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20 March 2014
Former Sabinal Police Officer Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Former Sabinal (TX) police officer Jason Lee Villasana will serve 15 years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distributing child pornography announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse, San Antonio Division.
On August 21, 2013, Villasana, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. According to court records, from May 2011 until November 15, 2012, Villasana received, stored and sent images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On November 15, 2012, FBI agents and investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Division executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized various electronic media belonging to the defendant. A subsequent forensics examination of the seized items revealed the presence of approximately 250 images, seven videos and 64 thumbnail images of child pornography.
Villasana has remained in federal custody since his arrest on December 18, 2012. The sentence was handed down yesterday afternoon in Del Rio by U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Texas Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan M. McCalla and Matthew Watters prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.Former Elk Grove Resident Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud Scheme and False Statements in BankruptcyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Vincent Thakur Singh, 45, formerly of Elk Grove, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and false statements in bankruptcy, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, Singh carried out an investment fraud through an entity known as the Perfect Financial Group. He targeted 190 members of the ethnic Indian Fijian community for an investment fraud that grossed approximately $20 million. Singh told investors that he was using their money for hard money lending. In fact, Singh used $12 million of investors’ money for gambling, made $2 million in currency withdrawals, spent $880,000 on a film project, and spent more than $1 million on other business ventures. Singh also used millions of dollars of investor money to pay other victims and give Perfect Financial the false appearance of success.
According to the plea agreement, on August 19, 2010, Singh declared bankruptcy and failed to disclose 19 of the bank accounts that he had used in the investment fraud.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the office of the U.S. Trustee. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew D. Segal is prosecuting the case.
Singh is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Morrison C. England Jr. on June 12, 2014. Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and five years in prison for false statements in bankruptcy. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was done in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
Former Credit Union President Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
The former president of a small Pierce County, Washington credit union was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and more than $129,000 in restitution for two counts of wire fraud and two counts of misapplication of credit union funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. RENEE J. THOMAS, 45, of Graham, Washington, resigned as president of Community Credit Union on September 1, 2009, just as state authorities were preparing to examine the credit union because of concern about its financial performance. Following her resignation, the investigation revealed THOMAS had used a variety of means to defraud not only the credit union but an insurance company and credit card companies associated with it. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton said, “this crime is very serious because it is the type of crime that corrodes faith in our financial system.”
According to records in the case, THOMAS committed fraud and embezzled funds in four different schemes. In 2007 THOMAS pressured an employee to falsify records related to nearly $90,000 in car loans so that she and her husband could collect disability insurance. In December 2007, THOMAS used a credit union customer’s information to take money from his line of credit. THOMAS applied the $16,500 to her bills. In August of 2009, shortly before her departure from the credit union, THOMAS forged other employees’ names to increase the limit on her company credit card. THOMAS used the increased borrowing authority for $22,000 in cash advances and other purchases. Finally, on one of her last days at the credit union, THOMAS used other employees’ computer privileges to increase a customer’s line of credit and take cash from their account. She then used some of the cash to make a payment on her credit card. The loss to the credit union for the conduct charged in the case is $126,469.
In asking for a prison sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “As Community Credit Union’s President, Thomas owed the credit union one thing – responsible stewardship. Instead, she gave it a two-year fraud “spree,” targeting as her victims, the Credit Union, its customers, and its insurance carrier. Rather than watching out for the interest of her employees, moreover, Thomas abused her authority over them and involved them in her criminal schemes.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlen Storm.
Former City Employee Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison for Embezzling over $92,900 from the City of CherryvilleRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Former employee with the City of Cherryville, Jennifer Neal Hoyle, was sentenced to serve 12 months and a day in prison today for embezzling over $92,900 in city funds, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In January 2013, Hoyle, 36, of Cherryville, pleaded guilty to three felony charges of program fraud, stemming from a joint federal and state investigation into misappropriated city funds.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Greg McLeod, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI), and Chief James W. Buie of the Gaston County Police Department join U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement.
U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. presided over the sentencing and ordered Hoyle to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her sentence and to pay $92,922.55 as restitution to the city.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, Hoyle was a Senior Customer Service Representative/Utility Supervisor for the City of Cherryville, responsible for collecting and posting utility payments made by customers. Court records indicate that beginning in January 2008 through May 2011, Hoyle embezzled approximately $92,922 from the City of Cherryville by stealing some cash payments made by utilities customers paying their bills. Court records show that Hoyle took the customers’ cash payments, issued paper receipts, credited the customers’ accounts with the payment and kept the cash. Then, using her supervisory override privileges, Hoyle deleted the transaction from the computer system. Court records also show that, in order to avoid any potential customer complaints, Hoyle created entries in the “extra charge” journal, in which she “wrote off” the cash amount the customers had paid, so that when bills were generated they would not include the embezzled amount. According to court records, Hoyle’s fraud was uncovered when a customer questioned the duplicate charges on her bill and brought in her paper receipt as proof of payment, after Hoyle had failed to convert the customer’s cash payment as a “write off” in the “extra charge” journal. Hoyle was terminated from her position in May 2012.
Hoyle was ordered to self-report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The investigation into Hoyle was handled by the FBI, SBI and the Gaston County Police Department. The prosecution is handled by Michael Savage, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
Former Assistant Director of Nicholasville Day Care Sentenced and Ordered to Pay More Than $200,000 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, KY - A former employee of a child day care center in Nicholasville, KY., was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $201,060 in restitution for defrauding her employer.
U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell sentenced Pamela Sandlin, 55, for fraud. Under federal law, Sandlin will have to serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence.
Sandlin previously admitted that, over the course of several years, she fraudulently took thousands of dollars while working as the Assistant Director at the Kids Connection Learning Center (KCLC). KLLC receives more than $10,000 annually in federal program funds.
According to her plea agreement, Sandlin was responsible for collecting money from parents, making bank deposits, and documenting financial transactions for KCLC. Court documents also established that Sandlin altered company records to conceal the fraud.
Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Perrye Turner, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Taylor prosecuted this case on behalf of the federal government.
Florida Resident Sentenced in Connection withFraudulent International Lottery SchemeRead the Press Release
Angela Althea Peart was sentenced in connection with her role in a fraudulent international lottery scheme that targeted U.S. citizens, the Justice Department announced today. Peart was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore for the Southern District of Florida in Miami to serve 33 months in prison and 5 years supervised release. A hearing on restitution has been scheduled for June 5, 2014.
Peart’s prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s effort, working with federal and local law enforcement, to combat international lottery fraud schemes preying on American citizens. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Americans have lost tens of millions of dollars to fraudulent foreign lotteries.
“International lottery fraud aimed at stealing from elderly victims cannot, and will not, be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “We will seek to hold accountable those who participate in illegal lottery schemes, including those in the U.S. who facilitate schemes directed from abroad.”
“As international fraudsters focus their criminal schemes on Americans, we will do all we can to prosecute and deter such criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer. “N ow more than ever, the public needs to be mindful of these schemes to avoid falling prey to them. So long as criminals continue to line their pockets with the money of our nation’s seniors, we will be there to prosecute them and bring them to justice.”
A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment against Peart and co-conspirator Charmaine Anne King on Oct. 31, 2013. Judge Moore adopted a report and recommendation accepting Peart’s guilty plea on Feb. 4, 2014. Co-defendant King was convicted by a federal jury in Miami on Feb. 5, 2014, of one count of conspiracy, three counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud. King’s sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2014.
As part of her guilty plea, Peart admitted that beginning in or around March 2012 and continuing through, in or around November 2013, she was a member of a conspiracy to fraudulently enrich herself by keeping victims’ money for her own benefit without paying any lottery winnings. Peart acknowledged that a co-conspirator, believed to be located in Canada, mailed letters to elderly victims in the United States falsely informing the victims that they had won more than a million dollars in a lottery. These letters purported to be from an actual sweepstakes company in the United States.
Peart also admitted that as part of the conspiracy, victims were told that they must make a payment of several thousand dollars in order to collect their purported lottery winnings. The victims were told to send their payments to Peart and others. Peart acknowledged that she received victims’ funds, kept 10 percent of the money received from victims and then sent the rest to another member of the conspiracy. Victims never received any lottery winnings.Assistant Attorney General Delery commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Director Jeffrey Steger and Trial Attorney Kathryn Drenning with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch.
Federal Search Warrant Reveals Beneficiary Funds MissingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Federal agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, obtained a search warrant for Safety Net of Oregon, a Representative Payee organization, located on SE Morrison Street. The warrant was executed on March 6, 2014.
According to the affidavit in support of the search warrant, the Social Security Administration terminated Safety Net as an Organizational Representative Payee effective April 1, 2014, following a review of Safety Net that revealed that approximately $600,000 of beneficiary funds was unaccounted for.
Prior to the execution of the warrant, the Social Security Administration began contacting each of the approximate 900 beneficiaries by telephone or letter to advise them of Safety Net’s termination as an Organizational Representative Payee. During the execution of the warrant, clients of Safety Net who arrived at the business were provided a flyer advising them of Safety Net’s termination and directing them to contact the Social Security Administration. They were also provided names of organizations that could potentially serve as Representative Payees. Employees of the local Social Security Administration field offices have been working with local disability organizations and social service agencies with the goal that all of Safety Net clients will be transitioned to a new Representative Payee as soon as possible.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation is on-going. A search warrant is an investigative tool and not evidence of guilt. The subjects of the search warrant are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges any beneficiaries who were clients of Safety Net and who have not yet contacted the Social Security Administration, to do so immediately in order to avoid any interruption in the payment of their benefits.
Social Security hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 – NoonLocal Social Security Offices
SOCIAL SECURITY
194 BEVERLY DRIVE
OREGON CITY OR 97045
BUSINESS: (866) 964 4264
SOCIAL SECURITY
1538 SW YAMHILL ST
PORTLAND OR 97205
BUSINESS: (888) 632 6990SOCIAL SECURITY
17925 SE DIVISION ST
PORTLAND OR 97236
BUSINESS: (866) 331 6402SOCIAL SECURITY
1229 SE 3RD STREET SUITE 100
PENDLETON OR 97801
BUSINESS: (877) 405 0480SOCIAL SECURITY
11975 SW 2ND ST SUITE 100
BEAVERTON OR 97005
BUSINESS: (866) 964 2036SOCIAL SECURITY
1750 MCGILCHRIST ST SE STE 110
SALEM OR 97302
BUSINESS: (866) 593 1559Representative Payee Organizations
Share and Care
13855 Pacific Highway
Tigard, OR 97281
503-684-8882
*If you cannot get to the Tigard location, call them and the payee will arrange to meet you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------Action Payee Services Inc.
503-352-5349
* Contact by phone and the payee will arrange to meet you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------On the Budget
971-227-6294* Contact by phone and the payee will arrange to meet you.
Federal Jury Finds Missouri Woman Guilty of Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 19, 2014, Tisa V. Vaughn, 49, of Florissant, Missouri, was found guilty in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois, on an indictment charging that she engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud. Sentencing is set for July 11, 2014. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
Vaughn was the personal assistant for her sister, a Medicaid recipient, who resides in East St. Louis. Evidence at trial showed that Vaughn billed for hours of care when she was either not caring for her sister or when her sister was actually in the hospital. Furthermore, testimony indicated that the sisters split the payments that Vaughn billed and received from the Home Services Program for the State of Illinois.
“Nationwide, the biggest fraud problem in the Medicaid program has been these personal assistant programs which represent the number one fraud complaint to state Medicaid fraud units. Especially vulnerable to fraud are programs, such as the one implemented in Illinois, that allows the Medicaid recipient to control the selection and payment of personal care attendants. In most cases, the personal care assistant is a relative or family friend, who often is a ghost employee. In a typical fraud scenario, the scam payments made by the State of Illinois are split between the Medicaid recipient and the ghost employee. By prosecuting these frauds, I hope to get more accountability into the programs and to preserve these funds for deserving people who really do benefit from the assistance.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police’s Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case was tried by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander and Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan. The lead prosecutor for the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Quinley.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General or call 800.447.8477.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Woonsocket Resident for Allegedly Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin, Morphine & CodeineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence on Wednesday returned a five-count indictment charging Alfredo Balestier-Sanchez, aka Negro, 32, of Woonsocket, with trafficking heroin, fentanyl, morphine and codeine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey and John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England field division.
Sanchez was arrested March 4, 2013, by members of the Woonsocket Police Department and the RI DEA Drug Task Force following a one month investigation into Sanchez’s alleged drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, it is alleged that several undercover drug purchases from Sanchez and a court authorized search of his Woonsocket residence resulted in the seizure of numerous packets containing various mixtures of fentanyl, heroin, morphine and codeine.
The indictment charges Sanchez with two counts of distribution of fentanyl; one count of distribution of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl; one count of possession with the intent to distribute a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl; and one count of distribution of a mixture containing heroin, morphine and codeine.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Sanchez faces statutory sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years to lifetime supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each of the 5 charges contained in the indictment.
An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled for Sanchez who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.
The DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement agents and officers from the DEA, Rhode Island State Police, and the Cranston, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.###
To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former International Theatrical and Stage Employee Union Official for Allegedly Embezzling More Than $74,000 in Benefits & Union FundsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday returned a thirteen-count indictment charging John J. Brennan, 48, of Everett, Mass., a former Secretary Treasurer of Local 23 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in Rhode Island, with allegedly embezzling more than $74,000 in union and union employee benefit funds.
The indictment, which charges Brennan with three counts of embezzlement from a union fund, three counts of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan and seven counts of mail fraud was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Mark Neylon, District Director for the Office of Labor Management Standards, Boston-Buffalo District Office; Cheryl Garcia, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Region for the Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; and Susan Hensley, Regional Director of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office.
According to the indictment, it is alleged that, while serving as administrator of IATSE’s Local 23 Health & Welfare fund between January 2006 and December 2011, Brennan embezzled $33,546.82 in union funds and $40,510.38 in benefit funds. The indictment alleges that Brennan deposited most of the money into a secret bank account unbeknownst to Local 23 officials and that he allegedly deposited some of the embezzled funds into his own personal bank accounts.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. John Brennan has been summoned to appear on March 28, 2014, for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Providence on a date yet to be determined.
If convicted, Brennan faces statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison to be followed by up to 3 years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge of mail fraud; and up to 5 years in federal prison to be followed by up to 3 years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge of embezzlement from a union fund and embezzlement from an employee benefit plan.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor Management Standards and Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations.
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Cumberland Resident Admits to Armed Bank Robberies in Cumberland and CranstonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joseph G. Petrarca, 50, of Cumberland, R.I., faces statutory penalties of up to 45 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to robbing two banks within twenty days while claiming to be armed with a gun, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Acting Police Chief Rhode Island State Police Captain Kevin M. Barry, Cumberland Police Chief John R. Desmarais and Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Petrarca admitted to the court that he robbed a Citizens Bank branch office in Cumberland on December 26, 2012, of $1,764 and that he robbed a Washington Trust Company branch office in Cranston of $9,595 on January 15, 2013. In both instances, Petrarca handed bank tellers a threatening note claiming that he was armed with a gun.
According to information presented to the court, a note handed to a teller at the Washington Trust Company by Petrarca read in part, “I have a gun and I will shoot you.” It further warned, “Watch my hand it has a gun in it.” The teller told police that the robber displayed the handle of a gun which he pulled out from a satchel or briefcase he was holding. Petrarca also handed a note to a teller during the robbery of the Citizens Bank branch office claiming that he was armed. However, no gun was displayed.
According to information presented to the court, on January 19, 2013, based upon information developed in their investigation, Cranston police obtained a warrant to arrest Petrarca for the Washington Trust Company robbery. The following day, officers watched Petrarca as he drove away from his Cumberland home. He was arrested a short time later as he exited Route 95 in Providence.
Following Petrarca’s arrest, Cumberland police officers conducted a court authorized search of Petrarca’s home where they seized jeans, identical to those worn by in the Citizens Bank robbery, along with sweatshirts matching those worn in both bank robberies. Fingerless gloves similar to those used in the Citizens Bank robbery and a knit hat similar to that worn in the Washington Trust robbery were seized from Petrarca’s car. A piece of red stained floor carpeting from the vehicle matched the dye used in bank dye packs.
According to a plea agreement filed in this matter, the government will recommend to the court that Petrarca, who pleaded guilty to two counts of armed bank robbery, be sentenced to up to12 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 6, 2014.
The case, which was charged by retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth P. Madden, is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
The FBI assisted Cranston and Cumberland Police in the investigation of this matter.###
To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Connecticut Man Arrested, Charged with Trying to Engage in Sex with MinorRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Connecticut man was arrested yesterday after driving to Watertown to allegedly meet with a woman who posted an ad on Craigslist, seeking a male that might be interested in a relationship with her minor daughter. The Craigslist advertisement was placed by undercover Homeland Security Investigation agents.
Paul R. Hinkel, 56, from Chester, Conn., was charged via criminal complaint that he persuaded, induced, enticed or coerced a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The criminal complaint alleges that in February 2014, undercover federal agents placed an ad on Craigslist using the name “Lisa Richards” and seeking a male that might be interested in a relationship involving her daughter. Hinkel responded to the advertisement, and engaged in e-mail communications with undercover agents regarding the fictional minor daughter and the sexual activities that he would engage in with her. On March 19, Hinkel traveled from his home in Connecticut to an apartment in Watertown to meet the fictional minor daughter. He carried a bag to the door with him, which agents later discovered contained sexual paraphernalia, men’s cologne and a stuffed animal. Hinkel was arrested and taken into custody. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing in U.S. District Court on March 24.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, “We vigorously pursue defendants who intend to use the Internet to evade detection and to infringe on the protections of children.”
“I am very proud of my agents’ tireless work in targeting online predators, and I would like to commend our outstanding partners in the Massachusetts and Connecticut State Police Departments,” said Bruce Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston. “The Internet is a necessity of modern life; however, we will continue to aggressively pursue those who use it to prey on the defenseless.”
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274, and messages will be promptly returned.
U.S. Attorney Ortiz and SAC Foucart made the announcement today. The Watertown Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assisted with Hinkel’s arrest. The case is being prosecuted by Eve A. Piemonte Stacey of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division=s CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Computer Technician Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Downloading Child Pornography at WorkRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – David Busby was sentenced today to ten years in prison for downloading and viewing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations at the U.S. Department of Energy John R. Hartman, and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.
On Sept. 19, 2013, after a three-day trial, a jury convicted Busby of possessing and accessing with the intent to view child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). Evidence at trial showed that on April 20, 2010, a network security analyst detected internet traffic indicative of child pornography on the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) computer network. The internet traffic was isolated to a single laptop computer being used by Busby.
Busby, a registered sex offender based on a prior conviction, was a computer support employee at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL), and he worked part-time at NERSC, which is affiliated with LBL. Busby made two statements to law enforcement officers shortly after the April 20, 2010 incident, ultimately admitting that he did download child pornography to two of his work computers. Busby said he would store the child pornography for a period of time and then delete the images. A forensic examination of two of Busby’s computers recovered approximately 1,400 images of child pornography that had been deleted. At trial, Busby’s defense claimed that he accidentally downloaded the child pornography onto his computers while trying to access legal child modeling sites.
Busby, 61, of Richmond, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment on July 9, 2013. Busby was remanded into custody following his conviction at trial. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Saundra B. Armstrong, United States District Court Judge. Judge Armstrong also sentenced the defendant to a ten-year period of supervised release.
Brian C. Lewis is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Janice Pagsanjan and Patty Lau. This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, University of California Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(Busby superseding indictment )
Columbus Man Pleads Guilty to Using Official Emergency Vehicle in Furtherance of Alien Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Samuel Elliott, 30, of Columbus, N.M., pleaded guilty this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
Samuel Elliott and his brother Robert Steven Elliott, 28, also of Columbus, were arrested on Sept. 11, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 31, 2013, Border Patrol Agents from the U.S. Border Patrol station in Deming, N.M., went to a trailer in Columbus after receiving a tip. At the trailer, the agents encountered a group of individuals who admitted being Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States.
On Sept. 1, 2013, the Border Patrol initiated an investigation to determine how and by whom the illegal aliens were smuggled into the United States. The investigation revealed that the aliens were smuggled into the United States on Aug. 28, 2013. Once the aliens were in the United States, Samuel Elliott picked up the aliens and transported them to the trailer in Columbus where they met Robert Elliott. Samuel Elliott and Robert Elliott instructed the aliens to stay in the trailer until the brothers were ready to smuggle them past the Border Patrol checkpoint and then transport them to Phoenix, Ariz.
On Sept. 4, 2013, Samuel Elliott used an emergency vehicle belonging to the Columbus Fire Department to transport the illegal aliens through the Border Patrol checkpoint on New Mexico Road 11. As he approached the checkpoint, Samuel Elliott activated the vehicle’s emergency sirens to avoid inspection at the checkpoint and drove through the checkpoint. Samuel Elliott met up with Robert Elliott shortly thereafter with the intention of transferring the aliens to Robert so he could transport them to Phoenix. Their plans were disrupted by agents who had been following Samuel Elliott at a distance.
During today’s proceedings, Samuel Elliot pled guilty to participating in the alien transportation conspiracy. His brother Robert Elliott previously entered a guilty plea to the conspiracy on Jan. 22, 2014.
At their sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled, Samuel Elliott and Robert Elliott each face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Both men are in federal custody pending their sentencing hearings.
This case was investigated by agents at the Deming Station of the U.S. Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis A. Martinez of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Columbia Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking Two VictimsRead the Press Release
Human Trafficking Rescue Project
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the sex trafficking of two victims, one of them a minor.
Kenyata D. Miles, 33, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2014.
The federal indictment indictment charges Miles with one count of sex trafficking and one count of the attempted sex trafficking of a child. Miles allegedly used a victim (identified in the indictment as “K.M.”) knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that force, threats of force, fraud and coercion would be used to cause “K.M.” to engage in prostitution. The indictment also alleges that Miles used a second, minor victim (identified in the indictment as “EN”) knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that “EN” was a minor and would be caused to engage in prostitution.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Osage Beach, Mo., Police Department in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.Collin County Man Sentenced in Foreclosure Rescue/Drug Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
Department of Justice
Office of Public AffairsSHERMAN, Texas – A 34-year-old McKinney, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison in connection with a combination foreclosure rescue and drug distribution scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.
Jarrod Williams pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2013 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Williams was also ordered to pay over $1.4 million in restitution.According to information presented in court, from February 2007 to June 2012, Jarrod Williams, Julius Williams, and Charles Williams, controlled and operated Applied Investment Strategies, Inc. (AIS), which marketed itself as a foreclosure rescue service offering assistance to homeowners at risk of foreclosure. However, once a homeowner detained AIS, the defendants fraudulently used the customer’s personal identification information to prepare and send false military orders to banks and lending institutions in order to claim relief from foreclosure under the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act. AIS would then lease out the home and collect rental payments for AIS’ benefit. The scheme involved approximately 38 homes throughout North Texas and also extended to interfering in the repossession of automobiles. After at least one of the fraudulently-acquired properties was vacated, Charles Williams, Christopher Carter and Sean Harrell turned it into a marijuana grow operation that housed approximately 1,300 marijuana plants that were intended for distribution. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 11, 2012, charging the defendants with federal violations.
Charles Williams, 39, of McKinney, Christopher Carter, 34, of Leicester, England, and Sean Harrell, 38, of Dallas are each currently serving prison sentences ranging from 41 to 50 months. Julius Williams, 43, of McKinney faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shamoil T. Shipchandler.
####Charlotte Businessman Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Worker Fraud Visa and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced a Charlotte businessman today to serve 48 months in prison for worker visa fraud and related offenses, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Phani Raju Bhima Raju, 42, an Indian National residing in Charlotte, pleaded guilty in March 2013 to federal charges ranging from conspiracy to violate U.S. laws by filing fraudulent immigration documents to money laundering conspiracy, for his participation in a fraudulent scheme to obtain false H-1B immigration visas for foreign workers. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in designated specialty occupations. In addition to the prison term, Raju will serve one year under court supervision and is subject to deportation from the United States.
Brock D. Nicholson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia and the Carolinas and Richard L. Walker, Special Agent in Charge for the Atlanta, Georgia Region of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Office of Racketeering and Fraud Investigations join U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, from 2006 to November 2012, Raju conspired with Sarma G. M. Pingali, 64, and Bubala Elangovan, 33, both of Charlotte, to carry out a fraudulent scheme by submitting materially false documents to obtain H-1B immigration visas for foreign nationals seeking employment in the U.S. During the relevant time, Raju was the president of iFuturistics, a Delaware company headquartered in Pineville, N.C. Court records show that Raju and his conspirators falsely represented to the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) that iFuturistics was hiring H-1B visa holders to work directly for the company. Contrary to statements made on the submitted forms, court records show that once the applicants who were granted H-1B visas arrived in the U.S., they were assigned to work with various companies throughout the country. In fact, as court records show, iFuturistics had entered into lucrative contracts with staffing agencies prior to submitting the fraudulent visa applications. Court documents show that as a result of Raju’s illegal visa scheme iFuturistics received $13.2 million as payment from staffing companies in the U.S.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Raju admitted that in addition to submitting false applications, he and his conspirators engaged in an illegal scheme to recruit, solicit, entice and hire individuals outside the U.S. to apply for H-1B visas and to obtain work in the U.S. Court records show that Raju gave the H-1B visa applicants a “cheat sheet” of questions and answers to assist them during their interview process to obtain the H-1B visas.
Court records indicate that, once the H-1B visa workers were in the U.S., Raju at times failed to find them employment. On those occasions, court records indicate, these workers were “benched” in the U.S. while waiting for another job assignment, and during that time, and contrary to the salary claims made in the application forms, these workers received little or no pay from iFuturistics. On one occasion, court documents show, a foreign national H-1B visa holder had paid $2,500 to iFuturistics as a security deposit for processing her H-1B visa. According to the contract between iFuturistics and the employee, the employee was promised an annual salary of $60,000 and had agreed to the company’s request to market her services for employment throughout the U.S. In the end, iFuturistics never provided the worker with any work assignments and failed to pay her any wages, court records show.
Filed documents also indicate that during a scheduled inspection visit of the company’s Pineville offices in November 2009, Raju and his conspirators attempted to hide their fraudulent activities from law enforcement and immigration agents. In anticipation of the visit, court documents show that Raju and his conspirators had set up work stations, moved in furniture and recruited several persons to pretend to be iFuturistics workers for the duration of the inspection visit, when, in fact, the office space prior to the site visit had been empty and unoccupied. When law enforcement and immigration agents returned to the company’s offices a month after the site visit, the office space was dark and unoccupied, as it had been prior to the planned inspection.
Raju has been in federal custody since December 2012 and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
Pingali and Elangovan each pleaded guilty to worker visa fraud and related offenses and face prison terms ranging from five to 10 years and fines of $250,000 per charged offense. The defendants are currently on bond and await sentencing.
The investigation is handled by ICE-HSI and DOL-OIG. The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
Boston Woman Charged in Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston woman has been charged with making fraudulent withdrawals from accounts in other people’s names at Citizens Bank branches throughout Massachusetts.
On March 19, Kimberly B. Gomez, 53, was indicted with bank fraud. According to the indictment, beginning in 2010, Gomez and others participated in a scheme to obtain personal identification and account information for Citizens Bank customers and to use that information to withdraw money from these customers’ accounts. A participant in the scheme obtained, from Citizens Bank, the names of customers with high savings account balances, along with their home addresses, dates of birth, and account numbers. Another participant took Gomez’s picture and used it, along with the information from Citizens Bank, to obtain fake ID’s with the names and addresses of Citizens’ customers. Gomez then used these fake IDs to make the fraudulent withdrawals from Citizens Bank.
The indictment alleges that Gomez was able to withdraw more than $67,000 from accounts belonging to three different Citizens customers. She tried, unsuccessfully, to withdraw another $13,000.
If convicted, Gomez faces a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Thomas P. Baker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service in Boston, made the announcement today. Citizens Bank cooperated with the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Bookbinder of Ortiz’s Cybercrime Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Biloxi Attorney Pleads Guilty to Creating A Scheme to Falsify, Conceal, and Cover up Material Facts in Defrauding Two Banks and the Bankruptcy CourtRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss - Stephen Richard Colson, 48, of Biloxi, pled guilty in federal court on March 19, 2014, to falsifying, concealing, and covering up material facts in connection with a scheme to defraud two banks and the Bankruptcy Court in violation of Title 18 Section 1001, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen. The government indicated at the guilty plea that it would seek restitution on behalf of the victims in the amount of $7,749,576.65.
Colson, a settlement agent and closing attorney, owned Prestige Title, Inc., and Advanced Title and Escrow, both headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, with 18 office locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. These offices handled loan closings for new mortgages and the refinancing of existing mortgages. In addition, Colson served as escrow agent for several condominium developments on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As settlement agent on loan closings, Colson was required to establish trust accounts from which to disburse funds exclusively for activities related to each individual loan. These trust funds were not to be commingled with other personal or business accounts. However, a federal investigation into Colson’s activities revealed that Colson, through his business entities, willfully diverted funds from trust accounts for his own personal use, and concealed shortfalls in those accounts by co-mingling funds from other accounts when making payments to financial institutions.
The scheme began in the summer of 2004 when Colson obtained a mortgage loan from a federally (FDIC) insured financial institution (the Lender), using property he had titled in his name as collateral. Colson, as an agent for a title insurance company, issued a loan policy on the mortgage. Colson sold the property in September of 2005 for cash and should have paid off the mortgage. However, he concealed the sale of the property by continuing to make payments on the loan until he filed for bankruptcy protection in September of 2009. The Lender then learned that it did not have a valid lien or mortgage on the property. This delay in learning that the FDIC insured institution did not have a valid lien was as a direct consequence of Colson’s scheme to conceal the fact that he had already sold and pocketed the proceeds without paying off the mortgage. The title insurance company ultimately paid $133,600 to the FDIC insured institution to settle the claim.
The count to which he pleaded guilty was part of a larger scheme wherein Colson, through his title businesses, used funds generated in new real estate closings to pay off earlier closings. The larger scheme was discovered following the December 22, 2008, acquisition of a title insurance company for which Colson served as agent, by a successor company. On February 6, 2009, the successor title insurance company initiated an audit of Colson’s business records on and discovered that Colson’s title companies had a shortage in funds for settlement of real estate closings. The successor title insurance company was forced to pay 54 claims from lenders, borrowers, and sellers, and later prevailed in an adversary proceeding against Colson in Bankruptcy Court. Its claim of $4,904,627.37, plus attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation, were not discharged, and must be repaid by Colson. The Bankruptcy Court also found that
Colson’s use of his trust account “was akin to a Ponzi scheme in that Colson depended upon funds generated in new real estate closings to pay off earlier closings.”
In a separate adversary proceeding involving Colson, the Bankruptcy Court denied Colson’s attempt to discharge a private investor’s $2,000,000.00 claim.
In commenting on this case, SAC Daniel McMullen applauded the hard work and dedication of the FBI investigators, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and Trustees, and the U. S. Attorney’s Office in unraveling this intricately woven scheme of fraud and deception. He also commended the title insurance company for bringing this matter to the attention of the FBI and assisting throughout the investigation.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Golden..If you believe you have been a victim of fraud from a person or an organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of storm victims, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud toll free at:
(866) 720-5721
You can also fax information to:
(225) 334-4707
or e-mail it to:
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Belcourt Man Sentenced for MurderRead the Press Release
BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on March 20, 2014, Daniel Greatwalker Jr., 24, Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of second degree murder and a charge of altering, destroying, or concealing a tangible object in a federal investigation. Greatwalker pleaded guilty to the charges on Nov. 8, 2013.
Judge Hovland sentenced Greatwalker to 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Greatwalker was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and $6060 in restitution.
On Nov. 27, 2012, Greatwalker used a knife to stab a victim multiple times over his entire body, causing his death. Greatwalker then disposed of the knife, washed his clothes, and burned his shoes to conceal his involvement in the death.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Turtle Mountain Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell prosecuted the case.
Bakersfield Man Indicted for Counterfeiting U.S. CurrencyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Alfonso Castellon, 40, of Bakersfield, was indicted today on charges of counterfeiting U.S. currency and possessing images for counterfeiting purposes, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to the court documents, from January 2011 to March 2014, Castellon counterfeited Federal Reserve Notes in $100 and other denominations. In March 2014, a search of his residence revealed sample images of $100 bills and computer equipment, printers, and ink associated with counterfeiting, along with a flash drive containing images of $100 bills.
This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael G. Tierney is prosecuting the case.
If Castellon is convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ava Woman Sentenced for Embezzling $212,000 from Employer in Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling $212,100 from her employer.
Peggy J. Duncan, 63, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to three years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Duncan to pay $212,100 in restitution to her victims.
Duncan was the account manager for the law firm of Carmichael & Neal, P.C. In addition to her other duties, Duncan handled the accounts payable and reconciled bank accounts for multiple corporations operated by Lloyd and Rose Carmichael, including Affordable Homes Development, LLC. During her employment, Duncan and her husband jointly owned Twin Oaks Mill, Inc., a sawmill located in Ava.
On Aug. 29, 2013, Duncan pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Duncan admitted that she prepared 47 checks totaling $212,100 drawn on the Affordable Homes bank account from September 2006 to February 2009. Each of these checks was made payable to herself or to Twin Oaks Mill. Duncan forged her employer’s name to the checks without his knowledge or permission and deposited the checks into her own bank accounts. Duncan converted these funds to her and her husband’s personal use.
Duncan then entered false information into the Affordable Homes Reconciliation Detail Report which she presented to Lloyd Carmichael each month. The false information entered by Duncan made it appear that each check was written to other parties and was written for an otherwise authorized and legitimate purpose.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Apache Resident Pleads Guilty to Tribal EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Second to Plead Guilty for Embezzlement Scheme from Apache Tribe Casinos
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – ANTONIO CARATTINI, 61, of Apache, Oklahoma, pled guilty yesterday to embezzlement from the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. In a related case, JOHN PANGBURN, 60, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pled guilty in September of 2013 to conspiracy to embezzle funds from the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
From July 2010 through July 2011, Pangburn was the general manager of the Apache Tribe’s Silver Buffalo Casino in Anadarko. According to the Indictment filed against Carattini, in the fall of 2010, Pangburn "hired" Carattini – without the approval of the tribe – as a tribal consultant to help with building a new casino in Apache. The Indictment alleged that Pangburn signed and directed checks for more than $90,000 in tribal casino funds to Carattini, though Carattini did little if any work for the tribe. The Indictment also alleged that on several occasions, Carattini cashed those tribal checks to him and returned approximately $1,000 in cash to Pangburn.
At yesterday’s plea hearing, Carattini pled guilty to one count of tribal embezzlement. Carattini admitted that in July 2011, he received and benefitted from a $3,500 tribal check to him signed by Pangburn, though Carattini had not done any tribal work in exchange for the check. In September 2013, Pangburn pled guilty to a conspiracy with Carattini to embezzle funds from the Apache Tribe.
At sentencing, Carattini and Pangburn each face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. In separate plea agreements, each defendant agreed to pay restitution to the Apache Tribe for the amount of embezzled funds, which will be determined by the Court at sentencing. A sentencing hearing for Carattini will be set by the Court in approximately 90 days. Sentencing for Pangburn is scheduled for April 28, 2014.
These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris M. Stephens.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal Prison for Being an Armed Career Criminal and Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Arthur Sanchez, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced this afternoon to 15 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his heroin trafficking conviction and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Sanchez received an enhanced sentence because of his status as an armed career criminal.
The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari E. Brandenburg, Special Agent in Charge Bernard J. Zapor of the Phoenix Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Gorden E. Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department.
Sanchez was arrested on state charges on March 30, 2011, after officers of the Albuquerque Police Department observed Sanchez throw an object out of his vehicle’s window when they pulled him over for a traffic violation. The object was a package containing approximately 22 grams of heroin. The officers subsequently recovered a pistol with a loaded magazine from Sanchez’s vehicle.
In March 2013, Sanchez was indicted federally and charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition based on the conduct occurring on March 30, 2011. At the time, Sanchez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of the following felony offenses: aggravated assault and auto burglary; robbery; and aggravated robbery with a firearm. The related state charges were dismissed after Sanchez was transferred to federal custody in April 2013.
On Dec. 17, 2013, Sanchez entered a guilty plea to both counts of the indictment. Sanchez admitted intentionally possessing heroin on March 30, 2011, with the intention of distributing it. He also admitted possessing a loaded pistol on that day.
Sanchez was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department, with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec.
19 March 2014
Webb County Commissioner Charged with Accepting Bribes in Exchange for Official ActsRead the Press Release
Kristopher Michael Montemayor, a county commissioner for Precinct 1 of the Webb County Commissioners Court in Texas, was arrested today on charges of bribery, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas returned an indictment on March 18, 2014, that charges Montemayor, 36, of Laredo, Texas, with two counts of federal programs bribery. The indictment was unsealed following today’s arrest.
According to allegations in the indictment, while serving as a county commissioner, Montemayor solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for promising to perform various official acts. Montemayor allegedly accepted the use of a 2012 Ford truck, which cost approximately $37,015, in exchange for promising to provide government jobs to both the vehicle’s owner and his spouse.
The indictment further alleges that Montemayor, while serving as a county commissioner, solicited and accepted approximately $11,000 in cash as well as electronics equipment worth approximately $2,700 from a businessman who, unbeknownst to Montemayor, was an undercover law enforcement agent. The indictment alleges that Montemayor promised to take official action to promote the business interests of the undercover agent in exchange for cash and electronics.
If convicted, Montemayor faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison for each bribery charge. Each charge also carries a maximum $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Laredo Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Emily Rae Woods and Mark Cipolletti of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.Two KC Men Indicted for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for the armed robbery of Commerce Bank.
Kortlin D. Hughes, 21, and Samuel A. Washington, 22, both of Kansas City, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Hughes and Washington used firearms to rob Commerce Bank, 8901 State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 15, 2012. The indictment also charges Hughes and Washington with one count of brandishing firearms during a crime of violence.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Hughes and Washington both carried handguns when they entered the bank at approximately 9:30 a.m. One of the men jumped over the teller counter and took money from one of the teller drawers. At one point, the affidavit says, he pointed a gun at a customer and in the face of a bank employee. He also allegedly put a gun up to a teller’s neck and said, “Do you want to die? Where’s the money?” He jumped back over the counter, met the second robber who had stayed in the lobby, and both robbers left the bank. The bank reported a loss of $6,922.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Y. Tabor. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Two Individuals Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Murder During Home Invasion Robbery of Pizza Shop OwnerRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of charges against ANTOINE BURROUGHS and LEON WHITFIELD. WHITFIELD was arrested and presented yesterday in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Maas, and ordered detained. BURROUGHS is still at large.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Antoine Burroughs and Leon Whitfield allegedly targeted and robbed a Queens pizza owner, and then brutally murdered his son as he tried to protect his father. This Office and our law enforcement partners stand fully committed to eradicating this type of violence from our neighborhoods.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos said: “As alleged, Burroughs and Whitfield had no regard for life, especially the life of Gerardo Antoniello. They illegally entered Antoniello’s father’s home with the intention of robbing him of any cash on hand from Antoniello’s pizza shop. The FBI stands with our law enforcement partners to announce these charges and to reiterate that this case will not be done until all those involved face justice.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court and on other documents in the public record:
On September 9, 2009, BURROUGHS and WHITFIELD attempted to rob an individual named Bartolomeo Antoniello at his home in Queens, New York. BURROUGHS and WHITFIELD were targeting the cash proceeds of Antoniello’s pizza shop. Antoniello’s son, Gerardo Antoniello, was home at the time, and attempted to protect his father. During the struggle, Gerardo Antoniello was shot in the head and died later of his injuries. He was 29 years old.
BURROUGHS, 25, and WHITFIELD, 23, both of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of robbery conspiracy and one count of attempted robbery, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of discharging a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office, and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Skinner and Rachel Maimin are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. v. Antione Burroughs and Leon Whitfield S1 Indictment
Tonawanda Coke and Manager Sentenced for Violating the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery ActRead the Press Release
Tonawanda Coke Corporation was sentenced in federal court in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday to pay a $12.5 million penalty and $12.2 million in community service payments for criminal violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced. Tonawanda was convicted by a federal jury in March 2013 on 11 counts of violating the CAA and three counts of violating the RCRA.
The fine is one of the largest fines ever levied in an air pollution case involving a federal criminal trial. The community service payment will go to fund an epidemiological study and an air and soil study to help determine the extent of health and environmental impacts of the coke facility on the Tonawanda community.
In addition, Tonawanda Coke Environmental Control Manager, Mark L. Kamholz, 66, of West Seneca, N.Y., who was convicted of 11 counts of violating the CAA, one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of violating the RCRA, was sentenced to one year in prison, 100 hours of community service, and a $20,000 fine.
“This sentence holds Tonawanda Coke Corporation and its environmental manager accountable for attempting to deceive federal and state environmental regulators while exposing the local community to toxic emissions,” said Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The environmental regulations designed to protect our citizens also place trust in industry not to choose pollution over profit. Tonawanda Coke Corporation betrayed that trust. We hope the federal and state investigation, prosecution and sentencing of Tonawanda begins to bring justice to a community that has born too high a burden for having simply been the neighbor of Tonawanda Coke. They deserved a better neighbor.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Tonawanda Coke and its Environmental Control Manager accountable for one of the most egregious environmental pollution crimes in this area’s history,” said William J. Hochul Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. “As found by the jury, these defendants released hundreds of tons of poisonous, benzene-laden gas containing into the atmosphere, while also dumping additional hazardous waste out in the open. Such conduct is the equivalent to releasing known killers into the community. As expressed in citizen letters, this criminal conduct at a minimum caused substantial emotional and psychological harm, to say nothing of possible physical harm. The fact that remedial measures would have cost a small fraction of the company's multimillion dollar profits only adds to the seriousness of these crimes.”
“Today’s sentence is some measure of justice for the communities of Tonawanda that for too long have been overburdened by toxic air pollution,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator of U.S. EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Environmental crimes have real victims, as the residents of these communities know well. When local companies break the law, EPA and its partners will step in to reduce dangerous air toxics and fight for those vulnerable to pollution.”
“The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has worked closely with the Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency to address serious environmental violations at Tonawanda Coke,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “This sentencing is an important step in redressing the environmental insults borne by the Tonawanda community based on Tonawanda Coke Corporation's gross disregard for federal and state environmental laws. DEC will continue to work on the civil enforcement action with our federal partners to further protect public health and the environment.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Tonawanda Coke released coke oven gas containing benzene into the air through an unreported pressure relief valve. In addition, a coke-quenching tower was operated without baffles, a pollution control device required by TCC’s Title V Clean Air Act permit designed to reduce the particulate matter that is released into the air during coke quenches.
In addition, prior to an inspection conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in April of 2009, defendant Kamholz told another TCC employee to conceal the fact that the unreported pressure relief valve, during normal operations, emitted coke oven gas directly into the air, in violation of the TCC’s operating permit.
The defendants also stored, treated and disposed of hazardous waste without a permit to do so, in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. These offenses related to TCC’s practice of mixing its coal tar sludge, a listed hazardous waste that is toxic for benzene, on the ground in violation of hazardous waste regulations.
The sentences are the culmination of an investigation on the part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Director Doug Parker, and Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge, Vernesa Jones-Allen and investigators of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation, under the direction of Captain Frank Lauricella.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango of the Western District of New York and Senior Trial Attorney Rocky Piaggione of the Environmental Crimes Section in the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division handled the prosecution.Tonawanda Coke and Manager Sentenced for Violating the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery ActRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. and Acting Assistant Attorney General Robert G. Dreher, of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, announced today that the Tonawanda Coke Corporation, which was convicted of 11 counts of violating the Clean Air Act and three counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by a federal jury in March 2013, was sentenced to pay a $12.5 million fine and five years probation by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. Judge Skretny also ordered Tonawanda Coke to pay $12.2 million to fund two environmental studies to help determine the extent of health and environmental impacts Tonawanda Coke has had in the community.
The fine is one of the largest fines ever levied in an air pollution case involving a federal criminal trial.In addition, Tonawanda Coke Environmental Control Manager, Mark L. Kamholz, 66, of West Seneca, N.Y., who was convicted of 11 counts of violating the Clean Air Act, one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and a $20,000 fine.
“Today’s sentencing holds Tonawanda Coke and its Environmental Control Manager accountable for one of the most egregious environmental pollution crimes in this area's history,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As found by the jury, these defendants released hundreds of tons of poisonous, benzene-laden gas containing into the atmosphere, while also dumping additional hazardous waste out in the open. Such conduct is the equivalent to releasing known killers into the community. As expressed in citizen letters, this criminal conduct at a minimum caused substantial emotional and psychological harm, to say nothing of possible physical harm. The fact that remedial measures would have cost a small fraction of the company's multi-million dollar profits only adds to the seriousness of these crimes.”“This sentence holds Tonawanda Coke Corporation and its environmental manager accountable for attempting to deceive federal and state environmental regulators while exposing the local community to toxic emissions,” said Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The environmental regulations designed to protect our citizens also place trust in industry not to choose pollution over profit. Tonawanda Coke Corporation betrayed that trust. We hope the federal and state investigation, prosecution and sentencing of Tonawanda begins to bring justice to a community that has born too high a burden for having simply been the neighbor of Tonawanda Coke. They deserved a better neighbor.”
“People living and working in the Tonawanda community were exposed to toxic coke oven emissions that may have serious effects on their health and I commend the hard-working residents who have stood up to a major local polluter,” said Judith A. Enck, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator. “This sentence is the culmination of years of investigative and legal work on the part of EPA and others to bring the Tonawanda community some environmental justice.”
"The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has worked closely with the Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency to address serious environmental violations at Tonawanda Coke," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "This sentencing is an important step in redressing the environmental insults borne by the Tonawanda community based on Tonawanda Coke Corporation's gross disregard for federal and state environmental laws. DEC will continue to work on the civil enforcement action with our federal partners to further protect public health and the environment."
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango and Senior Trial Attorney Rocky Piaggione, who handled the prosecution of the case, Tonawanda Coke released coke oven gas containing benzene into the air through an unreported pressure relief valve. In addition, a coke-quenching tower was operated without baffles, a pollution control device required by TCC’s Title V Clean Air Act permit designed to reduce the particulate matter that is released into the air during coke quenches.
The sentences are the culmination of an investigation on the part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of director Doug Parker, and Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge, Vernesa Jones-Allen and investigators of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation, under the direction of Captain Frank Lauricella.
As for further criminal conduct, prior to an inspection conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in April of 2009, defendant Kamholz told another TCC employee to conceal the fact that the unreported pressure relief valve, during normal operations, emitted coke oven gas directly into the air, in violation of the TCC’s operating permit.
The defendants also stored, treated and disposed of hazardous waste without a permit to do so, in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. AUSA Mango and Senior Trial Attorney Piaggione stated that these offenses related to TCC’s practice of mixing its coal tar sludge, a listed hazardous waste that is toxic for benzene, on the ground in violation of hazardous waste regulations.Teacher's Aide Sentenced to 50 Years’ Imprisonment for Producing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Taleek Brooks, a former teacher's aide at a public elementary school in Brooklyn, was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment following his conviction for the production and distribution of child pornography.
The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office.
“Today’s sentence stands as a strong warning to child predators, especially those who take advantage of the trust that the public and parents place in them to educate and protect our children, that we will not tolerate the victimization of our children,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. "The prevention of sexual exploitation remains a priority of this office and child predators are on notice that we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law." Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Brooks, a former teacher’s aide at Public School 243, The Weeksville School, in Brooklyn, regularly downloaded and traded videos and images depicting child pornography over the Internet through GigaTribe, a peer-to-peer file sharing program. In December 2011, Brooks accepted a "friend" request from an undercover FBI special agent with the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Unit, which permitted the agent to observe and download several videos and images depicting child pornography that Brooks had designated for sharing with his GigaTribe "friends." During a subsequent search of the defendant’s Brooklyn residence, agents recovered computer equipment that contained nearly 2,000 videos and images depicting child pornography.
A FBI forensic examination of the equipment revealed that Brooks had produced child pornography. In a folder that Brooks had labeled "Special," investigators recovered videos of a young boy performing sexually explicit acts at Brooks' direction. Brooks can be seen and heard on the videos directing the child to masturbate, and on one of the videos the defendant himself is seen molesting the victim child. Investigators later confirmed that the young boy was a former student at Public School 243 and that Brooks produced the videos on at least seven different occasions between 2010 and 2011. All of the videos were produced in school classrooms.
The sentencing proceeding was held before United States District Judge Roslynn R. Mauskopf.
The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert T. Polemeni.
The Defendant:
TALEEK BROOKS
Brooklyn, New York
Age: 43
Task Force Puts Drug Trafficking Ring Out of BusinessRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh announced the culmination of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation “King of the Trap.”
The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for distributing in excess of 100 kilograms of cocaine and 500 pounds of marijuana in the north central panhandle of Florida between 2008 and 2013. The investigation led to the arrest and prosecution of 43 federal defendants, whose sentences ranged from three years of probation to life imprisonment.
As a result of the operation, law enforcement personnel seized nine kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, three pounds of marijuana, and 220 grams of methamphetamine. In addition, the investigation resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms and assets valued in excess of $120,000.
U.S. Attorney Marsh praised the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Perry Police Department for their hard work, dedication, and expertise in the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of this case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody.Sunnyvale Gang Leader and Career Offender Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Gang ChannelsRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Jose Miguel Aguilar (a/k/a “Lil Joe”) was sentenced today to twelve years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.
Aguilar was indicted on October 17, 2013, and pleaded guilty two months later, on December 18, 2013. He pleaded to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, and Distribution of, Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(viii).
Aguilar, one of the highest-ranking members of the Sunnyvale-based Norteño gang, “Varrio Via Sol,” or “VVS,” routinely sold ounce and greater quantities of methamphetamine. On a single day in 2013, while on probation for two separate state convictions, Aguilar convened five different methamphetamine buyers in a Sunnyvale residence to sell them methamphetamine. That day, Aguilar distributed a total of not less than 126 grams (approximately one quarter of a pound) of methamphetamine to the five buyers in exchange for more than $2,000. In his plea agreement, Aguilar conceded that under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, he is considered a “career offender” because of three violent felonies on his record, among many other prior convictions during the last two decades.
“Today’s sentence ends this defendant’s harmful activities and takes a notorious drug dealer and gang leader off the street for more than ten years,” said United States Attorney Melinda Haag. “This case demonstrates that the federal government will swiftly and aggressively prosecute gang members responsible for drug trafficking and other illegal activity in the Bay Area.”
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, United States District Court Judge. Judge Koh also sentenced Aguilar to a five-year period of supervised release to follow his term of imprisonment. Aguilar has been in federal custody since his arrest and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey O’Neill and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Meyer prosecuted the case with support from Susan Kreider, Tracey Andersen, and Nina Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Santa Clara County Violent Gang Task Force, which includes Task Force Officers from the Sunnyvale Police Department. Following the sentencing, United States Attorney Haag expressed her appreciation for the excellent work done by the FBI and Sunnyvale Police on this case and related matters.
(Aguilar indictment )
Stockton Woman Charged with ID Theft and Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Frances Marie Charles, 35, of Stockton, was arraigned today on seven counts of aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, access device fraud, and possession of 15 or more identification documents, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, between June 2012 and December 2013, Charles participated in a scheme to obtain replacement American Express credit cards in the names and account numbers of others, and to use the credit cards to obtain cash, goods, and services at the expense of American Express, banks, and merchants. Charles placed calls to American Express and used identification and financial information of victims to cause the replacement cards to be sent to Stockton, after which the cards would be used to make fraudulent charges and purchases.
This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher S. Hales is prosecuting the case. Charles is scheduled to appear before United States District Judge Troy L. Nunley on April 3, 2014, for a status conference.
If convicted, Charles faces maximum statutory penalties of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each mail fraud count, 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for access device fraud, 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of 15 or more identification documents, and not less than two years imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count, consecutive to time on conviction for the underlying mail fraud counts. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Steuben County Woman Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Woman and 6-Month Old ChildRead the Press Release
Rochester, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Billie Jo Ribble, 36, of Bath, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to kidnapping a mother and her six-month old child and transporting them from Pennsylvania to New York. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant abducted a mother and her six month-old child in Pennsylvania on March 1, 2013. At that time, Ribble was wanted by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office on charges of Burglary in the First Degree and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, in relation to a residential burglary that occurred in October 2012. On March 1, investigators from the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and Pennsylvania State Police located and arrested the defendant in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. After being remanded to the Tioga County Jail in Pennsylvania, Ribble, who is pregnant, was taken to the hospital in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, for treatment in the maternity ward. While there, the defendant became violent, assaulted a Tioga County Corrections Officer who was assigned to guard her, and escaped the hospital by climbing out a window.
Later on March 1, a woman and her six month-old daughter were asleep in the basement bedroom of a residence in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. At 11:30 p.m., the woman was awakened by Ribble, who was standing over her daughter's crib holding a large butcher's knife. While still holding the knife, the defendant picked up the child and threatened to kill the woman and her child, and herself, if the woman did not take Ribble where she wanted to go. Thereafter, the woman got into the driver's seat of her car and Ribble got into the front passenger seat, still holding the woman's daughter and the butcher's knife. At the direction of the defendant, the woman drove from Pennsylvania to an exit off Route 15 in Lindley, N.Y., where Ribble was dropped off. The woman then drove to a gas station in Pennsylvania and called the police.
After urgent investigation by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police, Ribble was located at her boyfriend's residence in Corning, N.Y. Ribble initially barricaded herself in the attic, but eventually surrendered to authorities without incident.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Larimer.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff David Cole, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss, the Pennsylvania State Police, under the direction of Commissioner Frank Noonan, and the Wellsboro (Pennsylvania) Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jim Bodine.Stamford Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Stealing and Selling FirearmsRead the Press Release
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL LOTZ, 45, of Stamford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 50 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing and selling firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 28, 2012, LOTZ and other individuals stole six firearms from a residence in Stamford. LOTZ was arrested the following day after he sold three of the stolen firearms to an individual working with law enforcement, and a fourth stolen firearm to an undercover officer.
LOTZ has been detained since his federal arrest on April 1, 2013. On October 3, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen firearms.
LOTZ’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for burglary and other offenses.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the Darien Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Vanessa Richards.
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McALLEN, Texas - A McAllen federal grand jury has arrested Elva Navarro, 37, of Hidalgo, for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violations in relation to the injection of unapproved substances, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The indictment was returned under seal yesterday and unsealed just moments ago following her arrest. She is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos tomorrow morning.
Specifically, Navarro is charged with receiving an adulterated device and misbranding a device.
The indictment alleges Navarro would administer injections of liquid silicone into individuals who would frequent her facility, Bella Face and Body Spa in McAllen. These injections were not approved by the FDA. According to the allegations, Navarro also falsely represented to her customers to whom she administered the liquid silicone injections that they were safe when in fact they were not.
If convicted of the federal charges, she faces up to three years in prison and a possible $10,000 fine.
The FBI, FDA-Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA-Forensic Chemistry Center and the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is prosecuting.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.San Jose Street Gang Members Federally Indicted for Racketeering and MurderRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO/SAN JOSE – A 41-count second superseding indictment against 27 members and associates of Sur Santos Pride, a San Jose-based criminal street gang, alleging a variety of charges, including a RICO conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including murder, several drug trafficking counts, and firearms related counts was unsealed today, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.
The defendants named in the Second Superseding Indictment are as follows:
- MIGUEL MIRANDA, a/k/a “Payaso,” 27
- GILBERTO VILLELA, a/k/a “Snowman,” 32
- JESSE AGUILAR, a/k/a “Munchies,” 31
- FRANCISCO FONSECA, a/k/a “Griffo,” 28
- JORGE CISNEROS, a/k/a “Sleepy,” 28
- DANIEL CORTEZ, a/k/a “Little Temper,” 21
- JOSE DAVID SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Joker,” 32
- MIGUEL VASQUEZ, a/k/a “Tweety,” 29
- JUAN CHAVEZ, a/k/a/ “Dukester,” 29
- MARCOS SALVADOR LOMELI, a/k/a “Cookie,” 27
- JESSE PARRA, a/k/a “Little Looney,” 31
- ANDY LAMB LOPEZ, a/k/a “Solo,” 36
- JOSE ANGEL MORENO, a/k/a “Lil Chocolate,” 30
- FERNANDO CRUZ, a/k/a “Nano,” 23
- ALFREDO MOLDONADO, a/k/a “Junior,” 35
- JESUS MANUEL ARMENDARIZ, a/k/a “Chumel,” 22
- FELIX HERNADEZ CRISTOBAL, a/k/a “Pato,” 22
- JORGE LUIS OLIVERA, a/k/a “Chivo,” 20
- MARIO GUERRERO, a/k/a “Lil Junior,” 22
- BENITO CANALES, a/k/a “Dopey,” 32
- RAFAEL MARISCAL CAMBEROS, a/k/a “Bad Boy,” 23
- ROBERTO MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Espantos,” 32
- JORGE RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Brownie,” 24
- OSCAR MARTINEZ DE LA CRUZ, a/k/a “Cuete,” 27
- RICARDO MONTOYA, a/k/a “Necio,” 23
- MARIO CARDENAS, a/k/a “Trusty,” 20
- DENIS SANDOVAL, a/k/a “Criminal,” 26
The RICO conspiracy count and the violent crimes in aid of racketeering counts arise from the defendants’ participation as members and associates in the racketeering enterprise known as Sur Santos Pride (“SSP”). According to the Second Superseding Indictment, SSP constitutes a racketeering enterprise and its members and associates agreed to conduct the affairs of the enterprise through, among other crimes, murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, narcotics trafficking, obstruction of justice, and tampering with witnesses.
Two defendants, including Roberto Martinez, are also charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering committed on October 23, 2011. The defendants charged in the RICO Conspiracy face up to life in prison. Roberto Martinez is subject to a sentence of life imprisonment or possibly the death penalty.
The Second Superseding Indictment also includes a number of drug trafficking and firearms offenses committed between August 2010 and January 30, 2014. Many of these defendants on the drug trafficking charges face a maximum of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). In addition, although Roberto Martinez is eligible for the death penalty, the decision whether to seek the death penalty against him is pending. Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against a person and, as with all defendants, those charged in this case must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This Indictment is the result of a long term investigation the by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Santa Clara County Violent Crime Task Force, with the assistance of the following agencies: San Jose Police Department, Milpitas Police Department, Morgan Hill Police Department, Mountain View Police Department, Sunnyvale Public Safety Service, Santa Clara Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Clara County Probation, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Cynthia Frey, Stephen Meyer, and Amie Rooney are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kurt Kosek, Ponly Tu, and Tracey Andersen.
(Sur Santos Pride second superseding indictment )
Rochester Woman is Sentenced in Case Involving False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Michelle Torres, 38, of Rochester, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,644,202.96 to the Internal Revenue Service by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that Torres engaged in a scheme with others that involved the filing of federal tax refund claims. Claims were filed using stolen identities and refund checks were issued to various addresses in Rochester. The defendant retrieved the checks and then sent them to co-conspirators in New York City in exchange for a fee. The conspiracy resulted in over $1.6 million in fraudulent tax refunds being issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
“This case shows the public the wide harm that identity fraud can bring,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Here, not only were people’s identities stolen, taxpayers were victimized to the extent of over 1.6 million dollars. For information on protecting your identity, please visit www.stopfraud.gov.”
The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office.Rochester Man Pleads Guilty in Sex Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced today that Daniel Tanck, 32, of Rochester, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., to sex trafficking of a minor. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that Tanck placed an ad on Backpage.com for a minor female victim to engage in prostitution activities. The defendant took pictures of the victim for the Backpage.com ad at his residence on Emerson Street in Rochester. Tanck also transported the victim for outcalls to service customers.
Tanck was arrested along with Robert Palermo. Charges are pending against Palermo. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the FBI's Cyber Crimes Task Force, which includes the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn, the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.Rochester Attorney Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Salvatore J. Marcera, Jr., 53, of Rochester, N.Y., who was convicted of filing a false income tax return, was sentenced to five years probation, including one year of home confinement, by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $104,074.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Sherman, who handled the case, stated that for tax years 2004 through 2007, the defendant, a sole practitioner attorney in Rochester, understated the gross receipts of his law practice on the Schedule C of each return. The total of the unreported gross receipts for the four tax years as shown by the government's proffered evidence was approximately $356,353. The government offered evidence that, if the true gross receipts had been reported by defendant for each of the years in question, the total for the four years of additional tax due and owing would be $104,074.
The sentence is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office.Pawtucket Accountant Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Contraband Cigarettes and Conspiracy to Commit Food Stamp FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Bassam Kiriaki, 46, an accountant with offices located in Pawtucket, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Monday to participating in a conspiracy which trafficked $1.2 million dollars in contraband cigarettes into Rhode Island from Virginia and to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the food stamp program, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
Kiriaki and six other individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2013, charged with allegedly participating in a complex conspiracy to import cigarettes from Virginia into Rhode Island that were sold in convenience stores and other locations allegedly owned or operated by members of the conspiracy and others. The conspiracy allegedly resulted in the loss of more than $1 million dollars in Rhode Island state tax revenue.
The indictment also alleges that Kiriaki and others participated in various schemes and conspiracies to defraud other types of programs, including Social Security and the food stamp program.
At the time of his guilty plea, Bassam Kiriaki admitted to the court that he made false representations to law enforcement and created a false tax document in order to conceal the conspiracy. According to court records, on March 30, 2013, the Virginia State Police stopped an alleged co-conspirator and seized $30,000 in cash from his vehicle. After the stop and seizure, the FBI intercepted calls made by Kiriaki during which he agreed to call Virginia State Police and to tell them that the money was to buy merchandise for a “new” store in Virginia, Bad Boys Tobacco Stop, Inc. In other phone calls Kiriaki discussed how he would create or backdate documents, including an IRS form, to substantiate the false claim to the Virginia State Police. The tax form was then faxed to Virginia State Police.
In addition, at the time of his guilty plea, Kiriaki admitted to the court that he participated in a conspiracy and that he filed fraudulent documents with the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service so that a convenience store owned by a co-conspirator could maintain participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an approved vendor, even though the store had been previously disqualified. The documents intentionally misrepresented the true owners of the business.
Bassam, who pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes and conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2014, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith. Each charge is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison followed by up to 3 years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Rhode Island State Police, FBI, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
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[email protected]Owner of Fort Myers Grocery Store Indicted for Conspiring to Steal Government FundsRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Ramon Almengo (47, Fort Myers) with conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The Indictment also notifies Almengo that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,053,328.28, the proceeds of offense. An arraignment is scheduled for March 27, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier.
Almengo was previously charged by a criminal complaint on March 11, 2014.
According to court documents, Almengo owned and operated Mi Bodegon Latino y Mas, Inc, in Fort Myers, Florida. Almengo allegedly cashed approximately $2,053,328.28 worth of United States Treasury tax refund checks that were generated as a result of fraudulently filed tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, utilizing stolen personal identification information. Almengo retained 20% of each check that he cashed on behalf of the conspirators.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
North America’s Largest Acid Manufacturer and Its Subsidiaries Agree to Slash Emissions and Reduce Air PollutionRead the Press Release
LSB Industries Inc. (LSB), the largest merchant manufacturer of concentrated nitric acid in North America, and four of its subsidiaries have agreed to reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by meeting emission limits that are among the lowest for the industry in the nation at plants in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice announced today.
EPA estimates that the measures required by today’s settlement will reduce NOx emissions by more than 800 tons per year, directly benefitting surrounding communities, which include low-income and minority populations living near the Arkansas and Texas plants. The companies estimate that it will cost between $6.3 and $11.7 million to implement the measures required by the settlement.
“With today’s settlement, LSB and its subsidiaries are further improving the nitric acid manufacturing process and reducing harmful air pollution across four states,” said Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “In response to the Clean Air Act and state law claims, the companies have taken a constructive and cooperative approach by agreeing to implement global operational changes and mitigate past emissions. These actions raise the bar for compliance in this industry sector.”
“This case is about cleaner air for people living in communities near manufacturing plants,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “LSB Industries has committed to dramatic cuts in air pollution and ensuring they are in compliance with the law. We expect others in the industry to recognize the imperative to adopt reforms and reduce pollution in communities where they operate.”
LSB and its four nitric acid producing subsidiaries will also pay a total penalty of $725,000 to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and applicable Oklahoma state law. In addition to paying the penalty, the companies must continuously monitor emissions and make any necessary operational improvements such as installing new pollution controls or upgrading current controls to meet the new NOx limits.
The settlement applies to the 10 nitric acid manufacturing plants owned or operated by the following Oklahoma City-based LSB subsidiaries: El Dorado Chemical Co., in El Dorado, Ark. (four plants); Cherokee Nitrogen Co. in Cherokee, Ala. (two plants); El Dorado Nitrogen Co. in Pryor, Okla. (three plants); and El Dorado Nitrogen Co. in Baytown, Texas (one plant). The complaint, filed concurrently with the settlement, alleges that the Cherokee, El Dorado and Pryor subsidiaries constructed or made modifications to their plants that resulted in increased emissions of NOx without first obtaining pre-construction permits and installing pollution controls. The complaint does not allege any violations regarding the Texas facility.
Today’s action is part of EPA’s national enforcement initiative to control harmful air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including acid manufacturing facilities. High concentrations of NOx in the air can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections such as influenza. Continued or frequent exposure may cause increased incidence of acute respiratory illness in children. Further, airborne NOx can significantly contribute to acid rain and lead to the formation of smog.
The companies have also agreed to spend $150,000 to remediate and reforest ten acres of land with acidified soils located near El Dorado, Ark. NOx emissions, such as those from nitric acid plants, can contribute to soil acidification. The project will help to minimize erosion, reduce stormwater runoff, improve habitat for wildlife and capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
The states of Oklahoma and Alabama are co-plaintiffs in today’s settlement and will receive a portion of the total penalty as follows: $206,250 will be paid to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and $156,250 will be paid to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
LSB, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., is a major producer of nitrogen-based fertilizers, including anhydrous ammonia, urea and ammonium nitrate. The company owns and operates the largest fleet of concentrated nitric acid rail cars in the United States. LSB and its subsidiaries produce nitric acid for use in products that include herbicides, metal treatment, explosives and pharmaceuticals.
The consent decree, lodged in U.D. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval. The consent decree is available for viewing at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html .
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Newark, N.J., Man Sentenced to 114 Months in Prison for His Role in Armed Robbery and Shooting of Retired Police OfficerRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. — A Newark, N.J., man was sentenced today to 114 months in prison for his role in an armed robbery and shooting of a retired police officer working as an armed money courier, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Theodore Lada, 40, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 19, 2011, Lada and James Sodano, 70, of West Orange, N.J., confronted a retired police officer working as an armed money courier for a check cashing service as he was delivering a bag containing $400,000 to a Newark bar. As he exited his car, Lada approached him and the two men exchanged gunfire. The courier fell to his knees and Lada fled.
Sodano approached the courier from behind, shooting him in the jaw. As the victim fell, he fired a shot, hitting Sodano in the leg. Sodano shot him again, hitting the victim in the arm. Sodano then pulled the bag of money from beneath the victim as he was lying face down on the ground. Sodano drove off in his car, but crashed three and a half blocks away. When police arrived, they found Sodano, wearing a bulletproof vest and a pair of gloves, slipping in and out of consciousness, still holding on to the steering wheel. Police found a pool of blood, several weapons, ammunition and the bag containing the $400,000 inside the car. Lada was apprehended nine months later after DNA evidence connected him to the crime scene.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Lada to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $375,551.56 in restitution to the victim.
Following a two-and-a-half week trial, a jury convicted Sodano on April 2, 2013, on all three counts charged in the indictment: conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing, carrying and using a firearm, which was discharged in connection with the robbery. Sodano was sentenced to a total of 468 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $375,551.56 in restitution to the victim.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s sentence. He also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department, for their roles in the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Olubukola O. Adetula Esq., Irvington, N.J.
New York Based Alien Smuggler and Associate Sentenced for Operating an Illegal Alien Smuggling Business in ArizonaRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On March 17, 2014, Joel Mazariegos-Soto, 29, and Walfre David Perez-Jovel, 34, both from Guatemala, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton after they pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2013, to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens. Mazariegos-Soto was sentenced to 60 months in federal custody and Perez-Jovel was sentenced to 46 months in federal custody for their roles in laundering the proceeds of alien smuggling and harboring and transporting illegal aliens.
Joel Mazariegos-Soto, a leader of this alien smuggling organization, operated the illegal business from the assumed anonymity of Fonda, N.Y., where he also worked on a dairy farm. During just four months of this investigation, Mazariegos-Soto laundered more than $70,000. Mazariegos-Soto laundered the money by moving it through an illegal “funnel” account, requiring families of illegal aliens here in the United States to make deposits into a bank account, which would be accessed by his alien smugglers working in the Phoenix area. Mazariegos-Soto and his associates utilized multiple stash houses in the Phoenix area, including one discovered by agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in October 2012 containing over 27 illegal aliens and another found in January 2013 with over 40 illegal aliens.
On April 18, 2013, HSI Albany, N.Y. agents arrested Mazariegos-Soto near his residence in Fonda, N.Y.
Walfre David Perez-Jovel operated a stash house here in Phoenix of behalf of this illegal alien smuggling organization. Under surveillance from HSI, agents witnessed Perez-Jovel launder more than $16,000 in alien smuggling proceeds. Perez-Jovel not only harbored illegal aliens but also coordinated the illegal transportation of undocumented persons throughout the United States in a manner that was reckless and dangerous, by overloading vehicles and loading people into the luggage compartments of vans, to be moved across the United States.
On June 11, 2013, HSI West Palm Beach, Fla. agents arrested Perez-Jovel near Lake Worth, Fla. after he fled from Mesa, Ariz. in January 2013 following an HSI interdiction of over 40 illegal aliens from the stash house he operated in Mesa.
The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix, West Palm Beach, and HSI Albany. The prosecution was handled by Kristen Brook, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR13-898-PHX-SRB and CR13-955-PHX-SRB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-017_Mazaregios-Soto&Perez-JovelFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
New Orleans Man, Christopher M. Schwab, Pleads Guilty to Producing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHRISTOPHER M. SCHWAB, age 24, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today to four counts of producing child pornography involving four different minor victims, one count of distributing child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography, announced U. S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr.
According to court documents, in August 2013, SCHWAB was arrested by special agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) after they determined that SCHWAB was responsible for sending images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. SCHWAB has been in custody since his arrest.
Production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years and a maximum sentence of thirty years. Distribution and receipt of child pornography carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of twenty years. Upon his release from incarceration, SCHWAB will have to register has a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2014 before United States District Judge Sarah Vance.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
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Needham Tax Assessor Sentenced for Felony Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The elected Chairman of the Needham Tax Assessors Office was sentenced yesterday for felony tax evasion.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns sentenced Kevin Foley, 56, of Needham, to 18 months in prison, two years of supervised release and $115,500 in restitution to the IRS. In July 2013, Foley pleaded guilty to three counts of felony tax evasion.
Foley misappropriated approximately$492,000 in funds belonging to an elderly Needham resident and failed to file taxes reflecting not only the misappropriated funds, but also the income he legally earned from the Town of Needham for tax years 2007, 2008, and 2009.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, and Needham Police Chief Philip Droney, made the announcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Fisher of Ortiz's Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit.
Milwaukee Man Pleads guilty to Filing False Income Tax ClaimsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that Prince Rashada, age: 45, (a.k.a. Romello Sinclair), pled guilty today to filing a false claim for a federal income tax refund, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 287 and 2. At sentencing, Rashada faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
In 2008, Rashada and another individual were charged by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin with defrauding the United States by filing fraudulent returns. Rashada remained a fugitive after the indictment was returned. However, in late 2013, he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service.
According to a written plea agreement in the case, between March 2005 and January 2007, Rashada and his co-defendant caused more than 100 false federal income tax returns to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rashada defrauded the United States by recruiting others to file fraudulent federal income tax returns, claiming wages that were never earned. The fraudulent wages reported on the federal tax returns ranged from $11,000 to $16,000, with an average refund totaling $3,800. The defendant kept approximately $1,000 from each fraudulent income tax return he prepared and filed.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Wesley.Memphis Truck Driver Pleads Guilty to Stealing Cargo in West PlainsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Memphis, Tenn., truck driver pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a cargo theft scheme that included a theft in West Plains, Mo.
Michael Lee Sherley, 49, of Memphis, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to theft of an interstate shipment.
According to today’s plea agreement, Sherley was employed by Nu World Trucking, LLC, a Memphis company in the business of transporting goods in interstate commerce, from July 2012 until his arrest on May 12, 2013.
Sherley was part of a cargo theft ring that used the resources of Nu World Trucking to steal cargo in various states. They did so by “bob-tailing” (meaning they traveled in a road tractor truck, without a semi-trailer attached) through truck stops and service stations located on or near interstate highways, looking for semi-trailers that had been left parked and unattended, and were not coupled to road tractors. When they located a semi-trailer that appeared to be unattended, they would steal the semi-trailer and the goods it contained by coupling their road tractor truck to it and driving off. After having stolen a semi-trailer and its contents, they usually transported the stolen goods to the Chicago, Ill., and Detroit, Mich., areas to be “fenced” or sold.
The specific charge to which Sherley pleaded guilty today involves a theft that occurred on May 11, 2013, at the Snappy Mart Truck Stop in West Plains. Sherley and another person stole a 2000 Wabash trailer (valued at $7,500), which contained a load of Green Giant canned corn (valued at $73,008). The trailer, owned by Bryant Freight, LLC, was in transit from Minnesota to a food bank in Arkansas. Sherley admitted that they traveled through Missouri and Indiana with the stolen cargo before being apprehended in Michigan.
Under federal statutes, Sherley is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department and the Michigan State Highway Patrol.Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Almost 4 Years on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Jonathan R. Chapman
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jamie
Figueroa, 22, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge
D. Brock Hornby to 46 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon. Figueroa pled guilty to the charge on November
26, 2013.According to court records, on September 2, 2013, Figueroa, a convicted felon since
2012, was arrested by Windham, Maine police officers. The police officers had responded to a call regarding a residential disturbance and had obtained a description of the vehicle used by the suspects. Officers located the vehicle, which had been reported stolen in New Hampshire, stopped in the driveway of another residence in Windham. At gunpoint, officers ordered
Figueroa, who was the driver, out of the vehicle and removed a loaded revolver from his coat pocket.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives and the Windham, Maine Police Department.