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Monday 7 April 2014
Knapp Pleads Guilty to Discharging Firearm During Commission of a Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE – Troy James Knapp, age 46, charged in a federal indictment in October with assaulting a federal officer and two violations of federal firearms laws, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon in federal court in St. George to use, carry and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The count of conviction carries a potential life sentence with a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence. The plea agreement includes a recommendation that a 126-month sentence be imposed in the case. The sentence is subject to the approval of the Court. Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for June 9, 2014, at 10 a.m. in St. George.
Knapp was arrested in a remote area of Sanpete County on April 2, 2013. The indictment alleged that as events unfolded that day leading to his arrest, he assaulted federal officers engaged in the performance of their official duties. The officers included a Deputy United States Marshal, a U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, and others who were assisting federal officers. The indictment also alleged he discharged an SKS-type assault rifle during the violent crime of assaulting a federal officer.
As a part of the plea agreement, Knapp stipulated that he carried, used, and discharged a rifle as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement authorities. He admitted that when he discharged the rifle, he intended to impede federal officers and those assisting them from apprehending him.
Federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss one count of assaulting a federal officer and one count of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition at sentencing as a part of the plea agreement.
Sanpete County Attorney Brody L. Keisel was designated a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and assisted in the prosecution of the federal case. Several federal, state, and local agencies contributed to the investigation.
Kenyan Woman to be Sentenced for Marriage Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II and Bruce Foucart, Special
Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) in Boston will hold a joint press conference on April 8, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at
the U.S. Attorney’s Office, located at 202 Harlow Street, Room 111, in Bangor, regarding the
sentencing of Margaret Kimani, 30, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and the marriage fraud
conspiracy investigation that has resulted in felony convictions of 28 defendants in Maine since
2010. Launched in 2005 by HSI, the investigation identified over 40 sham marriages in the
Lewiston/Auburn and Newport areas between U.S. citizens from Maine and nationals of Kenya,
Uganda, Zambia and Cameroon. The Maine residents were paid to marry the foreign nationals
and to assist them in fraudulently seeking to obtain a marriage-based change in their immigration
status to that of a lawful permanent resident, or green card holder.The press conference will be video-conferenced to the U.S. Attorney’s Office located at
100 Middle Street, East Tower, 6th Floor, in Portland. Members of the press in the southern part
of the State may attend in Portland.Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Shut Down Louisiana Tax PreparerRead the Press Release
The United States filed a complaint today seeking to bar Joyce Bougere-Keyes, and her business, Joyce Tax & Financial Service LLC, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced.
The civil injunction complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, alleges that Bougere-Keyes, of New Iberia, prepares federal income tax returns for customers that report fabricated and/or inflated business income and expenses to maximize the amount of the Earned Income Tax Credit her customers claim. Bougere-Keyes has also improperly claimed education credits for ineligible taxpayers. Since 2009, Bougere-Keyes has prepared over 7,500 individual income tax returns and the loss to the U.S. Treasury caused by her conduct could exceed $1 million.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2013 . The IRS has some tips on their website for choosing a tax preparer. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Related Materials:
United States v. Joyce Bougere-Keyes, etc.
Complaint for Permanent InjunctionJury Convicts Palmer Man of Third Marijuana Grow and Forfeits the House That Concealed ItRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that on April 3, 2014, an Anchorage jury convicted a Palmer man of one count of manufacturing marijuana. The jury also returned a verdict forfeiting Dodds’ residence to the government because it facilitated his marijuana grow operation.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Sayers-Fay and Stephanie Courter, who prosecuted the case, Loren Kent Dodds, 48, of Palmer, Alaska, was convicted of a one count of manufacturing marijuana. Trial evidence demonstrated that Dodds made the lower level of his Palmer residence into a sophisticated hydroponic grow equipped with motorized lights and myriad timers, which were all powered by stolen electricity.
Dodds was convicted of having a marijuana grow in the same residence twice before, in 2008 and 1994. Dodds was still on probation for his 2008 marijuana cultivation and power theft convictions when police discovered the 2013 grow in the same residence. Dodds’ 2013 grow was his largest yet, with over 600 plants, ranging from starters to “mother plants” that were over seven feet tall. Dodds’ third marijuana grow came to law enforcement’s attention after a young boy who was living at Dodds’ residence asked a relative for a knife so he could help Dodds cut the stinky “lettuce.”
Dodds denied responsibility for the marijuana grow, telling investigators that he lived in a ramshackle motorhome offsite rather than in his more than 3,000 square foot residence located on several acres. Dodds claimed to have rented the residence to a couple whose last name he did not know and whose telephone number he did not have.
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason scheduled Dodds’ sentencing for June 20, 2014. Dodds faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment for his repeat offense, and up to a maximum of forty years’ imprisonment, to be followed by at least ten years of supervised release. Dodds may also be fined up to $5,000,000. Because the jury returned a verdict finding that Dodds used his Palmer, Alaska, residence to facilitate his marijuana grow, Dodds will forfeit that house and real property to the government. The jury could not reach a decision on whether Dodds’ adjoining property also facilitated his manufacturing operation.
Ms. Loeffler commends the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alaska State Troopers, and the State Drug Enforcement Unit task force members from both Wasilla and Palmer Police Departments for the investigation that culminated in Dodds’ conviction and the related forfeiture.Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to Prison for Passing Counterfeit Currency at Local BusinessesRead the Press Release
BOISE - Duane Gene Harpe, 45, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was sentenced today to serve 12 months and 1 day in federal prison for passing counterfeit currency at Treasure Valley Businesses, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Harpe to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Harpe pleaded guilty to the charge on January 14, 2014.
According to court documents, in April of 2013, Harpe traveled from Idaho Falls to Boise with numerous counterfeit $20, $50, and $100 bills. Harpe admitted to traveling to Boise in order to purchase heroin with the counterfeit money. When he was unable to pass the counterfeit bills in exchange for heroin, he used approximately $250 of counterfeit money at several fast food restaurants and gas stations in Boise. Judge Lodge ordered the defendant to pay restitution in the amount of $250 to the establishments in which he was successful in passing counterfeit bills.
The case was investigated by the Boise Police Department and the Secret Service.
Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Heroin from Jefferson Avenue ApartmentRead the Press Release
Huntington, W.Va. – A Huntington man who conspired with others to distribute heroin from the summer of 2013 to the end of 2013, pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Brandon S. Keaton, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers in Huntington.
On December 30, 2013, Keaton sold heroin to a confidential informant in the 1400 block of Jefferson Avenue in West Huntington. After the sale, Keaton entered Apartment #2 at 1416 Jefferson Avenue. The following day, December 31, 2013, officers with the Huntington Police Department searched the apartment where they found and seized more than 400 grams of heroin and $12,349 in cash. Keaton was arrested on January 26, 2014, and admitted to officers that he had been engaged in a conspiracy to distribute heroin from the West Huntington apartment for over six months.
Keaton faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 14, 2014.
The Huntington Police Department Special Emphasis Unit conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Greeneville Man Sentenced for Participating in A Conspiracy to Manufacture MethmaphetamineRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn.- Darrel Von Scrogum, 50, of Greeneville, Tenn., was sentenced on Apr. 7, 2014, by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge, to serve 262 months in prison. Scrogum pleaded guilty to a July 2013 federal superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that Scrogum admitted to being a part of involved trafficking high purity methamphetamine brought from Mexico to drug traffickers in Georgia and then ultimately into northeast Tennessee.
The indictment and subsequent conviction of Scrogum and several conspirators was the result of an ongoing and collaborative investigation conducted by the Third Judicial Drug Task Force, Greeneville Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Lampe represented the United States.
Fort Hall Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Kayla Teton, 23, of Fort Hall, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to assaulting a federal officer, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. She was indicted on February 26, 2013.
On January 6, 2013, Teton was arrested on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation for intoxication. She was taken to the Fort Hall Correction Center where she refused to change into jail clothing, and slapped a Fort Hall Corrections officer in the face with her hand.
The charge is punishable by up to eight years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
Teton is set for sentencing on June 18, 2014, by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
The case was investigated by the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Former Vermont Woman, Now Living in the Bronx, Sentenced to 35 Months in Jail for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
Tristram J. Coffin, United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, stated that Chelle Soutiere, 38, was sentenced on April 3, 2014 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss, to 35 months in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in Vermont. Additionally, Soutiere was sentenced to three years of supervised release to be served at the conclusion of her prison term.
According to Courts records, Soutiere traveled from the Bronx on the MegaBus to the Burlington, Vermont area to sell heroin, oxycodone pills, and suboxone tablets. Between September of 2012 and March of 2013, she traveled to Vermont carrying controlled substances on a number of occasions. She sold controlled substances in Franklin and Chittenden counties, including St. Albans and Burlington, Vermont. This is her second federal drug conviction in Vermont.
Soutiere was arrested by the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force on March 28, 2013. On June 6, 2013, a federal grand jury charged her with conspiracy to distribute heroin as well as other charges. On December 19, 2013, Soutiere pled guilty to Count 1 of the federal Indictment, conspiracy to distribute heroin. She has been detained in prison or, alternatively, been in drug treatment since her arrest.
This case was investigated by the Northwest Drug Task Force. The United States Attorney, Tristram J. Coffin, commends that task force for its work. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney, Nancy J. Creswell. Soutiere was represented by the Vermont Federal Public Defender, Michael Desautels.
Former U.S. Postal Employees Carol J. and Richard Pazder Plead Guilty to False Statement OffensesRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Apr. 4, 2014, Carol J Pazder, 61, and Richard Pazder, 67, of Maryville, Tenn., appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Carol J. Pazder pleaded guilty to providing false statements to obtain federal employees benefits. Her husband, Richard Pazder, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the false statements.
Sentencing is set for 10:00 a.m., Jun. 20, 2014. Both face a term of five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and restitution.
The Pazders were both previously employed by the U.S Postal Service. Carol J. Pazder claimed false injuries at work. She and her husband Richard Pazder claimed the injuries were so painful she could only walk stand or sit for a few minutes at a time and was therefore unable to work and collected unemployment compensation. The couple was video-taped taking a cruise, disembarking at three ports of call and walking for hours at a time, followed by a trip to Disneyland.
In December 2013 an indictment, which included the aforementioned charges, was returned against the Pazders by a federal grand jury sitting in Knoxville, Tenn. This indictment was the result of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. Jennifer Kolman, Assistant United States Attorney represented the United States.
Former Grandview Woman Sentenced for $158,000 Scheme for False Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Grandview, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for filing a false claim for a federal tax refund as part of a nearly $158,000 scheme.
Kelsey R. Jones, 35, of Houston, Texas (formerly of Grandview), was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Jones to pay $102,879 in restitution.
On Oct. 18, 2013, Jones pleaded guilty to making a false claim. Jones admitted that she filed 36 false individual income tax returns on behalf of herself and others, claiming approximately $157,998 in refunds, from February 2009 to January 2011. The $102,879 restitution payment represents the amount of fraudulent tax refunds that were actually paid out by the government.
Jones recruited individuals to file federal income tax returns under their own names. Jones created false and fictitious inflated income and revenue information for the individuals. Jones then used the false information to prepare and file fraudulent federal tax returns electronically with the IRS, which often claimed tax credits, such as the earned income tax credit, to which the individuals were not entitled.
Jones often had a portion of the fraudulent refunds – totaling $17,292 – direct deposited into one of her bank accounts, sometimes without the taxpayers’ knowledge.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess Michaelsen. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.Former Executive Director Caught with Hand in Congregation Beth El’s TillRead the Press Release
Today United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the arraignment and guilty plea of Eric S. Levine for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from La Jolla’s Congregation Beth El synagogue.
Levine served as Beth El’s Executive Director from July 2007 to December 2013, overseeing the synagogue’s annual budget of nearly $2 million. Importantly, he also had access to, and control over, Beth El’s bank accounts, credit card accounts, and bookkeeping records. Levine admitted today that starting in February 2008, he began embezzling money from the synagogue for his own use. He continued his thefts until he left the position in December 2013. In total, Levine admitted misappropriating $394,872.99 from the synagogue over those five years.
Levine was able to carry out his embezzlement by virtue of his control over Beth El’s bank account and credit card. On most occasions, he simply used money located in the congregation’s bank account to pay his own bills directly. On other occasions, he transferred balances from his personal credit card to the congregation’s credit card account, and then paid his balances with the congregation’s funds.
In order to fool the congregation, its bookkeepers, and its executive staff, Levine falsified Beth El’s books and records to cover up his ongoing theft. He hid thousands of dollars in payments to himself by creating entries for legitimate expenses of the synagogue, in categories such as “Ritual Fund”, “Rabbi Emeritus,” “High Holidays,” “Purim Baskets,” “janitorial expense,” “utilities,” “landscaping expense,” and “repair / replace reserve fund.” His mischaracterization of payments made it appear that more of Beth El’s funds were spent on legitimate synagogue expenses than was actually spent. Levine also prepared false financial reports and annual budget proposals based on these inflated figures.
Instead of these legitimate expenses, the funds were used to pay a variety of Levine’s credit card charges, which included the following: Trips to Mexico, Las Vegas, and Canada; stays at the Mandalay Bay and Bally’s in Las Vegas, the Hilton Waikiki, the Grand Mayan Los Cabos and La Costa Resort Spa; monthly membership and regular $1,400 charges for a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness; and tickets from StubHub. Levine was able to outfit his home with expensive leather furniture and BBQ equipment, buy fancy jewelry, send his children to private school, and purchase exclusive Disney vacations.
As part of his plea, Levine will be required to pay Congregation Beth El back the funds he stole. He will next appear in court on June 27, 2014, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw for sentencing as well as a hearing to determine the amount of restitution.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 14CR0879-DMS Eric S. Levine Age: 36 CHARGESMail fraud, Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341
Maximum penalties: 20 years in custody; $250,000 fine; 3 years of supervised release; mandatory order of restitution to victims
INVESTIGATING AGENCYFederal Bureau of Investigation
*Indictments and complaints are not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged. All defendants are presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Erie Teacher Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Erie, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 32 years in prison and lifetime supervised release on his conviction of violating federal laws related to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Cercone imposed the sentence on David Montgomery, 44.
According to information presented to the court, while Montgomery was employed as a teacher at Collegiate Academy in Erie, Pennsylvania, he made numerous videos and images that depicted him engaged in sex acts with a minor male. Montgomery also took sexually explicit photos of the boy. Montgomery’s illegal sexual contact with the victim began when the boy was approximately eight and the criminal conduct concluded when the boy was approximately fourteen. Montgomery gained access to the boy by paying for his travel to Erie from the victim’s residence outside of Pennsylvania. Montgomery and the victim also traveled together outside Pennsylvania on several occasions. Montgomery also took sexually explicit photos of another minor male who was approximately eight when the photos were taken. Montgomery also possessed numerous items of other child pornography.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Erie County Detectives Bureau, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Erie Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Montgomery.
Felon Fired Illegal Gun During Argument Outside Fast Food RestaurantRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Jarron Darvez Jackson, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on April 16, 2011, Jackson got into an argument with a group of men inside a McDonald's restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, after which he went out to his car, retrieved a handgun, and then started shooting at the people he argued with inside, who were driving away in a car. Jackson was later identified as the person who possessed and shot the firearm on April 16, 2011, and this fact was confirmed by ballistic tests of the shell casings at the scene and Jackson’s .45 caliber handgun. Jackson’s possession of the firearm was unlawful because of his two prior felony convictions.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for August 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Erie Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jackson.
Federal Jury Convicts Pittsford Father and Son of Multiple Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Rochester, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a jury has convicted Michael C. Kaufman and his son, Richard A. Kaufman, both of Pittsford, N.Y., of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and loan fraud. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley E. Tyler and Craig R. Gestring, who handled the trial of the case, stated that between 2002 and November 2007, the defendants directed the Controller of American Industrial Sales, d/b/a RAK Industries, to provide false financial statements to Key Bank, and to the company’s outside accounting firm. The false financial statements significantly overvalued the accounts receivable and inventory, which were the two assets that Key Bank relied upon as collateral for a total loan credit of $2,000,000.
The loan proceeds were used by the defendants to fund their personal lifestyles including expensive homes, generous salaries and country club memberships. After the defendants defaulted on the Key Bank loan in the summer of 2007, they converted to their personal use approximately $53,000 of accounts receivable proceeds that were the property of Key Bank. As a result of the fraud scheme, Key Bank suffered an immediate loss of over $1.5 million.
The conviction is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.Federal Judge Strips Child Sex Offender of U.S. CitizenshipRead the Press Release
Follow @USAO_CT
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, today announced that a federal judge in Hartford has revoked the citizenship of RORY DECORDOVA GAYLE, 44, formerly of Windsor and West Hartford.
According to court documents, GAYLE was born in Jamaica in 1969 and entered the United States in 1979 as a lawful permanent resident. In January 1999, GAYLE applied to become a U.S. citizen. On his Application for Naturalization, GAYLE answered “no” in response to the question “Have you ever . . . knowingly committed any crime for which you have not been arrested?” In an oral interview with a U.S. immigration official in June 1999, GAYLE swore that all of the information provided on his application was true and correct. GAYLE’s application was approved and, on August 6, 1999, he was sworn in as a naturalized U.S. citizen.
On October 30, 2000, GAYLE pleaded guilty in Connecticut Superior Court to two counts of first degree sexual assault of a minor for crimes committed between November 1996 and September 1999. GAYLE was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration, suspended after 15 years, a 10-year period of probation and lifetime registration as a sex offender. He is currently incarcerated with a maximum release date of July 14, 2014.
After an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations uncovered GAYLE’s misrepresentations to immigration authorities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated a denaturalization action against GAYLE in October 2012.
On January 29, 2014, U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant ordered GAYLE’s citizenship revoked on the ground that he lacked the good moral character necessary for citizenship, and that his application for naturalization concealed material facts and included willful misrepresentations.
ICE has initiated removal proceedings against GAYLE on the basis of his criminal history. On April 4, ICE issued an immigration detainer for GAYLE, requesting that the Connecticut Department of Correction transfer GAYLE to ICE custody upon the conclusion of his state sentence.
“For foreign-born individuals, citizenship is a privilege, not a right,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “Mr. Gayle corrupted the naturalization process by concealing his criminal past, a past that included the repeated sexual abuse of a minor. The revocation of his citizenship is entirely appropriate.”
“Someone who chooses to sexually abuse a child and then lie in order to gain U.S. citizenship possess a serious threat to the community, and we support the judge’s decision to revoke his citizenship,” said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston.
This matter was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn A. Ikari
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
[email protected]Federal Designer Drug Manufacturers and Dealers Sentenced to ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On April 2, 2014, Nicholas Pascal Zizzo, 27, of Phoenix was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 54 months imprisonment and ordered to forfeit approximately $1.3 million dollars and a business located at 1540 West Hatcher Road, Phoenix, after Zizzo pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substance analogues.
A controlled substance analogue is a substance that is specifically intended for human consumption and is also substantially similar in chemical structure, pharmacological effect, or intended effect to drugs already scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act, like cocaine, methamphetamine, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).
According to Court documents, records, and testimony, Zizzo owned Consortium Distribution in Phoenix., from early 2011 through July of 2012. Consortium manufactured designer or synthetic drugs, called “Eight Ballz Bath Salts” and “Eight Ballz Ultra Premium Glass Cleaner.” These designer drugs had powerful cocaine and methamphetamine-like effects, were manufactured with raw chemicals imported from China and domestically, and were specifically designed to get people high, but were nevertheless intentionally and fictitiously mislabeled as innocuous household products in an attempt to circumvent federal consumer and drug laws. These products were then distributed and sold for great profit to “smoke shops,” independent gas stations, and convenient stores across the United States. Individual users would often purchase a ½ gram of these designer drugs for up to $60.00 and would snort, smoke, or inject these drugs in order to get a cocaine or methamphetamine-like high.
Zizzo was part of a larger nine defendant investigation and case that included co-defendant Michael Rocky Lane, who was found guilty by a jury after a 13 day trial in July 2013 of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substance analogues. Lane was previously sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell and ordered to forfeit money and other items including vehicles and real estate. Lane was formerly an employee of Zizzo’s at Consortium Distribution before Lane left to open Dynamic Distribution in Tempe, Ariz., to directly compete with Consortium in the fall of 2011.
Additionally, on March 24, 2014, Andrew Scott Freeman, 27, of Minneapolis, Minn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 36 months imprisonment, after Freeman pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substance analogues. According to Court documents, records, and testimony, Freeman worked as a salesman for Lane at Dynamic between April and July of 2012 and sold Dynamic’s designer drug products to stores and individuals across the United States. Prior to Freeman’s employment at Dynamic, Freeman owned Too Cool Glass Works in Minnesota, which manufactured glass smoking pipes, and also sold a powerful designer drug called “Bliss” bath salts. Freeman was captured by Chris Hansen in a May 2012 Dateline NBC expose on the dangers of “bath salts.” Freeman subsequently sold off his business to a chemical supplier in Minnesota before coming to Arizona and continued to work in the “bath salts” industry with Lane.
The operations at Consortium and Dynamic ceased on July 25, 2012, when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at those locations and arrested Zizzo, Lane, Freeman, and other designer drug salesmen and employees as part of Operation Log Jam. Operation Log Jam was a U.S. Department of Justice coordinated investigation of illicit designer or synthetic drug manufacturers and distributors across the United States.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was assisted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Phoenix Police Department, and the Buckeye Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Don Pashayan, Theresa Rassas, Monica Edelstein, and Mark Wenker, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-12-1419-PHX-DGC (LOA)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-021_Zizzo&FreemanFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
Fargo Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
FARGO - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on April 7, 2014, Aaron James Olson, 34, Fargo, N.D., was sentenced to nine years in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson.
This case came to the attention of law enforcement after a North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s special agent assigned to the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force discovered a computer geographically located in North Dakota sharing child pornography through a peer-to-peer network. A search warrant was issued for Olson’s residence where officers seized a computer and 37 DVDs collectively containing more than 300 videos of child pornography. Judge Erickson also sentenced Olson to seven years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Fargo Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.Fairview Heights Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Quinten M. Allen, 26, of Fairview Heights, was sentenced in the federal district court in East St. Louis on April 7, 2014, on the charge of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Chief District Judge David R. Herndon sentenced Allen to fifteen months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered Allen to pay a fine of $250 and a special assessment of $100.
On February 5, 2013, in East St. Louis, Allen knowingly possessed a firearm - one SCCY, model CPX-1, 9 mm. caliber, semi-automatic pistol with ten (10) rounds of 9 mm. caliber ammunition. Previously on July 26, 2012, Allen was convicted of the felony offense of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in St. Clair County, Illinois.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Fairmont Residents Sentenced on Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistCLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three Fairmont residents have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in making methamphetamine.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that Daniel Joseph HANST, age 28, Brandi Rene SMITH, 27, and Anthony William OURS, 32, all of Fairmont, were each sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” The Fairmont defendants, who are free on bond, will self-report to prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the Three Rivers Drug Task Force, consisting of officers from the Fairmont Police Department and the Fairmont State University Police Department. U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
In other matters before Judge Keeley, Michael John Luther GRIFFIN, age 34, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Distribution of Heroin.” GRIFFIN’s sentence was increased by the Court due to violations of his pretrial release. GRIFFIN was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn A. Morgan and investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Luis Alberto GARCIA, age 34, and Victor ESTANGLE-FLORES, age 35, former inmates at United States Penitentiary at Hazelton, were sentenced to 24 months in prison for “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm.” GARCIA and ESTANGLE-FLORES were remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. These cases were investigated by the Special Investigative Services Unit at USP Hazelton.
Jovan MANNING, age 36 and formerly an inmate at FCI Gilmer, entered pleas of guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to run consecutive to his current 228-month sentence, for “Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of a Public Official” and “Bribery of a Public Official.” MANNING admitted to conspiring with a correctional officer at FCI Gilmer and another inmate to smuggle tobacco into the prison on multiple occasions. The correctional officer provided the tobacco to MANNING and the other inmate in exchange for having contacts on the outside of the prison send money totaling approximately $40,000. MANNING received money from other inmates when he sold the tobacco in the prison. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General.
Rene LAPOINTE, age 44, an inmate at FCI Cumberland and former inmate at USP Hazelton, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to 15 months in prison to run consecutive to his current 18-month sentence for “Assault of a Correctional Officer Resulting in Injury.”
Douglas LAZO-TORRES, age 32, an inmate at USP Hazelton, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison to run consecutive to his current 80-month sentence for “Possession of a Prohibited Object.” On September 25, 2013, staff at USP Hazelton removed a metal shank from LAZO-TORRE’s shoe.
The LAPOINTE and LAZO-TORRES cases were investigated by the Special Investigative Services Unit at USP Hazelton.
Each of the prison cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower.MICHAEL J. WHITE, age 45, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 5 years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $23,795 to the Veterans Administration Medical Center for “Stealing Public Money.” This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division.
The following individuals entered pleas of guilty before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull:
TROY EVANS, age 38, of Michigan, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.” EVANS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.
STEVEN JIMERSON, age 25, of Michigan, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone.” JIMERSON, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.
The EVANS and JIMERSON cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and investigated by the Mon Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force.
DONNA IRONS, age 37, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Marijuana.” IRONS, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 5 years in prison. This case was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
MARLENA MAE LONG, age 49, of Sutton, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Theft of Mail by a Postal Employee.” LONG, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 5 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Stein and investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.Erie Accountant Stole Thousands from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Hilltop BeerRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Julie A. Wozniak, 33, pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge David S. Cerone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 2013 to June 2013, Julie A. Wozniak devised a scheme to defraud St. Vincent’s hospital and Hilltop Beer by abusing her position as an accountant. Wozniak utilized a Saint Vincent’s purchasing card and made 62 separate unauthorized purchases for her own personal benefit and use, in the total amount of approximately $47,521.03, and increased the credit limit on the purchasing card from $12,000.00 to $30,000.00 in order to increase the volume of unauthorized purchases she was able to make. Wozniak also fabricated St. Vincent’s accounting records for the purchasing card, thereby concealing the unauthorized purchases she had made. Further, Wozniak utilized her access to St. Vincent’s bank accounts and made 22 unauthorized Automated Clearing House (ACH) debits from Saint Vincent’s operating bank account at M&T bank, in an additional amount of approximately $32,940.65.
In addition to the fraud against St. Vincent’s, the court was advised that Wozniak operated a private accounting business called “Keeping You Balanced” and used her position as an accountant to steal money from Hilltop Beer. Wozniak advised the owner of Hilltop Beer how much money she needed to have transferred into the Hilltop Beer payroll bank account in order for her to make payroll tax payments. After transfers of those amounts would be made to the payroll account, the defendant, without the knowledge or consent of the owner of Hilltop Beer, would write checks to herself from the payroll account in the amount that was supposed to be paid to the IRS for the payroll taxes of Hilltop Beer. In order to conceal the payroll account funds she had unlawfully taken from Hilltop Beer and had not paid to the IRS, Wozniak made ACH debits from St. Vincent’s operating bank account with S&T bank, and paid the payroll taxes for Hilltop Beer out of the St. Vincent’s account.
Finally, Wozniak used her access and authority over St. Vincent’s bank account at First Niagara and made 9 ACH debits to pay on her personal Capital One credit card accounts and her personal Amazon credit account in an additional amount of $10,778.69.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for August 11, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 100 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Wozniak on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Wozniak.
Englishman Sentenced to 17 Years on Child Exploitation and Pornography ChargeRead 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
Nicholas Cheese, 27, of Oxford, England, was sentenced today to 17 years in prison and 5 years
of supervised release for producing child pornography. He pled guilty to the charge on October
18, 2013.Court documents reflect that in 2012, Cheese developed an on-line relationship with a 12-
year-old girl from Maine, chatting and e-mailing with her and exchanging photographs. In June
2013, he traveled from England to Bangor and sexually assaulted her at a Bangor hotel. He
recorded one of the assaults.The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland
Security Investigations, in Bangor and London, England; the Bangor Police Department; the
Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office; and the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England.East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsPhillip S. Miller, 23, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on April 4, 2014, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, on one count of possession of a stolen firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Miller was sentenced to 8 months in prison, two years supervised release, fined $500, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Miller pled guilty on November 15, 2013. A parole compliance check conducted by law enforcement officials at Miller’s home on January 15, 2013, led to the discovery of a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in a bedroom he occupied. Miller admitted to purchasing the firearm from a drug addict off the streets. The gun was reported stolen out of Clinton County in April 2012.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case.
Drug Indictments Returned by Federal Grand Jury in WheelingRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A federal grand jury has returned indictments against alleged drug dealers from throughout the Ohio Valley.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that five indictments naming seven defendants were returned alleging the sale of heroin, oxycodone, cocaine and marijuana. The charges were brought by area drug task forces that receive federal funding from the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) initiative.
According to Ihlenfeld, the following individuals were charged by the grand jury:
WEAVER/KEYES
MARCEL D. WEAVER and HOLLY D. KEYES were charged in an eight count indictment with the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Chester, West Virginia in late 2013. WEAVER, age 29 of East Liverpool, Ohio, and KEYES, age 26 of Chester, are also alleged to have maintained a drug-involved premise. The investigation began due to a tip from the Youngstown, Ohio, office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
WEAVER and KEYES face up to forty years in prison, a $2 million fine, and six years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, an Appalachia HIDTA-funded unit.
JAMES J. CARNEY
JAMES J. CARNEY, 22 years old, of Moundsville, was charged with five counts of distributing heroin near protected locations in Marshall County in late 2013. It is alleged that CARNEY sold heroin to a confidential informant within 1000 feet of Moundsville Central Elementary School on four occasions, and with making a fifth sale outside of a Moundsville restaurant. CARNEY faces up to forty years in prison, a $2 million fine, and six years of supervised release.
MILLER/BARKER
GLENN A. MILLER, age 37, and AMANDA M. BARKER, age 25, both of Moundsville, are charged with the distribution of oxycodone and Alprazolam near protected locations in Marshall County in 2012. MILLER and BARKER each face up to forty years in prison, up to a $2 million fine, and six years of supervised release.
DESIREE N. BURGE
DESIREE N. BURGE, age 30 of Moundsville, was charged with one count of distribution of oxycodone in 2013. BURGE faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years of supervised release.
The CARNEY, MILLER, BARKER, and BURGE cases were investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force, an Appalachia HIDTA-funded unit.
NELDA K. WHITE
NELDA K. WHITE, age 54, of Hundred, West Virginia, was named in a two-count Indictment charging her with “Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana” and “Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also seeking to forfeit $23,500 which was seized in January as part of the investigation. WHITE faces up to 5 years in prison on each of the charges.
These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., Randolph J. Bernard, and Stephen L. Vogrin.
District Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for Stabbing Two People in Separate Robberies Last Winter-Both Victims Robbed of Their Cell Phones After They Were Stabbed-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric D. Smith, 43, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to a prison term of 6 ½ years on charges stemming from the stabbings of two people in separate robberies on back-to-back nights last December, one occurring outside of Gallery Place, and the other in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Smith pled guilty in February 2014 to assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, and attempt to commit robbery in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced on April 4, 2014, by the Honorable Robert I. Richter. Upon completion of his prison term, Smith will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the first attack took place at about 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2013, in a rear alley behind the 600 block of H Street NW, near Gallery Place. Smith approached a man and stated “Money, money,” before stabbing the victim in the rear torso. The victim fell, and Smith went through his pockets, stealing a cell phone and other property.
The next night, Dec. 19, 2013, near 7th and H Streets NE, Smith and another man, Brandon Watts, approached a male victim and a female victim. Watts stated, “Give me your stuff,” and Watts asked Smith if Smith “still had the knife.” Smith then pulled out his knife, and stabbed the male victim in the thigh. Smith and Watts stole the man’s cell phone, and fled.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), responding to a 911 call regarding the stabbing, located Smith and Watts a few blocks away. Both men were wearing ski masks. One of the men had made a throwing motion towards the ground; a knife and the victim’s cell phone were found on the ground where the objects were seen landing.
Smith pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery in the second attack, and attempt to commit robbery in the first attack. Watts, 24, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery in the second attack, and to receipt of stolen property in the first attack. Watts was sentenced on April 4, 2014 to a 43-month prison term. Watts will be placed on three years of supervised release following his prison term.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, which investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Petkun, who prosecuted the matter.
14-080District Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for Stabbing Two People in Separate Robberies Last Winter-Both Victims Robbed of Their Cell Phones After They Were Stabbed-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric D. Smith, 43, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to a prison term of 6 ½ years on charges stemming from the stabbings of two people in separate robberies on back-to-back nights last December, one occurring outside of Gallery Place, and the other in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Smith pled guilty in February 2014 to assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, and attempt to commit robbery in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced on April 4, 2014, by the Honorable Robert I. Richter. Upon completion of his prison term, Smith will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the first attack took place at about 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2013, in a rear alley behind the 600 block of H Street NW, near Gallery Place. Smith approached a man and stated “Money, money,” before stabbing the victim in the rear torso. The victim fell, and Smith went through his pockets, stealing a cell phone and other property.
The next night, Dec. 19, 2013, near 7th and H Streets NE, Smith and another man, Brandon Watts, approached a male victim and a female victim. Watts stated, “Give me your stuff,” and Watts asked Smith if Smith “still had the knife.” Smith then pulled out his knife, and stabbed the male victim in the thigh. Smith and Watts stole the man’s cell phone, and fled.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), responding to a 911 call regarding the stabbing, located Smith and Watts a few blocks away. Both men were wearing ski masks. One of the men had made a throwing motion towards the ground; a knife and the victim’s cell phone were found on the ground where the objects were seen landing.
Smith pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery in the second attack, and attempt to commit robbery in the first attack. Watts, 24, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery in the second attack, and to receipt of stolen property in the first attack. Watts was sentenced on April 4, 2014 to a 43-month prison term. Watts will be placed on three years of supervised release following his prison term.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, which investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Petkun, who prosecuted the matter.
14-080District Man Found Guilty of Armed Robbery and Other Charges for Beating and Robbing A Man in Early Evening Attack-Defendant Stole Victim’s IPhone, Wallet and Keys-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marvin Jefferson, 25, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of aggravated assault while armed, armed robbery, and related firearms offenses for attacking a man in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Jefferson was found guilty by the jury following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael Ryan scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2014.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early evening hours of Oct. 28, 2013, Jefferson attacked a man he had just encountered at a liquor store in the 1300 block of North Capitol Street NE. The victim, a 24-year-old engineering graduate of Howard University, had stopped at the store to get a beer. Jefferson, also inside the store, tried to take the victim’s iPhone. The victim put his iPhone in his jacket pocket, paid for his beer, and left the store.
Jefferson, however, followed the victim to the street. He tried to reach into the victim’s jacket to get the iPhone, and when the victim turned around, Jefferson began striking him. Jefferson hit the victim in the forehead with what appeared to be a gun, causing lacerations. Then, while the victim was in a disoriented and semi-conscious state, Jefferson robbed him of his phone, wallet and keys. The victim lost consciousness and dropped to the ground, chipping his tooth. Once he regained consciousness, he flagged down two police officers. A few days after the attack, he was able to identify Jefferson as his attacker.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mannarino. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton O’Connor, who secured the indictment, and John P. Fucetola, who prosecuted the case.
14-081District Man Found Guilty of Armed Robbery and Other Charges for Beating and Robbing A Man in Early Evening Attack-Defendant Stole Victim’s IPhone, Wallet and Keys-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marvin Jefferson, 25, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of aggravated assault while armed, armed robbery, and related firearms offenses for attacking a man in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Jefferson was found guilty by the jury following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael Ryan scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2014.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early evening hours of Oct. 28, 2013, Jefferson attacked a man he had just encountered at a liquor store in the 1300 block of North Capitol Street NE. The victim, a 24-year-old engineering graduate of Howard University, had stopped at the store to get a beer. Jefferson, also inside the store, tried to take the victim’s iPhone. The victim put his iPhone in his jacket pocket, paid for his beer, and left the store.
Jefferson, however, followed the victim to the street. He tried to reach into the victim’s jacket to get the iPhone, and when the victim turned around, Jefferson began striking him. Jefferson hit the victim in the forehead with what appeared to be a gun, causing lacerations. Then, while the victim was in a disoriented and semi-conscious state, Jefferson robbed him of his phone, wallet and keys. The victim lost consciousness and dropped to the ground, chipping his tooth. Once he regained consciousness, he flagged down two police officers. A few days after the attack, he was able to identify Jefferson as his attacker.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mannarino. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton O’Connor, who secured the indictment, and John P. Fucetola, who prosecuted the case.
14-081Dickinson Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
FARGO – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on April 7, 2014, Rendell Charles Hardy, 41, of Dickinson, N.D., pleaded guilty to bank robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson.
On Oct. 25, 2013, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Hardy and codefendant Satrone Rashard Boyd forcefully robbed Northland Financial in Medina, N.D., wearing Halloween masks. After quickly approaching the teller, Hardy, in possession of a handgun, demanded money from a bank employee after which the two men fled the scene. Boyd and Hardy used a stolen vehicle as a getaway vehicle. They were identified by video at a truck stop near the Star Lite Motel in Jamestown, N.D. The surveillance video showed them throwing the masks and a set of keys into the dumpster by the Star Lite Motel. Hardy was later apprehended in Dickinson, N.D. Boyd’s sentencing is set for April 14, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court.
Judge Erickson set Hardy’s sentencing for July 1, 2014, at 2:15 p.m. in U.S. District Court.The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the Dickinson Police Department and the Fargo Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer is prosecuting the case.
Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution in HuntingtonRead the Press Release
DRUGS, GUN AND SCALES SEIZED FROM HUNTINGTON RESIDENCE
Huntington, W.Va. – Alton Tribble, 37, of Detroit, Michigan pled guilty today in federal court in Huntington to a single count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. On December 26, 2013, members of the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at 917 21st Street in Huntington and seized 18 individually wrapped baggies of a substance that field tested positive for heroin, a .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a set of digital scales. That residence was used by Tribble to store heroin for resale in Huntington. Tribble faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on July 14, 2014.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Defendant Called “the Hacker” by Law Enforcement Sentenced to 68 Months and Ordered to Forfeit over $470,000Read the Press Release
PHOENIX – On April 7, 2014, Daniel David Rigmaiden, 34, formerly of Santa Clara, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbellto 68 months in custody (time served) and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service during a three-year term of supervised release. Restitution of over $395,000 was satisfied by the forfeiture and abandonment of Rigmaiden’s seized assets totaling over $470,000. Immediately prior to sentencing, Rigmaiden pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud.
“This sentence and asset forfeiture reflects the seriousness of Rigmaiden’s scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service,” stated U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo. “The defendant tried to avoid apprehension through a sophisticated web of false identities, encryption, and anonymizing programs. Only through sustained collaboration and the coordination of the joint efforts of IRS-CI, FBI, USPIS and this office was Rigmaiden located and identified. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who assume the identity of others in order to defraud the United States.”
“Tax-related scams are becoming more widespread and increasingly complicated, which is demonstrated by this case. IRS Criminal Investigation, along with our law enforcement partners, worked tenaciously to track down a sophisticated, tech savvy criminal, Daniel Rigmaiden, who had complete disregard and disrespect for the damage he inflicted on innocent victims and the American taxpayers,” said Dawn Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Office of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
“Individuals who participate in income tax fraud and identity theft of this magnitude should fully expect the FBI and its law enforcement partners to utilize all available resources to ensure they are brought to justice” said Douglas G. Price, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The successful prosecution in this complex case shows the commitment of the Postal Inspection Service to protect the public from criminal activity,” said Pete Zegarac, Inspector in Charge for the Phoenix Division of the Postal Inspection Service. “The Postal Inspection Service is proud to have partnered with the Department of Justice and fellow law enforcement agencies in this investigation.”
The investigation of Rigmaiden commenced in the fall of 2007 after the IRS began to detect a significant number of possibly related fraudulent tax returns. At that time, Rigmaiden’s identity and involvement were unknown. As a result, the investigation team referred to him as “The Hacker.” An undercover investigation ultimately led to his arrest and execution of search warrants in Northern California in August 2008. The searches revealed significant evidence related to a sophisticated scheme to obtain $5.2 million in tax refunds in the names of innocent third parties and deceased individuals. Rigmaiden ultimately caused the payment of approximately $1,904,321 in fraudulent refunds into accounts and debit cards controlled by him and his co-conspirators, as well as accounts controlled by undercover agents. Up until Rigmaiden’s arrest and identification through fingerprint analysis, his true identity was unknown to the investigation team. Through the team’s efforts, it was determined Rigmaiden had anonymously operated through the use of third-party computers throughout the United States, was involved in acquiring identity information of deceased and living individuals, including their social security numbers, and was using that information to conduct a complex electronic bulk tax filing scheme.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Santa Clara, California, Police Department, Secret Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Frederick A. Battista, Peter S. Sexton, and James R. Knapp, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-08-810-001-PHX-DGC (LOA)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-022_RigmaidenFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Connecticut Construction Company Agrees to Pay $2.4 Million, Admits Making False Statements to U.S.Read the Press Release
Follow @USAO_CT
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ted Doherty, regional Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Cheryl Garcia, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, New York Region, today announced that Plainville-based construction company MANAFORT BROTHERS, INC. (Manafort) will pay $2.4 million and implement internal reforms subject to independent monitoring to resolve a multi-agency joint criminal and civil investigation into alleged fraud committed by the company in connection with a public works project that commenced in 2007. As part of the resolution, Manafort admitted that it made false statements to the United States and the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation that disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) performed subcontracted work on the federally and state funded relocation of Route 72 when, in fact, non-DBE performed the work.
The joint investigation revealed that, in 2007, Manafort submitted a bid to ConnDOT to serve as the general contractor on a federally and state funded project that involved a two-mile relocation of Route 72 in Bristol and Plainville, as well as the reconstruction of 2.4 miles of existing secondary roads. All qualifying bids were required to designate a percentage of work that would be performed by DBE, a requirement designed to provide socially and economically disadvantaged contractors, who have faced historical barriers to entry in the construction industry, with fair opportunities to compete for federally funded work.
In April 2007, the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) determined that Manafort was the apparent low bidder for the project with bid of approximately $39,663,000. According to the pre-award bid documents, Manafort represented to ConnDOT that a particular DBE, identified as “Company #1,” would perform work under the contract totaling approximately $3,064,372, or 70 percent of the overall DBE goal. In its pre-award submission package, Manafort stated that Company #1 would furnish all supervision, labor and materials in respect to the work covered by the subcontract agreement. This work involved being responsible for the project’s reinforcing steel, materials for structural steel, furnishing a pedestrian bridge that would span the new roadway and the majority of work for a large retaining wall adjacent to the new highway.
The contract for the project was officially awarded to Manafort in August 2007 based, in part, on its representations that Company #1 would perform the work described in Manafort’s pre-award submission. During the course of the project, it was determined Company #1 was not performing most of the work that Manafort claimed it was performing. In fact, the investigation revealed that Manafort was utilizing Company #1 essentially as a pass-through entity. That is, Manafort would negotiate with and supervise subcontractors that it procured to perform work that Company #1 was supposed to perform or procure and supervise. The Government maintains that Manafort arranged to pay those contractors through Company #1 to skirt DBE regulations.
Under the terms of a non-prosecution agreement and civil settlement agreement with the government, Manafort represented that it has undertaken various remedial measures to ensure compliance with the DBE programs for its current and future federally funded construction projects. These measures include establishing a position for an Ethics and Compliance Officer at Manafort, forming a DBE compliance committee that meets regularly to review and address DBE-related issues, mandating DBE compliance training for Manafort employees, deploying software to insure that DBE are qualified to perform the work that they bid, removing the Manafort personnel directly involved in the misconduct, and continuing to assist law enforcement in its investigation. Manafort has also agreed to pay a civil fine of $2,460,722.02.
“Manafort sought an unfair and illegal advantage over its competitors and deprived disadvantaged businesses of an opportunity to perform work on this taxpayer funded construction project,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “The fine and the remedial measures mandated by this resolution demonstrate this Office’s commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency and equal opportunity in taxpayer funded projects. By entering into this agreement, Manafort recognized that it made false statements to the Government and committed to change. While our investigation of individuals continues, we agreed to this corporate resolution in order to reflect the company’s efforts to reform itself and to avoid further damage to its many blameless employees. We thank the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, Connecticut FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General for their excellent work on this important case.”
“The DBE program is a business assistance program of the U.S. DOT which helps economically and socially disadvantaged small businesses compete in the marketplace,” said Ted Doherty, regional Special Agent-in-Charge for the DOT’s Office of Inspector General. “DBE fraud harms the integrity of the program and adversely impacts law-abiding, small business contractors trying to compete on a level playing field. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will vigorously pursue those who violate the law, and expose and shut down fraud schemes that adversely affect public trust and DOT-assisted programs.”
“Manafort Brothers, Inc. sought to circumvent, misrepresent and outright deceive the U.S. government,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “Contractors that work on government-funded projects, such as those with disadvantaged business enterprise requirements, need to operate above-board or be excluded from the bidding process. Manafort has agreed to undertake remedial compliance measures and that is a step in the right direction. The DOT, DOL and FBI will continue to investigate this matter until all outstanding issues are addressed.”
The non-prosecution agreement announced today addresses only the corporate criminal liability of Manafort, not potential criminal charges for any individual.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Mattei and William Collier.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
[email protected]Colombian Man Pleads Guilty to International Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Luis Alberto Marulanda-Cardona (54, Colombia) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Marulanda faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, beginning in February 2009, Marulanda had a contract with a Colombian drug trafficking organization, where Marulanda’s associates picked up bulk cash in the amount of 100,000€ (Euros) a week, in the Netherlands. Two months later, a DEA confidential source met with Marulanda in Madrid, Spain. Marulanda advised the confidential source that two small shipments of cocaine had been seized in Portugal, by Portuguese authorities, and that one of his main associates had been arrested. Marulanda stated that as a result of the seizure and arrests, his operations had been suspended in Spain and Portugal. DEA’s Madrid Country Office confirmed that Portuguese authorities had seized several shipments of cocaine, in the amounts and on the dates consistent with those mentioned by Marulanda. Marulanda then moved his operations to Italy. He told the confidential source that his organization sent cocaine to Rome every week aboard commercial planes and that he would return to Rome where he would pick up a large amount of currency. Marulanda requested that the confidential source meet him in Rome, at which time Marulanda would give the source 650,000€ to be laundered. As part of the conspiracy, Marulanda requested assistance to move the narcotics proceeds, in bulk, through New York City, Atlanta, and Orlando into Hong Kong banks and Panama City, Panama. The total amount of funds that Marulanda attempted to launder is $2,973,285.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Orlando District Office, with assistance from DEA’s Rome Country Office, Madrid Country Office, Lisbon Country Office, Bogota Country Office, Hong Kong Country Office and Panama Country Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.
Coal Miner Charged with Falsifying Safety RecordsRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A coal miner who claimed to be foreman has been charged with falsifying safety records at an Ohio County, West Virginia coal mine.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that SEAN A. CHASE, 31 years old, of Spencer, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 29 counts of making false representations and certifications in mine safety records. Specifically, it is alleged that CHASE, while working at the Tunnel Ridge Mine in Ohio County, claimed to be a mine foreman and to be qualified to perform mine safety exams when in fact he holds no such certification. CHASE is also charged with making false statements to a federal agent, and claiming that he took the mine foreman examination and was issued a foreman card and foreman number.
The matter came to the attention of law enforcement when the certification numbers all foremen at Tunnel Ridge were submitted and reviewed for the purpose of continuing education requirements. It is alleged that the certification number submitted for CHASE had never actually been issued by the West Virginia Office of Mine, Health, Safety and Training, and thus an investigation was opened.
CHASE faces up to five years in prison on each of the thirty charges, and a fine of up to $10,000. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the West Virginia Office of Mine, Health, Safety and Training. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri.
Clinton Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Tax ChargeRead the Press Release
Lamarjorie Pharr, 33, formerly of Clinton Township, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of filing false claims against the United States, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.
Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge Carolyn Weber, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
According to court records, from September 2009 to March 2012, Pharr prepared and electronically filed more than 250 federal income tax returns. Pharr filed the returns electronically from, among other places, hotels in Detroit, Miami Beach and Atlanta. The tax returns were filed in the names of individuals, both living and deceased, whose personal information Pharr had obtained without the knowledge of those individuals or their survivors or estates. The tax returns claimed refunds of approximately $1.4 million. The refunds were based on false information in the returns relating to dependents, various tax credits (e.g., earned income credit), and tax withholdings. Pharr received more than $962,000 in refunds, which were deposited into bank accounts that he controlled.
Pharr entered the guilty plea in United States District Court before Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen.
A sentencing hearing was set by Judge Rosen for July 7 at 2 pm. The maximum penalty for filing false claims against the U.S. is imprisonment of not more than five years and a $250,000 fine.The investigation of this case was conducted by Special Agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hiyama.
City Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Her Employer and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – CASEY LYNN PEYTON, 41, from Oklahoma City, pled guilty today before United States District Court Judge David Russell to defrauding her employer in a wire fraud scheme and to committing tax fraud, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Peyton was the bookkeeper for Metropolitan Air Conditioning Service Company ("Metropolitan") in Oklahoma City. As part of her job, she prepared job cost reports, handled accounts payable and receivable, paid payroll and bills, and managed insurance and benefits for the company. According to the Information filed in the case, from January 22, 2009, through November 30, 2012, Peyton defrauded her employer by committing wire fraud. Specifically, on November 30, 2009, she wire transferred $1,835 from Metropolitan’s bank account to American Express to cover her personal credit card expenses. In addition, Peyton was charged with filing a fraudulent tax return for 2011 by intentionally failing to report her entire income for the tax year.
Peyton pled guilty to the Information today and admitting that she defrauded her employer and that she filed a fraudulent tax return. In the plea agreement, Peyton admitted that the loss to Metropolitan from 2009 through 2012 was between $200,000 and $400,000 and that the tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service for 2009 through 2011 was between $30,000 and $70,000.
At sentencing, Peyton faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud scheme and up to three years and a $100,000 fine on the tax charge. As part of a plea agreement, Peyton agreed to pay full restitution to Metropolitan and to the IRS. A sentencing hearing will be set by the court in approximately 90 days.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kerry A. Kelly.
Choctaw Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Money from Credit Union AccountsRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – STEPHANY DENLER MORENO, 31, from Choctaw, pled guilty today before United States District Court Judge Robin Cauthron to embezzling money from credit union member accounts and to making false statements in the records of a credit union, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Moreno was a teller for Communication Federal Credit Union (“CFCU”) in Oklahoma City. According to the Indictment filed in the case, on nine different dates from July 2011 through December 2012, Moreno made unauthorized cash withdrawals on various accounts of credit union member B.L. and used the money for her own purposes. In addition, Moreno forged signatures on three cash withdrawal receipts in order to make unauthorized withdrawals from B.L.'s accounts. The unauthorized cash withdrawals from B.L.'s accounts totaled $39,100.
Moreno pled guilty to the twelve-count Indictment today and admitted that she embezzled the funds from B.L.'s accounts and that she forged signatures on the cash withdrawal receipts.
At sentencing, Moreno faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the embezzlement and the false statement charges, and she will be required to pay restitution. A sentencing hearing will be set by the court in approximately 90 days.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green.
Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Defendant has prior conviction for first degree robbery
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman who pawned her ex-husband’s pistol pleaded guilty today to a federal firearm charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Kristie Dorado, 29, also known as Kristie Jo Carter, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On October 8, 2013, Ms. Dorado pawned a Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol at a Charleston pawn shop. Dorado was prohibited from possessing the gun following her conviction for first degree robbery in February of 2009 in Kanawha County Circuit Court. Dorado faces up to 10 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 16, 2014.
The Marmet Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.
Barboursville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Barboursville man who admitted he distributed heroin was sentenced in federal court today, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. DeMarco D. Calvin, 31, of Barboursville, West Virginia, previously pleaded guilty in December of 2013 to heroin distribution. Calvin admitted that he sold several hundred grams of heroin in the Barboursville area over the past few years. At today’s hearing, Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers sentenced Calvin to 63months of federal imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Huntington Violent Crime/Drug Task Force, which is comprised of officers from the FBI, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, and the Huntington and Barboursville Police Departments. Special Assistant United States Attorney Sharon M. Frazier handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Barboursville Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DRUGS, GUN AND SCALES SEIZED FROM HUNTINGTON RESIDENCE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Barboursville man who participated in a marijuana conspiracy from 2012 to the summer of 2013, pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Brandon L. Madden, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. In July of 2013, United States Postal Inspectors intercepted a package containing controlled substances that was to be delivered to Madden. When confronted by Inspectors, Madden admitted his role in a drug conspiracy in the Cabell County area. In addition to pleading guilty, Madden will forfeit $16,640.00 in cash, and a 2013 Dodge Durango seized by the Postal Service in connection with this case.
Madden faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 24, 2013.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector with the assistance of the Huntington Violent Crime/Drug Task Force which is coordinated by the FBI. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sharon M. Frazier.
As Tax Filing Deadline Nears, Attorney General Holder Calls Stolen Identity Refund Fraud ‘Rising Threat,’ Vows Aggressive Enforcement Against ScamsRead the Press Release
As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, Attorney General Eric Holder warned U.S. tax filers to beware a “rising threat” of scammers seeking fraudulent refunds based on stolen identities, and vowed aggressive enforcement against the practice. Speaking in a recorded video message released on the Justice Department’s website, Attorney General Holder explained that a growing pool of criminals are engaged in the activity, including gangs and drug sellers seeking quick access to cash.
The Justice Department’s Tax Division, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, have prioritized the investigation and prosecution of individuals who engage in stolen identity refund fraud. In the last year alone, the Department charged more than 880 defendants involved in stolen identity refund fraud, and the IRS reports that it resolved or closed approximately 963,000 cases involving identity theft victims.
“This is an increasingly urgent problem,” said Attorney General Holder. “Its impact can be devastating to families that are counting on legitimate tax refunds that are diverted by identity theft. And especially in recent years, the Justice Department has seen the scale, scope, and execution of these fraud schemes grow significantly.”
The Attorney General urged Americans to protect themselves by reporting suspicious activity and learning more at the IRS website, the Justice Department’s Tax Division website, and STOPFRAUD.GOV. Noting that anyone can be a target of these scams, Attorney General Holder shared his own recent experience with tax refund fraud after two individuals in Georgia attempted to obtain a fraudulent refund using his personal information.
The complete text of the Attorney General’s video message is below:
“With the time to file taxes just around the corner, we at the Justice Department want to warn you about a rising threat facing law-abiding taxpayers.“Over the last several years, stolen identity refund fraud has affected hundreds of thousands of Americans, victimizing honest citizens and draining billions of taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Treasury. In fact, the IRS reported that last year they resolved and closed approximately 963,000 cases involving identity theft victims. Criminals who perpetrate these schemes use stolen personal identifying information – such as Social Security numbers – to file false tax returns with the IRS in order to steal fraudulent tax refunds.
“These scams are no longer just about white-collar criminals. They are carried out by a variety of actors – from greedy tax return preparers to identity brokers who profit from the sale of personal information – to gangs and drug rings looking for easy access to cash. And these criminal enterprises disproportionately target the most vulnerable members of society – including low-income families, the elderly, Medicaid recipients, and those who have lost loved ones – including children.
“This is an increasingly urgent problem. Its impact can be devastating to families that are counting on legitimate tax refunds that are diverted by identity theft. And especially in recent years, the Justice Department has seen the scale, scope, and execution of these fraud schemes grow significantly.
“Fortunately, our knowledge of these crimes – and our ability to stop them – has grown as well. Last year alone, the Justice Department charged more than 880 defendants for their involvement in stolen identity refund fraud. Over the last few years – in some instances – those convicted of these crimes have faced sentences totaling upwards of ten years in prison. These sentences match the seriousness of these crimes. And they demonstrate our steadfast commitment to investigating and prosecuting tax refund fraud that involves identity theft.
“Particularly as we approach April 15th – as millions of Americans prepare and file this year’s tax returns – the Justice Department and its partners are stepping up our enforcement efforts. And we’re taking aggressive action to stop stolen identity refund fraud in its tracks whenever and wherever it occurs.
“The Justice Department will use every tool at its disposal to go after these scammers. And we’ll keep working with the IRS, the FBI, the Secret Service, the Postal Inspection Service, and other federal law enforcement agencies – as well as state and local law authorities – to combat these crimes. But we need members of the public to do their part by staying vigilant. After all, identity thieves can target anyone – something I saw firsthand last year, when two people attempted to get a fraudulent tax refund using my personal information.
“So I urge all of you to help my colleagues and I raise awareness about this growing threat. Protect yourself by reporting suspicious activity and filing your taxes as early as possible. And keep yourself from becoming a target by learning more about fraud and identity theft on the IRS website – or by visiting STOPFRAUD.GOV.”
The full video is available at http://www.justice.gov/agwa.php.
Arrests Dismantle North Little Rock Cocaine RingRead the Press Release
Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael A. Davis, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and North Little Rock Police Department (NLRPD) Chief Mike Davis announced the arrests today of multiple individuals related to a federal indictment focused on cocaine and crack cocaine distribution in the North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Saline County areas. The organization at the center of the investigation is alleged to have been responsible for the distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine during the time period of November 2011 through March 2014.
“My office will continue to dismantle these drug operations in our neighborhoods,” stated Thyer. “Getting the career criminals off the streets is one of the highest priorities in this office. We will prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law to take back our neighborhoods for the law abiding citizens.”
“This case started in January of 2013 after complaints were received of drug sales occurring in several locations in the area around 16th-18th Street West of Pike Avenue,” stated Chief Davis. “ Our narcotics division began working on the issue and were able to gather information and make several controlled drug sales of crack cocaine. Investigators reached out to the Drug Enforcement Administration who began working with us as the case began to reach out to other communities. Now that these subjects have been apprehended we will continue to work in this area and encourage citizens to call in with any additional complaints of drug sales. This will make a difference.”
In the Spring of 2013, NLRPD and the DEA began a joint investigation of a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution organization operating out of North Little Rock. The investigation revealed that since late 2011, a cocaine distribution cell linked to McAllen, Texas was operating from a location in rural Saline County. The investigation revealed that the head of the cell was an individual from the Mc Allen area named Hector Delgado. Delgado, along with his associate Wilmer Geovani Fuentes-Ramos imported multiple kilograms of cocaine from the McAllen, Texas area, which they distributed through two individualsJustice123! in the Little Rock area, Roosevelt Martin and Robert Young, Jr. Martin and Young distributed kilogram quantities to several individuals, including Tellys Clemmons, Mantrel Young, Ivory Johnson, and Harold Allen, Jr. Allen, a resident of North Little Rock, distributed cocaine to Tyrone Washington, who converted the cocaine to crack cocaine and distributed crack cocaine from a house located in the Vestal Park area of North Little Rock. Over the course of 2012 and 2013, the drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing 8-10 kilograms of cocaine per week in the Little Rock area with a street value of $248,000 to $310,000.
The investigation culminated with an April 2, 2014 indictment of Delgado, Fuentes-Ramos and 21 associates for drug and weapons charges. The investigation has thus far resulted in the seizure of over $142,000 cash and other assets valued at approximately $11,000; over 10 kilograms of cocaine; approximately 11 ounces of crack cocaine with a street value of $13,200; 11 vehicles, and 11 firearms.
This case was investigated by the North Little Rock Police Department in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration – Little Rock HIDTA Group 62 composed of officers from the North Little Rock Police Department, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Benton Police Department and the Arkansas State Police. Also involved in the investigation were the United States Marshal’s Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Arkansas National Guard; Little Rock Police Department; Bryant Police Department; Jacksonville Police Department; and the Saline County Sheriff’s Department.
An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Antlers Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that TROY LYNN HUGHES, age 54, of Antlers, Oklahoma, pled guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(l).
The charge is a result of an investigation by the District 17 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The defendant was indicted in November, 2013.
The Indictment alleged that on or about September 13, 2012, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, firearms which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing and ordered the completion of a presentence and investigation report. The defendant will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
The statutory range of punishment is not more than 10 years imprisonment, and/or up to a $250,000 fine.
Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Waters represented the United States.
***media Advisory***Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In November 2012, the Department of Justice opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Albuquerque Police Department (ADP) engages in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force, including use of unreasonable deadly force, in violation of the Constitution and federal law. The Department has concluded its investigation, and will announce the results of the investigation at a press conference to be held at 10:00 a.m. MDT, on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the Albuquerque office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
Following the announcement, representatives of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will meet with City officials, APD officials, officials of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, community advocates and other stakeholders, to discuss the results of the investigation. No further information will be released until the press conference.
WHO: Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels, Civil Rights DivisionActing U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez for the District of New Mexico WHAT: Press conference to announce results of the Justice Department’s investigation into the Albuquerque Police Department THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014, 10:00 a.m. MDT WHERE:U.S. Attorney’s Office
10th Floor Multi-Media Room (Reception on 9th Floor)
201 Third Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102OPEN PRESS
NOTE: All media must present government-issued photo ID (such as driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Media may begin to arrive at 9:30 a.m. Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Jessica Masoner at 505-224-1448.
Sunday 6 April 2014
Second Defendant Charged in Connectionwith Cross-Border TunnelRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO, CA – A second defendant was charged today in connection with a sophisticated cross-border tunnel discovered by the San Diego Tunnel Task force last week.
Gilberto Quezada-Madrid made his first appearance in federal court this morning on tunnel-related charges, including Use of Cross-Border Tunnel and Conspiracy to Maintain a Drug Involved Premises. The government moved for detention based on risk of flight, and U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bartick set a detention hearing for Thursday, April 10, at 9:30 AM.
According to the complaint, agents with Homeland Security Investigations, who are part of the task force, connected Quezada-Madrid with suspected tunnel locations in San Diego and Tijuana, including numerous sightings during surveillance dating back to 2013.
Most recently, on March 31, 2014, agents observed as the defendant arrived at the San Diego location - a warehouse at 10145 Via de la Amistad. The next day, on April 1, agents found a concealed cross-border narcotics tunnel inside the Via de la Amistad warehouse and learned that the entry point was inside a mini-storage facility named Mini Bodegas de la Frontera in Tijuana, about 800 feet south of the international border.
Two days later, members of the Tunnel Task Force, in collaboration with enforcement counterparts in Mexico, uncovered a second sophisticated smuggling tunnel connecting a commercial building in San Diego's Otay Mesa industrial park with a warehouse in Tijuana.
The first tunnel, approximately 600 yards in length, was discovered Tuesday evening based on evidence developed during a five-month probe by the task force. The passageway – equipped with lighting, a crude rail system and wooden trusses – exited inside the Via de la Amistad warehouse. The entrance was accessed down a 70-foot shaft secured by a cement cover. The builders had installed a pulley system at the tunnel's U.S. entrance to hoist contraband up into the warehouse. The warehouse itself was filled with a variety of children's toys, including plastic three-wheelers, and boxes of televisions, similar to the merchandise found in the warehouse linked to the smuggling tunnel uncovered locally in October 2013.
Task force investigators arrested a 73-year-old Chula Vista woman for allegedly overseeing the logistics at the Via de la Amistad warehouse. She is charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring with others to maintain a drug involved premises.
The second tunnel was detected Thursday morning as investigators from Mexico, in close coordination with special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), tracked leads related to the passageway uncovered Tuesday. The second passageway, which originated inside a warehouse located at 10005 Marconi Drive, was the more sophisticated of the two. Stretching for more than 700 yards, it was equipped with a multi-tiered electric rail system and an array of ventilation equipment.
The two tunnels are the sixth and seventh cross-border passageways discovered in the San Diego area in less than four years. If laid end-to-end, the seven tunnels would extend a distance of nearly two miles.
The ongoing investigations into the two tunnels are being conducted by the agencies that make up the San Diego Tunnel Task Force, including HSI; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - Border Patrol; the DEA; and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Additional support for this investigation has been provided by CBP's Office of Field Operations.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 14mj1274 Gilberto Quezada-Madrid Age: 26 City: Tijuana CHARGESUse of a Cross Border Tunnel in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 555 and 2 Maximum Penalties: 20 years in prison.
Conspiracy to Maintain A Drug Involved Premises in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 856 (a)(1) and 846 Maximum Penalties: 20 years in prison.
INVESTIGATING AGENCYSan Diego Tunnel Task Force
*Indictments and complaints are not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged. All defendants are presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Friday 4 April 2014
Yonkers Gang Defendant Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 188 Months in Prison After Perjuring Himself at the Trial of A Rival Gang MemberRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSE CRUZ, a/k/a “Chili,” a member of the violent Yonkers street gang known as the “Strip Boyz,” was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court to 188 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos.
In May 2013, CRUZ pled guilty to participating in the Strip Boyz narcotics conspiracy. One month later, in June 2013, CRUZ testified at the trial of Steven Knowles, the leader of a rival gang known as the “Elm Street Wolves.” At that trial, which was held before United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas, CRUZ denied conducting crack sales with the Strip Boyz. He also retracted prior statements he had made to Yonkers Police Department officers after he was shot multiple times in April 2010 – statements that supported the Government’s evidence that Knowles was his shooter.
Although the jury convicted Knowles of the majority of counts against him, including the murder of another Strip Boyz member, Knowles was found not guilty of the attempted murder of CRUZ. At yesterday’s sentencing, Judge Ramos found that CRUZ’s testimony about his crack sales at Knowles’s trial was false and an obstruction of justice. In summary, Judge Ramos stated: “Make no mistake, Mr. Cruz. You substantially increased the amount of time you will spend in prison by your decision to testify falsely” at Knowles’s trial.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “If there was ever any doubt that lying under oath was a foolish and costly decision, then Jose Cruz joins the long list of incarcerated defendants who should dispel that doubt. It may be a peculiar badge of honor among gangs to perjure yourself, but in the end you will lie your way into being locked up.”
According to the statements made at sentencing and documents filed in the case:
The case arises out of an investigation, which began in 2010 by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Yonkers Police Department, of narcotics trafficking and gang violence in a part of southwest Yonkers known as Nodine Hill. The Strip Boyz, in particular, was a street gang operating in and around Yonkers between 2000 and June 2012. The Strip Boyz and their affiliates sold crack cocaine and marijuana in and around the Schlobohm Housing Project on Schroeder Street—a major hub of Yonkers crack distribution.
They would, among other things, prohibit outsiders from selling drugs in their territory, share crack sales so that multiple members of the Organization could profit from a particular sale, package and store drugs together in common spaces, use shared suppliers as the source for their narcotics, and alert each other to the presence of nearby law enforcement. During that same time period, members and associates of the Strip Boyz – including JOSE CRUZ – sold thousands of grams of crack cocaine and marijuana. Certain members of the Strip Boyz – again, including CRUZ – also maintained firearms for use by members and associates of the Strip Boyz. Members of the Strip Boyz would often pool their money to purchase firearms, which would then be stored in hidden but easily accessible locations known only to members. When a firearm was needed to protect the Strip Boyz’s territory from encroachment by a rival gang, such as the Elm Street Wolves, one member of the Strip Boyz could utilize the firearms maintained by other members of the gang.
In August 2011, 66 Yonkers gang members – including 47 members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves – were arrested and charged with narcotics, firearm, robbery and murder offenses. The Elm Street Wolves were a violent street gang that operated on and around Elm Street and Oak Street, just minutes from the Scholobohm Housing Project, and a chief rival to the Strip Boyz. To date, all defendants in that case have been convicted, and the majority has been sentenced to between 10 and 17 years of imprisonment. This includes Knowles, the leader of the Elm Street Wolves, who was convicted in July 2013 of various racketeering charges, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses following a four-week jury trial before Judge Karas in White Plains. Knowles, who faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison plus 35 years, is set to be sentenced on May 29, 2014.
In June 2012, 23 Yonkers gang members – including 20 members and associates of the Strip Boyz – were arrested and charged with narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. To date, all defendants in that case have also been convicted, most of whom await sentencing. This includes CRUZ, who pled guilty on May 7, 2013, before Judge Ramos to conspiring to sell crack cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. During his plea, CRUZ admitted, among other things, to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine with others in the Schlobohm Housing Project. Based on his original plea agreement with the Government, which included both an enhancement for CRUZ’s usage of firearms in furtherance of his crack sales and a reduction for his timely acceptance of responsibility, CRUZ faced an advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) range of 108 to 135 months of imprisonment. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
At yesterday’s sentencing, Judge Ramos found that CRUZ willfully and knowingly committed perjury by lying, under oath, at Knowles’s trial by denying that he sold crack cocaine with the Strip Boyz. As such, Judge Ramos applied a Guidelines enhancement for CRUZ’s obstruction of justice. Judge Ramos also found that CRUZ was not entitled to a Guidelines reduction for acceptance of responsibility, holding that his testimony demonstrated that he did not satisfactorily accept responsibility for the crime – conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine with others – which he was convicted of. Judge Ramos calculated CRUZ’s advisory Guidelines range, as modified after his false testimony, as 188 to 235 months of imprisonment. Judge Ramos then imposed a sentence of 188 months of imprisonment, at the low-end of the Guidelines range. In so doing, Judge Ramos made clear that CRUZ’s sentenced was significantly increased because of his decision to lie on the witness stand on behalf of Knowles.
This case is being prosecuted by the White Plains Office and the Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Ilan Graff and Andrew Bauer are in charge of the prosecution.
White Earth Felon Sentenced for Domestic Assault, Possession of A Short-barreled ShotgunRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court, a 24-year-old felon was sentenced for assaulting a White Earth woman as well as possessing a short-barreled shotgun. United States District Judge John R. Tunheim sentenced Michael James Deegan to 92 months and 60 months (concurrent) in federal prison on one count of possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. Deegan, who was indicted on September 24, 2013, pleaded guilty on December 16, 2013.
In his plea agreement, Deegan admitted that on June 4, 2013, he assaulted a woman on the White Earth Indian Reservation by punching her in the head and body. This resulted in substantial bodily injury to the victim. Deegan also admitted to possessing a short-barreled shotgun at the time of his arrest.
This was the first case accepted from White Earth under an assumption of concurrent jurisdiction that commenced on June 1, 2013. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the White Earth Tribal Police Department, and the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.Because the White Earth Indian Reservation is a concurrent jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the White Earth Tribal Police Department and local County Sheriff’s Offices. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Week in Review – South BendRead the Press Release
South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
PLEA (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:)
Marcelino Ruiz-Robles, 37, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly or intentionally distributing a mixture or substance containing 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 Drug Enforcement Agency.Sentencing has been set for 7/3/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.
Patrick Condon, Jr., 41, of South Bend, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. 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 Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 7/10/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.
Tiffany J. Miller, 28, of Cromwell, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. 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 Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 7/10/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.
Devon Stewart, 40, of South Bend, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of possession of crack with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 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 7/3/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.
DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio:)
Areryaunna Parahams, 21, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 3 years supervised probation, 8 months location monitoring on home detention and ordered to pay $32,629.16 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to defraud the United States Department of the Treasury.According to documents filed in this case, Parahams participated with others in a false tax return preparation and filing scheme in South Bend, Indiana.At least two U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, with false or inflated W-2 forms were submitted in Parahams’ name to obtain refunds. Within the scheme, over 1,000 tax returns were submitted for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 requesting improper tax refunds. Parahams opened and controlled bank accounts, where some of these false tax returns were deposited.She also shared in the funds received from the fraudulent tax returns. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Department.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.
Demonte Brantley, 19, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years on supervised release, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.According to documents filed in this case, law enforcement officers became aware of Brantley, his possession of a firearm and his plan to commit a robbery. Law enforcement officers were able to identify this person as Brantley and steered him into a controlled operation.While traveling to commit a robbery under the sting, Brantley was stopped by police officers directed by federal agents.Brantley attempted to discard a loaded Intratec 9mm handgun, but the weapon was recovered by federal agents.When Brantley initially took possession of the firearm, prior to the time of the planned robbery, the serial numbers of the firearm had been already been scratched off and Brantley was aware of the alteration to the serial number. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.
Week in Review – HammondRead the Press Release
Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
DISPOSITIONS:
Ronier Scott, 42, of Gary, Indiana, a Gary City Councilman, was sentenced by Magistrate Judge John Martin to 3 months imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of willful failure to file a federal tax return for the tax years 2008 and 2009.Scott was also ordered to perform 400 hours of community service to be completed within 10 months after release from the Bureau of Prisons.According to documents filed in this case, in addition to not filing tax returns for 2008 and 2009, he also chose not to file for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. For 2004, Scott filed a joint return and collected a refund. For 2005, Scott filed a joint tax return and expected to receive a refund, but it was applied to the 2003 debt. For 2006, Scott did not file his tax return until 2011, after he had been contacted by criminal investigators. For 2007, Scott filed a separate return and under-reported his income. This case was a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.
Turrell Anderson, 41, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 42 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Anderson has a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Chicago Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.
Willie Harris, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 156 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $299,298.67 in restitution after being found guilty at trial to the felony offenses of conspiracy to commit fraud with identification documents, fraud with identification documents, trafficking in counterfeit devices and aggravated identity theft.According to documents filed in this case, Harris obtained the account and personal information of individuals in over 21 states and fraudulently added their names to the victims’ accounts in an account takeover scheme.Harris and his co-conspirators either utilized their own names or utilized aliases with the accounts which had been taken over.They would purchase gift cards, Postal money orders, and make numerous retail purchases with the fraudulently obtained credit cards throughout Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.They also made cash withdrawals on the accounts and utilized the convenience checks associated with the accounts at various financial institutions located in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.Throughout the course of this criminal conduct, they would also mail gift cards, Postal money orders, and U.S. currency from Indiana and Wisconsin to Georgia. This case was a result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.
Virginia Man Arrested for Interference with Flight Crew Members and AttendantsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Hopewell, Virginia, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants.
Kennedy Runner, age 68, was arrested on March 28, 2014, pursuant to a federal Criminal Complaint. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 1, 2014, and requested a preliminary hearing on the Complaint.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 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 charge relates to an incident on March 28, 2014, at Rapid City Regional Airport, when Runner interfered with the performance of the duties of a flight crew member and flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 6089 by threatening to kill passengers on the aircraft.
The charge is merely an accusation and Runner is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Runner was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 3, 2014.