Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
21 February 2013
Final Defendant Sentenced in “Food Stamp” Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Grocery StoreRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Fred Alverson
Public Affairs OfficerOmar Yahya, 56, formerly known as Darnell Bernard Watts, was sentenced to 12 months one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to use a Dayton grocery store to launder money and defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Yahya pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to launder money.
Yahya and three co-defendants were also sentenced to repay $3.8 million, which represents a portion of the money involved in the scheme, and forfeit their interests in approximately $80,209 in bank accounts and cash, and four firearms seized during execution of a search warrant in May, 2011.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Joe Smith, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA), Darryl Williams, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Robert Booker, Executive Director, Ohio Investigative Unit and other members of the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.
A federal grand jury indicted Yahya, along with Al-Idu al-Gaheem, 62, formerly known as Lawrence Phillips, Abdul R. Qadir, 64, formerly known as Frank Appleberry, Jr., and Abdul H. Yamini Sr, 71, formerly known as Larry Shipp, in March 2012 following a multi-agency investigation into illegal activities at the Five Pillars Market and Restaurant.
Between 2009 and 2011, the four conspired to traffic in electronic benefit cards in order to defraud the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The conspiracy caused more than $3.8 million in criminal proceeds in the form of USDA SNAP wire transfers to be deposited into various bank accounts and more than $1.2 million in criminal proceeds in the form of currency withdrawals to be made from the store’s accounts.
The other three defendants were also sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison by Judge Black on charges of conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money. Al-Gaheem was sentenced on December 13, 2012. Qadir was sentenced on October 25, 2012. Yamini was sentenced on December 20, 2012.
The investigation was conducted by a task force operating under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission. In addition to the agencies named above, other agencies participating in the task force and in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF), the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and police departments in Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood and West Carrollton.
Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by the task force members, and recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwight Keller, who represented the United States in this case.
Federal Officials Arrest and Charge A Dozen Suspected Meth TraffickersRead the Press Release
Twelve suspected members of a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking ring were arrested early Wednesday and today at the culmination of a yearlong investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Major Mexican Traffickers’ Strike Force. All but two of the defendants appeared in federal court this afternoon for arraignment on drug conspiracy charges.
These arrests are associated with the unsealing of a criminal complaint Wednesday charging 19 defendants with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and cocaine. The investigation, known as “Operation Crystal Haven,” focused on a long-term distribution ring which was importing methamphetamine and cocaine from Tijuana- and Guadalajara-based cartels into San Diego County, where it was then distributed in areas of northern San Diego County and elsewhere.
The task force is a multi-agency effort to focus on Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations with ties to the San Diego area. Its members include the DEA, FBI, IRS, and ICE, with assistance from other federal and local law enforcement agencies as well.
Including the previous arrest of another defendant in the case, as of today, a total of 13 defendants are in custody, charged with distributing methamphetamine and cocaine.
“We are relentlessly pursuing major trafficking organizations that operate in our neighborhoods and imperil our children,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “It’s gratifying to wrap up a lengthy investigation like this one with many arrests and drug seizures, knowing the community is safer because of our efforts.”
“The conclusion of this investigation marks the end of a large scale methamphetamine transportation and distribution organization that has been operating in San Diego County,” says San Diego Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge William Sherman. “This organization was distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in our cities, and making a huge profit. Throughout the course of the investigation, DEA and its law enforcement partners seized large quantities of methamphetamine and arrested 13 people who will not be selling their product on our streets.”
N. Dawn Mertz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation for the Los Angeles Field Office made the following comment on Operation Crystal Haven, “All drug trafficking organizations are motivated by profit and greed. By working closely with our law enforcement partners and using our financial expertise, IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to unravel the illicit financial networks created and used to launder the money generated by these narcotics organizations.”
Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge, San Diego Field Office, said: “Through the combined efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement, a significant methamphetamine criminal enterprise has been disrupted. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to make our communities a safer place.”
“ICE Homeland Security Investigations is committed to working together with our federal partners to combat dangerous drug trafficking that threatens public safety in our communities, “ said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for ICE Homeland Security in San Diego. “ Our mutual goal is to dismantle these distribution networks that are at the core of illicit drug sales in the U.S. There is no 3 better strategy to strengthen our law enforcement resources and achieve our goals than joint operations. ”
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 13mj0608 JOSE ISIDRO RODRIGUEZ-LARA
DAVID AGUILAR
ALMA JAIME
MANUEL MARCIAL
FELIPE GARCIA-GALLEGOS
GUADALUPE NATALIE PEREZ
JOSE LUIS LOPEZ
ROSALIA LOURDES NIEVES
ALICIA REYNA MARIN
LEONARDO GARCIA-GAYTAN
NANCY BLANCAS-PENA
SYLVIA SANCHEZ-ZARATE
SYLVIA LARA
JULIO CESAR RODRIGUEZ-ZARATE
MIGUEL GUTIERREZ-MARANTES
JOSE JUAN MANCILLA-MONJE
EDSON SOLIS-VALDOVINOS
NATHAN KAHAKULANI YASSO
HERNAN SEBASTIAN BERNAL Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/21/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
In state custody
Arrested 2/20/13
Arrested 2/20/13
Fugitive
Fugitive
Arrested 2/20/13
Fugitive
Fugitive
Fugitive
Fugitive
SUMMARY OF CHARGESTitle 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
AGENCIES
Maximum Penalties: Life in Custody; Minimum Custody: 10 years; Maximum Fine: $4 millionDrug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentAn indictment or complaint itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal Grand Jury Returns IndictmentsRead the Press Release
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs SpecialistELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA — Eight individuals were named in six Indictments returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Elkins, West Virginia, on February 20, 2013.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced the following indictments: BARBARA ANN SPIVA, age 47, of Elkins, was named in a 10-count indictment. Count
One charges SPIVA with “Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise” from the Fall of 2012 to
December 29, 2012, in Randolph County for the purpose of manufacturing, storing, distributing and using methamphetamine. Count Two charges SPIVA with “Possession of Materials Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on December 29, 2012. Counts Three through Eight charge SPIVA with“Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on September 27, October 26, October 28, November 23, December 5 and December 28, 2012. Counts Nine and Ten charge SPIVA with “Attempting to Possess Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on November 9 and November 14, 2012. If convicted, SPIVA faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine as to Count One; 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine as to Count Two; and, 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine as to each of Counts Three through Ten.WILLIAM TRENT RICHARDSON, age 21, of French Creek, West Virginia; KRISTIN ELAINE DYE, age 20, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; and, BRANDON EDWARD ANDERSON, age 22, of Rock Cave, West Virginia, were named in a 32-count Indictment. Count One charges RICHARDSON, DYE and ANDERSON with “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” from February 2 to September 13, 2012, in the Northern District of West Virginia. Count Two charges RICHARDSON, DYE and ANDERSON with”Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise” from February 2 to September 13, 2012, to manufacture, store, distribute and use methamphetamine. Count Three charges RICHARDSON and DYE with
“Possession of Material Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on September 13, 2012. Counts Four through Thirteen charge RICHARDSON with “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on February 2, February 13, February 28, March 12, April 16, April 29, May 27, May 31, June 7 and August 1, 2012. Counts Fourteen and Fifteen charge RICHARDSON with “Attempting to Possess Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on two occasions on June 22, 2012. Counts Sixteen through Nineteen charge DYE with “Possession of Material Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on May 28, June 13, June 20 and September 9, 2012. Counts Twenty and Twenty-One charge DYE with “Attempting to Possess
Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on June 22 and July
4, 2012. Counts Twenty-Two through Thirty-One charge ANDERSON with “Possession of
Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on February 14, April
26, May 2, May 5, June 4, June 6, June 9, June 15, July 5 and August 20, 2012. Count Thirty- Two charges ANDERSON with “Attempting to Possess Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on May 14, 2012. If convicted, RICHARDSON, DYE and ANDERSON face up to 20 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine as to Count One; 20 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine as to Count Two; 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 as to Count Three; and 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 as to each of Counts Four through Thirty-Two.These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and were investigated by the West Virginia State Police.
RONALD JOHN LOUK, age 30, of Churchsville, Virginia, was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” The Indictment alleges that from October 20 to November 21, 2012, in Huttonsville, West Virginia, LOUK knowingly failed to update a registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Notification Act. If convicted, LOUK faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
TIMOTHY WAYNE WALDEN, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, was named in a one- count Indictment charging him with “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” The Indictment alleges that from November 12, 2012, to January 17, 2013, in Bayard, West Virginia, WALDEN knowingly failed to update a registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Notification Act. If convicted, WALDEN faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn A. Morgan and were investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
JANEL PHILLIPS, age 44, of Elkins, was named in a one-count Indictment charging her with “Federal Program Fraud.” The Indictment alleges that from January of 2007 to May of 2010, PHILLIPS embezzled, obtained by fraud and intentionally misapplied property owned by the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for Legal Aid of West Virginia. The Indictment also contains a Forfeiture Allegation wherein the United States seeks to forfeit a money judgment of approximately $91,588 which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the offense. If convicted, PHILLIPS faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. This case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Legal Services Corporation-Office of Inspector General.
KYLE HEFT, age 34, of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” The Indictment alleges that on July 17, 2012, in Hillsboro, HEFT knowingly failed to update a registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Notification Act. If convicted, HEFT faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
These two cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar.All of the charges contained in the above-referenced indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Dallas Man for Aiming A Laser Pointer at AircraftRead the Press Release
DALLAS — A federal grand jury in Dallas has indicted Kenneth Santodomingo, aka “Juan Goel Pagan” and “Juan Joel Pagan,” 22, on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Santodomingo was arrested on January 28, 2013 after a criminal complaint was filed for the offense, and he has been in custody since that time.
According to that complaint, at approximately 4:08 a.m. on January 28, 2013, Dallas Police Department (DPD) officers were operating a DPD helicopter over a residential area in Dallas when the cockpit was illuminated approximately four times by a laser pointer. The intensity of the light obscured the vision of the pilot and impaired the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft.
After the officers in the helicopter pinpointed the location where the laser originated, they directed patrol officers on the ground to a residence in the 7000 block of Lake June Road. Santodomingo answered the officers’ knock at the front door. He admitted having pointed the green laser light at the helicopter to see how far it would go and handed over the laser pointer to the officers at that time.
A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the DPD and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Miller is in charge of the prosecution.
Excelsior Coin Dealer Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Customers and Investors Out of $2.7 MillionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 53-year-old Excelsior coin dealer pleaded guilty to devising and executing a scheme to defraud customers and investors out of $2.7 million. David Laurence Marion pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Marion, who was indicted on November 14, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.
In his plea agreement, Marion admitted that he owned International Rarities Corporation (“IRC”), a business that bought, sold, and traded gold coins and precious metals, among other things. Marion directed his sales staff to “cold call” people from “lead” sheets in an attempt to get them to buy, sell, or trade coins and precious metals.
Marion also admitted that between December 2010 and August 2011, IRC received over $2 million in coins, precious metals, and money from customers who intended to purchase or exchange coins and precious metals. In August 2011, IRC purportedly had over $2 million in unfulfilled customer orders. When customers inquired about the status of their orders, Marion admitted that he and the IRC sales staff ignored them, falsely indicated that their orders were being processed, or told them that their money, coins, and precious metals could not be returned because they were not available. Meanwhile, Marion used the customers’ money, coins, and precious metals for gambling and his lavish lifestyle or to pay commissions and salaries, fulfill other customer orders, or to support his family. Customers lost approximately $1.7 million in money, coins, and precious metals as a result of this scheme.
In addition, Marion was the president of International Rarities Holdings (“IRH”), and in that capacity, he directed his sales staff to sell securities in the form of ownership shares in the company. However, at the time, Marion was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a broker or dealer, nor was he associated with a registered SEC broker or dealer. In fact, in April 2009, the SEC rejected Marion’s attempt to register the IRH offering as a security yet, from at least November 2008 through July 2009, Marion and his sales staff raised approximately $1 million from at least 26 investors who believed they were purchasing ownership shares in IRH. Marion admittedly used approximately $200,000 of those investor funds for his own personal use.
For his crimes, Marion faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy and ten years for money laundering. Judge Schiltz will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen B. Schommer.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office wants to remind people to protect themselves from securities fraud. For more information, visit http://www.stopfraud.gov/protect-securities.html.Eastern Shoshone Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced today that on February 20, 2013, Russell Hill, a 19-year-old enrolled Eastern Shoshone from the Wind River Indian Reservation, appeared in Federal District Court for sentencing before United States District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on a single count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Hill received 29 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $12,363.25. The charge stemmed from a stabbing which occurred on June 10, 2012, on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The case was investigated by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the Wind River Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
District Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Premeditated Murder and Other Charges in Two Slayings and Related Violence-Opened Fire in Two Attacks in Northwest Washington in 2011-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Irvin Johnson, 26, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of killing two men and wounding another, and shooting at a fourth man, in a pair of shootings that took place within weeks in 2011, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Johnson was found guilty of a total of 15 charges following a two-week trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. They include two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and numerous related firearms offenses. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2013. Johnson could face more than 100 years in prison for the various offenses.
According to the government’s evidence, the violence stemmed from a longstanding dispute between Johnson and the victims, stemming from a robbery that Johnson had committed against one of their friends in 2008. During the evening hours of June 21, 2011, Johnson and an associate entered the 1500 block of Spring Place NW and shot at a man. No one was injured during the shooting, but a number of cars and buildings in the block were damaged.
Nearly three weeks later, in the early morning hours of July 9, 2011, in the 1400 block of Parkwood Place NW, Johnson ambushed and executed by shooting in the head Jimmie Simmons, 32, and Dominique Barbour, 31. The defendant also shot Anthony Thomas, then 21, in the head and chest. Miraculously, Mr. Thomas survived. Sadly, after a year of struggling from the injuries inflicted by the defendant, Mr. Thomas took his own life.
Immediately after the shooting, Johnson went on the run. He hid at friends’ homes in Washington, D.C., and eventually fled to a relative’s house in Lusby, Md., where he was apprehended by the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force on Sept. 9, 2011.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Machen praised the outstanding investigative work of the Metropolitan Police Department; the U.S. Marshals Service, including the Superior Court Warrant Squad; the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force; the Maryland State Police; the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. He also thanked Dr. Carolyn Revercomb formerly of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, as well as the Court Supervision and Offender Services Agency. U.S. Attorney Machen acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Alesha Matthews, Meridith McGarrity, Sandra Lane, Sharon Newman, and Fern Rhedrick; Intelligence Analysts Lawrence Grasso and Sharon Johnson; Criminal Investigators Tommy Miller and Durand Odom; Witness Security Specialists David Foster, La June Thames, and Debra Cannon; Litigation Services Specialists Joshua Ellen, William Henderson and Paul Howell, and Victim Advocates Marcey Rinker and Christina Principe for their support.
Finally, he acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin O. Lyons, who investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyons and Glenn L. Kirschner, who tried the case.
13-062Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced on Gun Charge to 10 Months in Prison, $10,000 FineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that William Henry Pittman, 67, of Mobile, was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pittman was sentenced to ten months in prison and fined $10,000 for possession of a firearm after being convicted in 1989 of transportation of a minor for sexual purposes and distribution of a controlled substance to a minor.
Pittman pled guilty in August to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Deputies with the United States Marshals service discovered the firearm in the course of an unrelated investigation in May, 2012, and Pittman was indicted the following month.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Costello handled the prosecution on behalf of the United States.
Charlotte Man Sentenced to More Than 29 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Related Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Tuesday, February 19, 2013, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Malcolm Springs, 22, of Charlotte, to 355 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Springs was also ordered to serve five years under court supervision following his prison term and to pay $21,434 as restitution.
U.S. Attorney Tompkins is joined in making today’s announcement by Roger A. Coe, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division and Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
According to filed court documents and statements made in court, on or about March 20, 2011, Springs met an individual identified as “S.C.” in the parking lot of a gas station in Charlotte for the purpose of purchasing a distribution amount of crack cocaine. Court records reflect that Springs stole the drugs and brandished a firearm. Court records indicate that a struggle over the gun ensued and S.C. was shot in the arm and in the abdomen. Following the shooting, Springs fled the scene in his car, according to court records.
According to filed documents, CMPD officers spotted Springs’ car and attempted to make a traffic stop. Springs did not stop and led police on a short chase, and then jumped and ran from his vehicle when he drove into a dead end. According to court records, a uniformed CMPD police officer spotted Springs, who was moving between two houses. Court records indicate that while fleeing, Springs pointed and then shot his gun at the officer. After being shot, the officer returned fire and struck Springs. Springs was then apprehended by the officers, court records indicate.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors described the shootings committed by Springs as “reckless and wanton” acts, and noted that “Springs could have killed two people.” Prosecutors also said that Springs’ shooting of a police officer reflected “complete lack of respect for the law.”
In making today’s announcement United States Attorney Anne Tompkins stated, “The Springs case demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to vigorously prosecuting violent criminals and to enforcing existing federal firearms laws. Let it also be known,” U.S. Attorney Tompkins added, “that we will not tolerate any acts or attempted acts of violence against police officers.”
“Malcolm Springs’ ruthless actions put many lives at risk. The FBI and our law enforcement partners stand united in our commitment to hold violent offenders accountable for their negative impact on our communities,” said Roger Coe, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
“It is unfortunate that the incident escalated to where the suspect fired a gun and placed two lives in danger,” said Chief Rodney Monroe, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. “Oftentimes those who are intent on breaking the law and who knowingly engage in criminal activities also lack a regard for human life.”
In December 2011, Springs pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession of a firearm by convicted felon. Springs’ sentence was enhanced because of his four prior violent felony convictions, which make him an Armed Career Criminal under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Springs has been in local federal custody since June 2011. Upon designation of a federal facility, he will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The investigation was handled by the FBI and CMPD, assisted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Gleason of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
Burlington County, N.J., Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Defrauding CharityRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – The director of operations at a warehouse for a non-profit organization was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for defrauding the charity of $101,927, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Sean J. Smith, 38, of Mount Holly, N.J., pleaded guilty Nov. 15, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an Information charging him with one count of mail fraud. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Smith admitting to stealing money from Clothes for Kids Sake Inc., (Clothes for Kids) by making it appear as though employees were working for Clothes for Kids and entitled to wages even though those employees had either left or never worked there. Smith caused Clothes for Kids to electronically deposit their wages into bank accounts he controlled and spent the funds on various personal expenses. Between May 2011 and August 2012, Smith made it appear that two employees were entitled to compensation of $59,361, all of which was directly deposited into his own bank accounts
Smith admitted to stealing money from Clothes for Kids by causing Clothes for Kids to pay wages to at least seven employees who had recently stopped working for Clothes for Kids and directing that those wages be deposited into his own bank accounts. Beginning in January 2012, Smith manually changed the direct deposit information for approximately seven employees who recently stopped working for him at the Mount Laurel warehouse. After changing the direct deposit information to his own bank accounts, Smith would make it appear as though the former employees were continuing to do work for Clothes for Kids, which would continue to pay them wages. Smith stole approximately $42,566 from Clothes for Kids as wages for employees who no longer worked at his warehouse.In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp also sentenced Smith to three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $117,615 in restitution to victims of his offense.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez, for the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
13-088
Defense Counsel: David Bahuriak Esq., Philadelphia
Brunswick Couple Indicted and Arrested on Identity Theft and Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return of a multi-count indictment charging Estella D. Wright and Dorian D. Wright, both of Brunswick, Georgia, with conspiracy to defraud the government and theft of public money. Estella Wright is also charged with seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The Wrights were both arrested today in Brunswick. If convicted, Estella D. Wright faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge, and for each of the seven theft of public money charges. She faces two consecutive years’ imprisonment for the seven aggravated identity theft counts. If convicted, Dorian Wright faces up to 10 years’ in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and each of the two theft public money charges.
According to the indictment, between March 2007 and April 2010, the Wrights conspired with an inmate in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections to defraud the Internal Revenue Service through the filing of false federal income tax returns. The alleged conspiracy involved using the names, forged signatures and social security numbers of others. The indictment further alleges that Estella Wright obtained the names and social security numbers through her employment at a temporary staffing agency.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase is handling the prosecution of this case.
Brown County, Texas, Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal Prison for Using the Internet to Collect and Share Hundreds of Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LUBBOCK, Texas --- Nathan Derek McGinn, 33, of Brownwood, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 188 months in federal prison and a 10-year term of supervised release, following his guilty plea in November 2012 to one count of receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. McGinn has been in custody since September 17, 2012.
According to documents filed in the case, McGinn used his computer, which was connected to the Internet, to access music and various forms of pornography through the use of file-sharing software. Specifically, McGinn used the software to collect and share hundreds of images of child pornography.
This matter 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy prosecuted.
Brooklyn Woman Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to Two Years in Prison for Participating in $57.3 Million Fraud on Organization That Makes Reparations to Victims of Nazi PersecutionRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that VALENTINA ROMASHOVA, a/k/a “Tina Rome,” was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to two years in prison for her participation in a $57 million fraud scheme that targeted programs administered by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc. (the “Claims Conference”), and that were established to aid the survivors of Nazi persecution. ROMASHOVA pled guilty in October 2012 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Griesa.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Valentina Romashova traded on her position at a law firm to manufacture applicants for funds that were intended to compensate victims of one of the darkest periods in world history – the Holocaust – all so she could get a cut of the proceeds. The fraud that she helped perpetrate is reprehensible, and the fact that she did so from a law office makes it that much worse.”
According to the Superseding Indictment, the Complaint, and statements made during court proceedings:
The Claims Conference, a not-for-profit organization which provides assistance to victims of Nazi persecution, supervises and administers several funds that make reparation payments to victims of the Nazis, including “the Hardship Fund” and “the Article 2 Fund,” both of which are funded by the German government. Applications for disbursements through these funds are processed by employees of the Claims Conference’s office in Manhattan, and the employees are supposed to confirm that the applicants meet the specific criteria for payments under the funds.
As part of the charged scheme, a network of individuals systematically defrauded the Article 2 Fund and Hardship Fund programs for over a decade. The Claims Conference first suspected the fraud in December 2009, and immediately reported their suspicions to law enforcement, which conducted a wide-reaching investigation.
The Hardship Fund pays a one-time payment of approximately $3,500 to victims of Nazi persecution who evacuated the cities in which they lived and were forced to become refugees. Members of the conspiracy submitted fraudulent applications for people who were not eligible. Many of the recipients of fraudulent funds were born after World War II, and at least one person was not even Jewish. Some members of the conspiracy recruited other individuals to provide identification documents, such as passports and birth certificates, which were then fraudulently altered and submitted to corrupt insiders at the Claims Conference, who then processed those applications. When the applicants received their compensation checks, they kept a portion of the money and passed the rest back up the chain.
From the investigation to date, the Claims Conference has determined that at least 3,839 Hardship Fund applications appear to be fraudulent. These applications resulted in a loss to the Hardship Fund of approximately $12.3 million.
The Article 2 Fund makes monthly payments of approximately $400 to survivors of Nazi persecution who make less than $16,000 per year, and either lived in hiding or under a false identity for at least 18 months; lived in a Jewish ghetto for 18 months; or were incarcerated for six months in a concentration camp or a forced labor camp. The fraud involved doctored identification documents in which the applicant’s date and place of birth had been changed. The fraud also involved more sophisticated deception, including altering documents that the Claims Conference obtained from outside sources to verify a person’s persecution by the Nazis. Some of the detailed descriptions of persecution in the fraudulent Article 2 Fund applications were completely fabricated.
From the investigation to date, the Claims Conference has determined that at least 1,112 Article 2 Fund cases it processed have been determined to be fraudulent. Those cases have resulted in a loss to the Claims Conference of approximately $45 million.
ROMASHOVA worked at a law firm in New York City that advertised in Russian-language newspapers that it could assist people with applying for compensation from the Claims Conference. While employed at this firm, ROMASHOVA used her position to steer applicants who may have been eligible to receive compensation from the Hardship Fund to the Article 2 Fund, and submitted, or caused to be submitted, fraudulent Article 2 Fund applications on their behalf, in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in fees.
Since 2010, a total of 31 individuals have been charged with participating in the scheme to defraud the Article 2 Fund and Hardship Fund programs. Twenty-three defendants, including ROMASHOVA, have pled guilty, and a total of nine defendants have now been sentenced. Charges remain pending against the remaining eight defendants in the case, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In addition to her prison term, ROMASHOVA, 65, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $150,110 and pay restitution in the amount of $3,278,154.65.
In sentencing ROMASHOVA, Judge Griesa said, “…the fraudulent conduct committed here was of a uniquely serious character and the sentence should reflect that.”
Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). He also thanked the Claims Conference for bringing this matter to the FBI’s attention and for its extraordinary continued cooperation in this investigation, which he noted is ongoing.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Frey and Jonathan Cohen, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Rohr are in charge of the prosecution.
Bedford-stuyvesant Based Drug Ring Charged with Narcotics TraffickingRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in Brooklyn federal court charging six defendants from the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York, with trafficking crack and powder cocaine.1 Four of the arrested defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Viktor V. Pohorelsky, at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. A fifth defendant was arrested yesterday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A sixth is currently in being held in Vermont state custody on narcotics charges and will be brought to Brooklyn for arraignment on the federal indictment.
The charges and arrests were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department.
A one-year joint investigation by the FBI and the NYPD resulted in the charges against members of a narcotics trafficking organization based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. As detailed in the indictment and a detention memorandum filed by the government, Glenn Miller, also known as “Chewy,” Jaron Johnson, also known as “Jay Jay,” Rashawn Johnson, also known as “SB,” Raumel Johnson, Azee Patterson and Eric South together trafficked cocaine and cocaine base (or “crack”), supplying street-level drug dealers with narcotics for re-sale. During the investigation, investigating agents intercepted communications over a series of cellular telephones used by Rashawn Johnson, pursuant to court-authorized wiretaps, purchased over 500 grams of cocaine base from Rashawn Johnson through a confidential informant, and executed two search warrants. Also during the investigation, state authorities in upstate New York and Vermont arrested Patterson in possession of distribution-level quantities of heroin, cocaine and cocaine base. As described in the detention memorandum, the investigation revealed that the defendants engaged in daily drug trafficking of large quantities of narcotics in Brooklyn and transported narcotics to upstate New York and Vermont for re-sale.
During the wiretaps, the defendants spoke in code, referring to “eight-balls” or 3.5 gram quantities of narcotics as “squirrelies,” and two-hundred gram quantities of narcotics as a “deuce.” During one intercepted call, Rashawn Johnson reported to a co-conspirator that he had prepared approximately 198 grams of cocaine base or “crack,” with a street wholesale value of approximately $7,900, for Miller. During the call, the co-conspirator asked Rashawn Johnson, “You do that shit for Chewy [Miller] already?” Rashawn Johnson answered: “Yea. I been do that shit already.” The co-conspirator asked, “Was it that much?” Rashawn Johnson answered, “Na. It was only a deuce. Not even a deuce. A little under a deuce. Like a buck 98.” As alleged by the government in the detention memorandum, the defendants’ drug business was of a sufficiently large scale that 198 grams of crack cocaine was considered a small amount.
Glenn Miller, Rashawn Johnson, Raumel Johnson and Eric South were arrested yesterday afternoon in Brooklyn. As alleged in government filings, contemporaneously with the arrests, agents executed search warrants and seized two kilograms of cocaine, 24 grams of cocaine base, two .45 caliber handguns, two .22 caliber handguns, scales and materials for making cocaine base from the defendants’ stash house in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and ten grams of heroin, over $6,000 in currency and an electronic money-counter from a residence across the street. Jaron Johnson was arrested yesterday by FBI agents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the time of his arrest, Jaron Johnson possessed approximately $23,000 in currency. Jaron Johnson will be arraigned today in United States District Court in Pennsylvania.
“As set forth in the indictment, instead of working to improve the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, the defendants chose to supply crack and powder cocaine to their community, building a lucrative narcotics organization. The narcotics trade siphons off not just dollars from those affected, but hope and opportunity. This case also illustrates how drug trafficking and illegal firearms go hand in hand. We are committed to removing the scourge of illegal guns and drugs from our communities, and holding those who possess and sell them accountable for their conduct,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the NYPD, and added that the government’s investigation is ongoing.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Venizelos stated, “It’s hardly a surprise, in a case where the indictment charges drug trafficking, to find a cache of guns. Guns - and the potential for gun violence - go hand-in-hand with illegal drugs. That connection between drugs and guns is why the FBI will continue to work with the Police Department to curtail drug trafficking.”
The cases have been assigned to United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. If convicted of the most serious offenses in the indictment, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Amatruda.
The Defendants: GLENN MILLER
Alias: Chewy
Age: 32JARON JOHNSON
Alias: Jay Jay
Age: 35RAUMEL JOHNSON
Age: 36RASHAWN JOHNSON
Alias: SB
Age: 32AZEE PATTERSON
Age: 28ERIC SOUTH
Age: 59_____________________________
1 The charges announced today are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bath Township Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Evading Nearly $400,000 in TaxesRead the Press Release
John W. Hufgard was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and ordered to pay restitution of $397,659, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Hufgard, age 59, of Bath Township, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan.
Hufgard pleaded guiltt to three counts of income tax evasion (for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 income tax years) on November 26, 2012.
Hufgard was the sole proprietor of Universal Service and Repair, Limited. Hufgard sold manufacturing racks to metal scrap dealers, and failed to report the proceeds on his federal income tax returns. Hufgard concealed his scheme by selling racks for cash, by depositing business income into his personal account, business income diverted into his personal account, and falsely recording business income as short term loans from himself, according to court documents.
He also tried to conceal his scheme by moving large amounts of scrapped metal racks, long distances, to scrap dealers who were willing to pay him in cash rather than using unknown dealers who might pay by check, according to court documents.
Through this scheme, Hufgard evaded approximately $397,659 in federal taxes.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Perry D. Mastrocola, following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
19 Arrested in Connection with Austin-based Cocaine Distribution and Bulk Cash Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
Federal, state and local authorities have arrested 19 individuals in connection with a cocaine distribution and bulk cash smuggling conspiracy based in Austin announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena, Houston Division, and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw. A list of the arrested defendants is below.
A two-count federal grand jury indictment (A13cr067), returned on Tuesday and unsealed today, charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The indictment also charges (6) defendants with one count of bulk cash smuggling. The indictment alleges that from January 2009 to the present the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. According to the indictment, G. R. Custom Body and Paint in Austin, owned by defendant Hugo Gaspar, served as the primary distribution hub for multiple sources of cocaine smuggled into the United States from Mexico. Authorities allege that in addition to distributing cocaine in the Austin area, cocaine was transported to Houston and Dallas as well as Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Alabama for further distribution. Proceeds from the sale of the cocaine were transported back to Austin and ultimately to Mexico. During this investigation, authorities have seized over $1millon in U.S. Currency and approximately 120 pounds of cocaine attributed to this cocaine distribution network.
A separate, but related, federal grand jury indictment (A13cr027) returned last month in Austin charges 20–year-old Erick Rodriguez-Aguilar and 19–year-old Julio Ramon Sandoval-Arizmendi for their roles in this operation. Both are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Rodriguez and Sandoval both remain federal custody.
Upon conviction of the drug charge, the defendants face between ten years and life in federal prison; of the bulk cash smuggling charge, they face up to five years in federal prison.
“The investigation uncovered one of the most significant drug organizations in the Austin area in terms of sheer quantities of cocaine being distributed, and the convoluted distribution web which facilitated the large-scale trafficking operation,” stated DEA-Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena.
“Today marks a milestone in disrupting a major Mexico-based cocaine trafficking organization that supplies narcotics to the Central Texas area and beyond. Thanks to the efforts of DPS Criminal Investigations Division agents working in conjunction with our federal and local law enforcement partners, our neighborhoods are safer today with these individuals off our streets and behind bars,” stated Lt. Colonel David Baker, DPS Deputy Director - Law Enforcement Operations.
This case resulted from an investigation by the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) made up of investigators from the following agencies: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, Round Rock Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Temple Police Department, Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Sheriff’s Office and the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Operation Treasure Lost Defendants
Case number: A-13 cr 067
Name Age Citizenship Indicted Counts
Ubaldo RODRIGUEZ-Perez 41 Mexico 1,2
Santos FLORES-Aviles 24 Mexico 1
Jose Francisco GAONA-Segura 32 Mexico 1,2
Hugo Castillo GASPAR 40 Mexico 1,2
Abel GAONA 34 Mexico 1
Ricardo RAMOS-MUNOZ 40 Mexico 1
Jerrimie Jerome HYDER 26 U.S. 1
Francisco Javier CASTILLO 28 Mexico 1,2
Miguel Angel ELIAS 40 Mexico 1
Eduardo LOZA 26 U.S. 1
Galdino LOZA 28 U.S. 1
**Marlon RAMIREZ-Castro 28 Mexico 1,2
Jose Manuel CARBAJAL 29 U.S. 1,2
**Santos Nieto JAIMES 35 Mexico 1
**Ranferi GARCIA-Jaramillo 28 Mexico 1
**Sergio VALLE-Ramirez 21 Mexico 1
**Ruben CORREA-Sandarte 30 Mexico 1Case number: A-13 cr 027
**Erick RODRIGUEZ-Aguilar 20 Mexico
**Julio Ramon SANDOVAL-Arizmendi 19 Mexico** Were already in custody prior to today’s arrests
20 February 2013
Wilson, North Carolina, Crop Insurance Adjuster SentencedRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III, sentenced JIMMY THOMAS SASSER, 61, to 48 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release. Restitution of $21,045,917 was also imposed. The sentence reflected a reduction for SASSER’S cooperation in the on-going investigation. SASSER has been on house arrest since November 21, 2011, when he was arrested on a criminal complaint for threatening a witness.
U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Walker stated, “Today’s sentence reflects the harm committed on our community as a result of this massive multi-million dollar fraud scheme and should serve as a deterrent for adjusters who are contemplating taking pay-offs to help farmers and agents file false claims.”
On January 23, 2012, a three-count Criminal Information was filed charging SASSER with conspiring to make false statements, to make material false statements, and to commit mail and wire fraud, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; and retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant, and attempting to do so, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513. On February 21, 2012, SASSER pled guilty to the charges.
According to the Criminal Information and information provided in open court, SASSER, a crop insurance adjuster for Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), received cash pay-offs from 1996 through 2007 to falsify claims regarding the scope of damage or the farmer’s true tobacco production on a particular acreage.
The scheme consisted of adjusters, including SASSER, who would submit a false assessment of loss on a Proof of Loss form which was mailed or wired to the insurance company. The co-conspiring insurance agent would collect pay-offs for the inflated loss adjustments from the co-conspiring farms and would share the monies with the adjusters, including SASSER.
During the course of the investigation, SASSER lied to federal law enforcement officers. SASSER also sent a letter to the North Carolina Department of Insurance in November 2010, falsely denying having received money from Robert Carl Stokes. Stokes, an insurance agent from Wilson, North Carolina, previously pled guilty to charges in connection with the on-going crop insurance fraud investigation.
The Criminal Information further states that on November 19, 2011, SASSER threatened to cause bodily injury to two other people, one of whom was a cooperating defendant, in retaliation for giving information regarding the conspiracy to law enforcement officers.
“Adjusters play an important role when adjusting claims for producers. The sentencing of an insurance adjuster in this case should serve as a strong deterrent to those who chose to commit fraud against the federal crop insurance program and will help protect the integrity of this program by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are safeguarded,” stated Karen Citizen-Wilcox, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Southeast Region, USDA-OIG-Investigations.
Special Agent in Charge Jeannine A. Hammett, IRS-Criminal Investigation stated, “This criminal enterprise reaped thousands of dollars in profits by engaging in insurance fraud and money laundering. IRS-Criminal Investigation will zealously pursue individuals involved in such blatant and far-reaching criminal activity.”
Investigation of this case was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Office of Inspector General - Investigations, USDA - Risk Management Agency - Special Investigations Branch, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan is prosecuting the case.
White-Supremacist William White Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Soliciting Violence Against Hale Jury ForemanRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Self-proclaimed white-supremacist WILLIAM A. WHITE was sentenced today to 42 months in federal prison for soliciting violence to the foreman of a federal jury in Chicago that convicted another white-supremacist, Matthew Hale, in 2004. White stood trial in Chicago in January 2011 and was convicted by a jury of one count of solicitation.
“No doubt the experience was extremely frightening for the juror,” U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, of Milwaukee, who imposed the sentence, said in reference to the Hale jury foreman who was the victim of White’s violent solicitation.
Judge Adelman, who was assigned to preside over the case in Federal Court in Chicago, ordered White to serve the sentence consecutively to all but a little more than a month remaining on a federal sentence that White is currently serving for making threats to other victims and intimidating a witness in Virginia. White’s prior sentence totaled 43 months and is scheduled to end in early April.
Initially, Judge Adelman dismissed the 2008 indictment against White but a federal appeals court in Chicago reinstated the solicitation charge in 2010. After White’s trial in January 2011, the judge overturned the jury’s guilty verdict, but the government appealed and White’s conviction was reinstated, leading to today’s sentencing. White’s prior sentence stemmed from a December 2009 trial conviction by a federal jury in Roanoke.
“This defendant has been prolific in making threats to people,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Ferrara told Judge Adelman today in arguing for a consecutive sentence instead of White’s request for time served.
The evidence at White’s Chicago trial showed that after Matthew Hale was tried, convicted and sentenced for soliciting the murder of a federal j udge in Chicago, White solicited his followers to retaliate against the foreman of that jury. White created and maintained a former web site, “Overthrow.com,” which was publicly accessible on the Internet. The web site purported to be affiliated with the “American National Socialist Workers Party” (ANSWP), and claimed the organization was comprised of a “convergence of former [white supremacy] ‘movement’ activists who grew disgusted with the general garbage that ‘the movement’ has attracted and who formed the ANSWP under the Command of Bill White.” Members of the ANSWP were described as “National Socialists... who fight for white working people.”
Between Sept. 11 and Oct. 11, 2008, White used the web site to solicit anyone to injure Juror A on account of Juror A’s role as the foreperson of the jury that convicted Hale, the leader of a white-supremacist organization known as the World Church of the Creator. Hale was sentenced to 40 years in prison for soliciting the murder of a federal judge in Chicago.
As part of White’s solicitation of violence against Juror A, White posted derogatory comments and personal information about Juror A, including Juror A’s home address and phone numbers, on the Overthrow.com web site on Sept. 11, 2008. The solicitation occurred under circumstances strongly corroborating White’s intent that another person use, attempt to use, or threaten the use of force against Juror A.
White was aware that individuals associated with the white-supremacist movement, who were the target audience of his web site, at times engaged in acts of violence, directed at non-whites, Jews, gays and persons perceived by white-supremacists as acting contrary to their interests. Prior to the solicitation against Juror A, White on multiple occasions caused postings to the web site that disclosed what purported to be the home address and/or personal identifying information of individuals who were targets of criticism on the Internet.
The Government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Ferrara and William Hogan. The sentence was announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Vice President Biden and Attorney General Holder Honor<br /> 18 Public Safety Officers with Medal of ValorRead the Press Release
Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder today awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to 18 public safety officers who exhibited exceptional courage in saving and protecting others and whose heroic actions were above and beyond the call of duty.
“This year’s Medal of Valor recipients have fearlessly responded to desperate cries for help – courageously risking their own lives to secure innocent victims, protect fellow officers, and end deadly assaults,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “These extraordinary public servants have distinguished themselves by going above and beyond the call of duty. And today, I am honored to join Vice President Biden in bestowing one of our nation’s most prestigious decorations on each of these heroes.”
The Medal of Valor, authorized by the Public Safety Medal of Valor Act of 2001, is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General. Public safety officers are nominated by the chiefs or directors of their employing agencies and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board. The Attorney General has designated the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to serve as the federal point of contact for the Medal of Valor initiative. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), led by Director Denise E. O’Donnell, administers the Medal of Valor initiative.
“We recognize 18 extraordinary individuals for their quick thinking, selflessness and exceptional courage,” said Office of Justice Program Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary. “They are law enforcement, corrections officers, and firefighters who went beyond the call of duty to risk – and in some cases, to give – their lives for their fellow citizens and colleagues.”
Today’s 18 recipients of the Medal of Valor are: Officer Julie Olson, Maplewood Police Department, Minn.; Officer Reeshemah Taylor, Osceola County Corrections Department, Fla.; Wildlife Officer Michael Neal, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Officer Sean Haller and Officer Rafael Rivera, California Highway Patrol; Trooper Robert Lombardo and fallen Trooper Joshua Miller, Pennsylvania State Police; Firefighter Peter Demontreux, New York City Fire Department; Firefighter Hope Scott and Captain William Reynolds, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Va.; Deputy Sheriff Krista McDonald, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Wash.; Officers Timothy McClintick, Max McDonald, Douglas Weaver, Sergeant Karl Lounge Jr. and fallen Sergeant Thomas Baitinger, St. Petersburg Police Department, Fla.; and fallen Deputies William Stiltner and Cameron Justus, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Va.
“The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor awarded to a public safety officer,” said Bureau of Justice Assistance Director, Denise E. O’Donnell. “BJA is proud to administer a program which serves to recognize the exceptionally brave actions of individuals who have given selflessly in order to protect citizens and communities throughout our nation.”
Including today’s awardees, a total of 78 medals have been presented since the first recipients were honored in 2003. More information about the award and today’s recipients, the Medal of Valor Review Board members, and the nomination process is on the OJP website at: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor .
Related Materials:
Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony
Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the Medal of Valor Awards CeremonyVice President Biden and Attorney General Holder Honor 18 Public Safety Officers with Medal of ValorRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder today awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to 18 public safety officers who exhibited exceptional courage in saving and protecting others and whose heroic actions were above and beyond the call of duty.
“This year’s Medal of Valor recipients have fearlessly responded to desperate cries for help – courageously risking their own lives to secure innocent victims, protect fellow officers, and end deadly assaults,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “These extraordinary public servants have distinguished themselves by going above and beyond the call of duty. And today, I am honored to join Vice President Biden in bestowing one of our nation’s most prestigious decorations on each of these heroes.”
The Medal of Valor, authorized by the Public Safety Medal of Valor Act of 2001, is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General. Public safety officers are nominated by the chiefs or directors of their employing agencies and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board. The Attorney General has designated the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to serve as the federal point of contact for the Medal of Valor initiative. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), led by Director Denise E. O’Donnell, administers the Medal of Valor initiative.
“We recognize 18 extraordinary individuals for their quick thinking, selflessness and exceptional courage,” said Office of Justice Program Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary. “They are law enforcement, corrections officers, and firefighters who went beyond the call of duty to risk – and in some cases, to give – their lives for their fellow citizens and colleagues.”
Today’s 18 recipients of the Medal of Valor are: Officer Julie Olson, Maplewood Police Department, Minn.; Officer Reeshemah Taylor, Osceola County Corrections Department, Fla.; Wildlife Officer Michael Neal, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Officer Sean Haller and Officer Rafael Rivera, California Highway Patrol; Trooper Robert Lombardo and fallen Trooper Joshua Miller, Pennsylvania State Police; Firefighter Peter Demontreux, New York City Fire Department; Firefighter Hope Scott and Captain William Reynolds, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Va.; Deputy Sheriff Krista McDonald, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Wash.; Officers Timothy McClintick, Max McDonald, Douglas Weaver, Sergeant Karl Lounge Jr. and fallen Sergeant Thomas Baitinger, St. Petersburg Police Department, Fla.; and fallen Deputies William Stiltner and Cameron Justus, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Va.
“The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor awarded to a public safety officer,” said Bureau of Justice Assistance Director, Denise E. O’Donnell. “BJA is proud to administer a program which serves to recognize the exceptionally brave actions of individuals who have given selflessly in order to protect citizens and communities throughout our nation.”
Including today’s awardees, a total of 78 medals have been presented since the first recipients were honored in 2003. More information about the award and today’s recipients, the Medal of Valor Review Board members, and the nomination process is on the OJP website at: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor.
Two Women Charged with Housing IntimidationRead the Press Release
A criminal information was filed in United States District Court charging Amber Mohan and Michelle Snyder with interfering with and intimidating an individual’s right to enjoy housing because of that individual’s race, religion, and national origin, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
Mohan, 27, resides in Cleveland, while Snyder, 33, resides in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, according to public records. They are accused of violating Title 42, United States Code, Section 3631.
“In this country, people are free to live where they want, free from harassment and threats,” Dettelbach said. “Those who have not gotten the message and break the law will be prosecuted.”
“As evidenced by this investigation, the FBI aggressively and thoroughly pursues all allegations of civil rights violations. The actions outlined in the charges are simply unacceptable and no one should be subjected to these types of threats and intimidation.”
The information, along with evidence available to the United States Attorney’s Office, reflects that on or about December 1, 2009, Mohan, Snyder and one other individual already charged, planned and carried out the hanging of a toy camel from a noose, and affixed that to the door of an individual, identified in the Information as A.F.A., who is of Arabic descent and a Muslim.
The crime occurred at A.F.A.’s apartment at the Stonebridge Apartments, located at 1500 Detroit Ave. in Cleveland. A.F.A. was selected as a target of Mohan and Snyder’s conduct because of A.F.A.’s race, religion, and national origin, according to the information.
The charge against Mohan and Snyder carries maximum penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, and up to one year of supervised release. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. Attorney James V. Moroney, following an investigation by the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Companies and Five Individuals Charged with Roles in Illegal Honey Imports; Avoided $180 Million in Anti-Dumping DutiesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Five individuals and two domestic honey processing companies have been charged with federal crimes in connection with a nationwide investigation of illegal importations of honey from China that was mislabeled as coming from other countries to avoid antidumping duties or was adulterated with antibiotics not approved for use in honey. Altogether, the seven defendants allegedly avoided antidumping duties totaling more than $180 million.
None of the charges allege any instances of illness or other public health consequences attributed to consumption of the honey.
The charges represent the second phase of an investigation led by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In June 2011, an undercover agent assumed the role of director of procurement at defendant HONEY HOLDING I, LTD., which by then was cooperating with the investigation.
Honey Holding, doing business as Honey Solutions, of Baytown, Tex., and defendant GROEB FARMS, INC., of Onsted, Mich., two of the nation’s largest honey suppliers, have both entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the government, subject to court approval, with Honey Holding agreeing to pay a $1 million fine and Groeb Farms agreeing to the payment of a $2 million fine. Both companies have agreed to implement corporate compliance programs as part of their respective agreements.
The individual defendants include three honey brokers, as well as DOUGLAS A. MURPHY, former director of sales for Honey Holding, and DONALD COUTURE, president of Premium Food Sales, Inc., a broker and distributor of raw and processed honey in Bradford, Ontario.
In December 2001, the Commerce Department determined that Chinese-origin honey was being sold in the United States at less than fair market value, and imposed antidumping duties. The duties were as high as 221 percent of the declared value, and later were assessed against the entered net weight, currently at $2.63 per net kilogram, in addition to a “honey assessment fee” of one cent per pound of all honey. In October 2002, the Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert for honey containing the antibiotic Chloramphenicol, a broad spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat serious infections in humans, but which is not approved for use in honey. Honey containing certain antibiotics is deemed “adulterated” within the meaning of federal food and drug safety laws.
In 2008, federal authorities began investigating allegations involving circumventing antidumping duties through illegal imports, including transshipment and mislabeling, on the “supply side” of the honey industry. The investigation resulted in charges against 14 individuals, including executives of Alfred L. Wolff GmbH and several affiliated companies of the German food conglomerate whose U.S. honey-importing business was based in Chicago, and others for allegedly avoiding approximately $80 million in antidumping duties on Chinese-origin honey. Authorities seized and forfeited more than 3,000 drums of honey that entered the country illegally.
The second phase of the investigation, announced today, involves allegations of illegal buying, processing, and trading of honey that illegally entered the U.S. on the “demand side” of the industry. The investigation is continuing.
“We applaud the efforts of HSI, Customs and Border Protection, and other agencies involved in this complex, long-term investigation to enforce the laws that exist to protect U.S. consumers and the honey market,” said Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
“These businesses intentionally deprived the U.S. government of millions of dollars in unpaid duties,” said ICE Deputy Director Daniel Ragsdale. “Schemes like these result in legitimate importers and the domestic honey-producing industry enduring years of unprofitable operations, with some even being put out of business. We will continue to enforce criminal violations of antidumping laws in all industries and ports of entry so American businesses and foreign producers of goods all play by the same rules.”
Also announcing the charges were Gary Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of HSI Chicago; William A. Ferrara, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Chicago, and Daniel Henson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration operates a toll-free number for consumer inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA (463-6332).
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros.
The public is reminded that indictments and informations contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, courts must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. Three of the five individuals charged have authorized the government to disclose that they intend to plead guilty to the charges against them.
Details of the six separate cases follow:
United States v. Groeb Farms, Inc., 13 CR 137
GROEB FARMS, INC., of Onsted, Mich., described as the largest industrial honey supplier in the United States, was charged with buying 1,578 container loads of Chinese-origin honey between February 2008 and April 2012, knowing that it was illegally imported into the United States to avoid more than $78.8 million in antidumping duties.
The company has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in which it accepted and acknowledged responsibility for its conduct and that of its current and former executives and employees. The agreement requires the company to continue cooperating fully for two years, to pay a $2 million fine based on its ability to pay, and to dispose any illegally-entered Chinese-origin honey in its possession.
The company admitted in a factual statement that two former executives purchased Chinese-origin honey for processing at its facilities and sold that honey to its domestic retail, foodservice, and industrial customers as mislabeled non-Chinese honey, and at other times, as Chinese honey, all while knowing that it had been illegally imported to avoid antidumping duties and, at times, honey assessment fees. The honey was variously described falsely as sugars and syrups instead of Chinese-origin honey, and as having originated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam, instead of China.
The two former executives engaged in fraudulent practices despite the company’s own audits and inspections that raised substantial concerns that the honey was illegally imported. They also provided false information to the company’s board of directors, customers, and the public regarding Groeb Farms’ involvement in knowingly purchasing, processing, and selling illegally smuggled Chinese-origin honey.
The corporate compliance program is designed to ensure that Groeb Farms maintains supply chain integrity and conducts reasonable inquiries to safeguard against any illegal activity.
United States v. Douglas A. Murphy and Honey Holding I, 13 CR 138
DOUGLAS A. MURPHY, 56, of Kingwood, Tex., and HONEY HOLDING I, LTD., doing business as Honey Solutions, a large industrial honey supplier based in Baytown, Tex., were charged together with violating the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for allegedly purchasing discounted Polish-origin honey containing the prohibited antibiotic Chloramphenicol from Alfred L. Wolff USA in 2006. Murphy was director of sales between 2003 and 2008 and was responsible for the purchase of wholesale quantities of honey, maintaining relationships with suppliers, and the sale of honey to U.S. customers.
DOUGLAS A. MURPHY, 56, of Kingwood, Tex., and HONEY HOLDING I, LTD., doing business as Honey Solutions, a large industrial honey supplier based in Baytown, Tex., were charged together with violating the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for allegedly purchasing discounted Polish-origin honey containing the prohibited antibiotic Chloramphenicol from Alfred L. Wolff USA in 2006. Murphy was director of sales between 2003 and 2008 and was responsible for the purchase of wholesale quantities of honey, maintaining relationships with suppliers, and the sale of honey to U.S. customers.
Murphy pleaded guilty today and, under the terms of his cooperation plea agreement, subject to court approval, he will receive a sentence of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of $26,624 when he is sentenced on May 31.
Honey Holding has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in which it accepted and acknowledged responsibility for its conduct and that of its employees and agents. The agreement requires the company to continue cooperating fully for two years and to pay a $1 million fine based on its ability to pay. The agreement describes Honey Holding’s “extensive cooperation, including its agreement to allow an undercover law enforcement agent to assume the role of [its] director of procurement in an undercover capacity since June 2011.”
The company admitted in a factual statement that Honey Holding defrauded its downstream customers of approximately $26,624 by purchasing, processing, and selling the Polish-origin honey that was adulterated with the antibiotic.
The company also admitted that it purchased Chinese-origin honey from at least seven shell and front companies that were controlled by various Chinese honey producers and manufacturers. These illegal honey imports avoided more than $33.4 million in antidumping duties.
Honey Holding also agreed to establish a corporate compliance program to ensure that it maintains supply chain integrity and takes steps to safeguard against any illegal activity.
United States v. Jun Yang, 13 CR 139
JUN YANG, 39, of Houston, who brokered the sale of honey to Honey Holding among others, and who operated National Honey, Inc., which did business as National Commodities Company in Houston, was charged with brokering the sale of illegal Chinese-origin honey, which was misrepresented as originating in India, into the United States to avoid antidumping duties.
Yang, through his attorney, has authorized the government to disclose that he will plead guilty, admitting responsibility for fraudulently avoiding antidumping duties totaling as much as $37.9 million on Chinese-origin honey that entered the country illegally as Malaysian and Indian honey between 2009 and 2012. Yang has agreed to pay a fine of $250,000 and restitution totaling $2.64 million, in addition to whatever other sentence is imposed by the court. The government has agreed to recommend a sentence of 74 months in prison.
United States v. Urbain Tran, 13 CR 140
URBAIN TRAN, 78, of Culver City, Calif., an agent of Honey Holding who brokered honey transactions for the company since 2006, was charged with two counts of brokering the sale and transportation of illegal Chinese-origin honey, which was misrepresented as originating in Malaysia and Vietnam, into the United States to avoid antidumping duties.
Tran, through his attorney, has authorized the government to disclose that he will plead guilty under the terms of an agreement calling for a fine of $500,000 and restitution totaling $204,403, in addition to whatever other sentence is imposed by the court. Tran faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each fraudulent sales and transportation count.
United States v. Hung Yi Lin, 13 CR 125
HUNG YI LIN, also known as “Katy Lin,” 42, of Temple City, Calif., was charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned yesterday with one count of transporting 10 container loads of Chinese-origin honey through the Chicago area after it entered the country illegally. Lin owned and operated KBB Express Inc., of South El Monte, Calif., and served as the U.S. agent for at least 12 importers that were controlled by Chinese honey producers and manufacturers. She was initially charged in a criminal complaint and arrested on Feb. 9 in California. She was released on a $100,000 secured bond and will be arraigned on a later date in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
According to the indictment, between 2009 and 2012, Lin schemed to falsify the contents of hundreds of shipping containers of Chinese-origin honey by misrepresenting them as sugars and syrups during the importation process. As a result, the honey, which had an aggregate declared value of nearly $11.5 million when it entered the country, avoided antidumping duties and honey assessments totaling $39.2 million, the charges allege.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
United States v. Donald Couture, 11 CR 781
DONALD COUTURE, 60, of Bradford, Ontario, the president, owner, and operator of Premium Food Sales, Inc., a Canadian broker and distributor of raw and processed honey, was indicted on four counts of violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In May 2009, Couture allegedly caused four container loads of his company’s honey that were rejected by one U.S. customer because of the presence of a prohibited antibiotic, Tetracycline, to be delivered to a second U.S. customer without disclosing that the honey contained the antibiotic. The honey was shipped through the Chicago area when it was transported from one customer to the other.
An arrest warrant was issued in the U.S. for Couture. Couture was initially charged in a sealed complaint in November 2011 and the complaint was unsealed after he was indicted last week. Each count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Groeb Farms Information
Groeb Farms DPA
Murphy and Honey Holding Information
Honey Holding DPA
Murphy Plea Agreement
Yang Information
Tran Information
Lin Indictment
Couture IndictmentTwo Arrested in Alleged Marijuana Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Francisco Cirilio Vargas-Aquino, aka “Francisco C. Vargas,” and “Miguel,” 48, of Manassas, Va., and Ricardo Avelar Valdez, 47, of Gainesville, Va., have been arrested for their alleged roles in a marijuana smuggling operation based in Northern Virginia that has attempted to smuggle several multi-thousand pound loads of marijuana from Mexico to Prince William County, Va.
Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after the charges became public.
“These two men are accused of bringing tractor trailers full of marijuana – with a street value of tens of millions of dollars – across the Mexican border destined for northern Virginia,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “This case represents the goal of every Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation – identify major drug trafficking organizations and then disrupt and ultimately dismantle their networks.”
“Special agents of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted enforcement operations yesterday at two residences and at two businesses in Northern Va.,” said Special Agent in Charge Torres. “The enforcement operations are part of an on-going investigation related to drug smuggling from Mexico to Northern Virginia. In coordination with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, HSI will utilize its resources to dismantle international narcotics trafficking organizations who supply dangerous drugs to our communities.”
Vargas and Valdez are charged with conspiring to import 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana into the United States and face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, if convicted.
According to court records, in the past year and a half, HSI special agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have made three significant marijuana seizures at ports of entry in Texas have been allegedly tied to this operation. The marijuana, which was concealed in frozen fruit pulp and furniture parts, was, in each case, being shipped within commercial tractor trailers to business addresses in Prince William County. During this investigation, law enforcement in Texas has allegedly seized approximately 10,000 pounds of marijuana, all of which was being shipped to the Eastern District of Virginia.
This ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation, dubbed “Operation Buena Vida,” is being led by HSI’s Washington D.C. Field Office, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fairfax County Police Department.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary K. Daly and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Eriksen.
Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.Thirty People Indicted in Massive Florida-Arizona Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Antonio J. Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Field Office, and Ric L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce the arrests of 30 individuals engaged in a massive drug conspiracy that trafficked drugs from Arizona to Florida. The defendants were arrested earlier today and are expected to make their initial appearances today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon in West Palm Beach at 1:00 p.m.
Charged in the 12-count indictment are George Evans Bivins, Jr., a/k/a “Ziggy,” 30, of West Palm Beach, Antonio Markeith Beverly, a/k/a “Tony,” 29, of West Palm Beach, Daniel Emmanuel Torrez, 31, of Tucson, Arizona, Lavaris Reshard Bivins, a/k/a “Varis,” 22, of West Palm Beach, William Alvarenga, a/k/a “Chico,” 19, of Boynton Beach, Jessica Marie Arvizu, 30, of Tucson, Arizona, Michael Maxwell Barkley, a/k/a “Tater,” 38, of Lake Worth, Jerrick David Bartee, 30, of West Palm Beach, Kirk Douglas Bivins, a/k/a “Kirky,” 38, of Riviera Beach, Demetri Pernell Cobb, a/k/a “Meechi,” 23, of Lake Worth, Darren Duane Donnally, 39, of Palm Springs, Quatavious Carnell George, a/k/a “Jelly Boy,” 26, of Riviera Beach, Wellington Timothy Glinton, a/k/a “Timmy,” 20, of Lake Worth, Javaris Reshad Bartelmy, 24, of Boynton Beach, Ernest Andrew Holiday, a/k/a “Bam,” 30, of Riviera Beach, Jean Innocent, a/k/a “Barko,” 20, of Lake Worth, Demetrice Lemane Jones, 37, of Riviera Beach, Dominic Perry Lamare, 33, of Port St. Lucie, Patrick Jarrod Lowe, 24, of Lantana, Richard John Mercy, 30, of North Palm Beach, Frank Davis Moore, Jr., a/k/a “Bow Head,” “Bodeen,” 33, of Royal Palm Beach, Evens Pierre Louis, a/k/a “E-Bo,” 27, of Palm Springs, Theresa Lashai Razz, 28, of West Palm Beach, Lori Beth Mae Saccoman, 50, of West Palm Beach, Jeannot Saintelus, a/k/a “Jit,” 23, of Lake Worth, Calvin Leon Sirmans, Jr., a/k/a “CJ,” 28, of Lake Worth, Jamie Toby, 24, of Lake Worth, Monica Deloris Toby, 47, of Lantana, Eric Lanard Williams, a/k/a “Baby Boy,” 29, of Lantana, and David Lendell White, a/k/a “Popper,” 25, of Lake Worth.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “Today, the streets of Lake Worth and the surrounding areas are just a little safer, thanks to the concerted efforts of the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. Thanks to their hard work, we have removed more than two dozen drug traffickers from our streets.”
“Through the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement, this massive drug trafficking conspiracy is out of business,” said Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami. “Drugs and the violent gangs that profit from them have a devastating effect on our communities and we will continue to work with our partners to make South Florida a safer place.”
Antonio J. Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners in making our communities safer by working to eradicate narcotics from the U.S. Mail stream.”
More specifically, the indictment, filed on February 7, 2013 and unsealed today, charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and/or cocaine hydrochloride, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and/or cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 846. If convicted, the defendants each face a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years in prison up to a statutory maximum term of life in prison.
According to statements made in court, this conspiracy involved multiple kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride that were shipped from Tucson, Arizona, to Palm Beach County for sale and distribution as both cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base. Much of the cocaine was sold in and around the streets of Lake Worth, Florida.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rinku Tribuiani and Robert Waters.
An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Tax Defier Sentenced to Three Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Defendant Ordered to Pay Over $85,000 in Restitution to the IRS
COEUR D'ALENE – Gary Raymond Harvey, 71, of Peck, Idaho, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for making false claims for refund from the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Harvey to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and pay $ 85,217.94 in restitution. Harvey pleaded guilty to the charges on November 1, 2012, during his trial.
During the trial, evidence showed that Harvey created and filed tax returns for the entity The Organic Assembly of Circle JB, claiming that the entity was entitled to tax refunds ranging from $8,851.80, to $54,080, for tax years 2002 through 2010. During Harvey’s cross-examination on the fourth day of trial, he admitted that he knew he was not entitled to the refunds and changed his plea to guilty on all counts charged in the indictment. A federal grand jury had indicted Harvey on August 23, 2011, on ten counts of making a false claim for a refund.
“All citizens have a solemn obligation to pay taxes,” said Olson. “Those who claim false refunds cheat not only the government but also other taxpayers. This sentence sends the strong message that those who fail to pay their equal share will be punished.”
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Superintendent of Dover Bridge Project SentencedRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Kip David Harris, 38, of Boulder, Montana, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court in Coeur d’Alene to three years’ probation for making a false statement, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Harris to pay a $750 fine. He pleaded guilty to the charge on December 4, 2012.
According to court documents, Harris was the lead superintendent of the Dover Bridge Project, the majority of which was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Federal Highway Administration, a component of the United States Department of Transportation. The project called for the existing steel-truss bridge located on U.S. Highway 2 near Dover, Idaho, to be replaced with a new steel bridge. According to court documents, Harris directed laborers to modify nonconforming anchor bolts so it would appear to the inspection team that the bolts were in compliance. Harris admitted that he knew the anchor bolts did not conform to contract specifications. The safety and soundness of the project was not affected.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Spokane Woman Sentenced for Embezzling over $28,000 from Coeur D’Alene Indian TribeRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Debora J. Zimmerman, 46, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today in United States District Court to five years’ probation and four weekends in jail for theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Zimmerman to pay $28, 275.93 in restitution. She pleaded guilty to the charge on September 21, 2012.
According to court documents, between September 2008, and September 2010, Zimmerman, who was the Finance Operations Director for the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Housing Authority, stole money by issuing herself unauthorized paychecks, making unapproved purchases, and through other means.
“Those who are entrusted with public funds have a solemn obligation to act in the public interest,” said Olson. “Ms. Zimmerman violated the trust placed in her by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. She put personal gain ahead of her public obligation. Appropriately, as a part of her sentence, Ms. Zimmerman must reimburse the Coeur d’Alene Tribe the money that she stole. I commend the thorough investigation in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.
Smithfield Pair Convicted of Federal Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court, Lionel Lamont COX, 40, of Smithfield, North Carolina, was convicted of his role in a gun trafficking scheme.
On August 29, 2012, a Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment that charged COX and a co-defendant, Neville Samuel WARD Jr., 26, of Smithfield, North Carolina, with two counts of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on or about May 14, 2012, and June 27, 2012. On February 14, 2013, after a two-day trial, a jury found COX guilty of both counts. WARD had previously pleaded guilty to both counts on January 24, 2013. Based on these convictions, COX and WARD each face up to 20 years in prison.
The evidence in the case demonstrated that on or about May 14, 2012, and June 27, 2012, COX and WARD were working at the Express Lube located in Smithfield, North Carolina. While working there, the evidence revealed that COX and WARD sold firearms on the premises of the Express Lube to another individual. Prior to these events, the evidence demonstrated that both COX and WARD had been convicted of felonies by the State of North Carolina. During the investigation, a third controlled buy of a firearm was conducted on May 21, 2012, involving COX and a fourth individual at the same Express Lube.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Rudy E. Renfer represented the government.
Salina Man Sentenced for Purchasing Gun with Help of Straw BuyerRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Salina man who used a straw buyer to purchase a gun has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Hashiem Jamil Ford, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement regarding the purchase of a firearm. In his plea, he admitted that due to a 2011 felony drug conviction in Saline County District Court he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. On Dec. 5, 2011, he gave money to co-defendant Patricia Fetky to purchase a gun for him from Bob’s Pawn Shop East at 925 W. Lincoln Avenue in Salina. At Ford’s direction, Fetky purchased a Glock brand handgun by falsely representing herself as the actual purchaser.
Fetky was sentenced in December to two years probation.
Grissom commended the Salina Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
Round Lake Beach Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Robbery of Fifth Third Bank in AlgonquinRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Round Lake Beach, Ill. man was sentenced today in federal court for bank robbery. The defendant, Mohammed Nusrath Ali Khan, 42, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala to 62 months in federal prison for the robbery of the Fifth Third Bank, 450 South Randall Road, Algonquin, Ill., on May 23, 2012. In addition, the court also ordered Khan to pay restitution of $5,211 to Fifth Third Bank.
Khan pled guilty to the charge on Nov. 20, 2012. According to the written plea agreement, On May 23, 2012, at approximately 4:45 p.m., Khan entered the Fifth Third Bank branch on South Randall Road and approached a bank teller. Khan admitted that when he entered the bank, he had a BB gun concealed in the waistband of his pants under his shirt. Khan handed the Teller a note which stated that this was a robbery and demanded money. The note further stated Khan was armed with a gun and that the Teller was not to make a scene, give him any "dye packs," or activate any alarms or the defendant would shoot her. The Teller gave Khan $5,211 of the bank’s money from her teller drawer. Khan retrieved the note from the teller and then walked out of the bank. Khan has been in federal custody since his arrest by the Skokie Police Department on June 8, 2012.
The sentencing was announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Thomas R. Trautmann, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation; Russell Laine, Chief of the Algonquin Police Department; and Anthony Scarpelli, Chief of the Skokie Police Department.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.
Phillips County Man Sentenced on Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A man from Phillips County, Kan., has been sentenced to five years in prison on a federal gun charge, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Brian Eugene Post, 36, Phillipsburg, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In his plea, he admitted that on March 7, April 11 and April 18, 2012, he sold methamphetamine and oxycodone to an undercover agent working for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. On May 12, the agent arranged to meet Post for a sale and more drugs were exchanged. When he was arrested shortly thereafter, investigators found hydrocodone and hashish oil in his car, as well as a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun.
Grissom commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
Pharmacist Charged with Conspiring to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former pharmacist at Walgreens has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on Feb. 13 and unsealed today, named Charles Brian Griffin, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pa.
According to the indictment, from March 2011 until February 2012, Griffin conspired together with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Selling Counterfeit DVDsRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Dale Anthony Borders (38, Orlando) to two years and six months in federal prison for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs bearing the trademarks of Beachbody, LLC, Disney Enterprises, Inc., and Zumba Fitness, LLC. Borders pleaded guilty on November 29, 2012.
According to court documents, between March 26, 2009, and August 26, 2011, Borders used his company, 5A Novelty, to import counterfeit DVDs bearing counterfeit Disney, Zumba, and Beachbody trademarks into the United States. During that time, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection (CBP), approximately 80 parcels containing counterfeit items had been shipped to Borders.
In March 2011, Beachbody served Borders and 5A Novelty notice that 5A Novelty was not a designated or approved retailer or distributor of Beachbody products. Beachbody also advised 5A Novelty of the copyright laws that prevent the unauthorized use of trademarks. Beachbody and eBay shut down the 5A Novelty website three times. Each time, Borders reestablished the website.
On August 18, 2011, CBP officers in Cleveland, Ohio, seized one box of counterfeit Beachbody exercise DVD boxed sets addressed to Borders' Orlando residence. Agents subsequently interviewed Borders at his residence, at which time Borders gave agents counterfeit Beachbody and Zumba exercise DVDs. Borders told the agents that he did not have any more DVDs or counterfeit items and did not have any pending orders. However, on August 29, 2011, during an inspection by a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations at the Orlando DHL distribution hub, two boxes of counterfeit Beachbody and Zumba exercise DVD boxed sets (60 units), intended for Borders, were seized. The shipping invoice listed the shipment as "Teaching Materials" and "Learning Materials."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.
Oregon Woman Pleads Guilty to Being an Armed Career Criminal, Four Armed Bank Robberies, and Admits Committing Twenty-Five Other RobberiesRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore. – Lorinda Marie Goodin, 44, a resident of Lane County, Oregon, pled guilty today to committing two armed bank robberies in Multnomah County, two armed bank robberies in Lane County, and to possessing ammunition after having been previously convicted of eight bank robberies. Sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2013.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Goodin pled guilty to robbing the Bank of the West in Portland on November 8, 2011, the Clackamas County Bank in Gresham on November 14, 2011, and the Pacific Continental Bank in Eugene on August 1, and again on November 25, 2011. Goodwin wore disguises, displayed what appeared to be a large caliber pistol, and threatened to shoot or kill bank tellers during the robberies.
The defendant was arrested on December 7, 2011 by an FBI agent and Springfield police officers after she was seen driving a stolen vehicle in Springfield, Oregon. She had a large caliber toy pistol in her possession. During a subsequent court-authorized search of Goodin’s residence, police found numerous rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.
Goodin also pled guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of ammunition and agreed to be sentenced as an armed career criminal. She was previously convicted in 2003 for robbing banks in Multnomah, Clackamas and Marion counties.
Goodin further admitted that from August 2011 until her arrest in December 2011, she robbed twenty-five businesses located in Lane County, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Wasco County and Douglas County. When committing her robberies, Goodin carried what appeared to be a large caliber pistol. During several of these robberies, Goodin had an accomplice.
The maximum penalty for possessing ammunition after being convicted of three violent felonies is 1ife imprisonment with a mandatory minimum 15 year prison term. The maximum sentence for armed bank robbery is a 25 year prison term. Goodin will be sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Ann Aiken on May 8, 2013, and has agreed that she should receive a 275 month federal prison term.
Goodin’s guilty pleas, admissions and agreed sentencing recommendation of 275 months in prison were part of her plea agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, Clackamas County District Attorney Gregory Horner, Douglas County District Attorney Richard Wesenberg, Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, and Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley. As part of the overall agreement, Goodin agreed that she will also plead guilty in Oregon state courts to the multiple robberies she admitted committing, and that she should receive a sentence of up to 18 years in prison for each robbery, to be served concurrently with her federal sentence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Portland Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Roseburg Police Department, The Dalles Police Department, Milwaukie Police Department, Gresham Police Department, the Springfield Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank R. Papagni, Jr.
North Carolina Commodities Firm Owner Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Multimillion-dollar FraudRead the Press Release
The principal and co-owner of North Carolina-based Integra Capital Management LLC, was sentenced today to serve 36 months in prisonfor his role in a scheme to defraud commodities trading investors of more than $3.2 million, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney of the Western District of North Carolina Anne M. Tompkins. Nicholas Cox, 35, of Lexington, N.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr., in the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to his prison term, Cox was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,981,477 in restitution. On Dec. 22, 2012, Cox pleaded guilty in the Western District of North Carolina to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, five counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to court documents, between September 2006 and January 2009, Cox and his co-conspirator, Rodney Whitney, 50, of Archdale, N.C.,the co-owner of Integra, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors in commodity trading pools operated by the firm. Integra was established purportedly for the purpose of pooling investors’ funds in commodity pools, and investing in commodity futures and foreign currency exchange trading. According to court documents, Cox and Whitney obtained and misappropriated more than $3.2 million in investor funds and fabricated account statements and tax forms to conceal their fraud. According to court documents, Cox and Whitney falsely represented, among other things, that Integra’s managers had more than 30 years of combined market experience; that Integra paid dividends of two to five percent of the investor’s initial investment, which was derived from Integra’s trading profits; and investors could remove their principal investments within five days upon giving notice to Integra. According to court documents, Cox and Whitney used the money invested by later investors to pay the monthly investment returns they had promised to earlier investors, to purchase real estate, to fund other business ventures and to purchase automobiles and other personal goods and services. On March 21, 2011, Whitney pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced on Jan. 7, 2013, to 60 months in prison for his role in the scheme. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Luke Marsh of the Criminal Division' s Fraud Section and Benjamin Bain-Creed and Kenny Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This prosecution was done in coordination with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov .New York Man Indicted on Federal Charges Related to 10 Central Pennsylvania Fast Food Restaurant RobberiesRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Maurice Lebron Davis, age 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg. The indictment charges Davis with 10 counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the charges against Davis are a result of allegations that Davis, and others, broke into and robbed or attempted to rob 10 fast food restaurants in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties between December 2011 and February 2012. The restaurants include:
-Chick-fil-A, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA; -Wendy’s, 3465 Simpson Ferry Road, Camp Hill, PA; -Wendy’s, 427 N. 21st Street, Camp Hill, PA; -Burger King, 3253 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA; -Wendy’s, 2 Old Mill Road, Dillsburg, PA; -Wendy’s, 71 S. Conestoga Drive, Shippensburg, PA; -Burger King, 2000 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA; -Wendy’s, 331 S. Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA; -McDonald’s, 1176 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA; and
-Arby’s, 240 Cumberland Parkway, Mechanicsburg, PADavis was arrested by Upper Allen Township Police on February 24, 2012.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the police departments of Upper Allen Township, Middlesex Township, Harrisburg, Carroll Township, Swatara Township, Lower Allen Township and Silver Spring Township. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
New York City Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Counterfeiting ChargesRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a New York City man pleaded guilty Tuesday before Senior United States District Judge A. Richard Caputo to the charge of conspiracy to pass counterfeit United States currency.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, John Roldan, age 48, of Queens, New York, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to pass counterfeit United States currency in the Monroe County area. Roldan and another individual, Maribel Vasquez, age 46, also of Queens, New York, were arrested after an incident in April 2011 in which Roldan and Vasquez each used a counterfeit $100 bill to purchase merchandise at the Target store located in Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Officers from the Stroud Regional Police Department later conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which Roldan and Vazquez were traveling and seized approximately $7,000 in counterfeit United States currency.
The case was investigated by the Stroud Regional Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and Target store security personnel.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 5 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
New Town Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Feb. 20, 2013, Merrill J. Mann II, 37, New Town, N.D., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
On April 20, 2012, Mann was the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet pickup traveling northbound on BIA Route 2 west of New Town. At the time, Mann was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Mann stopped his vehicle at a stop sign at the intersection with N.D. Highway 23 for a prolonged period of time. Mann pulled his vehicle into the intersection when a 2003 Dodge Caravan was headed westbound on Highway 23 carrying several passengers. Mann’s vehicle and the van collided. An 84-year-old passenger in the van was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
The charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a statutory maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Fort Berthold Agency, the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Sentencing for Mann has been scheduled for May 31, 2013, in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, N.D. at 10:00 a.m.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced for Possessing More Than 150,00 Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE , La.: U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Phillip Sessa Jr., 30, of Essex, Md., was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 97 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography.
According to court documents, an acquaintance of Sessa alerted authorities in November 2011 that Sessa’s personal computer at his Opelousas residence contained child pornography. A search of the residence turned up compact discs, computer hard drives and a phone containing child pornography. More than 1,000 videos depicting children in sexual situations were found. When questioned about the images on his computer, Sessa said some were of his girlfriend’s children who resided in the Baltimore, Md., area. Sessa was later released pending the investigation, and in December 2011, he moved back to Maryland. Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized more than 150,000 images and videos. Sessa was arrested in January 2012 and pleaded guilty July 23, 2012.
“Possessing obscene and illegal images is a serious crime that will not be tolerated,” Finley said. “Protecting children from exploitation is a priority for our office. We will not stop prosecuting those who promote the abuse of children by possessing such images.”
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police-Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice launched nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation andObscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE. Investigators are available at all ours to answer hotline calls.
Marietta resident pleads guilty to shooting bald eagleRead the Press Release
OXFORD, Miss. B Felicia C. Adams, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Luis Santiago, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Chief of Law Enforcement Steve Adcock announced that:
Benjamin Tyler Wallace, 23, of Marietta, Mississippi, pled guilty on February 19th before United States Magistrate Judge David A. Sanders, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, to a one-count Information charging him with shooting a mature bald eagle in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. § 668, a class A misdemeanor. Wallace shot and killed the eagle while duck hunting in Itawamba County on December 2, 2012.
Following his guilty plea, Wallace was placed on probation for a period of one year, during which time Wallace will be prohibited from hunting in any manner or being present at any hunting camp or campsite anywhere in the world at any time during any season open to hunting. In lieu of a fine, Wallace was further ordered to forfeit to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks the boat, motor, trailer, and two firearms used in the commission of the offense.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago stated that: “We take our mission working with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the citizens of Mississippi in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously, investigating those who choose to violate state and federal laws. They undermine the proud tradition of hunting for all hunters.”
This case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Mims.
Local Couple Pleads Guilty to Theft of Copper from Radio TowersRead the Press Release
Two people pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of federally-licensed communications lines related to the theft of copper from four local radio towers, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
“These defendants admitted to breaking into and seriously damaging radio towers,” Dettelbach said. “We will continue to protect the infrastructure in our region.”
Thomas M. Carbone, 28, of North Royalton, and Katie M. Stanton, 23, of Cleveland, are scheduled to be sentenced on April 30.
On or about August 17 to 18, 2012, Carbone and Stanton unlawfully entered the property of Radio One on Ridge Road in North Royalton, Ohio, and willfully and maliciously destroyed and removed copper material from four radio-station towers situated on the property, according to court documents.
This unlawful removal of copper depleted the signal strength of the supported radio station, thereby impeding the station’s ability to broadcast emergency messages, according to court documents.
Emergency repairs cost nearly $11,000 while permanent repairs will cost an estimated $125,000, although specific figures are still being calculated, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas E. Getz and M. Kendra Klump. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Royalton Police Department.
Leader of Fraudulent Immigration-document Ring SentencedRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Jacinto Morales-Martinez, 48, a citizen of Mexico who is also a previously-deported felon, was sentenced Tuesday to serve 60 months in a United States Federal prison for his leading role in a family-based document-trafficking ring that manufactured fraudulent immigration and identification documents for illegal aliens throughout Southwest Michigan. The scheme involved 11 charged defendants, all of whom have since been convicted of felonies including conspiracy to produce and sell fraudulent immigration documents, and of possessing and transferring such documents. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker sentenced Morales-Martinez and included a 60-month concurrent sentence on a separate charge of returning to the United States after being deported following conviction for an aggravated felony.The scheme involved the defendants, most of whom were related and all of whom are themselves illegal aliens, producing high-quality documents such as Permanent Resident cards (“Green Cards”) and Social Security cards for persons they believed were illegal aliens. Despite their extensive efforts to avoid detection, a ten-month-investigation by the Grand Rapids office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) culminated in the execution of five search warrants in Holland and Grand Rapids in mid-June 2012, the arrests of 14 undocumented aliens associated with the investigation, and the seizure of two document-production facilities.
In addition to the sentence for Jacinto Morales-Martinez, Judge Jonker previously imposed the following prison sentences: Juan Jose Morales-Martinez (34), was sentenced to 46 months; Ricardo Uriel Morales-Jimenez (21), was sentenced to 15 months; Rodolfo Esquivel (61) and Ledin Over Ovalle-Perez (29) were both sentenced to 12 months; Luis Alberto Morales-Jimenez (23) and Jacinto Jonathan Morales-Mendoza (19) were both sentenced to 10 months; Maria De La Luz Mendoza-Martinez (43), Giovanni Sanabria-Morales (29), and Amparo Mercado (36) were all sentenced to eight months; and Hugo Alexis Morales-Jimenez (22) was sentenced to six months. With the exception of Ovalle-Perez, who is a Guatemalan national, all of the Defendants are citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States.
Commenting on the sentences, U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles Jr. stated, “Illegal immigration remains a serious law enforcement concern of the United States Government. People who engage in the production and trafficking of fraudulent government documents for profit are a major part of the problem, not a part of the solution. This Office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute such persons. The fact that this case was the fourth prosecution in a series of cases going back over eight years, directly reflects how relentless we are in shutting down the fraudulent document trade.”
William Hayes, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Detroit, added, “Document and identity fraud is a serious crime motivated by greed. It affects real people and has far-reaching, serious implications for law-abiding Americans. This final conviction shuts down a sophisticated document mill and holds all of the individuals involved in this criminal activity accountable for their actions.”
The Grand Rapids office of HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen W. Frank, who serves as the principal of the Identity Theft and Cybercrime Task-Force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecuted it..
END
Last of Los Zetas Arms Traffickers ConvictedRead the Press Release
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation revealed that a Laredo based co-defendant associated with Los Zetas needed someone to transport weapons from the Dallas area to Laredo and then to the Republic of Mexico for ultimate delivery to Los Zetas Drug Trafficking Organization.
Otilo and Ranferi Osorio were identified as co-conspirators in the Dallas area who were to deliver the weapons to other co-conspirators for transportation to Laredo. Co-defendants Pablo Cerda, 36, Nicolas Sanchez-Reyes, aka NICO, 50, and Obregon, operated out of the Laredo area and were tasked with receiving the shipment of weapons in Laredo and arranging for their transportation to Mexico.
On Nov. 9, 2010, agents set up surveillance at the parking lot area of a Wal-Mart located near I-35 in Lancaster, at which time agents observed a tractor trailer driver meet with Ranferi and Otilio Osorio who arrived in a Ford Explorer. Two large duffel bags believed to contain weapons were removed from the Explorer and placed inside the tractor. Agents then followed the tractor-trailer.
Obregon, Sanchez-Reyes and Cerda then coordinated the receipt of the weapons for ultimate transportation to Nuevo Laredo. Between Nov. 9 and 10, the men called each other regarding the logistics of the shipment and coordinated the delivery of the weapons in Laredo to another driver secured by Cerda who would transport the weapons to Mexico.
On Nov. 9, Webb County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop in Laredo of tractor trailer transporting the weapons. At that time, Sanchez-Reyes called the driver’s phone and a deputy answered the call. Unaware of the situation, Sanchez-Reyes said he was looking for the driver who was supposed to bring him something, at which time the deputy informed the driver could not talk. After the stop, deputies located the two duffle bags and found 40 high-powered firearms consisting of various makes, models and calibers as well as 39 empty magazines. Agents then discovered that 37 of the 40 firearms recovered had obliterated serial numbers. The driver was arrested at the scene.
Co-defendants Otilo and Ranferi Osorio were indicted in Dallas and have since pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Earlier this year, Cerda and Sanchez-Reyes entered their pleas of guilty to the charge of conspiracy to export arms. Cerda, Sanchez-Reyes and Obregon are in custody and will remain in custody until their sentencing which has been set for March 27, 2013. The three are also pending State Charges for capital murder and engaging in organized criminal activity in the 49th District Court of Webb County before State District Court Judge Joe Lopez.The OCDETF investigation was conducted DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.
Lam Nguyen Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
LAM NGUYEN, age 40, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., to theft of government funds, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to court documents, NGUYEN’s mother was receiving social security benefits before her death. When she died, these benefits should have terminated. However, NGUYEN continued to receive the benefit checks, which were sent to his residence. NGUYEN deposited the checks into his bank account. NGUYEN converted these funds to his personal use knowing that he was not entitled to receive those benefits.
NGUYEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is set for May 15, 2013.
The case was investigated by the United States Social Security Administration- Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Loan “Mimi” Nguyen.
(Download Factual Basis )
Lakeland Resident Sentenced to Prison for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. District Court Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Jonathan Oner (28, Lakeland) to a term of 6 years and eight months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony possession of marijuana. Oner pleaded guilty to the offenses on November 16, 2012.
According to testimony and evidence presented at the plea hearing and sentencing, Oner was arrested by Lakeland Police officers in the early morning hours of July 15, 2012 after the officers responded to a shots fired call at a Lakeland apartment building. When the officers arrived at that location, they observed Oner, who began fleeing from them. Upon pursuing and catching Oner, the police found him to be in possession of a Llama 9mm pistol, loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana. Previously, Oner been convicted of a number of felony offenses and had not had his right to possess a firearm restored. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hoffer.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Lafayette Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Church Defacing CaseRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: The U.S. Attorneys Office announced that Brian Toriano Crimiel, 35, of Lafayette, was sentenced today before U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to one year in prison for defacing Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and five years in prison for lying to a federal agent with time to be served concurrently.
Crimiel was ordered to pay $2,972 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s insurance company and $1,000 to St. James Baptist Church for damage to property. He also was ordered to serve one year of supervised release for defacing the church and three years of supervised release for lying to an FBI agent.
According to court documents, authorities discovered on Feb. 26, 2011 that someone had painted racial slurs on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and school on 12th Street in Lafayette. Crimiel later admitted to defacing the property, saying he was trying to frame his ex-girlfriend for the damages and threats, and left a number of pieces of evidence at the scene pointing to her as the culprit.
As part of his plea agreement, Crimiel also acknowledged that on Feb. 13, 2011, he defaced and damaged the St. James Baptist Church on Plum Street in Lafayette as well by writing racial slurs on the church with spray paint and pouring gasoline on the bushes near the front door with a threat that the church would burn.
Crimiel also admitted that he lied to an FBI agent when he denied using his cell phone on the morning of Feb. 13, 2011. Crimiel called 911 anonymously to advise authorities that he saw two women and one man trespassing on St. James Baptist Church property. He admitted later it was part of his scheme to frame his ex-girlfriend.
The FBI-Lafayette Resident Agency and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case.
Knoxville Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Adrianne Y. Thompson, 41, of Knoxville, Tenn., was sentenced on Feb. 20, 2103, by the Honorable Thomas W. Phillips, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 30 months in federal prison for misusing the Social Security number of another person and aggravated identity theft. Thompson had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
At the time she engaged in the criminal conduct, Thompson was employed at a cellular telephone store. Through her employment at the store, she obtained the Social Security number of her victim under the false pretense of determining the victim’s eligibility for a new cellular telephone. She then used the victim’s Social Security number to open a checking account at a bank in Knoxville, Tenn. After opening the checking account using the victim’s Social Security number, Thompson proceeded to use that checking account to write fraudulent checks.
U.S. Attorney William C. Killian stated, “Identity theft is a growing problem in our society that causes great harm to its victims. Under federal law, aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory minimum term of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence. We will continue to use the aggravated identity theft statute to ensure that people who engage in this type of conduct spend time in federal prison.”
The investigation was led by the Knoxville Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bolitho represented the United States.
Kentucky Inmate Charged with Threatening the Life of the President of the United StatesRead the Press Release
– Charges also include threatening the life of the First Lady
LOUISVILLE, Ky – A Kentucky inmate was charged by a federal grand jury meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, today with threatening to take the life of and inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States and threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm upon the immediate family of the President of the United States, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
According to count one of the two count indictment, between May 23, 2012, and May 25, 2012, Anthony D. Holliman, age 35, of Oldham County, Kentucky, knowingly and willfully wrote and mailed a letter addressed to the President of the United States threatening to assault the President’s wife and children, and claiming that he would “blowe your brains out with a pistel,” and further, Holliman is alleged to have used racial epithets and written, “you better check me out because I don’t lie & I always do what I say Im going to do! Your dead …!!!”
The second count of the federal indictment alleges that between May 23, 2012 and May 25, 2012 Holliman wrote and mailed a letter addressed to First Lady Michelle Obama, threatening to sexually assault and take the lives of the First Lady and her daughters.
If convicted, Holliman faces no more than five years in prison for each charge, a fine of $500,000 and a three year period of supervised release. Holliman is currently serving a 35 year sentence in the Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Holliman is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge James D. Moyer, in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 26, 2012 at 9:30am.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Weiser and is being investigated by the United States Secret Service.
The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Kansas City Man IndictedOn Federal Armed Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Kansas City man has been indicted on federal charges alleging he committed a string of armed robberies, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Clifford L. Miller, 48, Kansas City, Mo., was indicted Wednesday on one count of bank robbery, ten counts of commercial robbery, and ten counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.
The indictment alleges Miller committed the following robberies:
- June 10, 2013, Capital City Bank, 120 SW 6th Street in Topeka, Kan.
- June 21, 2013, Cirilla’s store, 7258 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.
- June 21, 2013, Family Dollar at 1274 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kan.
- June 22, 2013, Dollar General, 2852 W. 47th, Kansas City, Kan.
- June 30, 2013, Family Dollar, 1402 S. 42nd, Kansas City, Kan.
- July 1, 2013, Dollar General, 2018 Metropolitan in Kansas City, Kan.
- July 3, 2013, Cirilla’s, 4301 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kan.
- July 24, 3013, Advance America, 4625 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kan.
- Aug. 4, 2013, GameStop, 9672 Quivira Road in Lenexa, Kan.
- Aug. 12, 2013, Dollar General, 2852 W. 47th in Kansas City, Kan.
- Sept. 21, 2013, Cirilla’s, 7258 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each robbery count and a penalty of not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on each charge of brandishing a firearm. The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Lenexa Police Department, the Topeka Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTSRonnell Smith, Sr., 40, Oakland, Calif., is charged with one count of distributing cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 26, 2012, in Kansas City, Kan., and Oakland, Calif.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and a fine up to $5 million. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.
Damon Douglas Griffin, 37, is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 7, 2014, in Lawrence, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the methamphetamine charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated.
Erica Barajas-Duran, 39, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. She was found Feb. 12, 2014, in Overland Park, Kan.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.
Felix M. Leal, 40, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2013 and 2014 in Wyandotte County, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.
Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.
Angel Guzman-Aviles, 26, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 3, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.
Travis W. Edwards, 35, Wichita, Kan., and Michael J. Strotkamp, 36, Peabody, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Edwards also is charged with an additional count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 11 and 12, 2014, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million on each count. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
Carl M. Bray, 28, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 26, 2013, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
Durayle D. Jackson, 24, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 22, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
Jemel T. Knox, 30, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a sawed off shotgun. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 6, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Justice Department Releases Spanish Language Video About Discrimination in Employment Eligibility VerificationRead the Press Release
The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department announced today the launch of its first Spanish-language educational video. The video was developed by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices to assist employers in avoiding charges of discrimination in the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 process and to assist employees to be aware of their legal rights. OSC enforces the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against work-authorized individuals in hiring, firing, and recruitment or referral for a fee, regardless of their citizenship status or national origin. The law additionally prohibits discrimination during the Form I-9 and E-Verify processes.
OSC developed the video to address an issue that frequently comes to OSC’s attention through calls to its hotline and charges filed by employees. Employers occasionally incorrectly believe that they need to reverify the employment authorization of lawful permanent resident workers when their Permanent Resident Cards expire. OSC’s new video illustrates this practice, explaining that is not permissible and may lead to claims under the anti-discrimination provision.
“We believe this video will help both employers and employees across the country understand employment eligibility verification rules and also help lawful permanent residents maintain their employment,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Federal law prohibits discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process, and the Justice Department is committed to enforcing the law.”
The Spanish language video may be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLps_3sWJxk.
A version of the same video subtitled in English can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWRSMNFxxKY.
The video is part of OSC’s series of educational videos launched in 2012. OSC also operates a hotline for employers and workers, frequently providing guidance to employers on how to avoid discrimination and educating employees on rights protected by the anti-discrimination provision. OSC offers live webinars to educate employers on avoiding workplace discrimination and to educate employees about their rights. The next Spanish language webinar will be held today at 3:00 pm. You can register on-line at http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc/webinars.php. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under the immigration law, call OSC’s worker hotline at: 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2525, TDD for the hearing impaired); call OSC’s employer hotline at: 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-362-2735, TDD for the hearing impaired); send an e-mail to: [email protected]; or visit OSC’s website www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc.