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24 August 2015
Another Man Pleads Guilty in FBI Investigation into Drug Dealing and Violence in HomewoodRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Damian Petty, 52, of Verona, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies joined forces in a multi-agency wiretap investigation of drug trafficking and violence in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh. The interception of wire and electronic communications began in December 2013 and continued through the end of August 2014. During that timeframe, Damian Petty was intercepted over the wire conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine, which was shipped from California to the Western District of Pennsylvania through the United States Postal Service or commercial carrier.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2015. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.
Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Street Task Force, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Monroeville Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Damian Petty.
21 August 2015
Wethersfield Woman Admits Stealing $1.7 Million from Computer Software CompanyRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PENNY ROY, 44, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven to tax and wire fraud charges stemming from her theft of nearly $1.7 million from a Connecticut-based computer software company.
According to court documents and statements made in court, ROY used her position as the software company’s payroll manager to insert her own bank account information into the profiles of other employees. She then processed fraudulent expense reimbursements and payroll payments in the other employees’ names, with the payments flowing into her own bank account. ROY was fired after the company discovered fake expense reimbursements she had processed in her own name. In all, ROY stole almost $1.7 million. To hide her theft, ROY failed to declare the stolen money on her tax returns, depriving the Internal Revenue Service of just under $500,000 in tax revenues.
ROY is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport on November 17, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 23 years.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.
Violent Felon Sentenced to Serve 32 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking School Bus DriverRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA –United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that United States District Judge Shelly Dick sentenced JOCK R. JONES, 38, formerly of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for carjacking an East Baton Rouge Parish School System school bus driver, using a firearm in furtherance of the carjacking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On July 24, 2014, JONES was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), carjacking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1), and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii).
On February 2, 2015, JONES entered a plea of guilty to Count One of the Indictment, which charged him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. JONES proceeded to trial before Judge Dick on the remaining two counts. After receiving all of the evidence presented by both parties, the Court found the defendant guilty of Counts Two and Three.
At trial, the evidence showed that, on the morning of April 14, 2014, JONES attacked an East Baton Rouge Parish School System bus driver outside her home and, at gunpoint, forced the woman to drive her school bus from her home to another location. While forcing the woman onto the bus, JONES pointed his gun at the woman’s two children and threatened to kill them if they called the police.
At today’s sentencing, JONES was sentenced to a term of 10 years imprisonment as a result of his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and an additional 15 years for his carjacking conviction, each of which will be followed by a mandatory, consecutive sentence of 7 years for using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. In all, JONES was sentenced to serve a total of 384 months in the custody of Bureau of Prisons. JONES was also sentenced to pay $540 restitution to the victim of the carjacking, a $300 special assessment, and to forfeit all property involved or used in the commission of the crimes.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “This defendant, and other violent felons, undermine the safety of our communities and must be held accountable. Today’s sentence does just that. Our communities are now safer without this defendant on the streets. I greatly appreciate the work of the prosecutors, the ATF, and the Baton Rouge Police Department on this important matter.”
This matter was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Baton Rouge Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rene I. Salomon and Jessica M.P. Thornhill.
Upstate New York Man Convicted for his Role in Attempting to Develop Lethal Radiation DeviceRead the Press Release
Jury Finds Glendon Scott Crawford Guilty on All Counts Following a Five-Day Trial
A jury convicted Glendon Scott Crawford, 51, of Galway, New York, today after a five-day trial on all charges relating to his efforts to build a weapon of mass destruction.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian of the Northern District of New York and Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI’s Albany, New York, Division made the announcement.
Crawford was convicted of attempting to produce and use a radiological dispersal device and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Crawford was also convicted of distributing information relating to weapons of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also faces a $2 million fine on the attempting to produce and use a radiological dispersal device charge, and a fine of $250,000 on the other two charges.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2015, before Chief U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe of the Northern District of New York.
Crawford is the first person to be found guilty of attempting to construct a radiological dispersal device, a statute Congress passed in 2004.
“Glendon Scott Crawford, a self-professed member of the Ku Klux Klan, was convicted of offenses relating to his deadly plan to use a radiological dispersal device to target unsuspecting Muslim Americans with lethal doses of radiation,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism, and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to perpetrate attacks on American soil.”
“Crawford is a terrorist motivated by bigotry and hate who would have used a weapon of mass destruction to kill innocent Muslim members of our community were it not for the good judgment of citizens who quickly alerted law enforcement to his diabolical plan and the outstanding work of the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said U.S. Attorney Hartunian. “This case illustrates how we must remain vigilant to protect our community from would-be terrorists.”
“Today’s verdict is a testament to the tremendous efforts of our Joint Terrorism Task Force in uncovering Crawford’s plot and the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing justice to an individual who sought to inflict terror and harm on our innocent citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Vale. “This verdict is a victory for us all, but we must continue to remain observant; it is only with the assistance of our community members and law enforcement partners that we can be successful in thwarting these violent plots.”
In April 2012, the FBI received information that Crawford, who was employed as an industrial mechanic with General Electric in Schenectady, New York, had approached local Jewish organizations seeking people who might help him develop technology to be used against people whom he perceived to be enemies of Israel. During a 14-month investigation, the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force learned that Crawford was attempting to solicit funds to purchase, and then weaponize, a commercially available X-ray machine so that it could be used to injure or kill others by exposing them to lethal doses of radiation.
During the investigation, Crawford, with help from co-conspirator Eric J. Feight, took steps to design, acquire the parts for, build and test a remote initiation device that could have activated the radiation machine, and acquired the X-ray machine that he planned to modify into a weapon of mass destruction. The X-ray device that he planned to use had been modified so that Crawford could not have used it to hurt anyone.
Feight pleaded guilty on Jan. 22, 2014, to providing material support to terrorists. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17, 2015, by Chief Judge Sharpe and faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Crawford, a self-professed member of the Ku Klux Klan, wanted to use the device against Muslims, and he scouted mosques in Albany and Schenectady and an Islamic community center and school in Schenectady as possible targets. Crawford also suggested the New York governor’s mansion as a potential target.
With undercover agents, Crawford discussed placing the radiological device within a van or truck, parking the vehicle near the entrance to the target location, and then remotely activating the device so that it would direct lethal doses of radiation at people coming in and out of the target location.
A central feature of Crawford’s completed X-ray device was that its targets would be exposed to dangerous and lethal doses of X-ray radiation without being aware of the exposure, the harmful effects of which would likely not be immediately apparent.
This case was investigated by the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Green and Richard Belliss of the Northern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The Justice Department’s Criminal Division also provided assistance.
Upstate New York Man Convicted for His Role in Attempting to Acquire A Lethal Radiation DeviceRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury convicted Glendon Scott Crawford, 51, of Galway, New York, today after a 5-day trial on all charges relating to his efforts to acquire a weapon of mass destruction, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian of the Northern District of New York, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, and Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division.
Crawford was convicted of attempting to acquire and use a radiological dispersal device (count 1), conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction (count 2), and distributing information relating to weapons of mass destruction (count 3). He faces at least 25 years of imprisonment on count 1, up to life on counts 1 and 2, and up to 20 years of imprisonment on count 3. He also faces a $2 million fine on count 1 and a fine of $250,000 on both counts 2 and 3.
Crawford is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15 at 9 a.m. by the Honorable Gary L. Sharpe, Chief United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York.
Crawford is the first person to be found guilty of attempting to acquire a radiological dispersal device, a statute Congress passed in 2004.
"Glendon Scott Crawford is a terrorist who would have used a weapon of mass destruction to kill innocent members of our Muslim community were it not for the good judgment of citizens who quickly alerted law enforcement to his diabolical plan and the outstanding work of the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force," said United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. "This case illustrates how vigilance, the shared values of Americans of all faiths, and vigorous investigation can defeat dehumanizing bigotry and hatred."
"Glendon Scott Crawford, a self-professed member of the Ku Klux Klan, was convicted of offenses relating to his deadly plan to use a radiological dispersal device to target unsuspecting Muslim Americans with lethal doses of radiation," said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. "The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism, and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to perpetrate attacks on American soil."
"Today’s verdict is a testament to the tremendous efforts of our Joint Terrorism Task Force in uncovering Crawford’s plot and the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing justice to an individual who sought to inflict terror and harm on our innocent citizens," said Special
Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale. "This verdict is a victory for us all, but we must continue to remain observant; it is only with the assistance of our community members and law enforcement partners that we can be successful in thwarting these violent plots."
In April 2012, the FBI received information that Crawford, who was employed as an industrial mechanic with General Electric in Schenectady, New York, had approached local Jewish organizations seeking people who might help him acquire a radiation-emitting device to be used against people whom he perceived to be enemies of Israel. During a 14-month investigation, the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force learned that Crawford was attempting to solicit funds to purchase, and then weaponize, a commercially-available industrial-grade X-ray device so that it could be used to injure or kill others by exposing them to lethal doses of radiation.
During the investigation, Crawford, with help from accomplice Eric J. Feight, took steps to design, acquire the parts for, build and test a remote initiation device that could have activated the radiation machine, and acquired (from an undercover FBI Agent) the X-ray device that he planned to modify into a weapon of mass destruction. The X-ray device that he planned to use had been modified so that Crawford could not have used it to hurt anyone.
Feight pleaded guilty on January 22, 2014 to providing material support to terrorists. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2015 by Chief Judge Sharpe, and faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Crawford, a self-professed member of the Ku Klux Klan, wanted to use the device against Muslims, and he scouted mosques in Albany and Schenectady and an Islamic community center and school in Schenectady as possible targets. Crawford also suggested the Governor’s Mansion as a potential target.
With undercover agents, Crawford discussed placing the radiological device within a van or truck, parking the vehicle near the entrance to the target location, and then remotely activating the device so that it would direct lethal doses of radiation at people coming in and out of the target location.
A central feature of Crawford’s completed X-ray device was that its targets would be exposed to dangerous and lethal doses of X-ray radiation without being aware of the exposure, the harmful effects of which would likely not be immediately apparent.
This case was investigated by the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents as well as members of the New York State Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Albany Police Department, Troy Police Department, and New York City Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Green and Richard Belliss of the Northern District of New York, who represented the United States during the trial, and Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster with support from the National Security Division and Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington.
Two Mississippi Businessmen Charged with Bribery of Former Corrections CommissionerRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Irb Benjamin, 69, of Madison, and Sam Waggoner, 61, of Carthage, were charged today with paying bribes and kickbacks to former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner (MDOC) Christopher B. Epps in exchange for receiving contracts involving the MDOC and its operations, announced Acting United States Attorney Harold Brittain, FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Donald Alway, IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jerome McDuffie, U.S. Postal Inspector Robert Wemyss, and Mississippi State Auditor Stacey Pickering.
Benjamin was charged in a three count indictment returned by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and with two counts of bribery. According to the indictment returned against Benjamin, from some time in 2010 until September, 2014, Benjamin gave Epps bribes and kickbacks in exchange for Epps awarding or directing the awarding of MDOC contracts or work to Benjamin’s company, Mississippi Correctional Management (MCM), to provide alcohol and drug treatment services to inmates at MDOC work centers in Alcorn and Simpson Counties. MCM was paid about $774,000.00 as a result of those contracts.
The indictment alleges that Benjamin paid Epps for Epps’ help in getting MCM consulting contracts with Alcorn, Washington and Chickasaw Counties. Those contracts involved Benjamin providing consulting services during the construction and the subsequent operation of three regional corrections facilities. Benjamin purportedly provided consulting services to assist the regional corrections facilities in obtaining and maintaining accreditation by the American Correctional Association. The contract with Alcorn County paid MCM about $399,260.00; the contract with Washington County paid MCM about $245,080.00; and, the contract with Chickasaw County paid MCM about $217,900.00.
The indictment also alleges that Benjamin paid Epps monthly kickbacks from the consultant fees Benjamin received from Carter Gobal Lee Facility Management (CGL), after CGL obtained a contract in 2014 to provide maintenance services to MDOC facilities. Epps used his influence over CGL to get Benjamin the job as a consultant for CGL. The value of the CGL contract was $4,800,000.
Waggoner was charged by Criminal Information with one count of bribery related to his payments of bribes and kickbacks to Epps from sometime in 2012 until at least August 26, 2014. According to the Criminal Information, Waggoner was a consultant for Global Tel-Link (GTL), which provided telephone services at MDOC facilities. The Criminal Information cites two specific instances in 2014 where Waggoner paid Epps kickbacks from money Waggoner received from GTL as a consultant.
Harold Brittain, Acting U.S. Attorney in this case, stated: "The abuse of power and position by public officials has plagued our state for many years. Our tolerance for public corruption is zero. We will hold accountable under the law everyone who bears the responsibility of public service and sells the trust that has been bestowed upon them. We will not tolerate such fraud and abuses by public officials that have cost our citizens so dearly."
In commenting on this case, FBI SAC Donald Alway applauded the investigators and prosecutors, whose hard work and determined efforts revealed these additional participants in this conspiracy of public corruption, and led to the charges announced today. He added, “Our society will not tolerate bribery, kickbacks, or other ‘under-the-table’ deals. This is not just another cost of doing business with government. The FBI, working alongside its law enforcement partners, will use every appropriate tool and available resource to find, stop, and punish those who conspire to betray the public trust in order to enrich themselves.”
“Postal Inspectors bring to a task force unique skills for hunting down suspected fraud through the U.S. Mail,” said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez. “Postal Inspectors steadfastly work with our partners and defend the nation’s mail system in hopes that criminals abusing the American public’s trust are brought to justice.”
Special Agent Jerome R. McDuffie, IRS – Criminal Investigation, stated: “This is a very important investigation to the state of Mississippi and all individuals who rely on the trust they instill in their public officials, whether elected or appointed. The extent to which Christopher Epps has damaged that trust will require as much effort to rebuild as it did to uncover. The Special Agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners in uncovering public corruption at even the highest levels of government, as well holding accountable those individuals involved.”
“We will continue to fight public corruption in Mississippi and work with our partners,” said State Auditor Pickering. “Our agents and this team are working daily to identify and bring charges against all individuals associated with the Mississippi Department of Corrections case. I’d like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, IRS, and the U.S. Postal Service for a joint effort in this ongoing case."
Both defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on Friday, August 21, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. Waggoner faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, as well as forfeiture of the proceeds he obtained as a result of the illegal conduct. Benjamin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine for the conspiracy count, and a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine for each of the bribery counts. Benjamin also faces the forfeiture of his ill-gotten gains.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and IRS Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Darren LaMarca, Assistant United States Attorney Scott Gilbert, and financial analyst Kim Mitchell.Two Area Men Sentenced in Separate, but Similar Child Pornography CasesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two men who were residing in Laredo have been ordered to federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Special Agent in Charge James Spero of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar.
Edmundo Cardenas, 23, a legal permanent resident, and Mexican national Luis Pena-Rios, 45, both resided in Laredo. Cardenas pleaded guilty May 6, 2015, while Pena-Rios entered his plea in August 2014.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Cardenas to 40 months in federal prison, while Pena-Rios was ordered to serve a 84-month-term. Both men will also be required to register as a sex offender and are expected to face deportation proceedings following their release from federal prison.
“Our goal is to continue keeping a watchful eye on those that prey on our children,” said Cuellar. “These child predators will be caught and brought to justice.”
Pena-Rios and Cardenas were charged in separate, but similar cases. In January 2014, an investigator with the Webb County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) conducted an undercover online operation trying to identify IP addresses sharing child pornography a peer-to-peer network. That investigation led to the discovery of two IP addresses which appeared to be sharing files of known child pornography. One was linked to Cardenas and his family, while the other was found to belong to a business address.
In March 2014, HSI agents executed a federal search warrant for the residential address associated with the first IP address. Four individuals were present at the residence and were interviewed by authorities, one of whom was Cardenas. He first denied any possession of child pornography, but soon recanted and admitted he began downloading child pornography several years ago. HSI agents seized electronics devices from Cardenas to include two laptops and a thumb drive. Forensic examination ultimately led to the discovery of a total of 41 video files on the laptops and several additional videos on a thumb drive, all containing child pornography.
In the latter case, HSI agents identified the business associated with the IP address suspected of sharing the pornographic images and executed a search warrant. There, agents interviewed the owner who reported that computers at the business had restricted Internet service because he did not want employees using it for personal purposes during business hours. However, he told agents that he and his brother, Pena-Rios, both used the Internet at the business. Agents then interviewed Pena-Rios who soon admitted to having downloaded child pornography from the Internet using the business laptop and then transferring the videos to his personal computer using thumb drives. Forensic examination revealed several still images and videos consistent with child pornography.
"By participating in these types of investigations, HSI special agents are helping to take child predators off the Internet, out of our communities and put them behind bars,” said Spero. “This sentence sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those who exploit children in anyway. Targeting crimes of this nature is a high priority for HSI. We will continue to dedicate resources and work with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice these individuals.”
Pena-Rios and Cardenas are in custody where they will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The arrests of Pena-Rios and Cardenas were a result of Operation Child Guardian, which was launched by the WCSO in 2009. The success of these investigations have put dozens of suspected child predators behind bars.
The prosecution is being 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."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonah Lee is prosecuting both cases.
Three Indicted for Supplying Unqualified Armed Guards to IRS Facilities in FresnoRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 42-count indictment on Thursday against Scott L. Carlton, 46, of Visalia; Robert J. Bejarano, 46, of Kingsburg; and Matthew L. Cocola, 44, of Fresno, charging each defendant with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims and false statements, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, the IRS’s Fresno campus serves as national center for processing federal tax returns. Carlton and Bejarano were employees of E&A Protective Services, which had the government contract to supply 24-hour-a-day armed security guards to the IRS’s Fresno campus. Cocola was a certified firearms instructor doing business as Security Solutions of California & The Praetorian Diversified Institute in Clovis. When it became apparent that many of the guards could not achieve the firearms shooting score required under the contract, the indictment alleges that Carlton, Bejarano and Cocola conspired to falsify scores and supply unqualified guards to the IRS facilities. Over a three-year period, E&A was paid over $2 million on fraudulent invoices submitted to the IRS for security guards who were not qualified to work under that contract.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. McKeon is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy defraud the government with respect to claims, and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of false statements. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Three Family Members in A Wheeling Chiropractic Group Indicted for Phony Billing and Unnecessary Treatment in $10.8 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Wheeling chiropractor and his brother and father have been charged in a federal indictment with scheming to bill insurance carriers for treatment that was medically unnecessary or never performed.
DR. VLADIMIR GORDIN JR., along with his father, VLADIMIR GORDIN SR., and his brother, ALEXSANDER GORDIN, operated Gordin Medical Center S.C., a chiropractic group located at 350 E. Dundee Road in Wheeling. The trio used the company to falsely bill for medical services that weren’t provided, and fabricated their patients’ medical records to cover up the scam, according to the 21-count indictment returned yesterday in federal court in Chicago.
In some cases, patients knew of the overbilling and were incentivized to participate by having their deductibles met at no cost to them or by sharing in a portion of the overbilling proceeds via checks provided to them by the Gordins, according to the indictment. Over a six-year period, the Gordins’ scheme bilked insurance carriers out of more than $10.8 million, the indictment states.
Vladimir Gordin Jr., 45, of Northbrook, and Vladimir Gordin Sr., 68, of Riverwoods, are each charged with 18 counts of health care fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Alexsander Gordin, 32, of Northbrook, is charged with 14 counts of health care fraud.
Two other defendants are also charged in the indictment: ALINA LEVIT, also known as “Alona” or “Aloyna,” who worked for Gordin Medical Center as the office manager; and MICHELLE KOBRAN, who owned and operated Ultrasound Mobile Service Ltd., in Vernon Hills.
Levit, 45, of Vernon Hills, assisted the Gordins with falsifying medical records and creating phony “sign in” sheets, which falsely represented that patients were physically present and received certain health-care services on a given day, when, in fact, no such treatment was rendered, according to the indictment. Levit is charged with 14 counts of health care fraud.
Kobran, 67, of Vernon Hills, billed insurance companies for medically unnecessary ultrasounds that were performed on patients referred to her company by the Gordins, according to the indictment. Kobran then kicked back a portion of the insurance proceeds to the Gordins, the indictment states. Kobran is charged with four counts of health care fraud.
From 2006 through approximately November 2012, Gordin Medical Center and Ultrasound Mobile Service submitted bills totaling $28,775,000, causing the carriers to pay $10,847,000, the indictment states.
All five defendants will be arraigned on future dates to be set in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; John A. Brown, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Vanderberg, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General in Chicago; and Antonio Gómez, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago.
The health care fraud counts carry a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the aggravated identity theft counts are punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of two years, plus a $250,000 fine. If convicted, restitution is mandatory and the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather McShain.
To report health care fraud, logon to: StopMedicareFraud.gov.
Indictment
Stockton Man Charged with Fraud in Auto Engine ScamRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Stockton resident John Steven Keplinger, 56, was charged today with five counts of mail fraud in connection with an auto parts scam, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, from 2010 to 2014, Keplinger carried out a fraud scheme by purporting to sell used auto engines from Japan, but failing to provide customers what he promised. Over 300 paying customers across 44 states and the District of Columbia were defrauded. Keplinger used three companies and websites to carry out the fraud scheme: Rising Sun Engines Inc. (www.risingsunengines.com), Shop 4 Engines LP (shop‑4‑engines.com), and Your Parts Manager (yourpartsmanager.com). Most of the time, Keplinger’s customers paid by check sent via UPS. After Keplinger accepted payment, he either sent no engine at all or sent the customer a defective engine obtained in the United States, often from a junkyard. United States Customs and Border Protection records indicate that Keplinger had stopped importing engines in 2007. The total estimated loss from Keplinger’s fraud is approximately $470,000.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher S. Hales is prosecuting the case.
Keplinger is currently in state custody in San Joaquin County.
If convicted, Keplinger faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced to 51 months in PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI - District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez today sentenced Daniel Reyes Hurtado, 37, of St Thomas, to 51 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Hurtado to register as a sex offender and pay a special assessment of $100.
According to court records, Hurtado used his laptop computer to download in excess of 600 child pornography images from a peer-to-peer sharing network.
Suspected child exploitation or missing children cases may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 202-514-5678, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at (340) 693-2250.
This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Everard E. Potter.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On Friday, August 21, 2015, Dwayne Fahie, 26, pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Thomas to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2015.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on April 24, 2015, Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Officers conducted a traffic stop for illegal tint on a vehicle in which Fahie was the passenger. After observing furtive movements, Fahie was directed out of the car and fled the scene. After running from VIPD officers Fahie fell, exposing the handle of a firearm. VIPD officers recovered the firearm. Fahie was a convicted felon and not authorized to possess a firearm. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the VIPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Firearm ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Chief District Court Judge Wilma A. Lewis on Wednesday sentenced Gregory Williams, Jr., 24, of St. Croix, to 12 months in prison for Illegally Receiving a Firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Lewis also sentenced Williams to one year of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine.
In April of this year, Williams pleaded guilty to Illegal Receipt of Firearms. As part of his plea, Williams admitted that in January 2015, he picked up a package at the post office that had been sent from Florida knowing it contained an illegal firearm. The package contained a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol with an obliterated serial number. Williams, a resident of St. Croix, is not a licensed importer, dealer, or collector of firearms.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rami S. Badawy.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Gun Charge
St. Croix, USVI – On Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Edigberto Diaz, 46, pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Croix to Interference with Commerce by Robbery and Using and Carrying a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on June 21, 2014, Diaz and an accomplice entered Quality Foods in Estate Castle Coakley armed with handguns. Diaz and the accomplice entered into an office area, pointed their handguns at two individuals and demanded that they open the safe. Diaz and his accomplice removed $24,289.17 in cash and checks that were in deposit bags inside the safe. They also took cellular telephones, a music player, laptop computer, checkbook and backpacks from the victims. Subsequently, police arrived at the scene of the crime and arrested Diaz, who was carrying a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun with an obliterated serial number containing 14 rounds of ammunition.
Diaz faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine for the robbery charge and a mandatory seven years and $250,000.00 fine for the gun charge. A sentencing date has been set for December 17, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Distribution and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, Dwayne Friday, 37, pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Croix to Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on November 19, 2014, Friday sold five baggies of cocaine to an undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent on the Christiansted Boardwalk. In addition, on March 14, 2015, police responded to a citizen complaint that a male individual pointed a gun at another person on the Christiansted Boardwalk. Officers responded and approached the individual, later identified as Friday, who told police that he had a gun on him to protect himself and people on the boardwalk as he was doing security. After Friday admitted that he did not have a license to carry the gun, the officers seized the gun. A subsequent search of Friday yielded 26 dime bags of white powdery substance, 13 artist cups of marijuana, 23 dime bags of marijuana and $373 in cash. Field tests determined that the white powdery substance was cocaine. Friday faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on the drug charges and a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years and a $250,000fine on the gun charge.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the DEA. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews.
St. Croix Man Arrested on Firearm Possession and Related ChargeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI –Shawki Thomas, 25, was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number and Unlawful Mailing of a Firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. After his arrest, Thomas made his initial appearance in District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon. Judge Cannon ordered Thomas to remain in custody pending a detention hearing Friday.
If convicted of Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If convicted of Unlawful Mailing of a Firearm, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Stringer.
Sandia Corporation Agrees to Pay $4.7 Million to Resolve Allegations Related to Lobbying ActivitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Sandia Corporation has agreed to pay $4,790,042 to resolve allegations that Sandia violated the Byrd Amendment and the False Claims Act by using federal funds for activities related to lobbying Congress and federal agencies to obtain a renewal of its Management and Operating (M&O) Contract with the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to operate the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). Sandia is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC).
“The money allocated by Congress for the Sandia National Laboratories is designed to fund the important mission carried out by our national laboratories, not to lobby Congress for more funding,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This resolution demonstrates that the Justice Department will work to ensure that public funds are used for the important purposes for which they are intended.”
Between 1993 and the present, NNSA contracted with Sandia to manage and operate the SNL, a government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory that is part of the NNSA’s nuclear weapons complex, with its main facilities located in Albuquerque and Livermore, California. Between 2008 and 2012, Sandia allegedly used federal funds to support activities to lobby Congress and other federal officials to receive a non-competitive extension of the M&O Contract in violation of a federal law known as the Byrd Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds for lobbying.
“Using public funds to lobby for a non-competitive extension of a contract is simply unacceptable,” said Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman of the DOE. “I salute the work of the Department of Justice in pursuing this matter and the work of the Office of Inspector General professionals who were responsible for gathering the facts that served as the basis for the settlement.”
This case was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch with investigative assistance provided by the DOE’s Office of Inspector General.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no admission of liability.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Preparing Fraudulent Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 57-year-old Sampson Delton Cotten was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $ 111,676.00 restitution to the federal government for his scheme to prepare and file fraudulent Income Tax returns announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Cotter.
On May 14, 2015, Cotten pleaded guilty to one count of preparing fraudulent income tax returns. By pleading guilty, Cotten admitted that in April 2008, he prepared and filed a false tax return whereby he claimed the named taxpayer had incurred a business loss in the amount of $43,100.00 when, in fact, the individual did not have any such business or incurred any loss.
IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Cotter said, “While a majority of return preparers provide reputable service to their clients, a few unscrupulous tax preparers file false and fraudulent returns to defraud the government and their own clients. IRS special agents use their investigative and financial expertise to detect and hold accountable abusive tax return preparers, such as Mr. Cotten, who falsify exemptions and business income or losses in their elaborate schemes to defraud the U.S. taxpayer. This sentence serves as a reminder that all tax professionals have to respect the law and protect the interests of their clients and the taxpaying public.”
This case was investigated by special agents with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William R. Harris prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 60 Years Federal Imprisonment for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 27-year-old Ryan Bradley Pitts was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for production of child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
On May 14, 2015, Pitts pleaded guilty to six counts of production of child pornography. According to court records, on numerous occasions between June 2008 and February 2012, Pitts sexually assaulted six different children, ages 3 to 10, for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the activity. Pitts also used peer-to-peer software to trade child pornography with others.
Pitts has remained in federal custody since his arrest in November 2013. During this investigation, FBI agents seized Pitts’ laptop computer, cell phone and other digital media devices. A forensics examination of the seized equipment revealed the presence of more than 21,500 images and 1,200 videos depicting child pornography.
This Project Safe Childhood case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs stated “This case demonstrates the FBI’s strong commitment to protect children, who are among the most vulnerable in our society, from being targeted and sexually exploited by child predators”.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
San Angelo Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Federal Prison for Using Facebook Chat to Entice Minor Females to Engage in Sexual Activity with HimRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — Jose Angel Zapata, 24, of San Angelo, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 168 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in April 2015 to two counts of enticement of a minor and aiding and abetting, announced U.S. Attorney John R. Parker of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
According to documents filed in the case, beginning in March 2014 and continuing to approximately mid-December 2014, Zapata engaged in a relationship with “Jane Doe 2,” using Facebook chat, in which he knowingly attempted to persuade, induce and entice “Jane Doe 2” to engage in sexual activity with him. Zapata knew that “Jane Doe 2” was under age 17. In March 2014, Zapata met her in a parking lot in San Angelo where they engaged in sexual activity.
From approximately September 2014 to early March 2015, Zapata also engaged in a relationship, using Facebook chat, with “Jane Doe 4,” a minor female. In those communications, Zapata knowingly attempted to persuade, induce and entice “Jane Doe 4” to engage in various sexual acts with him. Zapata knew she was under age 17. In his first communication with “Jane Doe 4,” Zapata offered to pay her $100 if she would engage in a specific sex act with him. The following month, “Jane Doe 4” asked Zapata to give her a ride. He asked her if she would do anything for him if he gave her a ride, and she agreed that she would. Approximately one week later, Zapata met with “Jane Doe 4,” and they engaged in sexual activity.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy was in charge of the prosecution.
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Richard Balderas IndictedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- United States Attorney David A. Capp announced today that Richard Balderas, 19 of Hammond, Indiana was indicted for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
According to documents filed in the case, on August 19, 2015 Balderas, who has a prior felony conviction through state court, was found in possession of a .357/.38 caliber revolver during the execution of a search warrant. The firearm that was found in the defendant’s possession had a filed off serial number.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) and Hammond Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 44-old Spring resident has been charged by criminal complaint on allegations he received and possessed images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Gregg Carl Baird was arrested yesterday and is expected to make his initial appearance on the charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson at 2:00 p.m. today. At that time, the government expects to request he remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
According to the criminal complaint, an investigation led authorities to believe Baird was accessing files from a website known to contain child pornography. According to the court document, Baird accessed a file containing an image that depicted three prepubescent boys engaged in explicit sexual activity, to include penetration of each other and oral sex. Baird also allegedly accessed a link that contained more than 30 contact sheets of child pornography. A contact sheet is an image that displays several images as an array of thumbnails. Some of the images allegedly depicted a prepubescent male being anally penetrated by another child, while other images depicted a male child being orally penetrated by an adult male, according to the allegations. As a result of the investigation and information, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Baird’s address yesterday.
According to the criminal complaint, an FBI agent previewed a thumb drive believed to be associated with Baird and observed approximately 50 images of child pornography. The majority of the images allegedly depicted boys under the age of 15 with their genitals lasciviously displayed. The criminal complaint also alleges Baird possessed images of child pornography depicting prepubescent males being penetrated orally and anally.
The criminal complaint indicates Baird is a registered sex offender.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Houston FBI Child Exploitation Task Force with the assistance of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
If convicted, Baird faces a minimum of 15 and up to 40 years for receiving child pornography and up to 20 years for the possession charge. Following his release, he will also face a term of up to life on supervised release.
The prosecution is being 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."
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Puerto Rico Police Officer Assigned to the Caguas Property Division Arrested for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Yesterday, a federal grand jury indicted Puerto Rico Police Officer Claudé Luis Merced-Aponte, 49, for possession and receipt of child pornography, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Today, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) arrested him without incident.
Count one of the Indictment alleges that on or about April 7, 2015, Merced-Aponte did knowingly possess material which contained images of child pornography, that is, images of minors and prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Count two alleges that in or about the year 2012 the defendant received, via the Internet, similar images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Claudé Luis Merced-Aponte is also facing a Forfeiture Allegation which includes various computers, cellular phones, external hard drives and memory sticks. The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison if he is found guilty.
“No one is above the law, no matter what rank or badge a person might hold,” said United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “Exploitation by those entrusted to enforce the law strikes at the heart of our criminal justice system, and it will not be tolerated. This case lays bare a disgraceful attempt by a veteran police officer to mistakenly believe that he could commit heinous crimes against children and hide in the shadows. The Justice Department will fight criminals wherever we find them, even within the ranks of law enforcement.”
“These allegations are particularly troubling and disturbing because of Mr. Merced-Aponte’s position of trust as a law enforcement officer,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “Identifying people who violate their positions of public trust by contributing to the exploitation of children is a top priority for HSI as our statistics show. This year, we have seen an alarming increase of 47 percent in these cases as compared to fiscal year 2014. We cannot, and will not, tolerate that. HSI will continue identifying, arresting and prosecuting those who attempt against the safety and security of our children regardless of who they are.”
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Caraballo, from the Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Unit, is in charge of the prosecution of the case. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
Pleasants County man convicted in methamphetamine manufacturing operationRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Samuel Scott Butler, 24, of Saint Marys, West Virginia, was convicted in federal court today for his role in manufacturing methamphetamine, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Butler was one of six individuals charged in a 19-count federal indictment in June 2015. Baker was discovered in Wetzel County, West Virginia in possession of pseudoephedrine, an ingredient commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Butler pled guilty today to a criminal Information charging him with one count of “Possession of Material Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Pleasants Count Sheriff’s Department investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.
Pittsburg Resident Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO- Ebony Standifer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false claims and aggravated identity theft for her role in a tax fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon.
According to the plea agreement, Standifer, 28, of Pittsburg, Calif., admitted she conspired with others to file false federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service from 2010 through 2012. As part of the scheme, individuals with whom Standifer conspired provided her with names of people for whom to file false tax returns. Standifer used those identities and filed returns without showing the documents to the people listed on them. In addition to inserting the person’s name and Social Security number, Standifer made up figures for income and the amount of taxes that were withheld. She then requested a tax refund based on these made-up figures. Standifer filed the false returns electronically from various locations and kept notebooks that recorded information regarding the people whose identity she misappropriated. The information she recorded included the victim's name, Social Security number, the amount of the false tax refund that she claimed in that person's name, and whether the false tax return was “accepted” or “rejected.” Further, to carry out the scheme, Standifer requested that the IRS deposit the fraudulent tax refund onto pre-paid debit cards that she could access. In total, during 2010-2012, Standifer filed or assisted in filing false tax returns in the aggregate amount of $656,000 for the 2009-2011 tax years. Of that amount, the IRS actually paid fraudulent claims in the amount of $193,602.
Standifer was indicted by a grand jury on October 28, 2014. She was charged with one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 286; five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 1343; and three counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A. Under the plea agreement, Standifer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false claims and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Standifer is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2016, by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, United States District Judge. The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to file a false claim is ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft is a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000 plus 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 sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Newman is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS, Criminal Investigation.
Pipe Line Company’s Project Coordinator at Roscoe, Texas, Facility Senteced to 33 Months in Federal Prison on Wire Fraud ConvictionRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — Gerald Allen Williams, 55, of Roscoe, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 33 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $410,094.98 in restitution, following his guilty plea in April 2015 to one count of wire fraud stemming from a fraudulent invoicing scheme he ran while working at Chevron Pipe Line Company. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Judge Cummings ordered that Williams surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on or before 2:00 p.m. on September 25, 2015.
According to documents filed in the case, Williams worked as a Project Coordinator at Chevron Pipe Line Company’s Roscoe, Texas, facility. He was responsible for ensuring the completion of several construction and maintenance projects.
E.D. Walton Construction Company (EDW) out of Snyder, Texas, was a Chevron contractor that performed various construction and maintenance projects for Chevron.
Sometime around 2006-2007, according to plea documents filed, Williams approached EDW about a fraudulent invoicing scheme. EDW would create fictitious invoices and submit them to Chevron through the Arriba System, Chevron’s system for receiving and paying invoices. Williams would approve the fictitious invoices for payment, and the fictitious invoices would be processed for payment to EDW. Once EDW received payment for the fictitious invoices, it would pay Williams, in cash, the exact amount of the fictitious invoice. EDW did not receive any of the proceeds from the fictitious invoicing; Williams received all the proceeds. The scheme continued until approximately December 2011.
Williams admitted that he knowingly devised or intended to devise the scheme to defraud Chevron of money by means of false and fraudulent invoices. He further admitted he acted with the specific intent to deceive or cheat Chevron into thinking that EDW had completed various construction and maintenance projects for Chevron, when in fact, Williams knew EDW had not completed those projects.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey R. Haag prosecuted.
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Physician Admits Writing Prescriptions in the Names of Patients to Obtain Drugs for His Own UseRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Peter Wisniewski, age 52, of Huntingtown, Maryland, a physician in a Calvert County medical group, pleaded guilty today to three counts of possession of a controlled substance. Wisniewski admitted that he wrote prescriptions in the names of three of his patients for Oxycodone and Adderall that he then kept for his own use.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services; and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans.
According to his plea agreement, between March 2012 and April 2015, Wisniewski wrote prescriptions for Oxycodone and Adderall in the names of three elderly patients but kept the drugs for himself. Wisniewski caused the pharmacy to fill the prescriptions, and he picked up the prescriptions without the knowledge or authorization of the patients in whose names he had written the prescriptions. Wisniewski falsely represented to the pharmacy that as the prescribing physician he was collecting the prescriptions in order to deliver them to his elderly patients.
To conceal the scheme, Wisniewski created false entries in the medical files of the three patients in whose names he was writing the prescriptions. During the scheme Wisniewski obtained more than 8,000 Oxycodone pills written in the names of those three patients.
The determination of what sentence to impose will be made by the sentencing judge, subject to a maximum of three years in prison. In light of the facts of the case, which will be more fully explained at sentencing, the government agreed to recommend a sentence of three years of probation and a fine of at least $40,000, which will be due on the date of Wisniewski’s sentencing. In addition, Wisniewski will voluntarily surrender his DEA controlled substances license and will not practice medicine for at least two years. The decision whether to allow Wisniewski to practice medicine at all in the future must be made by the state medical board. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for October 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah J. Bressack and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, who are prosecuting the case.
Pensacola Businessman Indicted on Multiple Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Herdeypal Singh Bhatti, 41, of Pensacola, was arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned two separate indictments charging him with unlawfully attempting to procure naturalization and with wire and mail fraud. The indictments were announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The naturalization indictment alleges that, in November 2011, Bhatti knowingly and falsely indicated on his naturalization application that he never failed to file a required federal income tax return and that he did not owe overdue federal taxes. The trial is scheduled for September 21, 2015.
The fraud indictment alleges that, in 2010 and 2011, Bhatti committed wire and mail fraud by knowingly submitting fraudulent claims and supporting documentation to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility ("GCCF") in connection with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The indictment alleges that Bhatti falsely claimed to be a hotel manager seeking payment for his lost earnings from the spill. The trial is scheduled for October 5, 2015.
These cases resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, and the State Attorney's Office for the 1st Judicial Circuit. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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]
Pennsylvania man sentenced for heroin traffickingRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Crenshaw, 62, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for heroin trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Crenshaw distributed heroin in December 2014 near Koupal Towers, a public housing authority facility in Harrison County, West Virginia. He pled guilty in March 2015 to one count of “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Operator of Music Piracy Websites Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright InfringementRead the Press Release
A North Carolina man pleaded guilty today to reproducing and distributing without permission millions of infringing digital copies of copyrighted works, including copies of popular songs and albums before they were commercially available.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Clark E. Settles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) in Washington, D.C., made the announcement.
Rocky P. Ouprasith, 23, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal copyright infringement before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller of the Eastern District of Virginia. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2015.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, between May 2011 and October 2014, Ouprasith operated RockDizMusic.com, a website originally hosted on servers in France and later in Canada, from which Internet users could find and download infringing digital copies of popular, copyrighted songs and albums. Ouprasith admitted that he obtained digital copies of copyrighted songs and albums from online sources, and that he encouraged and solicited others, referred to as “affiliates,” to upload digital copies of copyrighted songs and albums to websites, including RockDizFile.com, that were hosted on servers in Russia, France and the Netherlands, and that hosted hyperlinks to content being offered for download on RockDizMusic.com. Ouprasith further admitted that to encourage such activity, he agreed to pay the affiliates based on the number of downloads from his website.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, in 2013, RockDizFile.com was the second-largest online file sharing website specializing in the reproduction and distribution of infringing copies of copyrighted music in the United States. Ouprasith admitted that, in 2013 and 2014, he either ignored or pretended to take remedial action in response to complaints from copyright holders and their representatives that the website contained links to infringing copies protected songs and albums.
In October 2014, federal law enforcement authorities shut down RockDizMusic.com and RockDizFile.com, and law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands and France seized file-hosting servers utilized by Ouprasith.
In connection with his guilty plea, Ouprasith admitted that the market value of his illegally pirated material was more than $2.5 million.
This case is being investigated by ICE-HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Chief for Litigation John H. Zacharia of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Stoker of the Eastern District of Virginia. The CCIPS Cyber Crime Lab, the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, as well as Dutch, French and Canadian law enforcement officials have provided significant assistance.
The enforcement action announced today is related to the many efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force). The IP Task Force supports prosecution priorities, promotes innovation through heightened civil enforcement, enhances coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and focuses on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders. To learn more about the IP Task Force, go to www.justice.gov/dag/iptaskforce.
Ouprasith Plea Agreement
Ouprasith Statement of Facts
Operator of Music Piracy Websites Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright InfringementRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A North Carolina man pleaded guilty today to reproducing and distributing without permission millions of infringing digital copies of copyrighted works, including copies of popular songs and albums before they were commercially available.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Clark E. Settles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) in Washington, D.C., made the announcement.
Rocky P. Ouprasith, 23, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal copyright infringement before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller in Norfolk, Virginia. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2015.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, between May 2011 and October 2014, Ouprasith operated RockDizMusic.com, a website originally hosted on servers in France and later in Canada, from which Internet users could find and download infringing digital copies of popular, copyrighted songs and albums. Ouprasith admitted that he obtained digital copies of copyrighted songs and albums from online sources, and that he encouraged and solicited others, referred to as “affiliates,” to upload digital copies of copyrighted songs and albums to websites, including RockDizFile.com, that were hosted on servers in Russia, France and the Netherlands, and that hosted hyperlinks to content being offered for download on RockDizMusic.com. Ouprasith further admitted that to encourage such activity, he agreed to pay the affiliates based on the number of downloads from his website.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, in 2013, RockDizFile.com was the second-largest online file sharing website specializing in the reproduction and distribution of infringing copies of copyrighted music in the United States. Ouprasith admitted that, in 2013 and 2014, he either ignored or pretended to take remedial action in response to complaints from copyright holders and their representatives that the website contained links to infringing copies protected songs and albums.
In October 2014, federal law enforcement authorities shut down RockDizMusic.com and RockDizFile.com, and law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands and France seized file-hosting servers utilized by Ouprasith.
In connection with his guilty plea, Ouprasith admitted that the market value of his illegally pirated material was more than $2.5 million.
This case is being investigated by ICE-HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Chief for Litigation John H. Zacharia of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Stoker of the Eastern District of Virginia. The CCIPS Cyber Crime Lab, the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, as well as Dutch, French and Canadian law enforcement officials have provided significant assistance.
The enforcement action announced today is related to the many efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force). The IP Task Force supports prosecution priorities, promotes innovation through heightened civil enforcement, enhances coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and focuses on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders. To learn more about the IP Task Force, go to www.justice.gov/iptf.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:15-cr-95.
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Oakland Resident Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Paul Lamont Lee was sentenced today to 42 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $269,895 for his role in a tax fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon.
On March 13, 2014, Lee, 51, of Oakland, was charged along with his former girlfriend, Akysha Rockwell, 42, of Oakland, in a twenty-count indictment. According to the indictment, between January 12, 2012, and July 16, 2012, Lee and Rockwell participated in a scheme to obtain and help others obtain refunds from the IRS based on false claims. The indictment alleges Lee and Rockwell obtained names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for numerous people then electronically filed federal income tax returns in the names of these other people. The indictment further alleged that the defendants claimed refunds derived from false tax credits, including the Earned Income Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Credit. The indictment charged both Lee and Rockwell with conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 286. In addition, the indictment charged Lee with thirteen counts of filing false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287; and three counts of identity fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(7). Under the plea agreement, Lee pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and false claims counts.
Lee’s sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge. Judge Tigar also sentenced Lee to a 3 year period of supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $269,895. Lee surrendered to the U.S. Marshal on December 17, 2014, and has been in custody since that date.
As for Rockwell, in addition to the conspiracy charge, she was charged with three counts of filing false claims. Rockwell, pleaded guilty on January 16, 2015, to conspiracy to file a false claim and one count of filing a false claim. She was sentenced on June 16, 2015, to eighteen months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $285,034.
Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Moore is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
Nurse Sentenced for Adulterating DrugsRead the Press Release
For Further Information, Contact: Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson (619) 546-7976
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 21, 2015
SAN DIEGO –Sarah Elizabeth Martin, a registered nurse from San Diego, was sentenced today to three years of probation, a $1,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution and complete a six-month residential drug rehabilitation program for removing Meperidine Hydrochloride (a generic form of Demerol®) from vials at the clinic where she worked in La Jolla with a syringe and replacing them with saline solution.
In order to conceal the adulteration, Martin glued the caps back on the vials and placed them back in the locker at the clinic with the other drugs to be administered to patients, intending to make it appear that the vials were untouched. Although the adulterated drugs were administered to between 50-250 patients at the clinic, based on the investigation, there is no evidence that Martin’s conduct led to the harm of any patient, or involved a conscious or reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury.
At sentencing, Martin acknowledged that as a result of receiving treatment for a medical condition, she developed an addiction to pain medication, and began injecting herself with the generic Demerol® she had taken from the clinic.
“Consumers and especially patients rely on FDA to ensure that the prescription drugs they take are safe and effective; when actions compromise either the safety or the effectiveness of those medications, we will intervene,” said Lisa L. Malinowski, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue our vigilance and work to ensure that those who violate the public’s trust and endanger the public health will be brought to justice.”
DEFENDANT
Sarah Elizabeth Martin Age: 25
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Adulteration of Drug Held for Sale– Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 331(k) and 333(a)(2)
Maximum penalty: Three years in custody and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Food and Drug Administration, Criminal Investigations Division
Nigerian Citizen Sentenced to 20 Years for International Conspiriacy to Commit Federal FraudRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – A Nigerian citizen arrested in Indiana, one of twenty-one defendants indicted in a nine-count federal indictment filed in the Southern District of Mississippi, was sentenced on Thursday, August 20, 2015, for his role in a conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis.
Teslim Olarewaju Kiriji, 30, of Lagos, Nigeria and Brownsburg, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sul Ozerden to 240 months in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and serve three years of post-release supervision. Kiriji admitted to being part of an international organization involved in multiple on-line fraud schemes that included the use of victim’s personal identification, banking and credit information. Testimony presented showed Kiriji was involved in the use and distribution of victims’ personal, bank and credit card information beginning in at least 2004 and continuing to his May 2014 arrest. Evidence presented at sentencing supported $50,000,000 in intended losses through counterfeit check schemes and account take-over schemes by the conspiracy.
The indictment in this case alleges a West African transnational organized crime enterprise involved in numerous complex financial fraud schemes over the internet. This mass marketing fraud includes romance scams, re-shipping scams, fraudulent check scams and work-at-home scams, along with bank, financial and credit card account take-overs.
The investigation was initiated in October, 2011, by Homeland Security Investigations agents in Gulfport after U.S. law enforcement officers were contacted by a woman in Mississippi who was the victim of a sweetheart scam. The victim received a package in the mail requesting that she reship the merchandise to an address in Pretoria, South Africa. The investigation later revealed that the merchandise was purchased using stolen personal identity information and fraudulent credit card information of persons in the United States. Investigators have identified thousands of victims of this scam in the United States, resulting in the loss of millions of U.S. dollars.
The indictment is the result of an investigation led by the HSI Gulfport office in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, South African Police Service, Toronto Police, HSI Cyber Crimes Center, Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture, HSI Ontario, HSI Charleston, Interpol South Africa, HSI Pretoria and HSI Atlanta.
The case in Mississippi is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annette Williams and Scott Gilbert along with Robert Tully of the Organized Crime Gang Section of the Department of Justice.
New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Stealing Money from Open WorldRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that KIM CASSELL, age 42, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with stealing money from Open World Family Services, Inc. (“Open World”). Open World was a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation organized for the purpose of helping students in the greater New Orleans area grow academically.
From March 2010 until June 2012, CASSELL knowingly used federal grant money from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program, amounting to more than $140,000, for her personal benefit, rather than for educational, grant related purposes.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced CASSELL to five years of probation with six months electronic monitoring and $149,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman was in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Documents to the Road Home ProgramRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DEBORAH FORTNER, age 53, of New Orleans, entered a plea of guilty yesterday to one count of submitting false documents to the Road Home Program.
According to court records, FORTNER applied for a LRHP grant to renovate her home after Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, Fortner was awarded a $97,899 grant from the LRHP. In 2011, the LRHP contacted FORTNER to request proof of pre-storm occupancy related to her property. As a result of the request, FORTNER faxed a copy of an altered bank statement to the LRHP. The mailing address on the bank statement had been changed by FORTNER to make it appear that FORTNER was receiving mail at that property prior to Hurricane Katrina. In 2013, the LRHP again contacted FORTNER and requested proof of occupancy related to her property. In response to LRHP’s request, FORTNER faxed a copy of a New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (“S&WB”) statement to the LRHP. The submitted S&WB document falsely contained the address of the property. The false documents were submitted by FORTNER to the LRHP in order to prove compliance with the grant covenants and to prevent FORTNER from having to pay the funds back to the LRHP.
FORTNER faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for December 3, 2015.
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development- Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are in charge of investigating this matter. Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is in charge of the prosecution.
Munhall Man Charged with Murder in State Court Gets 25 Years in Prison for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Andre Ruffin, a former resident of Munhall, Pa., was sentenced yesterday to 300 months (25 years) in prison and five years of post-release supervision, by Senior U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. Ruffin was convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition by a federal jury on March 4, 2015.
According to information that was presented to the court, Ruffin had been under investigation, by the Allegheny County Police – Homicide Section, for the death of Loretta Jackson that occurred on April 11, 2013. During that investigation, as was revealed at trial, a search warrant was executed at Ruffin’s home on April 22, 2013. During the search of Ruffin’s residence officers recovered an assault weapon and a component for an assault weapon known as a lower receiver. Officers also recovered multiple rounds of various caliber ammunition, a bullet proof vest, firearms holsters, firearms magazines, and various firearms paraphernalia and components.
Subsequent to the search, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives obtained records and conducted interviews that demonstrated that Ruffin had used his girlfriend (as a “straw purchaser”) to purchase the two firearms from Anthony Arms and Accessories, a West Mifflin firearms dealer, for his own possession. As a convicted felon, Ruffin was not legally permitted to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition. ATF also obtained records and information revealing more than a dozen deliveries of firearms-related parts and paraphernalia were made to the Ruffin home.
Federal law prohibits a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment in excess of one year from lawfully possessing a firearm, firearm components such as a receiver, and ammunition. Ruffin had been convicted of a multitude of felony offenses including: carjacking; using a firearm during a crime of violence; robbery; attempted theft; and aggravated assault. During the sentencing hearing Judge McVerry noted that Ruffin, through his criminal history, had displayed "absolutely no respect for the law" as well as a "complete and utter disrespect for the law."
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan B. Ortiz and Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office - Crime Laboratory, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Munhall Police Department and the United States Marshal Service conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
After being convicted in this federal case, Ruffin was charged by the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office for having committed the Loretta Jackson homicide. He is currently pending trial in the Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County for that charge. Any person having information relating to Ruffin and/or the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Allegheny County Police Department – Homicide Section should contact Lieutenant Andrew Shurman at 412-473-1300.
Multi-Agency Cooperation Nets Drugs, Stolen Vehicles and Guns in North IdahoRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – This week, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement officers made several separate arrests leading to the seizure of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, cash, firearms, and stolen vehicles, in northern Idaho. Three of those arrested, Blair Ty Murphy, 40, of Lewiston, Idaho, Darin Taylor, 55, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Hugo Chavez Acevedo, 34, of Pullman, Washington, were arrested on federal charges. The defendants were indicted on August 18, 2015, by a federal grand jury sitting in Coeur d’Alene.
In separate indictments, the defendants stand charged as follows:
Blair Ty Murphy: conspiracy to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of methamphetamine. The charges are punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release.
Darin Kyle Taylor: possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. The charges are punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release.
Hugo Chavez Acevedo: possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. The methamphetamine charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release. The heroin charge is punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release.
The defendants were arraigned yesterday in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mikel H. Williams where they entered not guilty pleas, and the cases were set for jury trial in Coeur d’Alene on October 20, 2015.
Representatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Idaho State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Nez Perce Tribal Police, and Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation and arrests.
U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson, commended those involved in these investigations stating, “This collaborative effort by federal, tribal, and state authorities has disrupted the flow of dangerous drugs that compromise the safety and well-being of our families and communities.”
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Metro-East Woman Sentenced for Fraudulent Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Sylvia Baker, 30, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was sentenced to six months halfway house incarceration followed by six months home detention with electronic monitoring as a condition of three years supervised release for her convictions of conspiracy to defraud the United States by making false claims for tax refunds to the Internal Revenue Service by submitting false federal income tax returns, and five additional counts for making false claims for federal tax refunds, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sylvia Baker was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $16,356 and a special assessment of $600.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Marion Prison Inmate Sentenced to an Additional 5 Years for Assaulting Correctional OfficersRead the Press Release
Erick Roman, 38, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Marion, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to charges that he assaulted three different correctional officers on three different occasions at that facility, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The offenses were committed at USP-Marion on August 20, 2014, September 13, 2014, and September 28, 2014. At the time of the assaults Roman was serving a 60 year federal sentence imposed in the District of Maryland for Conspiracy to Participate in a Racketeering Enterprise.
A sentencing hearing was held immediately following the entry of the guilty pleas. Roman was sentenced to a 5 year term of imprisonment for the assaults and that sentence was imposed consecutively to the 60 year sentence he was already serving. Roman was also ordered to pay $383 in restitution to the victims of his assaults and $300 in special assessments to the United States. A three year term of supervised release to follow his incarceration was also imposed.
Roman was immediately returned to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to resume serving his sentences.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Marijuana Cultivators Indicted for Growing Marijuana in the Shasta-Trinity National ForestRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment Thursday against Jesus Gonzalez-Alvizo, 25, and Reimundo Arriaga-Arriaga, 37, residents of Mexico, charging them with conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, manufacture of marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and depredation of public lands and resources, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, on August 6, 2015, federal and state law enforcement authorities searched a marijuana cultivation site near Tedoc Gap in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Tehama County where they found approximately 4,838 marijuana plants growing. Gonzalez‑Alvizo and Arriaga-Arriaga were found at the site and were carrying handguns. They were arrested and are in custody pending trial.
A scientific expert who evaluated the marijuana cultivation site noted extensive resource damage at the site. The expert noted that chemical pesticides at the site included Carbofuran, a highly toxic chemical that is extremely dangerous to humans and to aquatic and terrestrial life, and which is banned in the United States.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the North State Marijuana Investigation Team (NSMIT), the Bureau of Land Management, and the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christiaan Highsmith is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Gonzalez-Alvizo and Arriaga-Arriaga face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $10 million fine on the conspiracy and manufacture of marijuana charges. They face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking charge. And they face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the depredation of public lands and resources charge. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Man Is Sentenced for Failure to Notify Authorities of Large Scale Mortgage Fraud Scheme Resulting in $24 Million Loss to Financial InstitutionsRead 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 Ignacio Huergo, age 44, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to 2 years’ probation, with six months to be served on home confinement, for his conviction for concealing massive financial institution fraud. Huergo was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $736,254.25 to M&T Bank.Assistant U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, who is handling the case, stated that Huergo worked for Garcia’s companies, Federal Guaranty Mortgage Company (FGMC) and Guaranty Reality and Investment (GRI) as a bookkeeper and tax preparer between 2006 and 2008. During that time, Huergo became aware of the business practices of Garcia, and knew that Garcia used him and another person as straw buyers as part of this vast mortgage fraud scheme. The defendant also knew that Garcia manipulated financial statements that Huergo drafted, which were sent to financial institutions, indicating that FGMC had a minimum net worth of over $1,000,000. Knowing about the fraud and the two ways it was perpetrated, Huergo failed to notify the authorities of Garcia’s fraud, resulting in a $24 million dollar loss to various financial institutions. One such institution, M & T Bank, was defrauded out of approximately $4.4 million.
Garcia has previously pleaded guilty to his part in this $24 million financial institution fraud scheme. GARCIA is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2015.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge, Brian P. Boetig.
Lubbock Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — Connor Michael Campbell, 22, of Lubbock, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 10 years in federal prison, following his guilty plea in April 2015 to one count of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Campbell was taken into custody at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
According to documents filed in the case, from approximately February to December 2014, Campbell was a member of an Internet website that provided access to images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. That membership required him to upload at least one file depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, at least every 60 days, to maintain his membership. During that time, Campbell maintained his membership, and he downloaded numerous images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and he saved those images on an external hard drive.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The FBI, the Lubbock Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Texas Tech Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy was in charge of the prosecution.
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Jefferson County woman convicted in Baltimore to West Virginia heroin trafficking operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Melissa Dawn Portrey, 47, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was convicted of heroin trafficking in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Portrey was involved in an extensive drug trafficking operation in which heroin was transported across state lines from Baltimore, Maryland into West Virginia. The operation was disrupted in June 2015 by a 163-count federal indictment encompassing 41 defendants.
Portrey pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Interstate Travel in aid of Racketeering.” She faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Jefferson County Man Sentenced to 210 Months on Methamphetamine Related ChargesRead the Press Release
A Jefferson County man was sentenced on August 20, 2015, to federal prison on methamphetamine related charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Robert A. Tate, 31, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison, three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, and fined $200. Tate was convicted following a two day jury trial on both counts in a federal indictment.
"If you are wondering about this very lengthy and well-deserved sentence, I would simply say that meth is a killer and destroyer of lives, and those who sell it do so knowing that they are killing people in our communities. If you think about making or selling meth, please think about spending a good part of your life behind federal bars." noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
Count 1 charged that from February 2013, until on or about June 2014, in Jefferson County, Tate knowingly conspired to manufacture methamphetamine. Count 2 charged that on March 31, 2014, in Jefferson County, Tate knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Jackson County Man Convicted of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – A federal trial jury convicted Charles Heath Stewart, 42, of Grand Ridge, Florida, of producing and possessing child pornography. The verdict was announced today by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
At trial, the government presented evidence that, on three occasions, in September, October, and November 2013, Stewart knowingly enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. Additionally, evidence presented at trial showed that Stewart knowingly possessed child pornographic images. Law enforcement officers discovered the sexually explicit images when they executed state and federal search warrants on Stewart’s phone in 2014.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse, 30 West Government Street, Panama City, Florida. For each count of production of child pornography, Stewart faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison, life on supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. For the possession of child pornography, Stewart faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, life on supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, whose joint investigation led to the conviction in this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger.
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 available 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]
Information: Federal Court ArraignmentsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Ostby in Billings on August 19, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- DEAN WALLOWING BULL, a 36-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of sexual abuse. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, WALLOWING BULL faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference. 15-32
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Lynch in Missoula on August 19, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- JODY RAY KOESTLER, a 59-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of wire fraud; theft of government property and false statements. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, KOESTLER faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration. PACER Case Reference. 15-27
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on August 19, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- DAVE VICTOR FAST HORSE III, a 27-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared on charges of burglary. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, FAST HORSE faces 20 years in prison, $50,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice. PACER Case Reference. 15-45
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Lynch in Missoula on August 18, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- LAVELLE ANTRON COTTON, a 34-year-old resident of Seattle, Washington, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, COTTON faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference. 15-13
- SERGIO DIAZ-HINOJOS, a 36-year-old resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, appeared on charges of illegal entry. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, DIAZ-HINOJOS faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference. 15-15
- ALBERT PEDRO JAQUEZ, JR., a 35-year-old resident of Seattle, Washington, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, JAQUEZ faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference. 15-13
- JASON HOMER JENKINS, a 38-year-old resident of Belgrade, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, JENKINS faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference. 15-31
- DAVID LAWRENCE JENSEN, a 43-year-old resident of Columbia Falls, appeared on charges of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, JENSEN faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference. 15-15
- TRITTNIE VON ROGERS, a 23-year-old resident of Seattle, Washington, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ROGERS faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference. 15-13
- BOB YOUNG, a 64-year-old resident of Lima, appeared on charges of theft of government property and trees cut or injured. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the information, YOUNG faces 1 year in prison, $100,000 in fines and 1 year supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PACER Case Reference. 15-26
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on August 18, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- REZAUL ALAM, a 28-year-old resident of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, appeared on charges of transporting illegal aliens and bringing aliens to the United States. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ALAM faces 5 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference. 15-33
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Ostby in Billings on August 18, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- SAMUEL TAKESHORSE, a 58-year-old transient, appeared on charges of criminal mischief. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, TAKESHORSE faces 10 years in prison, $50,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference. 15-71
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Ostby in Billings on August 17, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- AMELIA MAE HOUSE SEESTHEGROUND, a 47-year-old resident of Hardin, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, SEESTHEGROUND faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference. 15-88
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Ostby in Billings on August 13, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:
- THOMAS JAMES ROCKROADS III, a 30-year-old resident of Busby, appeared on charges of assault on a federal officer and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ROCKROADS faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference. 15-78
- JOHN WHITEHAWK III, a 49-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, and abusive sexual contact with a minor. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, WHITEHAWK faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference. 15-90
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
Indictment Unsealed Charging Four Defendants with Drug Trafficking via MegabusRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today the unsealing of a seventeen-count Indictment that charges THOMAS GORDON, a/k/a “Ice,” age 31, and DONALD EALY, a/k/a “Deebo,” age 37, of New Orleans, along with MARTHA QUINONES, age 50, and KEVIN GONZALES, age 24, of Houston, with numerous violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. All four defendants face the lead charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, along with other substantive drug offenses. In addition, all of the defendants were charged with using a telephone in furtherance of their drug-trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, on August 6, 2015, QUINONES had agreed to travel by Megabus from Houston to New Orleans, while transporting narcotics which she intended to deliver to GORDON. Law enforcement intercepted QUINONES as she arrived in New Orleans and found her to be in possession of almost a half-kilogram of heroin in her duffle bag. Further, EALY and GONZALES conspired with QUINONES and GORDON to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
If convicted of the lead charge of engaging in a drug conspiracy, each defendant faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, and a minimum of five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF), which includes FBI, the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is responsible for the prosecution.
Indictment Charges Gun Possession by A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Eric Roberts, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested today on an indictment, filed August 18, 2015, charging him with possession of firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Zane D. Memeger.
If convicted, defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life, five years of supervised release, and a substantial fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ewald Zittlau.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Hyattsville Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking and to Illegal Possession of a GunRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Marden Gonzalez, age 20, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to carjacking and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Larry M. Brownlee, Sr. of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Gonzalez=s plea agreement, on February 17, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. Gonzalez approached the victim, who was stopped at a red light at the intersection of East-West Highway and Ager Road in Hyattsville. Gonzalez pointed a loaded .380 caliber pistol at the victim and demanded the victim’s car. The victim got out of the car and Gonzalez got in and drove away in the victim’s car.
A few minutes later, a Maryland Park Police officer spotted the stolen car at the intersection of Queens Chapel and Chillum Roads in Hyattsville. Park Police and Prince George’s County Police officers pursued Gonzalez through snowy streets. After sideswiping several parked cars, Gonzalez crashed the victim’s car headfirst into a parked car. The law enforcement vehicles pursuing Gonzalez slid in the snow when they attempted to brake, resulting in a crash. Three officers were injured and one was taken to a hospital. Gonzalez bailed out of the victim’s car and ran away, still carrying the loaded pistol. Officers located and arrested Gonzalez in the semi-enclosed back porch of a nearby house, and recovered the gun.
Gonzalez had previously been convicted of a felony and as a result, was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Gonzalez faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for carjacking and a maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for November 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the HSI Baltimore, Maryland National Capital Park Police and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsay Eyler Kaplan and William D. Moomau, who are prosecuting the case.