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Monday 28 April 2014
Denver Attorney and Others Named in Superseding Indictment Alleging Money Laundering Related to Marijuana Cultivation and DistributionRead the Press Release
Money was being wired from bank accounts in Colombia to bank accounts in Colorado for purchase of marijuana grow facility
DENVER – Hector Diaz, age 49, David Jeffrey Furtado, age 48, Luis Fernand Uribe, age 28, and Gerardo Uribe, age 33, were named in a just unsealed superseding indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Denver on April 22, 2014, federal law enforcement agencies announced. The superseding indictment alleges violations of federal firearms law and money laundering related to marijuana laws. Diaz, who was previously charged, was sent a summons to appear in court Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Furtado and Luis Uribe were arrested on Friday, April 25, 2014. Furtado and Luis Uribe made their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland, where they were advised of their rights and the charges pending against them. Gerardo Uribe has been charged but is not in custody. He is currently considered a fugitive from justice. Furtado, Luis Uribe, and Hector Diaz are scheduled to be back in court on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
The superseding indictment includes the original charge that Hector Diaz illegally possessed a firearm. The superseding indictment further alleges that Diaz committed visa fraud by making a false statement regarding the purpose of his visit to the United States.
The superseding indictment alleges that all four defendants conspired with each other and others known and unknown to the grand jury, to commit offenses against the United States. The manner and means of their conspiracy include:
- Effect the international transfer of funds from the Republic of Colombia into the United States to facilitate the purchase of real property, with existing physical structures, located at 5200 East Smith Road, in Denver, Colorado.
- The defendants intended to permit the use of the Smith Road property to cultivate, manufacture, and/or distribute marijuana.
- In 2013, Gerardo Uribe filed documents with the Colorado Secretary of State to incorporate a company known as Colorado West Metal, LLC. Attorney David Furtado was the registered agent. Hector Diaz was listed as the person responsible for forming the corporation.
- Furtado opened a bank account at Wells Fargo in the name of Colorado West Metal, LLC, and was the sole signor on that account.
- Furtado used his attorney trust account, held in the name of his law firm, to facilitate the purchase of the Smith Road property.
- It was part of the conspiracy for Furtado, Gerardo Uribe and Hector Diaz to communicate regarding a wire transfer associated with Colorado West Metal, which was later used to purchase the Smith Road property.
- On November 7, 2013, Furtado transferred $424,000 from the Colorado West Metal Wells Fargo account to a Colorado First Bank account, held in the name of Land Title Guarantee Company.
- The conspirators caused and/or agreed for Land Title Guarantee Company to transfer those same funds to Westerra Credit Union – the mortgagor for the Smith Road property.
- Between November 1, 2013 and November 4, 2013, Furtado made and caused to be made two separate wire transfers in the amount of $200,000 each from his attorney trust account into the Colorado First Bank account in the name of Land Title Guarantee to facilitate the purchase of the Smith Road property.
- Members of the conspiracy deposited, and attempted to deposit into financial institutions, and/or converted to cashier’s checks and/or bulk U.S. currency (cash) to facilitate the purchase of the Smith Road property. These bulk currency amounts included proceeds from the cultivation and sale of marijuana.
- On October 31, 2013, Furtado met with Gerardo Uribe and obtained $449,980 in U.S. currency (cash). Those funds represented proceeds of specified unlawful activity, namely the cultivation and sale of marijuana, as derived through the operation of the “VIP Wellness Center”, operated by Gerardo Uribe, Luis Uribe and others.
The superseding indictment also alleges that Diaz, Furtado and Gerardo Uribe did transfer $424,000 using wire transfers from the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argenteria (BVVA) in the Republic of Colombia to the Colorado West Metal, LLC Wells Fargo account with the intent to cultivate, manufacture and distribute marijuana. Also, Furtado did two wire transfers, one for $100,000 and a second for $20,000 from the Banco de Occidente, in the Republic of Colombia, to his attorney trust account with Wells Fargo in Colorado, with the intent to promote the cultivation, manufacture and distribution of marijuana.
Finally, Furtado, Luis Uribe and Gerardo Uribe did knowingly engage in money laundering by and through a financial institution affecting interstate and foreign commerce, in criminally derived property greater than $10,000; that is, the attempted deposit of $449,980 in U.S. Currency (cash) into a Wells Fargo bank account, with such property having been derived from a specified unlawful activity, namely the cultivation, manufacture and distribution of marijuana.
The superseding indictment includes an asset forfeiture allegation, which includes the firearms possessed by Diaz, and the money derived from the unlawful activity, namely the cultivation, manufacture and distribution of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The investigation and charges closely follow the guidance provided by the Department of Justice in August 2013. More than one of the enforcement priorities outlined in the Department guidance are implicated in this ongoing criminal matter.
In the superseding indictment, Hector Diaz is named in counts one, two, three and four. David Furtado is named in counts three, four, five, six and seven. Luis Uribe is named in counts three and seven. Gerardo Uribe is named in counts three, four and seven.
Count one is possession of a firearm by a prohibited possessor. If convicted, the defendant faces not more than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine. Count two is false statements with respect to a material fact. If convicted, the defendant faces not more than 20 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine. Count three is conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the defendants face not more than 20 years imprisonment, and a $500,000 fine (or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater). Count four is money laundering and aiding and abetting the same. If convicted, the defendants face not more than 20 years imprisonment, and a $500,000 fine (or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater). Counts five and six are money laundering and aiding and abetting the same. If convicted, the defendants face not more than 20 years imprisonment, and a $500,000 fine (or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater). Count seven is engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. If convicted, the defendants face not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services (DSS) and the Denver Police Department. This investigation is ongoing, and no further information outside of the superseding indictment can or will be provided.
The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys M.J. Menendez and Bradley Giles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews is handling the asset forfeiture aspect of this case.
The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Couple Sentenced for Stealing Hundreds of Identities to Claim over $600,000 in False Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Justin Cody, and his wife, Aeshia Wilmore, have been sentenced for their roles in a fraudulent income tax refund scheme.
“Stealing identities of innocent people has become all too common,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “The sentence these two received makes it clear that we are committed to exposing and bringing to justice anyone who engages in this conduct.”"IRS Criminal Investigation will remain proactive in the investigation of individuals and groups who engage in stealing the identities of innocent people,” said Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge. “We will utilize every tool available to investigate those who conspire with each other to victimize members of our community for their own personal gain.”
J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “The FBI is pleased with the role it played in bringing these defendants to justice. The FBI will continue to provide its investigative resources and assets in protecting individuals’ identities and their use in these growing schemes involving false tax returns.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: From as early as February 2013 to May 2013, Justin Cody and his wife, Aeshia Wilmore, participated in a scheme to defraud the Department of the Treasury by filing hundreds of fraudulent income tax returns using stolen identities. This type of scheme is commonly called stolen identity refund fraud. Cody used stolen personal identification information of hundreds of victims, along with fake wage and withholding information, to prepare numerous fraudulent tax returns, claiming over $600,000 in tax refunds. After the refunds were processed, Cody had the refunds applied to blank prepaid debit cards that he and Wilmore used at various ATM machines throughout the Atlanta area.
Justin Cody, 33, of Atlanta, Ga., was sentenced to serve seven years and three months in federal prison. Aeshia Wilmore, 25, also of Atlanta, was sentenced to two years in federal prison by United States District Judge Steve C. Jones. On November 22, 2013, Cody and Wilmore each pleaded guilty to count three of the indictment, which is a substantive count of theft of public funds. Cody also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity fraud.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Karlyn J. Hunter and Nekia Hackworth prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Congressman Michael Grimm Indicted for Mail, Wire and Health Care Fraud, Filing False Tax Returns, Perjury, Obstruction of an Official Proceeding, Hiring and Employing Unauthorized Aliens and Related Charges, in Connection with A Manhattan Restaurant HeRead the Press Release
A 20-count indictment was unsealed this morning in federal court in Brooklyn charging Michael Grimm with five counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal tax returns, one count of conspiring to defraud the United States, one count of impeding the Internal Revenue Service, one count of health care fraud, one count of engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring and continuing to employ unauthorized aliens, two counts of perjury and one count of obstructing an official proceeding.1 Since 2011, Grimm has served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing New York’s 11th Congressional District, which includes the borough of Staten Island and parts of the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City. Grimm will be arraigned later today before United States Magistrate Judge James Orenstein at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.
The indictment was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Richard Weber, Chief, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
“In 2007, Michael Grimm, former Marine, former FBI agent, accountant and attorney, was poised for success as a small business owner. Instead, as alleged, Grimm made the choice to go from upholding the law to breaking it. In so doing he turned his back on every oath he had ever taken. Even after his return to public service, when called to account for his actions and questioned under oath Grimm went for the cover up, and lied about his role in his own business,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “The obligation to deal honestly and testify truthfully is shared by everyone in our society. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to enforce our laws across the board.”
“As a former FBI agent, Representative Grimm should understand the motto: fidelity, bravery, and integrity. Yet he broke our credo at nearly every turn. In this twenty-count indictment, Representative Grimm lived by a new motto: fraud, perjury, and obstruction. We demand the best from our political leaders. Yet today, we again find ourselves expecting and rightfully wanting more. And as citizens of this great nation we rightfully demand it,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Venizelos.
“While occupying a position of trust in the community, Mr. Grimm is alleged to have committed a multitude of criminal violations,” said Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation Weber. “No matter your political position, how much power you have, how much money you make, or who you know, IRS-CI investigates all allegations of tax fraud. The American public expects and deserves the equitable enforcement of our tax laws.”
I. Background
As alleged in the indictment, Grimm was one of the owners and the managing member of “Healthalicious,” a fast food restaurant located in Manhattan. From 2007 through 2010, Grimm oversaw the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, which included the reporting and distribution of the restaurant’s payroll. Specifically, Grimm set the employees’ rates of pay, reported their pay-rates and hours worked to the companies that Healthalicious retained to manage its payroll and withhold taxes due and owing to the federal and New York State governments (the “Payroll Processing Companies”), and distributed wages to employees. When Grimm was not present at the restaurant to perform these tasks himself, he delegated those responsibilities to managers under his supervision and control.
Grimm is charged with engaging in schemes to fraudulently under-report the wages he paid his workers – many of whom did not have legal status in the United States – and fraudulently under-report the true amount of money the restaurant earned to both federal and New York State tax and insurance authorities. Specifically, Grimm paid a large portion of Healthalicious’ employees’ wages in cash and did not report those cash wages to federal and state authorities, thereby lowering the restaurant’s payroll tax costs. Grimm also under-reported the true amount of Healthalicious’ payroll to the New York State Insurance Fund (“NYSIF”), allowing him to receive lower monthly workers’ compensation premiums. In addition, Grimm substantially under-reported the amount of gross receipts Healthalicious earned to both the federal and New York State governments, thereby dramatically lowering the federal and state tax the restaurant owed and paid. In total, Grimm concealed over $1 million in Healthalicious sales and wages, fraudulently depriving the federal and state governments of sales, income, and payroll taxes. Further, when Grimm was deposed by an attorney representing a former Healthalicious employee in 2013 as part of a federal lawsuit, Grimm lied under oath about his business practices, including falsely denying that he paid workers cash wages.
II. The Scheme to Fraudulently Under-Report Healthalicious’ Payroll
As alleged in the indictment, Grimm paid a significant portion of Healthalicious’ employees’ wages in cash. Many employees received approximately half of their weekly pay in cash and the other half by check or through direct deposit into a bank account, while others received their entire weekly pay in cash. Grimm handed out cash payments to his employees on numerous occasions, and those cash payments were taken from the daily cash receipts of Healthalicious. Further, Grimm hired and continued to employ workers who did not have legal status and accordingly did not have valid authorization to work inside the United States.
To execute his scheme, Grimm lied, or directed others to lie, to the Payroll Processing Companies by concealing the cash wages paid to the Healthalicious employees. The Payroll Processing Companies had no record of those employees who received the entirety of their pay in cash, or the amounts of pay those employees had received. By under-reporting employee hours and concealing the existence of some employees, Grimm ensured that the Payroll Processing Companies – which were responsible for filing numerous state and federal tax returns on behalf of the restaurant – calculated and then reported less than half of the wages actually paid to the employees. To further his scheme, Grimm maintained electronic spreadsheets detailing the true payroll information pertaining to Healthalicious, which included cash wages paid to Healthalicious employees, and concealed them from the Payroll Processing Companies, among others.
By concealing the off-the-books wages from the Payroll Processing Companies and from an accountant Grimm retained to file other state and federal tax returns for the restaurant (the “Healthalicious Accountant”), Grimm caused a number of false filings to occur, resulting the in underpayment of state and federal taxes as well as an artificially-reduced monthly workers’ compensation insurance premium. Those false filings and misrepresentations included:
1) Federal quarterly payroll tax returns that did not report the true wages Healthalicious employees earned and that did not withhold the proper amount of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) taxes due and owing to the federal government;
2) Federal partnership tax returns filed with the IRS for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 that did not accurately report the correct total wages Grimm paid his employees; and
3) False payroll statements submitted to NYSIF by the Payroll Processing Companies and the Healthalicious Accountant during audits conducted by NYSIF that fraudulently lowered the monthly workers’ compensation premiums paid by Healthalicious.
III. The Scheme to Fraudulently Under-Report Healthalicious’ Gross Sales
Grimm also fraudulently concealed from the Healthalicious Accountant a significant amount of the cash sales that the restaurant generated from April 2007 through August 2010. As a result, Grimm filed numerous false tax returns with the federal government and the State of New York through the Healthalicious Accountant. These false filings, among other things, concealed over $1 million of income that Healthalicious earned but did not report to New York State, causing a substantial sales tax loss to the state.
Specifically, those false tax returns included:
1) New York State Form ST-100 quarterly sales tax returns filed with the New York State Tax Department from June 2007 through August 2010; and
2) Federal partnership tax returns for Healthalicious for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Each false return did not report the true amount of Healthalicious’ gross receipts for each tax year. As a result of Grimm’s fraudulent concealment of the restaurant’s income, Healthalicious’ true earnings were not reported on those tax returns. Consequently, those earnings did not flow through to the partners of the business and were not reflected on the personal income tax returns of the partners, including Grimm.
IV. Perjury and Obstruction of Justice
Two former Healthalicious employees filed a federal civil lawsuit against Grimm in the Southern District of New York, alleging that he did not pay them the minimum wage or overtime pay pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Laws. In January 2013, an attorney representing a plaintiff deposed Grimm, who answered questions under oath relating to his ownership and operation of the restaurant. Specifically, during the deposition, Grimm was questioned concerning his ownership of Healthalicious, what duties he performed there, how he paid and set the hours and rates of pay for his employees, and whether he maintained emails or other records pertaining to those issues, among other things. To conceal his illegal actions, Grimm allegedly lied about several material matters in connection with the lawsuit such as: (a) whether he paid his employees in cash; (b) whether he had interacted with the Payroll Processing Companies; (c) whether he corresponded regarding Healthalicious business through email; and (d) whether he still had access to such an email account.
If convicted, Grimm faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years for each mail and wire fraud charge and for the obstruction charge, up to 10 years of imprisonment for the health care fraud charge, and up to five years of imprisonment for the charge of conspiring to defraud the United States and for each perjury charge. Grimm further faces a term of imprisonment of up to three years for each charge of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return and for the charge of obstructing and impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue Laws. Finally, Grimm faces up to six months of imprisonment for engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring and continuing to employ unauthorized aliens, as well as forfeiture, restitution, and fines.
Ms. Lynch expressed her appreciation to the Public Integrity Section of Department of Justice, the Northern Criminal Enforcement Section of the Tax Division of the Department of Justice, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, New York State Insurance Fund and the New York State Department of Labor, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony M. Capozzolo, Todd D. Kaminsky, and Nathan Reilly.
The Defendant:
MICHAEL GRIMM
Age: 44
Staten Island, New York
E.D.N.Y. Criminal Docket No. 14-248
____________________________________________________________________________
1 The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Grimm Indictment 14-CR-248
Columbia Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Distribution of Sexually Explicit Images of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Scott E. Rouse, 37, of Columbia, Tennessee was sentenced on April 25, 2014, to 15 years in prison by U.S, District Judge Kevin Sharp, for distribution of child pornography, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. The prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release, during which time Rouse will be required to remain on the sex offender registry and participate in sex offender treatment, among other conditions.
According to the plea agreement, in March and April of 2012, Rouse was found to be using his email to send and receive images and video of pre-teen girls being exploited sexually, including some that involved penetration.
A computer forensic examiner subsequently discovered over 400 images and 38 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct in Rouse’s email and on his electronic devices. The examiner further discovered that Rouse had been engaged in this kind of behavior since on or before January 1, 2010.
Prior to this conviction, Rouse had been convicted in 2004 of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor in Hickman County, Tennessee; and in March 2008, Rouse was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor and violation of the sexual offender registry in Maury County, Tennessee.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Tennessee. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Daughtrey.
Colombo Family Soldier Sentenced to 50 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Dino Saracino, a soldier in the Colombo organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Colombo Family”), was sentenced to 50 years in prison at the United States Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. In May 2012, a jury convicted Saracino of racketeering conspiracy spanning nearly two decades including two murder conspiracies, the extortionate extension and collection of credit, and witness tampering as predicate racketeering acts. The jury also convicted Saracino of conspiring to make extortionate extensions of credit, witness tampering, and obstructing an official proceeding.1
The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office.
United States Attorney Lynch stated, “Dino Saracino was a member of one of the most lethal and feared crews of criminals in La Cosa Nostra. His ruthless adherence to the mafia’s code of violence may have earned him a position as a soldier in the Colombo Family but today’s sentence ensures that he will pay for his crimes with years in prison.” Ms. Lynch praised the FBI and the New York City Police Department for their partnership in the government’s investigation and prosecution and also thanked the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance.
The evidence at trial established Saracino’s involvement in a racketeering conspiracy that spanned from 1991 through 2008. The jury found that between 1991 and 1993, Saracino – as part of a faction of the Colombo Family that was loyal to jailed boss Carmine Persico – conspired to kill members of a faction loyal to then acting family boss Victor Orena. The two factions were engaged in a bloody struggle, known as the Colombo Family War, for control of the criminal enterprise. The jury also found that Saracino plotted to kill Michael Burnside, who Saracino and others believed was responsible for Saracino’s brother’s death in 1998. In addition, the jury found that Saracino violently attempted to collect a loanshark debt owed by an individual known as “Peter Risk,” conspired to extend extortionate credit himself, and attempted to obstruct the government’s investigation into his activities and the other members of his criminal crew in 2008 through witness tampering, all as part of the racketeering conspiracy. The jury further convicted Saracino of substantive counts of conspiring to make extortionate extensions of credit, preventing testimony, withholding testimony and records from the grand jury, and obstructing an official proceeding, specifically, the grand jury’s investigation of Saracino and his crew.
Today’s sentencing signifies the culmination of a lengthy investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. Since Saracino’s arrest with Colombo Family street boss Thomas Gioeli and others in June 2008, over 70 members and associates of the Colombo Family, including its leadership, have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.
The sentencing proceeding was held before the Honorable Brian M. Cogan, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. During the sentencing proceeding, Judge Cogan found that, in addition to the crimes found proved by the trial jury, the government had proved by clear and convincing evidence that Saracino had participated in the 1995 murder of Richard Greaves, a Colombo Family associate, the 1997 murder of New York City Police Officer Ralph Dols, and the 1999 murder of Colombo Family underboss William “Wild Bill” Cutolo.
The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geddes, James D. Gatta and Cristina M. Posa.
The Defendant:
DINO SARACINO
Age: 41
____________________________________________________________________________
1 Saracino’s co-defendant, Colombo Family street boss Thomas Gioeli, was also convicted at trial of racketeering conspiracy, including three murder conspiracies. On March 19, 2014, Gioeli was sentenced to 224 months in prison.
Coeur D´Alene Man Sentenced for Possessing Sexually Explicit Images of MinorsRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Loren Stanley Hall, 70, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 70 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession of sexually explicit images of minors, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Hall to pay $5,000 in restitution to a victim, and a $100 special assessment fee. Hall pleaded guilty to the charge on January 30, 2014.
According to the plea agreement, in June 2012, a police officer, working with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, discovered that a computer in Coeur d’Alene was making child pornography available on the Internet. The officer was able to download the file from a publicly available Internet network. He observed that the file contained a video of minors involved in sexually explicit conduct with an adult. Using digital information the officer obtained when downloading the file, the officer was able to determine that the video was being made available from Hall’s residence in Coeur d’Alene.
In October 2012, a federal search warrant was served on Hall’s residence. According to the plea agreement, Hall told officers that he had been downloading pornography involving “younger girls.” A forensic examiner with the United States Secret Service examined Hall’s computer, and other digital storage devices found in his home, and found that Hall had at least 50 movies depicting minors engaged in sexual explicit conduct. The examiner determined that Hall had used search terms such as “underage,” “pre-teen,” “kiddy,” “man boy love,” and other search terms to find his child pornography. Law enforcement officers were able to determine that the videos in Hall’s collection involved children from Washington, Texas, New Hampshire, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and a number of foreign countries.
The case was investigated by the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Attorney General’s Office, Meridian Police Department, and United States Secret Service, all members of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Charleston Man Sentenced to Five Years for Illegal Possession of Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Charleston, W. Va. - United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Brian M. Smith, 31, of Charleston was sentenced to five years in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. Smith previously plead guilty in August of 2013.
In December of 2009, Smith was approached on the front porch of his Charleston West Side residence and offered a handgun for sale. Smith was familiar with two men peddling the gun and knew that they frequently dealt in stolen merchandise and drugs. Smith was able to negotiate with the men and purchase the gun for less than $100. The day after the purchase, Smith was stopped by Charleston police officers in the parking lot of the Charleston West Side Auto Zone. The officers, who were investigating a shoplifting complaint, discovered the stolen gun in Smith’s jacket. Smith, who had been previously convicted of felony burglary in 2005, knew he could not lawfully possess any gun.
The Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation, assisted by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States.
Chamberlain Man Charged with Burglary of A United States Post Office, Theft of Mail, and Theft of Postal Money OrderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Chamberlain, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Burglary of a United States Post Office, Theft of Mail, and Theft of Postal Money Order.
James Short Bear, age 19, was indicted on April 15, 2014. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 23, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between March 2 and March 3, 2014, Short Bear broke into the Chamberlain Post Office and stole mail, as well as a check written to AT&T, and tried to convert it to his own use.
The charges are merely accusations and Short Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Short Bear was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Caribou Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Christopher Hitchcock, 26, of Caribou, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by
Chief Judge John A. Woodcock., Jr. to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 20 years of
supervised release, for transportation of child pornography. Hitchcock pled guilty on November
13, 2013.According to court documents, Hitchcock emailed images of child pornography to
several individuals from his parent’s residence in Fort Fairfield, Maine. In imposing the
sentence, Judge Woodcock noted Hitchcock’s lengthy criminal record, including convictions for
assault and domestic violence, and unrelated charges pending against him in state court in
Aroostook County for attempted gross sexual assault and visual sexual aggression against a
child.The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Presque
Isle Police Department.Bismarck Man Sentenced for Coercion & Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on April 28, 2014, Shane M. Walter, 40, Bismarck N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of coercion & enticement of a minor. Walter pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 30, 2014.
Judge Hovland sentenced Walter to serve 14 years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Walter was ordered to pay restitution of $3342.90 and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.
From January 2012 until April 2013 Walter communicated with a juvenile by text message and through the Internet. The messages were used to persuade the juvenile to engage in sexual activity.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Bismarck Police Department, with the assistance of the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme prosecuted the case.
Bangor Resident Pleads Guilty to Bath Salt Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Daniel
Hines, 38, of Bangor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to
possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly
referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. Prior to October 21, 2011,
MDPV was classified as a controlled substance analogue. On that date, it was reclassified as a
Schedule I controlled substance. The defendant obtained MDPV from other members of the
conspiracy and traded, sold or otherwise distributed it. In November 2011, following a search of
a co-conspirator’s residence and the seizure of a large amount of MDPV, the defendant and
another person removed MDPV that the police did not find during their search. That MDPV was
later seized by police from another individual.
The defendant faces up to 20 year in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. He will be
sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
Hines is one of five defendants charged as part of the conspiracy. Co-defendants Jessica
Bryden, 22, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff, 27, of Old Town, Maine; and Adam
Hathorn, 36 and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” 32, both of Bangor, previously pled guilty to the
conspiracy charge and await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Bangor Police Department and the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.Bakersfield Methamphetamine Trafficking Brothers Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Two brothers from Bakersfield were sentenced today for methamphetamine trafficking offenses, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Ulisses Lopez, 23, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison, and Erik Lopez was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
According to court documents, on October 23, 2012, the brothers delivered approximately one pound of methamphetamine to an informant.On February 3, 2014, both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southern Tri-County HIDTA Task Force, and the Bakersfield Police Department. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney prosecuted the case.
Bakersfield Drug Dealer Sentenced to 8 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. —Miguel Sanchez-Mendoza (Sanchez), 46, of Mexico, was sentenced today to eight years in prison for conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, Sanchez and a co-defendant maintained a stash house in Bakersfield from where law enforcement officers seized seven pounds of methamphetamine, one and a half pounds of cocaine, a half-pound of heroin, all packaged for sale. In addition to the drugs, officers found and seized digital scales, cutting agents, a kilogram press, and $9,483 in cash. The cash has been forfeited as proceeds of drug trafficking. Sanchez is subject to deportation following the completion of the prison term.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Major Violators Unit, and the California Multijurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.
Attorney General Holder: Justice Dept. to Collect Data on Stops, Arrests as Part of Effort to Curb Racial Bias in Criminal Justice SystemRead the Press Release
Noting that African-American and Hispanic males are arrested at disproportionately high rates, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday that the Justice Department will seek to collect data about stops, searches and arrests as part of a larger effort to analyze and reduce the possible effect of bias within the criminal justice system.
Attorney General Holder said the project grew out of President Obama’s call, issued last July following the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case, for the Justice Department to seek to reduce tensions between law enforcement and minority communities.
“Racial disparities contribute to tension in our nation generally and within communities of color specifically, and tend to breed resentment towards law enforcement that is counterproductive to the goal of reducing crime,” Attorney General Holder said. “Of course, to be successful in reducing both the experience and the perception of bias, we must have verifiable data about the problem. As a key part of this initiative, we will work with grant recipients and local law enforcement to collect data about stops and searches, arrests, and case outcomes in order to help assess the impact of possible bias.”
The data collection is one part of the Department’s new National Center for Building Community Trust and Justice. It will be funded through $4.75 million in competitively awarded grants. The grant recipients will be named later this year.
The complete text of the Attorney General’s video message is below:“A recent study reported that half of African-American men have been arrested at least once by age 23. Overall, black men were 6 times, and Latino men were 2.5 times, more likely to be imprisoned than white men in 2012.
“This overrepresentation of young men of color in our criminal justice system is a problem we must confront—not only as an issue of individual responsibility but also as one of fundamental fairness, and as an issue of effective law enforcement. Racial disparities contribute to tension in our nation generally and within communities of color specifically, and tend to breed resentment towards law enforcement that is counterproductive to the goal of reducing crime.
“We know – from research and from experience – that when people are treated fairly by police and other justice system agencies they are more likely to accept decisions by the authorities and obey the law in the future, even when they are penalized by criminal sanctions.
“Last July, following the verdict in the case involving the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, President Obama spoke out about the need to promote better understanding between law enforcement and young men of color. He specifically directed the Justice Department to work closely with state and local law enforcement agencies to develop training and other innovative tools that can help to reduce discord and restore trust.
“We are heeding the President’s call. This month, the Justice Department is launching a new initiative – the National Center for Building Community Trust and Justice – to analyze and reduce the effect of racial bias within the criminal justice system. The Center will be funded through an initial competitive grant award totaling $4.75 million and is jointly supported by the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, the COPS Office, the Civil Rights Division, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Community Relations Service. This effort will encompass a broad range of areas in which fairness and trust can come into question–from stops and searches to wrongful convictions.
“Of course, to be successful in reducing both the experience and the perception of bias, we must have verifiable data about the problem. As a key part of this initiative, we will work with grant recipients and local law enforcement to collect data about stops and searches, arrests, and case outcomes in order to help assess the impact of possible bias. We will conduct this research while simultaneously implementing strategies in five initial pilot sites with the goal of reducing the role of bias and building confidence in the justice system among young people of color. This work will likely include anti-gang and mentoring projects intended to empower young African-American and Latino males and break the vicious cycle of poverty, incarceration, and crime that destroys too many promising futures each and every day.
“Through partnerships with community organizations and local agencies, the Center will build on the work of the Department’s Smart on Crime initiative to help expand opportunity in neighborhoods that are too often characterized by distress and distrust; to reduce bias and discord; and – ultimately – to relegate the era of animosity and suspicion to the past.
“Of course, I realize that progress will not come easily, and the changes we seek will not take hold overnight. But the Justice Department is firmly committed to the goal of opening doors to cooperation and trust that will ultimately lead to safer and healthier communities.
“The Department of Justice is integrally involved in the President’s initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” a plan to make sure that every young man of color who is willing to work hard and play by the rules has the chance to reach his full potential. By creating more opportunities for young men of color we can send the message that our country is stronger when all Americans are doing well.
“As our nation’s Attorney General, and as a father of three, I am personally dedicated to doing everything possible to reduce crime, to strengthen our communities, and to provide the support and assistance that all of our young people need – and that they deserve.”The full video message is available at http://www.justice.gov/agwa.php.
Army National Guard Soldier Pleads Guilty <br /> to Defrauding the U.S. National Guard BureauRead the Press Release
A soldier in the Texas Army National Guard pleaded guilty today for his role in a bribery and fraud scheme that caused more than $30,000 in losses to the U.S. National Guard Bureau, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. O’Neil of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.
Sergeant First Class Zaunmine O. Duncan, 38, formerly of Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery and one count of aggravated identity theft. The case against Duncan arises from an investigation involving allegations that former and current military recruiters and U.S. soldiers in the San Antonio and Houston areas engaged in a wide-ranging corruption scheme to illegally obtain fraudulent recruiting bonuses. To date, the investigation has led to charges against 25 individuals, 23 of whom have pleaded guilty.
According to court documents, in approximately September 2005, the National Guard Bureau entered into a contract with Document and Packaging Broker Inc. (Docupak), to administer the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP). The G-RAP was a recruiting program that offered monetary incentives to soldiers of the Army National Guard who referred others to join the Army National Guard. Through this program, a participating soldier could receive bonus payments for referring another individual to join the Army National Guard. Based on certain milestones achieved by the referred soldier, a participating soldier would receive payment through direct deposit into the participating soldier’s designated bank account. To participate in the program, soldiers were required to create online recruiting assistant accounts.
Duncan admitted that between approximately February 2008 and August 2010, while he was a recruiter for the National Guard, he obtained the names and Social Security numbers of potential soldiers and provided them to recruiting assistants, including co-conspirators Elisha Ceja, Annika Chambers, Kimberly Hartgraves and Lashae Hawkins, so that these recruiting assistants could use the information to obtain fraudulent recruiting bonuses by falsely claiming that they were responsible for referring these potential soldiers to join the Army National Guard, when they were not. In exchange for the information, Duncan admitted that he personally received a total of at least approximately $24,500 in payments from Ceja, Chambers, Hartgraves and Hawkins.
Duncan is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal in Houston.
Co-conspirators Ceja, Chambers, Hartgraves and Hawkins have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery in connection to this scheme. Hartgraves is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2014. Ceja, Chambers and Hawkins are each scheduled to be sentenced on June 26, 2014. All of these sentencing hearings are set before U.S. District Judge Rosenthal in Houston.
The cases are being investigated by special agents from the San Antonio Fraud Resident Agency of Army CID’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Sean F. Mulryne, Heidi Boutros Gesch and Mark J. Cipolletti of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pearson of the Southern District of Texas.April Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 36 indictments charging 41 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Salomon Acevedo-Sanchez, age 55, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 13, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cecilio Aguilera-Villafana, age 32, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 30, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Brigido A. Angeles, age 59, of Springlake, Minnesota, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about February 7, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Braulio Arizmendiz-Contreras, a/k/a Carlos Arizmendiz-Salido, a/k/a Miguel Rivera, age 42, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 9, 2014, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Arizmendiz-Contreras with possession with a firearm by a prohibited person on or about April 9, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with alien in possession of a firearm on or about April 9, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 years term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jesus Avalos-Colimote, age 38, of Lexington, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 5, 2014, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Esteban Barajas-Medina, age 27, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about February 2, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Quantal Blake, age 27, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with bank robbery of Bank of the West, on or about February 4, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Blake with attempting to enter Premier Bank with the intent to commit a bank robbery on or about March 20, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with bank robbery of First Westroads Bank, on or about March 20, 2014. The maximum penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alfonso Camarena-Soriano, age 43, of Lincoln, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about February 11, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose L. Castillo-Mendez, age 33, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Counts I and II of the Indictment charge the defendant with assaulting two officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or about March 20, 2014. If convicted, he faces a maximum imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.
* Melissa S. Clinton, age 35, of McCook, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about April 1, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment , a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Leonardo De La Rosa, age 32, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 6, 2013, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment , a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges De La Rosa with illegal alien in possession of a firearm on or about April 6, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alberto Favila-Cervantes, age 31; Uriel Ivan Iribe-Ortiz, age 30; Ivan Trujillo-Cruz, age 24; and David Acosta, age 35, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine beginning on or about March 27, 2014 and continuing to on or about April 22, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Acosta with distributing a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about April 22, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges Favila-Cervantes, Iribe-Ortiz and Trujillo-Cruz with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about April 22, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Amy N. Fisher, age 41, of Papillion, Nebraska, is charged with embezzlement from the Bank of the West. Between on or about September 4, 2012 and continuing to on or about March 26, 2014, the defendant allegedly embezzled approximately $136,000 for her own personal benefit. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.* Alejandro Garcia De Jesus, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 8, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ricardo Garcia De Jesus, age 30, of Bellevue, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 8, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Antonio Garcia, age 25, of Palmdale, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine beginning on or about April 3, 2014 and continuing to on or about April 22, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Carlos Garcia-Gamino, age 26, of Lincoln, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Counts I thru III of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about December 27, 2013, on or about January 7, 2014 and on or about January 31, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Count IV of the Indictment charges Garcia Gamino with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about April 4, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,00 fine, a 5 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* William L. Gienger, age 48, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about March 31, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Severo Hernandez-Hernandez, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 14, 2014, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Aaron James Jackson, age 28, of Lincoln, is charged with harboring a fugitive on or between March 20, 2014 and April 4, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ricardo Losada-Hernandez, age 38, of Fremont, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 15, 2014, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Fernando Martinez, also known as Silent, age 26, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about March 11, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alejandro Memije-Fuentes, also known as Hilario Leandro Memije-Fuentes, age 33, of Santa Anna, California; Javier Gomez Zambrano, age 20, of Santa Anna, California, and Miguel Davalos Gomez, age 22, of Costa Mesa, California, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine between on or about April 3, 2014 and on or about April 22, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Armando Morena-Ayala, also known as Ramon Lopez-Rocha, also known as Cho Cho, age 34, of Omaha, is charged in Count I of the indictment with receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography from on and before September 30, 2014. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. The defendant is charged in Count II of the Indictment with possession of child pornography on or about February 11, 2014. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Armando Moreno-Ayala, also known as Ramon Lopez-Rocha, also known as Cho Cho, age 34, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about November 6, 2013, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Antonia Noyola-Diaz, age 22, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Counts I of the Indictment charges the defendant with misuse of a Social Security Number on or about July 8, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 26, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment alleges on or about July 8, 2013, Noyola-Diaz made a false statement and claimed to be a United States citizen with the intent to receive Federal and State benefits and to be employed in the United States. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges that on or about July 8, 2013, the defendant misused a Social Security Card and a State of Nebraska Operator’s License knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment , a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Shannon Pohlmeier, age 43, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Counts I thru III of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about January 22, 2014, on or about January 27, 2014 and on or about March 6, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Count IV of the Indictment charges Pohlmeier with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on or about March 6, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Ponce-Ramos, age 27, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 8, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Esteban Riveros-Morgado, age 35, is charged with misuse of a social security card knowing that said document was not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Bacilio Rodriguez-Tapia, age 45, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 1, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Levi Sanderson, age 25, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with manufacturing a controlled substance which created a substantial risk of harm to human life on or about December 13, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Sanderson with possession and distribution of pseudoephedrine, a listed chemical, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on or about December 31, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ottoniel Silva-Avalos, age 25, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 28, 2014, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joshua Carl Lee Suggs, age 23, of Sacramento, California, is charged with interference with a flight crew member on or about April 13, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Victor Tercero-Jacinto, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 28, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alfonso Vargas-Zacarias, age 22, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 19, 2014, following deportation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Agnes Wood, age 56, of Omaha, is charged with embezzlement of funds from the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska on or about October 7, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year team of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Anderson County Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Department of Justice
Office of Public AffairsTYLER, Texas — U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that an Anderson County man has been sentenced for the sexual exploitation of children in the Eastern District of Texas.
Robbie Newby, 46, of Grapeland, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 17, 2013, and pleaded guilty on January 9, 2014, to sexual exploitation of children. Newby was sentenced on April 23, 2014, to 30 years in federal prison by United States District Judge Leonard E. Davis.
According to the information provided in court, on or about March 14, 2012, Newby knowingly used and coerced a minor under the age of sixteen to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HSI) and the Anderson County Sheriff's Office (ACSO). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathaniel Kummerfeld.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.
####Alleged Human Smuggler Extradited <br /> to Face Charges in Washington, D.C.Read the Press Release
Habtom Merhay, a national of Eritrea and a citizen of the United Kingdom, made his initial appearance today in Washington, D.C., federal court to face human smuggling charges for his role in smuggling primarily Eritrean and Ethiopian undocumented migrants from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, through South and Central America and Mexico into the United States.
Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. O’Neil of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. of the District of Columbia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
Merhay, 47, arrived in the United States on April 25, 2014, and made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson in the District of Columbia. He was indicted under seal in the District of Columbia in 2012, and the charges were unsealed today. Merhay has been in the custody of Moroccan authorities pending extradition since his arrest in Marrakech, Morocco, in August 2013.
The indictment charges Merhay with one count of conspiracy to bring undocumented migrants to the United States for profit and 15 counts of unlawfully bringing an undocumented migrant to the United States for profit. Court documents allege that Merhay operated with a network of smugglers in Africa, the United Arab Emirates, South and Central America, Mexico and elsewhere to coordinate and implement arrangements, including providing fraudulent identity and travel documents, for undocumented migrants to travel through Latin America and ultimately into the United States without authorization. For up to $15,000, Merhay arranged for individual undocumented migrants to travel from points in Africa to a house or apartment in Dubai, where he provided travel documents, tickets and instructions for meeting other smugglers while on the way to the United States. Merhay coordinated the migrants’ air travel to South America, where they would meet with Merhay’s associates, who would direct or guide them across the various country borders. The undocumented migrants then met with other smugglers associated with Merhay and were further guided north to Mexico and then into the United States, sometimes by crossing the Rio Grande River by raft.
The investigation was conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and ICE-HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
The investigation was conducted by HSI Washington. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jay Bauer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick Yette of the District of Columbia. The extradition was handled by Dan E. Stigall of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.
The Department of Justice and HSI expressed their appreciation for the significant assistance provided by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.Accountant from Rio Arriba County Arraigned on Federal Conspiracy, Mail Fraud and Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jasonn Gonzales, 41, an accountant from Velarde, N.M., was arraigned today on a federal indictment alleging conspiracy, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges arising out of a scheme to defraud the federal and state unemployment insurance system. Gonzales, who was arrested on April 24, 2014, entered a not guilty plea to the indictment and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 2, 2014.
Count 1 of the six-count indictment, which was filed on March 26, 2014, charges Gonzales and co-defendant Gerald Archuleta, 43, of Ojo Caliente, N.M., with conspiracy to commit mail fraud in furtherance of a scheme to defraud the federal and state Unemployment Insurance System in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado of money by false and fraudulent pretenses. Counts 2 through 5 of the indictment charge the two men with mail fraud, and Count 6 charges Gonzales alone with aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, the federal and state Unemployment Insurance System seeks to lessen the effects of unemployment through payments made to claimants (laid-off workers) on a weekly basis while the claimants seek employment. The unemployment insurance program is administered on behalf of the federal government by state workforce agencies in each state. The indictment alleges that between 2009 and 2012, Gonzales and Archuleta schemed to defraud the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment of more than $1,356,000 by making false and fraudulently claims for unemployment benefits in the names of real people.
The indictment alleges that Gonzales and Archuleta perpetuated their unlawful scheme by fraudulently registering numerous non-existent companies with the three state workforce agencies and filing false quarterly reports for the fictitious companies which identified claimed employees. The two men allegedly provided the names, dates of birth and social security numbers of the claimed employees to the state agencies without the knowledge or authorization of the claimed employees, who were real people. Gonzales and Archuleta then allegedly made false and fraudulent claims for unemployment benefit claims on behalf of the claimed employees of the fictitious companies. The two men allegedly opened post office boxes in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado, which they provided to the three state workforce agencies as mailing addresses for the claimed employees. The state agencies mailed debit cards to the claimed employees at the post office boxes and the defendants allegedly used the debit cards to withdraw the fraudulently obtained benefits. During the life of the conspiracy, Gonzales and Archuleta allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits in the aggregate amount of $1,356,461, and defrauded the three state workforce agencies of approximately $801,848, in total.
The indictment includes forfeiture provisions seeking a money judgment in the amount of $801,848 as well as the forfeiture of assets and property which constitute or are derived from proceeds traceable to the criminal activity alleged in the indictment.
If convicted, Gonzales and Archuleta each face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and each of the five mail fraud charges. If convicted on the aggravated identity fraud charge, Gonzales faces a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the conspiracy and mail fraud charges.
Archuleta has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Frauds Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara C. Neda.
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Gonzales Indictment
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Sunday 27 April 2014
Omaha Man Sentenced for Bank Robberies Committed While on Furlough from PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Albert Dansby, 59, was sentenced in the United States District Court in Omaha, Nebraska for two bank robberies. The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Dansby to an 84 month term of imprisonment for each robbery. The terms were ordered to run concurrently. Upon his release from prison Dansby will serve a 3 year term of supervised release. Dansby was ordered to pay restitution totaling $5,417.50.
Dansby was serving a 100 month sentence for four bank robberies in July 2013. The Bureau of Prisons placed Dansby on furlough and put him on a bus to transport him from a federal facility in Texas to a half-way house in Hastings, Nebraska. Dansby left the bus in Omaha and robbed the US Bank, 1700 Farnam, of $1,914 on July 24, 2013. On August 9, 2013, he robbed the Bank of the West, 1921 Harney Street of $3,502. Both robberies were done by presenting a demand note requesting the teller’s cash.
Dansby was arrested by the Omaha Police Department on August 11, 2013. He admitted to both robberies and indicated that the robberies were done to buy crack cocaine.
Friday 25 April 2014
Windsor Man Admits Making and Selling Bootlegged Dvds and Cds for More Than A DecadeRead the Press Release
Follow @USAO_CT
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN W. RICE, 40, of Windsor, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport to one count of criminal copyright infringement and one count of money laundering related to his production and sale of thousands of pirated CDs and DVDs.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2000 and 2013, doing business as “Dr. Jay’s Entertainment,” RICE manufactured copies of motion pictures, television shows, and music that were copyrighted works, using recordable blank DVDs and CDs. RICE also produced labels for the discs and paper inserts for the cases in which the pirated works were sold. RICE set up tables in various locations on which he displayed and sold the bootlegged merchandise, and also advertised and sold the materials over the Internet through Facebook.
The government has seized a total of 8,913 DVDs and 11,410 CDs from RICE and Dr. Jay’s Entertainment.
For the past 13 years, the sale of counterfeit media has constituted RICE’s only source of income, and RICE has admitted that he could make up to $300,000 annually from the illegal sales.
RICE also structured cash deposits into his bank account. In addition, in November 2012, RICE withdrew from his account $39,237.23 in cash derived from his criminal activity in order to purchase a cashier’s check payable to BMW of West Springfield.
RICE is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on July 25, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of up to $500,000. RICE also has agreed to forfeit $48,195.42 seized from his bank account, as well as a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2012 BMW 650i that he had purchased, but had registered in the names of third parties.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
[email protected]White County Man Indicted on Methamphetamine Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsLuke L. Burnett, 30, of Crossville, IL, was indicted on April 8, 2014, on methamphetamine related charges in a one count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that on March 7, 2014, in White County, Burnett knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, Burnett faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.
An Indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the White County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the Illinois State Police and the Indiana State Police.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Week in Review – South BendRead the Press Release
South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
PLEAS before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:
David Perry, 55, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/30/14.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.
Demarcus Bowling, 21, of South Bend, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/30/14.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
DISPOSITIONS:
Christopher Simmons, 43, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein to 1 year on probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds.According to documents filed in this case, in March 2012, Simmons illegally killed and took migratory birds native to the United States, specifically, great horned owls and red tailed hawks. This case was the result of an investigation by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Services.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .
Silvino Alonso-Pineda, 37, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Robert Miller, Jr. to 30 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to two (2) felony offenses: illegally re-entering the United States after being deported and having a prior aggravated felony conviction; and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.According to documents filed in this case, in October 2013, law enforcement officers met with a confidential informant for the purpose of making a purchase of cocaine from Alonso-Pineda. When Alonso-Pineda arrived at a predetermined location, he was apprehended with 14.7 grams of cocaine and $766.00 in his possession. In April 1999, Alonso-Pineda, a Mexican citizen, was charged in California with possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute.He later pled guilty and was ordered removed back to Mexico at the Calexico Port of Entry. At no time thereafter was Alonso-Pineda given permission to lawfully re-enter the United States. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .
Adam Shetler, 33, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to five years of supervised probation, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. Shetler was also ordered to pay $32,689.50 in restitution. According to documents filed in this case, from approximately January 2009 through December 2010, Shetler applied for and received extended unemployment insurance benefits through the State of Indiana Department of Work Force Development. He submitted weekly vouchers to IDWD and intentionally answered "No" to the question as to whether he was working.In truth, Shetler was employed.This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Labor .This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.
Lashaun Murry, 33, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to 70 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, in October 2013, Murry possessed a Smith & Wesson handgun. Previously, Murry had been convicted in 2011 of a felony in the LaPorte County Superior Court. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.
Charles Douglas, 34, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to 110 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Douglas possessed in October 2012, a shotgun at 1407 Fremont Street in South Bend, Indiana. At the time he possessed the shotgun, Douglas was a convicted felon, having been convicted of several felony crimes including: dealing cocaine, criminal confinement, residential entry, and battery. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .
Week in Review – Fort WayneRead the Press Release
Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
PLEAS before US Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey:
Augustine Luna, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.
Nathan Hasty, 36, of Huntington, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of sexual exploitation of children. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.
Edward Williams, 32, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
DISPOSITIONS before United States District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:
Ryan Lasuer, 27, of Warsaw, Indiana, who has been detained since his arrest in 2011, was sentenced to time served and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, Lasuer maintained a drug relationship with Jonathan Aramburo and obtained marijuana from Aramburo for distribution. Lasuer recruited Whitney Sparkman to transport marijuana. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller .
Christine Hagan, 33, of Fort Wayne, IN was sentenced to 2 years of probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.According to documents filed in this case, Hagan was involved in the transport of marijuana for Jonathan Aramburo. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller .
Week in Review - HammondRead the Press Release
Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
DISPOSITIONS:
John Michael Johnson, 44, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 24 months of probation, to include 12 months of home detention, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Johnson has a prior conviction for battery. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.
Vermont Man Convicted of Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Craig
Sanborn, age 64, of Maidstone, Vermont, was found guilty today of wire fraud in U.S. District
Court after a week-long jury trial in Bangor.In 2005, Sanborn received a $300,000 federally-funded Community Development Block
Grant to renovate the former rail terminal in Brownville, Maine, into a facility to manufacture
ammunition for black powder rifles. The grant entitled him to reimbursement for machinery
purchases and certain other expenses, provided he had invested $300,000 of his own funds
towards the project. The indictment against him, returned in December 2012, charged him with
submitting false invoices to the Town of Brownville and receiving funds to which he was not
entitled.Sanborn faces up to 20 years prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced
after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. He was
returned to the custody of the State of New Hampshire, where he is serving a sentence for
manslaughter associated with a fatal explosion at a Colebrook ammunition-making facility in
May 2010.The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of
Inspector General, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Brownville
Police Department.V-not Gang Member Sentenced to Prison TermRead the Press Release
Habakkuk Nickens -240 Month Sentence
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –
RICHARD S. HARTUNIAN, United States Attorney, Northern District of New York, announces the sentencing of HABAKKUK NICKENS, age 28, of Syracuse, NY, an admitted member of the V-NOT Gang. NICKENS previously pled guilty to an indictment which charged him and ten others with conspiring to exploit their membership in the V-NOT Gang to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity which included acts of murder, drug trafficking, and robbery. NICKENS was sentenced today to 240 months in prison.
NICKENS, who was known on the street as “HB,” previously admitted his involvement in many acts, including being present when brother and co-defendant TITUS NICKENS possessed a gun; assaulting and stealing a .50 caliber handgun from a victim along with co-defendants RIADDA TRAVET and CHRISTOPHER MIKE; possessing a .38 caliber handgun; firing a handgun in the vicinity of West Brighton Avenue; participating, along with co-defendants CHRISTOPHER MIKE, JEFFREY POWELL, KAHARI SMITH, TITUS NICKENS, KENNETH JACKSON, DWAYNE HESTER, and others, in a gang fight against Bricktown Gang members on October 23, 2010; and being the driver of a vehicle at the time passenger and co-defendant KAHARI SMITH fired several shots into a rival gang member’s car, with others present including co-defendants JEFFREY POWELL, WILLIE SANDERS and one other person, which resulted in the death of Kihary Blue and the wounding of Bricktown Gang member Jarrell Williams.
All the other indicted V-NOT members previously pled guilty and have been sentenced.
The Indictment to which NICKENS pled alleges that from at least 2003 through May 2012 members of the V-Not Gang: (1) maintained a specific geographic territory within the City of Syracuse in which only gang members can sell crack cocaine and marijuana; (2) protected that exclusive crack distribution territory with violence; (3) obtained drugs from various suppliers; (4) projected a very violent attitude and responded to violence with violence in order to preserve their stature in the gang community; (5) used graffiti, hand signs, and tributes on their clothing to slain gang members to signify their gang membership; (6) used criteria such as a willingness to use violence, ability to sell drugs, and familial connections to determine membership; and (7) routinely carried and used firearms in connection with their gang activity.
There are multiple acts of violence and drug distribution set forth in the Indictment, including 1 murder, 10 other shootings, 8 other acts of gun possession, and 18 acts of crack distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute crack.
This prosecution resulted from a long-term investigation conducted by the Syracuse Gang Violence Task Force, which is comprised of agents and detectives from the following agencies: the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department, the New York State Troopers, the United States Marshals Service and the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (Syracuse Office). The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Further questions or inquiries may be directed to Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carla Freedman, who is handling the case, at (315) 448-0672.
Two Mt. Vernon, Il Residents Indicted on Methamphetamine Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsMonty D. Hamson, 44, and Denise A. Huston, 40, both of Mt. Vernon, IL, were indicted on April 8, 2014, on methamphetamine related charges in a four count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that from May 2010, until on or about February 19, 2014, in Jefferson County, Hamson and Huston conspired to knowingly and intentionally manufacture methamphetamine.
Count 2 charges that on February 19, 2014, in Jefferson County, Hamson and Huston knowingly and intentionally possessed equipment, chemicals, products, or materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe, that those items would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Count 3 charges that on February 4, 2014, in Jefferson County, Huston knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine.
Count 4 charges that from March 2010, to February 11, 2014, in Jefferson County, Huston knowingly and intentionally possessed pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.
With respect to Count 2, each defendant faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 years.
With respect to Count 3, Huston faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.
With respect to Count 4, Huston faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 years.
An Indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Two Heroin Smugglers Sentenced in OrlandoRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II today sentenced Jorge Luis Alomar-Baello (43, Orlando) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to import heroin. Judge Antoon previously sentenced Alomar’s co-defendant, Carla Michelle Alvarado (34, Kissimmee), to serve 2 years in prison. As part of their sentences, the court also entered a money judgment against each, in the amount of $10,000, the proceeds of the heroin that they smuggled into the country. Alomar pleaded guilty on December 19, 2013 and Alvarado pleaded guilty on January 3, 2014.
According to court documents, Alomar paid Alvarado, a Jet Blue flight attendant, $10,000 to smuggle heroin, on Jet Blue flights, from Cali, Colombia. In September 2013, Alvarado was given a body suit containing one kilogram of heroin. She wore the suit under her uniform on a flight from Cali to Orlando. When Alvarado arrived in Orlando, she delivered the heroin to Alomar. Alomar then sold it to his customers on the streets.
Two weeks later, on September 27, 2013, after landing on a flight from Bogota, Alvarado was selected for inspection by officers with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The officers discovered the heroin hidden inside the body suit that Alvarado was wearing underneath her uniform. Agents identified Alomar as the intended recipient of the heroin. The next day, agents arranged a meeting with Alomar, who was arrested after taking possession of a bag he believed to contain the heroin.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S Ambrose.
Two Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Charged with Conspiracy in Connection with Rothstein InvestigationRead 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, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announce the filing of charges against David Benjamin, 48, of Boca Raton, and Jeff Alan Poole, 47, of Weston, for conspiring to commit crimes in connection with the operation of the former Fort Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A. (RRA).
In a criminal information filed earlier today, Benjamin was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion and to violate civil rights, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. In a separate criminal information also filed today, Poole was charged with conspiracy to violate civil rights, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 241. The charges allege that, during the relevant time period, both defendants were employed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Benjamin was a Lieutenant and served as Executive Officer to then Sheriff Al Lamberti. Poole was a detective assigned to the Strategic Investigations Division.
The charging documents allege that both defendants agreed to utilize their respective positions within BSO unlawfully to further the interests of RRA, its Chairman and CEO, Scott W. Rothstein, and other persons associated with Rothstein. Specifically, the charging documents allege that Benjamin received approximately $185,000 in money and other things of value from Rothstein and RRA in return for providing his assistance when needed, including arranging with Poole to arrest the ex-wife of an attorney who was engaged in a child custody dispute with her, arranging to use force and threats of force against the boyfriend of an escort who was threatening to expose the illicit relationship which existed between the escort and one of the partners at RRA, and assisting Rothstein in loading cash and jewelry onto a private airplane which was used by Rothstein to flee to Morocco on October 27, 2009 as the Ponzi scheme being conducted through RRA was beginning to unravel.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “David Benjamin and Jeff Poole used their official positions as law enforcement officers to commit civil rights abuses to further the interests of Scott Rothstein and others associated with Rothstein. When law enforcement officers betray the trust of the people, it strikes at the very core of our democracy. The informations filed today charging Benjamin and Poole should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law. When law enforcement officers violate the public’s trust, they will be held accountable. Benjamin and Poole are the nineteenth and twentieth accomplice, respectively, to be held accountable in Rothstein’s $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.”
“When David Benjamin and Jeff Alan Poole began to use their official positions to further the illegal schemes of Rothstein and his cronies, they crossed a very bright line,” said William J. Maddalena, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Their criminal misconduct undermined the public’s trust in law enforcement. As such, the FBI will continue to work with our partners to remove those law enforcement officers who violate the law. The FBI, in particular, would like to thank BSO for their close partnership investigating this matter.”
IRS-CI SAC José A. Gonzalez stated, “Law Enforcement Officers and individuals in positions of our citizens’ trust are held to an even higher standard than the general public. It’s a sad day when a lieutenant and a detective of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office who are sworn to uphold the law, allegedly misuse their positions by engaging in criminal acts. IRS-CI, together with its law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that no one operates above the law and are held accountable for their actions.”
BSO Sheriff Scott Israel stated, “Every time a law enforcement officer is implicated in a crime, it’s a blow to our profession. This indictment tarnishes the image of honest, hard-working law enforcement officers everywhere. My immediate action after taking office was to suspend Deputy Poole and Lieutenant Benjamin based on an ongoing federal investigation. I applaud the diligence and professionalism displayed by our federal partners and we will continue working closely with them to ensure justice is served.”
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI and BSO. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, and Jeffrey N. Kaplan.
An information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Attachment:
David Benjamin - Information (PDF)
Jeff Alan Poole - Information (PDF)
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at 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.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to Maximum 5 Year Prison Term for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — A former controller of a trucking dealership was sentenced on Thursday to serve 60 months for more than $1.5 million in bank fraud and tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The 60 month sentence is the maximum prison term for the tax evasion charge.
James Lamar Gresham, 52, of Tulsa, was sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne for one count each of bank fraud and tax evasion. At the time of the scheme, Gresham worked as a controller for Frontier International Trucks where he had access to financial books and records, and was familiar with the company’s bank accounts.
“This sentencing should be a clear message to everyone that tax evasion is a serious offense and carries serious consequences. All tax payers must report all of their income and pay all of the taxes owed to the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Williams.
According to court documents, from July 30, 2007 to May 2011, as part of the scheme, Gresham would forge company checks made payable in his name, then deposit the checks into a personal bank account. Gresham forged more than 548 company checks and obtained $1,583,157.15 from the company’s bank accounts.
In addition, during the 2010 calendar year, Gresham failed to report the additional income gained from the scheme to the Internal Revenue Service. He evaded paying a total of $511,627 in taxes owed to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Gallant on behalf of the United States.
Third Defendant Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Kankakee Credit UnionRead the Press Release
Urbana, Ill. – Today, Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid sentenced Brian O. Williams, 37, of the 700 block of Webster Circle West, Kankakee, Ill., to prison for the June 2009 robbery of the Shapiro Developmental Center Employees Credit Union (SDCECU) in Kankakee. Judge Shadid ordered Williams to serve 20 years and 9 months in the federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by five years of supervised release. In addition, Williams was ordered to pay restitution to the bank in the amount of $284,218. Williams has remained in law enforcement custody since his arrest in September 2012 in Ohio.
Williams pled guilty on April 17, 2013, to one count of aggravated bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Williams admitted that, on June 16, 2009, James Williams drove him and Frank C. Black to the credit union to commit the robbery. Brian Williams and Black entered the credit union wearing masks and gloves and armed with handguns. They jumped the counter, brandished their guns, threatened to shoot the credit union employees, and demanded access to the cash drawers and the credit union’s vault. The employees of the credit union complied with their demands. The men took $276,010 from the drawers and vaults, put it into bags they had brought with them, and left the credit union. The three men then got back into James Williams’ vehicle, drove to a residence, and split the money.
Brian Williams was ordered to serve 13 years and 9 months for the aggravated bank robbery, plus a consecutive seven-year sentence for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey previously sentenced Black to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison for his role in the credit union robbery. James Williams was previously ordered to serve 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in prison.
The Kankakee Area Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, which includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kankakee Police Department, conducted the case investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller prosecuted the case.
# # # #Suburban Investment Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Defrauding at Least 10 Investors of $2.9 MillionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A west suburban investment advisor was indicted on federal charges alleging that he fraudulently obtained approximately $2.9 million from at least 10 investors and misused the funds in a Ponzi-type scheme. The defendant, JOSEPH HENNESSY, co-owned and co-operated the now-defunct Resource Planning Group, Inc., formerly a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hennessy, 53, of Western Springs, was charged with seven counts of wire fraud in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Wednesday and announced today. He is scheduled to be arraigned next Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of at least $2.9 million in alleged fraud proceeds.
According to the indictment, Hennessy and Resource Planning Group formed and operated the Midwest Opportunity Fund, a private equity fund that purported to invest in small to medium-sized companies based in the Midwest. Between 2007 and 2012, Hennessy allegedly made false statements to investors and used their investments to return principal and pay interest to earlier investors, all of which he concealed and intentionally failed to disclose to both new and existing investors. In fraudulently obtaining and retaining these funds, Hennessy falsely represented the use of the funds, the repayment of the investors’ principal, the expected return on investments ―which he claimed would yield between 10 and 15 percent a year ― the risks involved in the investment, and the status of the investments, the indictment adds.
Hennessy also falsely represented that he personally guaranteed investments in the fund, knowing that he did not have sufficient assets to repay investors, and he misappropriated funds from the individual retirement accounts of certain clients to pay existing investors in the Midwest Opportunity Fund, the indictment alleges.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and restitution is mandatory. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert J. Holley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Tony Gómez, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. They thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance. The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunil Harjani.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Indictment
Rochester Man Arrested for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Thomas A. Visconte, 58, of Rochester, N.Y., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Noto, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 22, 2014, the defendant robbed the Chase Bank at 520 Portland Avenue in Rochester. The complaint states that Visconte entered the bank and handed a teller a note that read, “This is a robbery, gimme all of the $100s, $50s, $20s, and $10s, I have a gun.” As the teller complied and began to hand the defendant money from her drawer, Visconte stated, “Gimme more, hurry up.” After taking the money, the defendant took back the demand note, left the bank and fled the scene in a car.
Visconte made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson. He is due back in court May 27, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.
The charges are the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli.
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.
Robert Mericle Sentenced to One Year in PrisonRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Mericle was sentenced to one year in prison by Senior District Judge Edwin M. Kosik. Judge Kosik also ordered Mericle to pay a $250,000 fine and to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on May 14, 2014.
Mericle was charged with misprison of a felony in August 2009 as part of a then-ongoing investigation of judicial corruption in Luzerne County. Mericle later entered into a plea agreement with the government which was amended prior to today’s sentencing.
Mericle testified as a principal government witness in the trial of former Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Ciavarella in February 2011.
The government, as part of the plea agreement, recommended a downward departure from the Sentencing Guidelines based on Mericle’s cooperation during the long investigation. The defense argued for a greater downward departure. The Court today ruled in favor of the government in regard to the downward departure.
At today’s hearing Judge Kosik considered the extent to which the Court should vary from the Guidelines based on factors listed under the governing federal statute in sentencing Mericle. Major factors in this case were the nature and circumstances of the offense and Mericle’s role in the offense. The Court stated that, based on those factors, it was varying upward and sentenced Mericle to the one year prison term.
The government’s seven year investigation of judicial corruption in Luzerne County was led by the trial team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon A. Zubrod, Michael A. Consiglio and William S. Houser and agents of the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation offices in Scranton.
United States Attorney Peter Smith stated that the sentence was appropriate in view of the factors considered by the Court and that Judge Kosik was in the best position to make the appropriate determination having heard the evidence of the seriousness of the offense during the Ciavarella trial and having the benefit of the sentencing memoranda submitted to him by the government and the defense and Mericle’s own statement to the Court.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Gun Battle Involving Marijuana DistributionRead the Press Release
A federal felon who was still under court supervision when he committed an armed robbery of a marijuana distributor was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. MELVIN CHARLES SLAUGHTER, 31, was on supervision for a bank fraud conviction in August 2013, when he robbed a Maple Valley, Washington marijuana trafficker. After robbing the marijuana dealer at gunpoint, two of SLAUGHTER’s cohorts were shot by the dealer as they tried to flee. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik noted that federal prosecution of the case was fully appropriate.
“A neighborhood became a shooting range because this defendant and his drug trafficker brought their violent business into its quiet streets,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “This is the fourth case we have charged in less than a year that involved gunfire used in connection with a marijuana business. Guns and drugs do not mix. Those who put lives and community safety at risk will be held accountable.”
On August 13, 2014, SLAUGHTER and three cohorts drove in two cars to the Maple Valley home of a person they knew distributed marijuana. One of the people with SLAUGHTER waited in the car thinking the other three were simply purchasing drugs. In fact, SLAUGHTER and another man robbed the drug trafficker of marijuana and numerous firearms at gunpoint, tying his hands with zip ties. As SLAUGHTER and two others left the house, the trafficker was able to free himself, grab a firearm he had hidden under the mattress of his bed, and started shooting. The woman who waited in the car was hit, as was SLAUGHTER’s co-defendant Ferdinand Clay. Clay was shot in the face, neck and hip but recovered from his wounds. Clay pleaded guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and faces a mandatory minimum seven years in prison when sentenced on June 6, 2014.
After shots were fired the robbery team sped away tossing bloodied items from the car, including some of the stolen firearms. They were recovered by police along the highway. The two who were injured went to different hospitals for treatment. SLAUGHTER and the other female member of the robbery crew turned themselves in to police.
The marijuana dealer has also been charged. Jason Loken has pleaded guilty to drug and firearms charges and will be sentenced for his criminal conduct on May 27, 2014.The case was investigated by the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.
Polk Co. Couple Sentenced for False Tax Refund ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced a Polk Co. couple to prison on Thursday, April 24, 2014, for filing over 1,000 false tax returns and collecting more than $3.5 million in fraudulent tax refunds, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Jeannine A. Hammett, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) and Keith Fixel, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service join U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement.
Senita Birt Dill, 46, and Ronald Jeremy Knowles, 42, both of Mill Spring, N.C. were sentenced to 324 and 70 months in prison, respectively. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Reidinger ordered the defendants to serve three years under court supervision and to pay $3,978,211 as restitution to IRS. Dill ato nd Knowles pleaded guilty in October 2012 false claims conspiracy and access device fraud. Dill also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
According to filed court documents and yesterday’s sentencing hearings, from 2009 to 2012, Dill and Knowles used fraudulently-obtained personal identification information (including names, dates of birth and social security numbers) to file false tax returns claiming tax refunds. Court documents indicate that the pair used tax preparation software programs to file and submit these fraudulent federal and state tax returns. According to court records, the tax returns contained fictitious information, such as the filer’s income and the amount of federal tax withheld. Court records show that the defendants were careful to use fictitious figures that maximized the amount of the claimed refund, while minimizing the risk of detection.
According to court records, the pairs’ elaborate tax scheme included renting a property on a lake which was surrounded by numerous vacation homes in the neighborhood. Court records show that Dill and Knowles used the neighboring addresses to fill out the fraudulent tax returns, and since the neighboring homes were not occupied daily, the couple was able to check the homes’ mailboxes frequently and retrieve the fraudulent refund checks upon delivery. According to court records, in addition to the addresses of lake homes, the defendants also used addresses in Greenville and Greer, S.C. on the fictitious tax returns, which is where Knowles’ business is located. Court records indicate that once they retrieved the refunds, the defendants deposited the refund checks directly into their bank accounts. On some occasions, the defendants received tax refunds in the form of pre-paid debit cards, court records show.
According to court records, Dill and Knowles filed over 1,000 false tax returns using the fraudulently obtained personal identification information. They also made fraudulent tax refund claims in excess of $5 million and actually received tax refunds totaling over $3.5 million.
The defendants have been in federal custody since October 2012. They will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The investigation of the case was handled by IRS and USPIS, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of the case is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast of U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Randall Lose, 37, of Howard, Pennsylvania, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti and Maura O’Donnell, who handled the case, stated that the City of Tonawanda Police Department received a complaint from the parent of a thirteen year old and notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The defendant, who resided in Pennsylvania, used the Internet to communicate with and obtain sexual explicit videos of a minor female living in Western New York.
Knowing that the victim was thirteen years old, Lose represented himself as a fellow teenager, claiming that he was 14 years old. The defendant convinced the victim to take her clothes off and to engage in graphic sexual activity as he watched over Skype from his residence in Pennsylvania. As he watched and recorded, Lose gave the victim instructions about what conduct to engage in. The defendant also tried to get the victim to give him information about her friends so he could communicate with them as well.
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.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the City of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of David Zak.
Orlando Rapper “Fella” Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II today sentenced Dewarren Antoine Lewis, a/k/a “Fella,” (28, Orlando) to 35 years in federal prison for two counts of bank robbery with assault, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The court also ordered Lewis to serve a 3-year term of supervision, following his prison sentence, and to forfeit a Jimenez Arms .380 pistol and six rounds of ammunition, which were used in the commission of the crimes. A federal jury found Lewis guilty on January 14, 2014.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on January 9, 2013, Lewis robbed the Wells Fargo Bank in Orlando, at gunpoint, before fleeing with over $9,000. On March 20, 2013, Lewis robbed the Regions Bank in Orlando. As he did in the Wells Fargo robbery, Lewis rushed into the bank, covered from head to toe, wearing a stocking over his face. He then pointed his gun at bank employees, forced his way behind the teller line, and filled his bag with the bank’s money. After fleeing the bank, a witness saw Lewis take off his disguise and drive away from the scene. Lewis then led police on a high speed chase through the streets of Orlando, before bailing out of his car and running away on foot. When Orange County Deputy Sheriffs finally apprehended him, Lewis was carrying a bag filled with over $23,000 that he’d just stolen from the Regions Bank.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sherriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.
Orange County Gang Members Charged with Sex Trafficking of A MinorRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, announces that on April 23, 2014, a federal Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Xavier Francisco Villanueva, a/k/a “X,” Keith E. Romby II, a/k/a “P” and “PJ,” Jose Carmona, a/k/a “Hood,” and Ashley Nicole Barnett, a/k/a “Snow,” with the sex trafficking of a minor. If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life in prison.
The indictment alleges that from on or about January 17, 2013, to on or about January 25, 2013, the above-named individuals conspired to engage a minor in a commercial sex act, and aided and abetted each other to engage a minor in a commercial sex act. According to court records, Villanueva and Barnett were part of the “Blood” street gang and gave the minor drugs, and used threats of violence, to coerce the minor into prostitution for their own financial gain and benefit. On January 25, 2013, the minor was able to escape and was rescued by a deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karen Gable and Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Old Forge Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that an Old Forge pharmacist pleaded guilty in Scranton today to Health Care Fraud charges before the U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, a criminal information was filed in January 2014 charging Peter Capitano with engaging in a scheme and artifice to defraud Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Medicaid for the period beginning January 2007 through August 2013.
The charges stem from an investigation initiated in February of 2011 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Capitano pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement with the government.
The information filed against Capitano alleges that he engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Medicare by submitting claims or causing claims to be submitted to those health benefit providers for drugs allegedly prescribed when the prescriptions did not exist and for drugs not actually dispensed. Capitano will be required to pay restitution for the loss amount.
In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 10 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.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
Office on Violence Against Women Announces Two New Grants to Support Prosecutorial and Victim Services in Rural and Tribal Communities in the Bakken RegionRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) today announced the release of two grant solicitations to launch a new $3 million special initiative for the Bakken Region. Located in western North Dakota and eastern Montana, the Bakken region has experienced rapid growth in oil and gas production in recent years. It has also seen increases in population and crime. OVW’s Bakken Region Initiative will support the expansion of services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking as well as aid the local criminal justice system in responding to these crimes.
“Over the past five years, we have made great strides in protecting women from violence in Indian country,” said Associate Attorney General Tony West. “We will continue to partner with tribal and local law enforcement and service providers, and together we will help strengthen public safety in the Bakken communities with resources like these grants.”
Supported by funding from OVW’s Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Grant Assistance Program (Rural Program), the OVW Bakken Region Initiative will support projects that are designed to address the unique challenges faced by victims, responders and service providers within this rural region. The Bakken Region Initiative was developed through a collaborative process resulting from OVW’s July 2013 fact-finding trip to the region, during which OVW leadership met with local and tribal advocates and law enforcement, tribal leaders, the U.S. Attorney, FBI agents and victim service staff. In response, OVW developed two solicitations, the Violence Against Women Bakken Region Initiative: Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Bakken Region Tribal SAUSA Initiative) and the Violence Against Women Bakken Region Initiative: Enhanced Response to Victims (Bakken Region Enhanced Response to Victims Initiative). Together, these grants will create dedicated resources to increase local and tribal capacity to prosecute crimes of violence against women and provide services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.
“Local and tribal victim service providers have been overwhelmed with the increase in domestic violence and sexual assault victims coming forward and needing help,” said Bea Hanson, OVW’s Principal Deputy Director. “These targeted funds will enable the community to assist more victims and support the growing population in the Bakken Region.”The Bakken Region Tribal SAUSA Initiative will support the salary, travel and training costs of a Tribal SAUSA for the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana and a Tribal SAUSA for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The Tribal SAUSAs, who will be cross-designated to bring cases in both tribal and federal courts, will work in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Districts of Montana and North Dakota. These prosecutors will maintain an active violence against women crimes caseload in tribal and federal courts, while also helping to promote higher quality investigations, improved training and better inter-governmental communication.
The Bakken Region Enhanced Response to Victims Initiative will fund state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, as well as local and tribal victim service providers responding to the increased demand for domestic violence and sexual assault victim services. Funding and technical assistance will also help those working to prevent violence and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
The solicitations are non-competitive special initiative announcements, and applications for both solicitations are due by May 28, 2014.
Nurse/Home Healthcare Provider Arrested on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A registered nurse employed by two home healthcare providers that provides mental health and medical care for children and adolescents has been charged with federal child pornography offenses.
John Jaramillo, 44, of Albuquerque, N.M., was arrested yesterday by special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on a criminal complaint charging him with receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jaramillo made his initial appearance in federal court this morning and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for April 28, 2014.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation leading to Jaramillo’s arrest began in Nov. 2013, when a special agent with the New Mexico State Police identified an IP address that was being used to share files containing child pornography while conducting an investigation targeting those who share child pornography on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Subsequent investigation revealed that the IP address was subscribed to the address for Jaramillo’s residence in west side of Albuquerque.The criminal complaint states that on April 24, 2014, HSI, the New Mexico State Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department, agencies that participate in the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a federal search warrant at the residence and seized a computer and computer-related media allegedly used only by Jaramillo. A preliminary forensic examination of the computer taken from a room identified as Jaramillo’s office allegedly recovered more than 250 images and videos consistent with child pornography.
If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaint, Jaramillo faces a federal prison sentence of not less than five years and not more than 20 years. If convicted, Jaramillo also would be required to register as a sex offender. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.This case was investigated by the Sexual Predator Exploitation and Enforcement Detail (SPEED) of HSI in Albuquerque, the NMAGO and the Albuquerque Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
The Operation also was brought as a part of the New Mexico ICAC Task Force’s mission, which is to locate, track, and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 64 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies associated with the ICAC Task Force, which is funded by a grant administered by the NMAGO. Anyone with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse is encouraged to contact federal or local law enforcement.
Murphysboro, Il Woman Indicted on Bank Embezzlement ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsBuffy A. Bastien, 41, of Murphysboro, IL, was indicted on April 8, 2014, on bank embezzlement charges in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Bastien was charged in a one count indictment which charges that from about 2010, to on or about February 23, 2014, in Jackson County, Bastien, being an officer and employee of The Bank of Carbondale, a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with intent to injure and defraud The Bank of Carbondale, did willfully embezzle the sum of approximately $229,221.80 of the moneys or funds intrusted to the custody or care of The Bank of Carbondale.
Bastien faces a possible penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 5 years.
An Indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Mills County Resident Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On April 25, 2014, Heather Jean Reekers, a 38 year-old resident of Glenwood, Iowa, was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Robert Pratt to 60 months in prison, and five years of supervised release, following the period of imprisonment, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On January 3, 2014, Reekers pled guilty to the charge, which resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration into the distribution of methamphetamine from the Southwestern United States into Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.
Reekers’ co-defendant, Jose Raul Guevara, was sentenced previously by Senior Judge Robert Pratt to ten years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Glenwood, Iowa, Police Department, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Man Convicted of Two Attempted Armed Robberies Faces Minimum of 47 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Robert Drew, 57, of Oakland, TN, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury on two counts of robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III and ATF Nashville Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Fulton.
According to the facts alleged in the indictment and revealed during the four-day trial, on December 7, 2012 Drew used a Rossi .38 caliber revolver in an attempt to rob the KFC restaurant located at 8995 Highway 64, Memphis, TN. He was wearing a blue ski mask and a blue flannel-style jacket. When the cashier ran to the back of the store, Drew left the restaurant empty-handed.
Later that evening, Drew walked into the Hickory Center Market located at 3305 Highway 64, Eads, TN. Wearing the same blue ski mask and blue flannel-style jacket, he pointed the Rossi .38 caliber revolver at the clerk and demanded money. The frightened clerk ran to the back of the store and locked himself in an office. Drew left empty-handed and was apprehended minutes later by officers with the Oakland Police Department hiding in a wooded area within 2000 feet of the store, wearing the same blue mask and jacket.
During a search of the area where the defendant was found, Oakland police recovered the Rossi .38 caliber revolver used during the attempted robberies. Both the clerk at the Hickory Center Market and the cashier from KFC testified that Drew was wearing the same clothing as the robber, and video surveillance footage from both stores confirmed that to be the case.
The jury deliberated approximately two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. Drew is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2014 at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes. He faces a minimum of 47 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Any individual brazen enough to enter a business and threaten the lives of innocent people with a firearm is a clear and present danger to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Stanton. “Today, a jury of Mr. Drew’s peers sent an unequivocal message that this conduct will not be tolerated.”
“The success of this investigation is a result of the collaborative efforts of ATF and our local partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fulton. “This investigation is more evidence that ATF’s commitment to combating violent crime is unwavering. ATF’s Frontline strategy utilizes every available resource to make our communities a safer place to live.”
This case was investigated by the ATF, the Oakland Police Department, and the Memphis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Biggers and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stringfellow represented the government.Luzerne County Man Charged with Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a criminal Information was filed today charging a West Pittston resident with participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin during 2013 and early 2014.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that Michael Romasiewicz, age 21, conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin in Luzerne County and elsewhere during January 2013 through February 24, 2014.
The charge stems from an investigation by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Romasiewicz faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if he is convicted of the charge. The Information also seeks the forfeiture to the United States of two firearms seized during the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.
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 case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 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.
Longtime Gang Member Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Supervising Sales of 39 Kilos of Heroin on City’s West SideRead the Press Release
CHICAGO ― A longtime member of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang who managed a heroin distribution spot between 2008 and 2010 at the corner of North St. Louis Avenue and West Ohio Street on the city’s west side was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison, federal law enforcement officials announced today. The defendant, TIMOTHY ALLISON, was responsible for supervising the distribution of 39 kilograms of heroin, a federal judge determined before imposing the sentence.
Allison, also known as “Shaw,” 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin in March 2012, and he has seven prior felony convictions, including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. U.S. District Judge John W. Darrah imposed the 24-year sentence on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Allison was involved in around-the-clock retail sales of heroin averaging around $10,000 a day, both at St. Louis and Ohio, as well as at a second corner nearby at West Chicago and North Christiana avenues.
Allison was among 31 federal and 65 state defendants who were arrested in November 2010 following a Chicago Police and FBI investigation, code-named Operation Blue Knight, of drug trafficking by TVL members and associates in the area of Kedzie Avenue and Ohio Street, known as “KO.” A lead defendant in a related federal case, Jason Austin, also known as “J Rock,” is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10.
The sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert J. Holley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy. The investigation was led by the FBI-Chicago Police Joint Task Force on Gangs and the Chicago Police Department’s Gang Investigations Division, and was conducted under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA) also participated in the investigation.
The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Maribel Fernandez-Harvath and Matthew Madden.
Local Man, Frank Mike, Jr., Charged with Interstate Transportation of Vehicle Stolen from Murdered New Orleans Area CoupleRead the Press Release
FRANK MIKE, JR., age 45, of New Orleans, was indicted today by a federal grand jury and charged with Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr.
According to the indictment, MIKE transported a stolen 2010 Dodge Caravan from the State of Louisiana to the State of Georgia. A criminal complaint filed earlier this week stated that on February 19, 2014, family members reported to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department that Kenneth and Lakeitha Joseph of Reserve, Louisiana were missing. A relative also indicated that she loaned her 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan to the Josephs but that the van had not been returned. On February 27, 2014, the missing 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan was recovered by the Fulton County Police Department in College Park, Georgia in an apartment complex. Later, video surveillance showed that the van had been parked at the Travelodge Hotel located in College Park. It also showed that MIKE drove the van into the hotel parking lot on February 21, 2014.
On March 10, 2014, the New Orleans Police Department discovered the body of Lakeitha Joseph, bound with rope, in the Intercoastal Waterway in New Orleans East. On March 22, 2014, the New Orleans Police Department discovered the body of Kenneth Joseph, also bound with rope, in the Intercoastal Waterway. The New Orleans Parish Coroner ruled the cause of death in both cases as drowning. Later, forensic testing revealed that blood samples taken from the stolen van matched the DNA of both Josephs.
The defendant appeared on the complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby on April 22, 2014. The following day, April 23, 2014, Judge Roby ordered the defendant detained without bond pending the resolution of this charge.
MIKE faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 for this charge.
United States Attorney Polite reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case has been investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Fulton County, Georgia Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office and will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Redmann, who is assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Mark Miller.
(Download Indictment )
Leader of “Revolution Muslim” Websites Sentenced for Using Internet to Threaten Jewish OrganizationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Yousef Mohamid Al-Khattab (a.k.a. Joseph Cohen), 45, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for using his position as a leader of the “Revolution Muslim” websites to use the Internet to place others in fear of serious bodily injury.
Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and William J. Bratton, New York City Police Commissioner, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.
According to court records, Al-Khattab and his colleague, Jesse Curtis Morton (a.k.a. Younus Abdullah Muhammad), founded the Revolution Muslim organization in December 2007 to operate Internet platforms and websites to encourage Muslims to support Usama bin Laden, Anwar Al Awlaki, al Qaida, the Taliban and others engaged in or espousing violent jihad.
On Jan. 8, 2009, Al-Khattab posted to the Revolution Muslim website a video encouraging viewers upset about the conflict in Gaza to seek out the leaders of Jewish Federation chapters in the U.S. and “deal with them directly at their homes.” Al-Khattab gave the names and addresses of synagogues in New York and another Jewish organization in Brooklyn.
On Jan. 20, 2009, Al-Khattab posted a video and photo of the headquarters of the Jewish organization in Brooklyn, with a map and directions to specific facilities. Al-Khattab also posted a link to “The Anarchist Cookbook,” which is a manual for (among other things) constructing and using explosive devices. On Jan. 23, 2009, Al-Khattab posted to the Revolution Muslim website a video accusing the Jewish organization of funding terrorism, and urging viewers to find the leaders of Jewish organizations and “hold them responsible.”
As part of the statement of facts accompanying his plea agreement, Al-Khattab admitted that he knew some viewers of the Revolution Muslim websites were inclined to violence, and by making the posts involving Jewish organizations in 2009, Al-Khattab was trying to frighten Jews and Jewish organizations.
On June 22, 2012, Revolution Muslim founder Jesse Morton was sentenced to 138 months in prison. On Feb. 24, 2011, Revolution Muslim administrator Zachary Chesser was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon D. Kromberg and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Ickovic of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Trial Attorney John T. Gibbs of the Justice Department’s Counterterrorism Section in the National Security Division, are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.