners who had defaulted on their mortgages. The purpose of the scheme was to obtain money from distressed homeowners, and in exchange Robinson was able to hinder, delay and obstruct lawful foreclosure and eviction actions against property owners who had defaulted on their mortgages.
As part of the scheme, Robinson filed bogus grant deeds in county records offices and other fake documents in formal eviction proceedings to make it appear that fictional people held interests in distressed properties. He then fraudulently filed bankruptcy petitions in the names of the fictional people to trigger an “automatic stay” in the bankruptcy cases. The filing of a bankruptcy petition has the effect of suspending all creditor actions, including foreclosure proceedings commenced by mortgage lenders and eviction actions commenced by purchasers of foreclosed properties.
“This defendant filed scores of fraudulent bankruptcy actions – sometimes on multiple occasions in relation to a single property,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “He took advantage of distressed homeowners by stealing identities and lying to them about what he could do for their properties as long as they continued to pay his fees.”
Robinson admitted that as part of his scheme he obtained nearly $3 million from distressed homeowners and filed more than 200 fake bankruptcies.
“Mr. Robinson used his position as a pastor gain the trust of distressed homeowners, only to lure them with false hope while he worked the system to get rich,” said Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our partners with the FHFA-OIG and the U.S Attorney's Office will continue to combat schemes targeting vulnerable homeowners.”
As a result of today’s guilty plea, Robinson faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison when he is sentenced by Judge Real on November 28.
The criminal case against Robinson is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG).
“Karl Robinson engaged in a complicated fraud scheme that preyed on others misfortune to line his own pockets,” stated FHFA-OIG’s Special Agent in Charge Leslie Demarco. “Today’s guilty plea is the first step toward taking responsibility for his criminal activity.”
The case against Robinson was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section.
Londonderry Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Christopher DeCoste, 20, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, pleading guilty in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to federal charges of possessing over 400 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice.
According to court documents and statements at the plea hearing, on April 14, 2016, the law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Londonderry, New Hampshire to search for evidence of the defendant’s drug trafficking activity. During the search, approximately 800 grams of fentanyl were recovered, as well as $42,850 in United States currency. Officers also found a .22 Walther handgun with a magazine and two rounds of ammunition hidden in a wall. DeCoste later admitted that he intended to sell the drugs that were seized and that he had the gun for protection in case he was robbed.
United States District Judge Joseph DiClerico scheduled sentencing for November 30, 2016.
According to statistics maintained by the State of New Hampshire, over half of the drug overdose deaths in New Hampshire in 2015 were related to fentanyl. Because a single gram of heroin or fentanyl can be used to create multiple individual dosage units that can be sold “on the street,” the quantity of fentanyl involved in this case could have generated a large number of individual doses of fentanyl, each of which had the potential to cause a fatal overdose.
Multiple departments and agencies were involved in the investigation and prosecution, including the Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Londonderry Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth R. Aframe.
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Little Rock Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in Scheme to Steal Feeding Program FundsRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK---Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced today that Maria Carmen Nelson, 50, of Little Rock, pled guilty to Count I of the Indictment charging her with conspiring to commit wire fraud. The charge relates to a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program funds intended to feed children in low income areas during the school year.
Today's plea hearing took place in Little Rock before United States District Judge J. Leon Holmes. Judge Holmes will sentence Nelson at a later date.
On October 7, 2015, a Federal Grand Jury indicted Nelson on charges of wire fraud as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain USDA program funds. The USDA funds the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program, which includes an at-risk after school component. In Arkansas, the feeding programs are administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Sponsors who want to participate in the feeding programs must submit an application to DHS for approval. Once approved, they can provide meals as part of the feeding program and be reimbursed based on the number of eligible meals they serve.
According to facts read at the plea hearing, Nelson operated as a sponsor for a feeding program through an organization called "Securing Our Future" between approximately March 2012 and March 2015 with approved Sites in Little Rock and Malvern, Arkansas. Nelson was recruited to participate by a DHS employee who worked in the section that oversaw the feeding programs. Nelson and the DHS employee both had an understanding it would be a fraudulent scheme, with each taking a portion of the proceeds. As part of the scheme, the number of children who were fed at Nelson’s sites would be inflated. Out of the money Nelson received as a result of the inflated claims, Nelson would pay cash back to the DHS employee.
Nelson received a total of approximately $575,917.76 from the feeding program in payment for fraudulent claims. Out of this money deposited into her account, Nelson withdrew sums of cash and paid that to the DHS employee. The DHS employee is no longer employed at DHS.
The statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud is not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both, and not more than 3 years supervised release.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the USDA-Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and United States Marshals service. If you are aware of any fraudulent activity regarding these feeding programs, please email that information to [email protected].
Lawrence Police Officer Indicted on Attempted Extortion ChargesRead the Press Release
Boston – A 16-year veteran officer of the Lawrence Police Department was indicted today in connection with attempting to use his position as a police officer to extort cocaine from a drug trafficker.
John R. Desantis, Jr., 44, of Methuen, was indicted on one count of extortion and attempted extortion under color of official right and through the use of threatened force and fear.
According to court documents, Desantis had been purchasing small amounts of cocaine once or twice a week from a drug trafficker for 10-12 months without identifying himself as a police officer. On May 16, 2016, during a drug transaction at his home, Desantis displayed his gun and badge, seized the cocaine and threatened to arrest the drug trafficker if he did not continue to supply him with drugs. Desantis thereafter allegedly continued to communicate with the drug trafficker through text messages, telling him, “you will not be arrested at all if you do as I tell you to.”
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Theodore Merritt of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Lake Charles woman sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing more than $230,000 from employerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Lake Charles woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing more than $230,000 from her employer’s bank account.
Melissa D. Crookshank, 33, of Lake Charles, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of wire fraud. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $235,155.79 restitution. According to the May 19, 2016 guilty plea, Crookshank, who worked as a bookkeeper for a Hackberry, La., company, stole $235,155.79 from her employer starting in 2009 and continuing until January of 2015. Crookshank issued checks to herself during that time without authorization from the company owners, which she deposited into her own bank accounts for personal use.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
Kerrville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 28-year-old Samuel Eugene Baker of Kerrville, TX, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
On October 22, 2014, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized multiple home computers and related media. A forensics examination on the seized items revealed the presence of approximately 90 videos and 2,700 images depicting child pornography.
Baker has remained in custody since being arrested following the search warrant. On March 23, 2016, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html.