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24 September 2015
Former Hanover Post Office Employee Sentenced for Mail TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Amber Lopresti, 28, of Taunton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr., to two years of probation and restitution of $2,410.
In June 2015, Lopresti, a former employee of the United States Postal Service in Hanover, pleaded guilty to embezzling the U.S. mail and stealing the contents of the mail over a five month period while she was an employee. Lopresti has since been terminated.
On Oct. 8, 2014, while working as a Post Office employee, Lopresti was observed on a security camera rifling through the mail, removing unopened letters and greeting cards, and concealing them beneath her waistband. When her shift was over, she left the Post Office and removed the letters from her waistband once she was in her vehicle. She was stopped by police a short time later and the unopened letters and money were observed on her lap. Lopresti admitted to law enforcement officers that she took money from one of the stolen letters. She further admitted that in June 2014 she began stealing letters and contents from the letters from the Hanover Post Office, and had taken approximately $2,000 in cash, cards, and scratch tickets.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office; and Hanover Police Chief Walter Sweeney, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Former Downtown Nightclub Bouncer Arrested on Charges of Operating Illegal Steroid Lab out of His Oak Lawn HomeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — An Oak Lawn man was arrested today on federal charges that he imported anabolic steroids from China and distributed them to large-scale suppliers in the Chicago area.
JOSEPH T. PALERMO, 33, imported anabolic steroids, human growth hormone and pharmaceuticals from outside the United States for approximately five years, according to a federal criminal complaint and affidavit. The shipments from China arrived in the form of raw liquid or powder, which Palermo manufactured into usable steroids and distributed to large-scale dealers in the Chicago area, according to the charges.
Earlier this month, federal agents executing a search warrant at Palermo’s Oak Lawn residence discovered a makeshift steroid laboratory in the walk-in closet of a locked bedroom, the affidavit states. Inside the closet were approximately 600 empty glass vials, approximately 250 vials filled or partially-filled with suspected liquid steroids, more than 6,000 tablets labeled as anabolic steroids, glass beakers, a hot plate and a digital scale, according to the affidavit. Agents also discovered more than $9,000 in cash and several firearms, including a 9mm Glock handgun that was concealed under a pad in a sofa, the affidavit states.
Palermo, who is employed by the Argonne National Laboratory, was taken into custody this morning. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez and was released on a personal recognizance bond.
The arrest and charge against Palermo were announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; James Gibbons, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Antonio Gómez, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago; and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General.
The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation that has resulted in the issuance of numerous federal and state search warrants, as well as the initiation of other federal criminal cases, according to the affidavit.
According to the charges, Palermo purchased the steroids online and often wired the money through Western Union. The shipments were sometimes sent to P.O. Boxes that Palermo opened in his name or the names of people whose identities he had found on driver’s licenses mistakenly left behind at a downtown Chicago nightclub where Palermo formerly worked as a bouncer, according to the charges. Palermo estimated that he grossed approximately $2,000 per month through the scheme, the affidavit states.
In June, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in San Francisco intercepted a Chinese parcel addressed to a residence Palermo controlled in Northlake, the affidavit states. Although the parcel was declared as “Titanium Dioxide,” it contained 359.2 grams of an oily anabolic steroid, the affidavit states. In July, CBP officers intercepted a second Chinese shipment, this time containing a powdery anabolic steroid concealed in a tinfoil baggie, according to the charges. It was addressed to a Palermo-controlled P.O. Box in Elmhurst, the affidavit states.
The charge against Palermo carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kartik K. Raman.
Complaint
Federal charges dismantle Chicago-to-Ohio Valley heroin trafficking operationRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Seven individuals from Ohio and West Virginia have been charged in federal court in connection with a drug trafficking operation that caused large quantities of heroin to be transported from Chicago to the Ohio Valley, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld of the Northern District of West Virginia and United States Attorney Carter M. Stewart of the Southern District of Ohio announced today.
Frederick Allen McShan, 35, of Steubenville, Ohio, led an extensive, multi-state drug trafficking operation through which large quantities of heroin were transported from Chicago, Illinois into Northern West Virginia and Southern Ohio for redistribution and sale. McShan coordinated an intricate network of individuals to transport and distribute the drugs, including Perrier Duvall Coleman, 19, David McShan, 37, Donae F. Grier, 37, Terrence Lamont Smith, 26, all of Steubenville, along with Christopher Joshua Bishop, 31, and Kerris Deuntay Moncreace, 30, both of Weirton, West Virginia. The investigation involved the use of sophisticated surveillance techniques, undercover operations, and the execution of multiple federal search warrants, including the search of a business in Bellaire that was allegedly operated by one of the defendants.
Proceeds from the illegal drug transactions were used to purchase a variety of luxury items including vehicles and real estate. A large portion of those assets have been seized as part of the investigation.
The defendants will be prosecuted in federal courts in either the Southern District of Ohio or the Northern District of West Virginia. Each of the defendants is presently charged by federal criminal complaint with “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute More Than One Kilogram of a Controlled Substance – Heroin.” They all face between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Agencies involved in the investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hancock, Brooke, Weirton Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, all HIDTA-funded initiatives, the Jefferson County, Ohio Drug Task Force, the Belmont County, Ohio Drug Task Force, the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the City of Weirton Street Crimes Unit, the Toronto, Ohio Police Department, the Martins Ferry, Ohio Police Department, and the Steubenville, Ohio Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Jury Convicts Large Scale Drug DistributorRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Andrew Pieters (30, Orlando) guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempting to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each charge. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 10, 2015.
According to evidence presented at trial, in 2013, Pieters was a top-level distributor of methylone in central Florida. Methylone is a schedule I controlled substance similar to Ecstasy and can cause overheating, dehydration, and death. The methylone Pieters distributed had been imported from China and purchased through the Silk Road, an online marketplace that was used to facilitate the purchase and sale of illegal drugs and other contraband.
Between January and August 2013, Pieters distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars of methylone. Federal agents arrested him on January 9, 2015, as he was attempting to take possession of a kilogram of suspected methylone. Prior to his arrest, Pieters had planned to distribute at least a kilogram per week of methylone in central Florida.
Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey T. Walsh stated, “DEA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office in order to identify and bring to justice any persons importing and distributing illegal narcotics in the Central Florida region. We will continue to dedicate any resources necessary to identify emerging trends and methods that are utilized by these drug trafficking organizations.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the West Orange Narcotics Task Force, which is directed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and comprised of multiple local agencies. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Bishop Ravenel.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Nigerian Man for Role in “Business Email Compromise” Scheme That Caused Attempted $1.3 Million Loss to U.S. CompaniesRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A Nigerian citizen in the U.S. on a student visa has been charged in a federal indictment, returned late today, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud stemming from his role in what has become known as a “Business Email Compromise” scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Amechi Colvis Amuegbunam, 28, of Lagos, Nigeria, was arrested late last month on a related federal criminal complaint, filed earlier this year in the Northern District of Texas, when he entered the U.S. in Baltimore, Maryland. He made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in federal court in the District of Maryland on August 25, 2015, and was detained. It is expected that he will make an appearance in federal court in Dallas this week.
The indictment alleges that from November 2013 through August 2015, Amuegbunam and other individuals, sent, and caused to be sent, fraudulent emails to companies in the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere, containing material misrepresentations that caused the companies to wire transfer funds as instructed on a pdf document that was attached to the email. According to the complaint, Amuegbunam is responsible for more than a $1.3 million attempted loss, and a $615,550 actual loss, to U.S. companies, including Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase.
The FBI, according to the complaint, is investigating an extensive money laundering and wire fraud scheme primarily operated by individuals in Nigeria, and assisted by individuals in the U.S., who are exploiting open source information and using social engineering techniques to steal millions of dollars from U.S. corporations and individuals. The scheme has become so common that the term, “Business Email Compromise” scheme, was coined, and on August 25, 2015, the FBI issued a Public Service Announcement regarding the scheme.
The investigation of this particular BEC scheme began when two companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area reported to the FBI Dallas office that they had received targeted spear phishing emails. These emails appeared to be a forwarded message, allegedly from a top executive at the company, sent to an employee in the company’s accounting department who had authority to make financial transfers for the company. Although the emails appeared to be coming from a company executive, the messages were actually coming from a false email account fraudulently created to look like a legitimate company email account. A fraudulent domain name was used that contained one small difference from the true company’s email address – such as transposed letters. After complying with the spear phishing email instructions to transfer funds, the companies became victims of the BEC scheme, each losing approximately $100,000. The investigation traced the creation of some of the pdfs to Amuegbunam.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has been tracking this scheme and to date, perpetrators of the scheme have victimized more than 7000 businesses based in the U.S. and more than 1000 foreign-based businesses. The total loss to the U.S. victims is approximately $747 million.
Additional information about the BEC scheme may be found in a Fraud Alert issued by the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service. The FBI urges any business who believes it was victimized by the BEC scheme to contact them at 972-559-5000.
An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the conspiracy to commit wire fraud offense carries a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Restitution may be ordered.
The FBI is conducting the ongoing investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney C.S. Heath is in charge of the prosecution.
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El Salvador National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RAMON ANTONIO SORIANO-CANIZALEZ, age 28, a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously deported.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced SORIANO-CANIZALEZ to time served. SORIANO-CANIZALEZ will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to the court documents, SORIANO-CANIZALEZ was encountered by Border Patrol agents in the Eastern District of Louisiana on April 29, 2015, after records showed he had been previously deported from the United States to El Salvador on July 26, 2010.
U.S. Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol for investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield was in charge of the prosecution.
El Departmento de Justicia y la Oficina para la Protección Financiera del Consumidor Realizan un Acuerdo Conciliatorio con Hudson City Savings Bank en Resolución de Alegatos de Discriminación en el Otorgamiento de HipotecasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – El Departamento de Justicia y la Oficina para la Protección Financiera del Consumidor [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)] radicaron una orden de consentimiento hoy para resolver alegatos de que Hudson City Savings Bank (Hudson City) exhibió un patrón o una práctica de excluir delimitando (“redlining” en inglés) vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos en sus prácticas de otorgamiento de préstamos hipotecarios residenciales. Excluir delimitando es la práctica discriminatoria ejercida por bancos u otras instituciones financieras de negar o evitar brindar servicios de crédito a un consumidor debido a la situación demográfica racial del vecindario en el que vive el consumidor. Esta resolución representa el acuerdo conciliatorio más grande asociado con exclusión delimitada hipotecaria residencial realizado por el Departamento de Justicia.
El acuerdo conciliatorio, el que está sujeto a la aprobación del tribunal, fue radicado en conjunto con la demanda de las agencias en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey. La demanda alega que Hudson City violó la Ley de Vivienda Justa y la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades de Crédito [Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)], que prohíben a las instituciones financieras discriminar debido a raza, color u origen nacional en sus prácticas de otorgamiento de préstamos hipotecarios. Específicamente, la demanda alega que desde al menos 2009 hasta 2013, Hudson City dejó de atender las necesidades de crédito de vecindarios con mayoría negra e hispana en las principales áreas de su mercado, incluidas Nueva Jersey, la ciudad de Nueva York y los condados que las rodean, y las áreas metropolitanas de Filadelfia y Bridgeport, Connecticut. Hudson City ha aceptado resolver este caso sin litigio controvertido.
“Este caso debe transmitir un mensaje a prestamistas de todo el país de que el Departamento de Justicia no tolerará la discriminación racial en el otorgamiento de crédito”, indicó la Secretaria de Justicia Auxiliar Adjunta Principal Vanita Gupta, líder de la División de Derechos Civiles. “Una institución de préstamos debe tratar a todos los potenciales prestatarios de manera igualitaria, independientemente de su raza o la composición racial de su vecindario, al decidir ofrecer sus servicios de préstamo. Instamos a todos los prestamistas a que identifiquen proactivamente oportunidades de otorgamiento de préstamos responsables que existan en vecindarios predominantemente minoritarios en sus áreas de actuación”.
“Hudson City Savings Bank estructuró sus operaciones comerciales de modo a sistemáticamente evitar brindar servicios de crédito en vecindarios predominantemente minoritarios”, señaló el Fiscal Federal Paul J. Fishman del Distrito de Nueva Jersey. “No hay lugar para ese tipo de comportamiento en nuestro sistema bancario. Además de pagar 25 millones de dólares por un programa de subsidios crediticios, el acuerdo de hoy exigirá que el banco tome una serie de pasos concretos para garantizar que se mejore el acceso a crédito responsable y asequible a prestatarios calificados en vecindarios negros e hispanos”.
“Alegamos que las prácticas de exclusión delimitada discriminatorias de Hudson City recortaron ilegalmente las oportunidades de consumidores de vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos de obtener un préstamo hipotecario y cumplir su sueño de la casa propia”, dijo el Director de la CFPB Richard Cordray. “Sin acceso a crédito de precio razonable, los vecindarios se deterioran bajo la sombra lanzada por el otorgamiento injusto de préstamos. La acción de hoy busca eliminar este tipo de discriminación al proveerles a estas comunidades que tendrían que haber tenido acceso a hipotecas desde un principio, 27 millones de dólares en subsidios hipotecarios y programas de extensión, junto con nuevas sucursales bancarias”.
La demanda se originó a partir de una investigación conjunta con la CFPB iniciada en marzo de 2015.
Bajo los términos del acuerdo conciliatorio propuesto, Hudson City invertirá 25 millones de dólares en un fondo de subsidios para hipotecas para incrementar la cantidad de crédito que el banco otorga a vecindarios con mayoría negra e hispana en todas las áreas de su mercado. A fin de que los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales estén disponibles a residentes de vecindarios minoritarios que no fueron atendidos adecuadamente por Hudson City, el banco investigará, además, 2,25 millones de dólares en publicidad, extensión, educación financiera e iniciativas e asociación comunitaria, y abrirá dos sucursales de servicios integrales en estos vecindarios. El acuerdo exigirá que Hudson City desarrolle fuertes controles internos adicionales para garantizar el cumplimiento de sus obligaciones de otorgamiento justo de préstamos, brinde capacitación sobre el otorgamiento justo de préstamos a sus empleados, altos ejecutivos y a la Junta de Directores, y cree un plan integral de largo plazo para incrementar el otorgamiento de préstamos en las áreas anteriormente excluídas por delimitación. Asimismo, Hudson City pagará una multa civil de 5,5 millones de dólares.
La coacción asociada a las leyes de otorgamiento justo de préstamos y la Ley de Reparación Judicial Civil para los Miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas [Servicemembers Civil Relief Act] por parte del Departamento de Justicia es realizada por la Sección de Vivienda y Cumplimiento de la Ley Civil de la División de Derechos Civiles. Desde 2010, la División de Derechos Civiles ha proporcionado alrededor de 1,3 mil millones de dólares en reparación monetaria a prestatarios individuales y comunidades afectadas, al hacer valer la Ley de Vivienda Justa, la ECOA y la SCRA. Los informes anuales del Secretario de Justicia de EE.UU. al Congreso sobre la coacción asociada a la ECOA destacan los logros del departamento en el tema del otorgamiento justo de préstamos y están disponibles en www.justice.gov/crt/publications/.
La División de Derechos Civiles, la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey y la Oficina para la Protección Financiera del Consumidor son miembros de la Fuerza de Tarea de Coacción contra el Fraude Financiero. El Presidente Obama fundó la Fuerza de Tarea de Coacción contra el Fraude Financiero para generar una iniciativa enérgica, coordinada y proactiva para investigar y enjuiciar los delitos financieros. La fuerza de tarea incluye a representantes de una amplia gama de agencias federales, autoridades regulatorias, inspectores generales y fuerzas del orden público estatales y locales quienes, trabajando juntos, ponen en uso un conjunto poderoso de recursos de coacción penal y civil. La fuerza de tarea está trabajando para mejorar las iniciativas en todo el poder ejecutivo federal y, junto con asociados estatales y locales, investigar y enjuiciar delitos financieros importantes, garantizar un castigo justo y eficaz para quienes cometen delitos financieros, combatir la discriminación en los mercados de préstamos y financieros, y recuperar ganancias para las víctimas de delitos financieros. Para obtener más información sobre la fuerza de tarea, visite www.StopFraud.gov.
Para obtener una copia de la demanda, así como información adicional sobre la labor del Departamento de Justicia para hacer valer las leyes de otorgamiento justo de préstamos, visite el portal del Departamento de Justicia en http://www.justice.gov/fairhousing.
East St. Louis Tax Preparer Indicted for Preparation of False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Evelyn Johnson, d/b/a E.J. Johnson Tax Service, 53, from East St. Louis, Illinois, was charged by Indictment with twenty-nine counts of Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False Federal Tax Returns, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Johnson faces a total maximum sentence of eighty-seven years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to one year supervised release, plus mandatory restitution. The indictment alleges that Johnson operates the E.J. Johnson Tax Service in East St. Louis. The indictment further alleges that the I.R.S. sent in an undercover agent to have her taxes prepared after the I.R.S. Scheme Development Center detected a potential pattern of fraudulent returns. The indictment alleges that Johnson prepared a false return for the undercover agent that falsified itemized deductions. The indictment also charges Johnson with preparing twenty-eight other false federal tax returns.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Detroit heroin dealer pleads guilty in Federal courtRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who had heroin, oxycodone, and cash pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney, Booth Goodwin. Kendrick Leon Ward, 24 pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a college or university.
On November 8 and 11, 2013, drug task force officers used an informant to purchase approximately five grams of heroin from Ward in exchange for $1,125. Both drug deals occurred near Ward’s residence at Dawson Hall on the campus of West Virginia State University. On November 12, 2013, police executed a search warrant on Ward’s dorm room and seized 20 grams of heroin, 100 30mg oxycodone pills, 100 30mg tramadol pills, and $21,265.00 which included the money used in the undercover drug busy the day before. W
Ward faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine when sentenced on December 29, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Assistant United States Attorney, Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.
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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Dauphin County Man with Prior Conviction Indicted Federally for Unlawful Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Dauphin County man was indicted late yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg for possession of a pistol by a person prohibited by law from having a firearm.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Lawrence Bethea, age 31, was found to be in possession of a concealed .380 caliber pistol after being approached by police in Harrisburg. Bethea was found asleep inside his vehicle, which was parked in the middle of the 1600 block of Berryhill Street. When police located the firearm, Bethea ran and struggled with police after being apprehended. Bethea, as a person with a previous conviction for an offense punishable by a prison term in excess of one year, is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 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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Dallas Man Indicted for Aiming a Laser Pointer at an AircraftRead the Press Release
DALLAS —A federal grand jury has indicted Orlando Jose Chapa, 37, of Dallas on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Special agents with the FBI arrested Chapa yesterday. He made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney, who released him on bond.
According to the indictment, on or about May 30, 2015, in the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas, Chapa knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter and at the flight path of that aircraft.
A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the maximum statutory penalty for this offense is five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI, Texas DPS and the Dallas Police Department are investigating. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Burns is prosecuting.
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Dallas Attorney and Four Family Members Indicted in $22 Million Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A federal grand jury in Dallas returned an indictment late yesterday charging Dallas attorney Tshombe Anderson and four family members with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud stemming from a scheme they ran from July 2011 to September 2015 to fraudulently obtain more than $22 million from the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Worker’s Compensation Program (OWCP), announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Tshombe Anderson, 52, and his sister Lydia Bankhead, 61, have been in custody since their arrest in late August 2015, on a related federal criminal complaint.
In addition to Tshombe Anderson, this indictment charges his wife Brenda Anderson, 45, his sister-in-law Janet Anderson, 41, and his niece Lydia Taylor, 28, with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. It is expected that all five defendants will make their initial appearance in federal court in Dallas in the coming weeks.
Tshombe Anderson worked as an attorney with a law office located in Dallas. He formed a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company in 2010 called Best First Administration DME of Austin, LLC (BFA), which listed him as one of the company’s managers. Then, in 2013, he formed two more DME companies, Union Medical Supplies & Equipment, LLC (UMSE) and Sky Care Medical Supplies & Equipment, LLC (SMSE).
Brenda Anderson managed BFA, and in 2010, she enrolled BFA as a provider with OWCP through Affiliated Computer Services. In February 2010, Brenda Anderson, through BFA, acted as the in-house DME provider for Union Treatment Center (Union). Both Tshombe and Brenda Anderson were fired from Union in May 2011.
Bankhead was a UMSE manager and enrolled the company as a provider with OWCP through Affiliated Computer Services.
Janet Anderson was a manager of SMSE and enrolled the company as a provider with OWCP through Affiliated Computer Services.
Lydia Taylor, at Tshombe Anderson’s suggestion, sought out and obtained a position as a volunteer intern in OWCP’s Dallas office. After obtaining this position and gaining access to OWCP’s system, Taylor would look up claim numbers and provide information to her co-conspirators.
The indictment alleges that the purpose of the conspiracy was for the five defendants, through BFA, UMSE, and SMSE, to unlawfully enrich themselves by submitting, and causing the submission of, payment of fraudulent claims to OWCP that (a) falsely represented that the DME was requested; (b) falsely represented that the DME was necessary; and (c) falsely represented that the DME had to be provided. They obtained more than $22 million through this scheme.
From July 2011 through September 21, 2015, more than 250 patient claim numbers have been used by at least one of the companies formed and managed by the defendants to bill OWCP. During this time, BFA, UMSE, and SMSE collectively billed OWCP more than 50,000 times and were paid more than $22 million because of the defendants falsely representing that the DME billed for was requested, necessary and provided.
A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit mail fraud is 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation that, upon conviction, would require the defendants to forfeit a money judgment in the amount of $32 million, representing the approximate amount of proceeds derived from the scheme to defraud, for which the defendants are jointly and severally responsible. In addition, the following property that was seized by federal agents on August 26, 2015, will be forfeited: $375,000 in cash seized from Tshombe and Brenda Anderson’s residence; $295,860 in cash seized from Lydia Bankhead’s residence; three vehicles including a 2014 Jeep, a 2014 Lexus, and a 2015 Mercedes; and a total of $8,383,075.00 seized from 25 bank accounts.
The DOL Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General are investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wiley, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Gividen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lea Carlisle are in charge of the prosecution.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transporting A Minor for the Purpose of Engaging in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jacob Thomas Pearce, 23, of Golden, Colorado, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, to serve 120 months in prison for transporting a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Pearce to serve a lifetime of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division joins Acting U.S. Attorney Rose in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on or about September 6, 2014, Pearce traveled from Golden, Colorado, to Asheville to meet a 13-year old female victim with whom he had been communicating online and via text messages. Court records show that Pearce picked up the minor from Asheville, and together they travelled through Tennessee, ultimately arriving in Austin, Texas, on September 8, 2014. According to court records, Pearce engaged in sexual acts with the minor over the two-day period they travelled across state lines. Law enforcement located Pearce’s vehicle near Brackettville, Texas, and Pearce was taken into custody. Court records indicate that Pearce admitted to knowing the victim was a minor prior to leaving Colorado. In April 2015, Pearce pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.
Pearce is currently in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast the case of the Western District of North Carolina prosecuted the case.
Cleveland business owner charged with bribing city officialsRead the Press Release
The owner of a business in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard neighborhood was indicted for paying bribes to city officials in order to receive payment from a $25,000 city grant despite failing to achieve the equal opportunity employment goals required by the grant agreement, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
Ashwani “Eddie” Adya, 49, of Solon, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud and one count of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer.
Adya operated a retail food and beverage business. Lawrence Payten worked at a nonprofit community organization that promoted commercial development in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard neighborhood. Lejon C. Woods worked as a contract compliance officer in the City of Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity.
Woods previously pleaded guilty to receiving bribes from three other businesses and a criminal case against Payten is pending.
Between November 2009 and August 2010, Adya paid cash bribes to Payten and Woods. Adya and the City of Cleveland entered into Neighborhood Capital Funds Grant Agreement as part of Adya opening a business in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard neighborhood, according to the indictment.
The city awards funds for certain construction or rehabilitation projects and the recipients are subject to certain hiring goals. In this project, the Office of Equal Opportunity set a subcontractor participation goal of 15 percent for minority business enterprises, 7 percent for female business enterprises and 8 percent for Cleveland Area Small Businesses, according to the indictment.
Adya, Payten and Woods met at City Hall in November 2009. Adya and Payten told Woods that the businessman was not going to meet the OEO subcontractor guidelines and asked Woods to help them cover up the lack of compliance so the businessman could still receive the $25,000 Neighborhood Capital Funds disbursement, according to the indictment.
About two weeks later, Adya, Payten and Woods met again. Adya paid Woods $1,500, promised Woods an additional $1,500 and promised Payten $2,500 for facilitating the arrangement between Woods and the businessman, according to the indictment.
Woods then falsified the OEO compliance documents relating to the construction project. On August 20 2010, Adya received a NCF grant check for $25,000. Four days later, Adya gave Woods the additional $1,500, according to the indictment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Hollingsworth and Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Chicopee Man Charged with Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chicopee man was charged today in U.S. District Court in Springfield with receiving and possessing child pornography.
Victor Stepus, 47, was indicted on three counts of receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of children and one count of possessing material involving the sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, on Aug. 21, 2015, federal agents executed a search warrant at Stepus’s residence. During the search, agents seized a personal computer that contained over 8,000 images and 33 videos of child pornography. These included image files that depicted the sexual abuse, including bondage, of girls as young as eight years old. During an interview with federal agents, Stepus admitted that, for the past several years, he used his home computer to access and download child pornography two to three times per week.
On each count of receipt of child pornography, the statute provides a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, forfeiture and restitution. The charge of possession of child pornography provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, forfeiture and restitution. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call (617) 748-3274.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Catahoula parish man pleads guilty to explosives, firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Catahoula Parish man pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered explosives and illegally possessing firearms.
Bill W. Womack, 56, of Manifest, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of possessing unregistered explosive devices and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to information presented at the guilty plea, agents seized machine guns, destructive devices, silencers, a short barreled rifle and more than a kilogram of marijuana. The weapons were not registered as required by law. In addition, law enforcement destroyed improvised explosive devices at the scene over a five-day period.
Womack faces up to 10 years in prison for the explosive device charge and a mandatory five years in prison for the firearm/drug trafficking charge. He also faces three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and forfeiture of the weapons seized. A sentencing date of December 18, 2015 was set.
The ATF, FBI, Louisiana State Police and Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and William J. Flanagan are prosecuting the case.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced today that James Phillips, 31, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, was sentenced to 30 months probation by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who handled the case, stated that on January 27, 2011, the defendant, along with co-defendants Mica Donadelle and Kevin Liburd, conspired to avoid the detection of $162,300 in drug proceeds at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Phillips was employed as a baggage handler at the airport at the time and was able to bypass Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures. The defendant avoided screening and stored the money in an airport bathroom which was later picked up by Liburd.
In addition, between 2006 and December 2012, Donadelle conspired with Liburd and Renwick Samuel and Angel Gonzalez, to distribute cocaine in the City of Buffalo.Donadelle, Samuel and Gonzalez have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Liburd was sentenced to eight months in prison.
“Airports utilize strict security and screening procedures for a number of important reasons, chief among them, the safety of the traveling public,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “While the defendant’s actions in this case may have only been intended to aid a drug dealer, the potential threat posed by this defendant’s actions could have been far worse.”
Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Safe Streets Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Buffalo Man Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that John Northrup, 37, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by U.S. Senior District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who handled the case, stated that between March 2010 and June 2011, the defendant posted classified advertisements on Craigslist and Backpage.com, offering, among other things, fraudulent employment opportunities in the adult pornography industry.
Specifically, Northrup, referring to himself as the “Porn King,” posted fraudulent advertisements soliciting drivers willing to transport women working in the adult film industry in a fictitious, company-owned Cadillac Escalade. Interested readers were instructed to wire a one-time deposit to the defendant. In total, over 250 people from across the United States and Canada wired over $65,000 to Northrup over 14 months.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge C. Todd Laster.
Black Hat Bandit Gunman Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Thomas Anthony George, 65, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to two counts of using a firearm during the commission of armed bank robberies.
According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in approximately January 2015, George entered a conspiracy to commit armed bank robberies within the Eastern District of Virginia, and elsewhere. Over the course of the ensuing two months, George and his co-conspirators, who were known as the Black Hat Bandits, robbed nine banks, including six banks in the Eastern District of Virginia, two banks in the District of Maryland, and one bank in the District of Columbia. In each of these robberies, George brandished a firearm at bank customers or employees of the bank. In total, George and his co-conspirators stole approximately $182,104 during the nine bank robberies.
George was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 19, 2015. George faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 32 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on Dec. 17, 2015. 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; Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tobias D. Tobler and Jonathan L. Fahey are prosecuting the case.
The investigation was worked jointly by the FBI's Washington and Baltimore Field Offices, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Police Department, Falls Church Police Department, Loudoun County Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, Vienna Police Department and Virginia State Police. Additional assistance was provided by Arlington County Police Department, Maryland State Police and the Montgomery County Police Department.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-CR-87.
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Attorney General Lynch Announces $44 Million in Grant Funding to Combat Human Trafficking and Support SurvivorsRead the Press Release
As part of her commitment to combat human trafficking, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced more than $44 million in grant funding to combat human trafficking during her remarks today in Seattle, Washington, to the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking. Seattle is one of 16 sites selected for an anti-trafficking task force award, receiving $1.5 million to support law enforcement efforts and victim services for the next three years.
“Human traffickers prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes – which are nothing short of modern-day slavery – have no place in this country,” said Attorney General Lynch. “These grants – administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the National Institute of Justice – will fund efforts across the country to fight human trafficking, to provide services for survivors and to expand research going forward.”
The grant awards include the following:
- More than $22.7 million to support 16 anti-human trafficking task forces across the country. Within each task force location, BJA will make one award to a lead law enforcement agency and OVC will make one to the lead victim service provider. The grantees will work collaboratively with other key members of the task force, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, local prosecutor’s office, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and community and system-based service providers. The task forces are listed at: http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pdfs/HT_Full_Chart_V.3.pdf.
- $1 million to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive analysis of task force training and technical assistance needs to strengthen the capacity to investigate and prosecute human trafficking.
- More than $8.1 million to 12 victim service organizations to provide comprehensive services to any human trafficking victim identified within the target geographic region.
- More than $5.6 million to ten grantees to provide specialized services for victims of human trafficking, including programs that are culturally, linguistically and developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed, as well as services for underserved victims such as American Indians, Alaska Natives and individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ).
- Nearly $1 million total to two organizations to provide national training and technical assistance on comprehensive legal services for trafficking victims. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking will build legal service providers’ and pro bono attorneys’ capacity to serve foreign national and U.S. citizen trafficking victims and the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education will provide attorneys who represent trafficking survivors with specialized training and assistance in criminal history expungement.
- Nearly $477,000 to the National Conference of State Legislators to develop resources on human trafficking, including an online database of human trafficking state laws, web page, webinar and human trafficking briefing papers.
- More than $3.5 million to address knowledge gaps related to trafficking in persons, expand upon existing research and evaluation efforts and inform evidence-based practices for state, local and tribal criminal justice agencies.
- More than $1 million to three organizations to provide mentoring services for young victims of human trafficking, including additional training and technical assistance for organizations that provide specialized support services for youth victims.
For a complete list of individual grants awarded visit http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pdfs/HT_Full_Chart_V.3.pdf.
The grants announced today are part of a government-wide effort to combat human trafficking and provide services to survivors, as outlined in Coordination, Collaboration, Capacity: Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States, 2013–2017, released by the White House in January 2014.
Armed Career Criminal from Albuquerque Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Firearm in Santa Ana PuebloRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joseph Ernest Purcella, III, 35, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty this morning in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Purcella will be sentenced to 180 months in federal prison if the court determines that he is an armed career criminal.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, 13th Judicial District Attorney Lemuel Martinez, Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Chief William Kurth of the Santa Ana Pueblo Tribal Police Department.
Purcella was arrested on Oct. 30, 2014, on a criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition in Sandoval County, N.M., on April 7, 2014. At the time, Purcella previously had been convicted of several felony offenses, including aggravated battery, burglary, battery on a police officer, trafficking a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance. Purcella subsequently was indicted on the same charge on Nov. 19, 2014.
According to court filings, on April 7, 2014, officers of the Santa Ana Pueblo Tribal Police Department went to the Santa Ana Star Casino in response to a report of an armed robbery. They arrested Purcella, who was identified as the alleged robber, on state charges filed by the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The state charges were dismissed after federal charges were filed against Purcella.
During today’s proceedings, Purcella pled guilty to the indictment and admitted to unlawful possession of a firearm on April 7, 2014. Purcella has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez said that Purcella was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible. Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Santa Ana Pueblo Police Department, with assistance from the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard is prosecuting the case.
Archbishop of a Nevada City Spiritual Organization and Six Others Indicted in $8 Million Mortgage Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Three persons were arrested today on felony charges contained in a 42-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Sacramento on September 10, 2015, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
The indictment, unsealed today, charges John Michael DiChiara, 57, of Nevada City; James C. Castle, 51, formerly of Santa Rosa; Remus A. Kirkpatrick, 58, formerly of Oceanside; George B. Larsen, 54, formerly of San Rafael; Laura Pezzi, 59, of Roseville; Larry Todt, 63, formerly of Malibu; and Michael Romano, 68, of Benicia, charging them with conspiracy, bank fraud, false making of documents, and money laundering. Tisha Trites, 49, and Todd Smith, 44, both of San Diego, pleaded guilty to related charges before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on September 4, 2015.
DiChiara was arrested today in Cool, and Pezzi and Romano were arrested at their homes. The other four defendants listed in the indictment have yet to be arrested.
According to the indictment, DiChiara held himself out as the Archbishop of a spiritual organization named Shon-te-East-a, Walks With Spirit, the mission of which was to help individuals spiritually by alleviating them of their home mortgages. DiChiara and Castle (along with Trites who pleaded guilty to a related charge) are alleged to have orchestrated a mortgage-elimination program that fraudulently altered the chain of title on residential properties, selling the properties, and receiving the sales proceeds. Kirkpatrick, Larsen, Todt, Romano, and others allegedly recruited homeowners into the program with the promise of relief from foreclosure and a share of the sales proceeds. DiChiara and others used Shon-te-East to control the sale of the properties.
The indictment alleges that, once the homeowners were enrolled in the program, Pezzi and others created fictitious deeds of trust, a falsely made deed of reconveyance, and, where necessary, a falsely made notice of rescission of notice of default. The fictitious deed of trust was recorded at the county recorder’s office, and gave the appearance that the homeowner had refinanced the mortgage with a new lender. Todd Smith (who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy) or an entity controlled by the defendants was listed as the new lender, ensuring that when the properties were sold, the defendants would receive the sales proceeds. The defendants then caused to be recorded at the county recorder’s office a falsely made deed of reconveyance, indicating that the mortgage debt had been repaid to the financial institution holding the mortgage and reconveying title back to the homeowner. With these fraudulent documents on file at the county recorder’s office, a title search on the property would give the impression that the homeowner had refinanced, and no other debt was owing on the property. When the defendants caused the sale of these properties, they were able to divert the sale proceeds away from the lending institutions to their own benefit.
The defendants are alleged to have sold 37 properties through the mortgage elimination program, and attempted to sell at least an additional 97 properties, obtaining profits in excess of $8 million. They attempted to extinguish in excess of $60 million in legitimate mortgage loans.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy count, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years and a $1 million fine. The maximum penalty for false making of documents is 10 years and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for money laundering is 10 years and an additional fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Appleton Man Receives 10 Year Sentenced for Lead Role in Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today, that Kham Meng Vang (age: 33) of Appleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. Vang had previously entered a guilty plea to a single count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Vang was the lead actor in a methamphetamine distribution ring stretching from the Fox Valley to Calumet County. Vang and his co-conspirators (Sa Xiong (age: 25) and Bee Vang (age: 23) who were sentenced on September 21, 2015 to 120 months and 18 months respectfully) distributed the methamphetamine while in possession of several semi-automatic firearms.
In pronouncing sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach noted the need for a significant sentence to ensure the protection of the community and deter the defendant and others from engaging in dangerous criminal activity. In addition to the prison sentence, Vang was ordered to spend an additional 10 years on supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Appleton Police Department, Fox Valley Metro Police Department, Kaukauna Police Department, Town of Menasha Police Department, Menasha Police Department, Neenah Police Department, Oshkosh Police Department, Calumet County Sheriff’s Department, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Albuquerque Woman Pleads Guilty to Prescription Drug Trafficking and Theft Charges Arising Out of Armed Robbery of Retail Pharmacy in January 2015Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Josephine Duran, 23, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning in federal court to prescription drug trafficking and theft of medical products charges arising out of the armed robbery of an Albuquerque-area retail pharmacy in Jan. 2015. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Duran will be sentenced to a prison term within the range of 48 to 100 months.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari E. Brandenburg, Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso Division, Chief Gorden Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department, and Chief Pete N. Kassetas of the New Mexico State Police.
Duran was one of six defendants charged in four indictments that were announced by federal and local officials on April 29, 2015. The indictments alleged that the six defendants robbed retail pharmacies in Albuquerque to illegally obtain Oxycodone and other highly addictive opioid painkillers. The four indictments charged Duran, her co-defendant Blake Gallardo, 22, and four other Albuquerque residents with crimes arising out of the armed robberies of retail pharmacies, including violations of the Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act and the Safe Doses Act, laws passed to address the theft and diversion of prescription drugs.
At the time the indictments were announced, Duran and Gallardo had not been arrested and were considered fugitives. Thereafter, Duran was arrested on May 22, 2015, and Gallardo was arrested on June 11, 2015.
Duran and Gallardo were charged by indictment in 15-CR-1504 with (1) violating the Hobbs Act by interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and violence; (2) brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence; (3) violating the Controlled Substance Registrant Act by committing robbery involving controlled substance; (4) violating the Safe Doses Act by committing theft of medical products; and (5) possession of Oxycodone with intent to distribute. These charges arose out of the armed robbery of a Walgreens Pharmacy located at 6565 Paradise Blvd. NW in Albuquerque on Jan. 30, 2015.
Today Duran entered a guilty plea to Count 5 of the indictment charging her with possession of Oxycodone with intent to distribute, and to a felony information charging her with theft of medical products. In her plea agreement, Duran who knew of the robbery in advance, admitted to knowingly taking Gallardo’s loaded firearm and the Oxycodone Gallardo stole from the Walgreens Pharmacy on Jan. 30, 2015, while Gallardo attempted to flee from law enforcement. Duran admitted that she intended to distribute the stolen Oxycodone. Duran remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
On Sept. 4, 2015, Gallardo entered a guilty plea to Counts 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the indictment. He also pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with robbery involving controlled substance, a charge arising out of the June 6, 2015 robbery of a Walgreens Pharmacy located at 1201 Unser Blvd. NW in Albuquerque. Under the terms of his plea agreement, which encompasses both robberies, Gallardo will be sentenced to a prison term within the range of 15 to 20 years. Gallardo remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
In his plea agreement, Gallardo admitted robbing both Walgreens Pharmacies at gunpoint. With respect to the Jan. 30, 2015 robbery, Gallardo entered the pharmacy, jumped over the pharmacy counter while brandishing a firearm, and ordered the pharmacist to open a locker in which controlled substances were stored. Gallardo pointed his firearm at the pharmacist, took her keys, opened the locker, and filled a bag with oxycodone. Gallardo and Duran were arrested on state charges shortly after the robbery.
During the June 6, 2015, robbery, the plea agreement states that Gallardo was armed with a firearm when he entered the pharmacy and jumped over on the pharmacy counter. He grabbed two pharmacy employees and directed them to the pharmacy’s controlled substance locker. Gallardo took several bottles of oxycodone from the locker and ran out of the pharmacy.
With respect to the four defendants who are charged in three other pharmacy robbery cases, two have entered not guilty pleas and are detained pending trial. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. The other two defendants have entered guilty pleas and remain detained pending sentencing hearings.
On July 1, 2015, Victor Hurtado, 20, pled guilty to felony charges arising out of the Jan.6, 2015 armed robbery of the Smith’s Pharmacy located at 4016 Louisiana Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Hurtado will be sentenced to a prison term within the range of ten to 18 years. Hurtado’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2015.
On Sept. 17, 2015, Valentin Garcia, 23,pled guilty to felony charges arising out of the Jan. 30, 2015, armed robbery of the CVS Pharmacy located at 4201 Montano in Albuquerque. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Garcia will be sentenced to ten years in prison.
These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the Tactical Diversion Squad of the DEA in Albuquerque, and the Albuquerque Police Department, with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Bernalillo County. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel R. Meyers and Shaheen P. Torgoley.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squads combine DEA resources with those of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in an innovative effort to investigate, disrupt and dismantle those suspected of violating the Controlled Substances Act or other appropriate federal, state or local statutes pertaining to the diversion of licit pharmaceutical controlled substances or listed chemicals.
These cases are being prosecuted pursuant to a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
The cases also are being prosecuted pursuant to the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center that is partnering with the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative with the overriding goal of reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in the District of New Mexico. The HOPE Initiative comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. The law enforcement component of the HOPE Initiative is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative.
The Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act was enacted in 1984, to combat the theft of prescription drugs from individuals and businesses registered with the DEA. It created penalties for entering a pharmacy’s premises for the purpose of stealing controlled substances, and includes enhanced punishment for using a dangerous weapon. The Safe Doses Act was enacted in Oct. 2012, to fight medical theft and protect patients from unknowingly using stolen and mishandled drugs. It provides for enhanced sentences for those who rob pharmacies of controlled substances; individuals who steal medical products; and “fences” who knowingly obtain stolen medical products for resale in the supply chain.
Albany Man Sentenced to 27 Years for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Kenneth E. Thornton, age 36, of Albany, Georgia was sentenced September 24, 2015 to 324 months (27 years) imprisonment for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Court Judge, in Albany, Georgia.
During the investigation, authorities determined that Mr. Thornton previously owned a sheet metal and air conditioner repair business in the Albany/Leesburg area. In 2013, he began to establish a wholesale network for the distribution of methamphetamine, operating out of Panama City, Florida. He had a source of supply in the Atlanta, Georgia area, and, by utilizing a group of associates, distributed methamphetamine in the Albany, Georgia and Panama City, Florida areas. Mr. Thornton became a significant trafficker, utilizing couriers and vehicles equipped with lock boxes secured to the underside of vehicles, in order to transport the drugs.
He pled guilty on April 9, 2015 and was held accountable for 15 to 45 kilograms of methamphetamine.
“Through the strong partnerships between state, local, and federal agencies Mr. Thornton’s drug distribution network was dismantled,” said United States Attorney Michael Moore. “Methamphetamine is a scourge in our communities, and we must continue to do everything we can to stop its distribution at the source.”
Investigating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Agency--Columbus, GA and Panama City, FL, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation -- Sylvester, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives--Columbus, and the Sheriff’s Departments in Coweta, Lee and Quitman counties in Georgia and Bay County Florida. Assistant United States Attorney Leah McEwen prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pam Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at 478-752-3511.
18 Operation Trena Sin Trono Defendants Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A total of 18 defendants have entered guilty pleas in recent weeks to various charges to include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The members of this drug and money laundering organization were part of the conspiracy that occurred from on or about June 2011 through June 2013.
The pleas are the culmination of a long term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Investigation dubbed Operation Trena Sin Trono spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Laredo Police Department and the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office.
Erasmo Abdon Trejo-Nava was the head of a transportation cell that operated out of Laredo and was one of the primary transporters of marijuana shipments for the Zetas Cartel in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The Trejo-Nava drug trafficking organization utilized commercial trucks and trailers to transport multi-thousand pound quantities of marijuana from Laredo to the Dallas area. The investigation revealed that beginning from on or about June 10, 2011, and continuing through June 4, 2013, Trejo-Nava conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and conspired to launder money.
Trejo-Nava transported loads of marijuana for himself, Jaime Montalvo-Ruiz and Ovidio Rodriguez. Joshua Sanchez and Ricardo Ramirez were identified as subjects who were tasked with receiving marijuana loads from Trejo-Nava for Montalvo-Ruiz. Salvador Saldaña Medrano was identified as a co-conspirator who assisted Montalvo-Ruiz in coordinating the delivery of marijuana to Trejo-Nava for transportation to the Dallas area and also coordinated the receipt of drug proceeds from Trejo-Nava on behalf of Montalvo-Ruiz.
The organization used various stash houses and business fronts in the Laredo area to receive and prepare the drugs for transportation via personal vehicles to a local warehouse. Gerardo Moreno Recio was identified as assisting at stash houses used by the organization. Juan Manuel Vargas-Aguilar wrapped and prepared marijuana at stash houses and marked the bundles for identification once they arrived in the Dallas area. Victor Hugo Trejo was identified as assisting in the transportation of the marijuana from the stash houses to a local warehouse.
Francisco Colin supplied tractor trailers and was also identified as providing willing truck drivers to transport marijuana loads. Mario Alberto Rodriguez and Jose Angel Trejo were identified as assisting with loading of marijuana into crates at a warehouse and traveling to Dallas to assist in receiving the marijuana. Angel Trejo was also identified as recruiting a driver to transport a load of marijuana for the organization. Arturo Alfonso Lozano and Leocadio Ruiz received the marijuana loads in Dallas on behalf of Trejo-Nava, Montalvo-Ruiz and Ovidio Rodriguez and were responsible for sorting and distributing the marijuana in Dallas and collecting the proceeds.
The investigation also revealed that the Trejo-Nava organization frequently transported drug proceeds from the Dallas area to Laredo and then to Mexico. The marijuana loads were fronted to distributors in the Dallas area to include Lozano and Ruiz. After the sale and distribution of the drugs, they received payment through co-conspirators in Dallas who collected, stored and prepared the drug proceeds for transportation via personal vehicle or tractor trailer to Laredo and then to into the Republic of Mexico. Erika Alvarez was identified as a courier of drug proceeds who traveled to Dallas to transport drug proceeds back to Laredo. Laura Heredia Garcia was also identified as a courier for drug proceeds who was tasked with transporting the drug proceeds received in Laredo to the Republic of Mexico via her own personal vehicle.
As part of the money laundering scheme, Trejo-Nava, Raquel Margarita Ramos Jimenez and Leslie Bernice Trejo knowingly and intentionally conducted financial transactions designed to conceal and disguise the nature, ownership, control and source of the proceeds and to avoid a transaction reporting requirement. They knew the property involved in the financial transactions represented the proceeds of drug trafficking. The proceeds from the sale of marijuana were also used to acquire real estate and improve real estate and services.
Erasmo Trejo-Nava, Angel Trejo, 42, Ovidio Rodriguez, 41, Hugo Trejo, 41, Colin, 41, Saldaña-Medrano, 36, all of Laredo, entered pleas of guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds as did Montalvo-Ruiz, 44, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Ruiz, 47, of Dallas.
Vargas-Aguilar, 45, Rodriguez, 29, and Ricardo Ramirez, 33, all of Laredo; Lozano, 47, of Dallas; and Sanchez, 32, of Nuevo Laredo, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, while Recio, 48, of Nuevo Laredo, entered pleas of guilty to two separate counts of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Garcia, 50, of Nuevo Laredo, and Alvarez, 38, and Jimenez, 44, and Trejo, 22, both of Laredo, pleaded to one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.
10 Defendants Indicted on Steroid Distribution and Money Laundering Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Ten men were arrested Wednesday on federal charges of conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and engage in international money laundering, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico, and Acting Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The felony charges, which allege that the defendants were part of a steroids distribution organization based in Broome County, New York, are contained in a September 11, 2015 indictment that was unsealed Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Binghamton. The defendants were arrested Wednesday morning in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and Delaware.
"Anabolic steroids are controlled substances that carry significant health risks when used or distributed unlawfully," stated U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. "As alleged in the indictment, these defendants were unlawfully distributing these dangerous substances and some of them engaged in international money laundering to carry on their steroids distribution ring. I commend the federal and state agencies that worked together to dismantle this organization."
The name of each defendant is set forth in the chart below, along with each defendant’s age, place of residence, the charges against him, and the maximum potential terms of imprisonment each faces upon conviction. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
These charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the New York State Police.
"As alleged, these defendants were charged on drug trafficking and money laundering charges for their role in an international drug conspiracy," stated DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt. "Every day, 114 people die due to drug overdose, and law enforcement has committed our resources to identify, investigate and arrest those who distribute all illegal drugs. Similar to the consequences of any illegal drug, the repeated use of steroids leads to addiction, shame, embarrassment, heart attacks, strokes, cancer and jail."
"These arrests are the culmination of a wide-ranging investigation that uncovered a conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids," stated New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. "These steroids exposed users to potentially dangerous health risks. I want to thank our Community Narcotics Enforcement Team and our federal partners for their work on this important case."
"The U.S. Postal Service is in the business of moving the mail and has no interest in being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs," stated Acting Postal Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn. "Anabolic steroids are a controlled substance and like any other illegal drug, we want to keep them out of the U.S. Mail and away from the general public, who may not be aware of the full risks associated with their use. The men and women of the Postal Inspection Service work relentlessly to remove illegal narcotics from the mail while bringing to justice criminals who use the Postal Service to facilitate their crimes."
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Solomon B. Shinerock and Daniel Hanlon.
Defendants Charged
NAME
AGE
RESIDENCE
CHARGES
MAXIMUM POTENTIAL TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT
Ryan Root
36
West New York, New Jersey
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)International Money Laundering (Count Two)
20 years
(Count One)20 years
(Count Two)Richard Progovitz
37
Port Crane, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Caleb Doane
30
Las Vegas, Nevada
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)20 years
(Count Two)Kent Fletcher
46
Alpharetta, Georgia
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)20 years
(Count Two)Derek Strassle
32
Endicott, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)20 years
(Count Two)Paul Boylan
31
Endicott, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)20 years
(Count Two)Kyle Clark
30
Tampa, Florida
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Michael Gisondi
48
Belleville, New Jersey
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Jeremiah O’Brien
33
Binghamton, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Jason Garcia
a.k.a.
Ignacio Javier Garcia
21
Duluth, Georgia
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
***media Advisory***Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE -- Officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, District Attorney's Office for the 5th Judicial District of the State of New Mexico, New Mexico State Police, Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, Roswell Police Department and Chaves County Sheriff's Office will hold a press conference to discuss a major law enforcement operation in Chaves County, New Mexico, TODAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. at the National Guard Armory in Roswell, N.M. No further information will be released until the press conference.
WHO: U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez for the District of New Mexico
Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee, FBI’s Albuquerque Division
Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce
Chaves County Sheriff Britt Snyder
Roswell Police Chief Phil Smith
Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force Commander Alan Stevenson
Major Tim Johnson of the New Mexico State Police
WHAT: Press conference to discuss major law enforcement operation in Chaves County, New Mexico
WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 AT 3:00 P.M.
WHERE: National Guard Armory
1 West Earl Cummings Loop
Roswell, New Mexico
OPEN PRESS
NOTE: All media must present government-issued photo ID (such as driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Media may begin to arrive at 2:45 p.m. Inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Frank Fisher, Media Coordinator for the FBI at 505-681-8906 or
$1.5 Million Grant Will Establish Human Trafficking Task Force to be Led by U.S. Attorney’s Office and L.A. County Sheriff’s DepartmentRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will receive a $1.5 million grant to fund the establishment of a multi-agency Los Angeles Human Trafficking Task Force that will jointly be led by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The Task Force will investigate high-priority trafficking crimes – particularly the sex trafficking of minors – while also bringing together federal, state and local leaders to address the needs of trafficking victims.
Combatting human trafficking is one of the top priorities of the Department of Justice, United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker and Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell. The Task Force and the grant award represent the latest effort by Sheriff McDonnell to enhance LASD capacity in this vitally important area, while also leveraging the resources and expertise of multiple agencies and justice system partners in a strategic and comprehensive regional focus on human trafficking.
The grant announced this morning by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, which received the strong support of the United States Attorney’s Office, will fund an expansion of the LASD’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Team. The grant is part of $44 million in federal grant funding going to 16 sites around the nation to fund anti-trafficking task forces (see: http://go.usa.gov/3t7gJ).
The Task Force will be based on a model that emphasizes bringing prosecutors, investigators, justice system partners, service agencies and victim advocates together to provide wraparound care to victims while ensuring strong investigations and prosecutions. Using a collaborative, victim-centered model, these professionals will work together from the beginning of each case to ensure the best possible outcomes for victims and the strongest possible prosecutions of traffickers. With the establishment of the Task Force, the United States Attorney’s Office will be expanding its own human trafficking program with the addition of several prosecutors who will specialize in trafficking cases.
“The devastating crime of human trafficking often is hidden behind the locked doors of a sweatshop or the supposedly ‘victimless’ crime of prostitution,” said United States Attorney Decker. “Law enforcement in Los Angeles is now redoubling efforts to combat this horrific offense with additional resources, improved training and a growing awareness that perpetrators are often victimizing children. I am fully committed to working with Sheriff Jim McDonnell – a national leader in this arena – to seeing that perpetrators of these offenses are brought to justice.”
“As those who commit this horrible crime and prey on trafficking victims become more sophisticated, we must work together to find new and comprehensive strategies,” said Sheriff McDonnell. “If we are to truly make a difference in combatting human trafficking, we must do more than simply prosecute the wrong-doers. We need a regional, multi-disciplinary approach that enables us to cross jurisdictional and agency lines. Working with other justice system and community partners, we will be able to amplify our ability to rescue and address the needs of the victim; investigate, effectively punish and proactively prevent criminal misconduct; and address the demand side by recognizing that buyers of sex with minors should be viewed as child molesters and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Human trafficking – which encompasses a wide variety of criminal conduct involving the exploitation of minor and adult victims who are compelled to engage in sex and labor – is a top priority for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation. The Los Angeles Human Trafficking Task Force is intended to be a model for the nation in the development of comprehensive, proactive and interdisciplinary strategies.
In recent years, the United States Attorney’s Office has brought a series of cases targeting human trafficking, most of which have targeted the sex trafficking of minors. Earlier this year, for example, a Long Beach man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for running a sex trafficking operation that victimized young women who he forced to work as prostitutes (see: http://go.usa.gov/3tpHw). The establishment of the task force will allow for a more concentrated effort to develop prosecutions in this area.
Under Sheriff McDonnell’s leadership, LASD is in the process of dramatically expanding its Human Exploitation and Trafficking Team to more than 50 LASD personnel. The Task Force will be based at the LASD facility in Monterey Park and is expected to be operational in the coming weeks. In addition to Assistant United States Attorneys and LASD investigators, the Task Force will include the Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), state parole authorities, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the Los Angeles County Probation Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys’ office and local participating police agencies.
The $1.5 million dollar grant is effective from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2018 and will include significant resources for a partnership with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST). Sheriff McDonnell noted that “CAST is an integral partner in this endeavor and will be a vital part of addressing the needs of young trafficking victims and ensuring that we are adopting a comprehensive approach to this troubling issue that addresses the needs of the trafficked child, effective prosecution of the trafficker, and strategies for reducing demand by potential trafficking buyers.”
“As a direct victim service provider, we know first-hand the incredible value of a strong partnership between the community and law enforcement to deliver justice and support to survivors of labor and sex trafficking throughout L.A. County,” said Kay Buck, CEO of CAST. “This task force is a new day for Los Angeles that will bring the necessary leadership and resources to our important collaboration – a partnership that will serve survivors and our community.”
In the Los Angeles region, the Justice Department and other law enforcement agencies have made significant commitments to developing training programs aimed at combating trafficking. This week, the Justice Department and HSI are co-sponsoring human trafficking training for four of the task forces that operate in the greater Los Angeles region. Next month, the United States Attorney’s Office will host a computer forensics training seminar to address technological issues that arise in all child exploitation investigations, including human trafficking cases. And in late October, the United States Attorney’s Office and the LASD will co-host a training program for federal, state and local law enforcement officers on complex human trafficking investigations.
23 September 2015
Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Receives over $200,000 in Federal Grant Money to Enhance Tribal Justice SystemRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo announced that $202,098 in federal grant funds have been awarded to the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe in support of its tribal justice system. The grant funds were awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (“BJA”), which is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (“OJP”).
Additional information about BJA and its programs is available at: https://www.bja.gov/Default.aspx
Information about OJP and its programs can be found at:http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2015-089_YAVAPAI_PRESCOTT_INDIAN_GRANT (2015-AC-BX-1007)
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Westbank Man Pleads Guilty to Dealing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CLIFFORD SONNIER, age 25, of Harvey, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine.
SONNIER pled guilty to one count of the Superseding Indictment, which charges twelve defendants with drug trafficking, a variety of weapons offenses, and five shootings resulting in the death of four people and the injury of two others. Count 1 charged SONNIER with conspiring to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years up to life in prison. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing on December 10, 2015.
According to court documents, SONNIER was part of a drug trafficking organization that moved significant quantities of heroin and cocaine base on the Westbank. Beginning in 2012, the group engaged in a series of violent acts, beginning with a drive by shooting into a another vehicle where the driver and his front seat passenger were shot with an AK-47 while two young children, who were not hit, were in the back seat. The group is alleged to have participated in four additional shootings, two of which ended in death.
HARRY SMOOT, ISAAC SMITH, RICHARD THOMAS, TERRELL WADE, LANCE SINGLETON, CHRISTOPHER BROWN, RAY WOODRUFF, and FRANKIE HOOKFIN have previously pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. TERRENCE KELLEY, JOEQUELL LEWIS, and ANDRE ADDISON are scheduled for trial on November 9, 2015.
The Superseding Indictment is a product of an ongoing investigation into the violent acts in furtherance of the drug trafficking by the Harvey Hustler gang and its various offshoots on the Westbank. It represents the continued coordinated effort of the federal and state law enforcement authorities including the United States Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and officers of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Kennedy, David Haller, and Myles Ranier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Collin Sims, who is a former Assistant United States Attorney and the Criminal Chief at the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, are in charge of the prosecution.
Unified Solutions Tribal Community Development Group Receives Nearly $2,000,000 in Federal Grant Funds to Support Victims of CrimeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo announced that $1,999,957 in grant funds have been awarded to the Unified Solutions Tribal Community Development Group, Inc. to provide resources and coordination to increase American Indian/Alaskan Native tribal communities’ ability to provide comprehensive and culturally appropriate services to victims, their families, and the community. The grant funds were awarded by the Office for Victims of Crimes (“OVC”), which is a component of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”).
Information about OVC and its programs can be found at: http://www.ovc.gov/
RELEASE NUMBER: 2015-093_UNIFIED_SOLUTIONS_TRIBAL_GRANT (2015-MU-GX-K074)
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Opens Investigation Regarding the Death of 25 Walrus Near Cape LisburneRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler and Ryan Noel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, provide the following information on the incident involving walrus deaths near Cape Lisburne, Alaska. On September 16, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, received a report that approximately 25 walrus, including calves, had been killed on the coast of Alaska, near Cape Lisburne, and that some were missing tusks. We followed up on this initial report on September 18, and opened an investigation. To protect the integrity of the investigation we are no longer able to comment on this incident.
The taking of marine mammals is prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection act, with certain exceptions, including the non-wasteful take for subsistence purposes by Alaska Natives living along the coast. Pacific Walruses make up an important part of the diet of many coastal Alaska Natives. Tusks, bones, and hides are used to make authentic Native Alaskan handicrafts, as well as many of the items necessary to continue a subsistence way of life. For example, walrus hides are occasionally used for covers for wooden boat frames and tusks were traditionally used for harpoon points, fish hooks and knives.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management office works closely with Tribal governments and Alaska Native organizations, such as the Eskimo Walrus and Qayassiq Walrus Commissions. Together we co-manage the Pacific walrus population and ensure that it remains a functioning component of the arctic ecosystem and a sustainable subsistence resource.
If you are interested in learning more about walrus, please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ walrus page (http://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/walrus/wmain.htm), and the U.S. Geological Survey’s web page (http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/walrus/index.html).
If someone suspects a federal violation that involves migratory birds, marine mammals, endangered species, or wildlife smuggling, they should report them directly and immediately to: the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement at http://www.fws.gov/le/contact-us.html, or call 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477). To report violations in Alaska, please call 1-844-491-3709, or email [email protected].
U.S. Department of Justice Awards Grant Funds to Communities and Institutions in Central PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced awards of grant funds totaling approximately $ 2.8 million by the U.S. Department of Justice to county, city, and local governments, institutions of higher education, and a social service agency in Central Pennsylvania to assist local law enforcement and help reduce domestic violence and violence against women.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch this week announced Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) funding awards to cities and counties in Central Pennsylvania and around the country, aimed at creating and protecting law enforcement positions. Over $107 million will be awarded nationally through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), including $1.7 million within the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The list of this year’s Central Pennsylvania COPS grantees includes the Harrisburg Police Department ($554,978), the City of York ($1,090,917), and the Township of Hanover (Luzerne County)($125,000).
“The COPS Office is pleased to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the country in addressing their most critical public safety issues,” said Ronald L. Davis, Director of the COPS Office. “These grants are not simply about putting more officers on the street, they are about expanding the capacity of law enforcement agencies to engage in community policing.”
CHP provides grants to law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers. The program provides salaries and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years.
The COPS Office is responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1995, COPS has invested over $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 127,000 officers and provide publications, training, and technical assistance.
For the complete list of grantees and additional information about the 2015 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.
In addition to the COPS grants, the following grants were also awarded by the Department of Justice:
- The Centre County Women’s Resource Center, State College, was awarded a Transitional Housing Assistance Program grant in the amount of $350,000 from the Office on Violence Against Women. The Resource Center is a non-profit organization offering support services to victims of domestic violence and their families. The Transitional Housing Assistance Program provides aid to victims who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing, or other housing assistance, including short-term housing assistance and supportive services.
- Juniata College, Huntingdon, was awarded a Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program of $299,947 from the Office on Violence Against Women. The Campus Program supports activities that develop campus-based responses that include victim services, law enforcement, health providers, housing officials, administrators, student leaders, faith-based organizations, student organizations, and disciplinary boards. The intent is to enhance victim safety and assistance and to hold offenders accountable.
- Juniata, in partnership with the Abuse Network, Huntingdon House, Michael J. Ayers Law Project, the District Attorney’s Office of Huntingdon County, the Huntingdon Borough Police, and the J.C. Blair Hospital, will improve the response to sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking, establish a mandatory student prevention and educational program for incoming students, and implement training for campus law enforcement and administrators.
- Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, was awarded a Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program grant of $298,910 from the Office on Violence Against Women.
- Messiah, in partnership with the Carlisle YWCA and the Upper Allen Township Police Department, will continue implementation of a mandatory student prevention and educational program for incoming students, strengthen its response to address the prevention of incidents of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking, expand training opportunities for campus constituencies, and provide training to campus law enforcement and administrators.
- Dauphin County was awarded a $72,142 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
- The grant allows local governments to support activities to prevent and control crimes based on their own needs and conditions.Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice. The jurisdictions can use the grant to fund victim advocate positions, purchase licenses for countywide police records management system, and a Crimewatch website fee for service to enhance technology available for officers as they engage in community policing.
- The City of York was awarded a $60,699 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
- The grant funds can be used for law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections programs, drug treatment and enforcement programs, planning, evaluation and technology improvement, and crime victim and witness programs. JAG funds are also used to replace office supplies, firearms, and tasers.Additionally, funds will be used for a youth outreach program and subscription fees for investigative services.
- The City of Scranton was awarded an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant in the amount of $19,390 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The City of Scranton will use the grant to purchase police cruisers to better protect and serve the citizens of Scranton.
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U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey Encourages Appreciation for the Men and Women Who Wear the BadgeRead the Press Release
These are tumultuous times for law enforcement officers. Tragic events in places like Ferguson, Missouri, and North Charleston, South Carolina have ignited a national debate concerning police methods. The debate is entirely appropriate – the wholesale condemnation of law enforcement officers is not. The recent horrific killing of a brave Kentucky State police trooper in Western Kentucky is a stark reminder of the risks willingly taken by our law enforcement officers in order to keep us safe.
The law enforcement profession, like any other, is not populated by perfect people. There are a few-very few- bad officers and there are times when good officers make bad decisions under the intense pressure of the moment. Effective policing requires a high level of trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. A national discussion that serves to improve law enforcement methods and increase community trust is entirely appropriate and a valuable public dialogue. No public servant is above criticism-including those of us who work in the criminal justice system.
The national discussion concerning law enforcement methods should not, however, overlook a simple, but crucial fact – the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are good and dedicated people engaged in an incredibly difficult job. Never has the work of a law enforcement officer been more complex, difficult, or dangerous. Recent events in our Commonwealth have made the nature of law enforcement work all too clear. Every day thousands of men and women who wear the badge work diligently to make our communities better places to live. They never know when a routine shift will immediately escalate into a life and death situation. When that happens, our law enforcement officers are expected to stand tall, make good decisions in a split second, and protect the innocent from those who would do them harm. Sometimes, they make the ultimate sacrifice while doing so.
Our law enforcement officers engage in many thankless and unseen tasks that are essential to protecting our homes, our families and our freedoms from all sorts of threats, both great and small. As we go about our daily lives, we do so in relative safety because the men and women who wear the badge are willing to stand in the breach. We know that those who choose this profession do it neither for wealth nor fame. They deserve our appreciation and respect.
As United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, I am privileged to work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement officers representing many agencies. I am deeply honored to be associated with these truly admirable men and women and the outstanding work they do for us all.
The national dialogue concerning police methods is important, and I encourage everyone to participate. It is equally important that we acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers as they go about their vital work.
The next time you see a police officer would be a great time to simply say thanks.
- Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Kentucky
Two South Georgia Residents Sentenced on Dog Fighting and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Michael J. Moore announced today that Raymond Lee Hendrix a/k/a “Georgia Lee” and “Lee”, of Echols County, Georgia; and Willie Henderson, of Lowndes County, Georgia, were sentenced in United States District Court in Valdosta to by the Honorable Hugh Lawson, Senior District Court Judge.
Mr. Hendrix pled guilty on June 25, 2015 to one count of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor and exhibit a dog in an animal fighting venture. He received a sentence of 16 months imprisonment.
Mr. Henderson entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor and exhibit a dog in an animal fighting venture and to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on June 25, 2015. Mr. Henderson was sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment of 60 months on Count One followed by a sentence of 63 months imprisonment on Count Two with 33 months, to be served consecutively, for a total sentence of 93 months imprisonment.
In their plea agreements, Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Henderson admitted that between January 2008 and August 2013, they operated Clyattville Kennels, maintaining and training American Pit Bull Terriers for other dog fighters in exchange for a “tipping fee”, breeding and registering American Pit Bull Terriers and participating in organized dog fight gambling events throughout the Southeast. In addition, Mr. Henderson admitted to possessing a rifle and shotgun, after having been convicted of a felony. A copy of each plea agreement is attached.
United States Attorney Michael Moore stated, “Today’s sentencing establishes that ‘man’s best friend’ always deserves humane and respectful treatment. Perhaps the time these defendants spend locked in cages will send a strong message that cruel treatment of animals will never be tolerated.”
Echols County Sheriff Randy Courson stated, “This case has been years in the making with a lot of hard work and many man hours of agencies working together to eliminate the cruel and inhumane treatment of these animals for profit.”
The case resulted from an inter-agency investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Echols County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office, Auburn (Alabama) Police Department, Bainbridge (Georgia) Department of Public Safety, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Lee County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office along with assistance from the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Assistant United States Attorney Julia C. Bowen prosecuted the case for the Government.
Inquiries regarding this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603.
Turtle Traders Sentenced for Wildlife TraffickingRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Dean Secor (843) 727-4381
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Steven Baker, age 35, of Holly Hill, and Ray Roberson, age 68, of Cottageville, have been sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Wildlife Trafficking (Lacey Act violations) under 16 U.S.C. ?? 3372(a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(2).
Baker was sentenced on September 22, 2015 by United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston to Probation for 3 years for the Wildlife Trafficking offense. He was also sentenced for Possession of Weapons and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), and received a sentence of Probation for 3 years to run concurrently with the Wildlife Trafficking offense.
Roberson was sentenced on August 13, 2015, 2015 by United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston to Time Served for Wildlife Trafficking.
The southeastern United States is recognized as a “Turtle Priority Area” for conservation due to its rich turtle biodiversity. However, the turtle population of the region is susceptible to decline due to commercial over-exploitation of turtles for consumption, high nest mortality, and delayed maturity. The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys Guttata) are classified in the Emydidae family. The Spotted Turtle, in particular, has suffered from these effects so much so that it was recently listed for protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Spotted Turtle was accepted for listing under Appendix II of CITES, meaning that it is recognized as a species not necessarily in immediate threat of extinction, but which may become so unless trade of the species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.
South Carolina state law makes it unlawful for any person to take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell, offer for sale, ship or receive for shipment any Spotted Turtle without a state permit.
Section 3372(a)(2)(A) of The Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. § 3371, et seq.) makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wildlife taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State or in violation of any foreign law. Section 3373(d)(2) specifies the criminal penalty for any person who knowingly engages in conduct prohibited in Section 3372(a)(2)(A) and in the exercise of due care should know the wildlife was taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of law.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services agents received information that Baker was engaged in the unlawful sale and possession of turtles. Agents established that Baker d/b/a Southeastern Reptile Locators operated his business from his home in Holly Hill, South Carolina. The agents also determined that Baker did not hold a permit to possess Spotted Turtles. The agents then conducted an undercover investigation of Baker for unlawfully possessing and selling turtles.
On August 18, 2012, Baker drove to the Daytona Beach (Florida) Reptile Breeders Exposition and sold an undercover agent seventeen (17) spotted turtles for $1,200. The amount paid represented the wholesale pricing for the wildlife.
On May 21, 2013, Baker sent a UPS shipment to the same undercover agent in Orlando, Florida, which contained eighteen (18) spotted turtles and some other species of turtles. The undercover agent paid Baker $1,710 for the shipment via PayPal. The amount paid represented the wholesale pricing for the wildlife.
On August 1, 2013, a search warrant was executed at Baker’s home. In addition to turtle-related evidence, wildlife agents found firearms and ammunition in Baker’s home. Baker was a convicted felon and was not allowed to possess those items. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents subsequently determined that the weapons and ammunition were manufactured outside of South Carolina and therefore had traveled in interstate commerce.
In Roberson’s case, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services agents received information that Roberson was engaged in the unlawful sale and possession of turtles. The agents determined that Roberson d/b/a Apostle Reptiles was issued a permit on May 15, 2008 to possess up to nine (9) wild-caught Spotted Turtles for personal use as pets or for research and/or educational purposes. Roberson's permit expired on May 15, 2013. The agents then conducted an undercover investigation of Roberson for unlawfully possessing and selling turtles.
On July 14, 2012, an undercover agent contacted Roberson at his sales table in the Columbia, South Carolina Repticon Reptile Exposition. Roberson told the undercover agent that he was in possession of 119 Spotted Turtles for sale.
On March 21, 2013, Roberson shipped 24 Spotted Turtles to the undercover agent in Orlando, Florida. The agent paid $2,400 for the Spotted Turtles. The amount represented the wholesale pricing for the wildlife.
On July 1, 2013, Roberson shipped 23 Spotted Turtles to the undercover agent in Orlando, Florida. The agent paid $2,520.00 for the 23 Spotted Turtles. The amount paid represented the wholesale pricing for the wildlife.
The cases against Baker and Roberson were investigated by agents of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in the investigation of Baker. Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the cases. ####Stockton Man Pleads Guilty in Auto Engine ScamRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —John Steven Keplinger, 56, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud in connection with an auto engine scam, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, from 2010 to 2014, Keplinger carried out a fraud scheme by purporting to sell used auto engines from Japan, but failing to provide customers what he promised. Over 300 paying customers across 44 states and the District of Columbia were defrauded. Keplinger used three companies and websites to carry out the fraud scheme: Rising Sun Engines Inc. (www.risingsunengines.com), Shop 4 Engines LP (shop‑4‑engines.com), and Your Parts Manager (yourpartsmanager.com). Most of the time, Keplinger’s customers paid by check sent via UPS. After Keplinger accepted payment, he either sent no engine at all or sent the customer a defective engine obtained in the United States, often from a junkyard. United States Customs and Border Protection records indicate that Keplinger had stopped importing engines in 2007. The total estimated loss from Keplinger’s fraud is approximately $470,000.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher S. Hales is prosecuting the case.
Keplinger is currently in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on December 16, 2015. Keplinger faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, 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.
Stamp Farms Employee Sentenced for Role in ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles announced that Larry Thomas Stambeck was sentenced today for his role in the concealment of Stamp Farms’ assets that should have been disclosed in a bankruptcy case. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell noted that Stambeck had no prior criminal history before sentencing him to pay a $10,000 fine. Stambeck had earlier re-paid over $20,000 to a bankruptcy court trustee, which money represented Stamp Farms’ crops that had been improperly sent to the Hamilton Elevator by Michael D. Stamp in the fall of 2012.
Melissa Stamp, the wife of Michael D. Stamp, was already sentenced and she is expected to surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in early October to begin serving a twenty-one month term of incarceration for her role in the bankruptcy fraud. She admitted hiding approximately $200,000 of bankruptcy assets with family members. Two additional former Stamp Farms employees face sentencing for their role in the bankruptcy fraud on October 6, 2015.
These convictions and sentences are part of the continuing investigation into transactions and bankruptcy proceedings involving the business formerly known as Stamp Farms.
"Our bankruptcy structure is in place to provide some measure of protection for those experiencing extreme financial distress. Individuals that abuse this process by concealing assets, threaten its overall integrity. The IRS will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our other law enforcement partners to ensure the public’s continued confidence is maintained," said Jarod J. Koopman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee’s Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. MacDonald and Clay Stiffler are prosecuting the case.
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September Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 21 indictments charging 27 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Francisco Avitia-Marquez, a/k/a Arturo Sanchez-Reyes, age 48, of Grand Island, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about September 10, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal re-entry after felon conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Guillermo Campos Paiz, age 26, of Lincoln, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 9, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Cardenas-Vizcaya, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 27, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Bradley Courcier, age 52, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams of actual methamphetamine beginning on or about March 1, 2015 and continuing to on or about July 15, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II and III of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of a mixture containing methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges Courcier with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams of actual methamphetamine on or about July 15, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Alejandro Oropeza, age 55, and Julieta Noyola Dominguez, age 52, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about August 30, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Carlos Escobar, age 21, of Grand Island; Jose Hernandez-Vallejo, age 29, of Denver, Colorado; and Santos Ramirez-Morales, age 35, of Grand Island, NE, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about September 6, 2015, and continuing to on or about September 8, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Antonio Espinoza Martinez, age 40, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 27, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jesus Garcia Rodriguez, age 26, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 14, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Gonzalez-Legarda, age 46, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about September 7, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Junian Johnson, age 39, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about August 21, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jovencio Limosnero, age 34; Shanne Arre, age 29; Mark Thompson, age 24, and Joshua Ryan, age 26, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about September 9, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jason Meisinger, age 32, of Omaha, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine beginning on or about June 2014 and continuing to on or about August 11, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sandro Antonio Pereza Acosta, age 34, of Lincoln, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 11, 2015, following deportation after conviction for a felony offense. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sara Peterson, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about August 21, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Rashad L. Pettis, age 27, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about September 16, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* John Randall, age 31, of Lincoln, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography from at least on or about august 17, 2015, to on or about September 3, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $5,000 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Randall with possession of child pornography on or about September 3, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $5,000 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived, directory or indirectly, as a result of the said violation, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Manuel Rios-Ramirez, age 45, of Grand Island, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count 1 of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about September 10, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years to Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Rios-Ramirez with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 10, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ernesto Soto Vargas, age 44, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 4, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael Sparks, age 50, of Grand Island, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about September 7, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived, directory or indirectly, as a result of the said violation, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Joseph Sullivan, age 19, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute Less than 10 kilograms of hashish from an unknown date but at least as early as June 30, 2015, up to and including July 7, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 2 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived, directory or indirectly, as a result of the said violation, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Carlos Villa Martinez, age 34, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 11, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
San Francisco Restaurant Owner Indicted for Concealing Non-Payment of Wages and Threatening EmployeesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Ming Lian Zhou for making false statements to a government agency about paying his employees overtime wages and for threatening his employees with economic harm if they did not return their wages to him, announced Acting United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Abel Salinas.
According to the indictment unsealed yesterday, Zhou, 57, of San Francisco, was the partial owner and manager of Hong Kong Lounge I and Hong Kong Lounge II, dim sum restaurants located in San Francisco. The Department of Labor (DOL) determined in 2012 that the restaurants had underpaid 48 employees by over $90,000. The DOL directed Zhou and the restaurants to pay this money to the employees and then certify to DOL that they had been paid. Zhou allegedly submitted signed forms to DOL stating that he had paid the employees, but in reality, Zhou had not paid any of the employees. Zhou then allegedly directed his employees to tell DOL they had been paid when, in fact, they had not. The indictment further alleges that in 2013, DOL learned of Zhou’s failure to pay the employees as directed and, as a result, required Zhou to provide the money directly to the DOL; in such cases, DOL can issue checks directly to the underpaid employees. The indictment alleges that Zhou provided the money to DOL but then directed his employees to cash the checks that they received from DOL and to give the money back to him. Zhou allegedly reduced hours, changed employee schedules, and terminated employees who failed to comply with his instructions to kick back their wages. Zhou was charged with concealing a material fact from a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(1), and interfering with commerce by threats of economic harm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951.
Zhou made his initial appearance in San Francisco before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim. He appeared before Judge Kim again today for arraignment and identification of counsel.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Zhou faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment if convicted of concealing material facts from a government agency, and a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted of interfering with commerce by threats. Additional terms of supervised release, penalties, and restitution may be ordered upon conviction. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Talbert with the assistance of Trina Khadoo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DOL’s Office of Inspector General and Wage and Hours Division. This case originated with an investigation by the DOL’s Wage and Hours Division into whether restaurants in the Bay Area complied with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
R.I. Businessman, 3 Others Indicted in $2.8 Million Identity Theft and Fraudulent Treasury Check SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pawtucket, R.I., businessman and three others, including two employees and the businessman’s sister, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence for their alleged participation in an extensive stolen identity and tax refund fraud scheme which resulted in 448 fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury checks totaling $2.8 million dollars being deposited into 26 bank accounts under their control.
The indictment charges Juan Vasquez, 55, of Pawtucket, and Erika Tomasino, 43, Belkis Vasquez, 49, and Doris Morel, 43, of Central Falls, with aggravated identity theft, theft of government property, money laundering and mail fraud.
The indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation; Ted A. Arruda, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the U.S. Secret Service; and James V. Buthorn, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
Juan Vasquez is the owner and operator of the Dominican Market in Pawtucket, through which it is alleged that a majority of the fraud was perpetrated. Juan Vasquez controlled the bank accounts of the Dominican Market and numerous other businesses in his name and others through which it is alleged the fraud scheme operated.
Juan Vasquez was arrested by federal agents in Tampa, Florida, on September 9, 2015, on a criminal complaint and arrest warrant issued in Rhode Island charging him for his alleged role in the fraud scheme. Vasquez will be returned to Rhode Island for an initial appearance on the criminal complaint and for arraignment on the indictment on dates not yet determined.
Erika Tomasino, an employee of Juan Vasquez, and his sister, Belkis Vasquez, were arraigned today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and released on personal recognizance. Doris Morel, an employee of Juan Vasquez, was arraigned on Tuesday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and released on unsecured bond. Not guilty pleas were entered.
According to court documents, an investigation by federal agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the findings of which are detailed in the indictment returned on September 17, 2015, alleged that between January 2010 and November 2014, the individuals participating in the fraud conspiracy used the stolen identities of hundreds of individuals, mostly residents of Puerto Rico, to file fraudulent tax returns in order to obtain tax refunds.
It is alleged that the defendants deposited 448 fraudulently obtained tax refund checks totaling $2.8 million dollars into 26 bank accounts controlled by the defendants. It is alleged that funds were quickly withdrawn from the banks and used for a variety of personal expenses as well as transferred to the Dominican Republic.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Pawtucket Police Department.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Psychologist Charged with Seeking Sex with 12-Year-OldRead the Press Release
A Seattle psychologist was arrested and has been charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor, following a two week investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. JONATHAN BRENT WULF, 61, of Seattle posted an ad on Craigslist beginning a conversation with an undercover agent for Homeland Security. Through various communications by phone and internet, WULF expressed his desire to have sex with the agent’s fictional 12-year-old stepdaughter. WULF was arrested yesterday when he arrived at the hotel selected as the meeting place for the sexual encounter. WULF appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle today and is being detained pending a detention hearing on Friday, September 25, 2015.
According to the criminal complaint, over a two week period in September 2015, WULF repeatedly communicated with the undercover agent about his desire to have sex with the agent’s fictional 12-year-old stepdaughter. WULF repeatedly suggested that all text messages or other internet communications regarding his interest in underage sex should be deleted. WULF also repeatedly acknowledged that pursuing sex with a minor was illegal. WULF is currently employed as a psychologist with a Seattle medical group.
Attempted enticement of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton.
Port St. Lucie Police Officer Charged with Receiving, Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Port St. Lucie Police Officer has been charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert C. Hutchinson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, and John A. Bolduc, Chief of Police, Port St. Lucie Police Department, made the announcement.
Michael Edwin Harding, of Port St. Lucie, was charged, by criminal complaint with receiving and distributing material involving sexual exploitation of minors and possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a) and 2252A. If convicted, Harding faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in prison and maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.
Following his initial appearance today before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr., Harding was ordered held without bond pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
According to allegations contained in the court record, on July 23, 2015, an individual posted images of child pornography to an instant messaging account for mobile devices. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that subsequently, an additional image and video of child related sexually explicit material were posted to the account. Subscriber information allegedly identified Michael Harding as the accountholder. On September 22, 2015, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Harding?s residence and seized Harding?s computer, cell phones and thumb drives, among other materials. A preliminary forensic analysis revealed that the recovered items allegedly contained hundreds of images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is part of Operation Predator, an international law enforcement initiative, led by ICE-HSI, to combat the sexual exploitation of children. Through this collaborative effort, law enforcement strives to protect children from sexual predators, including individuals who travel overseas in order to engage in sexual conduct with minors, individuals who possess, trade and produce child pornography, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Anyone with information about suspected child exploitation is encouraged to call 1‑866‑872-4973. For additional information regarding the initiative and resources, visit www.ice.gov.
Mr. Ferrer thanked the ICE-HSI and the Port St. Lucie Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Funk and Russell Killinger.
A complaint is only an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty to Misusing Section 8 Housing VouchersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Michelle L. Michalek, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty to one felony count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, Michalek fraudulently received federal housing subsidy monies as a purported tenant of the property located at 241 Friday Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. From February 2010 through February 2015, Michalek wrongfully converted $43,054.00 in federal housing subsidy monies.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Jan. 8, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentence, the court released Michalek on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the Information in this case.
Pike County Man Charged with Engaging in High Speed Chase in Attempt to Elude Police at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that charges were filed late yesterday against a Shohola, Pennsylvania man resulting from his attempt to avoid being stopped by Park Rangers at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The indictment by a grand jury in Scranton charges that Matthew J. Wojciechowski, age 24, while operating a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle within the National Recreation Area, willfully failed to stop, and attempted to elude a pursuing police officer by engaging in a high speed chase, and endangered a law enforcement officer and members of the general public by doing so.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the incident occurred on July 6, 2015, when a Park Ranger observed Wojciechowski allegedly speeding while driving his motorcycle on Route 209 within that National Recreation Area. When the Ranger attempted to stop Wojciechowski by activating his lights and siren, Wojciechowski allegedly sped away traveling more than 10 miles, at times in excess of 100 miles an hour, before losing control of the motorcycle and crashing. The indictment alleges Wojciechowski put an officer and the general public at risk through his alleged actions. However, fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the incident.
The investigation was conducted by the National Park Service and prosecution is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is a 7 year term of imprisonment. 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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New York Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine ChargesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Luis Perdomo, 27, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 1 kilogram or more of heroin.
In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Perdomo and others obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from a source of supply in the New York City area and transported the cocaine and heroin to a stash house in Norfolk prior to its distribution. Proceeds from the drug distributions were then transported back to New York City in various automobiles equipped with secret compartments. A traffic stop in Maryland on March 31, 2015, resulted in a search of Perdomo’s car and the discovery of $280,000 cash in three secret compartments inside the car. Police also found a drug ledger and several phones belonging to Perdomo. One of the phones contained a video recording of Perdomo handling several kilogram sized packages of a white powdery substance. Another video on the same phone contained GPS data for a residence in Norfolk, which police later determined was a stash house. Surveillance in April and May 2015 showed that Perdomo frequented the stash house in Norfolk. GPS tracking devices were put in place on the vehicles at the stash house to track their drive to New York. When police stopped the vehicles, more drugs and secret compartments were discovered.
Perdomo was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2015. Perdomo faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on Jan. 13, 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 Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl Mitchell 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. 2:15-cr-82.
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Mobile County Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Possession of Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney Kenyen Brown announces that Devine Kun a 20 year old, resident of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced today to 37 months incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a Taurus .22 caliber pistol.
On June 16, 2015, Mr. Kun pled guilty to possessing the firearm and to participating in the burglary of the home where the firearm was stolen.
Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and presented it to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney, Gina S. Vann.
Millington Man Found Guilty of Running Teenage Sex Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The trial of a 51-year-old Millington man responsible for trafficking multiple underage teens for sex culminated Tuesday evening. A jury unanimously decided that Michael Lilley was guilty of multiple counts of sex trafficking minors and other offenses. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the verdict today.
"Michael Lilley coerced vulnerable, underage teens into sacrificing their bodies sexually for his own monetary gain," Stanton said. "Because a jury recognized how reprehensible his criminal actions were, Lilley will now be spending many years in a federal prison with no chance of parole."
From May to September 2013, Lilley had four minors engage in commercial sex acts out of his Millington home, backhouse, van, and other locations. The victims were 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old students, some of whom attended Brighton High School and Millington High School.
Lilley used text messages and explicit photos of the teens to market them to various males willing to pay for sex. In addition to trafficking the victims out of his residence and vehicle, Lilley transported the juveniles to local restaurants and homes where they would engage in commercial sex acts. Lilley collected the proceeds provided from patrons, splitting them with the victims.
According to court information, the teens were trafficked for as little as $60 per sexual endeavor. Text messages disclosing conversations between Lilley and clients regarding price ranges were displayed in court. The majority of the individuals who solicited sex lived in rural areas including Millington, Covington, and Atoka.
Physical evidence presented during trial included images of both used and unused condoms and condom wrappers throughout Lilley’s home and vehicle. Trafficking victims testified, recollecting their experiences working for Lilley while underage teens.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 22nd, a jury decided that Lilley was guilty of all counts. These counts include four counts of sex trafficking of a minor; one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; three counts of sexually exploiting a minor; one count of attempting to sexually exploit a minor; three counts of distributing visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and one count of possessing at least one digital storage device containing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Lilley is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. on Thursday, December 17th. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Unit.
The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Laurenzi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Ireland on the government’s behalf.
Middlesex County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Multiple Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. - A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for his role in two bank robberies, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Peter Greer, 41, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with two counts of bank robbery. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Greer admitted using intimidation to rob the Valley National Bank in Newark on Sept. 27, 2012. Greer entered the bank, approached the bank teller and provided a note that said “give me the money in hundred dollar bills.” The teller complied and Greer fled the bank with the money. Greer also admitted to using intimidation to rob the rob Sovereign Bank, located in Newark on Oct. 31, 2012. Greer entered the bank, approached the bank teller and provided a note that said “I have a gun, give me money.” This time the teller did not comply, and Greer fled the bank without any money.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hayden sentenced Greer to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $18,094.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, with the investigation leading to charges. He also thanked the Passaic Police Department and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department for their contribution to the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Williams of the Criminal Division in Newark, N.J.
Defense counsel: Linda Foster Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark