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Tuesday 7 January 2025
Jefferson County Business Owner Indicted for Felony Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Barbara DeYear, age 67, of Lorraine, New York, has been charged by indictment with 13 counts of tax fraud. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Harry Chavis, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
The indictment alleges that DeYear is the co-owner and president of Independent Commercial Contractors, Inc., a Jefferson County-based corporation that does construction, demolition, and asbestos removal work, and that she withheld more than $135,000 in employment taxes from her employees’ paychecks between 2019 and 2022 and failed to pay those withholdings to the IRS as required by law. The indictment further alleges that DeYear failed to file quarterly tax returns on behalf of Independent Commercial Contractors from 2015 through 2022 but that during the COVID-19 pandemic she applied for a federally backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and submitted a fraudulent “file copy” of two tax returns purporting to show tax payments on behalf of the corporation, when neither the tax returns nor the payments were sent to the IRS.
The felony charges filed against DeYear carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 per count, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
DeYear was arraigned today in Binghamton, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric, and she was released pending a trial that will be scheduled later this year before Senior United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd in Utica, New York.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
IRS-CI is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry is prosecuting the case.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to Three Years for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –Senior United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Austin Adams (32, Jacksonville) to 36 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. Adams pled guilty to that offense on September 24, 2024. Following his incarceration, he will serve 10 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender.
According to the court documents, on March 20, 2024, Adams possessed child sexual abuse material by purchasing it with cryptocurrency. He spent close to $1,000 on a website that was eventually shut down due to the child sexual abuse material the website was distributing. The discovery of Adams’ purchases on the website led law enforcement to search Adams’ residence where a forensic review of his cellular phone revealed multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material, some of which were over 45 minutes in length.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.
This is another case 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.justice.gov/psc.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Zevion La’Quawn Collins (30, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of pure or actual methamphetamine. Collins faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, between April 2023 and the time of his arrest on June 17, 2024, Collins distributed methamphetamine, cocaine base (crack), and marijuana in Jacksonville, Florida. During this time, federal agents observed Collins conduct multiple drug transactions, including on 6 separate occasions, during which Collins sold one to two ounces of pure methamphetamine at a time. On June 17, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at Collins’ stash house on Ken Knight Drive in Jacksonville, and arrested Collins on federal drug charges. From this residence, agents seized approximately $4,970 in U.S. currency, and a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.
This case is part of Operation Ice Drop, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Indictment Charges Norwich Man on Federal Supervised Release with Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging JAVON MORSE, 29, of Norwich, with cocaine distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2017, Morse was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021.
On October 14, 2024, while on federal supervised release, Morse was arrested by Norwich Police and charged with multiple offenses stemming from his alleged possession of nearly a kilogram of cocaine, narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, four handguns, loaded high capacity magazines, and other items.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
The indictment, which was returned on December 17, 2024, charges Morse with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Morse faces additional penalties if he is found in violation of the conditions of his supervised release.
Morse has been detained in federal custody since December 12, 2024. He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A charge is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Norwich Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Hogansburg Man Sentenced to More than Five Years in Prison for Federal Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joseph Thompson, age 38, of Hogansburg, New York, was sentenced on December 19, 2024, to 66 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York Field Division, made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Thompson admitted that in June 2023, he arranged to meet another individual at a parking lot in Massena, NY, for the purpose of selling marijuana in exchange for firearms. Thompson admitted that he gave the individual approximately 18 pounds of marijuana in exchange for 7 semiautomatic pistols and ammunition magazines. Thompson was arrested immediately after the transaction.
Thompson was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.
ATF investigated the case, with assistance from Quebec Provincial Police, St. Regis Tribal Police, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Massena Police Department, and U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case
Hartford Man Sentenced to 69 Months in Prison for Possessing Gun and Drugs While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STANDFORD SMITH, also known as “Pops,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 69 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses, and for violating his conditions of supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2021, Smith was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 55 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for his role in a gun trafficking ring and for distributing crack cocaine. He was released from prison in February 2022.
On June 2, 2023, Hartford Police arrested Smith in the parking lot of a motel on West Service Road in Hartford. Smith possessed a loaded Ruger LCP Max .380 caliber firearm in his pants pocket, and a search of his vehicle revealed more than 30 fentanyl pills, approximately 23 grams of crack cocaine, and a digital scale.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Smith has been detained since his arrest. On July 9, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Judge Thompson sentenced Smith to 57 months of imprisonment for the narcotics and firearm offenses, and a consecutive 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Georgia Man Guilty of Money Laundering via Internet ScamsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EMMANUEL UGBAJA (“UGBAJA”), age 55, of Duluth, Georgia, pled guilty on January 7, 2025 before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.
Court records show that in 2018, two persons were victimized by two separate internet scams – one such Kansas-based scam involved a victim sending money to an unknown co-conspirator posing as a love interest, during a “romance scam” and the other California-based scam involved a victim sending money to a person posing as an attorney during an “inheritance scam.” At the direction of the co-conspirators, the victims sent the funds to a bank account controlled by UGBAJA. UGBAJA retained a portion of the funds for himself and then sent the remaining victim funds totaling $60,000, to a local maritime broker as partial down payment for an unrelated vessel.
Sentencing is set for April 8, 2025. At that time, the defendant faces up to five (5) years of imprisonment. Upon release from prison, the defendant up to three (3) years of supervised release and up to a $250,000.00 fine, or twice the gross gain to the defendant of twice the gross loss to any victim. The defendant also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
This indictment is part of an ongoing national effort by the Department of Justice to address online fraud schemes often based overseas that target U.S. citizens. The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://www.ic3.gov/.
The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit.
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Galt Big Game Hunter Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle an Endangered Ladakh Urial Trophy into the United StatesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jason Keith Bruce, 51, of Galt pleaded guilty today to conspiring to smuggle an endangered Ladakh urial trophy into the United States, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
The Ladakh urial is an endangered species of wild sheep that lives in the mountains of Ladakh, a region of India and Pakistan.
According to court documents, Bruce was a recreational big game hunter and co-defendant Pir Danish Ali 45, of Pakistan, was the CEO of a hunting outfitter and guide company based in Pakistan. Bruce hunted as a client of Pir’s company, and they conspired to hunt an endangered Ladakh urial in Pakistan. Bruce and Pir then conspired to smuggle the resulting trophy into the United States in 2018 by declaring it as a different species to Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and by presenting forged documents purporting to be issued by Pakistani authorities. After the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detained the trophy, Bruce and Pir agreed with each other to lie and did in fact lie to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Further investigation revealed that numerous other documents presented by hunters who had hunted with Pir’s company to import trophies into the United States were also forged. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified at least 97 trophies brought into the United States pursuant to fraudulent documents by at least 25 hunters who all hunted with Pir’s company between 2013 and 2018.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine T. Lydon and Whitnee Goins are prosecuting the case.
Bruce is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on May 20, 2025. Bruce faces a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges against Pir are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Track Star Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition was sentenced to 240 months in prison, for attempting to shoot a victim on his front porch and confronting a tow truck driver with a second firearm a week later.
On Jan. 3, U.S. District Court Judge David S. Leibowitz imposed an upward variance of 105 months and sentenced Olivier Ricardy Alexandre, 28, to 240 months in prison. Alexandre previously pled guilty to the two-count indictment, charging him with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
On Feb. 15, 2023, Alexandre, formerly a track and field athlete, was sentenced to probation in Warren County, Ky., on felony charges related to the trafficking of marijuana. Less than a month later, in Miami-Dade County, on March 13, 2023, Alexandre ran up to a victim, who was entering his home after work, and fired at least 18 rounds of ammunition at the victim without reloading. The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Forensic Services Division linked the shell casings from that shooting to three prior shootings in Miami-Dade County, including an incident on Oct. 9, 2022, when the same victim was shot with the same gun.
On March 21, 2023, officers with the Plantation Police Department conducted surveillance on Alexandre’s home in anticipation of executing a search warrant, when Alexandre ran outside and retrieved a handgun with an extended drum magazine to confront a tow truck driver who was repossessing a vehicle. Alexandre was promptly arrested.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, Acting Inspector in Charge Steven Hodges of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division and Director Stephanie V. Daniels of MDPD made the announcement.
ATF, USPIS and MDPD investigated this case with the assistance of the Plantation Police Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20354.
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Former New Castle Police Lieutenant Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Federal Prison for Repeatedly Using Excessive Force and Attempted CoverupRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS— Aaron Jason Strong, 47, a former Lieutenant with the New Castle Police Department, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for using excessive force against people in custody and obstructing justice by attempting to deceive investigators.
On Oct. 4, 2024, a federal jury convicted Strong of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. At trial, evidence introduced by the government established that Strong had intentionally used excessive force against people in police custody on multiple occasions.
“The severe sentence imposed on this former law enforcement official should send a clear message: ‘street justice’ has no place in 21st-century policing and violators will be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The vicious and lawless abuse that Aaron Strong perpetrated has no place in modern law enforcement. This sentence reflects the senseless cruelty of the defendant’s conduct, the serious physical injuries inflicted on victims and the harms to society when those entrusted with public authority arrogate to themselves the power to mete out summary punishment.”
“Aaron Strong viciously beat, stomped, and shot three defenseless men with no lawful justification—causing serious injuries including a fractured spine,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “After good officers horrified by these abuses reported his actions, Strong lied in an attempt to cover up his crimes. The vast majority of police serve the public honorably, and when criminals like Aaron Strong violate their oaths and brutalize the public, an already difficult and dangerous profession grows even more so. Our U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, together with our partners at the FBI and Indiana State Police, are committed to doing the work necessary to earn and keep the trust of the public. The serious prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that there are consequences for police brutality, because no one is above the law.”
Evidence presented at trial established that, in August 2019, then-Lieutenant Strong responded to another officer’s report of a foot chase. As Strong arrived, the suspect stopped running, put his hands up, said “I’m done” and lowered himself to the ground. As another officer approached to take the suspect into custody, Strong ran up and struck the suspect at least twelve times with a metal police baton, nearly striking a fellow officer. Other involved officers promptly reported the incident, and the Indiana State Police were called in to conduct an independent criminal investigation. During a meeting with the State Police investigator, Strong gave a false account of the incident in which he minimized his own use of force and exaggerated the danger posed by the suspect.
Strong was also convicted of using excessive force against two men being detained pending trial in a low-security annex of the Henry County, Indiana, jail. While assisting correctional officers with a dormitory search, Strong stomped on the head of a detainee who was complying with commands to lie on the ground. A few moments later, Strong approached a second inmate, who was kneeling, not moving, with his back to Strong, and shot him point-blank in the back with a less-lethal “beanbag” round, which Strong had been trained could cause death or serious bodily injury when used at short ranges. The impact from the round fractured the detainee’s spine.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Indiana State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the New Castle Police Department. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who prosecuted this case.
If you have concerns regarding Civil Rights violations in the Southern District of Indiana, you can now report them to our office via email [email protected] or using our online form.###
Former Indiana Police Lieutenant Sentenced for Federal Excessive Force and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
A former Lieutenant with the New Castle, Indiana, Police Department was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for using excessive force against people in custody and obstructing justice by attempting to deceive investigators.
On Oct. 4, 2024, a federal jury convicted Aaron Jason Strong, 47, of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. At trial, evidence introduced by the government established that Strong had intentionally used excessive force against people in police custody on multiple occasions.
“The severe sentence imposed on this former law enforcement official should send a clear message: ‘street justice’ has no place in 21st-century policing and violators will be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The vicious and lawless abuse that Aaron Strong perpetrated has no place in modern law enforcement. This sentence reflects the senseless cruelty of the defendant’s conduct, the serious physical injuries inflicted on victims and the harms to society when those entrusted with public authority arrogate to themselves the power to mete out summary punishment.”
“Aaron Strong viciously beat, stomped, and shot three defenseless men with no lawful justification — causing serious injuries including a fractured spine,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “After good officers horrified by these abuses reported his actions, Strong lied in an attempt to cover up his crimes. The vast majority of police serve the public honorably, and when criminals like Aaron Strong violate their oaths and brutalize the public, an already difficult and dangerous profession grows even more so. Our U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department, together with our partners at the FBI and Indiana State Police, are committed to doing the work necessary to earn and keep the trust of the public. The serious prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that there are consequences for police brutality, because no one is above the law.”
“This sentence underscores the FBI’s commitment to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the rights of individuals,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “Law enforcement officers take an oath to serve and protect the public and when that trust is violated, it erodes the integrity of those who serve honorably every day. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the civil rights of the public and ensure those who abuse their power are held responsible.”
Evidence presented at trial established that, in August 2019, then-Lieutenant Strong responded to another officer’s report of a foot chase. As Strong arrived, the suspect stopped running, put his hands up, said “I’m done” and lowered himself to the ground. As another officer approached to take the suspect into custody, Strong ran up and struck the suspect at least 12 times with a metal police baton, nearly striking a fellow officer. Other involved officers promptly reported the incident, and the Indiana State Police were called in to conduct an independent criminal investigation. During a meeting with the State Police investigator, Strong gave a false account of the incident in which he minimized his own use of force and exaggerated the danger posed by the suspect.
Strong was also convicted of using excessive force against two men being detained pending trial in a low-security annex of the Henry County, Indiana, jail. While assisting correctional officers with a dormitory search, Strong stomped on the head of a detainee who was complying with commands to lie on the ground. A few moments later, Strong approached a second inmate, who was kneeling, not moving, with his back to Strong, and shot him point-blank in the back with a less-lethal “beanbag” round, which Strong had been trained could cause death or serious bodily injury when used at short ranges. The impact from the round fractured the detainee’s spine.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Indiana State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the New Castle Police Department.
Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana are prosecuting the case.
Florida Woman Sentenced for Laundering Millions of Dollars from Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
A Florida woman was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for her role in a money laundering conspiracy connected to romance scams that defrauded American victims.
Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, was sentenced after admitting to personally laundering millions of dollars as part of her participation in the conspiracy. Petitfrere helped to funnel large sums of money from victims of romance scams into the hands of her overseas co-conspirators, retaining a portion as payment for her services and transferring the rest.
Romance scams target unsuspecting individuals, many of whom are seeking companionship online, and involve fraudsters who create fake personas to build relationships with victims. The fraudsters then convince victims to send money, often under false pretenses such as emergency situations or investments. These schemes not only cause significant financial losses, but also deeply impact the lives of victims.
Petitfrere pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in the Southern District of Florida in September 2024. According to her plea agreement, Petitfrere personally laundered over $2.7 million of criminal proceeds. As part of her sentence, Petitfrere was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in proceeds that she personally received from the offense.
“Romance scams are a growing threat to Americans, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to vigorously pursue those who help facilitate these criminal enterprises, whether they work on the frontlines of deception or behind the scenes.”
The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Matthew A. Robinson and Lauren M. Elfner of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
Florida Man Returns to Federal Prison for N95 Mask SchemeRead the Press Release
A Florida man who participated in a scheme to defraud a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, company in 2020 was sentenced on December 9, 2024, to more than three years in federal prison.
Saransh “Sam” Sharma, age 44, from Wellington, Florida, originally from Muscat, Oman, received the prison term after a December 14, 2023, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
At his guilty plea and sentencing hearings, Sharma admitted that a Cedar Rapids company was in the market to purchase one million 3M N95 masks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 9, 2020, Sharma falsely represented to the Cedar Rapids company in a phone call that a Florida limited liability company had successfully transacted on 30 million masks in the prior two months when, in truth, the Florida company had not done so. The Cedar Rapids company wired over $3 million to a Florida lawyer’s bank account on October 19, 2020, expecting to receive the one million N95 masks, but the Cedar Rapids company never received them. The United States later filed a civil fraud action and recovered approximately $2.4 million of the Cedar Rapids company’s moneys.
In March 2018, Sharma was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in the Northern District of California for his role in a different scheme. Sharma’s prior federal prison sentence was discharged on October 9, 2020.
Sharma was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Sharma was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $390,454.57 in restitution victims of the N95 mask scheme. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-71.
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El Departamento de Justicia llega a un tercer acuerdo con una empresa hipotecaria no depositaria para resolver las reclamaciones de exclusión financiera en MiamiRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que The Mortgage Firm, Inc. (The Mortgage Firm) acordó pagar $1.75 millones para resolver las alegaciones de que mantuvo un patrón o una práctica de discriminación en la concesión de préstamos mediante la exclusión financiera de vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos en el Área Estadística Metropolitana de Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida (Miami MSA, por sus siglas en inglés).
La exclusión financiera es una práctica ilegal mediante la cual los prestamistas evitan prestar servicios de crédito a personas que viven en comunidades de color debido a la raza, el color o el origen nacional de los residentes en esas comunidades.
“Las instituciones no depositarias, incluidas las compañías hipotecarias, ahora están originando una mayor proporción de préstamos a compradores de viviendas que los bancos y las cooperativas de crédito. Con esta tendencia surge la obligación de garantizar el pleno cumplimiento de nuestras leyes federales que prohíben la segregación residencial. Al negar a los vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos en el área metropolitana de Miami el acceso al crédito, The Mortgage Firm violó la ley, negó a las comunidades el acceso igualitario al crédito y exacerbó la brecha racial de riqueza”, dijo la Fiscal General Adjunta Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Este acuerdo brindará a las comunidades afectadas en Miami mejor acceso a la propiedad de viviendas y deja en claro que, sin importar el tipo de institución financiera (banco, cooperativa de crédito o compañía hipotecaria), el Departamento está comprometido a erradicar la segregación residencial en todo el país”.
“Nuestros esfuerzos por proteger los derechos civiles de todos son incesantes. La práctica ilegal de discriminación en los préstamos no es solo una cosa del pasado, sino que persiste en este país, incluso en el Distrito Sur de la Florida”, dijo el fiscal federal Markenzy Lapointe. “Nuestra oficina está totalmente comprometida a garantizar que todas las personas que viven en el Distrito Sur de la Florida, incluidos los residentes de vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos, puedan lograr el sueño americano de generar riqueza a través ser dueños de una vivienda. Seguiremos trabajando con la División de Derechos Civiles para exigir responsabilidades a los prestamistas que participan en prácticas discriminatorias ilegales en nuestro diverso distrito”.
The Mortgage Firm es una empresa hipotecaria no depositaria con sede en Altamonte Springs, Florida. La demanda, presentada hoy en el Distrito Sur de la Florida, alega que The Mortgage Firm violó la ley de Vivienda Justa y la ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades de Crédito al no proporcionar igualdad de acceso a los servicios de préstamos hipotecarios en los vecindarios de mayoría y principalmente negros e hispanos en el área metropolitana de Miami y al disuadir a las personas que buscaban crédito en esas comunidades de obtener préstamos hipotecarios. The Mortgage Firm ubicó sus oficinas en vecindarios predominantemente blancos y tomó medidas inadecuadas para comercializar y desarrollar redes de referencia dentro de los vecindarios negros e hispanos. Como resultado, The Mortgage Firm generó solicitudes de préstamos hipotecarios en vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos en el área metropolitana de Miami en proporciones muy por debajo de las instituciones pares.
La orden de consentimiento propuesta, que espera la aprobación del tribunal, obligaría a The Mortgage Firm a:
- Llevar a cabo una evaluación de las necesidades de crédito de la comunidad para identificar las necesidades de crédito de los residentes de los vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos del área metropolitana de Miami y tener en cuenta los resultados de dicha evaluación para desarrollar futuros programas de préstamos, campañas de marketing y esfuerzos de divulgación.
- Proporcionar $1.75 millones para un programa de subsidio de préstamos para ofrecer préstamos asequibles para la compra, refinanciación y mejora de viviendas en vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos en el área metropolitana de Miami. El programa puede ofrecer tasas de interés más bajas, ayuda para el pago inicial, ayuda para los costos de cierre o pago de las primas iniciales del seguro hipotecario.
- Llevar a cabo una evaluación detallada de su programa de préstamos justos en el área metropolitana de Miami, específicamente en lo que se refiere a las obligaciones de préstamos justos y préstamos en vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos.
- Mejorar su capacitación y dotación de personal en materia de préstamos justos para garantizar la igualdad de acceso al crédito en toda el área de mercado de The Mortgage Firm, incluyendo el mantenimiento de un director de préstamos comunitarios.
- Ampliar sus esfuerzos de divulgación y publicidad manteniendo una oficina en un vecindario de mayoría negra e hispana en el condado de Miami-Dade, traduciendo su sitio web al español y exigiendo a todos sus agentes de crédito en el área metropolitana de Miami que realicen actividades de marketing en los vecindarios de mayoría negra e hispana.
- Reforzar las conexiones con la comunidad y crear fuentes de referencia en los vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos ofreciendo cuatro eventos de divulgación al año, seis seminarios de educación financiera al año y asociándose con uno o más socios comunitarios para aumentar el acceso al crédito en los vecindarios predominantemente negros e hispanos del área metropolitana de Miami.
El Departamento de Justicia inició esta investigación sobre las prácticas crediticias de The Mortgage Firm después de recibir una remisión de la Oficina para la Protección Financiera del Consumidor. Este acuerdo es el decimosexto acuerdo de exclusión financiera del Departamento de Justicia en el marco de la Iniciativa contra la Exclusión Financiera, y la tercera institución no depositaria que llega a un acuerdo con el Departamento al respecto. Los prestamistas no depositarios, que no son bancos tradicionales y no prestan servicios bancarios típicos, se dedican a los préstamos hipotecarios y actualmente conceden la mayoría de las hipotecas en este país. En el marco de la Iniciativa contra la Exclusión Financiera, el Departamento ha conseguido más de $153 millones en compensación para las comunidades de color que han sido víctimas de discriminación en la concesión de préstamos. Se espera que este monto histórico de compensación genere más de $1 billón en inversiones para hacer frente a la desigualdad de acceso al crédito en las comunidades de color de todo el país.
Puede encontrar una copia de la demanda y de la orden de consentimiento propuesta, así como información sobre la aplicación de las leyes de préstamos justos del Departamento de Justicia en www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Las personas pueden denunciar la discriminación en materia de préstamos llamando a la línea informativa del Departamento de Justicia para discriminación en la vivienda al 1-833-591-0291, o entregando un informe en línea.
El Departamento de Justicia entabla un pleito de derechos electorales contra la ciudad de Hazleton, PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha radicado una demanda contra la ciudad de Hazleton, Pennsylvania, para impugnar el sistema electoral por acumulación en el cual los votantes de toda la ciudad eligen a los miembros del Consejo Municipal.
La demanda alega que actualmente el sistema electoral por acumulación para la elección de los miembros del Consejo Municipal tiene como resultado el que los ciudadanos hispanos tengan una menor oportunidad de participar en el proceso electoral y de elegir a los candidatos de su elección, en violación a la sección 2 de la Ley de Derechos Electorales. Los ciudadanos hispanos con edad para votar constituyen más del 40% del electorado de la ciudad. Candidatos preferidos por los votantes hispanos se han postulado para escaños en el Consejo Municipal pero habitualmente pierden, a pesar de la considerable población de hispanos en la ciudad.
“La Ley de Derechos Electorales es una importante herramienta para asegurar que los ciudadanos insuficientemente representados tengan igualdad de oportunidades de escoger a sus funcionarios públicos,” afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El Departamento de Justicia está comprometido con asegurar que todos los ciudadanos tengan igualdad de oportunidades para participar en el proceso democrático y elegir a los candidatos de su elección. Esperamos con interés trabajar junto a los funcionarios para alcanzar una unión más perfecta y lograr que Hazleton cumpla con sus obligaciones bajo la Ley de Derechos Electorales.”
“La comunidad hispana es una creciente e importante población de la ciudad de Hazleton, y sus ciudadanos deben tener la habilidad de escoger candidatos que representen sus intereses,” declaró Gerard M. Karam, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Central de Pennsylvania. “Esta demanda demuestra el compromiso de mi oficina de colaborar con el Departamento de Justicia para hacer cumplir las leyes de derechos civiles, tal como la Ley de Derechos Electorales.”
La demanda, radicada en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito para el Distrito Central de Pennsylvania, alega que cambiar el sistema electoral puede crear oportunidades para que los votantes hispanos elijan candidatos de su elección al Consejo Municipal de Hazleton. Por ejemplo, al elegir miembros del Consejo Municipal “por distrito” de un solo miembro cada uno, los votantes hispanos tendrían la oportunidad de elegir al menos dos de los cinco miembros del Consejo Municipal. La demanda solicita una orden judicial federal para implementar un nuevo sistema electoral para el Consejo Municipal de Hazleton.
La Sección de Votación de la División de Derechos Civiles, junto con las Oficinas de los Fiscales Federales, vela por el cumplimiento de las leyes federales civiles que protegen el derecho al voto, incluyendo la Ley de Derechos Electorales, la Ley Nacional de Inscripción de Votantes, la Ley Ayudemos a Estados Unidos a Votar, las Leyes de Derechos Civiles, y la Ley de Votación para los Uniformados y los Ciudadanos en el Extranjero.
Información adicional sobre la votación y las elecciones está disponible en www.justice.gov/crt/voting/ y Vote.gov en Español. Aprenda más sobre la Ley de Derechos Electorales y otras leyes federales electorales en www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Denuncias relacionadas a posibles vulneraciones de las leyes federales de derechos electorales pueden presentarse mediate el formulario en línea de la División de Derechos Civiles en https://civilrights.justice.gov/o por teléfono al (800) 253-3931.
Durant Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Henry Tyler Allen, age 34, of Durant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The Indictment alleged that on September 24, 2024, Allen possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The charge arose from investigations by the Durant Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Allen was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Delaware Man Pleads Guilty to Participation in International Sextortion and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A Delaware man pleaded guilty today in connection with his participation in a widespread international sextortion and money laundering scheme.
According to court documents, from May 2020 and through December 2022, Mohamed Diarra, 33, of Wilmington, participated in an international, financially motivated sextortion and money laundering scheme. Financially motivated sextortion refers to the practice of fraudulently obtaining a victim’s sexual photographs or videos, threatening to distribute the victim’s sexual material to others, and demanding that the victim pay money to avoid the threatened distribution. Diarra conspired with co-conspirators in Côte d’Ivoire who sextorted victims and utilized a network of Delaware-based “money mules,” including Diarra, to assist with laundering the victims’ illegally obtained funds. As a “money mule” for the conspiracy, Diarra collected victims’ funds into his own financial accounts, including accounts with peer-to-peer (P2P) payment transfer services and into financial accounts in others’ names which he controlled. Diarra also provided other co-conspirators with access to his accounts and recruited other individuals to serve as money mules to receive and transfer funds at his direction. Diarra and his co-conspirators used a variety of methods to collect and “cash out” the victims’ funds, including by receiving funds into the money mules’ P2P accounts they controlled, transferring funds to linked U.S. bank accounts, withdrawing the funds as cash, or transferring them to other money mule co-conspirators. Diarra and his co-conspirators also used a variety of methods to further transfer the victims’ funds, after they had been converted to cash or goods, to co-conspirators and others who were located in Côte d’Ivoire and elsewhere overseas.
Diarra pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date, when a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware; and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the government of Côte d’Ivoire.
Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox for the District of Delaware are prosecuting the case.
If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI. For more information about a related financially motivated sextortion case and if you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also visit www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-hadja-fanta-kone-siaka-ouattara-sidi-diakite-almamy-moustapha-diaby.
Connecticut Dentist Pays More than $600K to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General, today announced that LAKSHMI BETHI, DMD and her former businesses, NEW HAVEN DENTAL LLC, NEW HAVEN FAMILY DENTAL LLC, and NEW HAVEN FAMILY DENTAL GROUP LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have paid $608,296.39 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
Bethi is licensed to practice dentistry in Connecticut. Bethi, New Haven Dental LLC, New Haven Family Dental LLC, and New Haven Family Dental Group LLC were enrolled as dental providers in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CTMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.
It is alleged that, in violation of their CTMAP provider agreements and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, Bethi and her dental practices submitted claims to the CTMAP related to dental services rendered to Connecticut Medicaid patients referred to the businesses by a third-party “patient recruiting” company. Bethi and her dental practices paid a patient recruiter $110 for each Connecticut Medicaid patient the recruiter referred to them whenever the patient received services over and above routine preventative care, such as dental cleanings and exams, and submitted claims for dental services rendered to those patients. With each submitted claim, they impliedly certified that the conditions of receiving payment were met, including, but not limited to, that they did not pay kickbacks or violate any terms or provisions of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (“CTDHP”) provider manual concerning the submitted claim.
The CTDHP provider manual, which is an addendum to both the CTMAP provider agreement and the CTMAP provider manual, expressly prohibits per-patient compensation for individuals referred to CMAP providers.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Bethi, New Haven Dental LLC, New Haven Family Dental LLC, and New Haven Family Dental Group LLC agreed to pay $608,296.39 to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from January 1, 2019, through April 6, 2023.
Under the False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $13,946 to $27,894 for each false claim.
In a related federal criminal case, Bethi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute, admitting that between 2016 and 2023, she paid patient recruiters more than $360,000 in kickbacks. Connecticut Medicaid reimbursed Bethi approximately $2.2 million for services rendered to patients recruited via kickbacks. On December 18, 2024, she was sentenced in New Haven federal court to two years of probation and was ordered to forfeit $500,000.
This case stems from a larger investigation into fraudulent activity by health care providers who submit kickback-tainted claims to the CTMAP for services rendered to Connecticut Medicaid patients referred by third-party patient recruiting companies.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office; and the Connecticut Department of Social Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Thidemann and Elena Coronado, and Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
City Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Setting Fire to West Philadelphia Building in May 2020Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Tyrone Wise, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Timothy J. Savage to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release for setting fire to a West Philadelphia building.
In September, Wise pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with malicious damage by means of fire of a building used in interstate commerce.
He admitted that, on May 31, 2020, at about 8:49 p.m., amid both lawful protests and unlawful civil disturbances occurring in Philadelphia, he intentionally set fire to the SunRay Drugs Pharmacy located on the first floor of 25 South 60th Street in West Philadelphia.
The blaze caused extensive fire, water, and smoke damage to the pharmacy on the first floor and throughout the remainder of the building, which included a basement, and apartments on the second and third floors. The fire resulted in $1.2 million in damage and caused the SunRay Drugs at that location to close.
“Tyrone Wise’s actions were incredibly dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He set this fire with no regard for the two apartments upstairs and any people who might be in them, the potential for the flames to spread to adjacent buildings, or the risks to first responders who would have to fight the blaze. Arson threatens lives and communities, and my office will continue to work with our investigative partners to prosecute these offenders and hold them fully accountable.”
“Tyrone Wise took advantage of the lawlessness of the moment to torch this drug store and extensively damage people’s apartments for no reason,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Arson not only hurts our communities with property damage, but also wrecks opportunity and puts people in danger of injury and death. In cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to track down and prosecute arsonists in Philadelphia for the safety and prosperity of our city.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Jayne.
Charlotte Jury Convicts Armed Bank RobberRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte jury returned a guilty verdict today against Kendall Charles Alexander, Sr., 60, of Baltimore, Maryland, for the armed robbery of a Bank of America branch, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, on October 15, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m., Alexander and his co-defendant, Derrius Fleming, robbed at gunpoint the Bank of America branch located at 212 Iverson Way in the Southend area of Charlotte. Trial evidence established that Alexander entered the bank holding a loaded semi-automatic rifle. Fleming went directly to an unarmed security guard at the corner of the building and forced her inside at gunpoint with his loaded semi-automatic rifle. Once inside, Alexander and Fleming threatened to kill the employees and customers if they did not comply with their demands. The victims were ordered to the ground and Alexander ordered the manager to open the vault room and the vault. Alexander loaded a bag with the money from the vault while Fleming kept watch over the victims.
According to trial evidence, using GPS tracking, law enforcement tracked Alexander and Fleming who had met up with a third individual. Alexander and Fleming attempted to burn their getaway car and got into the car with the third man. Ultimately, the robbers crashed that vehicle, at which point Alexander and Fleming fled on foot across I-77. All of the stolen money was recovered from a bag dropped by Alexander.
The jury convicted Alexander of armed bank robbery with forced accompaniment, brandishing a rifle, including a short-barreled rifle, in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Alexander has prior convictions for attempted murder of a federal officer, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and armed bank robbery. He was also on federal supervised release for committing a bank robbery in Maryland. Because of his violent criminal history, Alexander faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Alexander will remain in federal custody pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
Fleming has pleaded guilty to brandishing a short-barreled rifle in furtherance of a crime of violence and been sentenced to ten years in prison.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik Lindahl and David Kelly are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Chairman and CEO of MoviePass’ Parent Company Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud Scheme and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Florida man pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of Florida to charges of defrauding and conspiring to defraud investors in two public companies.
According to court documents, Theodore Farnsworth, 62, of Miami, engaged in schemes to defraud investors in Helios & Matheson Analytics Inc. (HMNY), a publicly traded Florida- and New York-based company that was the parent of MoviePass Inc. (MoviePass), and Vinco Ventures Inc. (Vinco), a publicly traded New York-based company. From August 2017 through March 2019, Farnsworth and his co-conspirators made materially false and misleading representations relating to HMNY’s and MoviePass’ business and operations to artificially inflate the price of HMNY stock and to attract new investors. At the time, Farnsworth was HMNY’s chairman and CEO. From November 2020 through September 2024, Farnsworth and his co-conspirators used the same strategy to defraud Vinco investors. Farnsworth also briefly served as Vinco’s CEO.
“Theodore Farnsworth — formerly the CEO of two publicly traded companies — repeatedly lied to the public to artificially inflate these companies’ stock prices, defraud investors, and enrich himself and his co-conspirators,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He concealed that MoviePass’ subscription model was a money-losing gimmick and falsely claimed that HMNY used artificial intelligence to monetize MoviePass’ subscriber data, among other misrepresentations. The Criminal Division is committed to protecting investors from criminals who engage in fraudulent schemes, including those that employ AI washing.”
“Theodore Farnsworth’s plans and promises for MoviePass seemed too good to be true — they were in fact part of a securities fraud scheme,” said Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office. “As he admitted today, Farnsworth’s ploys and boasts were actually lies and misrepresentations designed to boost stock prices. The FBI will continue to ensure anyone attempting to commit fraudulent schemes at the expense of investors is held accountable in the criminal justice system.”
MoviePass was a privately held company that offered subscribers a certain number of movie tickets per month at a flat monthly fee. HMNY acquired a majority ownership interest in MoviePass, after which MoviePass introduced a new “unlimited” plan that purported to allow new subscribers to see unlimited movies in theaters with no blackout dates for a flat monthly fee of $9.95 (the “unlimited” plan). Farnsworth and his co-conspirators falsely claimed that MoviePass’ “unlimited” plan was tested, sustainable, and would be profitable or break even on subscription fees alone. However, Farnsworth knew that the “unlimited” plan was a temporary marketing gimmick to attract new subscribers and, in turn, to artificially inflate HMNY’s stock price and attract new investors. In reality, MoviePass lost money from the “unlimited” plan.
In addition, Farnsworth falsely claimed that HMNY possessed and used technologies — such as “big data” and “artificial intelligence” capabilities — to generate revenue by analyzing and monetizing the data MoviePass collected from subscribers. But Farnsworth knew HMNY did not possess these capabilities to monetize MoviePass’ subscriber data and had incorporated any such technologies into the MoviePass application. The charges in this case, originally brought in 2022, represent one of the Criminal Division’s first “AI washing” cases.
Farnsworth also made false and misleading representations about the positive impact that multiple revenue streams (other than subscription fees) were having on MoviePass’ profitability and self-sufficiency. At the time, however, Farnsworth knew MoviePass did not have non-subscription revenue streams that would make MoviePass self-sufficient or otherwise offset the losses MoviePass experienced as a result of the unprofitable “unlimited” plan.
Additionally, Farnsworth falsely claimed that MoviePass’ cost of goods, as reflected in the number of tickets each subscriber purchased using their subscription, was naturally declining over time consistent with publicly stated expectations. In fact, Farnsworth and his co-conspirators directed MoviePass employees to implement numerous tactics to prevent certain subscribers from using the purportedly “unlimited” service to try to ease MoviePass’ cash shortfalls. These tactics included directing MoviePass employees to “throttle” subscribers who most frequently used the service to buy movie tickets, thereby inhibiting their ability to use the MoviePass service.
In addition to the fraud scheme related to HMNY and MoviePass, Farnsworth conspired with others to unjustly enrich themselves by falsely inflating the price of Vinco stock. Specifically, Farnsworth and his co-conspirators concealed from investors the true facts relating to the business and diverted the proceeds of the conspiracy for their personal use and benefit. Farnsworth and his co-conspirators took steps to conceal the conspiracy from regulators, law enforcement, investors, and the media.
Farnsworth pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the securities fraud count and five years in prison on the conspiracy to commit securities fraud count. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI New York Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Lauren Archer, Kate McCarthy, and Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Christopher Fenton of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section provided substantial assistance with the investigation and prosecution.
Campaign Treasurer for Candidate for Brooklyn Borough President Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud New York City’s Campaign Finance BoardRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Erlene King pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with her attempt to steal funds from New York City’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB). Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon. When sentenced, King faces up to 20 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“Instead of playing by the rules New York City established for free and fair elections, the defendant attempted to use the city’s matching funds program to give the campaign an unfair advantage,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office and our law enforcement partners are focused on rooting out corruption in our electoral system to ensure that all candidates are operating on a level playing field.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the CFB for its cooperation and assistance during the investigation.“Erlene King deprived New York City residents of a fair election by attempting to manipulate hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor contributions to unlawfully favor her candidate,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “King abused her position as a campaign treasurer and attempted to profit from exploiting a system designed to represent the voices of the city. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to eliminate any source of corruption polluting our city’s democratic processes.”
CFB Overview
The CFB oversees and administers a publicly funded campaign finance system in connection with municipal elections in New York City. This includes a “matching funds program” that provides eligible candidates with public funds based on the number and amount of certain donor contributions. According to the CFB, the program “empowers New Yorkers in every neighborhood to make their voices heard in city elections.” In addition, the CFB maintains that “by encouraging candidates to raise small-dollar contributions from average New Yorkers, the program increases engagement between voters and those who seek to represent them.”
Candidates running for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President in the 2021 election cycle were eligible to participate in the CFB’s matching funds program if they met certain criteria. Among other things, to be eligible to receive public funds, candidates were required to meet a two-part fundraising threshold. Specifically, a candidate had to collect a minimum number of donations and raise a minimum amount of money from New York City residents before the CFB paid any matching funds.
For candidates who ran for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President during the 2021 election cycle, candidates received up to $8 in matching funds for each $1 of eligible contributions, up to $175 per contributor. If a candidate received an eligible contribution of $175, then that candidate could collect up to $1,400 in matching funds. In total, the matching funds program provided up to $1,457,777 in public matching funds to a candidate for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. Because campaigns for Brooklyn Borough President during the 2021 election cycle needed to raise at least $50,000 in eligible contributions to receive any matching funds, any candidate who was eligible to receive matching funds necessarily received at least $400,000 in matching funds from the CFB.
The SchemeKing served as the campaign treasurer for a candidate who ran in a primary for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President during the 2021 election cycle (Candidate #1). King admitted that she obtained fraudulent donations for the purpose of inducing the CFB to provide matching funds to Candidate #1’s campaign. A number of those contributions, which were obtained at King’s direction, were fraudulent nominee contributions made in the names of individuals who either did not personally fund the contributions or were later reimbursed for their contributions (i.e., straw donors). For example, King used CashApp to send money to intermediaries and instructed them to distribute the money to fund contributions from straw donors to Candidate #1. Other fraudulent contributions were made in the names of individuals whose identities were stolen and who had not personally contributed to Candidate #1. The CFB ultimately determined that the campaign submitted fictitious records and did not pay any public matching funds to the campaign.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Pilmar and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.
The Defendant:
ERLENE KING
Age: 71
Brooklyn, NY
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-374 (CBA)Burlington, Vermont Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Attempted Drug Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on January 7, 2025, Raul Velez, 55, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mae D’Agostino to a term of 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Velez previously pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
According to court records, in March 2024, Velez arranged to obtain more than 1,000 grams of cocaine via the U.S. Mail. The package containing that cocaine, which was addressed to Velez at a hotel in Shelburne, Vermont, was intercepted by law enforcement. Investigators then coordinated a controlled delivery of the parcel, which did not contain any cocaine, to Velez on March 7, 2024. Following that delivery, Velez obtained the parcel from his hotel room in Shelburne. Velez intended to distribute the cocaine that he thought was inside of the package, which was roughly one kilogram in total weight.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Shelburne Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara Masterson and Zachary Stendig. Velez was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon.
Bridgeport Felon Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHACQUILLE JACKSON, 31, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 18, 2023, law enforcement spotted Jackson, who had an outstanding arrest warrant for a domestic violence incident, driving a car with license plates from another vehicle. After stopping, Jackson ran from the car with a gun in his hand. Officers apprehended Jackson and seized the handgun, which he had dropped. A search of Jackson’s person revealed approximately 87 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of crack cocaine, and $1,167 in cash, and a search of Jackson’s car revealed a semi-automatic handgun, an extended magazine loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition, and a digital scale.
Jackson’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for firearm, narcotics, robbery, burglary, and larceny offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Jackson has been detained since his arrest. On September 18, 2024, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Fairfield County Auto Theft Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Batesburg-Leesville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Julia Renae Mullinax, 43, of Batesburg-Leesville, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Evidence presented to the court showed that Mullinax participated in a wire fraud conspiracy to defraud Lowe’s Home Improvement by purchasing items on the commercial credit accounts of local businesses while posing as the authorized representative of those accounts. Mullinax and others perpetuated this fraudulent scheme at multiple Lowe’s stores in South Carolina and other states in the southeast from 2023 to 2024.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Mullinax to 13 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, Mullinax was ordered to pay Lowe’s $47,234.10 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Assaulting Tribal OfficerRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Curtis Ray McClendon, III, age 41, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Ardmore Police Department.
On June 7, 2024, McClendon pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on November 6, 2023, McClendon struck a Chickasaw Lighthorse officer multiple times on the head with a flashlight, causing lacerations. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. McClendon will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Monday 6 January 2025
Whittier Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Selling Ghost Guns and Planning Armed Robbery of Federal InformantRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Whittier man was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed firearm dealing business that sold guns lacking serial numbers, commonly known as “ghost guns,” and for planning the armed robbery of a confidential federal informant.
Salvador Lopez, 24, was sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson, who also ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Lopez pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of armed robbery of money of the United States while using a dangerous weapon.
“Selling firearms illegally and putting more untraceable weapons into the community shows a blatant disregard for the law and puts the safety of our citizens at great risk,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This defendant’s lengthy sentence should serve as a warning to others that law enforcement will act decisively to prevent violent gun crime.”
Ivan Quintos, 27, of Azusa, another defendant charged in this case, also pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of firearms trafficking. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 14, when he will face up to 15 years in federal prison.
The two remaining defendants charged in this case – Mark Perez, 23, and Zachary Dry, 24, both of Henderson, Nevada – pleaded guilty to criminal charges in October 2024. Dry is scheduled for sentencing on February 3. Perez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 24.
Perez and the other defendants used Instagram to coordinate and sell more than five dozen firearms. Some of the defendants used Instagram – direct messages and public posts – to sell the firearms, which included “ghost guns” and “Glock switches” as well as firearms with obliterated serial numbers and firearms that had been stolen. The illegal firearm sales occurred in North Hollywood, Las Vegas, and elsewhere.
In total, Lopez sold or helped to sell 15 firearms to law enforcement agents and those working for them. Neither Lopez nor his codefendants are federal firearms licensees.
Later, Lopez agreed to sell firearms to a confidential informant working for federal law enforcement. Instead of following through with the transaction, Lopez messaged a minor with instructions to rob the informant at gun point. The minor and his accomplices not only robbed the informant of $5,000, but they also robbed the informant’s personal cellphone and vehicle. Lopez then received a cut of the robbery’s proceeds.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of repeat offenders engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Baldwin Park Police Department; and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney William M. Larsen of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Wausau Man Sentenced to 12 ½ Years for Leading Methamphetamine and Cocaine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Quo Vadis Lewis, 40, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced on January 3, 2025, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 150 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. He was also sentenced for possessing firearms as a felon. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Lewis pleaded guilty to these charges on October 9, 2024.
In February 2022, Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force officers began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization operating in Wausau, Wisconsin. The multi-year investigation involved the seizure of drug-laden packages from the mail, controlled purchases of narcotics, and seizures of firearms and large quantities of drugs from residence searches. From the investigation, officers believe the drug trafficking organization was distributing kilograms quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Quo Vadis Lewis, as well as Tommie Haney, were identified as the local leaders of the drug trafficking organization. Lewis was responsible, in part, for bringing in large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine to the Wausau area from out-of-state drug suppliers. One of the ways the drugs were brought into Wisconsin was through the mail. The investigation showed that a series of packages were mailed from California to addresses associated with Lewis in Wausau during 2021 and 2022. In March 2022, US Postal Inspectors seized two 11-pound packages sent from California to Lewis’ apartment. One of the packages was searched and contained approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
On June 28, 2023, officers with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants at the residences of some of the primary members of the drug trafficking organization, including Lewis. Officers found three handguns, a loaded extended magazine, quantities of ammunition, cash, and an ounce of cocaine at Lewis’ residence. Officers found additional drugs and a gun during the search of the coconspirators’ residences. Evidence of Lewis’ DNA was found on all three of the firearms found at his residence. He is prohibited from legally possessing firearms and ammunition because of multiple prior felony convictions.
At sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted that Lewis played a key role as a leader of a drug trafficking organization involved with “incredible” quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. Judge Conley determined that a significant sentence for Lewis was necessary to protect the public.
Eight others were also charged in connection with this drug trafficking organization. Teala L. Kumbera was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and sentenced on November 14, 2024, to 54 months in federal prison. Shandel L. Mohr was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and sentenced on December 3, 2024, to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison. Tommie Haney, Edwin Lewis, Craig C. Gates, and Troy A. Olsen have all pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months. Samuel A. Teague is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on January 6, 2025, and Shelby Gutch is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on January 7, 2025.
The charges against Lewis were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Everest Metro Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.
United States Attorney Nikolas Kerest Submits ResignationRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – United States Attorney Nikolas Kerest announced today that he will resign effective January 20, 2025.
Following his nomination by President Biden and confirmation by the Senate, Mr. Kerest has served as the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont since December 10, 2021, leading the United States Attorney’s Office’s 51 employees, in the enforcement of federal criminal and civil laws in the state. Prior to becoming United States Attorney, Mr. Kerest served as an Assistant United States Attorney in both the criminal and civil divisions for eleven years, including 4.5 years as the Chief of the office’s civil division.
Mr. Kerest stated, “Representing the United States as a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office team for over fourteen years and as its leader for the past three years has been the highlight of my career. Public service is a gift, and I will forever be grateful to have had the chance to work towards a better Vermont – one that is safer for its residents, one in which civil rights are upheld, and one in which the rule of law is respected. The criminal and civil Assistant U.S. Attorneys, administrative staff, and support staff who constitute the small but mighty U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont are unmatched public servants, and I know they will continue to pursue justice without fear or favor and achieve great results in the years ahead.”
During the past three years, the United States Attorney’s Office redoubled its efforts to address violent crime. With strong law enforcement partnerships across Vermont, the Office prosecuted illegal gun possessions at an increased rate. In particular, the U.S. Attorney’s Office supported the efforts of the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force, worked hand in hand with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other law enforcement partners in prosecutions arising out of Bennington and Rutland counties, and provided significant prosecutorial resources to address violence in the Northeast Kingdom. Examples of the Office’s steadfast approach to curbing violent crime are the prosecutions of Everett Simpson, Lawrence Jackson, Carl Martin, Dominique Troupe, Deven Moffitt, and Sean Fiore. In addition to increased violent crime prosecutions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated and promoted safe gun storage in partnership with the Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the UVM Medical Center, and other partners supporting the www.gunsafevt.org website.
Under Kerest’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office focused on enforcing federal civil rights laws, as well as educating Vermonters about their rights under these laws. Through its United Against Hate program, the Office provided outreach and education about federal civil rights laws to high school students all around Vermont. The Office also maintained strong relationships with Vermont’s faith communities by providing regular civil rights outreach. In addition, the Office’s civil rights program has paid close attention to civil rights violations in Vermont schools. The Twin Valley and Stepping Stones settlements are specific examples of this important work.
For the past three years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has also taken significant steps to address elder financial fraud in Vermont. The prosecutions of Nicholas Melanson and Nasir Hussain are prime examples of the Office holding elder fraud perpetrators responsible for their harmful conduct. In addition, in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service, HSI, and Diplomatic Security Service, Mr. Kerest led numerous events providing education and tips to avoid becoming a victim to Vermont’s elder community.
Under Kerest’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil division continued to be a nationwide leader. On the defensive side of the docket, the Office successfully represented the Federal Highway Administration against challenges to the construction of Burlington’s Champlain Parkway. The civil division’s work fighting fraud and recovering damages continued to set the standard for small-sized U.S. Attorney’s Offices. In particular, the office was responsible for a ground-breaking Controlled Substances Act settlement with eBay, along with recoveries from NextGen, an electronic health records company, and Vermont defense contractors (Preci, Galvion, and Revision).
Mr. Kerest also thanked the many federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as community groups who partner with the United States Attorney’s Office. “The partnerships the U.S. Attorney’s Office enjoys throughout Vermont are vital to the success of our work and the work of all law enforcement. Support for law enforcement and collaboration is necessary to achieve a better Vermont. I am thankful for all of our partners and will look back fondly on the relationships fostered and created during my tenure as U.S. Attorney.”
First Assistant United States Attorney Michael Drescher, who has served the Office as a civil and criminal AUSA for over 22 years, will become Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont upon Mr. Kerest’s departure.
Kerest has not yet determined his future professional plans.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy Announces DepartureRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced today that, effective January 17, 2025, he will be stepping down as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. U.S. Attorney Levy tendered his resignation to United States Attorney General Merrick Garland this afternoon.
U.S. Attorney Levy became the Acting U.S. Attorney on May 19, 2023. Levy, who was twice nominated by President Biden for the permanent role as U.S. Attorney, was appointed U.S. Attorney by Attorney General Garland in November 2024. As U.S. Attorney, he served on two subcommittees of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee – White Collar Crime, and Terrorism & National Security – and was a member of the Human Trafficking Work Group. U.S. Attorney Levy also served as the Northeastern U.S. representative for the U.S. Attorney community on the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee.
“Serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts has truly been the highlight of my career,” said U.S. Attorney Levy. “Every day over the past three years, I have witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication and extraordinary skill of the federal prosecutors, support staff, and law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law, keep our communities safe and protect civil rights. My core touchstones as the leader of this office have been to serve with the highest integrity and a commitment to pursue justice in every case by following the facts and the law, without fear or favor.”
U.S. Attorney Levy continued, “We have brought some incredibly important cases these last three years that have improved the lives of the people of Massachusetts. As I reflect on my tenure, I am equally proud of the thoughtful, deliberative process engaged in by our team whenever making the grave decision about whether to bring federal charges to ensure it is consistent with the principles of federal prosecution.”
Under U.S. Attorney Levy’s leadership, the office brought several high impact cases including charges in the death of Sandra Birchmore; the $650 million resolution of criminal and civil charges against McKinsey & Company for their illegal conduct in support of Purdue Pharma’s marketing of opioids; and charges against two men for their alleged involvement in a scheme to procure sensitive drone technology to Iran, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers. Under Levy’s tenure, Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking highly classified documents, and seven former employees of eBay were sentenced for cyberstalking a Massachusetts couple. U.S. Attorney Levy also oversaw the $574 million-dollar criminal and civil enforcement action against Raytheon for overcharging government contracts. During U.S. Attorney Levy’s tenure, the office solidified its position as the most successful U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country in terms of False Claims Act recoveries, with over $1 billion recovered in 2024 alone.
One of the most important series of prosecutions in the last three years were brought by the newly created Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Unit. This dedicated team of lawyers, support staff and victim witness advocates has secured convictions and lengthy sentences against 20 individuals since the unit was formed in 2022, including numerous convictions of people who trafficked minors or used force, fraud or coercion to engage in trafficking. The office’s other notable achievements under Levy’s leadership as U.S. Attorney included impact prosecutions in the areas of public corruption, child exploitation, hate crimes, police accountability, fentanyl trafficking and gun violence, just to name a few.
Today’s announcement marks the end of U.S. Attorney Levy’s second tenure with the Department of Justice. In 1997 he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division’s Economic Crimes Unit. Levy left the Department of Justice in 2004 to become a partner at Ropes & Gray, where he served as co-chair of the firm’s 325-lawyer Litigation and Enforcement practice, co-Managing Partner of Ropes & Gray’s Boston office and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In 2022, Levy was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in recognition of his courtroom advocacy. Immediately prior to becoming the Acting U.S. Attorney, Levy served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney from January 2022 through May 2023.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary B. Murrane, who has been with the Department of Justice for 16 years, will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney following U.S. Attorney Levy’s departure.
U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce Federal Charges Against Zuni Man for MurderRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been charged with second degree murder in Indian Country.
The indictment alleges that on or about December 1, 2024, Glendon Laate, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, allegedly killed John Doe with malice aforethought by shooting him with a homemade firearm.
Laate will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Laate faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.
View the Indictment (Laate).pdfAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce Federal Charges Against Three Individuals in Kidnapping and Assault CaseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Three individuals face federal charges for allegedly kidnapping a woman, with one defendant facing multiple assault charges, including the use of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that Michael Clubfoot, 45, Carlyn Calavaza, 41, both of Zuni, and Alexis Mahooty, 40, of Pine Hill, all enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo, unlawfully kidnapped Jane Doe in 2024, and held her for ransom, reward, and otherwise. Clubfoot faces additional charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Clubfoot will remain in custody pending trial. Calavaza and Mahooty, will remain in the third-party custody pending trial, which is currently set for February 10, 2025.
If convicted, Clubfoot, Calavaza and Mahooty face any term of years up to life in prison for the kidnapping charge.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.
View the Indictment (Clubfoot et al.).pdfAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Plea in Case Involving Sexual Contact with MinorsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Newcomb man pleaded guilty to federal charges of sexual contact with two minors.
According to court documents, Roderick Bitsilly, 61, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted to engaging in sexual contact with Jane Doe 1, a child under 12, between February and August 2014. Additionally, Bitsilly pleaded guilty to similar charges involving Jane Doe 2, also under 12, between September 2019 and September 2020.
Bitsilly will remain in third-party custody at a halfway house pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, Bitsilly faces up 75 months in prison. Upon his release from prison, Bitsilly will be subject to no less than five years up to life of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.
View the Plea Agreement (Bitsilly).pdf# # #
U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Guilty Verdict in Nigerian Romance SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Following a four-day trial and less than three hours of deliberation, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against two Nigerian nationals who participated in an international romance scheme.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the scheme, which began in January 2016, involved the creation of a fictitious persona named "Glenn Brown" on the dating website eHarmony.com. Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja, 39, and Abel Adeyi Daramola, 37, both Nigerian nationals, worked with another individual who used this fake profile to initiate a romantic relationship with a victim in Albuquerque, New Mexico and subsequently request money from them. Throughout the course of the fraud, the victim was led to believe that their financial assistance was necessary for “Glenn Brown” to complete a purported construction project in Malaysia and return safely to the United States.
The victim sent approximately $560,000 to various accounts in the United States, Canada, and Malaysia between January 2016 and April 2017. On September 27, 2016, the victim wired approximately $28,000 to a Woodforest Bank account in the name of Daramola Cars, as instructed by the fraudulent "Glenn Brown" persona. Daramola subsequently wired $18,000 to a seafood importer in Denmark and issued a check for $14,000.
Daramola denied any knowledge of the romance scheme, however the FBI's investigation uncovered extensive evidence, including text and WhatsApp correspondence on Daramola's phone, revealing his role as a provider of bank accounts for various fraud schemes including romance fraud schemes.
Ogunlaja's involvement included using his Bank of America account for receiving fraudulent funds. Specifically, on March 9 and March 15, 2016, “Glenn Brown” instructed the victim to deposit $20,000 cash into Ogunlaja's account. Following these deposits, Ogunlaja made multiple cash withdrawals and transfers to Daramola’s account.
Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Ogunlaja and Daramola remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Ogunlaja and Daramola each face up to 20 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
New Haven – United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery today announced that she will resign from the Office effective at 11:59 p.m. on January 17.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as United States Attorney, and I am profoundly appreciative of President Biden for trusting me to serve our nation and the people of Connecticut in this position,” said Ms. Avery. “I have been especially honored to lead an office of extremely talented public servants who are dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism and committed to the cause of justice. Together, we have employed collaborative, data and intelligence-driven strategies to make our communities safer and ensure justice for all who live in our state. We have done the hard work of engaging the community alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, contributing to declining violent crime rates and opioid overdose deaths. I am confident that this Office will continue to make Connecticut a safe place to live, and have a positive impact in our communities.”
Ms. Avery was appointed by President Biden after confirmation by the United States Senate and sworn in as the 54th U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut on May 9, 2022. Under Ms. Avery’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritized the prosecution of crimes related to gun and gang violence, firearms trafficking, narcotics and counterfeit opioid pill trafficking, child exploitation, human trafficking and smuggling, financial frauds, public corruption, cybercrime, and national security issues. In addition, the Office’s Civil Division has aggressively pursued health care fraud violators, achieved numerous disability rights settlements, and recovered millions of dollars through forfeiture actions. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Office recovered more than $233 million in criminal and civil actions, which ranked third in the nation among all U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
As U.S. Attorney, Ms. Avery has stressed the Office’s community engagement, particularly through its HEAT and Fed-Up programs, as a critical component to reducing drug addiction, overdose deaths, and violent criminal behavior. In addition, she has spearheaded civil rights and hate crimes prevention through United Against Hate presentations across Connecticut. United Against Hate has raised community awareness about hate crimes, hate incidents, and discrimination, and is building bridges between law enforcement and community, ethnic, and religious groups, particularly those with members who have been reluctant to contact law enforcement for help.
Prior to her appointment as U.S. Attorney, Ms. Avery served as the Associate Attorney General and Chief of the Division of Enforcement and Public Protection at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. From 2014 to 2019, Ms. Avery was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division in this District, prosecuting a variety of complex civil fraud cases under the False Claims Act, asset forfeiture cases, environmental violations, civil rights matters, and defending Bivens and medical malpractice cases. From 2006 to 2014, Ms. Avery was a litigation attorney at McCarter & English LLP, where she focused on business and financial litigation, intellectual property, trust and probate, and product liability cases. From 2003 to 2005, Ms. Avery was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division in Washington, D.C. From 1999 to 2003, she was an attorney in the Hartford Trial Group at Cummings & Lockwood LLC. Ms. Avery is a graduate of Yale University and the Georgetown University Law Center.
Marc H. Silverman, who has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney since May 2024, will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney upon Ms. Avery’s departure. Mr. Silverman joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010. From 2014 to 2022, he served as Deputy Chief of the Office’s Appellate Division, and from 2022 to May 2024, he was Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Silverman is a graduate of Yale University and Yale Law School.
Mr. Silverman will be the 55th U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, an office that was established in 1789.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is in excellent hands,” said Ms. Avery. “Marc and the Office’s superb supervisory team have the highest professional and ethical standards and, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will ensure that the administration of justice will seamlessly continue in our District.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation. The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 54 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
For the past two years, I have served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. After much reflection, I write to announce my resignation from this position, effective January 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as United States Attorney. I have strived to meet the responsibilities of this position with vigor, determination, commitment, thoughtfulness, and humility.
Those familiar with my personal history may recall that I am a native of Haiti, a country whose government struggles to perform basic functions, and where the rule of law has yet to build reliable traction. When I immigrated to this country in my teens, I lived in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood, then an urban area with high crime and associated problems. Given where I started, it has been uniquely meaningful to hold a role so central to the Department of Justice’s mission of supporting our collective well-being through the exercise of the rule of law.
Also meaningful has been working alongside the talented lawyers and professional staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as with the agents and employees of our partner federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. These honorable public servants meet the challenges of safeguarding our homeland, local communities, and government institutions selflessly and without fanfare, at times at significant personal costs. I have never stopped being inspired by them and always will cherish my time as part of this deeply noble undertaking. To them, I extend my utmost gratitude and admiration.
I would not have had this life-changing experience without the support of President Joseph R. Biden, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott, and countless leaders from our community. To all of them, thank you for trusting me to fulfill the duties of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
With gratitude,
Markenzy Lapointe
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Two Men Convicted of Unlawfully Video Recording Inside Social Security OfficesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Following a bench trial, United States Magistrate Judge Embry J. Kidd has found Joshua Joseph Gray (45, New Smyrna Beach) and George Douglas Metz (51, Belleview) guilty of unlawfully video recording and failing to comply with official signs and directives inside multiple Social Security field offices. Gray and Metz were each sentenced to pay a $3,000 fine and serve six months’ probation. Gray and Metz were charged by an Information on November 28, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, on various dates between November 2022 and January 2023, Gray and Metz each entered three different Social Security field offices in Central Florida while video recording. Gray and Metz continued to video record despite being informed by official signage and Social Security representatives that video recording is prohibited in Social Security offices without prior permission. Gray and Metz were informed that the video recording rules serve to protect the privacy of customers who come to Social Security offices to conduct business and exchange personal information. Gray and Metz subsequently posted their video recordings, which depicted members of the public and Social Security representatives conducting business, on their public YouTube channels, where Gray and Metz were paid for their videos and solicited donations.
This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
Two Indian Chemical Companies and a Senior Executive Indicted for Distributing Fentanyl Precursor ChemicalsRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY - Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, two indictments were unsealed charging India-based companies Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (Athos Chemicals) and Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, with criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. Lathiya was arrested on January 4, 2025 in New York City and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo. Lathiya was ordered detained pending trial.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General and Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, announced the arrest and indictments.
“Our efforts to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain are being fought on many fronts, and as alleged in these indictments, by charging two chemical companies based in India and a company executive with knowingly distributing the chemical building blocks of fentanyl,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office will vigorously prosecute those pushers of poison, here and abroad, who are responsible for fueling our nation’s opioid epidemic without any regard for the extreme harm they are causing.”
Mr. Peace thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Homeland Security Investigations, New York and United States Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office, for their invaluable assistance.
“The Justice Department is targeting every link in fentanyl trafficking supply chains that span countries and continents and too often end in tragedy in the United States,” stated Attorney General Garland. “We allege these companies, and a company founder and senior executive who is now in custody, conspired to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals from India to the United States and Mexico. We made a promise that the Justice Department would never forget the victims of the fentanyl epidemic, and that we would never stop working to hold accountable those who bear responsibility for it — that is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do.”“Much of our nation’s illicit fentanyl crisis can be traced to bad actors overseas who knowingly and illegally traffic precursor chemicals to North America, where cartels refine them into deadly narcotics and wreak immeasurable heartbreak and destruction on so many American communities,” stated DHS Secretary Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security, alongside our federal partners, will continue to take the fight against fentanyl directly to alleged foreign precursor chemical exporters like the companies and the individual indicted today – because the best way to stop illicit fentanyl from killing Americans and devastating communities is by preventing it from being manufactured in the first place.”
Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is the deadliest drug threat currently facing the United States. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is designated as a Schedule II controlled substance while various precursors that can be used to produce fentanyl are included on the controlled substance schedules List I and List II.
Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya are charged with conspiracy to distribute and import a listed chemical, distribution and importation of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture fentanyl, smuggling and other related offenses. Athos Chemicals is charged with similar offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and import a listed chemical and distribution and importation of a listed chemical.
As alleged in the indictments and court filings, the defendants supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, among other places, knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. They also sent their chemical products to the United States and Mexico using international mail and package carriers. The chemicals distributed by the defendants included all the materials necessary to manufacture fentanyl via the most common methods or pathways. To prevent detection and interception of chemical products at the borders, the defendants employed deceptive and fraudulent practices, such as mislabeling packages, falsifying customs forms, and making false declarations at border crossings.
For example, on or about June 29, 2024, a package shipped by Raxuter Chemicals was delivered to an address in the Eastern District of New York. The package had a false manifest that listed its contents as Vitamin C. In truth, the contents were a List I chemical, 1-boc-4-piperidone, an unlawfully imported fentanyl precursor.
On or about October 2, 2024 and October 15, 2024, Lathiya appeared on a video call to discuss sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals with an HSI undercover officer. After being told by the undercover officer that his “clients in Mexico were very happy with the quality of what you sent me” and with “the yield they got of the final product,” Lathiya agreed to sell 20 kilograms 1-boc-4-piperidone, which is a List I chemical used in fentanyl synthesis. Lathiya also proposed mislabeling the chemical as an antacid. The undercover officer replied and asked if it would be easier to ship the product to Mexico, stating “This is a very controversial product … Because like you said it’s banned and in Mexico I think it could be easier but there’s so much pressure on them because of fentanyl.” On or about November 23, 2024, Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya shipped approximately 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to the Eastern District of New York. The package was mislabeled as an antacid.
In addition, on or about February 20, 2024, Athos Chemicals agreed to sell 100 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to a known drug trafficker in Mexico who was making fentanyl in association with a drug trafficking organization.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations, including but not limited to the Sinaloa Cartel, have increasingly availed themselves of the fentanyl precursors developed and distributed by companies like the defendants. The chemicals provided by the defendant companies have enabled such cartels and other drug trafficking organizations to produce fentanyl in clandestine laboratories in Mexico on a massive scale for subsequent distribution in the United States and elsewhere.
The charges in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of all the charges, Lathiya faces up to 53 years in prison.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Amir, William P. Campos and Chand Edwards-Balfour are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samuel Ronchetti.
The Defendants:
BHAVESH ranCHHODBHAI LATHIYA (also known as “Bhavesh Patel” and “Bhavesh Bhai”)
Age: 36
Surat, Gujarat, IndiaRAXUTER CHEMICALS
Surat, Gujarat, IndiaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-525 (PKC)
ATHOS CHEMICALS PVT. LTD.
Surat, Gujarat, IndiaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-526 (RPK)
Two Indian Chemical Companies and a Senior Executive Indicted for Distributing Fentanyl Precursor ChemicalsRead the Press Release
Two indictments were unsealed today and Saturday charging India-based companies Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (Athos Chemicals) and Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, with criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. Lathiya was arrested on Jan. 4, in New York City and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo for the Eastern District of New York. Lathiya was ordered detained pending trial.
“The Justice Department is targeting every link in fentanyl trafficking supply chains that span countries and continents and too often end in tragedy in the United States,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege these companies, and a company founder and senior executive who is now in custody, conspired to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals from India to the United States and Mexico. We made a promise that the Justice Department would never forget the victims of the fentanyl epidemic, and that we would never stop working to hold accountable those who bear responsibility for it — that is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do.”
“Much of our nation’s illicit fentanyl crisis can be traced to bad actors overseas who knowingly and illegally traffic precursor chemicals to North America, where cartels refine them into deadly narcotics and wreak immeasurable heartbreak and destruction on so many American communities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security, alongside our federal partners, will continue to take the fight against fentanyl directly to alleged foreign precursor chemical exporters like the companies and the individual indicted today — because the best way to stop illicit fentanyl from killing Americans and devastating communities is by preventing it from being manufactured in the first place.”
“Our efforts to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain are being fought on many fronts, and as alleged in these indictments, by charging two chemical companies based in India and a company executive with knowingly distributing the chemical building blocks of fentanyl,” stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “My office will vigorously prosecute those pushers of poison, here and abroad, who are responsible for fueling our nation’s opioid epidemic without any regard for the extreme harm they are causing.”
Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is the deadliest drug threat currently facing the United States. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is designated as a Schedule II controlled substance while various precursors that can be used to produce fentanyl are included on the controlled substance schedules List I and List II.
Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya are charged with conspiracy to distribute and import a listed chemical, distribution and importation of a listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture fentanyl, smuggling, and other related offenses. Athos Chemicals is charged with similar offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and import a listed chemical and distribution and importation of a listed chemical.
As alleged in the indictments and court filings, the defendants supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, among other places, knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. They also sent their chemical products to the United States and Mexico using international mail and package carriers. The chemicals distributed by the defendants included all the materials necessary to manufacture fentanyl via the most common methods or pathways. To prevent detection and interception of chemical products at the borders, the defendants employed deceptive and fraudulent practices, such as mislabeling packages, falsifying customs forms, and making false declarations at border crossings.
For example, on or about June 29, 2024, a package shipped by Raxuter Chemicals was delivered to an address in the Eastern District of New York. The package had a false manifest that listed its contents as Vitamin C. In truth, the contents were a List I chemical, 1-boc-4-piperidone, an unlawfully imported fentanyl precursor.
On or about Oct. 2, 2024, and Oct 15, 2024, Lathiya appeared on a video call to discuss sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals with an Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) undercover officer. After being told by the undercover officer that his “clients in Mexico were very happy with the quality of what you sent me” and with “the yield they got of the final product,” Lathiya agreed to sell 20 kilograms 1-boc-4-piperidone, which is a List I chemical used in fentanyl synthesis. Lathiya also proposed mislabeling the chemical as an antacid. The undercover officer replied and asked if it would be easier to ship the product to Mexico, stating “This is a very controversial product … Because like you said it’s banned and in Mexico I think it could be easier but there’s so much pressure on them because of fentanyl.” On or about Nov. 23, 2024, Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya shipped approximately 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to the Eastern District of New York. The package was mislabeled as an antacid.
In addition, on or about Feb. 20, 2024, Athos Chemicals agreed to sell 100 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to a known drug trafficker in Mexico who was making fentanyl in association with a drug trafficking organization.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations, including but not limited to the Sinaloa Cartel, have increasingly availed themselves of the fentanyl precursors developed and distributed by companies like the defendants. The chemicals provided by the defendant companies have enabled such cartels and other drug trafficking organizations to produce fentanyl in clandestine laboratories in Mexico on a massive scale for subsequent distribution in the United States and elsewhere.
If convicted, Lathiya faces a maximum penalty of 53 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
HSI New York investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office provided assistance.
HSI New York investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office provided assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
athos_chemicals_indictment.pdf 24-cr-525_bhavesh_lathiya_et_al_indictment.pdfTexas Syndicate gang member “Diablo” sentenced for third federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 58-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been sentenced to a total of 200 months in prison for meth trafficking and two supervised release violations, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Tony Maldonado aka Diablo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth Feb. 1, 2024.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Maldonado to serve 188 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release for this offense. At the hearing, the court heard Maldonado was on supervised release for two other federal drug cases, one from 2000 involving meth and one from 2013 for possession with intent to distribute heroin, when he was once again arrested for distributing narcotics. The court also heard that Maldonado was a long-time member of the Texas Syndicate prison gang.
Following this sentencing, Judge Morales considered the two supervised release violations. He was ultimately sentenced to 50 and 24 months for the 2000 and 2013 cases, respectively. The court ordered the 50-month-term to be served concurrently and 12 of the 24 months to run consecutively to the current sentence for a total of 200 months in federal prison.
In handing down the sentences, Judge Morales noted Maldonado’s extensive criminal history and that there must be consequences for violating his supervised release.
In mid-2023, law enforcement discovered Maldonado was distributing narcotics from his elderly parent’s home. After several months of investigation, authorities obtained a federal search warrant which they executed Aug. 29, 2023, at which time they seized 83.86 grams of heroin, 39.34 grams of meth and jail letters confirming his active status in the Texas Syndicate prison gang.
Maldonado will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the FBI, Corpus Christi Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Brittany Jensen prosecuted the case.
Tampa Bay Area Doctor Charged with Producing Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Enticing Minors to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the indictment and arrest of Stephen Andrew Leedy (59, St. Petersburg) on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted on all counts, Leedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
According to the indictment and court documents, Leedy, a palliative care doctor in the Tampa Bay area, utilized the username “maximumuncle#9112” to sexually exploit and victimize approximately ten minors online. In online conversations and video chats, Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves. In November 2022, Minor Victim 1 was discovered deceased, having hanged herself in front of her phone in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had previously provided her.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI – Tampa Office, with assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department, FBI – Atlanta Office, and the Holly Springs Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Ilyssa M. Spergel.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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.justice.gov/psc.
Summerset Woman Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Multistate Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Summerset, South Dakota, woman convicted of seven federal criminal offenses, including Enticement to Travel for Illegal Sexual Activity, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity, Possession of Child Pornography, Obstruction of Justice, Tampering with a Witness, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor. The sentencing took place on January 3, 2025.
Emily Nicole Yeary, 26, was sentenced to a total of 40 years in federal prison, which will be followed by five years of supervised release. She will pay a $700 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $3,000 in restitution to one of her victims. Another victim’s family will make a later restitution request. Yeary will also pay restitution to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for forensic examinations of Yeary’s phone and other devices.
“This is among the most heinous cases of child exploitation our office has prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “The lengths to which Emily Yeary went to groom and then manipulate these young girls is reprehensible, and the use of these minor victims as pawns in a game of sexual abuse and terror is unforgivable. Yeary earned herself every month of today’s federal sentence. Let us all be grateful for the expertise of DCI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies throughout South Dakota and other jurisdictions. Law enforcement’s thorough investigation exposed Yeary’s criminal activity and allowed the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek justice in federal court.”
“I commend the State Trooper, the Division of Criminal Investigation, and South Dakota law enforcement for working with law enforcement across state lines to protect a young victim and hold a serious offender accountable. Human trafficking and its young victims remain a national concern that we unfortunately are not immune from in South Dakota,” said South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
In July of 2022, a federal grand jury charged Yeary with multiple crimes arising out of her criminal conduct with minors, including Attempted Exploitation of a Minor, Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity. The multistate investigation revealed Yeary offended against multiple victims, all of whom were minors from Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri. Yeary pleaded guilty to seven federal offenses on November 1, 2024.
On June 25, 2022, Yeary was arrested by the South Dakota Highway Patrol after being pulled over for speeding. Yeary had a 14-year-old female in her vehicle who had been reported missing from Mississippi. When Yeary bonded out of jail days later, she immediately contacted the same minor, spray painted her truck to avoid detection, and returned to Mississippi, where Yeary removed the child from her home a second time and took her to Kansas.
The investigation revealed that Yeary routinely presented herself to be an underage male named “Riley” and used Tik Tok and other cell phone apps to obtain access to minor females. Over the course of three years, Yeary traveled to multiple states to meet her victims and convince them to run away with her. Yeary crossed state lines intending to engage in sex with her victims, and then took her victims across state lines with similar intentions. Yeary sexually abused at least one of her victims, using a prosthetic penis, after giving alcohol to the minor. Yeary possessed sexually explicit photos of another minor female from Kentucky, with whom Yeary had an illegal sexual relationship with and to whom Yeary sent sexually explicit photos of a prosthetic penis. Yeary had another illegal relationship with a minor from Missouri, whom Yeary hid from police in a college fraternity house. After Yeary was arrested in Rapid City, and while she was in custody at the Pennington County Jail, she attempted to persuade one of her victims not to testify against her and used the same victim to try to persuade the Missouri victim to similarly not cooperate with the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The investigation was led by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Instrumental to the investigation were the Simpson County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Galena Kansas Police Department, Santa Rosa County Florida Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Rankin County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Knox County Missouri Sheriff’s Office, Kirksville Missouri Police Department, Hannibal Missouri Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspector’s Service, Cherokee County Kansas Sheriff’s Office, and the Quapaw Nation Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.
Yeary was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
St. Elmo Man Admits to Shooting Rifle at Federal Agents Serving a WarrantRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A St. Elmo man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to several assault and firearms charges after he opened fire on federal law enforcement agents who went to serve an arrest warrant at his residence in Fayette County.
Dax Baldrige, 47, pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault of a federal officer, two counts of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
“Serving warrants is a dangerous job for law enforcement officers, but each show up with courage in order to protect our communities from known offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Fortunately, the officers involved in this incident returned home unharmed, and the defendant will face consequences to the fullest extent of the law.”
On Oct. 17, 2022, task force members with the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to serve an arrest warrant for Baldrige at his residence in Fayette County when he used a rifle to fire multiple shots at the officers.
“This case illuminates the inherently dangerous job our Deputy U.S. Marshals, Task Force Officers, and law enforcement face every day,” said David Davis, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. “We are grateful for the support of all the agencies who were involved in this arrest and relieved that no law enforcement personnel were injured. We are pleased that this incident is ultimately concluding with a guilty plea from Baldrige.”
After a 10-hour stand-off with police, Baldrige was taken into custody, and no injuries were reported.
“ATF is grateful for the dedication of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s office in pushing through this case to bring to justice this individual.” said Special Agent in Charge, Bernard Hansen, ATF, Kansas City Field Division. “As we did in this investigation ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to focus on those that use firearms to facilitate acts of violence in Illinois, and across the country.”
Baldrige’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2025.
"Being in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs anyone can do and we will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office so that people like Baldrige who attack officers are brought to justice," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
The U.S. Marshal Service Great Lakes Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Illinois State Police and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Arshi is prosecuting the case.
San Diego Trial Team Plays Critical Role in Landmark DOJ Effort to Prosecute January 6 DefendantsRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Prosecutors and an intelligence analyst from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego have handled more than 60 cases — including nine trials — in support of the massive Department of Justice effort to hold accountable those who violently disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
As of today, the fourth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Justice has charged more than 1,500 individuals in federal court in the District of Columbia for crimes related to the events of that day. These cases are being prosecuted through a collaboration led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Five prosecutors and an analyst from San Diego were detailed at various times to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., to help them investigate and prosecute these cases.
Each San Diego prosecutor volunteered to join DOJ’s nationwide team and did so with the full support of the United States Attorney’s Office. The Southern District of California, among many other districts across the nation, provided essential assistance to these cases through the time, talents, and experience of federal prosecutors and support staff.
“We are extremely proud of our contribution to this extraordinary investigative and prosecutorial undertaking,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “These cases hold accountable the individuals who battered, ransacked, and brought terror into the seat of our democracy. This collective effort has been vital to fortify the rule of law and serves as a reminder that armed threats, violence, and insurrection are not protected under the ruse of a lawful protest.”
Examples of trials handled by the San Diego-based Assistant U.S. Attorneys over the past three years include:
United States v Michael Bradley – 23-cr-0435-RBW – Michael Bradley of Forsyth, Georgia, who swung his baton at police officers as they attempted to fend off rioters during the breach of the U.S. Capitol, was convicted by a judge on August 28, 2024, of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses, including civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He was sentenced on December 17, 2024, to 60 months in prison for his part in the sweeping violence. For further information please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/georgia-man-sentenced-prison-assaulting-law-enforcement-and-other-offenses-during-jan-6
Side-by-side images of Bradley straddling the railing, preparing to swing his baton at the police.United States v. Michael Sparks –21-cr-87-TJK – Michael Sparks of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the first rioter to enter the Capitol building, was convicted by a federal jury on March 1, 2024, of felony civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. On August 27, 2024, he was sentenced to 53 months in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/kentucky-man-sentenced-prison-felony-and-misdemeanor-charges-actions-during-jan-6.
Sparks, top center, turns and waves the mob forward as he leads a group of violent rioters past the final police line protecting the U.S. Capitol building, moments before he became the first rioter to breach the building.United States v. Ronald Colton McAbee – 21-cr-0035-RC – Ronald Colton McAbee of Unionville, Tennessee, who assaulted multiple police officers, to include dragging one down a set of stairs in front of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, was convicted on all counts by a federal jury on October 22, 2023, of inflicting bodily injury on an officer; civil disorder; entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He was sentenced on February 29, 2024, to 70 months in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/mcabee-ronald-colton.
McAbee (a sheriff’s deputy at the time) was captured on police body-worn camera holding down the victim police officer, before pulling him down the stairs into the mob.United States v. Ryan Samsel, James Grant, Stephen Randolph, Paul Johnson and Jason Blythe – 21-cr-537-JMC – Ryan Samsel, James Grant, Stephen Randolph, Paul Johnson and Jason Blythe were convicted on February 2, 2024, of various felonies, including assaulting a police officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon or while inflicting bodily injury, following a bench trial. Randolf of Harrodsburg, Kentucky; Grant of Cary, North Carolina; Blythe of Fort Worth, Texas; Samsel of Bristol, Pennsylvania; and Johnson of Lanexa, Virginia, were the first to break through a manned barrier and assault officers, one of whom suffered multiple blows to the head that resulted in a concussion and a loss of consciousness. Samsel went on to assault additional officers. On September 20, 2024, all but Samsel were sentenced for their actions on January 6. Randolph was sentenced to eight years; Grant was sentenced to 36 months; Blythe was sentenced to 30 months; Johnson was sentenced to five years of probation. Samsel is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2025. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/samsel-ryan and https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/four-men-sentenced-prison-actions-during-jan-6-capitol-breach.
Defendants Grant, Blythe, Johnson, Samsel and Randolph lifting and pushing a barricade into a U.S. Capitol police officer.United States v. Douglas Austin Jensen – 21-cr-6-TJK – Douglas Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa was convicted by a jury on September 23, 2022, of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a law enforcement officer; obstruction of an official proceeding; interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon; and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. Video of Jensen leading an angry mob chasing a lone U.S. Capitol Police officer up the stairs to the Senate was widely circulated online in the days following the Capitol attack, and Jensen reported to the FBI that he wanted to be the “poster boy” of January 6. He was sentenced on December 16, 2022, to 60 months in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/iowa-man-sentenced-five-years-felony-charges-related-capitol-breach.
Douglas Jensen led a mob of angry men chasing a lone U.S. Capitol Police officer up the stairs to the hallway directly outside the Senate Chamber, then faced off with police officers in the hallway despite their orders to leave, as Senators sheltered in place on the other side of the wall.United States v. Zachary Alam – 21-cr-190-DLF – Zachary Jordan Alam from Centreville, Virginia was convicted by federal jury on Sept. 12, 2023, of multiple felonies, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; destruction of government property; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and related offenses. Alam roamed the building and antagonized officers at the House Main Doors, then went around to a back entrance to the House Chamber as House members and staffers were still evacuating. There he assaulted officers, punched glass door panels with his fists, and once the officers moved, kicked the doors and completely removed the window panels by smashing them with a helmet. On November 7, 2024, he was sentenced to eight years in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/virginia-man-sentenced-eight-years-prison-assaulting-law-enforcement-and-other-charges\.
Alam (in fur hat) inciting other rioters, with windows he shattered visible behind him and fleeing Congressmembers and staffers visible behind the doors. Alam using a helmet to smash through window panels of the doors outside the House Chamber.United States v. Jonathan Copeland – 23-cr-224-DLF – On May 8, 2024, Jonathan Copeland of Lima, Ohio, was found guilty after a bench trial of eight crimes, including two counts of felony civil disorder and one count each of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; entering and remaining in a restricted building or ground with a deadly and dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly and dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or ground with a deadly and dangerous weapon. Copeland helped push a barricade into U.S. Capitol Police Officers at the Peace Circle, worked with others to use a massive metal Trump sign as a battering ram to push past the police line at the West Front of the Capitol, and was involved in an altercation with a cameraman. Copeland yelled at the cameraman and shoved him several times, and then a group of rioters attacked the photographer and pushed him off a ledge. On December 2, 2024, Copeland was sentenced to almost 6 years in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-prison-assaulting-law-enforcement-trump-billboard-and-other-offenses.
Copeland, in the green bandana, pushing a Trump billboard into the police.United States v. Joshua Black – 21-cr-127-AJB – Joshua Black of Leeds, Alabama, was found guilty following a bench trial on January 13, 2023, of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds or buildings; entering and remaining on the floor of Congress; and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. As he approached the Capitol building from the West side, Black was part of a violent mob of rioters fighting the police; he was struck by a non-lethal round that wounded his face and caused bleeding. Despite this clear warning to retreat, Black entered the Capitol building and the Senate chamber armed with a knife. On May 16, 2023, he was sentenced to 22 months in prison. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/alabama-man-found-sentenced-felony-and-misdemeanor-charges-related-capitol-breach.
Joshua Black sat on the floor of the Senate Chamber as rioters took over the Dias, shortly after Senators had been evacuated from the Chamber.*All photos were obtained by the government and admitted as evidence for various trials.
Roxbury Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Heath Street Gang member/associate pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug conspiracy charges.
Charles Bomman, 34, of Roxbury, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2025. Bomman was charged and arrested in February 2024, along with over 40 alleged Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms and financial fraud charges.
From 2021 through 2024, Bomman participated in a conspiracy to distribute various controlled substances, in particular, powdered cocaine, cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The investigation was supported by the Boston Housing Authority Police Department and Massachusetts State Police. Valuable assistance was provided by the Quincy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Pittsburgh Couple Sentenced for Obstructing Law Enforcement During Campus ProtestRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A husband and wife from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been sentenced in federal court for their convictions of obstructing law enforcement during a 2023 public gathering and protest, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentences on Brian DiPippa, 37, and his wife Krystal DiPippa, 42, sentencing Brian to five years in prison and Krystal to three years of probation. The DiPippas also were ordered to jointly pay restitution to the University of Pittsburgh in the amount of $1,400, along with $47,284 to a University of Pittsburgh Police officer for financial damages the officer suffered from injuries caused by the DiPippas’s actions.
According to information presented to the Court, the DiPippas participated in an April 2023 protest on the University of Pittsburgh campus, during which Brian ignited and dropped two homemade incendiary smoke devices in and around a line of people waiting to enter a building for a scheduled event featuring guest speakers. When university police officers gathered and formed a barrier to prevent protesters from entering the rear of the building, Brian, concealed by Krystal, ignited and threw a large explosive firework into the group of officers, causing a loud explosion and injuries to several officers.
“The DiPippas conspired to injure law enforcement officers and cause chaos at a college campus protest,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “They attacked brave men and women who were trying to maintain order and protect the attendees. Today’s sentencings—and particularly the years of incarceration imposed on Brian DiPippa—should serve as a deterrent for anyone who would consider engaging in such outrageous and dangerous conduct in the future.”
“The individuals sentenced today deployed explosive devices that injured police officers who were working to maintain order and protect public safety,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “These sentencings send a clear message that the FBI and our partners will use all available tools to bring to justice those who seek to injure, maim, or attack law enforcement officers. The FBI and our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners across the country stand committed to our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.”
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the University of Pittsburgh Police is a member; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the DiPippas.
Phenix City Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 Loan SchemeRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On January 6, 2025, a federal judge ordered that 39-year-old Kyle Nathan Carlisle, a resident of Phenix City, Alabama, receive a sentence of 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to loans received through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. Following his prison sentence, Carlisle will be on supervised release for three years. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act established the EIDL program, which was directly administered by the Small Business Administration. This financial assistance program was designed to help eligible small businesses by giving them working capital to make regular payments for operating expenses such as payroll, rent or mortgage expenses, utilities, or business debt.
According to his plea agreement and other court records, between July 2020 and April 2021, Carlisle applied for 23 EIDL loans online, many of which were duplicates. Five of the loans were ultimately funded. Carlisle made multiple false statements and misrepresentations in his applications, including the businesses’ revenue, the number of employees, and that he had no felony convictions in the last five years. Records indicate he had two 2016 felony convictions in Russell County, Alabama. Carlisle further admitted to submitting forged documents with the applications including fake or altered business licenses. As a result of his scheme, Carlisle received approximately $600,000 for four separate applications. Part of the funding was recovered before it cleared Carlisle’s accounts. The total amount sought in the scheme was $3,470,832. Carlisle was also convicted of money laundering for using the illegal proceeds to purchase a vehicle, among other unauthorized personal expenses.
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered that Carlisle pay the Small Business Administration $547,846.54 in restitution. Carlisle was also ordered to forfeit the same amount to the United States government.
“Kyle Carlisle fabricated lies and forged documents in a scheme to divert taxpayer money for his own self-enrichment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “The EIDL program was intended to provide relief to actual struggling businesses during a pandemic that created an enormous economic burden on the entire country. My office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of government programs.”
The FBI Mobile Field Office investigated this case, with assistance from the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Department of Labor. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Part-Time Actor from O.C. Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Soliciting Investors for Shell Companies Peddling Bogus COVID CureRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man and part-time actor was sentenced today to 98 months in federal prison for soliciting investors in companies that marketed what in fact were a bogus cure and treatment for COVID-19 during the pandemic’s early days.
Keith Lawrence Middlebrook, 57, of Huntington Beach, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also fined him $25,000 and ordered him immediately remanded to federal custody to begin serving his prison sentence.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial in May 2024, a jury found Middlebrook guilty of 11 counts of wire fraud.
In March 2020, Middlebrook solicited potential investors in California, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Colorado via text messages, videos and statements posted on YouTube and Instagram about his purported cure for COVID-19. Middlebrook called this so-called cure “QC20,” and he also marketed a purported COVID treatment, which he called “QP20.”
Middlebrook claimed to have personally developed a “patent-pending” cure and a treatment to prevent coronavirus infection. Middlebrook fraudulently solicited investments in various companies with a series of false promises. These fraudulent claims included miraculous results from the prevention product and the cure, risk-free and 100 percent guaranteed “enormous returns” on investments,” and that former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson was a director and officer of Middlebrook’s company. He induced victims to invest their money by promising them enormous returns. Judge Fischer based Middlebrook’s sentence in part on finding that he obstructed justice by his lying on the witness stand when he testified about his purported relationship and business dealings with Johnson.
To bolster these claims, Middlebrook lied that a party in Dubai had offered to purchase his companies for $10 billion, and this offer would secure the victim-investors’ investments in the companies. He also lied that he had secured funding from seven investors who had each already invested between $750,000 and $1 million.
The FBI arrested Middlebrook in this case in March 2020 after Middlebrook delivered pills – purportedly the treatment that prevents coronavirus infection – to an undercover agent who was posing as an investor.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth R. Carbajal of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Joseph S. Guzman of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Orleans Parish Man Indicted for Firearm and Narcotics ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MELCOLM DOLLIOLE (“DOLLIOLE”), age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana was charged on January 3, 2025, by a federal grand jury in an eight-count superseding indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. Count 1 charged him with distribution of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Count 2 charged him with distribution of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. Count 6 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(2). Count 7 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Finally, Count 8 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to the superseding indictment, on November 18, 2024, New Orleans police officers and federal agents arrested DOLLIOLE for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act while he was in possession of firearms. Further investigation determined that DOLLIOLE was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony conviction(s).
If convicted, DOLLIOLE faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release for Counts 1, 2, and 6; a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of imprisonment to run consecutive to Count 6, up to a $250,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release for Count 7; and up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count 8. DOLLIOLE also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all five counts.
United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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North Dakota Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm While a FelonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Bismarck, North Dakota, woman convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 3, 2025.
Summer Rae Trotter, 34, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Trotter was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in December 2023. She pleaded guilty on October 23, 2024.
The case stemmed from a Rapid City Police Department officer finding Trotter in possession of a firearm in Rapid City. Trotter is federally prohibited from owning and possessing firearms because she has previous felony convictions.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.
Trotter was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.