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Friday 24 April 2015
Guatemalan Woman Extradited to the United States to Face Human Smuggling ChargesRead the Press Release
A Guatemalan national appeared in federal court in the Southern District of Texas, after being extradited to the United States from Guatemala to face criminal charges for her role in smuggling undocumented migrants to the United States for profit, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas and Director Sarah R. Saldaña of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rosa Umanzor-Lopez, 35, of Guatemala, was arrested in Guatemala on Feb. 5, 2014, on a provisional arrest warrant based on a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of Texas in December 2012. The indictment charges her with one count of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States, three counts of bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain and three corresponding counts of encouraging and inducing an alien to come to the United States. Three individuals also charged in the indictment have previously been convicted and sentenced.
The indictment alleges that Umanzor-Lopez and her co-defendants established a network to recruit individuals from India and elsewhere who wished to be smuggled into the United States. The defendants then allegedly arranged for aliens to be transported to the United States through South America and Central America by various means including by air travel, automobiles, water craft and foot.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in McAllen and Houston, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Alien Smuggling Interdiction Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christina Giffin of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Leo III and Casey MacDonald of the Southern District of Texas. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition.
The investigation was conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
Guatemalan Woman Extradited to the United States to Face Human Smuggling ChargesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - A Guatemalan national appeared in federal court in McAllen after being extradited to the United States from Guatemala to face criminal charges for her role in smuggling undocumented migrants to the United States for profit, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Director Sarah R. Saldaña of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rosa Umanzor-Lopez, 35, of Guatemala, was arrested in Guatemala on Feb. 5, 2014, on a provisional arrest warrant based on a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of Texas in December 2012. The indictment charges her with one count of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States, three counts of bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain and three corresponding counts of encouraging and inducing an alien to come to the United States. Three individuals also charged in the indictment have previously been convicted and sentenced.
The indictment alleges that Umanzor-Lopez and her co-defendants established a network to recruit individuals from India and elsewhere who wished to be smuggled into the United States. The defendants then allegedly arranged for aliens to be transported to the United States through South America and Central America by various means including by air travel, automobiles, water craft and foot.
The investigation was conducted by agents with ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in McAllen and Houston with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Alien Smuggling Interdiction Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Leo III and Casey MacDonald and Trial Attorney Christina Giffin of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition.
The investigation was conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Greenville Inmates Face New ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on April 23, 2015, Anthony Cunningham, 28, and Anthony Johnson, 25, were both indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Possession of Contraband by a Federal Inmate. Both Cunningham and Johnson were inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Greenville, Illinois (FCI-Greenville), at the time the offenses were committed. Shelia Hatfield, 51, was also indicted on April 23, 2015, for Escape. Hatfield was an inmate at the Federal Prison Camp in Greenville, Illinois (FPC-Greenville), at the time she committed the charged offense.
If convicted, Cunningham, who is charged with possessing marihuana while at FCI-Greenville, faces a prison term of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Johnson, who is charged with possessing heroin while at FCI-Greenville, faces a prison term of not more than twenty years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Hatfield, who is charged with escaping from FPC-Greenville, faces a prison term of five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Court dates for the three inmates have not yet been set.
An indictment is merely the method by which federal charges are lodged. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigation Section and are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Clinical Care Technician Charged with Stealing Pain Medication from Patients in Intensive CareRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former clinical care technician at Tufts New England Medical Center was charged yesterday with stealing pain medication from patients in intensive care.
Michelle R. Tomlinson, 29, of Somerville, was charged in an Information with acquiring and obtaining a controlled substance by deception and subterfuge.
According to the charging document, on Jan. 1, 2014, Tomlinson, who worked as a clinical care technician at Tufts New England Medical Center, diverted Dilaudid, also known as hydromorphone, from IV bags. Specifically, it is alleged that Tomlinson entered the rooms of three patients in the surgical intensive care unit under false pretenses and surreptitiously extracted Dilaudid from their IV bags through a syringe.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than four years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Jeffrey Ebersole, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food and Drugs, Drug Control Program, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg of Ortiz’s Health Care Fraud Unit.
Former Bookkeeper of Labor Union Charged with Embezzling Union DuesRead the Press Release
Carolyn Hall, 53, of McLeansboro, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury in East St. Louis, Illinois, for embezzlement and theft from a labor union. The indictment alleges that Carolyn Hall was the bookkeeper for Laborer's Local 1197, part of the Laborer's International Union of North America and from July of 2012 through February of 2014 she took $26,491 of cash receipts from members' dues payments and used the funds for personal use. Carolyn Hall faces a prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release if convicted of the charges.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, with the assistance of Laborer's Local 1197. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Former Attorney Clark Holesinger Charged with Wire Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, David Capp, announced today the filing of a two-count information charging Clark Holesinger, 53 of Valparaiso, Indiana, with one count wire fraud and one count money laundering.
These charges relate to Holesinger’s practice of law in Porter County, Indiana, and his alleged fraudulent use of clients’ funds. A Petition to Enter a Plea of Guilty was filed in conjunction with the Information.
A change of plea hearing is set for Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 1:15pm (EST) before Honorable Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr in South Bend District Court.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that an Information is merely an allegation and not proof of guilt. All persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara Z. Brook and William T. Grimmer.
Final Members of Port Angeles Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
The final three defendants in an Olympic Peninsula drug distribution ring were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Port Angeles and Sequim, Washington, announced Acting United States Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The group’s criminal activity centered around the ‘Sellin Style’ car dealership near Sequim. The former owner of the dealership, Timothy P. Smith, was sentenced earlier this month to 11 years in prison. Today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, HOLLI A. BELL, 35, of Port Angeles was sentenced to five years in prison for her involvement in two different criminal schemes involving distribution of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing today U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan noted that the amount of drugs distributed in this case was so large that long prison terms were needed to protect the public and deter other criminal conduct. Two other co-conspirators were sentenced this week by Judge Bryan. JACOB E. DAVIS, 26, of Port Angeles, was sentenced today to three years in prison for his role as a methamphetamine distributor. And yesterday, Judge Bryan sentenced CHARLES D. ASLIN, 40, of Sequim, to five and a half years in prison for his methamphetamine distribution. Law enforcement moved in to arrest members of the drug distribution ring in February 2014. Lead defendant Timothy Smith was arrested following a high speed chase. During that same time period, law enforcement targeted and arrested a second drug ring in the Tacoma area that was supplying methamphetamine to Smith’s organization. The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET), a task force containing officers from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Neah Bay Department of Public Safety, Elwha Klallam Police, LaPush Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol and the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNet). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. GruberFederal Jury Convicts Sex Trafficking Ring LeaderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Hortencia Medeles-Arguello aka Raquel Medeles Garcia, Raquel Medeles Garcia or “Tencha,” 71, has been found guilty on all counts for her leadership role in a 16-defendant sex trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The verdict was returned today following a 10-day trial and approximately four hours of deliberations.
She is the 14th defendant to have been convicted. 13 others have pleaded guilty, while two remain at large.
This is believed to be the first sex trafficking case of this magnitude tried in the United States involving both minors and women who were forced to engage in prostitution against their will. 12 rescued victims testified at trial regarding the horrors of their ordeal beginning with being recruited in their home country and ending with their rescue here in the United States. Some girls were recruited as young as 14 years of age.
Testimony revealed that pimps recruited the young girls by convincing them they were in love, making threats to their families as well as threatening the girls themselves. Testimony revealed Tencha should have known that the girls prostituted at their establishment were either underage or victims of the beatings by their pimps.
On the first full day of trial, the jury heard from one of the victims in the case. She detailed the horrific conditions she faced at the hands of the defendant and others, to include being forced into having sex at age 14 after she had come to this country in search of a better life. She described how she was forced to comply with demands at gunpoint and locked in a room. She was eventually impregnated by a “customer” and was moved to another area of the bar. Following the move, she found a way to escape.
Evidence at trial indicated that Tencha made more than $1.6 million in a 19-month period by supplying the upper floor of her cantina for prostitutes to ply their trade. The evidence further revealed that many of the prostitutes were either minors or forced to engage in sex acts at the defendant’s bar. The jury heard that Tencha had engaged in harboring illegal aliens for 13 years and sex trafficking for six years.
The jury found her guilty on all counts as charged to include conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, conspiracy to harbor aliens, aiding and abetting to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. She faces up to life in prison. U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for July 22, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. She will remain in custody pending that hearing.
In addition, 15 real properties and other assets for a value of about $2.5 million will be forfeited to the United States having been found to have been purchased with sex trafficking proceeds with the intent to use the proceeds from their sale to make restitution to the victims of this horrible crime
The 13 others who were previously convicted include Lilia Medeles Cerda aka Lilly, 66, Diana Medeles Garcia aka Diana Garcia Marquez, 50, Graciela Medeles Ochoa, 37, Abel Medeles aka Chito, 67, Odelia Hernandez, 47, Delia Diaz, 51, Guadalupe Valdez Lugo aka Lupe, 58, and Talat Crippin aka Chacho, 27, all of Houston; Eduardo Guzman Gonzales aka Miguel Rojas or El Pantera, 33, Alberto Mendez Flores aka Ardilla, 27, Jose L. Uraga aka Wicho, 36, and Jorge Antonio Teloxa-Barbosa aka Eli, 31, all Mexican citizens illegally residing in the U.S. David Garcia, 46, Techa’s son, was also convicted. All had pleaded to varying charges to include alien harboring and money laundering.
Marco Antonio Pulido aka Marco Antonio Salazar or Marco Antonio Pulido, 58, Alfonso Diaz-Juarez aka Ponco or El Grenas are fugitives and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asking to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.
The investigation leading to the filing of criminal charges was the result of a three year investigation conducted by members of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) in Houston, which includes the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Department of State, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Houston Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruben R. Perez and Joe Magliolo are prosecuting the case.
FAA Inspector Charged with Bypassing TSA Passenger Screening in Violation of TSA's Security RequirementsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Ernest E. Abbott has been arraigned on federal misdemeanor charge of unlawfully entering Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and an airplane without submitting to the security requirements for all passengers as administered by Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“The security of all airline passengers is of paramount concern,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn. “Neither FAA employees who travel for work nor any other passenger is exempt from the consequences when they fail to submit to the airport security screening process.”
“Protecting the traveling public and maintaining public confidence in the safety of commercial air travel is of utmost importance,” said Marlies Gonzalez, Special Agent-in-Charge for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. “Working with our Federal, State and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will vigorously pursue those who violate the law designed to protect the safety of travelers.”
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Abbott, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, flew from Atlanta, Georgia, to New York on January 12, 2015. Prior to boarding his flight, Abbott used his Hartsfield Jackson International Airport employee access card to bypass TSA passenger screening. Abbott came to the attention of TSA the very next day after a firearm was detected in his carry-on luggage when he attempted to fly back to Atlanta. He was subsequently charged in New York with unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Ernest E. Abbott, 69, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard. He was charged in a Criminal Information filed on April 15, 2015.Members of the public are reminded that the Criminal Information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Tracia M. King is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Elmira, New York Men Sentenced on Drug Related OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Howe, age 27, of Elmira, New York, was sentenced April 22 by U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a drug related offense.
Judge Kosik sentenced Howe to 21 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Alpha-PVP, commonly known as “bath salts.”
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Howe was initially charged in a Criminal Indictment on December 10, 2013. Howe pled guilty on July 24, 2014.
The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Athens Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
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Egyptian Citizen Charged with Helping Collierville Company Defraud Government of over $500,000Read the Press Release
Memphis, TN – An Egyptian citizen was arrested Thursday evening for his alleged role in defrauding a U.S. foreign aid program, which resulted in the distribution of defective water pumps by a Collierville establishment to the Egyptian Water Authority. The illegal acts accounted for more than $500,000 in fraudulent sales.
Mustafa El Shehaly, 55, of Cairo, Egypt, was apprehended outside Chicago O’Hare International Airport for his alleged role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In December 2011, an indictment was filed in the Western District of Tennessee, alleging that El Shehaly conspired with American Marsh Pumps, Inc. (AMP), a Tennessee corporation headquartered in Collierville, to make false statements to a government agency, costing U.S. taxpayers $536,750.
According to the indictment, the conspirators violated several regulations established by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its Commodity Import Program (CIP), an initiative that was designed to provide economic stimulus in the U.S. and Egypt. The program was responsible for financing the purchase of the water pumps.
To utilize the program, companies were required to select industrial water pumps that were tested and solely manufactured in the United States. However, the water pumps distributed by AMP were not only defective, they were manufactured in China. The defendants made the fraudulent misrepresentation that the water pumps were of U.S. source and origin.
Under the USAID CIP guidelines, potential beneficiaries also had to consider offers from three different companies before making a selection. El Shehaly, however, presented
USAID with an actual bid from AMP, along with fraudulent bids from two additional companies. The pre-arranging of the bidding process guaranteed that AMP would be selected to provide industrial water pumps to the Egyptian Water Authority.
After arriving in Chicago, IL, from Cairo Thursday, El Shehaly was apprehended by agents from USAID’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the arrest.
El Shehaly faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. His arrest culminates more than six years of investigation, planning, and coordination by the USAID OIG, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Cotten is representing the government in this case.
East Tennessee Wildlife Poisoning ConvictionRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Rickie D. Cloyd, 61, of Fall Branch, Tenn., was convicted of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act related to his unlawful use of a restricted use pesticide. Cloyd was convicted following a bench trial in front of the Honorable Dennis H. Inman, U.S. Magistrate Judge, in April 2015 and was sentenced to pay a total of $5,000 in fines.
The case began as an investigation into the cause of death of numerous deceased animals found near Cloyd’s farm in Washington County, Tenn. The investigation revealed that Carbofuran, a restricted use pesticide marketed under the name Furadan, had been placed on corn baits in several locations around the Cloyd farm. Furadan is highly toxic to wildlife and is no longer available for commercial purchase. Furadan was once commonly used on crops such as alfalfa and tobacco, but was outlawed because of its toxicity. According to the evidence presented at trial, Cloyd used Furadan in an attempt to control pests but unintentionally caused the primary and secondary poisonings of a variety of animals, including several species of migratory birds.
This investigation was the result of the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Lampe represented the United States.
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East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Jerrod Jones, 27, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis, to ten years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $500, following his plea of guilty, on January 14, 2015, for the crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jones’ sentence stemmed from charges relating to an incident that occurred on May 22, 2013, in East St. Louis, Illinois, when law enforcement agents went to Jones’ home to execute a state arrest warrant for a separate case. When the agents executed the warrant, they found a fully loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Jones was previously convicted of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance on February 12, 2007, in St. Clair County. He was on parole when arrested on the charges for which he was sentenced today. The sentencing judge also ordered forfeiture of the firearm and the ammunition contained therein.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
East Hill Man Charged with Federal Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Kandel Markie Whiting, 35, of Pensacola, with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Counts one and two of the indictment allege that, between October 2014 and January 2015, Whiting knowingly received and distributed images and videos of child pornography. Count three alleges that, on or about March 24, 2015, Whiting knowingly possessed child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor younger than 12. Whiting’s conduct came to light based upon his use of the social media applications Twitter and Kik. The indictment, which was unsealed today, was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Whiting was arraigned in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge Miles Davis at the United States Courthouse, in Pensacola, Florida.
The case is being investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pensacola Police Department, and the other agencies that are part of the Northwest Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Earlham Man Sentenced to Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - On April 23, 2015, Cory Lee Daugherty, age 30, of Earlham, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge James E. Gritzner. to 77 months in federal prison for possession of firearms in the Madison county courthouse, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Daugherty will also be required to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Daugherty’s sentence will run consecutively with his ten years prison sentence in State court for possession of controlled substances, and concurrently with his five year State sentence for escape.
In a written plea agreement filed January 20, 2015, Daugherty admitted that on March 24, 2014, he entered the Madison county courthouse to be sentenced in State court for a drug-related felony, and that after he was sentenced, a Madison county deputy attempted to take him into custody at which time he struggled with the deputy sheriff in the court room. Daugherty pulled a firearm from the deputy sheriff during the struggle and was able to escape from the Madison county courthouse while deputies pursued. A short time later, Daugherty was taken into custody. At the time of his sentencing in State court, Daugherty was a prohibited person who could not possess firearms.
This investigation was conducted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and this case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on April 20, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Kenna Marie Bridwell, age 28, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in custody, 18 months of supervised release, $58.08 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Bridwell was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 15, 2014, for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. On April 28, 2014, she pled guilty to the Indictment.
The conviction arose from an incident that occurred on November 16, 2013, near Eagle Butte, when Bridwell, who was intoxicated, used her vehicle to run from a Cheyenne River Sioux Police Officer. After the police officer activated his lights and siren, Bridwell traveled west on Highway 212 at a high rate of speed and, while attempting to avoid arrest, drove her vehicle into the back of another vehicle. Both vehicles rolled and went into the ditch. As a result of the car crash and assault, the victim, who was a passenger in the vehicle Bridwell ran into, was seriously injured.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.
Bridwell was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving her sentence.
District Man Sentenced to 16-Year Prison Term for 2012 Murder in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Donald Dubose, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 16-year prison term on a charge of second-degree murder while armed stemming from a fatal shooting in Southeast Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Dubose pled guilty in December 2014, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which was contingent on the Court’s approval, called for a sentence between 15 and 17 years of incarceration. The Honorable Jennifer Anderson accepted the plea today. Following the 16-year prison sentence, Dubose will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 12, 2012, at approximately 5:35 a.m., the victim, Michael Smith, 34, and another man left Northwest Washington in a gray Mercedes Benz. They headed towards the Barry Farm community in Southeast Washington. The other man drove while Mr. Smith sat in the front passenger seat. Dubose followed behind them in a black Ford Fusion with the intention of causing physical harm and injury to Mr. Smith and the other man in the Mercedes Benz. At least two of Dubose’s associates were in the car with him.
When they reached Stevens Road SE, in Barry Farm, the other man pulled the Mercedes to the side of the road in the 1100 block of Stevens Road. Dubose stopped the Ford Fusion beside the Mercedes, on the driver’s side of the Mercedes. The individuals in the Ford Fusion shot at Mr. Smith and the other man with multiple guns. Mr. Smith was shot twice in the head and died shortly thereafter. The other man survived the gunfire, but suffered a gunshot wound to his arm. Though injured with a gunshot wound, he attempted to drive the Mercedes away. He crashed the Mercedes into the side of a nearby house across the street. Dubose and the shooters, meanwhile, fled from the shooting in the Ford Fusion, which Dubose drove.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch, crime scene officers, and the Seventh Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Marcia Rinker, M. Laverne Forrest, Tanya Via and Michael Hailey of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; former Paralegal Specialists Fern Rhedrick and Marian Russell; Paralegal Specialist Vanessa Trent-Valentine; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Brittin; and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Dillon. He also praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana L. Fulton, who investigated, indicted, and prosecuted the case.
Cordova Man Receives 57 Months for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A 26-year-old Cordova man was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison yesterday for filing false income tax returns that garnered over $161,000 in refunds.
Between August 2011 and April 2013, Jeremy Tate obtained the names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of numerous individuals without their knowledge or consent, and then used the information to file over 120 false tax returns. This resulted in Tate claiming over $161,000 in refunds.
According to the indictment and facts discussed in court, Tate recruited others to open bank accounts and directed the false tax return refunds to be electronically deposited into those accounts.
"Tate’s actions were an affront to the tens of millions of honest citizens who play by the rules and file their taxes in a timely and accurate manner," said U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton III. "Anyone who participates in such a scheme should understand there is a price to be paid and that we and our law enforcement partners will collect in full."
In addition to serving 57 months in prison, Tate will be required to pay $161,021.48 in restitution.
"Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a priority for IRS-Criminal Investigation," said Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge for the IRS-Criminal Investigative Division. "Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers. Today’s sentencing should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct. Law enforcement is serious about
investigating these crimes and holding those who would defraud the government accountable."
The sentencing was conducted by U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and IRS-Criminal Investigative Division. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hall prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Comcast Corporation Abandons Proposed Acquisition of Time Warner Cable After Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission Informed Parties of ConcernsRead the Press Release
Comcast Corporation (Comcast) abandoned its plans to acquire Time Warner Cable Inc. (Time Warner Cable) for approximately $45.2 billion after the Department of Justice informed the companies that it had significant concerns that the merger would make Comcast an unavoidable gatekeeper for Internet-based services that rely on a broadband connection to reach consumers.
"The companies' decision to abandon this deal is the best outcome for American consumers," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "The Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice has demonstrated, time and again, that it can and will defend the interests of the American consumer no matter the complexity of the issue or the size of the opponent. This is a victory not only for the Department of Justice, but also for providers of content and streaming services who work to bring innovative products to consumers across America and around the world. I commend the Antitrust attorneys and investigators whose outstanding work led to this outcome, and I know that the Department of Justice will continue to fight for fair access and free competition in every industry and every market."
“I want to thank our colleagues at the Federal Communications Commission for their close and productive cooperation throughout this investigation,” said Renata Hesse, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The collective expertise of the career staff at both agencies enabled us to analyze the complex issues presented by this transaction and to deliver a consistent message regarding the impact of the transaction on competition and the broader public interest. We are also grateful for the close cooperation we had with teams from many State Attorneys General offices during the course of our investigation.”
Comcast is a Pennsylvania corporation headquartered in Philadelphia. With approximately 21.7 million video subscribers and 20.7 million broadband subscribers, Comcast is both the largest video and wired broadband Internet-access provider in the nation.
Time Warner Cable is a New York corporation with headquarters in New York. With approximately 11.4 million video subscribers and 11.6 million broadband subscribers, Time Warner Cable is the fourth-largest video and the third-largest wired broadband Internet-access provider in the nation.
Chicago Man Charged in Williamson County Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
On February 3, 2015, David T. Walls, Jr., a/k/a "Gun," 36, of Chicago, Ill., was charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and October 2014, in Williamson County. Walls was arrested in northern Illinois on March 26, 2015, and made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on April 21, 2015. He is being held with bond pending an April 27, 2015, bond hearing.
The crack cocaine and heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by 6 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $2,000,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Carthage Man Receives Maximum Federal Prison Sentence for Producing and Possessing Child PornRead the Press Release
Today in Austin, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks sentenced 40–year-old James Randall Farmer of Carthage, TX, to a maximum 50 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing and possessing child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
According to court records, an FBI agent discovered approximately 18 images of child pornography posted on the internet on April 28, 2013, by an unknown individual. Upon further investigation, authorities determined that Farmer was, in fact, responsible for making those visual images, as well as several videos of a 4-year-old girl and 6-year-old girl engaging in sexually explicit conduct, available online. Investigators were also able to confirm that some of the videos depicted a room inside his victims' mother’s residence in Austin where he was residing at the time.
On November 6, 2014, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s current residence in Carthage. Evidence gathered included an assortment of computer related equipment and a cell phone belonging to the defendant. A subsequent search of the defendant’s phone revealed the presence of several videos depicting child pornography produced by the defendant, including the videos referenced above which involved the same girls. The defendant also possessed other images and videos of child pornography.
On February 11, 2015, Farmer pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child pornography. Today, Judge Sparks sentenced Farmer to 30 years imprisonment for the production charge and 20 years imprisonment for the possession charge to run consecutive.
The case was investigated by the FBI Austin Child Exploitation Task Force. Members of that task force include the FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and the Austin Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin.
Brothers Convicted in Synthetic Drug Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to Lengthy Federal Prison TermsRead the Press Release
DALLAS — Two brothers who were convicted by a federal jury in Dallas in October 2014 on multiple felony offenses stemming from their operation of a dangerous, designer synthetic drug trafficking organization, were sentenced yesterday, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Barry Bays, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 425 months in federal prison, and Judge Boyle sentenced his brother, Jerad Coleman, 28, to 188 months in federal prison. In addition, Bays and Coleman were ordered to forfeit: a residence on Tillman Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana, $437,000 in funds seized by the government during the investigation, and multiple vehicles and a motorcycle. In addition, the defendants were ordered to pay a personal money judgment of approximately $7.3 million, which constituted the proceeds obtained during the course of the conspiracy.
Residents of Fort Wayne, Bays and Coleman were convicted on all counts of a fourth superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in July 2014. The charges stemmed from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Project Synergy that targeted these synthetic drug trafficking organizations.
Bays and Coleman were each convicted on one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud; and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue. In addition, Bays was also convicted on one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of using a communication facility to facilitate a drug felony.
Seven other defendants charged in the case have pleaded guilty to their respective roles and have been sentenced as follows:
Samuel Madeley, 23, of Denton, Texas, 57 months
David Muise, 23, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, 36 months
Holden Bownds, 23, of Denton, Texas, 90 months
Aaron Parrish, 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 51 months
Jennie Miller, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 12 months and one day
Brandon Zerler, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana 60 months
Defendant Kyle Boyer, 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2015.
Bays owned Little Arm, Inc., that did business as B&B Distribution (B&B) in Fort Wayne and then later in Defiance, Ohio. B&B sold products marketed as “incense,” “potpourri,” “air freshener,” or “aroma therapy products,” which claimed to be “not for human consumption,” to businesses in at least 38 states. Coleman served as a corporate officer for B&B and held various positions within the business.
During the conspiracy, Bays, Coleman and others conspired together to defraud the FDA by introducing or delivering an adulterated or misbranded drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud or mislead. As part of the conspiracy, Bays, Coleman and others possessed, packaged, labeled, marketed, distributed and sold substances containing various synthetic cannabinoids throughout the U.S. Synthetic cannabinoids are defined as “drugs” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
After acquiring the synthetic cannabinoids, Bays and B&B had them mixed with a green leafy (smokable) plant material to create a product commonly referred to as “spice.” That substance was then packaged and labeled with brand names such as “B2 Da Bomb,” “V8,” “Roses,” and “Street Legal.” The products were then sold to customers throughout the U.S. as “incense,” “potpourri,” “air freshener,” or “aroma therapy products,” and “not for human consumption,” when in fact, they were intended for human consumption as a drug.
Bays had contracted with Muise for Muise to create multiple YouTube videos, reviewing Bays’ “spice” products. Muise’s reviews documented the intended use of Bays’ products as drugs.
Madeley and Bownds collaborated and collectively brokered the sale of Scheduled I controlled substance analogues. They solicited customers via the internet and knew the chemicals they were brokering were being used to produce “spice” intended for human consumption. Madeley and Bownds made multiple sales to Bays and B&B, where he made his own brands of synthetic “spice” and distributed it to various “smoke shops” and convenience stores throughout the U.S.
The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Poe and Brandon McCarthy prosecuted.
Boston Woman Pleads Guilty for Role in Credit Card ScamRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Laura A. Minot, 52, of Mattapan, Massachusetts pleaded guilty in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit access device fraud in connection with her participation in a fraudulent credit card scheme, announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.
Minot admitted that on April 16, 2014, she conspired with others to purchase gift cards and high value merchandise at retail box stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts using retail credit card accounts and lines of credit that she and/or her co-conspirators opened in the names of other actual persons without their authorization or knowledge. Minot and her co-conspirators opened the credit card accounts and lines of credit using misappropriated personal identifying information and false identification cards. Minot is facing up to 25 months in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2015.
This investigation was lead by the Boston office of the U.S. Secret Service and the Medway and Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Departments, the Massachusetts State Police and local police departments in Acton, Ayer, Bedford, Boston, Brookline, Cohasset, Dover, Groton, Lincoln, Littleton, Medfield, Medford, Norton, Plymouth, Reading, Sudbury, Sutton, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston and Westwood. The Hollis, New Hampshire police Department also assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse.
Boise Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Meth and Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – Rodolfo Antonio Ortega, 29, of Boise, Idaho, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine for distribution, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.
According to court proceedings, Ortega was arrested in a Boise hotel parking lot on October 21, 2014. When the officers searched his car they found a loaded .357 Colt revolver, 9.5 ounces of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, and about $4,774 in cash. Ortega admitted that he is a convicted felon and knowingly possessed the firearm. Ortega has two prior felony convictions. He also admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. According to his plea agreement, Ortega acknowledges that he is a Career Offender, which will enhance the sentencing guideline range applicable to his case.
The penalty for possession of meth with intent to distribute it is not less than 5 years, and not more than 40 years. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years. Punishment as a Career Offender increases the punishment range. Ortega’s sentencing is set for July 7, 2015 before U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The Indictment was handed down on November 13, 2014. The case was investigated by the Boise City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Belpre, Ohio man pleads guilty to federal drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Belpre, Ohio man is the latest member of a large-scale marijuana trafficking organization to plead guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Brent J. Sidwell, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
At today’s plea hearing, Sidwell admitted that he and others operated a drug trafficking organization in and around Wood County, West Virginia and Washington County, Ohio. In the fall of 2013, members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force (PNTF) and the Washington County Major Crimes Task Force (WCMCTF) began working with a confidential informant who began purchasing marijuana and cocaine from Sidwell and other members of the organization. The drug deals took place primarily at the former 5th Street Pub in Parkersburg, but also occurred at numerous locations in Wood and Washington Counties. Eventually, police obtained a wiretap on Sidwell’s phone and executed search warrants at various locations.
Sidwell admitted that he provided marijuana on consignment and recruited others to deliver marijuana and pick up money for the fronted marijuana from previous deals. Evidence given at earlier court proceedings revealed that Sidwell and others, at his direction, would pick up large marijuana shipments delivered by U.S. Mail to various locations within Wood and Washington Counties. Sidwell would then direct members of the organization to package the marijuana in smaller multi-pound quantities and deliver it to street-level distributors and collect the proceeds of drug sales. The money would then be delivered to Sidwell’s suppliers, either by bulk cash delivery, wire transfer, or by depositing the money into a local branch of a national bank to be withdrawn at a different location by the supplier.
Timothy Fields, 38, of Vienna previously pleaded guilty in federal court and admitted distributing more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana and smaller quantities of cocaine. He was sentenced in January 2015 to six years in federal prison. David A. Naylor also pleaded guilty in federal court and admitted distributing more than 700 kilograms of marijuana. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 30, 2015.
Sidwell faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 7, 2015.
This case represents the ongoing cooperation between the PNTF, WCMCTF, the Wood County, WV Prosecuting Attorney, the Washington County, OH Prosecuting Attorney and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney, Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.
Belleville Woman to Serve Two Years for Illegally Transferring FirearmRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Danielle Edwards, 38, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison following her guilty plea on January 21, 2015, to Transfer of a Firearm to a Previously Convicted Felon. There is no parole in the federal system. Edwards was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Edwards was allowed to remain on bond and self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons.
According to court documents, Edwards purchased a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and an extended, 27-round magazine for the firearm, from Ron & Jo’s Firearms and Sporting Supplies in Fairview Heights, Illinois, which she then transferred to her boyfriend, Donnie Dontez Russell, a convicted felon, who she knew to be a convicted felon. Russell was previously convicted in the case and is serving a sentence of 70 months in federal prison. Evidence at sentencing established that Edwards also assisted Russell in obtaining a Sig Sauer P556 semi-automatic pistol in Tennessee from a man Russell contacted through the internet, and she purchased ammunition for that weapon. The Sig Sauer P556 was recovered during the course of the investigation.
Information leading to the charges against Edwards was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Belleville Man Indicted for Workers' Compensation FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Martese O. Temple, Sr., 48, of Belleville, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he unlawfully obtained disability benefits from the United States Postal Service.
The indictment alleges that, from September 2009 through July 2014, Temple misrepresented the severity of a foot injury to obtain permanent disability benefits from the U.S. Postal Service. The indictment charges Temple with Theft of Government Funds, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, and Making a False Statement to a Government Agency. The charge of Theft of Government Funds carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and the charges of Workers’ Compensation Fraud and Making a False Statement to a Government Agency carry maximum penalties of five years in prison. All three counts also carry maximum penalties of a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Ashburn Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Kouame “Innocent” Tanoh, 53, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in operating a longstanding fraudulent scheme used stolen personal identifying information and claimed over $400,000 in false tax refunds.
The investigation was initiated in August 2014, when the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police stopped Tanoh on a traffic violation. A subsequent search yielded several financial documents and fraudulent identification cards to include a driver’s license and Social Security card in the name of other individuals. Tanoh advised that he was in possession of the documents because he was a tax preparer, and the documents belonged to his clients. From there, several law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation into Tanoh’s illegal activities.
According to court documents, from April 2008 through February 2015, Tanoh obtained individuals’ names and personal identifying information, including their Social Security numbers and dates of birth. Tanoh acquired some of this information by holding himself out as being in the business of preparing tax returns, in part through a Virginia corporation called Alpha and Omega Financial Services. Some of the individuals who provided their personal information to Tanoh were clients of this business. Tanoh would then use peoples’ names and personal identifying information for several different purposes, including the preparation and filing of false and fraudulent federal and state tax returns that made false claims for tax refunds. To increase the amount of the refund requested by the fraudulent returns, Tanoh would add items to the returns, including false dependents, false businesses on the taxpayer’s Schedule C, false education expenses, and false moving expenses. The actual loss to the IRS and state departments of revenue as a result of the returns prepared and filed by Tanoh is over $400,000.
In addition to filing false tax returns, Tanoh also used and lived other people’s identities, in part because he had no legal status to work or remain in the United States. From at least 2009 through 2015, Tanoh used the names and personal identifying information of at least 8 individuals to seek and obtain employment, housing, and other items of value, such as bank accounts. To facilitate his use of these stolen identities, Tanoh would obtain false means of identification in these person’s names, including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards.
Tanoh faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge and a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge when he is sentenced on July 31, 2015. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, DC; Stephen L. Holl, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigations, Washington Field Office; David M. McGinnis, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service; John Phillips, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Washington Field Office of the Inspector General’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Treasury; Michael McGill, Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia Field Division of the Inspector General’s Office of the Social Security Administration, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police; IRS-Criminal Investigations; U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General; United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine L. Wong and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Kimball are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-99.
Arlington Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for the Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Produced and possessed images of minors met on the Internet
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Patrick Joseph Friedel, 29, of Arlington, Virginia, was sentenced today to 192 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for the production and possession of child pornography.
Friedel pleaded guilty on January 16, 2015. According to court documents, Friedel met five young teenagers over the Internet and exchanged sexually explicit images with them. Friedel used persuasion, which included sending the minors depictions of other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and coercion, which included threats to post images online and tell parents about the minor’s activities. On three occasions, Friedel picked up one of the minors and engaged in sexual activity with her. He took pictures and videos of this activity, which included sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.; and Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Chief of Police, Fairfax County Police Department made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fairfax County Police Department with the assistance of the Northern Virginia/DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Gardner and Tracy Doherty-McCormick prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:14-cr-383.
April Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 26 indictments charging 28 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Jose Jaime Alburez, age 29, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 7, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Vicente Beltran Barraza, age 40, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about November, 2012, and continuing to on or about December, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Carlos Roberto Canales Gavarrete is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 13, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Javier Carrillo, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about April 15, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* David Dieguez, age 40, of Fresno, California, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender from on or about July 31, 2014 to March 20, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Santos Gaytan-Leal, of Carter Lake, Iowa, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges that on or about June 20, 2014, the defendant falsely represented a Social Security account number as belonging to him for the purpose of obtaining a benefit to which he was not entitled. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges on or about June 20, 2014, Gaytan-Leal made a false claim to be a United States citizen with the intent to receive Federal and State benefits and to be employed in the United States. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment alleges that on or about June 20, 2014, the defendant used a Social Security card and a State of Nebraska Non-Driver License knowing said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Fredy Hernandez-Castillo, age 33, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 13, 2015, following deportation after conviction for a felony offense. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joshua Koenig, age 30, and Marco Trejo-Hernandez, age 34, both of Omaha, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges both defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about December, 2014 and continuing to on or about February 25, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Koenig with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about February 25, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges Koenig with felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 25, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges Trejo-Hernandez with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about March 4, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V of the Indictment charges Trejo-Hernandez with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 4, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The Indictment also contains an allegation to forfeit proceeds of the offense or property used to commit the offense, including $11,094.00 in U.S. currency.
* Gerald J. Lachner, age 43, of Papillion, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about January 27, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Rodrigo Lozoya-Portillo, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 1, 2015, following deportation after conviction for a felony offense. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Lugo-Gamboa, age 29, of Omaha, is charged in a seven-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a mixture containing cocaine, beginning on or about December 1, 2008, and continuing to on or about March 24, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II and III of the Indictment charge Lugo-Gamboa with distribution of a mixture containing cocaine on or about January 14, 2015 and on or about January 26, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count . Counts IV, V, and VI of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about February 5, February 20, and March 13, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Count VII of the Indictment charges Lugo-Gamboa with possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine on or about March 24, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The Indictment also contains an allegation to forfeit proceeds of the offense or property used to commit the offense, including $4,624.00 in U.S. currency.
* Rosa Medina, age 45, and Rafael Echeverria-Silva, age 28, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about February 1, 2014 and continuing to on or about April 16, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Medina and Echeverria-Silva with possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana on or about April 16, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marco Mejia-Ramirez, age 32, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 13, 2015, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Andres Montejo Mateo, age 42, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 18, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Gilberto Morales-Garcia, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 18, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marco Torres Nuno, age 32, is charged with failure to appear on or about April 6, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Raul Perez-German, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 16, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Richard L. Pitman, age 23, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or before October 11, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years and up to Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Pitman with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about October 11, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or before March 19, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alondra M. Rebolledo, age 32, of Stockton, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine on or about January 23, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Richard E. Rinker, age 60, of Gering, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography from on or about January 1, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 16 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Rinker with possession of child pornography on or about February 18, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than ten years and up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for Life, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment should be forfeited to the United States.
* Julian Anacleto Manjarrez-Sanchez, age 19, and Juan Manjarrez-Sanchez, age 26, both of Fremont, Nebraska, are charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges both defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about December 1, 2014, and continuing to on or about March 25, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges both of the defendants with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about December 14, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges Julian Anacleto Manjarrez-Sanchez with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about February 23, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges both defendants with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containg methamphetamine on or about March 25, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The Indictment also contains an allegation to forfeit proceeds of the offense or property used to commit the offense, including $16,856.00 in U.S. currency.
* Frank A. Sanchez, Jr., age 41, is charged with theft of government funds from the Railroad Retirement Board totaling $92,064.00 beginning on or about August, 2009, and continuing to on or about March, 2012. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Roberto Tercero-Bautista, age 37, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 6, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Scott T. Tran, age 44, of Waterloo, NE, is charged in a twelve-count Indictment. It alleges from on or about May 18, 2009, and continuing until on or about February 16, 2015 the defendant executed a scheme to defraud a health care benefit program. Scott Tran submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Nebraska Medicaid program seeking payment for providing a prescription drug to certain Nebraska Medicaid recipients when the defendant well knew the prescription drug had not been provided to those recipients. During the course of the scheme these claims totaled approximately $2,476.402.00. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. The indictment also alleges any and all property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived, directory or indirectly, from gross proceeds traceable to the commission of the offense, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Esteban Vargas, a/k/a Tereso Cabrera, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 18, 2015, following deportation after conviction for a felony offense. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Danielle Zelazny, age 30, of Bellevue, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with obstructing justice by retaliating against an informant on or about April 8, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Zelazny with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 9, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Anthony, N.M., Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Fernando Garcia, 30, of Anthony, N.M., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Garcia and his co-conspirator Eddie Velarde-Carmona, 34, of San Luis, Ariz., were arrested on May 8, 2014, after attempting to sell methamphetamine to undercover FBI agents. According to the criminal complaint, Garcia and Velarde-Carmona had previously sold approximately 564 grams of methamphetamine to the undercover agent for $8,000.00 on April 17, 2014. On the date of the arrest, FBI agents uncovered approximately 1019 grams of methamphetamine in Garcia’s vehicle.
The two men were subsequently indicted on Aug. 20, 2014. Garcia and Velarde-Carmona were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. Velarde-Carmona also was individually charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Garcia pled guilty to a felony information on Oct. 28, 2014, and admitted that on April 17, 2014, he and Velarde-Carmona sold approximately 564 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent, and on May 8, 2014, the two men agreed to sell a kilogram of methamphetamine to the undercover agent but was arrested prior to the transaction. He further admitted that officers found approximately 1019 grams of methamphetamine mixture in his vehicle.
Velarde-Carmona pled guilty on Dec. 19, 2014, to the indictment. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and the HIDTA Regional Interagency Drug Task Force/Metro Narcotics Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
The HIDTA Regional Interagency Drug Task Force/Metro Narcotics Task Force is comprised of officers from the Las Cruces Police Department and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.
2010 Congressional Candidate and Campaign Manager for His Opponent Jointly Charged with Election ViolationsRead the Press Release
A 2010 Congressional candidate for Florida’s 25th Congressional District, along with the campaign manager for an opposing candidate from a different party, have been charged jointly with violating federal election laws.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, First Assistant United States Attorney, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
Jeffrey Garcia, 42, and Jose Rolando Arrojo, 41, of Miami, were charged, by criminal information, with conspiring to make and accept excessive contributions to the 2010 Roly Arrojo for Congress Committee, in violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
According to the information, during the 2010 election cycle, Garcia was the campaign manager for a candidate (“Candidate A”) opposing Arrojo in the general election. The information alleges that the objective of the conspiracy was to benefit Candidate A by splitting the general election votes of his opponents, by causing and funding the existence of Arrojo’s campaign. The information also alleges the conspirators used third party checks to conceal the contributions. A $12,000 check signed by Garcia, and drawn from the campaign account of Candidate A, was made payable to Palm Media, LLC, a company that was also owned and operated by Garcia. Garcia then signed two checks, made payable to cash in the amounts of $5,000 and $5,500, drawn from the Palm Media, LLC account. These checks were deposited by Arrojo into a personal account. Arrojo subsequently wrote a $10,500 check from the personal account made payable to “Roly Arrojo for Congress” which was deposited into the bank account for the Roly Arrojo for Congress Committee. Arrojo then caused a $10,440 check to issue from the Committee’s account to the Department of State, in order to cover his filing fee expenses. Arrojo submitted this check, along with an Oath of Candidate form, to the Department of State in order to be placed on the ballot in 2010 for Florida’s 25th Congressional District.
In 2010, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, established a $2,400 per election limit on contributions from any individual to a federal candidates’ authorized campaign committee. Therefore, because the contributions alleged in the information did not exceed the permissible amount by more than $25,000, Garcia and Arrojo face a maximum possible sentence of one year in prison.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Selmore.
A criminal information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Attachment:
Information - Garcia, Jeffrey (PDF)
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.
Thursday 23 April 2015
Wyoming Man Sentenced for Assaulting A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Christopher A. Crofts announced today that on April 23, 2015, Jakota Allen Wolfname, a 24 year old Northern Arapaho Tribal Member, was sentenced for forcibly resisting and interfering with a federal officer in connection with an incident on February 10, 2014, involving the Defendant assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer while the officer was attempting to lawfully arrest the Defendant, and having physical contact with the officer during the assault. Wolfname was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl to 24 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, no fine and a $100.00 special assessment. Wolfname was also ordered to pay $819.00 in restitution for some of the officer’s medical costs associated with the injuries he sustained during the assault. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
West Haven Man Admits to Bribing Former Executive of the West Haven Housing AuthorityRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CEASAR ANQUILLARE, 87, of West Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to paying nearly $300,000 in bribes to the former Executive Director of the West Haven Housing Authority in exchange for government contracts and business.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Michael Siwek was the executive director of the West Haven Housing Authority (“WHHA”), an agency that received federal funding. As parties of his duties, Siwek had substantial discretion over awarding WHHA business and contracts. From about February of 2007 through February of 2012, Siwek knowingly received bribes from individuals, including ANQUILLARE, in order to award them business with WHHA and the entities that the housing authority controlled. SIWEK received approximately $1.5 million in bribes, with about $290,000 coming from ANQUILLARE in connection with accounting services that ANQUILLARE’s firm provided to the WHHA.
ANQUILLARE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a program receiving federal funds, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Shea has scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2015. As part of his plea, ANQUILLARE has agreed to restitution in the amount of $ 291,033.91.
On September 4, 2014, Siwek pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Daly stated that the investigation is ongoing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Karwan.
Wapato Man Who Instigated Drive by Shooting Sentenced to 10 Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Spokane – Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Adan Roberto Cortes, age 22, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for his involvement in a gang related drive by shooting. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced the Defendant to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of court supervision upon release from Federal prison.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, sometime in early 2014, unknown persons fired gun shots at the residence of Adan Roberto Cortes ("Cortes.") On March 21, 2014, Cortes and three other individuals engaged in target shooting. The men consumed a great deal of alcohol and ingested marijuana. Cortes wanted to seek revenge for the prior shooting. The four men decided to look for Sureno gang members. The four men wanted to prove their loyalty to the Norteno street gang. Cortes was armed with a .22 caliber pistol and a 9 millimeter pistol. The four men entered the Yakama Nation and drove around a residential housing area looking for a 14 year old rival gang member. At approximately 5:00 p.m., the men spotted someone whom they believed to be a rival gang member. Cortes provided the .22 caliber firearm to an accomplice. The Defendant encouraged his accomplice to fire several shots. The shooter fired eight rounds and mistakenly hit a young child who was playing outside. As they sped away, the Defendant and others began yelling gang slurs. A neighbor observed the shooting and immediately contacted the police. A short time later, police observed the suspect vehicle and all four men were arrested.
Michael C. Ormsby said, "Gang related violence will not be tolerated in the Eastern District of Washington. The United States Attorney’s Office is dedicated to seeking lengthy prison sentences for anyone involved in such horrific acts of violence."
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon, United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Washington.
United States Files Lawsuit Alleging that Quicken Loans Improperly Originated and Underwrote Federal Housing Administration-Insured Mortgage LoansRead the Press Release
The United States has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Quicken Loans Inc. under the False Claims Act for improperly originating and underwriting mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Justice Department announced today. Quicken is a mortgage lender headquartered in Detroit.
“Those who do business with the United States must act in good faith, including lenders that participate in the FHA mortgage insurance program,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “To protect the housing market and the FHA fund, we will continue to hold responsible lenders that knowingly violate the rules.”
Quicken participated in the FHA insurance program as a direct endorsement lender (DEL). As a DEL, Quicken had the authority to originate, underwrite and certify mortgages for FHA insurance. If a DEL such as Quicken approves a mortgage loan for FHA insurance and the loan later defaults, the holder of the loan may submit an insurance claim to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA’s parent agency, for the losses resulting from the defaulted loan. Under the DEL program, neither the FHA nor HUD reviews the underwriting of a loan before it is endorsed for FHA insurance. HUD therefore relies on DELs to follow program rules designed to ensure that they are properly underwriting and certifying mortgages for FHA insurance. And, to that end, a DEL must certify that every loan endorsed for FHA insurance is underwritten according to the applicable FHA standards.
The government’s complaint alleges that, from September 2007 through December 2011, Quicken knowingly submitted, or caused the submission of, claims for hundreds of improperly underwritten FHA-insured loans. The complaint further alleges that Quicken instituted and encouraged an underwriting process that led to employees disregarding FHA rules and falsely certifying compliance with underwriting requirements in order to reap the profits from FHA-insured mortgages. For example, Quicken allegedly had a “value appeal” process where, when Quicken received an appraised value for a home that was too low to approve a loan, Quicken often requested a specific inflated value from the appraiser with no justification for the increase– even though such a practice was prohibited by the applicable FHA requirements. Quicken also allegedly granted “management exceptions” whereby managers would allow underwriters to break an FHA rule in order to approve a loan.
The government’s complaint alleges that Quicken’s senior management was aware of these and other problems. The complaint alleges that Quicken’s Divisional Vice President for Underwriting, the second most senior executive in Quicken’s Operations Department, wrote in an email discussing the value appeal process that “I don’t think the media and any other mortgage company (FNMA, FHA, FMLC) would like the fact we have a team who is responsible to push back on appraisers questioning their appraised values.” In another email, the same Divisional Vice President for Underwriting wrote to a group of Quicken executives stating that 40 percent of the management exceptions on FHA’s early payment defaults should not have been granted, adding: “we make some really dumb decisions when it comes to client service exceptions. Example, purchase loan we pulled new credit and the client stopped paying on almost everything and the scores fell by 100 points, we [still] closed it.” In yet another email discussing an FHA loan, the Operations Director, a senior level executive, explained that the loan was approved based on “bastard income,” which he described as “trying to put some kind of income together that is plausible to the investor even though we know its creation comes from something evil and horrible.”
The government’s complaint alleges that as a result of Quicken’s knowingly deficient mortgage underwriting practices, HUD has already paid millions of dollars of insurance claims on loans improperly underwritten by Quicken, and that there are many additional loans improperly underwritten by Quicken that have become at least 60 days delinquent that could result in further insurance claims on HUD. For example, the government’s complaint identifies a borrower whose bank account statement showed overdrafts in multiple months and during the loan application process requested a refund of the $400 mortgage application fee so that the borrower would be able to feed the borrower's family. Nevertheless, Quicken allegedly approved the loan. The borrower made only five payments before becoming delinquent and as a result, HUD ultimately paid an FHA insurance claim of $93,955.19. In another example, the complaint identifies a loan where the borrower was cashing out equity through a cash-out refinance. Allegedly, Quicken originally received an appraised value of $180,000, but because the borrower wanted to receive more cash, Quicken requested the appraiser to inflate the value by $5,000. The appraiser allegedly provided Quicken’s requested value of $185,000 even though the only difference between the two appraisals was the appraised value – the comparable sales analysis, and even the date of the appraiser’s signature, remained the same. Quicken allegedly used the inflated appraisal value to approve the loan. The borrower was delinquent on his first payment and as a result, HUD ultimately paid an FHA insurance claim of $204,208.
The complaint further alleges that Quicken failed to implement an adequate quality control program to identify deficient loans, and that Quicken failed to report to HUD the loans it did identify. In particular, according to the government's complaint, despite its obligation to report to HUD all materially deficient loans, during the period from September 2007 to December 2011, Quicken concealed its deficient underwriting practices and failed to report a single underwriting deficiency to the agency.
“As the complaint alleges, Quicken violated HUD’s quality standards when obtaining HUD insurance for mortgage loans,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh of the District of Colorado, whose office helped to lead the investigation. “Quicken issued hundreds of defective mortgage loans, and left HUD – and the taxpayer – to pay for the loans that defaulted. Quicken’s alleged fraudulent conduct affected communities nationwide. This case is the latest step in our commitment to hold accountable mortgage lenders who profit by taking advantage of HUD insurance and issuing defective loans that do not meet HUD’s standards.”
“Quicken needs to be held accountable for violations of HUD requirements in the origination of FHA loans, as alleged in the complaint,” said HUD General Counsel Helen R. Kanovsky. “HUD will continue to take action to protect the FHA and American homebuyers.”
“The complaint alleges that Quicken approved loans that should not have been approved and submitted them for FHA insurance,” said HUD Inspector General David A. Montoya. “The alleged cost to the FHA insurance fund was millions of dollars and hopefully this serves as reinforcement to Quicken that doing the wrong thing really never is worth it.”
The investigation of this matter was a coordinated effort among HUD-Office of Inspector General, HUD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Colorado and the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch.
The action is captioned United States v. Quicken Loans, Inc. (D.D.C.). The claims asserted in the complaint are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Two Northern California Real Estate Investors Agree to Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud Conspiracies at Public Foreclosure AuctionsRead the Press Release
Two Northern California real estate investors have agreed to plead guilty for their role in bid rigging and fraud conspiracies at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California, the Department of Justice announced.
Felony charges were filed today in U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California in Oakland against real estate investors Mark Roemer and Bradley Roemer. To date, 54 individuals have pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges as a result of the department’s ongoing antitrust investigations into bid rigging and fraud at public foreclosure auctions in Northern California. In addition, 20 other real estate investors have been charged in five multi-count indictments for their roles in bid rigging and fraud schemes at foreclosure auctions in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
“Cynical investors who rig real estate foreclosure auctions will be held accountable for their crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “Winning auctions through fraud injures consumers and mortgage lenders by circumventing the competitive process that the antitrust laws are intended to protect.”
According to court documents, beginning as early as December 2009 and continuing until about November 2010, the defendants conspired with others not to bid against one another, and instead to designate a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Alameda County. Both defendants were also charged with conspiring to use the mail to carry out a scheme to fraudulently acquire title to selected Alameda County properties sold at public auctions, to make and receive payoffs, and to divert money to co-conspirators that would have otherwise gone to mortgage holders and other beneficiaries by holding second, private auctions open only to members of the conspiracy. Selected properties were then awarded to the conspirators who submitted the highest bids in the second, private auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held.
“These charges demonstrate our continued commitment to investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations responsible for the corruption of the public foreclosure auction process,” said Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working these important cases and remains unwavering in our dedication to bringing the members of these illegal conspiracies to justice.”
Each violation of the Sherman Act carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals. The maximum fine for the Sherman Act charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims if either amount is greater than $1 million. A count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The government can also seek to forfeit the proceeds earned from participating in the conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Today’s charges are the latest filed by the department in its ongoing investigation into bid rigging and fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa and Alameda counties in California. These investigations are being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office and the FBI’s San Francisco Office. Anyone with information concerning bid rigging or fraud related to public real estate foreclosure auctions should contact the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office at 415-934-5300, or call the FBI tip line at 415-553-7400.
The charges were brought in connection with the President’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.
Roemer, Mark - Information
Roemer, Bradley - Information
**The fraud charge(s) referenced in this press release were subsequently dismissed on the government’s motion.**
Two Men Sentenced to Combined Total of over 25 Years for Unrelated Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Christian Archer and Brandon L. Waller were sentenced today to a combined total of over 25 years in federal prison for unrelated drug trafficking charges. Archer, age 30, of Hope, Arkansas, was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of the Use and Carrying of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime; Waller, age 27, of Wake Village, Texas, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 280 grams of Cocaine Base, commonly known as “Crack Cocaine”. The Honorable Harry F. Barnes presided over Archer’s sentencing hearing, while the Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over Waller’s, both in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The fact that both of these defendants have previous felony convictions, and that one of them is a “career offender”, shows a blatant disrespect for the law. These two cases exemplify the threat of violence that drug trafficking poses in our communities; one defendant fired shots into a home, while the other led an officer on a high speed chase, each situation placing innocent lives at risk. Our office remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
Christian Archer: According to court records, investigators with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department were contacted by witnesses on September 26, 2013, regarding a shooting that had taken place on that date. The witnesses stated that prior to the shooting they had purchased methamphetamine from Christian Archer. After a dispute over the price of methamphetamine, Archer and two other co-conspirators threatened the witnesses with a firearm, and fired several rounds at them, resulting in multiple bullets striking the witnesses’ residence. On that same date, based on evidence recovered at the scene and statements of witnesses, investigators obtained a court-ordered search warrant for Archer’s residence in Hope, Arkansas. During the execution of the search warrant at Archer’s home, investigators located a set of digital scales on the kitchen counter, two bags of methamphetamine, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Archer was arrested on March 6, 2014, and pleaded guilty to the charge on July 25, 2014. At sentencing, it was determined that Archer is a Career Offender.
Brandon Waller: According to court records, Troopers with the Arkansas State Police were conducting a sobriety check point in Hempstead County, Arkansas, on September 26, 2013. While operating the check point, an Arkansas State Trooper observed a vehicle heading east-bound on the highway that was traveling partially in the ditch. Based on his observation of traffic violations, the Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle made a U-Turn in the highway and fled west-bound. The Trooper initiated pursuit of the vehicle, activating his emergency lights and sirens, but the vehicle continued to flee at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour. During the chase, the pursuing Trooper observed a white plastic bag thrown from the passenger window of the vehicle. The location of the bag was radioed in, and the bag, which contained a large quantity of crack cocaine, was recovered near the highway. Officers were ultimately able to stop the vehicle, identify the driver as Brandon Waller, and take Waller into custody. Subsequent to his arrest and after being advised of his Miranda rights, Waller provided a statement to investigators in which he admitted to possessing the crack cocaine recovered from the bag, and throwing it from the vehicle during the pursuit. Waller further stated that he was taking the crack cocaine to Magnolia, Arkansas. Waller was arrested on September 26, 2013, and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2014.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Quinn and Jonathan Ross prosecuted the cases for the United States.
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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Two Arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI- Hugo Enrique Ogando, 37, and Miguel de los Santos, 37, were arrested Wednesday on a criminal complaint charging them with one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today. Ogando and de los Santos made their initial appearance today before Senior District Court Judge Raymond L. Finch. A detention hearing is set for Monday.
According to the complaint, the men were found in possession of approximately four kilograms of a substance that tested positive for cocaine. Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine carries a sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to a maximum of 40 years.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Two Arizona Men and a Mexican National Sentenced in New Mexico for Marijuana Trafficking and Firearms ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Two Arizona men and a Mexican national illegally in the United States were sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., for violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws.
Jonathan Gordon Marsh, 28, of Gilbert, Ariz., and Jason Daniel Smith, 27, of Apache Junction, Ariz., were sentenced based on their guilty pleas to marijuana trafficking and firearms charges. Marsh was sentenced to 61 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, and Smith was sentenced to 68 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Hector Severiano-Borja, 24, of Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for his conviction on marijuana trafficking charges and his illegal re-entry into the United States. He will be deported following his prison sentence.
Marsh, Smith, and Severiano-Borja were charged on March 17, 2014, in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute. Court records reflect that during a routine traffic stop on March 14, 2014, the Lordsburg Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol agents recovered approximately 95 pounds of marijuana and three firearms from the vehicle driven by Marsh and in which Smith and Severiano-Borja were passengers. The complaint alleged that Marsh and Smith had been hired by an individual in Mesa, Ariz., to pick up Severiano-Borja and the marijuana from milepost 33 on Interstate 10 in Hidalgo County, N.M.
Marsh and Severiano-Borja were subsequently charged on June 18, 2014, in a five-count indictment. The two men were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The indictment also charged Marsh with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and transporting an illegal alien, and Severiano-Borja with illegal re-entry into the United States.
Severiano- Borja entered a guilty plea in July 2014, to the conspiracy and the unlawful reentry charges in the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement. Marsh pled guilty on Sept. 3, 2014, to a felony information charging him with a marijuana trafficking conspiracy and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In entering the guilty plea, Marsh admitted that on March 14, 2014, Smith and he entered into an agreement with others to transport bundles of marijuana with the help of Severiano-Borja who had carried the marijuana from Mexico into the United States. He also admitted carrying a firearm for protection.
Smith pled guilty in a separate case on June 17, 2014, to a felony information charging him with conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He admitted conspiring with Smith on March 14, 2014, to transport marijuana from Mexico to the United States, with the help of Severiano-Borja. Smith also admitted the he carried a firearm for protection.
This case was investigated by the Deming office of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Lordsburg Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock Taylor of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Thomas Hoey, Jr., Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 151 Months in Prison for Large-Scale Drug Distribution and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that THOMAS HOEY, JR., who led a large-scale cocaine distribution conspiracy for over five years, which led to the death of another person, and who engaged in a long-term scheme to obstruct the investigation into his crimes, was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 151 months in prison. HOEY was indicted on December 20, 2013, and pled guilty on August 14, 2014, to charges of conspiring to distribute narcotics, conspiring to suborn perjury, and obstruction of justice. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel imposed today’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “Thomas Hoey not only showed complete indifference to the life-threatening situation he himself created by providing cocaine to Kim Calo, he interfered with efforts to get her medical attention. He also waged an ongoing campaign, beginning immediately upon Ms. Calo’s collapse, to destroy evidence, lie to investigators, and obstruct a grand jury investigation by pressuring a witness to perjure herself. The sentence he has received reflects the callousness of his crimes.”
According to the Indictment, statements made during other public proceedings including today’s sentencing, and other court documents:
Between at least 2005 and 2010, HOEY conspired with others to distribute large quantities of cocaine, in social settings, in exchange for various social and sexual favors.
On January 10, 2009, Nicole Zobkiw went to a hotel room at the Kitano Hotel in midtown Manhattan with Kim Calo and HOEY. HOEY provided cocaine to both women and shortly thereafter Ms. Calo collapsed. HOEY then obstructed all efforts by Ms. Zobkiw and the staff of the hotel to get medical assistance for Ms. Calo, who subsequently died of from the combined effects of the cocaine and alcohol she ingested. HOEY also instructed his driver, Alejandro Noriega, to remove the cocaine and all evidence of cocaine use from the hotel room. HOEY then made numerous false statements to the police investigating Ms. Calo’s death about what had occurred in the hotel room that night.
On April 6, 2011, Ms. Zobkiw was subpoenaed before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Kim Calo. Ms. Zobkiw informed the defendant of the grand jury subpoena and asked him to provide her with a lawyer. The lawyer provided to her by HOEY was Barry Balaban. At HOEY’s direction, Balaban instructed and pressured Ms. Zobkiw to lie to the grand jury.
Ms. Zobkiw appeared before the federal grand jury on April 6, 2011, and gave false testimony about numerous matters material to the grand jury’s investigation by, among other things, denying that HOEY had provided Ms. Calo cocaine that night.
One month after lying to the grand jury, Ms. Zobkiw was brought by HOEY, under false pretenses, to an abandoned warehouse in Long Island. Inside the warehouse, Ms. Zobkiw was pressured by others working for HOEY to sign a document that essentially restated her perjurious grand jury testimony. The plan was to send this document to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in an attempt to prevent criminal charges from being brought against HOEY.
HOEY pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute narcotics, one count of conspiring to suborn perjury, and one count of obstruction of justice. In addition to a prison term of 151 months, HOEY was sentenced to three years of supervised release, was ordered to pay a fine of $ $250,000, and was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment fee.
On February 6, 2012, following a jury trial, Ms. Zobkiw was convicted by a jury of two counts of perjury, and one count of obstruction of justice, all related to her false grand jury testimony on April 6, 2011. Ms. Zobkiw passed away before sentencing.
On April 22, 2014, following a guilty plea, Balaban was convicted of one count of conspiring to suborn perjury, and sentenced to 48 months in prison.
On December 18, 2014, following a guilty plea, Noriega was convicted of one count of misprision of a felony, and sentenced to 45 days in prison.
The arrest was the result of a long-term investigation by the DEA’s New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, which comprises agents and officers of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal Service, New York National Guard, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarkstown Police Department, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding work of the DEA agents who investigated this case. Mr. Bharara also expressed his gratitude to the New York City Police Department and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Garnett and Ian McGinley are in charge of the prosecution.
Takoma Park Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Pair of Burglaries in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ramone Laird, 21, of Takoma Park, Md., has been sentenced to a three-year prison term for a pair of burglaries, carried out while he was on probation for a prior conviction in Maryland, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today
Laird pled guilty in January 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of second-degree burglary. He was sentenced on April 22, 2015, by the Honorable Anita Josey-Herring. Upon completion of his prison term, Laird will be placed on three years of supervised release and required to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $7,284.
According to the government’s evidence, Laird committed two separate burglaries in Northwest Washington on Sept. 18, 2014. Laird, with two accomplices, broke into an apartment in the 2900 block of Adams Mill Road NW with a crowbar, stole electronics, cash, and clothing, and in the process ransacked the apartment and damaged the front door. After leaving the location, Laird, with his accomplices, broke into another apartment that same day in the 1800 block of Columbia Road NW, and again stole items from inside, ransacked the apartment, and damaged the front door. In response to a 911 call, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) apprehended Laird running from the residence with the stolen property from the second burglary in his possession. The police recovered surveillance video showing Laird at both apartment complexes prior to the burglaries taking place.
At the time of his arrest, Laird was on probation following a 2013 theft conviction in Maryland.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Allison Daniels and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Macchiaroli and David Misler, of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section, who prosecuted the matter.
Stockton Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Robert Anthony Guerena, 21, of Stockton, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 11 years and three months in prison for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, between August and September 2013, Guerena and co-defendant Robert Vargas met with an undercover agent on four separate occasions to conduct methamphetamine transactions. Each of these meetings occurred in a Walmart parking lot in Stockton, and with each subsequent meeting, the amount of methamphetamine provided by the defendants to the undercover officer agent increased. Over the course of the transactions, Guerena boasted that he had access to pound quantities of methamphetamine. On September 19, 2013, the defendants arrived at the Walmart parking lot intending to provide the undercover agent with two pounds of methamphetamine. Before the transaction was completed, both defendants were arrested. In all, the defendants provided the undercover agent with approximately 1.2 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.
Vargas is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2015.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Stockton Police Department, and the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Olusere Olowoyeye is prosecuting the case.
Docket #: 2:13-cr-326 MCE
Statement by the Attorney General on the Senate Confirmation of Loretta LynchRead the Press Release
Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Loretta Lynch:
“Loretta Lynch is a gifted attorney, a consummate professional, and a dedicated public servant. I am pleased that the United States Senate has recognized her clear qualifications and the need for her confirmation as Attorney General of the United States.
“At every stage of her career, Loretta has earned the trust and high regard of allies and adversaries alike, both in Washington and throughout the country. She is respected by law enforcement officers, civil rights leaders, and criminal justice officials of all political stripes. In every case and every circumstance, she has demonstrated an unfailing commitment to the rule of law and a steadfast fidelity to the pursuit to justice.
“I have known and worked closely with Loretta for many years, and I know that she will continue the vital work that this Administration has set in motion and leave her own innovative mark on the Department in which we have both been privileged to serve. I am confident that Loretta will be an outstanding Attorney General, a dedicated guardian of the Constitution, and a devoted champion of all those whom the law protects and empowers. I congratulate her on her confirmation, and I look forward to all that the Department of Justice will do and achieve under her exemplary leadership
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Senior District Court Judge Raymond L. Finch on Wednesday sentenced Kirk T. Jordan, 39, to 30 months in prison for his conviction for felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent-in-Charge Hugo J. Barrera, and Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Delroy Richards.
The Court also sentenced Jordan to three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $100.00 special assessment.
Jordan pleaded guilty on February 10, 2015 to the felon in possession of a firearm charge. According to the plea agreement filed with the Court, on November 25, 2013, while police were investigating a shooting incident in which Jordan was a suspect, police asked him for the second firearm involved in the incident. Jordan told police that he threw the firearm away, and asked for an attorney. Subsequently, he made a telephone call, then notified the police that he had called his girlfriend, told her where to find the firearm, and asked her to bring it. Upon the girlfriend’s arrival, the police retrieved a Glock 9mm model 19 from the trunk of the girlfriend’s vehicle. At the time of the firearm seizure, Jordan was a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Spokane Man Sentenced to Thirty Months’ Prison and Five Years’ Court Supervision for Bank and Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Ashley Bonair Chambers, age 58, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having been convicted after a four-day jury trial in December 2014 of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution. United States District Court Chief Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Chambers to a 30-month term of imprisonment and a 5-year term of court supervision following release from federal prison. The Court also ordered Chambers to pay $379,143 in restitution to the financial institution victims. The Court ordered Chambers to report immediately to the U.S. Marshal Service to be taken into custody at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Ashley Bonair Chambers conspired with another individual in a loan "kiting" scheme by fraudulently obtaining several share secured loans and a construction loan from financial institutions. Chambers and a conspirator submitted several loan applications to financial institutions that were materially false and fraudulent because the applications reported inflated amounts of monthly income. Chambers and his conspirator used some of the loan proceeds as collateral to obtain additional loans. Chambers and his conspirator also submitted an application in the conspirator’s name that contained materially false information to obtain an $880,000 construction loan. Chambers and his conspirator intended to use the ill-gotten proceeds to build a house with a helipad in Nine Mile Falls, Washington. According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the construction loan application was false because it reported the conspirator’s monthly income as $48,000 when the conspirator’s monthly income was approximately $1,500. As part of the scheme, Chambers and his conspirator fabricated and submitted a bogus $185,000 document entitled "Earnest Money Payment Receipt Balloon Payment." By doing so, Chambers and his conspirator misled the financial institution into believing they had invested $185,000 into the home construction project. Among other things, Chambers and his conspirator used a portion of the loan proceeds to purchase a bobcat tractor and a truck. Chambers and his conspirator ultimately obtained approximately $379,143 from the financial institutions as a result of the fraudulent scheme.
Michael C. Ormsby said, "The sentence imposed in this case reflects the seriousness of ‘white collar’ crime and that those accused of defrauding banks will be fairly and justly held accountable for their criminal conduct. This case is yet another example of the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute aggressively fraud cases in the Eastern District of Washington. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General’s Criminal Investigation Division is commended for its tireless efforts in thoroughly investigating this case."
"When borrowers submit false information, the underwriting process is defeated and the taxpayers bear the loss," said Inspector General Peggy E. Gustafson of the Small Business Administration. "I want to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for its dedicated leadership and professionalism in pursuit of justice served today."
The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General’s Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Small Business Administration. The case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Sixteen Defendants Indicted in Stolen U.S. Treasury Check RingRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Sixteen defendants have been indicted for stealing over $10 million in U.S. Treasury checks from the mail and then cashing them at Walmart, Kroger, and other businesses using fake identifications. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11, 2015.
“Georgia has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the worst states in the nation for stolen U.S. Treasury checks,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn. “This crime affects thousands of victims – including senior citizens, the disabled, and veterans – who go to their mailbox looking for a needed check only to discover that it has been stolen by criminals and identity thieves. These sixteen defendants are charged with stealing over $10 million in U.S. Treasury checks in Georgia and traveling around the country to cash them.”
“Check fraud is one of the largest challenges facing financial institutions and businesses today. The United States Secret Service will continue to collaborate with its law enforcement partners to target and arrest individuals who steal from unsuspecting victims,” said Reginald G. Moore, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the U.S. Mail and taking an aggressive stance on those who violate federal statutes that protect the American Public. We value the investigative efforts with our federal partners and thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for continuing to protect innocent victims.” said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division.
“Social Security payments are a lifeline for many Americans. We are pleased with the aggressive action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners that resulted in these indictments,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas Caul, SSA/Office of the Inspector General.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Maurice Shuler and Milton Minter are alleged to have received stolen U.S. Treasury checks that were taken from the mail before reaching their intended recipients. The stolen checks included tax refund, Social Security, and Veteran Benefits checks. After receiving the checks, Shuler and Minter provided them to a network of check cashers, including 14 of the defendants charged here, who negotiated the stolen checks, mainly at Walmart and Kroger stores. The defendants used fake driver’s licenses to pose as the check payees and forged the payees’ signatures on the back of the checks. They also used other individuals’ Social Security numbers to cash the checks. In an effort to avoid detection, the defendants traveled to different states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Iowa, Louisiana, and Tennessee, to cash the stolen checks. The defendants are charged with cashing thousands of stolen U.S. Treasury checks worth over $10 million.
The indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy, theft of U.S. money, and aggravated identity theft:
- Maurice Shuler, a/k/a Fred, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Gino Shuler, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Chucky Ransom, 41, of Decatur, Georgia,
- Sepater Ransom, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Damontra Ransom, a/k/a Pop, 20, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Milton Minter, a/k/a White Boi, 31, of Riverdale, Georgia,
- Brian K. Hightower, a/k/a Big, 33, of Stockbridge, Georgia,
- Angela L. Williams, 40, of Stockbridge, Georgia,
- Charles E. Bolton, Jr., a/k/a Lightpole Jones, 26, of College Park, Georgia,
- Mariah C. Clark, 24, of Loganville, Georgia,
- Lovely Richardson, 27, of Fairburn, Georgia,
- Osiris O. Hernandez, 23, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Kimbela Jordan, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Raymon D. Gales, 26, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Jeremy Arnold, 28, of Riverdale, Georgia, and
- Rodrekus R. Harris, 26, of Blakely, Georgia.
The 83-count indictment was unsealed and the defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service; United States Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; and Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen H. McClain and Chris Bly are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.
Sissonville man pleads guilty to federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Sissonville, West Virginia man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Jamie Ray Green, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to using a phone to facilitate drug trafficking. Green admitted that on February 10, 2015, he received a phone call from a confidential informant (CI) who wanted to buy methamphetamine from him. During the call, Green instructed the CI to meet him near the Crossings Mall in Elkview, W.Va. After the call, Green travelled to the arranged spot, and sold methamphetamine to the CI.
Green faces up to four years of imprisonment when he is sentenced on July 7, 2015.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution.
Sentencings for April 21 - April 22, 2015Read the Press Release
Jason Butler, 40, of Torrington, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on April 22, 2015, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and marijuana. Butler was arrested in Weston County, Wyoming. He received 60 months imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 fine and a $100.00 special assessment. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
Elizabeth Martinez, 29, of Modesto, California, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on April 21, 2015, for wire fraud. Martinez used her position as a clerk/cashier at Hoy’s Drug in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She used Hoy’s business account to show fraudulent “returns of merchandise” when there were no such returns, and Martinez was simply placing credits to various credit cards she had, or skimming cash from the registers. Martinez was arrested in Sacramento, California. She received one year, plus one day and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $142,733.12. Martinez will be placed on three years of supervised release after serving her sentence. This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, with the assistance of the Cheyenne Police Department.
Baldomero Juarez Guevarra, 26, of Zacatecas, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on April 21, 2015, on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and one count of illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Guevarra was arrested in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. He received 84 months imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Guevarra was also ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the National Park Service with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Santa Fe Man Sentenced to Prison for Violating Federal Tax LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Andre Lewis, 34, of Santa Fe, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on federal tax offenses. Lewis also was ordered to pay $118,470.76, less any money already repaid by other tax payers, in restitution to the IRS. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and Dawn Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation.
Lewis was arrested on May 8, 2014, on an eleven-count indictment. Count 1 of the indictment charged Lewis with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, and Count 2 charged him with making a materially false statement to a federal officer. Counts 3 through 11 charged Lewis with preparing and aiding and abetting the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Lewis committed the offenses between Feb. 2009 and Aug. 2009 in Bernalillo, County, N.M.
According to the indictment, from Feb. to July 2009, Lewis conspired with others to defraud the IRS by preparing and filing fraudulent claims for tax refunds. Lewis and his co-conspirators perpetuated the scheme by obtaining the names, identifiers and W-2 Forms for federal taxpayers, and using that information to electronically file federal income tax returns included either false claims for the First Time Home Buyer Credit or false withholding information. Lewis and his conspirators thus obtained tax refunds to which they were not entitled from the IRS.
On Dec. 18, 2014, Lewis entered guilty pleas to Counts 1 and 3 of the indictment charging him with conspiracy and aiding and abetting the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return. In his plea agreement, Lewis admitted filing a false tax return in Feb. 2009, by which he fraudulently obtained $16,024.14 from the IRS by misrepresenting his tax withholdings. Lewis also admitted that in 2009 he was involved in filing at least ten false tax returns and fraudulently receiving refunds based on those returns. In his plea agreement, Lewis admitted defrauding the IRS of an aggregate of $118,470.76 through this unlawful scheme.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation in Albuquerque and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J. Sullivan.