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Thursday 7 November 2024
Troy Woman Sentenced, Ordered to Repay $82,940 After Yearslong Fraud to Obtain BenefitsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Troy woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor for Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Christie Mitchell, 49, to three years of probation, including five months of home detention. She was also ordered to pay $82,940 in restitution. Mitchell pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.
According to court records, from about October 2013 to February 2020, Mitchell lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about her husband’s presence in her household and his income to fraudulently appear eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments. Mitchell also concealed her husband’s presence and income from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (ME/DHHS) from about October 2013 to December 2019, during which time she received MaineCare benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Mitchell falsely represented to the SSA and ME/DHHS that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.
SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and ME/DHHS’s Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit investigated the case.
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Three Indicted for Roles in Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges in connection with the distribution of cocaine in Central Massachusetts.
Luis Sastre Pagan, 37, of Puerto Rico and formally of Southbridge; Eric Rivera, 31, of Southbridge; and Miguel Lopez, 27, of Southbridge, were all indicted on one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Lopez was also indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun. Sastre Pagan was arrested in Puerto Rico, released on conditions and ordered to appear in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts by Nov. 20, 2024. Rivera and Lopez appeared in Boston for initial appearances.
According to charging documents, from in or about April 2023 through April 2024, the three men allegedly conspired with each other and others to knowingly and intentionally distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Lopez was previously charged by criminal complaint for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and unlawful possession of a machine gun. According to the complaint, Lopez was in possession of a package containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine and a Glock 19 pistol with a Glock conversion attached.
The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. On the charge of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, Sastre Pagan faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The unlawful possession of a machinegun also provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA Puerto Rico and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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 at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ten Indicted for Drug Trafficking in Ohio CountyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Ten people have been indicted for the trafficking of drugs in Ohio County, according to United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
Defendants from Ohio and West Virginia have been charged with the sale of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Two of the defendants have also been charged with the illegal possession of firearms.
“Continued pressure from law enforcement on drug traffickers will ensure that the downward trend in overdoses we are experiencing continues,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “This latest round of indictments, combined with ongoing treatment and prevention efforts, will help to loosen the grip that addiction has upon communities in West Virginia.”
Eight of the ten individuals charged have been arrested, to include:
- Antoine Blanchard, also known as “Reggie” and “Cadillac Hill,” 49, of Steubenville, Ohio, charged with the distribution and possession of cocaine and the distribution of methamphetamine;
- Harold Wayne Nice, 40, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of methamphetamine;
- Robert Kelly Rogers, 51, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin;
- Charles Smith Rippy, 69, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of cocaine base;
- Stephen J. Booker, also known as “Flock,” 31, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition;
- Alyssa Marie Abrigg, 33, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine; and
- Don Speir McFarland, 30, of Wheeling, West Virginia, charged with the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
- Jeremy Brandon Evans, 35, of Columbus, Ohio, charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and the unlawful possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carly Nogay and Clayton Reid are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.
The cases were investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Task Force consists of personnel from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the West Virginia State Police.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tampa Felon Convicted at Trial of Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Vincent Luke Governor, Jr. (34, Tampa) guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Governor faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2025.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on August 28, 2022, officers with the Tampa Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Governor. Governor was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the stop, officers observed the odor of marijuana coming from Governor’s vehicle. As Governor was being removed from the vehicle to allow the officers to conduct a search of the vehicle, the officers observed the grip of a handgun underneath the driver’s seat. The firearm (Springfield Armory XD pistol) was loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition. A DNA sample taken from the gun linked Governor to the firearm. The officers also located 80 grams of marijuana in multiple bags and a digital scale in the glove compartment.
At the time, Governor had previous felony convictions for burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, possession of burglar tools, and armed robbery. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.
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.
Stoneham Police Officer and Electrical Contractor Plead Guilty to Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Stoneham Police Officer and his brother, an owner of an electrical contracting company, pleaded guilty to a bribery and kickback scheme that netted them millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts.
Joseph Ponzo, 51, of Stoneham and Christopher Ponzo, 50, of North Reading, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and 24 counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of making false statements to government officials. Joseph Ponzo also pleaded guilty to four counts of causing false tax returns to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service from 2016 to 2019. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencings for February 2025.
Massachusetts law requires utility companies to collect an energy efficiency surcharge on all Massachusetts energy consumers. These funds, which amount to hundreds of millions of dollars each year, are to be disbursed by the utility companies to fund energy efficiency programs and initiatives in Massachusetts.
Mass Save is a Massachusetts public-private partnership sponsored by various gas and electric utility companies that disburses these energy efficiency funds through funding energy conservation projects for consumers. Under the Mass Save program, the utility companies select lead vendors, like Company A, to approve and select contractors to perform energy improvement work for residential customers. This contracting work – performed by contractors at no-cost or reduced cost to the customer – is then paid for by Company A with Mass Save funds.
Joseph Ponzo and Christopher Ponzo conspired to pay, and did pay, tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, kickbacks, and other in-kind benefits, including a John Deere tractor, a computer, home bathroom fixtures, and free electrical work, among other things, to Company A employees (Associates 1 and 2) in exchange for the Associates’ assistance in getting the defendants millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts.
On a weekly basis, from 2013 to 2017, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $1,000 in cash. At times, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $5,000 to $10,000 in cash, telling Associate 1 that the extra money was from Joseph Ponzo for his part in the bribery scheme. In return for these payments, Associate 1, among other things, helped Joseph Ponzo set up a shell company, Air Tight, to do insulation work and get approved as a Company A contractor under the Mass Save program. Joseph Ponzo put his spouse’s name on Air Tight incorporation documents and contracting licenses in order to conceal his involvement in his corrupt side business. Despite having no professional experience in residential insulation work, Joseph Ponzo collected over $7 million under the Mass Save program.After Associate 1 left Company A in 2017, Christopher Ponzo and Joseph Ponzo recruited Associate 2 to the bribery-kickback scheme from approximately 2018 to 2022, paying Associate 2 thousands of dollars in cash and hiring a relative of Associate 2 as part of the ongoing scheme.
During the course of the bribery-kickback scheme, Joseph Ponzo aided in the filing of false tax returns from 2016 to 2019 by claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in false business deductions. To disguise personal expenses as business deductions, Joseph Ponzo used his company credit card to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchases at The Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples, claiming to his tax preparers that charges at those establishments were business-related. In reality, Joseph Ponzo used the company credit card at those stores to purchase gift cards that he and his spouse then used to make thousands of dollars in personal expenditures.
In April 2022, both Joseph Ponzo and Christopher Ponzo falsely denied making bribe payments to any Company A employees when interviewed by federal agents.
The charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Charges of false statements provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Charges of aiding in filing false tax returns each provide for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. 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.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Dustin Chao of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Miranda Morgan Pauley, age 32, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Drug Task Force 27, the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On October 12, 2023, Pauley pleaded guilty to possessing over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. According to investigators, on January 11, 2023, law enforcement officers learned that John Tillison, an individual with active arrest warrants, was located at Pauley’s residence. Law enforcement attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Tillison as it left the residence, but Tillison fled. Law enforcement pursued, ending the chase by deploying tire deflation devices. Tillison ran from the scene but was later captured, and Pauley, Tillison’s passenger, was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle located a loaded revolver between the driver’s seat and console, along with nearly $18,000 in United States Currency and approximately 890 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers subsequently executed a search warrant on Pauley’s residence where they discovered another 992 grams of methamphetamine and various rounds of ammunition.
The Honorable Kenneth J. Gonzales, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Pauley will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Travis Earl Eubanks, age 36, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 8, 2024, Eubanks pleaded guilty to the crime. According to investigators, on January 28, 2024, during an assault that lasted over four hours, Eubanks choked, hit, kicked, smothered, and stabbed an individual at a Stilwell, Oklahoma, residence. The crime occurred in Adair County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Eubanks will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Spiro Resident Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Presley Edward Lawson, age 50, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Trails Task Force.
On October 3, 2023, Lawson pleaded guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine. According to investigators, on June 8, 2022, Lawson sold over 222 grams—approximately one half-pound—of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The Honorable Kenneth J. Gonzalez, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Lawson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Flanigan represented the United States at sentencing.
South L.A. Man Sentenced to More Than 9 Years in Federal Prison for Robbery Spree that Ended in High-Speed Crash and Freeway Foot PursuitRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A South Los Angeles man was sentenced today to 110 months in federal prison for committing a string of robberies of businesses throughout Los Angeles County – a series of crimes that ended with a high-speed chase that resulted in him and other defendant crashing their getaway car before running across a freeway last year.
Anthony Flores, 28, a.k.a. “BabyGfar,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered him to pay $10,439 in restitution. Flores has been in federal custody since September 2023.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury on July 18 found Flores guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and two counts of Hobbs Act robbery.
“This defendant’s careless disregard for the law put lives at risk,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s sentence highlights that my office – through the Operation Safe Cities initiative – will make sure that violent criminals face real consequences. The public deserves no less.”
From May 27, 2023, to May 31, 2023, Flores and other co-conspirators robbed BevMo! liquor stores in Long Beach and Lakewood and conspired to rob other stores in West Covina and Pasadena, and on June 5, 2023, attempted to rob a BevMo! store in Canyon Country. During the robberies, Flores and others stole high-end liquor stored behind security glass and, in some instances, threatened employees with violence.
In total, Flores and his co-conspirators stole approximately $14,143 in merchandise during this spree.
On June 5, 2023, Flores and co-defendant Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, formerly of South Los Angeles but now a resident of Las Vegas, attempted to rob the Canyon Country BevMo! store. Flores and a co-conspirator subdued a store employee and attempted to steal high-end bottles of liquor. They fled in a stolen gray Dodge Charger with a stolen license plate and attempted to evade officers during a traffic stop. Flores and Sanford led law enforcement on a chase before crashing into a tree. After the crash, they ran on foot across the 14 Freeway during rush hour traffic. Flores and Sanford were later found in bushes in a desolate area and arrested.
At the same July trial, Sanford was found guilty of one count of Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 30, 2025, at which time he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
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 recidivists 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 FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the West Covina Police Department, and the Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe prosecuted this case.
Sioux City Woman Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Dominique Burow, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, to 127 months’ imprisonment. Burow pled guilty June 12, 2024, in federal court, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2022 and February 2023, Burow and others distributed more than 6 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Evidence also showed that twice in 2022, Burow distributed or aided another in the distribution of methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement. Burow admitted to obtaining at least nine pounds of meth from a number of sources to distribute in Sioux City, and to wiring drug proceeds to sources in Mexico and California. She was also caught with ½ pound of methamphetamine while on pre-trial release for her original charges.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Burow was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of five years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Burow remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 23-4038. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Repeat Offender Is Sentenced for Possession of Firearms Fitted with Illegal SwitchesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tomonta Simmons, 32, of Charlotte, N.C., was sentenced today to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The firearms were fitted with illegal machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) also known as “Glock Switches.”
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
“Illegal guns in the hands of felons pose a serious threat to the community – a threat that is amplified when those guns are converted with devices capable of firing a hail of bullets in seconds,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My office will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities and send a strong message to those who disregard our federal gun laws and put innocent lives at risk.”
“These conversion devices are illegal to possess and extremely dangerous,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “They pose a very serious threat and ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep them off our streets.”
According to court documents and court proceedings, on June 21, 2022, CMPD officers located Simmons sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked in a parking lot. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Simmons on outstanding warrants, he did not comply. Instead, Simmons abruptly pulled out of the parking lot and began to drive through a residential neighborhood at a high rate of speed. CMPD officers followed Simmons, and observed the defendant get out of the vehicle near a residence and approach the front porch. Officers arrested Simmons in the yard.
Court records show that, after Simmons was arrested, CMPD officers retraced the path that Simmons took while he fled and located two handguns the defendant had discarded while driving. The first handgun was a 9mm caliber pistol, loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber and fourteen rounds of ammunition in the magazine. The second handgun was a stolen 19x 9x19mm caliber pistol, loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber and twenty-two rounds of ammunition in the extended magazine. According to court records, the ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch determined that both firearms had a Glock Switch device installed. The installation of the Glock Switch device allows a conventional semi-automatic Glock pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm.
According to court documents, on September 12, 2022, CMPD officers attempting to arrest Simmons in connection with the firearms seized during the June incident located a rental vehicle driven by the defendant. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered a semiautomatic pistol loaded with fifteen rounds of ammunition.
Simmons has prior criminal convictions, including a federal conviction in the Western District of North Carolina for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On February 9, 2024, Simmons pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Simmons is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and CMPD.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shavonn Bennette of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte 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 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.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to more than Fifty-Four Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a ToddlerRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Joshua Sims, 38, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to fifty-four and a half years in federal prison, followed by supervised release for the rest of his life, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, possession of child sexual abuse material, and committing a sex offense while required to register as a sex offender. Sims was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
On May 1, 2006, Sims was convicted of Child Molesting in Dekalb County, Indiana, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. As a result of his conviction, Sims was required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. After he was first released from prison, Sims repeatedly failed to register as a sex offender over the next twelve years. He was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender and sentenced to additional time in prison three separate times. He was convicted of several other felonies as well, including strangulation, battery, and criminal confinement.
According to court documents, between February 23 and March 7, 2023, Sims was responsible for a child under the age of two years old. Sims forced the toddler to engage in sexually explicit conduct recorded himself sexually abusing the child. Sims also forced a relative who was under his care, custody, and control watch Sims sexually abuse the toddler. Sims sent videos and images of himself sexually abusing the toddler to others over the internet.
When investigators arrested Sims, they recovered and were able to access the data stored on his smartphone. Investigators recovered more than 5,000 images and 300 videos of children being sexually abused and raped, some depicting children as young as toddlers as well as depictions of children being subjected to bestiality and sadomasochistic conduct.
“Undeterred by multiple prison sentences, this pedophile subjected a toddler to horrific sexual abuse, and trafficked in recordings of children being sexually traumatized for his own sick gratification,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We must do all we can to protect our children from sexual predators, including aggressive federal prosecution and imprisonment. Children are safer today, thanks to our partners at the U.S. Secret Service, IMPD, the outstanding Indiana ICAC Task Force, and our federal prosecutor, because this dangerous criminal will almost certainly spend the rest of his days behind federal prison walls.”
The U.S. Secret Service, IMPD, and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.
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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Rapper Known as "Lil Zay Osama" Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Possessing an Illegal MachinegunRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Isaiah Dukes, also known as “Lil Zay Osama,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison to 14 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Dukes was indicted in January 2024 for possession of a machinegun, and pleaded guilty in May 2024.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Office (ATF), and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the sentence.
“The defendant knowingly carried a fully automatic weapon, a pistol with a switch device whose only purpose is to make a dangerous weapon all the more deadly – and then carelessly left that gun in the back of a rideshare,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence serves as a warning that those who possess illegal guns, particularly with switches that convert those guns into machineguns, will be held accountable for their actions and for the danger they pose to our community.”
“This sentencing highlights a crucial point: possessing a machine gun conversion device is illegal under federal law. Machine gun conversion devices exponentially increase the lethality of firearms and put our communities in serious danger. Every device removed from our streets represents lives saved and tragedies prevented. The ATF's primary goal is safeguarding the public from violent crimes, and the removal of these devices significantly contributes to achieving this mission. We are grateful to the ATF NY Joint Firearms Task Force, NYPD, and EDNY for their dedicated efforts in this endeavor. ATF proudly collaborates with our law enforcement partners to eliminate these dangerous devices from our streets and ensure public safety,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller.
“Today’s sentence serves as a reminder to anyone who may bring an illegal firearm, especially one that has been modified to increase its lethality, into New York City: There are serious consequences for your reckless actions,” stated NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon. “The NYPD and our law enforcement partners are fully committed to holding criminals accountable and ensuring the safety of our streets and communities for all New Yorkers.”
As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court documents, on September 29, 2022, Dukes carried a loaded Glock pistol affixed with a switch — a device that when attached to the back of a handgun like a Glock converts the firearm into a fully automatic weapon. Dukes was arrested after leaving the firearm in a rideshare vehicle that brought him from a luxury hotel in Manhattan to a recording studio in Queens. Law enforcement subsequently determined that the firearm could automatically fire more than one round with a single function of the trigger, rendering it a machinegun.
Assistant United States Attorneys Gilbert M. Rein and Rebecca M. Schuman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.
The Defendant:
ISAIAH DUKES
Age: 27
Calumet City, IllinoisE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-28 (NRM)
Porter resident heads to prison for producing child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 44-year-old man has been sentenced for producing and distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Adam Michael Ohlsen pleaded guilty May 5.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge has now ordered Ohlsen to serve 280 and 200 months for the production and distribution convictions, respectively. They will run consecutively for a total 480-month term of imprisonment. Restitution will be determined at a later date. During the hearing, the court learned how deeply and terribly this crime has affected the minor victim who suffered sexual abuse from Ohlsen. The court heard how the dissemination of the child pornography images depicting her being sexually abused will cause ongoing harm to the minor victim. Ohlsen was further ordered to remain on supervised release for the remainder of his life following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Ohlsen will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
The investigation began after authorities discovered Ohlsen was distributing child pornography in 2022 using a Russian image hosting website.
Prior to executing a search warrant at his home, law enforcement found evidence he had sexually abused the minor victim and shared images of the abuse on an image sharing platform. Ohlsen confessed to the abuse and distribution.
Ohlsen will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Queensland Police Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Lu prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Phoenix Man Sentenced to More Than 19.5 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl That Killed Mesa County InmateRead the Press Release
GRAND JUNCTION – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jeremiah Robinson, 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced to 235 months (more than 19.5 years) in prison, to be followed by four years of supervision, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to the plea agreement and information presented at sentencing, Robinson was a longtime drug dealer and six-time convicted felon operating in Phoenix. Prior to May 2022, Robinson had repeatedly sold drugs to Efrain Velez, a drug dealer who traveled from Mesa County, Colorado, to buy from Robinson. On May 7, 2022, Robinson sold bulk fentanyl and methamphetamine to Velez and two associates, Vanessa Vasquez and Anna Munday, in Phoenix. As the trio made their way back towards Mesa County, law enforcement intercepted their vehicle and discovered the drugs. During the traffic stop, Velez and Vasquez hid drugs on their persons and smuggled them into the Mesa County Detention Facility. Once inside the jail, Munday and Vasquez further distributed the drugs to inmates. On May 20, 2022, Karlie Locke gave one of the pills sold by Robinson to another inmate, who died of fentanyl intoxication.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), two milligrams of fentanyl can kill the average American; seven out of ten DEA-tested pills contain at least that amount.
The four other conspirators in this case have been separately charged for fentanyl distribution resulting in death under the case number 22-cr-00232-GPG. Vannessa Vasquez has been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and Karlie Locke has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Anna Munday and Efrain Velez are pending sentencing.
“Jeremiah Robinson valued the profit from his drug trade over the lives of his customers,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “Wherever you operate, if you sell drugs that make their way into Colorado, our office will find you and hold you accountable.”
United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the sentencing. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey K. Graves, Jennifer Springer, and former Assistant United States Attorney Jeremey Chaffin prosecuted the case.
Paroled Felon Sentenced to Six Years for Fraudulent Use of Social Security Number and Theft of BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Kellis Dion Jackson (63, Pinellas Park), a/k/a Chandler Dante Alexander, to six years in federal prison for making a false statement to a federal agency, theft of government property, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Jackson to pay restitution in the amount of $46,695. A federal jury found Jackson guilty on August 13, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Jackson stole Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from the Social Security Administration while on federal supervision for prior federal offenses. Prior to applying for SSI, Jackson obtained a Social Security number (SSN) under the fictional identity of Chandler Dante Alexander by falsely reporting that he had never had an SSN and providing false information regarding his birthdate and parents. Jackson used the fraudulently obtained SSN to get a Commercial Driver’s License, work, file tax returns, get married, and open bank accounts. Jackson then applied for SSI and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits using his birth name and valid SSN. Jackson made false statements on the SSI application and related documents, including falsely stating he was not married, and his application was approved. Jackson’s SSI application would not have been approved had he reported his marriage and work activity under the fraudulently obtained SSN.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Department of Agriculture - Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David Eric West II, 42, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to deliver quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 8, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by West near Parkersburg. Officers found quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the vehicle and a Taurus G3C 9mm pistol on West’s person. West admitted that he possessed the found controlled substances and intended to distribute them in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.
West is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-135.
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Palmyra man pleads guilty to production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John C. Aldrich, IV, 54, of Palmyra, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that law enforcement began investigating Aldrich in March 2024, after receiving information that he had engaged in the ongoing physical and sexual abuse of a minor victim in Palmyra, NY. Investigators recovered messages between Aldrich and the victim, which revealed that Aldrich had been involved in an ongoing pattern of abuse, during which he sexually abused the victim and produced child pornography. The abuse took place on a weekly basis over a period of more than one year, beginning when the victim was only 14 years old.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Lyons, under the direction of Acting Major Kevin Sucher, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Owner and Manager of Cape Coral Roofing Company Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that William Skaggs, Jr. and Billie Adkison today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax fraud. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, Skaggs owned and operated Nastar Roofing, a Cape Coral based roofing company. Adkison served as the main office administrator for Nastar, and her duties included managing the company’s payroll. Between 2013 and 2023, Nastar paid its employees predominantly in cash to avoid paying taxes they knew were owed to the federal government.
Typically, one or more Nastar employees, including Skaggs and Adkison, withdrew significant amounts of cash on Thursdays and Fridays to make Nastar’s payroll at the end of the work week. Between 2013 and 2023, Nastar employees withdrew more than $21 million from the company’s bank accounts to pay employees in cash. Skaggs and Adkison knew, and intentionally caused, Nastar to not withhold taxes from the cash payments to employees. Nastar also did not pay its own share of FICA taxes on these wages.
As part of their plea agreement, Skaggs and Adkison have agreed to make full restitution to the United States for the employment taxes Nastar avoided, including an upfront partial restitution payment of $1 million prior to their sentencing hearing, which has not yet been set.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman and Department of Justice Tax Division trial attorney Kevin Schneider.
Overdose Death Gets Armed Snapchat Fentanyl Trafficker Nearly 13 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Wayne County man was sentenced today to 155 months in prison and five years of supervised release for armed trafficking of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl after one victim died of an overdose in July 2022. The judge also ordered that the defendant’s supervised release include at least 50 hours of community service focused on educating youth about the dangers of fentanyl. On April 11, 2024, Dylan Alexander Jones, age 24, pled guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“We are bringing swift justice against anyone trafficking counterfeit pills laced with deadly fentanyl, especially when their poison claims one of our neighbor’s lives,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “North Carolina’s Sheriffs are prioritizing overdose death investigations like never before and have a direct line to my office to prosecute them. Our team has trained law enforcement across the district on building airtight cases to secure firm sentences in federal court. Our Sheriffs are going the distance to get justice for victims and keep North Carolina safe.”
“The sentencing of Dylan Jones is a pivotal step in our ongoing fight against the devastating impact of drug overdose deaths. We stand firm in our commitment to justice for the victims and their families. I want to commend our exceptional team for their relentless dedication and professionalism in building this challenging case. Together, we are making strides toward a safer community,” said Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on July 22, 2022, deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive male at a residence in Teachey. Prior to the arrival of the deputy, a Teachey firefighter on scene confirmed that the victim was deceased. A post-mortem toxicology report confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system and the cause of death was determined to be fentanyl toxicity.
Law enforcement recovered the victim’s cell phone and an analysis of the data showed that the victim had received pills from an individual using a Snapchat account associated with Jones. GPS data from the victim’s phone and Jones’ phone show that they met at a rest area in Warsaw just hours before his death. In addition, law enforcement made three controlled purchases from Jones between September 2022 and November 2022. All of the pills purchased from Jones contained fentanyl. At the third and final buy, law enforcement arrested Jones. Jones was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest, and a search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of a 9mm pistol loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition, fentanyl and over $1,600 in cash.
Michael F. Easley, Jr. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The DCSO, the Carolina Beach Police department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:23-CR-00114-FL.
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Omaha Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute was sentenced today to more than 10 years in federal prison.
Jose L. Velez, Sr., age 39, from Omaha, Nebraska, received the prison term after a June 12, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, Velez admitted on or about February 23, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 14 pounds of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Velez, Sr. was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Velez, Sr. was sentenced to 126 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Velez, Sr. is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Clear Lake Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-03018.
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Omaha Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jesse T. Budenholzer, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha after having pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Budenholzer to 240 months’ imprisonment. Budenholzer also forfeited $8,150 seized in the investigation. There is no parole in the federal system. After Budenholzer’s release he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On November 21, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Budenholzer’s south Omaha residence and seized approximately 320 grams of meth, 3212 grams of DMT (a schedule I Controlled Substance), along with $8,150 in drug proceeds and a drug ledger. The drug evidence was found in Budenholzer’s bedroom. At the time of the search warrant, Budenholzer was a convicted felon and was found in the bathroom taking a shower. A gun was found in his pants laying on the bathroom floor.
A search of Budenholzer’s phone revealed texts messages with his Mexican source of supply about receiving multiple pound quantities of meth dating back to September 2022. His phone also contained pictures of multiple pounds of meth.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kevin Warsocki, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 7, 20224 in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Warsocki to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Warsocki is released from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. He will also forfeit to the United States $1,034.00 in U.S. currency that was proceeds from Warsocki distributing drugs.
On November 9, 2022, officers were called to the Hampton Inn at 11201 Davenport Street, Omaha, for a death investigation. Officers found the victim deceased in her room. A drug pipe was found next to the victim and six colorful pills, stamped M-30, suspected to be fentanyl, on the bathroom counter.
While officers were on scene, Kevin Warsocki arrived at the hotel room. Warsocki stated he went down to his car to have a cigarette and fell asleep, and when he woke up, he saw a police presence. Warsocki then returned to the hotel room, where he found an officer inside. Warsocki was then advised of the victim’s death. Warsocki was in possession of keys to a white 2004 Buick Rainier with no plates, which was in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn. Law enforcement went and looked inside the vehicle, from the outside, and observed a $20 bill in plain view on the driver's side floorboard, along with apparent residue on the steering wheel and an apparent peach colored pill on the dash that was stamped "30." Warsocki was taken to Omaha Police Department Central Headquarters, where he was interviewed post-Miranda, and Warsocki admitted to possessing the pill that was seen in the vehicle and he confirmed it was fentanyl.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers located a total of 122 multi-colored pills that were stamped "M" on one side and "30" on the other. These pills were tested at the lab and were confirmed to be fentanyl. Two of the pills were found near the driver's seat with one on the top of the dashboard and another on the driver's side door threshold. The other 120 pills, along with 5 blue rectangle pills stamped "B707," were found in a rear compartment of the vehicle on the driver's side in a compartment cubby. The five pills tested positive for Alprazolam. When Warsocki was initially detained, he was found to have $1,034.00 on his person. The pills found in the driver's area of the vehicle matched the other 120 pills that were found in the rear compartment and all tested positive for fentanyl. Warsocki also met with other individuals that night in and around the hotel and sold them fentanyl pills.
This case was investigated by the Overdose Drug Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol.
North Carolina Man Admits to Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher S. Damson, 27, of Kernersville, North Carolina has admitted to the unlawful possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, Damson was arrested while attempting to pawn boxes of ammunition. Damson is prohibited from having firearms because of a domestic violence protective order issued in Lee County, Florida.
Damson faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rhee is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Nigerian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Seniors through Manipulation, Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced a Nigerian national to seven years in federal prison for conducting a romance scam that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from at least a dozen identified victims from across the United States. The victims were primarily comprised of elderly or disabled women who thought they were sending money at the request of romantic partner that they had met online.
Ogheneofejiro Godswill Uzokpa, 28, of Warri, Nigeria, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, the judge ordered Uzokpa to pay $329,470 in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, Uzokpa and uncharged co-conspirators conducted a scheme to obtain money and other assets belonging to his victims between March 2020 and February 2021. Uzokpa and his co-conspirators took advantage of vulnerable women by developing personal, romantic relationships under false pretenses to gain their trust. Uzokpa then used other U.S.-based women, including a woman from Effingham, Illinois, as “money mules” to collect funds from the victims and transfer them to him in Nigeria.
“Targeting vulnerable people to exploit through romance scams is cruel, as the perpetrators not only steal the victim’s money, but they also manipulate their emotions and rob them of a genuine relationship,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The defendant’s callous conduct is worthy of this significant sentence, and I applaud the FBI’s efforts to pursue justice for the victims.”
“Overseas scammers can be difficult to identify and investigate but this case is an example of the strength of FBI’s global footprint. The FBI is determined to prevent victimization of the elderly and will not hesitate to reach across geographical boundaries to do so,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of the red flags associated with these types of scams. Be cautious when someone you’ve never met in person, begins asking for money or personal information, and don’t hesitate to call us if you suspect you’re being victimized.”
Uzokpa and his co-conspirators used aliases when communicating with the victims and often told victims they were Americans working abroad in a high-paying profession, such as a doctor or surgeon. Once the victims felt a romantic attachment to the scammers, Uzokpa and others often concocted false stories about why they needed money—such as telling the victims that they could not access their bank accounts and needed funds for “processing fees.” Uzokpa and his co-defendants instructed victims to send funds using personal checks, cashier checks, electronic fund transfers or gift cards.
Every year, thousands of Americans fall victim to romance scams. The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans reported over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion. If you believe you or a loved one has been victimized by a romance scam, please report the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
The FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuted the case.
Nigerian National Sentenced to Ten Years for $20 Million Cyber Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Nigerian national was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for his role in a massive cyber fraud conspiracy that victimized over 400 people across the United States resulting in a collective loss of nearly $20 million.
According to court documents and testimony, 33-year-old Babatunde Francis Ayeni, a citizen of Nigeria living in the United Kingdom at the time of his arrest, was involved in a sophisticated business e-mail compromise scheme targeting real estate transactions in the United States. Ayeni pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in April of 2024.
The conspiracy was carried out by individuals operating out of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates To carry out this scheme, conspirators sent phishing e-mails containing attachments and links embedded with malicious code to title companies, real estate agents, and real estate attorneys across the United States. If an employee at a targeted real estate business clicked on the malicious link or attachment, they were prompted to enter their e-mail account login information. The employee’s login credentials were captured and sent to e-mail accounts controlled by Ayeni and other co-conspirators. The conspirators then logged into the employee’s e-mail and monitored the account for transactions where a buyer was scheduled to make a payment as part of a real estate transaction. Ayeni and other conspirators then sent e-mails to the purchaser from the compromised e-mail account. These e-mails contained wiring instructions. When the purchaser wired the funds as instructed in the e-mail, the money was deposited into bank accounts associated with the criminals instead of the legitimate real estate transaction. Ayeni fraudulently obtained the e-mail credentials of a real estate title company in Gulf Shores, Alabama, allowing him and co-conspirators to defraud victims in the Southern District of Alabama, and elsewhere.
Over 400 people across the United States were victims of the conspiracy. Of these, 231 victims were unable to reverse the wire transactions in time and lost their entire transaction. The collective loss of these 231 victims was $19,599,969.46.
During the multi-day sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Terry Moorer heard the impact of this crime from nearly twenty victims. In addition to those who spoke in court, numerous victims provided victim impact statements about how the crime affected them, noting that in addition to losing all of the money they saved for the purchase of a new home, they felt significant shame, despair, and depression due to being victimized the way they were.
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello said, “Cyber-enabled crimes can cause substantial and lasting harm to victims in an instant. Criminals across the world may believe that they are causing no harm to their victims and that they are safe behind their keyboards, but this case proves otherwise. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate, pursue, and hold accountable the crooks who perpetrate frauds online, wherever they are.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile Division of the FBI, said, “This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Alabama. After listening to our citizens speak about how the loss of funds impacted their lives, and the subsequent loss of what they thought was down payments for their future homes, I am pleased to see Ayeni receive a substantial sentence for these crimes. FBI Mobile will continue to educate the public about the potential dangers of online activity. If you believe you have been the victim of online fraud, please visit IC3.gov to file an official report.”
Co-defendants Feyisayo Ogunsanwo and Yusuf Lasisi remain at-large and are believed to be outside the United States. The United States continues to actively seek their arrest and extradition to face justice in this case.
To learn more about business email compromise scams, please visit www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise and www.ic3.gov/ Media/Y2023/PSA230609. Anyone who has been the victim of an internet-based crime should contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from law enforcement partners in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bodnar prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Substantial assistance was also provided by Amanda Chadwick and Rachel Yasser with the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.
Nashville Man on Bond for Domestic Violence Charged for Violent Robbery and Arson of a South Nashville StoreRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Pardrae Gooch, 38, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged by a federal grand jury yesterday with robbery affecting interstate commerce, using a fire to commit a felony and damaging a building by fire, announced Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to court documents and other publicly available information, on May 29, 2024, Gooch entered S. Fashion Clothing Store in South Nashville and brutally assaulted the lone female employee, Victim 1, choking her until she lost consciousness, hitting her, and then pushing her into a bathroom in the back of the store. Once in the bathroom, the defendant struggled with Victim 1 over her cell phone, hitting her again. Gooch then stole the employee’s phone and car keys and fled in her vehicle. Before leaving the store, he lit a pile of clothes in the bathroom on fire, attempting to burn the store down with the unconscious victim trapped inside.
Metro Nashville police officers and fire fighters responded to the store after witnesses called 911. They located the victim, who was then transported by ambulance to a hospital where she was diagnosed with a cranial fracture and other injuries. The Nashville Fire Department successfully extinguished the fire, but the store remained closed for multiple days due to the damage caused to the building and the store’s property.
At the time of this incident, Gooch was on bond for domestic violence related arrests involving two women. Before allegedly committing these crimes, he was arrested 8 days earlier for violating an order of protection.
If convicted on all counts, Gooch faces a mandatory minimum of sentence of 15 years and up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn D. Risinger and Emily Petro are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Raheem Travon Walker, age 22, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service and the Muskogee Police Department.
On January 3, 2024, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. According to investigators, on October 28, 2023, while responding to a report of a disturbance at a Muskogee residence, officers discovered Walker in possession of one 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and 12 rounds of 9mm Lugar caliber ammunition. At the time of the disturbance, Walker had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
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.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Walker will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edith Singer and Lewis Reagan represented the United States.
Mooresville Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Multimillion-Dollar Investment Scheme and COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Steven Andiloro, 53, of Mooresville, N.C., pleaded guilty today to securities fraud and wire fraud for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme and fraudulently obtaining more than $2.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, and Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Inspector General of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to the plea agreement and documents filed in the case, from 2018 to 2021, Andiloro operated an investment fraud scheme and induced victims to invest money in businesses that were both real and fictitious, by making false representations about where and how the money would be invested. For example, some of Andiloro’s victims were told their money would be invested into his car service business. Other victims believed their money would be invested into a non-existent marijuana dispensary business. Contrary to representations made to victims, Andiloro did not invest the money as promised. Instead, Andiloro used the funds to pay for personal expenses and to make Ponzi-style payments to other investors.
In addition to the investment scheme, Andiloro also engaged in COVID-19 fraud. Court records show that, from April 2020 to March 2021, Andiloro obtained funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by submitting fraudulent applications for disaster relief loans intended for businesses that suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic. To obtain the PPP funds, Andiloro submitted applications that contained false financial information about his businesses, including fake employment data and inflated revenues, costs, and payroll expenses. Andiloro received more than $2.6 million in disaster relief funds, which he used to fund his personal lifestyle and to make payments in furtherance of the investment fraud scheme.
Andiloro was released on bond. The securities fraud and the wire fraud offense each carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. A sentencing date has not been set.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, and the SBA-OIG for the investigation which led to the charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graham Billings and Katherine Armstrong with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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 at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Mississippi District Attorney, Mayor of Jackson, and Jackson City Council Member Charged with Bribery and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Mississippi charging Hinds County District Attorney, Jody E. Owens II, 43; Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, 41; and former President and current member of the Jackson City Council, Aaron Banks, 47, all of Jackson, with participating in a bribery scheme to enrich themselves. Owens, Lumumba, and Banks are scheduled to make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac in Jackson.
“The indictment alleges that Jackson’s mayor, the district attorney in Jackson, and members of Jackson’s city council conspired to accept bribes in exchange for official acts benefiting purported real estate developers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Officials who abuse their positions of authority to enrich themselves undermine public confidence in government. The Justice Department is committed to restoring that confidence by working with its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute public corruption.”
“Leaders who are awarded the public’s trust should be focusing on the needs of the Jackson community, not looking to line their own pockets and benefit themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “As alleged in the indictment, from campaign donations generated through laundered money to stacks of cash bribes, the members of this conspiracy allegedly offered and accepted bribes in exchange for official acts. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting bribery and other forms of public corruption.”
“Our citizens are entitled to decisions based on the best interests of the public, not corrupt public officials,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “No one is above the law, and the FBI is committed to ensuring that those who cross the line and violate the public’s trust are held accountable for their unlawful actions.”
As alleged in the indictment, between approximately October 2023 and May 2024, Owens facilitated bribe payments to public officials in Jackson on behalf of two FBI undercover employees posing as real estate developers (the Developers) in exchange for at least $115,000 and the promise of future financial benefit. Owens instructed the Developers that, for their project to succeed, they needed to secure the support of certain public officials in Jackson through bribery. Those public officials included Mayor Lumumba, Councilman Banks, and former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee. Owens instructed the Developers how much, where, and when to bribe those officials.
As part of the scheme, Mayor Lumumba accepted a bribe payment of $50,000 from the Developers in exchange for exerting his influence and taking official action relating to the Developers’ proposed project in downtown Jackson. As directed by Owens and Lumumba, the bribe payments were concealed as five $10,000 campaign-donation checks from third-party entities and individuals, including Owens. Lumumba then laundered that money through his campaign account before cashing out a portion of the payment.
The indictment also alleges that, as part of the scheme, Councilman Banks solicited a $50,000 bribe in exchange for his votes in support of the Developers’ proposed project in downtown Jackson. Banks accepted an initial payment of $10,000 in cash, along with a promise to provide funding for the employment of a family member and a protective detail service.
As part of the scheme, former Councilwoman Lee allegedly accepted a $10,000 debt repayment, $3,000 in cash, and a shopping trip worth approximately $6,000 in luxury goods in exchange for her votes in support of the Developers’ proposed development project in downtown Jackson.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that, on May 22, an FBI agent approached Owens, identified himself as an FBI agent, and asked Owens about his involvement in the bribery scheme. During the interview, Owens made material false statements to the FBI agent.
Owens is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge; three counts of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each charge; one count of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of honest services wire fraud, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of money laundering, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; and one count of lying to federal officers, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge.
Lumumba is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge; one count of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the charge; one count of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of honest services wire fraud, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; and one count of money laundering, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge.
Banks is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge, and one count of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Madison H. Mumma of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles W. Kirkham and Kimberly T. Purdie for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mississippi District Attorney, Mayor of Jackson, and Jackson City Council Member Charged with Bribery and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Mississippi charging Hinds County District Attorney, Jody E. Owens II, 43; Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, 41; and former President and current member of the Jackson City Council, Aaron Banks, 47, all of Jackson, with participating in a bribery scheme to enrich themselves. Owens, Lumumba, and Banks are scheduled to make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac in Jackson.
“The indictment alleges that Jackson’s mayor, the district attorney in Jackson, and members of Jackson’s city council conspired to accept bribes in exchange for official acts benefiting purported real estate developers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Officials who abuse their positions of authority to enrich themselves undermine public confidence in government. The Justice Department is committed to restoring that confidence by working with its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute public corruption.”
“Leaders who are awarded the public’s trust should be focusing on the needs of the Jackson community, not looking to line their own pockets and benefit themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “As alleged in the indictment, from campaign donations generated through laundered money to stacks of cash bribes, the members of this conspiracy allegedly offered and accepted bribes in exchange for official acts. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting bribery and other forms of public corruption.”
“Our citizens are entitled to decisions based on the best interests of the public, not corrupt public officials,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “No one is above the law, and the FBI is committed to ensuring that those who cross the line and violate the public’s trust are held accountable for their unlawful actions.”
As alleged in the indictment, between approximately October 2023 and May 2024, Owens facilitated bribe payments to public officials in Jackson on behalf of two FBI undercover employees posing as real estate developers (the Developers) in exchange for at least $115,000 and the promise of future financial benefit. Owens instructed the Developers that, for their project to succeed, they needed to secure the support of certain public officials in Jackson through bribery. Those public officials included Mayor Lumumba, Councilman Banks, and former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee. Owens instructed the Developers how much, where, and when to bribe those officials.
As part of the scheme, Mayor Lumumba accepted a bribe payment of $50,000 from the Developers in exchange for exerting his influence and taking official action relating to the Developers’ proposed project in downtown Jackson. As directed by Owens and Lumumba, the bribe payments were concealed as five $10,000 campaign-donation checks from third-party entities and individuals, including Owens. Lumumba then laundered that money through his campaign account before cashing out a portion of the payment.
The indictment also alleges that, as part of the scheme, Councilman Banks solicited a $50,000 bribe in exchange for his votes in support of the Developers’ proposed project in downtown Jackson. Banks accepted an initial payment of $10,000 in cash, along with a promise to provide funding for the employment of a family member and a protective detail service.
As part of the scheme, former Councilwoman Lee allegedly accepted a $10,000 debt repayment, $3,000 in cash, and a shopping trip worth approximately $6,000 in luxury goods in exchange for her votes in support of the Developers’ proposed development project in downtown Jackson.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that, on May 22, an FBI agent approached Owens, identified himself as an FBI agent, and asked Owens about his involvement in the bribery scheme. During the interview, Owens made material false statements to the FBI agent.
Owens is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge; three counts of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each charge; one count of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of honest services wire fraud, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of money laundering, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; and one count of lying to federal officers, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge.
Lumumba is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge; one count of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the charge; one count of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; one count of honest services wire fraud, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge; and one count of money laundering, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charge.
Banks is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering, and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge, and one count of federal program bribery, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Madison H. Mumma of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles W. Kirkham and Kimberly T. Purdie for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
owens_et_al._indictment_filed.pdfMexican National Sentenced to 11 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Edwin J. Correa Miranda, age 26, of Mexico, was sentenced on November 7, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Correa Miranda to a total of 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Correa Miranda’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On August 17, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska, for following too closely. The driver was identified as co-defendant Juan Martinez Arroyo and the passenger was identified as Edwin Correa Miranda. Each defendant gave conflicting stories on their travels and a drug dog was requested at the scene. The dog made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and inside of the trunk, troopers found a duffle bag containing 11 packages that later tested positive for meth. The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the meth weighed a total of 24,777 grams. A loaded Ruger handgun and a magazine containing five rounds were also found under the passenger seat.
Co-defendant Juan Martinez Arroyo was previously sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release on October 23, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Merced County Man Indicted for Receiving and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On Oct. 31, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Joel Damian Ortega, 35, of Merced, charging him with receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Ortega’s arrest yesterday.
According to court documents, between Jan. 26, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Ortega used a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to receive and distribute at least one visual depiction of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ortega also used an iPhone to receive at least one visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on April 2, 2024.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ortega faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine for each charge. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Drug and Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston area man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.
Felisberto Lopes, also known as “Chee-B,” 40, of Boston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and multiple counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Feb. 6, 2025.
Lopes was identified as a member of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in Dorchester that uses violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote fear and enhance its reputation. According to the charging documents, members use social media applications to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang, as well as denigrate rival gangs. Cameron Street members allegedly possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Cameron Street members also allegedly distribute controlled substances and firearms, commit armed robberies and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income for the Cameron Street enterprise.
During the investigation Lopes distributed several firearms as well as cocaine to a cooperating witness. On Feb. 26, 2022, law enforcement responded to a shooting that took place at Lopes’ residence in Dorchester. While at the residence, a half-kilogram of cocaine, over $25,000, and over 400 rounds of various calibers of ammunition were seized and Lopes was arrested nearby. Lopes had previously been convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and served a four year state prison sentence.
The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine with a prior conviction for a crime of violence provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release up to life, and a fine of $10 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and or ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. 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 at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Member of Violent 764 Terror Network Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, 47, of Kaleva, Michigan, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child. Densmore pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, part of a broader indictment that charged him with other child exploitation offenses.
“Richard Densmore will spend the next 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and for his role in creating 764’s online networks that coerced children into recording themselves engaging in self-harm, sexually explicit acts, and violence” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No child should have to experience this heinous abuse. The Justice Department will ensure that criminals engaged in this depraved conduct are held accountable in a court of law.”
“This defendant orchestrated a community to target children through online gaming sites and used extortion and blackmail to force his minor victims to record themselves committing acts of self-harm and violence,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “If you prey on children online, you can’t hide behind a keyboard. The FBI will use all our resources and authorities to arrest you and hold you accountable.”
“This case represents a new and depraved threat against our kids and our communities: violent online extremists who manipulate their minor victims to commit self-harm and create sexually explicit images,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan. “While we will always fight to hold criminals like Richard Densmore accountable, we want to prevent this crime as much as possible. Parents: please talk with your children about this threat; monitor their social media use; and let them know they can always come to you if they mess up.”
Densmore is a member of 764, a network of violent extremists who seek to normalize the production, sharing, and possession of child pornography and gore material to desensitize and corrupt youth toward future acts of violence. Members of 764 gain notoriety by systematically targeting, grooming, and extorting victims through online social media platforms. Members demand that victims engage in and share media of self-mutilation, sexual acts, harm to animals, acts of random violence, suicide, and murder, all for the purpose of accelerating chaos and disrupting society and the world order.
Densmore, known as “Rabid,” became notorious in the 764 network by creating online “Sewer” communities on Discord where members recruited children – including by infiltrating online gaming sites that children frequent – to cut themselves and engage in graphic sexual acts. Densmore boosted membership in “Sewer” by advertising livestreams of children engaging in self-mutilation (cutshows) and sexually explicit activity “on cam.” He threatened victims to cut themselves by telling them, “I have all your information. I own you. . . . You do what I say now kitten.” Densmore kept child pornography and bloody images of “Rabid,” “Sewer,” and “764” carved into victims’ limbs, in some cases with razor blades and boxcutters nearby.
Densmore also sexually exploited children. In October 2022, Densmore unsuccessfully tried to persuade a minor girl, Jane Doe, to send him an explicit picture with “Rabid” written on her bare chest. When she expressed discomfort with that request, Densmore contacted another Discord user and paid him Nitro, a form of Discord currency, to help secure a sexually explicit picture of Jane Doe. Densmore’s efforts were successful and Jane Doe, at the request of the other Discord user, sent Densmore and the user a nude video of herself with “Rabid” written on her chest.
The Justice Department and FBI reminds parents and caregivers to understand and monitor their children’s online activities. They should also look for unexpected packages, as members of these abuse and extortion networks are known to send children razor blades, sexual devices, gifts, and other materials to use in creating online content. The FBI further advised the public to take a number of precautionary steps, including:
- Looking for fresh cuts, bruises, wounds, and scars in unusual patterns;
- Looking for sudden behavior and appearance changes;
- Being attentive to children wearing long sleeves or pants in unusual circumstances;
- Monitoring children’s online activity and discussing the risks of sharing information and content; and
- Running frequent online searches of family and children’s information to help identify and prevent the spread of personal information on the internet.
If you are worried about someone who might be self-harming or is at risk of suicide, please consult a health care professional or call 911 in the event of an immediate threat.
FBI investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townshend for the Western District of Michigan prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
Member of Violent 764 Terror Network Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting A ChildRead the Press Release
LANSING, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, 47, of Kaleva, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child. Densmore pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, part of a broader indictment that charged him with other child exploitation offenses. U.S. Attorney Totten announced the sentence at a press conference this afternoon with Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matt Olsen and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Marriott, Detroit Field Office.
“This case represents a new and depraved threat against our kids and our communities: violent online extremists who manipulate their minor victims to commit self-harm and create sexually explicit images,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “While we will always fight to hold criminals like Richard Densmore accountable, we want to prevent this crime as much as possible. Parents: please talk with your children about this threat; monitor their social media use; and let them know they can always come to you if they mess up.”
“Richard Densmore will spend the next 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and for his role in creating 764’s online networks that coerced children into recording themselves engaging in self-harm, sexually explicit acts, and violence” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No child should have to experience this heinous abuse. The Justice Department will ensure that criminals engaged in this depraved conduct are held accountable in a court of law.”
“This defendant orchestrated a community to target children through online gaming sites and used extortion and blackmail to force his minor victims to record themselves committing acts of self-harm and violence,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “If you prey on children online, you can’t hide behind a keyboard. The FBI will use all our resources and authorities to arrest you and hold you accountable.”
Densmore is a member of 764, a network of violent extremists who seek to normalize the production, sharing, and possession of child pornography and gore material to desensitize and corrupt youth toward future acts of violence. Members of 764 gain notoriety by systematically targeting, grooming, and extorting victims through online social media platforms. Members demand that victims engage in and share media of self-mutilation, sexual acts, harm to animals, acts of random violence, suicide, and murder, all for the purpose of accelerating chaos and disrupting society and the world order.
Densmore, known as “Rabid,” became notorious in the 764 network by creating online “Sewer” communities on Discord where members recruited children—including by infiltrating online gaming sites that children frequent—to cut themselves and engage in graphic sexual acts. Densmore boosted membership in “Sewer” by advertising livestreams of children engaging in self-mutilation (“cutshows”) and sexually explicit activity “on cam.” He threatened victims to cut themselves by telling them, “I have all your information. I own you. . . . You do what I say now kitten.” Densmore kept child pornography and bloody images of “Rabid,” “Sewer,” and “764” carved into victims’ limbs, in some cases with razor blades and boxcutters nearby.
Densmore also sexually exploited children. In October 2022, Densmore unsuccessfully tried to persuade a minor girl, Jane Doe, to send him an explicit picture with “Rabid” written on her bare chest. When she expressed discomfort with that request, Densmore contacted another Discord user and paid him Nitro, a form of Discord currency, to help secure a sexually explicit picture of Jane Doe. Densmore’s efforts were successful and Jane Doe, at the request of the other Discord user, sent Densmore and the user a nude video of herself with “Rabid” written on her chest. Attached to this release is a copy of the government’s sentencing memorandum in this case, which provides further details.
“Today's sentencing of Richard Densmore, who sexually exploited and victimized children, reaffirms the FBI's steadfast commitment to bringing to justice those who harm our youth,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This case is a powerful reminder that there are severe consequences for those who prey on children. With the unwavering dedication of the FBI in Michigan, the support of our law enforcement partners at the Manistee County Sheriff's Office, and the determined prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan, we are resolute in our mission to eliminate sexual predators from our communities. We will not rest until we ensure the safety and well-being of our youth across Michigan.”
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten reiterated that parents and caregivers should understand and monitor their children’s online activities. They should also look for unexpected packages, as members of these abuse and extortion networks are known to send children razor blades, sexual devices, gifts, and other materials to use in creating online content. The FBI further advised the public to take a number of precautionary steps, including:
- Looking for fresh cuts, bruises, wounds, and scars in unusual patterns;
- Looking for sudden behavior and appearance changes;
- Being attentive to children wearing long sleeves or pants in unusual circumstances;
- Monitoring children’s online activity and discussing the risks of sharing information and content; and
- Running frequent online searches of family and children’s information to help identify and prevent the spread of personal information on the internet.
If you are worried about someone who might be self-harming or is at risk of suicide, please consult a health care professional or call 911 in the event of an immediate threat.
The FBI investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townshend for the Western District of Michigan prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
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Maryland Business Owner Pleads Guilty for Scheme to Bribe Texas-Based U.S. Customs and Border Protection OfficialRead the Press Release
A Maryland man pleaded guilty today for his role in a bribery scheme to give kickbacks to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official in exchange for the official’s efforts to influence the award of lucrative federal contracts.
According to court documents, Christopher “Mac” Cassity, 51, of Glenwood, was charged in a single-count criminal information with honest services wire fraud, pursuant to a written plea agreement. As part of the plea agreement, Cassity admitted that, between July 29, 2019, and Dec. 29, 2022, he and Public Official A, an information system security officer residing in Pharr, Texas, devised and executed a bribery scheme in which Cassity paid Public Official A kickbacks in exchange for Public Official A taking official action to influence the award of CBP contracts to businesses that would subcontract with Cassity’s business, IVV Solutions. Specifically, Public Official A directed and pressured CBP contracting officials to select contractors, who bid on contracts to upgrade CBP’s information security system in various CBP facilities, from a list of contractors that Public Official A knew would then subcontract with IVV Solutions to provide “independent verification and validation services.”
According to court documents, Cassity’s business received approximately $814,570 in payments related to CBP contracts during the bribery scheme. In return, Cassity made approximately 58 kickback payments to Public Official A, totaling approximately $443,125. To conceal the scheme, Cassity transmitted the kickback payments by wire from IVV Solutions’ bank accounts to bank accounts in the name of conduits of Public Official A, which were controlled and used by Public Official A.
Cassity is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 10, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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 Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas; and Assistant Commissioner Matthew Klein of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) made the announcement.
CBP OPR is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Demetrius D. Sumner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
Marlborough Woman Indicted for Stealing Almost $200,000 from a Keene Non-ProfitRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Marlborough woman was indicted for embezzling almost $200,000 from Monadnock Peer Support (MPS), a mental health non-profit based in Keene, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Christine Allen, a/k/a Christine Nowill, a/k/a Christine Yardley, 50, was indicted on four counts of wire fraud. Allen is scheduled to appear in federal court at a later date.
According to the charging document, Allen was the Executive Director of MPS. As Executive Director, she had full access to the non-profit’s finances, including its accounting records, bank accounts, checkbook, and debit cards. Between January 2021 and May 2023, Allen embezzled almost $200,000 from MPS. She used the stolen money on personal expenses, including Amazon purchases and renovations for her home in Marlborough. The fraudulent purchases included home and kitchen products, gaming equipment, hockey equipment, a meat cleaver, and a food dehydrator.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Main Defendant in a Drug Trafficking Operation is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Pedro De Jesus Figueroa-Roman, 20, was sentenced to 53 months’ imprisonment, and three years of supervised release after admitting to possession of 14,000 fentanyl pills with intent to distribute.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after Figueroa-Roman’s co-defendant, Juan Robles-Ramos, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to the possession of heroin with intent to distribute. In July 2024, Robles-Ramos was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents and admissions made at Figueroa-Roman’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning in July 2023, he was selling large amounts of narcotics on behalf of a Mexican drug trafficking organization. In July 2023, an undercover officer purchased 472 grams of methamphetamine from Figueroa-Roman. Two months later, law enforcement arranged and completed a second controlled narcotics purchase with Figueroa-Roman’s co-defendant, Robles Ramos. On October 5, 2023, law enforcement seized 14,000 pills of field tested positive fentanyl, 1,435 grams of field-tested positive heroin, and $4,192 in U.S. currency at a residence in Clearfield, Utah, where both Figueroa-Roman and Robles-Ramos were residing.
United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) consisting of the FBI and Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force (DMNSF) investigated the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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 at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.
Madras Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Madras, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Jefferson County, Oregon.
Wyatt Franklin Powell, 61, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, on October 28, 2023, a Warm Springs Police Department (WSPD) officer responded to a report of erratic driving. During the traffic stop, the officer smelled a strong chemical odor consistent with narcotics. A second WSPD officer with drug detection dog arrived to assist and the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Officers located methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, a BB gun, drug paraphernalia and a digital scale in Powell’s vehicle.
On February 22, 2024, Powell was charged by criminal information with one-count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. He pleaded guilty on July 2, 2024.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Warm Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Lolo man admits distributing, receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Lolo man accused of distributing and receiving child pornography admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Erik Robert Salazar, 29, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to life of supervised release on each charge.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen was set for March 13, 2025. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Salazar was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged that in September 2023, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children detectives received a Cyber Tipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report originated from Snapchat, which reported to NCMEC that a user, later identified as Salazar, had uploaded two images of child sexual abuse material on their servers in August 2023. Detectives determined that the Snapchat account belonged to Salazar and received the remaining content of his account. Detectives found that Salazar’s communications with other parties on Snapchat were replete with contact with minor females from between September 2015 and October 2023. Salazar consistently requested images and videos from minors with whom he was communicating of those minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of these minors sent Salazar such images and videos in response to his requests. Salazar used Snapchat to send some of these minors images and videos depicting other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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Lincoln Man Sentenced for Prohibited Person in Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dexter Hall, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 7, 20224 in federal court in Omaha for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hall to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hall is released from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.
On February 8, 2023, Dexter Hall entered a pawn shop in Lincoln, Nebraska and sold a box containing ten rounds of Hornady .50-caliber ammunition for $30. Mr. Hall has been previously convicted of non-violent felony offenses, namely possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Maurice Bryant, age 49, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 7, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Wolfe to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bryant’s release from prison, he will serve a 4-year term of supervised release.
In March of 2024, confidential informants working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force purchased meth from Bryant on two occasions for an estimated total of one ounce. On April 2, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Bryant’s Lincoln residence, and investigators found a total of approximately 59 grams of meth. Bryant agreed to talk to investigators and admitted buying and selling meth in the Lincoln area.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Lee’s Summit Man Indicted for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing child pornography.
Markel Anthony Price, 34, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Price used a minor victim to produce child pornography on Nov. 18, 2023. The indictment also charges Price with one count of possessing child pornography that depicts a prepubescent minor victim and a minor victim under the age of 12.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Lee’s Summit Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing an Independence, Mo., bank after a bank customer attempted to stop him from fleeing.
James K. Kerr, 54, was charged with one count of bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Kerr on Oct. 23, 2024.
The federal indictment alleges that Kerr robbed Hawthorn Bank, 17430 E. 39th Street in Independence, on Oct. 21, 2024.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Kerr was wearing a black hood over his head, a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down, a winter hat, sunglasses, a medical mask, and gloves when he walked into the bank at about 10:39 a.m. As Kerr walked behind the teller counter into the employee-only area, the affidavit says, he withdrew a black handgun, which appeared to be an air pistol, from the pocket of his sweatshirt and held it up in the air.
Kerr began yelling at the employees while hitting the counter, according to the affidavit. The victims reported hearing Kerr yell phrases to the effect of “Let’s do this!” and “100s and 50s no bait money!” Kerr went to all three of the victim tellers’ stations and obtained money while holding the handgun. Kerr then fled from the bank and got on a motorcycle parked nearby.
A customer, who was in the drive-through lane at the time of the robbery, followed Kerr as he ran toward the motorcycle. The witness got out of the car and pushed Kerr off the motorcycle. Kerr threatened the customer with a gun, the affidavit says, and fled from the scene on the motorcycle. Another witness was nearby during this altercation and filmed part of it with a cell phone.
Employees of the bank told FBI investigators they recognized Kerr as a customer of the bank.
The next day, investigators established surveillance at Kerr’s residence and saw him leave on his motorcycle. Investigators followed Kerr, whom the affidavit says was driving erratically, until he stopped at a gas station, where he was arrested. Investigators found a Daisy air pistol, which was consistent in appearance with the handgun displayed in the bank robbery, in a saddle bag of the motorcycle. Investigators also found articles of clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Smith. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Lebanese Fraudster Posed as Dubai Prince, Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Lebanese man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 240 months in prison for wire fraud.
According to court documents, Alex Georges Tannous, 39, of Ain-Akrine, Lebanon, told his victims he was a prince from Dubai who was charged with bringing U.S.-based businesses to market in Dubai. He claimed millions were available, but that an initial payment from the victim was required to initiate the flow of funds. Once the funds were secured, he used the money to support his lavish lifestyle and the lifestyles of multiple family members. In total, Tannous stole approximately $2.5 million from his victims.
Tannous was arrested Feb. 9 and indicted on six counts of wire fraud. He pleaded guilty to one count on July 25. In addition to imprisonment, Tannous was ordered to pay $2.2 million in restitution.
“Alex Tannous was a serial con-artist who betrayed dozens of hard-working Americans in San Antonio and elsewhere, capitalizing on the trust he’d developed with them over years,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Fraudsters who see this nation and its citizens as targets for their illicit schemes should know that we will stop at nothing to find, prosecute and imprison you—and in the process, ensure you to pay back your victims every bit of what you stole.”
“Tannous convinced his victims that he was offering legitimate business opportunities, when in reality, he was simply lining his own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “Many of his victims were small business owners trying to live the American dream, but instead they were pulled into a financial nightmare. Cases like this are a priority for the FBI, and we encourage anyone who has been a victim of a financial scam to report it at www.tips.fbi.gov."
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons prosecuted the case.
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Lakeland Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Solomon Marquise Smith (22, Lakeland) today pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to court records, on July 2, 2024, while officers with the Lakeland Police Department were surveilling a home to serve an outstanding arrest warrant for Smith, they observed Smith with a handgun, equipped with an extended magazine, tucked in his waistband. After Smith was arrested on the warrant, the officers obtained a search warrant, searched the residence, and found the handgun hidden in an air vent. The handgun was not marked with a serial number and was loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, officers located images of Smith in possession of the same handgun on social media that had been posted four days before its recovery. Smith has multiple prior felony convictions, including carrying a concealed firearm and possession of cannabis resin. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
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.
Lake Charles Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Albert Royster, Jr., 42, of Lake Charles, was sentenced today on drug possession and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Royster to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
In June 2021, law enforcement agents became aware of Royster’s drug trafficking activities and began an investigation. On August 5, 2021, detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish obtained and executed a search warrant on Royster’s residence in Lake Charles. When law enforcement arrived at the residence, they found Royster inside and he was detained. During the search, detectives located 215.25 grams of cocaine and 61.03 grams of crack cocaine packaged in various amounts consistent with drug distribution. In a bedroom used by Royster, they located and seized an American Tactical AR-15 style rifle, a Norinco rifle, over 60 rounds of ammunition, and over $3,000 in cash. After further investigation, law enforcement officers learned that the American Tactical AR-15 style rifle had been reported as stolen. The seized narcotics were sent to the crime lab for testing and confirmed to be cocaine and crack cocaine.
Royster was previously convicted of distribution of cocaine in 2012 and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was indicted in this case and pleaded guilty on July 19, 2024 to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
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Kirkland, Washington, contractor sentenced to prison for defrauding more than two dozen customersRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 59-year-old Kirkland, Washington, home remodeling contractor was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to four years in prison for wire fraud for his scheme to steal approximately $4 million from customers using fake invoices, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Joseph D. Bergevin pleaded guilty in July 2024, admitting that he forged invoices to steal money from at least 24 customers who had hired him for their remodeling projects. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead spoke of the victims saying, “You stole their futures, you stole their hope, you stole their momentum for success… you created the kind of stress that you can’t run from, the stress that wakes you up at night. It was not just one lapse in judgement, it was hundreds of lapses over the years.”
“This defendant stole from friends, members of his church, the elderly, and people in his children’s school community,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “The betrayal of those who trusted him deserves a significant sentence. Sadly, the dozens of victims of his deceit can never replace the time lost, and the anguish suffered from his illegal actions.”
According to the plea agreement, between 2016 and 2019, Bergevin served as the general contractor on a number of home remodeling projects. As the general contractor, Bergevin was responsible for arranging for subcontractors to work on the project and making sure they got paid. However, during the wire fraud scheme, Bergevin presented his customers with hundreds of forged subcontractor invoices. Bergevin used the names, logos, and other identifying information about the subcontractors to create the false invoices. He then sent them to the customers for payment. Bergevin falsely told the customer that the invoice was for work that had been done or would be done. In some instances, he claimed that by paying “up front,” the customer could lock in lower rates for building materials when the work was done.
Many of the victims submitted heartrending impact statements. One wrote: “The amount of money Bergevin stole from us is nearly unthinkable. He stole more than an entire year’s salary from me. [Bergevin] not only stole our entire life savings but induced us to borrow money and take on credit card debt in order to keep our build going. He literally took from us more than all of the money we had.”
And another, “[Bergevin] stole five years of our lives and showed no remorse While he raised his daughters happily, built his dream house, purchased luxury cars and boats, and actively participated in his church and community, these are the very experiences he robbed from us.”
Other victims spoke in court today about how Bergevin’s crime robbed them of time, money, and trust in others. Another spoke of how his theft decimated her children’s college funds, damaging their future. A third recounted how Bergevin exploited their desperation to get their house finished, all the while taking their money to finish his own luxury home and buy himself a boat.
At the time of the plea, the false invoices totaled $3,554,054 and went to twenty-four different customers. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bergevin is responsible for at least $3,554,054 in restitution. Today the parties agreed that the total restitution should be approximately $4 million for all the losses caused by the criminal conduct in this scheme. Judge Whitehead ordered the full restitution.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Kirkland Police Department, and King County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dion and Yunah Chung.
Kidnapper Who Abducted and Repeatedly Raped a Total Stranger in Maryland and D.C. Sentenced to 40 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark A. Blue, 34, of Washington, D.C was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 40 years in prison for the December 2018 kidnapping, robbery, and repeated rapes of a young mother from Maryland who was a total stranger to him.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
On March 6, 2024, after a five-day trial, a federal jury found Blue guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping while armed, robbery while armed, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Blue to pay restitution in the amount of $999 to the victim. After his sentence, Blue will have a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Blue, along with a co-conspirator, targeted the victim, who was walking home from a bus stop in Prince George’s County, MD. Blue stripped her naked, robbed her, forced her into a car, threatened to kill her, covered her eyes with her shirt so she would not be able to see, and sexually assaulted her in Maryland. Then Blue drove her to Southeast Washington, D.C., where he forced her to disclose her ATM information. His co-conspirator drained her bank account of nearly everything as Blue assaulted her again. Blue drove the victim to an alley where both men sexually assaulted her yet again. They left her naked in an alley, with her shirt covering her head.
At the time of the attack, Blue was under supervised release for a 2013 armed robbery conviction. Elements of the crime were captured by surveillance footage and ATM cameras. Two days after the offenses, on December 5, 2018, Blue quit his job and fled to North Carolina. A tipster, who recognized Blue’s mugshot on a television news show, called law enforcement. The tipster stated that Blue had said he was wanted by police for robbing and kidnapping a girl.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Burrell, Rachel Forman, and Paralegal Specialist Alexis Spencer-Anderson of the District of Columbia. The prosecution team received valuable assistance from Veronica Vaughan of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart Allen, Nicholas Miranda, and Jessica Wash.
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