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Wednesday 30 October 2024
Armed Robbery of Augusta Bank Leads to 40 Months Sentence for Manchester, Maine ManRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Manchester, Maine man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for armed bank robbery.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Joshua Brougham, 39, to 40 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $1,120. Brougham pleaded on April 30, 2024.
According to court records, in October 2022, Brougham entered an Augusta bank wearing a brimmed hat and a standard hospital mask over his face. He pointed a handgun at the bank teller and demanded “all the money in the drawer.” After receiving some money, Brougham fled to a nearby parking lot, leaving in a gold-colored GMC Yukon.
Four days after the robbery, Augusta Police Department investigators located a vehicle matching the one from the robbery surveillance footage at an area convenience store and arrested Brougham as he exited the store. A firearm recovered from the vehicle matched the description of the one used during the robbery. During the investigation, law enforcement also seized a brimmed hat that matched the hat worn during the robbery.
The Augusta Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office.
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Accused Drug Dealer Arrested and Indicted for Allegedly Possessing and Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A foreign national living in Utah accused of committing drug crimes was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City.
Sabino Osvaldo Gomez-Perez, 36, of Salt Lake County, was initially charged by complaint on October 11, 2024, in the District of Utah.
According to court documents, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force, began a criminal investigation of Gomez-Perez and other members of a drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah. On October 9, 2024, agents executed a search warrant for a motel room where Gomez-Perez was staying in Salt Lake County. Agents suspected that Gomez-Perez was using the hotel room to traffic drugs. During the search, agents seized 5,857 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl. Agents estimated the fentanyl at approximately 58,000 fentanyl pills.
Gomez-Perez is charged with possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and illegal reentry of a previously removed alien. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for October 30, 2024, at 2:15 p.m., in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
3 SoCal Men Arrested for Allegedly Purchasing via False Statements More Than 120 Firearms in Utah and Illegally Reselling Them in CaliforniaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Three Southern California men were arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging they frequently made short trips to Utah to purchase more than 120 firearms there then illegally sold them in California without a firearms-dealing license and repeatedly lied on federal firearms sales forms while doing so.
Manuel Ivan Sanchez, 37, of Helendale, Ricardo Amezcua, 45, of South Gate, and Fernando Nava, 35, of Hemet, are charged with conspiracy.
The defendants are expected to make their initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“Illegally sold guns often end up being used in violent crime and other serious offenses,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is imperative to protecting our community that we aggressively prosecute those who put all of us at risk by illegally trafficking in firearms.”
According to an affidavit filed on October 23 with the complaint, from November 2022 to July 2024, the defendants frequently made short trips to Utah to purchase firearms – including various pistols and semiautomatic rifles – from licensed firearms dealers. When the defendants bought these firearms in Utah, they lied to the dealers by falsely listing on federal forms that they were Utah residents when, in fact, they resided in California.
Listing a Utah residence was important because Utah-based licensed firearms dealers generally cannot sell firearms to California residents. To buy the guns anyway, each defendants obtained either a Utah driver’s license or ID card listing a Utah address. They then used these fraudulently obtained cards to buy guns from Utah-based licensed firearms dealers.
In addition, from January 2023 to August 2023, Sanchez purchased approximately 81 firearms through an informal Utah-based online gun exchange. In these transactions, Sanchez found individuals listing firearms for sale, messaged them to negotiate a price, and then met in person with the individuals at various locations throughout Utah. In at least one of the transactions, Sanchez coordinated the purchase of the firearm via text message, and Amezcua met with the seller to buy the firearm.
Sanchez then advertised the firearms that he bought for sale to other people at marked-up prices. In some cases, Sanchez advertised the guns to a middleman who was dealing guns to yet other people. At no time during the investigation has Sanchez, Amezcua or Nava possessed a license to deal firearms.
The defendants purchased approximately 123 firearms during the conspiracy – 42 from Utah-based licensed firearms dealers and 81 from the online gun exchange.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Kedar S. Bhatia of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
11 Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with RICO Conspiracy, Murder in Aid of Racketeering, and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury in Minneapolis returned an 18-count indictment yesterday against 11 alleged members of the Lows—a violent Minneapolis street gang—for crimes including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, gun trafficking, and drug trafficking.
“The Lows are an exceptionally violent criminal street gang that has terrorized north Minneapolis for nearly 20 years. Through threats and violence—shootings and murders—the Lows gang has long sought to establish dominion over large swaths of our city.” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “My office will continue to respond to gang violence by treating it as the organized criminal activity it is. This indictment is an important step in dismantling a violent street gang that has devastated families and communities in north Minneapolis.”
“According to the indictment, these defendants are leaders, organizers, and members of the Lows street gang, a violent gang that allegedly committed multiple murders and attempted murders and trafficked in guns and drugs, including fentanyl,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“Violent gangs that engage in bloody street wars and peddle deadly drugs endanger our communities. The Criminal Division, along with our local, state, and federal partners, is committed to holding violent criminals accountable, including by bringing racketeering charges.”
“More than 100 people lose their lives to gun violence every day in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) St. Paul Field Division. “There will never be a time where this will be considered acceptable. Our ATF agents put forth solid investigative work in this case utilizing crime gun intelligence that without a doubt aided the case announced today. ATF is happy to work alongside each of our partners in this investigation, and we are grateful to the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Luger, and the entire team for taking up this challenging RICO case.”
“To participate in the arrests of 11 alleged violent criminals and see charges filed is very fulfilling,” said Chief Brian O’Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department. “This indictment sends a clear message to violent actors that we are serious about ending violent crime in our cities. Through the partnership between our embedded investigator, several other law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Division, and the United States Attorney’s Office, the countless hours of time invested up to this point have paid off. I trust that these charges increase the hope of justice for the individuals and communities that have been so negatively impacted by these allegedly violent actors.”
“People living in every neighborhood deserve to live safely and freely,” said Sheriff Dawanna Witt of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. “Thanks to the work of local, state, and federal law enforcement, the defendants charged in today’s indictment are off the street and no longer free to terrorize our communities. We appreciate our federal prosecutors for their impactful work and remain committed to this partnership throughout our agency.”
“The charges in this indictment reflect our unwavering commitment to bringing violent criminals to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “For too long, the Lows have inflicted pain and spread fear in north Minneapolis. Together with our law enforcement partners, we are determined to remove this threat from our communities and help restore a sense of security to all who call this city home.”
“We are committed to doing everything we can to get illegal guns, and the criminals committing these crimes, off Minnesota streets,” said Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. “This partnership between federal, state and local agencies to go after these criminals is working — and we’re just getting started.”
“The Lows, and criminal organizations like them, wreak havoc on our communities, threatening the safety of our communities on a daily basis through their many acts of violence, murder, and narcotics and firearms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul. “HSI St. Paul will continue to foster a strong collaboration with our law enforcement partners to bring an end to the chaos these criminal organizations inflict on our local communities.”
“Today’s indictment provides a stark reminder that violence and drug trafficking go hand-in-hand,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division. “These were not victimless crimes. Communities were hurt. The DEA will continue its unwavering focus to remove threats of violence and hold accountable the individuals responsible for inflicting fear on the streets of Minneapolis.”
“The individuals named in this indictment allegedly engaged in homicide, and illegal drug and firearms trafficking, which created an atmosphere of terror and disrupted countless lives in this community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Chicago Field Office. “These charges represent a pivotal milestone in our commitment to restore safety and uphold justice in the communities we serve. Working with their federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, IRS-CI special agents will continue to follow every financial trail to dismantle the networks fueling these criminal enterprises. We stand united against the violence and fear that street gangs have inflicted upon our communities in Minneapolis and elsewhere.”
“This multi-count indictment against ranking members of the Lows gang is an excellent example of multiple law enforcement agencies combining their expertise and resources to conduct investigations with the common goal of taking down violent leaders perpetuating street violence involving guns and narcotics,” said Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division. “These RICO charges aim to remove these allegedly violent offenders from our community. U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from greedy drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives.”
As alleged in this indictment, the defendants were members of the Lows criminal street gang, which has been in existence in Minneapolis since approximately 2004. The Lows are primarily active in the northside of Minneapolis. They traffic in firearms and narcotics, including fentanyl, and use threats, intimidation, and violation to protect their territory, reputation, illicit proceeds, and power. The Lows use violence and threats of violence to target rival gang members as well as individuals who pose a threat to the enterprise or its operations.
The indictment charges that the defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering—that is, unlawful acts of violence, gun trafficking, and narcotics trafficking—for the benefit of the Lows enterprise. The indictment charges 78 overt acts committed in furtherance of the enterprise. These acts include seven murders or attempted murders involving a total of ten victims.
The following eleven members of the Lows gang, all from Minneapolis, have been indicted for the following crimes:
- Ashimiyu Alowonle III, a.k.a. Cash (“Alowonle”), 38, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Timothy Callender III, a.k.a. Lil’ Tim (“Callender”), 26, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Glenn Carter III, a.k.a. G5, a.k.a. Bossman Carter (“Carter”), 23, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. Carter is charged with committing a murder on May 14, 2022 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Victor Collins, a.k.a. Vic (“Collins”), 22, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possessing a Firearm a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. Collins is charged with committing a murder and an attempted murder on February 27, 2024 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Damari Douglas, a.k.a. Mari (“Douglas”), 20, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Machinegun. Douglas is charged with committing a murder on December 3, 2023 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Deontae Jackson, a.k.a. Leef (“D.Jackson”), 35, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Shannon Jackson, a.k.a. Shakedown (“S.Jackson”), 32, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possessing a Firearm a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Jackson is charged with committing a murder on April 27, 2023 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Robert Knights Jr., a.k.a. CMB Rob, a.k.a. Lil’ Rob (“Knights”), 19, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possessing a Firearm a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.
- Albert Lucas V, a.k.a. Abk Sav (“Lucas”), 20, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. Lucas is charged with committing a murder and an attempted murder on February 27, 2024 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Kaprice Richards, a.k.a. Kap (“Richards”), 23, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death. Richards is charged with committing an attempted murder on May 29, 2022 and a murder on April 27, 2023 as racketeering acts in furtherance of the RICO Conspiracy.
- Cartrelle Smith, a.k.a. Pooh Moe (“Smith”), 27, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possessing a Firearm a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David M. Classen for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Valentine Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Valentine, Nebraska, man convicted of seven counts of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on October 28, 2024.
Christopher Franklin Beauvais, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $700 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $1,426 in restitution to one of his victims.
Beauvais was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024.
Between June of 2006 and November of 2012, in Mission, South Dakota, within the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Beauvais sexually abused three adolescent girls. He repeatedly touched the girls’ buttocks, breasts, and genital areas in a home, at his workplace, and in public. The children were between 12 and 15 years old. That abuse ended in 2012 when Beauvais solicited a picture of the youngest girl’s bare breasts. Later, in 2020 in Mission, Beauvais touched yet another 12-year-old girl’s genital area over the clothing while she slept in her bed.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl Thunem and Wayne Vanhueizen prosecuted the case.
Beauvais was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
United States Attorney Jane E. Young Appoints District Election Officer for the November 5, 2024 General ElectionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) has been designated as the District of New Hampshire’s Election Officer to lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming general election on November 5, 2024, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
The Assistant United States Attorney will oversee the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud.
“While there is a designated Election Officer, the entire United States Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting a free and fair election. Last year, a Civil Rights Assistant U.S. Attorney was appointed to ensure every citizen can live their lives free of discrimination, including when voting,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young. “The United States Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process, and as always, will work with our law enforcement partners to combat threats of violence directed at public servants.”
Federal law protects against crimes such as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the District’s Election Officer will be available in New Hampshire while the polls are open. The District’s Election Officer can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (603) 406-1242.
In addition, the FBI field office will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 857-386-2000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Please note, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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United States Attorney Announces Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel Tvedt will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Tvedt has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Duax said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Duax stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Tvedt will be on duty in the Cedar Rapids area while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 319-363-6333. AUSA Ron Timmons will be on duty in the Sioux City area and can be reached at 712-255-6011.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 402-493-8688.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Duax said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Joins International Action Against RedLine and META InfostealersRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice joined the Netherlands, Belgium, Eurojust and other partners in announcing an international disruption effort against the current version of RedLine Infostealer, one of the most prevalent infostealers in the world that has targeted millions of victim computers, and the closely-related META Infostealer.
The Justice Department, FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division joined international partners in the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (“JCAT”) Operation Magnus (supported by Europol) to seize domains, servers, and Telegram accounts used by the RedLine and META administrators to disrupt the operations of the infostealers.
International authorities have created a website at www.operation-magnus.com with additional resources for the public and potential victims.
Infostealers are a prevalent form of malware used to steal sensitive information from victim’s computers including usernames and passwords, financial information, system information, cookies, and cryptocurrency accounts. The stolen information—referred to as “logs”—is sold on cybercrime forums and used for further fraudulent activity and other hacks. RedLine has been used to conduct intrusions against major corporations. RedLine and META infostealers can also enable cyber criminals to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) through the theft of authentication cookies and other system information.
RedLine and META are sold through a decentralized Malware as a Service (“MaaS”) model where affiliates purchase a license to use the malware, and then launch their own campaigns to infect their intended victims. The malware is distributed to victims using malvertising, e-mail phishing, fraudulent software downloads, and malicious software sideloading. Various schemes, including COVID-19 and Windows update related ruses have been used to trick victims into downloading the malware. The malware is advertised for sale on cybercrime forums and through Telegram channels that offer customer support and software updates. RedLine and META have infected millions of computers worldwide and, by some estimates, RedLine is one of the top malware variants in the world.
Through various investigative steps, law enforcement has collected victim log data stolen from computers infected with RedLine and META. While an exact number has not been finalized, agents have identified millions of unique credentials (usernames and passwords), email addresses, bank accounts, cryptocurrency addresses, credit card numbers, etc. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the stolen data and continues to investigate.
The Department has unsealed a warrant issued in the Western District of Texas that authorized law enforcement to seize two domains used by RedLine and META for command and control.
In conjunction with the disruption effort, the Justice Department unsealed charges against Maxim Rudometov, one of the developers and administrators of RedLine Infostealer. According to the complaint, Rudometov regularly accessed and managed the infrastructure of RedLine Infostealer, was associated with various cryptocurrency accounts used to receive and launder payments and was in possession of RedLine malware. For his actions, he has been charged with access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029, conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030 and 371, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956.
If convicted, Rudometov faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for access device fraud, five years in prison for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, and 20 years in prison for money laundering. The complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case. The Task Force participants include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division, among other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust and Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
The disruption effort announced today was in conjunction with Operation Magnus, a JCAT law enforcement operation to investigate RedLine and META Infostealers. The participating agencies included the Dutch National Police, Belgian Federal Police, Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, United Kingdom National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, Portuguese Federal Police, and Eurojust.
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redline_-_redacted_seizure_warrant.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Announce Charges for Fatal DUI Crash on the Navajo NationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Pigeon Springs man is charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault in connection with a fatal car crash on the Navajo Nation.
Irvin Virgil Wauneka Jr., 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to the indictment, on September 22, 2024, Wauneka was operating a motor vehicle with a wanton and reckless disregard for human life, knowing that his conduct endangered the lives of others. As a result, Wauneka killed Jane Doe 1 and caused bodily injury to Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3.
If convicted, Wauneka faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney, HSI and ATF Charge Belen Teen with Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Belen teen faces federal charges for allegedly possessing a machine gun conversion device.
Christopher Gammon II, 19,is charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun. Specifically, the indictment alleges that on June 28, 2024, Gammon possessed a machine gun conversion device.
Machine gun conversion devices and auto sears are illegal devices designed to modify a semi-automatic firearm so it is capable of fully automatic fire, that is, continuous firing with a single trigger pull. The possession, manufacture, and/or sale of machine gun conversion devices without proper licensing is a federal offense punishable by severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. The use of machinegun conversion devices poses a significant public safety risk, as they transform semi-automatic firearms into dangerous machine guns capable of causing catastrophic harm.
Gammon appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending trial, which is currently set for February 10, 2025.
If convicted, Gammon faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations and the ATF jointly investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Eagle is 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.
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U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Announce Charges in Domestic Violence and Firearms CaseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Red Valley, Arizona man was charged by indictment with kidnapping, assault and federal firearms offenses stemming from a domestic violence incident in Shiprock, New Mexico.
Curley Nakai Jr., 23, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending trial.
According to court records, on August 24, 2024, Nakai allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, in Shiprock, New Mexico. A witness observed Nakai dragging Jane Doe by her shirt and striking her. Nakai then forced Jane Doe into the backseat of a pickup truck. Concerned for Jane Doe's safety, the witness followed the pickup and attempted to get identifying information. While following, the witness saw Nakai appear to punch Jane Doe in the vehicle.
The situation escalated when Nakai and Jane Doe arrived at a supermarket parking lot. As police were contacted by the witness, Nakai exited the pickup and pointed a rifle at her while yelling aggressively. At this point, the witness was approximately thirty feet away with her car window down. After driving past the pickup and parking nearby, the witness observed that Jane Doe managed to exit the vehicle and walk awayy.
If convicted, Nakai faces up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
view_the_indictment_nakai.pdfAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney's Office and DEA Announce Federal Charges Against Albuquerque Based Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Five members of a drug trafficking organization based in Albuquerque have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Tomas Rubalcaba, 45, Joaquin Rubalcada, 40, and Humberto Gastelum, 65, appeared before a federal judge last week and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. The federal judge permitted Frederick Chavey, 38, to remain in the third-party custody of his sister pending trial. The fifth defendant, Ismael Vargas, 37, remains a fugitive.
According to court records, the defendants belong to the Rubalcaba Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which has been distributing large quantities of narcotics in the Albuquerque area since at least 2021. The organization is allegedly led by brothers Tomas and Joaquin Rubalcaba. Tomas Rubalcaba coordinated narcotics sales through his business, Albuquerque Classics.
Throughout 2024, undercover agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted multiple undercover purchases of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from the brothers, Gastelum, Chavey, and Vargas. In total, approximately 5,582 grams of fentanyl, 518 grams of cocaine, 187 grams of heroin, and 2,025 grams of methamphetamine were allegedly sold to undercover agents over an eight-month period.
On October 23, 2024, the DEA, along with the Albuquerque Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants at multiple locations associated with the DTO. Agents seized approximately 715,000 fentanyl pills, over seven kilograms of cocaine, and multiple firearms. At the residence of Joaquin Rubalcaba alone, agents allegedly found 660,000 fentanyl pills, three kilograms of cocaine, and five firearms, two of which were determined to be stolen.
In addition to serving search warrants on the premises of the indicted members of the Rubalcaba DTO, law enforcement searched residences of uncharged DTO members. During these operations, authorities discovered over 5 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the residence of Luke Scarpetta, 35, and more than 600 grams of suspected fentanyl at the home of Richard Garcia, 44. As a result of these searches, both Scarpetta and Garcia were charged with A level narcotics offenses. A federal judge ordered Garcia to remain in custody pending trial, while Scarpetta was permitted to reside at a halfway house.
Photo of guns and drugs seized by DEA on October 23, 2024Photo of guns and drugs seized by DEA on October 23, 2024
If convicted, all of the defendants face a minimum of ten years of imprisonment. The defendants could receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph M. Spindle and Raquel Ruiz Velez 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.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Second Conviction in 2019 KidnappingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a count of kidnapping. This crime eventually resulted in the victim’s death at the hands of a co-defendant and the burning of the victim’s body in an attempt by the co-defendant to conceal evidence. Her co-defendant was previously convicted and sentenced to prison for the subsequent killing.
According to court documents, between July 1 and July 16, 2019, Kendra Panteah, 37, participated in and continued the confinement of John Doe in the trunk of his own vehicle and contacted the co-defendant for assistance in order to avoid getting in trouble.
Along with the co-defendant, Panteah then drove around for over a day through the Navajo Nation with John Doe locked in the trunk before stopping near Bass Lake, NM. There, John Doe attempted to escape by forcing the trunk open. Before he could get out, however, the co-defendant repeatedly stabbed Doe with a machete. The co-defendant then closed the trunk on the victim, and Panteah and the co-defendant then sat on the trunk until John Doe stopped moving. Doe died as a result of the stab wounds. Panteah and co-defendant then drove the vehicle, with Doe’s body in the trunk to a residence where it was abandoned for several days.
The co-defendant eventually towed the vehicle to a remote location, doused it with gasoline, and set it on fire with John Doe's body inside to destroy evidence of the crime. Doe was only identified through hip replacement devices found in the burned vehicle.
Her co-defendant, Gilbert John Jr., pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
At sentencing, Panteah faces between a binding range of no less than 10 years up to no more than 18 years imprisonment. Upon her release from prison, Panteah will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Probasco and Alexander F. Flores are prosecuting the case.
PLEA AGREEMENT as to Kendra K. Panteah (fs) 31791459.pdf.pdf# # #
U.S. Attorney and ATF Charge Albuquerque Brothers with Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Two Albuquerque brothers face federal charges for firearms-related offenses.
Riley Kellner, 22, is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on August 10, 2024, Riley possessed a firearm and ammunition, knowing that he had been previously convicted of shooting at or from a motor vehicle.
Riley appeared before a federal judge and was detained pending trial, which has not been set.
Adin Kellner, 26, is charged with 11 counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. The indictment alleges that between October 8, 2019, and February 24, 2023, Adin made false statements to licensed firearms dealers when he executed the ATF’s Form 4473 stating that he was the actual buyer of the firearm when he was in fact acquiring it on behalf on another individual.
Adin appeared before a federal judge and was placed on conditions of release pending trial, which is currently scheduled for December 16, 2024.
If convicted, Riley faces up to 15 years in prison and Adin faces up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.
The ATF and Albuquerque Police Department jointly investigated these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting both cases.
Riley Kellner Indictment.pdf Adin Kellner Indictment.pdfAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris Announces Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris announced today the Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) who will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. The AUSAs appointed to serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) in each of the district’s four divisions are: Gregory M. Gilmore in the Springfield headquarters office; Darilynn J. Knauss in the Peoria branch office; Timothy J. Sullivan in the Urbana branch office; and John K. Mehochko in the Rock Island branch office. As DEOs, the AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Harris said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Harris stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Gilmore, Knauss, Sullivan, and Mehochko will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.
The DEOs can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers:
Springfield: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore, 217-492-4450;
Urbana: Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Sullivan, 217-373-5875;
Peoria: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss, 309-671-7050; and,
Rock Island: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko, 309-793-5884
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 217-522-9675.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Harris said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
Two Sacramento Residents Plead Guilty to False Income Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dominic Davis, 38, and Sharitia Wright, 59, both of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to file false claims with the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between March 2019 and April 2022, Davis and Wright caused at least nine fraudulent income-tax returns to be filed with the IRS claiming more than $2 million of income tax refunds.
The returns were filed in the names of Davis, Wright, and family members. The returns listed wages that the taxpayers had not earned and often listed the taxpayers’ employer as one of the various LLCs created by Davis, Wright, and their family members. Many of the returns also falsely claimed charitable contributions that were not actually made. Davis prepared and filed the false tax returns. Wright provided him information and contacted the IRS to check on the status of the refunds claimed in the false tax returns.
Davis and Wright agreed to pay restitution for the fraudulent income tax refunds that they received.
This case is the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case.
Davis and Wright are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Feb. 3, 2025. Each faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Two New York City Residents Plead Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking in Western PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Brooklyn, New York, and a resident of Queens, New York, have pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of narcotics trafficking related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Miguel Arce, 40, of Brooklyn, and Timothy Paz, 32, of Queens, each pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that Arce and Paz were both couriers who transported narcotics from the New York City area to Altoona, Pennsylvania, on behalf of Juan Duran, a large-scale narcotics supplier. In total, Arce transported over 10 pounds of methamphetamine and Paz transported approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine. Both Arce and Paz also transported large amounts of money from Jason Lynn, the Altoona-based narcotics distributor, to Duran, which represented payment for the methamphetamine.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for Paz for January 9, 2025, and for Arce for February 11, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for Paz, and not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both for Arce. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that both Paz and Arce remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Two Men Sentenced Following Federal Gun and Drug Convictions Stemming from Conduct in Tallapoosa CountyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced that a federal judge sentenced two Opelika, Alabama residents after a jury found them guilty of committing federal crimes in Tallapoosa County. On October 29, 2024, 45-year-old Jeffrey Monkentee Hill received a sentence of 250 months in prison. Previously, on September 19, 2024, a judge ordered 34-year-old Carstavious Shadon Stovall receive a 92-month sentence. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in February 2022, the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into suspected drug trafficking. The investigation eventually revealed that Hill was involved with the sale of illegal drugs at a residence in Camp Hill, Alabama. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search, law enforcement found Hill and Stovall present at the house, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, and multiple firearms. Both Hill and Stovall have previous felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On June 5, 2024, a federal jury found both Hill and Stovall guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also convicted Hill on the additional charges of possessing cocaine and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the illegal drugs and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Based on Hill’s criminal history, the sentencing judge determined that he qualified as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. This ruling increased the guidelines range for Hill and resulted in a significant sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson would like to thank the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for investigating this case. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force provided valuable assistance in the investigation and apprehension of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Ashley J. Avera prosecuted the case.
Two Convicted Felons from Nashua and Manchester Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Ghost Guns and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man and a Manchester man were sentenced today in federal court for separate firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
“Two unrelated felons, Mr. Reidy and Mr. Maker, were each a danger to their respective communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Both of these defendants were distributing narcotics while illegally owning weapons and ammunition, which is always a perilous combination. Mr. Reidy also put law enforcement officers in harm’s way by engaging in a three-hour standoff with the Nashua Police Department to conceal his three ghost guns, ammunition, and an AR-style rifle underneath the insulation in his attic. Mr. Maker attempted to flee from Manchester police officers at the time of his arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not stand by and allow dangerous individuals to possess deadly weapons. As demonstrated by today’s sentencings, this office will investigate and prosecute convicted felons in possession of firearms with the goal of removing them from the public in a concerted effort to make our communities safer.”
“ATF is firmly committed to removing illegal drugs, firearms, and ghost guns from the streets of New Hampshire, particularly from the hands of convicted felons,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. “By dismantling trafficking networks, targeting the proliferation of untraceable ghost guns, and collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners, we aim to create safer communities and protect citizens from the harm associated with these illegal activities.”
Robert Reidy, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 87 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In July 2024, Robert Reidy pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person and one count of possession of unregistered firearms.
In October 2023, the Nashua Police Department learned that Reidy was selling drugs out of his home in Nashua. In October and November 2023, Reidy allegedly engaged in three controlled purchases of methamphetamine. During these alleged controlled purchases, law enforcement used audio and video recording, which captured images of firearms within the defendant’s bedroom. Reidy was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a prior felony conviction for Escape from a Penal Institution in 2017.
On December 5, 2023, members of the Nashua Police Department arrived at Reidy’s residence to execute a state search warrant. Reidy refused multiple commands to exit his residence, and ultimately surrendered after chemical munitions were deployed into his residence. Law enforcement ultimately located one short-barreled AR-style rifle with a silencer threaded onto the barrel, three additional disassembled firearms hidden in the attic that all appeared to be privately manufactured, as well as 160 rounds of ammunition. Reidy also did not register the short-barreled rifle or silencer as required by the National Firearm Act.
Reidy’s alleged distribution of methamphetamine is pending in state court.
Nashua Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.
Monytung Maker, a/k/a “MoSavage,” 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 12 months and a day in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In July 2024, Monytung Maker pleaded guilty to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In May, June, and July 2023, Maker allegedly sold cocaine to a confidential informant on several occasions. On or about August 2, 2023, officers from the Manchester Police Department executed a search warrant at Maker’s Manchester apartment and found a backpack in Maker’s bedroom containing his bank cards and a 9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition. Maker was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a 2019 felony conviction for unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County.
Maker’s alleged distribution of cocaine is pending in state court.
The Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany Scanlon prosecuted both cases.
These cases are 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.
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Turtle Creek Man Indicted on 18 Counts of Violent Robberies of Multiple Businesses, Carjackings, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The 18-count Indictment named Jamal Martel Brooks, 33, as the sole defendant. Brooks was previously prosecuted and convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 17 months of incarceration.
According to the Indictment, from January 3, 2023, to January 2, 2024, Brooks committed numerous violent crimes, including robberies of multiple businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area and two carjackings. Brooks is alleged to have brandished and possessed a firearm in connection with each of these crimes.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and the sentence on each such count must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. Due to the number of robberies alleged to have been committed by Brooks, he is facing a maximum total sentence of not less than 63 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Brooks also is currently facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in relation to his alleged shooting of a Monroeville Police Sergeant on January 3, 2024.
Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and DeMarr W. Moulton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Monroeville Police Department, and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Trillium Capital Manager Sentenced to Federal Prison for Securities Fraud Scheme Involving Getty ImagesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Mashpee man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a scheme to artificially inflate the trading price of Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (Getty Images) and attempting to cover up the scheme.
Robert Scott Murray, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 10 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Murray was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $227,543. In June 2024, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud.
Murray was a long-time investor who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of multiple public companies, including Stream Global Services and 3Com. In 2023, Murray was the owner and manager of Trillium Capital LLC (Trillium Capital), a venture investment company located in Massachusetts. Between October 2022 and April 2023, Murray bought approximately 300,000 shares, as well as other options contracts, for shares in Getty Images, a visual media company publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GETY. Murray then attempted to use Trillium Capital to pressure Getty Images to change its business strategy and to add Murray to Getty Images’ board of directors.
When those efforts failed, Murray used Trillium Capital to launch a fake takeover bid of Getty Images for the purposes of driving up the trading price of Getty Images’ stock so that Murray could sell the shares he owned at the artificially inflated price. On Friday, April 21, 2023, GETY shares closed at a trading price of $5.06 per share. On Monday, April 24, 2023, prior to the market opening, Murray caused the publication of a press release in which Trillium Capital made a proposal to acquire Getty Images for “$10 per share.” When the market opened, GETY shares traded at $7.88 per share, nearly 56 percent above the prior closing price. Murray then sold all the GETY shares he owned within less than one hour for approximately $1,486,467. Through this scheme, Murray was able to sell the GETY shares he owned for $227,543 above the fair market price of those shares.
Murray then attempted conceal the scheme by making public false statements and obstructing the investigation. On April 24, 2024, after selling his shares, Murray interviewed with news outlets where he continued to portray the fake offer by Trillium Capital to purchase a controlling stake in Getty Images as “genuine.” Murray also privately directed an acquaintance to obstruct the investigation by destroying evidence and making false statements in response to a subpoena. For example, Murray instructed the acquaintance to delete Murray’s text messages and stated that the texts were “like virginity, once you delete your virginity you ain’t getting it back.” Murray later lied to federal agents about his communications with the acquaintance.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint against Murray alleging violations of the securities laws.Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division made the announcement. The Securities and Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Three Men Arrested in Connection with Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Jose Gracia-Vega, 28, of Tucson, was arrested on October 17, 2024, by members of the Arizona Strike Force for Possession with Intent to Distribute 27 Pounds of Methamphetamine and was charged by criminal complaint on October 18, 2024. Ulises Yescas-Garcia, 23, of Tucson, and Sebastian Higuera-Fuentes, 22, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico were also arrested for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and the distribution of methamphetamine in Tucson beginning in February of this year. Yescas-Garcia and Higuera-Fuentes were both charged earlier by indictment.
On October 2, 2024, Yescas-Garcia and Higuera-Fuentes were charged in a seven-count indictment with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Methamphetamine in United States District Court, case CR-24-6720-TUC-RCC. The indictment alleges that they conspired with one another and others to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Tucson beginning in February 2024, and distributed that methamphetamine on at least six occasions during the time of the conspiracy.
On October 17, 2024, Gracia-Vega was arrested after being found in possession of approximately 27 pounds of methamphetamine destined for sale in Tucson. According to the complaint, Gracia-Vega met with Higuera-Fuentes that morning and provided him methamphetamine for later distribution. Higuera-Fuentes and Yescas-Garcia were arrested that same day on the charges set forth in the October 2nd indictment.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force operation. The OCDETF Strike Force Initiative 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 investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Marana Police Department, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-24-6720-TUC-RCC
24-mj-9730-N/A-EJM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-146_Gracia-Vega, Yescas-Garcia, Higuera-Fuentes# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Thornton Man Sentenced to 52 Months for Falsely Filing Client Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Lance McCuistion, 56, of Thornton, was sentenced to 52 months in prison after pleading guilty to preparing false tax returns on behalf of clients.
According to the plea agreement, in July 2014, McCuistion plead guilty to preparing false tax returns in a prior investigation and was sentenced to probation. As a result of that offense, McCuistion was unable to obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). However, from approximately April 2018 through April 2022, McCuistion used PTINs in the names of three individuals associated with McCuistion to prepare tax returns on behalf of clients. These tax returns claimed items for which McCuistion knew the taxpayers were not eligible in order to increase refunds or reduce taxes due.
“Tax preparers are trusted by their clients to do the right thing,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “We will continue to prosecute tax preparers who abuse that trust for personal gain.”
“This case is an example of the commitment IRS-CI brings to financial investigations involving tax preparers who abuse the system and line their pockets rather than doing what is best for their clients.” said Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “The dishonesty and disregard exhibited by individuals like McCuistion violates the trust clients place in their tax preparers who have a duty to handle clients’ returns accurately and in compliance with the law.”
United States District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney presided over the sentencing. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Weiss.
Case Number: 24-cr-00116-CNS
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Oxycodone Conspiracy and Structuring Cash TransactionsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday to a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of oxycodone pills across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.
Christan Russell, 33, of Tomball, Texas pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills and structuring cash transactions. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Feb. 5, 2025. Russell was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 along with five co-conspirators. As part of his plea, Russell agreed to forfeit $860,833.00; four firearms and four bank accounts.
Between approximately February 2023 and July 2023, Russell supplied oxycodone pills to co-conspirator Kenneth Veiga, who then redistributed those oxycodone pills to Austin Gonsalves and John Campbell. Russell obtained these pills from a variety of sources in the Houston, Texas area. On March 13, 2023, Russell traveled from Houston to Boston to meet with Veiga. Russell met with Veiga in a hotel room in Rhode Island that Russell had rented. During that meeting, Russell supplied oxycodone pills to Veiga, and Veiga provided cash in exchange. On March 14, 2023, the defendant engaged in four structured cash deposits at ATMs in the Boston area. For each of these deposits, the defendant orchestrated the deposit to be less than $10,000 in an attempt to evade the bank from reporting the deposit to the Internal Revenue Service.
Veiga pleaded guilty and in July 2024, was sentenced to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Gonsalves pleaded guilty and in May 2024 was sentenced to 41 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Campbell pleaded guilty in September 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 15, 2025.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of structuring cash transactions provides for a sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $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.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division,, made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office; and the Barnstable, Dennis, Bourne, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Sandwich and Falmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy, and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division and Alexandra Amrhein of the Asset Forfeiture Unit are 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 document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced to 24 Years for Murder and Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Lee Matlock, Jr., age 41, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for one count of Second Degree Murder in Indian Country, and 120 months in prison for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentences are set to be served consecutively for a total of 288 months in prison.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
On February 12, 2024, Matlock pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on the evening of September 14, 2021, Matlock intentionally fired his rifle at an individual from inside a pickup truck, then drove from the scene of the crime. Adair County deputies responding to a shooting discovered a Stilwell resident deceased from a gunshot wound to the chest. Law enforcement apprehended Matlock less than a mile away, parked in his pickup truck, with a Remington 700 bolt action rifle and ammunition. The crimes occurred in Adair County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John C. Coughenour, Senior U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Matlock 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 Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on the Guilty Plea of Fourth Defendant in Connection with Poisoning of Four Children at A Bronx DaycareRead the Press Release
“Grei Mendez has just admitted she conspired to maintain and distribute large quantities of dangerously toxic fentanyl in a Bronx Daycare center, a place where parents expected their children would be protected and safe. Mendez’s reprehensible conduct resulted in the needless and tragic death of a child, and the poisoning of three others. From the beginning, this case has shown the senseless collateral damage caused by the fentanyl epidemic, and should remind us all that the demand for illegal narcotics so often puts innocent bystanders at risk while drug traffickers ruthlessly pursue profits. This Office will continue to protect New Yorkers from the grave threat fentanyl presents.”
Southall Conspirator Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Houston, Texas, man was sentenced on October 22, 2024, to 105 months in federal prison for his participation in the Darrin Southall drug distribution organization. Michael Dewayne McDaniel, 39, was sentenced to 105 months following his guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Court records show that McDaniel, also known as “Money,” met with couriers from Mobile who traveled to Houston to pay for Southall’s shipments of drugs and to bring the drugs back to Mobile for further distribution here. McDaniel would collect and count the drug money and arrange for the drug shipments to be concealed in the vehicles used to transport them from Houston to Mobile. McDaniel pled guilty to the charges in July of 2024.
In February of 2022, Southall pled guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise with illegal drug distribution activity involving cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, occurring in Mobile, Alabama; Biloxi, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; and California. Southall also pled guilty to conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced in February of 2022 to 35 years in federal prison. More than $3 million worth of property identified as drug proceeds and facilitation property was ordered forfeited to the United States. Southall was ordered to pay a money judgement of $24,000,000.
United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 105-month sentence in McDaniel’s case for each of the two charges and ordered that the sentences will run concurrently. The prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. McDaniel’s supervision includes a set of standard conditions as well as a special condition requiring drug testing and treatment and permitting the probation officer to search his person or property upon a showing of reasonable suspicion that he is in violation of any of the conditions of his supervision. No fine was imposed but the judge ordered the forfeiture of numerous items of property seized during the investigation. McDaniel was ordered to pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.
The Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Saraland Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organization that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Six Charged in Scheme to Defraud the Federal GovernmentRead the Press Release
Six defendants have been charged for their roles in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government and pay bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sale of IT products and services to federal government purchasers, which resulted in overcharges of millions of dollars to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense (DoD).
On Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, a federal grand jury in Baltimore returned indictments against two defendants. Four other defendants were also charged. These are the first charges in the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers who sell products and services to government purchasers, including to the intelligence community.
“Antitrust crimes can undermine competition for products and services that are vital to our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “When fraudsters siphon taxpayer funds, the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) partners across the government will hold accountable those who collude to subvert competition, line their pockets with federal procurement dollars and compromise the integrity of our intelligence community programs.”
“This office and our partners will use all available resources to hold accountable those who would undermine and distort the government’s procurement of goods and services, especially those related to our cybersecurity infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland.
“This investigation demonstrates the vital need to protect the DoD procurement process, particularly within the Intelligence Community,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to identifying fraudsters who abuse public trust and enrich themselves through criminal schemes.”
“There is no place for fraudsters and crooks scheming to manipulate the government bidding process for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to identifying, investigating and bringing to justice those conspiring to enrich themselves by cheating taxpayers.”
“Investigating complex fraud schemes is a top priority of ours,” said National Security Agency Acting Inspector General Kevin Gerrity. “I commend our team, our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department for their work protecting the integrity of federal contracting.”
“Each part of the government must do its part to detect and prosecute instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and CIA’s Office of Inspector General was pleased to join its law enforcement partners in investigating this egregious case,” said CIA Inspector General Robin C. Ashton.
United States v. Victor Marquez
Victor M. Marquez, a Maryland resident and owner of two IT companies with significant government contracts, was charged in a four-count indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and major fraud against the United States for rigging bids and inflating the amount of money obtained from valuable IT contracts.
Antwann C.K. Rawls, an employee of one of Marquez’s companies, and Scott A. Reefe, an IT sales executive, have been charged for their respective roles in the conspiracy.
As alleged in the indictment, Marquez, Rawls, Reefe and their co-conspirators used their positions of trust to learn sensitive, confidential procurement information, including procurement budgets for large U.S. government IT contracts. The co-conspirators used that inside information to craft bids at artificially determined, non-competitive and non-independent prices, ensuring Marquez’s company would win the procurement.
According to court documents, the co-conspirators shared their bids in advance of submitting them to the government, with one co-conspirator emailing that he would submit a “high price third bid.” Marquez and his co-conspirators submitted their collusive bids despite knowing the government sought independent, competitive bids for the valuable contracts, and despite Marquez’s certification of independent bidding.
If convicted, Marquez faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy and wire fraud count and 10 years in prison for the major fraud charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States v. Breal L. Madison Jr.
Breal L. Madison Jr., a Maryland resident, was charged in a 13-count indictment with conspiracy, bribery of a public official, mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating a years-long scheme to defraud his employer and the United States out of over $7 million in connection with the sale of IT products to various government agencies.
Brandon Scott Glisson, an IT contractor providing IT services to the U.S. government, and Glisson’s supervisor, Lawrence A. Eady, a former senior government employee, have also been charged for their respective roles in the scheme.
According to court documents, through multiple misrepresentations, Madison and his co-conspirators conspired to steal money from Madison’s employer and government agencies, illegally siphoning over $9 million in stolen proceeds to Madison’s shell company, Trident Technology Solutions, and another shell company. They used the money to purchase luxury items and to pay approximately $630,000 in bribes to Eady in exchange for Eady’s ensuring the purchase of additional products sold by Madison.
Madison used his ill-gotten gains to buy a Vanquish VQ58 yacht, 2020 Lamborghini Huracan and multiple other vehicles, all of which the United States seeks to forfeit in the indictment.
If convicted, Madison faces maximum penalties of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 15 years in prison for each bribery count, 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count and 10 years for each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DCIS, the FBI Baltimore Field Office, CIA Office of Inspector General and NSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Michael Sawers and Trial Attorneys Zachary Trotter and Elizabeth French of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Sean M. Delaney and Darren Gardner for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint. The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
View the Rawls information.
View the Eady information.
View Reefe information.
View the Glisson information.
View the Madison indictment.
View the Marquez indictment.
Six Charged in Scheme to Defraud the Federal GovernmentRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Six defendants have been charged for their roles in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government and pay bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sale of IT products and services to federal government purchasers, which resulted in overcharges of millions of dollars to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense (DoD).
On Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, a federal grand jury in Baltimore returned indictments against two additional defendants. Four other defendants were also charged. These are the first charges in the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers who sell products and services to government purchasers, including to the intelligence community.
“This office and our partners will use all available resources to hold accountable those who would undermine and distort the government’s procurement of goods and services, especially those related to our cybersecurity infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland.“Antitrust crimes can undermine competition for products and services that are vital to our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “When fraudsters siphon taxpayer funds, the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) partners across the government will hold accountable those who collude to subvert competition, line their pockets with federal procurement dollars and compromise the integrity of our intelligence community programs.”
“This investigation demonstrates the vital need to protect the DoD procurement process, particularly within the Intelligence Community,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to identifying fraudsters who abuse public trust and enrich themselves through criminal schemes.”
“There is no place for fraudsters and crooks scheming to manipulate the government bidding process for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to identifying, investigating and bringing to justice those conspiring to enrich themselves by cheating taxpayers.”
“Investigating complex fraud schemes is a top priority of ours,” said National Security Agency Acting Inspector General Kevin Gerrity. “I commend our team, our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department for their work protecting the integrity of federal contracting.”
“Each part of the government must do its part to detect and prosecute instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and CIA’s Office of Inspector General was pleased to join its law enforcement partners in investigating this egregious case,” said CIA Inspector General Robin C. Ashton.
United States v. Victor Marquez
Victor M. Marquez, a Maryland resident and owner of two IT companies with significant government contracts, was charged in a four-count indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and major fraud against the United States for rigging bids and inflating the amount of money obtained from valuable IT contracts.
Antwann C.K. Rawls, an employee of one of Marquez’s companies, and Scott A. Reefe, an IT sales executive, have been charged for their respective roles in the conspiracy.
As alleged in the indictment, Marquez, Rawls, Reefe and their co-conspirators used their positions of trust to learn sensitive, confidential procurement information, including procurement budgets for large U.S. government IT contracts. The co-conspirators used that inside information to craft bids at artificially determined, non-competitive and non-independent prices, ensuring Marquez’s company would win the procurement.
According to court documents, the co-conspirators shared their bids in advance of submitting them to the government, with one co-conspirator emailing that he would submit a “high price third bid.” Marquez and his co-conspirators submitted their collusive bids despite knowing the government sought independent, competitive bids for the valuable contracts, and despite Marquez’s certification of independent bidding.
If convicted, Marquez faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy and wire fraud count and 10 years in prison for the major fraud charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States v. Breal L. Madison Jr.
Breal L. Madison Jr., a Maryland resident, was charged in a 13-count indictment with conspiracy, bribery of a public official, mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating a years-long scheme to defraud his employer and the United States out of over $7 million in connection with the sale of IT products to various government agencies.
Brandon Scott Glisson, an IT contractor providing IT services to the U.S. government, and Glisson’s supervisor, Lawrence A. Eady, a former senior government employee, have also been charged for their respective roles in the scheme.
According to court documents, through multiple misrepresentations, Madison and his co-conspirators conspired to steal money from Madison’s employer and government agencies, illegally siphoning over $9 million in stolen proceeds to Madison’s shell company, Trident Technology Solutions, and another shell company. They used the money to purchase luxury items and to pay approximately $630,000 in bribes to Eady in exchange for Eady’s ensuring the purchase of additional products sold by Madison.
Madison used his ill-gotten gains to buy a Vanquish VQ58 yacht, 2020 Lamborghini Huracan and multiple other vehicles, all of which the United States seeks to forfeit in the indictment.
If convicted, Madison faces maximum penalties of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 15 years in prison for each bribery count, 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count and 10 years for each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DCIS, the FBI Baltimore Field Office, CIA Office of Inspector General and NSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Michael Sawers and Trial Attorneys Zachary Trotter and Elizabeth French of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Sean M. Delaney and Darren Gardner for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint. The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.View the Rawls information.
View the Eady information.
View Reefe information.
View the Glisson information.
View the Madison indictment.
View the Marquez indictment.
###
Sacaton Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Shooting DeathRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Adrian Hope Sullivan, 22, of Sacaton, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
On August 17, 2022, Sullivan, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, shot and killed the victim at the gun range in Sacaton, Arizona. Sullivan pleaded guilty on August 12, 2024, to Second Degree Murder.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gila River Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-0136-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-147_Sullivan# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Receiving and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Charles Joseph Thorne Floyd, age 31, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison after entering a guilty plea one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Floyd entered his guilty plea on June 25, 2024.
According to court documents, in the months of July and August 2023 a detective with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was utilizing investigative software to identify subjects involved in the dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The detective identified an IP address that was making CSAM available for download. Over seven different dates, the detective was able to download approximately 90 videos containing CSAM from that IP address. The detective was able to identify a residence in Foley that was associated with the IP address. Floyd was a resident of that address. Floyd’s phone was seized examined and revealed search terms indicative of CSAM and 321 images of CSAM. The images included depictions of prepubescent children. On November 21, 2023, Floyd entered a guilty plea in Conecuh County to one count of Sodomy, 2nd Degree for offenses that occurred in 2016 involving a minor child.
At sentencing, United States District Judge William Steele imposed a 240-month sentence of incarceration and a 25-year term of supervised release upon his future release. During his term of imprisonment, Floyd will be subject to sex offender treatment, substance abuse testing and treatment, and mental health treatment. Floyd will be required to register as a sex offender and is to have no contact with minors. Floyd was ordered to pay $100 in special assessments.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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 https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources
Pontotoc County Resident Pleads Guilty to Assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jasmine Rae Valdez, age 25, of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.
The Indictment against Valdez alleged that, on August 29, 2023, Valdez aided and abetted an attack on an individual with a dangerous weapon. The assault resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim. The crimes occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Valdez was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for over Three Years for Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter.
Devin White Calf, age 23, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
White Calf was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024.
In September of 2023, White Calf consumed alcohol with a group of friends and relatives. At some point, White Calf drove his group to a place called “Top of the World.” This location is just west of Pine Ridge. At this location, the group continued to drink alcohol. While leaving “Top of the World,” White Calf lost control of the vehicle. One of the passengers, a 16-year-old female, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Multiple other passengers were also ejected from the car and sustained bodily injuries. Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene because individuals nearby could hear screaming and crying. When law enforcement arrived on scene, White Calf told them that he was not driving and that someone with the last name “Titus” was driving. Several months later, White Calf eventually admitted to law enforcement that he was the driver.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
White Calf was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pembroke Township Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – Larry Dean Gibbs, 63, of Pembroke Township in Kankakee County, Illinois, was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to 6 ½ years of imprisonment for filing false tax returns.
Gibbs was convicted of filing three false federal tax returns following a jury trial held at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana in March of this year. During the trial, the government presented evidence to establish that, in January 2017, Gibbs filed three federal income tax returns for the tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014, each falsely claiming that he had earned $10 million in annual income from the “Larry Dean Gibbs Estate.” Gibbs further falsely claimed that the IRS withheld over $3 million per year from his earnings each year and that he was entitled to refunds totaling over $6.8 million. In contemporaneous filings, Gibbs claimed that he had changed his name to Mulumbua Humraukn El Taikem Bey and that he was the Ambassador for the Al Moroccan Empire National Republic, which is not officially recognized by the U.S. State Department. At the time Gibbs filed the three false tax returns, he had just been released from federal prison for a prior conviction for filing a false federal tax return in 2005, when he had obtained a $66,282 refund to which he was not entitled.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce found that Gibbs had obstructed justice during the trial by falsely claiming that he was a member of the Maipuri Arauan Nation and that a treaty between that tribe and the United States required tribal members to be seated on his jury. Judge Bruce found that Gibbs “continues to file nonsensical sovereign citizen documents with the court, despite the court’s clear warnings against such frivolous, docket-clogging activity.”
The statutory penalties for filing a false tax return are up to three years of imprisonment and up to a $100,000 fine on each of the three counts of conviction. In addition to imprisonment, Judge Bruce sentenced Gibbs to serve one year of supervised release following his release from the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Judge Bruce directed Gibbs to report to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence of imprisonment on January 7, 2025. In the meantime, Gibbs remains released on conditions of bond, which include home detention.
“Fraud upon the government ultimately harms honest taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “Our office will vigorously prosecute these important cases, including those involving repeat offenders such as the defendant. We are grateful to our federal law enforcement partners for their dedicated work on this case.”
“Tax fraud undermines the trust between taxpayers and their government,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “By filing false tax returns, Larry Gibbs not only cheated the system but also imposed an unjust burden on honest taxpayers. His frivolous court filings further clogged our legal system, wasting valuable resources that could be better used to serve the community. IRS Criminal Investigation and its fellow law enforcement partners remain committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit our tax laws for personal gain.”
“The FBI is proud to work with its law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren’t used to line the pockets of repeat offenders,” said Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. “Our tax system is predicated on the principal that every American pays their fair share, and this sentencing reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equity for hardworking Americans.”
The IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office, and FBI, Chicago Field Office, investigated the case. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the government in the prosecution.
Paving Contractor Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a paving company doing business north of Boston pleaded guilty yesterday to a multi-year income tax evasion scheme.
Richard Cooper, 71, of Billerica, pleaded guilty to four counts of tax evasion. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled Cooper’s sentencing for Jan. 30, 2024. Cooper was charged in September 2024.
From 2017 to 2020, in addition to depositing customer payments to his company, Rick Cooper Paving, Cooper also cashed over $4.3 million in customer checks. When Cooper had his taxes prepared, he did not tell his preparer about the checks he was cashing, resulting in his tax returns underreporting the gross receipts of the business by millions. As a result, Cooper kept over $1 million that he should have paid in federal and state income taxes.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, prosecuted the case.
Parmelee Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Shooting Another ManRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on October 29, 2024.
Brent Lester, age 28, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Lester was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 17, 2024.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in October of 2022 within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On October 14, 2022, Lester visited the residence of the victim, an adult male, in Mission, South Dakota. Lester was invited into the residence, but subsequently became loud and confrontational prompting the victim to demand Lester leave. Lester then produced a pistol and fired one shot at the victim, causing superficial wounds to the victim’s abdomen. Lester fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Senior Litigation Counsel Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Lester was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Orleans Parish Man Sentenced for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHRISTOPHER DONNELLY (“DONNELLY”), age 46, was sentenced on September 18, 2024 to 57 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. DONNELLY previously pled guilty to attempted bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).
According to court documents, on March 26, 2024, DONNELLY entered a Capital One bank located in New Orleans. and presented a demand note to the teller, that read “$1,000 OR YOUR LIFE U DECIDE?” The teller retreated to an area behind the teller stations, activated a silent alarm, and alerted her co-workers and security. New Orleans Police Officers responded shortly after and took DONNELLY into custody.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit.
Oklahoma City Man to Serve 24 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking and Unlawful Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
Defendant Forfeits 194 Firearms, More Than Three Tons of Ammunition,
Nearly $470,000 in Cash, and a Machinegun Conversion Device
OKLAHOMA CITY – PHILLIP NILES MARTIN, 69, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison for firearms trafficking and unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public record, Martin was the subject of two previous Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigations for similar conduct. In 2013, Martin received a verbal warning for dealing firearms without a license and was advised that even with a license he could not deal firearms at an Oklahoma City swap meet. In 2020, he acknowledged receipt of an ATF cease-and-desist letter after a firearm that he had purchased was recovered at a crime scene in Mexico.
Public record further reflects that in June 2022, ATF received multiple tips that Martin was illegally dealing in firearms at an Oklahoma City swap meet. An investigation revealed that Martin was still dealing firearms without a license and sold firearms at significantly inflated rates – approximately double retail price – without completing the background checks required by law.
Pursuant to a search warrant executed at Martin’s residence, agents seized 194 firearms, approximately 6,100 pounds of ammunition, approximately $469,520 in cash, and a machinegun conversion device, commonly known as a “switch,” which when installed, converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Possession of these devices violates federal law.
On February 16, 2024, Martin was charged by Information with a conspiracy to illegally traffic firearms and with unlawful possession of a machinegun.
Martin pleaded guilty to the Information on March 11, 2024, and admitted he knowingly conspired with others to traffic firearms and that he illegally possessed a machinegun conversion device. Martin also agreed to forfeit all 194 firearms, the ammunition, approximately $469,520 in cash, and the machinegun conversion device.
At the sentencing hearing on October 23, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced Martin to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years in supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Dishman noted the seriousness of the offenses and the fact that Martin had not been deterred from such conduct by prior warnings from law enforcement.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly 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. This case is also part of “Project Switch Off,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of PSN. “Project Switch Off” targets illegal machinegun conversion devices to address the significant danger these illegal devices present and to remove them from our streets. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Brian Patterson, 44, of Canton, Ohio, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese after pleading guilty to multiple charges including sexual exploitation of children, receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. He was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and must register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, law enforcement officials discovered that Patterson possessed 766 images of CSAM that included 50 images of children under the age of 12. The remaining images were of a child known to law enforcement and who was unaware that she was being surreptitiously recorded by a hidden camera.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Canton Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
November 5, 2024 ElectionsRead the Press Release
New Orleans, Louisiana - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that Assistant United States Attorney M. Irene González will coordinate our Office’s efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA González serves as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Evans said: “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying, or selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Evans stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.” In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO González will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (504) 680-3077.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at: (800) 253-3931, or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
United States Attorney Evans said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
Muskegon Heights Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Gun as A FelonRead the Press Release
Case Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Dequarius Quitman Day, 32, of Muskegon Heights, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Day’s crime was especially concerning because of his history of domestic violence, including his threatening actions in this case. He previously pleaded guilty in July 2024.
“Too many women who crossed Mr. Day’s path lived in fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “For the millions of Americans who face domestic violence, an abuser’s access to a gun can mean the difference between life and death. We stand with the victims of domestic violence and will continue to do everything we can to protect them.”
On December 25, 2023, Day pointed a firearm at the mother of one of his children and threatened to shoot her. While on the phone with 911 requesting assistance, the woman provided the operator Day’s name, a description of his vehicle, a description of the firearm, and informed the operator he had a warrant for his arrest.
Day fled the scene in a vehicle but soon returned on foot to retrieve his cell phone. At that time, law enforcement placed him under arrest. Day lied to officers, claiming he did not have a vehicle. Law enforcement searched the surrounding area and located his vehicle parked a few blocks away. A loaded Taurus 9-millimeter pistol was found under a seat in the car as well.
Day had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms and had an active warrant for an alleged assault against the victim’s pregnant sister on December 9, 2023. He has been charged by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for both the December 9 and December 25 assaults and is presumed innocent of those changes until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Across the nation and in Michigan domestic violence is a serious threat. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, studies have shown that domestic violence perpetrators often use firearms to abuse and control their victims, who are five times as likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has brought other cases to address the threat of domestic violence, which include the following:
- 8/8/24 – Norton Shores Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
- 7/18/24 – Two Lansing Men Sentenced on Gun Charges After Threatening Episode with an Assault Rifle at a Convenience Store
- 7/2/24 – Firearms Offender, Prosecuted Under Safe Summer Program, Sentenced to 64 Months
- 3/13/24 – Lansing Man Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession
- 12/6/23 – Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm Linked to a Homicide
- 9/13/23 – Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
- 6/5/23 – Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Stalking his Ex-Wife and Possessing Firearms
In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan recently announced a special partnership with the City of Lansing to address domestic violence in that city as part of a nationwide program.
Victims of domestic violence who feel they are in imminent danger or fear a threat of harm should call 911. The following national hotlines are also available to help victims:
- Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 (or text START to 88788)
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
The Muskegon Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexia Jansen is prosecuting it.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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Montgomery County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Possessed more than 900 pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in his home, with the intent to distribute them.
Greenbelt, Maryland – Today, the Honorable Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Darnell Palmer, 23, Germantown, Maryland, to 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Washington Division, and Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department.
According to the guilty plea, in April 2022, law enforcement received information that Palmer was distributing fentanyl in Montgomery County, Maryland. Law Enforcement officers observed Palmer selling 10 round blue pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and actually contained fentanyl, to an individual in front of Palmer’s residence. On June 1, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Palmer’s residence.
In Palmer’s bedroom, law enforcement located approximately 918 fentanyl pills (appearing as Oxycodone Hydrochloride ), distributed within several zip-top bags; a plastic bag containing three bags of marijuana and a black digital scale; a loaded Glock 27 handgun; four firearm magazines, including an empty Glock magazine; a clear magazine containing six rounds of ammunition; a loaded drum magazine; and a packaged Glock magazine; and approximately $3,611 in U.S. currency, among other items. Palmer possessed the fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them. The 928 fentanyl pills recovered in the investigation weighed more than 100 grams. The pills Palmer distributed, and that were seized from his bedroom, purported to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in that they were small light blue pills stamped with “M” and “30” to match legitimate Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 milligram pills when in fact, they contained fentanyl instead of Oxycodone Hydrochloride.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the DEA and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Christopher Sarma, who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Midwest Manufacturer to Pay over $3.6 Million to Resolve Allegations It Received Paycheck Protection Program Loan in Violation of Employee Size RulesRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Exo-s US LLC, a manufacturing company with plants and offices located in Coldwater, Michigan, and Howe, Indiana, has agreed to pay $3,628,819.44 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was ineligible.
“The Paycheck Protection Program provided important relief to eligible small businesses and other entities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Today’s resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to work with the Small Business Administration to protect taxpayer dollars and investigate allegations of fraud on critical government programs.”
When Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, it enacted a program to provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and businesses suffering economic and public health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA continued the CARES Act’s PPP loan program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), creating a second-draw PPP loan that allowed eligible businesses that had previously received a PPP loan to apply for a second loan. One of the eligibility requirements for receiving this second-draw loan was that the applicant had no more than 300 employees, including employees of affiliated entities.
In March 2021, Exo-s US LLC obtained a second-draw PPP loan, which the SBA subsequently forgave. The United States alleges that the company was not eligible for this loan because Exo-s US LLC and its affiliates had more than 300 employees.
“The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as financial institutions or private individuals who uncover misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages,” said Therese Meers, SBA General Counsel.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act against Exo-s US LLC. Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement or judgment. Here, the United States elected to take over the case, investigated it, and negotiated the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. GNGH2 Inc. v. Exo-s US LLC, No. 1:24-cv-264 (W.D. Mich.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the SBA. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hull investigated this case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Middletown Meth Dealer Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JASON FABEL, 46, of Middletown, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 16, 2022, Fabel was arrested after the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Middletown Police Department conducted a court-authorized search of his Middletown residence and seized approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of ketamine, narcotics paraphernalia, and a loaded 9mm handgun.
On April 27, 2023, while Fabel was released on bond and awaiting trial, he was arrested for violating conditions of his pretrial release. At the time of his arrest, he possessed approximately 24 grams of methamphetamine, six grams of ketamine, and 10 grams of MDMA (“ecstasy”).
Fabel has been detained since April 27, 2023. On July 15, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.
Miami Resident Charged with Kidnapping Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, Miami resident Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo, 55, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on an indictment charging him with kidnapping resulting in death.
According to the unsealed indictment, on or about May 30, 2016, in Miami-Dade County, in the Southern District of Florida, and elsewhere, Restrepo, did willfully and unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct, and carry away and hold a person, that is, Liliana Moreno, for reward and otherwise, and did use a means, facility, and instrumentality of interstate commerce, that is, a cellular telephone, the internet, a motor vehicle, and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, in the commission and in furtherance of the offense. The kidnapping resulted in the deaths of Liliana Moreno and Daniella Moreno.
Restrepo is currently being detained, following today’s hearing in Miami. A pre-trial detention hearing in Miami Magistrate Court is scheduled for Nov. 1.
If Restrepo is convicted of the charged offense, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison and the maximum penalty is death.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief Edwin Lopez of the Doral Police Department, and Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) made the announcement.
FBI Miami, the Doral Police Department, MDPD, and FBI’s South Florida Violent Crime/Fugitive Task Force are investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne Williams is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about this matter or any other federal crime is urged to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or filing a report at tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20463
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Medical Billing Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scott Newcombe, age 40, of Plattsburgh, New York, pled guilty today to health care fraud.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), New York Regional Office, made the announcement.
Newcombe admitted that from approximately April 2020 through April 2023, he acted as the office manager and health care claims biller for two physicians’ practices in Plattsburgh through a company that he formed called SJ Healthcare Management Services, LLC (SJHMS). SJHMS charged a fixed monthly fee under which Newcombe performed various management, administrative, and billing services for the practices. He admitted that he submitted false and fraudulent claims to public and private insurers on behalf of those practices for services that, in some instances, were never provided and, in other instances, were provided at lower reimbursement rates than the amounts billed. For example, Newcombe admitted that he submitted claims to insurers for medical procedures that were purportedly performed by a provider on him but which, in fact, never occurred.
Newcombe is scheduled for sentencing on February 28, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The FBI and HHS investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adam J. Katz are prosecuting the case.
McAlester Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Leslie Ray Upchurch, age 35, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Indictment alleged that on April 28, 2023, Upchurch, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed one Ruger 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and several rounds of assorted 9mm Luger caliber ammunition.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Upchurch was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Mansfield Tax Preparer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years After Touting False CredentialsRead the Press Release
A would-be lawyer who falsely inflated dozens of client tax returns was sentenced Tuesday to more than 15 years in federal prison for tax fraud, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
John Anthony Castro, 40, owner of the virtual tax preparation business Castro & Company, was indicted in January. Following a five-day bench trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R Means, he was convicted on all 33 counts of assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent return and was immediately taken into custody. Judge Means sentenced him Thursday to 188 months in prison and ordered him to pay $277,243 in restitution.
“Far from an ‘international tax expert,’ this defendant was an international fraudster, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Not only did he defraud the U.S. government, he bullied and berated clients who dared question his methods. Today’s sentencing should send a message to tax preparers nationwide: Lie on clients’ returns at your own peril.”
“Mr. Castro prepared and filed completely fraudulent and fabricated tax returns for one reason: greed,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “Today’s sentence highlights IRS-CI’s diligence in rooting out dishonest tax return preparers whose only motive is to cheat the system and make themselves richer in the process.”
According to evidence presented in court, Mr. Castro – who had graduated law school but repeatedly failed the bar exam – held himself out as an “international tax expert” and “federal practitioner.” (He also falsely claimed to be a graduate of West Point.)
He was successful at marketing to clients around the world, claiming to be an expert on certain tax issues related to Australian ex-pats, among other things. Between 2017 and 2019, he filed more than 1,900 tax returns on behalf of individuals from all over the world.
As part of his pitch, Mr. Castro promised his clients a significantly higher refund than they would receive from other preparers, claiming he knew how to identify and claim deductions that others did not. He added there was no risk, as he would simply split the additional refund amount with them to account for his fee. He would not share the tax return with clients before filing, but would instead simply inform them of the amount of the anticipated refund.
On many occasions, he filed tax returns on behalf of clients without their permission or knowledge. In other instances, he claimed deductions that had no basis in fact. For example, for one client, who made approximately $103,000 in income, Mr. Castro claimed over $90,000 in deductions related to unreimbursed employee expenses.
Mr. Castro claimed deductions based on extreme and unsupported legal theories, including deductions such as (1) those for any expense related to preventing an illness qualified as an “impairment related work expense,” (2) those for expenses related to commuting to and from work, (3) the full value of one’s mortgage and utilities as long as the taxpayer had some type of Schedule C business to claim, (4) those related to dry-cleaning for work clothes, and (5) the full value of one’s cell phone bill even when their employer provided them with a work phone. For example, with respect to one client, Mr. Castro deducted over $26,000 in expenses that he claimed related to a nascent cupcake business that had generated only $250 in revenue.
According to trial testimony, in February 2018, an undercover IRS – CI agent contacted Mr. Castro for assistance. The agent asked to meet with Mr. Castro in person, but Mr. Castro’s office told him that in-person meetings required a $5,000 retainer. They spoke via email instead.
On February 13, 2018, the undercover agent submitted a W2 and a Form 1098-T showing wages of $142,217. About two weeks later, one of Mr. Castro’s employees called the agent to discuss deductions, noting that Mr. Castro would make any decisions regarding what items would be included on the tax filing.
The agent denied having any unreimbursed employee expenses, charitable contributions, or other items that could lead to deductions.
On March 12, 2018, Mr. Castro sent the undercover agent his tax analysis. He said that if the agent used another preparer, he would receive a refund of $373, but that if he used Mr. Castro, he would receive a refund of $6,007. Mr. Castro would take half, netting him $3,008. The analysis said the return would include $29,339 in deductions but did not specify which deductions would be used.
Two days later, Mr. Castro filed the agent’s return, which claimed $29,339 in fraudulent deductions, including $2,400 in employee expenses, and 28,600 in other expenses that the undercover agent had never discussed with Mr. Castro or his employees.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Castro engaged in a similar pattern with his other clients. When the victim-taxpayers learned what Mr. Castro had done, many of them demanded copies of their tax returns. Mr. Castro refused to engage in conversation and even delayed providing returns for months at a time. Mr. Castro often acted in a highly vindictive manner when questioned or challenged by clients or others, often berating individuals in emails, threatening legal actions, or by filing amended tax returns, without clients’ permission or knowledge, that removed all deductions, causing the taxpayer-victim to then owe the IRS tens of thousands of dollars.
During the trial, Mr. Castro took the stand in his own defense, and upon cross-examination, admitted that his positions were extreme, outlandish, and not supported by the law. He also admitted to a bevy of prior falsifications and vindictive actions.
Many of the victim-taxpayers have since been audited and/or filed amended returns, causing them significant financial hardship.
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nancy Larson are prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to 50 Years for First-Degree Murder in 2014 Christmas Eve Killing of WaitressRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Marvin Lopez, 45, of El Salvador, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2014 Christmas Eve murder of his ex-girlfriend, Evelyn Yamileth Arroyo Guerra, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
On October 25, 2024, Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Lopez to the prison sentence for first degree murder while armed and a seven-year prison term for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence to be run concurrently.
According to the government’s evidence presented during an eight-day trial in November 2023, a pair of MPD Lieutenants were driving south on 14th Street on Dec. 24, 2014 when they heard two gunshots. Citizens on the 3900 block of 14th Street pointed in the direction the gunman had run. One of the Lieutenants gave chase on foot but lost the shooter in a wooded area at the end of Shepherd St, NW. The other Lieutenant found Yamileth on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant at 3910 14th Street NW, suffering from a gunshot wound to her chest and a graze wound to her head. Yamileth had been shot as she was arriving for work, as a waitress, at El Sabor Latino.
Two witnesses who knew Yamileth told police that they had seen Lopez—the victim’s recent ex—approaching her outside of the restaurant moments before the killing. One of the witnesses showed police Facebook messages between Lopez and Yamileth from days before the murder in which he threatened to kill her. Although an arrest warrant was obtained the next day, Lopez was not located by police before he fled to El Salvador. He was extradited back to the United States and arrested in March of 2023.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocates Karina Hernandez; Maenylie Watson, Tonya Jones, and Katina Adams-Washington, of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling and Paralegal Specialists Grazy Rivera, April Urbanowski and Maria Sanchez.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Natiello who investigated and indicted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian Hinson and Sarah Prins who prosecuted the case.
Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Exposing Himself on an AircraftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Indian man, arrested last week for masturbating and exposing himself on a flight within the view of two other passengers, has pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
Krishna Kunapuli, 39, pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2024 to one count of committing lewd, indecent, or obscene acts on an aircraft. Kunapuli was also sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy to two years of probation and a $5,000 fine. He was also ordered to delete, in the presence of law enforcement, photographs that he took of a female passenger during the flight and to have no contact with her.
According to the charging documents, Kunapuli made unwanted sexual advances towards a female passenger on board a flight from Abu Dhabi to Boston, including touching her hair and taking pictures of her without her permission. After a crew member intervened, Kunapuli returned to his seat.
Later in the flight, two male passengers seated near Kunapuli noticed Kunapuli masturbating under a blanket and, at times, with his penis fully exposed. One of the passengers reported this conduct to a flight attendant, who intervened, and alerted law enforcement.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.