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Tuesday 28 April 2015
Mt. Sterling Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Distributing Thousands of Oxycodone PillsRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON — A Mt. Sterling, Ky., man, who previously admitted to being responsible for the distribution of 20,000 prescription pills in Montgomery County, has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison.
On Friday, April 24, U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves sentenced Jeffrey Scott Wingate, 52, for possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone. Wingate was also ordered to forfeit approximately $200,000, several firearms, and two vehicles.
Judge Reeves also sentenced Charles Michael Spence, 39, of Mt. Sterling, to 81 months for conspiring to distribute Oxycodone. Spence acknowledged he was responsible for the distribution of 14,000 Oxycodone pills. Under federal law, both defendants must serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years, following their release.
In November 2014, Wingate and Spence pleaded guilty to the drug charges and admitted that, from September 2013 through June 12, 2014, they conspired with co-defendant, Eric Gonzalez, aka Joel Ramon Hipolito, and others to distribute Oxycodone pills. Judge Reeves previously sentenced Gonzalez to 200 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
According to Wingate’s plea agreement, he also acknowledged that he conspired to distribute approximately 5 ounces of heroin.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Howard Marshall, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Rodney Brewer, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police; David Charles, Chief, Mt. Sterling Police Department; and Fred Shortridge, Montgomery County Sheriff, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Kentucky State Police, the Mt. Sterling Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the federal government.
Member of “Traveling Group” of Fraudsters SentencedRead the Press Release
BOISE — Brandt Stewart, 29, from Southfield, Michigan, was sentenced today to 32 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Stewart to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.
Stewart, co-defendant Myron Pardon, and others were part of a “traveling group” from Detroit, Michigan, that traveled to southern Idaho in December 2013, and February 2014, to make purchases at large “box stores” using counterfeit credit cards. Stewart, knowingly and with intent to defraud, used counterfeit credit cards to purchase “general use” charge cards at ten stores in Twin Falls, Boise and Meridian, causing losses in the amount of $8,906 in joint and several liability with co-defendant Myron Pardon. Some of the credit cards fraudulently used by Stewart belonged to actual account holders, thus constituting aggravated identity theft.
Stewart’s co-defendant Myron Pardon entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced on similar charges to 18 months incarceration on February 3, 2015, before Judge Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise, Idaho. The case of Stewart’s co-defendant, Matthew Lane, has been transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, in Detroit, where Lane has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 19, 2015.
"Vigorous prosecution of those who travel here to carry out schemes to defraud Idaho citizens and businesses is a priority of this United States Attorney’s Office,” said Olson. “My office will work effectively and aggressively with local police departments and federal law enforcement agencies to put a quick end to these schemes.”
The case is the result of a joint investigation of the Boise Police Department and the United States Secret Service.
Marble Hill Man Pleads Guilty to Howell County Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Marble Hill, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy in which the government seized his aircraft and dozens of firearms.
Joshua William Vawter, 37, of Marble Hill, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Monday, April 27, 2015, to the charge contained in a Dec. 17, 2013, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty, Vawter admitted that he and a co-conspirator purchased seven duffel bags to transport 91.5 kilograms (202 pounds) of high-grade marijuana from California to Missouri. They placed the marijuana in the duffel bags, a suitcase and two golf bags, and loaded them onto Vawter’s airplane, a Piper PA-32-260, which he piloted. Vawter’s plane landed at West Plains Regional Airport in West Plains, Mo., on Oct. 31, 2013. Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the plane and seized the marijuana and $1,800. Drug Enforcement Administration agents estimate the total street value of the marijuana seized to be $1 million.
The next day DEA agents searched Vawter’s residence and seized 56 firearms from a vault in the basement. Agents also seized a total of $75,000 from the vault (including $18,000 that was hidden in the foam backing of a gun case). Four additional firearms were seized from the master bedroom, for a total of 60 firearms seized from the residence.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Vawter must forfeit to the government the airplane, the firearms and the money that was seized.
Under federal statutes, Vawter is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1 million. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Custom and Border Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Bollinger County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri South Central Drug Task Force.
Las Cruces Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Juan C. Rodriguez, 36, of Las Cruces, N.M., was sentenced in Las Cruces federal court this morning for his child pornography conviction. Rodriguez was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Rodriguez was arrested on April 23, 2014, by the FBI on an indictment charging him with possession of matter containing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment alleged that Rodriguez possessed child pornography in Doña Ana County, N.M., between June 2013 and Aug. 2013.
On Aug. 12, 2014, Rodriguez pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that between June 6, 2013 and Aug. 22, 2013, he used a computer and computer-related media to download child pornography using a peer-to-peer network. Rodriguez acknowledged that law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence on Aug. 22, 2013, and seized his computer and computer-related media. He further acknowledged that a forensic examination of those items uncovered approximately 30 still images and five videos consistent with child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of FBI and the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory with assistance from the Denver office of the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander B. Shapiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Las Cruces Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Ronald Lee Gore, 30, of Las Cruces, N.M. entered a guilty plea yesterday in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. The guilty plea was entered without the benefit of a plea agreement.
Gore and his co-defendant Marcus Dupre, 27, of Phoenix, Ariz., were charged in a criminal complaint on Oct. 6, 2014, with methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses. Gore, Dupre, Jose Miramontes, 35, and Ramona Baca, 30, both of Las Cruces, N.M., were subsequently indicted on Dec. 10, 2014.
The indictment charged Gore with three counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess a fully automatic machinegun, possession of a machinegun, and being a felon in possession of firearms. At the time, Gore was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of theft in the first degree and burglary in the second degree. Gore was charged with committing these crimes between April 22, 2014 and Oct. 2, 2014, in Doña Ana County, N.M.
Dupre pled guilty on Jan. 20, 2015, to distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and admitted that on Oct. 2, 2014, he conspired with Gore to sell methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent in exchange for a fully automatic machinegun. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
The indictment was superseded on Feb. 18, 2015, to add an extra count charging Miramontes with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on Dec. 15, 2014, in Doña Ana County. At the time, Miramontes was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of residential burglary.
During yesterday’s plea hearing, Gore pled guilty to the superseding indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement. At sentencing, Gore faces a statutory penalty of not less than five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison followed by at least four years of supervised release.
Miramontes and Baca have entered pleas of not guilty to the indictment. A trial has yet to be scheduled. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces offices of the FBI and DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Laredoan Sentenced for Receiving and Sharing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Alberto Garza-Gaona, 27, of Laredo, has been ordered to federal prison for receiving and sharing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. He pleaded guilty Sept. 5, 2014.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Garza-Gaona a sentence of 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was further ordered to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notice Act. Garza-Gaona is a student Visa holder and is expected to face deportation proceedings following completion of his sentence.
In February 2014, an investigation was launched and focused on the distribution and receipt of child pornography through electronic file sharing using peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Soon after, law enforcement discovered various child pornography videos that had been downloaded to a to a specific IP address. That IP address was identified as belonging to Garza-Gaona.
A search warrant was executed at his residence on June 4, 2014, at which time agents seized numerous computer and storage devices. A subsequent forensic analysis led to the discovery of 27,134 images and 23 videos containing child pornography. An additional 497 child pornography video file remnants had also been discovered. All of the materials were found on devices located in the Garza-Gaona’s bedroom connected to various P2P networks.
Garza-Gaona admitted he downloaded the child pornography and that all of the media devices found in his bedroom belonged to him.
At the hearing today, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent testified regarding the high volume of pornographic videos found on Garza-Gaona's computer. Upon sentencing Garza-Gaona, Judge Marmolejo commented that child pornography is the torturing of young children. Garza-Gaona will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI and the Webb County Sherriff’s Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker is prosecuting the case.
The charges were the result of Operation Child Guardian, which was launched by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office in 2009. The success of these investigations have put dozens of suspected child predators behind bars.
The prosecution 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."
Lapwai Man Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact with a ChildRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE - Gaylen K. Broncheau, 62, of Lapwai, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to abusive sexual contact with a child under twelve, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Broncheau was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d'Alene on November 18, 2014.
According to the plea agreement, between 2008 and 2011, on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, Broncheau had sexual contact with a child, touching the child’s genitals with his fingers, over the child’s underwear. The plea agreement states the child was under twelve when this occurred.
The charge is punishable by up to life in prison, up to lifetime supervised release following any prison sentence, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Sentencing is set for August 18, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Nez Perce Tribal Police, Idaho State Police, and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Kamiah Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a FBI AgentRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE - Pennie Sue Moffett, 41, of Kamiah, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to assaulting, resisting, and impeding an officer of the United States, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Moffett was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d'Alene on May 20, 2014.
According to the plea agreement, on March 27, 2014, Moffett obstructed, impeded, and assaulted an FBI Agent who was engaged in his official duties by resisting arrest and kicking the agent. The plea agreement states the FBI agent did not suffer bodily injury as a result of Moffett’s conduct.
The charge is punishable by up to eight years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
Sentencing is set for July 21, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Nez Perce Tribal Police.
Justice Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Agree to Policing Reforms and Settlement of Police-Related Fair Housing Claims in the Antelope ValleyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) that will support wide-ranging reforms in LASD’s Antelope Valley stations in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale. The Justice Department and the county of Los Angeles have agreed to enter into a court-enforceable settlement agreement that will require reforms to LASD’s data collection, training and accountability systems to improve the quality and effectiveness of LASD’s interactions with Antelope Valley residents, and reduce bias in its practices. The settlement agreement also provides for a monetary fund of $700,000 to compensate persons harmed by LASD’s alleged violation of the Fair Housing Act, and a civil penalty of $25,000 to the United States.
The agreement follows the department’s issuing of a findings letter in June 2013 following an investigation which began in August 2011. Sheriff Jim McDonnell, his predecessors and Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles Executive Director Sean Rogan were all cooperative throughout the investigation and began working with the department to negotiate a remedy to the problems revealed by the investigation.
This settlement resolves claims from the department's investigation which found patterns of excessive use of force, biased policing practices, including housing discrimination, and unlawful searches and seizures. LASD has already begun to implement many of the negotiated reforms under the leadership of Sheriff Jim McDonnell. The Justice Department and the county filed the settlement agreement with the United States District Court for approval and entry as an order.
“Constitutional policing and effective policing go hand in hand,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division. “We are confident that this settlement represents a commitment by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to respect the rights of residents and promote mutual confidence between law enforcement and the community. This agreement puts in place a structure that will foster lawful, bias-free policing in the Antelope Valley, and ensures compensation for persons harmed by past unlawful conduct. We look forward to continuing our positive partnership with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to implement the terms of this settlement agreement and to help restore the community’s confidence in fair, equitable, and effective law enforcement.”
The investigation was brought pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act. The investigation concluded that there was reasonable cause to believe that deputies engaged in a pattern or practice of misconduct in violation of the Constitution and federal law. The findings, which were announced in June 2013, include:
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Pedestrian and vehicle stops that violated the Fourth Amendment;
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Stops that appeared motivated by racial bias, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and federal statutory law;
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The use of unreasonable force in violation of the Fourth Amendment; and
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A pattern of intimidation and harassment by LASD deputies against African-Americans who held Section 8 housing choice vouchers. The goal of that intimidation and harassment, which violated the Fair Housing Act, was to terminate African-American voucher holders from the Section 8 program and to pressure them to move out of the Antelope Valley.
Under the settlement agreement, LASD has agreed to implement comprehensive reforms to ensure lawful policing and restore public trust. An independent monitoring team will oversee the reforms, which LASD intends to implement within four years. In addition, the monitoring team will provide technical assistance and publicly report on the LASD’s compliance efforts. The settlement agreement provides for a $700,000 fund to compensate persons harmed by LASD’s alleged violation of the Fair Housing Act, and a $25,000 civil penalty to the United States. The areas covered by the settlement agreement include:
- Stops, searches and seizures: measures to improve collection and analysis of policing data to identify instances and patterns of unlawful police-civilian contact, such as stops without adequate legal justification;
- Bias-free policing: improved training and supervisory review to prevent and identify biased or discriminatory conduct;
- Use of force: measures to improve the quality of use-of-force investigations and develop a better means to detect and correct problematic force patterns and trends;
- Policies and training: revised policies on use of force, preventing retaliation, supporting officers who report misconduct, and improving the field training program to ensure that officers develop the necessary technical and practical skills required to use force in a lawful and effective manner, with an emphasis on de-escalation and use of the minimal amount of force necessary;
- Internal and civilian complaint investigations: including standards for conducting objective, thorough and timely investigations;
- Supervision: including holding supervisors accountable for close and effective supervision; and providing guidance on effective accountability systems to improve public trust;
- Housing: measures to ensure proper limits on deputy involvement in searches of Section 8 voucher holders’ homes for compliance with program rules; and
- Community engagement: including measures to strengthen civilian involvement and feedback in setting policing priorities; public information programs to keep civilians informed of policing activities; requirements for community interaction at all levels of LASD; and establishing community advisory entities to ensure that meaningful feedback is obtained from the community.
This agreement does not resolve the department’s claims against the Housing Authority of Los Angeles County, the county of Los Angeles as it relates to the Housing Authority of the county of Los Angeles, the city of Lancaster or the city of Palmdale for related conduct under the Fair Housing Act. Those parties are continuing to work toward a resolution.
The investigation was conducted by the Civil Rights Division. The investigation involved an in-depth review of thousands of pages of documents, including written policies and procedures, training materials, and internal reports, data, video footage and investigative files. Department of Justice attorneys and investigators also conducted interviews with officers, supervisors, command staff and city officials as well as spoke with hundreds of community members and local advocates, and worked with experts in police practices.
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Indictment: Former Bel Aire Police Chief Lied About Purchase of FirearmsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A former chief of the Bel Aire Police Department and a former officer were indicted Tuesday on federal firearms charges. The indictment alleges they conspired to buy firearms at a discount by claiming the weapons were the property of the police department and would be used for law enforcement purposes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Former police chief John R. Daily, 62, Haysville, Kan., and Ricky L. Swanson, 39, Wichita, are the third and fourth defendants charged in the case. Both of them are charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud.
The indictment alleges Daily, who was chief from May 2006 to December 2013, signed paperwork for the purchase of three Sig Sauer Model 716 Patrol, 7.62 mm rifles, falsely stating that the military style weapons were being purchased for use by the police department and would not be sold. In fact, the rifles were not approved for officers to carry on duty. By misrepresenting the rifles as police department property, the defendants were able to take advantage of special pricing and tax exemptions.
The indictment alleges Swanson, who worked as an officer from November 2006 to December 2013, ignored an interim police chief’s directions to cancel the order. Instead he directed two of the rifles to be delivered to another location so he could take possession. He kept one of the rifles and sold the other one.
Also charged in the case are Nathan A. Mavia, 26, Wichita, Kan., and Robert McCaslin, 41, Wichita, Kan.
If convicted, Daily and Swanson face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
OTHER FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS
Byron Cadavid, 30, Goddard, Kan., Robby Alan Murphy, 34, Wichita, Kan., and Norma Garcia-Cadavid, 30, Wichita, Kan., are charged with a firearm violation. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 9, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. David Lind is prosecuting.
Ronald B. Zolman, 49, Little River, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of growing marijuana plants. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 9, 2015, in Lyons, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge; and a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million on the drug charge. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
Gerardo Ramirez-Cigala, 47, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found April 20, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Mauro Humberto Sanchez-Vasquez, 36, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found April 18, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Juan Salzar-Alvarenga, 30, a citizen of El Salvador, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported, and one count of transporting another unlawful alien within the United States. The crimes are alleged to have occurred April 22, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the transportation charge, and a maximum penalty of two years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Jorge Alberto Rodriguez-Vargas, 27, a citizen of Honduras, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found April 22, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Former Social Security Employee Sentenced for $10,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former employee of the Social Security Administration was sentenced in federal court today for illegally accessing personal identification information as part of a nearly $10,000 fraud scheme to steal from the government.
Mary Francis Taylor, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Taylor to pay $9,853 in restitution.
On Sept. 16, 2014, Taylor pleaded guilty to the theft of government money.
Taylor worked as a teleservice technician in the Social Security Administration’s Mid-America Program Service Center in Kansas City, Mo., until she resigned on Jan. 10, 2014. In that role, she had access to sensitive private information for all individuals who possess a Social Security number.
Taylor admitted that she found a NetSpend debit card on a public bus in August 2013. She took the NetSpend debit card as well as some documents that contained additional personal identification information. Taylor called NetSpend, falsely claiming to be the cardholder (identified as Victim 1), and instructed NetSpend to add another beneficiary to the debit card. Taylor possessed identity information for this new beneficiary, identified as Victim 2, because she found Victim 2’s case file on a co-workers desk.
Taylor illegally accessed the SSA computer system to create an overage to Victim 2’s record, which was direct deposited into the bank account linked to the debit card that was stolen from Victim 1. As a result, SSA direct deposited $9,853 into that bank account.
Taylor used the debit card to pay off her account at Aaron’s and to pay arrearages on her home mortgage, utilities and car loan.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Alford III. It was investigated by Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations.
Former Operations Manager of Weco Repair Station Sentenced for Recklessly Endangering AircraftRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The former operations manager of WECO Aerospace Systems Inc. was sentenced today for conspiracy to destroy aircraft or aircraft facilities, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
United States District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Jerry Edward Kuwata, 64, of Granite Bay, to one year in prison. WECO was a Federal Aviation Administration-certified repair business with facilities in Lincoln and Burbank, California. According to court documents, WECO was permitted by the FAA to repair certain types of aircraft parts, including starter generators and converters, used on various types of aircraft, including small helicopters used by tour companies and law enforcement agencies. WECO employees regularly failed to follow FAA regulations in repairing and overhauling the aircraft parts. In many cases, WECO did not even have equipment capable of performing required tests. WECO employees at both locations nonetheless performed repairs and returned parts to customers, falsely certifying that the parts had passed tests and had been repaired in accordance FAA standards. There have been no known instances in which a fraudulent WECO repair resulted in an aircraft accident. However, WECO customers who testified at the trial of WECO’s owner, William Hugh Weygandt, 65, of Granite Bay, consistently testified that once they learned of the fraudulent repairs, they removed all WECO-repaired parts from their aircraft due to safety concerns.
At sentencing, Judge Mendez noted that Kuwata never took action to notify the FAA of the fraud, and expressed concern for the potential safety risks posed by such conduct.
A federal jury found Weygandt guilty at trial of conspiracy to commit fraud involving aircraft parts repair. He was sentenced on July 8, 2014, to two and a half years in prison. Other former WECO executives Michael Dennis Maupin, of Arbuckle; and Anthony Vincent Zito, of Saugus, previously pleaded guilty to federal offenses in connection with the conspiracy and await sentencing.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Inspector General for the Department of Transportation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Inspectors General of the Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith is prosecuting the case.
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Former FCI Danbury Employee Admits Role in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KISHA PERKINS, 43, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to participating in a bribe scheme at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury) where she was employed.
“There is no tolerance for corrupt employees within the ranks of the Bureau of Prisons,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “Prison officials, like this defendant, will be held accountable in federal court. I commend the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General for their diligence in uncovering this corrosive bribery scheme. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners are committed to rooting out corruption at all levels of government.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, PERKINS was employed as a case manager at FCI Danbury. After receiving information about an alleged scheme to solicit and collect cash bribes from FCI Danbury inmates in exchange for a recommendation that inmates be released early to “halfway houses,” federal law enforcement initiated an undercover operation. As part of the operation, another FCI Danbury employee, working in an undercover capacity, told PERKINS about a scheme in which an inmate was purporting to make a cash payment in exchange for the inmate’s early release to a halfway house. In pleading guilty, PERKINS admitted to having participated in that scheme and also admitted that, in February 2014, she agreed to accept a pair of shoes or a Louis Vuitton pocketbook in return for aiding in the commission of the scheme by counseling the employee regarding the bribe scheme and failing to report the bribe scheme to prison officials.
PERKINS was arrested on March 14, 2014.
PERKINS pleaded guilty to one count of acceptance of a bribe by a public official, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of up to $250,000. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2015.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.
Former Chairman of Louisville Episcopal Church Education Foundation and His Spouse Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.1 Million from the CharityRead the Press Release
Foundation Chairman laundered money through his wife’s business
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Charles Muir, the former chairman of the Woodcock Foundation, and his wife, Diana Muir, former owner of DBM-Dental Direct of Louisville, were sentenced today, by Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell, to serve prison terms for the interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering totaling $1,141,030, from the Louisville Episcopal Church Education Foundation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.
“This crime was an act of staggering selfishness,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney John Kuhn. “The Muirs stole money from a charity that gave college scholarships to economically disadvantaged students. In effect, they were stealing college money from needy and deserving young people. And to make matters worse, their actions undermined the trust and confidence of generous and good-hearted donors who wanted to make a difference through contributions to an educational charity.”
Charles Muir, age 62, was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release and Diana Muir, age 61, was sentenced to six months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Both are from Louisville and previously admitted in court, that between April 2007 and June 2011, they unlawfully transferred or caused to be transferred in interstate commerce approximately $1,141,030 of funds that had been stolen or taken by fraud from the Woodcock Foundation. The funds were transferred from Your Community Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, to locations outside of Kentucky. The $1,141,030 was taken without authority from the Woodcock Foundation, a charitable trust providing college scholarships in the Louisville, Kentucky area. In addition the defendants conducted financial transactions involving the proceeds of the $1,141,030 by depositing checks from the Woodcock Foundation into the Your Community Bank account of DBM Dental to disguise the nature of the transactions.
According to court records, during the four year period of conduct, the couple withdrew approximately $262,000 by ATM at a casino in Indiana and in total withdrew more than $365,000 in cash.
From April 2007 through June 2011, Charles Muir was the chairman of the Woodcock Foundation, a charitable organization associated with the Episcopal Church of Louisville, Kentucky. During the same timeframe, Diana Muir owned and controlled DBM.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Calhoun and Jason Snyder, and was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
Former Bookkeeper at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church and School Sentenced to Six Months Home Detention for Embezzling FundsRead the Press Release
Agreed to restitution in the amount of $83,191 to the Louisville Parish
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The former bookkeeper at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church and School was sentenced in U.S. District Court today, by Senior District Judge Thomas B. Russell, to six months home detention as part of a three year term of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $83,191 to the Louisville Parish announced Acting United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.
Tammy Goodlett, 49, of Louisville, admitted in court to devising a scheme to defraud Saint Gabriel. According to the single count indictment, Goodlett committed wire fraud when, as bookkeeper, she exceeded her authorized access by transferring funds from Saint Gabriel’s bank account to her own bank accounts, made unauthorized credit card expenditures, and manipulated financial records to make unpaid debts appear paid. The fraud to obtain funds and services to which she was not entitled began on or about August 13, 2010, and continued to on or about August 6, 2013. Specifically, Goodlett used Saint Gabriel’s credit card for personal expenses, such as concert tickets, without authorization. Also, Goodlett admitted to manipulating Saint Gabriel’s financial records to make it appear that she had paid her daughter’s school tuition at Saint Gabriel when she had not made the payments.
Goodlett has paid $11,757 toward the total restitution and currently owes $71,439.18 to the Louisville parish.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Zimdahl and was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Evansville man sentenced in child pornography caseRead the Press Release
Defendant abducted a nine year old boy playing near his home
PRESS RELEASE
Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today the sentencing of an Evansville man for possession and distribution of child pornography. Jack Perkins III, 30, was sentenced to five years in federal prison by Chief U. S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
“Protecting our innocent children from internet predators will remain a top priority of our office,” said Minkler. “Producing and distributing child pornography re-victimizes our children every time it is passed from one person to another.”
On January 31, 2012, the Evansville Police Department responded to an emergency call placed by the mother of a nine year old boy who was forcibly pulled into a car and taken away while playing outside with a friend. While patrol officers were at the scene of the abduction, the missing boy came running back home through an alley. The boy was partially clothed and obviously in distress. Before being transported to the hospital, the boy reported that he had been pulled into a car by an adult male and driven a short distance away from his family's residence in the Jacobsville neighborhood in Evansville. After parking the car, the boy reported the adult male climbed into the back seat and sexually assaulted him. The boy escaped from the car and ran home where EPD officers were beginning to investigate his disappearance.
Based on the description of the suspect vehicle and tips received after media reports of the crime, Jack Perkins III, was identified as the lead suspect in the case. On February 1, 2012, Perkins was located in his apartment on West Florida Street in Evansville. Perkins' vehicle was parked outside his apartment. During an interview with police, Perkins admitted that he sexually assaulted the nine year old boy.
Officers later found child pornography on Perkins’ computer and data storage discs in the apartment.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Todd Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case for the government, Perkins will serve his federal sentence consecutive to the 45 years he is serving for the sexual assault and abduction.
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 Attorney’s Office 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 "resource.”
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Eufaula Woman Sentenced to 36 Months Probation, $22,600 Restitution for Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that LINDA LUE ADAMS, a/k/a LINDA CORLEY, a/k/a LINDA MARTIN, age 68, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 3 years of probation for Obstruction of Justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(c)(2). ADAMS was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $22,687.80.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The defendant pled guilty in January, 2015.
The Information alleges that on or about the 12th day of December, the defendant, did corruptly attempt to obstruct, influence, and impede an official proceeding, to wit: an impending grand jury investigation of social security fraud in which the defendant and others were benefiting from social security disability payments to which they were not entitled, by making materially false statements regarding the involvement of other persons in the fraud for the purpose of preventing the prosecution of those other persons.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.
Equitable Sharing Press Conference Scheduled for Wednesday, April 29 in JacksonvilleRead the Press Release
U.S. ATTORNEY TO PRESENT EQUITABLE SHARING FUNDS
TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS
WHO: A. Lee Bentley, III
United States Attorney
Middle District of Florida
Chad Cook
Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Drug Enforcement Administration
Jacksonville Division
William (Bill) Berger
United States Marshal
Middle District of Florida
WHAT: Press Conference
Forfeited funds to be distributed to multiple state and local law enforcement agencies
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015
11:30 A.M. EST (start time has been pushed back 30 mins from 11 to 11:30).
WHERE: United States Federal Courthouse
(Jury Assembly Room)
300 N. Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
OPEN PRESS
NOTE: All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license).
Media may begin arriving at 10:15 A.M. EST.
Eastern District of Washington Heroin/Opioid Overdose SummitRead the Press Release
Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that the United States Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the University of Washington, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI), Kittitas County Public Health Department, and Central Washington University, will be hosting a summit meeting to discuss the growing problem of opioid overdose in Eastern Washington.
The United States Department of Justice has identified prevention of opioid abuse and death as a major priority for the United States Department of Justice. In a policy address delivery in March, 2014, Attorney General Eric Holder stated: “When confronting the problem of substance abuse, it makes sense to focus attention on the most dangerous types of drugs. And right now, few substances are more lethal than prescription opiates and heroin. Addiction to heroin and other opiates – including certain prescription pain-killers – is impacting the lives of Americans in every state, in every region, and from every background and walk of life – and all too often, with deadly results.”
Analysis by the University of Washington ADAI suggests the scope of the problem in the Eastern Washington is very serious. From 2002 to 2013:
• Two people per week died from an opioid overdose;
• 3,084 people entered publicly funded treatment for the first time for opioid use, a 103% increase;
• Local law enforcement evidence testing for opioids increased 79% and totaled 3,502 cases.This summit with bring together disciplines that combat heroin and prescription opioid overdoses to exchange information and find effective ways to:
• Implement overdose prevention programs in Eastern Washington;
• Provide naloxone to first responders and community members;
• Support the implementation of Washington State’s Good Samaritan Overdose law;
• Support the continuum of service for opioid-dependent persons, including medication assisted treatment;
• Conduct public education to reduce the stigma of substance use disorders;
• Support prevention, treatment, and intervention and recovery services while maintaining public safety; and
• Break down barriers between enforcement, prevention, treatment professionals and public health.The summit will convene May 5, 2015 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Student Union Building (SURC), Central Washington University, 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA, 98926. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required. Please review the attached announcement for additional information.
Summit Committee Co-Chair Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MSW, MPH, University of Washington ADAI and Summit presenter Penny Legate, Parent and Former KIRO-TV Reporter and Evening Magazine host, will be available for media interviews between 12:00pm and 1:00pm in the SURC Room 273.
Day of the event Public Information Officer:
Barb Arnott
Public Affairs Coordinator
Central Washington University
509-963-2841
[email protected]For additional information please contact:
Susan Kingston
Center for Opioid Safety Education
UW ADAI
206-221-4041
[email protected]Sheriff Steven R. Tomson (ret.)
Law Enforcement Coordination Chief
United States Attorney’s Office, EDWA
509-710-5894
[email protected]District Heights Man Indicted for Second Degree Murder Arising from Baltimore-Washington Parkway Fatal Car CrashRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Anthony Lamont Payne, age 27, of District Heights, Maryland, today on charges of second degree murder arising from a fatal car crash. The indictment was returned yesterday and unsealed today upon his arrest.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Chief of Police Robert D. MacLean of the U.S. Park Police.
The one count indictment alleges that Payne killed the victim on March 20, 2015. The charge arises from a fatal car crash on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
Payne faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. An initial appearance was held at 4:00 p.m. today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. Payne was detained under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services, pending a detention hearing to be held on April 30, 2015 at 12:30 p.m.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Park Police for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Hollis Raphael Weisman and Special Assistant United States Attorney Conor Mulroe, who are prosecuting the case.
Disbarred Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston area attorney, who was disbarred in 2007 after practicing law for more than three decades, was sentenced to federal prison today for tax and bank fraud violations. His crimes arose in connection with recording fraudulent tax and bank releases on his seaside Marblehead home and his vacation home in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Both properties were later foreclosed on.
John C. McBride, 66, was sentenced today to two years in prison, two years of supervised release, and restitution to be determined at a later date. In January 2015, McBride pleaded guilty before U.S. District Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to bank fraud and endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws.
In early 2008, McBride, a now-disbarred criminal defense lawyer, recorded six fraudulent federal tax lien releases against his Marblehead home, in order to obtain a $288,000 loan secured by that property and deprive the IRS of its nearly $700,000 secured interest. McBride prepared the releases himself, without the knowledge or authorization of the IRS, and forged the signatures of IRS officials on them. In March 2008, McBride attempted, unsuccessfully, to record two similar fraudulent tax lien releases against a second home he owned in Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard. In 2011, McBride attempted to obtain a $387,000 reverse mortgage loan from Bank of America, which was to have been secured by his Edgartown property. In connection with that loan application, McBride falsely told the bank that there were no liens on the Edgartown property and that he was not then in bankruptcy. In fact, there were substantial liens on the property and McBride’s bankruptcy case, which he had filed in 2009, was still ongoing. In furtherance of his effort to obtain the bank loan, McBride prepared and recorded a fraudulent and unauthorized discharge of mortgage which purported to discharge a more than $700,000 existing mortgage on his Edgartown property. Bank of America discovered that the discharge was fraudulent before the loan closed, and no funds were disbursed to McBride.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Robert E. O’Malley, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Office of Investigations, New York Field Office (TIGTA); Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Balthazard of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.
Detroit One Collaboration Leads to Indictment of “RTM” Gang Members in Northwest DetroitRead the Press Release
Five members of a violent street gang in Detroit have been indicted on racketeering and other related charges, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade today.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department.
The superseding indictment, unsealed today, is a result of the collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement under the Detroit One initiative.
According to the superseding indictment, the gang known as “RTM” short for “Related Through Money” operates in northwest Detroit, between the Southfield Freeway and Greenfield Road to the west and east and by Plymouth Road and Joy Road to the north and south. The RTM gang members refer to this area as the “Skuddzone” and actively use violence to stake out the gang’s “turf” and intimidate both rival gang members and the citizens of northwest Detroit and the surrounding area. The gang is active around Cody High School and has been involved in a number of assaults and acts of intimidation at the high school. The superseding indictment alleges a variety of crimes, including murders, shootings, carjackings, assaults, the breaking and entering of residential homes or businesses, and robberies and attempted robberies of jewelry stores. The five individuals charged with racketeering conspiracy are:
- Deonta Matthews, 20, of Detroit;
- Brandon Owens, 19, of Detroit;
- Brandon Sims, 20, of Detroit;
- Meyer Thedford, 20, of Detroit; and
- Antwan Foster-Stockton, 21, of Detroit.
Under the Detroit One Initiative investigators were able to combine separate probes into various members of this organization and its activities into one investigation. Detroit One is led by the Detroit Police Department and the FBI Violent Gang Task Force, which consists of representatives of Detroit Police Department, Redford Township Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Michigan State Police.
“The Detroit One partnership has made it a priority to dismantle violent street gangs to restore peace to our neighborhoods,” McQuade said. By working together with various law enforcement agencies, we are able to detect patterns and repeated crimes by the same individuals to build larger cases out of separate incidents.”
“As part of the Detroit One Initiative, this collaborative investigation targeted some of the most violent criminal offenders in the Detroit area,” said Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “As alleged in the indictment, RTM gang members have been involved in assaults and acts of intimidation in and around a high school. There is nothing more important than protecting our children and keeping our communities safe from violent offenders. Through the Detroit One Initiative, we wage this battle on behalf of law abiding citizens every day. The FBI, in cooperation with the officers, agents and prosecutors engaged in this effort, will continue to fight for the safety of the citizens we serve.”
Detroit One is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce homicide and other violent crime in Detroit. This indictment is the latest in a string of indictments or informations over the last two years involving violent street gangs in the city of Detroit, including:
- Nine members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang charged with federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;
- Thirteen members of the Latin Counts street gang charged with federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;
- Fourteen members of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club / Vice Lords street gang charged with federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;
- A Vice Lord leader charged under the federal street gang statute for his role in an armed robbery; and
- Three members of the Band Crew street gang charged under the state of Michigan gang felony statute for violent acts in furtherance of their gang activities.
These charges are just some of the tangible and significant results of this joint effort.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden is on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Delaware Port Employee Indicted on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Ronald Mays, 63, of Wilmington, Delaware was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with three counts of attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Mays, who works for the Port of Wilmington, in Delaware, was arrested today by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations.
The indictment alleges that on or about January 6, 2014, February 12, 2014, and May 6, 2014, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Mays attempted to possess cocaine.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years in prison, a maximum fine of $3 million, at least four years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $300.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sozi Pedro Tulante.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
DOD Employee Pleads Guilty for Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor in HondurasRead the Press Release
A civilian employee from the Department of Defense pleaded guilty today to one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in a foreign place, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.
William Curry McGrath, 55, of San Antonio, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal of the Southern District of Texas. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2015. McGrath was arrested in October 2014, and has been in custody since his arrest.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, McGrath was the Director of the Network Enterprise Center at the Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, Honduras, from December 2012 until his departure in March 2014. McGrath admitted that while stationed in Honduras, he met a 13 year-old girl and began a sexual relationship with her. He further admitted that he gave the girl money, gifts and other items of value in exchange for sexual acts.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Houston Division. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Amy E. Larson of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack of the Southern District of Texas.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
DOD Employee Pleads Guilty for Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with A Minor in HondurasRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A civilian employee from the Department of Defense pleaded guilty today to one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in a foreign place, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson and Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
William Curry McGrath, 55, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal in Houston.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, McGrath was the director of the Network Enterprise Center at the Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, Honduras, from December 2012 until his departure in March 2014. McGrath admitted that while stationed in Honduras, he met a 13-year-old girl and began a sexual relationship with her. He further admitted he gave the girl money, gifts and other items of value in exchange for sexual acts.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2015. At that time, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He was arrested in October 2014 and has been in custody since that time.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Houston Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack and Trial Attorney Amy E. Larson of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Crownpoint Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Update his Sex Offender RegistrationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Ferlin Platero, 49, of Crownpoint, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., for failing to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and U.S. Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria.
SORNA, also known as the Adam Walsh Protection and Safety Act, requires that a convicted sex offender register in each jurisdiction where the offender resides, where the offender is employed, or where the offender is a student, and that the sex offender maintain current registrations.
Platero was arrested on Dec. 17, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with violating SORNA by failing to update his sex offender registration. On Jan. 8, 2015, Platero was indicted for failing to update his registration between July 1, 2014 and Dec. 9, 2014, in McKinley County, N.M.
According to court filings, Platero was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse in Nov. 1993. On Feb. 24, 2004, he registered as a sex offender in the State of Arizona and agreed to notify the sheriff of the county to which he moved if he were ever to move out of the county. Platero last registered as a sex offender on Oct. 26, 2012, in Ariz., and subsequently failed to notify the New Mexico Department of Public Safety or the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety that he was required to register as a sex offender when he moved to New Mexico
Today Platero pled guilty to a felony information charging him with failing to update his registration in McKinley County, N.M. He entered the guilty plea without the benefit of a plea agreement. At sentencing, Platero faces a maximum of ten years in federal prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender following his term of incarceration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Mease.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Leangelo M. Newton, 31, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. Evidence showed that on June 26, 2014, Newton was in East St. Louis at the residence of a convicted felon, who was on parole, when agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections came to conduct a parole compliance check. Agents conducted pat downs of each person present within the home for safety reasons and found Newton to be in possession of five rounds of ammunition. Newton had been convicted of and was on probation for Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance in St. Clair County.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections Parole Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Collinsville Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Michael Alan Carver, 29, of Collinsville, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in a scheme to obtain money and property through the use of unauthorized access devices and through the commission of identity theft, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Carver faces a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release after serving his sentence, and mandatory restitution. Sentencing has been scheduled for August 2, 2015.
As part of the plea, Carver admitted assisting another in stealing mail out of mailboxes. The stolen mail contained means of identification of other persons that included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. As part of the conspiracy, a conspirator used that information to apply for and obtain credit cards of other persons without authorization. The credit cards were then used to make purchases. Some of the fraudulently obtained items were then shipped or mailed to Carver’s residence. Carver obtained a percentage of the value of the unauthorized credit cards.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Collinsville Police Department, the Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations, and the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Butte County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Keith Joseph Banning, 59, of Magalia, pleaded guilty today to receipt of child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, an undercover investigation revealed that in June through August of 2012, an Internet user at Banning’s home address was using a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to share pictures and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including a number of videos involving children under the age of 10. A search warrant executed at Banning’s home revealed that his computers contained hundreds of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, and that at various times many of those videos were made available to others over the Internet through a file-sharing network.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Matthew G. Morris is prosecuting the case.
Banning is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2015, by United States District Judge John A. Mendez. Banning faces a possible sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about Internet safety.
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Buffalo Police Officer Arrested, Charged with Civil Rights ViolationsRead 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 Robert Eloff Jr., 40, of Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of conspiracy to deprive an individual of rights under color of law. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
“This area is extremely fortunate to have brave and selfless women and men serving as police officers whose sworn duty is to protect and serve, said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As has been said many times, the vast majority of our police discharge their responsibilities with the highest standards of professionalism and honor. But when an officer misuses his position and engages in unjustified violence – this Office will investigate and bring charges as appropriate.”
"When government officials act under color of law, it is imperative that their actions are not willfully unreasonable and in violation of Constitutionally granted rights, said Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Office of the FBI. “Incidents of unlawful actions by law enforcement officers reduce trust and confidence in the entire criminal justice system and make it more difficult for noble and honorable officers to beget the community's support to enhance public safety and the overall quality of life."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Guerra, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant is charged in connection with two separate incidents at Molly’s Pub in Buffalo in 2014.
According to the complaint, in the early morning hours of February 15, 2014, Eloff used his position as a police officer to strike and kick a victim identified as R.D. on his head and face. The attack happened while the victim was handcuffed behind his back and physically compliant.
The incident happened after R.D., who was under 21, was pushed out of the bar by a bouncer for using false identification. Once outside the bar, the victim was approached by the defendant who was wearing a shirt that said “POLICE,” a gun and handcuffs. According to the complaint, Eloff handcuffed R.D. behind his back and took him to the side of the bar along with another police officer. The complaint further states that after the victim did not answer questions from the officers, the defendant became angry and punched the victim in the right eye. After the victim fell to the ground, Eloff then put his knee on R.D.’s head. The victim was also kicked in the head. R.D. was subsequently arrested and taken to the Erie County Holding Center.
According to the complaint, a witness (Witness 1) who was with the victim at Molly’s Pub, told investigators that during the assault, the victim did not oppose Eloff and was screaming “stop.” According to Witness 1, a second witness, identified as Witness 2, recorded the incident on his cellphone. But, according to the complaint, another officer made Witness 2 delete the video from his phone. Witness 2 did take two photographs of the incident.
As for the second incident, in the early morning hours of May 11, 2014, William Sager was pushed down a flight of stairs at Molly’s Pub by Jeffrey Basil. Sager later died of his injuries and Basil was convicted in state court of murder. At the time Sager was pushed by Basil, Eloff was in Molly’s Pub working security for the bar.
According to the complaint, a victim identified as D.H. was with William Sager the night he was pushed down the stairs. The complaint states that D.H saw people carry Sager outside after he fell down the stairs. When the victim went outside, Sager was propped up, sitting the on the ground. As he was asking officers what happened, Eloff grabbed D.H. and told him to get out of there. The victim then walked away and called 911. When other officers arrived, the victim asked for Eloff’s name and badge number at which point he was arrested and handcuffed by Eloff and seated next to Sager. D.H. was later taken from the scene by other officers. According to the complaint, Eloff told officers that D.H. had physically interfered with Eloff and others inside the bar. A later review of surveillance video from Molly’s Pub revealed that the victim never confronted or was physical with Eloff in the bar. According to the complaint, Eloff caused D.H. to be arrested for trespassing, a crime he never committed and conspired to do so.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Broward Bank Robber Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
A Broward County resident pled guilty in federal court this afternoon to robbing the Wells Fargo Bank in Pompano Beach.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.
Craig Joseph Naughtin, 43, of Pompano Beach, pled guilty to bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a). The defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of twenty years in prison.
According to court records, on February 3, 2015, Naughtin walked into the Wells Fargo Bank in Pompano Beach, approached the bank teller and produced a note that stated, in part, “give me all the money in your drawer.” The teller, fearing for her personal safety, gave the defendant more than $3,500 in bank funds. The robbery was recorded on video by the bank’s surveillance cameras. Naughtin was later arrested and found in possession of $3,561.00 in U.S. currency, as well as a demand note stating “no this is not a joke all the money in the cash draw, no GPS, no dye packs, I’ll be on my way no problems.”
Naughtin is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., by United States District Judge Beth Bloom in Fort Lauderdale.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, Broward Sheriff’s Office and the South Florida Violent Crimes Task Force for their work on this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Katz.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Berks County Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 36-year-old Reading man was sentenced to 75 months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton, for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that operated in Monroe and Berks Counties.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Donald Patnelli, Jr., previously pleaded guilty to participating in the drug conspiracy responsible for distributing over one kilogram of heroin, more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, and other drugs from 2010 to 2013.
Patnelli was indicted by a grand jury in June 2013, as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Mariani also ordered that Patnelli serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
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Bergen County, New Jersey, Man Admits Defrauding Foreign Nation of More Than $3.5 MillionRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A former international legal advisor and New York-licensed attorney today admitted his orchestration of a scheme to defraud a foreign nation of more than $3.5 million, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bobby Boye, a/k/a “Bobby Ajiboye,” a/k/a “Bobby Aji-Boye,” 51, of Mahwah, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
As part of his employment as an international legal advisor for the victim nation, which is referred to in the information as “Country A,” Boye served on a committee responsible for reviewing and evaluating bids, solicited in February 2012, for a multimillion-dollar contract to provide legal and tax accounting advice to Country A. In order to secure the lucrative contract for himself, Boye created a sham New York law and accounting firm called Opus & Best Law Services LLC (Opus & Best) that, unbeknownst to Country A, was secretly controlled by Boye.
In March 2012, Boye caused Opus & Best to submit by email a bid for the contract with Country A. The bid documents contained multiple, material misrepresentations and omissions, including: (1) a false claim that Opus & Best was founded in 1985 and was registered as a legal and accounting services provider in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; (2) a fraudulent listing of several purported employees of Opus & Best; and (3) a reference to prior consulting work purportedly performed by Opus & Best for another foreign country. In reality, Boye created Opus & Best for the purpose of submitting the fraudulent bid documents. Opus & Best employed no one other than Boye, let alone the professionals identified in the bid, and had never provided consulting services to the foreign country listed as a reference. The bid documents failed to disclose that Boye’s affiliation with Opus & Best created a conflict of interest and rendered him a third-party beneficiary of the proposed contract.
Unaware that Opus & Best was a sham firm secretly controlled by Boye, and relying on the recommendation of Boye, Country A awarded the contract to Opus & Best in June 2012. Under the terms of the consulting contract, Boye was one of the two project coordinators acting on behalf of Country A and had authority to receive and approve invoices for payment.
Between June 2012 and December 2012, Country A wired more than $3.5 million to Opus & Best’s New York business checking account, which was controlled by Boye. He used a substantial part of the money to purchase four properties in New Jersey for more than $1.5 million in cash, three luxury vehicles (a 2012 Bentley for $172,000, a 2012 Range Rover for $100,983, and a 2011 Rolls Royce for $215,000), and two designer watches for almost $20,000.
The conspiracy count to which Boye pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Garret Mountain Resident Office in Woodland Park, New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Ward of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.
This case was brought in coordination with President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.stopfraud.gov
Defense counsel: K. Anthony Thomas, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty in Drug Distribution RingRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. —Jose Mojarro Cruz, aka Shyboy, 28, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, from May 2013 through January 2014, Cruz regularly distributed methamphetamine and heroin to various drug dealers and users in Kern County. In particular, Cruz admitted to distributing a combined total of more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.
This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.
Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on July 20, 2015. Cruz faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Synthetic Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE –Sabah Al-Washah, 48, of Albuquerque, N.M., entered a guilty plea in federal court this morning to a “spice” trafficking charge. His plea agreement requires the imposition of a prison sentence in the range of 48 to 60 months. Sabah Al-Washah is one of three men arrested in the District of New Mexico in May 2014, as part of Project Synergy Phase II, a nationwide investigative effort by the DEA, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, IRS and other federal, state, and local partners. Project Synergy Phase II targeted every level of the dangerous global synthetic designer drug market. From Jan. 2014 through May 2014, nationwide enforcement operations took place targeting the drug trafficking organizations that have operated in communities across the country.
Sabah Al-Washah and his co-defendants, Iman Al-Washah, 24, and Amjad Al-Washah, 26, also of Albuquerque, were charged with “spice” trafficking charges in criminal complaints. Sabah Al-Washah, the owner of Carlos’ Smoke Shop, was charged with conspiracy and aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance analogue based on a sale of synthetic cannabinoid to an undercover officer at the smoke shop on Jan. 7, 2014. Sabah Al-Washah also was charged with maintaining drug-involved premises. Amjad Al-Washah was charged with distribution of a controlled substance analogue based on his sale of synthetic cannabinoid to an undercover officer at Carlos’ Smoke Shop at 806 Old Coors Drive SW in Albuquerque on Dec. 4, 2013. Iman Al-Washah was charged with conspiracy and distribution of a controlled analogue based on his participation in the sale of synthetic cannabinoid to an undercover officer at Carlos’ Smoke Shop on Jan. 7, 2014.
The three men subsequently were charged in a four-count indictment filed on May 21, 2014. Count 1 charged the three men with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue from Dec. 4, 2013 through May 7, 2014. Count 2 charged Sabah Al-Washah and Amjad Al-Washah with distributing a controlled substance analogue on Dec. 4, 2013. Count 3 charged Sabah Al-Washah and Iman Al-Washah with distributing a controlled substance on Jan. 7, 2014, and Count 4 charged Sabah Al-Washah with maintaining a place, Carlos Smoke Shop, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using a controlled substance analogue. The indictment also called for the forfeiture of multiple vehicles and cash obtained through the drug offenses charged in the indictment.
During today’s proceedings, Sabah Al-Washah pled guilty to Count 3 of the indictment and admitted that Iman Al-Washah and he sold 30 packets of “spice” to an undercover law enforcement officer. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Sabah Al-Washah will be sentenced to a prison term in the range of 48 to 60 months, and will be required to forfeit a 2011 Cadillac, a 2012 Camaro, a 2013 Dodge Viper, a 2008 Lamborghini, a 2004 Dodge Viper, a 2005 Cadillac and a 2011 Camaro. His sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
Amjad Al-Washah pled guilty on Feb. 11, 2015, to Count 2 of the indictment and admitted that on Dec. 4, 2013, he sold ten packets of “spice” to an undercover law enforcement officer for $200.00 at Carlos’ Smoke Shop. At his sentencing hearing, which has not been scheduled, Amjad Al-Washah faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison followed by a minimum of three years of supervised release.
Iman Al-Washah pled guilty on April 9, 2015, to Count 3 of the indictment, and admitted that he sold 30 packets of “spice” along with Sabah Al-Washah to an undercover law enforcement officer. At his sentencing hearing, which has not be schedule, Sabah Al-Washah will be sentenced to zero to six months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determine by the court.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer M. Rozzoni and Stephen R. Kotz.
The controlled substance analogues charged in the complaints and indictment are commonly referred to as synthetic marijuana or “spice.” According to the DEA, over the past several years, there has been a growing use of synthetic cannabinoids. Smoke-able herbal blends marketed as being “legal” and providing a marijuana-like high have become increasingly popular because they are easily available and, in many cases, more potent and dangerous than marijuana. These products consist of plant material that has been coated with dangerous psychoactive compounds that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. These substances, however, have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption, and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process. Synthetic cannabinoids often are labeled as incense to mask their intended purpose.
Monday 27 April 2015
Wilson Man Sentenced to 102 Months for Structuring Financial TransactionsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced JAMES DINO WILLS, 45,of Wilson, North Carolina, to 102 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Additionally, WILLS was ordered to forfeit $733,882.34. WILLS also agreed to file amended federal income tax returns for the tax years 2008 through 2013 and to pay any taxes owed.
WILLS pled guilty on May 7, 2014 to Structuring Financial Transactions to Evade the Filing of Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs). Structuring is the breaking up of a single cash transaction of more than $10,000.00 into two or more separate transactions for the purpose of evading the federal reporting requirement, i.e. CTR. Federal law requires banks and other financial institutions to file CTRs with the U.S. Treasury Department for all cash transactions exceeding $10,000.
Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation stated, “Structuring is an illegal activity! Regardless of whether the funds come from legal or illegal sources, structuring financial transactions to evade Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements or to conceal legal cash generating activities as a way to evade paying taxes is a felony that IRS-CI will continue to investigate in adherence with the law. The structuring crime in Mr. Wills’ situation is amplified because he has now been prosecuted for the same type of illegal activity twice!”
The investigation revealed that WILLS operated a home repair and roofing business in the Rocky Mount and Wilson, North Carolina areas from 2008 to 2013. WILLS received payments for services and repairs primarily in the form of checks. These checks were deposited into his business accounts at two financial institutions. WILLS then structured cash withdrawals from these accounts in order to avoid the filing of CTRs. He most often accomplished this by withdrawing cash in amounts just under $10,000.00 and withholding cash from deposits in amounts just under $10,000.00. From 2008 to 2013, WILLS structured $755,764.34 in cash transactions. WILLS was prosecuted for the same offense in 1998.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Murphy.
Undocumented Alien from Honduras Charged with Illegal Reentry into the United States after Previously Being DeportedRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that EULIO MARQUEZ- CHACON, age 40, from Honduras, was charged on April 23, 2015, in a one-count Indictment with illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously deported.
According to the Indictment, MARQUEZ-CHACON was encountered by Immigration& Customs Enforcement agents in the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 4, 2015, after records showed he had been previously deported from the United States to Honduras on June 12, 2003.
If convicted, MARQUEZ-CHACON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Immigration & Customs Enforcement and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Veters is in charge of the prosecution.
Eulio Marquez-Chacon Indictment
Two Miami Dade County Residents Charged in Identity Theft Tax Fraud Scheme Involving Deceased and Other Individuals’ Personal Identifying InformationRead the Press Release
Two Miami Dade County residents were charged for their participation in an identity theft tax fraud scheme using deceased and other individuals’ personal identifying information (PII).
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), and J. Scott Dennis, Chief, North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD), made the announcement.
Joshua Chikudo, 40, and Curtis Joseph, a/k/a “CJ,” 36, both of Miami Dade, were each charged, by indictment, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Chikudo was also charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to allegations contained in the court documents, Joseph met with an undercover IRS agent who provided the defendant with five IRS-controlled identities, consisting of fictitious personal identification information (“PII”) - names, social security numbers, and dates of birth - to be used by a tax preparer in order to file fraudulent federal tax returns. During a separate meeting, the undercover agent gave Chikudo seven additional IRS-controlled identities that he intended to include in fraudulent tax return filings. Chikudo asked the undercover if he could obtain a business bank account for the purpose of depositing the fraudulent tax refunds into that account to avoid detection. The defendants, undercover agent and another undercover partner agreed to split all of the tax refunds equally amongst themselves. The undercover agent provided Chikudo with IRS-controlled bank account information to be included on the fraudulent tax returns. The defendants caused six fraudulent federal income tax returns to be filed. The filings designated the IRS-controlled bank account as the intended recipient of the fraudulent refunds.
Furthermore, according to the allegations, between April and August of 2013, the defendants filed thirty-two fraudulent federal income tax returns using the IRS-controlled identities, to request refunds totaling $197,688. Twenty-one of the returns were joint returns that included the PII of deceased individuals.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of twenty years in prison for each count of conspiracy and the wire fraud charges. Chikudo is also facing and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, for the aggravated identity theft charge.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, ICE-HSI and NMBPD. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia E. Shick.
An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Two Luzerne County Women Plead Guilty to Participation in Bath Salts ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Luzerne County residents pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton, to participating in a two-year conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, commonly known as “bath salts,” in Luzerne County.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Maura Kathio, age 26, of Yatesville, and Marguerita Ann Davis, age 59, of Kingston, admitted to obtaining alpha-pvp from suppliers in West Pittston and distributing the drug to others in the Luzerne County area between December 2011 and August 2013.
The two women were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and West Pittston Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the cases.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for both defendants under federal law is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1 million fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence report to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Two Former Marion, South Carolina, Police Officers Sentenced for Using Excessive Force While Tasing a WomanRead the Press Release
Franklin Brown, 35, and Eric Walters, 39, both former police officers with the city of Marion Police Department in Marion County, South Carolina, were sentenced to serve 18 months and one year and one day in prison, respectively, today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, by U.S. District Court Judge R. Bryan Harwell for repeatedly tasing a former local female resident during the course of her detainment. For both defendants, three years of supervised release will follow the prison sentences and they each face a $100 special assessment. Brown and Walters previously pleaded guilty to violating the victim’s civil rights during this incident.
According to court documents, on April 2, 2013, in the course of detaining the victim, Walters tased the victim causing her to fall to the ground and injure her head. Once she was on the ground, Walters continued to tase the victim multiple times. Brown subsequently arrived on scene and proceeded to tase the victim as she was seated on the curb, restrained in handcuffs and surrounded by law enforcement. Walters and Brown admitted there was no legitimate law enforcement purpose for repeatedly tasing the victim as she did not pose a threat to the officers.
“The defendants abused their authority as law enforcement officers by repeatedly tasing a defenseless, compliant victim,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s sentence is a reminder that this type of abusive and dishonorable behavior will not go unpunished.”
“I thank the Marion Police Department, the FBI and the Civil Rights Division,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles of the District of South Carolina. “Due to their collective efforts in concert with our office, the officers in this case were brought to justice.”
Today’s sentence resulted from the investigative work of the FBI’s Myrtle Beach Division. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Henry Leventis and Nicholas Murphy of the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield of the District of South Carolina.
Two Former Marion, South Carolina, Police Officers Sentenced for Using Excessive Force While Tasing a WomanRead the Press Release
Contact: (202) 514-2007
WASHINGTON – Franklin Brown, 35, and Eric Walters, 39, both former police officers with the city of Marion Police Department in Marion County, South Carolina, were sentenced to serve 18 months and one year and one day in prison, respectively, today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, by U.S. District Court Judge R. Bryan Harwell for repeatedly tasing a former local female resident during the course of her detainment. For both defendants, three years of supervised release will follow the prison sentences and they each face a $100 special assessment. Brown and Walters previously pleaded guilty to violating the victim’s civil rights during this incident.
According to court documents, on April 2, 2013, in the course of detaining the victim, Walters tased the victim causing her to fall to the ground and injure her head. Once she was on the ground, Walters continued to tase the victim multiple times. Brown subsequently arrived on scene and proceeded to tase the victim as she was seated on the curb, restrained in handcuffs and surrounded by law enforcement. Walters and Brown admitted there was no legitimate law enforcement purpose for repeatedly tasing the victim as she did not pose a threat to the officers.
“The defendants abused their authority as law enforcement officers by repeatedly tasing a defenseless, compliant victim,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s sentence is a reminder that this type of abusive and dishonorable behavior will not go unpunished.”
“I thank the Marion Police Department, the FBI and the Civil Rights Division,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles of the District of South Carolina. “Due to their collective efforts in concert with our office, the officers in this case were brought to justice.”
Today’s sentence resulted from the investigative work of the FBI’s Myrtle Beach Division. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Henry Leventis and Nicholas Murphy of the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield of the District of South Carolina.
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Two Central Florida Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison TermsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II has sentenced John Anderson Butler, Jr. (55, Daytona Beach) and Victor A. Rhynes (55, Rockledge) for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Butler was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and Rhynes was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months’ imprisonment. Butler pleaded guilty on December 30, 2014, and Rhynes pleaded guilty on January 28, 2015.
According to court documents, Butler and Rhynes were previously convicted in federal court for drug trafficking offenses. In 2011, after being released from prison, Butler began obtaining drugs for Rhynes, who then distributed them in a secluded compound in Brevard County. Butler would obtain powder cocaine, and then Rhynes would convert it into crack cocaine. Butler used chase cars to move the drugs throughout Florida, and Rhynes used physical and electronic security to protect his operations. In a two-year period, Butler and Rhynes obtained and distributed more than 10 kilograms of crack cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro.
Statement by Attorney General Lynch on the Situation in BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Attorney General Loretta Lynch released the following statement on the situation in Baltimore, Maryland:
“I condemn the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore that have resulted in harm to law enforcement officers, destruction of property and a shattering of the peace in the city of Baltimore. Those who commit violent actions, ostensibly in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, do a disservice to his family, to his loved ones, and to legitimate peaceful protestors who are working to improve their community for all its residents.
“The Department of Justice stands ready to provide any assistance that might be helpful. The Civil Rights Division and the FBI have an ongoing, independent criminal civil rights investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Gray. We will continue our careful and deliberate examination of the facts in the coming days and weeks. The department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has also been fully engaged in a collaborative review of the Baltimore City Police Department. The department’s Community Relations Service has already been on the ground, and they are sending additional resources as they continue to work with all parties to reduce tensions and promote the safety of the community. And in the coming days, Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, and Ronald Davis, Director of Community Oriented Policing Services, will be traveling to Baltimore to meet with faith and community leaders, as well as city officials.
“As our investigative process continues, I strongly urge every member of the Baltimore community to adhere to the principles of nonviolence. In the days ahead, I intend to work with leaders throughout Baltimore to ensure that we can protect the security and civil rights of all residents. And I will bring the full resources of the Department of Justice to bear in protecting those under threat, investigating wrongdoing, and securing an end to violence.”
Six-day Trial Results in Guilty Verdict of Blaine Man for Trafficking 18-year-old VictimRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the conviction after a jury trial of RAHMAD LASHAD GEDDES, a/k/a “Face,” a/k/a “Poo Poo,” 36, for trafficking an 18-year- old woman from Wisconsin to Duluth, Minn., for the purpose of commercial sex. On April 8, 2015, GEDDES was charged by indictment with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, one count of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, and one count of armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. Following a six-day trial, a jury found GEDDES guilty of all counts in the indictment.
As proven at trial, on January 6, 2014, GEDDES recruited the victim from her home in Eau Claire, Wis., for the purpose of trafficking her for commercial sex. The defendant and a friend took the victim to a motel in Duluth, Minn., where they took pictures of her to place an advertisement for commercial sex on backpage.com. GEDDES used an anonymous prepaid credit card to pay for the online advertisement. GEDDES and his friend used the victim’s cell phone to set up several “dates” between the victim and “johns.” On one occasion, after a meeting with a “john,” GEDDES accused the victim of hiding money. The defendant physically assaulted the victim and told her that he hit her because she did not do what she was told.
As proven at trial, on January 9, 2014, GEDDES traded drugs, which he referred to as “rocks,” for two semi-automatic handguns and ammunition. GEDDES has four previous felony convictions in Cook County, Ill., Hennepin County and Sherburne County, Minn., making him an armed career criminal under federal law.
As proven at trial, on January 14, 2014, GEDDES returned the victim to her home. She immediately reported to her pastor that she “had been used for prostitution.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Holets of the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
RAHMAD LASHAD GEDDES, a/k/a “Face,” a/k/a “Poo Poo,” 36
Blaine, Minn.
Convicted:
• Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion, 1 count
• Transportation with Intent to Engage in Prostitution, 1 count
• Armed Career Criminal in Possession of a Firearm, 1 countShiprock Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assault ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Dexter Dez, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., for his assault conviction. Dez was sentenced to a 37 month term of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release.
Dez was arrested on July 11, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a non-Indian man on May 17, 2013, at a residence in Two Gray Hills, N.M., which is within the Navajo Indian Reservation. Dez subsequently was indicted and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court filings, on the night of May 17, 2013, an intoxicated Dez entered the victim’s residence and punched him in the left eye with a box cutter. Dez then fled from the residence. The victim’s eyelids were severed as a result of the assault and the victim required surgery to repair his eyelid.
Dez entered a guilty plea to the indictment on April 17, 2014, without the benefit of a plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Farmington office of the FBI, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez.
San Diego Jury Finds Former Iranian National Guilty of Illegal Scheme to Export Sensitive US Technology to IranRead the Press Release
On Thursday, April 23, a federal jury convicted a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Iranian national of violations of U.S. export and money laundering laws, arising from his involvement in a scheme to purchase marine navigation equipment and military electronic equipment for illegal export to, and end-use in, Iran, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California.
Arash Ghahreman, 45, of Staten Island, New York, was convicted of attempted export to Iran, and conspiracy to do the same, in violation of the Iran Trade Embargo (formerly known as the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations); smuggling goods from the United States, and conspiracy to the same; and aiding and abetting the transfer of money from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to the United States, in support of an illegal export activity, and conspiracy to do the same. The case involved a seven-day jury trial, beginning on April 13, 2015, and ending on April 23, 2015, when the jury returned a guilty verdict on seven counts of a nine-count superseding indictment after one day of deliberation. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on two of the counts involving the attempted exportation and smuggling of a fiber optic gyrocompass, used in both military and civilian marine navigation applications.
“The defendants used a front company to illegally send U.S. goods and technologies – including those used in military applications – to Iran,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “These violations of the Iran Trade Embargo have the potential to harm U.S. national security objectives, and we will continue to hold accountable those who seek to circumvent its restrictions. I would like to thank the agents and prosecutors for their hard work in obtaining this conviction.”
The evidence presented at trial showed that Ghahreman acted an agent of an Iranian procurement network which used a front company in Dubai to acquire U.S. goods and technologies for illegal transshipment to, and end-use in, Iran. Co-defendant Koorush Taherkhani, 43, an Iranian national and resident, was the managing director and founder of that front company, co-defendant TIG Marine Engineering Services. Because of his German nationality, co-defendant Ergun Yildiz, 35, a resident of UAE, was hired by Taherkhani to be the “face” of the front company, as the president/CEO of TIG Marine. Before Ghahreman immigrated to the United States in 2007, Ghahreman and Taherkhani had been friends and dorm mates at an Iranian university, where each received a degree in marine engineering. Upon graduation, both Ghahreman and Taherkhani worked as engineers for various Iranian shipping companies, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its subsidiaries. After immigrating to the United States, Ghahreman was employed by various shipyards in the United States, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Because of his employment and citizenship status, Ghahreman was well placed to act as an agent of the illegal procurement network.
From December 2012 through June 17, 2013, Ghahreman and his co-defendants negotiated via email, text, telephone and meetings with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) undercover agents to purchase marine navigation components (fiber optic gyrocompasses), military electronic components (electron tubes) and other U.S. technology for illegal export to, and/or end-use in, Iran. The undercover agents were posing as brokers of U.S. goods and technology, willing to sell U.S. goods to the defendants for end-use in Iran. Ultimately, as a result of these negotiations, Ghahreman and his co-defendants agreed to purchase four Navigat-2100 fiber optic gyrocompasses and 50 Y-690 units (electron tubes). Pursuant to that agreement, Ghahreman and his co-defendants wired approximately $60,000 in partial payment for the gyrocompasses and electron tubes from a bank in Dubai to the undercover agents’ bank account. Ultimately, on June 17, 2013, ICE-HSI agents arrested Ghahreman and Yildiz after they traveled to the United States and took partial delivery of one gyrocompass and two electron tubes and attempted to ship the items indirectly to Iran, via third countries.
Ghahreman is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the Southern District of California. Yildiz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export to Iran on Oct. 9, 2014, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2015, before Judge Sabraw. Co-defendant Taherkhani, an Iranian national and resident, remains a fugitive. Co-defendant TIG Marine is a Dubai company.
The case was investigated by ICE-HSI and DCIS. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane P. Harrigan and Timothy D. Coughlin of the Southern District of California, with assistance provided by the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
San Diego Jury Finds Former Iranian National Guilty of Illegal Scheme to Export Sensitive U.S. Technology to IranRead the Press Release
On April 23, 2015, a federal jury convicted a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Iranian national of violations of U.S. export and money laundering laws, arising from his involvement in a scheme to purchase marine navigation equipment and military electronic equipment for illegal export to, and end-use in, Iran.
The defendant, Arash Ghahreman, of Staten Island, New York, was convicted of: (1) attempted export to Iran, and conspiracy to do the same, in violation of the Iran Trade Embargo (formerly known as the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations); (2) smuggling goods from the United States, and conspiracy to the same; and (3) aiding and abetting the transfer of money from Dubai to the United States, in support of an illegal export activity, and conspiracy to do the same. The case involved a seven-day jury trial, beginning on April 13, 2015, and ending on April 23, 2015, when the jury returned a guilty verdict on seven counts of a nine-count indictment, after one day of deliberation. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the two remaining two counts involving the attempted exportation and smuggling of a fiber optic gyrocompass, used in both military and civilian marine navigation applications.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Ghahreman acted an agent of an Iranian procurement network which used a front company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), to acquire U.S. goods and technologies for illegal transshipment to, and end-use in, Iran. Codefendant Koorush Taherkhani (“Taherkhani”), an Iranian national and resident, was the managing director and founder of that front company, codefendant TIG Marine Engineering Services (“TIG Marine”). Because of his German nationality, codefendant Ergun Yildiz, a resident of UAE, was hired by Taherkhani to be the “face” of the front company, as the President/CEO of TIG Marine. Before Ghahreman immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, Ghahreman and Taherkhani had been friends and dorm mates at an Iranian University, where each received a degree in marine engineering. Upon graduation, both Ghahreman and Taherkhani worked as engineers for various Iranian shipping companies, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its subsidiaries. After immigrating to the United States, Ghahreman was employed by various shipyards in the U.S., and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Because of his employment and citizenship status, Ghahreman was well placed to act as an agent of the illegal procurement network.
From December 2012, through June 17, 2013, Ghahreman and his codefendants negotiated, via email, text, telephone and meetings, with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”) undercover agents to purchase marine navigation components (fiber optic gyrocompasses), military electronic components (electron tubes), and other U.S. technology for illegal export to, and/or end-use in, Iran. The undercover agents were posing as brokers of U.S. goods and technology, willing to sell U.S. goods to the defendants for end-use in Iran. Ultimately, as a result of these negotiations, Ghahreman and his codefendants agreed to purchase four (4) Navigat-2100 fiber optic gyrocompasses and fifty (50) Y-690 units (electron tubes). Pursuant to that agreement, Ghahreman and his codefendants wired approximately $60,000 in partial payment for the gyrocompasses and electron tubes from a bank in Dubai to the undercover agents’ bank account. Ultimately, on June 17, 2013, HSI agents arrested Ghahreman and Yildiz after they traveled to the U.S. and took partial delivery of one gyrocompass and two electron tubes and attempted to ship the items indirectly to Iran, via third countries.
Defendant Ghahreman is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2015, before the Honorable Dana M. Sabraw. Codefendant Ergun Yildiz previously pled guilty to conspiracy to export to Iran on October 9, 2014, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2015, before Judge Sabraw. Codefendant Taherkhani, an Iranian national and resident, remains a fugitive. Codefendant TIG Marine is a Dubai, UAE company.
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 13cr4228-DMS Arash Ghahreman Age: 45 Staten Island, New York Ergun Yildiz Age: 35 Dubai, UAE Koorush Taherkhani Age: 43 IranTIG Marine, a UAE company
CHARGESCount 1: Conspiracy to Export to Embargoed Country (Iran), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1702 and 1705; 31 C.F.R. §§ 560.203 and 560.204 - Maximum penalties: 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (defendant Ghahreman and Yildiz guilty on Count One.)
Counts 3 and 4: Attempted Export to Embargoed Country (Iran), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1702 and 1705; 31 C.F.R. § 560.204 - Maximum penalties (per count): 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (Defendant Ghahreman guilty on Count 4; Government dismissed Count 3 after jury unable to reach verdict)
Count 2: Conspiracy to Smuggle Goods from the United States, 18 U.S.C. '' 371 and 554 - Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (Defendant Ghahreman guilty on Count 2)
Counts 5 and 6: to Smuggle Goods from the United States, 18 U.S.C. '' 371 and 554 - Maximum penalties (per count): Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (Defendant Ghahreman guilty on Count 6; Government dismissed Count 5, after jury unable to reach verdict)
Count 7 - Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) - Maximum penalties: Twenty years in prison, $500,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (Defendant Ghahreman guilty on Count 7)
Counts 8 and 9 -- Laundering of Monetary Instruments, 18 U.S.C. '' 1956(a)(2)(A) - Maximum penalties (per count): Twenty years in prison, $500,000 fine, term of supervised release of three years, and $100 special assessment. (Defendant Ghahreman guilty on Counts 8 and 9)
INVESTIGATING AGENCIESHomeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security
Defense Criminal Investigative ServiceRochester Man Sentenced for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Calvin Turner, a/k/a Fifty, 25, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The defendant was also ordered to forfeit a 9mm pistol and rounds of ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that Turner and other members of the conspiracy were responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of cocaine crack cocaine throughout the Rochester area transported by vehicle from Pennsylvania. The investigation involved court-authorized wire taps and resulted in the arrest of 10 defendants between May and October 2012. To date, all defendants have been convicted. The defendant was arrested on June 4, 2012.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid, New York Field Division, Investigators of the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley.
Quincy Man Sentenced as Career OffenderRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Walter Eric Holmes, 44, of Quincy was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark Walker to 180 months in prison for distributing cocaine and crack cocaine. The sentence was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Holmes, who pled guilty earlier this year, had a lengthy history of convictions, including seven drug felony offenses and an aggravated battery involving a shooting.
United States Attorney Marsh credited the success of this prosecution to the joint efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gadsden and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Simpson.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Pike County Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Receiving and Distributing Child PornographRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 29-year-old Dingmans Ferry man was sentenced to five years in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton, for receiving and distributing child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Daniel Decker, was charged and pled guilty earlier this year after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Judge Mannion also ordered that Decker serve 15 years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Decker must also register as a sex offender, undergo sex offender treatment, and comply with all of the rules of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
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."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
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