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17 June 2015
Eleven Defendants Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Selling Crack Cocaine and Heroin in the BronxRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), today announced the unsealing of five Indictments charging a total of 11 defendants with allegedly engaging in the distribution of crack cocaine and heroin in the vicinity of the Forest Houses housing project in the 42nd Precinct, in the Bronx, New York. Seven defendants were taken into custody today and an eighth defendant is currently in state custody on another charge. The seven defendants who were arrested today will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein later today. Four defendants remain at large.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Crack cocaine and heroin wreak devastation in the community. The hardworking people living in and around the Forest Houses deserve better – they deserve a safe environment to call home. Investigating and prosecuting the kind of drug trafficking conduct alleged of these defendants is a significant step toward protecting Forest Houses residents and achieving that goal.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “For two years, a multi-agency operation targeted those responsible for littering the Forest Housing Development and surrounding areas with drugs. This operation was focused not only on making these arrests and dismantling a drug trafficking ring, but it was focused on reclaiming this neighborhood for the hard working residents who are exposed to drug trafficking and the perils associated.”
Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said: “The NYPD remains committed to protecting the residents of public housing as demonstrated by these arrests and indictments. I would like to thank the investigators of Narcotic Borough Bronx, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to stop the sale of illegal narcotics in the Forrest Houses and to improve the quality of life of the families who live there.”
As alleged in the Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
United States v. Antwoine Williams, et al., 15 Cr. 356 (PAC)
Between July 2013 and September 2014, ANTWOINE WILLIAMS, ELVIS ARIAS, GEORGE MONSANTO, JESUS BENEDITH, MICHAEL CABAN, and THEODORE WILLIAMS conspired to sell crack cocaine in the vicinity of the Forest Houses in the Bronx. During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants sold crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers on numerous occasions. Certain defendants also sold crack cocaine to the undercover officers on behalf of their co-conspirators or worked together to complete the sales to the undercover officers.
United States v. James Jacobs and Moses Bermudez, 15 Cr. 357 (JSR)
Similarly, between July 2013 and September 2014, JAMES JACOBS and MOSES BERMUDEZ conspired to sell heroin in the vicinity of the Forest Houses in the Bronx. During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants sold heroin to undercover law enforcement officers on numerous occasions.
United States v. Percy Kearney, 15 Cr. 352 (RA)
United States v. Raheem Barber, 15 Cr. 353 (KBF)
United States v. Steven Jude, 15 Cr. 355 (JFK)
Between July 2013 and September 2014, each of the defendants charged in these three indictments sold crack cocaine to undercover officers in the vicinity of the Forest Houses in the Bronx. Each defendant sold crack cocaine to undercover officers on multiple occasions.
* * *
The defendants in United States v. Williams, et al. face maximum terms of life in prison and mandatory minimum terms of 10 years in prison. The defendants in United States v. Jacobs and Bermudez face maximum terms of 40 years in prison and mandatory minimum terms of five years in prison. KEARNEY, BARBER, and JUDE each face a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the Court.
A chart containing the names, ages, narcotics type, and residence information of the defendants who were arrested today is attached.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and the NYPD, and also thanked the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the NYC Department of Investigation's Office of the Inspector General for NYCHA for their assistance.
These cases are being handled by the Office’s Violence and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Lonergan and Jessica Fender are in charge of the prosecutions.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States v. Antwoine Williams, et al.
NAME
AGE
NARCOTIC
RESIDENCE
Antwoine Williams, a/k/a “Ace”
27
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
Elvis Arias, a/k/a “J,” a/k/a “Ex”
25
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
Jesus Benedith, a/k/a “Shorty,” a/k/a “Mike”
21
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
Michael Caban, a/k/a “Baretta”
27
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
United States v. James Jacobs and Moses Bermudez
NAME
AGE
NARCOTIC
RESIDENCE
Moses Bermudez, a/k/a “Moreno”
52
Heroin
Bronx
United States v. Percy Kearney
United States v. Raheem Barber
United States v. Steven Jude
NAME
AGE
NARCOTIC
RESIDENCE
Percy Kearney, a/k/a “Boogie”
32
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
Raheem Barber, a/k/a “Grey”
38
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
Steven Jude, a/k/a “Paunch”
45
Crack Cocaine
Bronx
El Paso Man Pleads Guilty in New Mexico to Violating Federal Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Carlos Davenport, 41, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Davenport will be sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Davenport and his co-defendant Luis Contreras, 20, of Albuquerque, were arrested on Dec. 13, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M., after law enforcement officers executed a consensual search on the vehicle in which Davenport and Contreras were traveling and found ten pounds of methamphetamine. Davenport and Contreras were subsequently indicted on Jan. 8, 2015, and charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Dec. 13, 2014, and using and carrying firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime on Dec. 13, 2014. All offenses took place in Bernalillo County.
During today’s proceedings, Davenport pled guilty to Counts 1 and 3 of the indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In entering his guilty plea, Davenport admitted that on Dec. 13, 2014, while traveling eastbound on Interstate 40, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle. He further admitted giving the officer consent to search the vehicle and that the officer found ten pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms during his search of the vehicle. Davenport acknowledged that he and his co-defendant intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others and had the firearms in the vehicle for protection related to the methamphetamine.
Davenport has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has not been scheduled.
Contreras has entered a not guilty plea to the indictment, and is currently scheduled for trial on Aug. 3, 2015. Charges in complaints and indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James R.W. Braun and Joel R. Meyers are prosecuting the case.
Eighteen Charged in Steroid Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging the following persons with federal crimes involving steroid trafficking:
DAVID ARROYO, a/k/a “Big D,” (40, Orlando)
VINCENT SPERTI, (36, Lake Mary)
JOHN WALKER, (41, Lake Mary)
JEFFREY BERRIOS, (43, Lake Mary)
HUNTER RAWLS, (36, Heathrow)
JEFFREY WALKER, (22, Lake Mary)
JASON BERGSTRESSER, (26, Longwood)
CHRISTOPHER EADDY, (43, Winter Springs)
ALLISON EADDY, (32, Winter Springs)
JOHN ERBER, (41, Lake Mary)
BREA TATO, (40, Lake Mary)
GUILLERMO OTERO, (31, Deltona)
DAVID CENTENO, (29, Sanford)
STEVEN GRODEN, (36, Lake Mary)
MELISSA SPERTI, (33, Lake Mary)
ERIC BOCCARD, (41, Mount Dora)
SANTIAGO RIOS, (41, Deltona)
ROBERT GONZALEZ, (42, Orlando)
David Arroyo, Vincent Sperti, John Walker, Jeffrey Berrios, Hunter Rawls, Jeffrey Walker, Jason Bergstresser, Christopher Eaddy, Allison Eaddy, John Erber, Brea Tato, Eric Boccard, and Robert Gonzalez are charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. They each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
David Arroyo, Vincent Sperti, Guillermo Otero, David Centeno, Steven Groden, Melissa Sperti, and Santiago Rios are charged with conspiracy to conduct international money laundering. They each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.
According to the indictment, beginning in or about April 2012, and continuing through August 2014, the defendants operated a steroid drug trafficking conspiracy in Central Florida, primarily in Seminole County, and were responsible for shipping illegal steroids throughout the United States and internationally. The members of the conspiracy played various roles in the operation of the Internet-based, steroid-trafficking operation - some as organizers, others as manufacturers and shippers, some who sent money to China for the purchase of raw steroids, and some who picked up the proceeds of the drugs sales. The group allegedly sold all types of illegal steroids, including oral capsules and oil-based injectable steroids. The orders were made through web sites maintained in foreign countries, and the steroids were processed and sent to customers from Central Florida via United States Mail.
The indictment further alleges that members of the organization went to great lengths to disguise their participation in the receipt and distribution of illegal steroids and proceeds, including the use of fake names and false identities, the use of different postal facilities in Florida, South Carolina, and other states, and the use of Money Gram and Western Union to pick up money from the drugs sales at numerous locations throughout Central Florida.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.
Defendant Sentenced to 73 Months on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Quy Ngoc Nguyen, 25, of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced today by United States District Judge Callie V. S. Granade to 73 months imprisonment for possession of a firearm by a felon. The judge ordered that Nguyen serve a three-year term of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment and that he pay a $100 mandatory special assessment. Nguyen was arrested in March 2014 by Mobile police officers for committing several burglaries. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2014 for possessing a revolver during the burglaries, for which he received state court sentences of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Sinan Kalayoglu.
Corporate Audit Director Sentenced to One Year for Insider TradingRead the Press Release
Chicago ─ A certified public accountant who was involved in the auditing process at a publicly-traded company based in Chicago was sentenced to one year and one day by U.S. District Court Judge Sara L. Ellis for engaging in insider trading of the company’s securities that made him an illegal profit of more than $286,000 in 2012. Dombrowski was also ordered to forfeit $286,211.55 and serve a term of two years of supervised release after his term of imprisonment. The defendant, Steven M. Dombrowski, 50, of Chicago, was the director of corporate audit for Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., and pled guilty to one count of securities fraud in December 2014. Dombrowski was ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on September 14, 2015.
According to the indictment, Dombrowski misused material nonpublic information he knew about Allscripts’ performance for the first quarter of 2012 and purchased put options and engaged in short sales of stock through a trading account in his wife’s maiden name that he controlled, which resulted in illegal profits of approximately $286,211.
Dombrowski and the employees he supervised were responsible for auditing and testing the processes and procedures Allscripts used to compute and report its financial performance. Allscripts provides information technology solutions to the healthcare industry and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol MDRX.
Between April 10 and April 28, 2012, a quarterly blackout period was in effect at Allscripts. The blackout prohibited certain employees, including Dombrowski, who were given written notice and who had access to material nonpublic information, from engaging in trades of Allscripts securities 15 days before the end of a quarter, and ending after the second full business day following the company’s quarterly earnings announcement.
Dombrowski learned in April 2012 through his employment that Allscripts first quarter financial results were going to be less favorable than market expectations when they were publicly announced on April 26, 2012. Throughout April, Dombrowski conducted securities transactions that he designed to be profitable if the price of Allscripts stock declined, including purchasing put options and short selling stock, which he knew was prohibited and violated the company imposed blackout period. Allscripts stock, in fact, declined when its 2012 first quarter announcement revealed lower sales, less revenue, and lower earnings per share than the first quarter of 2011. After Allscripts stock declined on and after April 26, 2012, Dombrowski offset his Allscripts securities positions and profited approximately $286,211 from insider trading.
The sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Holley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Chicago office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission assisted in the investigation.
“We will vigorously prosecute defendants who commit insider trading at publicly-traded companies located in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Fardon. “Mr. Dombrowski betrayed the trust placed in him by his employer, Allscripts, and used his access to confidential company information for his own personal gain.”
The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Sunil Harjani in this case.
Colorado Springs man in car viewing child pornography on Fort Carson Army Base sentenced to 7 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
DENVER – Francis Hector Calar, age 54, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello to serve 84 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years on supervised release, for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. In addition, Calar was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to each of the six victims that requested restitution. Calar was arrested in March of 2014 after a military police officer caught him masturbating in his car outside a building with unsecured WiFi on Fort Carson Army Base.
Calar was charged by Criminal Complaint on March 11, 2014. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on April 7, 2014. He pled guilty before Judge Arguello on March 24, 2015. He was sentenced yesterday, Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
According to court documents, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a Military Police Officer was dispatched to investigate a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked in a public parking lot located at a building on Fort Carson Army Base. Upon arrival, the officer observed an individual sitting in the driver’s seat of a Ford sedan. The officer attempted to contact the individual, later identified as Francis Hector Calar, however, Calar was intently focused on an image of the screen of his laptop computer. The officer saw that Calar was masturbating to a graphic image of child pornography. After finally noticing the officer’s presence, Calar quickly closed his laptop and threw it on the passenger seat. He then put his penis back inside his pants. He was then ordered to exit the car and was taken into custody.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Calar, a civilian military contract employee, often parked in the place where he was initially contacted because he was able to obtain unsecured WiFi access to child pornography. He used this access to view child pornography. Calar first became interested in child pornography approximately five or six years ago after his brother was arrested for the sexual assault of a child. Calar visited specific chat rooms and searched for child pornography during breaks from work.
Calar was active with children, coaching youth volleyball for young girls and youth baseball for young boys. He was also active in his church, and has previously taught Sunday school for children at his church.
The defendant’s collection was highly organized; he acknowledged categorizing files by the ages of the children depicted in the images, such as “0-5” and “6-8”. Further, he had more than 15,000 child pornography images and 764 child pornography videos on an external hard drive and other computer digital media. His child pornography collection included 83 identified child pornography series.
Calar obtained and distributed child pornography through chat rooms on the Internet. He previously used a peer-to-peer file sharing network to distribute child pornography when he was in the early stages of collecting child pornography. He uploaded child pornography to a specific child pornography website. The forensic examination revealed that he eventually evolved to using Skype and email to distribute child pornography to other collectors.
“Today’s prison sentence is appropriate, especially given the fact that the defendant had an extensive, well organized collection of child pornography and that he was involved in many different youth organizations,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the work of the Fort Carson Military Police and the FBI, this child pornographer is being held accountable for possessing these heinous images.”
“Calar’s sentence is an illustration of the FBI’s commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “The FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute cases involving the sexual exploitation of children.”
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Calar was prosecuted by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia Riewerts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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, PSC 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 PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources."
Cisco Man Faces up to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas — A 43-year-old Cisco, Texas, man appeared in federal court this week and pleaded guilty, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy M. Koenig, to one count of possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John R. Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Robert Jarold Eckhart, who remains on bond, faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. According to plea documents filed in his case, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, the parties agree that the appropriate maximum term of imprisonment is 24 months’ imprisonment. A sentencing date was not set.
According to documents filed in the case, Eckhart used his Apple iPod 4 to communicate with other persons over the internet and communicate with several persons about adult pornography and child pornography. Eckhart advised that his interests included younger males, and as a result, he received numerous images of minor males engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Between May 2011 and May 2012 Eckhart knowingly possessed his iPod knowing that it contained numerous images of child pornography.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy is prosecuting.
Chicago Resident Indicted for Using Stolen Identities to File False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A Chicago man was indicted by a grand jury sitting in the Northern District of Illinois for using stolen identities to file false federal income tax returns, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois.
Carlos L. Smith was arraigned earlier today on a 34-count indictment. He was charged with 14 counts of wire fraud, nine counts of theft of government funds, six counts of aggravated identity theft and five counts of filing false income tax returns. According to the allegations in the indictment, beginning in February 2013 and continuing through April 15, 2015, Smith operated CLS Financial Services, a company that assisted with credit repair, business consulting and tax return preparation. Smith used individuals’ names and social security numbers to prepare false tax returns that each claimed thousands of dollars in tax refunds. The U.S. Treasury refund checks were mailed to addresses linked to Smith or directly deposited into bank accounts that Smith controlled. Smith also filed fraudulent tax returns in his own name. In total, Smith prepared false tax returns that claimed refunds of more than $400,000.
If convicted, Smith faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each theft of government funds count, a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, and a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison for each count of filing false income tax returns. Smith also faces potential financial penalties, including fines and restitution.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Fardon commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Sonia M. Owens, John T. Mulcahy and Ryan R. Raybould of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case. Ciraolo also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago for their substantial assistance.
Charleston man pleads guilty to carrying a firearm during a drug offenseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a Charleston, West Virginia man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. James Philip Daugherty, 20, entered a guilty plea to carrying a loaded Ruger semi-automatic pistol on January 9, 2015, while he possessed crack cocaine that he intended to distribute in and around Charleston, West Virginia.
Daugherty faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on September 23, 2015.
The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
California Woman Pleads Guilty in Homewood- Based Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of San Bernardino, Calif., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Misha Cannon, 49, 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, Misha Cannon was intercepted over the wire conspiring with others, including her brother, Lionel Cannon, 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. During the conspiracy, Misha Cannon was responsible for transporting proceeds of the cocaine trafficking from the Western District of Pennsylvania to California. In August 2014, Misha Cannon also helped Lionel Cannon obtain a new supply of cocaine and conducted a deal for the purchase of one kilogram of cocaine, which was later seized by law enforcement.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15, 2015. The law provides for a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, 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 Misha Cannon.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Mujihad Miller, 37, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Duszkiewicz, who handled the case, stated that the defendant sold crack cocaine to confidential sources working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Miller sold a total of approximately 60 grams of crack cocaine on three dates in July, September and October of 2013. The defendant was arrested on November 18, 2013. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his Military Road residence and recovered a digital scale with cocaine residue and a fake kilogram of crack cocaine.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.
Buffalo Man Sentenced on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Spiwe Barnes, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 120 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that beginning in early 2010 and continuing through June 14, 2011, the defendant distributed between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine in the Buffalo area. Barnes and co-defendant Anthony Avery initially obtained cocaine from a source in Ohio. This source utilized Linda Johnson to transport the cocaine to Barnes and Avery in Buffalo. Later on, Barnes and Avery obtained cocaine from Tyree Bishop, who was obtaining the cocaine in Detroit, Michigan.
All four defendants have all been convicted.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard. Assistance was also provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Frank Sedita.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Role in Drug Robbery SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HUMBERTO SOTO, 27, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for planning to conduct an armed robbery of narcotics stash house.
This matter stems from “Operation Samson,” an initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking. In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2014, the ATF began an investigation into Carlos “Camby” Colon and Carlos “Joel” Colon, who were known narcotics and firearm traffickers in Bridgeport. Law enforcement also had received information that Joel Colon was interested committing an armed robbery of a drug dealer. During the investigation, which employed the use of an ATF agent working in an undercover capacity, the Colons recruited SOTO and others to commit an armed robbery of what they believed to be a narcotics stash house of 15 kilograms of cocaine. In recorded conversations, SOTO agreed to secure a firearm for the robbery and stated that any occupants of the house who brandished a weapon would be shot. SOTO also stated that all of the participants must be dressed in black, not have cellular telephones and wear gloves, and suggested that they should create fictitious tattoos in order to avoid identification.
On April 11, 2014, SOTO, the Colons, Markus Mendez, Nelson Diaz, Trevor Pierce and Hiram “Gringo” Mojica gathered at a location in Stamford where they believed they would be informed of the address of the narcotics stash house, and would then travel to the stash house to conduct the robbery. All seven were arrested at that time. A search of the center console of the vehicle that SOTO and Mendez drove to the meet location revealed a loaded and cocked Ruger 9mm pistol. A search of the car that Diaz, Pierce and Mojica drove to the location also revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol.
SOTO has been detained since his arrest. On March 2, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Camby Colon, Joel Colon, Mendez, Diaz, Pierce and Mojica have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards.
Beckley woman pleads guilty to passing counterfeit moneyRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, WV – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Kenyata E. Smith, 34, of Beckley, West Virginia pleaded guilty in federal court in Beckley to passing counterfeit money. Smith admitted that on April 6, 2014, she passed $100 in counterfeit money at the Dairy Queen in Beaver, West Virginia.
Smith, who is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2015, faces up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine.
This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution.
Beckley area woman sentenced for federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
KLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a Sophia woman was sentenced in federal court in Beckley for a federal drug offense. Andrea Austin, age 43, of Sophia, West Virginia was sentenced to five years of probation plus 100 hours of community service. Austin previously pled guilty in February of 2015, to distributing heroin to a person cooperating with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place on East Camilia Street in Sophia.
This case was investigated by the Beckley Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and is being prosecuted under the Beckley Pill Initiative directed by the United States Attorney’s Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Beckley area man pleads guilty to distributing oxymorphoneRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Christopher Lee Saunders, 42, of Beckley, West Virginia, plead guilty in federal court in Beckley to distributing oxymorphone. Saunders admitted that on January 22, 2015, he sold oxymorphone to a confidential informant working with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place on the WalMart parking lot located at Robert C. Byrd Drive in MacArthur, West Virginia.
Saunders faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled the sentencing for October 8, 2015.
The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigation.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Baltimore man who led multi-state heroin trafficking operation appears in federal court in West VirginiaRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, Brian Alexander Hall, 27, of Windsor, Maryland, appeared before a federal judge in Martinsburg today on heroin trafficking charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Hall appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble on the following charges:• One count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin,” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000, • One count of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin and Cocaine Hydrochloride,” for which he faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, • Four counts of “Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each of the four counts, • Two counts of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each of the two counts, • Eleven counts of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each of the eleven counts, and
• Three counts of “Causing Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering – Heroin.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each of the three counts.Judge Trumble scheduled a jury trial for Hall on August 18, 2015 in federal court in Martinsburg, and appointed a Federal Public Defender to represent him. Hall was released after the hearing today and is subject to conditions of home confinement and electronic monitoring along with other standard terms and conditions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Camilletti and Anna Krasinski are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are leading the investigation.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.Arkansas Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Springdale, Arkansas, man was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for multiple tax crimes, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge of the Western District of Arkansas.
Doyle Smith, 56, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $5000 fine. On Feb. 11, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas, a jury found Smith guilty of four counts of filing a false tax return, one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws and one count of presenting a fictitious financial obligation.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in 2008 and 2009, Smith submitted four false individual federal tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2008, which falsely reported a total of more than $1.4 million in fictitious federal tax withholdings. Based on these fictitious withholding amounts, Smith claimed a total of $1,021,457 in income tax refunds that he was not entitled to receive. Smith also submitted false claims and correspondence to both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and third-parties in an attempt to cause the IRS and U.S. Treasury to pay his debts to third parties and to obstruct the IRS’ tax administration efforts. For example, in January 2010, Smith mailed to the Department of Arkansas Finance and Administration a fictitious financial instrument titled “U.S. Treasury Trust Account Money Order.” This fictitious document purportedly obligated U.S. Treasury funds in the amount of $129,439 to pay for outstanding sales taxes that Smith owed to the state of Arkansas.
“Individuals like Doyle Smith, who commit criminal tax offenses and attempt to use the U.S. Treasury as their personal slush fund, will be identified, investigated, prosecuted and incarcerated,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “The message from today’s sentencing is clear: those who attempt to cheat the system will pay a heavy price for their criminal conduct.”
“Smith, in his fraudulent scheme, attempted to steal taxpayer money from the U.S. Treasury for his own benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Eldridge. “Those who steal from the U.S. Treasury steal directly out of the pockets of the hard-working people of the Western District of Arkansas. With today’s sentence, a strong message has been sent that our office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue fraud wherever we find it.”
“Today’s sentencing is a reminder of the penalties individuals face when submitting false claims for federal income tax refunds,” stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Henry of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI). “IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation’s tax system, and our unwavering commitment to protecting the interests of law-abiding taxpayers.”
“It is the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s mission to protect the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service and promote the fair administration of our federal tax system,” said Special Agent in Charge Ruben Florez of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA’s) Mid-States Field Division. “TIGTA and its law-enforcement partners will vigorously investigate individuals that attempt to corruptly interfere with the administration of the internal revenue laws through fraudulent means, and will do everything within its power to ensure that those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that our justice system will not tolerate these types of actions.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Eldridge commended the special agents of IRS-CI and TIGTA, who investigated the case, as well as Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque Man Charged with Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Marquis Pounds, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance in federal court this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The federal charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari E. Brandenburg, Special Agent in Charge Thomas G. Atteberry of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chief Naithan Gurule of the Los Lunas Police Department, and Chief Gorden Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department.
The criminal complaint alleges that Pounds unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on June 5, 2015, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers executed search warrants on Pounds’ residence in northeast Albuquerque and seized a revolver and ammunition. Subsequent investigation revealed that revolver and ammunition had been reported stolen from a pawn shop in Los Lunas, N.M. According to court documents, in Pounds was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess narcotics with intent to distribute, and embezzlement.
Pounds was arrested on June 5, 2015, on related state charges and remained in state custody until today when he was transferred to federal custody. The state charges against Pounds will be dismissed in favor of federal prosecution.
If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Pounds faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. If the court determines that Pounds is an armed career criminal, he faces an enhanced sentence of a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison to a maximum of life imprisonment. Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Albuquerque Police Department and the Los Lunas Police Department with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible. Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo and Valencia Counties, under this initiative.
Acoma Pueblo Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Sexual Assault ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Eric Chino, 33, a member and resident of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 36 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for his abusive sexual contact conviction. Chino will also be required to register as a sex offender following his incarceration.
Chino was arrested on Nov. 26, 2014, on an indictment alleging that Chino sexually assaulted an Acoma Pueblo woman on June 24, 2012, in Acoma Pueblo within Cibola County, N.M.
On March 12, 2015, Chino pled guilty to a felony information charging him with abusive sexual contact. In entering the guilty plea Chino admitted engaging in and attempting to engage in sexual contact with the victim by force. He admitted forcefully touching the victim’s breast and genitals despite the victim’s demands that he stop.
This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Adams.
The case was brought pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
16 June 2015
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Tax Refund FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Worcester today to carrying out a stolen identity refund fraud scheme that netted almost $1 million.
Jose Manuel Abreu-Elicier, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to covert public money. U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 16, 2015.
Between November 2011 and November 2012, Abreu-Elicier and other co-conspirators fraudulently obtained and cashed federal income tax refund checks issued in the names of unsuspecting identity theft victims. These checks were issued based on fraudulent federal income tax filings submitted to the IRS using the names, social security numbers, and other stolen personal information of victims. In order to cash the checks, Abreu-Elicier worked with Cynthia Mansfield, who, in exchange for a fee, used her position as a manager of a Worcester-area bank, to cash the checks, falsify bank records, and conceal the existence of the fraud. Over the course of the entire scheme, Abreu-Elicier and his co-conspirators cashed 138 fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury checks worth $993,158.
This conviction marks yet another success in Operation Point Break, a multi-agency federal law enforcement initiative aimed at combatting stolen identity refund fraud across the country.
Mansfield was charged separately for her role in the conspiracy, and sentenced in April 2015 to five years of probation, 11 months of which must be served in a residential re-entry center, and ordered to pay restitution.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Wetzel County man convicted of oxycodone traffickingRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jamie Alexander Jones, 28, of Pine Grove, West Virginia, was convicted of oxycodone trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.Jones was discovered in Wetzel County, West Virginia in possession of oxycodone in late 2014 during the course of an investigation by the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Jones pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.
Washington Men Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on June 15, 2015, United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Charles V. Garcia of Othello, Washington, age 43, to a 12 month and 1 day term of imprisonment, following his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. After his release from prison, Garcia will begin a term of supervised release of 3 years. Garcia was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $605,592.53.
On June 15, 2015, United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp also sentenced Jose L. Sanchez, Jr. of Marysville, Washington, age 48, to a 5 month term of imprisonment, following his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. After his release from prison, Sanchez will begin a term of supervised release of 3 years. Sanchez was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $53,054.90.
Previously, on February 2, 2015, United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Donald James Wilson of Bothell, Washington, age 44, to a 41 month term of imprisonment, following his conviction for wire fraud. After his release from prison, Wilson will begin a term of supervised release of 3 years. Wilson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $605,592.53.
Beginning in 2007 and continuing through 2011, Wilson, Garcia, and Sanchez made materially false and fraudulent representations to ConAgra that Wilson was using GTL Enterprises, Inc., a company owned by Garcia which is located in Othello, Washington, and All Out Athletics, a company managed by Sanchez which was formerly located in Marysville, Washington, as vendors to provide promotional trips, activities, and materials to ConAgra’s customers.
Wilson would submit to ConAgra fake GTL Enterprises, Inc. and All Out Athletics invoices for promotional trips, activities, and materials purportedly provided to ConAgra’s customers. ConAgra made payments related to the fake vendor invoices directly to GTL Enterprises, Inc. and All Out Athletics. Garcia and Sanchez assisted Wilson with the scheme by collecting and cashing the ConAgra payments. From at least November, 2007, and continuing through at least November, 2011, Wilson submitted to ConAgra at least twenty-nine (29) fake vendor invoices for payments totaling $605,592.50.
Wilson, Garcia, and Sanchez used the monies received from ConAgra for personal expenses unrelated to ConAgra and its customers.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Violent Felon Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that U.S. District Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced JERMAINE J. CHAPMAN, also known as “Dump Truck,” age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 45 years in prison and ten years of supervised release.
CHAPMAN was sentenced following his conviction by a jury for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute two hundred eighty grams or more of cocaine base and five or more kilograms of cocaine; possession with the intent to distribute twenty eight grams or more of cocaine base; distribution of five hundred grams or more of cocaine; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and twenty eight grams or more of cocaine base; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; distribution of twenty eight grams or more of cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base; distribution of two hundred eighty grams or more of cocaine base; and possession with the intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine.
The conspiracy involved multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine being transported from Texas and the use of various residences in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, known as “click” houses, to cook and distribute multi-ounce quantities of “crack” cocaine. The conspirators employed violence and firearms to protect their business.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “Today’s sentencing should serve as a wakeup call for those violent drug traffickers seeking to do business in this district. Such activity will not be tolerated and severe punishment will follow. This office will continue to work with the DEA, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and our other federal, state, and local partners to ensure that our communities are controlled by their honest, hardworking residents, not drug dealers.”
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph W. Shepherd stated: “The message to drug dealers in the Greater Baton Rouge area is simple – DEA, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners, will use every resource available to make life for you as unpleasant as the poison that you attempt to peddle to our community. This is just the beginning.”
CHAPMAN’s co-defendants, Jeffery D. Perry, age 32 and Charles Boyer, age 51, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were also convicted by a jury. They are detained and await sentencing.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Baton Rouge City Police. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert W. Piedrahita and J. Christopher Dippel.
Unlicensed Money Transmitter Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – San Diego-based money transmitter Francisco Cuevas pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a money laundering conspiracy.
In a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Bartick, Cuevas admitted that he and coconspirators operated an unlicensed money transmitting business, in criminal violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, and conducted nearly $12 million worth of international financial transactions in an attempt to promote their unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to the plea agreement, Cuevas and his coconspirators operated a commercial enterprise willing and able to transfer cash on behalf of third parties without registering the business with the Secretary of the Treasury, as required by Title 31, United States Code, Section 5330. In turn, the defendants’ customers availed themselves of Cuevas’ services, and those of his alleged co-conspirators, to collect cash anywhere throughout the United States, and transmit it anywhere in the world. The defendants obtained commissions for their services, extracting a fee from the millions of dollars transmitted abroad.
The criminal case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez (14cr2936). Judge Bartick allowed Cuevas to remain on pretrial release, pursuant to the terms of a bond posted by Cuevas. Cuevas is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2015 at 9 a.m. before Judge Benitez.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 14cr2936 Francisco Cuevas Age: 38 CHARGESMoney Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 fine, and forfeitureFederal Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
Internal Revenue ServiceUnited States Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Jacksonville-Based Home Health Company for $1,293,169Read the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida B United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that the United States has settled allegations that a Jacksonville-based home health company knowingly billed the government for millions of dollars of medically unnecessary services by submitting false claims to Medicare. The allegations resolved include liability under the False Claims Act (FCA).
The government has reached a settlement with Advanced Homecare, Inc. In reaching this settlement, the parties have resolved allegations that, from April 2009 until April 2012, Advanced Homecare created a set of “neurocare protocols” wherein the company accepted home health referrals from two neurologists – Dr. Sean Orr and one other provider. Through these protocols, the government alleges that Advanced Homecare accepted and treated patients who were not actually homebound and did not have a valid physician certification of home health need, as required by Medicare. Further, the government alleges that Advanced Homecare recklessly allowed its employees to aggressively market its home health services to this neurology practice and that those marketing employees gained direct access to the practice’s patient files, completed referral forms, and used the doctors’ signature stamps to sign orders, in order to circumvent the physician certification requirement. The government has agreed to accept $1,293,169 to resolve these allegations.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to using every tool at our disposal to prevent, deter, and prosecute health care fraud,” stated U.S. Attorney Bentley. “We will continue to bring FCA cases such as this to safeguard our taxpayer resources and to ensure the integrity of our essential federal health care programs.”
This lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Marsha Yandell, a former employee at Advanced Homecare. Under those provisions, a private party, known as a relator, can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The relator will receive more than $200,000 as part of today’s settlement.
“Sticking taxpayers with a bill for unnecessary health care services will never be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “Working in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will tirelessly pursue health care companies that threaten the integrity of Federal health care programs.”
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered more than $24 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $15.3 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and Assistant United States Attorneys Collette Cunningham and Jason Mehta.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
U.S. Attorney’s Kansas Civil Rights Symposium to Be Held at Brown Historic Site in TopekaRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - The annual U.S. Attorney’s Statewide Civil Rights Symposium is moving to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Registration Form (132.61 KB)
The symposium is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14, in the auditorium of the Brown site at 1515 SE Monroe in Topeka. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
“The Brown historic site is a landmark on this nation’s road to justice,” Grissom said. “What better setting is there for a frank and open conversation about civil rights than the Kansas school building where one of the most important Supreme Court cases in our history originated?”
Grissom urged anyone who wants to attend to register early because space is limited to 100 participants. The symposium annually attracts law enforcement officers and civil rights leaders from across Kansas. This year’s topics will include fighting human trafficking and building trust between police and the communities they serve.
To register, download the registration form at:
http://trncal.kletc.net/RegForms/RegForm2008.pdf
Email the completed form to [email protected]. For more information, contact Heather Buller at 620-694-1537 or Jim Cross at 316-269-6552.
Two Southern Missouri Men Indicted for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two southern Missouri men were indicted by a federal grand jury today in separate and unrelated cases related to child pornography.
Both of the indictments were returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
USA v. Darst
Dustin L. Darst, 25, of Lebanon, Mo., was charged with one count of possessing child pornography on Aug. 13, 2014.
Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Darst to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including two desktop computers, a laptop computer, two hard drives, two iPhones, two USB drives and two SD cards.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Laclede County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the Camden County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office.
USA v. Sartin
David Dean Sartin, 47, of Lockwood, Mo., was charged with one count of possessing child pornography on Feb. 4, 2015.
Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Sartin to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including an LG smart phone and a Nokia smart phone.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Cassville, Mo., Police Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Two New Jersey Men Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in Illegal Online Gambling EnterpriseRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two members of a racketeering conspiracy involving the Genovese Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra and an online sports betting operation were sentenced today in federal court, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Dominick J. Barone, 45, of Springfield, New Jersey, and Eric Patten, 38, of Bayonne, New Jersey, were sentenced to 18 and 22 months in prison, respectively. Barone and Patten previously pleaded guilty before District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to separate informations charging them with one count of racketeering conspiracy. Judge Cecchi imposed both sentences today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Joseph Graziano, 78, of Springfield, was the principal owner of Beteagle.com, a website located in Costa Rica and used to facilitate illegal online sports betting. Barone worked with Graziano in carrying out the daily activities of the website and both men conspired with the Genovese Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra in the operation of Beteagle.
Joseph Lascala, 80, of Monroe, New Jersey, was the alleged “capo” and a made member of the Genovese family operating in northern New Jersey. He directed the criminal activities of a smaller group of associates, referred to as a crew, whose activities included illegal gambling and the collection of unlawful debt.
Associates of the crew were given access to Beteagle and were considered “agents.” Before the advent of computerized betting, these agents would have been referred to as “bookmakers” or “bookies.” The agents had the ability to track the “sub-agents,” under them and the wagers placed by their bettors. The agent or sub-agent maintained a group of bettors (the “package”) and were responsible for those bettors. Patten was a one of the sub-agents who assisted in the illegal gambling business conducted through the website.
To place bets online, the agent or sub-agent issued the bettor a username and password to access Beteagle. This access was not given online and no money or credits were made or transferred through the website. Associates of the crew paid out winnings or collected losses in person. If a bettor failed to pay his gambling losses, the crew used their La Cosa Nostra status and threats of violence to collect on these debts.
The agent or sub-agent paid a fee to the website for each bettor added to a package. Barone and others made weekly collections of cash in furtherance of the scheme.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Cecchi ordered Barone and Patten to each serve three years of supervised release and pay a $5,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Barone must forfeit $100,000.
Graziano has pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and is currently scheduled for sentencing on June 25, 2015.
Charges against Lascala are still pending. The charges and allegations against him are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark; the Bayonne Police Department, Special Investigations Unit, under the direction of Chief Drew Niekrasz; IRS-Criminal Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Rick Fuentes; and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Moscato of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel:
Barone: John C. Whipple Esq. Morristown, New Jersey
Patten: Alan Dexter Bowman Esq., Newark
Two Marion Residents Indicted on Heroin/Cocaine ChargesRead the Press Release
Anita L. Argento, a/k/a Anita L. Warren, 43, and Travis L. Boley, 26, both of Marion, Illinois, were indicted on June 2, 2015, on heroin related charges in a four count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that from on or about August 2014, until on or about May 11, 2015, in Williamson County, Argento and Boley did knowingly conspire and agree with others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute 100 grams of more of heroin. Count 2 charges that on May 11, 2015, in Williamson County, Illinois, Argento knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute heroin. Count 3 charges that on May 11, 2015, in Williamson County, Illinois, Argento knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute twenty-eight grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly called "crack cocaine." Count 4 charges that on May 11, 2015, in Williamson County, Illinois, Boley knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute heroin.
With respect to Count 1, Argento and Boley face 5-40 years in federal prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than 4 years.
With respect to Count 2, Argento faces up to 20 years in prison, up to $1,000,000 fine, and 2 supervised release of not less than 3 years.
With respect to Count 3, Argento faces 5-40 years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than 4 years.
With respect to Count 4, Boley faces up to 20 years in prison, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than 3 years.
An Indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Marion, Illinois Police Department, and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation of this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Shannon Meegan Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled a SubstanceRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, David Capp, announced that Shannon Meegan, 34, of Hammond, Indiana was sentenced to 2 years of probation by Judge James Moody after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
According to documents filed in this case, between 2006 and 2012, Meegan conspired with one of her coworkers at a medical facility in Munster, Indiana to illegally distribute over 200,000 hydrocodone pills. The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that the drugs distributed had a street value of over $1,000,000.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Chicago Strike Force and DEA’s Diversion Group. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.
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S.T.Y.L.E. - Second Training SessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that his Office as well as the Mobile FBI and Mobile Police Department will host another Successful Tips for Youth on Law Enforcement Encounters training session, also known as S.T.Y.L.E. In partnership with the Mobile Field Office of the FBI and the Mobile Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will make this program available to churches from June-September and local schools from October-May. Once again, the S.T.Y.L.E. program is specifically tailored for high school students, who will participate in several mock scenarios involving how to engage law enforcement. These scenarios will include instruction on how to respond when approached by law enforcement officers while driving a car, on the street or at home. Additionally, in order to afford students with the opportunity gain an appreciation for the split-second life or death decisions law enforcement officers make on a daily basis, they will also have the opportunity to observe their chaperones participate in the FATS Simulator, which is a life sized video firearms training tool used by law enforcement. The students will also observe an explosives demonstration and conclude the training with smaller groups of students participating in roundtable discussions about the day’s events over lunch with individual officers.
According to U.S. Attorney Brown, “In the wake of so many tragic events across the country in recent years it is vitally important that we continue to ‘bridge the gap’ between our youth and law enforcement officers. The past has shown us that these tragic events can occur in smaller cities and rural areas as well as larger metropolitan areas. I commend Mobile Police Chief James Barber and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Lasky for their proactive efforts to build mutual understanding and rapport with the community.” U.S. Attorney Brown continued, “The first execution of the S.T.Y.L.E. program was extremely well received by the participating students and law enforcement officers alike. In the second instalment of the S.T.Y.L.E. program we hope to continue building trust one person at a time.” The first program took place on May 7, 2015, during which 28 students were hosted from Blount High School.
“Engaging Mobile’s younger generation with local law enforcement is key in creating long-lasting, effective communication practices for citizens as well as officers,” said Mobile Police Chief James Barber. “The Department’s partnership with the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will help achieve the mission to make Mobile the safest city in America with respect for everyone.”
The second S.T.Y.L.E. training session will take place on June 19, 2015, during which time 38 youth from Mt Hebron Church will be hosted.
Churches, schools or civic organizations desiring to have their youth participate in a future S.T.Y.L.E. training session can contact Assistant United States Attorney, Suntrease Williams-Maynard at the email address [email protected] or by phone at 251-415-7163. More specific media inquiries related to the location of the S.T.Y.L.E. training on June 19th can be directed to Tommy Loftis at 251-415-7131.
Roswell Man Sentenced to Prison for Violating the Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE –Brandon Warford, 32, of Roswell, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 37 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Warford was arrested on federal charges on Aug. 5, 2014, in Roswell, N.M., under a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms. According to the complaint, the Roswell Police Department (RPD) was notified by the Roswell Independent School District that Warford was carrying a firearm during a high school graduation ceremony. In response to questioning by the RPD, Warford admitted that he possessed a firearm during the graduation ceremony. At the time, Warford was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2008 and burglary in 2002.
Warford was indicted on Oct. 16, 2014, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on May 24, 2014, in Chaves County, N.M. Warford pled guilty to the indictment on Jan. 7, 2015, without the benefit of a plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, the Roswell Police Department and the Roswell Independent School District. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo of the Las Cruces branch office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.
Rhode Island Businessman Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft, Tax Charges in $3.5 Million Tax Refund ScamRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Anthony Delfarno, 53, of East Greenwich, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to using personal identifying information of his children and other family members, a girlfriend, and from more than a dozen corporations that he created in order to file fraudulent tax returns seeking more than $3.5 million dollars in tax refunds.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Delfarno admitted that for four years he repeatedly made false representations on personal and business tax documents he filed with the IRS seeking $3.5 million in tax refunds, and that he collected more than $1.4 million dollars to which he was not entitled.
Delfarno’s guilty plea to eleven counts of mail fraud, twenty-eight counts of theft of government funds and three counts of aggravated identity theft is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, Delfarno filed twenty-five false individual income tax returns for tax years 2008 through 2011 in his own name, the names of several family members, including five of his children, and in the name of a girlfriend, claiming fraudulent refunds totaling $1.1 million dollars. Delfarno signed the returns either electronically or manually. Approximately $400,000 was paid to the defendant.
Additionally, Mr. Delfarno filed thirty false corporation income tax returns, for which he claimed refunds of $2.4 million dollars. $1 million dollars was paid to the defendant. The corporations were formed by Delfarno in order to execute the scheme.
Wire fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000; false claims against the United States is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000; and aggravated identity theft is punishable by a statutory penalty of a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison, to be served consecutive to all other penalties imposed.
Delfarno, who has been released with GPS monitoring since his arrest and arraignment on December 18, 2014, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 16, 2015.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
The matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Rhode Island State Police.
This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The President established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources.
The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.###
To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Registered Nurse Co-Owner of Ultimate Care Home Health Services, Inc. Pleads Guilty to Role in Healthcare Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A 52-year-old registered nurse from Cedar Hill, Texas, who owned a home health company, appeared in federal court this afternoon and pleaded guilty to her role in a health care fraud conspiracy, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Pat Akamnonu, along with her husband, Cyprian (Cy) Akamnonu, owned Ultimate Care Home Health Services, Inc. (Ultimate). She pleaded guilty this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set. Cy Akamnonu pleaded guilty to the same offense and is currently serving a 120-month federal prison sentence. Cy Akamnonu was also ordered to pay approximately $25 million in restitution.
According to the filed factual resume, Pat Akamnonu maintained a valid Medicare group provider number for Ultimate in order to submit Medicare claims for home health services that were medically unnecessary or that were not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
In her capacity as co-owner and head of nursing for Ultimate, Pat Akamnonu attended at least one meeting where she and co-defendants Dr. Jacques Roy, Teri Sivils, and Cy Akamnonu discussed recruiting additional Medicare beneficiaries to Ultimate to receive home health care services for which they did not qualify and did not need. This meeting also included a discussion about illegal patient recruiting being performed by co-defendants James Veasey and Cynthia Stiger.
As part of the conspiracy, Ultimate exchanged paperwork with Medistat Group Associates, P.A. (Medistat) that was controlled by Dr. Roy for these beneficiaries. These documents were then executed under Dr. Roy’s signature, certifying the patient was under his care. Several of the documents used to certify home health care for these individuals are signed under the name of Pat Akamnonu.
Over the course of a five-year period, from January 2006 through November 2011, more than 78% of Ultimate’s beneficiaries were certified by Dr. Roy or another Medistat physician acting at his direction. Ultimate billed more than $43 million to Medicare for skilled nursing services for these beneficiaries.
Of the seven defendants charged in the $375 million health care fraud scheme led by Dr. Roy, three defendants have now pleaded guilty. Teri Sivils, 47, of Midlothian, Texas, who was Medistat’s office manager, pleaded guilty in April 2015 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for September 21, 2015.
A trial date has not been set for the remaining defendants, Dr. Roy, Cynthia Stiger, 51, of Dallas, Wilbert James Veasey, Jr., 63, of Dallas, and Charity Eleda, R.N., 54, of Rowlett, Texas.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and was brought as part of the Medicare fraud Strike Force supervised by the Criminal Division Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Elliott, P. J. Meitl, and John DeLaGarza, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana are prosecuting.
Readout of First Meeting between U.S. Attorney General Lynch and Mexican Attorney General Gómez GonzálezRead the Press Release
Attorneys General of the United States and Mexico Agree to Boost Bilateral Collaboration
In their first meeting since assuming their current positions, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch of the United States and Attorney General Arely Gómez González of Mexico reviewed the current law enforcement agenda between the two countries and pledged to work together to fight transnational crime, including drug trafficking organizations, fraud and financial crime, and human trafficking and smuggling.
During the meeting, which was held in the offices of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., both officials agreed to begin a new push for collaboration between the two nations in the context of reciprocity and respect.
“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to host this historic meeting, and to reaffirm our partnership with the Office of the Attorney General of Mexico,” said Attorney General Lynch. “Attorney General Gómez González and I are committed to working closely to fight transnational crime, whatever form it takes – whether trafficking in drugs, or trafficking in persons; whether violent gangs, or financial fraudsters. Together, we will build on the strong record of cooperation between our two countries to advance the common mission that our nations share.”
The Attorneys General discussed the process of institutional transformation that Mexico's justice system is undergoing, with the entry into force of the New System for Criminal Justice, as well as other reforms designed to move towards a modern Attorney General’s Office.
“We are changing the institution,” said Attorney General Gómez González. “We want modern, transparent law enforcement that guarantees full respect for human rights and is based on technical, scientific investigations which produce results. That is how we will strengthen public confidence.”
Attorney General Lynch was joined by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell of the Criminal Division and Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division and Counselor for International Affairs.
Those from Mexico’s Attorney General's Office who participated in the meeting included Deputy Attorney General José Alberto Rodríguez Calderón of Legal and International Affairs, Deputy Attorney General Felipe de Jesús Muñoz Vázquez, Specializing in Organized Crime, Deputy Attorney General Eber Omar Betanzos Torres of Human Rights, Crime Prevention and Community Services, and Chief Director Tomás Zerón de Lucio of the Criminal Investigation Agency.
Pottawattamie County Resident Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On June 12, 2015, Ruben Toledo Jr., a 20 year-old resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 84 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Toledo was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victim Fund.
On January 8, 2015, Toledo pled guilty to this charge, which was the result of an investigation by law enforcement of drug trafficking that occurred in and around the Southern District of Iowa and the District of Nebraska. Beginning as early as February of 2014, continuing through September of 2014, Toledo conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa.
The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Pottawattamie County Resident Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On June 12, 2015, Oscar Arriaga Martinez, a 25 year-old citizen of Mexico who resided in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 135 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Arriaga Martinez was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victim Fund.
On January 8, 2015, Arriaga Martinez pled guilty to this charge, which was the result of an investigation by law enforcement of drug trafficking that occurred in and around the Southern District of Iowa and the District of Nebraska. Beginning as early as February of 2014, continuing through September of 2014, Arriaga Martinez conspired with others to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa.
The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Philadelphia, PA man convicted of selling heroin near local universityRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Qaaim Clark, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted of selling heroin near a local university campus, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
An investigation by the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Mon Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force revealed that Clark was involved in a drug distribution operation in which heroin and prescription painkillers were transported across state lines from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Morgantown, West Virginia for redistribution and sale.
Specifically, Clark sold heroin in April 2014 in Monongalia County, West Virginia near West Virginia University. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00. 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 Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presided.
Parole Officer Enters Guilty Plea for Accepting Money from a Parolee Under Her SupervisionRead the Press Release
DALLAS, Texas — Breanna Polk, 32, of Dallas, Texas, charged with one count of wire fraud plead guilty June 16, 2015, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma Ramirez, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John R. Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
She faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine and not more than three years of supervised release. A sentencing date of October 1, 2015 has been scheduled.
According to plea documents filed in the case, on August 2, 2007 a parolee with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reported to his parole officer, Polk at the Garland, Texas parole office. Polk advised the individual she planned to take a trip to Florida to celebrate her birthday. The parolee left approximately $500 on Polk’s desk. On at least two other occasions between August 2007 and March 2010, the same individual paid over $500 to receive favorable treatment from Polk concerning the conditions of his parole.
In or around March 2010, the parolee absconded to Mexico to avoid DEA law enforcement in connection with his illegal drug distribution. The parolee paid Polk $2,000 to assist him in avoiding law enforcement by indicating he reported to parole, when he had not. Additionally Polk agreed to check for any arrest warrants and notify the parolee if he had an active arrest warrant. On June 8, 2010 Polk conducted a search on a National Crime Information Center database to determine if the parole had an active arrest warrant, Polk transmitted the search by means of a wire communication.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General were involved in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Pfeifle is prosecuting the case.
Page County Resident Sentenced to Five Years of Probation for Conversion of Mortgaged PropertyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On June 12, 2015, Gary Matthew Johnston, a 34 year-old resident of Nodaway, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $113,754.20, for converting the proceeds from the sales of approximately 176 head of cattle that were mortgaged by the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
On March 5, 2015, Johnston pled guilty to the charge of conversion of mortgaged property, which was the result of an investigation by law enforcement after Johnston was involved in multiple sales of collateral at livestock auctions that were not reported to the Farm Service Agency as required.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, and this case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Omar Gonzalez Sentenced to 17 Months in Prison for Armed Intrusion on White House GroundsRead the Press Release
Omar Gonzalez, 43, of Copperas Cove, Texas, was sentenced today to 17 months in prison on charges stemming from an incident in which he climbed a fence and ran toward and into the White House while armed with a folding knife.
The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. for the District of Columbia and Acting Special Agent in Charge James M. Murray of the Washington Field Office for the U.S. Secret Service.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty on March 13, 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to two federal offenses: one count of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds, while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon and one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer. Upon completion of his prison term, Gonzalez will be placed on three years of supervised release.
Judge Collyer also prohibited Gonzalez from entering the District of Columbia for the duration of his supervision, except for court appearances and meetings with his attorney. He also will be required to participate in a psychiatric evaluation and cooperate fully with the Secret Service in any assessments they deem necessary to make of Gonzalez’s risk.
“Mr. Gonzalez is now paying the price for his foolish decision to jump the fence and run inside the White House,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “When he finishes his prison term, he will be barred from entering the District of Columbia and must receive psychiatric treatment. The prison sentence imposed by the court should deter others from taking actions that needlessly put the First Family and White House employees at risk.”
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 19, 2014, at about 7:19 p.m., Gonzalez climbed over the north fence of the White House. While he was climbing over the fence, officers with the U.S. Secret Service’s Uniformed Division ran towards him and repeatedly yelled at him to stop and get down. Gonzalez, however, ignored the commands and landed on the north grounds of the White House.
Moments later, after ignoring additional, repeated commands from uniformed officers to stop, Gonzalez went through the north doors of the White House, knocking a uniformed officer backwards. Another uniformed officer then tackled him inside the White House.
Gonzalez was searched and a folding knife, with a serrated blade that was over three and one-half inches long, was discovered in his right front pants pocket. After his arrest, he gave oral consent to search his vehicle, located on Constitution Avenue NW. The vehicle contained hundreds of rounds of ammunition, in boxes and in magazines, hatchets and a machete.
Gonzalez has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 19, 2014.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Mudd and Thomas A. Gillice of the National Security Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Omar Gonzalez Sentenced to 17 Months in Prison for Armed Intrusion on White House GroundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Omar Gonzalez, 43, was sentenced today to 17 months in prison on charges stemming from an incident in which he climbed a fence and ran toward and into the White House while armed with a folding knife.
The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and James M. Murray, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service.
Gonzalez, formerly of Copperas Cove, Texas, pled guilty on March 13, 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to two federal offenses: one count of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds, while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer. Upon completion of his prison term, Gonzalez will be placed on three years of supervised release.
Judge Collyer also prohibited Gonzalez from entering the District of Columbia for the duration of his supervision, except for court appearances and meetings with his attorney. He also will be required to participate in a psychiatric evaluation and cooperate fully with the Secret Service in any assessments they deem necessary to make of Gonzalez’s risk.
“Mr. Gonzalez is now paying the price for his foolish decision to jump the fence and run inside the White House,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “When he finishes his prison term, he will be barred from entering the District of Columbia and must receive psychiatric treatment. The prison sentence imposed by the court should deter others from taking actions that needlessly put the First Family and White House employees at risk.”
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 19, 2014, at about 7:19 p.m., Gonzalez climbed over the north fence of the White House. While he was climbing over the fence, officers with the U.S. Secret Service’s Uniformed Division ran towards him and repeatedly yelled at him to stop and get down. Gonzalez, however, ignored the commands and landed on the north grounds of the White House.
Moments later, after ignoring additional, repeated commands from uniformed officers to stop, Gonzalez went through the north doors of the White House, knocking a uniformed officer backwards. Another uniformed officer then tackled him inside the White House.
Gonzalez was searched and a folding knife, with a serrated blade that was over three and one-half inches long, was discovered in his right front pants pocket. After his arrest, he gave oral consent to search his vehicle, located on Constitution Avenue NW. The vehicle contained hundreds of rounds of ammunition, in boxes and in magazines, hatchets, and a machete.
Gonzalez has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 19, 2014.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Mudd and Thomas A. Gillice, of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Ohio County woman convicted of heroin traffickingRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Tracy McWhorter, 35, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, was convicted of heroin trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
McWhorter pled guilty to a criminal Information charging her with one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” She further admitted to violations of a period of supervised release stemming from a previous conviction. As a result of the plea agreement executed today, McWhorter will be sentenced to 24 months in prison.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parr prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Wheeling Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.
Northglenn Man Sentenced to 16 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
DENVER – Richard Jackson, age 30, of Northglenn, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger to serve 16 months in federal prison, followed by 1 year on supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI announced. Jackson, who appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, was remanded at its conclusion.
Jackson was first charged by Criminal Complaint on September 27, 2014. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on November 3, 2014. He pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance before Chief Judge Krieger on March 18, 2015. He was sentenced yesterday, Monday, June 15, 2015.
According to court documents, Jackson was the subject of a drug investigation, where investigators found evidence of methamphetamine. On September 26, 2014, FBI agents with the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) executed a search warrant at Jackson's Northglenn residence. During the execution of the warrant agents and officers found ammunition, magazines, but no firearms. They also found residue of heroin and methamphetamine on a scale, in glass pipes, and in a sink drain. A baggie of Oxycodone pills, along with multiple cells phones and a Department of Corrections identification card were found in a safe inside the residence. Jackson maintained Nazi insignia in his residence and posted rules on a wall of his basement. Two of the rules were, “Violence is a must to secure our race” and “We do not cooperate with law enforcement.” The defendant had a number of prior convictions, including one for felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon. That conviction resulted in a four year prison term in the State Department of Corrections, although he was paroled before serving the entire prison sentence.
“Defendant Jackson has shown a substantial disregard for the safety of others and a lack of respect for the law,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the work of the FBI, and the members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, this felon will spend time in federal prison for his crime.”"The sentence handed down represents the FBI’s dedication to pursuing those intent on harming the citizens of our communities, whether through direct action or general criminal activity that threatens the safety of our neighborhoods” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. "The FBI will continue to work through our strong law enforcement partnerships to protect our communities from those engaged in these types of activities."
This case was investigated by the FBI’s JTTF, the ATF, the Northglenn Police Department and the North Metro Drug Task Force. The search warrant was executed by the Northglenn, Thornton and Broomfield SWAT teams.
North Jersey Real Estate Developer Charged with Soliciting Bribes for Palisades Park OfficialRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A real estate developer and landlord of commercial buildings in Palisades Park, New Jersey, appeared in federal court today to face a criminal complaint charging him with allegedly soliciting a $50,000 bribe payment for a Palisades Park borough official, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Chung S. Kho, 68, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of using facilities in interstate commerce to promote bribery. Kho appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was released on $50,000 unsecured bond.
According to the complaint:
Beginning in October 2010, Kho met with an individual (“Individual #1”) who sought to open a karaoke business at a multi-unit commercial building owned by Kho. Kho guaranteed that there would be no problem in obtaining a necessary change of use permit from Palisades Park to operate a karaoke business at the location. Kho bragged about his close relationship with a Palisades Park borough official who had previously assisted him with the development of other large-scale commercial buildings in Palisades Park.
Individual #1 entered into a lease agreement with Kho in October 2010 for the commercial space to open the karaoke business. In December 2010, Kho allegedly told Individual #1 that the official would obtain the necessary approvals for the karaoke business if Individual #1 paid the official a $50,000 bribe. Over the next few days, Individual #1 attempted to negotiate a lower amount, but was eventually told by Kho that the official would accept nothing less than $50,000 in cash. By the time Individual #1 agreed to pay $50,000 to the official, Kho informed Individual #1 that it was too late to make the payment. On Dec. 15, 2010, Individual #1’s application for a change of use was denied by the Palisades Park Planning Board.
The charge of using facilities in interstate commerce to promote bribery with which Kho is charged carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Division, Garret Mountain Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi; and special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacques S. Pierre of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel: Robert C. Scrivo, Esq., Morristown, New Jersey
New Jersey Tax Preparer Convicted of Tax FraudRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, tax preparer was today convicted of tax fraud for getting unearned tax refunds for his clients to make extra money for himself, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Courtney Johnson, 45, of Union Township, New Jersey, was convicted of six counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns following a two week trial before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court. The jury deliberated four hours before delivering the verdicts.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
Johnson prepared and filed federal individual income tax returns that were false and fraudulent as to material matters. The returns attached schedules for fictitious businesses that the taxpayers did not own or operate, inflated charitable contributions, fabricated itemized deductions – all to generate fraudulently inflated refunds.
His wife, Carol Johnson, 44, who ran the business with him, previously pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and is awaiting sentencing. The Johnsons operated tax preparation businesses in South Orange and Jersey City, New Jersey.
Each false tax return count carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing for Courtney Johnson is scheduled for Sept. 25, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty verdict.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jane H. Yoon and Jillian J. Reyes of the Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Thomas R. Ashley Esq., NewarkMulti-state heroin trafficking operation based in Baltimore, Maryland fractured by federal indictmentRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Multiple individuals were arrested today pursuant to a 163-count federal indictment charging 41 people with facilitating an extensive, multi-state heroin trafficking operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, West Virginia State Police Colonel Jay Smithers, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Smith, announced.
Maryland resident Brian Alexander Hall, 27, is alleged to have orchestrated a far-reaching heroin distribution network in which a large group of individuals repeatedly travelled across state lines to procure quantities of heroin from Hall in Baltimore, Maryland, and the surrounding region. The individuals then returned to locations in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania to redistribute the heroin obtained from Hall. Officers utilized a variety of investigative tools to uncover the communication and interstate travel patterns underlying the drug distribution operation.
"Today's arrests are just one element in a continuing effort to combat the epidemic of drug abuse in our region," noted U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. "It is particularly troubling when drug dealers send their product across state lines and target vulnerable populations for purely economic gain. Federal and local law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions leveraged cutting-edge surveillance techniques to conduct a sophisticated and expedient investigation in this case, and I commend them for their efforts."
"These charges and arrests highlight the importance of the 'High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area' designation that Berkeley County received last year through the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA," said West Virginia State Police Colonel Jay Smithers. "The future growth of and participation in HIDTA initiatives will greatly benefit the citizens of the Eastern Panhandle. All those involved in this collaborative effort should be commended for their continued hard work and dedication to combat the illegal drug culture which is destroying our communities and families."
This morning, the indictment was unsealed and 35 of the defendants were taken into custody as part of a coordinated, multi-state arrest operation. Those arrested today include: • Jared Michael Belanger, 35, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Lindsay Bohrer, 37, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, • Shawn Blain Bowers, 36, of Braddock Heights, Maryland, • Theresa Brewer, 61, of Braddock Heights, Maryland, • Kenneth Bryan Crowley, 38, of Rockville, Maryland, • James R. Dove, 30, of Keyser, West Virginia, • Veronica Gladden, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Harmony Hahn, 31, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Bonnie Hanna, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • James Francis Hansen, Jr., 48, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, • Javier Lewis Howard, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • James Miner Jenkins, 36, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Jessica Kesecker, 33, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, • Brandon Kidwell, 23, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, • Darla Kinser, 29, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Edward Lee Knotts, a.k.a. “Eddie,” 32, of Ranson, West Virginia, • Jeffery David Murphy, a.k.a. “J.D.,” 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Brandon Lee Odell, 32, of Inwood, West Virginia, • Scott Andrew Ours, a.k.a. “D,” 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Melissa Portrey, a.k.a. “Missy,” 47, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, • Josh Reid, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
• Craig Rhodes, 46, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, • Cassandra Elaine Riggs, a.k.a “Casey Braithwaite,” 25, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • James Michael Ross, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Cortney Blaire Saylor, a.k.a “C,” 29, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Megan Saylor, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Robert Hamilton Shanley-Sexton, a.k.a. “Robbie,” 23, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, • Frederick Smitherman, a.k.a. “Freddy,” 36, of Inwood, West Virginia, • William Thomas Stine, a.k.a. “Tom,” 39, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, • Cameron Steinbaugh, 28, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, • Teddy Edward Threadgill, 46, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, • Veronica Thomas, 24, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, • Bruce Morton Vaudrien, Jr., 45, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, • Michelle Lynn Warnick, 32, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, • William Lee Wasson, a.k.a. “Bill,” 38, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, and
• Sarah Marie Weant, 26, of Kearneysville, West Virginia.Two defendants are currently in state custody, including: • Clinton Dunlap, a.k.a. “K.D.,” 31, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and
• Steward Eugene Whitehead, Jr., a.k.a. “Geno,” 29, of Inwood, West Virginia.Several individuals have not yet been located, including: • Roma Michelle Bland, 37, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and
• James Wesley Faircloth, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia.Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the aforementioned individuals is encouraged to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (412) 432-4000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are leading the investigation. The United States Marshals Service and the Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland are also supporting the investigation.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
More Than Two Dozen Charged after FBI Task Force Investigation into Hartford Drug and Gun TraffickingRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella, today announced that 29 individuals have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the gang-related distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Hartford’s South End.
According to allegations made in court, in September 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force initiated an investigation into narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and acts of violence carried out by members and associates Los Solidos in Hartford’s South End. The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin, crack cocaine and firearms, and the execution of more than 15 searches. These law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of 24 firearms, approximately $74,000, two kilograms of crack cocaine, two kilograms of powder cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, 7000 bags of packaged heroin, 10 pounds of marijuana and four vehicles.
This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence. A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. Members of Los Solidos attended call-ins that were held in April 2014 and August 2014.
Last week, a grand jury in Hartford returned eight indictments charging 28 individuals. Twenty-four of the defendants were arrested yesterday, two defendants were already incarcerated, and two defendants are still being sought by law enforcement. One additional individual was charged by criminal complaint after being arrested during the course of yesterday’s operation.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will use the full weight of federal law to make our cities safer by identifying violent gangs and prosecuting members and associates involved in drug trafficking and related activity,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. This investigation removed two dozen firearms from the street. “I commend the work of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which is committed to investigating serious criminal behavior in Hartford and rooting out violent individuals from our communities. Project Longevity exists to give every member of a group participating in criminal behavior a new path to become a contributing member of society. This prosecution should send a clear message to those who choose to resist a lifestyle change that the path they’re currently taking may very well lead to a federal courtroom.”
“The distribution of narcotics allegedly undertaken by members and associates of the Los Solidos street gang has been seriously disrupted as a result of this successful long-term investigation by the Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “It is our hope that our continuing investigations will break the stronghold certain gangs believe they have over Hartford neighborhoods.”
“This operation, which embedded Hartford Police Department patrol officers and detectives with our federal partners for several months, is an example of our strong relationships and continued cooperation with all of our local, state and federal partners,” stated Hartford Police Chief Rovella. “We continue to support these efforts and relationships to cooperatively enhance a safer city.”
The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:
MELVIN CASTRO, a.k.a. “Humacoa,” 22, of Hartford
LUIS CASTRO, a.k.a. “Cano,” 43, of Hartford
FRANCISCO SANCHEZ-REYES, a.k.a. “Chino,” 37, of Hartford
HERNAN GONZALEZ, 26, of Hartford
MANUEL LOZADO, a.k.a. “Mayo,” 25, of HartfordThis indictment also charges MELVIN CASTRO with 12 counts and GONZALEZ and LOZADO each with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin. The indictment further charges MELVIN CASTRO with three counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and WILLIAM MARRERO, 22, of East Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
The following individuals are charged in a separate indictment:
FELIX JIMENEZ, a.k.a. “P.R.,” 30, of Hartford
ROGELIO ORTEGA, 45, of Manchester
SANDRO RUIZ, a.k.a. “Domi” 41, of Hartford
RICHARD CRUZ, a.k.a. “Gotti,” 25, of Windsor Locks
JOANNA NEGRON, 36, of HartfordJIMENEZ and ORTEGA are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). JIMENEZ is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, one count of use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. CRUZ is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. RUIZ and NEGRON are each charged with one count of use of telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base:
VINCENTE RIVERA, a.k.a. “Macho,” 35, of Hartford
BASILIA GOMEZ, 30, of Hartford
JORGE GOMEZ, a.k.a. “Joe,” 29, of Hartford
PEDRO ROMAN, a.k.a. “Tony,” 38, of HartfordThis indictment also charges RIVERA with 11 counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. In addition, the indictment charges WILLIAM PEREZ, a.k.a. “Jay,” 30, of East Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and EDWARD BLAIR, 33, of Hartford, MORRIS LANIER, 23, of Hartford, and NAHKIA ROBERTS, 30, of Willimantic, each with one count of use of a telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
Another indictment charges EDUARDO ZAYAS, a.k.a. “Za,” 31, of East Hartford, and MICHAEL KELLEY, 34, of New Britain, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. ZAYAS is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. KELLEY is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts), possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
This indictment also charges SHAWN KARJOHN, 37, of Hartford, RICHARD JEWELL, 40, of Hartford and CHRISTOPHER ROSA, 32, of Hartford, with use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony. KARJOHN is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
Charged in four separate indictments are:
EDGARDO TORRES, a.k.a. “Eggy,” 36, of East Hartford, with 14 counts of possessing with intent to distribute, and distribution, of heroin and crack cocaine.
JOSE SERRANO, 30, of Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
ERIC ORTIZ, a.k.a. “Nice,” 34, of Hartford, with four counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
MIGUEL DIAZ, a.k.a. “Smooth,” 35, of Wethersfield, with two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
CARLOS RIVERA, 24, of Hartford, was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit, Shooting Task Force and South Conditions Unit are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrests.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and Gabriel J. Vidoni.
Mobile County Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney Kenyen Brown announces that Leroy Eugene Wells, a 33 year old, resident of Grand Bay, was sentenced today to 46 months incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a Taurus pistol after being convicted of two felonies, namely, Assault 2nd degree and a prior felon in possession crime.
On March 18, 2015, Mr. Wells pled guilty to being a felon in possession of the Taurus pistol after a traffic stop revealed that he was carrying it as a concealed weapon.
Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and presented it to the U.S. Attorney=s Office for prosecution. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney, Gina S. Vann.