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Thursday 25 August 2016
Justice Department Warns Employers Not to Discriminate Against Salvadoran Workers with Temporary Protected Status in Newly-Released VideoRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the launch of an updated educational video reminding employers that Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may continue working beyond the Sept. 9, 2016, expiration date of their employment authorization documents. The Justice Department also cautions employers that requesting additional work-authorization documents from these workers may violate anti-discrimination law.
The video – released by the Civil Rights Division’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) – explains that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) automatically extended the validity of employment authorization documents for Salvadorans with TPS until March 9, 2017. Requesting additional work-authorization documents from these workers may violate the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This law prohibits employers from making additional and unauthorized documentary demands because of an employee’s citizenship, immigration status or national origin when verifying or re-verifying an employee’s employment eligibility.
The updated video can be viewed here.
“This video provides employers with a clear reminder and practical guidance to ensure that they comply with federal law when verifying the employment eligibility of Salvadoran workers with Temporary Protected Status,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is firmly committed to protecting the rights of all work-authorized immigrants and ensuring that employers do not engage in unlawful discrimination.”
TPS is a temporary immigration benefit that allows qualified individuals who are in the United States to stay and work for a limited period of time. A foreign country is designated for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters or other extraordinary and temporary conditions in the designated country. Individuals with TPS can obtain employment authorization documents to work legally in the United States.
OSC is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, this law prohibits citizenship, immigration status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing and recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation.
For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call OSC’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired), call OSC’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired), sign up for a free webinar, email [email protected], or visit OSC’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc.
Justice Department Releases New Training Video for Law Enforcement on Interacting with Transgender CommunityRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Community Relations Service (CRS) today released a new training video for law enforcement which provides information, tools and techniques to help ensure that interactions with members of the transgender community are respectful, professional and safe for all involved.
The training uses three non-emergency and non-crisis situations to discuss ways for police officers to effectively and politely interact with transgender individuals. In promoting best practices, the video defines three important terms: assigned sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. As the training outlines, understanding the terminology and the major issues facing the transgender community can help rebuild trust and ensure that encounters are safe for all parties. The video also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between a threat and a stereotype, and notes that individuals who feel disrespected are less likely to have faith in or cooperate with law enforcement.
“Transgender Americans, like all Americans, deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect by law enforcement officers,” said Acting Director Paul Monteiro of CRS. “The information provided in this video will help strengthen the relationship between police and the transgender community, allowing for more effective investigations and safer encounters for officers and citizens alike.”
The training stresses that officers should keep their questions relevant to the contact and remain courteous throughout the encounter. In one of the examples, the video demonstrates an officer laughing and using an inappropriate pronoun to address a transgender individual who appears to be the victim of a crime and the officer’s partner pulls him aside to correct his behavior. Afterwards, the offending officer apologizes for his prior conduct and approaches the rest of the interview with the necessary respect and professionalism. This illustration not only highlights how officers should act with members of the transgender community, but also addresses the need for officers to say something to their peers when they see problematic behavior.
CRS was established under Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to resolve “disputes, disagreements or difficulties relating to discriminatory practices based on race, color or national origin.” It is not an investigatory or prosecutorial agency, and it does not have any law enforcement authority. Rather, CRS works with all parties, including state and local governments, private and public organizations, civil rights groups and local community leaders to uncover the underlying interests of all of those involved in the conflict and facilitate solutions to the community's challenges. In addition, CRS assists communities in developing local mechanisms and community capacity to prevent tension and violent hate crimes from occurring in the future. CRS works in all 50 states and the U.S. territories, and in communities large and small, rural, urban and suburban.
Jacksonville Man Indicted for Using Minors to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces today the return of an indictment charging Thomas Leslie Carr (48, Jacksonville) with two counts of producing child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each charge. Carr was arrested at his home today by federal agents. His arraignment and detention hearing are scheduled for August 30, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
This case was investigated by the Lakeland Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Tampa and Jacksonville offices. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case 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 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.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Irondequoit Man Sentenced in “Sextortion” CaseRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Jose Alvarado, 29, of Irondequoit, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography was sentenced to 72 months in prison and 15 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, stated that Alvarado, then 26 years old, used his iPhone and other digital devices to coerce and entice a 15 year old female that he knew into having sex with him on multiple occasions. The defendant convinced his victim to take graphic photos of herself and send them to him using a texting application. Alvarado then sought to the control the girl through “sextortion” – that is, by threatening to expose the sexually-explicit pictures of her – and other means.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Adam S. Cohen, the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard V. Tantalo, and the New York State Police, Troop E, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth. The task force includes the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.
Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that LARRY DUPOR, age 44, a resident of Houston, pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and one count of attempt to distribute 100 grams or more heroin.
According to court records, law enforcement officers found four packages of heroin weighing one kilogram in total during a traffic stop of a Fiat on Interstate-10 East in Calcasieu Parish. The driver admitted that she had been paid $1,000 in cash to drive the heroin from LARRY DUPOR in Houston to LEJEUNE HARRIS at a car wash in New Orleans East. The driver stated that she had made similar trips before to deliver heroin between DUPOR and HARRIS, and she agreed to assist law enforcement by following through with a delivery of ‘sham’ heroin to HARRIS. The driver was instructed by DUPOR to deliver three of the four heroin packages to HARRIS, and she proceeded to the car wash in New Orleans East under law enforcement surveillance with three ‘sham’ packages. There she was met by HARRIS, who took the ‘sham’ packages weighing approximately 750 kilograms in total and then handed the driver $2,000 in cash. HARRIS entered the car wash office, and surveillance agents then entered the scene and detained HARRIS. Agents obtained a search warrant for the car wash office and recovered an additional 479 grams of heroin hidden in an area where the three packages of ‘sham’ heroin were also found.
HARRIS pled guilty to similar charges two weeks ago, and both DUPOR and HARRIS are now scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo on November 10, 2016. DUPOR faces a term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and up to life for the conspiracy charge, and HARRIS faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years due to a prior felony drug conviction.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael B. Redmann is in charge of the prosecution.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice announced today that Mario Enrique Lopez, of Guatemala, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to illegally reentering the United States after having been previously deported.
Lopez was identified during a traffic stop in Greenland, New Hampshire on June 14, 2016. A Deportation Officer later determined that he was citizen of Guatemala who previously had been deported from the United States. Lopez, who was arrested on July 7, 2016, and has been in custody since that time, was sentenced to time served. He faces likely deportation.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfred Rubega.
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Guatemalan Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Using U.S. Registered Aircraft to Transport Thousands of Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Fernando Josue Chang-Monroy, 37, of Guatemala City, Guatemala, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for his in role in an international drug trafficking conspiracy involving the use of United States registered aircraft purchased in the Eastern District of Virginia to transport 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in Central and South America.
Chang-Monroy pleaded guilty on March 3. According to a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Chang-Monroy admitted to his role in the conspiracy to purchase two United States registered aircraft in the Eastern District of Virginia, for the purpose of transporting large amounts of cocaine from clandestine airstrips in Venezuela to clandestine airstrips in Honduras. Also as part of the conspiracy, Chang-Monroy arranged with the Venezuelan military for the safe passage of the drug trafficking aircraft through Venezuelan air space.
The first aircraft purchased by Chang-Monroy, a Beechcraft King Air C90 (“King Air C90”), was sold to a known Honduran drug trafficking organization in exchange for a percentage from the sale of the cocaine that was successfully transported on the aircraft and later distributed. On or about October 27, 2013, the King Air C90 flew to Apure, Venezuela, where 1,000 kilograms of cocaine was loaded onto the aircraft and then successfully transported to Limon, Honduras. The second aircraft purchased by Chang-Monroy, a Beechcraft King Air E90 (“King Air E90”), was sold to a Colombian drug trafficking organization in exchange for U.S. currency. In order to prepare the King Air E90 for its illegal activities, Chang-Monroy arranged for multiple test flights to ensure its airworthiness, painted the aircraft to conceal its identity, and selected pilots to operate the aircraft during its trip to transport the cocaine. On or about March 2, 2014, the King Air E90 flew to Apure, Venezuela, and was loaded with 1,000 kilograms of cocaine. Prior to departure, upon seeing Venezuelan military aircraft overhead, the King Air E90 pilot refused to take off. Due to this delay, the cocaine was off-loaded from the King Air E90 and the Venezuelan military aircraft destroyed the King Air E90. On September 10, 2015, Chang-Monroy was arrested in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and extradited to the United States on December 1, 2015.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Thomas M. Jankowski, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office; Colonel David R. Hines, Hanover County Sheriff; and Colonel Thierry Dupuis, Chief of Chesterfield County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik S. Siebert, Dominick S. Gerace, David J. Harbach, and Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:14-cr-75.
Greenville, Texas Man Sentenced to 130 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Eduardo Borrego, a/k/a “Jesus Eduardo Borrego,” 30, of Greenville, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 130 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in March 2016 to a superseding information charging one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Two other defendants charged in the case, Borrego’s wife, Dayany Garcia, 27, and Pedro Santillano, 39, have also pleaded guilty. Both lived in Greenville at the time of the offense. Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine. She faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Santillano pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He faces a statutory penalty of not less than five or more than 40 years in federal prison and a $4 million fine. Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced in September and Santillano in October.
According to documents filed in the case, from approximately May 1, 2014 through September 2015, Borrego conspired with others, including Garcia, to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams of more of methamphetamine. Agents documented over 20 separate deliveries of methamphetamine from July 2014 to September of 2015 during the investigation of this case. On one occasion, in late July 2014, Borrego sold another individual one pound of methamphetamine for $11,000. Garcia assisted Borrego in this transaction by driving him to where he needed to go to complete the transaction and serving as a lookout for law enforcement. On another occasion in early September 2014, Borrego sold an individual one pound of methamphetamine, and again, Garcia drove him and acted as a lookout for law enforcement. Borrego and Garcia shared in any profits he made from the distribution of methamphetamine. Agents documented over 20 separate deliveries of methamphetamine from July 2014 to September of 2015 during the investigation of this case.
Borrego has also been ordered to forfeit five firearms that were seized during the investigation of this case.
Santillano has admitted that on September 10, 2015, he possessed with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greenville Police Department, Hunt County Sheriff’s Office, Plano Police Department, Denton Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal is in charge of the prosecution.
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Government Contractor to Pay $142,500 to Settle Civil Fraud Allegations Resulting from its Disclosure of ConductRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME), located in Norfolk, has agreed to pay $142,500 to settle civil fraud allegations that their employees engaged in labor mischarging.
The allegations involved FME overcharging the Navy on a subcontract for engine repairs on the USS Ashland. FME had two subcontracts to perform work on the Ashland, a firm-fixed price subcontract and a time-and-materials subcontract. Supervisory hours were charged to the time-and-materials subcontract that should have already been included under the separate, firm-fixed-price subcontract. Along with taking corrective action once the conduct was revealed and repaying the overcharges, FME submitted a disclosure to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General under the Contractor Business Ethics Compliance Program and Disclosure Rule, also known as the Federal Acquisition Regulations Mandatory Disclosure Rule. FME has now agreed to pay an additional $142,500 to settle alleged False Claims Act violations resulting from the disclosed conduct.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service with assistance from the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare P. Wuerker. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Gonic Woman Pleads Guilty to Misprision of A Felony in Connection with Drug Distribution Causing DeathRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney, Emily Gray Rice announced today that Jazzmyn Rood, 42, of Gonic, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony in connection with the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death of Evangelique Tarmey.
According to documents that were filed in United States District Court and statements in the plea proceeding, the defendant was staying at the Riviera Motel with her boyfriend Mark Ross and Tarmey in October 2015. On October 16, 2015 Ross traveled with Tarmey and another individual to Lawrence, Massachusetts in order to obtain a quantity of heroin. Ross returned to the Riviera Motel and injected Rood with the drug and then injected himself with the drug. Ross provided a quantity of the drug to Tarmey and told Rood he had done so. The following morning, Tarmey was found dead in the motel room. The New Hampshire Medical Examiner later found that Ms. Tarmey died of acute fentanyl intoxication.
The Rochester Police responded to the motel on the morning of October 17, 2015. Rood was interviewed by the police and denied that Ross or she had used any controlled substance the evening before.
United States District Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled the defendant’s sentencing for December 1, 2016.
New Hampshire has the third-highest rate of per capita drug overdose deaths in the United States. More than half of the drug overdose deaths in New Hampshire in 2015 were the result of fentanyl, either alone or in combination with other drugs.
United States Attorney Rice said, “I want to thank the Rochester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their work on this case. Fighting the opioid epidemic is a multi-pronged, team effort. One facet of our attack is to prosecute those who are criminally responsible for causing drug overdoses. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute the individuals who distribute drugs that cause overdose deaths. Any drug distribution has the potential to be deadly, regardless of the quantity of drugs involved. When a drug distribution causes an overdose death, my office will seek to hold the distributor accountable.”
In April 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office announced the formation of an inter-office team of prosecutors who will work together to prosecute individuals who cause opiate overdoses in New Hampshire. This prosecution, initiated before the creation of the joint team, is an example of the type of case that will be generated by the team.
The case was investigated by the Rochester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Don Feith.
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Georgia Man Indicted for Bank Fraud and Aggravated I.D. TheftRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Georgia man in connection with a counterfeit check and stolen identity scheme in north Alabama in late 2014, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Postal Inspector Frank Dyer.
A four-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges CAMERON MICHAEL MORAN, 29, of Rome, Ga., with two counts each of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Moran was aided by others not named in the indictment in a scheme to defraud BBVA Compass Bank of more than $18,000. Moran would obtain a stolen business check or a counterfeit check, forge the original check-maker’s signature on the counterfeit check and/or change the name of the payee on the stolen check, according to the charges. He then cashed those checks for his personal use.
Between Nov. 25 and 26, 2014, Moran cashed a $9,673 counterfeit check bearing a forged signature and drawn on the account of Transportation Services Inc. at a BBVA Compass Bank in Huntsville, the indictment charges. Moran also cashed a second counterfeit check on the Transportation Services account, in the amount of $8,946 and bearing a forged signature, at a BBVA Compass Bank in Madison, according to the indictment.
Moran is charged with aggravated identity theft on each check transaction for forging the name and using the associated account numbers of a Transportation Services employee as part of the charged bank fraud.
The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a minimum two-year prison sentence that must be served after completion of any sentence imposed for the underlying crime, and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Ochsner Clinic Credit Union Manager SentencedRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JACQUELINE RAY, 60, of Biloxi, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with stealing over $1 million from Ochsner Clinic Federal Credit Union in connection with bank larceny during her employment.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced RAY to six months incarceration, two and a half years supervised release, with a special condition of six months of home detention with electronic monitoring after her release from prison. RAY was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,000,000 to the CUMIS Insurance Society, the entity which insured Ochsner Clinic Credit Union and $452,752.27 to the National Credit Union Association, the entity which covered the uninsured portion of the funds RAY stole. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. The Court waived the fine.
According to the documents filed in court, RAY was employed by Ochsner Clinic Federal Credit Union (OCFCU), as the credit union manager and had been employed at OCFCU for nearly thirty years. From 2007 to 2013, RAY stole $1.45 million by creating numerous fictitious loans on the books of OCFCU. RAY created approximately 149 fictitious loans.
No loan documentation existed on any of the fictitious loans. RAY controlled the day to day operation of OCFCU. These fictitious accounts were all coded in the OCFCU data processing system so that no statement of account would be generated, thus hiding RAY’S fraudulent scheme.
The proceeds from the fictitious loan would be stolen from the OCFCU in the form of a check drawn on the OCFCU and deposited in accounts controlled by RAY, or converted to cash. RAY also made false deposits into a local bank to make it appear that she had money in accounts she controlled, when she really did not. RAY would steal cash from these falsely inflated accounts.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Credit Union Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit was in charge of the prosecution.
Former Newtown Police Sergeant Sentenced to Prison for Manufacturing and Distributing SteroidsRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN SANTUCCI, 40, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for manufacturing and distributing steroids. Judge Chatigny also ordered SANTUCCI to serve six months of home confinement and perform 120 hours of community service while on supervised release, and pay a $5,000 fine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations revealed that SANTUCCI, a former Newtown Police sergeant, and others were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids. The investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine.
SANTUCCI used more than $120,000 in proceeds from the sale of anabolic steroids to wire payments to foreign sellers of ingredients to make liquid anabolic steroids, and to purchase drug packaging materials from domestic companies. Also, between April 2011 and November 2014, SANTUCCI charged more than $300,000 on two personal credit credits, including more than $100,000 to pay for various luxury vacations.
SANTUCCI was arrested on April 29, 2015. On December 9, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
SANTUCCI, who is released on a $100,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on October 10.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert M. Spector.
Former Employee Sentenced for $130,000 Bank Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former employee of Community National Bank in Aurora, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for a $130,000 bank embezzlement scheme.
Jo Ann Nickell, 46, of Aurora, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nickell to pay $130,268 in restitution to Community National Bank and its insurance company. Nickell must self-surrender on Oct. 3, 2016, to begin serving her sentence.
Nickell, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2015, was employed by Community National Bank as a customer service representative and back-up teller from Aug. 17, 2009, to July 19, 2013. Her thefts began nine months after being hired and continued for about three years.
According to court documents, Nickell stole money from the accounts of seven victims, ranging in age from 65 to 91, some of whom suffered from illnesses such as cancer and early dementia, and one who was in a nursing home. Nickell stole thousands of dollars from each of her victims, with individual thefts up to $14,400. Nickell concealed her thefts by having some bank statements come to the bank rather than being mailed to the customers.
The bank reimbursed all of the funds that were stolen from the victims of Nickell’s embezzlement scheme.
One of the victims told bank employees that his wife recently died at a nursing home, and he was going into the nursing home that week. Nickell stole funds from his account the very next day, according to court documents. Another customer, who was dying of cancer, purchased two Certificate of Deposits for $100,000 to leave for his children. Nickell stole one of those CD’s in the amount of $46,445.
A 72-year-old bank customer, who has a feeding tube due to surgery complications, said that Nickell was paying him “special savings interest” and that she kept his monthly statements so that no one else would know how much money he had. Nickell, who did not have the administrative power to change interest rates, was not in fact paying him a special interest rate. He referred to a small notebook where Nickell had written down his balance and interest, but those amounts were incorrect. Nickell had actually stolen $25,100 from his account.
Nickell’s embezzlement was discovered when she stole $8,000 from the savings account of an 87-year-old customer, who noticed the withdrawal on her statement and notified the bank. Nickell had attempted to change the customer’s account so that monthly bank statements came to the bank rather than being mailed to her residence, but didn’t do it correctly, so the customer did receive the statement in the mail.
As a result of Nickell’s criminal actions, Community National Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation experienced a total loss of $130,268.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abram McGull II and Nhan Nguyen. It was investigated by the Aurora, Mo., Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
Former DOJ Employee Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Traveling to Engage in Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced James Cicala, age 55, of Columbia, Maryland today to seven years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor. Judge Hollander also ordered that upon his release from prison Cicala must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence 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); Worcester County Sheriff Reggie T. Mason, Sr.; and Special Agent in Charge Michael Tompkins, Washington Field Office, U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
According to his plea agreement, Cicala was a career employee at the U.S. Department of Justice, providing information technology support. Cicala owned a beach house in Fenwick Island, Delaware. From March 2015 through at least July 21, 2015, Cicala placed multiple ads in the Delaware, Maryland and District of Columbia editions of an online marketplace, seeking females to engage in “daddy-daughter” relationships. On July 21, 2015, an undercover detective with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office who was investigating child solicitation on the internet responded to Cicala’s ad entitled “Daddy’s Little Girl.” The undercover detective identified himself as “Sydney,” a 15 year old female, and Cicala identified himself as a male in his late 40’s.
Cicala and the undercover detective posing as “Syndey” exchanged messages for several weeks, eventually agreeing to meet to engage in sexually explicit conduct. On August 1, 2015, Cicala traveled from his beach house in Delaware to Berlin, Maryland, to meet “Sydney,” who did not show up, later claiming that she was unable to get away. The texting continued and Cicala again made arrangements to meet Sydney on August 15, 2015, in Berlin.
Virtually all of the conversations Cicala had with the undercover officer occurred using Cicala’s DOJ-issued phone or work computer, sometimes during work hours. Cicala frequently attempted to engage “Sydney” in sexually explicit chat, instructing her to delete the message, and sent Sydney nude and partially nude photos of himself. However, throughout the text message exchanges “Sydney” refused to send sexually explicit photos or engage in sexually explicit chat.
On August 15, 2015, Cicala traveled from his beach house in Delaware to Berlin, Maryland, to engage in sexual activity with “Sydney,” whom he believed to be a 15 year old girl. He was arrested as he arrived at the meeting place. He had his DOJ issued cell phone, which he had used for sending and receiving the texts with “Sydney.” In his SUV was bedding, pillows, a giftwrapped box with earrings Cicala had promised to bring “Sydney,” and cell phone batteries for the phone “Sydney” told him she used. On August 17, 2015, Cicala was placed on administrative leave by the Department of Justice and is no longer employed by the agency.
At today’s hearing, Judge Hollander also signed a preliminary order of forfeiture for the vehicle in which Cicala traveled to have sex with the 15 year old, and its contents, including gifts he had purchased for the girl he thought he was meeting. As part of his supervised release Judge Hollander ordered that Cicala have no access to the internet of any kind, including mobile devices, without approval from U.S. Probation and that he must participate in a sex offender treatment program as directed.
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 the HSI Baltimore, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and DOJ Office of the Inspector General for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who prosecuted the case.
Former Crystal City Councilman Pleads Guilty to Role in Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
In Del Rio this afternoon, former Crystal City Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with a bribery and kickback scheme involving city contracts announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Urrabazo, age 45, pleaded guilty to one count of federal programs bribery. By pleading guilty, Urrabazo admittedly used his official position in April 2015 to enrich himself by accepting a cash bribe from a person seeking to do business in Crystal City. As a result of his guilty plea, Urrabazo faces up to ten years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; a $2,000 monetary judgment; and, forfeiture of approximately $1,000 in U.S. currency seized by authorities during this investigation. Urrabazo remains on bond pending sentencing which has yet to be scheduled.
Urrabazo is the fourth defendant to enter a guilty plea in this case. Former Mayo Pro-Tem Rogelio Mata, former City Councilman Roel Mata and businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen have admitted their roles in the bribery and kickback scheme. All four defendants face up to ten years in federal prison.
Former City Attorney and City Manager William James Jonas, age 54, and former Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez, age 40, remains under a superseding indictment charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. In addition, Jonas is charged with four bribery-related counts and ten wire fraud-related counts; Lopez, two bribery-related and four wire-fraud related charges. Upon conviction, Jonas and Lopez face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy to commit bribery charge, up to ten years in federal prison for each bribery related charge, and up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud related charge. Both are out on bond at this time awaiting trial scheduled for November 15, 2016, in Del Rio before United States District Judge Alia Moses.
This ongoing joint investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the San Antonio Police Department with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division and the Texas Rangers. Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Crystal City are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Hulings and William R. Harris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Jonas and Lopez are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Contracting Officer Fined for Violating the Trade Secrets ActRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A former Corpus Christi contracting officer with the U.S. Army has admitted to violating The Trade Secrets Act, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The Trade Secrets Act prohibits an officer or employee of the United States from publishing, divulging, disclosing or making known in any manner or to any extent not authorized by law any information coming to them in the course of their employment or official duties.
Evangelina Prado, 60, was a contracting officer with the U.S. Army at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). While performing her duties as a contracting officer, Prado disclosed procurement sensitive information dealing with contract bids for work that was to be performed at CCAD. The information was disclosed prior to the close of the bidding process and was not authorized by law.
Prado pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate B. Janice Ellington. Following the plea, the court ordered she pay a $1,000 fine and serve two years of probation.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command—Major Procurement Fraud Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez prosecuted the case.
Federal and State Officials Invite Public to Attend Anti-Heroin EventRead the Press Release
Baltimore – A premier screening of a new documentary titled "Chasing the Dragon, The Life of an Opiate Addict," on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community College of Baltimore County, Center for the Arts Building, 800 Rolling Road in Catonsville, Maryland.
The screening is sponsored by The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration - Baltimore District Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Maryland Attorney General's Office and the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
“Attend the screening and watch the movie if you want to understand the heroin crisis and the extraordinary danger it poses,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins. “We need to prevent people from getting addicted to oxycodone and heroin, because treatment and prosecution cannot solve the problem.”
“As law enforcement has worked hard to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic, heroin has made a resurgence,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karl Colder. “We are at a critical point and need the support of our nation’s educators.”
The film was produced by the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to educate high school students and young adults about the dangers of prescription drug and opioid abuse, and the tragic consequences of addiction. The multi-agency goal is to promote the film to local educators and professionals who work with young people and encourage them to consider incorporating the film into their drug awareness program or curriculum. THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC, so please share this information.
You can preview the two-minute trailer on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJQwfAQRRAE. Also, here is a link to more information about documentary and the overall effort of the FBI and DEA to raise awareness about the national epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse: https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-dea-release-documentary-film-addressing-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse.
Opening remarks will be provided by Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, President, Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville; Rod J. Rosenstein, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins, FBI Baltimore; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A Hibbert, DEA Baltimore; Brian Frosh, Maryland Attorney General; and Boyd Rutherford, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion that will include representatives from law enforcement, health care, mental health, and recovery specialists. FBI Public Affairs Advisor Michael Kulstad will moderate the panel discussion. Kulstad was a part of the FBI team that produced the video and has become a passionate advocate of promoting awareness and prevention nationwide.
The crisis involving prescription drug and opioid abuse is unlike any we have ever seen. Statistics show that deaths from opioid overdoses are one of the leading causes of accidental death in our country. In June of 2010, the CDC announced that 1 in 5 high school students had abused a prescription drug.
For more information, contact Dave Fitz at (410)277-6689 or Marcia Murphy at (410) 209-4854.
Federal Jury Convicts Birmingham Man of Preparing False Tax Returns and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury on Wednesday convicted a Birmingham man for assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns and tampering with a witness who the IRS contacted to question about returns he had prepared, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot.
Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon, the jury convicted DONALD E. STEELE, 41, on five counts of assisting in the preparation of a false federal income tax return in 2010 or 2011, and on one count of witness tampering in 2011. At the time, Steele operated Max Tax, a Birmingham tax return preparation business owned by his wife.
According to evidence at trial, Steele made false claims and fabricated tax deductions on federal tax returns for three different taxpayers.
Multiple taxpayer witnesses testified that they were not given a copy of their tax return when they were prepared. When investigators later presented them their returns, they saw fraudulent claims that included false filing status, false dependents, false itemized expenses including medical and dental deductions and charitable contributions, false business expenses and deductions, and false disability claims and education expenses and credits.
The jury found Steele guilty of tampering with a witness for whom he had prepared a fraudulent 2010 return. The woman testified that she tried unsuccessfully many times to get a copy of her return from Steele, but once the investigation began, he showed up at her workplace and handed her a $200 check, which she considered a bribe not to talk to the IRS.
The maximum penalty for aiding in the preparation of a false federal income tax return is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for witness tampering is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
IRS-CI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Patton Meadows and Manu Balanchandran are prosecuting.
Evanston Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Distributing Marijuana and Laundering the Proceeds Through Luxury Auto PurchasesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The leader of a drug trafficking organization was sentenced today to eight years in prison for distributing more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and laundering the proceeds through luxury auto purchases and high-end property leases.
JONATHAN TANKSON, 32, of Evanston, coordinated bulk shipments of marijuana from large-scale growers in California. Between December 2010 and December 2013, Tankson flew to California at least twice per month, typically bringing with him on the plane $400,000 to $500,000 in cash. He often purchased 100 to 200 pounds of marijuana at a time, with the drugs being shipped on vans and tractor trailers to stash houses in Chicago. One of the stash houses was located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, while another was set up in a penthouse apartment in the city’s River West neighborhood.
Tankson pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly imposed the 96-month sentence in federal court in Chicago.
“The seriousness of defendant’s drug trafficking and money laundering crimes cannot be overstated,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kartik K. Raman argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “For several years, defendant plagued the community by directly purchasing wholesale quantities of marijuana from growers in California, in order to sell the drug on the streets for profit.”
According to a written plea agreement, Tankson used drug proceeds to purchase several luxury automobiles through straw purchasers. Between June 2011 and December 2013, Tankson orchestrated the purchases of a Porsche Cayenne sport utility vehicle for $140,000, a Mercedes-Benz S63 sedan for $108,000, of which $75,000 was paid in cash after trading in another Mercedes, an Audi A8 sedan for $80,000, and several other expensive vehicles. Tankson acknowledged in the plea agreement that the auto transactions were intended to conceal the source of the drug proceeds.
Tankson was arrested in December 2013. During a search of his Lincoln Park stash house, law enforcement discovered more than $1 million in cash, approximately 75 kilograms of cannabis stuffed into numerous plastic bags, five suitcases filled with cannabis, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and two 9mm pistol magazines, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
Investigators thereafter began an extensive money laundering investigation that led to the convictions of two Chicago residents. SONGHANE TRAORE orchestrated the straw purchases of Tankson’s vehicles, while JEROME B. MARSHALL helped Tankson fraudulently lease the Lincoln Park home. Judge Kennelly will sentence Traore on Sept. 8, 2016, and Marshall on Sept. 15, 2016.
Tankson’s sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffery Magee, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; James D. Robnett, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; and Eddie T. Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent.
The government is represented by Mr. Raman.
Elyria man indicted for selling fentanyl that caused fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
A nine-count federal indictment was filed charging an Elyria man with selling heroin and fentanyl, including a dose of fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose of a Lorain County man, law enforcement officials said.
David Andrew Hollis, 27, sold heroin or fentanyl several times between October 2015 and March 2016. He sold fentanyl on Feb. 21 to a man who fatally overdosed in Lorain County, according to the indictment.
“We will continue to hold drug dealers who sell heroin and fentanyl accountable for the deaths and misery they cause,” said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon. “It will take aggressive enforcement, combined with prevention efforts and making treatment available to those who want help, to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.”
"We are committed to aggressively pursue heroin and fentanyl traffickers and organizations that are creating the drug epidemic that our communities face every day," Lorain County Sheriff Phil R. Stammitti said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed 15 indictments related to sales of heroin or fentanly that directly resulted in deaths since the beginning of last year.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Darden and Robert Corts following an investigation by the Lorain County Drug Task Force.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
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.
El Salvador citizen sentenced to 12 months in prison for smuggling illegal aliens for profitRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a citizen of El Salvador was sentenced to 12 months in prison for transporting illegal immigrants for his own profit.
Raul Alexander Soriano, 29, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of transporting illegal aliens. According to the April 20, 2016 guilty plea, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Soriano’s vehicle on December 22, 2015, near Lake Charles. Four passengers were found in the vehicle with Soriano, and each admitted to being in the United States illegally. The passengers had paid Soriano to be transported to other areas of the United States as part of a human smuggling operation.
United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
Eagle Pass Texas Mexican Mafia Leader Faces up to Life Imprisonment after Pleading Guilty to Federal R.I.C.O. ChargeRead the Press Release
In Del Rio, 36-year-old Eagle Pass Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) leader Jesus Lopez (aka “Worst Ever”) faces up to life in federal prison after pleading guilty today to conspiring to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute to include acts of murder, extortion and drug trafficking. That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr.; Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division; Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden; and, Chief Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch, U.S. Border Patrol, Del Rio Sector.
According to court records, under the direction of Lopez, fellow TMM member and co-defendant Anselmo Flores, age 28 formerly of Eagle Pass, stabbed and murdered Eagle Pass resident Angel Cantu on January 22, 2011. In an effort to deflect law enforcement attention away from the criminal enterprise, Lopez provided money to Flores following the murder so that Flores could flee the area. Furthermore, at the time of Cantu’s murder, fellow TMM member and co-defendant, 37-year-old Francisco Hernandez of Eagle Pass, assaulted an individual with a dangerous weapon.
Court records also reflect that in December 2010, Lopez ordered Flores, Hernandez and others to retrieve and destroy firearms, which they did, that were used during the attempted murder of an individual who provided information about the TMM to law enforcement. Since 2009, Lopez admitted to distributing narcotics and extorting other cocaine distributors in Eagle Pass in furtherance of the TMM criminal enterprise.
Lopez, Flores and Hernandez are among 16 TMM members or associates to enter a guilty plea resulting from this investigation. No sentencing date has been scheduled for Lopez.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United States Border Patrol.
Court Approves U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Settlement of Clean Water Act Violations by the Bear’s Club Founding Partners, LtdRead the Press Release
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida approved a consent decree that resolves alleged violations of the Clean Water Act by The Bear’s Club Founding Partners Ltd., several of its officers and related entities. The complaint was brought in 2015 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District.
The Clean Water Act requires any person who plans to fill federally protected wetlands to receive a permit from the Corps. A permit issued to The Bear’s Club Founding Partners Ltd., in 1999 authorized it to fill certain wetlands on its property in Jupiter, Florida, for the purpose of building a residential golf community. As a condition of the permit, the Bear’s Club was required to preserve certain wetlands on its property in their natural state. The complaint alleged that the Bear’s Club violated the conditions of its permit by filling nearly an acre of wetlands which were required to remain intact. The Bear’s Club’s apparent purpose for filling the wetlands was to make its golf course more easily playable by weaker golfers.
Under the consent decree, the defendants are required to pay a civil penalty of $400,000. In addition, to offset the environmental impact of their activity, The Bear’s Club had previously contributed additional sums toward the enhancement of seven acres of wetlands in the Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach.
“When wetlands are filled in violation of the Clean Water Act, the loss is felt not only today, but by all generations to come,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer for the Southern District of Florida. “The substantial penalty obtained in this case sends a message to anyone who fails to abide by our nation’s environmental laws that they will be held accountable for their non-compliance.”
Compliance and enforcement is an important component of the Corps’ Regulatory program. The Corps’ Jacksonville district has an ongoing compliance inspection program throughout Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corps’ surveillance and monitoring activities are often aided by state and federal agencies, groups and individuals, who report suspected violations. To address violations, the Corps is authorized to prescribe corrective action, impose fines and/or prescribe removal of the offending fill, work or structure.
“The penalty in this case furthers the Army's mission to administer and enforce section 404 of the Clean Water Act by encouraging compliance with permits and the regulatory process,” said Colonel Jason A. Kirk, commander for the Jacksonville district.
For more information on Jacksonville district and the Corps’ Regulatory program, visit: www.saj.usace.army.mil/.
This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Raurell for the Southern District of Florida and Andrew J. Doyle of the Environmental Defense Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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.
Couple Pleads Guilty to $20 Million Visa Fraud Involving Indian WorkersRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Raju Kosuri, 44, and Smriti Jharia, 45, a married couple from Ashburn, pleaded guilty today to charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and visa fraud, among other charges.
Kosuri and Jharia were indicted on April 27. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Kosuri, Jharia, and their co-conspirators fraudulently applied for more than 900 illegal immigration benefits under the H-1B visa program. Since 2008, and at much greater scale since 2011, Kosuri has built a staffing business that amounts to a visa-for-sale system, in violation of federal law. Kosuri and Jharia also admitted to defrauding the Small Business Administration in connection with a scheme to obtain HUBZone certification for a business named EcomNets Federal Solutions. Kosuri agreed to forfeit proceeds of his fraud schemes in the amount of $20,900,000.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington; Bill A. Miller, Director of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. Department of State; and Robin Blake, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Inspector General; and Kimberly Zanotti, Washington Field Office Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), made the announcement after the pleas were accepted by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul K. Nitze and Angela Fiorentino-Rios are prosecuting the case.
The case was investigated by HSI, DSS, DOL-OIG, and USCIS. Assistance was provided by the Virginia Office of the State Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fairfax County Police Department.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-CR-43.
Corning Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that the former owner and CEO of Cornerstone Homes, David Fleet, 52, of Corning, NY, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that Fleet owned a real estate business from 1997 to 2014 that ultimately came to be known as Cornerstone Homes. Cornerstone’s business involved the purchase, renovation and resale or renting of distressed homes.
In order to acquire the distressed homes, Fleet sold debentures to private investors promising annual rates of return of 8%-10%. Fleet thereafter caused Cornerstone to borrow approximately $25,000,000 from various banks, and to pledge the houses that had been acquired with private investor money as security for the bank loans.
By March 2010, Fleet knew that Cornerstone’s operating income was insufficient to pay its debt service to the banks and the private investors. The defendant also lost more than $2,000,000 in risky options trades. However, Fleet continued to solicit additional private investments without disclosing Cornerstone’s true financial picture, including the fact that he had more than $2,000,000 of Cornerstone’s capital. In March 2010, Fleet raised approximately $84,000 from approximately 13 investors based upon statements and representations that were materially misleading.
The plea is the result of/culmination of an investigation by Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service, acting under the direction of Inspector-In-Charge, Boston Division, Shelly Binkowski, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Shantelle Kitchen.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 29, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
Columbia Man Indicted for Investment FraudRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for an investment fraud scheme.
Billings Chapman, 77, of Columbia, was charged in a six-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Chapman’s arrest and initial court appearance.
Chapman owned an interest in CheckmarcUSA, LLC, a company formed to provide bad check collection services to banks. He also owned Federal Financial Services, LLC (FFS), which he used to solicit investors.
The federal indictment alleges that Chapman engaged in a scheme from May 26, 2011, to April 30, 2014, to defraud investors by making materially false representations and using investment funds for his own personal benefit.
Chapman falsely told investors that he held a doctorate in economics and that he had taught economics at a university, the indictment says. He allegedly guaranteed monthly payments to investors and guaranteed a 20 percent rate of return that would be paid monthly or quarterly. Chapman allegedly misrepresented to investors his financial condition and the financial condition of FFS, claiming that large numbers of banks had signed up for CheckmarcUSA’s services and that FFS was accruing substantial income as a result.
According to the indictment, Chapman did not tell investors that he had been barred from engaging in the securities industry in 1970 by the National Association of Securities Dealers, or that he had been issued cease and desist orders in 1991 and in 2004 from the Missouri Commissioner of Securities for engaging in fraudulent or illegal practices in the securities business. Chapman, who was not registered to sell securities in Missouri, allegedly used investor money for his own personal gain and to make payments to prior investors.
The federal indictment charges Chapman with three counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Chapman is also charged with one count of money laundering, related to the transfer of $100,000 that was allegedly derived by fraud.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI.
Cleveland man pleads guilty to distributing crack cocaine on Wheeling IslandRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Anton Demetrius Matthews, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio, pled guilty to crack cocaine distribution in federal court today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Matthews pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He admitted to selling crack cocaine on Wheeling Island near Madison Elementary School. He faces up to forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Canonsburg Woman Embezzled from Employer to Get Money for GamblingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Washington County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Teri L. Zemencik, 50, of Canonsburg, Pa., pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Zemencik defrauded her employer, IGS Industries, Inc., by embezzling in excess of $494,000 over a time frame of more than five years. During the period from December 2009 through March 2015, Zemencik, who was the Payroll Supervisor and Accounting Clerk for IGS Industries, issued approximately 145 checks from the company’s account by falsely entering information into the company’s accounting system to make it appear that the checks had been issued to legitimate vendors. The investigation revealed that the majority of the embezzled funds were used to repay cash advances charged to Zemencik’s personal credit cards. The investigation further revealed that Zemencik used the cash she obtained from the cash advances to gamble at local casinos.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for Jan. 5, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 80 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Chartiers Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Teri L. Zemencik.
Binghamton Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking and Prostitution of A ChildRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Alphonso Dennis, 34, of Binghamton, New York, was sentenced to serve fifteen years in prison in connection with his convictions for sex trafficking of a child (four counts) and prostitution of a child (2 counts).
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.
In addition to being sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison, Dennis is also required to serve a twenty-year term of supervised release following his release from custody and must register as a sex offender.
As part of his guilty plea, Alphonso Dennis admitted that from August 2014 to November 2014, in Broome County, New York, Dennis hosted two minors, ages 14 and 15, at his apartment who met with men for the purpose of engaging in sex acts for money. Dennis, who was aware of their ages, also arranged for the two minors to be transported to various locations for the purpose of having them engage in commercial sex acts. Using a cell phone, Dennis took photos of the minors in sexually provocative poses that he posted on an Internet advertising site. Dennis directed the minors how much money to charge for sex and required them to give him 50% of the money that they received.
The prosecution stems from an investigation into a child prostitution ring conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, and the Town of Vestal Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.
This case is 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/.
Big Freedia Sentenced for Section 8 FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that FREDDIE ROSS, JR., age 38, of New Orleans, who performs under the stage name Big Freedia, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to theft of government funds.
U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced ROSS to three years’ probation, including 100 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, ROSS was ordered to pay $34,849 in restitution to the Housing Authority - New Orleans (HANO) and fined $35,000.
According to court documents, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, a department of the United States, provided federal funds to local public housing authorities to assist low income citizens with private market rental payments, including utility payments, through a tenant-based voucher program known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, or “Section 8” Program. The Section 8 program was created to subsidize the rents of the very poor, the elderly, and the disabled by allowing families to choose privately owned rental housing and subsidizing the majority of the fair market rent. Program participants paid part of their rents—an amount equal to thirty percent of the household's income—and the federal government directly pays the landlords the remainder. The eligibility for Section 8 benefits and the amount of the voucher subsidy were determined by, among other things, the household income of the applicant and the number of people in the household. In New Orleans, this amounted to not more than $21,700 per year.
ROSS first applied for Section 8 benefits in March 2009. He listed his monthly income as between $100 and $1,000, and he disclosed no additional assets on his application. As a result of these representations, ROSS was accepted into the program and began receiving approximately $521 per month for his rental of a residence in New Orleans.
Thereafter, ROSS submitted recertification documents to HANO on a yearly basis through 2014. HANO relied on ROSS’S representations in the documents to determine whether he continued to qualify for Section 8 benefits. In his yearly recertification forms, ROSS falsely listed his annual income to be as follows: $0 (2011), $14,400 (2012), $12,000, plus a one-time $2,000 gift from his father (2013), and $12,000 (2014). ROSS also listed his assets to be as follows: $0 (2011), $100 (2012), $165 (2013), $250 (2014).
In fact, ROSS derived considerable income through his entertainment and music businesses, including payments for performing concerts, starring in television programs, royalties, and the sale of merchandise bearing his likeness. ROSS failed to disclose this income to HANO, as well as the existence of multiple bank accounts under his name and the name of his several corporate entities. ROSS’S statements about the amount of his assets constituted material misrepresentations upon which HANO representatives relied to determine his eligibility to receive Section 8 benefits. ROSS’S true income, had he reported it accurately, would have disqualified him from receiving Section 8 benefits in each year between 2010 and 2014. In total, as a result of the false representations ROSS made to HANO, he fraudulently received the benefit of Section 8 funds to rent the residences in New Orleans totaling approximately $34,849.00 between about January 2010 and November 2014.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Housing Authority of New Orleans, as well as Josephine Beninati, CPA, CFE, who was responsible for identifying the true sources and amount of ROSS’S income. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Maria Carboni were in charge of the prosecution.
Bernalillo County Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Update his Sex Offender RegistrationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Bruce Hayes Bell, 65, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty this morning in federal court to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Under the terms of his plea agreement, Bell will be sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by not less than three years of supervised release. Bell will be required to register as a sex offender after completing his prison sentence.
SORNA, also known as the Adam Walsh Protection and Safety Act, requires that a convicted sex offender register in each jurisdiction where the offender resides, where the offender is employed, or where the offender is a student, and that the sex offender maintain current registrations.
Bell was arrested on Dec. 9, 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with violating SORNA by failing to update his sex offender registration. According to the complaint, Bell was required to register as a sex offender because of his prior convictions for sexual assault on a child on June 6, 2011 and Nov. 10, 2010 in Colorado and criminal sexual penetration on Feb. 1, 2012 in Bernalillo County, N.M.
Bell was subsequently indicted on the same charge on Dec. 17, 2015. According to the indictment, Bell failed to update his registration between Oct. 21, 2015 and Dec. 2, 2015, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Bell pled guilty to the indictment. In entering the guilty plea, Bell admitted that he was a sex offender and failed to update his sex offender registration as required by SORNA. Bell remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
Belvidere Man Found Guilty of Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Belvidere man was found guilty today of firearm charges following a four-day jury trial in federal court in Rockford.
MICHAEL TAPIA, 25, of Belvidere, Ill., was found guilty of one count of conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms or ammunition; one count of receiving, possessing, concealing, and storing stolen firearms and ammunition; and one count of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Three other area men who were also charged in the case previously pleaded guilty to firearm charges: TIOVANNI CUNNINGHAM, 31, of Rockford, Ill., MICHAEL SCHAFFER, 33, and DARRELL REED, 28, of Byron, Ill.
According to the indictment and evidence at trial, on Dec. 31, 2012, Tapia and Cunningham broke into a residence in northern Illinois and stole over 21 firearms and ammunition from the residence. Tapia and Cunningham later transferred some of the concealed stolen firearms to their co-defendants and stored some of the firearms at other locations.
Cunningham pleaded guilty on May 31, 2016, to conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms and ammunition; receiving, possessing, concealing, and storing stolen firearms and ammunition; and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. Schaffer pleaded guilty on June 3, 2016, to conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms and ammunition. Reed pleaded guilty on June 15, 2016, to receiving, possessing, concealing, storing, selling, and disposing of stolen firearms.
Conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment; receiving stolen firearms and ammunition carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment; and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. Each charge also carries up to 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. The court must impose a reasonable sentence guided by the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Sentencing is scheduled for Tapia on Dec. 14, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.; for Cunningham on Sept. 20, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.; for Schaffer on Oct. 11, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.; and for Reed on Oct. 14, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.
The conviction was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Jeffery A. Magee, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Rockton Police Department and Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Talia Bucci and Michael D. Love.
Barberton man accused of failing to disclose involvement in war crimes, including Srebenica massacreRead the Press Release
A Barberton man was indicted for immigration fraud for failing to disclose his participation in the Srebenica massacre, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Marlon Miller, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Detroit office.
Oliver Dragic, 41, was named in the three-count indictment, charged with one count of possession of a fraudulently obtained green card, attempt to procure naturalization contrary to law and attempt to procure naturalization to which he was not entitled.
The indictment alleges Dragic failed to disclose his paramilitary police service for the Republika Srpska, a rogue state unrecognized by the international community that attempted to create an ethnically pure Serbian nation within the ethnically-mixed territory of the Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dragic completed police training in Serbia in 1994 and returned to Bosnia, where he voluntarily joined a special police unit that joined in Republika Srpska’s army during military operations, according to the indictment.
Dragic failed to disclose his participation in the Srebrenica genocide, where he and his paramilitary police unit performed actions in the surrounding wilderness to prevent victims from escaping the massacre in July 1995, according to the indictment.
Dragic applied for refugee status in the U.S. in May 1998, claiming he was a victim of the Bosnian war. He continued serving with the Republika Srpska police until November 1998. He made numerous false statements on his refugee application, according to the indictment.
“The United States stands as a beacon for those fleeing oppression and atrocities, not those who committed them,” Rendon said. “This defendant lied about his involvement in a horrific war crime and will be held accountable for those lies.”
“The investigation, prosecution, and ultimate removal of individuals like Dragic are paramount to the mission of Homeland Security Investigations and to the safety our communities,” Miller said. “The United States is not a safe haven for war criminals.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Cronin is prosecuting the case following an investigation by HSI Special Agent Brett Bangas and Historian Michael MacQueen.
Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are urged to contact HSI by calling the toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email [email protected].
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence 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 violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum. 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.
Albuquerque Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Steven M. Montoya, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to violating the federal firearms laws. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Montoya will be sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Montoya was arrested on March 4, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 3, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the complaint, on March 3, 2016, U.S. Probation (USPO) officers and FBI agents searched Montoya’s residence pursuant to the terms of his supervised release for his 2010 conviction on a cocaine trafficking charge. During the search, officers found a pistol, ammunition, a digital scale, $17,888 in cash, and four cellular phones containing messages requesting controlled substances from Montoya.
Montoya was indicted on the same charge on March 23, 2016. According to the indictment, Montoya was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted on involuntary manslaughter and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute.
During today’s proceedings, Montoya pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on March 3, 2016, USPO officers located and seized a pistol, ammunition, a digital scale, $17,888 in cash, and four cellular phones while executing a search of his residence. Montoya further admitted that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony convictions. Montoya remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the USPO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez is prosecuting the case.
ATF Recognizes AUSA Forde Fairchild for ExcellenceRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA –United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon presented the Honor Award to Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild for his investigation and successful prosecution of an individual who waged a campaign of violence in the greater Sioux City, Iowa community. He received this award today at the 20th Annual ATF Awards Ceremony held at the agency’s National Headquarters in Washington D.C. Presenting the award was NBC News Justice Department Correspondent Louis Alan “Pete” Williams.
The Honor Award given to a select few non-ATF government officials or individuals from the private sector who have significantly contributed to ATF’s overall mission through long-standing support, cooperation, and/or an allocation of human or materiel resources.
Fairchild was involved in an investigation and prosecution that spanned more than three states and an Indian Reservation, and lasted almost three years. Multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation and supported the ultimate successful prosecution of 13 individuals.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, Kevin W. Techau, stated “We are profoundly proud of Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild for his tireless managing of the legal aspects of his complex investigations and prosecutions. The ATF Honor Award could not have been given to a more deserving prosecutor. He made Sioux City a safer place to live after putting a career criminal away for life.”
Summary of Facts
In March 2012, gang member Jamal Dean shot two individuals—one in Sioux City, Iowa and the other in South Sioux City, Nebraska. While these offenses were being investigated, he was sent to state prison for an unrelated drug-distribution offense. Dean was released from prison in December of that year.
On April 2013, Dean, his brother (also a fellow gang member) and another individual traveled from South Sioux City, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa where they beat and robbed at gun point a small time drug-dealer. The threesome retreated to Nebraska after the attack. Again in April, Dean and his brother traveled from Nebraska to Iowa and back after beating and robbing at gun point a larger drug dealer.
On April 29, 2013, Dean, in an attempt to escape being arrested for these crimes, fired eight rounds at Sioux City, Iowa, Police Officer Kevin McCormick, striking him once in the head with a bullet. Officer McCormick survived the attack.
Dean, with the help of a getaway team (made up of his friends, family, and fellow gangsters), avoided arrest until early May 2013, when he was arrested by officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety just 70 miles from Mexico in a car heading south. The obstructive conduct continued even after Dean’s capture. Confederates made material false statements to federal authorities and deleted the contents of their mobile phones and an iPad.
Challenges
The case was a difficult and lengthy investigation, produced thousands of items of discovery, multiple detention hearings, multiple motions to dismiss, motions to sever counts and defendants, a contested motion and hearing regarding the United States’ request for heightened security procedures at trial, a week-long multi- defendant trial, a second multi-defendant trial that plead out shortly before trial, 12 vigorously contested sentencing hearings, and a consolidated appeal to the United States Court of Appeals.
The Outcomes
The combined cases resulted in 13 convictions including a life sentence for Jamal Dean.
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Wednesday 24 August 2016
Wyoming County Man Sentenced on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Scott A. Wilcox, 46, of Pike, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 21 months in prison by U.S. District Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who handled the case, stated that on January 25, 2015, Wyoming County Sheriff’s deputies searched the defendant’s residence at 7998 Wiscoy Road in Pike and found a Marlin .44 magnum caliber rifle, which belonged to Wilcox. Deputies also found 76 rounds of .44 caliber ammunition in an access panel in a bathroom. The defendant is a three-time convicted felon and is prohibited from legally possession firearms.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gregory J. Rudolph, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid.Waterbury Men Charged with Heroin Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging JAMAR JONES, also known as “Mitch,” 35, and ALVIN LOPES, 40, both of Waterbury, with heroin distribution offenses.
The eight-count indictment alleges that between March 2016 and August 2016, JONES and LOPES conspired to distribute and distributed various quantities of heroin. The indictment also charges JONES with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”).
If convicted of the charges contained in the indictment, JONES and LOPES face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
JONES and LOPES were arrested on federal criminal complaints on August 11 and August 10, respectively, and are detained.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Ansonia Police Department. The DEA Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
United States Dismissed from Federal Tort Claims Act LawsuitRead the Press Release
Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that, United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. dismissed all claims against the United States related to an injury of a snowboarder at 49 Degrees North ski area. The Court issued a principled and well-reasoned written Order supporting the dismissal.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, James O’Neel was snowboarding at 49 Degrees North in January of 2013 when he sustained a severe spinal injury jumping off a ski jump in the ski area’s terrain park, resulting in quadriplegia. He subsequently sued both 49 Degrees North and the United States, because the U.S. Forest Service manages the land on which the ski area operates and it had issued a special use permit allowing 49 Degrees North to operate the ski area on the Colville National Forest. Mr. O’Neel sought damages in excess of $30 million.
Records produced during the proceedings showed that the Forest Service’s role was limited to issuing a special use permit and in doing so, had placed almost all responsibility for safety of the public on 49 Degrees North, which was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the ski area. Judge Mendoza also found that dismissal of the United States was appropriate because it was the ski area, not employees of the Forest Service, that was responsible for construction and maintenance of the ski jumps. While the United States has been dismissed from the lawsuit, 49 Degrees North remains in the lawsuit. Judge Mendoza made no ruling with regard to liability on the part of the ski area.
This case was handled by Timothy M. Durkin and Rudy J. Verschoor, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington on behalf of the United States.
U.S. Department of Justice Moderates Forum to Discuss Hate CrimesRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa invited the citizens of Black Hawk County to participate last night in a forum to discuss hate crimes and bias incidents. A representative from the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) served as the moderator.
Pursuant to the Hate Crimes Protection Act, CRS is authorized to work with communities to help them develop the capacity to prevent and respond more effectively to violent hate crimes allegedly committed on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. CRS is a remarkably unique federal component dedicated to assisting state and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups develop local capacity to prevent racial and ethnic tensions.
Joining in the forum were representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Black Hawk County Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, Waterloo Police Department, Waterloo’s Human Rights Commission, and the Cedar Falls Police Department. The forum was sponsored by University of Northern Iowa – UniCue, One Iowa, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights.
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau expressed appreciation to the agencies involved and the community members attending for their willingness to discuss in a positive way an issue communities across the country sometimes encounter. Techau stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all people. Last night’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss the topic of hate crimes in a safe environment. Hate crimes represent an attack not just on the individual victim but also on the victim's community. The impact is broader because they send a message of hate. They are intended to create fear. Hate crimes diminish us all. We are committed to working with all communities to address the issue by working to prevent hate crimes as well as investigate and prosecute hate crimes whenever and wherever necessary.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt provided information on the federal statutes that criminalize various types of hate crimes. He covered the evolution of federal hate crime law and the recent expansion of the groups protected by federal hate crime laws.
Morfitt emphasized that the defining characteristic of a federal hate crime is that the actions must have been motivated by hate and that an individual cannot be found guilty federally unless the government proves the person acted “because of” the victim’s status as a member of a protected group. As an example, Morfitt pointed to the case of United States of America v. Randy Metcalf, where the government recently proved at trial that a Dubuque resident had assaulted an African American man in a local bar because of his race.
Presentations were made by the Black Hawk County Attorney and Sheriff, Waterloo Chief of Police, Cedar Falls Police Department, FBI Resident Agent in Charge for Iowa-Nebraska, and the Waterloo Human Rights Commission. A conciliation specialist with DOJ’s Community Relations Service served as the moderator and engaged the presenters and those attending with fact-building hypotheticals designed to challenge the meaning of hate crimes and bias incidents. Those attending actively engaged the panel in a Q&A session.
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service, visit: https://www.justice.gov/crs.
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U. S. Citizen Sentenced to Ten Years’ Imprisonment for Traveling to Foreign Country to Have Sex with A MinorRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Shaun Vincent Kelley was sentenced to ten years in prison today for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence follows a guilty plea entered May 13, 2016.
Pursuant to his guilty plea, Kelley, 57, who has resided in several states, admitted that on September 1, 2013, he traveled from the United States to Thailand, where he stayed until April 2016. Kelly further admitted that while in Thailand on June 10, 2015, he paid a 14-year-old boy, who he knew to be under 18 years of age, to engage in sexual conduct with him. Kelley also acknowledged he took a video of this encounter that depicts the sexual conduct.
On February 2, 2016, a grand jury indicted Kelley with a single count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(c).
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, United States District Judge. In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston sentenced Kelley to serve five years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Kopczynski with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The case was investigated by the FBI.
Two Milwaukee Residents Indicted in Federal Court with Armed Robbery of Wauwatosa PharmacyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that two people were indicted for the armed robbery of the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Tytianna Jackson (age: 19), and Marquise Jones (age: 26), both of Milwaukee were charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that on August 1, 2016, the defendants, armed with a firearm, robbed the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy, 9130 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison on the armed robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years and up to life in prison on the charge of use of a firearm during a robbery.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office collaborate together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wauwatosa Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin W. Proctor.
The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Two Men Federally Indicted for Armed Robbery of Milwaukee Walgreen's StoreRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced today that two Milwaukee men were indicted for the August 14, 2016 armed robbery of a Walgreen’s store located in Milwaukee. Anthony J. Chappell (age: 25) and Christopher E. Morgan (age: 28) were charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Chappell was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and Morgan was charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.
The indictment alleges that on August 14, 2016, defendants Chappell and Morgan robbed the Walgreens store located at 2222 West Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Defendant Morgan provided Chappell with a firearm. At the time of the offense, Chappell was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. If convicted, each man faces up to 20 years in prison on the armed robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years and up to life in prison on the charge of use of a firearm during a robbery.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office collaborate together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.
The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Two Colombian Nationals Sentenced for Making False Statements on Visa ApplicationRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALMA DE JESUS MOJICA HERRERA, age 52, and LEONARDO SERRATO POLANIA, age 42, both residents of Bogota, Colombia, were sentenced today for making false statements on their U.S. Nonimmigrant Online Visa applications.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced both MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA to eleven months incarceration. Following completion of their sentences, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and customs Enforcement for removal proceedings
According to court records, while in Colombia, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA each completed a U.S. Nonimmigrant Online Visa Application (“Visa Application”) with the U.S. Department of State (“State Department”) and did not answer truthfully questions concerning their travel companions, the persons paying for their trip, and the location of their stay. These Visa Applications were relied upon by federal agencies of the Executive Branch including by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New Orleans and the U.S. State Department. On September 28, 2015, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA travelled from Bogota, Columbia and arrived in the United States at the New Orleans International Airport using the VISAs containing materially false statements. On September 29, 2015, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA were taken into custody by special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”).
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of State in investigating this matter. Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba was in charge of the prosecution.
Ten Individuals Sentenced in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Six men and four women responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine were sentenced earlier this week to various federal prison terms.
Mario Murillo-Mora, 41, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 262-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jeff Richardson, 50, from Cambridge, Iowa, received a 262-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Austin Bertch, 31, from Waterloo, Iowa, received a 176-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Gustavo Gonzalez-Torres, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 168-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Rafael Avalos-Castellanos, 41, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 147-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jason Gauthier, 41, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 113-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Rachel Berrones, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 105-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Vania Guadarrama, 30, from Chicago, Illinois, received a 78-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Jessica Ceniceros, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 71-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Ragan Victor, 34, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 43-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at the guilty pleas and other court proceedings showed that in the Spring of 2013, Mario Murillo Mora began building a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing multiple pounds of ice methamphetamine, a highly pure, crystalized form of methamphetamine, throughout Northern Iowa. At least 250 pounds of ice methamphetamine was distributed by various members of the organization during the course of the conspiracy. Murillo Mora recruited various individuals to assist with transporting, storing, and distributing ice methamphetamine, as well as collecting money and wiring drug proceeds back to sources of supply. Other individuals obtained ice methamphetamine from Murillo Mora in pound to multiple pound quantities for redistribution to a network of retail level customers. Methamphetamine arrived in Marshalltown from Mexico and California concealed in vehicles. Once transported to Marshalltown, the methamphetamine was broken down and repackaged for further distribution.
All defendants were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. A special assessment of $100 to $200 was imposed on all defendants and they must also each serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid-Iowa Task Force, comprised of the Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Falls Police Department, Eldora Police Department and the Dysart Police Department; and the Tri-County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Falls Police Department, LaPorte City Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, University of Northern Iowa Police Department, Waverly Police Department and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-cr-2015.
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Tampa Attorney Pleads Guilty to StructuringRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Joe Manuel Gonzalez (66, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to the plea agreement, Gonzalez, an attorney with his own law practice in Tampa specializing in financial and tax matters, established a fictitious trust and bank account for a confidential source (CS) and undercover agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The CS and the undercover agent posed as brothers seeking to launder drug proceeds from their marijuana grow house operations. The “brothers” told Gonzalez that they made approximately $30,000-$50,000 per month from their marijuana operation and needed somewhere safe to put their money. Gonzalez advised the “brothers” how to set up and make deposits into bank accounts to avoid detection by law enforcement. Gonzalez established a bank account for the “brothers” in the name of a fictitious trust and made the initial deposits into the bank account with what Gonzalez understood to be proceeds from the marijuana business. On two occasions, Gonzalez structured the cash provided to him by the undercover agent, breaking up the bank deposit into separate transactions under $10,000 to avoid the currency reporting requirements and to avoid detection by law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.
Tahlequah Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that, MARK ALAN FRENCH, age 48, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months incarceration and 3 years of supervised release for being a PROHIBITED PERSON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(9) and 924(a)(2).
The Indictment alleged that from on or about January 2, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, firearms which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Stilwell Police Department, the Adair County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which he will serve his nonparoleable sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States.
Stark County man charged with selling false identification documentsRead the Press Release
A Stark County man was indicted on charges that he knowingly transferred false identification documents, such as counterfeit Social Security cards and counterfeit state identification cards, knowing that said items were produced without lawful authority, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Domingo Ralios, 33, of Stark County, Ohio, was charged in a one-count indictment with knowingly transferring false identification documents, U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said.
Ralios sold counterfeit Social Security cards and state identification cards to a confidential source for several hundred dollars each on at least two occassions this year. The counterfeit documents contained stolen names and Social Security account numbers, according to the indctment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karrie Howard and Robert Kern.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Salem Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Funds from Shoshone-Bannock TribesRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Cody Ray Blackman, 33, of Salem, Oregon, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to the theft of money from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Blackman was indicted by the federal grand jury in Pocatello on September 22, 2015.
Blackman was previously employed by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes as the manager of the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel Events Center. He was terminated from that position on November 20, 2014. On January 10, 2015, at a bank branch in Lakewood, Washington, Blackman withdrew $2500.00 from an account belonging to the Hotel Events Center. He made the withdrawal without authorization, kept the proceeds and spent the money on personal items. Blackman recently repaid the money to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
The charge of theft from a tribal organization is punishable by up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Blackman is scheduled to be sentenced on November 8, 2016, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
The case was investigated by the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Republic Man, Ava Woman Indicted for Stolen Checks SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Republic, Mo., man and an Ava, Mo., woman were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to cash checks that were stolen from mailboxes.
D.J. Gideon, 25, of Republic, and Katelyn Elizabeth Emrick, 21, of Ava, were charged in a 47-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Gideon and Emrick participated in a bank fraud conspiracy from June 18 to Nov. 6, 2015. According to the indictment, conspirators obtained (or attempted to obtain) approximately $40,535 from victims’ bank accounts by stealing checks from business and residential mailboxes and unlawfully using their victims’ personal identification information to cash or deposit the stolen checks, or use them to make purchases. Some of the stolen checks were blank checks that were mailed to bank account holders, the indictment says, and some of the checks were written to other individuals or organizations. Gideon and Emrick allegedly altered the payee and the amounts payable on the checks and forged the signatures of their victims.
According to the indictment, checks were stolen from the mailboxes of the Springfield Muscular Dystrophy Association, two businesses in Greene and Wright County, and a number of individuals.
In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Gideon and Emrick together in seven counts of bank fraud. Gideon is charged in five additional counts of bank fraud and Emrick is charged in three additional counts of bank fraud.
Gideon and Emrick are also charged together in seven counts of mail theft. Gideon is also charged with four additional counts of mail theft and Emrick is also charged with three additional counts of mail theft.
Gideon and Emrick are also charged together in seven counts of making, possessing or cashing forged checks. Gideon is also charged with four additional counts of making, possessing or cashing forged checks and Emrick is also charged with three additional counts of making, possessing or cashing forged checks.
Gideon and Emrick are also charged together in one count of aggravated identity theft. Gideon and Emrick are each charged with an additional count of aggravated identity theft.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the police departments of Aurora, Marshfield, Seymour, Springfield and West Plains, Mo., Baxter Springs, Kan., and Quapaw,Okla.; and the sheriff’s departments of Christian, Greene, Howell and Stone County in Missouri, Cherokee County, Kan., and Ottawa County, Okla.