Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
16 January 2013
Toledo Man Faces Charges for Having 18 Firearms, Body Armor and 40,000 Rounds of Ammunition Despite Manslaughter ConvictionRead the Press Release
A criminal indictment was unsealed today charging Toledo resident Richard Schmidt with a variety of crimes related to his possession of 18 firearms, body armor and more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition despite a previous conviction for the crime of manslaughter, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office.
Schmidt, 47, was arrested in December following searches of his home and business. He was convicted of manslaughter in 1990 in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. Schmidt was forbidden from possessing firearms, ammunition or body armor as a result of his conviction.
“It is deeply troubling that law enforcement found this man, with a prior homicide conviction, in possession of an arsenal,” Dettelbach said. “We owe the FBI and our other law enforcement partners our thanks that they caught this man, with 18 firearms -- some of them assault weapons – high-capacity magazines, more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, and a bulletproof vest stored in a locked room in a mall, before anyone was hurt.”
Anthony said: “Richard Schmidt is not only accused trafficking in counterfeit goods but also is accused of being a felon in possession of a significant quantity of firearms and ammunition. We are pleased that the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, and our partners were able to take Richard Schmidt off the street.”
Count 1 charges that Schmidt, on Dec. 21, 2012, possessed approximately 300 rounds of ammunition and four firearms: two Ruger P95 9 mm pistols, a Sig Sauer P250 9 mm pistol and a Taurus PT145 pistol.
Count 2 charges that Schmidt, on Dec. 28, 2012, possessed approximately 40,188 rounds of ammunition and 18 firearms: a Stag Arms AR-15 rifle, an Armalite AR-10 rifle, a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, a Remington 870 Express 12-gauge shotgun, a Winchester M94 30/30 rifle, a Winchester M190 .22-caliber rifle, a Remington M700 rifle, a Mossberg M535 12-gauge shotgun, a Russian American Armory SAIGA 12-gauge shotgun, a Federal Arms Corporation FA 91 .308-caliber rifle, an Eagle Arms 5.56-caliber rifle, a Rock River Arms AR-15 rifle, a Ruger Mark II pistol and a Sturm-Ruger .375 magnum pistol.
Count 3 charges that Schmidt, on Dec. 28, 2012, possessed body armor.
Count 4 charges that between Sept. 30, 2011 and Dec. 21, 2012, Schmidt trafficked in counterfeit goods, specifically goods with counterfeit logos and brand-name markings of the National Football League, Nike, Reebok and Louis Vuitton.
These items were found following searches of Schmidt’s home on Marlow Road in Toledo, the store he operates, Spindletop Sports Zone, in Bowling Green, Ohio and trailers in the parking lot of the shopping center that includes Spindeltop Sports Zone. Investigators also recovered seven high-capacity magazines during the search, according to court records.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio filed 176 indictments for violations of federal firearms laws, with the average sentence being more than six years in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Duncan T. Brown and Linda H. Barr following an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Border Patrol, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Toledo Police Department, the Bowling Green Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.
An indictment 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.
Three Are Sentenced After Being Convicted of Carjacking and Kidnapping Three Children, Ages 2 ½, 1 ½ and 2 MonthsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Joshua Roland Fuller Gilley, 26, of Enterprise, Alabama, and Westly Robert Rogers, 25, of Ozark, Alabama, and Melissa Lynn Mione McGee, 37, of Daleville, Alabama have all been sentenced after pleading guilty to carjacking an Isuzu Rodeo in which three children, ages, 2 ½ years, 1 ½ years, and 2 months old were riding in the backseat; and to kidnapping those same three young children, announced U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr..
Gilley was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to 46 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to carjacking. Rogers was sentence by Judge Fuller to 32 months imprisonment after pleading to carjacking and McGee was sentence by the same judge to 210 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to kidnapping.
Around May 21, 2011, the victims, J.G. and A.L. were first introduced to McGee by someone they had met over the internet named “Nate.” McGee claimed to be a human resources representative from Memphis, Tennessee and offered to help the couple find jobs and a residence near Ozark, Alabama. As a result of this offer, the victims traveled to Ozark. In Ozark, the victims and their three children stayed in a motel room at the Ozark Inn paid for by McGee. During their stay at the Ozark Inn, McGee personally met with the couple, provided them small amounts of money and food and promised to get J.G. a job paying $17 an hour.
On Sunday, June 5, 2011, the victims and the three children drove to a rural area outside of Brundidge, Alabama to meet with McGee and take possession of a mobile home McGee had promised them. When they arrived, McGee introduced them to Rogers and Gilley, who McGee referred to as “Mike” and “Nate”. Rogers and Gilley immediately assaulted the young couple and forcibly removed them from their Isuzu Rodeo. Rogers and Gilley then climbed into the Isuzu and drove off with the three children still in the back seat. McGee drove a white SUV ahead of Rogers and Gilley and later took custody of the two month old baby, while the 2 ½ year old and the 1 ½ year old were dumped in the driveway of a residence in Black, Alabama. Upon finding the two older children, the occupants of the residence brought the children to a nearby hospital.
Less than 48 hours after the crime occurred, law enforcement officers were able to track down the baby to a private residence in Dothan, Alabama. The woman who lived there told authorities that she had agreed to watch the baby for McGee, who had claimed the stolen baby was her own child.
“These three defendants, not only endangered these young children by kidnapping them from their mother, but they dumped the two older children in a driveway in rural Alabama, showing no concern for their welfare,” said U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr.. “Their behavior was inexcusable and they should spend substantial time in prison. We are proud of our judiciary in this case for sending a message that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
“The defendants’ predatory nature and their willingness to expose this family to such peril and harm is a serious criminal act which will not be tolerated by society,” stated Stephen E. Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division. “The FBI’s commitment to protect and ensure the safety of families and children is unwavering. We are pleased that these criminals face serious prison time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is being assisted by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Ozark Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dothan Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other law enforcement partners. This case has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kent Brunson and Nathan Stump.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Statement of United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz Regarding the Death of Aaron SwartzRead the Press Release
BOSTON – As a parent and a sister, I can only imagine the pain felt by the family and friends of Aaron Swartz, and I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to everyone who knew and loved this young man. I know that there is little I can say to abate the anger felt by those who believe that this office's prosecution of Mr. Swartz was unwarranted and somehow led to the tragic result of him taking his own life.
I must, however, make clear that this office's conduct was appropriate in bringing and handling this case. The career prosecutors handling this matter took on the difficult task of enforcing a law they had taken an oath to uphold, and did so reasonably. The prosecutors recognized that there was no evidence against Mr. Swartz indicating that he committed his acts for personal financial gain, and they recognized that his conduct - while a violation of the law - did not warrant the severe punishments authorized by Congress and called for by the Sentencing Guidelines in appropriate cases. That is why in the discussions with his counsel about a resolution of the case this office sought an appropriate sentence that matched the alleged conduct - a sentence that we would recommend to the judge of six months in a low security setting. While at the same time, his defense counsel would have been free to recommend a sentence of probation. Ultimately, any sentence imposed would have been up to the judge. At no time did this office ever seek - or ever tell Mr. Swartz's attorneys that it intended to seek - maximum penalties under the law.
As federal prosecutors, our mission includes protecting the use of computers and the Internet by enforcing the law as fairly and responsibly as possible. We strive to do our best to fulfill this mission every day.
St. Paul Man Indicted for Robbing US BankRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 47-year-old St. Paul man was indicted in connection with the December 13, 2012, armed robbery of the US Bank branch located at 711 Cleveland Avenue South in St. Paul. David Judin Greer was specifically charged with one count of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that on December 13, Greer stole $3,952 from the bank after brandishing a .38-caliber revolver. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, a man, later identified as Greer, walked into the bank at approximately 2:00 p.m. He allegedly approached the teller counter, pulled the gun, and demanded twenties, fifties, and one-hundred-dollar bills. The teller took money from the cash drawer and stuffed it into the white plastic bag that Greer provided. After reportedly demanding and receiving even more money, he fled the premises.
Immediately following the robbery, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released to the public digital images of the robber. Later that same day, the FBI received a telephone call from an anonymous individual who identified the robber as Greer. Authorities then began surveillance on Greer’s residence.
On December 29, 2012, the FBI received a call from the St. Paul Police Department, indicating officers there had just conducted a welfare check on Greer at the request of a family member. Officials subsequently transported Greer to Regions Hospital, where Greer reportedly gave law enforcement consent to search his residence. There, officers located the revolver used in the bank robbery. It was hidden above the duct work in the basement.
If convicted, Greer faces a potential maximum penalty of 25 years in prison for armed robbery and seven years for brandishing of a firearm. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the St. Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Sprint Cell Phone Fraud Lands Final Defendant in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Four Houston area residents have been sentenced for conspiring to commit mail fraud involving the theft of Sprint cellular phone customer data and telephones, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Frederick Sears, 38, Lakreshia Shana Smith, 28, and Vernon R. Parker Jr., aka PJ or Chad, 33, all of Houston, each pleaded guilty July 20, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Troy Alexander Tipton, 21, of Tomball, pleaded guilty Aug. 2, 2012, to aiding and abetting access device fraud.
Today, Judge Lee H. Rosenthal handed Parker a sentence of 51 months to be followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. Last month, Judge Rosenthal sentenced Smith and Tipton each to three years of probation while Sears was ordered to serve 18 months in federal prison. Restitution was also ordered in the amount of 131,789.44 for all defendants.
Beginning in April 2011 through Oct. 7, 2011, Tipton, an employee of Modern Wireless, sold at least 400 customer accounts, including their access information, to Parker. Parker then directed Sears, Smith and others to make claims for replacement or additional cellular telephones valued at $400-500 each using the stolen customer accounts.
Sears and Smith were arrested after agents followed them around the Houston area where they picked up packages containing fraudulently obtained cellular telephones. Conspirators had placed phone and Internet orders for either replacement phones (claiming phones were lost or stolen) or additional phones to be charged to unknowing customers of Sprint. The packages were mailed from Sprint locations outside of Texas to various hotels and apartments as directed by the conspirators. The total loss to Sprint is estimated at more than $136,000 attributable to the Parker organization.
Parker will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The convictions are the result of an investigation conducted by the Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Minnis is prosecuted the case.
Sneads Man Indicted for Manufacturing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA– A federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging Donyel James Fitts, 28, of Sneads, with manufacturing child pornography. The indictment was announced today by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Counts One and Two of the indictment allege that, on June 20 and 21, 2012, Fitts persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct, for the purpose of photographing the minor victim. Counts Three and Four of the indictment allege that Fitts videotaped a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct on October 16, 2012, and October 19 2012, respectively.
For each count, if convicted, Fitts faces a mandatory sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison, a life term on supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gayle Littleton.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is merely a formal charge by the grand jury. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Seventeen Face Federal Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged 17 individuals with methamphetamine related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Those charged with providing pseudoephedrine pills to methamphetamine manufacturers are: Dennis Bowen, 40, Johnston City, Illinois, Bridgett L. Garrington, 29, Johnston City, Illinois, Dana L. Gulley, 40, Herrin, Illinois, Dustin J. Gulley, 22, Herrin, Illinois, Sherri Gunter-Perkins, 40, West Frankfort, Illinois, Casey Heath, 24, Herrin, Illinois, Dawn Jacobsen, 37, Carbondale, Illinois, Karla Jones, 31, Herrin, Illinois, Doyle Massengill, 53, Herrin, Illinois, Stephanie Patrick, 22, Elkville, Illinois, Keith Pichelman, 24, Carbondale, Illinois, Richard Robinson, 45, Herrin, Illinois, Amber Scro-Cardwell, 28, West Frankfort, Illinois, Robin Sides, 27, Herrin, Illinois, Eric Smothers, 52, Herrin, Illinois, Mary Smothers, 45, Herrin, Illinois, and Julie Woolum, 37, Benton, Illinois.
All those charged face up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250, 000 fine if convicted.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Police Department, Royalton Police Department, West City Police Department, Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Leggans.
San Felipe Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier today, Valentino Sanchez, 33, a member and resident of San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty to two federal assault charges under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Sanchez pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. In entering his guilty plea, Sanchez admitted assaulting a San Felipe Pueblo woman on May 14, 2012, with a stick. He also admitted that the victim sustained serious bodily injuries as a result of the assault. The offenses occurred on San Felipe Pueblo land.
Court records reflect that Sanchez was arrested on May 22, 2012, after investigation revealed that he had assaulted the victim by repeatedly striking and punching her on the head and back with his hands, kicking her, and striking her on the head and back with a stick. As a result of the assault, the victim suffered an orbital fracture to the right side of her face and a small traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage to the left front part of the brain.
Sanchez has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Sanchez faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Southern Pueblos Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez.
Rockland County Accountant Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for $6 Million Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced today that ALAN RITTER, a self-employed accountant in Rockland County, New York, was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to three years in prison in connection with his operation of an 11-year, $6 million Ponzi scheme. RITTER pled guilty to three counts of wire fraud in September 2012 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty imposed today’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Alan Ritter, like other Ponzi schemers before him, added personal betrayal to his fraud by fleecing unsuspecting victims who were friends and clients. He will now face the penalty for his conduct.”
According to the Information and statements made during the plea proceeding:
RITTER operated his own accounting practice in Rockland County, New York. In 2001, he suffered more than $500,000 in losses from an unrelated business venture. In order to cover those losses, RITTER solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans from friends and clients of his accounting practice, falsely telling them that he intended to use the money to invest in real estate ventures. For the next 11 years, RITTER operated a Ponzi scheme in which he borrowed more and more money for purported business ventures that he used the money to cover the interest payments on the original loans he secured, and to pay for his own personal expenses.
RITTER also embezzled funds entrusted to him by several clients, using their money to cover the interest payments on the Ponzi scheme loans and to pay for his personal expenses. For example, in November 2011, RITTER was given $650,000 on behalf of a family and was instructed to use a portion of it to satisfy several of the family’s outstanding debts. The remainder of the funds was to be held pending further instructions. Instead, RITTER embezzled at least $530,000 of the original $650,000.
In addition to his sentence, Judge Crotty sentenced RITTER, 70, of Monsey, New York, to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution and forfeiture, which will be determined at a later date.
Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the Criminal Investigators of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
This case was brought in coordination with President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, on which Mr. Bharara serves as a Co-Chair of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Levy is in charge of the prosecution.
Rochester Man Sentenced in Bail Jumping CaseRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Tryn Parker, 40, of Rochester, N.Y., who was convicted of failing to surrender for the service of a sentence, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa J. Miller and Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and sentenced by Judge Larimer to a prison term in August 2010. At Parker’s request, the Court allowed the defendant to remain released on bail, on the condition that Parker surrender himself to the United States Marshals Service or the Bureau of Prisons for service of his sentence. The defendant failed to surrender at the designated time and facility. Thereafter, in February 2011, the defendant was arrested in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was found to be using false identification. This sentence will run concurrent to the original sentence of 30 months in prison.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
Restitution Payment Obtained from Sale of Former Home of Defendant Paul BarthRead the Press Release
– Proceeds from sale of house will go toward restitution for the Crusade for Children
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The United States District Court Clerk located in Louisville, Kentucky will receive payment this week from the sale of the former home of former McMahan Fire Chief, Paul Charles Barth, in the amount of $130,410.56, to be applied toward the restitution owed the WHAS Crusade for Children and the McMahon Fire Protection District, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. In addition, another $66,198.01 from the sale will be deposited in the Court Clerk’s registry account and may also be available for restitution.
“This is a significant first step toward making the Crusade for Children whole again,” stated U.S. Attorney Hale. “We will pursue further measures to collect additional funds from Barth for restitution beyond today’s payment until every dollar has been restored to the charity. In fact, we will request that the Court apply the $66,198.01 toward restitution, which will leave very little restitution outstanding.”
Barth, the former McMahan Fire Department Chief, began serving a 41 months sentence in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on December 20, 2013. He was sentenced on November 19, 2012 in federal court by U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn, II. On June 21, 2012, Barth pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and 12 counts of money laundering. He was ordered to pay restitution to his victims, the WHAS Crusade for Children and the McMahon Fire Protection District (MFPD). The restitution order in favor of the Crusade was $190,000, and the order in favor of MFPD was $8,277, for a total of $198,277.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the private sale and transfer of Barth’s real estate property located in Jeffersontown, Kentucky was completed yesterday. The United States and American Alternative Insurance Corporation, insurer of McMahon Fire District, have released liens and claims to the real estate. In addition to the $130,410.56 to be paid directly for restitution, an additional $66,198.01 from the proceeds from the sale of the property will be paid into a registry account held by the United States District Court Clerk’s Office in Louisville, Kentucky. The United States Attorney’s Office will move the Court to apply these additional funds to the restitution owed by Barth. American Alternative Insurance Corporation may also assert an interest in the additional proceeds. However, if the United States’ motion is successful, a total of $196,608.57 will have been applied toward the outstanding $198,277 restitution obligation, excluding interest.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Weiser and Bryan Calhoun. The restitution collection efforts were led by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Ansari. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service - Kentucky Electronic Crimes Task Force, which includes the University of Louisville Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
Reserve Deputy Constable Arrested for Aiding Cocaine LoadRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Tomas Roque, a reserve deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 6, has been arrested following the return of an indictment alleging charges of aiding the possession of a controlled substance and a violation of the Hobbs Act, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.
Roque, 26, of Houston was arrested this morning and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy later today or tomorrow.
The two-count indictment, returned Jan. 8, 2013, and unsealed upon his arrest today, alleges Roque aided in the delivery of cocaine in the Houston area and accepted money for the protection service.
Roque is alleged to have aided in the possession of cocaine on or about Dec. 6, 2012, and allegedly received a payment of $2000 for the protection he provided.
If convicted of possession with the intent to distribute, he faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine. For extortion under color of law (Hobbs Act violation), he could also receive up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.
The operation was a combined public corruption task force effort conducted by the FBI, the Texas Rangers, the Houston Police Department. Homeland Security Investigations Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit and Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office assisted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James McAlister.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Red Lake Man Indicted for Endangering Baby’s HealthRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed earlier today charges a 33-year-old Red Lake man with endangering the health of a baby. On January 8, 2013, Chad Joseph Sumner was charged with one count of child endangerment. The indictment was unsealed following Sumner’s initial appearance in court.
The indictment alleges that on August 17, 2011, Sumner intentionally placed the child in a situation likely to be harmful. As a result, the infant suffered substantial physical harm, including head trauma and skull fractures.
If convicted of the crime, Sumner faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.
Because the Red Lake Indian Reservation is a federal-jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa Resident Sentenced to 65 Months for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA- On January 16, 2013, William Martin Fiorito, Jr., a 45 year old resident of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge John Jarvey to 65 months imprisonment for bank robbery. Judge Jarvey also ordered Fiorito to serve a three year term of supervised release following incarceration. The defendant pled guilty on October 4, 2012, admitting to the commission of bank robbery by entering Peoples National Bank located at 333 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, Iowa on October 11, 2011, where he produced a note demanding money and advising he had a firearm. The teller at the time of the robbery observed what appeared to be the grips of a handgun protruding from the top of Fiorito’s waistband, and the teller provided money to Fiorito as demanded. Fiorito left the bank and entered a second Peoples National Bank located at 1600 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, Iowa, a few minutes later. Fiorito again demanded money, but left the second bank without obtaining any money.
The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Attorney=s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
(Download Press Release )
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing Bomb PartsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court to 188 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release on his conviction of distributing information relating to explosives with the intent that it be used for a crime of violence, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Michael Steven Cech, 42.
According to information presented to the court, on May 18, 2012, a government confidential informant met with Cech. During the recorded conversation, the informant indicated to Cech that he was implicated in a Federal drug case and that he had a need for a bomb in order to prevent a witness from testifying against him. Cech indicated that would be “no problem,” and that he was going to put nails in the bomb so that what the explosion did not “get,” the nails would. Cech indicated to the informant that he had built bombs “many times,” and that all the informant would have to do was to “light it and throw it.” Further, Cech promised that his bomb would work. When the informant asked Cech what he wanted in exchange for the bomb, Cech stated that he wanted a .45 caliber pistol and $300. On May 25, 2012, Cech met the informant at a parking lot in Monroeville, Pa. When Cech arrived, he was in possession of components of a bomb he intended to assemble. The components included a pipe, two endcaps, serrated nails, and candle wicks. Cech then proceeded to instruct the informant how to assemble the bomb. During the recorded conversation, Cech told the informant how to handle gunpowder, how to physically put the bomb together, where to put the explosive gun powder, when to place the nails within the bomb, and how and where to drill the hole in the endcap to place the fuse into the bomb. Cech assured the informant that the bomb that he was demonstrating the assembly on would be functional, and that he had built 30 of them and all 30 had exploded as designed. Cech stated that he preferred that no kids were killed when the informant deployed the bomb, because he liked kids, but Cech stated, “it is what it is.”
Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cech.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Filing Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Espiridion Adrian Lugo, 40, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake on Jan. 14, 2013, to 54 months of prison and was ordered to pay $128,388 in restitution. Lugo had pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and aggravated identity theft on Oct. 10, 2012.
Between July 2008 and May 2009, Lugo engaged in a scheme to obtain monies from the United States through the submission of fraudulent tax returns. Lugo submitted nearly three dozen Federal tax returns to the United States in the names of deceased persons from California. For each of these tax returns, Lugo falsified the deceased individuals' wages, address, income tax withholdings, dependents, tax credits, and other deductions, in order to maximize the tax refund. To conceal his activity from law enforcement, Lugo created a shell company called Uncle Sam’s Tax Service in Buckeye, Ariz. and obtained bank accounts under that business name.
“Because tax fraud undermines the integrity of our income tax system and therefore impacts all of us as taxpayers, our office places a high priority on the investigation and prosecution of this type of crime,” said U.S. Attorney Leonardo.
“A 54 month prison sentence reflects the egregiousness of this crime. Mr. Lugo went to great lengths to perpetrate his scheme which included stealing the identities of deceased taxpayers. IRS Criminal Investigation, both nationwide and here in Arizona, has made investigating identify theft cases our top priority,” stated Gabriel Grchan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI.
In total, Lugo falsely claimed over $279,000 in refund payments and gained access to approximately $128,388 of the refunds.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Internal Revenue Service. The prosecution was handled by Raymond K. Woo and Joseph Koehler, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.CASE NUMBER: CR-12-0008-PHX-NVW
RELEASE NUMBER: 2013-004_LugoFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Peach Springs Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Police OfficerRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Jan. 14, 2012, Duane Kenny Parker, 25, of Peach Springs, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 70 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Parker, a member of the Hualapai Nation Indian Tribe, pleaded guilty on October 15, 2012 to assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to court records, Parker assaulted a Hualapai Nation police officer by striking the officer with a glass bottle after he responded to a domestic violence call. After the bottle broke, Parker swung the bottle at the officer a second time striking him in the neck area. As a result of the assault, the victim sustained serious bodily injuries including a concussion.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Hualapai Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-12-8068-PCT-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2013-003_ParkerFor more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Painting Contractor Sentenced in Bidding SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County has been sentenced in federal court to five months imprisonment and five months home detention with electronic monitoring, to be followed by three years supervised release, on his conviction of theft from a program receiving federal funds, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the West Mifflin Area School District in the amount of $94,439.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Ralph D. Imbrogno, 65, of McKeesport, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, from May 2008 through March 2010, Imbrogno aided and abetted Patrick Risha, the Superintendent of the West Mifflin Area School District, in defrauding the school district and misapplying a total of $94,439 in district funds. The fraud was committed in connection with the school district's awarding of 10 painting contracts to Imgrogno's son's painting company, Imbrogno Painting. Imbrogno aided Risha in defrauding the school district by producing false bid proposals from painting contractors for the contracts requiring a competitive bidding process.
Imbrogno previously pled guilty to one count of aiding Risha in the fraud with respect to a contract in the amount of $9,995.00, issued to Imbrogno Painting for the painting of a portion of the interior of Emerson Elementary School. Imbrogno Painting was paid for such services by check issued on October 21, 2009, from the West Mifflin Area School District "General Fund" account. The West Mifflin Area School District was the recipient of in excess of $1,000,000 of federal monies from the United States Department of Education during the 12-month period, including Oct. 21, 2009.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Investigation Services for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Imbrogno.
Omaha Woman Sentenced in Spa Prostitution CaseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Kimberly A. Bivens, age 46, was sentenced today in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 37 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Ms. Bivens had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to use facilities in interstate commerce to promote a business enterprise involving prostitution and to persuade an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.
Kimberly Bivens managed or owned three spa locations during 2009 to October 24, 2011, in Omaha, Nebraska. She placed advertisements for each of the three spas on the internet. Each of the spas was, in fact, a front for prostitution. The majority of customers received sex acts from the workers, rather than legitimate spa services, in exchange for money. Some customers traveled to the spas from Iowa and from other states to obtain sex acts for money.
There were five or more participants operating and managing these three spa locations. During the time when Kimberly Bivens managed or owned these three spa locations, there were more than twenty workers providing commercial sex acts.
The investigation of this matter was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department.Olney Man Charged with Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Daniel F. Gillard, 48, of Olney, Illinois, was charged in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, with possession of child pornography and with accessing the internet with intent to view child pornography.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
With respect to each of the two counts, if convicted, Gillard faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and from 5 years to lifetime supervised release to follow any incarceration.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to 21-Month Prison Term for Assaulting Ambassador at Gabonese Embassy- Defendant Was Arrested After Demonstration Turned Violent -Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Leon Obame, 45, of Raleigh, N.C., was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for assaulting the ambassador of Gabon during a demonstration in December 2011 at the Gabonese Embassy, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Obame was found guilty by a jury in October 2012 of one count of assaulting a foreign official. The verdict followed a trial in the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Senior Judge Gladys Kessler.
In addition to the assault charge, Obame was charged with arson and damage to property occupied by a foreign government for a pair of fires in 2009 at the embassy. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on those charges, and the government has dismissed those counts.
The assault took place on Dec. 9, 2011 at the embassy’s temporary location, in the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. That morning, according to the government’s evidence, Obame punched the ambassador, knocking him to the ground.
Obame had been in custody since his arrest at the demonstration at the Gabonese Embassy, but he was released after the jury verdict last fall. He is to receive credit for the time that he already has served and now must report back to serve the rest of the 21 months. Following completion of his prison term, he will be placed on a year of supervised release.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the efforts of those who investigated the case from the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Selena Zuhoski, Devron Elliott, and Elizabeth Barns, Legal Assistant Donice Adams, and Litigation Technology Specialist Thomas Royal. Finally, he thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frederick W. Yette and T. Patrick Martin, who prosecuted the case.
13-012Niagara Falls Man Sentenced for Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.---U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Maurice Ubiles, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., who was convicted of obstructing justice, was sentenced to 22 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that the defendant lied to law enforcement officers about a controlled drug purchase he allegedly made from a target of a Niagara Falls Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration narcotics investigation. As a result of the false information provided by Ubiles, the target was arrested and charged in federal court. The charges were later dismissed once law enforcement officers and the United States Attorney’s Office determined that the defendant had lied about the drug purchase.
“While the facts underlying this case are fortunately a rare occurrence, today’s prosecution and sentence demonstrate this Office’s commitment to pursue justice under all circumstances, as well as substantial punishment that will be given to anyone who deceives law enforcement in its efforts to fight crime," said U.S. Attorney Hochul.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Brian R. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto.
Newport News Man Indicted for 28 Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Ronald Wayne Carr, 38, of Newport News, Va., has been indicted by a federal grand jury accused of participating in twenty-eight armed robberies in Hampton, Newport News and York County. Prior to Carr’s arrest on December 27, 2012, he was known as the “fake beard” robber.
Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James Newman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the indictment was returned.
The indictment charges Carr with interference with commerce by robbery, under a federal statute that makes it a federal crime to rob a business whose operations affect interstate commerce. According to the indictment, Carr committed armed robberies within three separate jurisdictions in Hampton Roads from December 18, 2010 through November 16, 2012. Some of the businesses were robbed multiple times. The robberies occurred at the following businesses - the Auto Zone Store in York County and Hampton; Dollar General in Newport News; Advance Auto Store in Hampton and Newport News; Family Dollar Store in Hampton and Newport News; Captain D’s Restaurant in Newport News; Long John Silver Restaurant in Hampton; and, Bojangle’s Restaurant in Hampton.The indictment alleges that in the course of the robberies Carr brandished a firearm and pointed the firearm at employees and demanded money belonging to the businesses. The combined total losses from the twenty-eight businesses exceed $47,000.
This investigation is being conducted by ATF’s Washington Field Division, Hampton Police Department, Newport News Police Department and the York County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bradenham, II is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Criminal indictments 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.Minneapolis Man Indicted for Armed Robbery of Three Convenience Stores and A Jimmy John’sRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 26-year-old Minneapolis man was indicted in connection with the armed robbery of three Twin-Cities area convenience stores and on two separate occasions, the same Jimmy John’s sandwich shop. Derrel Johon Pruitt was charged with five counts of interference with commerce by robbery, pursuant to the Hobbs Act, five counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The indictment alleges that on five occasions, Pruitt stole money from the businesses while brandishing a sawed-off shotgun: On October 13, 2011, he allegedly robbed the Quick Stop store in South St. Paul; on October 22, 2011, he allegedly robbed the Stop N’ Go store in Minneapolis; on November 18, 2011, he allegedly robbed the Jimmy John’s in Minneapolis; on November 24, 2011, he allegedly robbed the Holiday store in Inver Grove Heights; and on December 2, 2011, he allegedly robbed the same Jimmy John’s in Minneapolis.
In addition, on December 5, 2011, Pruitt possessed the shotgun, which had a barrel length of less than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches. The firearm was not registered to Pruitt in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.As stated, Pruitt was charged in federal court under the Hobbs Act, which was passed by Congress in1946. The Act allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent habitual criminals who commit armed robberies in places of business that involve interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since federal penalties are often tougher than those imposed under state law. Moreover, because the federal system has no parole, those who receive federal sentences serve virtually their entire prison terms behind bars.
If convicted, Pruitt faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count of violating the Hobbs Act, ten years for possession of an unregistered firearm, and a mandatory minimum of seven years on each count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The potential maximum penalty on those counts is life in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the police departments of Inver Grove Heights, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and South St. Paul. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Amber Brennan.An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Mexican Man Sent to Prison for Bribery of A Public OfficialRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - Jose Luis Huerta-Aguilar, 32, of Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for bribery of a public official, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Huerta-Aguilar pleaded guilty Monday, Nov. 5, 2012.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Huerta-Aguilar an 18-month sentence. As an illegal alien, Huerta-Aguilar is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
On June 14, 2012, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent began communicating with via radio with Huerta-Aguilar who was requesting assistance in obtaining entry for himself and two other undocumented aliens. On June 16, 2012, Huerta-Aguilar met with the agent at the Progreso Port of Entry at which time Huerta-Aguilar delivered United States and Mexican currency to the agent as payment to permit Huerta-Aguilar and the aliens entry into the United States without inspection.
Huerta-Aguilar will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The investigation leading to the charges against Huerta-Aguilar was conducted through a joint effort with The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General, Office of Professional Responsibility, Customs and Border Protection - Office of Internal Affairs and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney Juan Villescas prosecuted the case.
Member of Carbon County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to 39 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a member of a Carbon County-based drug trafficking conspiracy was sentenced Tuesday by Senior U. S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 39 months in prison.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Imani Simelani, age 30, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who used the street name “E,” previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine. Simelani admitted to being a member of the drug conspiracy from early 2006 to April 2007.
Simelani was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2007, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Simelani was one of 11 people charged in the case. Ten of the co-defendants pleaded guilty to drug-related charges and have been sentenced to prison. Krishna Mote, one of the leaders of the drug ring, was recently convicted after a jury trial and is awaiting sentencing.
Judge Munley also ordered Simelani to be placed on supervised release for four years following his prison sentence and pay a fine of $500.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 19 Months in Prison for Medicaid Fraud Involving Power Wheelchairs and Incontinence Supplies-Emerald Medical Services Submitted More Than $600,000 in False Claims-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Uche Ben Odunzeh, 32, of Laurel, Md., was sentenced today to 19 months in prison on a federal charge stemming from the submission of more than $600,000 in false health care claims, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.
Joining in the announcement were Debra Evans Smith, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Nicholas DiGiulio, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS - OIG) for the region including the District of Columbia, and Charles J. Willoughby, District of Columbia Inspector General.
Odunzeh pled guilty in October 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. As part of his plea agreement, Odunzeh agreed to pay $277,383 in restitution to the District of Columbia. He also agreed to entry of a consent order of forfeiture requiring him to forfeit the proceeds of the fraud. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ellen S. Huvelle.
According to a statement of offense signed by the defendant as well as the government, Odunzeh is a Nigerian national whose visa expired in 2004. He was the sole owner of Emerald Medical Services, LLC, based in the District of Columbia. Emerald Medical sold durable medical equipment, or DME, such as power wheelchairs and adult incontinence supplies.
From on or about Jan. 8, 2008, through on or about March 18, 2011, Emerald Medical submitted 100 claims to the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program for power wheelchairs, totaling $591,653. The D.C. Medicaid program paid Emerald approximately $480,272 for those claims. All of those claims were for the most expensive power wheelchair, referred to by its procedural billing code of K0011. In fact, however, Emerald Medical provided only more basic, less expensive wheelchairs. The D.C. Medicaid program paid Emerald Medical approximately $6,157 per K0011 chair – nearly twice as much as it would have paid for the less sophisticated chairs that Emerald Medical actually provided. Odunzeh admitted that the program paid Emerald Medical at least $232,470 more than what the company might otherwise have been entitled to receive.
During the same period, Emerald Medical also submitted numerous claims to the D.C. Medicaid program for DME items that it never provided to Medicaid recipients. For example, the D.C. Medicaid program paid Emerald Medical about $44,913 for adult incontinence supplies such as diapers, disposable underpads and gloves that were never actually provided.
Acting on an anonymous tip that he was leaving the country, federal agents arrested Odunzeh in July 2012 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. A separate indictment was handed up and an arrest warrant has been issued for Odunzeh’s alleged co-conspirator, Patricia Mubanga Chisanga, who is believed to have fled to Zambia, Africa.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Acting Assistant Director in Charge Smith, Special Agent in Charge DiGiulio, and Inspector General Willoughby commended the efforts of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, HHS-OIG, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, D.C. Office of the Inspector General. They also acknowledged the efforts of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Silverman, of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as well as the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Finally, they commended those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Financial Analyst Bryan J. Snitselaar; Legal Assistant Nicole Wattelet; Assistant U.S. Attorney Zia M. Faruqui and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Scruggs, who handled the asset forfeiture portion of the case; Assistant U.S. Attorney Lionel Andre, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. Radway, who is prosecuting the matter.
13-011Marietta Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Claims for Federal Income Tax Refunds While in State PrisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Arnold Tobias Gervais, 34, of Marietta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges arising out of a scheme to defraud the IRS out of more than $3.4 million in federal income tax refunds while he was in state custody.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Those who cheat the IRS take money away from everyone who pays his or her fair share of taxes. The United States Attorney’s Office and the IRS are on the lookout for tax cheats and will aggressively pursue those individuals who try to beat the system.”
“One of the many ways that IRS Criminal Investigation protects taxpayer money involves identifying, investigating and prosecuting those who file fraudulent refund claims,” stated Special Agent in Charge, Veronica Hyman-Pillot. “Mr. Gervais defrauded the government and the taxpaying public and will be justly punished for his actions.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court, Gervais was convicted in May 2008 and sentenced to five years in prison by the Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia for theft by taking for submitting a fraudulent tax return in an attempt to obtain a tax refund of more than $600,000 from the State of Georgia. Gervais was incarcerated on that charge from July 13, 2007 through February 26, 2010.
On March 16, 2009, while in state custody, Gervais caused his then wife to file with the IRS a phony income tax return, Form 1040, for tax year 2008, which contained a claim for payment of an income tax refund in the amount of $811,073, which Gervais knew to be false, fictitious, and fraudulent.
In addition, Gervais filed, or caused to be filed, six more false claims for federal income tax refunds - five in his own name for tax years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009, and one in the name of an acquaintance for tax year 2009.
All seven of the returns claimed false wages and federal tax withholding. And all seven of the returns falsely claimed that the taxpayer had earned a significant amount of wages from a fictitious company called “Safety Shoes & More, Inc.,” which was allegedly located in Rome, Georgia. The returns also falsely claimed that the corporation had withheld from those wages a significant amount of federal income tax.
The total intended tax loss to the IRS was $3,488,135, and of that amount, $2,832,268 was actually paid by to Gervais by the IRS.
The United States Attorney’s Office in this district filed two civil forfeiture actions, which resulted in the seizure of $2,232,012 from accounts controlled by Gervais; thereby, reducing the out-of-pocket loss to the IRS.
Gervais pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging him with one count of filing false claims for income tax refunds. He could receive a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding, but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2013 at 10 a.m., before United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Phillips and Michael J. Brown are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Man Who Stole Almost $1.5 Million from Victims in Early Mortgage Pay-off Scheme Sentenced to Eight Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Las Vegas, Nev. – A former resident of Las Vegas who defrauded 17 individuals of almost $1.5 million in an investment fraud and marketing scheme involving early mortgage payoffs, was sentenced today to just over eight years in prison for his guilty pleas to fraud and tax evasion charges, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
“Mr. Maharaj repeatedly solicited victims through fraud and deception knowing that they would never receive the monetary rewards he pitched,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “Although he tried to avoid facing the reality of a conviction by fleeing to Fiji and causing the United States to extradite him, he was eventually brought to justice and will spend much of the next decade behind bars.”
Aneal Maharaj, 65, currently in custody, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 100 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,473,111 in restitution. Maharaj received a greater sentence because of the significant loss amount and number of victims, and because he obstructed justice by failing to appear for trial in the case and fled to Fiji to avoid prosecution. Maharaj pleaded guilty on Oct. 18, 2012, to one count of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of tax evasion, six counts of bank fraud, and one count of making a false declaration in a bankruptcy petition.
Beginning in about 1990 and continuing to about October 2004, Maharaj operated a multi-level marketing program from Las Vegas wherein he promised persons that they could pay off a 30-year mortgage in five years or less by investing and becoming franchise owners in a business he called “PowerNet Marketing Systems,” and a “home loan plan” he called Systematic Mortgage Amortization Reduction Technology (SMART). The system required the investors to recruit additional persons into the program, which Maharaj told them would entitle them to substantial commissions and income. Maharaj knew that no individual had ever paid off a 30-year mortgage in five years or less using the SMART plan, and that he had no intention of paying the commissions and income to the participants. At least 17 individuals each invested a minimum of $25,000 and up to $500,000 with Maharaj to become franchise owners in his fraudulent marketing program. The plea agreement states that Maharaj convinced one victim to sign over his interest in his $100,000 life insurance benefit.
Maharaj was originally charged in September 2005 with mail fraud and wire fraud. Additional charges were filed against Maharaj in October 2008, including structuring cash transactions, money laundering, tax evasion, bank fraud and making a false declaration in relation to a bankruptcy proceeding. Shortly thereafter, the government filed a motion requesting the court to detain Maharaj pending trial, alleging that Maharaj was committing new crimes while on pretrial release including engaging in the same conduct for which he was originally indicted. The court did not immediately detain Maharaj, and set a hearing on the matter. Maharaj fled to Fiji and failed to appear at the hearing. In February 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice began extradition proceedings. Maharaj fought extradition for more than two years, but on Nov. 15, 2011, he was extradited to Las Vegas to face the charges.
Maharaj has not filed a tax return since at least 1995, and admitted in his guilty plea that from 1995 to about October 2004, he kept a substantial portion of the payments that the victims made to “Powernet” for his own use and benefit and did not pay taxes on the income. Maharaj used the proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase homes in Las Vegas and Henderson between December 2003 and August 2004. Maharaj financed the homes through Countrywide Home Loans and caused false and fraudulent information to be included in the home loan applications concerning his employment, income, assets and liabilities. Maharaj also filed for bankruptcy and made false statements in his petition concerning ownership of the homes.
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Pugh and Nicholas Dickinson.
Today's announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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 more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
Man Sentenced for the Armed Robbery of A Bemidji Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in Duluth, a 22-year-old man was sentenced for committing the December 30, 2011, armed robbery of Newby’s Market in Bemidji. United States District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle sentenced Jason Lee King, no known address, to 132 months in federal prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, pursuant to the Hobbs Act, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. King was indicted on April 3, 2012, and pleaded guilty on June 11, 2012.
In his plea agreement, King admitted that on December 30, 2011, he stole approximately $1,476 from the store while threatening a store clerk with a loaded, short-barreled shotgun. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the market was robbed just before 9:00 p.m. by two masked men armed with a shotgun and a knife. After the robbery, the men fled in a blue pickup.
In responding to the robbery, officers spotted the truck and the men abandoning it and fleeing into the woods. King and a juvenile male were ultimately found and taken into custody. Officers recovered the 20-gauge shotgun in the woods, along the route the men had taken in their attempt to escape authorities. Inside the pickup, police also found $1,420 in cash, a black ski mask, several Newby’s Market receipts, and a check made out to Newby’s Market.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in places of business involved in interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since the penalties are often tougher than under state law. Furthermore, because the federal system has no parole, those who receive federal sentences serve virtually their entire sentence behind bars.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen.Luzerne County Man Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
For Federal Heroin Trafficking Charges
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Luzerne County man was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge James M. Munley to serve 60 months in prison on the charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, David Gilliam, age 27, of Forty Fort, previously admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the Luzerne County area between January and November 2011. In March 2011, investigators seized 660 bags of heroin from a residence located on Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort where Gilliam was residing.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Munley also ordered that Gilliam be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Kingston and Hanover Police Departments.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara.
Local Businessmen on Bond Following Arrest for Possession with Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
Joel Valencia Salazar Owns Primo Produce in Dallas
DALLAS — Two men, who were arrested Friday on federal drug charges, made their initial appearance in federal court in Dallas before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver, who released each of them on a personal recognizance bond. Gabriel Delgado, Jr., 35, of Dallas and Joel Valencia Salazar, 38, of McKinney, Texas, are charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Salazar, according to the criminal complaint, is the owner of Primo Produce, located on Ladybird Lane in Dallas. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
According to the complaint, on January 11, 2013, after inspecting suspicious freight pursuant to a state search warrant at the Averitt Express freight company warehouse in Grand Prairie, Texas, law enforcement located approximately 122 kilograms of marijuana in a shipment that had just arrived at the facility from Brownsville, Texas. The marijuana was hidden in large plastic storage bins that were placed inside cardboard boxes. The shipment’s bill of lading stated that the freight contained 10 containers of scales and metal plates.
According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, Averitt Express had contacted an individual about picking up the freight at the dock, and the individual was informed that there was an outstanding balance of more than $600 that would have to be paid before the freight could be released. Shortly thereafter, an individual, driving a box truck, arrived at Averitt Express and parked. Afterwards, a Chevrolet Tahoe pull up behind the box truck and that driver exited the vehicle, approached the driver of the box truck and handed the driver some papers. The box truck then entered Averitt Express, where the driver paid for the freight. While he was awaiting loading instructions, he was approached and detained by officers. Law enforcement officers who were located outside the business approached and detained the two men inside the Tahoe, which had remained parked across the street from Averitt Express. The Tahoe’s driver was identified as Delgado and the passenger was identified as Salazar.
Delgado said he was being paid $500 to coordinate picking up the freight and delivering it to a warehouse on Ladybird Lane in Dallas. Salazar said that he agreed to allow Delgado to use his warehouse in exchange for $500.
A federal criminal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s office has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment. The penalty for the offense charged, however, is not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taly Haffar is in charge of the prosecution.
Knoxville Woman Sentenced to 20 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- On Jan. 16, 2013, Martha Ann Kaczmarczyk, 63, of Knoxville, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 20 months in federal prison today by the Honorable Thomas W. Phillips, U.S. District Judge, for fraudulently obtaining disability payments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration.
As part of the scheme, Kaczmarczyk assisted her husband in obtaining disability payments based on a false claim of combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Additionally, Kaczmarczyk herself defrauded the Social Security Administration by falsely claiming that she was disabled due to a back injury. In addition to the 20 month prison sentence, Kaczmarczyk was ordered to pay $326,390.90 in restitution to the VA and Social Security Administration.
“These benefits are intended for our veterans. The outcome of this case sends a message to all who consider trying to falsely obtain veteran benefits. We will continue to prosecute those who wrongfully receive government benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Killian.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Air Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bolitho represented the United States.
Kewa Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Abuse ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – This afternoon Aaron M. Coriz, 22, a member of Kewa Pueblo who resides in Taos, N.M., pled guilty to an indictment charging him with intentional child abuse under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
During today’s plea hearing, Coriz admitted abusing an Indian child under the age of 12 years on April 21, 2010. In his plea agreement, Coriz admitted punishing the child victim by striking the child on the buttocks, back, hips, legs, with his hands, resulting in redness, raised skin, and bruising on those areas of the child’s body. Coriz committed this offense on Kewa Pueblo land.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Coriz faces up to six months of imprisonment to be followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the Court. Following his arrest on Nov. 27, 2012, Coriz was released to a half-way house under conditions of release. He remains on conditions of release pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Southern Pueblos Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito.
KC Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Trafficking, Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
Human Trafficking Rescue Project
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Kansas City, Mo., announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to child sex trafficking and producing child pornography, which was discovered during an investigation into an extortion and blackmail scheme.
Corey M. McKinney, also known as “Chef FireFlame Corey,” 36, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. McKinney’s plea came during the second day of his trial on the charges contained in an Aug. 30, 2011, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, McKinney admitted that he was sexually active on numerous occasions with the child victim since she was 14 years old, identified in court documents as “CV.” McKinney, who was the legal guardian of CV, admitted that he used computers and video equipment to record sexual activity between himself and CV. McKinney also admitted that he caused CV to engage in prostitution as part of an extortion and blackmail scheme.
On March 24, 2011, McKinney was hiding in the bedroom closet while CV was having sex with a man identified in court documents as “John Doe.” John Doe had just met CV, whom he believed to be 17 years old, on Facebook the day before. McKinney secretly recorded the sexual encounter on his cell phone and on a nearby computer.
John Doe returned to the apartment the next day to have sex again. McKinney burst into the room, asking John Doe if he knew how much trouble he could get into because his sister was only 16 years old. John Doe did not know that the girl was actually 16 years old, or that McKinney had recorded the earlier illicit encounter. He did not know that the 16-year-old girl was not actually McKinney’s sister, but rather was a former neighbor that McKinney himself – a 34-year-old man at the time, a few years older than John Doe – had been exploiting sexually.
After demanding $500 in exchange for not exposing John Doe to his family, friends, employer, or the authorities, McKinney made John Doe go with him to a nearby ATM to get some form of this payment. John Doe was only able to pay $100 at that time and McKinney demanded that he pay the balance in the next few days.
After this encounter, John Doe received a flurry of text messages from McKinney, who made threats and demanded money. McKinney claimed he sent the video file to a friend who worked at a local news agency. He also attempted to confront John Doe by arriving unannounced at his home. After numerous texts and an attempted in-face confrontation, John Doe approached the authorities and advised them of the extortion attempts. The text message threats from McKinney continued, and soon John Doe learned that McKinney was posting information about him and his wife on his Facebook page. Eventually, an exchange was arranged (through the direction of the Kansas City Police Department) to pay the remainder of the money in exchange for a USB drive with the video on it.
On April 7, 2011, McKinney was arrested at DeVry University in Kansas City, Mo. (where he was a student) after he exchanged a USB drive containing the video for money that he had been demanding from John Doe. Evidence uncovered during the investigation included various videos and images constituting child pornography with McKinney engaged in sexual activity with the same child victim. When investigators searched the minor’s cell phone, they found several sexually explicit photos of McKinney and the minor as well as sexually explicit photos of John Doe and the minor.
McKinney admitted that while he was incarcerated after his arrest he called the child victim dozens of times in repeated efforts to get her to recant her prior statements and testimony and persuade her to submit a statement on his behalf in the hopes of getting the charges against him dismissed.
Under federal statutes McKinney is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick D. Daly and Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.Joint Federal and State Firearms Operation Nets More Than 40 Arrests - Over 100 Firearms Taken Off of the StreetsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill, along with Special Agent in Charge (Tampa) Julie Torres of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Lisa Womack, Lakeland Police Department, announce the results of a joint operation charging twenty-five individuals with federal firearms and drug trafficking crimes. In addition, sixteen more individuals are charged with state offenses. The penalties faced by defendants in this investigation vary based upon the drug amounts and types, as well as their criminal histories. Maximum penalties for some include up to life imprisonment.
Beginning in July 2012, Operation “Smoke-N-Guns” began targeting convicted felons, drug dealers and gang members who were illegally possessing or selling firearms in the Lakeland, Florida area.
“This investigation targeted those criminals and felons who are prohibited from possessing guns,” said U.S. Attorney Robert O’Neill. “Today’s operation was aimed at getting those illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and off the streets.”
“Operation ‘Smoke-N-Guns’ is the essence of great law enforcement collaboration and teamwork,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Julie Torres. “I am very proud of the men and women of ATF who worked very hard alongside our partners to put the worst of the worst behind bars. This case is a good representation of what we should continue to achieve.”
Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack stated, “Reducing gun violence in the City of Lakeland and our area is a top priority of this department. The proliferation of gun violence in our area and across the nation is disturbing and this operation is a step in the right direction in reducing the number of guns on our streets. The teamwork between Lakeland officers and our partners in this operation was phenomenal and we look forward to future operations to address this issue. We never have a problem putting those behind bars that want to bring their illegal activities to our area.” An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lakeland Police Department. The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacie B. Harris, Joseph Swanson, Mark Bini, Jennifer Peresie and Josie Thomas. It is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. 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.
Ira Isaacs Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison in Los Angeles Adult Obscenity CaseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ira Isaacs was sentenced today to serve 48 months in prison for engaging in the business of producing and selling obscene videos and distributing obscene videos, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California, Assistant Director in Charge Bill L. Lewis of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck.
Isaacs, 61, of Los Angeles, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George H. King in the Central District of California. In addition to his prison term, Isaacs was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
On April 27, 2012, Isaacs was convicted by a federal jury in Los Angeles on all counts of a superseding indictment filed in April 2011.
Evidence presented at trial established that beginning in or about 1999 and continuing until at least 2011, Isaacs, doing business under the name L.A. Media, operated numerous websites, through which he advertised and sold obscene videos that he acquired from other people. The obscene videos included a video approximately two hours in length of a female engaging in sex acts involving human bodily waste and a video one hour and 37 minutes in length of a female engaged in sex acts with animals.
The evidence presented at trial also established that in approximately 2004, Isaacs began operating under the name Stolen Car Films, and made obscene videos in which he instructed women to engage in sexual activity involving human bodily waste. He subsequently advertised and sold the videos through his various websites.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Michael W. Grant and Deputy Chief Damon King of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Jeannette Gunderson of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Los Angeles Police Department.
Hudson County, N.J., Pediatrician Charged with Fraudulently Billing Medicaid for Nearly $1 MillionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, N.J., pediatrician was arrested at his home this morning for fraudulently billing Medicaid $900,000 for wound-repair treatments on children that were never rendered, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Badawy M. Badawy, M.D., 50, of Bayonne, N.J., a licensed pediatrician who owns and operates Sinai Medical Center of Jersey City LLC, a medical practice focusing primarily on pediatrics and family medicine, billed Medicaid thousands of times for nearly $900,000 worth of wound repairs on children and adolescents. He was charged by Complaint with healthcare fraud and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court.
According to the Complaint:
From January 2004 through December 2008, Badawy billed Medicaid, through its managed care companies, for certain wound repairs more frequently than any other service provider in the State of New Jersey. His claims for these supposed treatments represented a strong majority of all such claims submitted to Medicaid by all New Jersey medical providers during this time period, including 99.4 percent of all claims for the suturing or stapling of facial wounds larger than 30 centimeters.
Virtually all of these claims, which were submitted for supposed wound repairs on children, were fraudulent. Badawy’s patient charts for a large sample of these children who supposedly received treatment revealed no entry, notation, or other evidence, such as suturing or other closing methods, to support his claims that these procedures were actually performed.
The Complaint also identifies by initials 10 children whom Badawy claimed to have treated for wound repairs on numerous occasions.
∙ From April 2004 through June 2007, Badawy purportedly treated three children on 28 separate occasions for a total of 49 procedures involving some type of wound repair. According to the children’s mother, none of these children has ever had a cut that required stitches or other methods of wound closure.
∙ From March 2006 through February 2007, Badawy submitted eight claims for facial wound repairs, including two 30-centimeter facial wound repairs, on a single teenager during four different visits. According to the teenager, he had never seen Badawy for wounds to his face or other body parts.
∙ From July 2005 through July 2007, Dr. Badawy supposedly performed 15 wound repairs, including six 30-centimeter facial wound repairs, on a boy on eight separate occasions. According to the boy, he was never treated for a cut to his face.
The charge of health care fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas O’Donnell, and the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Scott B. McBride of the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care and Government Fraud Unit.13-030
Defense counsel: Michael J. Keating Esq., Cranford, N.J.Badawy Complaint
Hampton Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Deal ShootoutRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Randell Lamont Woods, 24, of Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 66months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Anton A. Bell, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Hampton, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.Woods pled guilty on June 11, 2012.
According to court documents, on December 27, 2011, Woods planned a drug delivery in the parking lot of the Hampton Walmart. During the course of the drug deal, twenty-five shots were exchanged between Christopher Vinson, David Andrews, and a third individual. Woods was armed with a stolen .45 caliber firearm and provided cover to Andrews during the shootout. Woods and Andrews retreated to a nearby motel where they surrendered to Hampton Police after a seven hour standoff.Christopher Vinson pled guilty to his participation in the crime on April 23, 2012 and was sentenced on September 10, 2012, to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release. David Andrews pled guilty on June 5, 2012, and was sentenced on September 24, 2012, to 228 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hampton Police Division. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Murphy prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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.Hamburg Woman Indicted on Fraud and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo returned a 17 count indictment charging Sheri L. Becirovic, 46, of Hamburg, N.Y., with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to file fraudulent tax returns, filing a fraudulent tax return, misuse of social security numbers, and aggravated identity theft. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years, a mandatory minimum of two years for each aggravated identity theft conviction, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Trini E. Ross, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, the defendant obtained the social security numbers of seven family members and friends. Becirovic provided those numbers to a co-conspirator who used them to file fraudulent tax returns for the tax year 2011.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Kevin M. Niland, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni Weirauch.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Goffstown Man Sentenced to 8 Years on Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Joseph Edwards, 38, of Goffstown was sentenced in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to 8 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.
Edwards was arrested in April of 2012 following a criminal investigation by the Goffstown Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that began when a citizen reported that images of child pornography had been observed in Edward’s residence. A search warrant executed at Edward’s residence revealed numerous videos depicting the sexual assault of children that had been downloaded through the internet and stored on a computer owned by Edwards.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Goffstown Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon, the U.S. Attorney’s coordinator for Project Safe Childhood.
Georgia Man Sentenced for FraudRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Tony Leon Smith, 64, of Snellville, Georgia, who was convicted after a jury trial of wire fraud and money laundering, was sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,175,000 by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany H. Lee and John J. Field, who handled the prosecution of the case at trial, the defendant defrauded two investors in the Western District of New York in two separate high yield investment schemes out of a total of $5,175,000. Smith claimed to be a multi-millionaire and experienced investor and employed an elaborate ruse to convince his victims that he had experience in international investments. The defendant promised his victims high yield returns in a short period of time. Smith convinced one victim to wire him $5,000,000 to an offshore bank account in St. Kitts. Instead of investing the amount as promised, the defendant wire transferred the money back to himself and others into bank accounts in Rochester, NY. Neither victim ever got their money back.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Christopher M. Piehota and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Kevin M. Niland, Inspector in Charge, Boston Division.
Former Employee Admits Using Hospital Credit Card for Personal UseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Timothy L. Mangis, 49, of Imperial, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill.
In connection with the guilty plea, Mangis, as a former Facilities Director at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, used a UPMC credit card to obtain merchandise for himself, including auto repair services for his car, building materials and appliances, and electronic equipment at retailers such as Pep Boys, Lowe's, Home Depot and Best Buy.
Judge Hornack scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2013. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Timothy L. Mangis.
Former Convicted Felon and Gang Member to Serve 46 Months in Prison for Possession of Firearms Purchased at Gun ShowRead the Press Release
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – JORDAN ABE CHAVIRA, 22, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot to serve 46 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms as a prior convicted felon, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. The firearms were purchased at a local gun show.
"It is a priority of this office to work with law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of felons," said U.S. Attorney Coats. "The defendant, a convicted felon, was able to purchase two semiautomatic firearms and ammunition at a local gun show without the necessity of a background check. Fortunately, alert Oklahoma City Police Officers were able to arrest and unarm the defendant before a violent crime was committed. Anyone who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, including convicted felons, better think twice before doing so. Law enforcement is committed to protecting law-abiding citizens from gun violence, and at the core of that effort is the apprehension and prosecution of felons who possess guns."
"The successful prosecution of Chavira by U.S. Attorney Coats highlights the cooperation between the Oklahoma City Police Department and ATF during the last 13 months to proactively keep firearms out of the hands of criminals who use gun show venues to purchase firearms," said OCPD Chief Bill Citty.
"This investigation is an example of ATF's partnership with the Oklahoma City Police Department to address violent crime associated with violent gangs and convicted felons in the Oklahoma City area as they attempt to illegally acquire firearms as tools of their trade," said Robert R. Champion, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to Judge Friot’s findings at sentencing, attached below, Chavira is a convicted felon and former member of the Southside Locos, a gang with a long history of violent criminal activity in Oklahoma City. On March 18, 2012, gang enforcement officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department were participating in a surveillance of a gun show in Oklahoma City. At the gun show, officers overheard Chavira approach a vendor and say, “no paperwork right,” referring to an ATF form used for a background check in order to purchase a firearm. After the dealer stated that paperwork was required because he was a federal firearms licensee, Chavira walked away and did not purchase any items from that dealer.
At the gun show, Officers observed Chavira purchase an Intratec 9 mm semiautomatic machine pistol with a high capacity magazine walk from one private vendor, a Glock Model 22, 40 caliber semiautomatic handgun from a different private vendor, and ammunition from a yet another private vendor. Each of these purchases was made by Chavira with cash and without any receipts or other paperwork completed.
Chavira and his friend left the gun show in a vehicle which was subsequently stopped by OCPD officers. In the vehicle, officers found a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun capable of handling a large capacity 32-round magazine, a .40 caliber Glock Model 22 semiautomatic handgun, three high capacity magazines, one box of 9 mm bullets with 40 rounds, and .22 caliber bullets.
Chavira was indicted on June 5, 2012. On August 10, 2012, he pled guilty to the indictment without a plea agreement.
Judge Friot ordered that Chavira serve 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As a convicted felon, Chavira is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition in the future.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Borden.
Reference is made to court documents for further information.
Former College Bursar Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Ordered to Repay Over $398,000 in Restitution to College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Today, BRANDI J. HENSON, 49, of Yukon, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in connection with a scheme to embezzle nearly $400,000 from Oklahoma City Community College, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Henson worked as the bursar at Oklahoma City Community College (“OCCC”) from 2003 through 2011. As bursar, she had access to the college’s PayPal account. PayPal allows users to maintain financial accounts for the purpose of transferring money over the Internet. In her duties as bursar, Henson used OCCC’s PayPal account to process refunds to students’ credit cards.
Henson was charged on July 10, 2012, with wire fraud relating to a scheme to embezzle money from OCCC. On August 16, 2012, Henson pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. At the plea hearing, she admitted that she improperly used the college’s PayPal account to post refunds/credits to her personal credit cards. Henson also admitted that the embezzlement scheme lasted from 2004 to 2011. According to the Information filed against her, Henson paid off more than $398,000 in personal credit card bills with OCCC refunds that she posted to her personal accounts.
At today’s sentencing, United States District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Henson to 27 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Judge Russell ordered Henson to pay restitution to OCCC in the amount of $398,315.12. Henson must report to federal prison on February 18, 2013.
The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris M. Stephens.
Former Bank Examiner Sentenced for Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a mortgage fraud scheme involving the sale of his house in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Rodney Foster, 47, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 12 months in federal prison without parole. Foster was taken into custody immediately after the hearing to begin serving his sentence.
On July 20, 2012, Foster was convicted of participating in a conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and wire fraud from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9, 2005, related to the sale of the Lee's Summit residence.
Foster and his co-conspirators obtained names, birth dates and Social Security numbers of others, without their knowledge or permission. They used this stolen identity information to apply for mortgage loans to purchase real estate. Conspirators used the stolen identities to disguise the fact that they did not have sufficient credit to purchase the properties using their own identities. Conspirators deposited the proceeds of the mortgage loans in fraudulent bank accounts of non-existent businesses in order to take cash out of each transaction.
Foster acted as a mortgage broker for the sale of the residential property in Lee=s Summit, which belonged to he and his wife (they have subsequently divorced). Foster agreed that the property could be sold for $280,000 to a straw buyer through the mortgage fraud scheme, with the proceeds split among Foster and the other conspirators. Foster knew the appraisal for the residence had been fraudulently inflated in order for conspirators to receive cash out of the purchase based on artificial equity. A portion of the proceeds – approximately $56,000 – was wired to a fraudulent bank account in the name of an identity theft victim.
Several of Foster's co-conspirators, who were not charged in this indictment, have been convicted in separate cases related to the Lee’s Summit residence and other similar schemes.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Cowles. It was investigated by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Financing Scheme Gets Florida Man 41 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Alcides Roman, age 53, of Ocoee, Florida, was sentenced Monday to 41 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for defrauding $340,000 from individuals in Louisiana seeking business loans. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Tom Stagg. Roman was also ordered to pay $340,000 to his victims.
In November 2007, Roman, doing business as Amstar Investment Properties, procured wire transfers of money from two different advanced fee contracts. The first transfer involved a wire transfer of $200,000 by an individual looking for financing on several properties in Alabama and Florida. Roman represented that he could secure financing in the amount of $26 million for an advance fee of $200,000. The individual sent the money as requested but never received the financing or a refund on the fee as promised. The investigation revealed a second set of victims in Texas who also sent money in November of 2007.
Roman pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2012. He is to report to the Bureau of Prisons on February 25, 2013.
The case was investigated by the FBI-Shreveport Resident Agency, and was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek.
Final Defendant Sentenced in Kankakee Clean Air Act ProsecutionRead the Press Release
Urbana, Ill. – Michael Pinski, who previously pled guilty to violation of the Clean Air Act related to illegal and unsafe asbestos removal from a Kankakee, Ill., building he owned, has been sentenced. On Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey ordered that Pinski, 44, of Kankakee, Ill., serve six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release including six months of home detention. Pinski was ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 20, 2013. On Aug. 19, 2011, Pinski entered a plea of guilty to violating the Clean Air Act by failing to notify the Illinois EPA of an asbestos removal job that took place at a warehouse in Kankakee, Illinois that Pinski owned. Pinski was charged in June 2010, along with Duane “Butch” O’Malley, 60, of Bourbonnais, and James A. Mikrut, 50, of Manteno.
Mikrut, who pled guilty to five counts of violating the Clean Air Act, was sentenced on Sept. 20, 2012, to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release under home detention. Mikrut was ordered to pay restitution of $47,085 to the Environmental Protection Agency along with co-defendant O’Malley. On July 25, 2012, O’Malley, convicted by a jury in September 2011, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, fined $15,000, and ordered to remain on supervised release for a period of three years following completion of his prison sentence.
Under provisions of the Clean Air Act, the EPA has promulgated rules, regulations and requirements to control the removal, handling and disposal of asbestos, a hazardous air pollutant. Any owner or operator of a renovation or demolition activity which involves removal of specified amounts of asbestos-containing material must comply with the EPA regulations.
Pinski pled guilty to violation of the Clean Air Act related to the illegal and unsafe removal of asbestos-containing insulation from pipes in a five-story building at 197 South West Ave., in Kankakee, that was owned by Pinski through his company, Dearborn Management, Inc. In August 2009, Pinski hired O’Malley, owner and operator of Origin Fire Protection. During O’Malley’s trial, the government presented evidence that neither O’Malley nor his company was trained to perform the asbestos removal work and that O’Malley agreed to remove the asbestos insulation for an amount that was substantially less than a trained asbestos abatement contractor would have charged to perform the work. Further, O’Malley arranged for Mikrut to recruit and oversee workers to remove the asbestos.
The government’s evidence showed that there was no notification of the planned asbestos removal work given to the Illinois EPA or the U.S. EPA, among other various violations of the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations.
The charges were investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Cha prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Felon of Possessing A Nine-millimeter PistolRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a jury found a St. Paul man guilty of being a felon in possession of a nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol. Demetrius Demarco Spencer, age unknown, was convicted on one count. He was indicted on November 14, 2012.
According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, Spencer possessed the gun on August 23, 2012. On that day, officers on routine patrol outside of a Minneapolis nightclub saw Spencer standing in the parking lot. He reached into his pants and removed an “L-shaped” item covered with a white sock. He carried the item to a nearby car and placed it under the front seat. Later officers recovered the pistol, which had been hidden inside the sock.
Because he is a felon, Spencer is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm at any time. His prior Hennepin County convictions include possession of a pistol by a prohibited person (2003), assault in the third degree (2007), and aggravated robbery (2007). Spencer was also convicted in Ramsey County for possession of a pistol by a prohibited person (2000).In the current federal case, Spencer faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison. United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Violent Impact Team for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Newberry.
The case was charged federally through Project Exile Minneapolis. That law enforcement initiative was launched on July 22, 2010, as part of a city-wide effort to reduce gun violence. Through Project Exile, the Minneapolis Police Department and the ATF work together to apprehend serial criminals for violations of gun laws. Then, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office teams up with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine where those offenders will most effectively be prosecuted – state or federal court. Those determinations are based on the offenders’ criminal histories and current charges, among other factors. To date, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought charges against more than a dozen serious habitual criminals through Project Exile Minneapolis.Federal Jury Convicts Courtnee BrantleyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - A federal jury today found Courtnee Nicole Brantley (24, Seffner) guilty of misprision of felony in regard to the shooting deaths of Tampa Police Department Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab by convicted felon Dontae Morris. The verdict is a result of Brantley’s knowledge of a federal felony (the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon), her failure to report, and concealment of that crime. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Brantley was indicted on October 6, 2010.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on June 29, 2010, Brantley was stopped by Officer Curtis for driving without a vehicle license tag. During the stop, Officer Curtis learned that Morris, a passenger in Brantley’s vehicle, had an active warrant for his arrest. When Officer Curtis attempted to arrest Morris, with the assistance of Officer Kocab, Morris shot and killed both officers. Brantley fled from the scene to a nearby apartment complex. She parked her car nearly 500 yards away from the apartment. Brantley was found at the apartment later that day. Phone and text message records revealed communications between Brantley and Morris following the shootings. In a lengthy interview process, Brantley repeatedly refused to name the passenger in her vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Additional agencies participated in the manhunt for Morris. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.