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18 November 2014
Chester County Woman Charged in Fraud Scheme Involving Her EmployerRead the Press Release
Tracey McShane, 40, of East Fallowfield, PA,was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud, in and six counts of filing false individual income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
The indictment alleges that McShane, the former Director of Financial Operations for Paoli-based Pacer Financial, Inc., defrauded her employer in two separate wire fraud schemes. According to the indictment, defendant McShane stole approximately $650,194 from her employers’ personal bank account to pay her personal credit card bills between December 2007 and February 2014. McShane used the stolen money to cover charges to high-end clothing retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, a vacation to Mexico, hotel stays at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia and the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and $40,000 in wedding expenses. McShane also is charged with filing false income tax returns for the years 2008 through 2013 based on her failure to report as income the money she stole from her employer to pay her personal credit card expenses, and $11,000 in bonuses.
In addition, McShane is charged with a fraud scheme involving payroll at Pacer. According to the indictment, McShane began to wrongfully increasing her gross pay in July 2010 in amounts ranging from $500 to approximately $6,450, during a given pay period. Between 2010 and February 2014, the indictment contends that McShane stole an additional $98,765 from Pacer through her payroll scheme.
If convicted the defendant faces the following maximum possible sentence: 58 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1.1 million fine, and an $800 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen M. Klotz.An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Click here to view the indictment.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525Charged Today in Connection with Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud Scheme Involving Student Financial Services AccountsRead the Press Release
Seventeen individuals were arrested today, 14 of whom are or were students at Miami Dade College, for their involvement in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme that utilized students’ Higher One financial services accounts. A total of 21 individuals were charged, four individuals remain at large. The scheme announced today implicated 644 victims and resulted in an aggregate intended loss amount of $1.9 million. Today’s cases reaffirm the government’s commitment to crack-down on the perpetrators of stolen identity tax refund fraud (SIRF).
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, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Thomas J. Caul, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, made the announcement.
Background of Investigation
This investigation implicates a tax refund fraud scheme that utilized over 1,000 student accounts at Miami Dade College. As alleged in the indictments, the defendants, 18 of whom are or were students at Miami Dade College, were involved in a scheme to steal tax refunds issued by the United States Department of Treasury. Using stolen identities, the defendants or their co-conspirators submitted fraudulent tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service. These tax returns directed that the resulting refunds be deposited into various bank accounts controlled by the defendants.
Most of the bank accounts used to collect the stolen money were serviced by a company called Higher One, Inc. This company provided financial services to colleges and universities throughout the United States, including Miami Dade College in Florida.
In United States v. Sandy Jean-Louis, tax refunds issued to 37 different victim-taxpayers were deposited into a single defendant’s account with Higher One. In United States v. Erving Etienne, organizers of the scheme directed 92 tax refunds into a single Higher One account. Fortunately, the IRS rejected 90% of these returns based upon suspected fraud. Ultimately, as established by testimony at trial of United States v. Kevin Cimeus, 13-20706-CR-Zloch, over 1,000 Higher One accounts have been implicated by the investigation.
Organizers of this fraud also sought to use students’ Higher One accounts to commit other forms of federal benefit fraud including social security fraud. For instance, in United States v. Glasner Simplice, the defendant allowed his Higher One account to receive $53,272.00 in stolen tax refunds and his TD Bank account to receive stolen tax refunds and $19,099.10 in fraudulently obtained social security administration benefits.
United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Today’s takedown is further evidence of the insidious and widespread nature of stolen identity tax refund fraud. That this crime has infiltrated life at a college is alarming. As a community, we cannot permit this type of crime to negatively affect young people and their prospects while in college. In addition to prosecuting those who fraudulently use the identities of others for financial gain, we will be working closely with Miami Dade College – and any other educational institution – to help educate students that selling the use of their student bank accounts to facilitate fraud is criminal and carries serious consequences.”
“Students attend college to give themselves a better chance for a successful future. These students, however, are accused of federal crimes that could land them in prison and tarnish their records forever,” stated Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “As we approach the next tax filing season, let me warn others not to be enticed to participate in this type of criminal behavior to make a few dollars. People who steal identities to file false tax returns and receive fraudulent refunds will be subject to prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to continuing our work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to bring the individuals who commit these crimes to justice.”
“Identity theft is a serious and growing crime that destroys the financial lives of thousands of South Floridians every year,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami. “Those arrested today were part of a Miami-based group who systematically hacked into numerous businesses and government institutions. Once inside, they stole personally identifiable information from unsuspecting victims to unlawfully file tax returns and redirect Social Security payments. The fraudsters subsequently utilized over 1,000 college student loan accounts in order to deposit illicit funds and launder the ill gotten money. No more. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will investigate and criminally prosecute such fraud to the fullest extent of the law.”
Ronald Verrochio, Inspector in Charge for Postal Inspection Service, stated “We are committed to combating this type of ID theft which affects millions of Americans annually. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these cases and deliver justice to the victims.”
Thomas J. Caul, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General said “The Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration, has no higher priority than the investigation and prosecution of those who prey on the public, denying the victims of the needed support provided by government programs. I’m grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office shares our determination to ensure the integrity of SSA’s programs.
Scope of SIRF Problem
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Florida had the highest rate of identity theft in the United States in 2013. While identity theft in Florida ranks highest in the United States, the identity theft rate in Miami has reached near epidemic proportions. Florida’s rate of 192.9 complaints per 100,000 residents – the highest in the United States – is dwarfed by the Miami rate of 340.4 complaints per 100,000 residents.
Moreover, a September 2012 report by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) determined that Florida has the highest rate of stolen identity tax refund fraud in the United States. The City of Miami’s per capita number of false returns based on identity theft was 46 times the national average, and its per capita SIRF value was more than 70 times the national average. Worse still, this problem is projected to grow: the TIGTA report estimates that the IRS could issue as much as $21 billion in fraudulent tax refunds over the next five years.
Cases Announced Today
The cases being announced today are:
- United States v. Gary Antoine, Case No. 14-20666-CR-Williams;
- United States v. Emmanuel Avrilien, Gerrey Cherrelus, Sandy Jean-Louis, Marie Joseph, Andy Lamour, & Tamica Smith, Case No. 14-20829-CR-Moore;
- United States v. Marvin Dubuisson, Case No. 14-20828-CR-Altonaga;
- United States v. Ronald Dumond & Bianca Noel, Case No. 14-20844-CR-Scola;
- United States v. Erving Jaques Etienne, Case No. 14-20826-CR-Cooke;
- United States v. Mitsie Faustin, Case No. 14-20747-CR-Middlebrooks;
- United States v. Caleb Fadet, Case No. 14-20665-CR-Gayles
- United States v. Laquisha Q. Johnson, Case No. 14-20837-CR-Martinez;
- United States v. Jonathan Joseph, Case No. 14-20831-CR-Scola;
- United States v. Beethoven Nelson, Case No. 14-20751-CR-Altonaga;
- United States v. Farah Norelus, Case No. 14-20753-CR-Ungaro;
- United States v. Smith Jean & Beatrice Simeon, Case No. 14-20830-CR-Ungaro;
- United States v. Glasner Simplice, Case No. 14-20689-CR-Williams; and
- United States v. Rutherford Willy, Case No. 14-20752-CR-King.
The following is a brief summary of a few of the matters:
1. United States v. Caleb Fadet, Case No. 14-20665-CR-Gayles
On September 16, 2014, Caleb Fadet, 27, of Miami Beach, was charged in a twelve-count indictment for receiving stolen tax refunds. Each count charged the defendant with theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641
According to the indictment, Fadet, a student at Miami Dade College, opened a bank account serviced by Higher One, Inc. After opening this account, tax refunds issued to 12 different victim-taxpayers were direct deposited into Fadet’s account. These deposits included seven refunds that were deposited into Fadet’s account on a single day – November 15, 2012. Ultimately, $10,440.00-worth of refunds was deposited into the defendant’s account.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Byrne.
2. United States v. Laquisha Q. Johnson, Case No. 14-20827-CR-Martinez
On November 13, 2014, Laquisha Q. Johnson, 24, of Opa Locka, was charged in a three-count indictment for receiving stolen tax refunds. Each count charged the defendant with theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.
According to the indictment, Johnson was a student at Miami Dade College. During her time as a student, Johnson opened a bank account serviced by Higher One, Inc. After opening this account, tax refunds issued to three different victim-taxpayers were direct deposited into Johnson’s account. This included a tax refund of $61,000.00 that had been issued to a victim-taxpayer with the initials E.R.L. Ultimately, $63,000.00-worth of refunds was deposited into the defendant’s account.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Byrne.
3. United States v. Emmanuel Avrilien, Andy Lamour, Sandy Jean-Louis, Tamica Smith, Marie Joseph, and Gerrey Cherrelus, Case No. 14-20829-CR-Moore
On November 13, 2014, defendants Emmanuel Avrilien, 22, Andy Lamour, 22, Sandy Jean-Louis, 21, Tamica Smith, 26, Marie Joseph, 25, and Gerrey Cherrelus, 22, all of Miami, were charged in a forty-count indictment with conspiring to steal tax refunds and stealing tax refunds. The defendants allowed their bank accounts to receive stolen tax refunds in the total amount of $98,481.00, which they then used for their own benefit.
Defendants were charged with conspiracy to steal government property and theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 641.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI, FBI, and USPIS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.
4. United States v. Ronald Dumond and Bianca Noel, Case No. 14-20844-CR-Scola
On November 13, 2014, defendants Ronald Dumond, 22, and Bianca Noel, 21, of Miami, were charged in an eighteen-count indictment with conspiring to steal tax refunds, receiving stolen tax refunds, and aggravated identity theft relating to stolen tax refunds. Defendants allowed their Higher One accounts to receive stolen tax refunds in the total amount of $29,751.00, which the defendants used for their own benefit.
Defendants were charged with conspiracy to steal government property and theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 641, and defendant Dumond was charged with aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.
5. United States v. Glasner Simplice, Case No. 14-20689-CR-Williams
On September 23, 2014, defendant Glasner Simplice, 20, of Miami, was charged in twenty-count indictment with conspiring to steal tax refunds and social security administration benefits. Defendant allowed his account with Higher One to receive stolen tax refunds in the total amount of $53,272.00, and his personal TD Bank account to receive stolen social security administration benefits in the total amount of $19,099.10, all of which Simplice used for his own benefit.
Defendant was charged with conspiracy to steal government property and theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 641.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI, FBI, and SSA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.
Other Law Enforcement Partners
Mr. Ferrer thanked the investigative efforts and assistance of U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor-OIG, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud, and U.S. Department of Education, each of whom assisted with the investigation.
Additionally, Aventura Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and Miramar Police Department were instrumental in the arrests this morning.
Information on Deterring, Detecting, and Defending SIRF
We encourage anyone with information about the widespread abuse of Higher One accounts to contact the IRS at (305) 982-5151.
For information on how to help deter, detect, and defend against identity theft, please visit www.irs.gov (enter “identity theft” in search box), www.ftc.gov or www.ic3.gov or contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.
An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at 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.
Cambridge Man Pleads Guilty in 17th Century Diary TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cambridge man pleaded guilty yesterday to identity fraud related to the theft and sale of a book stolen from Boston’s historic Old South Church.
Michael Ford, 66, pleaded guilty to using the identity of another man in August 2008 in connection with the sale of the diary. U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole scheduled sentencing for Feb. 27, 2015.The diary, which was written by James Hull in the 1600s, had been stolen from a display case in the Old South Church in the summer of 2008. On Aug. 11, 2008, a man sold the diary to a bookstore near Harvard Square for $750, using the driver’s license of another man as identification. Within 40 minutes of this transaction, Ford had obtained the check and the driver’s license and, using the license as identification, cashed the check at a bank in Harvard Square. The bookstore thereafter realized the diary had substantial historic significance and sold it to a collector for $40,000. After the sale, upon learning that the diary had been stolen, the bookstore bought it back and restored it to the Church.
According to the plea agreement, Ford faces no greater than five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commission William Evans; Harvard University Police Chief Francis D. Riley; and Boston University Police Chief Thomas G. Robbins made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Bristol Man Sentenced for Bath Salts ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On Nov. 18, 2014, Harry Joseph Cannon, 50, of Bristol, Tenn., was sentenced by the Honorable R. Leon Jordan, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 48 months in federal prison. Cannon was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, assorted Schedule I controlled substances, and assorted Schedule I controlled substance analogues, commonly known as “bath salts” or “spice”.
From March 2011 to October 2013, Cannon conspired with various other persons to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute “bath salts” and “spice”. Cannon sold these substances from his store, 420 Emporium, in Bristol, Tenn. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted a series of undercover drug purchases from Cannon and 420 Emporium. Those purchases led to federal search warrants being executed on two separate occasions, on Mar. 21, 2012, and on Oct. 17, 2012. In both instances, agents recovered extensive amounts of Schedule I controlled substances and Schedule I controlled substance analogues. Most of these drugs were already prepackaged for resale. Numerous firearms were also recovered.
This long term investigation was the product of a partnership between the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department, Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, Sullivan County Sherriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Regalia represented the United States.
The investigation is a result of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Beckley Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Ronald Greer, 59, of Beckley, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Beckley to distributing heroin. Greer admitted that on August 29, 2014, he sold heroin to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place on Adrian Court in Beckley, West Virginia.
Greer faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled the sentencing for March 4, 2015.
The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigation.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and opiates. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Armed Crack Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to More Than 9 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Aaron Kwandranc, 29, of Woonsocket, was sentenced today to 110 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for distribution of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, East Providence Police Chief Christopher J. Parella, Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field divisionof the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Kwandranc to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Kwandranc pleaded guilty on June 18, 2014, to one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearms and distribution of crack cocaine.
According to information presented to the court, in July 2011, an East Providence Police Department detective informed ATF that he had developed information that Kwandranc had offered to sell four firearms for $1,000 to an individual known to the detective. The detective had the individual arrange with Kwandranc to bring the firearms to the individual’s apartment and leave them there until he could obtain $1,000. East Providence Police watched as Kwandranc left the individual’s apartment, then went inside and retrieved from the basement a handgun and three shotguns.
According to information presented to the court, as the investigation progressed, the individual known to East Providence Police arranged to purchase 32 grams of crack cocaine from Kwandranc for $1,500. East Providence Police, Woonsocket Police and ATF established surveillance in the area of Kwandranc’s Woonsocket residence and then followed him and the individual assisting law enforcement to a second apartment in Woonsocket where law enforcement monitored conversations that indicated that inside the apartment Kwandranc was converting cocaine powder to crack cocaine. A short time later, the individual assisting law enforcement turned over to an ATF agent a packet containing more than 23 grams of crack cocaine he purchased from Kwandranc.
Kwandranc has been detained in federal custody since June 18, 2014.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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[email protected]Arizona Man Sentenced After Arrest with Almost 100 Kilos of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. - A man from Arizona was sentenced Tuesday to 37 months in federal prison after being stopped with almost 100 kilograms of marijuana in his car, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Pilar Angel Leon-Beltran, 35, Tucson, Ariz., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. In his plea, he admitted that on Dec. 30, 2013, the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped a car in which he was a passenger in Ellis County, Kan. In the Chevrolet Impala, officers found 10 bales of marijuana with a gross weight of 101.76 kilograms, including packing. Leon-Beltran fled on foot when the car stopped. He was arrested about three hours later.
The parties agreed that the net weight of the marijuana without packing was less than 100 kilograms but more than 80 kilograms. The vehicle in which the defendant was riding had been rented the day before in Denver.
Co-defendant Crystal Amarillas-Norzagaray, 23, Tucson, Ariz., is set for sentencing Nov. 24.
Grissom commended the Kansas Highway Patrol and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs for their work on the case.Ansonia Man Charged with Making False Report of Police Brutality to the FbiRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that EDWARD MINERLY, 52, of Ansonia, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of making a false report of police brutality to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 18, 2013, officers with the Derby Police Department arrested MINERLY on an outstanding probation violation warrant. On May 31, 2013, MINERLY called the New Haven Federal Bureau of Investigation and spoke with an FBI special agent. In the call, MINERLY alleged that Derby Police officers had recently arrested him for a probation violation and, upon placing him in a holding cell, commenced taunting him, subjecting him to flashing lights and tipping him backwards out of his wheelchair. MINERLY also alleged that Derby Police officers kicked him in the head, arms and upper body.
On June 6, 2013, an FBI special agent interviewed MINERLY in person at a Bridgeport hospital where MINERLY had been admitted. MINERLY again made allegations similar to those made on May 31, 2013, namely, that Derby Police officers had arrested him and, after placing him in a holding cell, picked him out of his wheelchair, threw him into a wall, flashed the lights on and off, and kicked him in the head and beat him.
In pleading guilty today, MINERLY admitted that the statements he made to the FBI alleging physical abuse by members of the Derby Police Department after his probation violation arrest were false.
“The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting civil rights abuses by members of law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “We are equally committed to prosecuting false reports of police brutality as these reports not only waste valuable federal law enforcement resources, but they have the potential to indelibly stain the police department and its officers that are unfairly maligned.”MINERLY is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello on February 10, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
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(203) 821-3722 [email protected]18 Individuals Indicted for Drug Trafficking at El Trebol Public Housing ProjectRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 12, 2014, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against 18 defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department.
The 18 defendants are: Henry Díaz-Texidor, aka “Canto”; Enrique Osorio-Giron, aka “Yun Yun”; Frederick Torres-Merced, aka “Sombel”; Miguel A. Pagàn-Càtala, aka “Guelo”; Luis Javier Ríos Càtala, aka “Javi”; Saul O. Rodríguez-Rodríguez; José Verdejo-Santiago, aka “Colo”; Edgariel Medina-Rolón, aka “Precio”; Tomàs Benítez-Gonzàlez, aka “Tommy”; Giovanni Burgos-Arroyo, aka “Gino”; Larry Liboy López-Cepero, aka “Gordo”; Josué Machado-De Jesús, aka “Indio”; Jesús M. Marquez-Rosario, aka “Pacquiao”; Alexander Rosado-Ruiz, aka “Cachito”; José Abel Rosado-Ruiz, aka “Puchito”; Joshua Rosario-Cruz; Danny Tejada-Rosado, aka “Pocheche”; and Roberto García-Sànchez, aka “Robert”.
The indictment alleges that beginning in 2005, the organization distributed cocaine, heroin, crack, marihuana and prescription drugs within 1,000 feet of a real property comprising housing facility owned by a public housing authority, all for financial gain and profit.The 18 co-conspirators had many roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy. Some of the defendants would routinely possess, carry, brandish, and use firearms to protect themselves and the drug trafficking organization; and would use force, violence, threats and intimidation in order to discipline members of their own organization.
It was further a part of the manner and means of the conspiracy that locks would be placed by members of the organization on gates located in the common areas of El Trébol buildings in order to protect the sellers from law enforcement.
“I commend our state and federal law enforcement partners for their hard work and efforts in this investigation,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will pursue the prosecution of these defendants with equal vigor.”
“The Drug Enforcement Administration initiated Operation Lucky Charm in April 2013, in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Police Department. DEA will not allow these violent drug trafficking organizations to take control over the lives of innocent people who live in El Trébol Public Housing Project or any other communities in Puerto Rico,” said Vito Salvatore Guarino, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Caribbean Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Zapata-Valladares is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
17 November 2014
Washington, D.C. Man Sentenced for Robbing the Navy Federal Credit Union of over $100,000Read the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Emanuel Honemond, age 24, of Washington, D.C. today to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to rob a bank.
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; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, on September 20, 2011, Honemond and his co-conspirators entered the Navy Federal Credit Union in Clinton, Maryland clothed in masks and announced a robbery. They took $100,427 and fled in a stolen van. The stolen money contained a tracking device and was recovered shortly thereafter by law enforcement.Davon Stephon Williams, age 24, and Jeffrey Louis Adams, age 35, both of Washington, D.C. previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the robbery and were sentenced to 84 months and 112 months in prison, respectively.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Foreman and William Moomau, who prosecuted the case.Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Robert Harold Scott, Jr., 27, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced today to life in prison, for enticing and conspiring with multiple women to produce child pornography, among other charges including obstruction of justice.
Dana J. Boente, United States 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 sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.
On July 14, 2014, Scott was convicted by a jury on multiple counts involving the production of child pornography and online enticement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Scott used various personas on the Internet to meet women and try to convince them to work as prostitutes for parties at hotels. In reality, Scott would not pay them after the parties and sometimes would extort the women by threatening to publish sexually explicit videos. Scott was convicted in Virginia Beach Circuit Court for this scheme in May 2013. However, while the state charges were pending, Scott continued this behavior. Homeland Security Investigations found that, when discussing the sex parties, sometimes Scott would request these women to produce child pornography and was very specific as to the sex acts he wanted done on camera. Five different women complied and sent sexually explicit images of children in return for the promise of money. In two instances, Scott convinced the women to bring the children to the hotel parties. As a result of Scott’s actions, seven different children, ages 1 to 5 years old, were sexually abused. Four of these women already pleaded guilty in Federal court to production of child pornography, and one of these women pleaded guilty in Chesapeake Circuit Court.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance provided by Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi and Jay V. Prabhu prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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 exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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. 2:14-cr-164.Tweet
Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Robert Harold Scott, Jr., 27, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced today to life in prison, for enticing and conspiring with multiple women to produce child pornography, among other charges including obstruction of justice.
Dana J. Boente, United States 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 sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.
On July 14, 2014, Scott was convicted by a jury on multiple counts involving the production of child pornography and online enticement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Scott used various personas on the Internet to meet women and try to convince them to work as prostitutes for parties at hotels. In reality, Scott would not pay them after the parties and sometimes would extort the women by threatening to publish sexually explicit videos. Scott was convicted in Virginia Beach Circuit Court for this scheme in May 2013. However, while the state charges were pending, Scott continued this behavior. Homeland Security Investigations found that, when discussing the sex parties, sometimes Scott would request these women to produce child pornography and was very specific as to the sex acts he wanted done on camera. Five different women complied and sent sexually explicit images of children in return for the promise of money. In two instances, Scott convinced the women to bring the children to the hotel parties. As a result of Scott’s actions, seven different children, ages 1 to 5 years old, were sexually abused. Four of these women already pleaded guilty in Federal court to production of child pornography, and one of these women pleaded guilty in Chesapeake Circuit Court.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance provided by Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi and Jay V. Prabhu prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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 exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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. 2:14-cr-164.Tweet
Ville Platte Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Armed Robbery of St. Landry Parish Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Ville Platte man was sentenced Friday to 102 months in prison for the armed robbery of more than $11,000 from a truck stop and a casino in St. Landry Parish.
Ronald James Doomes, 26, of Ville Platte, La., was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to 18 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and 84 months in prison for one count of use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was also sentenced to serve five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,100 in restitution. A jury convicted Doomes after a four-day trial that ended on July 31, 2014. According to evidence presented at the trial, Arinkskie Tryvon Orlandeze Jones and Dudley Nelson, also of Ville Platte, took part in the armed robbery on April 8, 2011, at the Tiger Trax Truckstop #7 and Video Joker II Casino located in St. Landry Parish. After robbing the truck stop and casino, the defendants left with $11,675 in a white sports utility vehicle. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. A high-speed chase ensued, three individuals exited the vehicle in a residential area of Opelousas and fled on foot. Nelson was apprehended. Jones and Doomes turned themselves in to authorities six days later.
After a three-day trial that ended on August 27, 2014, a jury found Jones guilty of one count of interference with commerce by robbery. A sentencing date has not been set. Nelson was sentenced on September 22, 2014 to 105 months in prison for his role in the robbery.
“This robbery placed innocent employees’ and customers’ lives at risk,” Finley stated. “I hope this case serves to dispel the notion that robbery is a quick and easy way to make money. If you commit this type of crime, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety. The PSN attorneys prosecute a variety of federal firearms violations listed in Titles 18 and 26 of the U.S. Code, including illegal possession of firearms and commission of crimes with firearms.
The FBI, ATF and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney, Consulate General of Mexico, and Colorado Attorney General Sign First of Its Kind Memorandum of UnderstandingRead the Press Release
Click here for MOU in English
Click here for MOU in Spanish
Click here for photograph of U.S. Attorney John Walsh, Mexican Counsul General Carlos J. Bello, and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers
DENVER – This morning United States Attorney John Walsh, Mexican Consul General Carlos J. Bello, and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) which formalized a cooperative relationship to protect and promote the lawful rights of Mexican nationals in Colorado who are victims of crime, and to promote trust between the Mexican community in Colorado and all levels of law enforcement in the state. The MOU, the first of its kind between a U.S. Attorney’s Office, state Attorney General’s Office and a Mexican Consulate, is the result of close cooperation between the three governments as they work with the Mexican community to address issues related to crime and the protection of crime victims. This important intergovernmental agreement does not change existing law – which already protects crime victims, regardless of national origin – but represents the formalization of an active partnership between the three governments to ensure that those rights are fully implemented and honored.
The Memorandum of Understanding culminates 18 months of close cooperation between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Consulate General in Denver that included community meetings, workshops, and “mobile consulate” office meetings around Colorado to focus attention on labor rights, human trafficking, prevention of “notario” fraud and commercial scams, the problem of domestic violence and which even extended to emergency preparedness for the community in natural disasters.
“Today’s signing of this ground-breaking MOU reflects the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, and the Mexican Consulate to cooperate, communicate and work together to ensure that legal protections for crime victims found in both federal and state law extend fully to the Mexican community here in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Critically, our collective efforts to promote trust between the Mexican community here in Colorado and law enforcement at all levels will ensure not only the proper protection of all residents and visitors in our state regardless of national origin, but will help ensure criminals cannot evade prosecution by targeting immigrants. Crime victims must have confidence that they can safely report crimes and identify criminals, and today’s Memorandum of Understanding is a major step forward to build that trust.”
General Consul, Carlos J. Bello, said that: “This MOU institutionalizes the framework of cooperation through which we have worked together to promote a culture of prevention and reporting, fostering trust within the Mexican Community and a strategy of outreach that includes the active participation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.”
“Whenever we have an opportunity to unite - as we are here today - we can help reach our goal of protecting and promoting the lawful rights of Mexican nationals by advancing the trust between the Mexican community in Colorado and law enforcement,” said Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. “I am optimistic that by signing this Memorandum of Understanding we will move toward achieving that goal.”
Two Men, One Woman Sentenced for Operating Synthetic Drug Business from Las VegasRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced three defendants this morning for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute the synthetic drugs known as “spice” and “bath salts,” announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden, for the District of Nevada.
Joshua Michael Riley, 32, of Henderson, Nev., was sentenced to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Nicholas Collado, 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and Alexandra Haardt, 28, of Henderson, Nev., was sentenced to three years of probation with a condition of one year of home confinement. They pleaded guilty over the summer to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue. Judge Dorsey also entered final orders of forfeiture against all of the defendants requiring them to turn over in large part to the government approximately $802,000 in bank accounts, $371,000 in gold and silver bars and coins, $32,000 in money orders and checks, $14,700 in jewelry, a Cadillac vehicle, a condominium in Henderson, Nev., and two handguns and ammunition.
Two other defendants were also charged in the conspiracy. Marco Alvarado pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Nov. 12 to 30 months in prison, and Jacob Fisher pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 19.
“Spice” and “bath salts” are potent and dangerous substances that are being sold to an unwary public in convenience stores, head shops, gas stations and online,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “These synthetic drugs are powerful substances that when consumed have caused hallucinations and dangerous levels of overdose. We will continue working diligently with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute persons who callously and recklessly distribute them.”
According to the court records, Riley owned and operated JMR Enterprises in Las Vegas. The defendants ordered chemicals from China, and manufactured controlled substance analogues, such as spice and bath salts, at Riley’s large residence in Las Vegas. The defendants sold the controlled substances online over the website, thesupplyboys.com, using the brand names “Mad Pineapple,” Tiger Blood,” “Mad Max,” and “New Ivory Wave,” and distributed the orders via overnight delivery service on a regular basis to buyers as far east as Philadelphia, Pa. In July 2012, agents executed a federal search warrant at Riley’s home and recovered approximately 26 pounds of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “spice,” three pounds of synthetic cathinones also known as “bath salts,” packaging materials, baking pans containing substances that were drying outside, and two firearms. Law enforcement investigators also recovered approximately three additional pounds of bath salts, and 47 packages of “spice,” from the mails during the investigation.
“As these sentences make abundantly clear, the manufacture and sale of synthetic drugs is a serious crime,” said Michael Harris, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Las Vegas. “These substances may have benign names like ‘spice’ and ‘bath salts,’ but they have been linked to serious health complications and even death. Even more troubling, is the fact that the distributors of these dangerous synthetic drugs are packaging and marketing them to appeal to young people.”
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, synthetic drugs are a rapidly emerging threat and there is an increasingly expanding array of synthetic drugs available. Use of synthetic drugs is alarmingly high, especially among young people. The contents and effects of synthetic drugs are unpredictable due to a constantly changing variety of chemicals used in manufacturing processes devoid of quality controls and government regulatory oversight. Health warnings have been issued by numerous public health authorities and poison control centers describing the adverse health effects associated with the use of synthetic drugs. The Administration has been working with federal, congressional, state, local, and non-governmental partners to put policies and legislation in place to combat this threat, and to educate people about the tremendous health risk posed by these substances. For more information on the risks and dangers of synthetic drugs, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts.The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Keller and investigated by ICE HSI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the DEA.
Two Inland Empire Men Plead Guilty in String of ATM RobberiesRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Two men responsible for a series of ATM robberies in which they used power tools and a truck to forcibly open safes inside drive-up ATMs at facilities operated by JP Morgan Chase Bank have pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy that stole nearly a half million dollars.
David Joseph Silva Jr., 25, of Fontana, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank larceny, a charge that carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
Silva pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal, who scheduled a sentencing hearing for February 23.
Last Monday, James William Costilow, 38, of Riverside, pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge. Judge Bernal scheduled Costilow's sentencing hearing for February 9.
During their guilty pleas, Silva and Costilow admitted that they attempted to break into Chase Bank ATMs in three counties 15 times over a six-month period. The pair successfully got into the safes inside ATMs on four occasions and conspired to steal approximately $462,093 in cash. In some of the thefts, the pair stole the entire ATM device, while in later attempts they used power saws or a “jaws of life” device to gain access to the safe inside the ATMs.
Silva and Costilow were arrested on September 22 after an unsuccessful ATM robbery in Murrieta, in which they first attempted to cut the hinges on the safe doors and then tried to pull the doors off with a truck. The attempt failed when the bumper came off the truck.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI and the Murrieta Police Department.
Release No. 14-152
Two Convicted of Selling Bath SaltsRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs SpecialistCLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Clarksburg area residents were convicted for their role in distributing bath salts, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
Stephanie Michelle Furner, 34, of Salem, West Virginia, and Rodney Wayne Swiger, 46, of Clarksburg, West Virginia each pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Controlled Substance Analogue – Aiding and Abetting.”
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, revealed that Furner and Swiger sold bath salts known as “Power X Energy Soak.” The bath salts contained a controlled substance known as “α-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone” or “α-PVP.”
Furner and Swiger each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presided.
Turtle Creek Man Admits Conspiring to Distribute HeroinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Clifford Green was convicted of conspiring to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Green, 29, of Turtle Creek, Pa., pled guilty before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing to occur March 16, 2015, at 11 a.m.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
Three Sentenced on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs SpecialistWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Three West Virginia residents were sentenced on drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
Diane Savage, 50, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for oxycodone distribution. She will also forfeit $2,332.94. She pled guilty in January 2014 to a criminal Information charging her with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone.” An investigation by the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, revealed that Savage would receive shipments of painkillers from California and orchestrate a group of associates to redistribute the pills.
Sylvester Walker, 22, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for selling crack cocaine near the Luau Manor, a public housing authority facility in Wheeling. He pled guilty in December 2013 to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation.
Clarence W. Bertram, 23, of Wheeling, West Virginia was sentenced to 21 months in prison for selling crack cocaine near Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Following an investigation by the West Virginia State Police and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, he pled guilty in February 2014 to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1000’ of a Protected Location.”
U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld prosecuted Bertram and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Bernard prosecuted Walker and Savage on behalf of the government.
Chief U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Thirteen Area People Indicted on Fraud Charges Involving Motor Vehicle TitlesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – RANDALL HINTON was indicted in August on multiple fraud charges involving his scheme to alter and counterfeit documents in order to obtain state issued motor vehicle titles for himself and others. Last week, twelve additional individuals were indicted in two separate indictments for their part in the use of the altered and counterfeited documents to obtain motor vehicle titles and motor vehicle title loans.
According to the indictments, the schemes involving the defendants resulted in financial losses to the State of Missouri, financial institutions, title loan companies and individuals. As the documents were often altered to decrease the value of the vehicles or to change the state of residence of the vehicle owners to addresses in Illinois, the owners of the vehicles were able to evade paying the appropriate taxes and license fees to the Department of Revenue for the State of Missouri. When Hinton removed the names of financial institutions which had financed the purchases of the vehicles from legitimate titles, Hinton, Arronda Williams and others were able to sell the vehicles to innocent purchasers who were then unable to register the vehicles due to existing liens. The final aspect of the scheme enabled individuals to use the altered documents to obtain motor vehicle title loans from companies located throughout the United States. As a result of existing liens or the fact that the value of the vehicles was less than the defendants represented, the title loan companies experienced large financial losses.
In a superseding indictment filed last week, Hinton, St. Louis, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to defraud, three felony counts of mail fraud, three felony counts of interstate transportation of falsely made securities, two felony counts of aggravated identity theft and one felony count of making a false statement. Arronda Williams, St. Louis, was charged in a separate indictment by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to defraud, two felony counts of mail fraud, two felony counts of wire fraud, two felony counts of pledging falsely made securities and one felony count of aggravated identity theft
The following co-defendants were also indicted by a federal grand jury last week on related charges. The indictments were sealed until earlier today:
- BRYNESHA HINTON, St. Louis, Missouri
- KELITA OZIER, St. Louis, Missouri
- MARQUITA STALLINGS, St. Louis, Missouri
- CATHERINE CRAWFORD, St. Louis, Missouri
- ROBERT WILLIAMS, St. Louis, Missouri
- JUSTINE CARTER, St. Louis, Missouri
- KIERA HALL, St. Louis, Missouri
- TY'ANDRA WILLIAMS, St. Louis, Missouri
- ESSICA GRIFFIN, St. Louis, Missouri
- NADAUNTE BROWN, St. Louis, Missouri
- DAVON STEWART, St. Louis, Missouri
If convicted, these charges carry a penalty range of up to 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 Postal Inspection Service, Missouri Department of Revenue, Illinois Secretary of State, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Collects over $2,350,216.67 in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2014Read the Press Release
SPOKANE – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that his office collected $2,350,216.67 in civil and criminal actions in the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2014. Of this amount, Mr. Ormsby’s office collected $1,546,303.16 in criminal cases and $803,913.51 in civil actions.
United States Attorney General Eric Holder announced on November 19, 2014 that the Justice Department collected $24.7 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2014. The more than $24 billion in collections in FY 2014 represents nearly eight and a half times the appropriated $2.91 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
“Every day, the Justice Department’s federal prosecutors and trial attorneys work hard to protect our citizens, to safeguard precious taxpayer resources, and to provide a valuable return on investment to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder. “Their diligent efforts are enabling us to achieve justice and recoup losses in virtually every sector of the U.S. economy. And this result shows the fruits of the Justice Department’s tireless work in enforcing federal laws; in protecting the American people from violent crime, national security threats, discrimination, exploitation, and abuse; and in holding financial institutions accountable for their roles in causing the 2008 financial crisis.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department of Justice’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Michael C. Ormsby stated, “The United States Attorney’s Office’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also to deliver a valuable return to the taxpayer. Attorneys and staff in my office are fully committed to collecting funds owed to victims of crime and to agencies of the federal government through on-going efforts to collect restitution from criminals, debts owed to agencies of the federal government for money borrowed or fines levied and money from government contractors and others who are found to have defrauded the government. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to prioritize its collection efforts, particularly in these tight financial times.”
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Of further note, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $ 667,936.00 in asset-forfeiture actions during Fiscal Year 2014. In aggregate, the Department of Justice collected $4,531,566,571.00 in such actions during the same time period. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Texas Man Sentenced to 183 Months for Violent Kidnapping of Gay ManRead the Press Release
Court Finds Defendant Acted Because of Victim’s Sexual Orientation
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, and the FBI’s Dallas Division Office announced that Brice Johnson, 19, of Springtown, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court to 183 months imprisonment for kidnapping a young gay man after luring the victim to his home and brutally assaulting him because of his sexual orientation.
Johnson admitted in plea documents that, in the early morning hours of September 2, 2013, he connected with the adult male victim, identified as A.K., through the cell phone application for www.MeetMe.com. A.K.’s www.MeetMe.com page indicated he was a gay man, while Johnson’s web page indicated he was not gay. During their online communications, Johnson said that he was interested in engaging in sexual activity with A.K. Johnson invited A.K. to his home, gave A.K. his cell phone number and address, and exchanged text messages planning their sexual encounter. Just a few minutes after A.K. arrived at the house, Johnson severely beat him and bound A.K.’s wrists with an electrical cord.
After the beating, Johnson locked the victim in the trunk of his own car and drove the car to a family friend’s house. Individuals at the home repeatedly warned Johnson that he had to take A.K. to the hospital or they would call the police. Johnson eventually transported A.K. to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station in Springtown. A.K. was found to have suffered multiple skull and facial fractures from the beating, which required the victim to be hospitalized for ten days. Johnson admitted that he saved A.K.’s cell phone number using a gay slur as the contact name.
During the plea hearing, Johnson admitted that he held and confined the victim against his will in order to conceal the violent assault and to remove A.K’s severely injured body from the home where Johnson was a long-term houseguest. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor found that the kidnapping was perpetrated by the defendant because of the victim’s sexual orientation.
“Using violence against another person because of his sexual orientation will not be condoned,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for the Civil Rights Division. “The department will continue to work with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute hate crimes.”
“Quite simply, hate crimes of any nature will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. “Prosecutions under this law are important to ensure all people in our community know they have the full protection of the law. I commend not only the victim for his continued cooperation throughout this investigation, but our law enforcement partners including the FBI, the Springtown Police Department and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, who worked tirelessly in this case to ensure our hate crime laws are strictly enforced.”
“The FBI is committed to thoroughly investigating violent crimes of this nature, and will continue to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to ensure justice for victims of these crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez of the FBI’s Dallas Division Office.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Springtown Police Department, and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cara Foos Pierce and Trial Attorney Saeed Mody of the Civil Rights Division.
Springfield Man Sentenced for $1.3 Million K2 ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1.3 million of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2.
Travis E. Butchee, also known as “Donkey,” 38, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to seven years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Butchee to forfeit to the government $1,354,034, which represents the proceeds of the mail fraud conspiracy and for which Butchee is jointly and severally liable with his co-defendants.
On Oct. 15, 2013, Butchee pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering. Butchee admitted that he conspired with others between March 1, 2011, and June 24, 2013, to defraud the Food and Drug Administration and to defraud the public by falsely representing that a number of synthetic cannabinoid products were “incense” or “potpourri” and “not for human consumption.” In reality, Butchee admitted, these substances contained compounds that were intended for human consumption as a drug.
Based upon the invoices, ledgers, and product seizures by law enforcement, this conspiracy was responsible for the manufacture and/or distribution of at least 188.14038 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoid products.
Co-defendant Michael J. Saguto, 44, of Kirbyville, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the same two conspiracy charges. Co-defendant Christian L. Turner, 46, of Kirbyville, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison without parole. Turner pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue and to being a felon in possession of firearms.
In a separate but related case, Butchee’s wife, Victoria A. Butchee, also known as Victoria A. Wohlin, 29, of Springfield, also has pleaded guilty to her role in the mail fraud conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
Travis Butchee opened The Man Cave, a retail business at 1927 S.Glenstone in Springfield, in February 2013. Travis Butchee and Saguto are the owners of Southern Spice, LLC and Saguto is the owner of Blues Away, a head shop and novelty store in Memphis, Tenn. Turner was employed by Saguto at Blues Away.
Plea agreements for both Travis Butchee and Saguto cite a number of transactions in which materials used to manufacture and distribute synthetic cannabinoids were shipped via UPS or FedEx to members of the conspiracy – including controlled substance analogues (synthetic chemical compounds similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), green leafy substances which served as carrier media, labels that were affixed to packages of “Donkey Punch,” “Jolly Grape Giant,” “South of the Tracks,” “Baby Face,” “Scarface,” “Hillbilly Hay,” and other synthetic cannabinoid products, and foil and plastic packaging bags.
Travis Butchee and Saguto also admitted that they conducted financial transactions that involved the proceeds of the unlawful mail fraud conspiracy. They conspired to wire funds to the People’s Republic of China in order to carry out the conspiracy.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, COMET (Combined Ozarks Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.Sevenson Environmental Services Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.72 Million to Settle Claims of Alleged Bid-Rigging and KickbacksRead the Press Release
Sevenson Environmental Services Inc., an environmental remediation firm based in Niagara Falls, New York, has agreed to pay more than $2.72 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Act by accepting kickbacks, rigging bids and passing inflated charges to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in connection with work performed at the Federal Creosote Superfund Site in Manville, New Jersey, the Department of Justice announced today. Sevenson was the prime contractor responsible for the cleanup of the Federal Creosote Site, which was funded by the EPA.
“The integrity of the public procurement process is severely undermined when federal contractors engage in anticompetitive contracting practices for their own personal gain,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General August E. Flentje for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will hold those accountable who abuse their positions at the public’s expense.”
“EPA is vigilant to ensure that the type of fraud perpetrated by Sevenson employees at Federal Creosote is not tolerated and that federal funds are recovered,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Sevenson solicited and accepted more than $1.6 million in kickbacks from six companies in exchange for the award of subcontracts for work at the Federal Creosote Site. It also resolves allegations that Sevenson conspired with the subcontractors to pass the majority of those kickbacks to the EPA and that it conspired with one subcontractor to pass to the EPA additional inflated charges for soil disposal.
This case was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, with assistance from the New York Field Office of the department’s Antitrust Division, the EPA Region 2, the EPA’s Office of the General Counsel and the Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
- Septuagenarian Sent to Prison for Two Child Pornography Charges
San Diego Realtor Sentenced for Commercial Sex with 13-year-old GirlRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – San Diego realtor Michael E. Lustig was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for prostitution-related crimes, including his admissions that he paid for sex with a 13-year-old girl on several occasions.
Lustig, 71, was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2013 and pleaded guilty in July. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez.
According to court records, Lustig was first contacted in June of 2012 by San Diego Sheriff's deputies during an operation targeting customers of prostitution in the Encinitas area. At the time that Lustig was arrested, deputies seized two cellular telephones which led to information that he had been in contact with two minor females.
Interviews with the minors conducted by FBI Agents and San Diego Sheriff’s Deputies during a joint investigation revealed that Lustig had contacted them separately to engage in commercial sex activity. One of the minors was 11 years old at the time that sexual activity began with Lustig, and the other was 13 years of age. According to court records, surveillance video from a motel in El Cajon, California, showed Lustig entering a motel room with one of the minors and emerging 43 minutes later.
According to court records, Lustig had contacted the minors multiple times over a span of multiple months. Interviews with the minors confirmed that Lustig, known to them as “George,” had paid them for sexual activity and that at least one of the minors had identified herself as a minor.
In the plea agreement, Lustig admitted that he used a cellular telephone to contact the 13-year-old minor on multiple occasions between at least October 2011 and June 2012, seeking to engage in commercial sex activity. Lustig admitted that he thereafter engaged in commercial sex activity with the minor, paying the minor in return for sexual activity.
For example, according to the plea agreement, Lustig admitted that on October 15, 2011, he wrote the minor, asking, “Hey, is the bookstore open? I'm in desperate need of books rite now.” Lustig admitted in court that he was using code for commercial sex activity. On November 11, 2011, Lustig wrote the same minor, “U free sometime in the next 2 hours?” and “Any chance for library in 35 min, @ 7:15?”
Similarly, on June 8, 2012, Lustig wrote the minor simply “Bookstore?” meaning that he wanted to establish a date for commercial sex activity.
“Michael Lustig victimized the most vulnerable population in our community – children – and today he was brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “We will do everything in our power to protect children from predators.”
“This investigation serves as another example of how seamless law enforcement is in San Diego County when it comes to those who prey on the vulnerable," commented San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore. “We will offer any resources available to protect our children.”
“Michael Lustig, a sexual predator, is off the streets today because of the dedicated work of the San Diego law enforcement community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge, Eric S. Birnbaum. “The FBI remains dedicated to protecting our children from sexual predators and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make our cities a safer place for all of our children to live and succeed.”
DEFENDANT Case Number: 13CR3921-BEN Michael Lustig Age: 71 Rancho Santa Fe, California CHARGESThree counts of Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1952(a) Maximum Penalty: Five years per count, 15 years total; 3 years supervised release.
INVESTIGATING AGENCYSan Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Federal Bureau of InvestigationSacramento Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Berghuis, 42, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme in the Sacramento area that defrauded family members, friends, and other acquaintances of more than $2.7 million, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
On October 18, 2013, a jury convicted Berghuis of four counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. According to evidence presented at trial, between 2005 and 2008, Berghuis convinced certain investors to take out home‑equity loans to make their investments. Berghuis promised these investors he would use their money to invest in hard-money loans, real estate transactions, or the purchase of real estate franchises. He also offered several victims a deed of trust on his commercial property, promising each that they would be in second position on the title.
In fact, Berghuis used investors’ money to pay back other investors and to buy himself luxury goods, including several Mercedes Benz cars. Berghuis purchased a top of the line S65 Mercedes Benz worth more than $200,000 by signing over a check that he had received from an investor earlier the same day. He then made a series of excuses to the investors as to why he could not pay them back on the promised dates. Some victims lost their homes or continue to pay on mortgages they took out to make their investments with Berghuis.
“Ponzi schemes like this one are devastating to the victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators of such schemes is one of our highest priorities,” U.S. Attorney Wagner said. “This office will continue to work closely with the FBI and IRS CI to root out fraudsters, and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“This is a case about lying, cheating, and stealing,” Acting IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon said. “In a three-year period, Berghuis defrauded family, friends and trusting investors out of millions of dollars. Today‘s sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes, promotes respect for the law and provides just punishment.”
“Today’s sentence should send a message to both investors and the criminals who often prey upon the victims. Berghuis’ victims lost homes and savings to an elaborate Ponzi scheme disguised as an investment opportunity,” said Special Agent in Charge Monica Miller of the Sacramento FBI. “The FBI continues to work with our law enforcement and business partners to identify and investigate fraudsters whose greed-based schemes rob individuals of their hard-earned savings and assets.”
In sentencing Berghuis to 14 years in prison, United States District Judge William B. Shubb commented that Berghuis preyed upon his family, friends and others and that they continue to suffer the consequences. Judge Shubb stated that Berghuis had “no conscience” and that rather than the giver Berghuis claimed to be, he was a “taker.” Judge Shubb explained that there was a need to deter Berghuis and others like him from perpetrating similar fraud schemes.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Todd A. Pickles prosecuted the case.
Ridgeway Felon Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Violating Federal Gun LawsRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in jail and ordered to forfeit firearms involved in the offenses on his conviction of conspiracy to possess firearms by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Francis Anthony Milliard, 57.
According to information presented to the court, Milliard entered into a conspiracy with David Allen Blashaw in order for Milliard to possess firearms while being a convicted felon.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Milliard.
Previously Convicted Middleburg Sexual Predator Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Orlando Justino Gomez (55, Middleburg) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography. The court also ordered him to serve a seven-year term of supervision upon completion of his prison sentence. Gomez, who is already a registered sexual predator as the result of a prior state conviction for attempted capital sexual battery, was also ordered to register as a sexual offender pursuant to federal law. He pleaded guilty on July 18, 2014.
According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, on June 10, 2014, Gomez was found to be in possession of multiple images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diidri Robinson.
It was 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 the 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 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Parker County, Texas, Man Sentenced to 183 Months in Federal Prison for Violent Kidnapping of Gay ManRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, and the FBI’s Dallas Division Office announced that Brice Johnson, 19, of Springtown, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court to 183 months imprisonment for kidnapping a young gay man after luring the victim to his home and brutally assaulting him because of his sexual orientation.
Johnson admitted in plea documents that, in the early morning hours of September 2, 2013, he connected with the adult male victim, identified as A.K., through the cell phone application for www.MeetMe.com A.K.’s www.MeetMe.com page indicated he was a gay man, while Johnson’s web page indicated he was not gay. During their online communications, Johnson said that he was interested in engaging in sexual activity with A.K. Johnson invited A.K. to his home, gave A.K. his cell phone number and address, and exchanged text messages planning their sexual encounter. Just a few minutes after A.K. arrived at the house, Johnson severely beat him and bound A.K.’s wrists with an electrical cord.
After the beating, Johnson locked the victim in the trunk of his own car and drove the car to a family friend’s house. Individuals at the home repeatedly warned Johnson that he had to take A.K. to the hospital or they would call the police. Johnson eventually transported A.K. to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station in Springtown. A.K. was found to have suffered multiple skull and facial fractures from the beating, which required the victim to be hospitalized for ten days. Johnson admitted that he saved A.K.’s cell phone number using a gay slur as the contact name.
During the plea hearing, Johnson admitted that he held and confined the victim against his will in order to conceal the violent assault and to remove A.K’s severely injured body from the home where Johnson was a long-term houseguest. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor found that the kidnapping was perpetrated by the defendant because of the victim’s sexual orientation.
“Using violence against another person because of his sexual orientation will not be condoned,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for the Civil Rights Division. “The department will continue to work with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute hate crimes.”
“Quite simply, hate crimes of any nature will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. “Prosecutions under this law are important to ensure all people in our community know they have the full protection of the law. I commend not only the victim for his continued cooperation throughout this investigation, but our law enforcement partners including the FBI, the Springtown Police Department and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, who worked tirelessly in this case to ensure our hate crime laws are strictly enforced.”
“The FBI is committed to thoroughly investigating violent crimes of this nature, and will continue to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to ensure justice for victims of these crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez of the FBI’s Dallas Division Office.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Springtown Police Department, and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cara Foos Pierce and Trial Attorney Saeed Mody of the Civil Rights Division.
Oxford Man Sentenced to 146 Months for Hobbs Act Robbery and Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced SHAQUAN DONDREL MANSON , 19, of Oxford to 146 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. The court also imposed a fine.
MANSON was named in an Indictment filed on January 21, 2014, charging him with Conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act Robbery, a Hobbs Act Robbery and Aiding and Abetting; and Using, Carrying, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. On July 10, 2014, MANSON pled guilty to the Hobbs Act Robbery and to Carrying, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm during and in relation to a Crime of Violence.
According to the investigation, on July 7, 2013, MANSON and an accomplice entered Bowen’s Mini Mart located in Oxford, North Carolina, wearing ski masks and possessing handguns. Upon entering the store, the robbers ordered the customers and the store clerk to lie on the ground. One customer was kicked in the side. Manson then walked behind the counter, pointed his firearm at the clerk’s head, and ordered her to stand up and open the cash registers. The clerk complied, and provided MANSON with $2,500 in U.S. currency. MANSON then directed the clerk to lie on the ground with the customers. MANSON and his accomplice then fled the scene. After MANSON exited the store, he fired his weapon once towards the store. The discharged round struck the front door of the business.
On or about August 10, 2013, MANSON was arrested in Person County, North Carolina. MANSON had in his possession, at arrest, a backpack containing ski masks and gloves, and a firearm in his pants. In a subsequent interview with investigators, MANSON admitted to robbing Bowen’s Mini Mart and to possessing a firearm during the robbery.
This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted the case for the government.
Owner of "Luitie's Lair" Sentenced to 40 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Lutgarda Mueller, 65, of Gloucester, Virginia, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a fine of $5000.00, and forfeiture of more than $500,000.00 in illegal proceeds for participating in a conspiracy to distribute drug analogues and launder money.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.
Mueller pleaded guilty on August 4, 2014. According to court documents, Mueller, also known as “Lutie,” owned a store known as Luite’s Lair in Gloucester. She was selling “Spice” from the store over a period of years. At the time of her arrest she was found to have $600,000 in cash in her house. During the sentencing hearing, Gloucester Sherriff Darryl Warren testified that Lutie’s Lair was one of five stores selling “Spice” in Gloucester County in 2012. During 2012 and 2013 the Gloucester County Sherriff’s Office received over 600 calls for service related to “Spice.” Of those, 83 were calls to Lutie’s Lair. Sherriff Warren went on to testify that “Spice” related calls for service in 2012 and 2013 created an “unsustainable strain” on his office’s ability to serve the Gloucester Community. He concluded by noting that with the five stores, including Lutie’s Lair, being out of business, the calls for service related to “Spice” have decreased to virtually zero.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the Virginia State Police and the Gloucester Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt prosecuted the case
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:14-cr-7.
Ohio Man Sentenced for Extorting More Than $1,000,000 in Stolen MoneyRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs SpecialistWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Kirkland Weese, 31, of East Liverpool, Ohio, will serve 63 months in prison for his role in extorting more than $1,000,000.00 from a former Bethany College employee, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
An investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department revealed that Weese exchanged sexually explicit text messages and photographs with a female employee of Bethany College who was embezzling money from the school. Weese then threatened to disclose the female employee’s theft and the illicit relationship. He used the messages and photographs along with threats of physical force to coerce the female employee into giving him large amounts of the stolen money. Weese and his wife used the embezzled funds to make a variety of luxury purchases, including a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro.
Weese pled guilty in June 2014 to one count of “Extortion Conspiracy” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Money Laundering.” He was sentenced to 63 months on each count, to be served concurrently for a total of 63 months in prison.
As part of the sentence, Weese was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,037,398.52. He will also forfeit nearly $700,000.00, a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro along with certain aftermarket accessories, a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, a 2013 Honda TRX90X all-terrain vehicle, and a Toro Timecutter MX4260 lawnmower.
U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Chief U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Northwest MO Man Sentenced after Thousands of Child Porn Images Found on ComputerRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Newtown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today on charges related to Internet child pornography.
Nicholas Alex Dickinson, 32, of Newtown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 3, 2014, Dickinson pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet, attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet and possessing child pornography. Dickinson admitted that he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to collect and share child pornography over the Internet.
On July 18, 2012, a detective with the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department began an investigation relating to the downloading of child pornography files from a list of computers identified by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Dickinson’s residence on May 2, 2013. Officers seized a laptop computer, an external hard drive and other computer media during their search. A forensic examination of the computer and computer media determined that Dickinson had saved more than 7,000 images and/or video files of child pornography, in addition to more than 5,000 animation/cartoon files depicting child pornography, more than 2,000 images of child erotica (modeling images), 67 “naturist” videos, four images and two videos of minors depicting bestiality and/or bondage and four documents of written stories related to sexual activity involving children.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department, the Sullivan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Norristown Man Charged in Child Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
Robert Wendell Landis, 29, of Norristown, Pennsylvania was charged by superseding indictment, unsealed today, with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roberta Benjamin.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525Newman Drug Gang Member Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Leroy Lumpkin Wilson, also known as Brian Knowles and B. K., 33, of Lexington, Kentucky, pled guilty in federal court in Huntington today to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin. Wilson admitted that between as early as 2010 and January 20, 2014, he worked as a drug courier for Mark Silverburg, a drug supplier for Kenneth Newman, also known as “K-Kutta.” Wilson transported cocaine from around Lexington to Huntington for Newman. Wilson also carried payments for the cocaine from Newman to Silverburg.
On January 8, 2014, Wilson brought approximately $6,800 from Newman’s residence on Artisan Avenue in Huntington to Silverburg in Kentucky. On January 9, 2014, Silverburg instructed Wilson to travel from Lexington to Newman’s residence in Huntington. Prior to that drive, Silverburg placed a brown paper bag in the trunk of the car Wilson was driving. Once Wilson arrived at Newman’s residence, Newman took two plastic bags full of cocaine out of the brown paper bag. Wilson estimated the total weight of the cocaine to be between 6 and 9 ounces.
Wilson also performed construction work on rental property owned by George Newman, Kenneth Newman’s brother. Wilson was paid in cash and in heroin for the work performed. George Newman instructed Wilson to pay his workers in heroin.
Silverburg, the Newman brothers, and seven other defendants have pled guilty to various charges stemming from the year-long investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Huntington Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The investigation revealed that in addition to cocaine and heroin, members of the Newman conspiracy were responsible for distributing oxycodone, crack cocaine, morphine, MDMA, known on the street as “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” and marijuana.
Wilson faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on February 23, 2015.
The 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 prescription drugs and heroin. 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 and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
New York City Woman Sentenced to Almost Two Years for Oxycodone TraffickingRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ebony
Howard, 29, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor by
Chief Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Howard pled guilty on June 4, 2014.Court records reveal that on March 15, 2013, the defendant and William Waters were encountered by officers with the Waterville Police Department who had information that Waters and Howard were travelling with a large number oxycodone tablets. Howard and Waters were driven to police headquarters where officers seized 645 oxycodone 30 mg tablets from
Howard. At sentencing, Howard was identified as a courier for Waters, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday. Waters worked closely with central Maine drug dealer, Maurice
McCray, who is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow.
The case was investigated by the Waterville Police Department, with assistance from the
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROME T. WALKER, also known as “Ratchet,” 26, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 14, 2014, officers from the New Haven Police Department conducted a traffic stop of WALKER, who was driving with a suspended license, in the vicinity of Norton Street and Elm Street. After initially pulling over, WALKER accelerated from the scene at high rate of speed. A short time later, New Haven and Hamden Police officers found WALKER’s vehicle parked at a residence on Warner Street in Hamden. Officers then observed WALKER walking in front of the residence and he was placed under arrest. In the vicinity, officers found a duffel bag containing a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a set of car keys belonging to the vehicle that WALKER had been driving.
WALKER has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
WALKER has been detained since his arrest. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on February 17, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Laraia.
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(203) 821-3722 [email protected]Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced in Stolen Identity Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Brian McGlamery, Acting Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director, State of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity, announce that Louidji Joseph, 31, of Miami Gardens, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King to 48 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Joseph was furthered ordered to pay $56,042 in restitution.
Joseph previously entered a plea of guilty to one count of fraudulent possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).
According to court records, from December 13, 2013 through April 29, 2014, the State of Florida unemployment insurance claims of more than 100 victims were accessed online from Joseph’s residence using the victims’ personally identifying information (“PII”), including their names and social security numbers. A federal search warrant was obtained for Joseph’s residence, and was executed on May 14, 2014. On that date, law enforcement discovered hundreds of pieces of PII inside the residence. In a post-Miranda statement, Joseph admitted the PII belonged to him, and further admitted he filed and collected fraudulent unemployment claims. The amount of the intended loss resulting from Joseph’s offense is $480,000; in total, $56,042 was paid out in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims as a direct result of Joseph’s actions.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations and State of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie R. Galvin.
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.
Medical Lake, Washington Man Sentenced to Twenty Years in Federal Prison for Production and Distribution of Child Pornography ImagesRead the Press Release
SPOKANE – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that James Gene Poindexter, age 26, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today after having previously pleaded guilty on September 2, 2014 to Production and Distribution of Child Pornography. Senior United States District Court Judge Justin L. Quackenbush sentenced Poindexter to a twenty year term of imprisonment -- fifteen years for Production of Child Pornography and five years for Distribution of Child Pornography, to be served consecutively. Poindexter’s twenty year sentence of imprisonment will be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. Poindexter is required to register as a sex offender.
According to court records, in October and November 2013, Microsoft made three separate CyberTip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. As a result, the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that Poindexter had distributed child pornography images via the Internet. In March of 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at Poindexter’s residence in Medical Lake, Washington. Poindexter’s computer and cellular telephone were seized. A forensic examination of these electronic devices revealed that Poindexter was in possession of over 600 child pornography images. Poindexter confessed to the production of child pornography and to molesting several minors. As a result of this investigation, on September 25, 2014 Poindexter also pleaded guilty in Spokane County Superior Court to: Rape of a Child in the Third Degree; Third Degree Child Molestation; and Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes. Sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2014 on these Washington State charges.
Michael C. Ormsby said, “I commend the outstanding investigative work in this case by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and FBI. This egregious case is yet another example of the exemplary working partnership between state and federal law enforcement officers in the Eastern District of Washington. Make no mistake, the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington is and will continue to be committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for child pornography crimes.”
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States 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.
The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
- Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
- Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
- Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
- Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
- Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Stephanie J. Lister, an Assistant United States Attorney and PSC Coordinator for the Eastern District of Washington.CR-14-00044-JLQ
McKean Inmate Sentenced to Extra Prison Time for Possessing Pot, Oxy in PrisonRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 24 months in jail on his conviction of possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Jarrid Brewer, 25.
According to information presented to the court, from in and around April 2013, to in and around May 2013, Brewer was in possession of contraband, namely, marijuana and oxycodone hydrochloride.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Brewer.
Martinsburg Resident Convicted of Crack Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs SpecialistMARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Martinsburg, West Virginia resident Jomo Kenyatta Morris, 25, was convicted of crack cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
Morris pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” after an investigation by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.
Morris faces 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Marshall County MHIT “Blitz” Targets Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs SpecialistMOUNDSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA – Leaders from the Mountaineer Highway Interdiction Team (MHIT) announced today that as part of a law enforcement initiative to actively combat drug trafficking, authorities executed a successful “Blitz,” or saturation patrol, in Marshall County, West Virginia between November 13 and November 14, 2014.
Representatives from the West Virginia State Police, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Glen Dale Police Department, and the Moundsville Police Department recently expanded MHIT operations into Marshall County. The underlying goal of MHIT is to impede the flow of illegal drugs into and through the State of West Virginia. MHIT largely targets highways and state routes, but also concentrates on airports, bus terminals, hotels, motels and parcel and package interdiction.
Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil is “proud of the collaborative and well-orchestrated law enforcement effort to strategically address drug abuse in Marshall County. By dedicating additional resources to patrolling public highways, we enhance our ability to quickly recognize and respond to drug trafficking activities as they unfold.”
On November 13, officers executed arrest warrants resulting in 13 felony arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests for charges ranging from drug trafficking and larceny to battery and fraud. Authorities also apprehended a fugitive from justice and seized 1.5 pounds of marijuana and $1,000.00 in United States currency. The highway interdiction efforts on November 14 culminated in the arrest of four individuals on misdemeanor drug charges and the seizure of prescription pills.
“By increasing the presence of law enforcement officers along heavily traveled roadways, we can aggressively and efficiently target drug trafficking operations,” said West Virginia State Police Captain James Merrill. “Highway interdiction increases the pressure on drug dealers to move their operations elsewhere, ultimately making our communities stronger and safer.”
Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPOKANE – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Joshua Nicholas Higgins, age 25, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, was sentenced today after having previously pleaded guilty of Production of Child Pornography. Senior United States District Court Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Higgins to a fifteen year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. Higgins is required to register as a sex offender. At today’s sentencing hearing Judge Nielsen described Higgins as a predator, whose conduct warranted the lengthy sentence and the life time of supervision.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in October 2012, Higgins, a New Jersey resident, began communicating electronically and through Skype with a young teenage girl in Kennewick, Washington. Higgins enticed the girl to engage in sexual acts, and images of those acts were transmitted from Washington State to New Jersey over the Internet. In May 2013, Higgins moved to Kennewick and had sexual intercourse with the young girl numerous times. Additional pornographic images of the girl were produced and transmitted electronically. Higgins was arrested in August 2013 and admitted his criminal conduct.
Michael C. Ormsby said, “The safety of our children is paramount to safe communities in the Eastern District of Washington. Prosecuting criminals who produce, distribute, and / or possess child pornography is a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington. My Office, together with its Federal and state law enforcement partners, is and will continue to be committed to investigating, prosecuting, and seeking appropriate punishment for child pornography crimes.”
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States 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.The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
- Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
- Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
- Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
- Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
- Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This investigation was conducted by the Kennewick Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.4:14-CR-6034-WFN
Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Fema After Massachusetts Tornado in 2011Read the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Gregory K. Null, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, announced that ROBBIE ROSSI, 42, formerly of Massachusetts and Nevada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraudulently obtaining disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to court documents and statements made in court, a severe storm and tornado outbreak struck central Massachusetts on June 1, 2011. After a Presidential Declaration authorized FEMA to provide disaster relief funds to local residents, ROSSI obtained more than $12,000 in disaster relief benefits by falsely representing that he lived at a residence on New Bridge Street in West Springfield, Mass., that had been damaged by the storm. As part of the scheme, ROSSI provided FEMA with false documentation of rent payments he claimed to have paid in the months following the storm. Between August 2011 and April 2013, ROSSI received payments at various addresses that he supplied to FEMA, including a residence in Enfield, Conn.
ROSSI was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,718.60.
ROSSI has been detained since his arrest on January 14, 2014. On June 24, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, Las Vegas Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 [email protected]Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on A Federal Officer in Va Hospital Shooting IncidentRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Charles Jobe, 54, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to one count of assault on a federal officer, a misdemeanor in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a), announced Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware.
Jobe admitted to pointing an inoperable BB gun at several VA police officers at the Wilmington Veterans Administration Medical Center on June 6, 2014. The BB gun looked very similar to a handgun. Jobe did not comply with officers’ commands to drop his weapon, at which point an officer fired two shots at Jobe, one of which grazed his hand. Jobe was then taken into custody, where he received treatment for a small abrasion to his hand and was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility for a week. After his release from the psychiatric facility, Jobe was transported to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he has been detained ever since, pending the above federal charge.In a post-arrest statement, the defendant said that he was depressed, that he wanted to end his life, and that the above conduct was an attempt to commit suicide by having a police officer shoot him to death.
United States Magistrate Judge Sherry R. Fallon scheduled a sentencing hearing for January 15, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. Jobe faces a maximum penalty of 1 year imprisonment, 1 year of supervised release, a fine of $100,000, and a special assessment of $25.
The case was investigated by the Wilmington Field Office of the FBI and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Criminal Investigations Division, Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. Van Pelt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.Man Convicted of Armed Robbery of East St. Louis Pawn Shop and Armed Robbery of Belleville Liquor Store Case Is One of Many Brought as A Result of the United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton’s Metro-East Armed Robbery InitiativeRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsUnited States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton announced today that Timothy R. Collier, 48, of Centreville, Illinois was convicted in the United States District Court on November 12, 2014, of all five charges for the armed robbery and shooting of an East St. Louis pawn shop owner that occurred on April 25, 2013, and the robbery of a Belleville liquor store that occurred three months later on July 12, 2013. The verdict was announced after a six-day jury trial.
According to Court documents, Collier was indicted on November 20, 2013 with Interference with Commerce by Robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”), Carry and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm in connection with the armed robbery of East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan as well as with Interference with Commerce by Robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”) and Carry and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in connection with the armed robbery of Arena Liquor in Belleville. Collier pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Trial commenced on November 3, 2014. United States Attorney Wigginton has made use of several federal statutes in his initiative to curb the violent armed robberies occurring in the metro-east.
Evidence presented at trial established that on April 25, 2013, Collier entered the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan armed with a silver revolver and pointed it at the owner of the business. As the owner reached for his own firearm in defense of himself, Collier fired several shots from his revolver which struck the owner in the hand, shoulder and chest, causing him to fall to the counter. Collier then stood on top of the counter, pointed the revolver to the back of the owner’s head directly behind his ear and fired a final shot. As a result of the shooting, the store owner is paralyzed and wheelchair-bound for life. Collier took hundreds of women’s rings and other items of jewelry, as well as cash and a .357 revolver belonging to the store owner. Although Collier was not immediately apprehended, the entire robbery and shooting was recorded on the store’s video surveillance which captured Collier’s face during the robbery and as he fled the store.
Three months later, on July 12, 2013, Collier conspired with his niece, Charmonequette Reynolds, and another associate, Roderick Taylor, to rob Arena Liquor in Belleville, Illinois. Reynolds, acting as the getaway driver, drove Collier and Taylor in her gold Grand Am to an area near Arena Liquor where the two men exited the vehicle armed with a silver revolver and a black and silver .40 caliber handgun. Collier and Taylor entered Arena Liquor, pointed the two firearms at the two individuals working in the store and demanded all of the money from the cash registers. Collier and Taylor left the liquor store with a large sum of United States currency and a cell phone belonging to one of the victims, returned to the getaway vehicle, and the three fled from the scene.
A witness driving near Arena Liquor noticed Collier and Taylor running from the store and followed them as they ran several blocks to the getaway vehicle. The witness recorded the license plates of Reynolds’ gold Grand Am and gave the number to Belleville Police officers. Reynolds was identified and apprehended within hours of the robbery. During a recorded interview, Reynolds admitted her involvement in the planning and participation in the armed robbery of Arena Liquor and identified Collier and Roderick Taylor as the two gunmen. Roderick Taylor was arrested later that same day and also admitted during a recorded interview to his participation in the armed robbery of Arena Liquor and identified Collier as the second gun man.
In recorded interviews of Reynolds and Taylor, both individuals identified Collier as the person seen in the surveillance video committing the robbery and shooting at the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan on April 25, 2013. Reynolds and Taylor both testified that Collier had told them details about the robbery and shooting that occurred at the East St. Louis pawn shop and Reynolds testified that the day before the robbery she had agreed to be Collier’s getaway driver but was unable to follow through she was arrested that morning. Evidence at trial also included the testimony of Collier’s step-son, who testified that Collier had asked him to participate in the robbery of the East St. Louis pawn shop, which he refused, and that Collier admitted to him that he shot the owner during the robbery after a struggle at the counter. Collier’s step-son also testified that Collier attempted to sell him the .357 revolver Collier stole from the store owner. The silver revolver and the black and silver .40 caliber handgun used to commit the two robberies were recovered by law enforcement after Collier’s girlfriend admitted that she gave the two guns to two of Collier’s childhood friends to hide after Collier’s arrest. The silver revolver Collier used in the robbery and shooting of the owner of the East St. Louis pawn shop was turned over to law enforcement officers by Collier’s best friend who admitted during trial that he had been hiding the gun for Collier. Forensic analysis of the silver revolver performed by the Illinois State Police Forensic Crime Laboratory revealed a ballistic match to a bullet recovered from the crime scene of the East St. Louis pawn shop shooting. Analysis of the barrel of the silver revolver also revealed a DNA match to the victim of the shooting, unquestionably linking the firearm to the robbery of the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan.
Collier is facing a term in prison of up to 20 years on each violation of the Hobbs Act. Collier also faces a minimum term in prison of 10 years up to a maximum term of Life for the conviction on Carry and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence for the armed robbery of the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan, which must be served consecutive to, meaning in addition to, any term of imprisonment imposed on the Hobbs Act violations. Additionally, for Collier’s conviction for a second offense of Carry and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence for the armed robbery of Arena Liquor, Collier faces a minimum term in prison of 25 years up to a maximum of Life, consecutive to the term of imprisonment imposed on the other four counts of conviction. In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, Collier can be fined up to $250,000 on each count and sentenced to a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Belleville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the East St. Louis Police Department as part of the Metro East Armed Robbery Initiative. The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Ali Summers and Steven Weinhoeft.
Long Island Man Sentenced for Engaging in A Multi-State Scheme to Steal Victims’ Retirement SavingsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, defendant Alexander Swanson, 49, was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration for engaging in a wire fraud scheme to steal the retirement savings of individuals in New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere. “Swanson also forfeited more than $3 million in ill-gotten gains and was preliminarily ordered to pay more than $2.8 million in restitution to his victims.” According to court filings and facts presented during the sentencing proceeding, Swanson misrepresented his job, background, and investment experience to his victims, and then provided the victims with false reports touting his investments’ performance. These misrepresentations fraudulently induced the victims to invest with Swanson, who stole and squandered their retirement savings for his own benefit, including gambling his victims’ savings on sporting events.
The sentence was 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).
“Swanson gambled that a false persona, lying about his job, background, and investment expertise would be enough in order to bilk unsuspecting individuals out of their hard earned retirement savings. While the fake Swanson promised them secure investments and gambled their money away, the real Swanson today received the only payout his actions deserve: a significant jail sentence,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “I would like to thank our partners at the FBI for their hard work on this important investigation.”
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher A. Ott.
The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Denis R. Hurley at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York.
This prosecution was the result of efforts 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. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit http://www.StopFraud.gov.
The Defendant:
ALEXANDER SWANSON
Age: 52
Smithtown, NY
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 13-CR-221
Lincoln County Drug Dealer Sentenced in Federal Court for Selling OxycodoneRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Christopher D. Norman, 34, of Ranger, West Virginia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for his involvement in the distribution of oxycodone in Lincoln County, West Virginia. The sentenced was imposed by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr.
Norman previously pled guilty in May of 2014, admitting that on August 23, 2012, he sold oxycodone to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. In addition to the August 12, 2012 drug deal, the same confidential informant bought oxycodone from Norman five other times. Norman admitted distributing oxycodone in Lincoln County on nearly a daily basis for the past five years.
The case was investigated by the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police.
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 prescription drugs and heroin. 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 and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Keshena man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that Wendell J. Martin, (age: 59), of Keshena, Wisconsin located on the Menominee Indian Reservation, was sentenced on October 24, 2014, to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by a life-time term of supervised release. The sentence was the result of a guilty plea by Martin on August 8, 2014, to count one of a two-count federal indictment charging him with sexually abusing a minor child incapable of declining participation.
The investigation revealed that on March 7, 2014, Martin, sexually abused a 13-year-old female, who was asleep at the time, at a residence on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Law enforcement officials interviewed Martin and he admitted that he sexually assaulted the victim.
This case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin L. Whittemore.