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14 November 2024
Grand Junction Man Sentenced to 71 Months in Federal Prison and 48 Months in State Prison in Connection with Fentanyl Overdose Death of A MinorRead the Press Release
GRAND JUNCTION – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the 21st Judicial District of Colorado announce that Nathanial Matheny, 23, of Grand Junction, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and to 48 months in state prison after pleading guilty to one count of removing human remains. The sentences will be served concurrently.
According to the federal plea agreement, on May 20, 2021, Grand Junction Police responded to a call about a young woman who was not breathing in an area home. When they arrived, police found an unresponsive minor victim. Toxicology reports attributed the minor’s death to an overdose of fentanyl. The investigation led to Matheny, who admitted to doing drugs with the minor and taking her body back to her home after she overdosed.
“This is a tragic story of a young person whose life was cut short because of fentanyl,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “Coloradans need to know that this is a serious problem in our communities and that our office is working hard to prosecute people who are distributing fentanyl in our state.”
“Justice was delivered for the victim of this terrible tragedy,” said Dan Rubinstein, District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District of Colorado. “I hope these sentences send a message that fentanyl crimes have extremely serious consequences.”
“The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) helped bring justice to a young woman and her family. I am extremely proud of the investigative team who meticulously pieced this investigation together from the smallest of details and delivered a comprehensive account of the victim’s final hours which helped hold the defendant accountable for his actions,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen.
“The sentencing of Nathanial Matheny underscores the commitment and dedication of law enforcement to protecting our communities, especially its youngest and most vulnerable members, from dangerous drugs,” said Grand Junction Police Department Chief Matt Smith. “Our department is grateful for the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in this ongoing fight against the devastating impact of dangerous drugs on our communities.”
United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the federal sentencing. Mesa County District Court Chief Judge Brian Flynn presided over the state sentencing. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Grand Junction Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Hautzinger.
Case Number: 1:23-cr-00257-GPG
Grand Forks County Assistant State’s Attorney sworn in as special federal prosecutor under Violence Against Women ActRead the Press Release
Appointment comes in the wake of U.S. Justice Department designation of Grand Forks as a jurisdiction of focus under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, prioritizing firearms prosecutions of domestic violence offenders
Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider and Grand Forks County State’s Attorney Haley Wamstad today announced that Assistant State’s Attorney Rachel Egstad has been sworn in as a Special Assistant United States Attorney under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As a VAWA SAUSA, Egstad will focus on reducing intimate partner firearm violence in the Grand Forks area by bringing prosecutions in federal district court under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) while continuing to work full-time as a state prosecutor.
“We are grateful to the Grand Forks County State’s Attorney’s Office for their partnership and commitment to working across jurisdictional lines to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and hold offenders accountable,” Schneider said. “Having an experienced state prosecutor on the ground in Grand Forks working with law enforcement and community partners to develop cases and target dangerous individuals for federal prosecution will protect families and help keep the community safe.”
“Our office appreciates the opportunity to utilize and leverage federal resources in seeking justice for victims of intimate partner violence in our jurisdiction,” said Wamstad. “This multi-agency collaboration will be beneficial in identifying, investigating, and holding accountable the most lethal offenders of intimate partner gun violence in our communities.”
"We are committed to tackling the dangerous intersection of domestic violence and illegal firearms possession in partnership with our local, state, and federal counterparts," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the St. Paul Field Division. "As the primary federal agency responsible for investigating firearms crimes, ATF's expertise is vital in ensuring that violent offenders are barred from possessing weapons and that victims of domestic violence are safeguarded. We are also pleased to welcome Assistant State’s Attorney Rachel Egstad as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to strengthen this important effort."
“We’re thrilled to partner with the US Attorney’s Office and Ms. Egstad, an experienced prosecutor, on this new appointment,” said Coiya Tompkins Inman, president/CEO of the Community Violence Intervention Center. “It provides powerful tools for our legal and law enforcement partners and enhances safety for survivors whose intimate partners may possess firearms illegally. We’re so fortunate to have strong, long-standing partnerships like this that make our holistic approach to ending interpersonal violence possible.”
Egstad’s appointment as VAWA SAUSA follows the United States Department of Justice’s recent designation of Grand Forks as a jurisdiction of focus to address intimate partner firearm violence pursuant to Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. Grand Forks was one of 78 communities nationwide to receive the designation.
The Justice Department, through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions, is partnering with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.
Following Grand Forks’ designation, the USAO, ATF, Grand Forks County State’s Attorney’s Office, Grand Forks Police Department, Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office, and Community Violence Intervention Center met to discuss implementation of this initiative. Egstad will work closely with those entities to guide investigations and ultimately bring prosecutions against domestic violence offenders who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
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Gang Member Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for RacketeeringRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang was sentenced today to 336 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Elijah Williams, aka “Lil Smith,” 24, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to a superseding indictment that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy.
“Elijah Williams brazenly shot multiple rival gang members, murdering one, paralyzing another, and leaving a trail of blood. Gang shootings jeopardize the safety of innocent residents in our communities and make the public less safe. The sentence handed down today ensures that Williams will spend decades behind bars, away from the streets he terrorized. This result was achieved through the hard work of many law enforcement partners in our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and we will continue our laser focus on battling the scourge of drugs and violence on our streets.”
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
“Drug trafficking can be a dangerous and violent game, often entangled with the deadly consequences,” Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the DEA New Jersey Field Division said. “Today’s sentencing of Elijah Williams, who repeatedly used violence when operating his criminal enterprise, shows the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have when making sure those responsible for these types of violent crimes face the consequences for their actions.”
“The investigation and prosecution of this individual as well as the sentence imposed illustrates the seriousness of this crime,” Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr. said. “ATF is dedicated to working with our federal, state, and local partners to hold violent offenders accountable, make a collaborative impact, and secure the safety of our communities.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Williams was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere. On Sept. 25, 2018, in Newark, Williams attempted to murder rival gang members and associates by shooting at four individuals, one of whom was paralyzed. On March 20, 2019, in Irvington, New Jersey, Williams fatally shot another person, in retaliation for the murder of a member and associate of the Rollin’ 60s.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Williams to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ortiz; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheeks; investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda; the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves; the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, with the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. 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 government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division and Jake Nasar of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
Fulton County Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael B. Golden, age 35, of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Golden possessed with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of a substance and mixture containing methamphetamine on December 20, 2023 and January 27, 2024. The indictment further alleges Golden possessed three semi-automatic pistols in furtherance of the drug trafficking and possessed those firearms after he was convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is a life term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Former Florissant Police Officer Accused of Searching 20 Women’s PhonesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former Florissant, Missouri police officer was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday and accused of unlawfully searching 20 women’s cell phones to find nude pictures.
The grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis indicted Julian Alcala, 29, with one count of destroying records in a federal investigation and 20 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, namely the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.
The indictment accuses Alcala of searching the cell phones of the 20 women between Feb. 6, 2024, and May 18, 2024. Alcala took possession of their cell phones under the auspices of confirming their insurance coverage or vehicle registration, searched the phones for nude pictures and then took photos of the pictures with his personal cell phone, the indictment alleges. The indictment also says Alcala found a video on one victim’s phone and texted that video to his phone before attempting to delete evidence of the text.
Alcala is the second former law enforcement officer to be indicted on similar charges this week.
David McKnight, 39, was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau with one count of destroying records in a federal investigation and nine counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, namely the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. The indictment accuses McKnight of searching the cell phones of nine women between Sept. 1, 2023, and August 19, 2024.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“If you feel uncomfortable about your encounter with law enforcement, please don’t hesitate to go to that department after the fact to report what happened,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley T. Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “If you feel your civil rights have been violated, contact the FBI. Investigating criminal conduct by a law enforcement officer is among our top priorities."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or via tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug is prosecuting the case.
Former D.C. Public Official Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Wendy Nicole Villatoro, 40, formerly of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of bank fraud, for a scheme to submit fraudulent applications seeking money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that netted her $844,000.
The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) Northeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region.
Villatoro, a former D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner and current employee with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pleaded guilty to bank fraud in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Carl J. Nichols scheduled a sentencing hearing for February 28, 2025.
According to the government’s evidence, between March 31, 2020, and August 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications with various financial institutions and 15 Economic Injury Disaster (EID) loans with the Small Business Administration (SBA), all of which contained materially false statements. In order to get money from PPP lenders or the SBA,
Villatoro submitted loans on behalf of fake businesses and inflated the number of employees, the average monthly payroll, the gross yearly revenue, or the cost of goods sold. In doing so, she tried to steal between $2.6 million and $5.5 million. While most of Villatoro’s loan applications were denied, she successfully secured over $844,000 in PPP and EID funds. Villatoro used the funds to pay off her student loans, pay off the car loan on a BMW SUV, and buy luxury items.
Villatoro faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of not more than $1,000,000. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. Any sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
As part of her plea agreement, Villatoro has agreed to pay $844,415.24 in restitution to the U.S. Government and to forfeit items purchased with proceeds of the offense, including over 70 pieces of designer clothing and jewelry and a BMW SUV.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allowed qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds were required be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and used at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
The EIDL program was designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that were experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds were intended for a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtained a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds were not to be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds.
The case was investigated jointly by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, USDA-OIG, and SBA-OIG. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Asset Forfeiture Unit. In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those who investigated the case from USDA-OIG and SBA-OIG.
“This investigation and prosecution should send a strong zero-tolerance message to those individuals, especially government employees, who explicitly apply for aid to exploit taxpayer funded pandemic relief programs,” said USDA-OIG Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker. “We appreciate the partnership with our federal partners in pursuing this type of fraud and holding these bad actors to account in this great time of need.”
“This is a case of an individual exploiting pandemic relief programs for personal gain, diverting critical funds meant to help small businesses in need,” said SBA-OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “Our office remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in fraud and abuse these vital resources. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to justice.”
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English, Paul V. Courtney, Connor Mullin, Anna Forgie, and Rick Blaylock, Jr.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Former Church Records and Finance Manager Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling over $875,000Read the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Heather Darrey (45, Tampa) to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $875,323.19, the proceeds of her criminal scheme. Darrey pleaded guilty on June 6, 2024.
According to court documents, Darrey worked as the Records and Finance Manager at Church #1. Darrey abused her position of trust by engaging in a scheme in which she created false and fraudulent bank checks drawn against Church #1’s business bank account and made them payable to her own account, as well as to her mortgage company, creditors, and others. Darrey also input false and fraudulent data into Church #1’s accounting software system to conceal her theft. The investigation revealed that Darrey stole $875,323.19, which she largely spent on mortgage payments, car and boat loans, and credit card bills for clothing, restaurants, vacations, and concert tickets.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Pizzo, Suzanne Nebesky, and Jordan Howard.
Florida Resident Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A resident of Florida was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax evasion, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jason Kronick, 51, of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, was convicted on June 26, 2024, by a federal jury of four counts of tax evasion following a trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
From 2010 through 2017, Kronick evaded payment of more than $8.6 million in income and employment taxes, including penalties and interest, despite having earned more than $20 million in taxable income. Kronick also collected approximately $200,000 in payroll taxes from employees of his company, but failed to remit those withholdings to the IRS and evaded his obligation to do so. Kronick evaded these taxes by, among other things, using approximately $1.8 million from accounts controlled by him to buy more than 40 luxury watches; spending more than $4.7 million to pay for home renovations and interior decorating; transferring more than $1.8 million, including funds originating from business accounts, to various casinos, where he converted the money to chips, gambled, and then redeemed chips for approximately $1.8 million in cash; and cashed approximately $159,000 in checks at check-cashing businesses to conceal his income and assets from the IRS.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Kronick to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $10.27 million in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachelle M. Navarro and Christopher Fell of the Criminal Division in Newark.
Final defendant in Augusta-area meth-trafficking operation found guilty in jury trialRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: The tenth defendant charged in an Augusta-area drug trafficking conspiracy has been found guilty at trial, representing the final defendant in the case with all others currently serving prison terms.
Donnie Skillman, 47, of Augusta, faces up to life in federal prison after his conviction on methamphetamine-trafficking and firearms possession charges, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
“All 10 defendants in this drug-trafficking network are now being held accountable for distributing dangerous, addictive drugs in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We applaud the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners in identifying and eliminating this threat to the safety of our neighborhoods.”
After a two-day trial in U.S. District Court, the jury found Skillman guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.
Skillman was one of 10 defendants charged in USA v. Walters et al., an indictment unsealed in December 2023 identifying a major methamphetamine trafficking operation distributing drugs throughout the Augusta area. The other nine defendants are serving federal prison sentences after pleading guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy charges, including:
- Edward Jake Walters, a/k/a “State Farm,” a/k/a “Jake from State Farm,” 30, of Grovetown, Ga., sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500;
- Phillip Smith, 50, of Augusta, sentenced to 156 months in prison and fined $1,500;
- Dustin Bayles, 36, of Thomson, Ga., sentenced to 135 months in prison and fined $1,500;
- Glen Taylor, 43, of Beech Island, S.C., sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $1,500;
- Linda Campbell, 54, of Augusta, sentenced to 68 months in prison and fined $1,000;
- Joshua Wasden, 36, of Thomson, Ga., sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $2,000;
- Brian Hilliard, 41, of Augusta, sentenced to 108 months in prison and fined $2,500;
- Gary Holcomb, 61, of Martinez, Ga., sentenced to 188 months in prison and fined $2,000; and,
- Destiny Poole, 24, of Grovetown, Ga., sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500.
Smith, Hilliard and Holcomb also pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing for Skillman upon completion of a presentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“Guns, drugs, and violence are unfortunately all too common tools of the drug dealers operating in our communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Division. “This verdict demonstrates DEA’s emphatic commitment to dismantling these dangerous drug trafficking organizations.”
“Our priority is to ensure that individuals who endanger public safety through drug trafficking and illegal gun possession are brought to justice,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “This successful prosecution is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of all agencies involved in this investigation.”
“The conviction in this extensive methamphetamine trafficking operation underscores our commitment to dismantling dangerous criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey. “This case is a testament to the tireless efforts and the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners to hold criminals accountable and protect our neighborhoods from the devastating impact of illegal drugs.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office; the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office; the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office; and the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office; and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Kelsey L. Scanlon.
Federal investigation of large meth trafficking ring on Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations results in 27 convictionsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A federal investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation and distributed drugs to three other Montana Indian reservations and communities from suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel has resulted in federal convictions in Montana of 27 persons, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today.
U.S. Attorney Laslovich, along with federal law enforcement partners, discussed the dismantling of the drug organization, known as Spear Siding, during a news conference in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Billings. Investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, the case was one of the largest federal drug trafficking probes in Montana in recent years.
According to court documents, beginning in June 2022, federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local law enforcement, conducted a large-scale investigation into a drug trafficking organization that centered on two residences on the Crow Reservation, including one referred to as Spear Siding, which was a family residence for some of the top-level dealers. The Spear Siding property was a source of meth for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. The conspiracy also expanded to the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap reservations and to the Billings and Havre communities. The investigation determined that multi-pound quantities of meth and firearms were kept on the Spear Siding property. Firearms at Spear Siding were acquired by trading drugs for guns. Proceeds from drug sales went to Washington, California and Mexico.
The Spear Siding investigation culminated in April 2023 when the DEA, FBI, BIA, with assistance from local law enforcement, arrested numerous individuals at Spear Siding in a coordinated takedown. The case led to the convictions of 27 defendants from Montana and Washington, all of whom pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking and related crimes. On Nov. 5, Geofredo James Littlebird, Jr., of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm crimes. Littlebird, Sayra Longfox and Emma King are pending sentencing. Two alleged co-conspirators remain fugitives.
“The Spear Siding trafficking organization moved onto the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations to exploit and prey on persons addicted to meth and fentanyl, all due to greed. While meth and fentanyl distribution impacts all of Montana, these drugs continue to disproportionately devastate Indian Country. As this Spear Siding investigation shows, Montana’s Indian reservations are not a safe haven for out-of-state traffickers who think they can move in, set up shop, and enlist local residents to peddle drugs. Shutting down this far-reaching conspiracy is possible only through the relentless commitment and cooperation of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to bring these defendants to justice. I am proud of their work,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“DEA will continue focusing on organizations trafficking drugs into our communities. As seen in this case, Montana is not immune to cartel activity. Criminals should know we will be relentless in our pursuit, regardless of where they are distributing this poison,” Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jon Pullen said.
“Cartel members preyed on an already vulnerable population, further fueling the drug crisis on Montana’s Indian Reservations, and employing members of the community to peddle poison to their own people,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Too many lives have been lost to illicit drugs. Too many families have suffered. The FBI and our partners will not stop pursuing criminals harming our communities.”
“This investigation is a shining example of the power of unfettered cooperation between agencies when they share the common focus of eliminating controlled substances and the drug trafficking organizations distributing those substances. The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Division of Drug Enforcement (DDE) is devoted to continuing to protect our native communities, combating illegal drug usage, possession, and distribution throughout Indian Country,” said Deputy Associate Director Tom Atkinson. “The BIA is thankful for the incredible partnerships it shares with the BIA-District 5, U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, FBI, and other agencies that assisted with the investigation.”
“The most effective way for law enforcement to protect our communities is through cooperation and coordination. The Spear Siding investigation and subsequent arrests and convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperation and coordination by law enforcement on multiple levels,” U.S. Marshal Craig J. Anderson said.
Among the top-level dealers were Wendell Lefthand and his sister and co-defendant, Frederica Lefthand, who both resided at Spear Siding, the family home. Until his arrest in June 2022 on another matter, Wendell Lefthand ran the operation with co-defendant 1, who is a fugitive. Wendell Lefthand was selling about one pound of meth per week and had a Washington source, who introduced him to co-defendant 1. When co-defendant 1 eventually moved to Spear Siding, business started booming. After Wendell Lefthand’s arrest, Frederica Lefthand took over management of the Montana operation, which the government indicated involved “pounds and pounds and pounds” of meth. Frederica Lefthand worked directly with co-defendant 1, dispensed drugs to lower-level dealers, collected debts, organized deals, and recruited others to help her sell drugs and make money. Sources reported that Spear Siding would “never run out” of meth.
The government estimated that the Spear Siding conspiracy was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of meth to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations for redistribution.
Convicted Spear Siding related defendants include:
- Wendell Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 180 months in prison
- Frederica Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 288 months in prison
- Roderick Plentyhawk, of Billings: 300 months in prison
- Carly Joy James, of Billings: 84 months in prison
- Jeffrey Prettypaint, of Crow Agency: 60 months in prison
- Darlon Richard Lefthand, of Billings: 84 months in prison
- Keilee Shambrae Diaz, of Hardin: 12 months, one day in prison
- Zachary Douglas Bacon, of Garryowen: time served
- Morgan Luke Hugs, of Hardin: 48 months in prison
- Anthony Springfield, of Hardin: time served
- Haley James, of Billings: time served
- John Littlehead, of Billings: 48 months in prison
- Marianna Wallace, of Omak, Washington: 36 months in prison
- Yvon Lopez Flores, of Omak, Washington: 48 months in prison
- Jacklyn Littlebird, of Lame Deer: time served
- Adrienne LaForge, of Lame Deer: 24 months in prison
- Geofredo James Littlebird, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing
- Nancy Hartsock, of Billings: 72 months in prison
- Joe Simpson, of Lame Deer: 240 months in prison
- Melanie Bloodman, of Billings: time served
- Renita Redfield, of Lodge Grass: 63 months in prison
- Daniel Jiminez-Chavez, of Omak, Washington: 84 months in prison
- Sayra Longfox, of Lodge Grass: pending sentencing
- Emma King, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing
- Antonio Infante, of Brewster, Washington: 128 months in prison
- Elisha Felicia, of Wyola: 60 months in prison
- Nicole Schwalbach, of Billings: 120 months in prison
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Federal grand jury indicts Jamestown couple on multiple drug chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Jensen Vazquez, 38, and Kylah Seiberg, 29, both of Jamestown NY, on charges of narcotics conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in August 2024, Vazquez, who is currently on federal supervised release, falsely informed his supervising probation officer that he was changing residences and moving into a room on Victoria Avenue in Jamestown, with another individual. Vazquez actually moved in with Seiberg. In the early morning hours of August 17, 2024, Jamestown Police received a 911 call requesting emergency assistance for a serious head injury at the Victoria Avenue residence. Paramedics found a victim laying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase and appeared to have been shot. The investigation remains ongoing. The victim survived and told police that shortly before the shooting, an individual known as “Billy” purchased a firearm from Vazquez. Shortly after first responders arrived, officers found Vazquez coming down the stairs from an upper apartment. Officers also encountered Seiberg standing on the side porch. Vazquez claimed to police that his e-bike appeared to have been stolen, suggesting that the stolen e-bike was connected to the shooting.
Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at the Victoria Avenue residence, recovered the e-bike, quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and xylazine, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, handgun magazines and ammunition, Investigators also recovered a 9mm handgun from Seiberg’s vehicle, the same caliber as the bullet that shot the victim. Vazquez and Seiberg left the residence before completion of the search warrant, hiding out in Jamestown for two days before fleeing to Florida and remaining at large until September 3, 2024. After losing the keys to Seiberg’s vehicle in Florida, they stole another vehicle, driving it back to Jamestown.
On September 3, 2024, investigators received information that people were inside the Victoria Avenue residence. Officers arrived and encountered Seiberg, who was taken into custody. As they searched for Vazquez, Seiberg attempted to flee by climbing out of a second story window. When confronted by the uniformed officers, she climbed back inside the apartment and refused to go outside. Seiberg was eventually taken back into custody and Vazquez was later found hiding in the insulation in the attic. Investigators also recovered approximately 65 grams of fentanyl. Later, after complaining of stomach pain, Seiberg was treated at local hospital while in police custody, and was found to possess over seven grams of fentanyl in a plastic bag hidden inside of her body.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, and the United States Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Timothy C. Englerth.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Jury Convicts Sean Christopher Williams on Three Counts of Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Today, following a three-day trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, a federal jury convicted Sean Christopher Williams, 53, of Johnson City, Tennessee, on three counts of Production of Child Pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a).
Sentencing is set for February 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., before United States District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison as to each count.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Williams used three minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and took photos of the sexually explicit conduct. The conduct occurred at Williams’ apartment in Johnson City, Tennessee. The evidence showed that Williams sexually assaulted each of the victims’ mothers while they were unconscious, around the same time that he took pornographic photos of their children. The criminal conduct extended over a 12-year period. Williams took photos of the first victim in 2008 and the two other victims on separate occasions in 2020. The jury was shown explicit photos of the victims that included Williams’ hands, including a distinctive tattoo on his middle finger and a scar on his wrist.
U.S. Attorney, Francis M. Hamilton, III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico made the announcement.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and conviction of Williams included the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Western Carolina University Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan L. Gomez and Emily M. Swecker represented the United States at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.”
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Falconer woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking and drug chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Cora Waddington, 25, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and benefitting financially from trafficking in persons. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Maeve E. Huggins, who are handling the case, stated that between October and December 2022, Waddington conspired with Zaid Mendoza a/k/a Diamond, and Kelvin O. Thomas to conduct a sex trafficking operation utilizing two victims with drug addictions. Waddington, Mendoza, and Thomas provided shelter to the victims at a W. Main Street residence in Falconer, and provided them with food, clothing, and daily quantities of heroin and fentanyl in exchange for their performance of commercial sex acts for money. The proceeds went to Mendoza who then provided clothes, food, spending money, heroin, and methamphetamine to Waddington. The victims, through force and threats of force, performed commercial sex acts at both “in calls” at the W. Main Street residence, and “out calls.” Waddington transported the victims to “out calls.” Waddington, Mendoza, and Thomas utilized the website Skipthegames.com to entice customers for their sex trafficking scheme.
Waddington was also an organizer, leader, manager, and supervisor in Mendoza’s drug trafficking operation. She provided heroin and fentanyl, and methamphetamine to the victims, as well as Mendoza’s other drug customers. In October 2022, law enforcement stopped Waddington’s vehicle, which included Mendoza as a passenger. Waddington had an outstanding warrant and was arrested. Officers recovered methamphetamine on her person, as well as a bag of fentanyl on Mendoza’s person. On December 7, 2022, a search warrant was executed at the West Main Street residence, during which cash, drug paraphernalia, a semi-automatic pistol, and multiple plastic bags of narcotics were recovered.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson; the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino III, New York Field Division; and the Town of Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss Jr.
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.
This investigation is also assisted by the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force, a multi-disciplinary task force that brings law enforcement and social service agencies together to identify and investigate human trafficking utilizing a victim centered and trauma informed response, was also part of this effort.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.
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Eight Plead Guilty, Admit Nationwide Rental Car Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – The eighth and final defendant in a nationwide scheme that stole at least 19 rental cars worth about $1.1 million pleaded guilty Wednesday.
James E. McGhaney, 35, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. The scheme’s organizer, Tyrell A. Oliver, 40, pleaded guilty October 23 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
Oliver, of Atlanta, Georgia, admitted organizing a scheme in which the conspirators reserved high-end rental vehicles, typically SUVs, using stolen credit card information and stolen identities. In addition to stealing vehicles for Oliver, McGhaney recruited and supervised some of the other participants in the scheme, his plea agreement says. The conspirators stole rental cars across the United States, including in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Often, McGhaney and other conspirators flew together in a group from New York to these locations, on airline tickets purchased by Oliver and McGhaney, and stole multiple vehicles in a single trip, their plea agreements say. Oliver then paid McGhaney and the group of thieves for stealing the rental cars.
In all, Oliver and his co-conspirators used the stolen identities of at least 23 victims to steal 19 rental vehicles worth about $1.1 million, Oliver’s plea agreement says.
Steven B. Matthews, 40, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. New York residents Shawnta B. Fonseca, 34, Reginald M. Glenn, 36, Marlique J. McGhaney, 34, and Daquasia M. Robinson, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Rashad Holder, 35, of New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
McGhaney is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 19, 2025. Oliver is to be sentenced Feb. 6, 2025. The others will be sentenced between Dec. 10, 2024 and early February.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison in Twin Cities Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Twin Cities felon has been sentenced to 160 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl throughout Minnesota and the surrounding region, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between August 2022 through December 2023, Cornell Montez Chandler, Jr., 25, conspired with others to distribute fentanyl throughout Minnesota. Chandler frequently flew from the Twin Cities to Phoenix, Arizona, to buy fentanyl from one or more suppliers and ship it through the U.S. Postal Service to addresses in and around the Twin Cities for distribution. He admitted that he and his co-conspirators placed fentanyl pills in plastic bags that were then concealed in stuffed animals; that those packages were disguised as birthday presents; and that conspirators lined the interiors of the packages with dog treats in an attempt to prevent drug-sniffing dogs from alerting to them.
In January and February 2023, law enforcement in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties became aware of the trafficking and initiated a joint investigation, which resulted in the seizure of six packages containing over 30,000 grams of fentanyl pills.
On June 18, 2024, Chandler pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Dakota County Drug Task Force, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
Denver Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Role in $300 Million Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Denver man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release for orchestrating a $300 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme and committing tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. He was also ordered to pay $19,051,667 in restitution to the victims of his fraud scheme and $1,490,011 in restitution to the IRS on his tax evasion case.
According to court documents, for more than a decade, Henry Aragon, 54, of Golden, Colorado, devised and participated in a large, nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme involving magazine subscription sales. Aragon and his co-defendants perpetuated a conspiracy to defraud over 150,000 consumer-victims across the country, many of whom were older or otherwise susceptible to fraud. The scheme was carried out by a network of dozens of fraudulent magazine sales companies located across the United States and in Canada. The companies operated telemarketing call centers from which their employees made calls using deceptive sales scripts designed to defraud victim consumers by inducing them—through a series of lies and misrepresentations—into making large or repeat payments to the companies.
Aragon and his co-conspirators pressured consumer-victims into making payments related to purported magazine subscriptions. Many of the defendants used a fraudulent “renewal” script in which the telemarketers falsely claimed to be calling from the consumer-victim’s existing magazine subscription company about an existing magazine subscription package. The telemarketers often claimed—falsely—to be calling with an offer to reduce the monthly cost of an existing subscription. In reality, the company had no existing relationship with the magazines, and they were actually fraudulently signing the consumer-victims up for expensive and entirely new magazine subscriptions.
The result was that a single consumer went from having one magazine subscription to, at times, more than a dozen, all with different fraudulent magazine companies, each “sold” under the auspices of “reducing” the consumer’s monthly rate. Over the course of the scheme, Aragon and his companies defrauded thousands of victims and collected over $19 million from victims.
On July 5, 2022, Aragon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and tax evasion. He was sentenced on November 7, 2024, by John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court.
Aragon also evaded paying taxes on the money he and his fraudulent telemarketing company made. “By evading his tax liability, Aragon unfairly shifted the tax burden to honest American taxpayers to fund vital services such as education and infrastructure,” said Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents identified more than $2 billion in tax fraud last fiscal year, and we will remain committed to holding tax cheats accountable.”
The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI, with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew S. Ebert, Melinda A. Williams, and Garrett S. Fields.
Cruise Admits to Submitting A False Report to Influence A Federal Investigation and Agrees to Pay $500,000Read the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Cruise LLC, an autonomous vehicle company based in San Francisco, has agreed to resolve a criminal charge in federal court for providing a false record to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation of a crash involving one of Cruise’s autonomous vehicles. A criminal information filed today charges Cruise with the offense, which Cruise has agreed to resolve through a deferred prosecution agreement and payment of a $500,000 criminal fine.
“Federal laws and regulations are in place to protect public safety on our roads. Companies with self-driving cars that seek to share our roads and crosswalks must be fully truthful in their reports to their regulators,” said Martha Boersch, Chief of the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division.
“Today’s deferred prosecution agreement holds Cruise, LLC and its employees accountable for their lack of candor in a federal regulatory compliance action,” said Cory LeGars, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Western Region. “Together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will engage our collective resources to pursue companies and individuals who intentionally circumvent administration of federal regulations.”
The criminal information alleges that Cruise falsified records in a federal investigation under the jurisdiction of NHTSA within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The criminal investigation and prosecution against Cruise is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement in which Cruise admits and accepts responsibility for the charge in the information.
According to the agreement, the crash occurred in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2023, when a Cruise vehicle operating without a driver ran over a pedestrian who had been thrown into the autonomous vehicle’s path by a human-driven vehicle. The Cruise vehicle stopped after running over the pedestrian. However, because its detection system did not detect that a pedestrian was underneath it, the Cruise vehicle then attempted to pull over to the side of the road with the woman underneath it, dragging the woman over 20 feet. Federal regulations require Cruise to report incidents, including crashes involving Cruise autonomous vehicles, to NHTSA. Cruise subsequently filed a report with NHTSA describing the accident that omitted reference to the secondary movement and dragging.
In a videoconference with NHTSA the next morning, Cruise employees provided a verbal summary of the accident that did not include a description of the dragging. The Cruise employees attempted to show a video of the accident that depicted the dragging, but due to technical difficulties, the portion of the video that showed the dragging did not play. That afternoon Cruise submitted a 1-day-report, which specifically required “a written description of the pre-crash, crash, and post-crash details,” to NHTSA. Cruise’s narrative omitted the dragging. That omission rendered the report inaccurate and incomplete in light of NHTSA’s requirements. The same day, Cruise employees provided NHTSA a copy of the video that showed the dragging, but Cruise did not correct the accident report or the disclosure in a later report submitted 10 days after the accident.
Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Cruise is required to pay a $500,000 criminal fine, cooperate with government investigations, implement a Safety Compliance Program, and provide annual reports to the United States Attorney’s Office on implementation and remediation.
If Cruise fails to completely perform or fulfill its obligations under the agreement during the agreement’s three-year term, the U.S. Attorney’s Office can proceed with prosecution of the charged offense.
The government reached this resolution with Cruise based on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct; Cruise’s timely notification to the government of an internal investigation and offer of cooperation, after being notified that the government had opened an investigation; Cruise’s cooperation, which included (1) conducting a thorough internal investigation and making the findings of that investigation public; (2) proactively identifying certain issues and facts that would likely be of interest to the government; (3) making factual presentations to the government and sharing information that would not have been otherwise available to the government; (4) sharing certain privileged documents with the government pursuant to a limited waiver of privilege; (5) making available witnesses for interviews by the government; and (6) remedial measures, such as ensuring that employees identified as responsible for the conduct at issue are no longer employed by Cruise, and operation improvements made by Cruise as set forth in the deferred prosecution agreement.
The announcement was made by Martha Boersch, Chief of the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division, Cory LeGars, Special Agent-in-Charge, DOT-OIG, Western Region, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Lloyd Farnham are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Maryam Beros. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DOT-OIG and the FBI.
Cruise LLC Agreement
Court Sentences Texas Man to 172 Months Imprisonment in Interstate Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On November 13, 2024, United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Grande sentenced Christopher Perales to 172 months imprisonment for his role in a multi-defendant interstate drug trafficking conspiracy.
Documents filed with the court established that Christopher Perales, operating from the state of Texas, would regularly supply David Eric Crumpton in Mobile, Alabama, with pound quantities of methamphetamine starting in approximately 2019. During the conspiracy Perales and Crumpton opened a joint checking account at a bank in Texas in order for Crumpton to be able to pay Perales for the methamphetamine. From July 27, 2020, through December 7, 2020, Crumpton made deposits of $125,000 into the joint account for the methamphetamine he purchased from Perales.
Perales hired the co-defendant, Daniel Castillo-Garcia, to serve as a drug courier/driver who would transport the methamphetamine from Texas to Lafayette, Louisiana for Perales. Once in Lafayette, Castillo-Garcia would meet the co-defendant David Willis Hale, who had been hired by Crumpton and Heather Boone, to transport the methamphetamine back to Mobile for them.
There were multiple seizure of pound quantities of methamphetamine in Alabama and Mississippi from the various co-conspirators during the investigation. Co-conspirators, Julia Alesia Roberts, Crumpton, Castillo-Garcia and Hale have all pled guilty and were previously sentenced by the court. Boone is pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mobile Police Department, Narcotics Unit, the Harrison and Hancock County, Mississippi, Sherriff’s Offices and the Galveston County Texas Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
According to public court documents, in 2023, Carlos Garcia Garcia, 41, distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs area. Drug proceeds seized during the investigation totaled $58,700, which was forfeited by the investigating agency.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Garcia Garcia will be required to serve a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
Convicted Sex Offender on State Probation Is Sentenced to More Than 21 Years for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Joseph Franklin Jordan, 53 of Charlotte, was sentenced to 262 months in prison today for distribution of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Upon his release from prison, Jordan will be subject to a lifetime of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell also ordered Jordan to pay $19,000 in assessments and restitution.
Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS), and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
“Protecting our children from sexual predators like Jordan is a top priority and one of the most urgent challenges we face today,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My office is committed to working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners at every level to identify child predators and bring them to justice.”
According to filed documents and statements made in court, in November 2022, an HSI undercover agent (UC) was in an online chat group where its users distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Court records show that the UC began to exchange direct messages with a user later identified as Jordan, about the defendant engaging in illicit sexual acts with a young child the UC purported to have access to. Over the course of the communications, Jordan began to make plans to meet with the UC to have sex with the child. Law enforcement identified the user as Jordan, who was on supervised probation with the State of North Carolina for a sex offender conviction.
On December 2, 2022, HSI agents assisted by NC DPS probation officers conducted a search of Jordan’s residence. Four electronic devices were seized and forensically examined. The examination revealed that the devices contained more than 28,000 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants and toddlers. Jordan had also distributed child pornography to others. In addition, law enforcement located online messages in which Jordan discussed his desire to sexually abuse children and to make child pornography. In some of the chats, Jordan also made statements about having previous sexual encounters with children as young as three years old, and shared details about those purported encounters using extremely graphic and vulgar language.
On March 21, 2024, Jordan pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. At today’s sentencing hearing, the Court sentenced Jordan to a 262-month sentence due, in part, to the nature and circumstances of Jordan’s offense.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended HSI, NC DPS, and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 19 Years for Possessing A Firearm and Receiving Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Robert Leroy Badders, Jr. (34, Lake Mary) to 19 years and 7 months years in federal prison for receiving child sex abuse images and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Badders to forfeit two firearms, assorted ammunition, and his smart phone device seized on the date of his arrest. Additionally, Badders agreed to abandon the remainder of electronic devices seized by the FBI in this case. Badders entered a guilty plea on June 6, 2024.
According to court documents, an undercover FBI agent discovered an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was sharing files containing child sex abuse material. The FBI traced the IP address and the file-sharing account to Badders and his residence in Lake Mary, Florida. During the search of Badders’s residence, the FBI located two loaded firearms in Badders’s backpack. Badders admitted to the FBI agents that he was the owner of the firearms and knew he could not possess them since he was a convicted felon. Badders had been convicted of at least two felonies prior to this incident. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Further, during the search of Badders’s residence, the FBI found his smart phone device and multiple microSD cards, all of which collectively contained hundreds of files child sex abuse material.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sartoian.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Additionally, 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.
Convicted Dark Web Drug Dealer Sentenced to 360 Months’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Oluwole Adegboruwa, 54, of Las Vegas, Nevada, the main defendant and mastermind in a multi-million dollar dark web drug trafficking operation was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment. He was also ordered supervised release for life and the forfeiture of over $20 million, which is among the largest forfeitures holding a defendant financially accountable for his crimes in the history of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jill N. Parish, comes after a jury found Adegboruwa and his co-defendant Enrique Isong, 49, of Los Angeles, California, guilty in May 2024 of multiple federal crimes, including conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and money laundering (see prior press release here). On October 23, 2024, Isong was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, evidence presented at trial, and statements made at Adegboruwa’s sentencing hearing, from October 2016 through May 2019, Adegboruwa, sold more than 300,000 oxycodone pills on dark web marketplaces to customers throughout the United States. The jury found that Adegboruwa organized and supervised a continuing criminal enterprise that earned approximately $9,112,471 in drug proceeds. The jury found that Adegboruwa was unquestionably in charge of the illicit narcotics operation. Each member of his enterprise served in different capacities. Some were tasked with locating and procuring pharmacy grade pills that were then re-sold through various dark web marketplaces. Others were involved in packaging the pills and/or shipping them to customers. At trial, Adegboruwa admitted that he controlled sales on the dark web markets and the monetary accounts, including the cryptocurrency accounts through which the enterprise received the bulk of its profits. Adegboruwa also admitted he was the one who decided to start his online dark web drug sales operation.
“Protecting the community from illicit drugs and dismantling drug trafficking operations is a priority for my office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “We will continue to prosecute and seek justice for these crimes.”
“This case further demonstrates that true anonymity on the dark web is a myth,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Services State Phoenix Division Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson. “U.S. Postal Inspectors remain steadfast in their commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations, ensuring the safety of USPS customers and employees alike.”
“Adegboruwa's criminal drug enterprise was complex, sophisticated, and generated millions of dollars in profits concealed in cryptocurrency transactions. This sentencing is a stark reminder that the DEA is relentless in the pursuit of justice, and that drug traffickers cannot hide their illicit activities even in the secretive expanses of the dark web,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen.
“Money laundering continues to be a top investigative priority for IRS-CI,” said Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office. “The forfeiture amount in this case alone highlights the magnitude of the investigation conducted by IRS-CI special agents, its impact on our community, and IRS-CI’s relentless commitment to uncovering illegal schemes by following the money.”
The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Assistant United States Attorneys Thaddeus J. May, Jennifer E. Gully, and Stewart M. Young of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted 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.
Columbus man sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for role in conspiracy involving drugs mailed from ArizonaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ontario M. Yarbrough, 26, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 135 months in prison for his involvement in a narcotics conspiracy involving kilogram quantities of drugs being mailed from Arizona to Columbus.
According to court documents, from April until October 2023, Yarbrough received and accepted at least five packages of narcotics. In addition to receiving five packages himself, Yarbrough tracked on the USPS website nine additional packages which were sent from Arizona to Columbus. Yarbrough maintained a property on South Burgess Avenue in Columbus where he received the drugs, re-packaged them and distributed them. One intercepted package contained approximately half a kilogram of fentanyl.
When a search warrant was executed at his home, agents discovered fentanyl, cocaine and firearms.
The defendant was charged by criminal complaint and arrested in October 2023. Yarbrough pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the sentence imposed on Nov. 12 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz is representing the United States in this case.
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Colorado Recidivist Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Crimes Against ChildrenRead the Press Release
A Colorado man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for his distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and involvement with a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM.
According to court documents, while still on parole for a 2013 Colorado conviction for sexual exploitation of a child, registered sex offender Christopher Carl Meier, 41, of Denver, became a member of a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM depicting boys and the discussion of the sexual abuse of minor boys. On July 9, Meier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute CSAM and five counts of distribution of CSAM. Meier was a member of the website for more than 18 months and made more than 600 posts on the website. On this website, Meier advertised and distributed images and videos depicting minor boys engaged in sexual conduct. He made statements on the website admitting that he produced this material by tricking the boys into thinking that they were interacting online with a girl their own age and enticing them to disrobe and engage in sex acts on webcam. The FBI is aware of at least 65 victims of Meier’s conduct.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Denver Field Office investigated the case.
Acting Deputy Chief Kyle Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Colorado Recidivist Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Crimes Against ChildrenRead the Press Release
DENVER – A Colorado man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for his distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and involvement with a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM.
According to court documents, while still on parole for a 2013 Colorado conviction for sexual exploitation of a child, registered sex offender Christopher Carl Meier, 41, of Denver, became a member of a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM depicting boys and the discussion of the sexual abuse of minor boys. On July 9, Meier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute CSAM and five counts of distribution of CSAM. Meier was a member of the website for more than 18 months and made more than 600 posts on the website. On this website, Meier advertised and distributed images and videos depicting minor boys engaged in sexual conduct. He made statements on the website admitting that he produced this material by tricking the boys into thinking that they were interacting online with a girl their own age, and by enticing them to disrobe and engage in sex acts on webcam. The FBI is aware of at least 65 victims of Meier’s conduct.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Denver Field Office investigated the case.
Acting Deputy Chief Kyle Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Charlotte Man Is Sentenced to Prison for Robbing A Convenience Store at GunpointRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jonah Terrell Bryant, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the armed robbery of a local convenience store, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and information presented at court hearings, on August 18, 2022, at approximately 6:19 a.m., CMPD officers were dispatched to an armed robbery call at the Circle K convenience store located at 10000 N. Tryon Street, in Charlotte. The store clerk had called 911 to report the crime. When CMPD officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with the store clerk who said that the robber had walked up to the counter and asked to buy a cigar. When the store clerk put the cigar on the counter and rang up the sale, the robber pointed a firearm at the clerk and demanded money. The store clerk told the robber that he didn’t have access to the safe. The robber then ordered the store clerk to open the drawer and proceeded to come around the counter and grab the money that was in the register.
According to filed court documents, during the investigation, law enforcement used video surveillance footage to identify Bryant’s white Dodge Charger and a fingerprint recovered from the scene to determine the robber’s identity. CMPD officers arrested Bryant on August 26, 2022, while he was driving the white Dodge Charger. In the front center console of the vehicle, law enforcement found a black 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a round in the chamber and rounds in the attached magazine.
On October 26, 2023, Bryant pleaded guilty to possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Bryant is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The FBI and CMPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Career Offender and Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Samantha Marie Vono, 34, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years under court supervision for trafficking methamphetamine. Vono was classified as a Career Offender as a result of multiple prior drug trafficking convictions for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s proceedings, in December 2021, law enforcement officers were conducting a drug investigation in Catawba County. During the investigation, they identified Vono as a local distributor of methamphetamine. The investigation determined that Vono would travel to Charlotte to meet with a narcotics source of supply, and then travel back to Catawba County where she distributed narcotics to other local sellers. Court records show that, on January 25, 2022, officers followed Vono as she travelled to Charlotte. Officers observed Vono meet her supply source at an apartment complex and then travel back to Catawba County. Officers conducted a traffic stop of Vono’s vehicle for a traffic violation and Vono’s multiple outstanding warrants. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located 160 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
According to court records, while Vono was released on bond pending sentencing, and confined to her apartment on home detention with electronic monitoring, Vono set up a robbery in her apartment with three other co-conspirators where a victim was shot. Two of Vono’s young children were home at the time of the robbery turned shooting. After the incident, court records show that Vono was encountered by the police while attempting to clean up the bloody crime scene. Later, Vono also attempted to obstruct the police investigation.
On June 14, 2023, Vono pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Canadian National Convicted by Jury for Drug and Gun Charges after Interstate PursuitRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, returned a guilty verdict on November 13, 2024, against John Francis, age 23, of Canada, for one count of possession with intent to distribute MDMA and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The verdict subjects Francis to a potential prison term of up to life and a minimum of five years on the firearm count. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the trial and set sentencing for February 6, 2025.
On March 4, 2023, a Saline County Sheriff’s Deputy performing patrol and drug interdiction duties on I-80 westbound initiated a traffic stop of a 2023 Chevy Tahoe. Instead of slowing, the Tahoe accelerated, resulting in a 30-minute pursuit over three counties for approximately 50 miles, at sustained speeds of over 100 mph. More county Sheriff’s Deputies and the Nebraska State Patrol were called in to assist with the stop due to the excessive speed of the fleeing Tahoe.
Officers had to deploy three sets of spike strips (tire deflation devices) across the interstate. The spike strips ultimately caused three of the four tires on the Tahoe to fail and caused the Tahoe to come to rest in the middle of the passing lane on the interstate. Francis emerged from the Tahoe with his hands in the air and immediately laid down on his chest in the median.
The driver and only occupant of the vehicle was eventually identified as John Francis, although another person’s Canadian driver’s license was found in the Tahoe. Francis had a loaded handgun in the cupholder and a duffle bag on the passenger seat. The duffle bag contained approximately 6.65 pounds of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in crystalline form. Officers also found over $6,000 and other indicators of drug trafficking on Francis and in the Tahoe.
This case was investigated by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Seward County Sheriff’s Office, York County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Lincoln Police Department.
Bristol Man Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Assaulting Officer with a Knife Outside Federal Courthouse in PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Anthony Lombardo, 46, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to 54 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assault on a federal officer.
On the morning of January 17, 2023, Lombardo drove to the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse at 7th & Market Streets in Philadelphia, where he brandished a large kitchen knife and approached a court security officer who was patrolling the exterior of the building. After Lombardo ignored the officer’s request to drop the knife, the officer discharged his firearm, striking Lombardo.
While first responders administered aid to Lombardo, they discovered another kitchen knife hidden in his shirtsleeve and makeshift body armor attached to his chest and midsection.
Lombardo was thereafter charged by federal complaint and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals once he was released from the hospital in February 2023. At the time of his arrest, Lombardo was on state supervision following a conviction for aggravated assault on a police officer in 2006.
On April 9, 2024, Lombardo was charged by information with assault on a federal officer. On May 6, Lombardo waived prosecution by indictment and entered a plea of guilty.
“Twice now, Anthony Lombardo has targeted police and security officers with violence,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Whatever your goals or grievances, if you try to harm someone working to protect a federal courthouse or facility, rest assured that my office and our partners will work to hold you fully accountable.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.
Brazilian Resident Pleads Guilty for Role in Fraudulent Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
A South Carolina man currently residing in Brazil pleaded guilty earlier this week in federal court in San Francisco to conspiracy to submit a false claim.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Robert Xan Paul, 45, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, conspired with others to defraud the United States by preparing and submitting to the IRS a fraudulent income tax return that claimed a nearly $600,000 refund, which the IRS paid. Paul was a client of O.I.D. Process, a business owned by his co-conspirators that helped others prepare and file individual federal income tax returns that claimed fictitious Original Issue Discount interest income and federal tax withholdings, resulting in fraudulent claims for tax refunds.
To support his refund claim, Paul created fraudulent IRS forms from financial institutions where he had accounts. Those forms falsely indicated that the financial institutions had withheld federal income tax on his behalf.
In total, Paul caused a tax loss to the IRS of $595,110.
Paul pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false claims. He is set to be sentenced on Jan. 21, 2025. Paul faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised of release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins for the Northern District of California made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pitman for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case.
Box Elder woman admits lying to buy two firearms later used in a double homicideRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman admitted on Nov. 13 to lying on a form to buy two firearms that were later used in a double homicide, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
The defendant, Airian Mariah Russette, 30, pleaded guilty to false statement during a firearms transaction. Russette faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 19, 2025. Russette was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on March 27, Russette purchased two pistols from North 40 Outfitters, a federal firearms licensee in Havre, and immediately traveled back to Box Elder, where she traded the firearms to an individual in exchange for four oxycodone pills. The individual had contacted Russette prior to the purchase by text message and asked Russette to buy the two guns. The two firearms were recovered several hours later by law enforcement after they were used in a double homicide and still in possession of the homicide suspects. During an interview, Russette admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Form 4473 to buy the firearms for someone other than herself, a transaction known as a straw purchase. She further admitted that she traded the firearms for the four pills. Because Russette checked “yes” on the ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, it influenced North 40 Outfitters into believing that the two pistols could be lawfully sold to Russette and caused the business to do so. The firearms were a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The ATF, FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Hill County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Bitfinex Hacker Sentenced in Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Billions in Stolen CryptocurrencyRead the Press Release
Ilya Lichtenstein was sentenced today to five years in prison for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy arising from the hack and theft of approximately 120,000 bitcoin from Bitfinex, a global cryptocurrency exchange.
According to court documents, Lichtenstein, 35, hacked into Bitfinex’s network in 2016, using advanced hacking tools and techniques. Once inside the network, Lichtenstein fraudulently authorized more than 2,000 transactions transferring 119,754 bitcoin from Bitfinex to a cryptocurrency wallet in Lichtenstein’s control. Lichtenstein then took steps to cover his tracks by deleting from Bitfinex’s network access credentials and other log files that could have revealed his conduct to law enforcement. Following the hack, Lichtenstein enlisted the help of his wife, Heather Morgan, in laundering the stolen funds.
Lichtenstein, at times with Morgan’s assistance, employed numerous sophisticated laundering techniques, including using fictitious identities to set up online accounts; utilizing computer programs to automate transactions; depositing the stolen funds into accounts at a variety of darknet markets and cryptocurrency exchanges and then withdrawing the funds; converting bitcoin to other forms of cryptocurrency in a practice known as “chain hopping”; depositing a portion of the criminal proceeds into cryptocurrency mixing services; using U.S.-based business accounts to legitimize Lichtenstein’s and Morgan’s banking activity; and exchanging a portion of the stolen funds into gold coins.
On Aug. 3, 2023, Lichtenstein and Morgan both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Lichtenstein was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. Morgan is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office made the announcement.
The IRS-CI Washington D.C. Cyber Crimes Unit, FBI Chicago Field Office, FBI Virtual Assets Unit, and HSI New York Field Office are investigating the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Ansbach Police Department in Germany.
Trial Attorneys Jessica Peck and C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Brown for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie Zimmerman, Paralegal Specialists Angela De Falco and Brian Rickers, and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, all for the District of Columbia, provided valuable assistance. CCIPS Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Brooks for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Southern District of New York, and the HSI Philadelphia Field Office also provided significant assistance.
Consistent with standard practice in criminal forfeiture cases, there will be a formal process pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure for third-party claimants to submit claims for any seized and forfeited property. Additional information is available on the Justice Department’s website for large cases at www.justice.gov/usao-dc/2016-bitfinex-hack.
Bitfinex Hacker Sentenced in Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Billions in Stolen CryptocurrencyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ilya Lichtenstein, 35, of New York City, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy arising from the hack and theft of approximately 120,000 bitcoin from Bitfinex, a global cryptocurrency exchange.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, of the Chicago Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office.
According to court documents, Lichtenstein hacked into Bitfinex’s network in 2016, using advanced hacking tools and techniques. Once inside the network, Lichtenstein fraudulently authorized more than 2,000 transactions transferring 119,754 bitcoin from Bitfinex to a cryptocurrency wallet in Lichtenstein’s control. Lichtenstein then took steps to cover his tracks by deleting from Bitfinex’s network access credentials and other log files that could have revealed his conduct to law enforcement. Following the hack, Lichtenstein enlisted the help of his wife, Heather Morgan, in laundering the stolen funds.
Lichtenstein, at times with Morgan’s assistance, employed numerous sophisticated laundering techniques, including using fictitious identities to set up online accounts; utilizing computer programs to automate transactions; depositing the stolen funds into accounts at a variety of darknet markets and cryptocurrency exchanges and then withdrawing the funds; converting bitcoin to other forms of cryptocurrency in a practice known as “chain hopping;” depositing a portion of the criminal proceeds into cryptocurrency mixing services; using U.S.-based business accounts to legitimize Lichtenstein’s and Morgan’s banking activity; and exchanging a portion of the stolen funds into gold coins.
On Aug. 3, 2023, Lichtenstein and Morgan both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Lichtenstein was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. Morgan is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18.
The IRS-CI Washington D.C. Cyber Crimes Unit; FBI Chicago Field Office; FBI Virtual Assets Unit; and HSI New York Field Office are investigating the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Ansbach Police Department in Germany.
The matter is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Brown for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Jessica Peck and C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie Zimmerman, Paralegal Specialists Angela De Falco and Brian Rickers, and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, all for the District of Columbia, provided valuable assistance. CCIPS Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Brooks for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Southern District of New York, and the HSI Philadelphia Field Office also provided significant assistance.
Consistent with standard practice in criminal forfeiture cases, there will be a formal process pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure for third-party claimants to submit claims for any seized and forfeited property. Additional information is available on the Justice Department’s website for large cases at www.justice.gov/usao-dc/2016-bitfinex-hack.
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Beretta Bandit Serial Robber SentencedRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Richard Allen Randolph (44, Youngstown, OH) to 106 years and 6 months in federal prison for Hobbs Act robberies, attempted robbery, brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm during the commission of the robberies. The court also ordered Randolph to forfeit a Beretta Pico pistol used during the commission of the offenses. Randolph was found guilty by a federal jury on April 19, 2024.
According to evidence at trial, between January 27 and February 26, 2020, Randolph robbed four commercial businesses in Tampa wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facial covering. During each of the robberies, Randolph brandished and threatened the victims with a Beretta Pico pistol and removed cash from the registers. During the attempted robbery on February 26, 2020, Randolph again concealed his identity, entered the store, and threatened the clerk with the firearm. However, the victim’s boyfriend, who was outside the store waiting to take her home, confronted Randolph. Randolph then discharged the pistol twice in the parking lot of the business as the victims fled. Law enforcement recovered the bullet casing from the parking lot and the case remained active and under investigation under the name “Beretta Bandit” as no subject was identified.
In July 2021, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of an individual who was found to have a Beretta Pico pistol in his car. The individual did not match the description of the robber and told law enforcement that he had purchased the pistol from Randolph, who was a former co-worker. Forensic examiners from the ATF laboratory later determined that the Beretta pistol was the firearm involved in the last robbery committed by Randolph.
During trial, the victims testified about their terror during the robberies committed by Randolph. However, they could not identify Randolph because he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask. The evidence at trial focused on the recovered Beretta Pico pistol, the testimony of the co-worker, the forensic analyses from the ATF laboratory in Atlanta, and other location data analyses by the FBI.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and Brooke Padgett.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.
Beaumont man who brought short-barreled rifle to state fair sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced for federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Damon Donte Henry, 19, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on November 13, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Henry smuggled a fully loaded short-barreled AR-15 style rifle into the South Texas State Fair on March 30, 2024. Around 10:30 p.m., Beaumont police on bike patrol at the fair noticed Henry suspiciously carrying a large backpack near one of the rides. When the officers attempted to speak with Henry, he immediately ran away, discarding the backpack. Officers quickly discovered the AR-15-style rifle and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. After a short chase, Henry was subdued in the fair parking lot. After recovering the firearms, officers found that the rifle was unlawfully modified to be shorter than required by federal law, which mandates that rifles with an overall length less than 26 inches or a barrel less than 16 inches be registered with the ATF. The rifle was also equipped with a large capacity magazine and 26 rounds of ammunition. A federal grand jury indicted Henry on June 5, 2024.
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 Beaumont Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
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Beaumont man sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanylRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing fentanyl for distribution in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Harry Francis Lowenthal, 66, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on November 12, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Lowenthal was arrested following an investigation into fentanyl distribution. During the arrest, Lowenthal was found in possession of a white powdery substance, and later admitted to possessing cocaine and fentanyl and to selling heroin. During a search of his residence, officers discovered a firearm, $5,000.00 cash, and a small amount of suspected heroin and fentanyl along with indicators of drug trafficking, including plastic baggies, a digital scale and lactose powder commonly used to “bulk up” drugs. A lab analysis of the drugs confirmed that it consisted of approximately 19 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mix.
“Fentanyl, even in small amounts, is a potent synthetic opioid, approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Today’s sentence should send a clear message that this Office, working closely with our state and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to prosecute and seek to hold accountable drug dealers who distribute this poison and exploit addictions in the Eastern District of Texas.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beaumont Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy L. Coleman with assistance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
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All Six Defendants Sentenced to Prison for El Hipopótamo Restaurant Robbery that Resulted in the Death of 15-year-old MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The last two defendants in the Hipopótamo Restaurant robbery that resulted on the murder of Jesús Francisco Pérez — a 15-year-old minor who was an employee of the restaurant, were sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández.
Basilio Matías-Fajardo was sentenced to 21 years in prison and a supervised release term of five years. Matías-Fajardo, an employee of the El Hipopótamo restaurant, was convicted by a federal jury on August 12, 2024, for conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery, aiding and abetting in the interference with commerce through robbery, and aiding and abetting the use, carrying, and discharging of a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Defendant Luis Cabán-Nieves was sentenced to 11 years in prison and a supervised release term of five years for his participation during the robbery.
Yesterday, November 13, 2024, defendant Geofley Jomar Pérez, was sentenced to 31 years and nine months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years; and defendant Edwin Peña-Valdéz was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison, and a supervised release term of three years.
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Jospe Jomar Santos-Mercado was sentenced to 24 years and three months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years; and defendant Luis Aulet-Maldonado was sentenced to 26 years and three months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years.
According to court documents, the defendants planned and executed the armed robbery at the restaurant El Hipopótamo, during which three victims were kidnapped and the minor male victim was shot twice and killed.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linet Suárez and Julian Radzinschi of the Violent Crime Division prosecuted the case.
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13 November 2024
Yukon Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from NonprofitRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – DEBRA KAYE LYONS, 65, of Yukon, has pleaded guilty to federal program theft, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On October 21, 2024, Lyons was charged by Amended Information with federal program theft. From 2007 to January 2023, Lyons worked for an Oklahoma City nonprofit organization receiving federal funds, where she coordinated the purchase of cell phones and cell phone plans for the nonprofit. According to the Amended Information, from January 13, 2022, through January 13, 2023, through her role with the nonprofit, Lyons used the nonprofit’s corporate account to purchase cell phones, which she then resold for personal financial gain. The Amended Information alleges that the illegally purchased and stolen cell phones led to a loss of at least $5,000 for the nonprofit.
On November 12, 2024, Lyons pleaded guilty, and admitted she stole property from the nonprofit by using its corporate account to purchase cell phones, which she then resold for her own personal financial gain. At sentencing, Lyons faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Winnebago Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lawrence S. Bassette, age 40, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced November 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bassette to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bassette’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In December 2022, Bassette assaulted an elderly male victim known to him by punching the victim multiple times with a closed fist. During the ensuing scuffle, an elderly female was also injured. Prior to his assault on the victim in December 2022, Bassette had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Wilmerding Felon Charged with Cocaine Trafficking and Firearm ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Monte Blair, 51, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about October 16, 2024, Blair possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as ammunition as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $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.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Penn Hills Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Whitley County Man Sentenced for Threatening a Federal Law Enforcement AgentRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A Woodbine, Ky., man, William H. Nantz, 66, was sentenced to 63 months in prison on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for retaliation against a witness. This is his second conviction involving threats to a federal law enforcement agent.
On March 21, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Daniel Nantz with methamphetamine trafficking. Then, on July 24, 2019, a superseding indictment added charges against Daniel Nantz, including murder with the intent to obstruct justice related to his drug trafficking. William Nantz is the father of Daniel Nantz.
Thereafter, on October 2, 2021, William Nantz made a threat against the lead case agent investigating his son’s murder case, to one of the agent’s neighbors. Ultimately, the elder Nantz pled guilty to retaliation against a witness for this initial threat; and as part of his sentencing on that initial charge, the agent submitted a victim impact statement, describing the impact the threat had on he and his family. On October 11, 2022, the elder Nantz was sentenced to 70 months in prison. The day after his sentence was imposed on that initial charge, October 12, 2022, Nantz again threatened the agent, during a recorded video jail call. This time he threatened to sexually assault and murder the agent. In the recorded call, the elder Nantz referenced his agitation with the content of the victim impact statement. And, in conversations that followed the call Nantz reinforced his threats, referencing his desire to “take care of” the agent upon his release from prison. Nantz eventually pled guilty to this second threat as well.
Nantz’s 63 months sentence for this second threat will run consecutively with his previous sentence of 70 months for the first threat. Under federal law, Nantz must serve 85 percent of his prison sentences. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
“The brazen disregard for the victims and the law in this case is nothing short of appalling,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Just a day after receiving an initial federal prison sentence, the defendant issued more threats. This case reminds us of the dangers and sacrifices law enforcement personnel face, on a daily basis, while protecting and serving our communities. Fortunately, it now also serves as a warning to those who issue such threats: you face significant prison sentences for your conduct.”
“This case highlights the dangers our public officials face every day,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “Law enforcement, and our judicial system, must never waiver even when threatened with violence or facing danger. The ATF London office and the entire investigative team should be commended for their work seeking justice for Ms. Johnson, and for not being deterred by William Nantz’s persistent threats. We’re thankful for our investigative partners and for the United States Attorney’s Office for ensuring William Nantz was held accountable.”
United States Attorney Shier and ATF SAC Morrow, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
— END —
Ukrainian National Involved in Scheme to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
STANISLAV ROMANYUK, 39, a citizen of Ukraine last residing in Estonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to violate United States export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tambrini of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division; and Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, made the announcement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, Romanyuk, who operated Estonia-based BY Trade OÜ, conspired with Vadims Ananics and Eriks Mamonovs, both citizens of Latvia who operated CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation, and with individuals in Russia and a Russian company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia.
A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. Romanyuk and his co-conspirators knew that the jig grinder could not be exported from the U.S. to Russia, and they did not apply for, receive, or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
In April 2019, Romanyuk brokered the sale of the jig grinder from By Trade OÜ to a Russian company using funds wired to it from the Russian company to purchase the jig grinder from Sapphire Universal, LLP, a company in Latvia. Sapphire Universal, which Romanyuk knew was in the business of obtaining dual use items from the U.S. for sale in Russia, used CNC Weld as the claimed recipient and end-user of the jig grinder because no license was required to export the jig grinder to Latvia from the U.S. In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Ananics informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. In September 2021, Romanyuk provided a false statement to Estonian authorities about the jig grinder transaction in order to cover up his involvement in this scheme.
U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Approximately $826,000 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited, and a substantial portion of the forfeited funds were transferred to Estonia to provide aid to Ukraine.
Romanyuk was arrested on June 13, 2022, in Latvia. On May 23, 2024, he pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy. He has been detained since his arrest.
Ananics and Mamonovs pleaded guilty to related charges.
This investigation is being conducted by HSI field offices in New Haven and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston and Portland, Oregon; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police have assisted the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman, Stephanie Levick, and Daniel George of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs has provided valuable assistance.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program and is being supported by OCDETF’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Ukrainian National Involved in Scheme to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia Sentenced to 33 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Stanislav Romanyuk, 39, a citizen of Ukraine last residing in Estonia, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to violate U.S. export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, Romanyuk, who operated Estonia-based BY Trade OÜ, conspired with Vadims Ananics and Eriks Mamonovs, both citizens of Latvia who operated the Latvia-based corporation CNC Weld. Romanyuk, Ananics, and Mamonovs violated U.S. export laws and regulations with individuals in Russia and a Russian company to smuggle to Russia a 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut.
A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. Romanyuk and his co-conspirators knew that the jig grinder could not be exported from the United States to Russia, and they did not apply for, receive, or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
In April 2019, Romanyuk brokered the sale of the jig grinder from By Trade OÜ to a Russian company using funds wired to it from the Russian company to purchase the jig grinder from Sapphire Universal LLP, a company in Latvia. Sapphire Universal, which Romanyuk knew was in the business of obtaining dual-use items from the United States for sale in Russia, used CNC Weld as the claimed recipient and end-user of the jig grinder because no license was required to export the jig grinder to Latvia from the United States. In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Ananics informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. In September 2021, Romanyuk provided a false statement to Estonian authorities about the jig grinder transaction in order to cover up his involvement in this scheme.
U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Approximately $826,000 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited, and a substantial portion of the forfeited funds were transferred to Estonia to provide aid to Ukraine.
Romanyuk was arrested on June 13, 2022, in Estonia. On May 23, he pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy. He has been detained since his arrest. Ananics and Mamonovs pleaded guilty to related charges.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, and U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement.
The Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Field Offices in New Haven and the Hague, Netherlands; HSI Counter Proliferation Mission Center; U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston and Portland, Oregon; FBI; and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the case. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police assisted in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman, Stephanie Levick, and Daniel George for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program and is being supported by OCDETF’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Two Maryland Men Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Odometer Tampering and Securities FraudRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jerry John Mathins, age 50, of Laurel, Maryland, and Braysean Owens, age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland, with conspiracy to commit odometer tampering and three counts of securities fraud.
The indictment alleges that, along with other known and unknown co-conspirators, Owens purchased used vehicles with high mileages at auction and altered the titles of those vehicles to reflect a significantly lower odometer reading. Then, Owens and Mathins caused the odometers of those vehicles to be falsely lowered, consistent with the altered titles. Finally, on behalf of B-City Auto & Detailing, a Rosedale, Maryland vehicle dealership, Owens and others, sold hundreds of these vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. These buyers paid, in some instances, thousands of dollars more than they would have if they knew the true mileage of these vehicles.
The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Field Office, and Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes protecting consumers from deceptive practices,” said U.S. Attorney Barron. “We will investigate and hold accountable those who fraudulently obtain individuals’ hard-earned money, including through odometer fraud, as alleged in this case.”
“This was an elaborate scheme that targeted hundreds of unsuspecting car buyers who trusted they were purchasing cars with accurate mileage. Our thorough investigation illustrates how Mathins and Owens deceived these buyers to illegally line their own pockets,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “This case exemplifies the FBI’s commitment to vigorously pursue criminals who orchestrate fraud schemes and bring them to justice.”
“Odometer fraud is a serious and costly crime, and NHTSA is dedicated to protecting American car buyers from these deceptive and dangerous practices,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said. “The agency will continue to educate the public on how to detect odometer fraud and will keep working with the FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ offices to investigate and prosecute these cases.”
If convicted, Owens faces up to 10 years in prison for each securities fraud count and Mathins faces up to 5 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit odometer tampering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with the assistance of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and the Baltimore County Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adeyemi Adenrele and Michael Hanlon.
NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud in the United States costs consumers more than $1 billion annually. NHTSA encourages the public to report odometer fraud by calling its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
More information on odometer fraud is available at https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/odometer-fraud, and tips on detecting and avoiding odometer fraud are available at www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/811284.pdf.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Gang Members Charged with Armed Carjacking in Garden CityRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Abdoul Azika and Jaquell Blackwell were arrested in connection with a complaint charging them with armed carjacking. The defendants were arraigned this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl on the complaint and ordered detained.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the charges.
“For more than a year, Azika and Blackwell terrorized and traumatized innocent members of our community through a pattern of violent, armed carjackings,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work diligently to protect our communities from such violence.”
Mr. Peace thanked the Garden City Police Department, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
“Abdoul Azika and Jaquell Blackwell, two Blood Hounds Brims gang members, allegedly demonstrated a pattern of violence and intimidation by forcing residents to surrender their vehicles at weapon-point. This alleged series of armed robberies incites fear and jeopardizes public safety. The FBI will continue to apprehend gang members who utilize violence to embolden their criminal activities and terrorize our communities,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
As alleged in court filings, Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent “5zzly” crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that has engaged in a string of armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and Long Island. One such incident, as charged in the complaint, took place in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, when Azika and Blackwell snuck up on and opened the doors of a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver’s face, and told him to “get the f*** out of the car,” before driving off with the vehicle.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.
The Defendants:
ABDOUL AZIKA
Age: 20
Bronx, New YorkJAQUELL BLACKWELL
Age: 19
Bronx, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-598
Two Former Employees of New Jersey Mortgage Lending Business Indicted for Roles in Mortgage Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two men were arraigned today on charges related to their roles in a large-scale mortgage fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Christopher J. Gallo, 44, of Old Tappan, New Jersey, and Mehmet Ali Elmas, 32, a U.S. citizen who resided in Turkey until the time of his arrest, were indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 24, 2024, on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, eight counts of bank fraud, eight counts of false statements to a financial institution; and one count of aggravated identity theft. They appeared today before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court and each pleaded not guilty.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Gallo and Elmas were previously employed by a New Jersey-based, privately owned licensed residential mortgage lending business. Gallo was a senior loan officer and Elmas was a mortgage loan officer and Gallo’s assistant. From 2018 through October 2023, Gallo and Elmas used their positions to conspire and engage in a fraudulent scheme to falsify loan origination documents sent to mortgage lenders in New Jersey and elsewhere, including their former employer, to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans. Gallo and Elmas routinely mislead mortgage lenders about the intended use of properties to fraudulently secure lower mortgage interest rates. Gallo and Elmas often submitted loan applications falsely stating that the listed borrowers were the primary residents of certain proprieties when, in fact, those properties were intended to be used as rental or investment properties. By fraudulently misleading lenders about the true intended use of the properties, Gallo and Elmas secured and profited from mortgage loans that were approved at lower interest rates.
The conspiracy also included falsifying property records, including building safety and financial information of prospective borrowers to facilitate mortgage loan approval. Between 2018 through October 2023, Gallo originated more than approximately $3 billion in loans.
The charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and false statements to a financial institution each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft charge carries an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, and special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak, with the investigation leading to the indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
galloelmas.indictment.pdfTwo Chicago Residents Sentenced for Sex Trafficking a MinorRead the Press Release
A Chicago man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor victim and distributing child sexual abuse material. His co-defendant, a Chicago woman, was sentenced previously to 19 years in prison for conspiracy to sex traffic the minor.
According to court documents, in April 2022, Geremy Glass, 35, and Markita Tidwell, 25, sex trafficked a minor whom they met in Chicago. Glass posted online advertisements, set the prices, and communicated with potential commercial sex purchasers. Tidwell provided transportation and registered hotel rooms for the arranged sexual encounters. Both defendants received a portion of the proceeds. In mid-May 2022, Tidwell and Glass transported the minor victim to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the defendants forced the minor to engage in as many as 15 commercial sex encounters in a day. During the trafficking, when the victim attempted to stop or take breaks, Glass was physically violent with her, including dragging her out of the house and slamming her face into a car window. In communicating with commercial sex purchasers, Glass sent sexually explicit images of the victim more than 50 times. Law enforcement received a call from hotel staff in Tuscaloosa stating that there was a young woman who appeared to be abused, which led to the recovery of the minor victim and the arrest of Glass and Tidwell.
On Sept. 26, Glass pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of distribution of child pornography. Glass’s term of imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. On June 27, Tidwell pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. Tidwell’s term of imprisonment will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama; and Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the FBI Birmingham Field Office made the announcement.
FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with FBI Chicago, FBI Milwaukee, the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, the University of Alabama Police Department, Tuscaloosa Police Department, and Northport Police Department.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White for the Northern District of Alabama prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Two Charlotte Men Are Sentenced to Prison for Bank Robbery and Third Defendant Has Pleaded GuiltyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Charlotte men were sentenced to prison today on bank robbery charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Sherrod Davidson, Jr., 33, was sentenced to 139 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Rashad Jackson, 44, was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. A third individual, Dominique Duggins, 33, has pleaded guilty for his role in the robbery and is awaiting sentencing.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, on September 9, 2020, two Garda World Cash Services employees were servicing a Bank of America ATM machine in Charlotte. Davidson, Jackson, and Duggins were sitting in a parked vehicle on a hill overlooking the ATM. Duggins and Davidson exited the vehicle while Jackson stayed behind as the getaway driver. Surveillance video recovered during the investigation shows Duggins approach the first employee who was standing at the ATM machine servicing it. Duggins put a gun to the employee’s back and forced him to the ground, while Davidson approached the Garda van where the other employee was refilling the ATM cassettes with cash. Davidson pointed a gun at the second employee and grabbed multiple bags of cash. Duggins and Davidson returned to the getaway vehicle and fled the scene. Over the course of the investigation, Duggins was identified as one of the three suspects. Duggins had worked from June to July 2020 at Garda World Cash Services before he was fired. Investigators later identified Davidson and Jackson as the other two accomplices.
On April 29, 2022, Duggins pleaded guilty to bank robbery. On June 28, 2024, Davidson pleaded guilty to bank robbery and aiding and abetting, and Jackson pleaded guilty to possession and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Davidson and Jackson are in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. A sentencing date for Duggins has not been set.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Boykin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Three Drug Traffickers Each Sentenced to Ten or More Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BOISE – Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in southern Idaho.
“These defendants are facing the consequences of engaging in drug trafficking in Idaho,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Anyone else thinking of trafficking drugs in Idaho should pay attention. Our strong law enforcement partnerships will continue to detect drug trafficking in Idaho and our prosecutors will continue to ensure that justice is served.”
- Washington Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 14.5 Years in Federal Prison
In one case, Zechariah Scott Chadwick, 37, of Poulsbo, Washington, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, to 14.5 years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
According to court records, on January 17, 2024, Chadwick was driving on US Highway 93 through Twin Falls County when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a snowbank. When deputies arrived to assist, they observed signs that Chadwick was under the influence of a drug. After observing drug paraphernalia, deputies searched his vehicle and located four large tightly wrapped packages containing a total of 2.73 pounds of blue fentanyl pills marked M/30. Deputies also found six brown packages containing a total of 8.81 pounds of methamphetamine. In addition to the drugs, deputies found a loaded .40 caliber handgun. The investigation revealed that Chadwick had left Las Vegas and was taking these drugs to Washington when he was arrested in Idaho.
Chadwick’s criminal history includes state crimes involving theft and violence. In 2016 he was convicted of a felony drive-by shooting in Washington for which he served 78 months in a Washington prison. Chadwick was also convicted of a felony residential burglary in 2023.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Chadwick to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their collaboration in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Booker prosecuted this case.
- Boise Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine
In a separate case, Nathan Gamble, 47, of Boise, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Gamble was part of a drug trafficking organization operating out of eastern Oregon and western Idaho. This drug trafficking organization was responsible for trafficking hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine in Idaho and Oregon. Gamble was identified as a member of the organization after he sold another person three pounds of methamphetamine on November 16, 2023.
Gamble has a criminal history that includes a state conviction for delivery of methamphetamine in Oregon and multiple state convictions for trafficking in methamphetamine in Idaho. Gamble was on state parole for one of his trafficking of methamphetamine convictions while he was distributing the methamphetamine that led to this federal conviction.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Gamble to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Gamble pleaded guilty to the offense in August 2024.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the collaborative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Boise Police Department, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the High Desert Drug Task Force, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.
- Mexican National Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Drugs and Unlawfully Possessing Firearms
In a third case, Ivan Cortez-Monarrez, 41, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to 123 months and 11 days in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to court records, the FBI-led Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force began investigating reports that Cortez-Monarrez was working with a Mexican cartel to distribute drugs from Arizona into the Treasure Valley. In the summer of 2023, law enforcement conducted an operation that resulted in obtaining approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine and three firearms from Cortez-Monarrez. Cortez-Monarrez had previously been removed from the United States in January 2021 but was found illegally living in Idaho at the time he committed the offenses.
Cortez-Monarrez pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2024. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford noted that Cortez-Monarrez had no connection to Idaho or the United States. She further commented on Cortez-Monarrez dealing drugs at the expense of destroying lives. Because Cortez-Monarrez is a Mexican citizen who was illegally present in the United States, he will be deported after serving his prison sentence.
“Like other drug traffickers, Cortez-Monarrez had no regard for the harm he caused the people of the Treasure Valley,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “His sentencing is an example of what can be achieved when law enforcement at all levels works together. Illicit drugs have caused too much pain and devastation in our communities, and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force is actively working to keep Idahoans safe."
“This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Mexican drug cartels to infiltrate communities across the United States and poison our citizens with illicit drugs,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “Thankfully, our strong partnerships in the Treasure Valley among our state, local, and federal partners allow us to fight this type of criminality head-on. I’m thankful for the dedicated work of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and U.S. Attorney Hurwit’s office for putting this defendant in prison. I’m hopeful it sends a message to other criminals that we will stop at nothing to find you and hold you accountable for your actions.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force for its efforts in this case. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction. In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) assisted in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler prosecuted this case.
The Special Assistant U.S. Attorney was hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth.
The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Gamble and Cortez-Monarrez prosecutions were 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.
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Tewksbury Man Pleads Guilty to Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Tewksbury man pleaded guilty yesterday to sex trafficking and the interstate transportation of seven separate victims for the purposes of prostitution.
Jermall Anderson, 45, pleaded guilty to seven counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2025. Anderson was indicted in August 2023, along with two co-conspirators.
“This case highlights both the horrors of human trafficking and the myriad ways the opioid crisis plagues our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Jermall Anderson exploited his victims’ drug addictions to force these women to sell their bodies many times a day, with Anderson pocketing all the money. He also used physical force and threats of harm to coerce these victims and keep them in line. Our office and are partners are dedicated to fighting on behalf of sex trafficking victims and bringing their traffickers to justice.”
“Anderson and his co-conspirators exploited women in the most inhumane ways possible. He tactically prowled substance abuse rehabilitation facilities to find women with vulnerabilities he could exploit for his own profit. Human traffickers like Anderson and his collaborators are predators who ensnare victims by offering safety only to create a climate of dependence and fear that keeps victims under their control,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “The survivors of Anderson’s trafficking ring have been through so much and we hope that today’s plea is a positive landmark in their healing.”
From 2012 through 2016, Anderson, along with his alleged co-conspirators, used physical violence, threats and the giving and withholding of heroin and cocaine to force seven different victims to prostitute on their behalf. Anderson and his alleged co-conspirators targeted vulnerable victims, specifically those struggling from drug addiction, homelessness and lack of economic resources. Anderson recruited women struggling with drug addiction directly from detox and drug rehabilitation facilities and forced and coerced them into providing commercial sex for his financial benefit. The defendants are alleged to have trafficked these victims throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.
The charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion each provide for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of coercion and enticement and interstate transportation for prostitution provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 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.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact [email protected].
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the HSI Office in New Haven, Conn., the Lynn and Tewksbury Police Departments (Mass.) and the Hampden (Conn.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Hassink and Leah B. Foley of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.