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Wednesday 27 April 2016
Glenburn Man Sentenced to Two Years Probation for Theft of VA ShipmentRead the Press Release
Contact: Chris Ruge
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Chad Bitgood, 38, of Glenburn, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison to two years of probation for the theft of government property and attempted possession of a controlled substance. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1000. The defendant pled guilty on January 26, 2016.
According to court records, on April 27, 2015, Bitgood was employed as a delivery truck driver for United Parcel Service (UPS), when he stole a package belonging to the Veterans Administration (VA) that he believed to contain narcotic medications. The package was being monitored by VA investigators. When confronted by investigators, Bitgood admitted he stole the package with the intention of consuming any narcotics inside.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Veterans Administration, Office of the Inspector General.
Former Scranton Resident Sentenced to 24 Months Imprisonment for Harboring Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney=s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lihn Lam, age 45, formerly of Scranton, was sentenced today to 24 months imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik, in Scranton, for conspiracy related to the harboring and transporting of illegal aliens.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Lam and other individuals operated a business known as “Ready Management Services, Inc.” between 2007 and the present which provided illegal aliens as employees under a temporary labor contract and paid the illegal aliens cash payments “under the table” for work they performed.
Lam was indicted by a grand jury in Scranton in April 2014, as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement & Removal Operations, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.
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Former Saline Resident Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A former Saline man pleaded guilty today to identity theft and wire fraud, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.
United States Attorney McQuade was joined in the announcement by Jarod J. Koopman, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.
Bradley Raymond Laboe, 54, a resident of Onsted, Michigan and previously of Saline, Michigan entered the guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Victoria A. Roberts.
Laboe pleaded guilty to the charges in an Information that was filed earlier this month. According to the court document, Laboe stole personal information of approximately 77 elderly residents of Northern Ohio and used that stolen personal information to file fraudulent tax returns. Laboe used the personal information to electronically file 85 fraudulent tax returns with the IRS from his residence in Saline, Michigan. The fraudulent tax returns claimed earnings from forms W-2 and various Schedule A deductions and sought refunds of over a half million dollars. However, a majority of the victims were actually retired and receiving Social Security benefits. In furtherance of the scheme, Laboe opened several bank accounts and directed the fraudulent refunds to be electronically deposited into these accounts.
Laboe is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15 at 2:30 p.m. The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 and the maximum penalty for the identity theft violation is 15 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.
“IRS Criminal Investigation has made investigating refund fraud and identity theft a top priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod J. Koopman. “Filing fraudulent tax returns in the names of other individuals not only results in a severe harm to those victims whose identities were stolen, but creates a significant monetary loss to the U.S. Treasury.”
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Ross MacKenzie prosecuted the case.
Former Reynoldsburg Police Officer Agrees to Plead Guilty to Civil Rights Charges, Federal Program TheftRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shane M. Mauger, 41, of Columbus, has agreed to plead guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to deprive persons of civil rights and federal program theft.
Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, John F. Oleskowicz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Chicago Field Office, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the case today.
According to the statement of facts, Mauger was employed as a police officer with the Reynoldsburg Division of Police during the time of his offenses. Since at least November 2006, Mauger conspired with at least one other person to steal money and property in his capacity as a police officer. The money and property he stole came from the execution of search warrants, the execution of consent searches and other police actions. In total, the conspirators stole between $150,000 and $250,000 of money and property.
Mauger and at least one other person also filed false paperwork as part of the conspiracy. Mauger caused search warrant affidavits to be submitted to judges, knowing the affidavits contained false statements. For example, Mauger caused an affidavit to be filed that stated marijuana had been found in a trash pull at a residence, which he knew that in fact no marijuana had been found. He then participated in the execution of a resulting search warrant, which he knew was based on false information. Mauger also conspired with at least one other person to cause police reports to underreport how much money had been found in search warrants. The police reports excluded the amount of money the conspirators unlawfully seized.
By stealing money and property and by causing false statements to be made in affidavits in support of search warrants, Mauger oppressed persons’ Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures and their Fourteenth Amendment right not to be deprived of property without due process of law.
Each of the crimes carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
An arraignment hearing is yet to be scheduled in U.S. District Court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Department of Justice OIG and DEA and Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, Salvador A. Dominguez, and Jessica W. Knight, who are representing the United States in this case.
Florida Seafood Company Sentenced in Federal Court for Violating the Lacey Act for Falsely Labeling SalmonRead the Press Release
UpRiver Aquaculture, Inc., a/k/a “MKG Provisions, Inc. (MKG),” a Florida seafood company, located in Miami, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno for falsely labeling salmon, in violation of the Lacey Act.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Tracy Dunn, Assistant Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), made the announcement.
MKG previously pled guilty to a single count information, which charged the company with violating the Lacey Act by falsely labeling 286 cases of Chilean-imported farmed salmon as a “product of Scotland,” in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(d)(1) and 3373(d)(3)(A). The falsely labeling of fish, and other wildlife, is prohibited under the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. § 3372(d)(1). The Lacey Act, in pertinent part, makes it unlawful for a person to falsely identify any fish that has been, or is intended to be, imported, sold, purchased, or received from any foreign country or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. MKG was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. At sentencing, the court advised MKG’s General Manager, who appeared as the representative of the defendant, that the probationary period would also serve to provide oversight of the company’s implementation of a government-required compliance plan to prevent a recurrence of the offense.
According to court documents and information presented during the sentencing hearing in approximately December 2012, MKG received a shipment of approximately 286 cases of salmon at its Miami facility. The shipment was accurately identified in applicable business and importation related records supplied to MKG, as well as records generated internally by MKG, as a product of Chile and originating from Chile. MKG, acting through its employees and in connection with its business relationship with a client, St. James Smokehouse, Inc., processed, smoked, and repackaged the salmon into bags provided to MKG by St. James Smokehouse which identified the salmon as a product of Scotland. The falsely labeled salmon was intended for wholesale distribution and sale by St. James Smokehouse and was eventually sold to consumers through various retailers to which St. James Smokehouse had sold the salmon.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Outerbridge.
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
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Five Current and Former El Paso Independent School District Employees for Roles in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
In El Paso, a federal Grand Jury has indicted five individuals including 50–year-old former El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) Associate Superintendent Damon Murphy, in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) by artificially inflating state and federal student accountability scores announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division; and, U.S. Department of Education Inspector General Kathleen S. Tighe.
A six-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges Murphy; 52-year-old former Austin High School (AHS) Principal John Tanner; and, 51-year-old former AHS Assistant Principal Mark Phillip Tegmeyer with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States; one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud; and, one substantive count of mail fraud. The indictment also charges Tanner, Tegmeyer, 53-year-old former AHS Assistant Principal Diane Thomas, and 48-year-old former AHS Assistant Principal Nancy Love, with one count of conspiracy to retaliate against a witness. The indictment also charges Love with one count of making a false declaration before a Grand Jury.
The indictment alleges a scheme on the part of the defendants between February 2006 to September 2013 to violate the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) portion of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in order to keep EPISD compliant with program requirements.
According to the indictment, federal student performance accountability measure(s) including Federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards for accountability are mandated by the ESEA. The indictment alleges that fraudulent misrepresentations regarding EPISD's AYP were submitted to the Texas Education Agency and the DOE in order to make it appear as though EPISD was meeting and exceeding AYP standards. In the 2008/2009 school year, Murphy allegedly gave high school principals, including Tanner, “marching orders” to “put up barriers” to prevent 9th grade Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students and others who they perceived would perform poorly on the TAKS test from going on to the 10th grade. Later, Murphy and others implemented a plan using partial course credits for the 10th grade to reclassify and promote those held-back students to the 11th grade thereby circumventing all mandated testing/accountability procedures including the 10th grade TAKS test.
The indictment also alleges that throughout the 2009-2010 school year, Tanner, assisted by Tegmeyer, directed an AHS administrator to change previously properly marked absences of students to make it appear as if the student were present on days designated by the State to measure attendance rates. Tanner’s action resulted in approximately 11,000 fraudulent entries regarding absences of AHS students. The indictment further alleges that in the 2010/2011 school year, Tegmeyer instructed an AHS employee to withdraw students from the school without the students’ parents’ consent or notification to benefit EPISD’s compliance requirements.
The indictment also alleges that Tanner, Tegmeyer, Thomas and Love conspired with each other to harm the personal and professional reputations of two EPISD teachers for providing truthful information to FBI agents. The alleged purposes of their scheme included the termination of both teachers’ EPISD employment as well as any future employment; and, coaching a former student into falsely pressing criminal charges against one of the instructors. Love is alleged to have made a false statement during a Grand Jury proceeding on September 26, 2013. According to the indictment, Love told the grand jury that the former student sought her out for advice and help with pressing charges against the teacher, when in fact, it was Love who approached a relative of the former student to make contact and convince the student to press charges against the teacher.
“This indictment makes serious allegations that school officials manipulated and falsified crucial information about students to evade and defeat federal education standards. It is of the greatest importance to the community that these officials be called to account in order to maintain public confidence in the education system,” stated United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
All have been released on bond pending trial. The defendants face up to five years in federal prison upon conviction of conspiracy to defraud the Government; up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction of conspiracy to commit mail fraud; up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction of mail fraud; up to ten years in federal prison for conspiracy to retaliate against a witness; up to five years in federal prison for false declaration before a Grand Jury; and, up to five years in federal prison for making a false statement to a federal agent.
“These newly charged EPISD administrators engaged in criminal conduct and brazen efforts to manipulate testing populations, graduation rates, and attendance figures. The message should be loud and clear that the FBI, American people, and citizens of El Paso will not tolerate the manipulation and corruption of our public educational system,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division. “The involved teachers and administrators were trusted with educating and looking out for the best interests of students, as opposed to spending countless hours scheming and devising ways to defraud educational standards.”
“These educators have been indicted for cheating the most innocent of victims - El Paso school children -- as well as America’s taxpayers whose hard earned dollars fund vital education programs,” said Neil Sanchez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s South Central Regional Office. “As the office responsible for identifying waste, fraud, and abuse involving Department of Education funds and programs, ensuring that those who abuse these funds or game the system for their own selfish purposes are stopped and held accountable for their criminal actions is a big part of our mission.”
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Debra Kanof and Robert Almonte are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Eleven Individuals Charged in A Major Cocaine Trafficking Ring in RochesterRead 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 11 individuals were charged in two complaints with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and crack cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and an $8,000,000 fine.
Named in the complaints are:
• Dennis Smith, aka “Fish”
• Darren Smith, aka “Fat Boy”
• Kaleaf Ball, aka “Leaf”
• Reginald Streeter, aka “Street”
• Juan Sampel
• Angel Ocasio
• Jose Quintana
• Luz Morales, aka “Leida”
• Jason Gibson
• Kelly Shanks
• Jose Gonzalez“This represents yet another important success in our continuing efforts to protect the public from the twin dangers of firearms and large scale narcotics trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As this case demonstrates, law enforcement stands shoulder to shoulder in our commitment to bring to justice, all who engage in such dangerous criminal conduct.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Noto, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaints, from 2015 through April 26, 2016, the defendants operated an ongoing drug trafficking conspiracy in the City of Rochester. Members of this conspiracy were responsible for the importation and distribution of large quantities of cocaine and cocaine base in the Rochester area. During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted controlled purchases of cocaine, utilized federal wire taps to intercept electronic and wire communications over various cellular telephones utilized by members of the conspiracy, and conducted search warrants on multiple U.S. Priority Mail parcels containing cocaine and cash proceeds from the sale of cocaine.
The lengthy investigation culminated in the arrest of the 11 individuals named in the complaints and the execution of multiple search warrants. During the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement officers seized approximately five kilograms of cocaine and over 100 grams of cocaine base; quantities of heroin and marijuana; more than $200,000 in cash; and several firearms. Five of the individuals named in the complaint have one or more prior drug felony convictions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotic Enforcement Team, under the direction of Lt. Dave Gebhardt, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.El Dorado County Man Found Guilty of Failing to Surrender for Service of SentenceRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cesar Caballero, 46, of Diamond Springs, was found guilty on Tuesday after a two-day jury trial for failing to surrender for service of sentence, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, on August 30, 2011, Caballero was convicted of obstruction of mail for submitting Official Federal Mail Forwarding Change of Address Order forms to the U.S. Postal Service for the purpose of diverting mail addressed to the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to himself. After he was sentenced, Caballero appealed, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed his conviction on two of the three counts against him. He was resentenced on June 29, 2015, to a sixty day term of incarceration. He was ordered to surrender to begin serving his sentence by September 8, 2015.
As the evidence at trial demonstrated, Caballero failed to surrender as ordered on September 8, 2015, or any day thereafter. He was subsequently arrested by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on February 28, 2016.
This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Marshals Service, with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Elliot Wong and Benjamin Nelson prosecuted the case.
Caballero is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2016, by United States District Judge John A. Mendez. Caballero faces a maximum statutory penalty of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and a one-year term of supervised release. The actual sentenced will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Eight Missouri Residents Indicted in $6.6 Million K2 Conspiracy in Callaway CountyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that six Fulton, Mo., individuals, along with a Columbia, Mo., man, a Jefferson City, Mo, man and five individuals in the Sacramento, Calif., area, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $6.6 million mail fraud conspiracy that distributed synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, at various retail locations in Callaway County, Mo.
Jason Lee Houston, 36, Shawn Michael Browning, 25, Timothy Christopher Sandfort, 30, Brandon Derek Rader, 31, Joshua Adam Sheets, 30, and Dara Leanne Shirley, 30, all of Fulton; Casey Dewayne Miller, 32, of Columbia; Billie L. Bruce, 36, of Jefferson City; Raja Amer Nawaz, also known as “Rex,” 41, a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and his wife, Sheila Marie Nawaz, 39, both of Roseville, Calif.; Michael James Butler, 39, of Sacramento, Calif.; Curtis Whayne Gonzales, 55, of North Highlands, Calif.; and Aleksandr Polyanskiy, 24, of Citrus Heights, Calif.; were charged in a 14-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.
That indictment was unsealed and made public upon the arrests of Browning, Sandfort, Rader, Sheets and Shirley yesterday. They will have an initial court appearance today. Arrest warrants remain outstanding for Houston, Miller and Bruce. Raja Nawaz, who was arrested on April 13, 2016, remains in federal custody. Sheila Nawaz, Butler, Gonzales and Polyanskiy will self-surrender to authorities in California.
The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Raja Nawaz on April 12, 2016, and includes additional charges and defendants.
The indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to defraud the government and the public from Dec. 18, 2012, to July 16, 2015, by selling synthetic marijuana under various trade names as “incense,” “aroma therapy” or “potpourri” that were “not for human consumption” when, in truth and fact, these products were drugs intended for human consumption as a drug.
According to the indictment, hundreds of shipments of synthetic marijuana were made to Callaway County. Synthetic marijuana was allegedly sold at Inscentives Resale, with one location in Auxvasse, Mo., and two locations in Fulton, and at S&J Smoke Shop in Holts Summit, Mo.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, these retail establishments grossed approximately $6,656,843 from the sale of approximately 799 kilograms of synthetic marijuana.
Undercover purchases of synthetic marijuana allegedly were made by law enforcement officers from these retail establishments. On numerous occasions, the affidavit says, law enforcement officers seized synthetic marijuana from individuals who had just left one of these retail establishments. Additionally, law enforcement officers responded to reported overdoses on synthetic marijuana that involved subjects who had purchased these substances from these retail establishments.
Callaway County Businesses
Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Shirley and Miller operated three businesses: Inscentives Resale (with locations in Auxvasse and Fulton), from which they allegedly distributed synthetic marijauna. The federal indictment alleges that at various times Inscentives Resale, Inscentives Auto and First Stop Last Stop Pawn and Aromatherapy purchased synthetic marijuana from Raja Nawaz, Butler, Gonzales, Polyanskiy and others.
Browning, Sheets and Bruce operated Esscentials Buy, Sell and Trade (also known as Esscentials, or Esscentials Resale) and S&J Tobacco (also known as J&L Tobacco), which purchased synthetic marijuana from Raja Nawaz, Polyanskiy and others and sold synthetic marijuana from locations in Holts Summit.
Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Shirley, Miller, Browning, Sheets and Bruce also periodically supplied each other with packages of synthetic marijuana for resale.
According to the indictment, Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Shirley, Browning and Sheets paid at least $2,866,676 to Raja Nawaz, Polyanskiy, Butler, Gonzales and others for synthetic marijuana between Jan. 16, 2013, and April 18, 2015.
Raja Nawaz (assisted by Polyanskiy) allegedly shipped synthetic marijuana from California and Nevada via FedEx and UPS to Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Browning, Sheets, Shirley, Miller, Bruce and others at least 190 times between Sept. 4, 2013, and Dec. 24, 2014.
Butler and Gonzalez allegedly shipped synthetic marijuana from California via UPS to Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Shirley and Miller at least 37 times between June 24, 2014, and April 14, 2015.
Polyanskiy allegedly shipped synthetic marijuana from Nevada via UPS to Houston, Sandfort, Rader, Browning, Sheets, Shirley, Miller and Bruce at least 24 times from Jan. 8 to April 14, 2015.
Additional Drug-Trafficking Counts
The federal indictment also alleges that all of the defendants participated in two additional conspiracies – a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues.
In addition to the three conspiracy counts, the federal indictment charges Browning, Sheets and Bruce together in one count of aiding and abetting each other and others to distribute controlled substances.
Browning, Sheets and Bruce are also charged together in count of aiding and abetting each other and others to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute.
Houston, Sandfort, Rader and Miller are also charged together in one count of aiding and abetting each other and others to distribute controlled substances.
Houston, Sandfort, Rader and Miller are also charged together in one count of possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute.
Houston, Sandfort and Rader are also charged together in three counts of maintaining a place for the purpose of storing and distributing controlled substances at Inscentives Resale, with one location in Auxvasse and two locations in Fulton. Browning and Sheets are also charged together in one count of maintaining a place for the purpose of storing and distributing controlled substances at S&J Smoke Shop in Holts Summit.
Money Laundering Counts
Raja Nawaz, Butler, Gonzales, Houston, Browning, Sandfort, Sheets, Rader and Shirley are also charged together in one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. They allegedly conspired to conduct financial transactions that involved the proceeds of illegal activity in order to promote the criminal activity and to conceal the nature of the proceeds.
In addition to the money-laundering conspiracy, Raja Nawaz, Houston, Sandfort, Rader and Shirley are charged together in two counts of money laundering.
The indictment alleges that Raja Nawaz engaged in numerous financial transactions through which he transmitted approximately $387,114 in proceeds from the distribution of synthetic marijuana from the United States to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in order to conceal these proceeds.
California Businesses
The federal indictment alleges that Raja Nawaz utilized his businesses (MOJO Distribution, LLC, Aromatic Novelties, Inc., and Top Notch Novelties, Inc.) to send FedEx packages containing synthetic marijuana to wholesale customers, including Butler and Gonzales.
Polyanskiy allegedly assisted Raja Nawaz in the distribution of synthetic marijuana by fulfilling orders placed by customers in the Western District of Missouri and elsewhere. Polyanskiy also established ANOP, Inc., (in which Raja Nawaz was a silent partner) to send UPS packages containing synthetic marijuana to customers in the Western District of Missouri and various other locations in the United States.
Sheila Nawaz was the president of Ecomm Organix, Inc., which allegedly purchased synthetic marijuana from MOJO Distribution and then distributed it to retail customers throughout the United States, including the Western District of Missouri. Ecomm Organix and MOJO Distribution shared websites and telephone numbers used to market synthetic marijuana. Employees of MOJO Distribution were paid by Ecomm Organix. Ecomm Organix employees worked for MOJO Distribution.
Butler and Gonzalez worked for MOJO Distribution. They also established Butler-Whayne Industries, LLC, which allegedly sent UPS packages containing synthetic marijuana to wholesale customers, including Inscentives Resale in Auxvasse and Fulton, and Esscentials/S&J Tobacco in Holts Summit.
Forfeiture Allegations
The indictment also contains several forfeiture allegations, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offenses or any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including a $6,656,843 money judgment, which represents the amount of money involved in the conspiracy to defraud the government and the public, and a $321,585 money judgment, which represents the amount of money involved in the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Forfeitures would also include the property of Inscentives Resale at 601 Airway Dr., Fulton, as well as $3,070 seized by law enforcement officers from Inscentives Resale, $9,581 seized by law enforcement officers from S&J Tobacco, $3,028 seized by law enforcement officers from Browning and various bank accounts.
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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the DEA Task Force – Jefferson City, DEA Sacramento, Calif., DEA Reno, Nev., IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the MUSTANG Drug Task Force, the Callaway County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Fulton, Mo., Police Department and the Holts Summit, Mo., Police Department.
East Alton Man Charged in Making False Bomb Threats to Alton Home Depot StoreRead the Press Release
On April 26, 2016, Jeremy R. Colwell, a thirty-three year old man from East Alton, Illinois, was charged by complaint in federal district court, in East St. Louis, for three counts of Conveying a False Threat, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Colwell faces a potential sentence of up to 5 years’ in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, not more than 3 years’ of supervised release after his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment of $100 per count.
Court proceedings revealed that on February 16, 2016, April 2, 2016, and April 4, 2016, Colwell is alleged to have faxed messages to the Alton Police Department, local news outlets, Home Depot in Alton, Illinois, as well as the FBI, threatening the detonation of a bomb at Home Depot in Alton, Illinois.
A complaint is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak for prosecution.
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against San Francisco Rice Noodle Company and Senior Officers to Stop Distribution of Adulterated ProductsRead the Press Release
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Kun Wo Food Products Inc. (Kun Wo) and the firm’s co-owners, Zi Xing Liu and Zi Cheng Liu, to prevent the distribution of adulterated rice noodles, the Department of Justice announced today.
The department filed a complaint in the Northern District of California on April 12, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The complaint alleged that the defendants have a history of processing rice noodles under insanitary conditions. As detailed in the complaint, the company prepared, processed, manufactured, packed, held and distributed rice noodles to local customers in the San Francisco area. The complaint alleged that Zi Xing Lui has ultimate authority over all of the firm’s operations, including financial expenditures, production processes and employee supervision and that Zi Cheng Liu shares responsibility with Zi Xing Liu for the firm’s production processes and is also responsible for product distribution.
In conjunction with the filing of the complaint, the defendants agreed to settle the litigation and to be bound by a permanent injunction. As part of the settlement, the defendants represented that they have ceased receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, or distributing any type of food at or from any location. Under the permanent injunction, if the defendants seek to resume such activity, they must first inform FDA, take specific steps to improve the firm’s manufacturing practices, and then receive written approval from FDA.
“Kun Wo Food Products was repeatedly informed that the sanitation practices at its facility were deficient,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to aggressively pursue food companies and individuals responsible for the production of food under insanitary conditions in order to protect the American people and make sure America’s food supply is safe.”
According to the complaint, a 2016 inspection by FDA documented that defendants failed to take all necessary precautions to prevent food handlers from contaminating food with microorganisms or foreign material. For example, as alleged in the complaint, an employee used the vat containing rice soaking for the day’s production to rinse her bare hands after handling equipment. In addition, as noted in the complaint, during a 2015 inspection, FDA documented employees using the vat containing soaking rice to rinse their bare hands, rags and buckets after using the rags and buckets to clean the production area with detergent. The complaint also alleged that employees touched dirty equipment and then used their bare, unwashed hands to grab rice noodles for packaging. The complaint further alleged that during the most recent inspection, FDA found that machines used to steam, cool, slice and weigh the rice noodles were covered in grease and grime, causing the first sheet of rice noodles coming off the production machine to contain particulate matter.
According to the complaint, the most recent inspection also found that condensate dripped from a hose suspended from the ceiling into the vat containing soaking rice. Also, as noted in the complaint, condensate dripped from a copper pipe, with a green and black film on its surface, into a grinder containing rice for processing.
Further, the complaint alleged that during the 2015 inspection, FDA swabbed various surfaces in the firm’s production area, including the buckets used during processing and found the presence of bacterial contamination at the facility -- L. mono was identified on the exterior of one bucket and L. seeligeri was found on the exterior of another bucket. The complaint alleged that the firm’s employees routinely submerged these buckets in the water that contained soaking rice.
L.mono is the bacterium that causes the disease listeriosis. The most serious forms of listeriosis can cause meningitis and septicemia. L. seeligeri does not cause disease; however, it is a marker indicating that conditions are favorable for the survival and growth of L. mono.
Under federal law, food processors are required to comply with current good manufacturing practices provided by FDA regulation. Failure to follow such regulations renders food adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In this matter, the complaint alleged that defendants violated the law by causing food to become adulterated while it was held for sale after shipment of one or more of its components in interstate commerce.
The government is represented by trial attorney Kathleen Konopka of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, with the assistance of Senior Counsel Claudia Zuckerman of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of General Counsel’s Food and Drug Division.
Discard Unwanted Drugs: DEA’s Pill Take Back DayRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS – On Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. This is the eleventh opportunity in six years that DEA has offered this free service.
The American Society of Addiction and Medicine reported in a 2016 opioid addiction factsheet that drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. with 47,055 lethal drug overdoses in 2014. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 18,893 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 10,574 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2014. For opiate-based drugs – both heroin and prescription pain-killers – a high potential for addiction exists no matter the type of drug. Eastern Iowa has experienced a rash of recent heroin overdoses and deaths.
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau stated, “The Drug Enforcement Administration’s “Pill Take Back Day” has been very successful and offers an anonymous and free opportunity to rid our medicine cabinets of unwanted pills.” Techau went on to add, “The threat of prescription drug abuse leading to more serious drug addictions is real. This Saturday is a day our community should come together to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic crossing our nation and impacting our citizens.”
Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
DEA’s pill drop off sites available on April 30th can be accessed through the Iowa Governor’s Office on Drug Control Policy website at: http://www.iowa.gov/odcp/. Under the heading “Important Information,” click on Prescription Drug Disposal and link to its site identified under the heading “Take Back Events.” DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Those unable to participate next Saturday are offered year around opportunities in Iowa to discard unused, expired and unwanted medications at locations around the state. To find those locations, access the website above and select the same link. Iowa’s year around “Take Back Kiosks” link displays a map of disposal locations.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website. You may also follow the activities and events of the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative on Facebook.
Follow the office on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
US Attorney Kevin Techau with Assistant USA Pat Reinert and CRPD Officer Al Fear who heads up the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative standing by a pill drop box at the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Department of Justice designates inagural National Reentry WeekRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold a special event at the Henry House in Anchorage on Wednesday, April 27, as part of National Reentry Week. As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system, the Department of Justice designated the week of April 24-30, 2016, as National Reentry Week.
Housing is a key challenge that returning citizens face when they are released from prison back to their communities in Alaska. Henry House provides safe, alcohol and drug free, transitional housing to reentrants and others in downtown Anchorage. This will be a volunteer project at Henry House to assist with basic maintenance projects to brighten Henry House’s common areas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also invited the United States District Court, the United States Probation Office, and the Federal Public Defenders to participate.
Each year, more than 600,000 citizens nationwide return to our neighborhoods after serving time in federal and state prisons. Another 11.4 million individuals cycle through local jails. And nearly one in three Americans of working age have had some sort of encounter with the criminal justice system — mostly for relatively minor, non-violent offenses, and sometimes from decades in the past. In Alaska, there were 12,590 citizens released from state custody and 182 released from federal custody in 2015. The long-term impact of a criminal record prevents many people from obtaining housing, employment, higher education, and credit — and these barriers affect returning individuals even if they have turned their lives around and are unlikely to reoffend.
As part of National Reentry Week, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Monday in Philadelphia announced the “Roadmap to Reentry,” the Department’s comprehensive vision to reduce recidivism through reentry reforms at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). These efforts will help those who have paid their debt to society prepare for substantive opportunities beyond the prison gates, promote family unity, contribute to the health of our economy, advance public safety and sustain the strength of our communities.
The principles outlined in the “Roadmap to Reentry” are aligned with the work of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council which has been working since its creation five years ago to reduce recidivism and improve housing, employment, education, health, and child welfare outcomes.
As part of the national effort to increase awareness about these challenges, the Attorney General also sent a letter to governors with a request to permit citizens returning to their communities to exchange their Bureau of Prisons inmate identification card and authenticated release documentation for state identification, or for these documents to satisfy the primary identification document requirement for state-issued identification. Without government-issued identification, men and women leaving correctional facilities face extreme challenges securing employment and housing, registering for school, opening bank accounts as well as accessing other benefits, such as health care, that are critical to successful reintegration.
“In Alaska, we face similar challenges for our population attempting to return to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Loeffler. “Housing, access to health care, and jobs are key components to successful reentry. In order to aid in successful transitions with the extra goal of increasing public safety and reducing recidivist crime, we need to step up our public, private partnerships and come up with creative solutions to address some of these needs.”
“Too often, justice-involved individuals who have paid their debt to society confront daunting obstacles to good jobs, decent housing, adequate health care, quality education, and even the right to vote,” said Attorney General Lynch. “National Reentry Week highlights the many ways that the Department of Justice – and the entire Obama Administration – is working to tear down the barriers that stand between returning citizens and a meaningful second chance – leading to brighter futures, stronger communities, and a more just and equal nation for all.”
Leadership from across the Administration will be traveling around the country to make policy announcements in support of National Reentry Week. They will also be encouraging federal partners and grantees to work closely with stakeholders like federal defenders, legal aid providers and other partners across the country to increase the impact of these efforts. National Reentry Week events are being planned in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. U.S. Attorney’s Offices alone are hosting over 200 events and BOP facilities are holding over 370 events.
Additional Resources:
National Reentry Week Webpage
DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Is Saturday April 30thRead the Press Release
Boston, MA – During the last and 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day the New England Field Division over the course of four hours collected 67,107 pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at 596 collection sites throughout New England. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is continuing its efforts to take back unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. The DEA invites the public to bring their potentially dangerous, unwanted medicines to one of the hundreds of collection sites all over New England. Many local Police Departments across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont have drop off receptacles or kiosk that is secured in the lobby of their Police Departments so that the public can drop off unused, unneeded, and expired prescription medications 7 days a week throughout the year with no questions asked in an anonymous manner. There will also be numerous collection sites all over New England on April 30, 2016 in some Town Halls, Senior Centers, Community Centers and pharmacies. The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov clicking on the “Got Drugs” icon, and entering the zip code into the search window, or they can call 800-882-9539.
All across America and especially here in New England we are experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. 6.5 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is more than abuse cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined.
"Many Americans are not aware that medicines which languish in home cabinets are highly vulnerable to diversion, misuse, and abuse," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. "Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming levels, as are the number of accidental poisoning and overdoses due to the illegal use of these drugs. Please take the time to clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse."
Eric Miller, the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, added, “It is no secret that for many people, opiate addiction begins with the misuse of prescription pain medication. By properly disposing of unused prescription drugs, every Vermonter can do his or her part in keeping our communities safe.”
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The removal from homes of unwanted prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold is an easy way to help fight the epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.
DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Is SaturdayRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After collecting and destroying 5.5 million pounds—2,762 tons—of unused prescription drugs in the past five years, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is continuing its efforts to take back unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. The DEA invites the public to bring their potentially dangerous, unwanted medicines to one of over 5,000 collection sites around the country that are manned by more than 3,800 of DEA’s tribal and local law enforcement partners. This service is free of charge, with no questions asked.
The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and entering their zip code into the search window, or they can call 800-882-9539. Only pills and other solids, like patches, will be accepted—the public should not bring liquids, needles or other sharps to take back sites.
America is presently experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. 6.5 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than abuse cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined.
“The abuse of prescription drugs is America’s fastest-growing drug problem, and too many people are dying or being seriously injured for the misuse of such drugs,” U.S. Attorney Wagner stated. “Young people are particularly at risk. Since most people who abuse prescription drugs say that they get them from family members or friends, it is imperative that we all take steps to dispose of unwanted drugs.”
“Unused prescription drugs that languish in the home are susceptible to diversion for misuse and abuse,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. “You can make your home and our community safer by taking advantage of this free and anonymous service.”
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The removal from homes of unwanted prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold is an easy way to help fight the epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.
According to the DEA, in the previous 10 take-back events, approximately 302,427 pounds or 151 tons of unused medication were collected from Northern California and Central Valley residents.
DEA Nashville District Office to Hold 11th Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This SaturdayRead the Press Release
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Nashville District Office is partnering with national, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, as well as community coalition groups, to hold its 11th state-wide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
This one-day event will make it convenient for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. At the event, Tennesseans will be able to drop off their expired, unused, and unwanted pills at sites across the state free of charge, no questions asked. By doing so, they will help prevent prescription drug abuse and theft.
The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and entering their zip code into the search window, or they can call 800-882-9539. Only pills and other solids, like patches, will be accepted. Liquids, needles and other sharp objects will not be accepted.
Tennesseans participating in DEA’s last take back event held on September 26, 2015, yielded 17,427 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at collection sites throughout the state. This was the largest amount collected during the 10 previous take back events.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses vital public safety and health issues. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Surveys of opioid drug users show that the majority of them get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. This is a unique opportunity for Americans to make their homes and medicine cabinets safe from theft and abuse.
Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said, “Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The Prescription Drug Take-Back program will allow Americans to properly and safely dispose of their prescription medication which could otherwise be abused for non-medical purposes. This event is free and anonymous. Simply turn in your unused, unwanted, unneeded medication, no questions asked. This is just one example of how DEA is working hand-in-hand with its law enforcement and community partners in an effort to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse.”
The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
Covington Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ROY JOSEPH BUSIERE, age 68, of Covington, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced BUSIERE to 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered BUSIERE to pay $1,540,973.39 in restitution.
According to court documents, BUSIERE, who worked as a comptroller for A & H Armature Works, Inc., embezzled from the company’s bank account at First American Bank. BUSIERE conspired with another to steal from A & H Armature Works, Inc. by using Paypal and American Express accounts to transfer the funds.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service, New Orleans Field Division, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Loan A. "Mimi" Nguyen was in charge of the prosecution.
Couple Indicted for $20 Million Visa Fraud Involving Indian WorkersRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Raju Kosuri, 44, and Smriti Jharia, 45, of Ashburn, as well as four co-conspirators, were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and visa fraud, among other charges.
According to the indictment, Kosuri, his spouse Jharia, and their co-conspirators have fraudulently applied for more than 800 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.
The indictment alleges that Kosuri has set up a network of shell companies that he presents to immigration authorities as independent businesses in need of Indian workers, but which he in fact owns and controls. The indictment further alleges that Kosuri and his co-conspirators use these entities to file petitions for non-existent job vacancies at Kosuri’s data center in Danville. Kosuri is alleged to require workers to pay their own visa processing fees, in violation of H-1B program rules; and he is alleged to treat the beneficiaries as hourly contractors, again in violation of H-1B visa program rules. The visa fraud scheme involves the forgery of numerous individuals’ signatures on visa petitions and exhibits without their knowledge. The indictment alleges that Kosuri has generated gross proceeds of at least $20 million over the life of the scheme.
Separately, the indictment alleges that Kosuri and Jharia conspired with a consultant named Raimondo Piluso to defraud the Small Business Administration, by submitting fraudulent HUBZone applications. Kosuri, Jharia, and Piluso are alleged to have concealed the true location, ownership, and employees of a business called EcomNets Federal Solutions in order to obtain federal loan and contract preferences, from which they have generated $150,000 in loan proceeds and five contract awards.
Kosuri, Jharia, and Piluso face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, if convicted. The other co-conspirators face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, if convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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, U.S. Department of State; and Robin Blake, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, made the announcement after the indictment was unsealed. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul K. Nitze and Angela Fiorentino-Rios are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-CR-43.
Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office Participates in National Reentry Week EventsRead the Press Release
New Haven – As part of an ongoing effort to make our criminal justice system fairer, more efficient and more effective at reducing recidivism and helping formerly incarcerated individuals contribute to their communities, the Department of Justice has designated the week of April 24-30, 2016, as National Reentry Week.
“The Justice Department is committed to reducing recidivism and making our communities safer,” stated U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly. “A major part of this commitment is assisting those who have served time in prison transition to being productive and law-abiding members of society. Too often, returning citizens face impregnable barriers as they compete for jobs, seek to attain stable housing and support their families. Successful reentry programs benefit all of us.”
National Reentry Week events are being held in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. U.S. Attorney’s Offices alone are sponsoring more than 200 events, and federal Bureau of Prisons facilities are holding more than 370 events.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut is participating in four National Reentry Week events:
- On April 27, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Probation Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office are speaking to inmates at FCI Danbury about federal government reentry initiatives.
- On April 28, the City of Hartford is presenting a panel discussion titled “Life After Lockup: Stories of Success,” at the Hartford Public Library, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- On April 29, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is hosting “A Brighter Future: Jobs for Returning Citizens,” in New Haven. Panel discussions will include returning citizens who are now employed, employers who have successfully hired individuals with criminal records, and workforce development providers who have implemented programs to prepare these individuals for employment.
- On April 29, the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative will be hosting its 5th Annual Bridgeport Reentry Awards Ceremony at Housatonic Community College, at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony is a celebration of the collective success of former offenders, advocates, and businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to effective reintegration.
For more information about these programs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office reentry initiative, please contact Holly A. Wasilewski, Reentry & Community Outreach Coordinator, at 203-821-3833 or [email protected].
Chinese Chemical Engineer Sentenced for Conspiracy and Importation of Synthetic Drugs and Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Wei Zhang, a/k/a David Liteng (36, Tianjin, China) to 50 months in federal prison for conspiracy to import controlled substance analogues (synthetic cannabinoids) knowing they were intended for human consumption, and aiding and abetting the importation of controlled substances and cathinones, also known as “bath salts.” He also forfeited $1.5 million that had been seized from a Swiss bank account.
According to court documents, in late 2010, an individual met with Dan and Kevin Louie, the owners and operators of Source1Herbs, in Toronto, Canada. Source1Herbs was a large wholesale business that sold synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. This individual met with the owners and learned that their Chinese-based supplier was Wei Zhang, a/k/a “David Liteng.” In October 2010, the individual made contact with Zhang and discussed ordering chemicals from him directly. In late February 2011, the individual and his business partner traveled to China and met with the suppliers, including Zhang. During these meetings, the individual and Zhang discussed finding a replacement chemical for 1-pentyl-3-(1-napthoyl)indole JWH-018, which was set to be temporarily listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by DEA on March 1, 2011. As a result of the meeting, the individual obtained a more favorable pricing from Zhang for synthetic chemicals. Zhang, a chemical engineer, explained the best chemical alternatives for JWH-018 that would give the end user a similar high, including stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.
On March 1, 2011, Zhang and others exchanged e-mail communications (including news articles) for specific chemicals banned that day, which included JWH-018. One such e-mail from Zhang states, “Hi we know there will be ban jwh and similar product on 1th (sic) march. Pls let me know what happen tomorrow.” When JWH-018 was placed on the DEA’s banned list, Zhang and others began selling other chemicals, including AM-2201, JWH-081, JWH-122, JWH-203, JWH-210, and JWH-250. Zhang routinely shipped large quantities of those chemicals to customers in the United States, Russia, and Europe, distributing a portion of the synthetic cannabinoids through mailing facilities in the Middle District of Florida. From March 2011 through February 2012, Zhang shipped approximately 798 kilograms of these chemicals to the individual. In addition, he supplied Source1Herbs with large quantities of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones.
In July 2013, Zhang and the individual had several discussions about synthetic cannabinoids, the latest trends in the worldwide industry, and the controlled status of certain chemicals, including UR-144, 5F-UR-144, and RCS-4. Zhang sent the individual various samples of synthetic chemicals known as 5 Meo Dalt (a synthetic cathinone), A834, 5F-UR-144, JWH-308, and WIN48098. Zhang also discussed emerging synthetic cannabinoids PB-22 and 5F-PB-22, both of which were controlled substance analogues of JWH-018 at the time, and then later designated as Schedule I controlled substances. After receiving a spreadsheet of Zhang’s inventory, the individual negotiated a purchase deal with Zhang for large quantities of UR-144, 5F-UR-144, and RCS-4. The negotiated price for approximately 773 kilograms of chemicals was $265,000, and Zhang agreed to provide the chemicals on consignment. Zhang agreed to ship mislabeled parcels containing 2 or 3 kilograms of those substances per parcel to various mailing facilities within the Middle District of Florida.
From February 3, 2014, through May 16, 2014, Homeland Security Investigations received 48 packages containing 144 kilograms of UR-144, 47 packages containing 106 kilograms of 5F-UR-144 (XLR-11), and 8 packages containing 16 kilograms of RCS-4. During the receipt of those packages, the individual further negotiated to pay Zhang $150,000 for the 266 kilograms of Schedule I controlled substances. In April 2014, Zhang traveled to the United States to retrieve $150,000 in cash for the substances, where he was ultimately arrested.
On May 7, 2014, the United States Treasury Department - Office of Foreign Asset Control used the Kingpin Act to designate Source1Herbs and Dan and Kevin Louie, both Canadian nationals, on the Specially Designated National List. The Kingpin Act permits the imposition of economic sanctions to preclude a variety of worldwide economic transactions.
Zhang’s conviction marks the third Chinese national convicted in the United States for importation of synthetic drugs. Jin Liu was also prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida for conspiracy to import 100 kilograms of PB-22, a synthetic cannabinoid.
"This international investigation brings the first U.S. arrests and convictions of Chinese synthetic drug manufacturers and suppliers," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "HSI special agents, working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, have stopped these dangerous synthetic drugs from entering our communities.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation was part of Special Operations Division Project Synergy. The Special Operations Division, along with the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Department of Justice, coordinated Project Synergy to investigate and prosecute the leaders in the synthetic drug business both domestically and internationally. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.
Charleston heroin and crack dealer sentenced to Federal prison for drug crimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to a year and a half in prison for a federal drug crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Donovan Hardison, 26, previously pleaded guilty in January 2016 to possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack.
Hardison admitted that on May 8, 2015, when he was arrested by agents of the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, he had heroin and crack that he intended to sell concealed in his sock. Hardison also admitted that on several occasions in 2014 and 2015, he sold heroin and crack in the Charleston area to confidential informants working with the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Hardison further admitted that he stored heroin, crack, and firearms in his residence on 2nd Avenue in Charleston.
The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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California-Based Z Gallerie LLC Agrees to Pay $15 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Evaded Customs DutiesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that Z Gallerie LLC has agreed to pay $15 million to resolve allegations that the company engaged in a scheme to evade customs duties on imports of wooden bedroom furniture from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in violation of the False Claims Act. Z Gallerie sells upscale furniture and accessories in stores across the United States and through the Internet. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
“This settlement reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensure that those who import and sell foreign-made goods in the United States comply with the law, including laws meant to protect domestic companies and American workers from unfair competition abroad,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will zealously pursue those who seek an unfair advantage in U.S. markets by evading the duties owed on goods imported into this country.”
The Department of Commerce assesses, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects, duties to protect U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition abroad by leveling the playing field for domestic products. The particular duties at issue in this case are antidumping duties, which protect domestic manufacturers against foreign companies “dumping” products on U.S. markets at prices below cost. Imports of wooden bedroom furniture manufactured in the PRC have been subject to antidumping duties since 2004.
The settlement announced today resolved allegations that Z Gallerie evaded antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from the PRC from 2007 to 2014, by misclassifying, or conspiring with others to misclassify, the imported furniture as pieces intended for non-bedroom use on documents presented to CBP. For example, Z Gallerie allegedly sold certain Bassett Mirror Company products, including a six-drawer dresser and three-drawer chest, as part of a bedroom collection; however, these goods were misidentified on CBP documents, using descriptions such as “grand chests” and “hall chests,” in order to avoid paying antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture.
“Savannah is home to one of the fastest growing ports in the country, handling almost 10 percent of all the containerized cargo volume in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver for the Southern District of Georgia. “This U.S. Attorney’s Office will work hard to make sure those using the Port of Savannah play by the rules, and to hold those who try to cheat their way out of paying customs duties accountable.”
“Under the new Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, CBP will likely see an increase in these types of settlements as the streamlined processes take effect concerning allegations of duty evasion,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “The Act reinforces CBP’s existing authorities and tools to collect and investigate public allegations of duty evasion improving the overall effectiveness and enforcement of CBP law enforcement actions concerning illicit trade activity, specifically in the area of antidumping and countervailing duty evasion schemes.”
“Companies that intentionally mislabel shipments or misrepresent the value of goods being imported into the United States to avoid paying the appropriate duties do so in an attempt to create an unfair advantage over businesses that play by the rules,” said Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) in Atlanta. “This type of activity hurts legitimate U.S. businesses and, by extension, our overall national economy. Uncovering these types of schemes will continue to be a major investigative priority for ICE HSI.”
The allegations resolved by the settlement were originally brought by whistleblower Kelly Wells, an e-commerce retailer of furniture, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. The act permits private parties to sue on behalf of the United States those who falsely claim federal funds or, as in this case, those who avoid paying funds owed to the government or cause or conspire in such conduct. The act also allows the whistleblower to receive a share of any funds recovered. Wells will receive $2.4 million as her share of the settlement.
The investigation was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, CBP and HSI Atlanta.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
California-Based Z Gallerie LLC Agrees to Pay $15 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Evaded Customs DutiesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA – U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver announced today that Z Gallerie LLC has agreed to pay $15 million to resolve allegations that the company engaged in a scheme to evade customs duties on imports of wooden bedroom furniture from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in violation of the False Claims Act. Z Gallerie sells upscale furniture and accessories in stores across the United States and through the Internet. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
“Savannah is home to one of the fastest growing ports in the country, handling almost 10 percent of all the containerized cargo volume in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver for the Southern District of Georgia. “This U.S. Attorney’s Office will work hard to make sure those using the Port of Savannah play by the rules, and to hold those who try to cheat their way out of paying customs duties accountable.”
“This settlement reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensure that those who import and sell foreign-made goods in the United States comply with the law, including laws meant to protect domestic companies and American workers from unfair competition abroad,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will zealously pursue those who seek an unfair advantage in U.S. markets by evading the duties owed on goods imported into this country.”
The Department of Commerce assesses, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects, duties to protect U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition abroad by leveling the playing field for domestic products. The particular duties at issue in this case are antidumping duties, which protect domestic manufacturers against foreign companies “dumping” products on U.S. markets at prices below cost. Imports of wooden bedroom furniture manufactured in the PRC have been subject to antidumping duties since 2004. The settlement announced today resolved allegations that Z Gallerie evaded antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from the PRC from 2007 to 2014, by misclassifying, or conspiring with others to misclassify, the imported furniture as pieces intended for non-bedroom use on documents presented to CBP.
“Under the new Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, CBP will likely see an increase in these types of settlements as the streamlined processes take effect concerning allegations of duty evasion,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “The Act reinforces CBP’s existing authorities and tools to collect and investigate public allegations of duty evasion improving the overall effectiveness and enforcement of CBP law enforcement actions concerning illicit trade activity, specifically in the area of antidumping and countervailing duty evasion schemes.”
“Companies that intentionally mislabel shipments or misrepresent the value of goods being imported into the United States to avoid paying the appropriate duties do so in an attempt to create an unfair advantage over businesses that play by the rules,” said Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) in Atlanta. “This type of activity hurts legitimate U.S. businesses and, by extension, our overall national economy. Uncovering these types of schemes will continue to be a major investigative priority for ICE HSI.”
The allegations resolved by the settlement were originally brought by whistleblower Kelly Wells, an e-commerce retailer of furniture, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. The act permits private parties to sue on behalf of the United States those who falsely claim federal funds or, as in this case, those who avoid paying funds owed to the government or cause or conspire in such conduct. The act also allows the whistleblower to receive a share of any funds recovered. Wells will receive $2.4 million as her share of the settlement. The settlement is the largest False Claims Act recovery in the history of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
The investigation was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, CBP and HIS-Atlanta. Any questions should be directed to First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
Bus Stop Accessibility in Waterloo ResolvedRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a resolution to ensure access to bus stops in the City of Waterloo during winter conditions under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
A complaint had alleged that bus stops in the City of Waterloo were not accessible to citizens with disabilities due to the failure to remove snow in a timely fashion that was covering sidewalks, curb cuts, or crosswalks. Persons with disabilities had to operate their wheelchairs in the streets. There are over 100 bus stops located throughout the city.
“The ADA guarantees people with disabilities equal access to transportation services so that they can travel freely and enjoy autonomy,” said Kevin W. Techau, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “This agreement is an important step toward fulfilling the promise of the ADA even during adverse weather conditions. We commend the City of Waterloo for entering into the consent decree to ensure equal access during winter weather.”
The settlement calls for the City of Waterloo to submit a plan six months from the signing of the agreement. That plan must list each bus stop and how the city will maintain the accessible features at each. The settlement agreement also calls for the city to submit a report to the United States Attorney’s Office relating to the completion of any construction work pertaining to the bus stops to ensure their accessibility. The city’s plan must include standard operating procedures covering snow removal. The United States Attorney’s office will monitor compliance.
Executive Director for Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI), Christopher Sparks, commended the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Waterloo for working together to reach a settlement to ensure bus benches are accessible and safe for all members of our community. Sparks stated, “Many of the people EPI serves rely on public transportation to meet basic needs – such as getting to and from work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and more. A good number of those people use wheelchairs or other assistive devices for mobility. Accessible bus stops means not having to wait on a busy street for your transportation – it means safety, it means you’re welcome in the community. It’s invaluable.”
The settlement agreement detailing the terms of the agreement is attached to this release.
These matters were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Wright and the Disabilities Rights Section of the United States Department of Justice.
The public may access the U.S. Attorney’s website to file an ADA complaint at www.justice.gov/usao/ian. After completing the form, it may be sent by mail, fax, or email. Those wishing for further guidance can telephone the office by dialing 319-363-6333.
You may learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act by going to the Department of Justice website at www.ada.gov.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Bucks County Man Indicted on Child Pornography and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Norman Ridgeway, 26, of Croydon, Pennsylvania, was charged by Indictment today with production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
Additionally, Ridgeway was charged with one count each of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence. According to the indictment, while law enforcement was in pursuit of Ridgeway, Ridgeway “wiped” his cell phone by resetting it to factory settings in an effort to alter, destroy, and conceal evidence of child pornography. Further, Ridgeway allegedly made a telephone call in which he instructed and commanded another person to locate, obtain, and destroy an SD memory card he kept in his wallet which contained child pornography.
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of 100 years in prison, a possible fine, three years of supervised release, and a $700 special assessment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance provided by the Bensalem Township Police Department, the Warminster Township Police Department, the Middletown Township Police Department, and the Bristol Township Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. Petkun.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bogalusa Man Sentenced for Oxycodone DistributionRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that EDGAR POUNDS, age 66, of Bogalusa, was sentenced today for two counts of selling oxycodone tablets to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent. Oxycodone is a prescription-only Schedule II controlled substance and a highly addictive and abused opioid drug.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced POUNDS to four years of probation, a $500 fine, a $200 special assessment, and 100 hours of community service.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael B. Redmann was in charge of the prosecution.
Birmingham Man Indicted for Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted a Birmingham man for stealing someone’s identifying personal information and using it to fraudulently obtain credit, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Postal Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez.
A six-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges MARKEZ J. MCCONNICO, 34, with two counts each of mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The indictment charges McConnico with opening two credit cards in the victim’s name, and also changing the victim’s Mobile mailing address to McConnico’s mailing address in Birmingham. McConnico added himself as an authorized user to the credit cards, causing the credit card issuers to mail the credit cards to McConnico at his address in July 2015, according to the indictment.
McConnico also is charged with gaining access to the victim’s Belk charge account using the victim’s Social Security number. McConnico made at least two charges to the victim’s Belk charge account in September and October 2015, according to the indictment.
The maximum penalty for both mail and wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The penalty for aggravated identity theft is two years in prison.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis Barlow is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Bering Straits Technical Services and Parent Company Pay Civil Fines for Alleged Violations of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Bering Straits Technical Services LLC (BSTS) and its parent company, Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), have paid the Southern District of Texas $2 million in damages to resolve numerous alleged violations of the False Claims Act, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The settlement was finalized April 26, 2016, without an admission of liability.
“Yesterday’s settlement should serve as a reminder to government contractors of their accountability to the public,” said Magidson. “The citizens of this district should be reassured that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement are doing all they can to ensure tax payer money is spent appropriately. I encourage those who are knowledgeable about fraudulent practices against the government to come forward and report wrongdoing.”
“Contractors are expected to comply with their statutory obligations and act in good faith when dealing with the U.S. government,” said Special Agent in Charge Janice M. Flores of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southwest Field Office. “The DCIS is committed to working with its partner agencies, such as DOJ, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) to ensure integrity of the Defense Department’s procurement process. This settlement demonstrates that combatting fraud, waste and abuse within Department of Defense (DOD) contracting remains a top priority.”
The settlement is the result of a whistleblower suit filed under seal in Houston federal court on Feb. 3, 2012. The suit alleged that BSTS and BSNC caused false claims to be submitted to DOD and/or the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for maintenance facility services provided at the Red River Army Depot located near Texarkana. BSTS and BSNC entered contracts with DOD for maintenance and repair of the DLA facilities located at the Red River Army Depot.
Specifically, the whistleblower alleged that beginning in September 2010, BSTS and BSNC submitted false preventative maintenance reports for maintenance that was not performed and false repair work orders, thereby overcharging the government. The complaint also claimed that BSTS and BSNC employees were directed to repair equipment that no longer existed or was no longer in service and compelled to claim maintenance hours and supply costs for work that was not performed. Employees were also allegedly coerced to “pencil whip.” That is, make up hours after the fact with no relation to time actually spent on the maintenance. Invoices were based on the fraudulent documents and presented to the U.S. for payment.
BSTS is a limited liability company organized in the State of Alaska with its principal place of business in Anchorage, conducts business in several states, including Texas, and contracts with numerous government facilities. BSTS contracted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide services at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana pursuant to two contracts which were terminated Feb. 28, 2013, and Aug. 31, 2014, respectively. BSTS ceased providing services at the Red River Army Depot Aug. 31, 2014.
BSNC is the parent corporation of BSTS and is headquartered in Nome, Alaska. Its regional operations include real estate management, development, tourism, construction, mining services and sales of rock and aggregate. BSNC also has an office in Anchorage, which oversees government contract work under SBA 8(a), HubZone, and small business programs. The Anchorage operations also include construction, support services and shareholder services.
Under the federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower, known as the relator, is entitled to share in the government’s monetary recovery under certain conditions.
The settlement was a result of joint investigation by DCIS, DCAA, U.S. Army CID and DOJ. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Venezia handled the matter for the United States.
Bering Straits Technical Services and Parent Company Pay Civil Fines for Alleged Violations of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Bering Straits Technical Services LLC (BSTS) and its parent company, Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), have paid the Southern District of Texas $2 million in damages to resolve numerous alleged violations of the False Claims Act, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The settlement was finalized April 26, 2016, without an admission of liability.
“Yesterday’s settlement should serve as a reminder to government contractors of their accountability to the public,” said Magidson. “The citizens of this district should be reassured that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement are doing all they can to ensure tax payer money is spent appropriately. I encourage those who are knowledgeable about fraudulent practices against the government to come forward and report wrongdoing.”
“Contractors are expected to comply with their statutory obligations and act in good faith when dealing with the U.S. government,” said Special Agent in Charge Janice M. Flores of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southwest Field Office. “The DCIS is committed to working with its partner agencies, such as DOJ, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) to ensure integrity of the Defense Department’s procurement process. This settlement demonstrates that combatting fraud, waste and abuse within Department of Defense (DOD) contracting remains a top priority.”
The settlement is the result of a whistleblower suit filed under seal in Houston federal court on Feb. 3, 2012. The suit alleged that BSTS and BSNC caused false claims to be submitted to DOD and/or the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for maintenance facility services provided at the Red River Army Depot located near Texarkana. BSTS and BSNC entered contracts with DOD for maintenance and repair of the DLA facilities located at the Red River Army Depot.
Specifically, the whistleblower alleged that beginning in September 2010, BSTS and BSNC submitted false preventative maintenance reports for maintenance that was not performed and false repair work orders, thereby overcharging the government. The complaint also claimed that BSTS and BSNC employees were directed to repair equipment that no longer existed or was no longer in service and compelled to claim maintenance hours and supply costs for work that was not performed. Employees were also allegedly coerced to “pencil whip.” That is, make up hours after the fact with no relation to time actually spent on the maintenance. Invoices were based on the fraudulent documents and presented to the U.S. for payment.
BSTS is a limited liability company organized in the State of Alaska with its principal place of business in Anchorage, conducts business in several states, including Texas, and contracts with numerous government facilities. BSTS contracted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide services at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana pursuant to two contracts which were terminated Feb. 28, 2013, and Aug. 31, 2014, respectively. BSTS ceased providing services at the Red River Army Depot Aug. 31, 2014.
BSNC is the parent corporation of BSTS and is headquartered in Nome, Alaska. Its regional operations include real estate management, development, tourism, construction, mining services and sales of rock and aggregate. BSNC also has an office in Anchorage, which oversees government contract work under SBA 8(a), HubZone, and small business programs. The Anchorage operations also include construction, support services and shareholder services.
Under the federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower, known as the relator, is entitled to share in the government’s monetary recovery under certain conditions.
The settlement was a result of joint investigation by DCIS, DCAA, U.S. Army CID and DOJ. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Venezia handled the matter for the United States.
Beckley doctor sentenced to eight years in prison for Federal drug crime and health care fraudRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. - Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced today that Jose Jorge Abbud Gordinho, M.D., of Beckley, was sentenced to eight years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and ordered to pay over $48,000 in restitution to Medicare and Medicaid for a federal drug crime and health care fraud. Dr. Gordinho previously pleaded guilty in January 2016 to illegally prescribing the pain medication hydrocodone and defrauding Medicare and Medicaid by submitting materially false claims for services that were not medically necessary.
Dr. Gordinho admitted that he routinely prescribed pain pills for illegitimate purposes and in a manner that was outside the bounds of medical practice. Dr. Gordinho further admitted that he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid when he sought and received payment for office visits, services, and prescriptions related to his illegal prescribing practices.
Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, Dr. Gordinho will permanently surrender his DEA Certificate of Registration, ensuring that he will no longer be permitted to prescribe controlled substances.
This case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.
This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Ball Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that EZOLA ISAAC, age 70, of Ball, Louisiana, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to theft of government funds.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced ISAAC to three years probation and ordered her to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $165,878.80
According to court documents, ISAAC received Social Security Title II Benefit payments to which she knew she was not entitled.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work for the United States Social Security Administration- Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Loan "Mimi" Nguyen was in charge of the prosecution.
14 Charged in Seven County Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal Grand Jury in Scranton has indicted 14 Central Pennsylvania men charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. Thirteen of the 14 defendants were taken into custody today.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, a coordinated investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led to the indictment on April 26, 2016, which was made public today after the arrests of the defendants. According to the indictment, the conspiracy extended over 14 months from December 2014 to April 2016. The drug activity allegedly took place in Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Snyder, Northumberland, Berks and Perry Counties.
The names, ages, and residences of the defendants are listed below:
Phillip Bennett, age 43, Elizabethtown;
Michael Finsterbush, age 50, Lemoyne;
Marcie Herman, age 47, Harrisburg;
Michael Herman, age 49, Harrisburg;
Arthur Houze, age 49, Harrisburg;
Douglas Lesniak, age 46, Steelton;
John Nace, age 41, York;
Joseph Newton, age 47, Selinsgrove;
Scott Ohler, age 50, Harrisburg;
Juan Salcido, age 33, Reading;
Michael Sanders, age 43, Selinsgrove;
Justin Spiegle, age 41, Liverpool;
Timothy Watson, age 42, Lemoyne; and
Eric West, age 29, Shermans Dale.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $156,574 from defendant Scott Ohler.
Prosecution has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christy Fawcett and Chelsea Schinnour.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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120 Members and Associates of Two Rival Street Gangs in the Bronx Charged in Federal Court with Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Delano Reid, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), announced charges today against 120 members and associates of two rival street gangs operating in the Bronx: the 2Fly YGz (“2Fly”) and the Big Money Bosses (“BMB”). The gangs are charged in two separate Indictments – United States v. Laquan Parrish et al., S1 16 Cr. 212 (LAK) (the “Parrish Indictment”), and United States v. Nico Burrell et al., S2 15 Cr. 95 (AJN) (the “Burrell Indictment”) – with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms offenses.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Today, we seek to eviscerate two violent street gangs – 2Fly and BMB – that have allegedly wreaked havoc on the streets of the Northern Bronx for years, by committing countless acts of violence against rival gang members and innocents alike. The gangs’ alleged victims include not only a 15 year-old child stabbed and left to die in the street, as well as a 92 year-old woman shot by a stray bullet in her own home, but also extend to the thousands of residents of Eastchester Gardens and its surrounding neighborhoods terrorized for years by the gangs’ open-air drug dealing and senseless violence. We bring these charges today so that all New Yorkers, including those in or near NYCHA public housing, can live their lives as they deserve: free of drugs, free of guns, and free of gang violence. I thank and recognize the bravery and tireless investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, the New York Field Division of the DEA, and the ATF’s Joint Firearms Task Force, as well as all the other law enforcement partners that assisted in the operations today.”
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton said: “As alleged, these individuals engaged in open-air drug sales near homes and schools in the Bronx, pushing poison onto our streets. Allegedly, they also committed numerous acts of violence and at least eight murders in the course of their illicit operations. This includes the murder of a 92 year-old innocent bystander who was killed by a stray bullet inside her home. I want to thank the members of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad and our law enforcement partners for dismantling these gangs. I commend them for their dedication and precision throughout this long-term investigation.”
HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “Those arrested today allegedly used violence and fear to intimidate people who live within and around the Eastchester Gardens Public Housing. These ruthless gang members are allegedly responsible for more than 1,800 shots fired, resulting in eight alleged homicides. Public safety is important to us, and today our city streets are safer because of the work of HSI agents in our Violent Gang Unit and the work of our federal and local law enforcement partners.”
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said: “The gangs of New York have returned to open air drug markets; brazenly selling marijuana, crack cocaine, powder cocaine and prescription pain medication to drug users in neighborhood parks, abandoned houses, and playgrounds. A decade long rivalry between two of the Bronx's most violent gangs has resulted in drug related violence, fatal stray bullets and daily intimidation felt by the law abiding residents living in their crosshairs. Law enforcement has come together again to identify and dismantle these gangs that have plagued our community for too long.”
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Delano Reid said: “This investigation demonstrates ATF’s commitment to our communities by partnering with our federal and local counterparts in order to dismantle armed criminal organizations. These two violent groups, allegedly responsible for multiple shootings, homicides, and other acts of violence, will now have to face the consequences of terrorizing the communities that they lived in. This should be a lesson to others who are engaged in these types of illegal activities. Our cooperative law enforcement efforts will continue.”
According to the Indictments[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and other publicly filed documents:
The Indictments arise from a joint investigation by the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, the New York Field Division of the DEA, and the ATF’s Joint Firearms Task Force into the years-long gang war between 2Fly and BMB, which has led to an enormous amount of fatal and non-fatal violence between 2007 and the present in the Northern Bronx, including shootings, stabbings, slashings, beatings, and robberies.
2Fly is a subset of the “Young Gunnaz,” or “YG” street gang, which operates throughout New York City. 2Fly is based in the Bronx, within and around the Eastchester Gardens housing development (“ECG”) and in an area called the “Valley” or the “V,” which is in the vicinity of Gun Hill Road. ECG is a rectangular complex of residential buildings bordered by Burke, Adee, Yates, and Bouck Avenues, in the middle of which is a playground. Members and associates of 2Fly control the narcotics trade at ECG, which takes place in the open air at the playground and in apartments at ECG. 2Fly primarily sells marijuana and crack cocaine, but also sells powder cocaine and prescription pills, such as oxycodone. 2Fly members and associates store guns at the playground or in nearby apartments or cars in order to protect the narcotics business and for protection against rival gangs. The case of United States v. Laquan Parrish et al. charges 57 members and associates of 2Fly, including its “Big Guns,” or leaders: LAQUAN PARRISH, a/k/a “MadDog,” a/k/a “Quanzaa,” ANDRE BENT, a/k/a “Dula,” and AARON RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Gunz,” a/k/a “Cito.” 2Fly coexists at ECG with a faction of the Bloods street gang called “Sex Money Murder” (“SMM”), which controlled ECG before 2Fly and has allied with 2Fly to prevent others from selling drugs at ECG. Two of the leaders of SMM at ECG – brothers PRESTON PASLEY, a/k/a “Fresh,” and TERRENCE PASLEY, a/k/a “Smoove” – and several of its members are also charged in the Parrish Indictment.
BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City. BMB – whose members also sometimes refer to themselves as the “Money Making Mafia” or “Triple M” – operates primarily on White Plains Road from 215th Street to 233rd Street in the Bronx. This area is a long stretch of road under a subway train overpass, bordered on each side by single-family homes and local commercial establishments, and in the vicinity of several playgrounds and schools. BMB’s narcotics trafficking activity is based principally in the vicinity of White Plains Road and 224th Street, an open-air drug spot that is referred to by gang members as the “Forts.” BMB members also operate a drug spot on Boston Road and Eastchester Road in the Bronx, which they refer to as “B Road.” BMB members who work principally at the B Road spot typically refer to themselves as “Blamma.” BMB primarily sells marijuana and crack cocaine, but also sells prescription pills, such as oxycodone. BMB members and associates store guns in abandoned homes and other places near their drug spots in order to protect their narcotics business and for protection against rivals. The case of United States v. Nico Burrell et al. charges 63 members and associates of BMB, including its “Big Suits,” or leaders: NICO BURRELL, a/k/a “Nico Zico,” and DOUGLAS MCLARTY, a/k/a “Q-Don,” a/k/a “Q-Dizzy.”
In addition to numerous non-fatal acts of violence against both rival gang members and innocents, the rivalry between 2Fly and BMB – as well as with other gangs, such as the “Slut Gang,” which is based at the Boston Secor housing development, and the “YSGz,” who are based at the Edenwald housing development – has led to the following murders, among others:
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The murder of Sadie Mitchell, who was killed in her own home by a stray bullet, at the age of 92, by an associate of BMB in the vicinity of White Plains Road and 224th Street and White Plains Road, on or about October 20, 2009;
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The murder of Jeffrey Delmore, a/k/a “Famous,” a/k/a “Junior,” who was stabbed to death, at the age of 15, by members of BMB in the vicinity of East Gun Hill Road, on or about May 15, 2010;
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The murder of Alexander “A.J.” Walters, who was stabbed to death at age 17 by members of 2Fly in the vicinity of 1824 Prospect Avenue in the Bronx, on or about March 8, 2012;
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The murder of Donville Simpson, a/k/a “Donny,” who was shot to death at ECG at age 17 by members of 2Fly, on or about October 5, 2013
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The murder of Keshon Potterfield, a/k/a “Keke,” who was shot to death, at the age of 18, by a member of BMB in the vicinity of 232nd Street between White Plains Road and Barnes Avenue, on or about June 22, 2014;
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The murder of Fabian Pennant, an associate of 2Fly, who was shot to death by a member of BMB at the age of 24 in the vicinity of Eastchester Road on October 22, 2014;
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The murder of Jordan Jackwett, who was shot and killed at the age of 23 in the vicinity of Ely Avenue during a shooting between members of 2Fly and BMB on July 26, 2015; and
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The murder of Darren Epps, age 47, who was shot to death by a member of 2Fly in the vicinity of 215th and White Plains Road during a botched robbery on March 13, 2016.
In connection with these arrests, federal and local law enforcement officers also executed court-authorized search warrants at four locations tied to the defendants. During the arrests and searches, agents and officers seized, among other evidence, seven guns, ammunition, crack, marijuana, counterfeit currency, and drug paraphernalia. To date, in this case, agents and officers have seized, among other evidence, quantities of marijuana, crack, cocaine, and oxycodone, as well as firearms, ammunition, scalpels, and knives. During the investigation, agents and officers also intercepted thousands of wiretap calls, during many of which various members and associates of the gangs discussed their racketeering and narcotics activities.
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In a coordinated operation, 78 defendants were arrested in New York yesterday and early this morning. They will be presented later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court. Defendants ANDRE BENT, ROBERT POPE, JAMES PILGRIM, JAMAL BLAIR, STEPHAN CLARKE, LAQUAN PARRISH, JAFAR BORDEN, ANDERSON ROSS, BARFFOUR ABEBERSE, ROBERT HAUGHTON, SHAQUILLE DEWAR, MARTIN MITCHELL, DONQUE TYRELL, DEVANTE JOSEPH, DAQUAN ANDERSON, JAQUAN MCINTOSH, and SEAN MCINTOSH were in custody on state charges and were transferred to federal custody today. Charts identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties are below.
U.S. v. Parrish et al. is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. U.S. v. Burrell et al. is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, the New York Field Division of the DEA, and the ATF’s Joint Firearms Task Force, as well as the United States Marshals’ Service, the New York State Office of Special Investigation--Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the New York State Police for their assistance in today’s arrests. He also thanked the Department of Investigation and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their support in this ongoing investigation.
The Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit is overseeing the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Maimin, Micah W.J. Smith, Robert Allen, Hagan Scotten, Jessica Feinstein, and Drew Johnson-Skinner are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States v. Burrell et al.
Count
Charge
Defendant
Maximum Penalty
1
Racketeering Conspiracy
NICO BURRELL,
a/k/a “Zico Nico,”
DOUGLAS MCLARTY,
a/k/a “Q-Don,”
a/k/a “Q-Dizzy,”
MARTIN MITCHELL,
a/k/a “Tyliek,”
DONQUE TYRELL,
a/k/a “Polo Rell,”
GERARD BASS,
a/k/a “Roddo,”
DOMINICK SHERLAND,
a/k/a “D-Nick,”
BARFFOUR ABEBERSE,
a/k/a “BB,”
a/k/a “Duce Bigga,”
MASHUD YODA,
a/k/a “Papa Ola,”
ANDERSON ROSS,
a/k/a “Boogy,”
a/k/a “Boogy Boo,”
a/k/a “Ray Allen Jr.,”
ANTHONY KING,
a/k/a “Ant-Dog,”
MARK WILLIAMS,
a/k/a “Spangler,”
a/k/a “Markie Bossin,”
QUAYSEAN CANNONIER,
a/k/a “Tic-Tic,”
TAYQUAN TUCKER,
a/k/a “Chicken,”
a/k/a “Chickenita,”
WILLIAM REID,
a/k/a “Uptown Will,”
MARLON ROBERTS,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
ABDULLAH YODA,
a/k/a “Dellah,”
KENNETH RUGGS,
a/k/a “Money Making Kenny,”
CALVIN RUGGS,
a/k/a “GQ,”
FABIAN MORRISON,
a/k/a “Fabo,”
SHAQUILLE DEWAR,
a/k/a “Shaq Doe,”
DESEAN BENNETT,
a/k/a “Doola,”
JAFAR BORDEN,
a/k/a “Jaffy,”
JOSE RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Hov,”
SHAVON WRIGHT,
a/k/a “Bhippy,”
a/k/a “Yung Bhippy,”
RASHEID BUTLER,
a/k/a “Rah,”
BRIAN RICHARDS,
a/k/a “B-Rich,”
DEVANTE JOSEPH,
a/k/a “Wiz,”
STEPHAN CLARKE,
JAMES PILGRIM,
a/k/a “Jizzle,”
MICHELLE JEMISON,
a/k/a “Pebbles,”
IVANJOEL ARYEETEY,
a/k/a “Ijoe,”
a/k/a “Ivan,”
ROBERT HAUGHTON,
a/k/a “Duke,”
JAMAL BLAIR,
a/k/a “Fish,”
ONEIL DASILVA,
a/k/a “Soxx,”
a/k/a “Bobby Soxx,”
DURELL GUY,
HAKEEM CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Ocky,”
a/k/a “Ackee,”
RICHARD PHILLIPS,
a/k/a “G-Mack,”
RUSHAUN BROWN,
a/k/a “Boobie,”
a/k/a “Gambino,”
MICHAEL FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Mikey Bandz,”
TYRONE GRAY,
a/k/a “Ty,”
LAMAR FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Lammy,”
a/k/a “Andrew Blacks,”
SHANE BENNETT,
a/k/a “Fattah,”
DAVID JONES,
RICARDO STEWART,
a/k/a “Cardo,”
DANTE PLUMMER,
a/k/a “Tae,”
JOEL HARGROVE,
a/k/a “Flow,”
SHAWN REID,
a/k/a “Sama,”
a/k/a “Sama Lama,”
BRADLEY WILSON,
a/k/a “Broadway,”
ROBERT FELICIANO,
a/k/a “RJ,”
DANTE STEPHENS,
a/k/a “Jibba,”
CARLETTO ALLEN,
a/k/a “Joker,”
20 years’ imprisonment
2
Narcotics Conspiracy
NICO BURRELL,
a/k/a “Zico Nico,”
DOUGLAS MCLARTY,
a/k/a “Q-Don,”
a/k/a “Q-Dizzy,”
MARTIN MITCHELL,
a/k/a “Tyliek,”
DONQUE TYRELL,
a/k/a “Polo Rell,”
GERARD BASS,
a/k/a “Roddo,”
DOMINICK SHERLAND,
a/k/a “D-Nick,”
BARFFOUR ABEBERSE,
a/k/a “BB,”
a/k/a “Duce Bigga,”
MASHUD YODA,
a/k/a “Papa Ola,”
ANDERSON ROSS,
a/k/a “Boogy,”
a/k/a “Boogy Boo,”
a/k/a “Ray Allen Jr.,”
ANTHONY KING,
a/k/a “Ant-Dog,”
MARK WILLIAMS,
a/k/a “Spangler,”
a/k/a “Markie Bossin,”
TAYQUAN TUCKER,
a/k/a “Chicken,”
a/k/a “Chickenita,”
WILLIAM REID,
a/k/a “Uptown Will,”
MARLON ROBERTS,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
ABDULLAH YODA,
a/k/a “Dellah,”
KENNETH RUGGS,
a/k/a “Money Making Kenny,”
CALVIN RUGGS,
a/k/a “GQ,”
FABIAN MORRISON,
a/k/a “Fabo,”
SHAQUILLE DEWAR,
a/k/a “Shaq Doe,”
DESEAN BENNETT,
a/k/a “Doola,”
JOSE RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Hov,”
SHAVON WRIGHT,
a/k/a “Bhippy,”
a/k/a “Yung Bhippy,”
RASHEID BUTLER,
a/k/a “Rah,”
BRIAN RICHARDS,
a/k/a “B-Rich,”
MICHELLE JEMISON,
a/k/a “Pebbles,”
IVANJOEL ARYEETEY,
a/k/a “Ijoe,”
a/k/a “Ivan,”
ROBERT HAUGHTON,
a/k/a “Duke,”
JAMAL BLAIR,
a/k/a “Fish,”
ONEIL DASILVA,
a/k/a “Soxx,”
a/k/a “Bobby Soxx,”
DURELL GUY,
HAKEEM CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Ocky,”
a/k/a “Ackee,”
RICHARD PHILLIPS,
a/k/a “G-Mack,”
RUSHAUN BROWN,
a/k/a “Boobie,”
a/k/a “Gambino,”
MICHAEL FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Mikey Bandz,”
TYRONE GRAY,
a/k/a “Ty,”
LAMAR FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Lammy,”
a/k/a “Andrew Blacks,”
SHANE BENNETT,
a/k/a “Fattah,”
DAVID JONES,
RICARDO STEWART,
a/k/a “Cardo,”
DANTE PLUMMER,
a/k/a “Tae,”
JOEL HARGROVE,
a/k/a “Flow,”
SHAWN REID,
a/k/a “Sama,”
a/k/a “Sama Lama,”
BRADLEY WILSON,
a/k/a “Broadway,”
ROBERT FELICIANO,
a/k/a “RJ,”
DANTE STEPHENS,
a/k/a “Jibba,”
CARLETTO ALLEN,
a/k/a “Joker,”
SHAQUILLE JOHN,
a/k/a “Poppy,”
OKEIFA JOHN,
a/k/a “Ratty,”
DAQUAN REID,
a/k/a “DQ,”
MICHAEL REDLEY,
a/k/a “Mikey,”
a/k/a “Jones,”
ALBERT AMPONSAH,
a/k/a “Jungle,”
RICHARD MONTAGUE,
a/k/a “Spanks,”
ANTHONY LETTERIO,
a/k/a “Yay,”
RAI THOMAS,
a/k/a “Ritch,”
JAVONE PEARCE,
a/k/a “Jevy,”
SHANICE JOHN,
DOMINIQUE BASS,
a/k/a “Domo,”
RICARDO BURGESS,
a/k/a “Zilla,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment
3
Narcotics Distribution
DOUGLAS MCLARTY,
a/k/a “Q-Don,”
a/k/a “Q-Dizzy,”
DONQUE TYRELL,
a/k/a “Polo Rell,”
GERARD BASS,
a/k/a “Roddo,”
DOMINICK SHERLAND,
a/k/a “D-Nick,”
BARFFOUR ABEBERSE,
a/k/a “BB,”
a/k/a “Duce Bigga,”
MARK WILLIAMS,
a/k/a “Spangler,”
a/k/a “Markie Bossin,”
TAYQUAN TUCKER,
a/k/a “Chicken,”
a/k/a “Chickenita,”
MARLON ROBERTS,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
FABIAN MORRISON,
a/k/a “Fabo,”
SHAQUILLE DEWAR,
a/k/a “Shaq Doe,”
DESEAN BENNETT, a/k/a “Doola,”
JOSE RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Hov,”
SHAVON WRIGHT,
a/k/a “Bhippy,”
a/k/a “Yung Bhippy,”
MICHELLE JEMISON,
a/k/a “Pebbles,”
IVANJOEL ARYEETEY,
a/k/a “Ijoe,”
a/k/a “Ivan,”
ROBERT HAUGHTON,
a/k/a “Duke,”
JAMAL BLAIR,
a/k/a “Fish,”
ONEIL DASILVA,
a/k/a “Soxx,”
a/k/a “Bobby Soxx,”
DURELL GUY,
HAKEEM CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Ocky,”
a/k/a “Ackee,”
RICHARD PHILLIPS,
a/k/a “G-Mack,”
RUSHAUN BROWN,
a/k/a “Boobie,”
a/k/a “Gambino,”
MICHAEL FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Mikey Bandz,”
TYRONE GRAY,
a/k/a “Ty,”
LAMAR FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Lammy,”
a/k/a “Andrew Blacks,”
SHANE BENNETT,
a/k/a “Fattah,”
DAVID JONES,
RICARDO STEWART,
a/k/a “Cardo,”
JOEL HARGROVE,
a/k/a “Flow,”
SHAWN REID,
a/k/a “Sama,”
a/k/a “Sama Lama,”
BRADLEY WILSON,
a/k/a “Broadway,”
ROBERT FELICIANO,
a/k/a “RJ,”
DANTE STEPHENS,
a/k/a “Jibba,”
CARLETTO ALLEN,
a/k/a “Joker,”
SHAQUILLE JOHN,
a/k/a “Poppy,”
OKEIFA JOHN,
a/k/a “Ratty,”
DAQUAN REID,
a/k/a “DQ,”
MICHAEL REDLEY,
a/k/a “Mikey,”
a/k/a “Jones,”
ALBERT AMPONSAH,
a/k/a “Jungle,”
RICHARD MONTAGUE,
a/k/a “Spanks,”
JAVONE PEARCE,
a/k/a “Jevy,”
SHANICE JOHN,
DOMINIQUE BASS,
a/k/a “Domo,”
RICARDO BURGESS,
a/k/a “Zilla,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of one year’s imprisonment
4
Firearms Offense
NICO BURRELL,
a/k/a “Zico Nico,”
DOUGLAS MCLARTY,
a/k/a “Q-Don,”
a/k/a “Q-Dizzy,”
MARTIN MITCHELL,
a/k/a “Tyliek,”
DONQUE TYRELL,
a/k/a “Polo Rell,”
GERARD BASS,
a/k/a “Roddo,”
DOMINICK SHERLAND,
a/k/a “D-Nick,”
BARFFOUR ABEBERSE,
a/k/a “BB,”
a/k/a “Duce Bigga,”
MASHUD YODA,
a/k/a “Papa Ola,”
ANDERSON ROSS,
a/k/a “Boogy,”
a/k/a “Boogy Boo,”
a/k/a “Ray Allen Jr.,”
ANTHONY KING,
a/k/a “Ant-Dog,”
QUAYSEAN CANNONIER,
a/k/a “Tic-Tic,”
TAYQUAN TUCKER,
a/k/a “Chicken,”
a/k/a “Chickenita,”
WILLIAM REID,
a/k/a “Uptown Will,”
MARLON ROBERTS,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
ABDULLAH YODA,
a/k/a “Dellah,”
KENNETH RUGGS,
a/k/a “Money Making Kenny,”
CALVIN RUGGS,
a/k/a “GQ,”
FABIAN MORRISON,
a/k/a “Fabo,”
SHAQUILLE DEWAR,
a/k/a “Shaq Doe,”
DESEAN BENNETT,
a/k/a “Doola,”
JAFAR BORDEN,
a/k/a “Jaffy,”
JOSE RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Hov,”
RASHEID BUTLER,
a/k/a “Rah,”
BRIAN RICHARDS,
a/k/a “B-Rich,”
DEVANTE JOSEPH,
a/k/a “Wiz,”
STEPHAN CLARKE,
JAMES PILGRIM,
a/k/a “Jizzle,”
IVANJOEL ARYEETEY,
a/k/a “Ijoe,”
a/k/a “Ivan,”
JAMAL BLAIR,
a/k/a “Fish,”
ONEIL DASILVA,
a/k/a “Soxx,”
a/k/a “Bobby Soxx,”
DURELL GUY,
HAKEEM CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Ocky,”
a/k/a “Ackee,”
RUSHAUN BROWN,
a/k/a “Boobie,”
a/k/a “Gambino,”
TYRONE GRAY,
a/k/a “Ty,”
LAMAR FRANCIS,
a/k/a “Lammy,”
a/k/a “Andrew Blacks,”
SHANE BENNETT,
a/k/a “Fattah,”
DAVID JONES,
RICARDO STEWART,
a/k/a “Cardo,”
DANTE PLUMMER,
a/k/a “Tae,”
ROBERT FELICIANO,
a/k/a “RJ,”
CARLETTO ALLEN,
a/k/a “Joker,”
OKEIFA JOHN,
a/k/a “Ratty,”
RICARDO BURGESS,
a/k/a “Zilla,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment
“BMB” Defendants
Age
Barffour Abeberse
23
Carleto Allen
21
Albert Amponsah
29
IvanJoel Aryeetey
20
Dominique Bass
26
Gerard Bass
23
Desean Bennet
22
Shayne Bennet
24
Vashon Bennett
22
Jamal Blair
24
Jaffar Borden
19
Rushaun Brown
24
Ricado Burgess
38
Nico Burrell
23
Rasheid Butler
19
Hakeem Campbell
22
Quaysean Cannonier
20
Stephan Clarke
21
Oneil Dasilva
22
Shaquille Dewar
21
Robert Feliciano
25
Lamar Francis
25
Michael Francis
25
Tyrone Gray
22
Durell Guy
24
Joel Hargrove
25
Robert Haughton
21
Michelle Jemison
22
Okeifa John
20
Shanice John
23
Shaquille John,
21
Howard Johnson
39
David Jones
23
Anthony King
26
Anthony Letterio
35
Douglas McLarty
22
Robert Miles
55
Martin Mitchell
21
Richard Montague
21
Fabian Morrison
26
Javone Pearce
24
Richard Phillips
23
James Pilgrim
21
Michael Redley
27
Daquan Reid
21
Shawn Reid
21
William Reid
22
Brian Richards
22
Marlon Roberts
26
Jose Rodriguez
23
Anderson Ross
21
Calvin Ruggs
21
Kenneth Ruggs
19
Dominick Sherland
23
Dante Stephens
23
Ricardo Stewart
23
Rai Thomas
21
Tayquan Tucker
20
Donque Tyrell
20
Mark Williams
24
Bradley Wilson
24
Shavon Wright
24
Abdullah Yoda
19
Mashud Yoda
23
United States v. Parrish et al.
1
Racketeering Conspiracy
LAQUAN PARRISH,
a/k/a “MadDog,” a/k/a “Quanzaa,”
ANDRE BENT, a/k/a “Dula,”
AARON RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Gunz,” a/k/a “Cito,”
SEAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Slimmy,”
JAQUAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “BJ,”
MARK CLARKE,
a/k/a “Gritty,” a/k/a “Mark the Gritty Shark,”
BOWLIN WALLINGFORD,
a/k/a “BK,”a/k/a “Bay Kay,”
RODRIGO GONZALEZ,
a/k/a “Frenchy,”
ELIJAH BROWN, a/k/a “Lil Eli,”
JOSHUA BROWN, a/k/a “Josh,”
KAYSHAWN CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
ROBERT POPE,
a/k/a “Big Bert,”
DAVID MATTISON,
a/k/a “Dave,” a/k/a “Daddy,”
KEVIN MATTISON,
a/k/a “Kev,”
JAYVON CARTER,
a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Jigga,”
MARCEL BENT,
a/k/a “Marcellus,” a/k/a “Cellie,”
PRESTON PASLEY,
a/k/a “Smoove,”
TERRENCE PASLEY, a/k/a “Fresh,”
DAQUAN ANDERSON,
a/k/a “BD,”
DANTE GREGORY,
a/k/a “Smiley,”
CINTRON POWELL,
a/k/a “C-Live,”
WALTER JERNIGAN,
a/k/a “Lil G,” a/k/a “G-Boo,”
MOUHAHAMET CHERRY,
a/k/a “Momo,”
HASANI FITTS,
a/k/a “Has,”
EMMANUEL MCKENZIE,
a/k/a “Manny Fresh,”
LLOYD RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “T-Boy,”
NICHOLAS BAILEY,
a/k/a “Nicholas Dale,”
a/k/a “Nick,”
SHAWN WALKER,
a/k/a “Styles,”
PETER LEWIS,
a/k/a “Pebbs,”
KRAIG LEWIS
a/k/a “K-Murda,”
RONALD MATTHEWS,
a/k/a “Ronnie,”
TRAVIS THOMPSON,
KAREEM SANDERS,
a/k/a “Reem,”
JONATHON CUMMINGS,
a/k/a “J-Starz,”
WAYNE LEON,
a/k/a “Wayne Brady,”
PATRICK LITTLEJOHN,
a/k/a “Pat,”
EMILE ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
a/k/a “Kev,”
KAVONE HORTON,
a/k/a “Styles,”
DEVIN WALKER,
a/k/a “Dev,”
20 years’ imprisonment
2
Narcotics Conspiracy
LAQUAN PARRISH,
a/k/a “MadDog,”
a/k/a “Quanzaa,”
ANDRE BENT,
a/k/a “Dula,”
AARON RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Gunz,”
a/k/a “Cito,”
SEAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Slimmy,”
JAQUAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “BJ,”
MARK CLARKE,
a/k/a “Gritty,”
a/k/a “Mark the Gritty Shark,”BOWLIN WALLINGFORD,
a/k/a “BK,”
a/k/a “Bay Kay,”
RODRIGO GONZALEZ,
a/k/a “Frenchy,”
ELIJAH BROWN,
a/k/a “Lil Eli,”
JOSHUA BROWN,
a/k/a “Josh,”
KAYSHAWN CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
ROBERT POPE,
a/k/a “Big Bert,”
DAVID MATTISON,
a/k/a “Dave,”
a/k/a “Daddy,”
KEVIN MATTISON,
a/k/a “Kev,”
JAYVON CARTER,
a/k/a “Jay,”
a/k/a “Jigga,”
MARCEL BENT,
a/k/a “Marcellus,”
a/k/a “Cellie,”
PRESTON PASLEY,
a/k/a “Smoove,”
TERRENCE PASLEY,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
DAQUAN ANDERSON,
a/k/a “BD,”
DANTE GREGORY,
a/k/a “Smiley,”
CINTRON POWELL,
a/k/a “C-Live,”
WALTER JERNIGAN,
a/k/a “Lil G,”
a/k/a “G-Boo,”
MOUHAHAMET CHERRY,
a/k/a “Momo,”
HASANI FITTS,
a/k/a “Has,”
LLOYD RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “T-Boy,”
NICHOLAS BAILEY,
a/k/a “Nicholas Dale,”
a/k/a “Nick,”
SHAWN WALKER,
a/k/a “Styles,”
PETER LEWIS,
a/k/a “Pebbs,”
KRAIG LEWIS
a/k/a “K-Murda,”
RONALD MATTHEWS,
a/k/a “Ronnie,”
TRAVIS THOMPSON,
KAREEM SANDERS,
a/k/a “Reem,”
JONATHON CUMMINGS,
a/k/a “J-Starz,”
WAYNE LEON,
a/k/a “Wayne Brady,”
DANNY JONES,
a/k/a “Red,”
a/k/a “Casper,”
LAMOR MILES,
a/k/a “Ls,”
ROBERT MILES,
PATRICK LITTLEJOHN,
a/k/a “Pat,”
ANDREW MONCRIEFFE,
a/k/a “Drew,”
GARY ARRINGTON,
a/k/a “G,”
WILLIAMS RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Will,”
MELVIN RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “YB,”
BRANDON ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Big BD,”
EMILE ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
a/k/a “Kev,”
KAVONE HORTON,
a/k/a “Styles,”
JOHN ALVAREZ,
a/k/a “Gotti,”
COURTNEY GREEN,
a/k/a “C-Rock,”
ERICK CANALES,
a/k/a “EC,”
GREGORY CAMERON,
a/k/a “Biggs,
a/k/a “Bigga,”a/k/a “GG,”
JABRIEL LEWIS,
a/k/a “Breeze,”
a/k/a “Breezy,”VAUGHN WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “Murder,”
BRUCE WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “BJ,”
DAMON PARRISH,
ROBERTO MUNOZ,
a/k/a “Jr,”
ALONZO MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Manuke,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment
3
Narcotics Distribution
LAQUAN PARRISH,
a/k/a “MadDog,”
a/k/a “Quanzaa,”
ANDRE BENT,
a/k/a “Dula,”
AARON RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Gunz,”
a/k/a “Cito,”
SEAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Slimmy,”
JAQUAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “BJ,”
MARK CLARKE,
a/k/a “Gritty,”
a/k/a “Mark the Gritty Shark,”BOWLIN WALLINGFORD,
a/k/a “BK,”
a/k/a “Bay Kay,”
RODRIGO GONZALEZ,
a/k/a “Frenchy,”
ELIJAH BROWN,
a/k/a “Lil Eli,”
JOSHUA BROWN,
a/k/a “Josh,”
KAYSHAWN CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
ROBERT POPE,
a/k/a “Big Bert,”
DAVID MATTISON,
a/k/a “Dave,”
a/k/a “Daddy,”
KEVIN MATTISON,
a/k/a “Kev,”
JAYVON CARTER,
a/k/a “Jay,”
a/k/a “Jigga,”
MARCEL BENT,
a/k/a “Marcellus,”
a/k/a “Cellie,”
PRESTON PASLEY,
a/k/a “Smoove,”
TERRENCE PASLEY,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
DAQUAN ANDERSON,
a/k/a “BD,”
DANTE GREGORY,
a/k/a “Smiley,”
CINTRON POWELL,
a/k/a “C-Live,”
WALTER JERNIGAN,
a/k/a “Lil G,”
a/k/a “G-Boo,”
MOUHAHAMET CHERRY,
a/k/a “Momo,”
HASANI FITTS,
a/k/a “Has,”
LLOYD RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “T-Boy,”
NICHOLAS BAILEY,
a/k/a “Nicholas Dale,”
a/k/a “Nick,”
SHAWN WALKER,
a/k/a “Styles,”
PETER LEWIS,
a/k/a “Pebbs,”
KRAIG LEWIS
a/k/a “K-Murda,”
RONALD MATTHEWS,
a/k/a “Ronnie,”
TRAVIS THOMPSON,
KAREEM SANDERS,
a/k/a “Reem,”
JONATHON CUMMINGS,
a/k/a “J-Starz,”
WAYNE LEON,
a/k/a “Wayne Brady,”
DANNY JONES,
a/k/a “Red,”
a/k/a “Casper,”
LAMOR MILES,
a/k/a “Ls,”
ROBERT MILES,
PATRICK LITTLEJOHN,
a/k/a “Pat,”
ANDREW MONCRIEFFE,
a/k/a “Drew,”
GARY ARRINGTON,
a/k/a “G,”
WILLIAMS RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Will,”
MELVIN RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “YB,”
BRANDON ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Big BD,”
EMILE ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
a/k/a “Kev,”
KAVONE HORTON,
a/k/a “Styles,”
JOHN ALVAREZ,
a/k/a “Gotti,”
COURTNEY GREEN,
a/k/a “C-Rock,”
ERICK CANALES,
a/k/a “EC,”
GREGORY CAMERON,
a/k/a “Biggs,
a/k/a “Bigga,”a/k/a “GG,”
JABRIEL LEWIS,
a/k/a “Breeze,”
a/k/a “Breezy,”VAUGHN WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “Murder,”
BRUCE WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “BJ,”
DAMON PARRISH,
ROBERTO MUNOZ, a/k/a “Jr,”
ALONZO MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Manuke,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 1 year’s imprisonment
4
Firearms Offense
LAQUAN PARRISH,
a/k/a “MadDog,”
a/k/a “Quanzaa,”
ANDRE BENT,
a/k/a “Dula,”
AARON RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “Gunz,”
a/k/a “Cito,”
SEAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Slimmy,”
JAQUAN MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “BJ,”
MARK CLARKE,
a/k/a “Gritty,”
a/k/a “Mark the Gritty Shark,”BOWLIN
WALLINGFORD,
a/k/a “BK,”
a/k/a “Bay Kay,”
RODRIGO GONZALEZ,
a/k/a “Frenchy,”
ELIJAH BROWN,
a/k/a “Lil Eli,”
JOSHUA BROWN,
a/k/a “Josh,”
KAYSHAWN CAMPBELL,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
ROBERT POPE,
a/k/a “Big Bert,”
DAVID MATTISON,
a/k/a “Dave,”
a/k/a “Daddy,”
KEVIN MATTISON,
a/k/a “Kev,”
JAYVON CARTER,
a/k/a “Jay,”
a/k/a “Jigga,”
MARCEL BENT,
a/k/a “Marcellus,”
a/k/a “Cellie,”
PRESTON PASLEY,
a/k/a “Smoove,”
TERRENCE PASLEY,
a/k/a “Fresh,”
DAQUAN ANDERSON,
a/k/a “BD,”
DANTE GREGORY,
a/k/a “Smiley,”
CINTRON POWELL,
a/k/a “C-Live,”
WALTER JERNIGAN,
a/k/a “Lil G,”
a/k/a “G-Boo,”
MOUHAHAMET CHERRY,
a/k/a “Momo,”
HASANI FITTS,
a/k/a “Has,”
EMMANUEL MCKENZIE,
a/k/a “Manny Fresh,”
LLOYD RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “T-Boy,”
NICHOLAS BAILEY,
a/k/a “Nicholas Dale,”
a/k/a “Nick,”
SHAWN WALKER,
a/k/a “Styles,”
PETER LEWIS,
a/k/a “Pebbs,”
KRAIG LEWIS
a/k/a “K-Murda,”
RONALD MATTHEWS,
a/k/a “Ronnie,”
TRAVIS THOMPSON,
KAREEM SANDERS,
a/k/a “Reem,”
JONATHON CUMMINGS,
a/k/a “J-Starz,”
WAYNE LEON,
a/k/a “Wayne Brady,”
DANNY JONES,
a/k/a “Red,”
a/k/a “Casper,”
ROBERT MILES,
PATRICK LITTLEJOHN,
a/k/a “Pat,”
MELVIN RODRIGUEZ,
a/k/a “YB,”
EMILE ANDERSON,
a/k/a “Fetti,”
a/k/a “Kev,”
KAVONE HORTON,
a/k/a “Styles,”
DEVIN WALKER,
a/k/a “Dev,”
JOHN ALVAREZ,
a/k/a “Gotti,”
COURTNEY GREEN,
a/k/a “C-Rock,”
ERICK CANALES,
a/k/a “EC,”
GREGORY CAMERON,
a/k/a “Biggs,
a/k/a “Bigga,”a/k/a “GG,”
JABRIEL LEWIS,
a/k/a “Breeze,”
a/k/a “Breezy,”
VAUGHN WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “Murder,”
BRUCE WASHINGTON,
a/k/a “BJ,”
DAMON PARRISH,
ROBERTO MUNOZ,
a/k/a “Jr,”
ALONZO MCINTOSH,
a/k/a “Manuke,”
Life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment
Defendants
Age
John Alvarez
29
Brandon Anderson
31
Daquan Anderson
22
Emile Anderson
22
Gary Arrington
32
Nicholas Bailey
23
Andre Bent
23
Marcel Bent
25
Elijah Brown
18
Joshua Brown
20
Kayshawn Campbell
23
Erick Canales
22
Jayvon Carter
21
Mouhahmet Cherry
23
Mark Clarke
21
Hasani Fitts
23
Rodrigo Gonzalez
19
Courtney Green
29
Dante Gregory
19
Kavone Horton
18
Walter Jernigan
21
Danny Jones
27
Kraig Lewis
24
Peter Lewis
24
Patrick Littlejohn
23
Ronald Matthews
25
David Mattison
24
Kevin Mattison
21
Jacquon McIntosh
21
Sean McIntosh
24
Emmanuel McKenzie
25
Lamor Miles
26
Andrew Moncrieffe
40
Laquan Parrish
24
Preston Pasley
26
Terrence Pasley
27
Robert Pope
23
Cintron Powell
21
Aaron Rodriguez
23
Lloyd Rodriguez
20
Melvin Rodriguez
23
Williams Rodriguez
34
Kareem Sanders
25
Travis Thompson
20
Davon Walker
19
Shawn Walker
24
Bowlin Wallingford
26
Bruce Washington
28
Vaughn Washington
26
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments, and the description of the Indictments set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
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Tuesday 26 April 2016
Virginia Beach Crack Dealer Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Quinn Ausidi Goffigan, 35, of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty today to charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
According to a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Goffigan was caught selling crack cocaine at a Virginia Beach hotel on Feb. 19, 2014. Virginia Beach Police were conducting surveillance at the hotel and observed Goffigan engaging in a hand-to-hand transaction with another man. After Goffigan’s transaction concluded, police approached Goffigan and saw that he had a bag containing a number of off-white rocks in plain view in the car. Suspecting the off-white rocks were crack cocaine, police went to arrest Goffigan and he fled. Police were unable to catch Goffigan that night, but arrested him on state drug trafficking charges in connection with this incident two months later. The off-white rocks were sent to the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and tested positive for crack cocaine.
Goffigan was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2016. Due to the fact that he has seven prior felony drug trafficking convictions through the Virginia state courts, Goffigan faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when sentenced on September 6, 2016. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hudson is prosecuting 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. 2:16-cr-34.
United States Attorney’s Office Supports National Reentry WeekRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA – Each year, more than 600,000 citizens return to our communities after serving time in federal and state prisons. Another 11.4 million individuals cycle through local jails. And nearly one in three Americans of working age have had some sort of encounter with the criminal justice system — mostly for relatively minor, non-violent offenses, and sometimes from decades in the past. The long-term impact of a criminal record prevents many people from obtaining employment, housing, higher education, and credit — and these barriers affect returning individuals even if they have turned their lives around and are unlikely to reoffend.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, under the leadership of United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr., strongly supports reentry programs throughout the Western District of Virginia and beyond.
“Our office is committed to assisting non-violent offenders to become productive, law-abiding citizens,” United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. said today. “We are proud to support community groups, and other agencies, who work every day to do this very important work.”
As part of National Reentry Week, U.S. Attorney Fishwick, along with members of the United States Attorney’s Office staff, will be meeting with community groups who work with reentry programs to discuss future partnership opportunities to help individuals return to communities in the Western District of Virginia.
In addition, the U.S. Attorney will continue a series of on-going meetings with Court and Probation officials regarding reentry programs aimed at helping former federal inmates returning to their communities.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to support the Veterans Treatment Court, a court designed to help veterans get back on their feet.
“Oftentimes, our veterans end up in the criminal justice system simply because they are coping with stress in the wrong way,” United States Attorney Fishwick said today. “Veterans Treatment Court provides an alternative to this downward spiral by promoting recovery and sobriety in a supportive environment. Our office is proud to support veterans by actively participating in Veterans Treatment Court.”
As part of National Reentry Week, leadership from across the Administration will be traveling around the country to make policy announcements in support of National Reentry Week. They will also be encouraging federal partners and grantees to work closely with stakeholders like federal defenders, legal aid providers and other partners across the country to increase the impact of these efforts. National Reentry Week events are being planned in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. U.S. Attorney’s Offices alone are hosting over 200 events and Bureau of Prisons facilities are holding over 370 events.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Denies Former Lackawanna County Commissioner Anthony J. Munchak’s AppealRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied former Lackawanna County Commissioner Anthony J. Munchak’s latest appeal regarding his 2011 conviction on multiple public corruption charges. Specifically, the Court of Appeals affirmed U.S District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo’s July 17, 2014, denial of Munchak’s motion for a new trial based on a claim of newly discovered evidence.
Munchak was convicted in 2011, along with former Lackawanna County Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro, on multiple public corruption offenses relating to the Commissioners’ demands for payments and other benefits from individuals and entities doing business with Lackawanna County. Munchak was sentenced in 2012, to serve 84 months’ imprisonment and the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence on May 31, 2013.
After the conviction and sentence were affirmed, Munchak filed a motion for a new trial alleging that witnesses associated with Highland Associates, an architectural and engineering firm that did work for the County, perjured themselves at his trial. The Appellate Court rejected Munchak’s claims and stated that “[t]he District Court correctly concluded that Munchak’s motion does not expose false testimony.” The Appellate Court further stated that since Munchak’s “new evidence” did not discredit the witnesses’ testimony, “it is impossible to conclude that it creates a reasonable likelihood (or, indeed, any rational chance) of a different outcome by the jury.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service. At trial, the government was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Lorna N. Graham, William S. Houser and Bruce Brandler, with Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Cerutti on the Appellate brief.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Participates in Reentry Simulation at FCI Fort WorthRead the Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas — As part of events sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas during National Reentry Week, staff members from the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff at Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Fort Worth today to participate in a Reentry Simulation that provided FCI inmates an opportunity to experience, first-hand, one month in the life of a newly-released offender, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
The Department of Justice has taken major steps toward reducing recidivism and helping formerly-incarcerated individuals contribute to their communities. An important part of that commitment is preparing those who have paid their debt to society for substantive opportunities beyond the prison gates, and addressing obstacles to successful reentry that too many returning citizens encounter.
“Regardless of how motivated they may be, formerly incarcerated individuals face serious and complex obstacles to successful reentry,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “This reentry simulation was invaluable in highlighting and addressing those obstacles and offering real-life ways to overcome them.”
In addition to participating in the simulation, U.S. Attorney Office staff members provided a training session to the reentering population regarding firearm laws and potential criminal liabilities so they may make wise choices after their release from prison.
Inmates participating in the simulation were given a packet containing mock information about an imaginary individual who was just released from incarceration, whose identity they would assume for the exercise. The packet contained information about that imaginary individual’s criminal background, education level as well as their financial, housing and employment situation. Then, during four 15-minute sessions, with each session representing one week of the month, participants engaged in various scenarios with staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and BOP who role-played representatives from community organizations, such as financial institutions, health clinics, social services, court services and law enforcement.
The Department of Justice designated the week of April 24-30, 2016, as National Reentry Week. During this week, U.S. Attorney Offices are coordinating reentry events designed to raise awareness about the importance of reentry work. With more than 600,000 individuals each year returning to neighborhoods after serving time in federal and state prisons, and another 11.4 million individuals cycling through local jails, addressing the challenges they face is a fundamental and vital task.
Yesterday, the Department of Justice announced new reforms to strengthen the Bureau of Prisons, including the “Roadmap to Reentry,” the Department’s comprehensive vision to reduce recidivism through reentry reforms at the BOP.
The principles outlined in the “Roadmap to Reentry” are aligned with the work of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, which has been to reduce policy barriers to successful reentry, opening up opportunities in education, job placement, housing, healthcare, and a host of other areas critical to successful reintegration. The Department is also raising awareness of the importance of reentry strategies that both increase public safety and fulfill our nation’s commitment to the promise of individual redemption.
More information on Reentry efforts in the Northern District of Texas may be found here. Additional resources regarding the Department’s Reentry efforts may be found here.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Obtains ADA Settlement with Saginaw HospitalRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan has reached a settlement with a Saginaw hospital to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. The agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) resolves a complaint filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleging that HealthSource Saginaw failed to provide a sign language interpreter to a deaf patient at one of its outpatient clinics. HealthSource Saginaw fully cooperated with the investigation into this matter.
The settlement stemmed from a complaint submitted by a mother in Flint who alleged that HealthSource Saginaw violated the ADA by failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including sign language interpreter services, to her teenage son, who is deaf, while he received outpatient treatment at the Saginaw hospital. According to the complaint, the minor was provided with an interpreter while receiving inpatient services at the hospital, but HealthSource Saginaw refused to provide him with an interpreter for follow-up outpatient treatment.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by health care providers. To ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to health care services, medical providers are obligated to provide effective communication for patients and companions who are deaf or hard of hearing. This assistance may include providing sign language interpreters to ensure that patients who are deaf are able to communicate with their health care providers or providing other auxiliary aids or services that are appropriate under the circumstances at no cost to the patient. The appropriate aid or service depends on a variety of factors, including the nature, length, and importance of the communication; the context of the communication; the communication skills and knowledge of the individual who is deaf or hard of hearing; and the individual’s stated need for a particular type of auxiliary aid or service.
The settlement agreement requires HealthSource Saginaw to adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are promptly provided to patients or companions who are deaf or hard of hearing, to provide training to hospital staff on the new policies and procedures and the overall requirements of the ADA; and to appoint an ADA coordinator at the hospital to ensure access to appropriate auxiliary aids and services.
“While this settlement demonstrates HealthSource Saginaw’s commitment to provide effective communication to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, this issue is much bigger than one hospital or one medical provider. More than 25 years after the enactment of the ADA, too many medical providers still fail to fulfill their obligations to provide effective communication to patients and their companions who are deaf. We will continue our enforcement efforts to raise awareness and to ensure that the promise of the ADA is a reality for all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has resolved several cases involving equal access to health care for individuals with disabilities. These cases include doctors and medical offices that have failed to provide sign language interpreters to patients who are deaf and medical offices that have failed to make their procedures accessible for patients who use wheelchairs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to investigate a number of other hospitals and medical offices to ensure that they are providing physical access to medical care for people with mobility disabilities, and effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as part of the Department of Justice’s Barrier Free Healthcare Initiative.
For more information on the ADA and the DOJ’s Barrier Free Healthcare Initiative, please visit http://www.ada.gov/usao-agreements.html. Those interested in finding out more about these settlements, the obligations of health care providers and other places of public accommodation under the ADA, or filing a complaint, may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office via email at [email protected], or by calling 313-226-9151. Individuals may also contact the Justice Department through its toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), access its ADA website at www.ada.gov, or file a complaint by email at [email protected].
U.S. Attorney's Office to Host Town Hall and Other Events as Part of National Reentry WeekRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia will highlight the issues facing citizens returning to the community after periods of incarceration in a series of events as part of National Reentry Week, including a town hall scheduled for tonight at the Central Union Mission, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
U.S. Attorney Phillips will be joined at this evening’s program by Acting Associate Attorney General Bill Baer and Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason. They will speak about efforts by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to support those returning to the nation’s communities after serving time in federal and state prisons.
The Obama Administration has taken major steps to make the criminal justice system fairer, more efficient and more effective at reducing recidivism and helping formerly incarcerated individuals contribute to their communities. Removing barriers to successful reentry helps formerly incarcerated individuals compete for jobs, attain stable housing, and support their families. An important part of that commitment is preparing those who have paid their debt to society for substantive opportunities beyond the prison gates, and addressing collateral consequences to successful reentry that too many returning citizens encounter.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and other top officials are making appearances throughout the nation to promote the “Roadmap to Reentry,” the Justice Department’s comprehensive vision to reduce recidivism through reentry reforms at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Each year, more than 600,000 citizens return to communities after serving time in federal and state prisons. Another 11.4 million people cycle through local jails.
“We have to do more to stop the cycle of crime and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “One critical factor in stopping this cycle is to address the serious issues and hurdles that former offenders face when they reenter our communities. We as a community must do all we can to enhance the prospects of our returning citizens to live productive and healthy lives.”
“Too often, justice-involved individuals who have paid their debt to society confront daunting obstacles to good jobs, decent housing, adequate health care, quality education, and even the right to vote,” said Attorney General Lynch. “National Reentry Week highlights the many ways that the Department of Justice – and the entire Obama Administration – is working to tear down the barriers that stand between returning citizens and a meaningful second chance – leading to brighter futures, stronger communities, and a more just and equal nation for all.”
In addition to the town hall this evening, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will highlight reentry issues this afternoon in a discussion with a girls’ mentoring group. Assistant Attorney General Mason, of the Office of Justice Programs, is scheduled to attend the program.
The town hall is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. today at the Central Union Mission, 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW. In addition to U.S. Attorney Phillips and the Justice Department officials, representatives from the Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens will be on hand to speak about their efforts to support returning citizens. Participants will have an opportunity to express concerns and ask the speakers questions.
Finally, a roundtable discussion is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Mickey Leland Transitional Housing Facility in Northwest Washington. U.S. Attorney Phillips is expected to be joined by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division and other officials in a presentation that will cover the barriers returning citizens face in obtaining employment and ways to overcome these obstacles.
NOTE: The event tonight at the Central Union Mission is open to the press. It will take place at 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW. All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Media check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Bill Miller at 202-252-6643.
U.S. Attorney's Office Partners with the Western North Carolina Crime Victims' Coalition to Recognize 12 Individuals for Their Significant Contributions in Assisting Victims of CrimeRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – United States Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose announced that 12 individuals were recognized yesterday at an event commemorating National Victims’ Rights week, sponsored by the Western North Carolina Victims’ Coalition in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The event was held at the Asheville Campus of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. As reflected in this year’s theme, “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope,” the award honorees were selected for their significant efforts and contributions in assisting victims of crime.
Speaking at yesterday’s event, U.S. Attorney Rose said, “We have gathered to remember, rebuild and restore. To remember loved ones lost to crime, to assist survivors rebuild their lives, and to restore the hope and trust of crime victims in their journey to healing and recovery.”
The 12 recipients selected received awards in five categories:
Victim Advocacy Professional:
-
Christine Gibson – Disability and Elder Safe Coordinator with the 30th Judicial Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Alliance, Inc.
-
Meredith Hooks – Court Advocate and Family Justice Center Coordinator with Safelight in Henderson County.
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Melissa Knight – Court Advocate with Helpmate.
-
Susie Presley – Victim Advocate with Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Angelica Wind – Executive Director of Our Voice.
Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional:
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Sargent Benjamin McKay – Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Detective Joshua Meindl– Asheville Police Department.
-
Detective Matthew Orr – Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal Justice Professional:
-
Rachael Groffsky – Assistant District Attorney with the 28th Prosecutorial District, Buncombe County.
-
The Honorable James Calvin Hill – Chief Court Judge with the 28th Prosecutorial District, Buncombe County.
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Reid Taylor – Assistant District Attorney with the 30th Prosecutorial District.
Compassionate Community Volunteer:
-
Carolyn Lescallitt– Volunteer with the 30th Judicial Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Alliance, Inc.
U.S. Attorney Rose thanked the honorees for their outstanding dedication, service and support in working with crime victims and noted the important role each honoree has played in raising awareness and providing victims of crime with the support and resources they need in the aftermath of crime.
Along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Western North Carolina Crime Victims’ Coalition is made up of victim advocates from the following agencies: Buncombe County Sheriff's Office; Asheville Police Department; Buncombe County District Attorney's Office in Prosecutorial District 28; Pisgah Legal Services; Caring for Children - Trinity Place; Helpmate; Our Voice; and the 30th Judicial District Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Alliance, Inc.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week honors and celebrates the achievements of the past thirty years in securing rights, protections, and services for victims. The bipartisan Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), passed by Congress in 1984, created a national fund to ease victims’ suffering. Financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders, the Crime Victims Fund supports services for victims of all types of crime, including assistance for homicide survivors, survivors of child sexual abuse, and victims of human trafficking, as well as rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs among others. VOCA also funds victim compensation programs that pay victims’ out-of-pocket expenses - such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Million Dollar Recovery for Unpaid PostageRead the Press Release
ImageStore US Inc. and Mambate USA Inc., doing business as AGPTEK (collectively “AGPTEK”), an Internet-based vendor of a wide variety of merchandise, including consumer electronics, and their shareholder and principal, Charlie Wang, have entered into a settlement agreement with the United States in which they have agreed to pay $1,049,635.82 to resolve civil allegations that they failed to pay postage on large amounts of mail sent through the United States Postal Service.
The settlement was announced today by Robert L. Capers, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Philip R. Bartlett, the Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The settlement resolved a multi-year investigation into AGPTEK’s mailings to consumers. AGPTEK sells consumer electronic accessories and replacement parts such as cell phone cases, digital camera batteries, and laptop AC adapters through multiple websites. The United States alleged that from June 2005 to May 2010, AGPTEK mailed over two hundred thousand items to customers either without postage or without sufficient postage. AGPTEK would stamp the packages with an unauthorized postal permit number that was not associated with any credit card or billing account.
In reaching this settlement, AGPTEK and Mr. Wang accepted responsibility for failing to pay sufficient postage during the five year period.
“By failing to pay proper postage, AGPTEK short-changed the Postal Service of funds it depends on from customers to fulfill its mission,” stated U.S. Attorney Capers. “This settlement reflects the commitment of this Office to root out wrongdoing against the Postal Service and ensure it is able to continue providing valuable services to all of its customers.”
“The Postal Inspection Service will vigorously pursue individuals who underpay the Postal Service, and we appreciate U.S. Attorney Capers’ strong stance against those who seek to take advantage of the Postal Service,” said Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel G. Balaban.
Three More Defendants Guilty of Participating in Multi-State Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Angel Mascorro, 52, of Aurora, Illinois pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit money laundering and seven counts of money laundering. The guilty plea follows the trial of two of his co-defendants – Alejandro Sotelo, 43, of Chicago, IL, and Francisco Gonzalez Jose, 44, of Philadelphia, PA, who were found guilty late last Friday night by a federal jury, of taking part in a continuing criminal enterprise and other charges. The jury also found Sotelo and Gonzalez Jose guilty of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, conspiracy to import heroin, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and, as to Gonzalez Jose, possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; and as to Sotelo distribution of 14 kilograms of heroin. All three were members of the Laredo Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). Sentencing hearings are scheduled for August of 2016. Sotelo and Gonzalez Jose each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison; Mascorro faces a significant term of imprisonment. To date, 18 defendants (including Mascorro) have pleaded guilty; four defendants, including alleged kingpins Antonio Laredo and Ismael Laredo and their wives, are in Mexico. Another five defendants are awaiting trial.
Brothers Antonio and Ismael Laredo, the alleged leaders of the Laredo DTO, supervised 21 defendants in an operation that imported multiple kilos of heroin from Mexico into the United States and distributed it to other drug traffickers in Philadelphia, Camden, NJ, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, and New York, NY. According to court documents, the Laredo DTO smuggled-in approximately 1,000 kilograms of heroin using various concealment techniques such as placing kilogram quantities of heroin in car batteries, car bumpers, concealed vehicle traps, and sealed fruit and vegetable cans. Alejandro Sotelo served as a DTO cell head in Chicago where he oversaw the stash house operation and the movement of multi kilogram quantities of heroin from Mexico into Chicago. Sotelo also arranged the trans-shipment of multi-kilogram quantities of heroin to Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.
Members of the DTO used violence, such as assaults and kidnapping, threats of violence, including murder and arson, and firearms, to protect their product and proceeds and to prevent members from withdrawing from the organization. The DTO supplied multi-kilogram quantities of heroin to drug traffickers in the Philadelphia area, including the (Christian) Serrano DTO, the (Darbin and Gabriel) Vargas DTO, and the Camden, New Jersey based (Confesor) Montalvo organization, among others.
According to the indictment, members of the Laredo DTO would transport heroin shipments by various means, including car and train. The Laredo brothers had special car batteries manufactured for the purpose of concealing the loads of heroin and, in 2012, a courier used that method to deliver three kilograms of heroin to Philadelphia. A shipment of four kilograms was concealed inside a car speaker box. A shipment of 7.6 kilograms of heroin was concealed in sealed fruit and vegetable cans in Texas, and the couriers were directed to deliver the heroin to defendants Darbin Vargas and Gabriel Vargas, of the Vargas DTO in Philadelphia.
The DTO consisted of numerous relatives and associates who set up “funnel accounts” that were used for the purpose of laundering the proceeds of the drug operation back to Mexico. The Laredo brothers, it is alleged, used a variety of money laundering techniques, including the use of the funnel accounts, wire transfers of funds, and Western Union money grams, to launder at least $5 million of the heroin proceeds back to Mexico, where the Laredo brothers currently reside.
In addition to the prison terms, each defendant in the case faces possible fines, periods of supervised release, a criminal forfeiture judgment to the United States of up to $60 million, and special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s offices in Philadelphia, PA, Allentown, PA, Camden, NJ, Mexico City, Mexico, Chicago and Rockford, IL, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, Tyler, TX, Raleigh, NC, Jefferson City and St. Louis, MS, Richmond, VA, and the DEA Special Operations Division; FBI, Philadelphia; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations in Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Philadelphia Police Department; Darby Borough Police Department; SEPTA Transit Police Department; Berks County District Attorney’s Office; Bucks County District Attorney’s Office; Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA in New Jersey: the N.J. Attorney General’s Office, N.J. Parole Board, Cherry Hill Police Department, Delaware River Port Authority Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office; in Illinois: Rockford Police Department, Will County Sheriff's Department, Skokie Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Oak Lawn Police Department, Addison Police Department, Prospect Heights Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Arlington Heights Police Department, West Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff's Department, and McHenry County Narcotics Task Force; in Texas: Texas Department of Public Safety, CID Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant Police Department; in Missouri: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Audrain County Sheriff’s Department, East Central Drug Task Force; in Virginia: the Mecklenberg County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Virginia State Police; and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Support was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State Police, the U
Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph T. Labrum, III, Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Strauss, of the Justice Department's National Security Division.
Three Indicted for Importing White-Tailed Deer into MississippiRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – United States Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker unsealed a federal indictment yesterday charging Coleman Virgil Slade, 70, of Purvis, Mississippi, Don Durrett, 72, of Aspermont, Texas, and Dewayne Slade, 44, of Purvis, Mississippi, with various violations of the Lacey Act for importing live white-tailed deer into Mississippi, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Special Agent in Charge Dax Roberson with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.
Don Durrett and Dewayne Slade appeared for arraignment today and pled not guilty to the 7- count federal indictment. Coleman Virgil Slade will be arraigned at a later date.
According to the indictment, from January of 2009 through December of 2012, the Slades and Durrett did knowingly and willfully conspire to purchase and transport in interstate commerce live white-tailed deer from Texas to Mississippi in violation of both state and federal laws. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each individual count.
"The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing the Lacey Act and other federal laws to protect our wildlife resources," said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis. "We will continue to work closely with USDA OIG, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to enforce the Lacey Act."
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago stated "We take our mission working with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the citizens of Mississippi in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously. We will continue working vigorously investigating those who choose to violate state and federal laws."
"I want to thank the US Attorney’s office, OIG special agents, and our law enforcement partners for their hard work on this investigation," said USDA OIG Special Agent in Charge Dax Roberson, "USDA OIG is committed to pursuing individuals who commit criminal violations of the Lacey Act, which is intended to protect the health and well-being of America’s wildlife."
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The case is currently scheduled for trial on June 20, 2016 in Hattiesburg.
The public is reminded that an indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Statement of U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes on U.S. v. Troy KelleyRead the Press Release
I want to thank the jury for their service during this long trial, and the prosecutors from my office for their hard work in trying this case. My office will thoroughly review the counts that the jury deadlocked on before making a decision about our next steps in this case.
Springfield Gang Member Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the La Familia Gang, a national gang with a significant presence in Springfield and Holyoke, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Springfield for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Joshua Ortiz, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 27 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition. In December 2015, Ortiz pleaded guilty to the charges.
On Oct.10, 2014, Ortiz possessed a HiPoint Model JHP .45 caliber firearm and eight rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. Ortiz was spotted with the firearm by law enforcement officers, and fled after discarding the gun in a residential neighborhood. He was later arrested when he appeared in court on an unrelated matter.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.
South Paris Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Andrew Bean, 51, of South Paris, Maine pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to possessing a firearm after being convicted of four felony offenses.
According to court records, on November 21, 2015, a Maine Game Warden discovered Bean in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun in the Paris, Maine area. Bean was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior felony convictions for Operating Under the Influence and for Operating after Revocation in 2002 and, again, in 2006.
Bean faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Santa Fe Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Robbery ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Fidel Naranjo, 27, of Santa Fe, N.M., pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a bank robbery charge. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Naranjo will be sentenced to 40 months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Naranjo and his codefendant, Kendra Brophy, 29, of San Pedro, N.M., were arrested in Dec. 2015, on criminal complaints charging them with robbing the New Mexico Bank and Trust located at 411 Carr Lane in Espanola, N.M. on Dec. 2, 2015. The complaint alleged that Naranjo robbed the bank by approaching the bank teller, threatening to shoot her, and demanding money. Naranjo left the bank and was driven away from the scene by Brophy.
Naranjo and Brophy were subsequently indicted on Dec. 17, 2015, and charged with bank robbery on Dec. 2, 2015, in Rio Arriba County, N.M.
During yesterday’s change of plea hearing, Naranjo pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Dec. 2, 2015, he robbed the New Mexico Bank and Trust in Espanola, by entering the bank and demanding money from the teller. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
Brophy previously pled guilty to a felony information charging her with misprision of a felony on April 21, 2016. In entering her guilty plea, Brophy admitted that on Dec. 2, 2015, her codefendant Naranjo robbed a bank while she waited nearby. Brophy admitted concealing the identity of the bank robber and the cash he obtained during the robbery, and failing to notify the authorities about her codefendant and the robbery. At sentencing, Brophy faces a statutory maximum penalty of three years in prison. Her sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.
Sanbornton Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Michael Smith, 35, of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to a federal indictment charging him with eight counts of distribution and one count of conspiracy to distribute the Schedule I controlled substance heroin and the Schedule II controlled substance fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice.
During a law enforcement investigation, a cooperating individual purchased heroin and/or fentanyl from the defendant on eight occasions. Lab results have confirmed that over 20 grams of the substance purchase contained fentanyl, over 57 grams contained heroin and over 19 grams contained a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Smith obtained controlled substances from multiple sources and distributed to multiple customers, participating in the conspiracy since at least June, 2015.
Smith’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 96 months’ incarceration. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 27, 2016 in front of United States District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro. At that time, the Court will decide whether to accept the plea agreement and impose the agreed-upon period of incarceration, as well as any other conditions of Smith’s sentence.
The case was investigated by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Drug Task Force for this case included law enforcement representatives from the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin Police Department, the Concord Police Department and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky.
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RI Law Enforcement to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back ProgramRead the Press Release
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rhode Islanders are encouraged to drop off their unused and expired prescription drugs at one of more than 25 locations across the state as part of the national Prescription Drug Take Back Program. The program was created in 2010 by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prevent pill abuse and theft by allowing residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
A list of locations and participating police departments is attached and can be found at www.dea.gov. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. In addition, many police departments provide free drop-off boxes year-round. Contact your local police department to see if they offer the service. ((Note: The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.))
“Rhode Island continues to lead the nation in illicit drug use, and we have been in the eye of the storm of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opiate overdoses. While State leaders recognize that we need a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem, which includes access to naloxone, increasing support for recovery programs, and prosecuting drug traffickers, much of this crisis has been borne out of the diversion of prescription drugs for illicit purposes,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Ridding our homes of expired and unused prescription medications is both easy and effective manner to ensure they don’t end up in the hands of someone with an addiction.”
Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha added, "For too many years, Americans have received far too many prescription pills, including opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet. We now know that the results have been disastrous. The overprescribing of opioids has led to addiction and death from both these prescription pills and from heroin, to which those who abuse prescription opioids often turn. Far too often, prescription opioids, no longer needed, remain in our medicine cabinets at home, all too available to those who might abuse them. These overfilled medicine cabinets are literally killing our friends, relatives, and in some instances our children. It is beyond time to empty them, and take-back day is a great opportunity to do so."
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30th Take Back Day event, visit www.dea.gov.
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Project Safe Childhood - Claremont Man Sentenced for Child Pornography PossessionRead the Press Release
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: James Bednarcyk, 28, of Claremont, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison by the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire after pleading guilty to one count of possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice.
In April 2014, an undercover investigation determined that child pornography images were being shared on the Internet from the Claremont, New Hampshire residence of James Bednarcyk. A search warrant for the residence was executed in September 2014, during which Bednarcyk’s personal computer was seized. That computer was later determined to contain approximately 20 videos and 70 still images of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the Hampton, New Hampshire Police Department, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Manchester, the New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Task Force (NH ICAC), and the police departments of Claremont, Portsmouth, Nashua, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nick Abramson.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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