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Wednesday 9 July 2014
Tax Preparer Charged with Defrauding the GovernmentRead the Press Release
Atticus Rice, 51, of Sicklerville, NJ, was charged today by information with aiding in the preparing and filing of materially false tax returns, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The information alleges that Rice was a tax return preparer at Quick Taxes and Payroll Services, at 3858 Pulaski Avenue, in Philadelphia, who prepared false tax returns for a number of individuals. Between 2008 and 2013, Rice allegedly prepared false tax returns by reporting false income, false expenses, and false tax credits, resulting in tax losses of approximately $162,217.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison, restitution to the IRS, and a $500 special assessment.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Click here to view the information.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525Suring, WI Man Sentenced to Approximately 22 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that Norman W. Corn Jr., (age: 47), of Suring, located on the Menominee Indian Reservation, in the State of Wisconsin, was sentenced on July 1, 2014, to 262 months of imprisonment, followed by a term of life on supervised release. The sentence was the result of a guilty plea by Corn on April 7, 2014, to a federal information charging him with two counts of sexually abusing a person incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct.
The investigation revealed that during the summer of 2013, Corn sexually abused an eight-year-old female child, who turned nine years of age during the summer, at a residence on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The child indicated indicated that on two specific occasions Corn sexually assaulted her. During an interview with law enforcement officers Corn admitted that he sexually assaulted the child.
The 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.
St. Albans Felon Sentenced to Two and A Half Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. - Lucas R. Lynch, 31, of St. Albans, West Virginia was sentenced to 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today. Lynch, who is prohibited from possessing guns because of a 2003 felony conviction, conspired with Keary Drake of Charleston to sell stolen firearms and split the proceeds.
On September 8, 2013, Drake and Lynch drove to a St. Albans home where Mr. Lynch picked up two guns he had placed there previously. While driving through St. Albans, a St. Albans Patrolman attempted to pull over Drake for a traffic violation. Both guns--a rifle and a shotgun--were in Drake’s car at the time beside Lynch. Drake did not immediately pull over. During the chase, Lynch jumped from Drake’s car around Rock Lake, South Charleston and was injured when Drake drove over Lynch’s ankle. Drake continued to drive away from police at high speed until his car engine stalled in South Charleston. Drake previously pled guilty and was also sentenced as a minor participant in the scheme. The firearms were returned to the lawful owner.
The St. Albans Police Department conducted the investigation, assisted by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Enforcement. Erik S. Goes and Jennifer Rada prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States. Judge Thomas Johnston, United States District Judge was the presiding judge.
South Euclid Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Identitiy Theft and FraudRead the Press Release
A South Euclid woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison for her role in a variety of schemes that resulted in a loss of more than $73,000, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Angelique Bankston, 42, was also ordered to pay $73,554 in restitution. She was convicted last year on 23 counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering, aggravated identity theft and related charges.
Jocelyn Hale, 32, of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracies and is currently serving a 45-month prison sentence.
Bankston and Hale, using identities of several individuals without their authority, defrauded Citizens Bank, Lending Club Corporation, and Wells Fargo Bank.
Bankston and Hale funded a Wells Fargo Bank account with counterfeit funds totaling $13,027.22. They also funded a second Wells Fargo Bank account with illegally obtained funds, according to court documents.
Bankston also defrauded the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and Dollar Bank. She funded a Dollar Bank account with illegally obtained funds totaling $27,460. Bankston defrauded ODJFS by causing the United States Postal Service to hold mail for several individuals, without their authority. Bankston then stole U.S. Bank ReliaCards issued by ODFJS in the amount of $2,800 in the names of those individuals, according to court documents.
“This defendant stole from banks, private citizens and the government,” Dettelbach said.
“Investigating identity theft and money laundering is a priority for Criminal Investigation,” said Kathy Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Cincinnati Field Office. “Stealing identities is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers. Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with our partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office, will hold those who engage in similar behavior fully accountable."
Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, said: “This individual lined her greedy pockets by taking advantage of others via numerous schemes and is being held accountable for her illegal actions.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Bennett, following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United States Postal Service, Cleveland.
Shreveport Man Sentenced to 264 Months in Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. –A Shreveport man was sentenced to 264 months in prison and eight years of supervised release for his role in a Shreveport cocaine distribution conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.
Quacy L. Francis, 38, of Shreveport was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. According to evidence presented at the guilty pleas in January 2014, Francis and others conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base in the Shreveport area from November 2012 to May 2013. The FBI conducted three controlled purchases of cocaine, both crack and powder, from Francis. Francis purchased cocaine from Michael T. Johnson, 40, of Shreveport, and others to be distributed in the Shreveport area. Lemarcus Miller, 32, and Demarkus Miller, 32, both from Shreveport, were also part of the conspiracy.
Demarkus Miller and Lemarcus Miller were each sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release on March 27, 2014 and May 16, 2014 respectively. Johnson was sentenced to 120 months in prison and eight years of supervised release on April 28, 2014.
This case is part of an investigation called Operation Dry Cedar conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint multi-agency group consisting of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with a cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking. Operation Dry Cedar was a jointly conducted investigation by the FBI’s Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force, DEA, Bossier City Police Department, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.
San Antonio Gang Member Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, 25-year-old Arnoldo Lopez (a.k.a. “Looney”), a member of the Duffle Bag Mafia in San Antonio, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for various drug and firearms offenses announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Robert Elder, Houston Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Janice Ayala, San Antonio Division.
United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Lopez to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine plus five additional years imprisonment for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. In a separate, but related case, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Lopez to five years in prison on six separate charges of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Judge Rodriguez ordered the prison terms assessed for each of the false statement charges to run concurrent with the drug and firearm prison terms.
On September 5, 2013, Lopez pleaded guilty to the above-mentioned charges. According to court records, on October 4, 2012, Lopez and others were apprehended by the San Antonio Police Department Gang Unit while in possession of distributable quantities of “crack” cocaine as well as four firearms including one assault rifle, two shotguns and a semi-automatic pistol. Prior to his arrest, HSI agents were investigating a firearms straw purchasing operation wherein Lopez directed other individuals to purchase dozens of firearms under false pretenses. The weapons purchased included AK-47 and AR-15 type assault rifles which were destined for the Los Zetas Cartel.
SAC Elder stated: “This investigation is an outstanding example of where cooperative efforts of ATF, HSI, and the San Antonio Police Department can lead. Anytime we get a criminal of this magnitude off the streets is a good day for our citizens.”
SAC Ayala stated: “Today's sentencing of Arnoldo Lopez sends a clear message that those who engage in
and/or facilitate the straw purchasing and smuggling of weaponry, and related items, will face serious
consequences. HSI, ATF, and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to making communities safer by bringing violent criminals to justice and preventing or seizing firearms before they fall into the hands of
transnational criminal organizations who pose a threat to public safety both here and abroad.”
On February 26, 2014, Lopez’ co-defendant, 31-year-old Michael Gutierrez, was sentenced to 248 months in federal prison for his role in the drug distribution scheme. Two other co-defendants in the drug distribution scheme are awaiting sentencing. Six co-defendants in the firearms straw purchasing scheme have been sentenced to terms ranging from three years probation to 57 months in federal prison.
These charges resulted from investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Leachman and Bettina Richardson prosecuted these cases on behalf of the Government.Romanian Citizen Involved in Internet Phishing Scheme Sentenced to 45 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that IULIAN SCHIOPU, 34, of Romania, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 45 months of imprisonment for his role in an extensive Internet “phishing” scheme.
A phishing scheme uses the Internet to target large numbers of unwary individuals, using fraud and deceit to obtain private personal and financial information such as names, addresses, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. Phishing schemes often work by sending out large numbers of counterfeit e-mail messages that are made to appear as if they originated from legitimate banks, financial institutions or other companies. The fraudulent email messages ask individuals to click on a hyperlink contained in the email message, which would take the individual to a counterfeit site on the Internet that purports to be the Internet site of the particular bank, financial institution or company. At the counterfeit Internet site, the individual is then asked to enter information such as the individual’s name, address and credit or debit card numbers.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2005 a resident of Madison, Conn., contacted the FBI in New Haven about a suspicious email that she had received that purported to be from Connecticut-based People’s Bank. The email stated that the recipient’s online banking access profile had been locked and instructed the recipient to click on a link to a web page where the recipient could enter information to “unlock” his or her profile. The web page appeared to originate from People’s Bank, but, as the investigation revealed, was actually hosted on a compromised computer in Minnesota. Any personal identifying and financial information provided by the individual would be sent by email to individuals in Romania, or to a “collector” account, which was an email account used to receive and collect the information obtained through phishing.
SCHIOPU and others were part of a loose-knit conspiracy of individuals from Craiova, Romania, and neighboring areas that shared files, tools, and stolen information obtained through phishing. The co-conspirators used and shared a number of collector accounts, which contained thousands of email messages that contained credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes, PIN numbers, and other personal identification information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. The co-conspirators then used the personal and financial information to access bank accounts and lines of credit and to withdraw funds without authorization, often from ATMs in Romania.
In addition to People’s Bank, financial institutions and companies targeted by the defendants included Citibank, Capital One, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Comerica Bank, Regions Bank, LaSalle Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., eBay and PayPal.
SCHIOPU was arrested in Sweden on May 7, 2013, and was extradited to the U.S. on September 12, 2013.
This investigation, which resulted in criminal charges against 19 Romanian citizens, was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Conn.
U.S. Attorney Daly acknowledged the critical assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Bucharest, Interpol, the Romanian National Police and the United States Marshals Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Chang and Sarala Nagala.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
[email protected]Rochester Woman Indicted in Sex Trafficking and Transportation CaseRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Rochester, N.Y. has returned a three-count indictment charging Jodia Campbell, 32, of Rochester, with sex trafficking of a minor, transportation of a minor across state lines with intent that the minor engage in prostitution, and transportation of an individual across state lines with intent that the individual engage in prostitution. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that according to a complaint filed against the defendant in April 2014, Rochester Police began investigating the alleged prostitution of a 16 year old female from Rochester, using the name “Cherry Red” on backpage.com in Pennsylvania in April 2013. According to the complaint, the 16-year-old alleged that she was recruited by a woman named Jennifer Miller and taken to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to engage in prostitution by Jodia Campbell along with Jennifer Miller and Laree Greggs. Other adult individuals also alleged having been transported by Greggs, Miller and Campbell at various times, out of state, to prostitute. Investigators reviewed backpage.com ads and found contact information associated with Miller, Campbell and Greggs.
Jennifer Miller and Laree Greggs are charged in separate criminal complaints with similar charges.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the FBI's Cyber Task Force, which includes the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Chief Patrick O’Flynn and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.Readout of Deputy Attorney General’s Tour of Border Station in McAllen, TexasRead the Press Release
Deputy Attorney General James Cole made a return trip today to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s McAllen Station and processing facility to discuss steps the Department of Justice is taking to help address the influx of migrants crossing the southwest border.
Chief Patrol Agent Kevin Oaks and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz gave the Deputy Attorney General a tour of the facility and a briefing on the operations at McAllen. McAllen staff discussed the numbers of migrants that are arriving each day, including the numbers of unaccompanied children, families and adults; and the reasons, including violence in Central American countries, that many are giving for making the dangerous trek to the U.S. border. Cole also viewed the station’s processing facility, where migrants who have arrived in the past few days are housed.
During his talk with McAllen staff, Cole took the opportunity to highlight the Justice Department’s commitment to prioritizing adjudication of cases that fall into the following four groups: unaccompanied children who recently crossed the border; families who recently crossed the border and are held in detention; families who recently crossed the border but are on “alternatives to detention;” and other detained cases, including border crossers and significant public safety threats. He also emphasized that the department’s intention to reassign immigration judges in immigration courts around the country from their current dockets to hear the cases of individuals falling in these four groups.
Cole noted that the department is also seeking new funding for as many as 40 more immigration judges and to provide technical assistance to Central American countries in identifying and dismantling smuggling operations that take advantage of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. He also noted that the department has requested funding to provide technical assistance in combating transnational crime and the threat posed by criminal gangs. Cole reiterated that the department continues to focus on investigating and prosecuting smugglers who exploit and victimize vulnerable migrants, including children, in partnership with DHS and foreign governments. The discussion with McAllen staff also included a productive exchange of ideas on strategic ways to combat smuggling.
The Deputy Attorney General was impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the McAllen staff and thanked them for their service. Cole last visited the facility in November 2013.
Philadelphia Man Charged with Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
Eugene Dykes, Jr., 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with two counts of assaulting federal agents while they were engaged in their official duties, on or about October 17, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment charges that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, that is, a motor vehicle, to forcibly assault federal task force officers.
If convicted, Dykes faces a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment; three years supervised release; a $500,000 fine; and a $200 special assessment.
This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole Fugitive Unit, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.
Click here to view the indictment
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525Participants in Oxycodone Prescription Forgery Ring Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN – July 9, 2014 – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced the final two defendants of a six-defendant federal prescription pill distribution conspiracy. THOMAS FRANCIS PARADIS, 34, of Kinston, NC, was sentenced to 58 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. JESSE LEE HOOD, 26, of Goldsboro, NC, was sentenced to 69 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
Mr. Walker stated, “Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem and my office will continue to prosecute these cases aggresively. This case is the result of outstanding cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to bring these defendants to justice.”
On July 8, 2014, CASEY RYAN O’QUIN, 31, of New Bern, NC, was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released while his wife, CHRISTIAN NICOLE O’QUIN received a sentence of 95 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release on June 3, 2014. The O’QUINs were further ordered to forfeit $33,662 that was seized during a traffic stop on February 1, 2012.
CHRISTOPHER GERALD CHERICO, 26, of Sneads Ferry, NC, was sentenced on April 2, 2014, to 44 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and JOSHUA ALAN ILEY, 23, of Longview, TX, was sentenced on November 7, 2013, to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
All of the above defendants pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute Oxycodone. Investigation revealed that while CASEY O’QUIN and JESSE HOOD were incarcerated together in late 2010, HOOD explained to O’QUIN how to forge prescriptions utilizing a computer, printer, and specialized paper. Following their release from prison in the spring of 2011, HOOD, along with CASEY O’QUIN and his wife NICOLE O’QUIN, began to create and pass fraudulent prescriptions across Eastern North Carolina until HOOD’s arrest on unrelated charges in South Carolina. While HOOD was incarcerated in South Carolina, the O’QUINs recruited PARADIS, CHERICO, ILEY and others as accomplices to assist them in filling the prescriptions they created at pharmacies across North Carolina. After being released from prison in South Carolina, HOOD returned to North Carolina and renewed his participation in the scheme.
PARADIS, CHERICO and ILEY were taken into custody after being identified by law enforcement passing fraudulent prescriptions. HOOD and the O’QUINs were arrested as a result of controlled purchases conducted by law enforcement. At the time of their arrest, the O’QUINs were found to be in possession of $33,662, and three motor vehicles, all of which were seized by law enforcement.
In total, law enforcement was able to identify at least 137 fraudulent prescriptions that were filled at pharmacies in 23 counties across North Carolina as a part of this conspiracy, resulting in the distribution of over 16,000 Oxycodone pills.
District 3B District Attorney Scott Thomas said, “Illegal possession and distribution of prescription pain pills is a major threat. It leads to addiction, theft, violence, injury and even death. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are working together at the local, state and federal levels to fight these crimes. Every drug dealer sentenced to prison results in fewer pills in our communities. We will continue to conduct investigations and prosecutions targeting these offenders who engage in these activities.”
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Cape Carteret Police Department, Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, Cary Police Department, Craven County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department, Havelock Police Department, Holly Ridge Police Department, Jacksonville Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, New Bern Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, State Bureau of Investigation, Surf City Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Augustus Willis represented the government and was assisted in this case by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry. Mr. Willis is a prosecutor with the District 3-B District Attorney’s Office encompassing Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties, while Mr. Perry is a prosecutor with the District 3-A District Attorney’s Office serving Pitt County. District Attorneys Scott Thomas and Kimberly Robb have assigned them to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. Their positions are funded through a grant provided by the Governor’s Crime Commission.
In addition to the District Attorney’s Offices of Districts 3-A and 3-B, the prosecution of this matter was also assisted by the District Attorney’s Offices of Districts 4-B (Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson) and 10 (Wake).
Overbrook Man Sentenced to Prison for Online Ticket Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months imprisonment, with three years of supervised release to follow, on his conviction of wire fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Daniel J. Isabella, Jr., 30.
According to information presented to the court, from January through September of 2012, Isabella advertised online the sale of tickets to entertainment events. Although Isabella had no tickets to these events, potential purchasers were instructed to send money for the advertised tickets. Isabella defrauded over 250 potential ticket purchasers of over $70,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Isabella.
New Jersey Man Convicted of Enticing A Minor to Travel in Interstate Commerce to Engage in Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Following a three-day trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, today found Gregory John Schaffer guilty of enticement to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted enticement to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
The convictions were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James T. Hayes, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York Field Office.
Using the website Craigslist, the defendant lured the victim, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, to his Jersey City, New Jersey, office with false promises of a job. Once there, however, the defendant convinced her to try on several provocative swimsuits, filming her as she changed into them, and repeatedly touched the victim’s breasts, buttocks and groin. The defendant also tricked her into signing a contract that, he claimed, obligated her to have sex with him. When the victim asked to be let out of the contract, the defendant threatened to sue her and her family for breach of contract. The defendant then told the victim that he would be willing to change the contract if she had sex with him. The defendant then had sex with the victim and warned her not to tell anyone about the sex because of an alleged confidentiality agreement in the contract.
“We are committed to protecting children and adolescents from online predators,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “The defendant created a fake document and spurious legal obligation in order to confuse and exploit a vulnerable young girl. Those who sexually exploit children will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the New York Field Office of HSI, the agency responsible for leading the government’s investigation, and the New York Police Department, for assisting in the investigation.
When sentenced by United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment on each of the four counts of the indictment.
The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter W. Baldwin.
The Defendant:
GREGORY JOHN SCHAFFER
Age: 34
Navajo Man Receives Eighteen Month Prison Sentence for Violating Sex Offender Registration and Notification ActRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez announced today that Copar Pumice Company, Inc., a mining company with a principal place of business in Rio Arriba County, N.M., and the owners of Copar and its affiliated companies (Copar), have paid $2.25 million to the U.S. Government to settle a civil lawsuit alleging the unauthorized mining and removal of pumice from El Cajete Mine on the Jemez National Recreational Area of the Santa Fe National Forest. The settlement agreement also requires that Copar relinquish all rights to its mining claims within the Jemez National Recreation Area and bars Copar from bidding on mineral material sales or purchasing mineral materials from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.
The settlement agreement resolves a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in 2009, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, against Copar and owners Richard P. Cook, Shirley A. Cook, Debbie Cantrup, and Kelly Armstrong. According to court filings, federal laws limit the types of mining activities allowed in the Jemez National Recreation Area to protect unique resource and recreational values. Copar was authorized to remove larger-sized pumice, solely for its value and use in the stonewash laundry industry. Copar abused its mining privileges by crushing pumice and removing undersized pumice from the El Cajete Mine, and selling it for uses outside the laundry industry. When Copar refused to comply with the Forest Service’s notices to cease the unlawful practice, the Justice Department filed suit alleging that Copar had trespassed on National Forest System lands by exceeding the limits of their mining authorization.
After years of legal proceedings in the case, the Justice Department and Copar executed a settlement agreement at the end of May, 2014, resolving all of the claims in the lawsuit as well as claims in several related cases. Copar tendered the $2.25 million lump sum settlement payment in late June 2014, and yesterday the parties filed a stipulation of dismissal formally ending the litigation.
U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth F. Keegan, Trial Attorneys Andrew A. Smith and Dominika N. Tarczynska of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Attorney Advisor Steve Hattenbach of the Office of General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who litigated this case on behalf of the United States.
Michelle Rutledge Imprisoned Following Guilty Plea to Two Central Vermont EmbezzlementsRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Michelle Rutledge, 47, of Berlin, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court in Brattleboro to 24 months of imprisonment following her guilty plea to a charge of wire fraud. District Judge J. Garvan Murtha also ordered that Rutledge serve a three-year term of supervised release following completion of her prison sentence and pay restitution in the amount of $128,730.46. The court directed Rutledge to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on August 19 to begin serving her sentence.
According to the information to which she pled guilty, for more than a dozen years Rutledge served as the office manager and bookkeeper for the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury. For about three years, she also served as the treasurer for the Harwood Youth Hockey Association. Between June 2007 and June 2013, Rutledge embezzled not less than $75,000 from the cider mill by using company credit cards without authorization and causing electronic transfers of cider mill funds to pay personal bills and expenses. She also stole at least $53,000 from the Harwood Hockey Association by using credit cards without authorization and by paying personal bills with checks drawn against the Hockey Association checking account.
This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Rutledge is represented by Brooks McArthur. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.Mexican Citizen Apprehended in Cumberland County Indicted for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced today that a 22-year-old native and citizen of Mexico has been charged with illegal reentry into the United States.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, David Aguilar-Araiza, age 22, in the United States illegally, was charged in a one-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg today.
The indictment alleges that Aguilar-Araiza, previously arrested and deported in April 2012, reentered the United States and was apprehended in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
If convicted, Aguilar-Araiza faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Mescalero Apache Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – James Darius Caje, 21, was sentenced today in Las Cruces federal court to 56 months and 25 days in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on a sexual abuse charge. Caje will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Caje, a member and resident of the Mescalero Apache Nation, was arrested in March 2013, on a criminal complaint alleging that he sexually abused a Mescalero Apache woman on July 27, 2012, at a location within the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Caje was in tribal custody on related tribal charges when he was arrested.
In Aug. 2013, Caje was indicted and charged with sexually abusing a victim who was incapable of declining to participate in a sexual act. On Sept. 9, 2014, Caje pled guilty to the indictment and admitted sexually abusing the victim while she was lapsing in and out of consciousness.
This case was investigated by the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
The case was brought pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Member of Violent Home Invasion Robbery Crew Sentenced to 264 Months for Conspiring to Commit Drug Robberies, Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin, and Illegally Using A FirearmRead the Press Release
Randall Martinez was sentenced today to 264 months in prison by United States District Judge Sandra L. Townes at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Previously, Martinez pleaded guilty to robbery conspiracy, cocaine trafficking conspiracy, and firearm charges.
The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
Martinez was a member of a violent robbery crew responsible for more than 100 robberies of narcotics traffickers in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere that netted more than 250 kilograms of cocaine and $1 million in drug proceeds. Beginning in approximately January 2001, crew members posed as law enforcement officers, staged fake arrests of the traffickers, and then forcibly seized the traffickers’ contraband. Members of the robbery crew restrained victims with handcuffs, rope, or duct tape. The crew members often brandished firearms and physically assaulted victims. Crew members sold the stolen drugs and divided the proceeds among themselves.
Martinez participated in at least 22 separate robberies and attempted robberies. During these crimes, Martinez personally entered the residences and, on at least nine occasions, Martinez or his fellow crew members brandished firearms. On one occasion, Martinez brought two firearms to the scene of a robbery and acted as the lookout for the robbery crew while a victim was strangled to death in the residence. The robberies and attempted robberies in which Martinez directly participated involved at least 600 kilograms of cocaine and approximately $434,000 in drug proceeds. Agents seized 107 kilograms of cocaine from these robberies.
Ms. Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sylvia Shweder and Alexander Solomon.
The Defendant:
RANDALL MARTINEZ
Age: 33
Bronx, NY
E.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 08-CR-242 and 12-CR-91
S.D.N.Y. Docket No. 10-CR-955 (removed to E.D.N.Y. for purposes of sentencing)
Man Convicted for Traveling to Various States to have Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Charles Dean Partin, 38, of Clayton, Alabama was convicted today in federal court for traveling to Tennessee and Ohio to have sex with a minor child, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. He was also convicted of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.
During the two and a half day trial, the jury learned that Partin started molesting this child when she was eight years old. When the child was 14 years old, she got pregnant. DNA results proved Partin was the father. In the beginning of September 2012, Partin took the now 15 year old child to Tennessee. On the way to Tennessee, Partin ordered her to perform oral sex on him and while in Tennessee, the child and Partin had sex several times. While camping at a campground in Tennessee, a maintenance worker saw what he believed to be the child performing oral sex on Partin. Based on the report from the maintence worker, Tennessee law enforcement started to investigate Partin and the child was placed in DHR custody. Partin then devised a plan to abduct the child from DHR custody and go to Mexico. As part of his plan, Partin stole a van in Dothan, Alabama. Partin then tracked the child down at the child’s scheduled prenatal doctor visits in Dothan. Partin coerced the child into leaving the appointment with him and he and child left the State of Alabama in the stolen van. An Amber Alert was issued. During the trip, Partin and the child had sexual intercourse several times. Partin never went to Mexico, but decided to go to Ohio. After law enforcement received an anonymous tip that Partin and the child were in in Ohio, Partin was caught and arrested.
Partin is facing a sentence of at least ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Hamilton County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Davidson, Jerusha Adams and Hollie Worley.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Man Convicted of Second Degree Murder Sentenced to 293 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Ernest Eugene Lillie, IV, age 24, was sentenced to 293 months after being convicted of second degree murder.
During the early morning hours of January 16, 2013, at approximately 6:13 a.m., a Yakama Nation Tribal police officer responded to a call for help. The officer arrived and observed a victim identified as J.M. who was in obvious pain. J.M. was transported to the hospital. Hospital staff observed that J.M. had suffered two gun shots wounds. J.M. identified the shooter. At about the same time, a Yakama Nation police officer found the body of a second victim, identified as A.M., positioned in a driveway on Kays Road. It was determined that A.M. had also had suffered two gunshot wounds. Yakama Nation Tribal Police officers and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation processed the crime scene and conducted an extensive search for evidence.
Agents immediately contacted the individual who had been identified by J.M. as the shooter. Agents quickly established that this individual was not involved in the shooting. Agents contacted several people who advised that they had observed Lillie, J.M., and A.M. together on the night of January 16, 2013. During the investigation, Lillie was contacted on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied any involvement in the shooting. As the investigation progressed, Agents discovered evidence which led to the matter being presented to a Grand Jury. The Grand Jury returned an Indictment and an arrest warrant was issued. Agents arrested the Defendant, advised him of his Miranda rights, and conducted an interview. Lillie subsequently confessed that he had shot A.M. and J.M. Lillie provided several details which only the shooter would have known.
On January 28, 2014, Lillie entered into a plea agreement and pled guilty to Second Degree Murder. On July 8, 2014, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Lillie to 293 months imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of court supervision upon release from Federal prison. Lille was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,427.33.
Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, "The United States Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Yakama Nation Police Department are committed to combating gun related violence within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation. Anyone who commits a violent crime within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation will be sentenced to a lengthy term in federal prison."
The investigation was completed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Yakama Nation Tribal Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon, United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Washington.
CR-13-2074-TOR
Los Departamentos de Justicia y de Educación Realizan un Acuerdo Conciliatorio con el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas de la Parroquia Jefferson para Garantizar el Acceso Igualitario y la Ausencia de Discriminac...Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Los Departamentos de Justicia y de Educación anunciaron hoy que han realizado un acuerdo amplio con el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas de la Parroquia Jefferson en Louisiana [Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS)] para garantizar que todos los estudiantes puedan matricularse en las escuelas, independientemente del origen nacional o el estado inmigratorio propios o de sus padres o tutores. El acuerdo también resuelve quejas acerca de las políticas y pràcticas del JPPSS de comunicación con los padres con conocimientos limitados del idioma inglés [Limited English Proficiency (LEP)] y la respuesta del JPPSS al presunto acoso de estudiantes hispanos debido a su origen nacional.
“Este acuerdo garantizarà que en la Parroquia de Jefferson, las puertas de las escuelas y a las oportunidades estén abiertas a todos los niños, independientemente de su procedencia”, señaló la Secretaria de Justicia Auxiliar Interina Jocelyn Samuels de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Felicitamos al distrito escolar por su cooperación para resolver este asunto y por su compromiso de asegurarse de que sus escuelas acojan y sean accesibles a todos los estudiantes y padres”.
“Aplaudimos a la Parroquia de Jefferson por asegurar que todos los estudiantes tengan acceso a sus escuelas públicas y que todos los padres, independientemente del idioma que hablen, cuenten con la información necesaria para que sus hijos puedan participar en y aprovechar plenamente sus programas educativos”, señaló la Secretaria Auxiliar Catherine E. Lhamon de la Oficina de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Educación. “Nos complacerà trabajar con el Departamento de Justicia y el distrito escolar en resolver estos temas cruciales asociados a los derechos civiles”.
Específicamente, bajo los términos de un acuerdo voluntario de tres años de duración, el JPPSS:
- realizarà una revisión de materiales y políticas de matriculación antes del inicio del año escolar 2014-2015 para asegurarse de no excluir o desalentar a estudiantes en lo que se refiere a su matriculación debido a su ciudadanía o situación inmigratoria;
- se asegurarà de que no se les pida a padres y alumnos que presenten un número de seguro social, una tarjeta de seguro social, un documento de identidad emitido por el estado u otro documento que requiera prueba de ciudadanía o estado inmigratorio para inscribirse o graduarse;
- capacitarà anualmente a todos los empleados responsables de la matriculación e inscripción de alumnos en las políticas revisadas;
- implementarà una política de traducción e interpretación para garantizar que los padres LEP reciban información esencial en un idioma que comprendan;
- capacitarà anualmente a todo el personal del JPPSS que interactúe con el público respecto de la comunicación efectiva con padres LEP y los tipos de información que deben ser objeto de traducción o interpretación;
- crearà un comité asesor de padres bilingüe para que realice recomendaciones al JPPSS acerca del programa educativo para aprendices del idioma inglés, políticas de matriculación e inscripción, acoso e intimidación y comunicaciones con padres LEP;
- revisarà sus políticas y pràcticas actuales para garantizar que todas las quejas de discriminación debido a raza, color u origen nacional, incluidos alegatos de acoso por los mismos motivos, se investiguen y resuelvan adecuadamente;
- brindarà capacitación sobre la diversidad, contra el acoso y contra la intimidación para docentes, personal y alumnos de la Escuela Secundaria West Jefferson,donde se produjeron los supuestos hechos de acoso e intimidación; y
- realizarà anualmente una encuesta de ambiente escolar en la Escuela Secundaria West Jefferson para evaluar la presencia de acoso e intimidación debido a origen nacional, raza y/o color.
Los departamentos controlaràn diligentemente la implementación del acuerdo para garantizar una implementación efectiva y en tiempo hàbil, así como la igualdad de oportunidades para todos los alumnos respecto de la participación en los programas educativos de JPPSS.
El 8 de mayo de 2014, los departamentos divulgaron documentos de orientación recién revisados, en los que se recordó a todos los distritos escolares su obligación bajo la ley federal de brindar oportunidades educativas igualitarias a todos los niños residentes en sus distritos, independientemente de su raza, color, origen nacional, ciudadanía o estado inmigratorio o el estado de sus padres. Se encuentra una copia de la carta en el portal del Departamento de Educación.
El hacer valer el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, el que prohíbe la discriminación debido a raza, color u origen nacional por destinatarios de asistencia financiera federal, es una de las principales prioridades de ambos departamentos. El Departamento de Justicia también hace valer el Título IV de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, el que prohíbe la discriminación debido a raza, color, origen nacional, sexo y religión en escuelas públicas, y la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades Educativas de 1974, la que exige que las escuelas tomen las medidas necesarias para superar las barreras idiomàticas que impiden la participación igualitaria en programas educativos por parte de los estudiantes.
Se encuentra en el portal del Departamento de Educación una versión firmada del acuerdo en formato PDF en inglés y español.
La misión de la Oficina de Derechos Civiles [Office for Civil Rights (OCR)] del Departamento de Educación es garantizar el acceso igualitario a la educación y promover la excelencia educativa en toda la nación haciendo valer enérgicamente los derechos civiles. La OCR es responsable de hacer valer las leyes federales de derechos civiles que prohíben la discriminación por instituciones educativas debido a discapacidad, raza, color, origen nacional, sexo y edad, así como la Ley de Acceso Igualitario a los Boy Scouts of America de 2001. Se encuentra información adicional sobre la oficina en este portal.
Existe información adicional disponible sobre la Sección de Oportunidades Educativas de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia en el portal de la sección.
- realizarà una revisión de materiales y políticas de matriculación antes del inicio del año escolar 2014-2015 para asegurarse de no excluir o desalentar a estudiantes en lo que se refiere a su matriculación debido a su ciudadanía o situación inmigratoria;
Logan County Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud in Connection with Arch Coal Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A 52-year-old Logan County man faces up to three years in prison after admitting today to filing false tax returns, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Gary Roeher, of Holden, West Virginia, entered a guilty plea before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
Roeher admitted that on his 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns, he illegally claimed business-expense deductions for kickbacks that he paid to an Arch Coal official at the company’s Mountain Laurel Mining Complex.
Roeher and the official receiving the kickbacks stole money from Arch through a dummy invoice scheme. In the scheme, Roeher would submit bills to Arch for non-existent supplies that Roeher had purportedly provided to the company. The Arch official on the other end of the scheme would then falsely certify that the supplies had been received, so that Arch’s accounting department would pay the false bills that Roeher had submitted. After he got paid by Arch, Roeher would then pay the Arch official a kickback in exchange for his participation in the scheme. It was these kickback payments that Roeher falsely claimed as legitimate business expenses on his 2010 and 2011 tax returns.
Between 2010 and 2011, Roeher paid the Known Person $35,170.60 in kickbacks. In accordance with his plea agreement, Roeher has agreed to forfeit that amount to the Internal Revenue Service.
Arch’s Mount Laurel Mining Complex is located in Sharples, Logan County, West Virginia.
Roeher also admitted he deducted approximately $43,000 as a business expense for his company, CM Supply, when Roeher actually used those funds to install an in-ground swimming pool at his residence.
Roeher is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15, 2014, at 2:00 pm, in Charleston.
Nine more guilty plea hearings are scheduled for other defendants associated with the Arch kickback scheme:
United States v. Alvis Porter, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 10, 2014;
United States v. Gary Griffith, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on July 14, 2014;
United States v. Ronald Barnette, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on July 14, 2014;
United States v. Scott Ellis, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 16, 2014;
United States v. Scott Herndon, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 16, 2014;
United States v. David Herndon, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 17, 2014;
United States v. Chadwick Lusk, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 21, 2014;
United States v. James Evans III, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on August 4, 2014; and
United States v. David Runyon, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 7, 2014.Today’s charge stems from an investigation being conducted by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas is in charge of the prosecution.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that David B. Romanski, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 9, 2014, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to nine years in prison by Senior United States District Judge Lyle E. Strom, for receipt of child pornography. After his release from prison, Romanski will be required to serve a 5 year term of supervised release and be registered as a sex offender.
While conducting an operation in February of last year, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department were investigating computers sharing child pornography on the internet. An IP address, assigned to Romanski was identified as having files of child pornography available on the Internet. On three occasions, investigators were able to make a direct connection to the computer at Romanski’s IP address and access the child pornography.
A search warrant was executed at Romanski’s residence. When investigators examined Romanski’s computers and external hard drive, they found over 1300 videos depicting sexually explicit conduct of children under the age of 18, including a number of videos which were allowed to be shared on a peer-to-peer network.
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.This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Laguna Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Robbery at Sky City CasinoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Steven Paul Tharpe, 51, a member and resident of the Laguna Pueblo, pleaded guilty this morning to an attempted robbery charge. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Tharpe will be sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Tharpe was arrested on May 15, 2014, based on an indictment charging him with attempted robbery. According to the indictment, on July 21, 2012, Tharpe attempted to commit a robbery in Indian Country in Cibola County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Tharpe entered a guilty plea to the indictment and admitted that he attempted to rob the Sky City Casino, which is located in Acoma Pueblo, on July 21, 2012. In his plea agreement, Tharpe admitted that he attempted to rob the Casino by displaying a BB gun to a teller in a cashier’s cage at the Casino and demanding money.
Tharpe has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez.Lafayette, Tennessee, Man Guilty of Two Bank Robberies in Kentucky and CarjackingRead the Press Release
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Lafayette, Tennessee, man pleaded guilty today, before Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl, to the robbery of two banks located in Kentucky, and one-count carjacking in Adair County, Kentucky, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
Eugene Earl Gentry, age 63, pleaded guilty to four counts of a federal indictment including two counts of bank robbery through force, violence, and intimidation, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of carjacking. Gentry admitted in court to robbing the United Citizens Bank, located at 1582 Campbellsville Road, in Columbia, Kentucky, of approximately $90,000 on October 15, 2012. On the same day, in Adair County, Kentucky, Gentry stole a 1998 Ford Ranger Pickup from United Citizens Bank manager and in doing so brandished a semi-automatic handgun which carries an additional charge of carjacking. One year later, on October 29, 2013, Gentry attempted to rob the Citizens Bank, located at 209 Campbellsville Bypass, located in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
In court, the United States and Gentry agreed to a sentence of 240 months in prison and supervised release for a period of five years. Sentencing before Senior District Judge Thomas B. Russell is scheduled for October 8, 2014, at 11am, in Bowling Green.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ream and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with assistance from the Campbellsville Police Department, Columbia Police Department and the Adair County, Kentucky, Sheriff’s Department.
Justice Department, Health and Human Services Call for Action to Address Abuse of Older AmericansRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Today, leaders in the fight against elder abuse announced a framework for tackling the highest priority challenges to elder abuse prevention and prosecution, and called on all Americans to take a stand against the serious societal problem of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
Research suggests that one in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced elder abuse or neglect, and that people with dementia are at higher risk for abuse.
Supported by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Elder Justice Roadmap was developed by harnessing the expertise and gathering the input of hundreds of public and private stakeholders from across the country. The goal of these expert summits was to identify the most critical priorities and concrete opportunities for greater public and private investment and engagement in elder abuse issues. The Elder Justice Roadmap, which is being published today, reflects the knowledge and perspectives of these experts in the field and will be considered by the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and others in developing their own strategic plans to prevent and combat elder abuse.
“The Roadmap Project is an important milestone for elder justice,” said Associate Attorney General Tony West. “Elder abuse is a problem that has gone on too long, but the Roadmap Report released today can change this trajectory by offering comprehensive and concrete action items for all of the stakeholders dedicated to combating the multi-faceted dimensions of elder abuse and financial exploitation. While we have taken some important steps in the right direction, we must do more to prevent elder abuse from occurring in the first place and face it head on when it occurs.”
“From now until 2030, every day, about 10,000 baby boomers will celebrate their 65th birthday,” said Kathy Greenlee, HHS’ assistant secretary for aging and administrator of the Administration for Community Living. “And the fastest-growing population is people 85 years old, or older. Stemming the tide of abuse will require individuals, neighbors, communities, and public and private entities to take a hard look at how each of us encounters elder abuse—and commit to combat it.”
To support the mission of elder abuse prevention and prosecution, DOJ has developed an interactive, online curriculum to teach legal aid and other civil attorneys to identify and respond to elder abuse. The first three modules of the training cover what lawyers should know about elder abuse; practical and ethical strategies to use when facing challenges in this area; and a primer on domestic violence and sexual assault. This training will expand to include six one-hour modules covering issues relevant to attorneys who may encounter elder abuse victims in the course of their practice.
HHS is supporting the mission by developing a voluntary national adult protective services (APS) data system. Collecting national data on adult mistreatment will help to identify and address many gaps about the number and characteristics of adults who are the victims of maltreatment and the nature of services that are provided by APS agencies to protect these vulnerable adults. In addition, the data will better inform the development of improved, more targeted policy and programmatic interventions.
In addition to informing federal elder justice efforts, the roadmap has already inspired private stakeholders to take action. For example, as a result of the roadmap, the Archstone Foundation has funded a project at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California to develop a national training initiative, while other funders, such as the Weinberg Foundation, have begun to consider inquiries and projects outlined in the roadmap. Likewise, the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging at Hunter College, The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale and the New York City Elder Abuse Center will be co-sponsoring a symposium in September 2014 focusing on innovations and challenges related to elder abuse multidisciplinary teams, a priority area identified in the roadmap.
“While federal and state governments certainly have critical roles to play, the battle against elder abuse can only be won with grassroots action at the community and individual level,” said Greenlee. “Turning the tide against elder abuse requires much greater public commitment, so every American will recognize elder abuse when they see it and know what to do if they encounter it.”
Two steps local communities, families and individuals can take are:
• Learn the signs of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse, a program of the Administration on Aging at ACL, has developed a helpful Red Flags of Abuse Factsheet (PDF) that lists the signs of and risk factors for abuse and neglect.
• Report suspected abuse when you see it. Contact your local adult protective services agency. Phone numbers for state or local offices can be found at the National Center for Elder Abuse website, or call 1-800-677-1116.
“We must take a stand to ensure that older Americans are safe from harm and neglect,” said Associate Attorney General West. “For their contributions to our nation, to our society, and to our lives, we owe them nothing less.”
The Elder Justice Roadmap and accompanying materials are at: http://ncea.acl.gov/Library/Gov_Report/index.aspx.
Free online training for attorneys is at: https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/dspLegalAssistance.cfm?tab=1#onlinetraining.
Justice Department Reaches Settlement with the City of Hubbard, OregonRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement with the city of Hubbard, Oregon, resolving an investigation of the city under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The investigation found that the city’s online employment application asked questions about disabilities in violation of the ADA. The ADA does not permit employers to inquire whether an applicant is an individual with a disability or as to the nature of such disability before making a conditional offer of employment. However, the ADA permits federal contractors subject to affirmative action requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to invite an applicant voluntarily to self-identify as an individual with a disability, consistent with certain requirements. Last month, the department reached a similar settlement agreement with Florida State University.
Under the settlement, the city agrees to ensure that its hiring policies do not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of disability, including by:
· not conducting a medical examination or making a disability-related inquiry of a job applicant before a conditional offer of employment is made;
· not requiring a medical examination or making inquiries of an employee as to whether such employee is an individual with a disability, or as to the nature or severity of the disability, unless such examination or inquiry is shown to be job-related and consistent with business necessity;
· maintaining the medical or disability-related information of applicants and employees in separate, confidential medical files; and
· training employees who make hiring or personnel decisions on the requirements of the ADA, designating an individual to address ADA compliance matters and reporting on compliance.
“This agreement ensures that people with disabilities will have an equal chance to compete for jobs with the city of Hubbard,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to eliminating employment barriers for people with disabilities, and we commend the city of Hubbard for its cooperation and efforts to ensure fairness in the job application process.”
Those interested in finding out more about the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit the ADA website.
Jury Convicts Fort Dodge Man for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on July 8, 2014, after a 1 ½-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Joseph Tyler McDonald, 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was returned following about 50 minutes of jury deliberations. McDonald was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
The evidence at trial showed that McDonald was receiving packages via USPS containing methamphetamine from California that he distributed in the Fort Dodge, Iowa, area. Law enforcement intercepted a USPS package being delivered to McDonald at a relative’s address from California in January 2014. Law enforcement discovered and seized ½ pound of ice methamphetamine from the package. McDonald admitted to having received eight ounces of methamphetamine and eight ounces of cocaine by mail in the weeks preceding the noted seizure.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. McDonald remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. On both convictions, McDonald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, $200 in special assessments, and 10 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 14-3012.
Indictment Charges New York Man in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Jade Grander, 29, of Brooklyn, NY, was charged today by indictment with one count of bank fraud and two counts of access device fraud. The charges arise from the defendant=s alleged participation in a scheme to obtain cash advances at TD Bank using other individuals’ deactivated credit cards by convincing bank tellers to override their Cash Advance Machines in order to process the transaction.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel D. Goldstein.
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, 215-861-8525Illegal Alien Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison on Firearms and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. –A Mexican national was sentenced to 63 months in prison for possessing a firearm, possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and illegally reentering the country, U.S.Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.
Jose Luis Ariciaga-Banda, 28, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien, one count of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and one of count illegal reentry into the United States after deportation. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on March 18, 2014, Louisiana State Troopers stopped the truck Ariciaga-Banda was driving on Mansfield Road in Shreveport for a traffic violation on August 7, 2013. He was found to be a Mexican citizen and illegally in the United States. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent arrived at the scene and placed him under arrest. A search warrant was also obtained and executed, and a 9 mm pistol, ammunition, money and approximately 18 pounds of marijuana were found at Ariciaga-Banda’s residence.
The defendant was previously convicted in September of 2008 for possession of cocaine in Caddo Parish District Court. In November of 2010, he was convicted in federal court of two counts of possession of a firearm by an alien illegally in the United States and a count of illegal reentry after his deportation from the United States.
After Ariciaga-Banda was sentenced for his most recent crimes, a hearing was held and his supervised release from his 2010 convictions was revoked by Judge Walter. Ariciaga-Banda was sentenced to 24 month in prison, 12 months of which will be served consecutively. Ariciaga-Banda’s total term of imprisonment is 75 months.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Louisiana State Police, the Caddo Parish Sheriff-Shreveport Police Drug Task Force, and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program designed to reduce violence by aggressively enforcing existing federal firearms laws.
Illegal Alien Convicted of Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
An illegal alien from Mexico who assumed the identity of a United States citizen was convicted by a jury today, after a two-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Juan Bautista-Rubio, age 21, an illegal alien from Mexico living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was convicted of one count of aggravated identity theft. The verdict was returned this afternoon following about two hours and thirty minutes of jury deliberations. Bautista-Rubio previously pled guilty on May 9, 2014, to one count of illegal re-entry into the United States following deportation and one count of unlawful use of a fraudulently acquired social security card and permanent resident card to gain employment in the United States.
The evidence at trial showed that Bautista-Rubio used a fraudulently acquired social security card and a fake lawful permanent resident alien card to obtain employment in Waterloo, Iowa, where he filled out an Immigration I-9 Form on April 5, 2012, falsely claiming to be a lawful permanent resident alien. Immigration I-9 forms are required to be completed by all employees working within the United States. Bautista-Rubio worked in Waterloo, Iowa, continuously from April 2012 through June 2013 and again from December 2013 through April 2014.
On April 23, 2014, Bautista-Rubio was questioned by an agent with Homeland Security. During that interview Bautista-Rubio admitted that he was present in United States illegally after being deported in 2011 and that he knowingly used the identification documents of a real person, including the name, date of birth, and social security number, to gain employment in the United States. Bautista-Rubio told the agent that he specifically requested and obtained the identification documents of a real person to ensure that he could work here.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Bautista-Rubio remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the illegal re-entry count, Bautista-Rubio faces a possible maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment. On the use of identification documents count, Bautista-Rubio faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. On the aggravated identity theft count, Bautista-Rubio faces a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment. In addition, on all counts, Bautista-Rubio faces fines of up to $750,000, $300 in special assessments, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 14-CR-0052.
Henderson Man Sentenced to 125 Months for Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW BERN – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced JAMMEE DUCHEA TERRY , 22, of Henderson to a total of 125 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
TERRY was named in an Indictment filed on March 21, 2013, charging him with one count of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Felon, and two counts of Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Ammunition. On July 17, 2013, TERRY pled guilty to the Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Felon.
According to the investigation, on January 17, 2013, TERRY entered a gas station in Henderson and while exiting the store, he attempted to strike another customer in the back of the head. Terry then pulled out a loaded firearm and struck the victim in the head. The victim immediately exited the store and began to flee; however, TERRY ran after himanddischarged the firearm approximately ten times and struck the victim in the foot.
On February 13, 2013, officers with the Henderson Police Department, located firearms in the trunk of a car in Henderson that TERRY hadplaced inside the vehicle. At least one of the guns was stolen.
On February 18, 2013, Terry was charged with another firearm by felon charge for a firearm that TERRY had in the car that he was driving. Officers from the Henderson Police Department detained TERRY and a passenger in the vehicle. Officers had received complaints that TERRY had pointed a firearm at an adult female, her boyfriend, and her infant in another car.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted the case of the government.
Haughton Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Distributing Illegal Drugs and for Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A Haughton man was sentenced to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release for a firearms charge and for selling cocaine and methamphetamine with his girlfriend and mother, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.
Deshun J. McNeely, 33, of Haughton, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to 60 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and 60 months in prison for one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on October 24, 2013, McNeely, his girlfriend Marenda Smith, and his mother Brenda White, conspired to sell cocaine and methamphetamine in northeast Louisiana from 2012 to 2013. On May 7, 2013, agents executed a search warrant at McNeely and Smith’s home. Powder cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, four firearms and $9,000 were seized. Agents also seized $36,000 found in a storage unit McNeely and Smith rented.
Smith was sentenced to 30 months in prison and White 24 months in prison on May 22, 2014. They were also each ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
The defendants were prosecuted as part of OCDETF Operation Styrofoam Cookies. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Georgia Police Officials and Former Deputy Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Charges of Excessive Force and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia returned indictments charging four law enforcement officers with civil rights violations and obstruction of justice in connection with an incident that occurred at Bainbridge BikeFest in 2012. A seven count indictment was returned charging former Grady County Sheriff’s Deputy Wiley Griffin IV and Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Captain Elizabeth Croley with violating an individual’s civil rights. Additionally, Croley, Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Kines and former Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Wade Umbach were charged with obstructive conduct relating to the investigation into the civil rights violation.
The indictment charges that Griffin used excessive force during the arrest of a civilian, A.P., at the Bainbridge BikeFest motorcycle event in Bainbridge, Georgia, on Sept. 15 to 16, 2012, thereby violating A.P.’s civil rights. As a result of the assault, A.P. sustained injuries to his face, including cuts, bleeding, swelling and bruising.
The indictment also charges Croley, Kines and Umbach with writing false reports to cover up the assault. In addition, Kines and Umbach were charged with making misleading statements to the FBI to obstruct the agency’s investigation into the use of force against A.P.
In addition, the indictment charges Croley with violating A.P.’s constitutional right to a fair trial by intentionally withholding material exculpatory evidence from the District Attorney’s office, and, in turn, from A.P.’s criminal defense attorney, during prosecution of A.P. arising from the arrest at BikeFest.
The civil rights charge against Griffin carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The civil rights charge against Croley carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in prison. Additionally, Croley, Kines and Umbach face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for their falsification of reports, and Umbach and Kines face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for making misleading statements to obstruct justice.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Christine M. Siscaretti and Risa Berkower of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Four Individuals Indicted in July Federal Grand JuryRead the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the July 2014 Federal Grand Jury.
“The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Statutory maximum punishments are in parentheses. United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court. Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.”
VICENTE ANDRADE, age 31, of White Plains, NY
PEDRO HERNANDEZ-PEREZ, age 38, of White Plains, NY
a/k/a JOHNNY GARCIAPossession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
The Indictment alleges that on or about July 2, 2014, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendants did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol the Drug Enforcement Administration. The charges are in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000,000.00 fine.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris
PETER GLENN BAKER, age 42, of Skamania County, WA
Failure To Register As A Sex Offender
The Indictment alleges that from in or about October 2013 until in or about December 2013 and again from in or about March 2014 until on or about May 3, 2014, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant, an individual required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, after having received a felony conviction, traveled in interstate commerce and knowingly failed to register and update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Marshal Service. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2250(a)(1), 2250(a)(2)(B) and 2250(a)(3), punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $250,000.00 fine.
Assistant United States Attorney D. Edward Snow
JOBY TUCSON NORTHINGTON, age 34, of Tahlequah, OK
Possession of Unregistered Firearm (Destructive Device)
The Indictment alleges that on or about April 12, 2014, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant did knowingly possess a destructive device, which is a firearm, as defined in Title 26, United States Code, Section 5845, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The charge is in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d), 5841 and 5871, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $250,000.00 fine.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson
Former Strip Club Owner Rick Rizzolo Charged with Felony Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Former Las Vegas strip club owner Rick Rizzolo was indicted by the federal grand jury today on charges that he attempted to evade over $2.5 million in employment and income taxes, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Rizzolo is charged with two counts of attempt to evade and defeat the payment of tax. Special Agents with IRS Criminal Investigation arrested him this afternoon, and he will be scheduled for an initial appearance and arraignment before a United States Magistrate Judge tomorrow. If convicted, Rizzolo faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine on each count.
The indictment alleges that beginning on about June 28, 2006, and continuing to May 31, 2011, Rizzolo allegedly attempted to evade the payment of approximately $1.7 million in employment taxes that he owed for 2000 to 2002, and $861,075 in income taxes he owed for 2006, by concealing and attempting to conceal from the IRS the nature, extent and location of his assets, by making false statements to IRS employees, and by placing funds and property in the names of nominees and beyond the reach of process.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip N. Smith, Jr. and Sarah E. Griswold.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Social Worker Convicted of Theft of Public MoneyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that James Leonard Holt, 64, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to five years of probation by United States District Judge Lyle E. Strom, after pleading guilty to an information charging him with 9 counts of theft of public money. Additionally, Mr. Holt’s former business, Umoja, P.C., was also convicted on a one-count indictment charging health care fraud and sentenced to five years of probation. Both Mr. Holt and Umoja, P.C., were ordered to jointly pay $15,530.54 in restitution to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medicaid and Long Term Care.
Holt has a masters degree in social work and was a licensed mental health counselor. Umoja, P.C., was incorporated in September of 2008 and both Holt and Umoja were enrolled providers with the Nebraska Medicaid Program. Between approximately September of 2009 and September of 2012, Holt and Umoja, P.C. fraudulently submitted claims and unlawfully took money by submitting the false claims to Nebraska Medicaid for reimbursement. These claims were purportedly for sessions of individual and family psychotherapy. The claims submitted by Holt and Umoja were false because the services for which the claims were made were not provided. During the course of the investigation, 231 false claims were discovered that had been submitted for reimbursement.
As a part of the plea agreements for both Holt and Umoja, they have agreed to an exclusion from participation in any federally-funded health care benefit program for a time period yet to be determined by the United States Department of Health & Human Services.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, and the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services.
Former New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Conspiracy, Bribery, Honest Services Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Tax ViolationsRead the Press Release
C. RAY NAGIN (“NAGIN”), age 58, a resident of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced today to 10 years imprisonment by United States District Judge Helen G. Berrigan for conspiracy, bribery, honest services wire fraud, money laundering and tax violations, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In addition to the term of imprisonment, NAGIN was ordered to pay $84,264 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Also, a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture was signed by the judge on May 27, 2014, granting forfeiture in the amount of $501,200.56.
NAGIN served as the Mayor of New Orleans from 2002 to 2010. A federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Louisiana indicted NAGIN on January 18, 2013. NAGIN stood trial from January 27, 2014 to February 12, 2014 when the jury found NAGIN guilty on 20 of 21 counts in the indictment.
"Given the nature and extent of former Mayor Nagin's criminal conduct and betrayal of public trust over the course of several years, hopefully this result will bring at least some level of resolution to the City and its residents," stated Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"In February, a jury of New Orleans citizens sent Mr. Nagin the message, loud and clear, that public officials will be held accountable for public corruption and criminal activity. Today's sentence confirms that message - public servants are elected to serve the public, not benefit from the position," said Richard Weber, Chief IRS Criminal Investigation. "No one is above the law and IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to investigate all financial crimes which undermine the public's confidence in its elected officials."“NOLAOIG discovered financial discrepancies when it conducted an evaluation of the City’s Crime Camera System in 2009,” stated Ed Quatreveaux, Inspector General for the City of New Orleans. “The joint FBI-NOLAOIG investigation into those discrepancies eventually led to the convictions of Greg Meffert, Mark St. Pierre, and the former mayor. NOLAOIG will continue its work to root out fraud and abuse in City operations to protect the City from those who would defraud it.”
“Ray Nagin’s sentencing brings to a close a sordid chapter in New Orleans’ history in which the man charged with leading a city out of crisis instead chose to enrich himself, his family, and friends,” stated Rafael C. Goyeneche III, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. “This case epitomizes the vital role the public plays in exposing corruption as information supplied by citizens through the Metropolitan Crime Commission aided the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to a just conclusion.”
“Our elected officials are entrusted to place the interests of the citizens above their own,” stated United States Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr. “When they violate that trust and break the law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue them zealously and bring them to justice.”The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Metropolitan Crime Commission. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Coman, Richard R. Pickens, II and Matthew S. Chester.
Former IRS Employee Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Claiming over $1,745,000 in False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. – Monica Nanette Hernandez, 41, of Fresno, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to four years and five months in prison for filing false tax returns, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Judge Ishii also ordered Hernandez to pay $175,144 in restitution.
According to court documents, Hernandez worked for the IRS Service Center in Fresno as a part-time data entry clerk. While employed in that capacity, Hernandez filed three tax returns for herself claiming excessive federal tax withholdings based on falsely claimed interest and dividend income. Because of these fraudulent returns, Hernandez obtained more than $175,000 in refunds from the IRS.
In addition, in April 2010, Hernandez stole 68 tax returns from the IRS Service Center that had not yet been entered into the IRS’s computer system. She electronically filed fraudulent tax returns for her own benefit using the identification information of some of these taxpayers in which she claimed excessive federal tax withholdings from dividends and interest income. In total, Hernandez attempted to claim more than $1,745,000 in fraudulent tax refunds through the returns she filed using other taxpayers’ personal information.
“Identity theft is an epidemic that has hit the American people hard, and having an Internal Revenue Service employee involved in such criminal activity erodes the public trust in government institutions, especially the IRS,” said Rod Ammari, Special Agent in Charge, San Francisco Field Division, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “TIGTA and its law-enforcement partners will actively investigate IRS-related identity theft cases, and will do everything within its powers to ensure those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Grant B. Rabenn and Christopher D. Baker prosecuted the case.
Former Hughestown Borough Police Officer Charged with Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today the filing of a criminal information charging Robert F. Evans, Jr., age 38, Moosic, Pennsylvania, with distributing oxycodone on numerous occasions between August 2012 to July 29, 2013. At the time of the offense, Evans was employed as a police officer with the Hughestown Borough Police Department.
United States Attorney Peter Smith stated that the charge is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is twenty years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Former Houston Banker Convicted of Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Carlos Lavin Ibarra, 33, of Houston, has entered a guilty plea to one count of bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Ibarra worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Houston. He admitted that while employed there, he purchased or caused to be purchased $779,000 in cashier’s checks on accounts owned by a person from Nigeria. This person was deceased at the time of the defendant’s actions and Chase was not advised of his death. The defendant admitted he acted fraudulently and without authority.
The cashier’s checks were all made payable to “Ben Leasing.” Ibarra admitted he caused another individual to obtain a certificate of operation under the assumed name of Ben Leasing from the County Clerk of Harris County and open a bank account in that name. However, that person refused to accept the cashier’s checks and Ibarra then re-deposited the checks at Chase. He further caused eight more cashier’s checks to be purchased in various amounts, payable to different individuals with whom Ibarra had a relationship. Three of these checks were subsequently exchanged for identical Chase cashier’s checks. All of the Chase cashier’s checks were deposited into different bank accounts in Houston.
U.S. District Judge WHO, has set sentencing for Sept. 29, 2014. At that time, Ibarra faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1 million. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
As part of his plea, Ibarra has also agreed to a forfeiture of $779,000.
The case was investigated by the Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Braddock.
Former Farmington Private School Teacher Charged with Coercing Minor to Engage in SexRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging JOSEPH RAJKUMAR, 44, formerly of Farmington, with one count of use an interstate facility to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity. The charge stems from RAJKUMAR’s sexual relationship with a student while he was a teacher at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington.
The indictment alleges that, in approximately November 2011, RAJKUMAR used a computer connected to the Internet to entice a minor who had not reached the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity for which any person could be charged with a criminal offense.
If convicted of the charge, RAJKUMAR faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
RAJKUMAR previously pleaded guilty in state court to sexual assault in the second degree and, in January 2014, was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, execution suspended after 18 months, and 10 years of probation. He is currently in state custody.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Farmington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
[email protected]Former Administrator Sentenced for Embezzling from Jackson County CourtRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the former court administrator for the Jackson County Circuit Court was sentenced in federal court today for a fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $140,000 from the circuit court.
“This highly paid public official abused her position of trust and authority to steal from the court month after month, year after year, and did not stop until she was caught,” Dickinson said. “She lavished public money on personal luxuries and secretly enriched her boyfriend. Now she is being held accountable for breaking the laws she was sworn to uphold.”
Teresa L. York, 59, of Blue Springs, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered York to pay $139,536 in restitution.
York was appointed as the court administrator for the Jackson County Circuit Court in 2003. She was placed on administrative leave on June 4, 2012, after her embezzlement was discovered, and resigned on July 2, 2012. York pleaded guilty to mail fraud on Nov. 21, 2013.
York admitted that she engaged in a scheme to defraud the court between January 2009 and June 4, 2012. York used court-paid credit cards for her own personal use and purchased gift cards paid for by the court for her own personal use. York also entered into a fraudulent contract for which no services were ever provided and which primarily benefited a person with whom she had a romantic relationship.
As a result of York’s fraudulent actions, the total loss to the court was $142,278. After being confronted with her embezzlement scheme and placed on leave, York reimbursed the court $2,742, resulting in a total loss of $139,536.
Credit Card Scheme
The Jackson County Circuit Court used credit cards to pay for court business, such as judicial travel and Missouri Bar expenses. These credit cards were collectively referred to as purchasing cards, or “P-cards.” As court administrator, York was an authorized user of the P-cards.
York admitted that, from 2009 to 2012, she used the court’s P-card to purchase:
- $2,252 for gas for her personal driving, even though the court used mileage reimbursement forms to reimburse business driving;
- $9,532 for personal items and gift cards from Amazon;
- $6,446 for personal items such as clothing and make-up;
- $8,350 for personal meals;
- $487 for U.S. postal stamps for her personal use (the court uses metered postage for its mail, rather than stamps);
- $46,535 for Apple computer products (the court did not use a system compatible with Apple computers);
- $35,356 for gift cards. (York kept most of the gift cards, in the amount of $29,371, for her personal use and distributed $5,985 of these gift cards to court staff, on a merit system determined by her, as a type of bonus. The amounts of the cards were more than the Internal Revenue Service de minimis requirements for income reporting, however, the cards were not ever tracked or reported as income.)
York also sold some computers owned by the court and kept the proceeds of the sales for her personal use.
The loss to the court from York’s credit card scheme was $79,438.
Contract Scheme
York also engaged in a fraudulent contract scheme. On Sept. 30, 2010, York entered into a contract with CBDM Services, LLC, on behalf of the court, purportedly for workflow analysis (a business process review, a customer service evaluation and an organizational redesign). The amount to be paid was originally $68,000, although it was later increased to $69,500.
CBDM was not organized as a company at the time the contract was signed. CBDM and its owner, identified in court documents as “N.D.,” were actually a front used to conceal the true contracting party, identified in court documents as “B.V.” York did not disclose to the court that B.V. would be receiving more than 90 percent of the payments made to CBDM or that she had a romantic relationship with B.V.
At York’s direction, the court paid CBDM a total of $64,500, although no usable work product or report was produced. Of the $64,500 paid by the court, the owner and only principal of CBDM (identified in court documents as “N.D.”) kept approximately $2,000 plus banking fees and sent the remainder, approximately $62,000, to B.V.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI.
Public Corruption Hotline
The FBI has established a toll-free public corruption hotline, 1-855-KCPCTIP, and email [email protected]. Details regarding the various types of public corruption investigated by the FBI can be found online: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/corruption.Food Service Manager and Co-Defendant Sentenced in Identity Theft Scheme Involving Miami-Dade County Public Schools Students' Personal Identifying InformationRead the Press Release
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that defendants Pamela Rhim-Grant, 40, and Eugene Moss, 33, both of Miami, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard. Rhim-Grant was sentenced to 81 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Moss was sentenced to 70 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Rhim-Grant and Moss were each also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $87,736.00.
Sentencing for co-defendant Nydia Nelson, 30, of Miami, is scheduled for July 25, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Each of the defendants previously pled guilty to one count of computer fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.
According to court documents, Rhim-Grant was a food service manager at Horace Mann Middle School and an employee of Miami-Dade Public Schools. In connection with her position, Rhim-Grant had network computer access to the Miami-Dade Public Schools’ Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) database through which Rhim-Grant could access information regarding current and former Miami-Dade County Public Schools students' personal identifying information (PII), including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers.
Court documents also state that from approximately October 2012 through January 21, 2014, Rhim-Grant and co-conspirators Moss and Nelson agreed and conspired to access the network computer, with the intent to commit stolen identity fraud, for the purpose of obtaining student PII in furtherance of that fraud. Moss and Nelson placed orders for student PII with Rhim-Grant. Once the order was received, Rhim-Grant accessed the network computer and printed student information sheets containing the PII from the ISIS database and delivered them to either Moss or Nelson at a prearranged location. Once in possession, Moss and Nelson used the student PII to file income tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds. The fraudulent refunds were directed either to prepaid debit cards or accounts controlled by Nelson.
According to court documents, Rhim-Grant was paid $10 per student’s PII in either cash or gift cards. According to Rhim-Grant, approximately 400 students’ PII were fraudulently accessed on the network computer and delivered to Moss or Nelson pursuant to the scheme.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, and the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank R. Maderal.
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.
Fomer Philadelphia Police Officer Charged in Extortion SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Christopher Saravello, 37, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, in a scheme to extort drugs and money from drug dealers and drug buyers while working as a Philadelphia Police Officer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and five counts of Hobbs Act extortion.
According to the indictment, between November 2011 and June 2012, while employed as a Philadelphia Police Officer assigned to the 6th District, Saravello conspired with others, known to the grand jury, to rob drug dealers and drug buyers of cash and Oxycontin and other controlled substances. It is alleged that Saravello’s co-conspirators would alert him to a drug sale or drug buy. Saravello would then allegedly interrupt the planned drug transaction, identifying himself as a law enforcement officer by approaching the transaction in a marked police vehicle, wearing a police uniform, displaying an official badge and identification, or verbally identifying himself as a police officer. The indictment alleges that Saravello seized the narcotics being sold by the drug seller or the money being paid by the drug buyer and shared the drugs and/or money seized with his co-conspirators. In doing so, Saravello used his status as a law enforcement officer to seize the controlled substance and/or money from the drug seller or buyer. The alleged conspiracy resulted in the illegal taking of more than $9,800 in drug money and quantities of Oxycontin and other narcotics.
If convicted of all charges, Saravello faces a maximum possible sentence of 120 years in prison, $1.25 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $600 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Click here to read the indictment.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – David Mario Riley, 38, of Tampa, Fla., pled guilty today to a federal charge of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Riley entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Christopher R. Cooper is to sentence him on Oct. 1, 2014. Riley faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
According to the government's evidence, on Dec. 10, 2013, Riley contacted an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, who had posted an ad on a social network site. Over the next few days, Riley engaged in e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer about child pornography and a shared sexual interest in children. During their communications, Riley sent the undercover officer eight still images of child pornography.
Pursuant to a search of various electronic equipment in Riley’s hotel room in Crystal City, Va., law enforcement recovered about 14 videos and 40 still images of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.
14-160Florida Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Using Inmates’ IdentitiesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Jerry St. Fleur (26, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. St. Fleur faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, beginning no later than January 2011, and continuing until about May 2014, St. Fleur, in his capacity as a correctional officer at the Zephyrhills Correctional Facility, in Zephyrhills, Florida, unlawfully accessed and stole the personal identifying information (PII) of inmates, both former and current, within the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC). St. Fleur would “screen scrape” (i.e., cut and paste) inmates’ PII, without their knowledge or permission, from FDOC databases and then use that PII to file false tax returns. As part of this scheme, St. Fleur filed approximately 182 fraudulent income tax returns. The government estimates that the total amount of fraudulent refunds requested from the 182 tax returns was over $500,000.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jackson.
This case was brought as part of the Tampa Bay Identity Theft Alliance, an initiative dedicated to combating the scheme of using stolen identities to file fraudulent federal income tax refund claims. The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are working together on this joint investigative and enforcement effort.
Felon Who Disregarded Brave Message Sentenced to Lengthy Federal and State Prison TermsRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced DEVONTAE LEE, age 21, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 54 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. The sentence results from LEE’s federal conviction for possessing a firearm while a felon on October 17, 2013.
LEE was also convicted and sentenced last week to 10 years imprisonment on a similar charge based on the same conduct in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. LEE may also face more prison time in state court based on unrelated conviction for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
On April 3, 2013, LEE attended the BRAVE Project’s first “call-in” meeting with several local law enforcement leaders, including the District Attorney, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff, the Baton Rouge Police Chief, and the United States Attorney, as well as community leaders, a crime victim, and a resource counselor. At the meeting, this coalition of law enforcement and community partners personally addressed LEE and other individuals responsible for chronic criminal conduct and/or suspected of having ties to groups associated with violent crime. The coalition repeatedly asked LEE and others to stop the violence, offered significant resources to those who would agree, and warned that those who continued to commit crimes would be prosecuted.
Six months later, on October 7, 2013, two Baton Rouge Police Officers contacted LEE, a convicted felon, and discovered that he possessed a loaded pistol which had been reported stolen. On January 16, 2014, in federal court, LEE pled guilty before Chief Judge Jackson to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At today’s sentencing hearing, prior to imposing the 54-month sentence, the Court noted LEE’s significant criminal history and remarked that LEE had not taken advantage of repeated opportunities to turn his life around.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “This office will continue to join with our federal, state, and local partners in executing the BRAVE project, which includes aggressively pursuing at all levels those offenders who unfortunately fail to heed the BRAVE message.”
District Attorney Moore stated: “While everyone involved would much rather see those individuals turn away from crime and become productive members of society, law enforcement will fulfill the promises made during the BRAVE call-in sessions.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Baton Rouge Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Dippel and Assistant United States Attorney Alan Stevens who serves as a Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
Federal Jury Finds Artesia Woman Guilty on Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Yesterday a federal jury sitting in Las Cruces, N.M., returned a verdict finding Genevieve Hernandez, 36, of Artesia, N.M., guilty on methamphetamine trafficking charges after a two-day trial. The jury’s verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, Will R. Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Division of the DEA, and Commander James McCormick of the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force.
Hernandez and her co-defendant, Mickah Chavez, 21, also of Artesia, were indicted in Jan. 2014, and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Hernandez and Chavez each also was charged with a count of distribution of methamphetamine. The indictment charged the two with conspiring to distribute and distributing more than five grams of methamphetamine on Feb. 22, 2012, in Eddy County, N.M.
Chavez, who was arrested in Jan. 2014, entered a guilty plea to the two methamphetamine trafficking charges against him on March 14, 2014. He was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on July 1, 2014. Hernandez, who was arrested in Feb. 2014, chose to exercise her right to a jury trial.
The trial against Hernandez began on July 7, 2014, and concluded yesterday when the jury returned a guilty verdict against Hernandez on the two methamphetamine trafficking charges in the indictment. The trial evidence established that on Feb. 22, 2012, an undercover agent who was posing as a drug dealer arranged to purchase a half ounce of methamphetamine from Chavez in Artesia. After negotiating an $800 price for the methamphetamine, Chavez left the area and returned accompanied by a vehicle driven by Hernandez. After Chavez obtained the $800 from the undercover agent, he went to the vehicle and got the methamphetamine from Hernandez. Chavez then delivered the methamphetamine to the undercover agent. In Aug. 2012, agents interviewed Hernandez and inquired about the methamphetamine transaction that occurred on Feb. 22, 2012. During the interview, Hernandez admitted knowledge of the drug deal.
Hernandez has been in federal custody since her arrest and remains detained pending her sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Hernandez faces this enhanced sentence because she previously has been convicted of a narcotics trafficking crime.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee L. Camacho of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Artesia Police Department and the Carlsbad Police Department, and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.Federal Jury Convicts Man for Luring Girl for Sex on Craigs ListRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Following a two-day jury trial, a local man was convicted today of using the internet to knowingly persuade, induce and entice a minor girl to engage in sexual activity with him during March 2013, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Sergio Torres, 34, of North Las Vegas, was convicted of one count of coercion and enticement and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. Torres faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.“As this case warns, there are predators lurking openly on the internet seeking children and minors for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “Everyone, and particularly parents and teenagers, need to be especially careful when responding to online advertisements.”
According to the court records, on March 7, 2013, a Henderson Police Department detective working undercover and posing as a 14-year-old girl, responded to an advertisement on craigslist.com. The poster of the advertisement, later identified as Torres, stated he was a virgin and was seeking a girl to “take his virginity.” Over the next two weeks, the detective and Torres exchanged emails and texts, and Torres discussed plans and arrangements for a sexual encounter with the girl. On March 18, 2013, Torres texted that he had made a room reservation at Sunset Station for March 25, 2013, and that he had purchased lingerie and would meet the girl at a parking lot. On March 25, detectives arrested Torres when he arrived in the parking lot, and seized from him the telephone that he had used to text and call the detective, as well as a hotel room key, condoms, sexual lubricant, lingerie, and stockings in a small size.
The case was investigated by the Henderson Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger Yang and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allison Herr.
The 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."