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8 January 2015
Former Chancery Judge and Nephew Sentenced for Federal Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. -- Joe Dale Walker, 61, a former chancery judge from Monticello, and his nephew Chad Teater, 42, of Magee, were each sentenced in federal court today to 5 months in prison followed by 5 months home confinement for federal obstruction of justice, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special in Agent in Charge Donald Alway. In addition, the defendants will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date.
Beginning in 2010, Walker was the elected Chancellor for the Thirteenth Chancery Court District of Mississippi, covering Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith Counties. In June 2011, Walker directed the attorney he had appointed for a conservatorship to solicit bids from local contractors for the construction of a home for the ward. Five bids for construction of the home were obtained, including a bid from Walker’s nephew, Chad Teater doing business as C.T. Construction. Walker reviewed the bids in his chambers and, upon discovering that Teater’s bid was much lower than the other bids, Walker instructed Teater to raise his bid. Teater subsequently submitted another bid which was $23,500 more than his original bid but still lower than the other bids. Due to his nephew’s involvement as a bidder for the Newsome house, Walker transferred the case to another Chancellor for the limited purpose of accepting and approving bids for the construction of the Newsome home. After signing an order awarding the contract to Teater, the case was transferred back to Walker.
Prior to August 7, 2013, a grand jury subpoena was served upon a witness to appear before a Federal Grand Jury and to bring any and all documents relating to the Conservatorship. On August 7, 2013, Walker met with the witness and was informed of the Federal Grand Jury subpoena. During this meeting, Walker and the witness discussed the original bid from Teater, the fact that it was lower than the other bids and that Walker had instructed the witness to tell Teater to raise his bid. Walker also asked the witness about the original bid and any existing copies. Walker then told the witness that Teater’s original bid needed to be "somewhere else" in response to the Federal Grand Jury subpoena. When interviewed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on March 25, 2014, Walker denied ever talking with the witness about two bids submitted by Teater and denied ever telling the witness to get rid of the bid. Teater likewise was subpoenaed to the federal grand jury, where he proceeded to lie about the incident, and he subsequently lied to FBI agents.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
Eden Prairie Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Buying and Selling Smokeless Tobacco ProductsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the guilty plea of DMITRI SOUDAKOV, 41, for the illegal purchase and transport of smokeless tobacco. The defendant pleaded guilty on January 5, 2015, before Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn., to one count of Shipment, Transport, Receipt, Possession, Sale, Distribution and Purchase of Contraband Smokeless Tobacco.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives-St. Paul Field Division Special Agent in Charge James C. Modzelewski stated, “The trafficking in contraband tobacco is all about the money and the substantial profits that are obtained. With our outstanding relationship with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, we are accomplishing what we are mandated to do, prosecuting these offenders and taking away their profits.”
“The transportation and sale of unstamped tobacco products is illegal and unfair to distributors and businesses who comply with the state’s tobacco laws,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “We appreciate the collaboration with our federal partners and we take our role of enforcing these tax laws very seriously.”
According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on June 27, 2011, SOUDAKOV purchased at least 938 containers of contraband smokeless tobacco from a wholesaler in Chicago, Ill. The defendant purchased the smokeless tobacco free of any state taxes and intended to resell it without paying any state taxes in Illinois, Minnesota or elsewhere. SOUDAKOV knew he was not a licensed distributor, manufacturer or carrier and, therefore, was unauthorized to purchase, sell, distribute, possess or receive smokeless tobacco products.
Between April 2011 and July 2011, SOUDAKOV purchased and transported at least 4,760 containers of smokeless tobacco from Illinois to Minnesota, where he resold the products without paying any state taxes. On June 28, 2011, while transporting the containers of smokeless tobacco from the Chicago area to Minnesota, SOUDAKOV’S vehicle was stopped by law enforcement officers who discovered the containers of smokeless tobacco stashed in the rear of the vehicle.
According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, SOUDAKOV also purchased and resold additional tobacco products without paying Minnesota state taxes. SOUDAKOV purposely evaded the payment of state taxes and is ordered to pay a total of $47,753.77 in restitution to the state of Minnesota.
This case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Langner is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information: DMITRI SOUDAKOV, 41
Eden Prairie, Minn.
Convicted: • Shipment, Transport, Receipt, Possession, Sale, Distribution and Purchase of Contraband Smokeless Tobacco, 1 countDeported Illegal Alien Sentenced to Time Served for Re-entering U.S.Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An alien found in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to time served and one year supervised release on his charge of illegal re-entry after deportation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on German Cardenas-Leon, 42, of Mexico.
According to the information presented to the court, German Cardenas-Leon, a/k/a Eduardo Hurieta, an alien, was formally removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 1, 2003. German Cardenas-Leon was found by agents of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be illegally present in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 26, 2014.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Pittsburgh Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of German Cardenas-Leon, a/k/a Eduardo Hurieta.
Denver Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Being A Felon in Possession of A Firearm and Possessing A Firearm During A Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
DENVER – Archie Poole, age 38, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez to serve 130 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey announced. Following his prison sentence, Judge Martinez ordered Poole to serve 3 years on supervised release. Poole, who appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, was remanding at the hearing’s conclusion. Poole also faces drug charges in a separate multi-defendant federal drug trafficking prosecution.
Poole was first charged by Criminal Complaint on May 6, 2014. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 19, 2014. He pled guilty before Judge Martinez on October 8, 2014. Poole was sentenced on January 7, 2015.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on April 11, 2014, at a hotel on Colfax in Denver, Poole sold a confidential informant crack cocaine. On April 17, 2014, Poole again sold crack cocaine while knowingly possessing a .40 caliber handgun. The next day the Denver Police Department executed a search warrant of Poole’s hotel room. They found crack, a digital scale, a box containing plastic baggies, a baking soda box, and receipts for the hotel and a cell phone.
On May 4, 2014, Poole was arrested on a warrant by law enforcement following a traffic stop. Officers located a loaded ..40 caliber pistol in the vehicle. Poole possessed the firearm despite the fact that he had multiple felony convictions, included: Possession/Sale of a Controlled Substance in Denver District Court -- 1995; Possession/Sale of a Controlled Substance in Denver District Court – 1997; Controlled Substance Possession More than 1 gram – Adams County Court – 2003; Possession of Contraband – Bent County Combined Court – 2006. When a person as felony convictions, it is illegal to possess a firearm.
During the sentencing hearing, it was established that Defendant Poole was a member of a local gang and had substantial alcohol and other substance abuse issues.
“The lengthy prison sentence handed down is appropriate given the fact that the defendant not only trafficked in dangerous drugs but he also carried a weapon dangerous weapon during his drug trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the ATF and the Denver Police Department, another gang member involved in drugs and guns has been taken off of our streets.”
“ATF and our partners will continue to make it a priority to arrest and seek convictions of armed drug traffickers,” said ATF Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Denver Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Sibert.
Cruise Line Crew Member Sentenced on Charges of Attempted Murder and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Female PassengerRead the Press Release
A Holland America cruise line crew member was sentenced to 30 years and five months imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for his brutal attack and attempted murder of a female passenger.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
On February 14, 2014, Ketut Pujayasa, 29, Indonesian national, brutally attacked a female passenger, CLW, 32, United States citizen. During the attack, Pujayasa, choked, strangled, and beat the victim repeated with various objects. CLW continually attempted to scream for help and resist the violent attack but Pujayasa was relentless with his assault and attempts to silence her. Pujayasa strangled CLW with several items including a telephone cord and the cord to her curling iron.
The attack continued onto the stateroom’s balcony. While on the balcony, Pujayasa attempted to throw CLW overboard. The violent encounter then proceeded back to the interior of the state room where the violent assault continued. Pujayasa rendered CLW unconscious at least once during the attack, at which time he sexually assaulted her. CLW was eventually able to flee her stateroom and run down the corridor until she encountered an unknown passenger who rendered aid.
On September 29, 2014, Pujayasa pled guilty to the attack. He is expected to be deported after serving his sentence.
Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI for its investigation of this matter and thanked the Broward Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis Viamontes and Cathy Koontz.
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 http://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 http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Rodney Joel Neal (53, Montezuma, Georgia) with failing to register as sex offender after traveling from Georgia to Florida. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Neal has been in custody since his arrest on related state charges on October 10, 2014.
According to the indictment, in May 1988, Neal was found guilty and sentenced for committing two criminal offenses, aggravated child molestation and child molestation, in Macon County, Georgia. Subsequent to his conviction, Neal traveled from Georgia to Florida and failed to register in Florida as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The Adam Walsh Act provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist state and local authorities in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Coatesville, Pa., Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking A MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Chester County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his conviction of sex trafficking of a child, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Rasul Abernathy, 33, formerly of Coatesville, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, in and around December of 2012, to in and around March 2013, Abernathy knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided and obtained a minor, John Doe, to engage in a commercial sex acts.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County Police Department and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Abernathy.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cicero Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Arson That Killed Man Sleeping in Adjacent Apartment in 2012Read the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Cicero man was sentenced today to 40 years in federal prison for setting fire in January 2012 to his estranged girlfriend’s southwest side apartment that resulted in killing a man sleeping in the apartment next door. The defendant, JUAN ADAME, was convicted of federal arson in October 2013 after a week-long trial in U.S. District Court.
Adame, 41, who has been in federal custody since he was arrested in March 2012, must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. He is subject to two years of court supervision and deportation after any release.
Citing Adame’s history of domestic violence, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said the “tragic consequences” of the case called for Adame to be incapacitated to prevent him from committing future crimes. Adame was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $306,006.
According to court records and the evidence at trial, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2012, Adame used gasoline to start a fire in the second-floor rear apartment of a building at 4246 West 63rd St., which contained two one-bedroom apartments on the second floor and commercial space on the ground floor. Adame had an ongoing domestic dispute with a woman who occasionally occupied the apartment where the fire began but who was not there at the time of the fire. The victim, James “Jimmy” Maca, 60, the sole occupant of the front apartment unit, died as a result of carbon monoxide intoxication and inhalation of smoke and soot.
“Jimmy Maca left behind friends and loving family members, including two siblings and a niece who attended every day of [Adame’s] trial. The lifelong impact of [his] crime on Jimmy Maca’s friends and family is indescribable,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Nasser and Bethany Biesenthal argued in seeking a sentence of at least 40 years in prison. Maca’s brother, sister, and landlord each provided victim impact statements at today’s sentencing hearing.
The sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Carl J. Vasilko, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Garry F. McCarthy, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The Chicago Fire Department’s Office of Fire Investigation and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Division of Arson Investigation assisted the Chicago Police Department’s Bomb and Arson Section and ATF in the investigation.
Chambersburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Impersonate an Irs Agent and Interference with Commerce by ThreatsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Maria Colvard, age 49, of Chambersburg, has pled guilty to aiding and abetting impersonation of an employee of the United States, and interference with commerce by threats. Colvard entered her plea before United States Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner, in federal court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on January 6, 2015.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, between February and May 2013, Colvard convinced an employee at Tax Max LLC, a tax preparation service owned by Colvard, to claim to be a criminal investigator with the Internal Revenue Service to get money and a client list from a rival tax preparation business and to ultimately shut down the rival business.
Colvard was indicted in June 2013, arrested and released pending trial. A superseding indictment was filed in November 2013. While trial was pending, Colvard allegedly offered her employee $50,000 if she would take sole responsibility for the crimes without cooperating with law enforcement or involving Colvard. On January 6, 2014, Colvard attempted to get her co-defendant not to testify against Colvard. Part of the conditions of Colvard’s pre-trial release required Colvard not to have any contact, direct or indirect, with her co-defendant. The second superseding indictment was filed on January 15, 2014, additionally charging Colvard with two counts of witness tampering. Colvard was re-arrested and has been detained since January 16, 2014.
Judge Conner tentatively scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2015.
This case is being investigated by the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Camden, N.J., Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Making Fake Green CardsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in a scheme to produce and sell fake government documents, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Domingo Luna, 34, aka “Morro,” previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to an information charging him with one count of making fake identification documents and one count of willfully entering the United States illegally. Judge Rodriguez imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
Luna was arrested by special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) on Dec. 12, 2013. A Mexican citizen not legally in the United States, he has been held in ICE administrative custody since that time.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Luna, who previously convicted of theft in 2001 and later convicted of aggravated assault with bodily harm in 2011, was deported from the United States on May 29, 2012. During his plea hearing Luna admitted to willfully entering the United States after his 2012 deportation.
Federal law enforcement officers learned that a man nicknamed “Morro” was producing and selling false and fraudulent U.S. Social Security cards, permanent residence cards and driver’s licenses from a location in Camden. From early to mid-December 2013, “Morro,” who was later identified as Luna, sold an undercover law enforcement officer two fake Social Security cards, a fraudulent permanent residence card and a Pennsylvania driver’s license. Luna took pictures of the officer with a digital camera and produced the documents at the Camden address. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officers found evidence of a sophisticated fraudulent document-making operation, including computer equipment, a digital camera, a laminating machine and at least 25 fake cards in Luna’s residence.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Luna to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of ICE HSI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge John P. Woods with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara A. Aliabadi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
Defense counsel: Tom Young Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden
15-007Bronx Man Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 10 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of A MinorRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that ELFEGO BOYD, a/k/a “Kush da Dawn,” 29, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 10 years in prison in connection with the sex trafficking of a teenage girl (“Minor Victim-1”). BOYD was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to Minor Victim-1. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert P. Patterson. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Dolinger presided over BOYD’s guilty plea on June 25, 2014.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Sex trafficking is a heinous crime, but it is particularly reprehensible where perpetrators target vulnerable, minor runaways as Elfego Boyd did in this case. This investigation and prosecution sends the message that individuals who target the vulnerable will themselves become targets for prosecution.”
FBI Assistant Direct-in-Charge George Venizelos said: “Boyd engaged in the act of prostituting a minor, contributing to a rapidly spreading epidemic that projects its poison onto the most vulnerable members of society. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and today’s sentencing should send a message to those with similar intentions of targeting minors: the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating allegations of sex trafficking and sending those responsible for such heinous acts to prison.”
According to the Complaint, the Indictment, and other documents filed in Manhattan federal court, and statements made at various proceedings in this case:
In approximately September 2010, Minor Victim-1, who was 15 years old at the time, met BOYD in Times Square, New York after running away from her home in Pennsylvania to New York City. BOYD, who introduced himself as “Kush da Dawn,” asked Minor Victim-1 if she wanted to prostitute for him and she agreed. BOYD then provided food and shelter to Minor Victim-1. While staying with BOYD, Minor Victim-1 also met Norman Darby, BOYD’s co-defendant, who introduced himself as “Black.” Both BOYD and Darby placed advertisements Offering Minor Victim-1 for sex using an online classifieds website. The ads did not receive any responses and Minor Victim-1 left New York City and returned to Pennsylvania a short while later.
In the spring of 2011, Minor Victim-1 traveled from Pennsylvania to New York City where she again encountered BOYD and stayed at his apartment in the Bronx, New York. BOYD told Minor Victim-1 that he loved her and that they were boyfriend-girlfriend. BOYD then posted online advertisements offering Minor Victim-1 for sex in exchange for money. At BOYD’s direction, Minor Victim-1 had sex in exchange for money with multiple men who responded to those ads, after which BOYD took all the money.
Later, BOYD took Minor Victim-1 to a house in Long Island where she stayed along with BOYD, Darby and others, for several months. During that period, Darby and Minor Victim-1 posted advertisements offering Minor Victim-1 for sex online in exchange for money. At BOYD and Darby’s direction, Minor Victim-1 had sex in exchange for money with several men who responded to those ads at hotels (where she was driven by BOYD and Darby).
Eventually, BOYD returned to New York City with Minor Victim-1. At BOYD’s direction, Minor Victim-1 continued to have sex in exchange for money with multiple men who responded to online advertisements, after which BOYD took all the money.
Minor Victim-1, who turned sixteen years old during the several-month period she was being offered for sex by BOYD and Darby, told BOYD her age.
In November 2011, after getting into an argument with BOYD, Minor Victim-1 ran away.
In his plea allocution, BOYD acknowledged that he knew Minor Victim-1 was underage at the time he offered her for commercial sex in exchange for money.
In addition to the prison term and restitution, BOYD was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
BOYD’s co-defendant, Norman Darby, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month before Judge Patterson.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department in investigating this case.
The prosecution of this case is being overseen by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrea Griswold and Gina Castellano are in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. v. Elfego Boyd Indictment
Bridgeport Grocery Store Operator Pleads Guilty to Illegal Use of Food Stamp BenefitsRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMILA ABOUTAYEB, 54, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of unlawful use of food stamp benefits.
On May 14, 2014, a grand jury in New Haven returned indictments charging ABOUTAYEB and her brother, Khalid Aboutayeb, with engaging in food stamp fraud at the M&J Deli Market, a grocery and convenience store they operated at 988 State Street in Bridgeport.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (“SNAP”) is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and utilizes federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households to provide them with the opportunity to achieve a more nutritious diet by increasing their food-purchasing power. SNAP recipients purchase eligible food items at retail food stores through the use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and SNAP benefits may be accepted by authorized retailers only in exchange for eligible items. Items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, paper goods and soaps are not eligible for purchase with Food Stamp benefits, and it is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the food stamp program to allow benefits to be used to purchase ineligible items. SNAP benefits may not lawfully be exchanged for cash under any circumstances. The program is designed so that the total amount of each purchase is electronically transferred to the retailer’s designated bank account.
In pleading guilty, ABOUTAYEB admitted that she unlawfully exchanged customers’ food stamp benefits for ineligible items and cash at M&J Deli Market between approximately June 2013 and March 2014.
On December 17, 2014, Khalid Aboutayeb pleaded guilty, admitting that he and others unlawfully exchanged food stamp benefits for ineligible items and cash at the store between approximately December 2011 and February 2013.
The investigation has revealed that more than $285,000 in illegal SNAP benefits were redeemed at the store.
ABOUTAYEB is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on March 23, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine and an order of restitution.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice M. Duffy.
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(203) 821-3722 [email protected]Boston Woman Convicted of Stealing $135,000 in Public Housing BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing over $135,000 in public housing benefits, which she obtained by lying about her living situation and employment.
Astride Dubuisson, 42, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an Information charging her with stealing public money. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2015.
In 2006, Dubuisson applied to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing benefits, claiming that she needed help paying rent for an apartment on Vernon Street in Hyde Park. In fact, Dubuisson owned the entire Vernon Street building, which would disqualify her from receiving benefits. Based on her falsehoods, HUD approved her application and began sending benefits checks to a fabricated landlord. From 2006 to 2013, Dubuisson cashed those government checks, which totaled more than $135,000, and repeatedly lied about her ownership of the property and her income.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Cary Rubenstein, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, New York Regional Office, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Eric P. Christofferson of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.
Beckley man sentenced on federal drug chargesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Raymond Edmonds, 43, of Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
Edmonds pleaded guilty in September 2014, to distribution of oxycondone. He admitted that on March 18, 2014, he distributed a quantity of oxycodone to a confidential informant on Burmeister Avenue in Beckley.
This case was investigated by the Beckley Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Beckley Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the sale of heroin and the illicit sale of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.
Bank Robber Sentenced to over 13 Years in Prison for A Series of 2013 RobberiesRead the Press Release
Committed at least five Bank Robberies Between June 7 and June 24, 2013
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Dallas Eric Dunmore, age 48, of Washington, D.C., today to 163 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank robbery.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Assistant Director in Charge Andrew G. McCabe of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh.
According to their plea agreements, Dallas Dunmore, Derrick Hart and Teddy McCain robbed or attempted to rob banks in Maryland and Virginia. In each robbery Dallas Dunmore entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money. On one occasion, the note also stated that he had a gun, while on two other occasions Dunmore told the teller that he or another conspirator had a gun. McCain waited outside during each robbery. Hart also waited outside during the robberies, except on June 19, 2013, when Hart entered the bank with Dallas Dunmore and another conspirator.The total proceeds from the five robberies in which Dunmore participated are $5,370; and the total proceeds from the six robberies in which Hart and McCain participated are $8,437.
Co-conspirators Derrick Hart, age 43, of District Heights, Maryland, and Teddy McCain, age 55, of Germantown, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to bank robbery and McCain was sentenced to six years in prison. Hart is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI; Prince George’s and Montgomery County Police Departments; the Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria, Virginia Police Departments; and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Mitchell and Special Assistant United States Attorney Gerald A. A. Collins, a cross designated Maryland Assistant Attorney General, who are prosecuting the case.Arkansas Man Gets 20-Year Prison Term for Role in Multi-Million Dollar Cocaine Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – An Arkansas man has been sentenced in federal court to 20 years imprisonment followed by 10 years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Anthony London, of El Dorado, Arkansas, and formerly of Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif.
The IRS Criminal Investigations section joined the DEA as major partners in the investigation of the current case with the valuable assistance of multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. In part, the investigation relied upon search warrants, court orders, consensually recorded conversations, surveillance and information supplied by confidential sources, as well as records and documents obtained by Grand Jury and Administrative subpoenas. The investigation revealed a major cocaine distribution conspiracy which resulted in cocaine being transported to Pittsburgh and other areas from 2000 through 2010. Defendant Robert Russell Spence, Jr. was a local fulcrum of the conspiracy, which was supplied by various cocaine sources over time. In brief, the investigation revealed that the conspiracy involved over 2000 kilograms of cocaine and millions in laundered drug money. Over time, the conspiracy involved enough cocaine for every current man, woman and child resident of Pennsylvania to have their own $20 rock of crack cocaine. Conspiracies commonly change both members and mechanisms to adapt to changes, and this conspiracy is no different. Aside from changing cocaine sources over time, the conspiracy also changed its common manner of doing business over time as well. For example, prior to the summer of 2007, the conspiracy utilized packages of cocaine being shipped by the US mail or various common carriers from California to recipients such as Spence in Pittsburgh. Documents and evidence reveal the large number of packages of cocaine shipped to the conspirators, as well as the packages of drug money being shipped back. Multiple seizures of both money and cocaine packages occurred. For example, on June 7, 2007 Postal Inspectors intercepted six kilograms of cocaine from the mail that was earmarked for the conspiracy. On Aug. 5, 2007, Postal Inspectors also seized a package containing $99,850.00 intended for a co-defendant.
The conspiracy began using couriers to transport cocaine to Pittsburgh and money back to California. The investigation has revealed that between 2007 and 2010 at least 11 different couriers took approximately 100 flights for the conspiracy. These involved the transportation of cocaine to the Pittsburgh end of the conspiracy and the transportation of drug money back to California. Again, multiple packages of both money and cocaine were intercepted. For example, in February of 2008 co-defendant Ruben Mitchell boarded a plane in Oakland bound for Pittsburgh with cocaine in his luggage. Since the flight attendant had trouble getting the carry-on bag into the overhead bin, an airline employee called a “ramper” put a tag on the bag mistakenly causing it to be removed from the plane during a layover in Las Vegas. There, airline employees opened the bag and discovered it to contain 19 kilograms of cocaine. Mitchell was observed, along with others, looking for the bag in Pittsburgh and he also filed a claim for the bag. On Aug. 8, 2009, over $335,000 in cash, just one part of approximately $700,000 that was sent on this occasion, was seized from the luggage of a conspirator.
During other times, the conspiracy arranged transportation of cocaine or money by means such as chartered private flights and vehicles including tractor trailers. Individuals indicted thus far involve many different roles within the conspiracy. Some conspirators are suppliers, couriers or recipient drug dealer/distributors. Other conspirators played a variety of roles such as: shipping or receiving packages; arranging for couriers, flights and flight payments; money launderers; and those who circumvented security procedures at airports.
The evidence revealed that London took at least six roundtrip airline flights between California and Pittsburgh for this massive drug conspiracy between Nov. 3, 2007 and March 7, 2008. On that later date, federal agents stopped defendant London and co-defendant Anthony Walker in the Oakland airport after they flew from Pittsburgh. Police located a total of $234,000 in heat-sealed drug money in their luggage. London continued to deny knowing Walker during his sentencing hearing, although the evidence revealed that they: took the same flight from the same starting location; walked together from the plane; waited as the other was using the restroom; had receipts from the same Harley Davidson shop in Pennsylvania; and London’s telephone number was used as the contact number when Walker’s flight was booked. During his sentencing, London agreed that he had taken multiple flights, for an agreed upon payment of $4000 each trip, using tickets paid for by others, as a result of the money problems caused by losing his job as a funeral attendant/driver. District Judge Cercone noted the connections between London and other defendants and held that London’s actions make him responsible for 123 kilograms of cocaine. Testimony from a narcotics expert has revealed that this much cocaine would be worth over $12 million on the street and results in over a million doses of cocaine or crack. Judge Cercone held that London’s 20-year jail sentence and 10-year period of supervision was sufficient, but not greater than necessary, considering London’s prior felony cocaine conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the IRS-CI, DEA, Pennsylvania Attorney General and many other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Anthony London.
Area Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – BRYAN BINKHOLDER pled guilty to multiple fraud charges involving his financial planning and investment strategy businesses.
According to court documents, Binkholder labeled himself "The Financial Coach" and provided investment and financial planning advice to the general public through his affiliated websites, YouTube channel, published books and articles and an investment related talk-radio show that aired on local radio stations. In 2008, he developed a real estate investment he termed "hard money lending." Using his platform as an investment advisor and financial talk show host, Binkholder solicited his clients and others to invest in the hard money lending program. As part of his sales pitch, he represented that he had relationships with developers in the real estate community who wanted to purchase, renovate and sell residential real estate in the St. Louis area, but were not able to secure financing from traditional banks. As part of the hard money lending program, Binkholder told investors that they would invest money with him, and he would act as a bank and provide short-term loans to these developers at a high rate of interest, which would be shared with the investor. Instead of exclusively making hard money loans as promised, he used millions of dollars of investor money, made only a small number of hard money loans and caused investors to lose more than $3,000,000.
Binkholder, Wentzville, MO, pled guilty to four felony counts of wire fraud and one felony count of bank fraud before United States District Judge Ronald L. White. Sentencing has been set for April 10, 2015.
Each of these charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.Alderson man sentenced in federal drug caseRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Seth Allen Carr, 24, of Alderson, West Virginia, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of heroin.
Carr pleaded guilty in August 2014, admitting that on April 9, 2014, he set up a drug deal during a telephone conversation with a confidential informant. Shortly after the conversation, Carr distributed a quantity of heroin to the informant in Lewisburg, West Virginia.
The case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Greenbrier Valley Heroin and Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the sale of heroin and the illicit sale of prescription drugs. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution of this case.
Alabama Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Firearm, Impersonating A Federal Officer, Interstate Stalking, and Tampering with A WitnessRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Alabaster, Alabama, man convicted of Felon in Possession of Firearm, Impersonating a Federal Officer, Interstate Stalking, and Tampering with a Witness, was sentenced on January 6, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. In October of 2014, Thetford was found guilty by a federal jury, following a 5-day trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
Michael Thetford, a/k/a Russ LNU, age 37, was sentenced to 70 months in custody, to be served consecutively to his sentence imposed in a separate Alabama case, 3 years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit a firearm he used when he impersonated a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officer.
On December 14, 2011, Thetford was indicted by a federal grand jury on a three-count Indictment. On February 12, 2014, a Superseding Indictment was filed adding the Tampering with a Witness charge.
The South Dakota convictions stem from an incident occurring on May 28, 2010, when the victims, William Jack Winslett and Shirley Winslett, a married couple, were living at their home in rural Hughes County. The victims also own property and other assets in Alabama. That afternoon, Thetford came to their door posing as a Special Agent with the FBI. Thetford was wearing a dark suit, displayed FBI and military credentials, had a pistol on his hip, and identified himself as “Agent Russ.” Thetford accused the victims of being involved in drug trafficking and other criminal matters. The victims believed he was an actual FBI Agent. Thetford informed the victims they needed to accompany him to a polygraph examination in Sioux City, Iowa, indicating they could be arrested at the end of the interview. Thetford told them they would need to bring their computers, so they produced their computers for the trip to Sioux City. Thetford directed the victims into the back seat of his vehicle, which had locked back-seat doors.
Thetford drove the victims toward Sioux City, but stopped at Humboldt, South Dakota, where he informed the victims that he had received a cell phone call which cleared them of the drug investigation. He said a different arrest was in the process of being made, and he would return them home. On the drive home, there was friendlier talk with the victims. Thetford learned both victims were shooting sport enthusiasts, and learned Mr. Winslett had a knack for gunsmithing. Ultimately, Thetford left his pistol with the victims, asking that Mr. Winslett do some repair work on the trigger. On June 4, 2010, Thetford, posing as “Agent Russ” sent the Winsletts an email indicating an arrest had been made and he would enter them into a victim compensation program.
Over the course of several following months, the Winsletts had trouble maintaining contact with “Agent Russ” and began to doubt he was an actual FBI Agent. The FBI began to track Thetford’s travel to and from South Dakota between May 25 and May 29, 2010.
Around November 16, 2011, federal search warrants were obtained for Thetford’s home in Alabaster, Alabama. Numerous items of evidence were found, including fake FBI badges, fake military credentials, fake credentials for surgeons, fake Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms and credentials, pepper spray, handcuffs, computers, and molds and materials to make other law enforcement badges and credentials.
Thetford was tracked over three days and arrested on November 19, 2011, after he fled on foot from pursuing FBI agents through a rural wooded area known as Confederate Memorial Park in Alabama. After his arrest, Thetford sent a letter to a family member asking the family member to track down a laptop computer that he did not want law enforcement authorities to find. The laptop computer, and other computer media seized from his home, connected Thetford to a plot to defraud the Winsletts by illegally transferring their Alabama real estate and other property and assets to himself and his land surveying business. Thetford unlawfully used fake notary credentials to make transfer paperwork look legitimate. Thetford’s associate testified at trial that Thetford wanted to take and sell the victims’ Alabama property, so Thetford traveled to South Dakota in May of 2010 to investigate the victims and determine if they had plans to come back to Alabama.
Though incarcerated on other Alabama charges, around February 13, 2013, Thetford sent a letter to the Winsletts that served to threaten and intimidate the victims. The letter sought to have the Winsletts stop cooperating with federal law enforcement authorities and withhold testimony.
Based upon the investigation that began in South Dakota and continued in Alabama, as well as searches of his home computers, Alabama authorities pursued charges for child pornography, illegal possession of several firearms at his Alabama home, and wire fraud. On June 27, 2013, Thetford was sentenced in the Northern District of Alabama to 26 and 1/2 years for four charges: production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, felon in possession of firearms, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Lange ordered that Thetford shall serve his 6 year South Dakota sentence consecutively to, or after, he completes his Alabama sentence.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Pierre FBI office, the Birmingham, Alabama FBI office, the United States Marshals Service, the FBI’s Science and Technology Branch Investigative Analysis Unit, and other local law enforcement agencies in Alabama. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Thetford was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.
Alabama Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Firearm, Impersonating A Federal Officer, Interstate Stalking, and Tampering with A WitnessRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Alabaster, Alabama, man convicted of Felon in Possession of Firearm, Impersonating a Federal Officer, Interstate Stalking, and Tampering with a Witness, was sentenced on January 6, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. In October of 2014, Thetford was found guilty by a federal jury, following a 5-day trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
Michael Thetford, a/k/a Russ LNU, age 37, was sentenced to 70 months in custody, to be served consecutively to his sentence imposed in a separate Alabama case, 3 years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit a firearm he used when he impersonated a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officer.
On December 14, 2011, Thetford was indicted by a federal grand jury on a three-count Indictment. On February 12, 2014, a Superseding Indictment was filed adding the Tampering with a Witness charge.
The South Dakota convictions stem from an incident occurring on May 28, 2010, when the victims, William Jack Winslett and Shirley Winslett, a married couple, were living at their home in rural Hughes County. The victims also own property and other assets in Alabama. That afternoon, Thetford came to their door posing as a Special Agent with the FBI. Thetford was wearing a dark suit, displayed FBI and military credentials, had a pistol on his hip, and identified himself as “Agent Russ.” Thetford accused the victims of being involved in drug trafficking and other criminal matters. The victims believed he was an actual FBI Agent. Thetford informed the victims they needed to accompany him to a polygraph examination in Sioux City, Iowa, indicating they could be arrested at the end of the interview. Thetford told them they would need to bring their computers, so they produced their computers for the trip to Sioux City. Thetford directed the victims into the back seat of his vehicle, which had locked back-seat doors.
Thetford drove the victims toward Sioux City, but stopped at Humboldt, South Dakota, where he informed the victims that he had received a cell phone call which cleared them of the drug investigation. He said a different arrest was in the process of being made, and he would return them home. On the drive home, there was friendlier talk with the victims. Thetford learned both victims were shooting sport enthusiasts, and learned Mr. Winslett had a knack for gunsmithing. Ultimately, Thetford left his pistol with the victims, asking that Mr. Winslett do some repair work on the trigger. On June 4, 2010, Thetford, posing as “Agent Russ” sent the Winsletts an email indicating an arrest had been made and he would enter them into a victim compensation program.
Over the course of several following months, the Winsletts had trouble maintaining contact with “Agent Russ” and began to doubt he was an actual FBI Agent. The FBI began to track Thetford’s travel to and from South Dakota between May 25 and May 29, 2010.
Around November 16, 2011, federal search warrants were obtained for Thetford’s home in Alabaster, Alabama. Numerous items of evidence were found, including fake FBI badges, fake military credentials, fake credentials for surgeons, fake Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms and credentials, pepper spray, handcuffs, computers, and molds and materials to make other law enforcement badges and credentials.
Thetford was tracked over three days and arrested on November 19, 2011, after he fled on foot from pursuing FBI agents through a rural wooded area known as Confederate Memorial Park in Alabama. After his arrest, Thetford sent a letter to a family member asking the family member to track down a laptop computer that he did not want law enforcement authorities to find. The laptop computer, and other computer media seized from his home, connected Thetford to a plot to defraud the Winsletts by illegally transferring their Alabama real estate and other property and assets to himself and his land surveying business. Thetford unlawfully used fake notary credentials to make transfer paperwork look legitimate. Thetford’s associate testified at trial that Thetford wanted to take and sell the victims’ Alabama property, so Thetford traveled to South Dakota in May of 2010 to investigate the victims and determine if they had plans to come back to Alabama.
Though incarcerated on other Alabama charges, around February 13, 2013, Thetford sent a letter to the Winsletts that served to threaten and intimidate the victims. The letter sought to have the Winsletts stop cooperating with federal law enforcement authorities and withhold testimony.
Based upon the investigation that began in South Dakota and continued in Alabama, as well as searches of his home computers, Alabama authorities pursued charges for child pornography, illegal possession of several firearms at his Alabama home, and wire fraud. On June 27, 2013, Thetford was sentenced in the Northern District of Alabama to 26 and 1/2 years for four charges: production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, felon in possession of firearms, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Lange ordered that Thetford shall serve his 6 year South Dakota sentence consecutively to, or after, he completes his Alabama sentence.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Pierre FBI office, the Birmingham, Alabama FBI office, the United States Marshals Service, the FBI’s Science and Technology Branch Investigative Analysis Unit, and other local law enforcement agencies in Alabama. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Thetford was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.
7 January 2015
Westwego Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CYNTHIA HEFLER, age 67, of Westwego, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to court documents, HEFLER, worked as the office manager for A & H Armature Works, Inc. In her capacity as office manager, HEFLER handled the company’s accounts receivable and embezzled from the company business bank accounts at First American Bank. HEFLER conspired with another to steal A & H Armature Works, Inc. funds in order to help pay off her credit card debt accrued through gambling.
HEFLER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment for each count. U.S. District Judge Kurt K. Engelhardt set sentencing for April 1, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work for the United States Secret Service, New Orleans Field Division for investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Loan AMimi@ Nguyen is in charge of the prosecution.
Westville Woman Sentenced to 60 Months for Drug Conspiracy (Methamphetamine Distribution)Read the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that AMANDA JO JONES, age 24, of Westville, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for Conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371.
The charge arose from an investigation by the District 16 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
JONES pled guilty in August, 2014 to an Information filed alleging that from in or about June 2013 until on or about April 9, 2014, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, did, knowingly and intentionally conspire, confederate and agree with others both known and unknown to commit offense against the United States, namely, possession with intent to distribute and distribute methamphetamine, and in furtherance of said conspiracy the defendant committed the following Overt Act: On or about June 17, 2014, caused $13,300 in United States Currency to be transferred to individuals in California to pay for methamphetamine received and distributed by Michael A. Cooper.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which she will serve her nonparolable sentence.
First Assistant United States Attorney Doug Horn represented the United States.
Virginia Beach Man Indicted for Trafficking Child Pornography ImagesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Dwight McEachin, 19, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., made the announcement after the return of the indictment by the grand jury.
McEachin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. 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.
The indictment alleges that McEachin was using both KIK messenger and e-mail to trade images of child pornography with numerous people. McEachin was originally arrested by HSI on December 15, 2014.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:15-cr-3.United States Departments of Justice and Education Release Joint Guidance to Ensure English Learner Students Have Equal Access to a High-Quality EducationRead the Press Release
The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) today released joint guidance reminding states, school districts and schools of their obligations under federal law to ensure that English learner students have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.
“The diversity of this nation is one of its greatest attributes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for the Civil Rights Division at DOJ. “Ensuring English learner students are supported in their education supports all of us. Today’s guidance – 40 years after passage of the landmark Equal Educational Opportunities Act – will help schools meet their legal obligations to ensure all students can succeed.”
“Four decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Lau v. Nichols that all students deserve equal access to a high-quality education regardless of their language background or how well they know English,” said ED Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. “Today’s guidance not only reminds us of the court’s ruling, but also provides useful information for schools as they work to ensure equity for students and families with limited English proficiency.”
In addition to the guidance, the departments also released additional tools and resources to help schools in serving English learner students and parents with limited English proficiency:
- A fact sheet in English and in other languages about schools’ obligations under federal law to ensure that English learner students can participate meaningfully and equally in school.
- A fact sheet in English and in other languages about schools’ obligations under federal law to communicate information to limited English proficient parents in a language they can understand.
- A toolkit to help school districts identify English learner students, prepared by the Education Department’s Office of English Language Acquisition. This is the first chapter in a series of chapters to help state education agencies and school districts meet their obligations to English learner students.
This is the first time that a single piece of guidance has addressed the array of federal laws that govern schools’ obligations to English learners. The guidance recognizes the recent milestone 40th anniversaries of Lau v. Nichols and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), as well as the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. The EEOA, similar to Lau, requires public schools to take appropriate action to help English learner students overcome language barriers and ensure their ability to participate equally in school.
The guidance explains schools’ obligations to:
- identify English learner students in a timely, valid and reliable manner;
- offer all English learner students an educationally sound language assistance program;
- provide qualified staff and sufficient resources for instructing English learner students;
- ensure English learner students have equitable access to school programs and activities
- avoid unnecessary segregation of English learner students from other students;
- monitor students’ progress in learning English and doing grade-level classwork;
- remedy any academic deficits English learner students incurred while in a language assistance program;
- move students out of language assistance programs when they are proficient in English and monitor those students to ensure they were not prematurely removed;
- evaluate the effectiveness of English learner programs; and
- provide limited English proficient parents with information about school programs, services, and activities in a language they understand.
Almost 5 million students in the United States are English learners - about 9 percent of all public school students. From 2002 to 2011, the percentage of English learners in public schools increased in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and currently three out of every four public schools enroll English learner students.
The mission of the ED Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001. Additional information about OCR is available here and additional resources, including previous guidance released on this topic, is available here.
The enforcement of the EEOA and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ensure that English learner students and limited English proficient parents receive the services to which they are entitled is a top priority of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information on DOJ’s efforts to provide equal educational opportunities to all students is available here.
U.S. Attorney Hickton to Address Fordham/FBI International Conference on Cyber SecurityRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - United States Attorney David J. Hickton will address the Fifth International Conference on Cyber Security (ICCS) today at 5:45 p.m. in New York City. During his presentation, Unprecedented: The Real Life Experience of Economic Espionage, U.S. Attorney Hickton will discuss theMay 2014 indictment of five members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on charges of hacking into computers and stealing valuable trade secrets from Westinghouse, United States Steel Corporation, several other companies and a trade union. He will also discuss how prosecutors worked with the victim entities.
ICCS is the premier global cybersecurity event spanning three days with more than 70 distinguished speakers from government, the private sector, and academia. Each brings unique insights from their expertise in the disciplines of emerging technologies, operations and enforcement, academic and pragmatic experience. The sold out conference is sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – New York Division and Fordham University.
WHAT: U.S. Attorney Hickton Presentation
Unprecedented: The Real Life Experience of Economic Espionage WHEN: Wednesday, January 7, 2015
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. WHERE: International Conference on Cyber Security
Costantino Room
Fordham University at Lincoln Center
150 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023Two Men Sentenced for Robbery and Shooting of Postal Truck DriverRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Kendrick Watkins and Charles Jackson have been sentenced to 18 years, 4 months, and 19 years in federal prison for their respective roles in the robbery and near-fatal shooting of a postal truck driver on December 20, 2013, during a routine pick-up at the Conley, Ga. post office.
“These defendants shot the victim, tied up his legs and threw away his cell phone so that he could not run or call for help,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Watkins and Jackson’s callous disregard for human life nearly cost the victim his for simply doing his job. The lengthy sentences imposed are an appropriate response for this heinous crime.”
“Protecting the employees of the Postal Service is a top priority of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. When someone attempts to take the life of one of our employees, we stop at nothing to identify those responsible,” stated Inspector in Charge Tom Noyes. “We extend appreciation to the DeKalb Police Department for their assistance and would like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for their continued support in the prosecution of those who assault postal employees.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Kendrick Watkins and Charles Jackson worked together with co-defendant Latonya Evans, a former postal employee in Jackson, Ga., to develop a scheme to rob a postal truck just before Christmas in 2013, when postal volume was at its highest. Evans provided Watkins and Jackson with non-public information that enabled them to plan and carry out the robbery.
On December 20, 2013, at the post office in Conley, Ga., Watkins and Jackson approached the postal truck they had targeted and demanded keys from the truck’s driver as Jackson brandished a loaded pistol. When the driver did not immediately comply with these demands, Jackson shot the driver through the torso, lacerating the victim’s internal organs and nearly taking his life. The robbers then bound the victim’s feet with zip-ties and took his cell phone, leaving him for dead. Watkins and Jackson drove away with the stolen truck and all its contents. The victim struggled to reach the nearest road where he eventually flagged down a passerby for help, after waiting almost 20 minutes. Watkins met with Evans later that same evening to discuss the robbery and how to divide up the proceeds.
Kendrick Watkins, 40, of Rex, Ga., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to 18 years, four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,888. Watkins was convicted on these charges on August 13, 2014, after he pleaded guilty to armed postal robbery and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.
Charles Jackson, 56, of Griffin, Ga., was sentenced by Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to 19 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He also has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,888. Jackson was convicted on these charges on August 5, 2014, after he pleaded guilty to armed postal robbery and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.
Latonya Evans, 44, of Jackson, Ga., was sentenced by Judge Thrash on November 21, 2014, to 15 years, eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Evans was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,888. Evans was convicted on September 9, 2014, after pleading guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the DeKalb County Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Kruger, John Ghose, and Angela Garland prosecuted 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/.
Two Joplin Men Charged with Illegal Firearms Following Car Chase, K-9 SearchRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Joplin, Mo., men have been charged in federal court, in separate but related cases, with illegally possessing firearms after they attempted to hide and flee from law enforcement officers.
Franklin McLean, 34, and Theodore Lane, 36, both of Joplin, were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McLean and Lane were each charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal criminal complaint alleges that McLean was in possession of a Ruger .223-caliber rifle, a Keltec 9mm pistol and a round of .45-caliber ammunition. Another federal criminal complaint alleges that Lane was in possession of a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle.
According to affidavits filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for McLean's residence on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. Due to the presence of firearms at the residence, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department SWAT team assisted in the execution of the search warrant. When the SWAT team arrived at McLean's residence at about 10:30 p.m., the affidavit says, Lane was sitting in a truck that was idling next to McLean's mobile home. Officers ordered him to get out of the truck, the affidavit says, but Lane drove in the direction of the SWAT team in an effort to flee in the vehicle. Lane allegedly drove the vehicle through a barbed wire fence and traveled south on Blackcat Road.
Joplin police officers pursued Lane on numerous residential streets through Joplin, according to the affidavit, eventually traveling south of town into Newton County. Officers made several attempts to deploy stop sticks to flatten the tires of the truck, however, Lane was able to avoid them. While still being pursued in Newton County, Lane made a turn onto Apricot Drive from Coyote Drive and, while doing so, caused one of the tires to come off the rim. Once this happened, sparks began coming from the truck.
According to the affidavit, the pursuit continued in the Greenwood area with Lane leading officers to the outer road on the north side of I-44. Lane drove off the roadway and his truck became stuck in the field. Lane made several attempts to get the vehicle unstuck but was unsuccessful. When the pursuing officers arrested him, the affidavit says, they found a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle with a noise suppressor in a black rifle case inside the truck, as well as ammunition.
In the meantime, officers entering McLean's mobile home heard glass shatter on the north side of the residence. They saw shattered glass on the ground from a window, and noticed a small opening in the skirt around the bottom of the mobile home. Officers entered the residence, where they detained two females and discovered numerous firearms -- including three shotguns, a sawed-off shotgun, six rifles and two handguns -- and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A window had been broken in the bathroom on the north side of the residence.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene and the dog dragged McLean out from underneath the mobile home. Officers searched McLean and found a round of .45-caliber ammunition, two cell phones and a large amount of cash. McLean's hands were bloody and he had blood on his clothes, according to the affidavit. He told officers that he had been bitten by the dog and had glass in his hands, and he was treated for his injuries and transported to the Jasper County jail.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. McLean has prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property, creating/altering chemicals into a controlled substance and distributing/manufacturing a controlled substance. Lane has prior felony convictions for aiding and abetting the unlawful possession of equipment, chemicals and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing a motor vehicle.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these complaints are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff's Department.
Two Joplin Men Charged with Illegal Firearms Following Car Chase, K-9 SearchRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Joplin, Mo., men have been charged in federal court, in separate but related cases, with illegally possessing firearms after they attempted to hide and flee from law enforcement officers.
Franklin McLean, 34, and Theodore Lane, 36, both of Joplin, were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McLean and Lane were each charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal criminal complaint alleges that McLean was in possession of a Ruger .223-caliber rifle, a Keltec 9mm pistol and a round of .45-caliber ammunition. Another federal criminal complaint alleges that Lane was in possession of a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle.
According to affidavits filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for McLean's residence on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. Due to the presence of firearms at the residence, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department SWAT team assisted in the execution of the search warrant. When the SWAT team arrived at McLean's residence at about 10:30 p.m., the affidavit says, Lane was sitting in a truck that was idling next to McLean's mobile home. Officers ordered him to get out of the truck, the affidavit says, but Lane drove in the direction of the SWAT team in an effort to flee in the vehicle. Lane allegedly drove the vehicle through a barbed wire fence and traveled south on Blackcat Road.
Joplin police officers pursued Lane on numerous residential streets through Joplin, according to the affidavit, eventually traveling south of town into Newton County. Officers made several attempts to deploy stop sticks to flatten the tires of the truck, however, Lane was able to avoid them. While still being pursued in Newton County, Lane made a turn onto Apricot Drive from Coyote Drive and, while doing so, caused one of the tires to come off the rim. Once this happened, sparks began coming from the truck.
According to the affidavit, the pursuit continued in the Greenwood area with Lane leading officers to the outer road on the north side of I-44. Lane drove off the roadway and his truck became stuck in the field. Lane made several attempts to get the vehicle unstuck but was unsuccessful. When the pursuing officers arrested him, the affidavit says, they found a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle with a noise suppressor in a black rifle case inside the truck, as well as ammunition.
In the meantime, officers entering McLean's mobile home heard glass shatter on the north side of the residence. They saw shattered glass on the ground from a window, and noticed a small opening in the skirt around the bottom of the mobile home. Officers entered the residence, where they detained two females and discovered numerous firearms -- including three shotguns, a sawed-off shotgun, six rifles and two handguns -- and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A window had been broken in the bathroom on the north side of the residence.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene and the dog dragged McLean out from underneath the mobile home. Officers searched McLean and found a round of .45-caliber ammunition, two cell phones and a large amount of cash. McLean's hands were bloody and he had blood on his clothes, according to the affidavit. He told officers that he had been bitten by the dog and had glass in his hands, and he was treated for his injuries and transported to the Jasper County jail.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. McLean has prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property, creating/altering chemicals into a controlled substance and distributing/manufacturing a controlled substance. Lane has prior felony convictions for aiding and abetting the unlawful possession of equipment, chemicals and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing a motor vehicle.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these complaints are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff's Department.
Two Brandon, Mississippi, Men Plead Guilty for Committing Hate Crimes Against African Americans in Jackson, MississippiRead the Press Release
Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis for the Southern District of Mississippi announced that John Louis Blalack, 20, and Robert Henry Rice, 24, both from Brandon, Mississippi, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Jackson to federal hate crime charges in connection with their roles in a series of assaults on African Americans in Jackson, Mississippi. Blalack and Rice are the ninth and 10th individuals associated with a group of people who conspired to target and assault African Americans based on their race in the spring of 2011.
“Justice has been served,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “The hate crimes to which these defendants have pleaded guilty were as shocking as they were reprehensible—targeting innocent people for racially-motivated acts of violence that inflicted grievous harm and even claimed a life. The Justice Department will never rest in our pursuit of those who victimize their fellow citizens. This landmark case should send a clear message: that anyone who commits an act of bias-motivated violence, or who violates the civil rights to which all Americans are entitled, will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Prior to today's guilty pleas, Deryl Paul Dedmon, 22; John Aaron Rice, 21; Dylan Wade Butler, 23; Jonathan Kyle Gaskamp, 22; and Joseph Paul Dominick, 23, all from Brandon, Mississippi, and William Kirk Montgomery, 25, from Puckett, Mississippi, Shelbie Brooke Richards, 21, from Pearl, Mississippi, and Sarah Adelia Graves, 21, from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in these offenses. The conspiracy culminated in the death of James Craig Anderson, who was assaulted and killed on June 26, 2011.
Blalack pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Matthew Shepard – James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Rice pleaded guilty to one count of violating the same act. The statutory maximum sentence for these violations is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing for Blalack is set for April 23, 2015, and sentencing for Rice is set for April 30, 2015.
The federal investigation revealed that beginning in the spring of 2011, Blalack, Robert Rice and others conspired with one another to harass and assault African-American people in and around Jackson. On numerous occasions the co-conspirators used dangerous weapons, including beer bottles, sling shots and motor vehicles, to cause, and attempt to cause, bodily injury to African-American people. They would specifically target African Americans they believed to be homeless or under the influence of alcohol because they believed that such individuals would be less likely to report an assault. The co-conspirators would often boast about these racially motivated assaults.
On June 25, 2011, Blalack and others attended a birthday party/bonfire for a mutual friend in Puckett, Mississippi. During the party, Blalack and others talked about going to Jackson to harass and assault African-American people. By the early morning hours of June 26, 2011, Blalack, Montgomery, Dedmon, John Aaron Rice, Butler, Richards and Graves agreed to carry out their plan to find, harass and assault African-American people. Robert Rice did not go to Jackson on June 26, 2011.
At around 4:15 a.m., Blalack, Montgomery, John Aaron Rice, and Butler drove to Jackson in Montgomery’s white Jeep with the understanding that Dedmon, Richards and Graves would join them a short time later. Blalack and the other three occupants of the Jeep then drove around Jackson and threw beer bottles from the moving vehicle at African-American pedestrians they encountered. At approximately 5:00 a.m., Blalack and the other three occupants of the Jeep spotted Anderson in a motel parking lot off of Ellis Avenue. The occupants of the Jeep decided that Anderson would be a good target for an assault because he was African-American and appeared to be visibly intoxicated. Blalack and John Aaron Rice decided to get out of the Jeep to distract Anderson while they waited for Dedmon, Richards and Graves to arrive.
After Dedmon Richards, and Graves arrived in Dedmon’s Ford F250 truck, Dedmon and John Aaron Rice physically assaulted Anderson. Rice first punched Anderson in the face with sufficient force to knock Anderson to the ground, and then Dedmon punched Anderson in the face multiple times while he was on the ground. After the assault, Blalack, Montgomery, Rice and Butler left the motel parking lot in the Jeep. As they left, one of the occupants of the Jeep yelled, “White Power!” Prior to getting back into his truck, Dedmon responded by also yelling “White Power!”
Once back in his Ford F250 truck, Dedmon deliberately used his vehicle to run over Anderson, causing injuries which resulted in his death. Blalack’s guilty plea includes his role in this offense.
On a previous occasion, Blalack, Montgomery, Butler and Dominick drove around west Jackson to find and assault African Americans. Blalack and the other occupants of the vehicle purchased bottles of beer to drink and then threw the beer bottles at African Americans. The occupants of the vehicle also purchased a sling-shot. Some of the occupants of the vehicle, including Blalack, threw beer bottles and shot metal ball bearings out of the moving vehicle at African American pedestrians. Blalack pleaded guilty for his role in this offense.
Another previous occasion involved a racially motivated assault at or near a golf course in Jackson. On this particular evening, Robert Rice, Blalack, Montgomery, Gaskamp, Dedmon and John Aaron Rice were in a vehicle, searching for, and eventually finding, a vulnerable African-American man to assault. The vehicle was stopped so Dedmon, John Aaron Rice and Gaskamp could chase the victim down. The three men beat the man to the point that he begged for his life. Robert Rice’s guilty plea includes his role in this offense.
“Today’s guilty pleas are the culmination of an extensive federal investigation into this violent hate crime conspiracy,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Gupta. “Ten defendants have now pleaded guilty to crimes associated with this conspiracy. We hope that today’s guilty pleas provide closure to the victim’s family and to the community that has mourned Mr. Anderson’s tragic death and been shocked by the scope of the conspiracy to commit racially motivated assaults in Jackson by a group of ten co-conspirators.”
“There can be no tolerance for acts of gratuitous violence targeting innocent persons simply because of their race,” said U.S. Attorney Davis. “This case is a testament to the United States Attorney’s Office’s dedication to vigorously investigate and prosecute violations of federal hate crime laws. I commend not only Mr. Anderson’s family for their continued cooperation throughout this investigation, but our law enforcement partners, including the FBI and Jackson Police Department, who worked tirelessly in this case to ensure our hate crime laws are strictly enforced.”
“With today's guilty pleas, the FBI and its law enforcement partners have identified and brought to justice all those individuals who conspired to deprive Mr. Anderson and other citizens of their civil rights simply because of the color of their skin,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway for the FBI in Mississippi. “The FBI remains dedicated to protecting the cherished freedoms of all Americans, including aggressively investigating allegations of hate crimes and working to prevent them.”
These guilty pleas were the result of a cooperative effort between the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and the Hinds County District Attorney’s office. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson Division and the Jackson Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sheldon L. Beer and Deputy Chief Paige M. Fitzgerald of the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Tulsa Woman Sentenced to 48 Months Probation, $112,800 Restitution for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that JANET CAROLYN JONES, age 65, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 4 years of probation and restitution of $112,865 for Theft Of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The defendant JONES pled guilty in September, 2014 to an Information alleging that from in or about September 2000 through September 2013, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant did willfully and knowingly embezzle, steal and convert to her own use, money and things of value from the Social Security Administration, an agency of the United States, which had been paid to Ora Dell Dixon, a/k/a, Ora Dell Trento, as retirement benefits, to which the defendant knew she was not entitled and having a value in excess of $1,000.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States.
Three Permian Basin Business Owners and Title Company Executive Sentenced for Their Roles in Multi-Million Dollar Mortgage Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
In Midland, three former Permian Basin business owners and a title company executive were sentenced this afternoon for their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme that involved approximately 800 real estate properties and about $45 million in loans announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
This afternoon, United States District Judge Robert A. Junell sentenced:
- Stephen Mark Hilliard, age 59, owner of Comeback Properties, LLC, Hilliard Properties, LLC, SMH Properties, LTD, and Katpast Enterprises, LP, to three years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. On August 12, 2014, Hilliard pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering;
- Michael Duraine Cowan, II, age 43, owner of TLC Properties, LLC, and MCBW Properties, LTD, to three years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. On August 5, 2014, Cowan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering;
- Berta Laura McFaddin, age 56, former Division Vice President of Administration for Stewart Title Company in Midland, to one year and one day in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. Judge Junell also ordered McFaddin to pay a $25,000 fine. On July 29, 2014, McFaddin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; and,
- Cynthia Gayle Hirsch, a 62-year-old Odessa real estate agent, to five years probation including one year of home confinement and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service. On August 12, 2014, Hirsch pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
As part of the plea agreements, Judge Junell ordered Hilliard to pay a $1 Million money judgment; Cowan to pay a separate $1 Million monetary judgment; and, Hirsch to pay a $100,000 monetary judgment. Also, Hilliard forfeited to the Government a 2009 Lincoln MKX, 2003 Mercedes Benz SL500R, 2004 GMC Yukon, and two 2006 Yamaha Waverunners. These monetary amounts and property represented the proceeds derived from their fraudulent scheme.
According to court records, from March 2003 until August 2011, the defendants were involved in a fraudulent “same-day property flip” scheme. Admittedly, Hilliard and Cowan purchased a property utilizing one of their respective investment companies, and then re-sold the same property on the same day at an “inflated” sales price to another one of their investment companies.
In order to substantiate inflated prices, Hirsch admittedly created a Broker’s Price Opinion for each property in the amount directed by Hilliard or Cowan. McFaddin, admittedly, assisted in the completion of HUD-1 forms on the same-day property flips. Hilliard and/or Cowan obtained mortgage loans by submitting to the bank fraudulent and misleading documentation created by the defendants and without disclosing to the bank the initial sale of the property.
“Today’s sentencings culminate a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme which was investigated over several years. The success of this investigation relied heavily on interagency cooperation between the FBI, Texas Department of Insurance and various private sector entities. The diligence displayed by investigators and professional staff proved to Midland area residents this type of crime will not be tolerated during the economic growth being experienced in the surrounding communities,” stated FBI SAC Douglas E. Lindquist.
Assistant United States Attorney Austin Berry prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Three Members of Mexican Cartel Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy Involving Liquid MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Three drug traffickers have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine stemming from their roles in the delivery of liquid methamphetamine to residences in Austell, Ga., and Mableton, Ga.
“Over a period of many months, these defendants shipped liquid methamphetamine to Atlanta from the Mexican border and then distributed it throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Given that law enforcement seized record amounts of methamphetamine at the Mexican border in 2014, this case reflects both a disturbing trend in trafficking methamphetamine produced in Mexico and our efforts to disrupt this trend.”
“Methamphetamine continues to ravage many communities in our nation,” said Harry S. Sommers, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Because of the positive results yielded in this case, other methamphetamine traffickers in the Atlanta metropolitan and surrounding areas are being put on notice that DEA and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate their continued efforts to manufacture and distribute this insidious drug.”
“The attack on money laundering is an essential front in the war on narcotics,” stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “We are proud to have contributed our financial expertise in order to dismantle the drug-trafficking operation that has been targeting the metro Atlanta citizens.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: In October 2012, DEA and IRS agents were investigating Gabriel Jimenez-Antunez, a known local distributor for a Mexican drug trafficking cartel, who was coordinating the delivery of shipments of liquid methamphetamine to the metro-Atlanta, Ga., area and laundering the proceeds of that drug trafficking activity to Mexico. In early spring 2013, agents learned that Jimenez recruited his brother-in-law, Pablo Saucedo Aparicio, and associate Martin Ascencio, to carry out the day-to-day activities of the organization, including receiving methamphetamine shipments from couriers at residences in Mableton, Ga., and depositing drug proceeds at local banks.
In the early morning hours of May 12, 2013, agents tracked the delivery of liquid methamphetamine to a residence in Austell, Ga. Agents determined that the liquid methamphetamine was stored inside the gas tank of a Ford F-350 vehicle. That evening agents observed Jimenez, assisted by Saucedo, arrive at the residence with thermoses, which were to be used to transfer and store the liquid methamphetamine before it was further distributed. Ascencio was in the process of removing the gas tank containing approximately 75 liters of diesel fuel and liquid methamphetamine when agents arrested the defendants and seized the drugs. Agents executed search warrants at this and related residences, recovering another ten pounds of crystal methamphetamine and other evidence.
Three defendants, who pleaded guilty in 2014, have been sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Orinda D. Evans:
- Gabriel Jimenez-Antunez, a.k.a. “Negrito,” 39, of Mexico, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Pablo Saucedo-Aparicio, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Martin Ascencio, 49, of Mableton, Ga., was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by agents at ICE-Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Laurel R. Boatright prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.
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/.
Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman Edward Walsh Charged with Scheme to Defraud the Suffolk County Sheriff’s OfficeRead the Press Release
Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman Edward M. Walsh, Jr. was arrested today on charges that he engaged in a scheme to steal wages for regular and overtime hours in connection with his employment with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office (“SCSO”). He was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.
The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).
As alleged in the criminal complaint unsealed today, from January 2011 to April 2014, Walsh, a SCSO Correction Officer III Investigator, falsely represented to the SCSO that he had worked certain regular and overtime hours when, in fact, he did not. Contrary to his representations, Walsh was, among other things, playing golf, gambling at Foxwoods Casino, or performing work on behalf of the Suffolk County Conservative Party. In reliance on Walsh’s false representations, the SCSO paid Walsh approximately $80,000 in wages for regular and overtime hours he did not work. To conceal his scheme, Walsh allegedly lied to FBI agents, claiming that he worked flex time or was on the telephone regarding his work at the SCSO even while at the golf course.
“Instead of upholding the law, Edward Walsh abused his position and authority and robbed from taxpayers to fund his personal and political activities,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We and our partners in the FBI will continue to root out government fraud wherever we find it.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Venizelos stated, “Mr. Walsh shook down county government for hours he never worked. In reality, he was often on the ninth hole practicing his putting, among other things. Mr. Walsh today finds himself in serious trouble with the law for allegedly defrauding Suffolk County.”
The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Catherine M. Mirabile and Raymond A. Tierney.
The Defendant:
EDWARD M. WALSH, JR.
Age: 48
East Islip, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-MJ-0002 (AKT)
Stockbroker Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Scheme to Defraud Clients of More Than $2.6 MillionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Gary Clark Steciuk, age 39, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois and Heber Springs, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his clients of more than $2.6 million.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to his plea agreement, Steciuk was a stockbroker, who worked primarily out of his home in Buffalo Grove. Steciuk was authorized to sell securities, such as stocks, bonds, option, mutual funds and variable annuities. In approximately 2009, Steciuk established a business, College Funding Solutions, ostensibly to provide investment advice to clients interested in investing and saving for college expenses, and opened a business bank account in the name of the business.
Steciuk admitted that from May 2008 through August 2014, he embezzled funds from his clients’ investment accounts. These accounts were established and funded with client retirement funds and were maintained by the issuers of the annuities. Steciuk used a variety of methods to embezzle the funds. For example, Steciuk submitted forged forms to change his clients’ address at the firm that issued the annuities to a post office box in Hampstead, Maryland that Steciuk controlled. Steciuk then directed the firm to send funds from his clients’ accounts by check to the Maryland post office box. Steciuk forged the clients’ signatures on the back of the check, which were in the clients’ names, and deposited the checks into bank accounts he controlled. In addition, Steciuk created fraudulent and unauthorized loans from the clients’ annuities for his benefit; used forged transfer forms and forged checks to make unauthorized withdrawals; and in some cases, liquidated the annuities in their entirety and stole the proceeds.
Steciuk used the proceeds of the scheme to support a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing multiple homes for himself and others, as well as to support his extramarital affairs.
There were at least 18 victims of the scheme, including Steciuk’s step-grandmother and mother-in-law, as well as elderly and vulnerable victims. The total loss resulting from the fraudulent scheme is approximately $2,686,025.07. Steciuk’s plea agreement requires him to pay restitution in that amount and to forfeit all money, property, or assets of any kind derived from or acquired as a result of his illegal activities.
Steciuk and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Steciuk will be sentenced to 105 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Steciuk remains detained.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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. Since the inception of FFETF in November 2009, the Justice Department has filed more than 12,841 financial fraud cases against nearly 18,737 defendants including nearly 3,500 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Bockin, who is prosecuting the case.
Salina Man Sentenced to 10+ Years for Trafficking in MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Salina man has been sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Wednesday.
Lofton H. Clark, 30, Salina, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that Feb. 27, 2013, members of the I-70 Drug Task Force arranged to purchase 26 grams of methamphetamine from him during a transaction in a vehicle at a location in Salina.
Grissom commended the I-70 Drug Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
Rochester Man Sentenced for Robbing Three Tops SupermarketsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced today that Tyrelis Austin, 23, of Rochester, N.Y., who was convicted of robbing three Tops Marketplace stores in 2012, 2013 and 2014, was sentenced to 54 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,030.Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that on November 25, 2012, Austin robbed the Tops store located at 1100 Jefferson Road in Henrietta; on July 29, 2013, the defendant robbed the Tops store located at 3507 Mt. Read Boulevard in Greece; and, on March 28, 2014, he robbed the Tops store located at 270 East Main Street in Avon, New York. According to the complaint, on each occasion, the defendant threatened to shoot store employees if they did not comply with his request to empty the cash registers located at the service desks of each store.
After robbing the Tops store in Avon, Austin led deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department on a high speed chase on Route 390 northbound. Ultimately, the defendant’s vehicle crashed into a ditch on Route 390 near the Chili Avenue exit. Deputies arrested Austin at the scene and discovered a large amount of cash, as well as the black hooded sweatshirt, wig and baseball cap that he wore into the store. Deputies also discovered two handwritten notes which stated “put all the money in the bag or I will shoot you.” In a post-arrest statement to police, Austin admitted his involvement in all three robberies.
In November 2014, Austin’s cousin, Derek Stanin, was sentenced to 51 months on similar charges, including the robbery of three Tops Supermarkets located in the Rochester, New York area.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Patrick O’Flynn, the Avon Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gary Benedict, and the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick Phelan.
Pipeline Corrosion Monitor Pleads Guilty to Pipeline Safety Violations and False StatementsRead the Press Release
Randy Jones, 44, a former corrosion coordinator for Shell Pipeline Company L.P. (Shell), pleaded guilty in Milwaukee today to failing to conduct bi-monthly voltage readings and an annual survey of a pipeline used to transport jet fuel in violation of the Pipeline Safety Act (PSA) and making a false statement to the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Jones, a resident of Louisiana, pleaded guilty to knowingly failing to conduct required safety test between January and December 2011 and submitting false data to PHMSA. The violations were in connection with a pipeline owned by Shell that delivered commercial aviation jet fuel to General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In January 2012 a hole was discovered in the pipeline at Mitchell Airport after jet fuel began showing up in soil surrounding the airport and in nearby Wilson Creek. Fuel eventually reached and melted asphalt on airport property. Shell reported that approximately 9,000 gallons of jet fuel was released. The response and cleanup cost for the spill was approximately $19.3 million.
Jones was employed by Shell from 1992 through 2012. From 2010 until 2012, Jones was employed as a corrosion coordinator and was responsible for Shell pipelines servicing Mitchell and Chicago O’Hare airports. Jones failed to conduct the required testing for 2011 and when advised of an audit by PHMSA scheduled for December 2011, he submitted false data indicating the required test had been conducted.
Consistent with requirements of the PSA, which establishes standards for the safe operation of the hazardous materials in pipelines, buried or submerged metal pipelines must be protected to prevent corrosion. This involves the use of a device called a rectifier which applies a negative current to soil near the pipeline to keep corrosion away from the pipe. The operator of the pipeline is required to conduct bi-monthly readings of the voltage generated from a rectifier and conduct an annual survey of the pipeline to insure that the pipeline is adequately protected from corrosion. PHMSA is the primary agency responsible for regulating and enforcing the PSA.
An information charging Jones with two counts of violating the PSA and one false statement violation was filed on Nov. 14, 2014. Under the terms of the plea agreement, each offense charged carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. The sentencing is set for April 30, 2015.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, and FBI, with assistance from PHMSA. The case was prosecuted by Jennifer A. Whitfield of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice and Tracy M. Johnson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Pinellas Pain Management Doctor Indicted for Distributing Controlled Substances Outside Usual Course of Professional Practice, Which Resulted in Deaths of PatientsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Edward Neil Feldman, M.D. (75, Tampa) and his wife, Kim Xuan Feldman (65, Tampa), with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. Dr. Feldman is also charged with three counts of dispensing controlled substances that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Kim Xuan Feldman faces a maximum of 70 years’ imprisonment. The indictment notifies the Feldmans that the government intends to forfeit real property located in Tampa and Pinellas Park, two investment accounts, and three bank accounts, all of which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses and/or property used to facilitate the offenses. The United States is also seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
According to the indictment, from at least October 2009 through the date of the indictment, Edward Neil Feldman, Kim Feldman, and others used Feldman Orthopedic and Wellness Center, located at 6100 Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park, to dispense controlled substances, including Oxycodone, Methadone, Alprazolam (Xanax), and Diazepam, outside the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. The indictment alleges that Dr. Feldman’s dispensing of those controlled substances resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The Feldmans also allegedly conspired to conduct financial transactions using funds derived from their drug conspiracy to promote the conspiracy, conceal the source of the funds, and avoid transaction reporting requirements. The indictment further alleges that the couple used criminal proceeds to purchase their personal residence and the office building where the pain clinic is located, as well as to fund an investment account.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case results from an ongoing joint investigation conducted by (name the agencies involved) and the ongoing effort of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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Palm Beach County Gastroenterologist Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Palm Beach County resident and licensed physician in the State of Florida specializing in gastroenterology pled guilty today to filing corporate and personal income tax returns in which his income was underrepresented, representing a tax loss over the course of four years in excess of $6,000,000.00.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, and John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office, made the announcement.
Krishna Tripuraneni’s, 56, primary place of business is Palm Beach Gastroenterology Consultants LLC (PBGC), located at 1157 South State Road 7, Wellington, Florida. Tripuraneni also operates two other businesses from this same address identified as Palm Beach Surgery Center (PBSC) and PB Anesthesia Associates, LLC (PBA). According to Florida corporate records, Tripuraneni is the listed owner of record of PBGC and the Manager and Registered Agent for PBSC and PBA.
For the tax years 2004 to 2008, Tripuraneni knowingly and willfully underreported his income from the above mentioned entities. Tripuraneni received income in the form of direct compensation, distributions, and corporate funds used to pay for personal expenditures. This resulted in the filing of false corporate and personal tax returns by Tripuraneni.
Tripuraneni utilized funds from the above companies to pay for expenses of a home he built in Manalapan, Florida, to service mortgage payments on condominiums he owned, interior design improvements to his residences, and tuition payments for his children. Some of these payments were then classified as professional consulting, building repairs, and miscellaneous expenses by the companies listed above.
These payments resulted in falsified profit and loss statements being provided to the tax return preparer. These profit and loss statements were used for the preparation of the corporate tax returns and the personal tax returns for Tripuraneni. By providing the return preparer with the false profit and loss statements, Tripuraneni caused the preparation and filing of a false 2006 U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, IRS Form 1120S; a U.S. Return of Partnership Income, IRS Form 1065 and a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, IRS Form 1040. These returns were false in that the corporate returns included fraudulent business expenses which reduced the corporations’ income and failed to include the diverted corporate income and to correctly report the defendant’s share of the income generated by these companies, thereby understating the defendant’s total income and the tax due and owing on his personal return.
The false returns described herein resulted in a tax loss detailed below:
Tax Year Underreported Income Additional Tax Due & Owing 2004 $3,256,616 $1,139,815 $3,940,641 $1,369,581 2006 $4,158,162 $1,533,048 2007 $3,688,283 $1,291,940 2008 $3,084,364 $1,049,593 TOTALS $18,128,066 $6,383,977U.S. Attorney Ferrer stated, “An individual cannot avoid his income tax obligations by creative labeling. Today’s plea demonstrates our commitment to every American taxpayer that we will identify and prosecute those who use corporations as shields to evade the payment of personal income taxes.”
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jackson stated, “As we approach tax filing season, those Americans who file accurate, honest and timely returns can be assured that the government will hold accountable those who don't. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to investigating individuals who use their corporations as personal piggy banks to live an untaxed lavish lifestyle and evade their corporate and personal income taxes. We will remain diligent in enforcing the laws to protect our nation’s tax system.”
“As citizens of this country, we have a responsibility to pay our fair share of taxes,” said Kelly M. Darden, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Do not, as in this case, attempt to knowingly and willfully underreport income - you will be caught. I especially want to thank all the law enforcement agencies of the Greater Palm Beach County Healthcare Fraud Task Force who investigated this case.”
DCIS Special Agent in Charge Khin stated, “This guilty plea is the result of a multi-agency effort to investigate this physician who defrauded the American taxpayer for personal gain. His criminal activities also defrauded the health care system intended to serve US military members.”
Tripuraneni is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, FBI and DCIS. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark.
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 http://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 http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Owner of Local Payroll Services Company Sentenced on Fraud and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – BRADLEY FERGUSON, owner of Fenton-based Paymaster Business Solutions, Inc., was sentenced to 54 months in prison on mail fraud and money laundering charges involving his failure to remit federal, state and local taxes to the proper taxing authorities that had been deducted from victim client bank accounts. Ferguson also failed to remit FICA withholding to the IRS on behalf of his business clients. Ferguson’s clients included churches, youth organizations, child daycare facilities, law firms and other businesses throughout the St. Louis area. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay restitution of $3,067,137.
According to court documents, from January 2005 through January 2014, Ferguson drafted funds directly from Paymaster business clients’ bank accounts in order to pay their federal, state and local tax liabilities. However, Paymaster, at Ferguson’s direction, failed to forward the Paymaster business clients’ funds to the taxing authorities in order to pay their tax liabilities then due and owing. Paymaster drafted in excess of $2,700,000 from Paymaster business clients’ bank accounts to pay client’s federal, state and local tax liabilities, as well as FICA liabilities, for the period July 2013 through December 2013, but were not forwarded to the proper taxing authorities. Additionally, Ferguson,as Power of Attorney for Paymaster business clients, was contacted directly by the IRS and questioned as to the failure of the payments of client federal tax liabilities. Fergusondid not tell his clients about the IRS inquiries. When clients occasionally learned that Paymaster had not forwarded their funds to the taxing authorities, Ferguson lied to them and told them Paymaster had made the payments. In December 2013, Ferguson retained the services of a commercial shredding company and directed that the Paymaster business client records be shredded and removed from the Paymaster offices.
Ferguson, Washington, MO, pled guilty last August to one felony count of mail fraud and one felony count of money laundering, He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge E. Richard Webber.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Postal Inspection Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ohio man sentenced for heroin possessionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Joseph Lee Church, 36, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for possession of multiple controlled substances with intent to distribute by United States District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston in Charleston.
Church pleaded guilty in May 2014, to possession of, with the intent to distribute, heroin, hydromorphone, oxycodone, hydrocodone and amphetamine. He previously admitted this to Kanawha County sheriff’s deputies when arrested in the Rand, West Virginia, area on Dec. 10, 2011. Church said the drugs had been brought to the area from Columbus.
The case was investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail handled the prosecution of this case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of heroin and prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.
New York Man Indicted for Cyberstalking FBI AgentRead the Press Release
A grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Ronald Bergrin, 56, of New York, New York, with cyberstalking, threatening in retaliation, and threatening in an interstate communication, an FBI agent from on or about December 2012 through on or about December 18, 2014, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
On Dec. 18, 2014, Bergrin threatened to assault a federal law enforcement officer, sending an email from the Northern District of Ohio in which he wrote the following: “She thinks she’s living in a safe place. A place where nobody can find out where she lives and nobody could get her. I’m going to teach her that I could crush her like the bug she is…She will never sleep at night again. She will have nightmares,” according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Matthew Shepherd, following an investigation by agents of the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Newark FBI.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
New Bern Drug Dealer Receives 9 Year Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Lomachael Antonio Grice , 32, of New Bern to 108 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
District Attorney Scott Thomas said, “This is another case in our ongoing effort to fight illegal drug activity in our district. CNET has been very proactive in identifying and investigating drug dealers operating in our area. We have had a good working relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as we work together to prosecute drug dealers in state and federal courts.”
Grice was named in a Criminal Information filed on March 18, 2014, charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of cocaine from 2006 until August 30, 2013. On July 17, 2014, Grice pled guilty to that charge.
According to the investigation, law enforcement agencies in the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina worked together to identify GRICE’s source of supply who was traveling from the Chatham County area to deliver large amounts of cocaine to GRICE and other drug dealers in the Craven County area. After GRICE’s supplier was arrested, further investigation lead to GRICE’s arrest following a controlled delivery operation where GRICE handed money to a confidential informant in exchange for cocaine. Further investigation revealed that GRICE was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilograms of powder and crack cocaine in the Craven County over a time period spanning from 2006.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team, a multi-agency task force comprised of agents from the Bridgeton Police Department, Craven County Sheriff’s Office, Havelock Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, New Bern Police Department, Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office, River Bend Police Department, and Trent Woods Police Department. These agencies were assisted by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Augustus Willis represented the government. Mr. Willis is a prosecutor with the District 3-B District Attorney’s Office encompassing Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties. District Attorney Scott Thomas has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. Mr. Wills’ position is funded through a grant provided by the Governor’s Crime Commission.
Navasota Woman Sentenced to Prison for Identity TheftRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Glenda Hamilton, 38, of Navasota, has been ordered to prison following her plea of guilty to aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Today, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison, who accepted the plea, ordered Hamilton to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release.
At the time of her plea on Oct. 16, 2014, Hamilton admitted she fraudulently applied for income tax refunds using the stolen identities of others. Court records indicate she unlawfully acquired the name and Social Security numbers of others and used that information to file a fraudulent tax return on their behalf. Hamilton requested the refund checks be mailed to post office boxes under her control.
She then fraudulently endorsed the name of the victim onto the refund checks and used a counterfeit power of attorney to cash the checks.
Hamilton will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The charges are the result of an investigation by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman he case is prosecuting the case.
Muskogee Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Firearm Possession in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that JAMES DEWAYNE MARSHALL, 23, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A).
The charges arose from an investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, The Ardmore Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The defendant was indicted in August, 2014 and pled guilty in September, 2014.
The Indictment alleged that on or about February 5, 2014 within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, JAMES DEWAYNE MARSHALL, did knowingly possess a firearm, to wit: One Ruger, model P95, 9mm caliber pistol, bearing serial number: 318-87182, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to the designated federal prison at which he will serve his sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.
Muskogee Man Sentenced to 110 Months for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that TOMMY LOUIS TAYLOR, 35, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1).
The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service. The defendant was indicted in June, 2014 and was found guilty in August, 2014 by a federal jury.
The evidence presented at trial proved that on or about December 19, 2013, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, the following firearm, to-wit: one H&R .32 caliber revolver, bearing serial number BA021273, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to the designated federal prison at which he will serve his sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.
Multiple Arrests Announced in Large Drug RingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton of the Southern District of Illinois announced today that 16 people were arrested for offenses relating to the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Marion and Clinton Counties on Jan. 6, 2015, following their indictment by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in the Southern District of Illinois. The 16 arrested are: Daniel L. Gazdik, 50, Sara Rose Davis, 33, Brian Fear, 40, Misty Fear, 31, Katelyn Woolever, 21, Joseph Smith, 34, James Horton, 48, Destry Wood, 51, Shelonda Shackleford, 26, Craig Heitkamp, 50, and Rachel Reeve, all of Centralia; Michael Flanagan, 41, and Kathy Tomes, 61, of Sandoval; Dusty Gambill, 39, of Central City; and David Altom, 41, and Jayme Barnes, 35, of Odin.
Gazdik and Davis are charged in a seven-count indictment. Count 1 charges both with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; Counts 2 and 3 charge Gazdik with distribution of methamphetamine; Counts 4 and 6 charge Gazdik, and Counts 5 and 7 charge Davis, with possession of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than five years in federal prison and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for Counts 2 and 3 is 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.
Brian and Misty Fear, Woolever, Smith, and Reeve are all charged in an eight-count indictment. Count 1 charges all defendants with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; Count 2 charges the fears with possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; Counts 3 and 5 charge Misty Fear, Counts 3 and 4 charge Brian Fear, Counts 3 and 6 charge Smith, Count 7 charges Woolever, and Count 8 charges Reeve, with possession of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than five years in federal prison, and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. The maximum penalty for Count 2 is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Flanagan, Gambill, Tomes, Altom, Barnes, and Horton are charged in an 11-count indictment. Count 1 charges all defendants with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; Counts 2 and 7 charge Gambill, Counts 3 and 8 charge Tomes, Counts 4 and 9 charge Barnes, Counts 5 and 10 charge Altom, and Counts 6 and 11 charge Horton with possession of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than five years in federal prison, and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release.
Wood and Shackleford are charged in a 15-count indictment. Count 1 charges both with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; Count 8 charges Wood with attempt manufacture of methamphetamine; Counts 12 and 13 charge Shackleford, and Counts 14 and 15 charge Wood, with possession of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than five years in federal prison, up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release.
Heitkamp is charged in a two-count indictment. Count 1 charges him with possession of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance; Count 2 charges him with unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of firearms. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for Count 2 is up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Information leading to the charges was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, the Centralia Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Mt. Vernon Police Department. Assisting in the arrests were the United States Marshal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. All of these cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Multiple Arrests Announced in Large Drug RingRead the Press Release
Sixteen Individuals Charged in Multiple Indictments
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that 16 people were arrested for offenses relating to the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Marion and Clinton Counties on January 6, 2015, following their indictment by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in the Southern District of Illinois. The 16 arrested are: Daniel L. Gazdik, 50, and Sara Rose Davis, 33, both of Centralia; Brian Fear, 40, Misty Fear, 31, Katelyn Woolever, 21, Joseph Smith, 34, and Rachel Reeve, all of Centralia; Michael Flanagan, 41, Sandoval, Dusty Gambill, 39, Central City, Kathy Tomes, 61, Sandoval, David Altom, 41, Odin, Jayme Barnes, 35, Odin, and James Horton, 48, Centralia; Destry Wood, 51, and Shelonda Shackleford, 26, both of Centralia; and Craig Heitkamp, 50, Centralia.
Gazdik and Davis are charged in a seven-count Indictment. Count 1 charges both with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine; Counts 2 and 3 charge Gazdik with Distribution of Methamphetamine; Counts 4 and 6 charge Gazdik, and Counts 5 and 7 charge Davis, with Possession of a Listed Chemical Knowing it Would be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than 5 years in federal prison and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for Counts 2 and 3 is 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least 3 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release.
Brian and Misty Fear, Woolever, Smith, and Reeve are all charged in an eight-count Indictment. Count 1 charges all defendants with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine; Count 2 charges the Fears with Possession of Equipment, Chemicals, Products and Materials with Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine; Counts 3 and 5 charge Misty Fear, Counts 3 and 4 charge Brian Fear, Counts 3 and 6 charge Smith, Count 7 charges Woolever, and Count 8 charges Reeve, with Possession of a Listed Chemical Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture a Controlled Substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than 5 years in federal prison, and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for Count 2 is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release.
Flanagan, Gambill, Tomes, Altom, Barnes, and Horton are charged in an 11-count Indictment. Count 1 charges all defendants with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine; Counts 2 and 7 charge Gambill, Counts 3 and 8 charge Tomes, Counts 4 and 9 charge Barnes, Counts 5 and 10 charge Altom, and Counts 6 and 11 charge Horton with Possession of a Listed Chemical Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture a Controlled Substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than 5 years in federal prison, and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release.
Wood and Shackleford are charged in a 15-count indictment. Count 1 charges both with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine; Count 8 charges Wood with Attempt Manufacture of Methamphetamine; Counts 12 and 13 charge Shackleford, and Counts 14 and 15 charge Wood, with Possession of a Listed Chemical Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture a Controlled Substance. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is not less than 5 years in federal prison, up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for each of the remaining counts is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release.
Heitkamp is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count 1 charges him with Possession of a Listed Chemical Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture a Controlled Substance; Count 2 charges him with Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of Firearms. The maximum penalty for Count 1 is up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years’ supervised release. The maximum penalty for Count 2 is up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Information leading to the charges was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, the Centralia Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Mt. Vernon Police Department. Assisting in the arrests were the United States Marshal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. All of these cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsDemarcus A. Buford, a 37-year old Jefferson City, Missouri, man was sentenced on January 7, 2015, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, on one count of failure to register as a sex offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Buford was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison; five years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and a $150 fine.
Buford moved from Illinois to Missouri, after signing an Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act Notification Form on January 15, 2013, acknowledging his requirement to either update his sex offender registration in Illinois to reflect his change of address, or register as a sex offender in Missouri. He neither registered in Missouri, nor updated his registration in Illinois as required by law. Buford had been previously convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse on August 27, 2008, in St. Clair County, Illinois.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Milford Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling $108k from EmployerRead the Press Release
Follow @USAO_CT
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID LIPTAK, 50, of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in Bridgeport to 10 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling $108,000 from his employer. LIPTAK also was ordered to pay full restitution and a fine of $3,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, LIPTAK was employed by Consolidated Management Group (“CMG”) of Westport. CMG provided management services to condominium associations, including managing the bank accounts and expenses of the associations. From approximately June 2008 to March 2012, LIPTAK embezzled approximately $108,000 from CMG.
On May 14, 2014, LIPTAK pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud. He was ordered to report to prison on February 23, 2015.
This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Westport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.
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