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Wednesday 22 July 2015
District Men Plead Guilty to Charges in 2013 Killing, Admit Shooting Victim in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Carlos Parks, 19, and Troy Robinson, 20, both of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to charges stemming from the shooting death of a man in June 2013 in Southeast Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Parks pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to second-degree murder while armed for the death of Tywayne Thompson. The plea, which is contingent on the Court’s approval, calls for 12 to 24 years of incarceration. Robinson pled guilty in the same court to the charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the same murder. His plea, also contingent on the Court’s approval, is for 10 to 15 years of incarceration. Both defendants are to be sentenced on Nov. 6, 2015, by the Honorable Jennifer Anderson.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 24, 2013, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Parks and Robinson were outside in the Potomac Gardens Housing Complex in the 700 block of 12th Street SE. At that time, Parks and Robinson were each armed with semi-automatic pistols. A few minutes later, they approached Mr. Thompson, 25, who was also outside in the Potomac Gardens Housing Complex. They began to speak with him.
Robinson then began shooting at Mr. Thompson. At least one bullet from Robinson’s gun hit the victim. Parks then also began shooting at Mr. Thompson, and at least one bullet from Parks’s gun hit Mr. Thompson in his buttocks and exited through his abdomen. Mr. Thompson was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died as a result of the wound from shot fired by Parks through his buttocks and abdomen. Mr. Thompson was unarmed, and neither defendant was acting in self-defense.
In announcing the guilty pleas, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch, crime scene officers, and the First Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Marcia Rinker, La June Thames, M. Laverne Forrest, David Foster, and Michael Hailey of the Victim/Witness Unit; former Paralegal Specialist Mia Beamon; Paralegal Specialist Sandra Lane; and Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling. Finally, he praised the efforts of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Kravis, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Liebman and Christopher Bruckmann, who prosecuted the case.
Denver Man Pleads Guilty to Flying A Plane Loaded with Marijuana to KansasRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Denver man has pleaded guilty to flying a plane loaded with marijuana into an airport in Iola, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Kenneth E. Weaver, 59, Denver, Colo., pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In his plea, he admitted that on July 11, 2014, he flew his plane into the Iola airport carrying 207 pounds of medical grade marijuana.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has administratively forfeited his plane – a 1979 Israel Aircraft Industries Model 1124 jet – and $457,580 in cash.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 5. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 12 months. Grissom commended the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
Defendant Sentenced to 30 Months on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Derrick Dewayne Cooks, 31, of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced today by United States District Chief Judge William H. Steele to 30 months imprisonment for possession of a firearm by a felon. The judge ordered that Cooks undergo 3 years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment, receive drug abuse testing and substance abuse treatment, and that he pay a $100 mandatory special assessment. Cooks was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2014 for possessing a pistol as a convicted felon in January 2014. He pled guilty to the offense in April 2015.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalayoglu.
Crestview Man Sentenced for Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – William M. Goode, 48, of Crestview, Florida, was sentenced today to 10.5 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervision, for attempting to entice a minor for sex and for receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
During his guilty plea on April 1, 2015, Goode admitted to posting an online advertisement to solicit sex with a minor, which an undercover law enforcement officer answered in November 2014. Goode’s online communications with the undercover officer were an attempt to entice sexual activity with the undercover officer’s purported 12-year-old daughter. Goode arranged to meet the undercover officer in Pensacola but was taken into custody after traveling more than 50 miles for the sexual encounter. A subsequent forensic review of Goode’s digital media revealed several dozen images of child pornography and numerous online communications with people who offered to allow Goode to engage in sexual acts with minors.
United States Attorney Marsh praised the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]
Convicted Former Chief Financial Officer Indicted on Additional Fraud-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO- A federal grand jury issued a new indictment yesterday against Henry Lo, the former Chief Financial Officer of San Francisco-based Absolutely New, Inc., announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson. The indictment alleges Lo committed numerous acts of fraud even as he was being prosecuted for other crimes.
Lo, 51, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on November 20, 2014, to two counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. He was sentenced on April 9, 2015, to 70 months in prison. Yesterday’s indictment alleges both before and after he was charged and pleaded guilty in 2014, Lo committed additional crimes. Specifically, Lo allegedly committed bank fraud by altering and misappropriating checks of Character SF, LLC, a company for which he was serving as a contract CFO. Further, according to the indictment, Lo committed aggravated identity theft by forging the signature of one of the owners of Character, and money laundering by engaging in transactions of more than $10,000 of funds that he had stolen from Character.
Lo also violated an order of federal Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley who had directed Lo not to dispose of real property, according to the indictment. This order was issued by Judge Corley in a federal civil case. The order notwithstanding, Lo allegedly transferred real property, consisting of his $3.1 million home in San Francisco, to his wife so that she could own it as her sole property in her own name.
In sum, Lo was charged with two counts of contempt of court, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 401(3); eight counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2); one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(1); and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.
Lo already is in custody as a result of the charges for which he pleaded guilty in 2014. If convicted on these additional charges, there is no maximum prescribed prison term, fine or term of supervised release for contempt of court. The maximum penalty for each count of bank fraud is 30 years' imprisonment, $1,000,000 (or twice the gross gain or loss), and five years' supervised release. The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft is a two year mandatory minimum consecutive imprisonment, a $250,000 fine (or twice the gross gain or loss), and a year of supervised release. The maximum penalty for money laundering is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine (or twice the amount of criminal derived property from the transaction), and three years of supervised release. Lo may be subject to additional fines, assessments, and restitution. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentience, 18 U.S.C. s 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Waldinger is prosecution the case with the assistance of Jessica Meegan, Mary Mallory, and Allen Williams. The prosecution is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Connecticut Man Charged with Area Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has returned an Indictment late yesterday, charging David Sandy Lee Parks, age 59, of Connecticut, with committing two bank robberies.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the two-count Indictment alleges that Parks committed the following robberies:
- the armed robbery of the Peoples Security Bank, Duryea, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 2015; and
- the armed robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank, Plymouth, Pennsylvania, on July 10, 2015.
Police officers from the Upper Macungie Police Department arrested Parks on July 17, 2015, and charged him with a robbery of the First Niagara Bank, Trexlertown, PA, that occurred earlier that day. He is presently being held at the Lehigh County Jail in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The case was jointly investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, the Duryea Police Department, the Plymouth Township Police Department, the Upper Macungie Police Department, Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, Pittston Police Department, Wilkes-Barre and Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department, Plains Township Police Department, Jenkins Township Police Department, West Pittston Police Department, Edwardsville Police Department, and Hanover and Kingston Police Departments. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Connecticut Insulation Contractor Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Operating Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD PETRUCCI, 58, of Orange, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a scheme that defrauded a company of more than $2.5 million and forced it to go out of business.
According to court documents and statements made in court, PETRUCCI operated Womco Insulation, Inc., Incor Group, Inc., D & N Insulation Company, and Petco Insulation Company, all of which were West Haven-based companies that performed construction services, mechanical insulation and asbestos removal in large-scale building projects in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Florida.
In 2006, PETRUCCI, who had just been released from federal prison, was unable to secure funding from a bank so he started doing business with Platinum Funding Services, LLC, a New York factoring company that provided funding to client companies. A factoring company typically purchases a company’s receivables at a discount, providing the company with liquid assets at a discounted rate while purchasing the right to collect on the purchased receivables at a later date.
In the beginning of their relationship, Platinum regularly purchased PETRUCCI’s invoices from legitimate insulation jobs throughout Connecticut and collected on those invoices without any serious problems. However, from approximately December 2007 to April 2009, PETRUCCI defrauded Platinum by causing his companies to sell invoices to Platinum that PETRUCCI knew were fake, and which were for work that his companies had not performed and, in many cases, would not perform in the future.
Through this scheme, PETRUCCI’s companies received more than $2.5 million in payments from Platinum that were based on the fraudulent invoices, and on invoices that he double collected without forwarding the money to Platinum.
PETRUCCI’s scheme forced Platinum out of business and approximately 40 Platinum employees lost their jobs.
Judge Covello ordered PETRUCCI to pay restitution in the amount of $2,979,972.53.
On November 7, 2013, PETRUCCI pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud.
PETRUCCI has a prior federal conviction. In May 2005, PETRUCCI was sentenced to two months in prison for filing false corporate and personal tax returns and evading the payment of more than $1 million in federal income taxes. He was serving a three-year term of federal supervised release when he began the scheme against Platinum.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
Charleston husband and wife sentenced for illegal firearm possessionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Carl Taylor, 64, and Patsy Taylor, 52, of Charleston were each sentenced yesterday to federal prison for illegal firearm possession. On January 4, 2013, Carl Taylor received a package of 100 oxycodone pills. Just weeks earlier Carl and Patsy Taylor had received a package of 90 oxycodone pills. During a search of the Taylor residence, a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun was discovered. The Taylors admitted that at the time they jointly possessed the firearm, they were unlawful and habitual users of oxycodone. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston sentenced Patsy Taylor to 12 months and one day imprisonment, and Carl Taylor to five months imprisonment to be followed by five months of home confinement. Both Patsy and Carl Taylor must also complete a three year term of supervised release following their prison sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn was responsible for the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime. This case was also prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
California Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Graciela Meraz, 38, of Chula Vista, Calif., pleaded guilty this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to heroin and methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Meraz was arrested on Feb. 4, 2015, and was charged in a criminal complaint with possession of heroin and methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to court documents, Meraz was arrested by DEA agents at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque after a consensual search of her baggage revealed that she was carrying more than a kilogram of heroin and more than four kilograms of methamphetamine. Meraz was subsequently indicted on those same charges on Feb. 25, 2015.
During today’s proceedings, Meraz pled guilty to a two-count felony information charging her with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Meraz admitted that on Feb. 4, 2015, she was paid by an individual to transport approximately 9.24 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.53 pounds of heroin from Los Angeles, Calif. to Oklahoma City, Okla., when she was arrested by DEA agents.
At sentencing, Meraz faces a statutory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison followed by not less than four years of supervised release. Meraz remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Interdiction Unit of the DEA’s Albuquerque office which focuses on disrupting the flow of narcotics, weapons, and the proceeds of illegal activities as they are smuggled into or through New Mexico in passenger buses, passenger trains, commercial vehicles and automobiles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei is prosecuting the case.
This case is 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 trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Michael Woods, 26, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 84 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated on March 19, 2012, Woods was riding in a vehicle that Buffalo Police attempted to pull over. Rather than comply with the police request, the vehicle led the officers were on a pursuit. The defendant eventually got out of the vehicle and threw a .45 caliber gun to the ground while attempting to flee the scene. A search of the vehicle uncovered crack cocaine in the back seat of the vehicle where the defendant had been sitting before he fled from the vehicle. As part of his plea, Woods admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his crack cocaine business.
On May 27, 2013, Buffalo Police again stopped a vehicle Woods was riding in. The defendant got out, threw 9mm gun to the ground and four vials of marijuana while running away from police. He was later apprehended by police officers after a foot chase.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Buffalo Man Arrested, Charged with Possession of Child PornogrphyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Daniel Sasiadek, 61, of Buffalo, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 16, 2015, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence. Law enforcement officers seized a desk-top computer and other forms of digital media including recordable DVD’s and CD’s.The complaint states that during an interview with law enforcement, Sasiadek admitted to occasionally viewing and saving child pornography on his desk-top computer. The defendant also stated that officers might find some old child pornography on the computer and that he deleted a lot of child pornography from the computer many years ago.
A review of one of 536 file folders located on just one of the DVD’s revealed 46 images of child pornography. The graphic images included prepubescent children.
Sasiadek made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and is being detained.
If anyone has additional information regarding Sasiadek and the investigation, please call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-856-7800.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force which includes the Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Baton Rouge Woman Sentenced to 38 Months for Embezzling $465,000 from Former EmployerRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that LORI S. FRY, age 47, of Baton Rouge was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson to 38 months in federal prison, following her convictions of nine counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. FRY was also ordered to make restitution to her victims totaling approximately $465,444, and she will be required to forfeit the proceeds of her criminal scheme. Following her release from prison, FRY will be required to serve a term of supervised release.
FRY began working at inoLECT, an engineering firm in Baton Rouge, in 2006. From April of 2009 through August of 2012, while employed as a manager and bookkeeper at the firm, FRY diverted over 100 separate payments from the company’s bank account either to her own personal bank accounts or to pay her credit cards. FRY created false entries in the company’s internal records to advance and conceal her scheme. In total, FRY embezzled approximately $465,000 from the company’s bank account.
U.S. Attorney Walt Green stated, “My office will continue to make fraud and embezzlement prosecutions a high priority, as we work to hold corrupt insiders such as this defendant accountable for their crime. The defendant’s actions in the case were especially egregious in that she not only betrayed the trust placed in her by her employer, but that this was her second conviction for embezzlement. Criminal conduct like this undermines the financial health of honest businesses and can threaten jobs held by honest employees. The fact that the Court ordered the defendant immediately remanded into federal custody following today’s sentencing speaks to the serious nature of this offense. I appreciate the thorough investigation performed in this case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
This matter was investigated by the Baton Rouge office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frederick A. Menner, Jr. and Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Brad Casey.
Attorney General Lynch Statement Following the Federal Grand Jury Indictment Against Dylann Storm RoofRead the Press Release
Attorney General Lynch released the following statement after the federal grand jury released its indictment against Dylann Storm Roof:
“Good afternoon and thank you for coming.
“I am joined here today by Vanita Gupta, the head of the department’s Civil Rights Division and Mark Giuliano, Deputy Director of the FBI.
“We are here today to announce that a federal grand jury in South Carolina has returned a 33-count indictment against Dylann Storm Roof, charging him with federal hate crimes and firearms charges for killing and attempting to kill African-American parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, because of their race and in order to interfere with their exercise of their religion.
“As set forth in the indictment, several months prior to the tragic events of June 17, Roof conceived of his goal of increasing racial tensions throughout the nation and seeking retribution for perceived wrongs he believed African Americans had committed against white people.
“To carry out these twin goals of fanning racial flames and exacting revenge, Roof further decided to seek out and murder African Americans because of their race. An essential element of his plan, however, was to find his victims inside of a church, specifically an African-American church, to ensure the greatest notoriety and attention to his actions.
“As alleged, Roof set forth the evening of June 17, 2015 to carry out this plan and drove to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, known as “Mother Emanuel.” Mother Emanuel was his destination specifically because it was a historically African-American church of significance to the people of Charleston, of South Carolina and the nation.
“On that summer evening, Dylann Roof found his targets, African Americans engaged in worship. Met with welcome by the ministers of the church and its parishioners, he joined them in their bible study group. The parishioners had bibles. Dylann Roof had his 45 caliber glock pistol and eight magazines loaded with hollow point bullets. And as set forth in the indictment, while the parishioners of Mother Emanuel were engaged in religious worship and bible study, Dylann Roof drew his pistol and opened fire on them, ultimately killing nine church members.
“As you know, the state of South Carolina is also prosecuting Roof for the murders, attempted murders and firearms offenses he is alleged to have committed. We commend the state authorities for their tremendous work and quick response. It is important to note, however, that South Carolina does not have a hate crimes statute and as a result, the state charges do not reflect the alleged hate crime offenses presented in the federal indictment returned today.
“The federal indictment returned today charges Roof with nine murders and three attempted murders under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This federal hate crimes law prohibits using a dangerous weapon to cause bodily injury, or attempting to do so, on the basis of race or color. The Shepard Byrd Act was enacted specifically to vindicate the unique harms caused by racially motivated violence.
“Roof is also charged with nine murders and three attempted murders under a second federal hate crimes statute that prohibits the use or threat of force to obstruct any person’s free exercise of their religious beliefs.
“Finally, Roof has been charged with multiple counts of using a firearm in the commission of these racially motivated murders and attempted murders.
“For these crimes, Roof faces penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. No decision has been made on whether to seek the death penalty in this case. The department will follow our usual rigorous protocol to thoroughly consider all factual and legal issues relevant to that decision, which will necessarily involve counsel for the defendant Roof. In addition, consultation with the victims’ families is an important part of this decision making process and no decision will be made before conferring with them.
“The family members of those killed at Emanuel AME and the survivors were informed of these federal charges earlier today.
“I also note that this indictment contains allegations and is not evidence of the defendant’s guilt.
“This federal grand jury indictment follows an announcement I made on June 18, 2015, that the Department of Justice was conducting a hate crime investigation into the shooting incident at Emanuel AME. Immediately following the shooting, experienced prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina and the Civil Rights Division began working closely with the FBI, ATF and state and local law enforcement officials including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division – or SLED – Charleston Police and the Solicitor’s Office for the Ninth Circuit of South Carolina, in thoroughly investigating these crimes. I would like to the many state and federal law enforcement officials for their dedication and hard work to ensure that this investigation was conducted thoroughly and expeditiously. I would also like to thank South Carolina U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles for his and his office’s tremendous efforts on this case, as well as the dedicated attorneys from the Civil Rights Division.
“In particular, I would like to thank Charleston Solicitor Scarlett Wilson for being such a cooperative and effective partner in this matter. We have a strong working relationship with Solicitor Wilson and her office and we look forward to our continued collaboration as these parallel state and federal prosecutions work their way through their respective court systems.”
"Questions?”
Attorney General Lynch Statement Following the Federal Grand Jury Indictment Against Dylann Storm RoofRead the Press Release
Contact: (202) 514-2007
Washington - Attorney General Lynch released the following statement after the federal grand jury released its indictment against Dylann Storm Roof:
“Good afternoon and thank you for coming.
“I am joined here today by Vanita Gupta, the head of the department’s Civil Rights Division and Mark Giuliano, Deputy Director of the FBI.
“We are here today to announce that a federal grand jury in South Carolina has returned a 33-count indictment against Dylann Storm Roof, charging him with federal hate crimes and firearms charges for killing and attempting to kill African-American parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, because of their race and in order to interfere with their exercise of their religion.
“As set forth in the indictment, several months prior to the tragic events of June 17, Roof conceived of his goal of increasing racial tensions throughout the nation and seeking retribution for perceived wrongs he believed African Americans had committed against white people.
“To carry out these twin goals of fanning racial flames and exacting revenge, Roof further decided to seek out and murder African Americans because of their race. An essential element of his plan, however, was to find his victims inside of a church, specifically an African-American church, to ensure the greatest notoriety and attention to his actions.
“As alleged, Roof set forth the evening of June 17, 2015 to carry out this plan and drove to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, known as “Mother Emanuel.” Mother Emanuel was his destination specifically because it was a historically African-American church of significance to the people of Charleston, of South Carolina and the nation.
“On that summer evening, Dylann Roof found his targets, African Americans engaged in worship. Met with welcome by the ministers of the church and its parishioners, he joined them in their bible study group. The parishioners had bibles. Dylann Roof had his 45 caliber glock pistol and eight magazines loaded with hollow point bullets. And as set forth in the indictment, while the parishioners of Mother Emanuel were engaged in religious worship and bible study, Dylann Roof drew his pistol and opened fire on them, ultimately killing nine church members.
“As you know, the state of South Carolina is also prosecuting Roof for the murders, attempted murders and firearms offenses he is alleged to have committed. We commend the state authorities for their tremendous work and quick response. It is important to note, however, that South Carolina does not have a hate crimes statute and as a result, the state charges do not reflect the alleged hate crime offenses presented in the federal indictment returned today.
“The federal indictment returned today charges Roof with nine murders and three attempted murders under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This federal hate crimes law prohibits using a dangerous weapon to cause bodily injury, or attempting to do so, on the basis of race or color. The Shepard Byrd Act was enacted specifically to vindicate the unique harms caused by racially motivated violence.
“Roof is also charged with nine murders and three attempted murders under a second federal hate crimes statute that prohibits the use or threat of force to obstruct any person’s free exercise of their religious beliefs.
“Finally, Roof has been charged with multiple counts of using a firearm in the commission of these racially motivated murders and attempted murders.
“For these crimes, Roof faces penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. No decision has been made on whether to seek the death penalty in this case. The department will follow our usual rigorous protocol to thoroughly consider all factual and legal issues relevant to that decision, which will necessarily involve counsel for the defendant Roof. In addition, consultation with the victims’ families is an important part of this decision making process and no decision will be made before conferring with them.
“The family members of those killed at Emanuel AME and the survivors were informed of these federal charges earlier today.
“I also note that this indictment contains allegations and is not evidence of the defendant’s guilt.
“This federal grand jury indictment follows an announcement I made on June 18, 2015, that the Department of Justice was conducting a hate crime investigation into the shooting incident at Emanuel AME. Immediately following the shooting, experienced prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina and the Civil Rights Division began working closely with the FBI, ATF and state and local law enforcement officials including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division – or SLED – Charleston Police and the Solicitor’s Office for the Ninth Circuit of South Carolina, in thoroughly investigating these crimes. I would like to the many state and federal law enforcement officials for their dedication and hard work to ensure that this investigation was conducted thoroughly and expeditiously. I would also like to thank South Carolina U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles for his and his office’s tremendous efforts on this case, as well as the dedicated attorneys from the Civil Rights Division.
“In particular, I would like to thank Charleston Solicitor Scarlett Wilson for being such a cooperative and effective partner in this matter. We have a strong working relationship with Solicitor Wilson and her office and we look forward to our continued collaboration as these parallel state and federal prosecutions work their way through their respective court systems.”
Questions?”
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DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.
Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty and is DetainedRead the Press Release
Robert M. Hertz, age 51, of 2418 Catskill Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pleaded guilty today to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon.
In an indictment filed June 11, 2015, Hertz was charged with possessing a .40 caliber rifle and 237 rounds of ammunition on May 12, 2015, after he had previously been convicted of three violent felonies or serious drug offenses, namely, Arson, Second Degree Burglary, and Manufacturing Methamphetamine.
Today, Hertz pled guilty to the charge in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. Hertz admitted he had been previously convicted of the three felonies identified in the indictment. Hertz thus faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment, plus a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to five years.
After Hertz pleaded guilty, he was ordered detained without bond. Chief Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles found there was evidence Hertz had attempted to obstruct justice while on pretrial release.
A sentencing date has not been set.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Murphy and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 15-CR-00053.
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Anchorage School Teacher Charged with Defrauding Elderly WomanRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin R. Feldis announced today that an Anchorage woman has been charged with three counts of fraud and one count of identity theft.
Susanna Difranco, 52, of Anchorage, is charged in a four-count indictment with a scheme to defraud victim R.R. and steal her identity
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward who presented the case to the grand jury, the Indictment charges that for approximately one month, from March 2015 to April 2015, Difranco wrote checks and made transfers and withdrawals from R.R.’s bank account for Difranco’s personal benefit for a total of over $70,000. Difranco paid her personal credit card bill and her daughter’s college tuition, among other things, with R.R.’s money. R.R. is 77 years old and was not aware that Difranco had gained access to her bank account and was stealing her money. Difranco falsely told bank officials and others that she was helping to protect R.R.’s money from others who might steal it by moving it into a safety deposit box, when in fact she was stealing R.R.’s money and spending it for her personal benefit. F
The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years’ incarceration and a $250,000 fine or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Anchorage Police Department together with the State of Alaska Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Mail Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jeremy Boucher, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced this morning to 39 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his mail fraud and identity theft convictions. Boucher was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.
Boucher was arrested on Nov. 25, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with mail theft and possession of stolen mail from Dec. 2013 through Oct. 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M. The complaint alleged that on Nov. 14, 2014, U.S. Postal Inspectors and the Albuquerque Police Department executed a search warrant on Boucher’s residence where they uncovered large amounts of stolen mail, including financial documents, dating back to Dec. 2013.
Boucher was subsequently charged in a four-count indictment on Jan. 8, 2015. Counts 1 and 2 charged Boucher with mail theft from Nov. 2013 through Oct. 2014. Count 3 charged Boucher with an attempt to execute a scheme to obtain money by false pretenses through the use of another person’s bank accounts, and Count 4 charged Boucher with identity theft. All offenses charged occurred in Bernalillo County.
On March 27, 2015, Boucher pled guilty to the four-count indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Albuquerque Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec.
After Nearly 20 Years, International Fugitive in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme Apprehended in Greece and Extradited to United States to Serve Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former New York businessman, who disappeared the same day a federal jury sitting in the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey, began deliberating in his tax evasion and fraud trial, was caught while in Greece more than 18 years after his conviction, and appeared in federal court in the District of New Jersey on Friday, July 17, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Gideon Misulovin, 58, whose last known address was in New York City, was extradited from Greece to the United States to serve his 10-year prison sentence. He has been incarcerated in the United States since his return on July 16.
On March 7, 1996, a jury convicted Misulovin of conspiracy to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the ascertainment and collection of more than $6.5 million in federal motor fuel excise taxes, wire fraud and money laundering stemming from a scheme to conceal the unpaid diesel fuel excise taxes from state and federal tax authorities.
During trial, Misulovin was free on $500,000 bail and attended each day of the trial. He failed to appear in court March 4, 1996, for the parties’ closing arguments. U.S. Senior District Judge Dickinson R. Debevoise of the District of New Jersey in Newark issued a warrant for his arrest. On June 25, 1997, Judge Debevoise sentenced Misulovin in absentia to serve 10 years in prison and a three-year term of supervised release, and to pay a $150,000 fine. The court also ordered Misulovin to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000 to the United States and $100,000 to the state of New Jersey.
The evidence at trial established that from 1988 through Jan. 31, 1993, Misulovin and his co-conspirators sold untaxed diesel fuel in a series of paper transactions using wholesale companies. Some of the companies were shams and called “burn” or “butterfly” companies. As part of the scheme, the sham company would assume the federal and state tax liability and then vanish, allowing the conspirators to keep the excise taxes they collected from truck stops and service stations.
The case, part of a then-nationwide motor fuel excise tax enforcement effort, was investigated jointly by the Motor Fuel Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of New Jersey. In an effort to infiltrate the bootleg gasoline industry, task force agents set up an undercover business called RLJ Management that competed directly with the defendants’ operation.
At the conclusion of the undercover operation, in November 1992, federal agents seized Misulovin’s assets, including approximately $70,000 in cash from his residence and $277,000 from his business bank account.
Misulovin’s co-defendant and co-conspirator, Arnold Zeidenfeld, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty prior to trial and testified for the government. Gurmit Singh and Manbir Singh, of Matawan, New Jersey, who operated truck stops in southern New Jersey, also pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme.
In August 2014, based on an Interpol Red Notice, Misulovin was detained in a Greek airport using an alias and traveling with an Israeli passport. He was subsequently arrested pursuant to a U.S. request for a provisional arrest, and after contested extradition proceedings, was found extraditable in 2015.
The task force included attorneys from the Tax Division and agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation and Examination Divisions, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the New Jersey State Department of Taxation and Finance. Seth D. Uram, formerly a Trial Attorney in the Tax Division and now an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Portland, Oregon, and Trial Attorney Charles A. O’Reilly of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s New Jersey Field Office and the Greek Ministry of Justice for their assistance in apprehending and extraditing Misulovin. Ciraolo also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of New Jersey for their substantial assistance.
105 Individuals Indicted for Violating the RICO Act in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
A nine count federal indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging 105 defendants with racketeering, drug trafficking, drive-by shooting murders and related firearm offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD)-San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces were in charge of the investigation, with the assistance of PRPD’s Major Crimes Unit.
The indictment alleges that the defendants are part of a criminal organization known as La Rompe ONU. Through its criminal activities “La Rompe ONU” enriched its members and maintained and increased the power of the organization. Members of La Rompe ONU would sell crack, cocaine, heroin and marihuana in public housing projects, including: Jardines del Paraíso, Villa Andalucía, Alturas de Cupey, Jardines de Cupey, Brisas de Cupey, Los Claveles, Nuestra Señora de Covodonga, Los Lirios, Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Jardines de Campo Rico, Jardines de Berwind, San Martín, Monte Park and Villa Lomas Verdes Public Housing Projects; as well as El Polvorín Ward, Mango Sector and other surrounding areas within the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto and Carolina, PR. Moreover, members of the organization used violence and intimidation, including murder, to increase the power, territory and profits of La Rompe ONU.
Members of La Rompe ONU had different roles in order to further the goals of the enterprise. As alleged in the indictment, 35 leaders/drug point owners/drug point administrators, who directed and supervised the organization’s criminal activities; 25 enforcers; eight suppliers; 11 runners; 25 sellers; and one drug processor.
According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, the organization committed 12 murders, including three massacres. Enforcers of La Rompe ONU carried out the murders of the following individuals:
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On Feb. 8, 2011, enforcers shot and killed David González-Reyes, aka “Chispa.”
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On May 10, 2011, enforcers shot and killed Ricco Luis Dávila-Díaz.
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On June 25, 2011, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Edwin Díaz-Cruz, Hervin Valcarcel-Martínez aka “Prieto,” Javier Catala-Bermúdez, and Orlando Meléndez-Villegas. This massacre is known as the Tortuguero Massacre.
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On July 20, 2011, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Santos Díaz-Camacho aka “Joel Bazooka,” Juan Rosario-Mercado aka “Toñito,” and Kevin Soto-Román aka “El Gordo.” This massacre is known as the Paseos Massacre.
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On Aug. 28, 2012, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Luis Ojeda-Andino aka “Pollo,” Luis Velázquez-Aquino aka “Urraca” and José Ayala-García. This massacre is known as the Jardines de Cupey Massacre.
According to the indictment, 69 of the 105 defendants are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Thirty-two firearms were seized from the defendants during the investigation, and they face a forfeiture allegation of $82 million.
“The historic indictment unsealed today shows our continued efforts to dismantle dangerous criminal organizations operating in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez. “We remain undeterred in our commitment to ensure safety and seek justice for victims of violent crimes in Puerto Rico. ‘La Rompe ONU’ will no longer terrorize law abiding citizens in Puerto Rico. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to build solid cases against these individuals, and bring them to justice.”
“Today’s arrests demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to dismantle violent drug trafficking gangs that are affecting the quality of life of our law abiding citizens in the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Hugo Barrera for ATF’s Miami Field Division. “The key to this fight is bringing the resources of all levels of government to empower law enforcement to target organized groups of violent criminals with enhanced punishment and criminal penalties through the utilization of federal statutes, such as, the Violent Crime in Aiding and Abetting Racketeering statute. This sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by gangs like ‘La Rompe ONU’ and evidences our commitment to work together to dismantle violent street gangs.”
The defendants are: Josué Vázquez-Carrasquillo aka “Mayito/Mayo/El Father,” Pedro Vigio-Aponte aka “Pedrito/Pedrito He-Man/Pello/Pedrito Trauma,” Frankie Rosa-Calderón aka “Anky/El Negro/Frank,” Luis F. Alicea-Colón aka “Trenza/Enano/Luis Trenza,” Miguel Vázquez-Martínez aka “Miguelo/Radio/Miclo/Bj,” Rubén Cotto-Andino aka “Rubén El Negro,” Ernesto Morales-Castro aka “Nestor/Los Gorditos,” Christian Morales-Castro aka “Bimbo/Los Gorditos,” Reyfrank Quiñones-Carrión aka “Pelotero,” Kelvin D. Morales-Cintrón, Ismael Méndez-Arroyo aka “Bolillo,” Michael Muñiz-Sánchez, Jonathan Pérez-Rodríguez aka “Perra/Perreke,” José L. Ortiz-Aguirre aka “Cheo/Cheo Cedeño,” Reinaldo Rodríguez-Martínez aka “Pitbull,” William Ortiz-Aguirre aka “Playa/Play,” Kidanny Figueroa-Osorio aka “Sony/Sonata,” José L. Soto-Rivera aka “Luisito/Scary,” José E. Mojica-Robles aka “Papito Mojica,” Victor M. Rodríguez-Torres aka “Cuca/Cucaracha/Papotin,” Rafael Andino-Ojeda aka “Rafa/Rafa Colgate/Boca Chula,” Myles J. Román-Adorno, Guillermo Sánchez-Mora aka “Guillo,” Emanuel Zabala-Pérez aka “Punky/Dalmata,” Alexander Rivera-Carrión aka “Lechon,” David E. Rodríguez-Castro, Rafael Hiraldo-Alejandro aka “Bolillo,” Alexis Cartagena-Gerena aka “Pollo,” Ángel L. Soto-Ramos aka “Huesito,” Oscar A. Calviño-Acevedo aka “Alex,” Jesús De-Jesús-Colón aka “Romulo,” José L. Méndez-De-Jesús aka “Sonso/Nariz,” William Zambrana-Sierra aka “W/Willito,” Edgar González-Rivera aka “Eggy,” Arnaldo Alicea-Colón aka “Naldito,” Xavier Castro-Vega aka “Raton,” Carlos M. Guerrero-Castro aka “Carlitos El Negro/Marcel,” Analdi Tanco-Moreno aka “Kimbito,” Orlando J. Santana aka “Fino,” Luis F. Rodríguez-Márquez aka “Cheykin,” Jesús E. Montalvan-Díaz aka “Luis Garcia-Diaz/Willy Wonka,” Amaury Méndez-Rosado aka “Boty,” Luis Yanyore-Pizarro aka “Kimbo/Bauncer/Jose Boria-Millan,” Fnu Lnu aka “Eziel,” Luis Martínez-Nieves aka “Raya/Trenza,” Michael Rivera-Rodríguez, Alvin A. Cabezas-Cintrón aka “Ardilla,” Jaime M. Semiday-Pérez, Kenny O. Pacheco aka “Keny/Bolin,” Roberto Fuentes-Pacheco aka “Junito Parcha,” Roger Falu-Diaz aka “Gua,” Félix A. Malave-Torres aka “Cholon,” Edgardo Luna-López aka “Piri/Enano,” Jessy J. Meléndez-Hernández aka “Koby/El Negro/Lely,” Denzel Rodríguez-Caraballo, Abimael Cruz-Rodríguez aka “Lindo/Feo/Metra,” Ángel L. Cotto-Negrón aka “Quija/Kija,” José E. Rivera-Maldonado aka “Camon,” Fnu Lnu aka “Gaby,” José D. Resto-Figueroa aka “Tego,” Orlando Padilla-Ayala aka “Oreo/Willito/Angel M. Santiago-Ayala,” Kernis Rodríguez-Rivera aka “Sosa,” Walter D. Muller-Colón aka “Vampy/Bolo,” Wilfredo Ruiz aka “Freddy,” Carlos E. Brioso-Collantes aka “El Barber/Wiso El Barber,” Carlos Velázquez-Fontanez aka “Pirin,” Jonathan Figueroa-Catinchi aka “Katinchi,” Iram I. Santander-Zulueta aka “Cubano,” Charlie J. Fournier-Collazo aka “Chiry,” Edgardo R. Ruano-Chévere aka “Masacre/Masa,” Francisco J. González-Camacho aka “Lento,” Nestor R. Concepción-Rivera aka “Nesti/Kilate,” Ivette Vázquez-Droz aka “Ive/Precious Moments,” Billy Villanueva-Carrasquillo aka “Meca/Billy Meca,” Jayfrank Quiñones-Carrión, Félix Rodríguez-Rodríguez aka “Correa/Baloncelista/El Indio,” Daniel O. Martínez-Vélez aka “Berto,” Luis F. Díaz-Tineo aka “Pipen/Pipe,” Josué O. Figueroa-Rodríguez, Ramón Vicenty-Rivera aka “Poke,” Luis E. Guadalupe-Camacho aka “Yaya/Yayi/Ardilla,” Julio N. Matos-Sánchez aka “Julio Maraña,” Reynaldo González-Zayas aka “Cuto,” Bryan Martínez aka “Fat Boy,” Damian Fernández-Jorge, José A. Fournier-Collazo aka “Semilla,” Kevin Castro-Vega, Juan Guadalupe-Delgado aka “Bocao,” David García-Franco aka “David Nota,” Giovani Justiniano-Díaz aka “Zegueta,” Christian Vázquez-Hernández aka “Chapa,” James Steele-Torres aka “Negro Steele,” Nilda Santiago-Espinosa aka “Katy,” Alex Santiago-Crespo aka “Papo Swing/Ale,” Francisco Vargas-Sánchez aka “Maraña,” Carlos Miranda aka “Eo,” Ramón Andino-Peguero aka “Mono,” Victor Alfonso-Jorge aka “Nano,” Héctor J. Cruz-Vargas, aka “Punky,” Yamil Arrizmendi-Santana, aka “El Mono,” Robert D. Pérez-Núñez aka “Minino,” Anthony Espada-Colón aka “Oreo/Apu,” Daniel De-Jesús-Díaz aka “Paleta,” Luis E. Espada-Colón aka “Zona” and Astrid J. Martínez-Valentin aka “La Jefa.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández are in charge of the prosecution of the case. They were assisted by attorney from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Capital Crimes Section and Organized Crime and Gang Section. ATF and PRPD were in charge of the investigation. Approximately 700 agents from federal and commonwealth authorities participated in the arrests.
If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. Eighteen of the defendants who participated in the murders included in the indictment are eligible for the death penalty. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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105 Individuals Indicted for Violating the Rico Act in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A nine (9) count federal indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging one hundred and five (105) defendants with racketeering, drug trafficking, drive-by shooting murders and related firearm offenses, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD)- San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces were in charge of the investigation, with the assistance of PRPD’s Major Crimes Unit.
The indictment alleges that the defendants are part of a criminal organization known as “La Rompe ONU.” Through its criminal activities “La Rompe ONU” enriched its members and maintained and increased the power of the organization. Members of “La Rompe ONU” would sell crack, cocaine, heroin, and marihuana in public housing projects, including: Jardines del Paraíso, Villa Andalucía, Alturas de Cupey, Jardines de Cupey, Brisas de Cupey, Los Claveles, Nuestra Señora de Covodonga, Los Lirios, Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Jardines de Campo Rico, Jardines de Berwind, San Martín, Monte Park, and Villa Lomas Verdes Public Housing Projects; as well as El Polvorín Ward, Mango Sector and other surrounding areas within the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto and Carolina, PR. Moreover, members of the organization used violence and intimidation, including murder, to increase the power, territory, and profits of “La Rompe ONU.”
Members of “La Rompe ONU” had different roles in order to further the goals of the enterprise. As alleged in the indictment, there were thirty-five (35) leaders/drug point owners/drug point administrators, who directed and supervised the organization’s criminal activities; twenty-five (25) enforcers; eight (8) suppliers; eleven (11) runners; twenty-five (25) sellers; and one (1) drug processor.
According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, the organization committed twelve (12) murders, including three (3) massacres. Enforcers of “La Rompe ONU” carried out the murders of the following individuals:
- On February 8, 2011, enforcers shot and killed David González-Reyes, aka “Chispa.”
- On May 10, 2011, enforcers shot and killed Ricco Luis Dávila-Díaz.
- On June 25, 2011, during a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Edwin Díaz-Cruz, Hervin Valcarcel-Martínez, aka “Prieto,” Javier Catala-Bermúdez, and Orlando Meléndez-Villegas. This massacre is known as the “Tortuguero Massacre.”
- On July 20, 2011, during a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Santos Díaz-Camacho, aka “Joel Bazooka,” Juan Rosario-Mercado, aka “Toñito,” and Kevin Soto-Román, aka “El Gordo.” This massacre is known as the “Paseos Massacre.”
- On August 28, 2012, during a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Luis Ojeda-Andino, aka “Pollo,” Luis Velázquez-Aquino, aka “Urraca,” and José Ayala-García. This massacre is known as the “Jardines de Cupey Massacre.”
According to the indictment, sixty-nine (69) of the one hundred and five (105) defendants are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Thirty-two (32) firearms were seized from the defendants during the investigation, and they face a forfeiture allegation of eighty-two million dollars ($82,000,000).
“The historic indictment unsealed today shows our continued efforts to dismantle dangerous criminal organizations operating in our communities. We remain undeterred in our commitment to ensure safety and seek justice for victims of violent crimes in Puerto Rico,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “‘La Rompe ONU’ will no longer terrorize law abiding citizens in Puerto Rico. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to build solid cases against these individuals, and bring them to justice.”
“Today’s arrests demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to dismantle violent drug trafficking gangs that are affecting the quality of life of our law abiding citizens in the community. The key to this fight is bringing the resources of all levels of government to empower law enforcement to target organized groups of violent criminals with enhanced punishment and criminal penalties through the utilization of federal statutes, such as, the Violent Crime in Aiding and Abetting Racketeering statute. This sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by gangs like ‘La Rompe ONU,’ and evidences our commitment to work together to dismantle violent street gangs,” stated Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Miami Field Division.
The defendants are: Josué Vázquez-Carrasquillo, aka “Mayito/Mayo/El Father”; Pedro Vigio-Aponte, aka “Pedrito/Pedrito He-Man/Pello/Pedrito Trauma”; Frankie Rosa-Calderón aka “Anky/El Negro/Frank”; Luis F. Alicea-Colón, aka “Trenza/Enano/Luis Trenza”; Miguel Vázquez-Martínez, aka “Miguelo/Radio/Miclo/Bj”; Rubén Cotto-Andino, aka “Rubén El Negro”; Ernesto Morales-Castro, aka “Nestor/Los Gorditos”; Christian Morales-Castro, aka “Bimbo/Los Gorditos”; Reyfrank Quiñones-Carrión, aka “Pelotero”; Kelvin D. Morales-Cintrón; Ismael Méndez-Arroyo, aka “Bolillo”; Michael Muñiz-Sánchez; Jonathan Pérez-Rodríguez, aka “Perra/Perreke”; José L. Ortiz-Aguirre, aka “Cheo/Cheo Cedeño”; Reinaldo Rodríguez-Martínez, aka “Pitbull”; William Ortiz-Aguirre, aka “Playa/Play”; Kidanny Figueroa-Osorio, aka “Sony/Sonata”; José L. Soto-Rivera, aka “Luisito/Scary”; José E. Mojica-Robles, aka “Papito Mojica”; Victor M. Rodríguez-Torres, aka “Cuca/Cucaracha/Papotin”; Rafael Andino-Ojeda, aka “Rafa/Rafa Colgate/Boca Chula”; Myles J. Román-Adorno; Guillermo Sánchez-Mora, aka “Guillo”; Emanuel Zabala-Pérez, aka “Punky/Dalmata”; Alexander Rivera-Carrión, aka “Lechon”; David E. Rodríguez-Castro; Rafael Hiraldo-Alejandro, aka “Bolillo”; Alexis Cartagena-Gerena, aka “Pollo”; Ángel L. Soto-Ramos, aka “Huesito”; Oscar A. Calviño-Acevedo, aka “Alex”; Jesús De-Jesús-Colón, aka “Romulo”; José L. Méndez-De-Jesús, aka “Sonso/Nariz”; William Zambrana-Sierra, aka “W/Willito”; Edgar González-Rivera, aka “Eggy”; Arnaldo Alicea-Colón, aka “Naldito”; Xavier Castro-Vega, aka “Raton”; Carlos M. Guerrero-Castro, aka “Carlitos El Negro/Marcel”; Analdi Tanco-Moreno, aka “Kimbito”; Orlando J. Santana, aka “Fino”; Luis F. Rodríguez-Márquez, aka “Cheykin”; Jesús E. Montalvan-Díaz, aka “Luis Garcia-Diaz/Willy Wonka”; Amaury Méndez-Rosado, aka “Boty”; Luis Yanyore-Pizarro, aka “Kimbo/Bauncer/Jose Boria-Millan”; FNU LNU, aka “Eziel”; Luis Martínez-Nieves, aka “Raya/Trenza”; Michael Rivera-Rodríguez; Alvin A. Cabezas-Cintrón, aka “Ardilla”; Jaime M. Semiday-Pérez; Kenny O. Pacheco, aka “Keny/Bolin”; Roberto Fuentes-Pacheco, aka “Junito Parcha”; Roger Falu-Diaz, aka “Gua”; Félix A. Malave-Torres, aka “Cholon”; Edgardo Luna-López, aka “Piri/Enano”; Jessy J. Meléndez-Hernández, aka “Koby/El Negro/Lely”; Denzel Rodríguez-Caraballo; Abimael Cruz-Rodríguez; aka “Lindo/Feo/Metra”; Ángel L. Cotto-Negrón; aka “Quija/Kija”; José E. Rivera-Maldonado, aka “Camon”; FNU LNU, aka “Gaby”; José D. Resto-Figueroa, aka “Tego”; Orlando Padilla-Ayala, aka “Oreo/Willito/Angel M. Santiago-Ayala”; Kernis Rodríguez-Rivera, aka “Sosa”; Walter D. Muller-Colón, aka “Vampy/Bolo”; Wilfredo Ruiz, aka “Freddy”; Carlos E. Brioso-Collantes, aka “El Barber/Wiso El Barber”; Carlos Velázquez-Fontanez, aka “Pirin”; Jonathan Figueroa-Catinchi, aka “Katinchi”; Iram I. Santander-Zulueta, “Cubano”; Charlie J. Fournier-Collazo, aka “Chiry”; Edgardo R. Ruano-Chévere, aka “Masacre/Masa”; Francisco J. González-Camacho, aka “Lento”; Nestor R. Concepción-Rivera, aka “Nesti/Kilate”; Ivette Vázquez-Droz, aka “Ive/Precious Moments”; Billy Villanueva-Carrasquillo, aka “Meca/Billy Meca”; Jayfrank Quiñones-Carrión; Félix Rodríguez-Rodríguez, aka “Correa/Baloncelista/El Indio”; Daniel O. Martínez-Vélez, aka “Berto”; Luis F. Díaz-Tineo, aka “Pipen/Pipe”; Josué O. Figueroa-Rodríguez; Ramón Vicenty-Rivera, aka “Poke”; Luis E. Guadalupe-Camacho, aka “Yaya/Yayi/Ardilla”; Julio N. Matos-Sánchez, aka “Julio Maraña”; Reynaldo González-Zayas, aka “Cuto”; Bryan Martínez, aka “Fat Boy”; Damian Fernández-Jorge; José A. Fournier-Collazo, aka “Semilla”; Kevin Castro-Vega; Juan Guadalupe-Delgado, aka “Bocao”; David García-Franco, aka “David Nota”; Giovani Justiniano-Díaz, aka “Zegueta”; Christian Vázquez-Hernández, aka “Chapa”; James Steele-Torres, aka “Negro Steele”; Nilda Santiago-Espinosa, aka “Katy”; Alex Santiago-Crespo, aka “Papo Swing/Ale”; Francisco Vargas-Sánchez, aka “Maraña”; Carlos Miranda, aka “Eo”; Ramón Andino-Peguero, aka “Mono”; Victor Alfonso-Jorge, aka “Nano”; Héctor J. Cruz-Vargas, aka “Punky”; Yamil Arrizmendi-Santana, aka “El Mono”; Robert D. Pérez-Núñez, aka “Minino”; Anthony Espada-Colón, aka “Oreo/Apu”; Daniel De-Jesús-Díaz, aka “Paleta”; Luis E. Espada-Colón, aka “Zona”; and Astrid J. Martínez-Valentin, aka “La Jefa.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández are in charge of the prosecution of the case. They were assisted by Attorney from the United States Department of Justice’s Capital Crimes Section and Organized Crime and Gang Section. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) were in charge of the investigation. Approximately seven-hundred (700) agents from federal and Commonwealth authorities participated in the arrests.
If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. Eighteen (18) of the defendants who participated in the murders included in the indictment are eligible for the death penalty. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Woman from Dominican Republic Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Using Phony Passport to Re-Enter United StatesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A citizen of the Dominican Republic was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for several crimes related to her effort to re-enter the United States with a phony passport, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Angela De Jesus-Concepcion, 36, of Bergenfield, New Jersey, was previously convicted of all three counts of the indictment against her: false claim of U.S. citizenship, use of a U.S. passport obtained by false statement and aggravated identity theft. She was convicted following a one week trial before U.S. District Judge William Walls, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On March 17, 2012, De Jesus-Concepcion attempted to enter the United States at Newark Airport from the Dominican Republic. At CBP passenger processing she presented a United States passport bearing the name of an identity theft victim and De Jesus-Concepcion’s photograph. She also filled out a customs declaration using the victim’s name and the number of the passport that she was carrying. Customs and Border Protection conducted a secondary inspection and found a New Jersey driver’s license bearing the victim’s name and De Jesus-Concepcion’s photograph along with a Visa debit card in De Jesus-Concepcion’s own name. At trial, it was proven that the passport being carried by De Jesus-Concepcion had been obtained using an earlier version of the New Jersey driver’s license bearing the victim’s name and De Jesus-Concepcion’s photograph and a replacement naturalization certificate, also bearing the victim’s name and De Jesus-Concepcion’s photograph.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced De Jesus-Concepcion to serve three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited enforcement officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the leadership of Robert E. Perez, director of New York Field Operations, for the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, for its investigation.
The government is represented Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara F. Merin of the General Crimes Unit and Shirley U. Emehelu of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Kathleen Theurer Esq., Jersey City, New Jersey.
USNCB Supports Security at World Police and Fire GamesRead the Press Release
A Prince George's County Police Department competitor participates in the Pistol Action Combat event at the 2015 World Police and Fire Games. Image courtesy of WPFG.Once every two years, the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) bring together the world’s toughest law enforcement, customs and corrections officers, and firefighters as they compete head-to-head in more than 60 extreme sporting events like Archery, Canine Search, and Toughest Competitor Alive. This year’s Games were held June 26-July 5 in Fairfax County, VA and welcomed more than 9,500 competitors from 70 different countries, 5,100 volunteers, and tens of thousands of spectators. Events such as the Games, with crowds this large and diverse, call for law enforcement and public safety support with international reach. Interpol Washington offered the WPFG Operations Center and the Fairfax County Police Department complementary tools and services to ensure everyone stayed safe while enjoying the event. For the first time Interpol Washington’s 24/7/365 Interpol Operations and Command Center (IOCC) helped field potential threats and was available around the clock to query subjects at this year’s Games. The IOCC helped to ensure a timely and coordinated law enforcement response was ready in the event of a major threat with an international nexus. The 2017 Games will be held in Montréal, Canada.
Two San Jose Men Plead Guilty to Posting Minor’s Info on Internet for ProstitutionRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Justin Everett Crutchfield and Demontae Terrell Toliver pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to posting information about a minor on the internet to solicit prostitution customers, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and FBI Special Agent in Charge David Johnson.
In pleading guilty, Crutchfield and Toliver both admitted that on or about June 18, 2013, they posted a telephone number for the minor, who they knew to be under the age of 16, on the Internet site myRedbook.com, along with photographs of her, with the intent to solicit others to pay to engage in sexual activity with her. At the time of his arrest, Crutchfield was employed as a Peer Health Counselor with the Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health.
Crutchfield, 28, and Toliver, 24, both of San Jose, were indicted by a federal Grand Jury on January 29, 2014. They were charged with four counts, including two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1591, two counts of production of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). Under the plea agreement, both Crutchfield and Toliver pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging a single count of use of an interstate wire to transmit information about a minor for criminal sexual activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2425.
Toliver is currently being held in the Santa Clara County Main Jail, pending sentencing, while Crutchfield, who had been in custody since June 2013, was released to home confinement with his parents in March 2015. Bail for Crutchfield was set at $ 150,000.
Toliver’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2015, before the Honorable Ronald M. Whyte, U.S. District Court Judge, in San Jose. Crutchfield’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 14, 2015, also before Judge Whyte in San Jose. The maximum statutory penalty for each count in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2425 is five years and a fine of $ 250,000, plus restitution to the minor victims. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Amie Rooney is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the San Jose Police Department Human Trafficking Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking are encouraged to call the FBI or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anonymous calls are welcome.
In addition, suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.
Two Commercial Trash Haulers Admit to Bribing Baltimore City Landfill EmployeesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Mustafa Sharif, age 63, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and bribery in connection with a scheme in which commercial haulers paid Department of Public Works (DPW) employees cash in return for allowing the haulers to deposit trash at the Quarantine Road Landfill (Landfill) without paying the required disposal fees. Adam Williams, Jr., age 52, of Randallstown, pleaded guilty to the same charges on July 17, 2015.
The plea agreements were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Robert H. Pearre, Jr., Inspector General, City of Baltimore Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
The DPW’s Bureau of Solid Waste is responsible for managing Baltimore City’s waste management services, including overseeing citizen drop-off centers, such as the Northwest Transfer Station (NWTS) and the Landfill. Baltimore City’s waste management system generates revenue for the City by collecting and selling recyclable scrap metal dumped at the City’s trash collection facilities. The City contracts with private salvage companies to purchase and remove scrap metal from its trash collection facilities. DPW employees at the Landfill and NWTS are required to place the recyclable scrap metal in separate bins provided by the salvage companies. The salvage companies regularly pick up the scrap metal and, based on predetermined prices per ton, the salvage companies pay the City for the value of the scrap metal.
Baltimore City residents can deposit small amounts of trash and/or recyclables in dumpsters located near the main entrance of the Landfill, free of charge. Individuals or companies commercially hauling trash that have registered their vehicles with the City and obtained Landfill permits, as well as Baltimore City residents with larger loads, must deposit their trash in an open area located farther within the Landfill. Commercial haulers of trash that meet certain vehicle weight limitations must, in addition to purchasing a Landfill permit, pay a waste disposal fee of $67.50 per ton of trash deposited at the Landfill.
DPW employees assigned as scale house operators weigh each truck as it enters the Landfill, which is recorded on a computerized point-of-sale system. To activate the system and record a particular transaction, DPW employees must enter the tag number of the truck and a corresponding billing code. The scale house operators reweigh each truck as it leaves the Landfill. The net weight of the deposited trash and the required disposal fee is then calculated and printed on a receipt that is handed to the driver.
According to his plea agreement, in 2005, Williams collected and hauled trash in his small dump truck when he learned from a friend that he could avoid paying the disposal fee if he paid a cash bribe to the scale house operators. After the friend introduced Williams to a scale house operator, none of the scale house operators, including Tamar Washington, charged Williams a disposal fee for using the Landfill. In 2006 Williams partnered with another individual to haul trash, and then operated his own hauling business from 2007 to 2015. He paid a $100 bribe to the scale house operator for each trip he made to the Landfill, which saved him thousands of fees each month. Williams either paid the operator through the outbound window at the scale house, or met the operators at an off-site location where he would pay a week’s worth of bribes or more. From July 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015 alone, Williams paid more than $42,000 in bribe payments in lieu of paying the required waste disposal fees, which totaled approximately $120,000.
According to his plea agreement, in 2012, Sharif collected and hauled trash in his small dump truck when one day he was allowed to dump trash at the Landfill without paying the disposal fee. Sharif told Williams about what had happened, and Williams explained that Sharif could avoid paying the disposal fee every time he dumped at the Landfill if he paid $100 in cash to the “girls” at the scale house, meaning Tamara Washington and another individual. Thereafter, Sharif paid the bribes, either through Williams or directly to the scale house operators, which saved him thousands of dollars in disposal fees each month. Sharif would meet one of the scale house operators off-site to deliver the weekly bribes, or he would drop it off in an envelope at their respective residences. From July 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015 alone, Sharif paid more than $42,000 in bribe payments in lieu of paying the required waste disposal fees, which totaled approximately $150,000.
Sharif has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $500,000 and Williams has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $900,000.
Sharif and Williams face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy and 10 years in prison for bribery. U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for Williams on October 21, and Sharif on November 6, 2015.
Former Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) employee Tamara Oliver Washington, age 55, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty on July 2, 2015 to the conspiracy and to solicitation of bribes, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, IRS-CI, Baltimore Office of Inspector General, and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Martin J. Clarke, who is prosecuting the case.
Truck Driver Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Possession of More Than 24 Pounds of Heroin and Methamphetamine in His TruckRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Victor H. Orozco, 40, of Grandview, Wash., was sentenced on July 20 by U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to 16 years in prison and five years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 24 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.
Orozco, a licensed commercial truck driver, was operating a tractor trailer carrying a load of watermelons through White Pine County, Nev., on April 27, 2013, when he was pulled over by a Nevada Highway Patrol Officer for a commercial vehicle inspection. Orozco consented to a search of the tractor trailer, and the Highway Patrol Officer discovered more than 19½ pounds of methamphetamine and 4½ pounds of heroin meticulously-wrapped in multiple layers of plastic in a black duffel bag under the sleeping compartment of the tractor.
Orozco was arrested, and the case proceeded to a jury trial earlier this year. According to expert testimony at trial, the street value of the drugs was more than one-half million dollars. On Feb. 24, 2015, Orozco was convicted by the jury of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Keller and Carla Higginbotham, with assistance from the White Pine County District Attorney’s Office, and investigated by White Pine County-based members of Nevada Department of Public Safety and Nevada Department of Investigations, and by the DEA.
Trafficker of Counterfeit MAC Cosmetics Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Tina Oleszczuk (45, New Port Richey) to 18 months in federal prison for trafficking in counterfeit cosmetics. As part of her sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $944,839.75, the proceeds of her criminal conduct. She pleaded guilty on September 25, 2014.
According to court documents, from March 2012 to March 2014, Oleszczuk, through her company Cozmetic Delights, LLC, sold more than $1 million worth of counterfeit Make-up Art Cosmetics, Inc. (“MAC”) cosmetics. Operating out of her residence in New Port Richey, Oleszczuk purchased and had bulk quantities of counterfeit MAC cosmetics delivered from a source in China. Oleszczuk then sold the counterfeit cosmetics as legitimate goods at significantly higher prices. She sold them to purchasers across the country via a website for Cozmetic Delights, via E-Bay, and directly to certain wholesale customers.
"Counterfeiting undermines the U.S. economy, robs Americans of jobs, stifles American innovation, and promotes other types of crime,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “The only ones who benefit from schemes like this are the counterfeiters themselves, and they are benefiting at America's expense."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Jackson and Mark Bini.
Three Ohio men indicted for the production or possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
Three Ohio men were indicted on federal charges related to the production or possession of child pornography, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The cases are not related.
A grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging John Clements, 32, of Willoughby, with receiving and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and with possessing child pornography.
Bradley D. Dawson, 27, of Canton, was charged with producing, receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The indictment charges that from on or about May 1, 2015, through on or about June 21, 2015, Dawson knowingly received and distributed, by computer, numerous computer files, which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On June 22, 2015, images of child pornography were also found on his RCA Tablet. The indictment also charges that in or around May 2015, Dawson used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced a four-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and such visual depiction was produced or transmitted using materials that had been mailed, shipped, or transported in or affecting interstate commerce by any means, including by computer.
Joshua M. Buss, 26, of Spencer, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The indictment charges that from on or about December 29, 2014, through on or about June 23, 2015, in the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, and elsewhere, Buss knowingly received and distributed, using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce, numerous computer files, which files contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and which files had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce. The indictment also charges that on June 24, 2015, Buss possessed a computer that contained child pornography.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The Clements case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough following an investigation by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.
The Dawson case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton Office.
The Buss case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following ann investigation by the Akron Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
Three Family Members Indicted for Participating in Multi-Million Dollar Scheme to Defraud Commercial Lenders and the U.S. Export-Import BankRead the Press Release
Three family members were indicted for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud Miami-area lenders and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida.
Guillermo M. Sanchez, 60, Isabel C. Sanchez, 36, and Gustavo Giral 38, all of Cutler Bay, Florida, are charged in the indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
According to allegations in the indictment, from 2007 through 2012, the defendants utilized companies they controlled to create fictitious invoices for sales of merchandise that never occurred. In a process called “factoring,” the defendants sold the accounts receivables to two Miami-area lenders for approximately 90 percent of the value of the merchandise listed on the alleged fake invoices. The lenders were not aware that the invoices were fake, and expected to recover the full amount owed from the purported purchasers. To perpetuate the fraud, the defendants allegedly transferred the proceeds through numerous bank accounts under their control and, in a Ponzi-style scheme, used a portion of the funds to pay off other factored invoices.
After the Miami lenders refused to extend further credit, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly created false invoices and shipping documents to obtain a loan guaranteed by the Ex-Im Bank. Rather than acquiring, selling and shipping American-manufactured goods as required for Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed loans, the defendants allegedly used the loan proceeds to extend the fraudulent scheme by paying off other lenders, and split the remaining funds among themselves and other co-conspirators. Ultimately, the defendants defaulted on both the factoring loans and the Ex-Im Bank loan.
Co-conspirators Fredy Moreno-Beltran, Ricardo Beato and Jorge Amad were separately charged, and each have pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme. According to his plea agreement, Moreno-Beltran owned Clientric, a purported purchaser of goods from companies controlled by the defendants. According to their plea agreements, Beato and Amad owned Approach Technologies International, a company that the defendants falsely claimed had sold nearly $2 million of American-manufactured telephone call center software to Clientric in order to obtain an Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed loan. In connection with their guilty pleas, Beato, Amad and Moreno admitted that the invoices provided to Ex-Im Bank were false.
The alleged scheme caused approximately $8 million in losses to the private lenders and nearly $2 million in losses to the United States.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Ex-Im Bank Office of Inspector General, with assistance provided by the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Donley and Trial Attorney William Bowne of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Sanchez et al Indictment
Three Family Members Indicted for Participating in Multi-Million Dollar Scheme to Defraud Commercial Lenders and the U.S. Export-Import BankRead the Press Release
Guillermo M. Sanchez, 60, Isabel C. Sanchez, 36, and Gustavo Giral 38, all of Cutler Bay, Florida, are charged in the indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
Three family members were indicted for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud Miami-area lenders and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), announced United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
According to allegations in the indictment, from 2007 through 2012, the defendants utilized companies they controlled to create fictitious invoices for sales of merchandise that never occurred. In a process called “factoring,” the defendants sold the accounts receivables to two Miami-area lenders for approximately 90 percent of the value of the merchandise listed on the alleged fake invoices. The lenders were not aware that the invoices were fake, and expected to recover the full amount owed from the purported purchasers. To perpetuate the fraud, the defendants allegedly transferred the proceeds through numerous bank accounts under their control and, in a Ponzi-style scheme, used a portion of the funds to pay off other factored invoices.
After the Miami lenders refused to extend further credit, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly created false invoices and shipping documents to obtain a loan guaranteed by the Ex-Im Bank. Rather than acquiring, selling and shipping American-manufactured goods as required for Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed loans, the defendants allegedly used the loan proceeds to extend the fraudulent scheme by paying off other lenders, and split the remaining funds among themselves and other co-conspirators. Ultimately, the defendants defaulted on both the factoring loans and the Ex-Im Bank loan.
Co-conspirators Fredy Moreno-Beltran, Ricardo Beato and Jorge Amad were separately charged, and each have pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme. According to his plea agreement, Moreno-Beltran owned Clientric, a purported purchaser of goods from companies controlled by the defendants. According to their plea agreements, Beato and Amad owned Approach Technologies International, a company that the defendants falsely claimed had sold nearly $2 million of American-manufactured telephone call center software to Clientric in order to obtain an Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed loan. In connection with their guilty pleas, Beato, Amad and Moreno admitted that the invoices provided to Ex-Im Bank were false.
The alleged scheme caused approximately $8 million in losses to the private lenders and nearly $2 million in losses to the United States.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Ex-Im Bank Office of Inspector General, with assistance provided by the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Donley and Trial Attorney William Bowne of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Three Arrested and Charged in Connection with Two Schemes Using Stolen Personal Identification InformationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Three Nigerian nationals were arrested today, charged by criminal complaint with fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with two schemes using stolen personal identification information. In addition to the arrests, more than 130 law enforcement officers from nine agencies executed 17 search warrants as part of this ongoing investigation.
Charged by criminal complaint are:
Omolaja Terry Iginla, age 25, of Laurel, Maryland;
Mayowa Olabiyi Towobola, age 24, of Parkville, Maryland; and
Hafis Omowonuola Oladokun, age 38, of Owings Mills, Maryland.The charges and arrests were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Kathryn Montemorra, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
“Today’s enforcement sends a clear message to those who believe that the profit of cybercrime outweighs the risks of detection and capture,” said Ivan Arvelo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Baltimore. “The message is that you are not anonymous and you will be arrested. As we have shown, HSI and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue those who steal, peddle, and abuse the private information of American consumers.”
“This has been a complex and important fraud investigation that illustrates the commitment and cooperation of law enforcement personnel at all levels. With patience and a sound investigation, we ensure that perpetrators of such fraud will not get away with ruining the lives of innocent people,” said Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.
“Criminal conspiracies involving fraudulent refund schemes victimize our nation’s honest taxpayers,” said Kathryn Montemorra, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office. “Today’s enforcement actions are a reminder that IRS-CI will remain vigilant in our investigation of these schemes and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat this type of criminal conduct.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the investigation began in 2013 when Iginla was initially arrested after accepting delivery for two fraudulent Ghanaian passports. A search warrant executed at Iginla’s apartment recovered, among other items, an Apple iPod which was found to contain the personal identification information (PII) of more than 35,000 individuals, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses; named text files; account numbers and security codes for numerous Green Dot & other prepaid debit cards; business names, addresses, and associated EIN numbers; monetary loss values contained within “text files” associated with the PII of many of the probable identity theft victims residing throughout the United States; and a digital image of a social security card of a probable identity theft victim. Digital forensic examination of an iOS address book uncovered from the laptop computers seized during the search revealed a contact for “Mayowa”, which is the first name of Towobola. The cellular telephone number is subscribed in the name of Hafis Omowonuola Oladokun.
According to the criminal complaint, the PII data recovered from the iPod found in Iginla’s apartment was forwarded to the IRS. Analysis revealed that the stolen PII data recovered from the Apple iPod was used to file approximately 4,500 fraudulent tax returns with the IRS. The attempted refund amount from these returns is approximately $13,025,000, and over $2,400,000 in refunds has been distributed by the IRS. Investigation revealed that in some cases, tax refunds were transferred to Green Dot and other prepaid debit card accounts and the funds were then withdrawn from the accounts. For example, a prepaid debit visa account found in Iginla’s files show that the account was activated on line in the name of D.S. Within two day of its activation, that account received a direct deposit of a tax refund. When interviewed, D.S. advised investigators that he had not filed federal tax returns for 2012 or 2013, nor had he applied for or possessed a prepaid visa debit card. D.S. confirmed that the PII on the account was the same as his. Prior to his interview with law enforcement, D.S. was not aware of being a victim of identity theft.
During the Iginla investigation, law enforcement became aware of a related investigation, originally initiated by the Baltimore County Police Department, regarding a fraud allegedly perpetrated by Oladokun, Towobola and others, which involved the re-encoding of victims’ debit card account numbers and the purchasing of money orders using PII stolen as a result of the Target Store data breach which occurred during November and December 2013. Investigation revealed that victim debit card account numbers were re-encoded onto other unknown debit/credit cards, which were then used to purchase money orders and make automatic teller machine (ATM) withdrawals at various banks and retailers located in Baltimore County. The money orders were then cashed by the conspirators at local check cashing stores.
Additionally, a review of financial records showed that many of the money orders cashed at the check cashing stores in Maryland were purchased with Green Dot prepaid debit card accounts using stolen PII. Investigation revealed that Oladokun, Towobola and other co-conspirators have cashed approximately 1,105 third party money orders at one check cashing store, totaling approximately $737,373.
The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. The defendants all had an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Iginla and Towobola consented to detention and Olakodun was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI-Baltimore, IRS-CI, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Police Departments, Maryland State Police and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the case.
Tampa, Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOISE – Yinet Quintana Isalgue, 27, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Quintana Isalgue was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 11, 2015.
As described in the factual basis of the plea agreement, read in court during the plea hearing, Quintana Isalgue travelled from Florida to Idaho to commit credit card fraud. On January 9, 2015, law enforcement in Boise and Meridian, Idaho, received multiple reports from loss prevention officers at different retail stores identifying Quintana Isalgue through witness and surveillance evidence, as attempting credit card fraud.
The next day, Quintana Isalgue was contacted by law enforcement when they executed a search warrant signed by a State of Idaho Magistrate Judge on the hotel room where she was staying. Inside the room in Quintana Isalgue’s purse and wallet, law enforcement found 17 counterfeit credit cards, 2 counterfeit driver’s licenses, and 35 gift cards. The counterfeit credit cards were embossed with real account numbers and a fake name. The two counterfeit driver’s licenses had names matching those on the credit cards, but using Quintana Isalgue’s picture and actual birthdate. Some of the gift cards found in her purse were identified as the gift cards Quintana Isalgue fraudulently purchased earlier in the day.
Based upon video surveillance, loyalty card records, GPS, and credit card records, law enforcement discovered that Quintana Isalgue made similar fraudulent purchases in Oregon and Washington. She admitted $97,496.11 in actual fraudulent purchases, and an additional $19,288.24 in attempted purchases, for a total of $116,784.35, between November 28, 2014, and January 9, 2015. She also admitted that she knowingly and fraudulently used the credit card number of a real person.
Wire fraud is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a special assessment of $100. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years consecutive to the underlying wire fraud.
Sentencing is set before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise on November 3, 2015.
“This case demonstrates how vigilant cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, and local businesses, protects Idaho consumers from credit card fraud and other violations of financial security,” said Olson.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Boise Police Department, and the Meridian Police Department.
Springfield Sex Offender Indicted for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a prior sex offender in Springfield, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving and distributing child pornography.
Gary Thomas Sheldon, 52, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Sheldon on July 16, 2015.
Today’s indictment alleges that Sheldon received and distributed child pornography over the Internet from Oct. 5, 2014, to July 15, 2015. Sheldon, a registered sex offender, was convicted of possessing child pornography in October 2000. As a result, if convicted, Sheldon will be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which had received the tip from an adult pornography Web site where Sheldon had allegedly uploaded an image of child pornography. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Sheldon’s residence on July 15, 2015.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrime Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Springfield Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Heroin and Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Worcester for selling heroin and cocaine to a cooperating witness and an undercover federal agent.
Alberto Correa-Martinez, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 84 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $500. In February 2015, Correa-Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and distribution of heroin.
According to court documents, on three occasions between July 23 and Aug. 6, 2013, Correa-Martinez sold heroin and cocaine to an undercover federal agent. The last of these exchanges took place only yards from the state courthouse on Main Street in Springfield. All three of the aforementioned drug purchases were captured on video.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.
Rosebud Man Sentenced for Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on July 13, 2015, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.
Anthony One Star, age 27, was sentenced to 11 months of custody, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a special assessment of $25 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
One Star was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 14, 2015. He pled guilty on June 2, 2015.
The conviction stems from an incident on November 25, 2014, when One Star went to a friend’s house and would not leave the residence. One Star, while intoxicated, was being disrespectful and spitting on the kitchen floor. A police officer was summoned to remove One Star from the home, who refused to leave, and a struggle ensued between the officer and One Star, who kicked at the officer, as well as spat on him.
This case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. Maher prosecuted the case.
One Star was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rock Hill Gang Member Sentenced on Federal Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that DeMario Ontrey Ware, age 27, of Rock Hill, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court to 46 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow. The sentence is to be served consecutive to the 12 year state sentence Ware is currently serving for armed robbery, burglary 2nd degree, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. In February of this year, Ware plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie imposed the sentence and ran it consecutive to the current state sentence in light of Ware’s criminal history.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on the morning of May 22, 2014, officers with the Rock Hill Police Department Violent Crimes Unit were patrolling when they noticed Ware, a known gang member, on the front porch of a residence on Hickory Lane. Officers knew that Ware had an outstanding warrant for criminal domestic violence, so they approached him and placed him under arrest for that warrant. During a search incident of Ware incident to his arrest, officers located a loaded Bryco .380 caliber handgun in his front pocket. Ware is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior federal conviction for armed bank robbery and his prior state convictions for discharging a firearm into a dwelling, and criminal conspiracy to commit assault and battery 1st degree.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rock Hill Police Department, and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Robber Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Two Store RobberiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Willie Jones, age 31, of Towson, Maryland, today to nine years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for two commercial robberies and for using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Judge Hollander also ordered Jones to pay $750 in restitution.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Interim Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, on November 2, 2013, Jones and co-conspirator Donte Johnson robbed a grocery on Claremont Avenue in Baltimore. Jones stood inside the door of the store as a look-out while Johnson held a shotgun to the store owner’s head and demanded money. The robbers took between $600 and $700.
On November 25, 2013, Jones and Johnson robbed a convenience store, located on Philadelphia Road in Baltimore. Specifically, two employees were working at the counter area of the store and two men approached the counter. Johnson pointed a shotgun at both employees and demanded that they open the registers. In fear for their lives, the clerks complied. Johnson reached over the counter and obtained money from one register. Jones, who admitted that he knew Johnson would be using a gun during the robbery, walked behind the counter and retrieved money from another register. The total loss to the store was $153.
Donte Johnson continued to rob the store’s customers. As this was happening, a customer was able to leave the store and get into his vehicle, which was parked in the store’s parking lot. He called 911 and waited for the robbers to exit. The customer saw the robbers run across Philadelphia Road to the parking lot of a bar across the street, and enter a dark green Honda Civic. The customer followed Jones and Johnson so he would be able to give directions to the police. Once the robbers turned onto Square Ridge Road, the car stopped, and Donte Johnson fired one round from a shotgun at the customer in his vehicle.
Baltimore County Police detectives were able to locate the shotgun used in the convenience store robbery. The shotgun had two unfired shotgun shells lying on the ground next to it and one fired shotgun shell casing loaded in the action of the gun.
Donte Maurice Johnson, age 30, previously pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced September 2, 2015 at 2:15 p.m. Jones and Johnson remain detained.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore City Police Department and the Baltimore County and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Rio Rancho Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joseph Raymond, 33, of Rio Rancho, N.M., was sentenced this afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 39 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Raymond was arrested on Feb. 7, 2014, based on a criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition on Feb. 5, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M. Raymond was subsequently indicted on Feb. 26, 2014, and charged with unlawfully possessing a rifle and multiple rounds of ammunition. At the time, Raymond was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of robbery in the state of Nevada.
On March 2, 2015, Raymond entered a guilty plea to the indictment, and admitted that on Feb. 5, 2014, a search warrant was executed as his residence where agents from the United States Postal Inspectors Service (USPIS) found a rifle and multiple rounds of ammunition. Raymond also admitted that USPIS agent also located evidence that he was involved in possession of stolen mail, and that from Dec. 2013 through Feb. 2014, he conspired with others to steal mail from mail receptacles to obtain checks, debit cards and other mail that might benefit Raymond and his co-conspirators.
This case was investigated by the USPIS and the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Mott.
Ringleader of Large-Scale Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The leader of an extensive scheme to obtain millions of dollars through fraudulently obtained tax refund checks issued by the U.S. Treasury was sentenced today to 84 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Julio C. Concepcion, 50, of Passaic, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to steal government funds and one count of theft of government funds. Concepcion also pleaded guilty to a separate information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with his involvement in a separate mortgage fraud scheme. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
Concerning the Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) scheme, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Members of the conspiracy, from at least October 2009 through May 2013, obtained the personal identifying information, including the names and Social Security numbers, of other individuals, including residents of Puerto Rico. Conspirators filed with the IRS false and fraudulent income tax returns using the stolen identity information, which generated income tax refund checks to which the members of the conspiracy were not entitled. The funds from these refund checks were then routinely transferred between bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. The SIRF scheme resulted in more than $2.5 million in losses to the U.S. Treasury.
Julio C. Concepcion admitted to obtaining these fraudulent refund checks and recruiting others to open bank accounts and deposit the checks, sometimes providing them with false identification in order to do so. Concepcion’s two sons, Angel Concepcion-Vasquez, 31, and Julio Concepcion-Vasquez, 32, both of Passaic, and two other defendants, Jose Zapata, 67, of Passaic, and Romy Quezada, 24, of Paterson, New Jersey, each admitted to opening bank accounts into which these fraudulently obtained refund checks were deposited. Reyes Flores-Perez, 33, of Passaic, provided fraudulent identification documents to members of the scheme to further the conspiracy.
Angel Concepcion-Vasquez and Julio Concepcion-Vasquez were each sentenced to 16 months in prison on June 24, 2015. Zapata and Quezada were sentenced to three and two years of probation, respectively, on June 25, 2015. Flores-Perez was sentenced to 26 months in prison on June 29, 2015.
Concerning the mortgage fraud information, according to filed documents and statement made in court:
From January 2008 through March 2010, Concepcion conspired with others to commit wire fraud, specifically mortgage fraud. Once a conspirator purchased properties in New Jersey. Concepcion and others caused people to purchase the homes and receive mortgages for the homes either by using false identification documents or without the intent to live in the homes or pay off the mortgages.
Concepcion and others were able to cause parties to issue mortgages for the properties in reliance on fraudulent documents and material misrepresentations. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured some of these mortgages.
As a result of these actions, the FHA and parties who approved the mortgages have lost more than $2.5 million.
In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty ordered Concepcion to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $5,643,695.46.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi; special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl Agnelli; and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, with the investigations leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Kogan of the Economic Crimes Unit and Cari Fais and Melissa Wangenheim of the General Crimes Unit.
Defense counsel: Genesis Peduto Esq. North Bergen, North Jersey.
Rhode Island Family Charged with Defrauding ImmigrantsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island woman and her two daughters have been charged with federal wire fraud charges in connection with a scheme to defraud immigrants of hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years.
The indictment, which was unsealed this morning, charges Patria Zuniga, 53, Alba Peña, 24, and Indranis Rocheford, 27, all of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, with eight separate counts of wire fraud. Zuniga was initially charged with one count of wire fraud in May, and has been in custody since May 13, 2015. Peña and Rocheford were arrested at their homes in Rhode Island this morning. They are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy today at 2 p.m.
According to court documents, it is alleged that from 2010 through 2012, Zuniga, Peña, and Rocheford targeted immigrant victims with either no lawful status or temporary legal status in the United States. Victims were told that Zuniga worked for immigration authorities and could assist them in obtaining lawful immigration status documents. Zuniga’s services were initially offered to immigrant victims for $8,000 to $14,000; however, after the victims made the payments, Zuniga demanded additional funds, and threatened to have them deported if they refused to pay. Payments were initially made in cash, but later Zuniga, Peña, and Rocheford accepted money via cash deposits made directly into designated bank accounts (including accounts owned by Peña and Rocheford), money orders, and bank and Western Union wire transfers. It is alleged that Zuniga, Peña, and Rocheford received more $800,000 from immigrant victims over the course of the fraud.
“Dreams of a better life and a way out of the shadows make the immigrant community particularly susceptible to abusive immigration services scams like this one,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “The defendants are alleged to have illegally enriched themselves by exploiting the vulnerability of immigrants and their families. This indictment should serve as a stern warning to other fraudsters that preying on the most vulnerable among us is illegal and will be prosecuted.”
The charging statutes provide for a maximum sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigation in Boston and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Jordi de Llano of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Revere Man Charged with Stealing from the Postal ServiceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A mail theft charge against a longtime United States Postal Service employee was unsealed yesterday in U.S. District Court.
Carmelo J. Santisi, 47, was arrested yesterday after being charged with stealing cash and gift cards from the mail.
Santisi faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and a special assessment of $100. 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 for the District of Massachusetts Carmen M. Ortiz and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. The Revere Police Department assisted with the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Tobin of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Mail TheftRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of mail matter by postal service employee, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Frank J. Rysz, 49, of Latrobe, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, Rysz, while employed as a mail carrier in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., engaged in the theft of three first class letters and their valuable contents from the U.S. mails. Rysz also took one department store advertisement from the U.S. mails.
Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for Nov. 12, 2015 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frank J. Rysz.
Philadelphia Woman Charged with Receiving Dead Mother's BenefitsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Johnsie Boone-Brown, 47, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by information with one count of theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the information, the defendant received retirement benefits intended for her mother, after her mother’s death in May 2009 until her fraud was discovered in April 2014. The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $22,569.86.
If convicted, the defendant faces a substantial period of incarceration, a 3‑year period of supervised release, restitution to the government of $22,569.86, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.
Philadelphia Man Indicted on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Rashion Michaels, 24, of Philadelphia, was charged today by indictment with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the indictment, on May 20, 2014, Michaels was in possession of a Lorcin, Model L32, .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, with an obliterated serial number that was restored to read: 006347, and a magazine loaded with 6 live rounds of .32 caliber ammunition.
If convicted, Michaels faces a maximum term of ten-years in prison, up to three-years of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric A. Boden.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
North Royalton man sentenced to nearly three years in prison for mortgage-relief scamRead the Press Release
A North Royalton man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for operating a loan-modification scheme in which he defrauded more than 90 homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments out of $286,000, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
Robert Walker, age 44, was sentenced ot 33 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to five counts of fraud.
Walker convinced homeowners on the verge of foreclosure to pay himself and his company an up-front fee of at least $1,995 but then did little or no work to get a loan modification for customers. He also promised customers that, if not modification was obtained, 80 percent of the fee would be reimbursed. But Walker never intended to reimburse those fees and when he failed to obtain a loan modification, he regularly refused the promised reimbursement, according to court documents.
According to court documents:
Walker incorporated and owned The Modification Group, or TMG, where he supervised and directed the employees. TMG did business under various names, including The Modification Group 4, U.S. Modification Group and Loan Modification Group, among others. It had offices at various times in Broadview Heights, Middleburg Heights, Bedford, Parma Heights, Ravenna and Cleveland.
TMG solicited people who were struggling to pay their home mortgages or that were pending foreclosure and offered to help improve their financial situation and avoid foreclosure by interceding on their behalf with the lending institution and obtaining a loan modification. TMG advertised itself – using direct mailings, telephone calls, a website and Internet and radio advertisements – as “specializ(ing) in loan modifications, debt settlements, credit repair, and financial planning services” and having “experienced negotiators that will secure your home with the lowest fixed rate available.” TMG claimed it “will eliminate or reposition all late payments back into your loan, bringing the account current, while also lowering your interest rate or payment, making it easier for you to afford.”
From 2009 through 2011, Walker devised a scheme to defraud by making representations that he knew TMG could not keep and had no intention of keeping, including: “”Are You In A Loan You Can’t Afford? We Will Modify It. Guaranteed.” Or “What [TMG] Can Do To Help: Lower interest rates (2-5.5 percent fixed) giving you a reduction in monthly payments; eliminate or shorten 2nd Lien, and/or lowering overall principle balance; Position yourself out of an interested only or adjustable rate mortgage and into a fixed 30 or 40 year payment.”
Walker, through TMG, required consumers to pay $1,995 or 1 percent of the mortgage balance, whichever was greater, up front, before TMG worked on obtaining a loan modification.
Walker directed his employees at TMG to solicit and accept clients for whom he knew TMG would not be able to obtain loan modifications on terms that that customers could realistically afford. Through TMG, he required customers to enter into written service agreements that were substantially one-sided, in favor of TMG. He also directed employees to tell potential customers that TMG would refund 80 percent of the fee paid if TMG failed to obtain a loan modification, when Walker had no intention of refunding the fee.
Walker, through TMG, prohibited customers from contacting their lending institution and directed customers to send any and all correspondence from their lenders to TMG.
TMG often failed to obtain any loan modification for the customer. In some cases, TMG never contacted its customer’s lending institution to discuss a modification even though the customer had paid substantial monies to Walker and TMG to do so.
Walker and his employees at TMG often created illegitimate reasons that they claimed voided TMG’s contract to avoid refunding customer’s fees. For example, TMG often told customers that they had not provided requested documents quickly enough, and terminated their contracts without a refund.
Walker, through TMG, told customers who attempted to cancel their contracts that doing so was a breach that voided their right to a refund. He often refused to issue a refund for customers for whom TMG had failed to obtain a loan modification unless the customer filed a complaint with a consumer protection agency.
Defrauded customers include residents in Lakewood, Cleveland, Eastlake, Streetsboro and North Ridgeville, as well as North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, Indiana and elsewhere, according to the court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section.
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Submitting False Documents to City of PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Ronen Bakshi, 54, of Voorhees, New Jersey, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for falsifying records to obstruct a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and wire fraud. Bakshi submitted false documents to the City of Philadelphia’s Air Management Services office in connection with a project for removal of asbestos-containing material from a former church located at 1133 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, and billed the non-profit owner of the property for work he did not perform. He pleaded guilty on March 18, 2015 to both counts of the indictment.
United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered that the defendant begin serving his sentence immediately. In addition to the prison term, Judge Diamond imposed a $30,000 fine, a $200 special assessment, and a year of supervised release to follow imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the City of Philadelphia’s Air Management Services office. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Martin Harrell and Patricia C. Miller of EPA.
Nevada City Woman Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Cultivation and Structuring Currency Transactions on First Day of TrialRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Patricia Jane Albright, 64, of Nevada City, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to manufacture marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, and structuring currency transactions to evade federal reporting requirements, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
On September 18, 2014, Albright’s son and co-conspirator, Jordan Wirtz, pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges. On February 26, 2015, the Honorable Troy L. Nunley sentenced Wirtz to five years in prison.
According to court documents, between 2008 and September 2010, Albright and others worked together to manufacture marijuana on two properties she owned near Nevada City and Georgetown. Marijuana from Albright’s operation was regularly shipped out of state under fake names and addresses. At the time of her arrest on September 28, 2010, investigators found marijuana plants, cash, processed marijuana, and two firearms.
When Albright purchased the property near Georgetown in 2008 for growing marijuana, she structured 21 cash transactions at six different financial institutions over three days so she could avoid federal reporting requirements related to cash deposits.
Albright is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nunley on December 3, 2015. The plea agreement contemplates a sentence of five years and five months in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court at the hearing.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the California Department of Justice; and the sheriff’s offices of Nevada County, Placer County, and El Dorado County. Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Beckwith is prosecuting the case.
During the course of the investigation which involved the execution of 16 search warrants in three different counties, law enforcement seized over 4,100 marijuana plants, over 200 pounds of processed marijuana, and numerous firearms. A number of the defendants were armed at the time of their arrest, and several of the defendants had prior felony convictions for narcotics offenses. One defendant was arrested in a marijuana grow with a firearm while on pretrial release from an earlier arrest. He was facing charges for manufacturing marijuana in Southern California in 2009. Documents and items found at a number of the search locations show hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial transactions, and the interstate shipment of cash and narcotics.
Nampa Gang Member Sentenced for Selling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – Johnny Lee Martinez, 33, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Martinez to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term, during which Martinez may not have contact with documented gang members. Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge on May 5, 2015.
According to the plea agreement, Martinez admitted to selling methamphetamine to a police informant on October 24, 2013, and on February 12, 2014, in Nampa, Idaho.
This case and other related cases are the result of an investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which focused on the “Norteno” Northside gang that is active in Nampa and other parts of the Treasure Valley. Fourteen individuals were indicted on drug and gun charges as a result of the investigation. In addition to Martinez, five other defendants have been sentenced. Guadalupe Serrano, 35, of Caldwell, was sentenced on April 21, 2015, to 75 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and for possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. Nicole Danelle Nieto, 31, of Nampa, was sentenced on May 26, 2015, to 41 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine. Jose Manuel Menchaca, 35, of Nampa, was sentenced May 28, 2015, to 60 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine. On June 17, 2015, Brandi Larrea, 31, of Nampa, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine and Tara Noelle Rivera, 30, of Nampa, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine. Three others have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing including Guillermo Farias Jr., 29, and Michael Bradshaw, 31, both from Nampa, and Kenny P. Breedlove, 35, from California. Three others are scheduled for trial including Richard Lobato, 51, Jose Enrique Olvera Jr., 51, both from Nampa, and Isaac Bright, 21, from Caldwell. Two other defendants have outstanding warrants, including Ruben Rodriguez, 36, and Veronica Cantu, 26, both from Nampa.
These cases are the result of a joint investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole. The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), includes the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and U.S. Marshals Service. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
These cases are being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.
Milwaukee Man Sentenced for Transportation for ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, man convicted of Transportation for Prostitution was sentenced on July 16, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Jaquon Duckworth, age 23, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Duckworth was indicted on the charge by a federal grand jury on July 8, 2014. He pled guilty on to the Indictment on April 22, 2015.
Sioux Falls Police detectives on the Street Crimes Unit became aware of prostitution activity occurring at a local hotel on June 22, 2014. Further investigation led to the defendant, Jaquon Duckworth, who was posting advertisements on line and accepting phone calls to arrange meetings for commercial sexual activity. Duckworth later admitted that he traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Sioux Falls with a woman for the purpose of having her engage in prostitution activity.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Duckworth was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Milwaukee Man Indicted for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.
Justin Damon Keith, age 30, was indicted on July 7, 2015. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 14, 2015, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction of 15 years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Between July 2014 and May 2015, the defendant allegedly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained a person, knowingly and recklessly disregarding that means of force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion would be used to cause the victim to engage in a commercial sex act.
The charge is merely an accusation and Keith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Keith was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Middleton Mortgage Broker Convicted of Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A mortgage broker from Middleton was convicted today of attempted bank fraud in federal court.
Michael P. O’Donnell, 53, was convicted of one count of bank fraud after a three-day bench trial before the Honorable Douglas P. Woodlock, United States District Judge. Judge Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Oct. 20, 2015.
O’Donnell, through his company AMEX Home Mortgage, knowingly engaged in a scheme to submit false loan applications to lenders to obtain mortgage loans on behalf of borrowers seeking to purchase or refinance real estate. The trial focused on O’Donnell’s submission of fraudulent information and documents on behalf of a Salem homeowner for two loans totaling nearly $400,000 to re-finance existing loans. O’Donnell represented to lenders that the Salem homeowner had income of $10,000 a month, when in fact the homeowner earned only about $1,200 a month. O’Donnell prepared and submitted to the lenders bogus bank account statements which reflected the homeowner as having more than $50,000 in savings. In reality, no such account actually existed, and she had far less in actual savings. Additionally, O’Donnell submitted bogus letters from an accountant representing that he had prepared tax returns for the Salem homeowner’s business for the prior two years; however, the homeowner did not even know the accountant and had no business.
Judge Woodlock found O’Donnell guilty of attempting to fraudulently obtain a $44,000 loan on behalf of the Salem homeowner from the now-defunct Countrywide Bank, FSB. O’Donnell collected fees totaling more than $15,000 from the two loans.
O’Donnell faces a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1,000,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Vincent B. Lisi, 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. Attorneys Veronica M. Lei of Ortiz’s Asset Forfeiture Unit and Mark J. Balthazard of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.