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23 October 2024
Denver Man Convicted of Being A Felon in Possession of Ammunition by Federal JuryRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Tyrell Braxton, 25, of Denver, was found guilty by a federal grand jury of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
According to the facts established at trial, in the early morning hours on August 19, 2023, a large group of people gathered on the southwest corner of 28th and Welton in Denver. Shortly before 4 am, multiple gunshots were heard, and Denver Police officers were dispatched to a shooting. Surveillance video from a nearby home showed Braxton repeatedly displaying a firearm for hours prior to the shooting. The video also showed Braxton getting into a man’s face before firing six shots at the man and the people standing near him. This man was shot and killed. Two women were shot and injured. After Braxton started shooting, other individuals on scene also began to fire, and a second man was shot and killed. Ultimately, law enforcement recovered 71 spent shell casings that were identified as being fired from eight different firearms. Braxton fled the scene with his firearm and was a fugitive before being captured. Braxton was on federal supervised release at the time for a prior unlawful possession of a firearm and had been released from prison in April 2023.
“Violent criminals have no place on our streets,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “Our office works hard to hold repeat offenders accountable for their actions, and I am grateful for the dedicated support of our local law enforcement partners.”
Sentencing will be held on January 29, 2025.
United States District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson presided over the trial. The Denver Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Celeste Rangel and Special Assistant United States Attorney Leah Perczak handled the prosecution.
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.
Case Number: 24-cr-00029-RBJ-1
Denham Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that Barry Paul Vining, age 56, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson to distribution of child pornography.
According to admissions made during his plea, on November 27, 2022, Vining knowingly distributed the two images of child pornography when he uploaded them to a file sharing service accessed via the internet, and that allowed other users of the service around the world to download and share the images. In addition, at the time Vining distributed the child pornography, he possessed files that contained numerous images and videos of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Ronald Gathe stated, “Our office will remain steadfast in the prosecution of the horrific crime of child pornography, a crime that preys on the most vulnerable, our youth. I want to thank our Project Safe Childhood Partners, especially the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations for their hard work in investigating this illegal act.”
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
Davenport Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 150 months in federal prison for distributing fentanyl.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Nathan Neil Tyson, 25, distributed fentanyl to another person. That person died because they ingested the fentanyl Tyson gave them. Officers located marijuana, cash, and an extended firearm magazine at Tyson’s residence. In addition, when he was arrested, Tyson had a loaded firearm near him.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Tyson will be required to serve a five-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 Davenport Police Department.
Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill.
Davenport Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography.
According to public court documents, Devin Lee Ortiz, 32, received and searched for child sexual abuse material using his phone in July 2020. Ortiz’s phone had approximately 550 images of child sexual abuse material. Ortiz committed this offense while he resided at the residential reentry center in Davenport as the result of a 2013 conviction for lascivious acts with a child in the Iowa District Court for Scott County.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Ortiz will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Ortiz was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Danville Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of Children and Attempted Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Danville, Illinois, man, Joseph Allen Carpenter, 52, was sentenced today to 180 months of imprisonment, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, for attempted sexual exploitation of a child and attempted receipt of child pornography.
Carpenter was convicted of the offenses following a jury trial in June 2024. At the sentencing hearing, the government highlighted evidence from the jury trial showing that from November 2021 and into early 2022, Carpenter communicated with an individual he believed to be the father of an eight-year-old girl via text communication applications. In those communications, Carpenter requested various child pornography images and encouraged abuse of the alleged minor.
Also at the hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm found that Carpenter’s offense should be considered more serious than others because of his attempt to exploit a person he believed to be a child under the age of twelve. Judge Mihm commented that he found Carpenter’s conduct “reprehensible.”
The statutory penalties for attempted sexual exploitation of a child are a minimum of 15 years of imprisonment, a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime term of supervised release. The statutory penalties for attempted receipt of child pornography are a minimum of five years of imprisonment, a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime term of supervised release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Lynch and Timothy A. Bass represented the government in the prosecution.
This case was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Court Finds Three Miami-Area Tax Return Preparers in Contempt and Orders Disgorgement of Ill-Gotten Fees as a SanctionRead the Press Release
A federal court in Miami today issued an order holding Gerald Vito, James Eleby and Kwame Thomas in contempt for violating a permanent injunction that prohibited Vito and Eleby from preparing, filing or assisting in the preparation or filing of federal tax returns for others.
According to the complaint filed against Vito and Eleby in March 2021, the defendants prepared tax returns that significantly understated their customers’ tax liabilities by claiming deductions for fabricated or inflated charitable deductions, medical expenses, and employee business expenses. The complaint further alleged that the defendants significantly understated their customers’ tax liabilities by reporting false or inflated business losses. On Dec. 27, 2021, the court issued a default judgment of permanent injunction that barred Gerald Vito and James Eleby from preparing tax returns for others.
Following a hearing in September, the court found that the United States demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that Vito and Eleby violated the permanent injunction by continuing to prepare tax returns for others. The court further found that Thomas, who was not a defendant in the original complaint, violated the injunction by working alongside Eleby to prepare returns in violation of the injunction.
For these violations, the court held Vito, Eleby and Thomas in civil contempt and ordered that they disgorge, in the aggregate, $988,789.56 in fees they earned while violating the injunction. Vito and Eleby were further ordered to disclose to the government the names of all taxpayers for whom they prepared returns after Dec. 27, 2021, notify those taxpayers of the injunction against them, vacate the premises at which they prepare returns and file an affidavit of compliance with these terms.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information.
In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Vito et al Contempt Order.pdfCortez Man Pleads Guilty to Making Threats Against Election OfficialRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Teak Ty Brockbank, 45, of Cortez, pleaded guilty today to one count of transmitting interstate threats.
According to the plea agreement, Brockbank made a series of online threats toward elections officials in Colorado and Arizona, a Colorado state judge, and federal law enforcement agents between September 2021 and July 2024. On September 22, 2021, for example, Brockbank posted on a social media account: “I live in Communist Colorado and this Crazed liberal [referring to Election Official-1] and many others in Communist Colorado needs to- No has to Hang she has to Hang by the neck till she is Dead Dead Dead. There will be accountability for these peoples actions in Communist Colorado and it won’t be judges and it won’t be weakmided cops that bring it!!! It will be Me it will be You it Will be every day people that understand that there life does not matter anymore with the future our country has laid out before it.”
In the plea agreement, Brockbank also admitted that, during that time, he used that account, as well as another social media account to post messages threatening Colorado and Arizona election officials. Brockbank admitted to other threats as well. On August 4, 2022, for example, Brockbank posted a message referring to separate election officials in Arizona and Colorado and then stated: “Once those people start getting put to death then the rest will melt like snowflakes and turn on each other. . . . This is the only way. So those of us that have the stomach for what has to be done should prepare our minds for what we all [a]re going to do!!!!!! It is time.”
Brockbank also posted a message threatening a Colorado state judge on Oct. 2, 2021: “I could pick up my rifle and I could go put a bullet in this Mans head and send him to explain himself to our Creator right now. I would be Justified!!! Not only justified but obligated by those in my family who fought and died for the freedom in this country. . . . What can I do other than kill this man my self?”
Finally, Brockbank allegedly threatened federal law enforcement on July 20, 2022, posting: “ATF CIA FBI show up to my house I am shooting them peace’s of shit first No Warning!! Then I will call the sheriff!!! With everything that these piece of shit agencies have done I am completely justified to just start dropping them as soon as they step on my property! justified.”
United States District Judge S. Kato Crews presided over the change of plea hearing. The FBI Denver Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Y. Chung for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution.
Sentencing will be held on February 3, 2025.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. A year after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the Task Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Case Number: 24-cr-00291-SKC
Columbia Man on Federal Supervised Release Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Daisean Montez Skeeters, 30, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on July 17, 2024, Columbia Police Department officers responded to a domestic violence call at Skeeters’ home. After arriving, police learned there might be firearms in the home. Because Skeeters was already on federal supervised release for a previous federal firearms conviction, agents also spoke to his U.S. Probation Officer, who said he was also advised of firearms in the home. Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence and located two firearms, including one loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition. Agents obtained a second search warrant for Skeeters’ DNA to compare to swabs taken from those firearms. DNA testing confirmed an extremely high probability that Skeeters’ DNA was present on one of the firearms. Skeeters entered a guilty plea to possessing that firearm as a convicted felon.
Skeeters was already on federal supervised release following a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces a separate penalty for violating the terms of that release.
According to a sentencing memorandum filed by the Government in his prior case (3:19-CR-992), Skeeters has a history of leading a street gang that was responsible for a substantial disruption of local communities to include through gun violence, organized drug distribution, and fraud schemes.
Skeeters faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Skeeters after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department with forensic assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Sanford are prosecuting the case.
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Colombian National Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Trafficking $75 Million of Cocaine on A Self-Propelled Semi-SubmersibleRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Henry Aguirre-Valois (36, Colombia) to 16 years in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Aguirre-Valois entered a guilty plea on May 24, 2024.
According to court documents, on November 20, 2023, Aguirre-Valois and his three co-defendants smuggled cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on board a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel, which is a closed hull boat built specifically for transporting bulk levels of narcotics. Members of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Waesche interdicted the defendants and their vessel approximately 170 nautical miles west of Ecuador, in international waters.
The United States Coast Guard seized 2,523 kilograms of cocaine from the vessel, which has an approximate wholesale value of $75 million.
Aguirre-Valois had previously been convicted and sentenced in 2019 for trafficking cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi- jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
The specific mission of the OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations involved in large scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and related activities. The OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pardo.
Colombian Man Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian man was sentenced yesterday for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Fabian Lopez Mejia, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to six months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. In September 2024, Lopez Mejia pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In June 2024, Lopez Mejia was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Lopez Mejia was previously removed from the United States in November 2019. Sometime after his removal, Lopez Mejia returned to the United States. Federal authorities became aware of Lopez Mejia’s return to the United States while he was serving a state prison sentence after he pleaded guilty in October 2023 in Suffolk Superior Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance and one count of forgery/misuse of an RMV document.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Chula Vista Man Admits Defrauding Investors of More than $4 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Chula Vista resident Paolo Roberto Flores pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting he defrauded investors of more than $4 million through lies and deception.
According to his plea agreement, Flores made false statements about the success of his prior investments and promised to do the same for new investors. He agreed to invest their funds in cryptocurrency and take 20 percent of any profitable trades. He also told potential investors that he had effective risk mitigation measures in place to limit potential losses.
Flores sent frequent text messages to investors, purporting to document profits resulting from his cryptocurrency trading. Based on Flores’ claim of consistent profits, some clients decided to increase their investments.
When his investments started declining consistently, Flores took multiple steps to conceal his losses from investors. He doctored account statements to falsely show profits that did not exist. For example, on July 8, 2022, Flores sent a screenshot to investors that purported to be an “Assets Overview” page from trading platform BYBIT. He had doctored the screenshot to show an overall asset amount of approximately 69.06515482 BTC (or approximately $1,502,431.64 based on the closing price of $21,753.83 for one BTC on July 8, 2022). In reality, the account had a nominal balance.
Later, when investors tried to withdraw funds as Flores had promised, Flores falsely claimed that BYBIT had frozen the account in which investor money had been deposited. He provided a series of apparent screenshots of emails, which he claimed were his communications with BYBIT. Instead, he had secretly created a new account, then initiated a user request through BYBIT to disable the login for the new account claiming, “suspicious account activity.” After BYBIT blocked the account as requested, FLORES logged into the new account to get the error message. He provided the error message, “This account has been banned,” to the investors to support his fraudulent claim that BYBIT had banned the account.
According to court documents, Flores obtained at least $4,781,248 from victim investors because of his false statements and fraudulent documentation. At least 15 people gave amounts from $50,000 to $1.6 million. Flores used the proceeds of his scheme to purchase a 2021 Tesla Model S and a 2022 Land Rover RR, which he boasted about on his Facebook page.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to pursuing those who commit fraud for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or fraud scheme, contact law enforcement for help.”
“Mr. Flores willingly preyed upon investors who trusted him with their money,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “People should be able to confidently invest their hard-earned money in the way that they choose. If that confidence and trust are exploited by criminals aiming to commit fraud, investors should know that law enforcement will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible.”
In addition to the investment fraud, Flores admitted that he attempted to commit mortgage fraud. In July 2023, Flores executed an application to refinance a Veteran’s Administration mortgage with Rocket Mortgage LLC in the amount of $1,086,000 for his residence. In connection with the application, Flores made false statements about his employment status and income, and supported those false claims by submitting fabricated pay stubs to the mortgage lender.
Flores was ordered to appear for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz on January 23, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
If you believe you were a victim of this crime, you may contact the San Diego Field Office at (858) 320-1800, or the Victim Witness Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office at [email protected].
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie H. Chu.
DEFENDANT Case Number 24CR2216-BTM
Paolo Roberto Flores Age: 39 Chula Vista, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gregory D’Arquaes Zander, 35, of Charleston, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Zander admitted to possessing six firearms found by law enforcement officers during March 11, 2024, traffic stops of two vehicles on Interstate 77 North near the Kanawha County-Jackson County line. Zander was a passenger in one of the vehicles and the other vehicle was a blue pickup truck. Officers found a rifle case in the blue truck containing the six firearms: a Smith & Wesson model M&P 10mm M2.0 10mm pistol, a Springfield Armory model DS Prodigy 9mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson model M&P 9 9mm pistol, a Kimber model Rose Gold Ultra II .45-caliber ACP pistol, a Glock model 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol, and a CMMG model MK4 5.78x28mm pistol.
Officers also found a wallet in the blue truck containing Zander’s state identification card and birth certificate and receipts for the purchase of two of the firearms. The receipts listed the driver of the blue truck as the purchaser. The driver told investigators that he purchased multiple firearms for Zander, who selected which firearms to buy and provided the money for each purchase, and transported the firearms to one of two adjacent apartments rented by Zander in Charleston. The driver also admitted that just before the traffic stops, Zander directed him to load the rifle case containing the six firearms from one of those apartments into the blue truck and paid him to drive the blue truck to Michigan.
Officers searched Zander’s apartments following the traffic stops and found three additional firearms, ammunition, magazines, over 200 grams of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia including a digital scale and vacuum sealed bags. Officers also found packaging for four of the firearms seized from the blue truck and the receipt of the purchase of one of those firearms.
Investigators established that Zander had accompanied the driver during the purchase of four of the seized firearms, and wore one of the firearms on his ankle during a purchase. Investigators also found that Zander had fired one of the firearms at a public outdoor shooting range and purchased nearly $4,000 worth of firearms accessories around the time of the firearm purchases. Zander was responsible for at least 13 illegally possessed firearms based on facts learned during the investigation.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Zander knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in Kanawha County Circuit Court on September 22, 2021.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-55.
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Charles City Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a firearm as a prohibited person pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Dashaune Terrell Burns-Johnson, age 31, from Charles City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
At the plea hearing, Burns-Johnson admitted that, on May 22, 2024, in Charles City he knowingly possessed a Taurus G3c, 9x19 mm pistol. At the time he possessed the gun, he knew that he had been convicted of a felony, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, second offense, and that he had been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, specifically, domestic abuse assault.
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.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Burns-Johnson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Burns-Johnson faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Charles City Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 24-CR-2033. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Cedar Rapids Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sold methamphetamine and unlawfully possessed a firearm was sentenced today to more than 14 years in federal prison.
Julius Anthony Montgomery, age 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 17, 2024 guilty plea to distribution of a controlled substance following a conviction for a prior serious drug felony.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that four times in January 2023, Montgomery sold methamphetamine. On January 26, 2023, law enforcement officers searched his home in Cedar Rapids. Montgomery, another adult, and six minor children were home at the time. When Montgomery realized that law enforcement officers had arrived, he tried to escape out the upstairs window with a firearm. Ultimately, he surrendered to officers. Inside his house and car, officers found over seven pounds of ice methamphetamine, his firearm, and over $2,000 in drug proceeds. Montgomery has prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school after having been convicted of a felony drug offense, and for possession of ammunition by a felon and drug user.
Montgomery was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Montgomery was sentenced to 169 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.
Montgomery is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Probation for the Northern District of Iowa.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-44.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
California brothers sentenced to federal prison for roles in large meth, fentanyl trafficking ring that distributed drugs in Butte, Helena areasRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A federal judge on Oct. 22 sentenced two brothers from California to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a large trafficking ring that distributed pounds of methamphetamine and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills in the Butte and Helena communities, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Defendant Martin Topete, 33, of Mira Loma, California, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Topete’s brother, Johnathan Topete, 28, of Mira Loma, California, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The Topete brothers are the last defendants in the case to be sentenced.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
“Drugs, cash, and guns. Virtually every case we prosecute includes each of these, but this case is even worse because of the amounts of each and that it was a family affair. The Topete brothers were among eight Montana and California defendants who brought a staggering amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills to the Butte and Helena communities over approximately six months. The brothers will collectively serve 30 years in federal prison, we’ve removed more drugs and guns from our streets, and we will continue pursuing justice against those who poison our state and nation,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In court records, the government alleged that from June 2022 until about January 2023 in Butte and Helena, the Topete brothers and six other co-defendants conspired to traffic meth and fentanyl. In June 2022, the Utah Highway Patrol stopped an individual traveling in a vehicle carrying 3.5 pounds of meth and 6,000 pills containing fentanyl and learned that the individual was transporting the drugs to Butte for distribution by “Esco,” who was co-defendant Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, of Anaheim, California. Law enforcement further learned that Fuentes was staying at Whitehall residence along with at least one co-defendant, James Andrew Stringari, of Whitehall, and that Fuentes was supplying both fentanyl and meth throughout the Butte area from the Whitehall residence. In addition, law enforcement corroborated information about meth and fentanyl trafficking that implicated Fuentes, Stringari, co-defendant Janet Dean White, of Butte, and another co-defendant.
During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted packages containing thousands of pills that were mailed from California to a Whitehall address and a Butte address. Law enforcement also learned that Fuentes had relocated to a house in Helena. Investigators conducted coordinated raids of the Helena and Butte addresses. In the Butte residence, law enforcement located approximately six pounds of meth, 208 grams of fentanyl, $15,000 cash and seven firearms. In the Helena residence, law enforcement located approximately seven pounds of meth and 68 grams of fentanyl.
The evidence showed that Martin Topete was one of the leaders of the conspiracy and communicated with his co-conspirators to coordinate resupplies of drugs. Martin Topete worked closely with Fuentes, including directing drug runs from to California for resupply and dictating drug flow to Fuentes for distribution. Martin Topete also would direct other co-conspirators to Fuentes when he did not have drugs to distribute.
The government further alleged that Johnathan Topete aided in the distribution of thousands of fentanyl pills and pounds of meth and helped launder the profits. Johnathan Topete also procured guns for the conspiracy and was a participant in tracking a January 2023 package, which contained almost 3,000 fentanyl pills. Johnathan either threatened or assisted in threatening a co-conspirator after that package was delayed and was subsequently discovered to have possessed or aided in the possession of almost six pounds of meth and seven firearms.
Co-defendant Fuentes was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Stringari was sentenced to 16 years in prison and White was sentenced to 15 years in prison. A federal jury convicted all three defendants of trafficking crime during a trial in April. Co-defendant Wayne Johnson II, of Santa Ana, California, who pleaded guilty in the case, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Co-defendant Trevor Allen Handy, of Butte, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, and co-defendant Agatha Noriz Carranza, of Whitehall, was sentenced to three years in prison. Handy and Carranza also pleaded guilty to charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah Highway Patrol and Utah State Bureau of Investigations 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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California Man Charged with Weapon of Mass Destruction Offense in Connection with Bomb Attack in Lobby of County CourthouseRead the Press Release
A three-count federal grand jury indictment was returned today charging Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, California, with committing a bomb attack at a courthouse in Santa Maria in which several people were injured. McGuire’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 25 in the Central District of California.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on Sept. 25, McGuire entered a courthouse of Santa Barbara County Superior Court and threw a bag into the lobby. The bag exploded and McGuire left the courthouse on foot. The explosion injured at least five people who were near the bomb when it exploded.
Shortly thereafter, McGuire was apprehended and detained by law enforcement officials as he was trying to access a red Ford Mustang car parked outside the building. McGuire allegedly yelled that the government had taken his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise up, and rebel.
Inside the car, a deputy saw ammunition, a flare gun, and a box of fireworks. A search of the car revealed a shotgun, a rifle, more ammunition, a suspected bomb, and 10 Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement later rendered the bomb safe. McGuire told law enforcement he intended to re-enter the courthouse with the firearms in order to kill a judge.
A search of McGuire’s residence revealed an empty can with nails glued to the outside, a duffel bag containing matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks, and papers that appeared to be recipes for explosive material.
McGuire was charged with one count of using a weapon of mass destruction, one count of maliciously damaging a building by means of explosive, and one count of possessing unregistered destructive devices. McGuire has been in custody since his arrest in September, shortly after the attack.
If convicted of all charges, McGuire faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch announced the case.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Takla and Kathrynne N. Seiden for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Birmingham Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man has been sentenced for gun and drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
U.S. District Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala sentenced Damion Deonte Wade, 24, to 120 months in prison after Wade pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to the plea agreement, on April 11, 2023, Birmingham Police officers stopped a vehicle for having a tinted windshield; Wade was driving. Officers saw drugs, drug paraphernalia, and firearms in plain view. Officers searched the vehicle and recovered two digital scales, methamphetamine, fentanyl, a Mak-47, a Glock 10mm extended magazine and an AK-47 magazine.
ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius Greene prosecuted the case.
Belleview Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kyle Burbank (32, Belleview) has pleaded guilty to three counts of receipt of child sexual abuse material. Burbank faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, between January 5 and 17, 2024, Burbank received five video files over the internet from a 12-year-old child in another state. The videos depicted child sex abuse material. During a review of Burbank’s social media accounts, investigators identified a second victim, a 13-year-old child, also living in a different state. Burbank had received child sex abuse material from the second victim on September 26, 2023.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Clinton County (Indiana) Sherriff’s Office and the Rossville (Indiana) Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Bank fraud scheme sends Georgia man to federal prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A federal judge today sentenced a Georgia man to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for a scheme that involved recruiting homeless individuals to cash fraudulent checks at Montana financial institutions, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Akia Demetrius Hills, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty in June to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court also ordered $226,500.69 in restitution.
In court documents, the government alleged that Hills and others stole mail and checks, and then fraudulently used the identities of various individuals to cash fraudulent checks throughout Montana financial institutions. On May 10, 2019, Hills and others instructed a man to enter numerous banks to attempt to cash a fraudulent check. Eventually, one bank accepted the fraudulent check, which totaled $6,734. Hills traveled across the country to defraud banks and attempted to use homeless individuals to cash fraudulent checks at banks.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Arizona Man Sentenced for 51 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Xavier Olivas-Valenzuela, age 24, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced October 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Olivas-Valenzuela to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 31, 2023, the DEA Criminal Interdiction Unit was working at the bus station in Omaha, Nebraska, when they made contact with Olivas-Valenzuela. During the contact, Olivas-Valenzuela admitted to contraband in his bag. When investigators began to search his bag, Olivas-Valenzuela ran out the door. After a short pursuit, Olivas-Valenzuela was detained. A search of his luggage resulted in 51 pounds of meth being seized. A search that night of Olivas-Valenzuela’s phone showed that he was directed to stay at a residence in the 1700 block of N. 10th Street. A search warrant was obtained for that residence. Investigators found Carlos Ruelas at the residence, along with 10 kilograms of cocaine and $68,460.
Ruelas was sentenced on October 2, 2024, to a term of imprisonment of 46 months.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Nebraska State Patrol.
Altoona Man Sentenced to 117 Months in Federal Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – An Altoona man was sentenced on Friday, October 18, 2024, to 117 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography.
According to public court documents, Eduardo Ibarra Mora, 34, a Mexican national, possessed 45 images and more than 60 videos containing child sexual abuse material on his phone and a social media account. After completing his term of imprisonment, Ibarra Mora will be required to serve a five-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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Altoona Police Department.
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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Alexandria woman pleads guilty to intentionally striking a victim with her car while fleeing the Fort Belvoir ExchangeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria woman pled guilty today to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm.
According to court documents, on Dec. 29, 2022, Alexis Amani Smith, 28, entered the AAFES Main Exchange at Fort Belvoir and began to steal several items of merchandise. Smith then walked past the final point of purchase with five items – perfume and earrings valued at $342.99 – without paying.
After Smith exited the Exchange with the merchandise, a loss prevention officer (LPO) of the Exchange approached Smith, questioned her about her apparent theft of merchandise, and requested identification. A verbal altercation ensued. Smith placed the stolen merchandise on the floor, then quickly exited the Exchange and entered her vehicle in the Main Exchange parking lot.
The LPO followed Smith to the parking lot to obtain the vehicle license plate number. While the LPO was standing directly in front of Smith’s vehicle, Smith accelerated the vehicle, striking the LPO’s knees and shins. The LPO placed her hands on the hood of Smith’s vehicle to maintain her balance while yelling for Smith to stop. Smith accelerated again, sending the LPO onto an adjacent vehicle and then onto the pavement. Smith continued to accelerate and left the Main Exchange.
As a result of the vehicle strike, the victim suffered injuries to both her knees, her forearm, and her shoulder.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2025, and faces up to 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
The Fort Belvoir Department of Emergency Services provided valuable assistance on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Durham is prosecuting the case. Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Kyle Richardson and Margarita Pendarvis provided substantial assistance in the prosecution of the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-168.
Alexandria fentanyl dealer sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for selling counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
According to court documents, from at least February to April 2024, Alhagi Gassim Conteh, 30, obtained nearly 4,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills imprinted with “M30,” but which contained fentanyl, and distributed them.
Throughout the conspiracy, Conteh, a convicted felon, used a source in Fredericksburg to obtain fentanyl pills to sell to the confidential source (CS) and others. Conteh told the CS that his “man” in Fredericksburg was receiving packages of up to 30,000 fentanyl pills at a time, and Conteh sold these fentanyl pills to the CS.
On April 12, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Conteh’s residence in Alexandria and recovered approximately 500 fentanyl pills, cocaine, two magazines with a total of 36 rounds of ammunition, a digital scale, and a handheld pill press.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin S. Starr prosecuted the case.
Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-140.
Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson Appoints Election Officer for the Middle District of AlabamaRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that an Assistant United States Attorney will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Middle District of Alabama and lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “In addition, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the DEO will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. The DEO can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (334) 223-7280.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 251-438-3674.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson added, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
72 Year Old Tahlequah Resident Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Sex Abuse CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Phillip Dale Wilson, age 72, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 204 months each on two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. The terms are to be served concurrently for a total prison term of 17 years.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 18, 2023, Phillip Dale Wilson pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, beginning in December of 1999 and continuing until November of 2005, Wilson sexually abused a child he knew to be under the age of 12. Investigators also established that between April 2004 and March 2011, Wilson sexually abused a second child he knew to be under the age of 12. The investigation further revealed that between September 2001 and December 2015 Wilson sexually abused three other children under the age of 12 and another child under the age of 16.
The crimes occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI to investigate anyone who would harm the most vulnerable members of the community, our children,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue child sex offenders and send them to federal prison where they belong.”
“Due in large part to the bravery of the victims and the exceptional investigative work of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, the defendant will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “No prison sentence can undo the physical and emotional damage the defendant inflicted on his victims, but I hope they can have some measure of peace in knowing the defendant no longer poses a threat to them or other children.”
The Honorable Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for Puerto Rico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Wilson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
"Operation Bond Watch" Seeks to Prevent Those Charged with Violent Crimes from Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Thomas J. Jaworski, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, today announced a new initiative aimed at prosecuting unlawful firearm possession by individuals previously charged with murder and attempted murder. “Operation Bond Watch” seeks to deter defendants who are out on bond for serious violent crimes from illegally possessing firearms and potentially putting the community at risk. The program seeks to deter those released on bond for First Degree Murder, Felony Murder, Second Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, and Attempted Second Degree murder from unlawfully possessing firearms.
Under this new program, if an individual on bond for a serious violent crime is found to have unlawfully possessed a firearm, federal prosecutors will, where the evidence supports it, swiftly seek appropriate federal charges against those individuals. “The goal is to keep the community safe from gun violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski, “and to prevent those on bond while charged with murder and attempted murder from illegally carrying guns while awaiting their day in court.”
“Breaking cycles of violent gun crime by repeat offenders is essential to the safety of the Nashville community,” said Metro Police Chief John Drake. “Operation Bond Watch is an important tool in a system of checks and balances between a defendant’s arrest and ultimate adjudication of the case. I am grateful to Acting U.S. Attorney Jaworski and our strong partners in the ATF and FBI for their commitment in helping us hold violent criminals accountable.”
“Protecting the public is at the core of our ATF mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the ATF Nashville Field Division. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, stand ready to work tirelessly to prevent those who choose to illegally possess firearms from wreaking havoc on law abiding citizens.”
“The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners on Operation Bond Watch,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “Here in Tennessee, the FBI will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to deter defendants who are out on bond for serious violent crimes from illegally possessing firearms. Everyone deserves to live in a community free of gun violence.”
In April 2024, a Nashville man out on bond for a 2021 murder was arrested on suspicion of committing another murder; both cases are still pending. “We believe in the presumption of innocence and a right to a fair trial,” Jaworski said, “but we also believe that the community should be protected from individuals unlawfully possessing firearms when there is the potential to cause destructive violence.”
Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville have previously charged individuals on bond for murder with unlawful weapons possession offenses. For example, Mark Ellis, 30, of Clarksville was on bond for First Degree Murder when he was arrested with a 9mm pistol and a pound of fentanyl during a drug deal. In March of 2024, Ellis was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his crimes.
This new effort will bring more federal resources to bear against individuals who unlawfully possess firearms while on bond for serious violent crimes. “Our commitment to the safety of our community has been steadfast,” Jaworski said, “this new initiative will hopefully deter those awaiting a trial on serious charges from illegally carrying a gun, which is better for everyone.”
This initiative 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.
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22 October 2024
Yuba County Caregiver Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $155,000 in Social Security Benefits Following Elderly Patient’s DeathRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Roselyn Mims, 51, of Linda, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Mims was a Certified Nurse Assistant and In-Home Support Services (IHSS) home healthcare provider in the State of California, and she provided IHSS care to an elderly woman who received monthly Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. When the elderly woman passed away, her death was not reported to SSA and, as a result, SSA continued to direct deposit SSA benefits into her bank account.
Following the elderly woman’s death, Mims possessed her checkbook tied to the account that received SSA benefits. From August 2016 through August 2023, Mims used those stolen checks to make out checks to herself and others. In particular, Mims forged the elderly woman’s signature, either cashed or deposited the forged checks, and then gave the money to associates or family members or used the money to pay various bills, including rent, utilities, and medical bills. When Mims ran out of checks from the checkbook, she used the elderly woman’s bank account number and routing number to pay bills electronically. Mims only stopped her theft and conversion of the SSA benefits after being interviewed by law enforcement in August 2023.
Mims’ theft of government funds resulted in a total loss of $156,445 to SSA. She has agreed to pay this amount back in restitution.
This case is the product of an investigation by the SSA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Moody and Denise N. Yasinow are prosecuting the case.
Mims is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Feb. 11, 2025. Mims faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Winter Haven Woman Indicted for Fraud in Using Drug Proceeds to Purchase HomeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Rose Esquilin Rios (34, Winter Haven) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Esquilin Rios faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Esquilin Rios that the United States intends to forfeit $368,207, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, Esquilin Rios secured a mortgage for a home she shared with her domestic partner, a trafficker of cocaine in the Middle District of Florida since at least July 2020. After agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration interviewed Esquilin Rios’s partner in March 2022, he closed his bank account, sold his house that he had paid for with drug proceeds, and transferred the proceeds of that sale to an account in Esquilin Rios’s name. During the summer of 2022, Esquilin Rios applied for a mortgage on a new home, claiming that she made $127,631 in a document sent to the lender. In a Uniform Residential Loan Application also sent to the lender, Esquilin Rios claimed a monthly income of $8,179.17 as a delivery driver. Both claims were false and Esquilin Rios knew them to be false because the source of the money was her partner’s sale of a house paid for with drug proceeds. The total loan amount Esquilin Rios secured through her false claims was $368,207.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.
Winston-Salem Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Maximino Sandoval Penaloza, a 44-year-old resident of Winston-Salem, has been sentenced to 210 months in prison for the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in the Wilmington area. Penaloza pled guilty on March 7, 2023.
According to the court documents and other information presented in court, in 2020 law enforcement investigated drug trafficking activities occurring in the Winston-Salem and Wilmington areas of North Carolina. Ultimately, law enforcement learned that a drug trafficking organization was distributing large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in various communities in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Penaloza was identified as a member of this organization.
From approximately December 7, 2020, through December 16, 2020, Penaloza communicated with an undercover law enforcement agent regarding the purchase of methamphetamine. On December 16, 2020, Penaloza directed a courier to meet with the undercover law enforcement agent to deliver 191.66 grams of methamphetamine. During additional conversations with the undercover agent, in March of 2021 Penaloza admitted having one kilogram of cocaine for sale. Later, in September of 2021 the undercover agent purchased 519.1 grams of methamphetamine arranged by Penaloza and delivered by a courier.
The investigation further uncovered that Penaloza, is illegally present in the United States, has three prior felony convictions for trafficking cocaine and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, resisting a law enforcement officer, and has been previously deported from the United States and returned to Mexico on at least two occasions.
The prosecution of Penaloza was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, 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.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci and Julie Childress prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:22-CR-00104-BO.
Watertown Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms while under Active Domestic Protection OrderRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watertown, South Dakota, man, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Christopher Thomas Manin, age 56, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, as well as $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Manin was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.
On July 25, 2022, the Watertown Police Department was dispatched to an apartment complex in town for reports of a domestic situation transpiring. Officers arrived at the apartment and spoke with Manin. During the investigation, the officers discovered Manin was in possession of several firearms and ammunition while he had an active domestic protection order against him and that he had been previously convicted of a felony.
“The presence of firearms in homes where domestic violence persists drastically increases the likelihood of intimate partner gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “For that reason, individuals subject to an active domestic protection order are federally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable perpetrators of domestic violence who illegally possess firearms.”
Manin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb 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.
Vermont Man Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Patrick Knauss, 35, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 265 months’ imprisonment, 15 years of supervised release, $3,000 in restitution, and a $300 special assessment for child pornography offenses.
Knauss was charged by indictment in February of this year with one count each of conspiracy to manufacture child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and receipt of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to all three charges in June.
Over a period of more than two years, the defendant and his co-conspirators, Andrew Wolf and Kray Strange, operated an elaborate online child exploitation catfishing scheme to entice minor boys to self-produce sexually explicit images and send them to the defendants over the internet. At the time, Wolf was in his 18th year as a middle school teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia and Strange was a young adult living in Carthage, New York.
Together, the three targeted boys with large social media followings, as well as dozens of Wolf’s own middle school students. Throughout their years of near-daily communications, which amount to nearly 2,000 pages, the defendant and his co-conspirators also discussed their shared sexual interest in children and traded images and videos of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”).
Wolf and Strange both pleaded guilty to the catfishing scheme in June of 2022. On February 16, 2023, Wolf was sentenced to 466 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release. On March 31, 2023, Strange was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervised release. They were ordered to pay a total of $324,320 in restitution to six minor victims who sought restitution.
“For more than two years, Patrick Knauss took part in a scheme that victimized dozens of children,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Knauss not only encouraged his co-conspirator, teacher Andrew Wolf, to catfish his own students, he even suggested some strategies for doing so. Know that my office and the FBI will never stop working to hold predators like this accountable and protect our children from sexual exploitation.”
“The online exploitation of children is one of the most egregious crimes the FBI investigates,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “This sentencing underscores that FBI and our partners are committed to safeguarding children and ensuring that those who harm them will face consequences.”
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 United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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 projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Harrell.
United States Attorney's Office Activates Election Day Program to Stop Fraud and Protect Voting RightsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Erik S. Goes will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.
AUSA Goes has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of West Virginia, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said Thompson “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” Thompson said. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Goes will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (304) 340-2395 or (304) 345-2200.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (304) 346-2300.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at (800) 253-3931.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” Thompson said. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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United States Attorney Sayler Fleming Announces District Election Officers Responsible for Handling Election Day ComplaintsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Goldsmith and Roy have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Fleming said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Fleming said, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, DEOs Goldsmith and Roy will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. They can be reached by the public at 314-539-7733.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. You can reach the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov or by dialing 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Fleming said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Oversee Complaints Related to November 2024 General ElectionRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combating discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Askins has been appointed to serve as District Election Officer for the Southern District of California, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of Election Day complaints regarding voting rights, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney McGrath said: “The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Askins will be on duty while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (619) 546-6692.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (858) 320-1800.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
U.S. Attorney McGrath urged those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately, before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Guilty Plea of Fruitland Woman in Knife-Assault CaseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland woman pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of felony assault for assaulting and seriously injuring another woman with a pocketknife.
According to court documents, on February 21, 2024, Richelle R. Upshaw, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe with a knife (considered a “dangerous weapon” under federal law), and that assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe’s head and face.
At sentencing, Upshaw faces up to 20 years in prison. Upon her release from prison, Upshaw will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. She must also make criminal restitution to the victim of her stabbing.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces District Election Officer for General Election in WyomingRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann announced today that Executive Assistant United States Attorney (EAUSA) Stephanie Sprecher will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. Executive AUSA Stephanie Sprecher has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Wyoming, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann stated that, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, EAUSA/DEO Sprecher will be on duty in this District. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number (307) 261-5434."
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALLFBI.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Election Day Program for 2024 General ElectionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE - United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Jeremy Peña and Sean Sullivan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Peña and Sullivan have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers for the District of New Mexico, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Our vote is our voice. That is why the Department of Justice will ensure every citizen can vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Similarly, elections do not run themselves. We will protect our election officials and staff from interference and unlawful threats of violence. The Department will ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” continued U.S. Attorney Uballez. “And ensuring free and fair elections depends on you. If you have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud, call us.”
Members of the public can reach AUSA Peña at (505) 269-2038 and AUSA Sullivan at (505) 350-3153 any time the polls are open in New Mexico.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Finally, complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman names District Election OfficerRead the Press Release
Seattle - United States Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Marci Ellsworth will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Ellsworth has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Washington, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U. S. Attorney Gorman said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation, threats of violence directed at election officials and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Gorman stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Ellsworth will be on duty in this District. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 206-553-7970.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 206-622-0460.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Gorman said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over ballot drop boxes, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Leary Announces Appointment of District Election OfficersRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Middle District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary announced today that he has appointed two District Election Officers (DEO) to lead the efforts of the office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
The DEOs are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Leary. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combating discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Leary. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the DEOs will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. The DEOs can be reached by the public at the following telephone number, 478-621-2698, or by email at [email protected].”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or by email at tips.fbi.gov.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
Please note, however, that in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit Announces November 2024 Election Complaints ProgramRead the Press Release
BOISE – United States Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today that multiple Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) from around Idaho will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. These AUSAs have been appointed to serve as District Election Officers (DEO) for the District of Idaho and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” U.S. Attorney Hurwit stated. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. We will be prepared to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney Hurwit said, “Every eligible citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho at (208) 334-1211 or by email to [email protected]. Complaints can also be made directly to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at (800) 253-3931.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The Salt Lake City FBI field office, which covers Idaho, can be reached by the public at (801) 579-1400.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Murder-For-Hire Charges Against IRGC Brigadier General and Former Intelligence Officer and Members of an Iranian Intelligence NetworkRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced the unsealing of murder-for-hire, money-laundering, and sanctions charges against RUHOLLAH BAZGHANDI, a/k/a “Roohollah Azimi,” FNU LNU, a/k/a “Haj Taher,” (“HAJ TAHER”), HOSSEIN SEDIGHI, and SEYED MOHAMMAD FOROUZAN. The charges are contained in a Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court. As detailed in the Superseding Indictment, BAZGHANDI, HAJ TAHER, SEDIGHI, and FOROUZAN contracted members of an Eastern European criminal organization, including RAFAT AMIROV, a/k/a “Farkhaddin Mirzoev,” a/k/a “Pᴎᴍ,” a/k/a “Rome,” POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a “Araz Aliyev,” a/k/a “Polad Qaqa,” a/k/a “Haci Qaqa,” and ZIALAT MAMEDOV, a/k/a “Ziko,” to murder a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin in New York City who has publicly opposed the Iranian Government and who has previously been the target of similar plots by the Iranian Government. AMIROV, OMAROV, and MAMEDOV previously were arrested on charges contained in underlying indictments. AMIROV and OMAROV are in custody in the U.S., pending trial; Mamedov was extradited from the Czech Republic to the Republic of Georgia (“Georgia”) to face charges there. BAZGHANDI, HAJ TAHER, SEDIGHI, and FOROUZAN, all of whom are based in Iran, remain at large. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, for years, the Government of Iran has attempted to assassinate, on U.S. soil, a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin who is a prominent critic of the Iranian regime. In January 2023, we unsealed charges alleging that members of an Eastern European crime group engaged in a plot to murder this victim. As we allege, that group was not acting alone. Today, we hold their Iranian masters to account, and allege that these Iran-based co-conspirators, including a Brigadier General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, directed the murder plot. By charging these Iran-based defendants, we seek to strike another public blow at the heart of the Government of Iran’s efforts to execute the victim—as well as its lethal targeting, intimidation, and repression of other Iranian dissidents critical of the regime in the U.S. and abroad.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The Justice Department has now charged eight individuals, including an Iranian military official, for their efforts to silence and kill a U.S. citizen because of her criticism of the Iranian regime. We will not tolerate efforts by an authoritarian regime like Iran to undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed to every American. Three of the defendants charged in this horrific plot are now in U.S. custody, and we will never stop working to identify, find, and bring to justice all those who endanger the safety of the American people.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “Today’s indictment makes plain that the Iranian regime for years has been behind a violent campaign to stalk, intimidate, and arrange the killing of an American dissident on U.S. soil for bravely speaking up for the rights of the Iranian people. The Department is committed to exposing and holding accountable those in Tehran who believe they can hide their hand in carrying out such reprehensible activities.”
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “Today’s indictment exposes the full extent of Iran’s plot to silence an American journalist for criticizing the Iranian regime. According to the charges, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a former Iranian intelligence officer, working with a network of conspirators, planned to kill a dissident living in New York City. The FBI’s investigation led to the disruption of this plot as one of the conspirators was allegedly on their way to murder the victim in New York. As these charges show, the FBI will work with our partners here and abroad to hold accountable those who target Americans.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Today we charge four members of the Bazghandi Network – each connected to the Iranian government – as being responsible for hiring members of an Eastern European Organized Crime Group to murder an American citizen in New York City. This crime was intended to stop an American from exercising their Constitutionally protected right to free speech; to end their life for speaking out publicly against the Iranian regime and its human rights violations. The FBI will aggressively pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable any foreign government which attempts to murder our citizens on our soil.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:[1]
BAZGHANDI, who resides in Iran, is an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”) Brigadier General and has previously served as chief of an IRGC Intelligence Organization (“IRGC-IO”) counterintelligence office. In April 2023, the U.S. Secretary of State designated IRGC-IO as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 14078, relating to hostage-taking and the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals abroad. On the same date, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned BAZGHANDI in connection with his involvement with the detention of foreign prisoners held in Iran. BAZGHANDI was designated by the Treasury Department a second time in June 2023, this time under Executive Order 13224, for his participation in IRGC-IO’s lethal targeting operations. HAJ TAHER, SEDIGHI, and FOROUZAN (collectively with BAZGHANDI, the “Bazghandi Network”), each of whom resides in Iran, also have connections to the Government of Iran.
The Bazghandi Network contracted AMIROV, OMAROV, MAMEDOV, and Khalid Mehdiyev to murder, on U.S. soil, a victim (the “Victim”) residing in New York City. The Victim is a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran’s human rights abuses and suppression of political expression, including in connection with continuing protests against the regime across Iran. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap the Victim from within the U.S. for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence the Victim’s criticism of the regime. That plot was disrupted and exposed by the FBI and led to the filing of federal kidnapping conspiracy and other charges in the Southern District of New York against several participants in the plot in U.S. v. Farahani, et al., 21 Cr. 430 (RA) (S.D.N.Y.).
Since at least July 2022, the Bazghandi Network tasked members of the Organization with assassinating the Victim. The Organization’s participation in the murder-for-hire plot was directed by AMIROV, who resided in Iran and who was tasked with targeting the Victim by individuals in Iran. On approximately July 13, 2022, AMIROV forwarded targeting information—which Amirov had received from individuals in Iran—about the Victim and the Victim’s residence to OMAROV. OMAROV, in turn, together with MAMEDOV, directed and collaborated with Mehdiyev, who was residing in Yonkers, New York, to carry out the plot against the Victim. Mehdiyev’s participation in the plot was disrupted when he was arrested near the Victim’s home on or about July 28, 2022, while in possession of the assault rifle, along with 66 rounds of ammunition, approximately $1,100 in cash, and a black ski mask.
In January 2023, AMIROV, OMAROV, and MAMEDOV were arrested overseas. On January 27, 2023, they were charged publicly for their roles in the plot to assassinate the Victim. Nevertheless, in the months that followed, members of the Bazghandi Network continued to target the Victim. For example, in or about March 2023, HAJ TAHER searched for information about the Victim’s family members and SEDIGHI saved an image of the Victim’s residence. As recently as on or about May 1, 2023, BAZGHANDI conducted an Internet search, in Farsi, for, “a person in the house of [the Victim] movie,” and, on the same date, watched a video with the title, “A video of the arrested gunman in front of [the Victim]’s home in New York received by [the Victim’s employer].”
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BAZGHANDI, HAJ TAHER, SEDIGHI, and FOROUZAN, all of Iran, have been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count One); conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count Two); conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison (Count Three); and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and sanctions against the Government of Iran, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison (Count Six).
AMIROV, 45, of IRAN; OMAROV, 39, of the Czech Republic and Slovenia; Mamedov, 32, of Georgia; also have been charged in Counts One, Two, and Three, as well as with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count Four); and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison (Count Five).
The potential maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by Judge McMahon.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office Counterintelligence-Cyber Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. Attorney Announces Election Day 2024 ProgramRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Sarah Griswold will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Griswold has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of California, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Ramsey said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Ramsey stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Griswold will be on duty in this District while the polls are open, with the assistance of AUSA Kimberly Hopkins and AUSA Katherine Lloyd-Lovett. They can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: AUSA Griswold, (408) 535-5060; AUSA Hopkins, (415) 436-6991; AUSA Lloyd-Lovett, (510) 637-3932.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (415) 553-7400.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at (800) 253-3931.
United States Attorney Ramsey said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs Appoints District Election OfficerRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — United States Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) John Potterfield will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election. AUSA Potterfield has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of South Carolina, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Boroughs said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Boroughs stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Potterfield will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 803-919-3092.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI Columbia field office can be reached by the public at 803-551-4200.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Boroughs said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and
Two South Carolina Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes, Conspiracy and Other Charges for Bias-Motivated Armed Robberies Targeting Hispanic VictimsRead the Press Release
Two South Carolina men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, to federal hate crime and other charges in connection with a string of racially-motivated armed robberies targeting Hispanic victims.
According to court documents, beginning in January 2021 and continuing through February 2021, Charles Antonio Clippard, 27, and Michael Joseph Knox, 29, both of Columbia, conspired to target people the defendants identified as Mexican or Hispanic at places of public accommodation, including gas stations and grocery stores. After identifying these targets, the defendants would rob their victims at gunpoint. The defendants targeted their victims because of their victims’ race and national origin.
Both defendants admitted their involvement in a Jan. 22, 2021, armed robbery in which the defendants followed their victims from a grocery store and restaurant to their home and then robbed the victims at gunpoint, stealing cash and a cellphone. They also admitted their involvement in a Jan. 30, 2021, armed robbery and carjacking targeting a Hispanic victim after following him from a gas station to his home. The defendants admitted their involvement in another Jan. 30, 2021, armed robbery in which they targeted a Hispanic victim, followed him from a gas station to his home and then robbed him and others at gunpoint after following him into his home. In total, the defendants pleaded to three hate crime charges, one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy and two firearms charges. Two other co-conspirators, Gabriel Brunson, 21, and Sierra Fletcher, 34, both of Columbia, previously pleaded guilty to hate crime, conspiracy and firearm offenses.
“These defendants targeted Hispanic victims for violent acts of armed robbery because of their race, national origin and perceived vulnerability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Every person, regardless of their race or national origin, is entitled to the full protection of the law, and no person should have to fear for their lives or property because of their race or ethnicity. The Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans and will vigorously prosecute those who commit bias-motivated crimes.”
“While these defendants sparked fear for an entire community by targeting members of our Hispanic community, today’s hearing sends a louder message: we will not tolerate bias-based crimes in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly protect and enforce the civil rights of everyone in South Carolina.”
“These defendants used violent acts of armed robbery to purposely target Hispanic victims simply because of their race,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “We hope the guilty plea by these two defendants serves notice that violence borne from hate will never be tolerated in our communities. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the Constitution and protect the civil rights of everyone, fairly and equally.”
“Clippard and Knox egregiously sought to exploit and intimidate their victims based on their Hispanic ethnicity,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “Their violent robberies instilled fear in their victims and innocent working people within the Hispanic community. These criminal acts have no place in our society, and we are committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals, regardless of their background.”
The defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 14 years in prison for the firearms offenses, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each hate crime count and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the carjacking count. The plea agreements require both defendants to pay restitution to all victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Columbia Police Department, Town of Lexington Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Garner and E. Elizabeth Major for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorneys Katherine McCallister and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
Two Romanian Nationals Sentenced for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for ATM Skimming OperationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two Romanian nationals have each been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment on their convictions of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentences on Laurentiu Stroie, 35, who was residing in New York City, and Cosmin Laurentiu Burlacu, 29, who was living in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the time of the offenses. Both are originally from Brăila, Romania.
According to information presented to the Court, on June 8, 2023, the Ross Township Police Department arrested Burlacu and Stroie after employees of a drug store reported the defendants loitering around an automated teller machine (ATM) located in the store. Employees recognized Burlacu and Stroie from a previous encounter involving a victim who had several unauthorized charges on their credit card at the store and who had reported the fraud to law enforcement.
When first approached by law enforcement, Burlacu presented a New York State driver’s license in his own name, and Stroie presented a Quebec driver’s identification card in another name. A search incident to arrest was conducted on each suspect, with officers finding a hotel card key and numerous gift cards on both defendants. Written on the gift cards were abbreviations associated with financial institutions plus a four-digit number consistent with a personal identification number (PIN).
Officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel room the suspects were sharing and discovered numerous items related to ATM skimming fraud, such as gift cards/prepaid cards, a ledger containing hundreds of bank identification numbers with corresponding bank names, fraudulent identification cards, ATM skimmers, tools for making skimming devices, fabricated ATM panels with pinhole cameras, a log appearing to show addresses and dates of installation of skimming devices, and $6,180 in cash. Almost all of the gift cards found in the hotel room had stickers on them with four-digit numbers, suspected to be PINs.
The United States Secret Service obtained search warrants for the more than 200 gift cards as well as the electronic storage of various devices, including SD cards, found during the search. On the gift cards, the agents discovered Track Data from various federally insured financial institutions. The SD cards revealed video footage of Burlacu installing a pinhole camera on an ATM, as well as of various individuals entering their PIN numbers at ATMs. The SD cards also contained Track Data for approximately 78 ATM cards.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Secret Service, Ross Township Police, and Cranberry Township Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Burlacu and Stroie.
ATM skimming is a fraud scheme involving the placement of electronic devices, referred to as skimmers, on ATMs to capture and electronically store the information from the magnetic strip of an ATM card, known as Track Data, without the knowledge of the customer or the financial institutions. The scheme also typically employs a small camera, often referred to as a pinhole camera, to capture the PINs of customers making the transactions. The Track Data from the ATM skimmers is then often transferred to the magnetic strips of counterfeit ATM or gift cards, which perpetrators use, along with the PINs obtained through the pinhole cameras, to make withdrawals from ATMs or point-of-sale purchases.
Two Philadelphia Men Sentenced to Almost a Decade in Prison for Separate Gunpoint Carjackings in the CityRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that two Philadelphia men have each been sentenced to almost 10 years in prison for carrying out separate carjackings in the city.
Asiem Brooking, 21, was sentenced on October 17, 2024, by United States District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick to 117 months in prison and three years of supervised release for committing an armed carjacking in the city’s Olney section in January 2023.
At around 8:15 p.m. on January 28, 2023, as a 54-year-old man was about to get out of his Nissan Altima on the 5400 block of North 6th Street, Brooking opened the passenger side front door, pointed a gun at the victim, and threatened to kill him. After the victim complied with Brooking’s demand to hand over his wallet and keys, the defendant fled the scene in the Altima.
In May of 2023, Brooking was charged by indictment with one count of carjacking and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both counts in July of this year.
Marc Anthony, also known as Nasir Johnson, 22, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, by United States District Court Judge Karen S. Marston to 115 months in prison and five years of supervised release for carjacking a woman at gunpoint in the city’s Fairmount section in January 2022.
At about 1:15 p.m. on January 6, 2022, Anthony and an unknown accomplice, both masked and armed with handguns, approached a 40-year-old woman who had just parked her Hyundai Sonata on the 800 block of North 28th Street. As they ordered the victim out of the car at gunpoint, she asked to retrieve her dog from the back seat, struggling to do so as they yelled for her phone and passcode. Once the victim and her dog were clear, the carjackers fled the scene in the Sonata.
Anthony was charged by indictment in May 2022 with one count of carjacking and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both charges in May of this year.
“These criminals who think nothing of terrorizing our community at gunpoint are a true priority for my office, the FBI, and our partners on Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “By ensuring that people like Brookings and Anthony are prosecuted and held accountable for their violent and disturbing crimes, we’re making the city safer — one offender, one block, one neighborhood at a time.”
These cases were investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.
Tulsan Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl that Killed a Minor ChildRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge Gustavo A Gelpi, Jr. sentenced Hank Sallee Williams, 24, for Distribution of Fentanyl to a Minor. Judge Gelpi ordered Williams to 360 months imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release.
“Williams knowingly provided deadly fentanyl to a minor child,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This lengthy sentence demonstrates that those engaging in this type of act will face significant punishment.”
According to the plea agreement, Williams drove to a home in Tulsa, where he knowingly sold fentanyl to Xander Tewis. Williams was aware that Xander was a minor child. Xander died after taking the fentanyl provided by Williams.
In 2024, the DEA seized more than 292 million deadly doses of fentanyl. Their laboratory testing shows that seven out of 10 pills seized contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. You can visit their website to learn more about how the DEA is trying to combat this threat.
Williams will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey prosecuted.
Three ordered to prison for trafficking $29M in methRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Three Houston-area residents have been sent to prison following their convictions of possessing with intent to distribute 777 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Eduardo Figueroa Jr., 29, Cleveland, and Cynara Lucia Sarmiento, 26, Conroe, pleaded guilty March 22, 2023. Marlon Deon Martin, 31, Conroe, pleaded guilty March 21, 2023.
U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Figueroa, Sarmiento and Martin to serve 144, 60 and 37 months in federal prison, respectively. All three must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. In handing down the prison terms, Chief Judge Crane informed Figueroa that he would end up with the biggest sentence as he was the organizer of this offense. During his statement at sentencing, Figueroa took responsibility for getting his co-conspirators involved and stated that he was in charge. Chief Judge Crane noted that he handed down lighter sentences as the co-conspirators were young and foolish with little to no criminal history who he wanted to help get back on the right path.
At the time of his plea, Figueroa admitted he hired Sarmiento as his personal assistant and tasked her with leasing warehouse space and forming Hive Logistics, a business warehouse located in Houston. Figueroa recruited Martin to help unload the narcotics.
On May 12, 2021, authorities executed a search at the location and discovered 777 kilograms of meth, 10 kilograms of cocaine, ledgers, two pistols and five magazines. The meth was located inside metal barrels marked as mango puree.
In furtherance of his plea, Figueroa admitted the meth was part of a larger shipment he had received, of which approximately 800 kilograms had already been delivered to several individuals. Sarmiento also admitted to creating a ledger for the drugs and delivering them on at least one occasion with Figueroa.
The estimated street value of the meth is $29 million.
This case is part of an exportation and straw purchasing of firearms investigation from March 2021 where Figueroa was identified as a recruiter. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to straw purchase five shotguns on Nov. 22, 2021, and was sentenced to 60 months in prison to run concurrently.
Sarmiento and Martin were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility to be determined in the near future. Figueroa will remain in custody pending transfer to a BOP facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.
Three Indicted for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Oct. 10, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Ricky Lee Ware, 41; Kimberly Ann Wallace, 28, of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Carlos Lee Sanchez Jr., 44, of Sacramento, charging them with conspiring to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment also charges Sanchez with an additional count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment was unsealed following the arrests of Wallace and Sanchez.
According to court documents, between July 2020 and January 2021, the defendants conspired to obtain debit cards that allowed them to access unemployment benefits. The unemployment benefits were in the names of people who did not know the defendants. The defendants then used the debit cards to withdraw more than $900,000 in unemployment benefits from ATMs.
According to the indictment, on March 28, 2023, Sanchez possessed a Ruger-57 handgun. Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has been convicted of distribution of cocaine.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 7.5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the access device fraud counts, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sanchez, if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort is part of a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of five interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
The Pennsylvania State University Agrees to Pay $1.25M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Non-Compliance with Contractual Cybersecurity RequirementsRead the Press Release
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), located in University Park, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $1,250,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in fifteen contracts or subcontracts involving the Department of Defense (DoD) or National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The settlement resolves allegations that, between 2018 and 2023, Penn State failed to implement cybersecurity controls that were contractually required by DoD and NASA and did not adequately develop and implement plans of action to correct deficiencies it identified. DoD requires contractors to submit summary level scores reflecting the status of their compliance with applicable cybersecurity requirements on covered contracting systems used to store or access covered defense information. The United States alleged that Penn State submitted cybersecurity assessment scores to DoD that reflected it had not implemented certain controls, but misrepresented the dates by which it would implement them and did not pursue plans of action to do so. The United States also alleged that in performing certain of the contracts and subcontracts Penn State did not use an external cloud service provider that met DoD’s security requirements for covered defense information.
“Universities that receive federal funding must take their cybersecurity obligations seriously,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue our efforts under the department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative to hold contractors accountable when they fail to honor cybersecurity requirements designed to protect government information.”
“Federal contractors who store or access covered defense information must take required steps to protect that sensitive information from bad actors,” said U.S. Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “When they fail to meet their cybersecurity obligations, we and our law enforcement partners will use every available tool to remedy the situation.”
“As our cyber adversaries become increasingly sophisticated, the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding Department of Defense research, development and acquisitions information cannot be overstated,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS, along with our federal partners, are committed to investigating entities who fail to implement contractual requirements designed to protect Department of the Navy critical information.”
“Protecting the integrity of Department of Defense procurement activities is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Failing to comply with DoD contract specifications and cybersecurity requirements puts DoD information and programs at risk. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of false claims on DoD contracts.”
“Safeguarding sensitive NASA and DoD data is crucial to ensuring that it does not fall into the hands of our adversaries or bad actors,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Robert Steinau of NASA’s Office of Inspector General (NASA-OIG). “The University’s inability to adequately address known deficiencies not only put sensitive information at risk but also undermined the integrity of our government’s cybersecurity efforts. We remain committed to holding entities accountable when they fail to meet critical security standards, as demonstrated by this case.”
On Oct. 6, 2021, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which aims to hold accountable entities or individuals that put sensitive information at risk by knowingly providing deficient cybersecurity products or services, knowingly misrepresenting their cybersecurity practices or protocols, or knowingly violating obligations to monitor and report cybersecurity incidents. Information on how to report cyberfraud can be found here.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, Matthew Decker, the former chief information officer for Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory, to receive a $250,000 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Decker v. Pennsylvania State University, No. 2:22-cv-03895 (E.D. Pa.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with assistance from NCIS, NASA-OIG, DCIS, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Audit Service, the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center and the Air Force Material Command.
Senior Trial Counsel Kimberly Friday and former Trial Attorney Melanie D. Hendry of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Carr and Rebecca S. Melley for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Settlement