Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Casamero Lake, N.M., Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting a Person During a Home InvasionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Kirby Cleveland, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Casamero Lake, N.M., was sentenced this morning to two years in federal prison for his assault conviction. He will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Cleveland was arrested in July 2012, based on a criminal complaint and subsequently indicted and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and aggravated burglary. According to the criminal complaint, on May 14, 2012, Cleveland forcefully entered into a residence located on the Navajo Indian Reservation, armed with a baseball bat and assaulted a Navajo woman.
In July 2013, Cleveland pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and admitted assaulting the victim on May 14, 2012, at her family’s home. According to his plea agreement, Cleveland went to the victim’s home looking for individuals who had threatened him earlier in the day.
This case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Wishard and Novaline D. Wilson.
Career Bank Robber Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
In Waco this afternoon, 42-year-old Michael Harrison Mathews of Cedar Hill, TX, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for robbing a Hillsboro, TX, bank earlier this year and for being a career criminal announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Armando Fernandez, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith ordered that Mathews pay a $1,000 fine and be placed under supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On October 13, 2013, Mathews pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Mathews admitted that on July 3, 2013, he robbed the Wells Fargo branch in Hillsboro, TX. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers subsequently arrested Mathews following a 25-mile high-speed chase on Interstate 35. At the time of Mathews’ arrest, authorities recovered approximately $730 stolen from the bank. Mathews’ criminal history revealed that since 2005, he was responsible for a total of nine bank robberies in the Dallas area, Waco, Austin and Houston.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Condron.
Bronx man indicted for use of fraudulent immigration documentRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Abdus Samad, 44, of Bronx, N.Y., with using a fraudulent immigration document. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who is handling the case, stated that on August 22, 2013, Samad attempted to re-enter the United States from Canada at the Lewiston Bridge. The defendant presented a United States Passport which he obtained by making false statements in the application process. The Government alleges Samad failed to disclose his prior use of an alias in his initial asylum application with the Government.
The Indictment was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero and the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Buffalo, New York Resident Agent in Charge Roy B. Stillman.
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.Birmingham Man Convicted in Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM -- A federal jury late Monday convicted a Birmingham man in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine between Birmingham and Austin, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay A. Morris.
Following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor, the jury convicted ARTAVIS DESMOND McGOWAN, 40, of conspiring with DONALDO FIGUEROA CRUZ, 34, of Austin, Texas, and others, to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine in Jefferson County between August 2011 and October 2011.
Figueroa pleaded guilty in July to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and concealing $110,000 in a hidden compartment behind the bumper of a Lexus sedan in order to secret the money out of the country. Figueroa was sentenced Nov. 6 to 10 years in federal prison.
"McGowan and his conspirators are among the prime movers of illicit drugs into our community and they made hundreds of thousands of dollars selling it," Vance said. "These drugs devastate neighborhoods and fuel violent crime, so it is particularly important that we prosecute those like McGowan who are indifferent to the shattered lives they leave behind when they profiteer off of dangerous drugs," she said."The DEA and the U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our state and local counterparts, worked tirelessly during the investigation of Artavis McGowan," Morris said. "Our partnership with the law enforcement community in Birmingham is dedicated to making our community safer and taking dangerous criminals off the streets of Alabama."
On Oct. 5, 2011, DEA agents seized six bricks of cocaine and other drugs from a home located at 1156 Skyline Drive in Birmingham. Also seized from the house was $341,679 cash. McGowan and his confederates used the home as a "stash" house to remove cocaine from drug "load" vehicles driven from Austin to Birmingham. The basement of the home also was used to process drugs and money, according to evidence at trial.
Evidence further showed that McGowan's fingerprints were found on two of the 46 kilogram wrappers found in the trash in the basement of the Skyline Drive home. In May of this year, DEA agents executed a search warrant at 108 Page Ave. in Birmingham where they found McGowan with more than $61,000 cash.
McGowan is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 25. He faces a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Dimler prosecuted.Alien Smuggler SentencedRead the Press Release
Defendant Who Transported Illegal Alien Sentenced to Two Years Supervised Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK –TRUDIAN SIMMONDS, age 31, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to “time served” (7 days) and five months of home detention for transporting an illegal alien within the United States by United States District Court Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Wade Laughman, Patrol Agent-in-Charge, United States Border Patrol. Simmonds, who was found guilty on May 22, 2013 following a three-day jury trial, will serve the five months of home detention during two years of supervised release.
On August 9, 2012, Simmonds entered the United States alone from Canada at the Massena Port of Entry and then drove to a parking lot on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation where she picked up a Jamaican citizen who had illegally entered the United States from Canada earlier that day. Simmonds was transporting the man away from the border area when she was stopped and arrested by Border Patrol agents.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, Massena, New York.
Algonquin Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — An Algonquin, Ill. man pleaded guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Philip G. Reinhard to possessing child pornography that had crossed state lines. JOHN CARLSON, 38, admitted that in August 2011 he possessed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Carlson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.
Carlson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000. The Court must impose a reasonable sentence guided by the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The sentencing was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Holley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Algonquin Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Love.
Plea Agreement
Alamogordo Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Bank in Hatch, N.M., in October 2012Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Kenneth Morral, 32, of Alamogordo, N.M., was sentenced this morning to 100 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for robbing the First New Mexico Bank in Hatch, N.M., on Oct. 19, 2012.
Court filings reflect that the First New Mexico Bank was robbed on Oct. 19, 2012, by two men who approached two bank tellers and verbally demanded money. After obtaining money from the bank tellers, the men drove away in a grey colored vehicle. On Oct. 21, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported to the FBI the discovery of an abandoned car that matched the description of the getaway car. The FBI found evidence in the vicinity of the vehicle linking it to the bank robbery and a check of the vehicle’s VIN led investigators to Ricky J. Garcia, 49, of Los Lunas, N.M. Garcia was arrested on Oct. 22, 2012, after sources identified him as one of the men who perpetrated the bank robbery. Garcia pleaded guilty to bank robbery on Jan. 15, 2013.
Morral was identified as the other bank robber by a source on Oct. 25, 2012, and was arrested in Gallup, N.M., by the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 14, 2012. Morral pleaded guilty to a bank robbery charge on May 15, 2013.
Jacleen Lorraine Henderson, 30, of Los Lunas, assisted Garcia and Morral in the aftermath of the bank robbery awhen Garcia’s vehicle broke down by arranging for them to be picked up and by using proceeds of the bank robbery to purchase a vehicle and other items. Henderson was arrested on Nov. 1, 2012, and charged with being an accessory after the fact. She pleaded guilty to that charge on Jan. 29, 2013, and was sentenced on July 23, 2013, to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luis A. Martinez and E. Garreth Winstead of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office, and investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and the Hatch Police Department with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office.
Monday 25 November 2013
church photographer sentenced to multiple life sentences for sexual exploitation of childrenRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul announced today that Daryl Vonneida, 63, of Dix, N.Y., who was convicted by a jury of 14 counts related to the sexual exploitation of children, including production of child pornography, transporting minors in interstate commerce for illegal sexual activity and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa J. Miller, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was sentenced life in prison on each of the counts of production of child pornography and transportation. Judge Siragusa also sentenced the defendant to 20 years on each of the possession of child pornography counts, all to be served concurrently.
“This case sends a clear message that if you victimize a child, you could spend the rest of your life behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “It also reminds all of us that child predators can include persons who work in positions of trust, and that we must continue to be vigilant with respect to those who interact with our children.”
Vonneida was charged after two minor children came forward with allegations of abuse by the defendant. Members of the New York State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the defendant's residence in September 2011 and recovered videos produced by Vonneida in which he coerced four children to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The defendant admitted to producing the videos and to taking the children to Hershey Park, PA and Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA.
Evidence presented by the Government at trial showed that the defendant used his position as a volunteer photographer at a church in Horseheads to gain the trust of the parents and the victims.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig, and members of the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss.
For more information, the public is encouraged to visit the following websites, which contain helpful information about protecting children from exploitation and abduction:
NY Sex Offender Registry
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/DOJ National Sex Offender Public Website
http://www.nsopw.gov/What you can do to protect your child (NCJRS)
https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/psc_english_02/intro.htmlOffice of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice
OJJDP Publications?Child Protection
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/missing.htmlNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
http://www.missingkids.comNCMEC’s website to teach children about dangers on the Internet
http://www.netsmartz.orgThe Federal Bureau of Investigation?s Crime Against Children Program webpage
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htmWoonsocket Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Eddie Carrasquillo, 29, of Woonsocket, was sentenced on Friday to 121 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and maintaining a drug related property, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New England Field Division, and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Carrasquillo to serve seven years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Carrasquillo pleaded guilty on May 16, 2013, as charged in a federal indictment returned in February 2013, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and maintaining a drug related premises.
As a result of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine, $409,120 in cash and a 2007 Honda vehicle.
According to information provided to the court, in January 2013, the Woonsocket Police Department’s Vice Unit received information and complaints about a suspected drug-house operating in a residential neighborhood near downtown Woonsocket. Area residents complained of a steady stream of vehicle traffic and visitors to and from the residence. In response, on January 9, 2013, Woonsocket Police and R.I. DEA Drug Task Force agents began a surveillance of the residence, and they recovered discarded items from the building’s trash that were consistent with items used in the preparation and distribution of drugs.
According to information provided to the court, on January 10, 2013, A Rhode Island State Police trooper stopped a vehicle shortly after it left the suspected drug-house. Inside the vehicle, the trooper discovered more than $78,000 in cash and a drug hide.
About 90 minutes later, Woonsocket Police attempted to stop a second vehicle which was seen arriving and leaving from the suspected drug-house. After stopping briefly, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed but was stopped a short time later. Officers located and recovered a digital scale, a kilo of cocaine weighing 6.2 pounds, and a quantity of crack cocaine that had been tossed from the vehicle. The driver, Paul Noriega, 27, of Warwick was arrested.
Noriega, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded guilty on March 8, 2013, in U.S. District Court, to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2013.
According to information presented to the court, a short time after Noriega’s vehicle was stopped, Carrasquillo was detained after leaving the drug-house, which was also his residence, in his 2007 Honda. A court authorized search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of $176,575 in cash found stashed in a laundry bag and two empty kilogram wrappers, which later tested positive for the presence of cocaine. A court authorized search of a bank safety deposit box in the name of Carrasquillo and a woman with whom he lived, resulted in the seizure of $154,520 in cash.
Carrasquillo has been detained since his arrest.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.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]Valley Grove Man Gets 72 Months for Prescription Pill TraffickingRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-7725 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistFollow us on Twitter @NDWVnews
Marshall County Resident Sentenced
for Illegal Possession of a HandgunWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld, II, announced that JAMES W. FERGUSON, age 38, of Valley Grove, West Virginia, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone” in the Wheeling area from late 2011 to May 18, 2012. FERGUSON served as a redistributor of painkillers for the leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Wheeling. The investigation leading to the charges included extensive surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, executions of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics, automobiles, and United States Currency.
FERGUSON, who was sentenced by District Court Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia State Police-BCI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
A Marshall County man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the illegal possession of a firearm after an argument at a business in Glen Dale. JOHN CHARLES MYERS, age 50, of Glen Dale, West Virginia, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge John Preston Bailey to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release. MYERS was convicted after a two day jury trial of “Possession of a Firearm while under a Domestic Violence Protection Order.”
The offense occurred on April 7, 2012, when MYERS got into an argument with patrons at the Rainbow Inn in Glen Dale and then vowed to return with a gun. MYERS left the area and retrieved a loaded 9 millimeter Taurus pistol from his home and then returned to the bar.
Police arrived shortly thereafter and found the pistol and a loaded magazine to be in the possession of MYERS along with a small amount of marijuana. Further investigation revealed that MYERS was subject to a 100-year family violence protective order. MYERS, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated Federal institution on January 23, 2014.
SCOTT P. CORKRAN, JR., age 25, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, was sentenced by Judge Bailey to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” The court also ordered the forfeiture of two firearms and ammunition. CORKRAN was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution.The MYERS and CORKRAN cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Glen Dale Police Department.
JAMES A. ACCONCIA, JR., age 48, of Newell, West Virginia, was sentenced by Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and JAMES A. ACCONICA, III, age 26, of Weirton, West Virginia, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the “Distribution of Heroin.” Both were remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin and was investigated by the the Hancock/Brooke/Weirton Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the Weirton Police Department, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
United States Attorney's Office Announces School Outreach Program to Reduce Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, announces the kick-off of another year for the United States Attorney Office’s school outreach program to reduce gun violence. The effort, part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative to reduce gun and gang crime in America, has already reached almost 2,000 middle and high school students so far, just this school year. As part of the initiative, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Middle District of Florida have made presentations to students and staff in Columbia, Duval and Flagler counties.
“It is important that we educate our youth and communities about the dangers and long-term impact of gun violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley. “A single injury or death creates victims far beyond that one individual. It can, and does, have an effect on an entire community. We are committed to being a partner in helping our communities reduce these types of devastating crimes.”
The outreach program focuses on the impact of gun violence in our communities and provides students with common sense steps that they can take to stay safe and out of trouble. Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation or receiving more information about the program is encouraged to contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (904) 301-6301.
Two South Texas Men Convicted of Trafficking Methamphetamine in HoustonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Two men from the South Texas area have pleaded guilty to trafficking approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine in Houston in May 2013, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Roberto Carlos Garza, 23, and Alexander Chavez, 34, both of Rio Grande City, each pleaded guilty earlier today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes.
At the hearing, both Garza and Chavez admitted to having set up a methamphetamine transaction between themselves and other persons on May 17, 2013, for approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine at a price of $15,000 per pound. The following day, Garza and Chavez each agreed to bring the drugs to a parking lot near the Houstonian Hotel in Houston and deliver it to another person.
At approximately 12:58 p.m. on May 18, 2013, agents observed a gray Honda CR-V arrive at the location driven by Chavez with Garza riding as a passenger. Shortly after arrival, and while they were still in the vehicle, agents attempted to take Garza and Chavez into custody. Identifying themselves as law enforcement officers and wearing law enforcement identification, agents ordered them out of the vehicle. Chavez attempted to flee, driving in reverse and striking another vehicle, then driving forward and accelerating rapidly towards two agents who were on foot.
Fearing for his life, one of the agents fired two rounds from his service weapon toward Chavez while attempting to move out of the way and avoid being hit. The agent believed Chavez was attempting to run him over and had no choice but to fire his weapon toward the vehicle to avoid being run over and possibly killed. The rounds appeared to strike Chavez, and the CR-V veered to the side, struck two other vehicles and came to a stop.
Garza was then taken into custody and Chavez was treated at the scene until an ambulance arrived and transported him to a hospital for treatment. Agents subsequently seized three plastic containers containing methamphetamine from the rear area of the Honda CR-V. The methamphetamine had a net weight of 4.946 kilograms, was 90.1% pure and had been imported into the United States from Mexico.
Judge Hughes has set sentencing for Feb. 25, 2013, at which time they each face at least 10 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine. They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Houston Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arthur R. Jones.
Two Florida Residents Sentenced on Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-7725 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistFollow us on Twitter @NDWVnews
CLARKSBURG, WV – Two Palm Bay, Florida, residents were sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Irene M. Keeley on corruption charges.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that JASON NOEL SQUIRES, age 28, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release and NIKOLE MONIQUE WATKINS, age 24, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. SQUIRES and WATKINS were sent to prison as a result of both being convicted of the felony offense of “Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of a Public Official and Bribery of a Public Official.”
SQUIRES, a correctional officer at FCI Gilmer, admitted that between January 1, 2012, and August 14, 2012, he smuggled tobacco into the prison on multiple occasions. SQUIRES then provided the tobacco to inmates and in exchange, the inmates arranged to have contacts outside of the prison send money to WATKINS, who was the girlfriend of SQUIRES, via Western Union and Postal money grams. WATKINS was aware that SQUIRES was smuggling contraband to inmates. SQUIRES and WATKINS received approximately $40,000 for the tobacco that SQUIRES smuggled into the prison, for which the Court ordered restitution to be made.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the United States Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Special Investigative Services Unit at FCI Gilmer.
If members of the public have information regarding corruption in their community they are encouraged to call the West Virginia Public Corruption Hotline at 855-WVA-FEDS (855-982-3337), or to send an email to [email protected]. All tips received by the hotline will be reviewed by a state or federal agency and then a determination will be made if a full investigation is warranted. Callers may choose to remain anonymous.
Two Experienced U.S. Attorney’s Office Employees to RetireRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Kent Brunson, an Assistant United States Attorney since 1978 and Bertha Moore, a legal assistant since 1979 are retiring from the U.S. Attorney’s Office this week. Brunson and Moore have been with the Department of Justice for a combined total of nearly 70 years.
Kent Brunson began his career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1978. Brunson spent ten years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney before being promoted to the Deputy Criminal Chief in 1988 where he served until 1990. In 1990, Brunson returned to prosecuting cases as an Assistant U.S. Attorney until 2011 when U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. requested Brunson serve as Beck’s Senior Litigation Counsel. Brunson served in such capacity until this year when U.S. Attorney Beck called on Brunson to be his First Assistant U.S. Attorney. Brunson has served as the First Assistant until his retirement.
Bertha Moore began her career in 1979 as a legal clerk with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She served as such until 1984 when she became a legal technician. In 1987, Moore was again promoted to the position of paralegal assistant and in 1995 Moore became a paralegal specialist. In 2005, Leura Canary, who was U.S. Attorney at the time, chose Moore to be her executive assistant. When George Beck was appointed U.S. Attorney in 2010, Mr. Beck asked Moore to continue in the executive assistant position. Mrs. Moore agreed and she remained the executive assistant to the U.S. Attorney until her retirement.
Both Mr. Brunson and Mrs. Moore have served under five U.S. Attorneys and received numerous awards from the Department of Justice. Their institutional knowledge and experience can never be replaced. Not only has the U.S. Attorney’s Office lost two crucial employees, but due to Sequestration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office cannot hire replacements.
“It has been an honor to serve the Middle District of Alabama as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for so many years,” stated Kent Brunson. “This career has been very fulfilling, but I am looking forward to opening another chapter in my life full of hunting and fishing.”
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve my Government and the people of this district for so long,” stated Bertha Moore. “This office has provided me with an extended family that I will always cherish and fond memories to take home with me, but it is time that I begin the next phase of my life.”
“Kent Brunson has been a close friend of mine for nearly 40 years,” stated George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. “I hate to see him leave this office both from a personal and professional standpoint. Kent has been an asset to this office and has personally helped me throughout my tenure as the U.S. Attorney. His absence will leave a large void in the office. I have only known Bertha for two years, but her help to me and the office is immeasurable. She is professional, efficient and gracious. Her knowledge of and experience in the Department of Justice has enhanced the way this office has run for the last 34 years. She will be missed.”
Mr. Brunson and Mrs. Moore’s will remain at the U.S. Attorney’s Office through the end of November.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Two Defendants Sentenced in $28.5 Million Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Two defendants convicted for their roles in a $28 million drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Sentenced today were:
Victor Hernandez-Delgado, 60, Kansas City, Mo., who was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison.
Jorge Cisneros-Saucedo, 41, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 120 months.Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. In their pleas, they admitted they were part of a drug trafficking organization that in October 2010 became the target of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Investigators worked to identify both suppliers and customers of co-defendant Djuane Sykes. As the investigation broadened, it came to include the distribution of more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
The investigation yielded the seizure and forfeiture of more than $2 million in cash, 194 firearms, 29 vehicles, 26 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of crack.
In their pleas, the defendants admitted that Cisneros-Saucedo supplied drugs to Hernandez-Delgado. On Aug. 21, 2011, investigators intercepted a call between the two men in which they discussed the fact Cisneros-Saucedo had only nine ounces of cocaine left. On Aug. 23, 20011, investigators intercepted a call in which the two men arranged to meet for a drug deal.
In addition, investigators intercepted calls in which Cisneros-Saucedo:
- Asked another co-defendant if he could provide him with 1.5 kilograms of cocaine.
- Asked another co-defendant if he could “get me a half a pig,” meaning half a kilogram of cocaine.
- Told another co-defendant how he had changed telephone numbers about 10 times, which was a method of avoiding detection by law enforcement.
- Talked to another co-defendant about the fact a female courier was transporting 997 grams of cocaine on a Los Paisanos commuter bus. Law enforcement officers stopped the bus and seized the drugs.
- Received cocaine delivered to his home.
Co-defendants include:
Martin Munoz-Rodriguez, who was sentenced to 168 months.
Lucinda Scott, who was sentenced to 120 months.
Jesse Trevino, who was sentenced to 70 months.
Eduardo Perez-Alcala, who is awaiting sentencing.
Hector Aguilera, who is awaiting sentencing.
Gerardo Flores-Avila, who is awaiting sentencing.
Juan Rudolfo Martinez-Bejarano, who is awaiting sentencing.
Juana Perez-Alcala, who is awaiting sentencing.
Djuane E. Sykes, who is awaiting sentencing.
Juan Flores, who is awaiting sentencing.
Jorge Reyes, who is set for sentencing Dec. 3.
Luis Felipe Cruz, who is awaiting sentencing.
Javier Limas-Carmona, who is set to resume jury trial Dec. 2.
Adriana Fierro-Decarlos, who is awaiting sentencing.
Nolberto Garcia, who is set for jury trial March 3.
Thomas Seth Harris, who is set to resume jury trial Dec. 2.
Robert Vasquez, who is set to resume jury trial Dec. 2.
Omar Flaco, who is awaiting sentencing.
Jesus Barrera-Barron, who is set for sentencing Dec. 10.
Hiram Martinez-Bejarano, who is set for sentencing Dec. 10.
Alfredo Marquez, who is set for sentencing Dec. 17.
Ildefonso Guevara-Quintana, who is awaiting sentencing.
Jose Juan Rojas-Rosario, who is set for sentencing Dec. 6.
Ralph Mayo, who is awaiting sentencing.
James Stallings, who is set for sentencing Dec. 9.
Ataven Tatum, who is set for sentencing Jan. 7.
Marvin Lee Ellis, who is set to resume jury trial Dec. 2.
Julius Smith, who is awaiting sentencing.
Juvon Smith, who is awaiting sentencing.
Richard Kirkendoll, who is awaiting sentencing.
John Doran, who is awaiting sentencing.
Vernon Brown, who is set to resume jury trial for trial Dec. 2.
Riko Carter, who is awaiting sentencing.
Kyle Stephen, who is set to resume jury trial Dec. 2.
Carlos Gilchrist, who is set for sentencing Dec. 10.
Armando Martinez, who is set for sentencing Dec. 6.
Ralph McKinney, who is set for sentencing Dec. 6.
Lazaro Garciga, who is set for sentencing Dec. 3.
Tohima Corralez, who is awaiting sentencing.
Delfino Hernandez-Martinez, who is awaiting sentencing.
Francisco Javier Lozoya-Renteria, who is awaiting sentencing.
Theoplis L. Ellis, who is set for sentencing Dec. 9.
Luis Anselmo Ortega-Flores, who is awaiting sentencing.Grissom commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead for their work on the case.
Three Individuals in Southern District of Texas to Receive Attorney General AwardRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that 270 Justice Department employees and 53 individuals, including one former and two current Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Southern District of Texas, will receive an Attorney General Award. These annual awards recognize department employees and other individuals for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.
“Despite significant challenges, evolving threats, and unprecedented budgetary difficulties, these dedicated employees have exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the American people,” said Holder. “Over the past year, each of them has gone above and beyond the call of duty to carry out the Justice Department’s critical mission and protect our fellow citizens. Some of these remarkable men and women have placed their own lives at great risk in order to save others. All of these employees and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in the name of public service. I am proud, and humbled, to count them as colleagues. And I congratulate them on this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.”
AUSAs Jason Varnado and Kristine Rollinson and former AUSA Gregg Costa (now a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of Texas) will be honored with the John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation.
“The prosecution efforts demonstrated by these three AUSAs exemplified the highest standards that all attorneys in the Department of Justice attempt to achieve,” said United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. “It is a true demonstration of the high quality work of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
TheJohn Marshall Awards are the Department of Justice’s highest awards offered to attorneys, for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
The John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is being presented to Varnado, Rollinson and Costa from the Southern District of Texas along with a team of attorneys from the Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia for the successful prosecution of Allen Stanford, a perpetrator of one of the largest white collar crimes in history. The tenacity and skill of this team of attorneys directly led to a 110-year prison conviction for devastating the lives of more than 30,000 victims in a fraudulent scheme that cost the perpetrator’s investors more than $7 billion in losses. Over the course of two hard-fought jury trials, this team’s work ethic and meticulous attention to detail proved successful in finding justice for these victims.
Also being honored in this case are Trial Attorney Andrew H. Warren and Deputy Chiefs Jeffrey A. Goldbergand William J. Stellmach of the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division as well as Kondi Kleinman, AUSA in the District of Columbia and former Trial Attorney for the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.
Three Detained on Federal Charges in Alleged Arson-for-Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three individuals have been charged in federal court in Providence and are detained for allegedly conspiring and setting fire to an occupied multi-family dwelling in Providence in an alleged arson-for-profit scheme, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Divisionof the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré.
A federal indictment returned today charges Abraham Kerkula, 20, of Providence, and Gbabia Kollie, 27, of Johnston City, Tenn., with one count each of conspiracy to commit arson and arson affecting interstate commerce. A third defendant, Nakele Freeman, 19, of Providence, is detained in federal custody on an information filed with the court on December 9, 2013, charging him with one count each of conspiracy to commit arson and arson affecting interstate commerce. It is alleged that the three conspired and set fire to an occupied dwelling at 31-33 Ida Street in Providence, in the early morning hours of November 2, 2013.
Freeman and Kerkula were arrested on federal criminal complaints on November 15, 2013, and ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. Gbabia Kollie, who was removed from an outbound international flight leaving Atlanta for Liberia and arrested by ATF agents on December 5, 2013, was ordered detained by a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge in Atlanta. Kollie will be transported back to Rhode Island for prosecution.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that on November 1, 2013, Freeman asked Kerkula to give him a ride to a location where he, Freeman, was going to set fire to a building for “a lot of money.” Freeman and Kerkula allegedly traveled together to at least two retail outlets where Freeman allegedly purchased several items, including a five-gallon gasoline storage container and gloves. They allegedly also traveled together to a local supermarket where Freeman allegedly filled the storage container with gasoline.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that just after midnight, while Freeman was engaged in a series of telephone conversations with another individual, Kerkula and Freeman located and drove past the targeted property several times. A short time later, Kerkula allegedly drove back to the targeted property where Freeman allegedly removed the gasoline and other items from the vehicle and entered the property using keys he and Kerkula had retrieved earlier in the day.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that Freeman entered a vacant third floor apartment where he spread gasoline, and a fire ignited. Freeman fled the building and returned to the vehicle at a pre-determined location on a nearby side street. Once in the vehicle it is alleged that Freeman stated to Kerkula that the fire had not gone as planned.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that Kollie arranged with Freeman to set fire to building in return for a payment of $7,000. It is alleged that Kollie was the person with whom Freeman had several telephone conversations while in the vehicle with Kerkula.
The investigation into the circumstances leading up to the fire and into the fire by ATF and the Providence Fire Department’s Fire Inspection Office is continuing.An indictment and a criminal complaint are merely allegations and are 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.
Conspiracy to commit arson and arson affecting interstate commerce are punishable by a statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.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]Tax Defier, Former NFL Player Convicted of Filing Fraudulent Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Gregory P. Boyd faces up to nine years in federal prison after a jury in Austin convicted him last week of filing income tax returns that did not accurately reflect his income, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent In Charge Steve McCullough.
Last Thursday, jurors convicted Boyd of three counts of filing fraudulent income tax returns. Evidence and testimony presented during trial revealed that Boyd knowingly filed false income tax returns for 2004, 2005 and 2006. On each tax return, Boyd declared that he received zero income when in fact, he received roughly $180,000 in 2004, about $390,000 in 2005, and approximately $225,000 in 2006. The parties stipulated that Boyd owed income tax in the amount of $26,688 for 2004, at least $102,237 for 2005, and $49,155 for 2006.
Evidence at trial revealed that Boyd had not paid income taxes on any of the years 2004 through 2011. Boyd, who played football at the University of Arizona and then played in the NFL during the 1973 and 1974 seasons, worked in the field of real estate development during 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Boyd testified during the trial that he believed his tax returns were true and complied with the law, based on ideas he learned from the book “Cracking the Code” by Peter Eric Hendrickson. Hendrickson appeared at trial in Austin last week and testified as a witness for the defense. Boyd specifically testified that he believed, based on Hendrickson’s book, that the income tax applies only to the income of federal government employees and federal government contractors, as well as income derived from investments in federal government securities.
“Tax crimes cheat not only the government, but also every honest citizen who follows the rules and meets his or her obligations. We owe it to these citizens to bring justice to those who willfully break the tax laws,” stated U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman.
Boyd remains on a $25,000 unsecured bond pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on February 10, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks in Austin.
“Taxpayers need to be aware that frivolous tax arguments and schemes can land them in prison. All of these arguments have been repeatedly defeated in our courts, to include the Supreme Court. Mr. Boyd found out the hard way that Juries understand that we all must pay our taxes to keep our society free and functioning,” stated Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent In Charge Steve McCullough.
This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan Buie.
Task Force Investigation Leads to Indictment of Four Individuals on Heroin ChargesRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-7725 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistFollow us on Twitter @NDWVnews
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that an investigation by the Greater Harrison County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force has led to a federal indictment of four individuals for heroin trafficking.
TRAYVON TERELL SNOE, age 22, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; MEGAN LEE GRAEBER, age 28, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; CRYSTAL DAWN ROTH, age 31, of Meadowbrook, West Virginia; and, SAMANTA COTTRILL, age 22, of Hepzibah, West Virginia, were named in a five-count Indictment charging each with “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin” from August of 2013 to October 29, 2013, in the Harrison County area.
SNOE and GRAEBER each face a total of four counts; ROTH faces a total of three counts; and, COTTRILL faces two counts.
In addition to the conspiracy charge, other charges include “Distribution of Heroin,” “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of Pierpont Community and Technical College” and “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking to forfeit $2,104 that was seized on October 29, 2013. Said currency is alleged to be proceeds obtained from the illegal activity.
The defendants each face up to twenty years in prison on the conspiracy, distribution and possession with intent to distribute charges and up to forty years in prison on the protected location charge.
The case was investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force consists of officers from the Bridgeport Police Department; Clarksburg Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service; and, the United States Marshals Service. The case will be prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan.All of the charges contained in the above-referenced indictment are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Sabine SettlementRead the Press Release
BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Walt Green and Louisiana State Attorney General James “Buddy” Caldwell announced today that the United States and the State of Louisiana have reached a civil settlement with defendants, SABINE OPTICAL LABORATORIES, INC. d/b/a THE VISION CENTER (“SABINE”), DR. CARL CARNAGGIO, SR., DR. CARL CARNAGGIO, JR. and LORI CARNAGGIO (collectively “SABINE DEFENDANTS”) and Cypress Optical Laboratory, LLC, a SABINE-affiliated company. According to the terms of the settlement, SABINE paid $1,200,000 to the United States and the State of Louisiana, $819,960 of which constitutes the federal share and $380,040 of which constitutes the state share of costs reimbursed to the Medicaid program, which is a Federal-State matching entitlement program providing medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources.
The settlement concludes a two-and-a-half-year investigation into a major health care fraud “whistle blower” or “qui tam” law suit filed in March 2011 by a former SABINE employee under the qui tam provision of the Federal and State False Claims Acts. This provision allows a private person, known as a “relator,” who has information concerning the submission of false or fraudulent claims to government programs such as Medicaid, to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States and the State of Louisiana and receive a portion (between 15-25 percent) of any recovered damages. The lawsuit remains under seal during the investigation until the Court orders otherwise.
The settlement resolves allegations that from August 2005 through April 30, 2012, the SABINE DEFENDANTS violated the Federal and State False Claims Acts (and unlawfully enriched themselves) by improperly billing Medicaid for services performed by an unauthorized provider using the Medicaid provider number of another provider, for adjustment and dispensing services that were never performed, for worthless services due to an excessive number of Medicaid patients being seen in one day, and for lenses that were never made.
In September 2012, the Court ordered a partial lift of the seal enabling the United States, the State of Louisiana, and the SABINE DEFENDANTS to engage in extensive discussions and negotiations which ultimately led to the signing of the Settlement Agreement. The SABINE DEFENDANTS fully cooperated during all stages of the process. The Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by the SABINE DEFENDANTS nor a concession by the United States or the State of Louisiana regarding the merits of the claims. Also, in accord with the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the qui tam lawsuit has been dismissed with prejudice as to the Relator and the State of Louisiana, with prejudice as to the United States as to those elements that are coextensive with the Covered Conduct identified in the Settlement Agreement, but without prejudice as to the United States as to any conduct that falls outside the scope of the Covered Conduct.
Acting United States Attorney Walt Green stated, “Our office has made fighting health care fraud a top priority in this district, through criminal and civil prosecutions against those who violated federal health care laws. This case demonstrates our steadfast commitment to this mission. By using available federal civil remedies such as the False Claims Act—the particular remedy used in this case—we not only recover millions of dollars from those who have unlawfully enriched themselves at the expense of our nation’s taxpayers, but we send a clear and strong message to would-be fraudsters and those who would seek to play fast and loose with this nation’s health care laws and programs that we will not allow them to profit from their unlawful and fraudulent schemes.”
Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said, “This case serves as a successful example of ensuring that those who attempt to abuse our Medicaid program reap the consequences of their actions. We’re pleased that hundreds of thousands of dollars will be returned to Louisiana’s Medicaid fund and pay for programs that serve some of our most vulnerable citizens.” Caldwell added, “In addition to protecting Medicaid and Louisiana taxpayers, we are committed to sustaining a pro-business environment where those who cheat do not profit at our citizens’ expense, or at the expense of businesses that play fair.”
The investigation of the “whistle blower” or “qui tam” lawsuit was conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, headed by Assistant United States Attorney, James L. Nelson, who serves as the office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Civil Health Care Fraud Coordinator, with the assistance of Celia Bailey, the office’s Health Care Fraud Paralegal Specialist, and Michelle Martin, the office’s ACE Investigator; the Louisiana Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), headed by Assistant Attorney General Nick Diez, with the assistance of MFCU Investigator Virginia Brandt; and the Baton Rouge Office of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, headed by now-retired by Bill Root, Resident-Agent-in-Charge (RAC) and presently by RAC Barbara Alleman, with the assistance of OIG Investigator Michele Louviere.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 5 1/2 Years in Prison for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Laquan Bell (23, Reading, Pennsylvania) to five and a half years in federal prison for credit card fraud. Bell pleaded guilty on July 22, 2013.
According to court documents, earlier this year, Bell led other co-conspirators in the theft of credit card numbers and means of identification of more than 400 persons, in central Florida. Specifically, Bell travelled to Florida from his home in the Northeast and recruited retail workers to use skimming devices to swipe customers’ credit cards, thus stealing the customers’ credit card numbers and other information contained on the cards. Bell paid his co-conspirators in exchanged for skimming the cards, and then used the stolen credit card numbers and information to make approximately $211,000.00 in fraudulent purchases.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Irick.
Ogallala Man Sentenced to 35 Months for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Ryan D. Freitag, 28, of Ogallala, Nebraska was sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing child pornography. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Freitag to a 35 month term of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison Freitag will serve a ten year term of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Freitag entered into an internet relationship with a 15 year old girl residing in West Virginia. The girl sent a series of images to Freitag consisting of erotica and child pornography. The child pornography consisted of the girl engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol revealed Freitag as the individual receiving child pornography. He also sent photographs of his genitalia to the fifteen year old girl.
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
North Carolina Resident Sentenced on Pill Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-7725 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistFollow us on Twitter @NDWVnews
Eleven Others Appear for Pleas and Sentencing
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that a North Carolina resident was sentenced to prison as a result of his conviction on an oxycodone conspiracy charge.
REGINALD SCOTT, age 45, was sentenced by District Court Judge Irene M. Keeley to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone.” SCOTT admitted to selling oxycodone in Morgantown, WV, between September of 2011 to April 21, 2012. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of $10,000 which constituted proceeds from the illegal activity. SCOTT was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Judge Keeley also sentenced the following defendants:
SHANE LEWIS GILLESPIE, age 24, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release for “Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of and Addict to a Controlled Substance.” GILLESPIE was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Clarksburg Police Department and the Belpre, Ohio, Police Department.
TIMOTHY LINGO, age 30, of Westover, West Virginia, was sentenced to 34 months in prison and two years of supervised release for “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” LINGO was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was and investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
CHRISTOPER WEAVER, age 37, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the “Distribution of Cocaine.” WEAVER was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was investigated by West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.JENNA HANSLER, age 27, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the “Distribution of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of the Carlone Street Apartments.” HANSLER, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated Federal institution on January 29, 2014. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fairmont Police Department.
The LINGO, WEAVER and HANSLER cases were prosecuted by Wesley.
The following defendants entered pleas before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull:
LEROY ROUSSEAU a/k/a “BLACK,” age 25, of Clarksburg and formerly of Washington, D.C. entered pleas of guilty to “Employment and Use of a Person Under 18 Years of Age in Drug Operations” and “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” As part of his plea, ROUSSSEAU forfeited a Haskell .45 caliber pistol as property used or intended to be used to commit the charged offenses. ROUSSEAU, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. ROUSSEAU’s co-defendants, FRANCESCA STRAKAL a/k/a “ROCKY,” age 20, and TALYA KEENER, age 22, of Clarksburg, entered pleas of guilty to “Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise.” STRAKAL and KEENER, who are free on bond pending sentencing, each face up to 20 years in prison.
JUSTIN ZACHARY ROSA a/k/a “PEE WEE,” age 19 and NICHOLE NIKKI PIERCE, age 21, of Clarksburg, entered pleas of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin.” ROSA also entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User and Addict to Heroin.” PIERCE, also entered a plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” As part of the plea, ROSA will forfeit $4,822.46 in United States currency which constitutes proceeds obtained from the illegal activity, a cellular phone, a Smith and Wesson revolver and $4,720 in counterfeit U.S. currency. ROSA and PIERCE, who are in custody pending sentencing, each face up to 20 years in prison on the distribution charge and up to 10 years on the firearms charge.
MICHAEL JOHN GRIFFIN, age 34, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin.” GRIFFIN, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.
NICOLE BENNETT, age 33, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Intentional Harassment to Dissuade Another Person from Assisting in Criminal Prosecution.” BENNETT, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison.The ROUSSEAU, ROSA, GRIFFIN and BENNETT cases were investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force consisting of officers from the Bridgeport Police Department; Clarksburg Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service; and, the United States Marshals Service. The cases were prosecuted by Morgan, and the United States Secret Service also assisted with the ROSA investigation.
BEN PHARES, age 26, of Kingwood, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” PHARES, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Wesley and was investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
FRANCISCO GONZALEZ-AYALA, age 44, entered a plea of guilty to entering the United States, after having been previously deported, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States to reapply for admission to the United States.
GONZALEZ-AYALA faces up to 20 years in prison due to prior aggravated felony offense. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri and was investigated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HIS).
Norfolk Man Sentenced to Eighteen Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Darrin L. Mucker, 40, of Norfolk, Nebraska was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for producing child pornography. The Honorable John M. Gerrard sentenced Mucker to 18 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison Mucker will begin a 20 year term of supervised release.
Mucker posed as a teenager on MeetMe.com. MeetMe.com is a social networking service used by teens. Mucker sent indecent and obscene messages to children including a sexually explicit image of a child. Mucker communicated with at least 15 girls ranging in age from 12-15 years. The girls were living in various states in the United States and one in Canada. Mucker asked for and received images and videos from many of the girls engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On at least one occasion he threatened to post the nude images he received of a fourteen year old girl on the internet if she didn’t send him more.
The Nebraska State Patrol was able to trace the Internet Protocol (IP) address used on various MeetMe.com accounts back to Mucker. A search warrant was executed on his Norfolk residence on April 9, 2013. A tablet computer revealed dozens of close up images of child pornographic images sent by young girls to Mucker. Mucker admitted to receiving child pornography from girls he met on the internet by webcam, video and email.
U. S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg expressed her gratitude to the Nebraska State Patrol and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their investigation of this matter. Victims were located in Ohio, Alaska, Calgary and multiple other jurisdictions. The investigation resulted in a significant child predator receiving a substantial sentence.
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.
Milton Woman Indicted for Bomb ThreatsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA -- Eboni Parker, age 33, of Milton, was arrested and charged today with two counts of maliciously conveying false information of a bomb threat, announced United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh, Northern District of Florida.
A two count indictment issued on November 20, 2013, alleges that on January 30, 2013, and February 20, 2013, Parker made, aided, or abetted the making of false bomb threats through the use of a cellular telephone. On those dates, Gulf Power Company received telephonic bomb threats to their Milton office.
Parker appeared today for her initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Timothy at the U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Florida. Parker pleaded not guilty to the charges and her trial is scheduled for January 6, 2014, before Senior United States District Judge Lacey Collier.
The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of ten years and a $250,000 fine on each count.
U.S. Attorney Marsh praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, whose joint investigation led to the indictment in the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall J. Hensel.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial in a court of law.
Mexican National Heads to Prison for Illegal Re-entry Despite Fraudulently Obtaining Texas Birth CertificateRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Mexican National Felipe Oviedo-Cerda, aka Felipe Telles-Sanchez or Mario Trevino-Leal, 55, has been ordered to prison for illegally re-entering the country, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. A federal jury in McAllen convicted Oviedo-Cerda on Aug. 27, 2013, following a two-day trial and approximately two hours of deliberations.
Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa, who presided over the trial, handed Oviedo-Cerda a 63-month sentence. At the hearing today, additional evidence was presented concerning the defendant’s lengthy criminal history. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hinojosa took this into consideration as well as his current conviction which resulted in an upward departure and a lengthy period of confinement. As an illegal alien, Oviedo-Cerda is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
During trial, the government presented documentary evidence and witness testimony illustrating Oviedo-Cerda’s unlawful entry despite being an aggravated felon. Since his first deportation in 1984, the evidence showed he had relied upon numerous aliases and other false information to avoid detection by law enforcement and immigration authorities.
In 2002 and while in federal custody pending a similar indictment, Oviedo-Cerda fraudulently obtained a delayed birth certificate from the State of Texas reflecting that he was born in Rio Grande City in 1958. The Department of Vital Statistics later flagged this document only to re-issue the birth certificate in 2008 to him after had been released from federal prison, deported and provided additional false documentation. The evidence at trial indicated Oviedo-Cerda had resided in the United States since 2008 by relying upon this birth certificate and other false documents.
At trial, the government also relied upon expert fingerprint testimony to connect Oviedo-Cerda to his long history of aliases and false identities. Other witnesses with personal knowledge of the defendant testified that despite his birth in Zacatecas, Mexico, Oviedo-Cerda used forged, altered and fraudulent documents to obtain the delayed birth certificate under the name Felipe Telles. Based upon this evidence, the Texas Department of Vital Statistics has again flagged this birth certificate.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that the Texas delayed birth certificate proved he was born in Rio Grande City and/or proved the valid birth certificate at least gave him status to be in the country when apprehended. The jury disagreed and found him guilty as charged.
Oviedo-Cerda has been in custody since his arrest Sept. 23, 2011, where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
This case was investigated by Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Grady J. Leupold.
Maryland Resident Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-7725 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistFollow us on Twitter @NDWVnews
Eighteen Others Appear for Pleas and Sentencing
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that a Frederick, Maryland, resident was sentenced 10 ten years in prison for trafficking in crack cocaine.
MARTIN CAIN FELDER, age 34, was sentenced by District Court Judge Gina M. Groh to 120 months in prison and four years of supervised release for “Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 28 grams of Crack Cocaine.” FELDER, was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. his case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, as well as uniformed officers of the West Virginia State Police.
JOHN ANDREW REDMAN, age 33, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the “Distribution of Crack Cocaine.” REDMAN, who is free on bond, will self-report to prison on December 2, 2013.
Judge Groh also sentenced the following defendants:
CHARLOTTE JENKINS, age 39, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the “Distribution of Heroin.” JENKINS was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution.
AKEYLAH HUMPHREY, age 24, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for “Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.” HUMPHREY, who is free on bond, will self-report to prison on January 6, 2014.
The REDMAN and HUMPHREY cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas. The JENKINS case was prosecuted by Camilletti. These cases were investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.
The following entered pleas before Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert:
ANTHONY ALLEN PENNINGTON, age 24, of Wardsford, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty to “Traveling in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” If convicted, PENNINGTON faces up to 30 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.
TIMOTHY WILLIAMS, age 24, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Conspiracy to Distribute More than 28 Grams of Crack Cocaine.” WILLIAMS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. Co-defendant DERRICK WELLS, JR., age 24, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.” WELLS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison and co-defendant ASHLEY SEAL, age 25, of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, entered pleas of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine.” SEAL, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.
PENNINGTON and WILLIAMS were prosecuted by Douglas.
ADAM BRADY, age 20, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of the Burke Street Elementary School.” BRADY, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. Co-defendant MONICA GREEN, age 35, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine.” GREEN, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin.
JOSEA LORENZO HICKS, age 35, of Washington, D.C., entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine.” HICKS, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower.
These cases were investigated the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
THEOFANIS MAVROUDIS, age 45, of Charles Town, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Failure to Register as Sex Offender.” MAVROUDIS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to ten years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Douglas and investigated by the United States Marshals Service.CHARLES WILLIAM JONES, III, a/k/a “TREY,” age 27, of Pasadena, Maryland, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of Firearms by a Drug User.” JONES, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison.
CODY ASHBY, age 21, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” ASHBY, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison.
MATTHEW TODD CRIM, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.” CRIM, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison.
The JONES, ASHBY and CRIM cases were prosecuted by Camilletti and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Exploses, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police.
BRANDON L. WHITE, age 29, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Stealing Public Money.” WHITE, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and investigated by the Veterans Administration, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division.
BRANDON BARTLEY, age 30, and TARA BARTLEY, age 28, of Martinsburg, entered pleas of guilty to “Prescription Fraud.” The defendants, who are free on bond pending sentencing, each face up to 4 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
RENE GONZALEZ-BERMUDEZ, age 27, entered a plea of guilty to entering the United States, after having been previously deported, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States to reapply for admission to the United States. GONZALEZ-BERMUDEZ faces up to 2 years in and deportation. This case was investigated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HIS).
The BARTLEY and GONZALEZ-BERMUDEZ cases were prosecuted by Camilletti.
Mandan Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
BISMARCK– U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Nov. 25, 2013, James A. Siegrist, a/k/a James A. Robinson, 33, Mandan, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of possession of firearm by a convicted felon and a charge of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Siegrist was convicted of the charges by a federal jury on Aug. 28, 2013.
Judge Hovland sentenced Siegrist to seven years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Siegrist was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.
On July 25, 2012, near Glen Ullin, N.D., Siegrist was handling a .45 caliber handgun when it discharged and struck a woman in the leg. On March 19, 2013, in Mandan, N.D., Siegrist was arrested for an outstanding warrant and found to be in possession of three handguns and 94 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Two of the handguns were concealed on his body and one handgun was located in his vehicle. The Court ordered that Siegrist’s interest in all the firearms and ammunition be forfeited to the United States.
Siegrist was prohibited from possessing either a firearm or ammunition by virtue of multiple felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance, forgery, counterfeiting, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft of property.The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Morton County Sheriff’s Office and the Mandan Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hagler prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Using A Communication Device to Entice A MinorRead the Press Release
In Midland this afternoon, 21-year-old Juan Carlos Venegas, a Mexican citizen formerly living in Crane, TX, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for using a communication device to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent In Charge Dennis Ulrich.
On September 5, 2013, a federal jury convicted Venegas of knowingly using his cell phone on several occasions in June 2012 to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity with him. Venegas fled to Mexico shortly after being arrested by Crane County Sheriff’s deputies in July 2012. On February 16, 2013, approximately eight months after his initial arrest, Venegas was apprehended in Del Rio, TX, while attempting to re-enter the United States from Mexico. He has remained in federal custody ever since.
This investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Crane County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Austin Berry.
Man Sentenced to 10 Years Prison for Beating Victim to Death with BatRead the Press Release
PHOENIX - On Nov. 25, 2013, Renfo Lee Woody, 30, of Many Farms, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake to 10 years imprisonment following a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter. Woody pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Aug. 27, 2013.
As part of the plea agreement, Woody admitted that he entered the victim’s home on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation on April 5, 2013, and beat the victim in the head and body with an aluminum baseball bat. The victim died the next day from injuries sustained as a result of the beating.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christine Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-13-08086-PCT-NVW
RELEASE NUMBER: 2013-088_WoodyFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Macon County Sheriff’s Investigator Indicted for Unlawfully Detaining and Assaulting Handcuffed Man at County JailRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - J. Keith McCray, a criminal investigator with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama for violating the rights of a man he unlawfully seized and assaulted, announce George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
McCray, 41, is charged with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. On July 4, 2013, the victim was going door to door in McCray’s neighborhood attempting to sell alarm systems. According to the indictment, McCray unlawfully seized the victim using a firearm. McCray then took the victim to jail. At the jail, McCray struck the victim while he was handcuffed, resulting in bodily injury. The indictment further alleges that McCray engaged in witness tampering when he intimidated the victim and corruptly persuaded him not to file a complaint for the assault.
If convicted, McCray could face a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each deprivation-of-rights charge. He could face a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the witness tampering charge. McCray=s trial is yet to be scheduled.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerusha T. Adams of the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Chiraag Bains of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Louisville, Kentucky Man Guilty of Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
– Plea Agreement also resolves separate pending state court child sexual abuse case
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Louisville, Kentucky, man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court before United States Magistrate Judge James D. Moyer to a single-count federal Indictment charging him with violating federal child pornography laws, namely, the production of child pornography, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
Jamar Garrett a/k/a Darnell Hamilton, age 35, admitted in court that during June through July, 2012, he represented himself as Darnell Hamilton and lived in Jefferson County, Kentucky. During that time period, he rented a room in a home (where a nine-year-old female child also lived). On July 1, 2012, Garrett engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the nine-year-old female child. He used his cellular telephone to record the sexual activity in the form of a video. Approximately one week later, an adult living in the home viewed the contents of the cellular telephone, confronted the child, and called the police to report the matter.
According to court records, Garrett fled the jurisdiction. However, Louisville Metro Police obtained a federal arrest warrant for Garrett, which was recorded in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Law enforcement officials arrested Garrett on the outstanding warrant when he was stopped for a traffic violation in Toledo, Ohio.
Under the terms of the Plea Agreement, which calls for a 22½ year term of imprisonment followed by a life term of Supervised Release, Garrett will plead guilty in Jefferson Circuit Court to sexually abusing a child under the age of 12. The Jefferson Circuit Court case involves a different victim than the federal case. The anticipated 10-year state court sentence will run concurrently with the federal sentence. Sentencing is scheduled before Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell on February 18, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky.
Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case. The Louisville Metro Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit conducted the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Local Man Sentenced for Faking Military Service and Conducting Phony Raffle to Aid VeteransRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – MATTHEW BUCKINGHAM was sentenced this morning to one year in prison by United States District Judge Henry Autrey.
According to court documents, Buckingham posted an advertisement on Craigslist in January 2013, indicating he was involved with a veterans’ charity identified as "Veterans Aid From All Foreign Wars." His advertisement stated that he planned to hold a raffle on July 4, 2013. Tickets would cost $5 each and he identified raffle awards of "First Prize: $3,000; Second Prize: $2,000; and Third Prize: $1,000." Through the advertisement, Buckingham solicited individuals to help him promote his charitable events, and he provided a contact number. Subsequently, a number of female individuals in the St. Louis area inquired and responded.
Buckingham arranged to meet the individuals who responded at various restaurants and bars in the St. Louis area and introduced himself as "Tyler Matthews." Buckingham claimed to be employed by various government agencies or departments of the United States, including claiming that he served as a United States marine in Afghanistan and Iraq; that he had been injured during the war; and since his return to the United States from overseas, he worked with the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard; including working "undercover" in north St. Louis work infiltrating gangs and otherwise combating crime.Ultimately, Buckingham did not hold a raffle on July 4, 2013, and he distributed no money from the ticket sales to wounded or homeless soldiers, veterans or other military personnel. Buckingham was not, and has never been, employed by the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security. Similarly, he never served in the United States military or the United States Coast Guard.
Buckingham, St. Louis County, pled guilty in August to one felony count of impersonating a federal agent. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.
This case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Drake handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.Leader of “La Onu” Found Guilty for Rico Act ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, after five days of jury trial, the leader of La ONU, Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro, aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” was found guilty of drug trafficking and murder charges. Namely, violations to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR), use of firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of firearms by prohibited persons, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The United States District Court Judge José A. Fusté presided over the trial.
The indictment alleged that from in or around 2004, the leaders of different drug points operating in the metropolitan area formed an alliance. This alliance would help them resolve conflicts between the previously rival drug gangs in a way that would not bring about the attention of local and federal authorities, thus ensuring increased profits from drug sales for all and reducing the risk of charges. It is further alleged that the alliance initially worked, but weakened over time. Several housing project gangs became disgruntled with La ONU and sought to break away from the organization. After several conflicts, La ONU broke into two (2) separate rival factions, La ONU and La Rompe ONU (La Rompe). The housing project gangs were split between those belonging to La ONU and La Rompe.
From the time of the split, the goal of La ONU was to maintain control through the use of force over the drug points in their members’ housing projects, and to kill La Rompe members and leaders in order to expand. Members of La ONU who committed murders and other violent acts were given benefits, including weapons, money and the ability to advance within the criminal enterprise. Though unwritten, the general rules followed by members of La ONU included, but were not limited to: 1) no associating with La Rompe members; 2) kill La Rompe members on sight; 3) no killing of other members of La ONU without leadership authorization; 4) no overtaking housing projects/drug points owned by other members of La ONU; and 5) no cooperating with law enforcement. Any violation of these rules was punishable by death of the violator and/or his/her family members.
During the trial, evidence was presented relating to the defendant’s participation in nine (9) murders, all committed in furtherance of the activities of La ONU. These acts are as follows:
- On or about November 12, 2007, in Puerto Rico, defendant Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” and other ONU members shot and killed Orlando Medina-Serrano.
- In October 2008, Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” tortured and killed Isaac Nair Ortiz-Rivera aka Kiki.
- On or about February 19, 2009, in Puerto Rico, defendant Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” and other ONU members killed Ángel Gonzàlez-Villanueva, aka “Chaple.”
- On or about January 5, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendants Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper”, and others killed Luis Antonio De-Jesús-Pérez.
- On April 2, 2010 Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” participated with ONU members in a drive-by shooting against Puerto Rico Police officers.
- On or about April 8, 2010, in Puerto Rico, Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” ordered ONU members toshoot and killed Victor Vega-Ortega, aka “Victor El Nazi.”
- On or about July 7, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendant Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” and others shot and killed Puerto Rico Police Officer Blanca De Los Santos-Barbosa and Manuel Medina-Rivera.
- On or about August 8, 2010, in Puerto Rico, defendant Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” and others killed Christian Toledo-Sànchez, aka “Pekeke.” During the course of the murder, Luis Gallardo-Rivera, aka “El Tuerto,” was shot and killed by the rival drug gang.
- On December 6, 2010 Jean Carlos Ramos-Piñeiro aka “Jincho”, “Janyi,” “Casper” ordered the murder of Jose Alberto Casanova aka “Picnic,” “Pata Palo,” and ONU member, because he was believed to have become a rival.
“This conviction demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico to eradicate drug trafficking and violent crimes in Puerto Rico. For many years members of LA ONU intimidated the citizens of the metropolitan area with their violence and drug trafficking,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict. We will use all the tools at our disposal to take dangerous criminals off the streets of Puerto Rico, until we break their grip on our communities and bring them to justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jenifer Y. Hernàndez-Vega and Special Assistant US Attorney Victor Acevedo-Hernàndez.
The defendant is facing a sentence of life in prison. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for February 2014.
Leader of Baltimore Heroin Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Darryl Robinson, age 49, of Baltimore, to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.
According to his plea agreement, from January to July 23, 2013, Robinson was a leader and manager of a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin from an open-air drug “shop” in the Poplar Grove neighborhood of Baltimore. Robinson was responsible for coordinating the purchase of narcotics; delivering the narcotics to stash houses throughout Baltimore City; and supervising the street-level dealers who sold heroin to retail customers.
During the conspiracy, Robinson and others conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute at least one kilogram of heroin.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Fuchs and Scott Lemmon, who prosecuted the case.
La Jolla Resident Sentenced for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that United States District Court Judge M. James Lorenz sentenced La Jolla resident Mark Hagen to serve six months in prison for bankruptcy fraud.
Hagen pleaded guilty to fraudulently concealing assets in bankruptcy proceedings, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 152(1), on September 12, 2013. According to Mr. Hagen’s plea agreement, Hagen admitted to knowingly and fraudulently defrauding the Bankruptcy Court and his creditors by hiding and lying about more than $45,000 in federal tax refunds. Specifically, in April 2008, Hagen filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition that was then converted to a Chapter 7 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California. Despite instructions to turn over his tax refunds and questions about their whereabouts, Hagen repeatedly concealed more than $45,000 of tax refunds that he had received from the United States – stating falsely that he had not received any tax refunds during bankruptcy proceedings in May 2009, July 2009, October 2009, and July 2010. In truth, the United States had issued the tax refunds to Hagen in February 2009, and Hagen had endorsed and arranged for the tax refunds to be deposited into a bank account that he controlled in February 2010.
United States Attorney Duffy observed that bankruptcy protection is a privilege afforded to honest individuals who have suffered financial setbacks and not a means to allow the unscrupulous to get out of paying their debts. The United States Attorney=s Office will not turn a blind eye simply because the fraudulently concealed assets are not valued in the millions of dollars. United States Attorney Duffy stated, “Individuals should be put on notice that the bankruptcy process cannot be used to lie to, cheat, and steal from legitimate creditors.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Daphne Hearn, commented, "The bankruptcy process is based on the honor system and when used appropriately allows many debtors to get a fresh start. However, when this trust is abused by debtors intentionally making false statements to the bankruptcy court, the FBI will work with the U.S. Attorney's Office and Bankruptcy Trustee to hold them accountable to ensure the public's continued trust in the bankruptcy process."
The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Acting U.S. Trustee Tiffany L. Carroll stated: “Concealing assets in a bankruptcy proceeding is a crime that threatens the integrity of the bankruptcy process and public confidence in that process. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their commitment to combating bankruptcy fraud and abuse.”
CASE NUMBER: 13-CR-3345-L DEFENDANT Mark Hagen SUMMARY OF CHARGESCharge: Concealment of Assets in Bankruptcy,
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 152(1)Max. penalties: 5 years in prison,
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
3 years of supervised release,
a $250,000 fine, and
a $100 special assessment.Federal Bureau of Investigation
Justice Department Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit Alleging H&R Block’s Tax Preparation Website Is Inaccessible to Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz announced today that they have moved to intervene in National Federation of the Blind et al v. HRB Digital LLC et al, a private lawsuit alleging disability discrimination by HRB Digital LLC and HRB Tax Group Inc., subsidiaries of H&R Block Inc. In the memorandum and proffered complaint filed by the United States in support of its motion to intervene, the United States alleges that the H&R Block companies discriminate against individuals with disabilities and that their website, www.hrblock.com , is being operated in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), notwithstanding well-established and readily available guidelines for delivering web content in an accessible manner. The motion, attached complaint in intervention and supporting memorandum were filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’ Boston Division.
As alleged in the filings today, H&R Block is one of the largest tax return preparers in the United States. Its companies offer a wide range of services through www.hrblock.com , including professional and do-it-yourself tax preparation, instructional videos, office location information, interactive live video conference and chat with tax professionals, hybrid online and in-store services and electronic filing. Their website, however, is not accessible to many individuals with disabilities and prevents some people with disabilities from completing even the most basic activities on the site.
Today’s filings further state that many individuals with disabilities, including, among others, people who are blind, deaf or have physical disabilities with an impact on manual dexterity, use computers and the Internet with the help of assistive technologies. For example, screen reader software makes audible information that is otherwise presented visually on a computer screen; captioning translates video narration and sound into text; and keyboard navigation allows keyboard input rather than a mouse to navigate a website for individuals with visual, hearing or manual dexterity disabilities. Such technologies have been widely used for some time and there are readily available, well-established, consensus-based guidelines – the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 – for making web content accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The complaint in intervention seeks a court order that would ensure that tax services offered through www.hrblock.com are fully and equally accessible to individuals with disabilities. The department also seeks an award of monetary damages for aggrieved individuals, including the two named plaintiffs and a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest.
“The web revolutionizes our lives daily and maximizes our independence in many areas,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “Inaccessible websites of public accommodations are not simply an inconvenience to individuals with disabilities – they deny persons with disabilities access to basic goods and services that people without disabilities take advantage of every day. An inaccessible website can also mean a business loses a customer it never knew it had.”
“We are building an electronic world in which we ever-increasingly live,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts. “All benefit when, as the ADA requires, we build our online businesses, schools and other public spaces in a manner equally accessible to all.”
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations. It also requires public accommodations to take necessary steps to ensure individuals with disabilities are not excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, such as accurate captioning of audible materials and labeling of visual materials.
To find out more about federal disability rights laws, call the department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD) or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov . ADA complaints, including those involving the inaccessibility of www.hrblock.com , may be filed by email to [email protected] .
Accessible versions of the motion to intervene, proposed complaint to intervene and memorandum in support of the motion can be found at www.ada.gov.
Justice Department Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit Alleging H&R Block's Tax Preparation Website Is Inaccessible to Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced today that they have moved to intervene in National Federation of the Blind et al v. HRB Digital LLC et al, a private lawsuit alleging disability discrimination by HRB Digital LLC and HRB Tax Group Inc., subsidiaries of H&R Block Inc. In the memorandum and proffered complaint filed by the United States in support of its motion to intervene, the United States alleges that the H&R Block companies discriminate against individuals with disabilities and that their website, www.hrblock.com, is being operated in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), notwithstanding well-established and readily available guidelines for delivering web content in an accessible manner. The motion, attached complaint in intervention and supporting memorandum were filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’ Boston Division.
As alleged in the filings today, H&R Block is one of the largest tax return preparers in the United States. Its companies offer a wide range of services through www.hrblock.com, including professional and do-it-yourself tax preparation, instructional videos, office location information, interactive live video conference and chat with tax professionals, hybrid online and in-store services and electronic filing. Their website, however, is not accessible to many individuals with disabilities and prevents some people with disabilities from completing even the most basic activities on the site.
Today’s filings further state that many individuals with disabilities, including, among others, people who are blind, deaf or have physical disabilities with an impact on manual dexterity, use computers and the Internet with the help of assistive technologies. For example, screen reader software makes audible information that is otherwise presented visually on a computer screen; captioning translates video narration and sound into text; and keyboard navigation allows keyboard input rather than a mouse to navigate a website for individuals with visual, hearing or manual dexterity disabilities. Such technologies have been widely used for some time and there are readily available, well-established, consensus-based guidelines – the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 – for making web content accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The complaint in intervention seeks a court order that would ensure that tax services offered through www.hrblock.com are fully and equally accessible to individuals with disabilities. The department also seeks an award of monetary damages for aggrieved individuals, including the two named plaintiffs and a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest.
“The web revolutionizes our lives daily and maximizes our independence in many areas,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “Inaccessible websites of public accommodations are not simply an inconvenience to individuals with disabilities – they deny persons with disabilities access to basic goods and services that people without disabilities take advantage of every day. An inaccessible website can also mean a business loses a customer it never knew it had.”
“We are building an electronic world in which we ever-increasingly live,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts. “All benefit when, as the ADA requires, we build our online businesses, schools and other public spaces in a manner equally accessible to all.”
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations. It also requires public accommodations to take necessary steps to ensure individuals with disabilities are not excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, such as accurate captioning of audible materials and labeling of visual materials.
To find out more about federal disability rights laws, call the department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD) or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov. ADA complaints, including those involving the inaccessibility of www.hrblock.com, may be filed by email to [email protected].
Justice Department Charges Minn. Condominium Association, Management Company and Property Manager with Discrimination Against Families with ChildrenRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the homeowner’s association, management company and property manager of a Minnetonka, Minn., condominium complex, alleging that they discriminated against families with children in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
“Families with children should have the same ability to enjoy their homes as all other tenants,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the department’s Civil Rights Division. “The department is committed to enforcing the Fair Housing Act and ensuring that housing providers do not enact policies that discriminate against tenants or deprive tenants of certain amenities due to their familial status.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, involves the Condominiums of Greenbrier Village, a six-building complex that contains approximately 462 condominium units. The lawsuit alleges that the Greenbrier Village homeowners association, property management company Gassen Company Inc. and Gassen employee Diane Brown adopted and enforced policies that discriminatorily limited or prohibited children from playing in the complex’s common grounds.
This lawsuit arose as a result of a complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by one family with children who lives at Greenbrier Village. After HUD investigated the complaint, it issued a charge of discrimination and the matter was referred to the department.
“Housing providers cannot impose more restrictive policies on families with children or evict them simply because their children leave the unit,” said HUD Acting Assistant Secretary Bryan Greene for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD and DOJ are committed to enforcing the fair housing rights of all people, including families with children.”
The lawsuit seeks a court order prohibiting future discrimination by the defendants, monetary damages for those harmed by the defendants’ actions and a civil penalty.
“Each person is entitled to fair treatment under the law, a foundation for all thriving communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John R. Marti of the District of Minnesota. “Unfortunately, families with children may be confronted with discrimination in housing. The Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office will intervene to obtain fair treatment for all Minnesotans.”
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Individ uals who believe they may have been victims of housing discrimination may contact the department at 1-800-896-7743 or by e-mail at [email protected] , or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or through www.hud.gov/fairhousing .
The complaint is an allegation of unlawful conduct. The allegations still must be proven in federal court.
Judge Hands Down Prison Term for Fraud Scheme Involving Former Traffic Court JudgeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA - Lorraine Dispaldo, 58, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for her role in a fraud conspiracy with then-Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Robert Mulgrew. Dispaldo pleaded guilty to a total of 36 counts including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, filing false personal income tax returns, and bankruptcy fraud. Dispaldo and Mulgrew, who is awaiting sentencing, carried out a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (“DCED”). U.S. District Court Judge C. Darnell Jones, II also ordered restitution of $120,865, a $3,600 special assessment and three years of supervised release.
Dispaldo helped orchestrate the scheme to fraudulently receive and misuse Pennsylvania state grant funds awarded to non-profit groups. Between 1996 and 2008, the DCED awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to two community groups with which Mulgrew and Dispaldo were associated. DCED awarded approximately $397,000 in grants to the Community to Police Communications (“CPC”) to be used to purchase communications equipment for the police and to purchase materials to secure vacant lots and buildings for the protection of the police. Dispaldo signed the CPC grant contracts with DCED. Between 1997 and 2007 DCED also awarded approximately $460,000 in grants to the Friends of Dickinson Square (FDS”) to be used for the maintenance of Dickinson Square, at 4th and Tasker Streets, and the surrounding neighborhood. Dispaldo’s codefendant, Mulgrew, signed the FDS grant contracts with DCED.Dispaldo admitted that the grant contracts she submitted misrepresented how the funds would be used. She admitted that, instead of using grant funds exclusively for materials and equipment, as agreed, she instead paid tens of thousands of dollars in CPC and FDS grant funds to Mulgrew’s relatives and associates, including the teenage sons of his friends, and to the State Representative’s life-long friends. Dispaldo wrote over $104,000 of the almost $180,000 in impermissible payments made to persons for neighborhood revitalization “work.” While there were several decent gardens built, some trees planted and much landscaping material purchased, for the most part the activities undertaken primarily served as a “constituent service” clean-up-the-neighborhood-arm for the Representative’s benefit, easy money for favored friends and relatives, a summer make-work program to benefit the teenage sons of Mulgrew’s neighborhood and childhood friends, and some work on private property.
To mask the fact that grant funds were being used improperly, Dispaldo falsified her five
CPC “close out” reports sent to DCED by concealing most of the $104,000 in payments she made to persons from CPC funds and FDS funds during 2005 through September 2010. At times, Dispaldo submitted to DCED inaccurate IRS forms 1099, which document payments to persons, and at other times failed to prepare the forms, as required by law. Dispaldo also improperly paid almost $13,000 in CPC funds to the Representative’s office cleaner and improperly used $4,600 in CPC grant funds over the years to pay for her personal cell phone.To conceal the improper payments Dispaldo made to persons, she also submitted to DCED staggering numbers of duplicate phone invoices. For example, she sent in $91,500 worth of receipts in the close-out report for the third grant in the amount of $90,000, but $41,640 of those receipts were already sent in with either the first or second grant close-out reports. In the fourth close-out report, Dispaldo sent in $87,394 in receipts to satisfy the $50,000 grant, but $46,156 of those were previously sent to the state.
Dispaldo filed false personal income tax returns for tax years 2006 through 2009, and concealed her true income for 2008 and 2009 in a 2010 bankruptcy filing.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Gray.UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525In 61st Year of DOJ Awards Program, Attorney General Holder Recognizes Department Employees and Others for Their ServiceRead the Press Release
Attorney General Eric Holder recognizes 270 Justice Department employees for their distinguished public service today as part of the 61st Annual Attorney General Awards program. In addition, 53 other individuals, including federal employees and civilians, are also honored for their work. These annual awards recognize department employees and other individuals for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.
“Despite significant challenges, evolving threats, and unprecedented budgetary difficulties, these dedicated employees have exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the American people,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Over the past year, each of them has gone above and beyond the call of duty to carry out the Justice Department’s critical mission and protect our fellow citizens. Some of these remarkable men and women have placed their own lives at great risk in order to save others. All of these employees and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in the name of public service. I am proud, and humbled, to count them as colleagues. And I congratulate them on this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.”
Attorney General Holder bestows the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service – the department’s highest award – to two teams this year. The awards are given to teams involved in the defense of the Affordable Care Act and the prosecution of companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the following team for its successful defense of the Affordable Care Act, a landmark piece of legislation. With high stakes and a staggering volume of work to be done, this team withstood intense pressure and showcased superb litigation skills in drafting the law’s defense to constitutional challenges and lawsuits.
From the Civil Division Federal Programs Branch recipients include: Jennifer D. Ricketts, Director; Sheila M. Lieber, Deputy Director; Brian G. Kennedy and Joel McElvain, Senior Trial Counsels; and Eric Beckenhauer, Michelle R. Bennett, Ethan P. Davis, Kimberly Herb, Tamra T. Moore, Scott A. Risner, Justin M. Sandberg, Eric Richardson Womack and Kathryn L. Wyer, Trial Attorneys. From the Appellate Staff of the Civil Division, recipients include: Mark B. Stern and Michael S. Raab, Appellate Litigation Counsels; Alisa B. Klein, Appeals Counsel; and Samantha L. Chaifetz, Anisha Dasgupta and Dana Kaersvang, Trial Attorneys. From the Office of the Solicitor General, recipients include: Edwin S. Kneedler, Deputy Solicitor General, and Joseph R. Palmore, Trial Attorney. From the Office of Legal Counsel, recipients include: Leondra R. Kruger, Deputy Assistant Attorney General. From the Appellate Staff of the Tax Division, recipients include: Gilbert S. Rothenberg, Section Chief; Francesca Ugolini, Attorney; and Teresa E. McLaughlin, Reviewer.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service is also presented to the following team that dedicated itself to the historic prosecution of BP in connection with the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster and its aftermath. From the Deepwater Horizon Task Force, recipients include: John D. Buretta, Director and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division (former); Avi Gesser, Deputy Director and Counsel to the Chief of the Fraud Section (former); and Derek A. Cohen, Deputy Director and Deputy Chief of the Fraud Section (former. From the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Rohan A. Virginkar, Trial Attorney, and Katelynn Loughnane, Paralegal. From the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, recipients include: Colin L. Black, Trial Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, recipients include Scott M. Cullen, Assistant U.S. Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, recipients include: Richard R. Pickens II, Assistant U.S. Attorney. From the New Orleans Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Sandra M. Zulli, Supervisory Special Agent; Kelly C. Bryson, Michael R. Forrester, J.R. Smith, and Jeffrey T. Wright, Special Agents; Barbara G. O’Donnell, Special Agent (retired); and Darrell W. Hill, Intelligence Analyst.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes an extraordinary act of courage and voluntary risk of life during the performance of official duties. One award is presented this year.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism goes to a team of federal, state and local law enforcement officers involved in the apprehension of a dangerous fugitive on Feb. 29, 2012 in Cambridge, Md. The 30-minute gun battle that ensued with the fugitive injured a member of the team, who ultimately was saved by the courageous efforts of his colleagues. After the team member was injured, his colleagues urged him to jump out of a window, where he was quickly rescued and taken to a police vehicle. During the firefight, the injured detective also managed to protect the fugitive’s girlfriend from the ensuing gunfire. From the Investigative Operations Division of the U.S. Marshals Service, recipients include: Barry S. Boright, Supervisory Inspector, and Brian P. Sheppard, Inspector. From the Maryland State Police, recipients include: Christopher Snyder, Senior Trooper. From the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, recipients include: Thomas Funk, Detective. From the Salisbury Police Department, recipients include: Milton Rodriguez, Detective. From the Cambridge Police Department, recipients include: Christopher Flynn and Antoine Patton, Detectives; Justin Todd, Sergeant; and Joseph Jones, Private First Class.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the department. This year, the award is presented to Ronald A. Cimino, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Matters in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division.
Cimino, through his nearly 40-year career, has enabled the government to achieve successful results in many important criminal tax cases, each time demonstrating himself to be a primer criminal litigator and senior manager. Over the course of his service to the department, Cimino has mentored and inspired countless attorneys, and is held in the highest regard within the tax community.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This year’s award is presented to Daniel L. Koffsky, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC). Koffsky is honored for his exceptional contributions to OLC, the department, and the rest of the Executive Branch, including especially the sharing of his expertise across an extremely wide range of legal topics. A living repository of OLC’s precedents and practice, Koffsky has brilliantly served the department and his colleagues. He is a lawyer with the utmost integrity and judgment.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement is an honorary award granted to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. This year’s award is presented to Timothy J. Johnstone, Executive Director of the Sacramento Regional Threat Assessment Center of the Central California Intelligence Center, for his development of the office’s “Fusion Center” model in the Eastern District of California. With his leadership, more than 250 law enforcement agencies over 88,000 square miles and 34 counties have been able to communicate effectively with one another on key law enforcement planning matters.
The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department of Justice, and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the department in the accomplishment of its mission and objectives. This year’s award is presented to Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive Office (former) of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Allen, who served from 1984 until 2012 at the Center, is awarded for his leadership in circulating millions of photos of missing children and increasing the organization’s recovery rate from 62 percent in 1990 to 97 percent today.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Justice Department’s second-highest award for employee performance. The recipients of this award exemplify the highest commitment to the department’s mission. Ten awards are presented this year to individuals and teams.
One award is presented to Richard Zayas, Special Agent in the Special Operations Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Special Agent Zayas displayed exemplary performance in the creation of Operation Gideon, an undercover operation designed to use ATF agents to reduce violent crime and target firearms. Special Agent Zayas directed numerous undercover operations that resulted in 200 defendants being referred for federal prosecution and more than 100 firearms being seized.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is also presented to a team for its extraordinary work in implementing the President’s conclusion that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional and warrants heightened scrutiny. This dedicated team of litigators and staff showed a deep understanding of the law and sound strategic vision in litigating matters ranging from bankruptcy to federal benefits and immigration.
From the Civil Division Office of Immigration Litigation, recipients include: Jeffrey S. Robins, Assistant Director; Aaron S. Goldsmith, Senior Litigation Counsel; and Timothy M. Belsan and Jesi J. Carlson, Trial Attorneys. From the Appellate Staff of the Civil Division, recipients include: Robert E. Kopp, Director (retired); Michael Jay Singer, Assistant Director; and August E. Flentje, Helen L. Gilbert, Adam C. Jed, and Benjamin S. Kingsley (former), Trial Attorneys. From the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division, recipients include: Arthur R. Goldberg, Assistant Director; Christopher R. Hall and Jean Lin, Senior Counsels; Steven Y. Bressler and W. Scott Simpson, Senior Trial Counsels; and Judson O. Littleton, Trial Attorney. From the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, recipients include: Matthew S. Nosanchuk, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General (former). From the Appellate Staff of the Civil Rights Division, recipients include: Holly Thomas, Trial Attorney, and Sharon M. McGowan, Trial Attorney (former). From the Office of the Attorney General, recipients include Jenny R. Mosier, Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General. From the Office of Legal Policy, recipients include: Lamar W. Baker, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (former), and Steven B. Siger, Chief of Staff. From the Office of the Solicitor General, recipients include Pratik A. Shah and Eric J. Feigin, Trial Attorneys. From the Office of the General Counsel for the Executive Office for the U.S. Trustees, recipients include: Lisa A. Tracy, Deputy General Counsel.The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service also is presented to a team of attorneys for their outstanding investigation and litigation in United States v. Wells Fargo Bank. Their efforts led to a settlement of $234 million, including compensation for more than 38,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers nationwide who were systemically steered into subprime mortgage products or charged higher prices because of their race or national origin. From the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, recipients include Eric I. Halperin, Special Counsel for Fair Lending. From the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Civil Rights Division, recipients include Steven H. Rosenbaum, Chief; Jon M. Seward, Deputy Chief; and Elizabeth Parr Hecker, Holly C. Lincoln and Coty R. Montag, Trial Attorneys.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service also goes to a team recognized for their successful investigation and prosecution of Colonial Bank/Taylor, Bean and Whitaker. Within weeks of the cooperation of an insider familiar with the conspirators’ actions during the financial crisis, this dedicated team of prosecutors and federal agents executed search warrants that ultimately led to an indictment returning only 11 months later for wire and securities fraud. From the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Patrick F. Stokes, Deputy Chief, Robert A. Zink, Trial Attorney, Brigham Q. Cannon and Charles D. Reed, Trial Attorneys (former), and Jennifer Z. Gindin, Paralegal Specialist (former); From the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Jeannette M. Gunderson, Acting Assistant Deputy Chief. From the Appellate Staff of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Kirby A. Heller, Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, recipients include: Charles F. Connolly, Chief of the Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit (former); Paul J. Nathanson, Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Lisa K. Porter, Paralegal Specialist. From the Operational Technology Division of the FBI, recipients include: W.L. Scott Bean III, Section Chief. From the Washington Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: John M. Gardner, Special Agent, and Scott J. Turner, Special Agent (retired). From the Office of Inspector General of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, recipients include: Peter C. Emerzian, Deputy Inspector General of Investigations; Paul G. Conlon, Supervisory Special Agent; Timothy A. Mowery, Senior Special Agent; and Kari E. Meyer and David A. Mosakowski, Special Agents. From the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, recipients include: C. Ed Slage, Special Agent in Charge. From the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, recipients include: John T. Crawford, Senior Special Agent.
Also being awarded with the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for their outstanding and historic achievement in successful investigation and prosecuting GlaxoSmithKline is a team of attorneys nominated for their exceptional creativity, determination and perseverance in resolving the largest health care fraud settlement in department history. The $3 billion civil and criminal resolution will significantly deter future pricing misconduct and future fraud by pharmaceutical companies who withhold important safety information about their products and seek to manipulate the marketplace. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, recipients include: Sara Miron Bloom, Brian Pérez-Daple, Amanda Strachan, Susan G. Winkler and Edwin G. Winstead, Assistant U.S. Attorneys. From the Consumer Protection Branch of the Civil Division, recipients include: David A. Frank and Patrick Jasperse, Trial Attorneys. From the Civil Fraud Section of the Civil Division, recipients include: Andy J. Mao and Jamie Ann Yavelberg, Assistant Directors; and Charles J. Biro, Natalie A. Priddy, Douglas J. Rosenthal, Lisa Katz Samuels and Jeffrey A. Toll, Trial Attorneys.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service also is presented to a team responsible for the successful investigation and conviction of Jared Lee Loughner, an Arizona man who attempted to assassinate Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others at a mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz. In the wake of this tragedy, the team demonstrated skill, professionalism and compassion in dutifully carrying out their responsibilities. Due to the team’s efforts, Loughner was sentenced to serve seven consecutive life terms and an additional 140 consecutive years in prison. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, recipients include: Wallace H. Kleindienst, Senior Litigation Counsel; Mary Sue Feldmeier, Beverly K. Anderson, Christina M. Cabanillas and Bruce M. Ferg, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Shawn M. Cox, Victim Witness Coordinator; Delores J. Arter and Mary-Anne Estrada, Victim Witness Specialists; Thomas J. Jefferson, Victim Witness Specialist (former); Wendy A. Dolph, Supervisory Legal Assistant; Celeste Maniscalco, Legal Assistant; and Sylvia Romero, Appellate Paralegal Specialist. From the Tucson Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Tony M. Taylor Jr. and Alan P. Misiaszek, Special Agents.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service also goes to a team involved in the successful investigation and prosecution of public officials in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, effectively ending the reign of a corrupt regime in the state’s largest county. This team proved at several trials that a County Commissioner orchestrated a decade-long racketeering conspiracy that involved almost 20 separate schemes and more than 100 bribes. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, recipients include: Antoinette T. Bacon, Henry DeBaggis, Nancy L. Kelley, Sharon L. Long, Robert J. Patton, Justin J. Roberts, Ann C. Rowland and Bernard A. Smith, Assistant U.S. Attorneys. From the Cleveland Division of the FBI, recipients include: Gregory D.L. Curtis, Melissa L. Fortunato, Raymond Michael Massie, Kirk P. Spielmaker and William M. Werner, Special Agents. From the Wilmington Resident Agency of the FBI, recipients include: Christine C. Oliver, Special Agent. From the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. Department of Treasury, recipients include: Kelly D. Fatula, Special Agent.
Also awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service are members of a team that demonstrated exemplary performance in Operation Red Coalition, an investigation into Manssor Arbabsiar, a 56-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran who attempted to hire a Mexican drug dealer to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. The team’s dedicated service helped to foil the elaborate plan coordinated in part by members of the highest levels of the Iranian government. From the Houston Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Christopher G. Raia and O. Robert Woloszyn, Special Agents; Kenneth S. Smith, Intelligence Analyst; and Patricia Swagerty, Forensic Accountant. From the Detroit Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Matthew Aken, Special Agent. From the Washington Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Thatcher P. Mohajerin, Assistant Special Agent in Charge. From the Security Division of the FBI, recipients include: Luis G. Ortiz, Supervisory Special Agent. From the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI, recipients include: April Yufeng Qian and Liane K. Roach, Intelligence Analysts. From the Baghdad Attaché for the International Operations Division of the FBI, recipients include: James F. Walsh Jr., Supervisory Special Agent. From the Office of the General Counsel of the FBI, recipients include: John B. O’Keefe, General Attorney. From the Houston Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), recipients include: James R. Thornton and Nathaniel C. Fountain, Special Agents. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, recipients include: Edward Y. Kim and Glen A. Kopp, Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
Also awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is Dean C. Sovolos, Special Agent in the New York
Field Office of the FBI. Special Agent Sovolos is nominated for his role as a program manager on the New York Field Office Counterterrorism squad for the United Kingdom (UK) portfolio. The UK is widely deemed to be one of the most important international partners in fighting terrorism, and the United States’ relationship with the UK serves as a model for other European nations. Moreover, Special Agent Sovolos has worked to disrupt terrorist cells and enhance the FBI’s relationship with the UK. He manages a caseload of more than 15 investigations and has advanced matters of significance to the United States.The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service also goes to the team responsible for ensuring that the department sustained its clean financial audit opinion. This opinion matters as it demonstrates to the American taxpayers that the department’s finances associated with a $28 billion budget are sound. In the face of shrinking resources and avenues to conduct audit reviews and evaluate internal controls, the team was able to design and deploy many cost saving initiatives that did not jeopardize the outcome of the audit. From the Quality Control and Compliance Group of the Financial Staff in the Justice Management Division, recipients include: Stephanie A. Irby, Assistant Director; Yolanda Little, Deputy Assistant Director; Vu C. Truong, Supervisory Computer Specialist; and Lauren M. Webster, Accountant. From the Financial Statements Group of the Finance Staff of the Justice Management Division, recipients include: Valerie D. Grant, Assistant Director; David M. Bethea, Deputy Assistant Director; and Jerri N. Jones, Accountant.
The Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice. Two awards are presented this year.
The Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to the team that investigated organized drug crime in Florida and had a far reaching impact, from Miami Dade and Broward Counties to Colombia, Mexico, Amsterdam, Spain and Greece. Due to the highly competent nature of their undercover investigations, several drug “kingpins,” operating abroad to complicate prosecutorial efforts, were foiled and their operations crippled, preventing thousands of kilograms of cocaine and other drugs from becoming available. From the Miami Field Division of the DEA, recipients include: Daniel G. Escobar, Group Supervisor; and Scott G. Meisel, Christopher C. Goumenis, Victoria J. Metker, Kirk L. Johnson, and Kristine E. Kibble, Special Agents. From the North Miami Beach Police Department, recipients include: William Beauparlant, Sergeant, and Sergio Diaz, Task Force Agent. From the North Bay Village Police Department, recipients include: John Costa, Task Force Agent. From the Coconut Creek Police Department, recipients include: Kevin Vernetti, Sergeant.
Another Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to John Jaehnig, Senior Inspector of the U.S. Marshals Service’s Investigative Operations Division, for going above and beyond the call of duty to bring justice to those wanted for the kidnapping and murder of two witnesses in a shooting trial. After leads began to diminish, Senior Inspector Jaehnig’s investigative efforts narrowed down the search for the two kidnapped women and he ultimately developed information which led authorities to a Detroit city park on March 28, 2012, where the young ladies’ remains were recovered. His investigative measures also led to an additional suspect who had been hired to commit these crimes. His efforts resulted in the conviction of all five defendants involved.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by department employees who demonstrate the department’s commitment to fighting crime in Indian Country. This award is being presented to a team of dedicated department attorneys and staff who fought to combat violence against Native American women. Due to their exceptional work, tribes will be able to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence in Indian Country for the first time in decades. This system-wide change in Indian Country will hold accountable all perpetrators of domestic and dating violence against women regardless of race or tribal affiliation.
From the Office of the Associate Attorney General, recipients include: Samuel Hirsch, Deputy Associate Attorney General. From the Office of Violence Against Women, recipients include: Virginia S. Davis, Deputy Director for Policy Development and Communication; Lorraine P. Edmo, Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs; and Jennifer E. Kaplan, Supervisory Attorney-Advisor. From the Appellate Staff of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Richard A. Friedman, Appellate Attorney. From the Office of Legal Education in the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, recipients include: Leslie A. Hagen, National Indian Country Training Coordinator. From the Office of the Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Justice Programs, recipients include: Eugenia Tyner-Dawson, Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs. From the Office of Public Affairs, recipients include: Wyn Hornbuckle, Public Affairs Specialist. From the Office of Tribal Justice, recipients include: Tracy S. Toulou, Director, and Gaye L. Tenoso, Deputy Director. From the Office of Legislative Affairs, recipients include: Rita Aguilar, Attorney-Advisor (former). From the Office of Legal Counsel, recipients include: Zachary Price, Attorney-Advisor (former).The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements that have significantly improved operations and productivity, or reduced costs.
John Ely, a Management and Program Analyst in the Office of Security and Technology of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is awarded the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management for his outstanding work and research into new security technologies, as applied in the correctional environment. His dedication in researching and implementing these new technologies has led to increased safety and protection of staff, inmates and the public. Ely's skill in fostering partnerships with law enforcement experts, technologists, and equipment manufacturers has benefitted the department and federal prisons, ensuring that they remain on the forefront of any developments and advancements in correctional security and employee safety.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve operations and productivity, reduce or avoid costs and solve problems. This award is presented to one team this year.
The team awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology led the adoption of a next generation case management system for the FBI. In late 2010, when the Information Technology Branch Sentinel Agile Team assumed responsibility for the new system, it had minimal workflow capability. Upon their successful efforts, the system was fully implemented in July of 2012 and became the FBI’s case management system of record. Due to their dedicated service to the FBI, the system reduces the time it takes to serialize a case and dramatically shortens the time necessary to share information between field offices, agents and intelligence analysts. With the critical nature and complexity of today’s threats, this new management system enables the FBI to coordinate case information across the globe and is one of the most sweeping technological contributions to its mission in the agency’s history.
From the Denver Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Nathan Burrows and Dorian Deligeorges, Special Agents. From the Las Vegas Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Scott M. Baugher, Special Agent. From the Charlotte Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Ronald L. Godfrey, Special Agent. From the Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Nathaniel Le, Supervisory Special Agent. From the Sacramento Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Tiffany Kelley Martin, Special Agent. From the Directorate of Intelligence, recipients include: Debra McDougall, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst. From the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI, recipients include: Timothy P. Bell, Supervisory Special Agent. From the Information Technology Services Division of the FBI, recipients include: Michael J. Malinowski, Assistant Section Chief. From the Information Technology Management Division of the FBI, recipients include: Caryl T. Tallon, Unit Chief, and Robert T. Blake, Special Assistant. From the Information Technology Engineering Division of the FBI, recipients include: Erich Wiederhold, Supervisory Special Agent; Kevin Matthew Tunks, Supervisory Information Technology Specialist; and Susan Dawn High and Michael R. Kenney, Information Technology Specialists.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. Two awards are presented this year.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is presented to the team that successfully convicted Mahamud Said Omar, after a nearly five-year investigation into men traveling from Minneapolis to Somalia to join the foreign terrorist organization al-Shabaab. This dedicated team of attorneys and agents crippled this recruitment program and convicted eight defendants responsible for its administration. Their efforts also resulted in cooperation from several witnesses, which provided the United States with a significant window into the activities of al-Shabaab’s leadership and the foreign fighters under their direction.
From the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division (NSD), recipients include: William M. Narus, Trial Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, recipients include: LeeAnn K. Bell, Charles J. Kovats, Jr. and John F. Docherty, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; and W. Anders Folk, Assistant U.S. Attorney (retired). From the Minneapolis Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Earl Kent Wilson, Supervisory Special Agent; and Michael N. Cannizzaro Jr., Karie A. Gibson, Jeffrey T. Moniz, Patrick M. Rielly, Harry M. Samit, Kiann Vandenover and Scott L. Zimmerman, Special Agents. From the U.S. Department of the Army, recipients include: Corrine M. Tullos, Special Agent. From the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, recipients include: Bradley A. Otremba, Task Force Officer and Investigator.
Another team receiving the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is a team that investigated and prosecuted Khalid Ali Aldawsari, who attempted to construct a powerful improvised explosive device to target high profile locations, including the residence of a former President of the United States. With extensive coordination and technical expertise, Aldawsari was convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to life in prison for his actions.
From the Counterterrorism Section of the NSD, recipients include: David P. Cora, Trial Attorney, and Pamela J. Hall, Legal Administrative Specialist. From the Office of Intelligence of the NSD, recipients include: Robert J. Lloyd, Supervisory Attorney-Advisor, and Charles E. Luftig, Attorney-Advisor. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, recipients include: Linda C. Groves and Denise Williams, Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Jeffrey R. Haag and Matthew Kacsmaryk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; and Clyde Richard Baker, Assistant U.S. Attorney (retired). From the Dallas Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Kevin L. Gentry, Kathryn A. Hughes, Michael N. Orndorff and Loretta Smitherman, Special Agents. From the Laboratory Division of the FBI, recipients include: W. Mark Whitworth, Supervisory Special Agent, and Robert F. Mothershead II, Supervisory Chemist. From the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI, recipients include: R. David Collins, Unit Chief, and Michael Bonsiewich, Intelligence Analyst. From the Office of the General Counsel of the FBI, recipients include: Sunjeet Singh Randhawa, General Attorney.
The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This year’s recipient is a team of department staff who provided an exceptional Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program in the Richmond Field Office of the FBI that worked towards achieving diversity and inclusion in the FBI. Each member of this program team volunteered and commendably balanced their full-time jobs with the additional EEO program duties. In 2012, the EEO committee acknowledged every federally recognized observance with educational events meant to inspire communication and raise awareness of cultural differences amongst employees. This feat is remarkable considering the field office operates without a budget for EEO programming and all costs for the events were borne through the generosity of employees and committee members. From the Richmond Field Office of the FBI, recipients include: Antoinette L. Allen, Administrative Officer; Christopher A. Thurston, Operational Support Technician; Hannah Bradley Gray, Intelligence Analyst; Freddie Hornedo, Information Technology Specialist; and Tijwana L. Simmons, Secretary.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support in the Paralegal Category goes to the Land Acquisition Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s (ENRD) Betty R. Wilson, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist. For almost 40 years, Wilson has been an integral part of every federal eminent domain case brought on behalf of the United States. Without her tireless work and dedication, the ENRD Land Acquisition Section would not have been as successful in accomplishing critical land acquisitions, such as the Border Fence Initiative, vital military training, environmental preservation and development of the Flight 93 National Memorial.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by an administrative employee or secretary. This year, the award goes to four recipients, two in the Administrative category and two in the Secretarial category. The Administrative category awardees include, Mary Sipe, Security Specialist for the Security and Emergency Planning Staff of the Justice Management Division; and Donna Gale Wright, Administrative Officer in the Memphis Regional Office of the U.S. Trustee Program. The Secretarial category awardees include: Estelle Brown, Secretary in the National Courts Section of the Commercial Litigation Section of the Civil Division; and Shanedda L. Bogan, Staff Assistant in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the ENRD.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department of Justice attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. This year, the award goes to Robin C. Ashton, Counsel in the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Ashton is awarded for her tireless and dedicated efforts to ensure that department attorneys and agents maintain and are held accountable to the highest standards of professional responsibility. Through skillful and creative management, she has enabled OPR to reduce its backlogged investigations and inquiries while producing thorough, well-reasoned reports of its investigations.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act Administration recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. This year’s recipient is Varudhini Chilakamarri, Trial Attorney in the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division. In less than one year, Chilakmarri has provided exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and has effected significant institutional changes that have fostered more coordinated, timely, and accurate responses to FOIA requesters. The policies she has enacted have ensured that department leadership offices are well-informed about the department’s FOIA requests and has improved the Office of Information Policy’s ability to facilitate coordination between components where needed.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white-collar crimes, and official corruption. Awards are presented to two teams this year.
An award is presented to the team that spearheaded an investigation into a local law enforcement entity that was engaging in a high volume of anti-money laundering operations without required federal oversight. As a result, this team facilitated the department’s recovery of approximately $1.2 million in Equitable Sharing Program funds from that law enforcement entity. From the Investigations Division of the Miami Field Office of the Office of the Inspector General, recipients include Matthew L. McCloskey, Special Agent. From the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Gene Patton, Assistant Deputy Chief.
Also receiving the Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is the team leading efforts to prosecute tax refund fraud committed through identity theft, which victimizes unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens and steals billions of dollars from the government. This team brought great expertise and energy to the prosecution of individuals and groups who commit these crimes by pushing for long prison sentences that serve as a strong deterrent for would-be future offenders. From the Southern Region of the Criminal Enforcement Section of the Tax Division, recipients include: Larry J. Wszalek, Assistant Chief; and Michael C. Boteler, Charles M. Edgar Jr., Justin K. Gelfand, and Jason H. Poole, Trial Attorneys. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama, recipients include: Todd A. Brown, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the department in the accomplishment of these programs. This year’s award is to a team of individuals responsible for a collaborative effort to reduce youth violence in New York City. This team founded the Saturday Night Lights program led by the Juvenile Justice and Reentry Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The partnership of this program with local law enforcement and social service agencies helps reduce youth violence and increase high school graduation rates of students in Manhattan, N.Y.
From the New York Field Division of the DEA, recipients include: Wilbert L. Plummer, Associate Special Agent in Charge, and Michael Abraham Jr., Special Agent. From the New York County District Attorney’s Office, recipients include: Cyrus R. Vance Jr., District Attorney; Chauncey Parker, Executive Assistant District Attorney for Crime Prevention Strategies; Estelle Strykers, Director; and Joselinne Minaya, Supervisor. From the Community Affairs Bureau of the New York City Police Department, recipients include: Philip Banks, Chief, and Kevin O’Connor, Assistant Commissioner for Juvenile Justice. From the New York City Housing Authority, recipients include: John Rhea, Commissioner. From Pro Hoops Inc., recipients include: Ross Burns, Director. From AllStarr Volleyball, recipients include: Reilly Starr, Managing Director. From the Police Athletic League, recipients include: Alana Sweeny, Executive Director. From the Henry Street Settlement, recipients include: Greg Rideout, Deputy Program Officer for Youth Services and Workforce Development. From the Supportive Children Advocacy Network, recipients include: Lew Zuchman, Executive Director. From Children’s Village, recipients include: Tonyna McGhee, Assistant Vice President and Director.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Wage Grade System Employee recognizes extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. One award is presented this year to Anthony Thomas Naumoff, Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor, in the Facilities and Logistics Services Division of the FBI. Naumoff is awarded for his responsibility to all around-the-clock mission critical facility operations at the FBI’s headquarters building. When a potentially devastating leak threatened the operations of critical infrastructure, Naumoff quickly solved the issue and prevented a major failure of communications that would have threatened the FBI’s day-to-day mission.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. Recipients include: Colleen Melody, Trial Attorney for the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Civil Rights Division; James M. Crotty, Intelligence Research Specialist in the Intelligence Division of the DEA; Timothy C. Perry, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California; and Ashley Lauren Hall, Victim Specialist in the New Haven Field Office of the FBI.
The John Marshall Awards are the Department of Justice’s highest awards offered to attorneys, for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Thirteen awards in nine categories are presented this year.
The John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to attorneys from the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin for their extraordinary work to secure justice in United States v. Cates, a matter involving the sexual assault of a victim by an individual using his enforcement authority as a Milwaukee police officer. Seizing on the defendant’s inconsistent statements, the team of attorneys established that the victim had been truthful about the event. After a hotly contested trial, the jury convicted the defendant for raping the victim, and sentenced him to serve 24 years in prison. From the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, recipients include: Saeed Mody, Trial Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, recipients include: Mel S. Johnson, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is also presented to a team of attorneys from the Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Texas and the District of Columbia for the successful prosecution of Allen Stanford, a perpetrator of one of the largest white collar crimes in history. The tenacity and skill of this team of attorneys directly led to a 110-year prison conviction for devastating the lives of over 30,000 victims in a fraudulent scheme that cost the perpetrator’s investors more than $7 billion in losses. Over the course of two hard-fought jury trials, this team’s work ethic and meticulous attention to detail proved successful in finding justice for these victims. From the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division, recipients include: Jeffrey A. Goldberg and William J. Stellmach, Deputy Chiefs, and Andrew H. Warren, Trial Attorney. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, recipients include: Jason S. Varnado, Senior Litigation Counsel; Kristine E. Rollinson, Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Gregg J. Costa, Assistant U.S. Attorney (former). From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, recipients include: Kondi Kleinman, Assistant U.S. Attorney and former Trial Attorney for the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.
The John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation was awarded to members of the team that successfully negotiated the consent decree that will lead to the reform of the New Orleans Police Department after months of intense negotiation and a long history of civil rights violations within the NOPD. The team worked for nearly three years to address the problems within the NOPD, resulting in a consent decree that was the broadest ever entered by the department to correct a police pattern or practice authority. These efforts worked to ensure that law enforcement agencies respect the civil rights of all individuals. From the Office of the Assistant Attorney General, recipients include: Roy L. Austin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General. From the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, recipients include: Christy E. Lopez and Shaheena A. Simons, Deputy Chiefs; and Emily A. Gunston, Corey M. Sanders and Jude J. Volek, Trial Attorneys. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, recipients include: Stephen C. Parker, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Another John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is awarded to an attorney from the department’s Office of International Affairs, Mary D. Rodriguez. In little more than a decade, Rodriguez has transformed the United States? extradition relationship with Mexico from a hit-or-miss effort in which a mere dozen fugitives were extradited in 2000, to a record 115 fugitives in 2012 returned to the United States to face trial in federal and state courts. In those years, which ultimately saw the extradition of nearly 800 defendants to the United States, Ms. Rodriguez, tackled every challenge, secured landmark decisions in the Mexican Supreme Court, and met every setback with greater determination to succeed. In each case she used her experience as a federal prosecutor, as well as her deep knowledge of Mexican law and political structures, to solve legal problems and overcome bureaucratic inertia to capitalize on the law enforcement cooperation that emerged in Mexico.
The John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to the Deputy Chief of the Capital Case Section of the Criminal Division, Gwynn “Charlie” Kinsey, for his exceptional contributions to pursuing capital punishment in the most significant violent crime cases handled by department prosecutors. With more than 22 years of experience in capital matters, his holistic approach to providing guidance to federal prosecutors requires extraordinary commitment and persistence. While being asked over the past two years to significantly increase the amount of litigation-related guidance he provides to federal prosecutors, Kinsey also continues to shoulder his policy and protocol review responsibilities on behalf of the department. His work has substantially contributed to the strong partnership between the Criminal Division and the United States Attorney’s Offices, and the result of this collaboration has been the successful prosecution of numerous significant violent crime cases.
The John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is also presented to Michael K. Baker, Georgia Garthwaite, Michael J. Krainak and Erika B. Kranz, Trial Attorneys in the Land Acquisition Section of the ENRD. This team of attorneys is awarded for their devotion to acquiring land for critical military training, including of approximately 2,560 acres within the El Centro Naval Air Facility for training use. After months of extensive discovery, motion practice, and expert witness preparation, the landowners agreed to an almost unprecedented settlement whereby they accepted only $300,000 more than the United States? initial deposit, and nearly 85 percent less than their own final valuation. The landowners originally valued the property and mining interests at several hundred million dollars and then settled at $1.5 million based on the hard work, dedication and successful investigation and negotiation by these award recipients. During these times of significant financial concerns, the nominees played a vital role in ensuring the Navy obtained property needed for military training, while also saving the government millions of dollars.
The John Marshall Award for the Handling of Appeals is presented to Alexander P. Robbins, a Trial Attorney in the Criminal Appeals and Tax Enforcement Policy Section of the Tax Division. Robbins is awarded for his extraordinary service to the department for representing the government on tax matters before the Supreme Court and other appellate and district courts. He has handled the most difficult tax matters for the department, including successfully advancing the application of the required records doctrine to grand jury subpoenas issued in international tax cases.
This year’s John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to a team of attorneys for their outstanding work in developing the department’s tribal eagle feathers enforcement policy. This team created the first-ever formal department policy statement addressing the ability of members of federally-recognized Indian tribes to possess or use eagle feathers. The awardees coordinated and worked closely with tribal groups to balance the interest of tribes with the enforcement interests of the department and wildlife laws. From the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the ENRD, recipients include: Ethan G. Shenkman, Deputy Assistant Attorney General. From the Indian Resource Section of the ENRD, recipients include: S. Craig Alexander, Chief. From the Law and Policy Section of ENRD, recipients include: Karen M. Wardzinksi, Chief; Amber Blaha, Assistant Chief; and Stacy R. Stoller, Trial Attorney. From the Environmental Crimes Section of the ENRD, recipients include: Stacy H. Mitchell, Chief, and Elinor Colbourn, Assistant Chief. From the Office of Tribal Justice, recipients include: Christopher Brent Chaney, Deputy Director (former).
The John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is awarded to Nathan A. Forrester, an Attorney-Adviser in the Office of Legal Counsel. In his role as editor of published Office of Legal Counsel opinions, he is clearing away the publication backlog. In addition, his self-initiated work in compiling, analyzing, and producing a volume of OLC opinions from 1934-1977 is making an important historic contribution. Forrester deftly and fairly supervises the other Attorney-Advisers in the Office who look to his example and wisdom for guidance in their own work. Despite a massive workload, his work is always of the highest quality and his love of the Constitution and its history makes him a model of government lawyering.
The John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Daniel H. Claman, Assistant Deputy Chief for the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the Criminal Division. Claman is nominated for his exemplary work in implementing the Department’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and using civil forfeiture actions to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption. He is a leader in the forfeiture of foreign corruption, and in the return of those ill-gotten gains to the victims of these crimes.
The John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution recipient is L. Misha Preheim, Senior Trial Counsel in the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division, for his work in resolving the disputes of military personnel who were challenging the Department of Defense’s decision to award only one-half separation pay upon their discharge from the military pursuant to the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Preheim spearheaded the drive to resolve this case and brokered a framework that provided for payment to a large number of former service members who, without Preheim’s efforts, were likely to wait a substantial period of time for relief through the courts or military review boards.
The John Marshall Interagency Cooperation in Support of Litigation Award goes to Luke B. Marsh, Chief Trial Attorney for the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, for his work in addressing schemes to manipulate LIBOR interest rates. Marsh is nominated for his exceptional assistance to the department in the high-profile investigations and prosecutions of individuals, multi-national banks and other financial institutions engaged in wide-ranging and complex schemes to manipulate LIBOR and other benchmark interest rates affecting trillions of dollars of loans, mortgages and complex financial products worldwide. He has been one of the lead prosecutors on this matter from the inception of the investigations, and was responsible for investigating more than 20 banks and hundreds of individuals involved in the scheme.
Also awarded the John Marshall Interagency Cooperation in Support of Litigation Award is a team of attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for their exemplary partnership in supporting the district’s violent crime reduction initiative. This team is responsible for prosecuting more than 500 individuals as part of an effort to target violent criminals and halt the surging murder rate in Puerto Rico. From November 2011 until December 2012, the team achieved an almost perfect conviction rate, and the targeted areas of San Juan, Bayamon, Caguas, Carolina and Ponce have seen a combined decrease in the number of homicides of 25 percent, amounting to 150 fewer murders when compared to the murder rate in 2011. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, recipients include: Victor O. Acevedo, Max Perez-Bouret, Amanda C. Soto, Maria L. Montanez and Kelly Zenón, Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
Huntington Man Gets Federal Prison Time for Selling HeroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A 40-year-old man was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison today for selling heroin to a police informant, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Michael Duane Dixon, of Huntington, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin in August.
On August 27, 2012, Dixon was contacted by a confidential informant working in cooperation with the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force to arrange a heroin transaction. After speaking by telephone, Dixon and the informant met at a predetermined location in the vicinity of 11th Avenue and 22nd Street in Huntington. Dixon sold five grams of heroin to the police informant in exchange for $1,000.
In addition, Dixon is responsible for selling oxycodone, crack cocaine and heroin on May 31, 2010 and September 4, 2012.
The Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.
Houston Woman Indicted for Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Simone Nicole Gary, 35, of Houston, has been arrested following the return of a 35-count indictment alleging multiple counts of mail fraud, Social Security fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The sealed indictment, returned Nov. 20, 2013, was unsealed today upon her arrest. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge George Hanks at 2:00 p.m.
The indictment alleges that between July 2009 and August 2012, Gary used the name and personal identifiers such as the Social Security number of another individual to obtain employment at Houston area medical clinics. She then allegedly submitted fraudulent applications to the American Kidney Fund for grants to patients to assist with the dialysis treatments. The American Kidney Fund then sent grant checks to Gary who then allegedly used the funds for her personal benefit.The indictment alleges 27 counts of mail fraud, two counts of Social Security Fraud and six counts of identity theft.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of mail fraud as well as up to five years imprisonment for each count of Social Security fraud. For the aggravated identity theft, she faces an additional two years on each count, upon conviction, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All charges also carry a possible $250,000 fine if convicted.
The indictment also contains a notice of forfeiture of $55,191.53.
The case was investigated by Secret Service and Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Braddock.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Hamburg Woman Sentenced for Role in Tax SchemeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Sheri L. Becirovic, 47, of Hamburg, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the government, was sentenced to time served by Chief U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny. The defendant has been in prison for 12 months. Becirovic was also ordered to pay $24,341.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant obtained the social security numbers of seven family members and friends. Becirovic provided those numbers, in addition to her own social security number, to a co-conspirator, Clifton Jackson, who used them to file fraudulent tax returns for the tax year 2011.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent- in-Charge Toni M. Weirauch, and the United States Postal Inspection Service under the direction of Kevin Niland, Inspector in Charge, Boston Division.Gunman Exiled to 32 Years in Prison for MurderRead the Press Release
Admitted to Murdering Two Men in Furtherance of a Drug Conspiracy
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Kyle Stevens, a/k/a Cappo, age 23, of Remington, Maryland, today to 32 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for discharging a gun, thereby killing Keith Ray, a/k/a Keithy.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.
According to his plea agreement, on September 21, 2007, Stevens fatally shot Keith Ray, in a wooded area off the 600 block of Wyman Park Drive in Baltimore. The body was found under a pile of logs a few days later on September 25. An autopsy revealed that Mr. Ray died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Stevens also admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, powder and crack cocaine, and oxycodone and that, in furtherance of the drug conspiracy, on January 24, 2006, Stevens used a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun to murder James Wright, a/k/a Ronnie Mo; and a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun to murder Keith Ray.
Mr. Rosenstein praised the FBI, ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Robert R. Harding and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Georgia Man Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Possessing 216 Stolen Social Security ChecksRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Terry Ulysses Morris, 50, of Lithonia, Ga., was sentenced Wednesday, November 20, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 45 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing stolen U.S. mail. He pleaded guilty July 30, 2013.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, authorities pulled over Morris’ vehicle during a traffic stop on January 18, 2012, as he was driving eastbound on Interstate 10 through Calcasieu Parish. A strong odor of marijuana prompted authorities to ask Morris if they could search the vehicle. Authorities found two sacks containing 216 U.S. Treasury checks that had not been cashed. The checks were from Social Security Administration accounts with Georgia addresses. The face value for the checks totaled $144,920. Morris admitted that he traveled to Houston to find someone to cash or buy the checks. He could not find buyers because the checks were so old that most of the intended recipients had requested that replacement checks be issued. Morris was driving back to Georgia when he was stopped in Calcasieu Parish.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Calcasieu Anti-drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Four-Time Baltimore Felon Exiled to 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of A GunRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Kentwan Russell, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Blake enhanced Russell’s sentence upon finding that Russell is an armed career criminal based on three previous drug convictions. Russell has been detained since his arrest on federal charges on September 15, 2011.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts.According to information presented to the Court, on December 15, 2010, Baltimore Police detectives went to a residence in Baltimore to locate Russell, who had an open arrest warrant for burglary. Officers found Russell in the home and twice ordered Russell to raise his hands above his head. Russell refused to comply, so the officers employed a taser. As they did so, the officers saw a silver handgun in Russell’s waistband. Russell attempted to run away, but was placed under arrest and the gun - a 9mm handgun, loaded with five rounds – was recovered.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.
Four Sentenced in Mortgage Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. Four defendants in Wichita have been sentenced in a mortgage fraud case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
All four defendants pleaded guilty and admitted co-defendant Manjur Alam recruited them to take part in a fraudulent scheme to obtain mortgage loans. Manjur devised the scheme to defraud lenders by falsifying loan applications and supporting documents.
Those sentenced Monday were:
Christopher Ginyard, 27, Wichita, two years supervised release and $40,000.
Henry Pearson, Jr., 29, Wichita, two years supervised release and $56,000 restitution.
Henry Pearson, Sr., Wichita, two years supervised release and $55,180 restitution.
Bruce Dykes, 45, Wichita, two years supervised release and $14,872 restitution.Ginyard, Dykes and Henry Pearson, Sr., each pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Henry Pearson, Jr., pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
Henry Pearson, Sr., made a false statement that he would live in the property he was buying. In fact, he rented it to a third party. Based on the false statements, Lehman Brothers Bank wired $138,330.55 to Lawyer's Title escrow for the purchase of 8431 Hildreth in Wichita.
Henry Pearson, Jr., submitted a false verification of rent and a false letter of credit and made a false statement that he intended to live in the property at 1510 N. Market in Wichita. When the home was eventually foreclosed on, the bank suffered a loss of $56,000.
Christopher Ginyard falsely identified two employments in his loan application and made a false statement that he intended to live in the property at 2050 Santa Fe in Wichita. Based on the false statements, First Tennessee Bank made a payment of $72,865.75 to Kansas Secured Title=s escrow account.
Bruce Dykes obtained an $80,285 loan from First Horizon Home Loans through First Tennessee Bank that was based on a false loan application. Alam submitted a false verification of rent, a false letter of credit and a false loan application to obtain Dykes’ loan.
Co-defendant Manjur Alam, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, is set for sentencing Jan. 27.
Co-defendant Steven Pelz, who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, is set for sentencing Dec. 16.Co-defendant Janice Young is awaiting sentencing
Grissom commended the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Finance Agency - OIG, the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.
Former United Airlines Flight Attendant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Making Bogus Bomb Threats Aimed at His Former EmployerRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES -- A German national who used to work for United Airlines was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for making false bomb threats against flights operated by the international air carrier.
Patrick Cau, who is also known as Patrick Kaiser, 40, of Dallas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II.
Cau pleaded guilty in August to one count of false information and hoaxes. While Cau pleaded guilty to one felony count, in a plea agreement filed in federal court, he admitted making eight bomb threats against United from October 2012 through January 2013.
In the first phone call, on October 4, 2012, Cau used a pay phone near his home to call an internal United crew scheduling number and state that a United flight from London to Los Angeles would be bombed later that day. Cau made the subsequent calls to 911 from pay phones in Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas and Seattle, with all of the calls stating that a specific United flight would be bombed.
As a result of the hoaxes, multiple law enforcement agencies were forced to respond to the bomb threats made by Cau. These law enforcement responses included evacuating people from the targeted airplanes; towing the aircraft to a safe area; searching and re-screening passengers, baggage and cargo; and searching the aircraft by human, canine and other detection methods.
As a direct result of Cau’s threats, United experienced substantial disruption to its business operations and services, including cancellation of and delays to flights, transfer of aircraft, and significant inconveniences to United passengers. Judge Wright today ordered Cau to pay $304,495 in restitution to United and $8,838 to reimburse the Los Angeles Police Department for expenses incurred as a result its response to the bomb threats.
The case against Cau was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Los Angeles Airport Police.
Release No. 13-135
Former Postal Employee SentencedRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Arthur Darby, Jr., 31 years old, of Montgomery, AL was sentenced last week for entering the Main Post Office in Montgomery with a gun and opening fire, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. At the time of the shooting, Darby was employed with the Post Office. Senior United States District Judge W. Harold Albritton sentenced the former Postal employee to 10 years and one day in federal prison.
In June of this year, Darby pled guilty to attempted assault, discharging a firearm in furtherance of the attempted assault, and possession of a firearm in a federal facility. Court documents established that on December 1, 2011, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Darby, a part-time mail handler at the Main Post Office located at 6701 Winton Blount Blvd. in Montgomery, AL, went to work and opened fire on two postal employees. Thankfully, no one was hit from the shots fired by Darby. Law enforcement immediately responded and apprehended Darby.
“People should be safe when going to the post office,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “My office will continue to vigorously prosecute those to jeopardize the safety of those workers and patrons at the post office. I hope this sentence sends a message that this criminal behavior will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Postal Inspectors investigate a wide variety of crimes in our mission to protect the security of the U.S. Postal Service, but none of them are more important than protecting the lives of postal employees,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Robert Wemyss, of the Houston Division. “The Montgomery Police Department and a team of U.S. Postal Inspectors were on the scene quickly and decisively, helping to close the incident without loss of life. This sentencing brings further closure and sends out the message that violence affecting the security of the U.S. Postal Service can carry severe consequences for the criminal.”
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Montgomery Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan R. Redmond.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617