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Monday 9 September 2024
$5.2 Million in Department of Justice Funding Awarded in West VirginiaRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Department of Justice grants totaling more than $5.2 million have been awarded to law enforcement, higher education, and service agencies in West Virginia, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants Program (Byrne JAG) grants were announced, supporting various programs and initiatives in the Mountain State.
Those receiving awards are:
- Hancock County Sheriff’s Office - for equipment upgrades to ensure community safety;
- Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office - for the purchase of new police cruisers;
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office - for its Smart Community Project, integrating many types of technology to upgrade cruisers, equipment, and investigative tools;
- West Virginia Wesleyan College - for the establishment of a Center for Ethical Professional Development in Criminal Justice;
- Fairmont State University - for increased and upgraded security on campus;
- West Virginia Potomac State College - for enhanced and updated security on campus;
- Justice and Community Services in Charleston - for rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations statewide that address sexual assault and domestic violence.
Byrne JAG is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Funding allows criminal justice professionals and their allies to build the capacity to take on their most pressing challenges, keep their communities safe, and deliver equal justice to all Americans.
Byrne JAG funds support a range of program areas, from crime prevention activities and law enforcement technologies to drug treatment, and crisis intervention. Funds can also be used to help communities combat hate crimes and counter threats to election workers.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Men at Center of Kidnapping and Smuggling Conspiracy ArrestedRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week charging a pair of men with federal conspiracy and kidnapping charges stemming from a fatal shooting in Charlottesville’s Belmont neighborhood in January of 2023.
Ricardo Franco-Ordaz, 26, of Cedar Creek, Texas, and Jordan Joseph Perez, 20, of Lockhart, Texas, were arrested this week in Texas. Each are charged with one count of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to transport an alien resulting in death, transporting an alien resulting in death, and conspiracy to receive money in connection with a kidnapping.
According to court documents, in early January of 2023, Franco-Ordaz, Perez, and other co-conspirators planned the kidnapping of multiple victims for ransom. In furtherance of their kidnapping and extortion scheme, they transported victims from Texas to Virginia, where subsequently, an argument and shootout arose that resulted in the death of a member of the criminal organization.
As part of the scheme, Franco-Ordaz arranged to pick up two victims from an area near the United States-Mexico border and bring them to a house near Austin, Texas. Once there, Ordaz, and others, held both victims against their will and under armed guard, then called and messaged the victims’ family and friends demanding cash in exchange for their release.
Franco-Ordaz exchanged one of the victims in Texas for $5,000 cash, and on January 8, 2023, Perez and another co-conspirator transported another victim to Charlottesville, Virginia where they arranged to exchange that victim for $10,000 in cash. However, when the exchange was set to occur, it was revealed that the full $10,000 was not available. Subsequently, an argument and shootout arose that resulted in the death of one of the kidnappers.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations in Harrisonburg, Virginia is investigating the case with assistance from the Charlottesville Police Department, Albemarle County Police Department and HSI Austin, Texas.
The investigation, extradition, and conviction of these defendants is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith and Sally J. Sullivan are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Friday 6 September 2024
Wynn Las Vegas Forfeits $130 Million for Illegally Conspiring with Unlicensed Money Transmitting BusinessesRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 6, 2024
SAN DIEGO – Wynn Las Vegas, the Las Vegas casino and subsidiary of Wynn Resorts, Limited, agreed today to forfeit $130,131,645 to settle criminal allegations that it conspired with unlicensed money transmitting businesses worldwide to transfer funds for the financial benefit of the casino.
Today’s settlement is believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on admissions of criminal wrongdoing.
“Casinos, like all businesses, will be held to account when they allow customers to evade U.S. laws for the sake of profit,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Federal oversight seeks to prevent illegal funds from tainting legitimate businesses, ensuring that casinos offer a clean, thriving, and safe entertainment option.”
As part of a Non-Prosecution Agreement, which allows a company or individual to avoid criminal prosecution in exchange for meeting certain criteria, Wynn Las Vegas (WLV) admitted that it illegally used unregistered money transmitting businesses to circumvent the conventional financial system.
For example, WLV regularly contracted with third-party independent agents acting as unlicensed money transmitting businesses to recruit foreign gamblers to WLV. For the gamblers to repay debts to WLV or have funds available to gamble at WLV, the independent agents transferred the gamblers’ funds through companies, bank accounts, and other third-party nominees in Latin America and elsewhere, and ultimately into a WLV-controlled bank account in the Southern District of California.
Funds deposited into the WLV-controlled account were transferred into the WLV cage account. WLV employees, with the knowledge of their supervisors, and working with the independent agents, eventually credited the WLV account of each individual patron. The convoluted transactions enabled foreign gamblers at WLV to evade foreign and U.S. laws governing monetary transfer and reporting.
In one example, Juan Carlos Palermo, while acting as an independent agent for WLV, operated and controlled multiple unlicensed money transmitting businesses in the United States and abroad that conducted more than 200 transfers with bank accounts controlled by WLV or associated entities. These transactions, on behalf of more than 50 foreign casino patrons, exceeded $17.7 million.
WLV also facilitated the unlicensed transfer of money through “Human Head” or “Human Hat” gambling, known in Mandarin as “人头” or “ren tou.” In this scheme, a person known as a “Human Head” purchased chips at WLV and gambled at WLV as a proxy for another nearby person who, in some instances, because of federal Bank Secrecy Act or Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) laws, was unable or unwilling to conduct financial transactions or gamble under their own identity. The true patron, however, would direct the Human Head’s gaming. WLV knowingly allowed this form of gambling without scrutinizing the true patron’s funds and without reporting the suspicious activity.
In another example, WLV facilitated the unlicensed transfer of money to and from China through a method known as “qian chen” or “Flying Money.” A money processor, acting as an unlicensed money transmitting business, collected U.S. dollars in cash from third parties in the United States and delivered that cash to a WLV patron who could not otherwise access cash in the U.S. The patron then electronically transferred the equivalent value of foreign currency from the patron’s foreign bank account to a foreign bank account designated by the money processor. The WLV patron paid the money processor a percentage of the value transferred. Like Human Head gambling, WLV knowingly allowed this form of gambling without scrutinizing the source of funds and without reporting the suspicious activity.
WLV also facilitated the international transfer of money and conducted other financial transactions for WLV patrons whose activity should have triggered the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports. For example, in 2018, WLV facilitated financial transactions worth approximately $1.4 million for an individual who two years earlier had been publicly linked to proxy gambling and a year earlier, while in the company of the President of Marketing of a WLV international affiliate, was denied entry to the United States because of suspected associations with a criminal organization.
In another instance, WLV allowed and did not report transactions involving millions of dollars by an individual who, according to publicly available information, had spent six years in prison in China for conducting unauthorized international monetary transactions and violations of other financial laws.
“Of the many unique authorities HSI is able to enforce, understanding and investigating complex financial crimes that lead to holding criminals accountable for their actions, is one that HSI does best,” said Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The success of this investigation is in part due to our partner agencies’ cooperation and dedication to seeing these long-term investigations through to bring justice to these companies and protect American financial institutions.”
“Federal laws that regulate the reporting of financial transactions are in place to detect and stop illegal activities. Deliberately avoiding Bank Secrecy Act requirements is a form of money laundering. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to following the money and enforcing these laws, wherever it leads” said Carissa Messick, Special Agent in Charge for IRS-CI in Las Vegas.
“Law enforcement put their collective authorities together to ensure the integrity of our financial systems and that they are not circumvented,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark.
As part of this investigation, 15 other defendants previously have admitted money laundering, unlicensed money transmitting, or other crimes, with associated criminal penalties of over $7.5 million.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark W. Pletcher and Carl F. Brooker IV.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
IRS-Criminal Investigations, Las Vegas Financial Crimes Task Force
Drug Enforcement Administration
Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Falsely Using a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Sommers N. Robertson, 45, of Lafayette, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for False Representation of a Social Security Number.
According to information presented in court, on October 12, 2022, law enforcement officers encountered Robertson after receiving a complaint that she had leased an apartment under fraudulent pretenses. During a subsequent records check, the officers discovered the existence of active warrants for Robertson’s arrest, and she was arrested. During her arrest, officers observed and seized identity documents from the apartment which included driver’s licenses, state identification cards, Social Security Number cards, along with other documents displaying personally identifiable information belonging to other people. One of the Social Security Number cards showed the name of an individual with the initials M.F.M. which had been issued on September 8, 2022.
Further investigation by law enforcement agents and those with the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General revealed that Robertson went to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) Field Office in Opelousas, Louisiana, on September 8, 2022. At that time, she met with an SSA service representative and claimed that she was the individual with the initials of M.F.M., and she requested that a new Social Security Number card be issued to her. Robertson represented to the SSA representative that she was in fact the individual with the initials M.F.M. and provided the representative with false documentation, including a driver’s license in the name of M.F.M. which had been issued by another state, along with their place of birth, parents’ names, and Social Security Number. Because of these false representations, the SSA issued a Social Security Number card to an address provided by Robertson.
Robertson pleaded guilty on May 30, 2024, and admitted that she knowingly provided the Social Security Administration with false documents and purported to be an individual she was not in order to obtain a Social Security Number card with the intent to deceive.
The case was investigated by Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.
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West Wareham Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A West Wareham man was charged by complaint today in federal court on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
Joshua Roe, age 37, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Roe will appear in federal court later today.
According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 6, 2024, during a search of Roe’s home, approximately 11 electronic devices belonging to Roe were recovered. While on site, law enforcement conducted a forensic examination of at least one device, which revealed images and videos depicting child pornography.
The receipt charge provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence, a $250,000 fine, and a maximum of life with a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; and Walter Correia Wareham Chief of Police made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia Residents Admit to Roles in Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three West Virginia residents have admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in the Northern District of West Virginia.
Joshua Noel, 42, of Elkins, West Virginia; Jennifer Clapper, 37, of Morgantown, West Virginia; and Jamie Purtee, 33, of Morgantown, West Virginia, each pled guilty to methamphetamine charges. According to court documents, they were part of a drug trafficking operation working in Monongalia County.
Noel, Clapper, and Purtee each face up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.
The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
West Virginia Man Admits to Fentanyl ChargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – David Laquan McGowan, 41, of Huntington, West Virginia, has admitted to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents, McGowan was selling fentanyl in Randolph County. During a traffic stop, a search of the vehicle revealed narcotics hidden in the ceiling of McGowan’s car.
McGowan is facing at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Mountain Region Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Wapato Man Indicted for Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington - A Federal Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Jason Alexander Logie, age 35, of Wapato, Washington, with Second Degree Murder. Logie made his first appearance in Federal Court on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. A detention hearing in this case is set for September 6, 2024.
The indictment alleges that on September 9, 2023, Logie killed his victim on the Yakama Nation. The allegations stem from a car crash that occurred on that afternoon. One individual was killed and another was injured after Logie, who allegedly was drinking, drove his vehicle across the center line and struck the victims’ oncoming vehicle. If convicted, Logie, faces a sentence of up to life in prison and up to 5 years of supervised release.
“Vehicular homicides on Tribal land have a devastating impact, which extends far beyond the immediate victims. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. My office is committed to partnering with Tribal leaders and Tribal law enforcement to hold those accountable that commit acts of violence or drive while under the influence on Native American Reservations,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref.
The Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Spreads Word About Elder Financial AbuseRead the Press Release
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office kicked off outreach efforts this week to educate older West Virginians about the dangers of financial fraud.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld led the first in a series of planned outreach events on Wednesday at The Villages at Heritage Point in Morgantown. Ihlenfeld spoke to residents about the different ways they could become targets of fraudsters and gave tips on how to best protect against the dangers. Residents were also treated to an educational bingo game about the topic.
“Unfortunately, cases of seniors being victimized by loved ones or caretakers are common in West Virginia, as are scams committed by strangers,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Our seniors are trusting, they’re good listeners, they answer the phone when it rings, and many have accumulated savings. The attributes that make older West Virginians so wonderful also make them the targets of criminals.”
More events are planned across the Northern District of West Virginia and will be held at assisted living facilities and senior independent living communities.
The outreach is a part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative combatting elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target our nation’s older adults.
For more information about the Northern District of West Virginia’s elder justice work, go to www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/programs/elder-justice.
To report elder financial fraud, call the U.S. Attorney’s office at 304-234-0100.
U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing for Murder-for-Hire PlotRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in federal prison for trying to hire an undercover ATF agent to murder his girlfriend's mother for $200.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, between April 10, 2022, and continuing through May 11, 2022, Leif Hayman repeatedly solicited a hitman to murder his girlfriend's mother through the website "rentahitman.com".
Hayman submitted three service requests on the website, providing his own identifying information as well as details about the intended victim, including her physical address and photographs. In his first request on April 10, Hayman stated he wanted to "hurt" the victim, writing "I want her gone now, too much that I don't like about her she's controlling my wife." He submitted additional requests on April 17 and April 20 under different aliases, expressing his desire to have the victim killed. As part of those requests, Hayman wrote “Kill that bitch” and “I fucking hate her so much I want her gone now.”
Between April 20 and May 2, Hayman sent numerous follow-up emails to the website expressing impatience with the process. On April 28, he wrote: "You people are fake if u were real someone who have contact me already I can't wait anymore I'm doing it my fucking self thank you for nothing fake people."
The website's owner initially forwarded Hayman's solicitations to local police but did not receive a timely response, resulting in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ involvement. On May 5, an undercover ATF agent contacted Hayman. During a 16-minute recorded conversation, Hayman stated he wanted the victim "gone off the Earth" and “that fucking bitch deserves to die.” When Hayman was informed that the fastest and cleanest way to carry out the murder would be with a gun, Hayman stated “yes, let’s go for it!” However, after learning that he would have to pay for the gun, Hayman explored other options stating “I have knives . . . I have a rock you can smash her head with multiple times.”
On May 9, Hayman had another call with the agent, indicating his caretaker would also need to be harmed for him to leave home. Hayman agreed to pay approximately $200 for the murder.
On May 11, the undercover agent went to Hayman's residence, ostensibly to carry out the plan. Hayman emerged with his caretaker, stating "this is part of the deal” in reference to having his caretaker killed. A scuffle ensued between Hayman and the caretaker, causing the agent to abort the operation.
Upon his release from prison, Hayman will be subject to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Ry Ellison are prosecuting the case.
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Two MS-13 Gang Associates Plead Guilty in Connection with Murder of 17-Year-OldRead the Press Release
Juan Amaya-Ramirez and Oscar Flores-Mejia pleaded guilty today in connection with the April 23, 2018 murder of 17-year-old Andy Peralta in Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens. As part of their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted to murdering Peralta to gain entrance into MS-13 and also admitted to crimes including cyberstalking resulting in death, murder conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering, assault conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering, and assault in-aid-of racketeering. Under the terms of their plea agreements, the defendants will be sentenced to at least 30 years’ imprisonment and could be sentenced up to life imprisonment. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas.
“The senseless murder of Andy Peralta exemplifies the casual cruelty of MS-13’s violence, and with their pleas today the defendants acknowledge their role in this brutal event,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to bring justice and safety to affected victims and communities by holding MS-13 members and associates accountable for their terrible crimes.”
“MS-13’s ruthless violence is boundless. The defendants’ admissions to murder serve as a reminder of how the violent nature of street gangs results in countless, senseless deaths,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge McCormack. “HSI New York and the entire law enforcement community remain committed to disrupting and dismantling MS-13 and other violent gangs in furtherance of public safety in our communities.”
“NYPD investigators, in close collaboration with our law enforcement colleagues, pledge to remain tireless in pursuing justice against gang members, wherever and whenever their barbaric acts are committed,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “I applaud and commend our various federal partners for their vital efforts, which ultimately delivered today’s successful outcome.”
As detailed in court documents, Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia and a third MS-13 associate plotted to kill Peralta because they wanted to join MS-13 and mistakenly believed that Peralta was a member of a rival gang. The defendants recruited Amaya-Ramirez’s then-girlfriend, Leyla Carranza, to lure Peralta to Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens, so he could be murdered. Carranza communicated with Peralta on social media and eventually convinced him to meet her in Kissena Park on April 23, 2018. Once inside the park, Peralta was confronted by Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia, and the third MS-13 associate. The three men beat, stabbed, and strangled Peralta to death. After the murder, Amaya-Ramirez took a photograph of himself and his coconspirators flashing MS-13 hand signs over Peralta’s body.
Carranza previously pleaded guilty to cyberstalking resulting in the death of Peralta and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment at sentencing.
This case was investigated as part of the ongoing efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, gangs and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Today’s guilty pleas are the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults. Since 2009, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 65 murders in the district and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by our law enforcement partners.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Michael W. Gibaldi, Anna Karamigios and Sophia Suarez are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.
Defendants:
JUAN AMAYA-RAMIREZ (also known as “Cadaver”)
Age: 26
Fresh Meadows, QueensOSCAR FLORES-MEJIA (also known as “Chamuco”)
Age: 24
Elmhurst, QueensDefendant who previously pleaded guilty:
LEYLA CARRANZA
Age: 23
Richmond, VirginiaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-228 (S-2) (LDH)
Three-Time Felon Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Distribution of Ice Methamphetamine and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Melvin D. Turner, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid on September 5, 2024, to an aggregate 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, following his convictions for distribution of ice methamphetamine (two counts) and possessing a firearm as a felon.
According to court documents, Turner was responsible for distributing 136.82 grams of ice methamphetamine.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Turner in February 2024, and a federal arrest warrant was issued. During the subsequent arrest, officers located a Glock model 26, 9mm handgun and a 30-round magazine for the handgun in Turner’s possession. The grand jury returned a superseding indictment in March 2024 adding the firearm count. At the time of his arrest, Turner had three prior felony convictions. Turner pleaded guilty to all three counts of the superseding indictment in May 2024.
The statutory penalties for the two counts of distribution of 50 grams (actual) of ice methamphetamine are ten years to life imprisonment, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release. The penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon are not more than 15 years imprisonment and not more than three years of supervised release.
The United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pekin and Peoria Police Departments investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Turner 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.
Tenacious task force investigation results in 17 convictions in drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Seventeen members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) have pled guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs.
According to court documents, from at least February 2021 through October 2023, the conspirators, led by Corey Wright, 47, of Chesapeake, and Malik Dillard, aka “Mayo,” 48, of Virginia Beach, procured methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl from out-of-state sources and had it shipped in wholesale quantities to Virginia for further distribution. They supplied a number of mid-level distributors including: Akime Russell Porter, 41, of Norfolk; Darryl Deangelo Bond, 40, of Chesapeake; Clyde Byrd Jr., 31, of Norfolk; Jared Wayne Haddock, 46, of Virginia Beach; Holly Elizabeth Triplett, 37, of Portsmouth; Christopher Eanes, 38, of Chesapeake; Leo Charles Frueh, 43, of Virginia Beach; Bryan Austin Ruscoe, 27, of South Mills, North Carolina; Julius Justin Freeze, 34, of Virginia Beach; Jesse Ryan Martin, 34, of Norfolk; Richard Olsak-Finn, 44, of Chesapeake; Sebastien Balthazar, 25, of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; and Jessica Brunelle, 40, of Norfolk. Aimee Brooke Yanez, 45, of Suffolk, and Lisa Michelle Clark, 46, of Norfolk, were also involved in the DTO and agreed to use their residences to receive, store, and process the drugs.
This investigation spanned over two years, and involved Special Agents, Task Force Officers, detectives, investigators, officers and other personnel, who reviewed thousands of phone calls and text communications and worked with confidential informants to identify and dismantle this large network of narcotics distributors.
Wright pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. As part of the conspiracy Wright distributed fentanyl in the form of pressed imitation prescription pills purporting to be Roxicodone. California suppliers shipped packages of narcotics hidden in stuffed animals to Wright, who was previously convicted in U.S. District Court in Alexandria for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine (Case No. 1:05-cr-183). Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1 and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. Porter is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17, 2025.
Eanes and Haddock pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. On May 17, U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. sentenced Haddock to 15 years and six months in prison. Eanes, who faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 18.
Byrd and Frueh pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. They face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. Byrd is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 3, 2025; Frueh is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2025.
Bond pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute cocaine and faces up to 20 years in prison. Bond is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6.
Triplett pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. She faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. Triplett is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 28, 2025.
Brunelle pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute cocaine and fentanyl. She faces up to 20 years in prison. Brunelle is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2025.
Clark and Yanez pled guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises. They face up to 20 years in prison. Clark is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1; Yanez is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6.
Dillard pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. On Feb. 2, Dillard was sentenced to 30 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. Dillard, working with Wright, supplied Martin, Olsak-Finn, and Balthazar. Martin was sentenced to 12 years in prison; Balthazar was sentenced to three years in prison; and Olsak-Finn is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 4.
Ruscoe pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Ruscoe faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct 3.
Freeze pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Freeze faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12.
A federal district court judge will determine any remaining sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler, Anthony C. Mozzi, Darryl J. Mitchell, and Luke J. Bresnahan are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is also 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 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 Nos.: 2:23-cr-127; 2:23-cr-65; 2:24-cr-37; 2:24-cr-39; and 2:22-cr-102.
Tahlequah Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that Ricky Dale Degase, age 30, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and 120 months imprisonment for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 7, 2024, Degase pleaded guilty to the federal drug and firearm charges. According to investigators, on March 7, 2023, an OHP trooper conducting a traffic stop arrested Degase on an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, Degase was discovered in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol, found under Degase’s seat, along with 22.36 grams of methamphetamine, which Degase intended for distribution. Degase knowingly possessed the firearm and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the sentencing hearing. Degase will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Stoughton Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Mailing Fentanyl and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Stoughton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. The defendant was on federal supervised release at the time that he committed the offenses, after being granted compassionate release in 2020.
Angel Morales, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. In April 2024, Morales pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In December 2022, Morales was indicted along with co-conspirators Quenty Ogando, Erika Prado and Rahelin Reynoso.
Between September 2022 and November 2022, Morales was involved in a scheme involving a large-scale pill press operation that manufactured, sold and mailed counterfeit pills, including pills containing fentanyl, among other drugs. Morales’ role in the operation was to ship packages from post offices across Massachusetts. On multiple occasions, Morales used various post offices and FedEx facilities in Boston, Randolph, Holbrook, Quincy, Mattapan, Braintree, Milton and elsewhere to mail over 150 packages knowing that some of the packages contained controlled substances. On at least two occasions, FedEx employees opened packages pursuant to their internal procedures, and observed clear plastic sandwich bags filled with pills with markings consistent with prescription-only medication that later tested positive for fentanyl.
On multiple occasions in October and November 2022 Morales was observed leaving an apartment in Mattapan before travelling to multiple post offices and FedEx facilities. During a subsequent search of that apartment, over 20 kilograms of pills in various colors, a sample of which tested positive for fentanyl, over 20 kilograms of loose powder, a sample of which tested positive for fentanyl, numerous packages and mailing labels, electronic devices, cash and three industrial grade pill presses were recovered. In addition, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine were also found at the apartment.
Morales is the fourth and final defendant to be sentenced in the case. On Jan. 31, 2024, Ogando was sentenced to 144 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In June 2024, Reynoso was sentenced to six years in prison and two years of supervised release. In April 2024, Prado was sentenced to time served with one year of supervised release.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; United States Customs and Border Protection; Drug Enforcement Administration; and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Mackenzie Duane and Jennifer Zacks of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Richard W. Mills (50, Brevard County) to 10 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervision for possession of images depicting the sexual abuse of children. The court also ordered Mills to forfeit a computer and hard drive which were used in furtherance of the commission of the offense. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Mills to pay restitution in the amount of $12,000. Mills entered a guilty plea on April 16, 2024.
According to court documents, Mills was convicted in U.S. District Court (Orlando) on November 20, 2014, for possession of child pornography and sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in federal prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. Mills completed his term of incarceration on November 13, 2019, and his federal supervised release began the same date.
As a result of a citizen complaint, on November 2, 2023, officers from U.S. Probation made an unannounced visit to Mills’ place of employment for inspection of his mobile device to ensure compliance with the special condition of his supervised release, specifically, that he shall not possess or use a computer with access to online service at any location without approval from the probation officer. The investigation led the probation officers to perform a home inspection, where they discovered that Mills had a smart phone and computer. Upon executing a federal search warrant, the laptop’s hard drive was found to contain approximately 330 tagged thumbnail images and one video that clearly depicted the sexual abuse of infants and young children.
Additionally, Mills was sentenced to six months in federal prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. This sentence is to be served consecutive to the 10 years imposed in this criminal case.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
This 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.
Seward man arrested, charged with stealing an identity to threaten Alaska’s governorRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Seward man was arrested in Seward Wednesday after a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging him with stealing someone’s identity to issue a threat to “bomb and shoot” Alaska’s governor.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2024, Matthew Edward Stanley, 22, used an account with a virtual private network (VPN) service to access the State of Alaska website and send a message to the governor. Stanley allegedly used a different individual’s personal information when addressing the letter, falsely representing that that individual was the one who had sent the threats.
The indictment states the message requested pay rates be raised for “me and my son. Or else everyone at [Victim Labor Union] and my son will take a stand here at seward.” The message goes on to threaten to “bomb and shoot you with my son.”
Stanley is charged with one count of issuing a threat involving explosives, one count of false information and hoaxes and one count of aggravated identity theft. The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, in addition to up to 10 years in prison for his other alleged crimes. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Pacific Northwest operations and Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes made the announcement.
HSI and the Alaska State Troopers are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Klugman is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Seagrove Resident Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO –A Randolph County man pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, announced Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
WESLEY MARK HUSSEY, age 45, of Seagrove, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today before Chief United States District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2024, in Greensboro. HUSSEY faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release of not more than three years, and monetary penalties.
According to court documents, on March 13, 2024, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an address in Seagrove after a 911 caller said that WESLEY MARK HUSSEY was sitting on the front porch of the residence wearing an orange ski mask and holding a long gun. The caller stated that HUSSEY had an active protective order prohibiting him from being at the residence. At the scene, deputies observed HUSSEY walk towards the woods with a long gun on his shoulder. They searched the property and conducted a cursory search of the woods but were unable to locate HUSSEY. Eventually, deputies used a drone with thermal imaging and located him under a creek bank sitting in the water. Deputies ordered HUSSEY to surrender for twenty-five minutes. They then told HUSSEY they would be using chemical munitions. HUSSEY said he would come out unarmed. After HUSSEY surrendered, deputies found five 12-gauge shotgun shells and a .32 caliber round of ammunition on his person. Deputies were unable to locate the rifle despite an extensive search.
On November 18, 2016, HUSSEY was convicted in the Superior Court of Randolph County of felony voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to an active term of imprisonment exceeding one year. At the time of the instant offense, his prior convictions had not been expunged or set aside and he had not been pardoned or had his civil rights restored.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Courtney.
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Russian and Kazakhstani Men Indicted for Running Dark Web Criminal Marketplaces, Forums, and TrainingsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Alex Khodyrev (35, Kazakhstan) and Pavel Kublitskii (37, Russia) with conspiracy to commit access device fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Khodyrev and Kublitskii that the United States intends to forfeit Khodyrev’s 2023 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG sport utility vehicle and Kublitskii’s 2020 Cadillac CT5 Sport sedan, both of which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.
According to the indictment, between 2014 and 2024, Khodyrev and Kublitskii served as two of the main administrators of wwh-club.ws (WWH Club) and several sister websites, all of which were dark web marketplaces, forums, and training centers that existed solely to facilitate crime. WWH Club and sister site members used the marketplaces to buy and sell stolen personal identifying information (PII), credit card and bank account information, and computer passwords, among other sensitive information. On the forums of WWH Club and its sister sites, users discussed best practices for committing frauds, launching cyberattacks, and evading law enforcement, among other topics. WWH Club also offered online courses that taught aspiring and active cyber criminals how to commit frauds. As of 2023, WWH Club had approximately 353,000 users worldwide. Khodyrev, Kublitskii, and other co-conspirator site administrators profited through membership fees, tuition fees, and advertising revenue.
Prior to being arrested and indicted, Khodyrev, a Russian citizen, and Kublitskii, a citizen of Kazakhstan, had been living in Miami for the past two years, while secretly continuing to administer WWH Club and its sister dark web marketplaces, forums, and schools.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
Richmond Heights Hotel Manager Admits Two Frauds Seeking $324,000Read the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A manager of a Richmond Heights, Missouri hotel on Friday admitted fraudulently obtaining $153,518 by manipulating the hotel’s computer system, attempting to steal another $61,998 that way and attempting to steal $109,000 from hotel customers via credit card fraud.
Angelique Patterson, 39, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Wednesday to five counts of wire fraud. She admitted that while the hotel’s assistant general manager, she manipulated the hotel’s reservation system and altered the records of customers who had paid using cash or credit cards. Patterson retroactively changed those reservations to falsely show that the customers had used the hotel’s loyalty rewards system “points” for their stay. She then added her own credit or debit card information into the system and had the customers’ payments “refunded” to her.
Patterson admitted fraudulently refunding a total of $153,518 to herself from March through October of 2023. On Oct. 4, 2023, although not on duty, Patterson tried to use the hotel's desk computer and a coworker's credentials to fraudulently refund herself an additional $61,998.
Patterson also admitted using hotel customers’ credit card information from August through September of 2021 to make fake charges via the entertainment company she owned, Angel Entertains LLC. She obtained or tried to obtain $109,000 that way.
Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced December 5. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. She will also be ordered to repay the money.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cort VanOstran is prosecuting the case.
Pharmacists Convicted of $13M Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurer Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted four pharmacy owners yesterday for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Raef Hamaed, of Maricopa County, Arizona; Kindy Ghussin, of Greene County, Ohio; Ali Abdelrazzaq, of Macomb County, Michigan; and Tarek Fakhuri, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, all licensed pharmacists, billed Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for prescription medications that they did not dispense at pharmacies they owned in Michigan and Ohio. The defendants collectively caused over $13 million of loss to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Hamaed, Ghussin, Abdelrazzaq, and Fakhuri were convicted of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud. Abdelrazzaq was also convicted of two counts of health care fraud and Fakhuri was convicted of one count of health care fraud. Sentencing hearings will be set at a later date.
Hamaed, Ghussin, Abdelrazzaq, and Fakhuri face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy count, and Abdelrazzaq and Fakhuri face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each health care fraud count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI Detroit Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Claire Sobczak, Kelly M. Warner, and S. Babu Kaza of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Peoria Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A 25-year-old Peoria, Illinois man, Avione Quzea Maurice Parks, was sentenced on September 4, 2024, to ten years in federal prison for three separate counts of distributing methamphetamine. Upon his release from confinement, Parks will serve five years of supervised release.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. Senior District Judge Joe B. McDade, the government presented evidence that Parks sold a collective 6 ounces of methamphetamine over three transactions in January and February 2024. Parks’s conviction in the instant case was his fifth felony conviction as an adult; he previously had been convicted of three firearms offenses and one controlled substance felony. Parks had served two prior sentences in the Illinois Department of Corrections and had been discharged from state parole only eighteen days prior to his first sale of methamphetamine in this case.
Parks previously pleaded guilty to all three counts in May 2024. He was arrested on a criminal complaint in late February 2024 and indicted in early March 2024. Parks has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.
The statutory penalties for Counts 1 and 3, distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), are five to 40 years’ imprisonment, followed by at least four years of supervised release, for each count. The penalties for Count 2, distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), are 10 years to life imprisonment, followed by at least five years of supervised release.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Parks 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.
Pakistani National Charged for Plotting Terrorist Attack in New York City in Support of ISISRead the Press Release
Note: View the complaint here.
A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Sept. 4 in Canada in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody. As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack. The Justice Department will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to aggressively counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters.”
“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan's plan.” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”
As alleged in the complaint, Khan, who resided in Canada, attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. Khan began posting on social media and communicating with others on an encrypted messaging application about his support for ISIS in or about November 2023, when, among other things, Khan distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, Khan began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers (collectively, the UCs).
During those conversations, Khan confirmed that he and a U.S.-based ISIS supporter (Associate-1) had been planning to carry out an attack in a particular U.S. city (City-1). Among other things, Khan said that he had been actively attempting to create “a real offline cell” of ISIS supporters to carry out a “coordinated assault” in City-1 using AR-style rifles to “target[] Israeli Jewish chabads . . . scattered all around [City-1].” During subsequent conversations, Khan repeatedly instructed the UCs to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified the specific locations in City-1 where the attacks would take place. Khan also provided details about how he would cross the border from Canada into the United States to conduct the attacks. During these conversations with the UCs, Khan emphasized that “Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” because “oct 7 they will surely have some protests and oct 11 is yom.kippur.”
On or about Aug. 20, Khan changed his target location from City-1 to New York City. After initially suggesting certain neighborhoods in New York City to the UCs, Khan decided to target Location-1, a Jewish center located in Brooklyn, New York. Khan told the UCs that he planned to carry out this attack on or around Oct. 7, 2024 — which Khan recognized as the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas, a designated FTO, which, on Oct. 7, 2023, launched a wave of violent, large-scale terrorist attacks in Israel. In support of his choice of New York City as his target location, Khan boasted that “New york is perfect to target jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population In america” and therefore, “even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” Khan proclaimed that “we are going to nyc to slaughter them,” and sent a photograph of the specific area inside of Location-1 where he planned to carry out the attack.
Thereafter, Khan continued to urge the UCs to acquire AR-style rifles, ammunition, and other equipment for his attack, including “some good hunting [knives] so we can slit their throats.” Khan repeatedly reiterated his desire to carry out the attack in support of ISIS, and discussed planning for the attack, including by identifying rental properties close to Location-1 and paying for a human smuggler to help him reach and cross the border from Canada into the United States. During one communication, Khan noted that “if we succeed with our plan this would be the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.”
On or about Sept. 4, as Khan said he planned to do in connection with his attack, Khan attempted to reach the U.S-Canada border. To do so, Khan used three separate cars to travel across Canada towards the United States, before he was stopped in or around Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from the U.S.-Canada border.
Khan is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles Field Offices are investigating the case. The Justice Department is grateful to Canadian law enforcement for their actions in this matter. The Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division is seeking the extradition of Khan from Canada.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan E. Lasky and David J. Robles for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Kevin C. Nunnally of the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pakistani National Charged for Plotting Terrorist Attack in New York City in Support of ISISRead the Press Release
Note: View the complaint here.
A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Sept. 4 in Canada in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody. As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack. The Justice Department will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to aggressively counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters.”
“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan's plan.” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”
As alleged in the complaint, Khan, who resided in Canada, attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. Khan began posting on social media and communicating with others on an encrypted messaging application about his support for ISIS in or about November 2023, when, among other things, Khan distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, Khan began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers (collectively, the UCs).
During those conversations, Khan confirmed that he and a U.S.-based ISIS supporter (Associate-1) had been planning to carry out an attack in a particular U.S. city (City-1). Among other things, Khan said that he had been actively attempting to create “a real offline cell” of ISIS supporters to carry out a “coordinated assault” in City-1 using AR-style rifles to “target[] Israeli Jewish chabads . . . scattered all around [City-1].” During subsequent conversations, Khan repeatedly instructed the UCs to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified the specific locations in City-1 where the attacks would take place. Khan also provided details about how he would cross the border from Canada into the United States to conduct the attacks. During these conversations with the UCs, Khan emphasized that “Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” because “oct 7 they will surely have some protests and oct 11 is yom.kippur.”
On or about Aug. 20, Khan changed his target location from City-1 to New York City. After initially suggesting certain neighborhoods in New York City to the UCs, Khan decided to target Location-1, a Jewish center located in Brooklyn, New York. Khan told the UCs that he planned to carry out this attack on or around Oct. 7, 2024 — which Khan recognized as the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas, a designated FTO, which, on Oct. 7, 2023, launched a wave of violent, large-scale terrorist attacks in Israel. In support of his choice of New York City as his target location, Khan boasted that “New york is perfect to target jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population In america” and therefore, “even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” Khan proclaimed that “we are going to nyc to slaughter them,” and sent a photograph of the specific area inside of Location-1 where he planned to carry out the attack.
Thereafter, Khan continued to urge the UCs to acquire AR-style rifles, ammunition, and other equipment for his attack, including “some good hunting [knives] so we can slit their throats.” Khan repeatedly reiterated his desire to carry out the attack in support of ISIS, and discussed planning for the attack, including by identifying rental properties close to Location-1 and paying for a human smuggler to help him reach and cross the border from Canada into the United States. During one communication, Khan noted that “if we succeed with our plan this would be the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.”
On or about Sept. 4, as Khan said he planned to do in connection with his attack, Khan attempted to reach the U.S-Canada border. To do so, Khan used three separate cars to travel across Canada towards the United States, before he was stopped in or around Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from the U.S.-Canada border.
Khan is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles Field Offices are investigating the case. The Justice Department is grateful to Canadian law enforcement for their actions in this matter. The Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division is seeking the extradition of Khan from Canada.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan E. Lasky and David J. Robles for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Kevin C. Nunnally of the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pakistani National Charged for Plotting Terrorist Attack in New York City in Support of ISISRead 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; Christopher Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced today that Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a/k/a “Shahzeb Jadoon,” was arrested on September 4, 2024 in Canada in connection with a Complaint filed in the Southern District of New York charging KHAN with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”). As alleged in the Complaint, KHAN, who resided in Canada, attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York plans to seek the extradition of KHAN from Canada.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Khan attempted to travel to the United States to carry out a terrorist attack and murder as many Jewish people as possible, all in support of ISIS. Khan’s alleged crimes are a vivid reminder that we must remain vigilant in the fight against antisemitism and terror. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office, Khan’s alleged plan was disrupted before he reached the United States. Let this be a reminder to anyone who seeks to harm our community: This Office will stop at nothing to root you out and bring you to justice.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible. Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody. As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. Jewish communities – like all communities in this country – should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack. The Justice Department will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to aggressively counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray said: “The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’s horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan's plan. The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”
Acting FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “Terrorism has no place in our society, and today’s arrest sends a powerful message: if you attempt to provide support to ISIS or any terrorist group, the FBI will bring you to justice. This case underscores the commitment of our Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York City, whose extraordinary and often unnoticed efforts continue to prevent deadly plots before they can be carried out. Our partners are on the front lines every day, united to protect our nation from those who threaten our safety and way of life.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today:[1]
KHAN, a Pakistani national residing in Canada, began posting on social media and communicating with others on an encrypted messaging application about his support for ISIS in or about November 2023, when, among other things, KHAN distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, KHAN began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers (collectively, the “UCs”). During those conversations, KHAN confirmed that he and a U.S.-based associate (“Associate-1”) had been planning to carry out an attack in a particular U.S. city (“City-1”). Among other things, KHAN said that he had been actively attempting to create “a real offline cell” of ISIS supporters to carry out a “coordinated assault” in City-1 using AR-style assault rifles to “target[] Israeli Jewish chabads . . . scattered all around [City-1].” During subsequent conversations, KHAN repeatedly instructed the UCs to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified the specific locations in City-1 where the attacks would take place. KHAN also provided details about how he would cross the border from Canada into the U.S. to conduct the attacks. During these conversations with the UCs, KHAN emphasized that “Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” because “oct 7 they will surely have some protests and oct 11 is yom.kippur.”
On or about August 20, 2024, KHAN changed his target location from City-1 to New York City. After initially suggesting certain neighborhoods in New York City to the UCs, KHAN decided to target Location-1, a Jewish center located in Brooklyn, New York. KHAN told the UCs that he planned to carry out this attack on or around October 7, 2024—which KHAN recognized as the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, which, on October 7, 2023, launched a wave of violent, large-scale terrorist attacks in Israel. In support of his choice of New York City as his target location, KHAN boasted that “New york is perfect to target jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population In america” and therefore, “even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” KHAN proclaimed that “we are going to nyc to slaughter them,” and sent a photograph of the specific area inside of Location-1 where he planned to carry out the attack.
Thereafter, KHAN continued to urge the UCs to acquire AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other equipment for his attack, including “some good hunting [knives] so we can slit their throats.” KHAN repeatedly reiterated his desire to carry out the attack in support of ISIS, and continued planning for the attack, including by identifying rental properties close to Location-1 and paying for a human smuggler to help him reach and cross the border from Canada into the U.S. During one communication, KHAN noted that “if we succeed with our plan this would be the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.”
On or about September 4, 2024, as KHAN said he planned to do in connection with his attack, KHAN attempted to reach the U.S-Canada border. To do so, KHAN traveled from the vicinity of Toronto, Canada towards the United States, before he was stopped in or around Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from the U.S.-Canada border.
* * *
KHAN, 20, a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The potential maximum sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the FBI Field Offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, and thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and our law enforcement partners in Canada, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Department of Justice Canada, for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan E. Lasky and David J. Robles are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the Counterterrorism Section.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Pair of Irish nationals plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraudRead the Press Release
Seattle – Two individuals from Ireland pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their theft of more than $400,000 from a Shoreline, Washington, homeowner, and other victims across the country. Patrick McDonagh and Matthew McDonagh were arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in mid-June and were charged federally in mid-July. They are scheduled for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge John H. Chun on November 25, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, the brothers were part of a group that traveled the country scamming homeowners – especially the elderly – by falsely representing a home needed urgent repairs. One older homeowner in the Shoreline neighborhood north of Seattle, lost about $435,000 to the scheme.
The men first approached the victim in January 2024, claimed they were working in the neighborhood and had noticed that the victim had a hole in his roof. The men offered to fix the hole and remove the moss from the roof. Over the course of a few days, they pressured the victim to write them checks for their “services” of $15,000, $20,000, and $26,000. They also claimed that the victim’s foundation was cracked, and they said they would repair that with a “titanium tie rod system.”
The roof had no hole, and the foundation was not failing. However, the men dug trenches and poured some concrete to make it appear work was done, and each day they pressured the victim to write more checks. They even demanded an extra $20,000 for “taxes.” Ultimately, they demanded the victim wire $200,000 to a third party for building supplies – again far in excess of any work they claimed to have done. In all the brothers stole $435,000 from the victim. Quick work by a Shoreline Detective and the King County Prosecutor’s Office resulted in the recovery of some of the wired funds.
The FBI investigation connected the brothers to contractor fraud complaints in Oregon and Illinois. In Oregon, Patrick McDonagh represented to three different victims that he was affiliated with a local legitimate construction firm, when in fact he was not. Those homeowners paid as much as $29,000 for foundation work that was never completed as promised. In Illinois, Matthew McDonagh claimed he would repave a victim’s driveway and rebuild a retaining wall for $99,000. After the victim paid $75,000, the work was poorly done and damaged the victim’s house. The value of any work done was significantly less than what was paid.
The defendants have agreed to make restitution to the victims in the case. This includes $235,000 to the Shoreline victim, nearly $50,000 to the three victims in Oregon, $75,000 to a victim in Illinois, and more than $673,000 to a victim in Bellevue, Washington.
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend 26 months in prison for each defendant. Judge Chun is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The FBI is investigating this case and was assisted by the Shoreline Police Department, and the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine and Spokane Sector’s Anti-Smuggling Units (ASU).
The FBI reminds the public of red flags for contractor fraud:
- The contractor knocks on your door looking for business because they are “in the area” and uses aggressive sales tactics.
- The contractor pressures you for an immediate hiring decision.
- The contractor accepts only cash as payment and demands full payment before starting any work.
- In the sales pitch, the contractor claims to have materials left over from a previous job.
Tips to avoid contractor fraud:
- Always get multiple estimates for any work you want done.
- Ensure contractors are licensed and insured. Look them up at Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries website at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/
- Check with consumer protection agencies such as the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission to search for complaints against a contractor.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar. Ms. Staniar serves as the Criminal Elder Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
To learn more about the department’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.
North Carolina Man Who Posed as Investment Adviser Indicted for Stealing over $600,000 in Investor FundsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment on August 21, 2024, charging Hunter Haithcock, a/k/a Hunter Elliott, age 23, of Matthews, North Carolina with three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of investment adviser fraud relating to his theft of at least $600,000 in funds from at least 50 investors. The indictment was unsealed upon the arrest of the defendant. The defendant had an initial appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to documents filed in this case, from September 2019 to October 2022, Haithcock posed as an investment advisor employed by a large brokerage firm and misappropriated at least $600,000 from at least 50 investors. Haithcock, who had been entrusted to invest those funds through the creation of investment accounts for the investors, instead perpetrated a scheme to defraud the investors by causing them to distribute monies intended to fund their investments to accounts he controlled. Instead of investing the investors’ funds for their benefit as he had promised, Haithcock spent the money for his own personal use, including paying expenses such as car payments, airplane tickets, restaurant purchases and entertainment. He also invested some of the monies in funds for his own benefit. Further, Haithcock falsely represented to investors that he worked with, and for, an alleged identity theft victim at a large brokerage firm and used the victim’s name and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Central Registration Depository (“CRD”) number in connection with the scheme.
If convicted, Haithcock faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count; a minimum mandatory sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count, which will run consecutive to any other sentence; and a maximum of 5 years in federal prison for investment adviser fraud. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and also thanked the Cecil County Sherriff’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Maryland for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Riley and LaShanta Harris, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
Norfolk man sentenced for latest drug trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man with multiple previous convictions for drug trafficking crimes was sentenced yesterday to 14 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, between May 2022 and October 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Norfolk Police Department (NPD) conducted six controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Lashawn D. Pullie, aka Bam, 50, and a co-conspirator utilizing a confidential informant (CI).
On Sept. 20, 2022, the CI contacted Pullie to purchase cocaine and methamphetamine. Pullie met the CI in Norfolk to exchange the narcotics, but Pullie had only the cocaine with him. Pullie exchanged the cocaine with the CI, and the CI paid Pullie. They arranged to meet at a second location in Norfolk to exchange the methamphetamine. Pullie returned to his residence, switched vehicles, and proceeded to the second location. Pullie handed the methamphetamine to the CI. During the transaction, Pullie sold 107 grams of methamphetamine and 87 grams of cocaine to the CI. During the investigation Pullie sold the CI over 300 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of cocaine.
On Oct. 13, 2022, investigators executed search warrants on Pullie's residence, storage unit, and vehicle. Investigators recovered approximately 300 grams of marijuana, 1,446 grams of cocaine, 393 grams of methamphetamine, 184 pills of oxycodone, $7,674, and two loaded firearms.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, 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 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. 2:23-cr-41.
New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Stalking JournalistsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a conspiracy to harass and intimidate two journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). The harassment and intimidation of the victims included the vandalism – on five separate occasions – of the victims’ homes and the home of one of the victims’ parents with bricks, large rocks and red spray paint.
Keenan Saniatan, 36, of Nashua, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking using a facility of interstate commerce and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Dec. 6, 2024. Saniatan was initially charged in June 2023 along with co-conspirators Tucker Cockerline and Michael Waselchuck. In September 2024, Saniatan, Cockerline and Waselchick along with Eric Labarge were indicted by a federal grand jury.
In March 2022, an NHPR journalist (Victim 1) published an article detailing allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire businessperson, identified in the charging document as Subject 1. Another NHPR journalist (Victim 2) also contributed to the article, which appeared on NHPR’s website during and after March 2022. In response to this reporting, Labarge – who is a close personal associate of Subject 1 – Saniatan, Cockerline and Waselchuck agreed to harass and intimidate Victims 1 and 2 and their immediate family members.
According to the indictment, on or about April 22, 2022, at Labarge’s request, Saniatan agreed to vandalize Victim 2’s home in Concord, N.H. and Victim 1’s parents’ home in Hampstead, N.H., using large rocks and red spray paint. On the evening of April 24, 2022, Saniatan spraypainted the word “C*NT” in large red letters on the front door and threw a large rock at the exterior of Victim 2’s home. He also threw a softball-sized rock through an exterior window and spraypainted the word “C*NT” in large red letters on the front of Victim 1’s parents’ home. Separately, and at Labarge’s request, Cockerline and Waselchuck vandalized Victim 1’s home, a home where Victim 1 used to reside, and Victim 1’s parents’ home using bricks and red spray paint during three separate incidents in April and May 2022.
Labarge and Waselchuck have both pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Cockerline also pleaded guilty and, in August 2024, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Each charge in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord, Hampstead and Hanover, New Hampshire Police Departments, the Melrose, Massachusetts Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Torey B. Cummings of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Nevada Man Convicted of $11.2M COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Nevada man today for defrauding three banks of more than $11.2 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds intended to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Meelad Dezfooli, 30, of Henderson, engaged in a scheme to submit fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program that provided loans to help small businesses continue paying employee salaries and certain other basic business expenses during the pandemic. Dezfooli submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications to federally insured banks, purportedly for the benefit of companies that the defendant controlled, and obtained more than $11.2 million in proceeds from those loans.
The evidence at trial showed that Dezfooli falsely represented certain material information in his loan applications, including information about payroll, employees, and use of the loan proceeds. After fraudulently obtaining more than $11.2 million in PPP funds, Dezfooli laundered and/or spent the proceeds by, among other things: buying approximately 25 residences and two luxury cars, funding a personal investment account, and gambling extensively. After he was originally charged, Dezfooli continued laundering criminal proceeds by selling five of the residences that he acquired with the fraudulently obtained PPP funds.
The jury convicted Dezfooli of three counts of bank fraud, three counts of money laundering, and four counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each of the bank fraud counts, 20 years in prison on each of the money laundering counts, and 10 years in prison on each of the counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jon Ellwanger of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General (FRB-CFPB OIG), Western Region; Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Small Business Association Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region; and Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), San Francisco Region made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, FRB-OIG, FDIC-OIG, and SBA-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Taylor G. Stout of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Schiess for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. Legal Assistant Alexa Stiles and Paralegal Holly Butler of MLARS provided substantial assistance throughout the investigation and trial.
MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Nevada Man Convicted of $11.2 Million COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A federal jury convicted a Nevada man Wednesday for defrauding three banks of more than $11.2 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds intended to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Meelad Dezfooli, 30, of Henderson, engaged in a scheme to submit fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program that provided loans to help small businesses continue paying employee salaries and certain other basic business expenses during the pandemic. Dezfooli submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications to federally insured banks, purportedly for the benefit of companies that the defendant controlled, and obtained more than $11.2 million in proceeds from those loans.
The evidence at trial showed that Dezfooli falsely represented certain material information in his loan applications, including information about payroll, employees, and use of the loan proceeds. After fraudulently obtaining more than $11.2 million in PPP funds, Dezfooli laundered and/or spent the proceeds by, among other things: buying approximately 25 residences and two luxury cars, funding a personal investment account, and gambling extensively. After he was originally charged, Dezfooli continued laundering criminal proceeds by selling five of the residences that he acquired with the fraudulently obtained PPP funds.
The jury convicted Dezfooli of three counts of bank fraud, three counts of money laundering, and four counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each of the bank fraud counts, 20 years in prison on each of the money laundering counts, and 10 years in prison on each of the counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jon Ellwanger of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General (FRB-CFPB OIG), Western Region; Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Small Business Association Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region; and Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), San Francisco Region made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, FRB-OIG, FDIC-OIG, and SBA-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Taylor G. Stout of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Schiess for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. Legal Assistant Alexa Stiles and Paralegal Holly Butler of MLARS provided substantial assistance throughout the investigation and trial.
MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Mexican Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Transporting 20 Kilograms of Cocaine into Massachusetts for Drug CartelRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Mexican man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. In March 2023, 20 kilograms of cocaine was seized during a traffic stop, along with a tracking device that had been installed in the vehicle by a Mexican drug cartel.
Erasmo Lira-Mendez, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 11 years in prison, followed by five years supervised release. In May 2024, Lira-Mendez was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (both offenses involving five kilograms or more). Lira-Mendez was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2023 along with his co-defendant, Cornelio Hernandez.
On March 29, 2023, in Littleton, Mass. Lira-Mendez was observed driving a car with a temporary Texas license plate that was drifting across a double yellow line. During an ensuing traffic stop, 20 kilograms of cocaine was found inside a duffle bag on the back seat of the vehicle. A subsequent investigation revealed that a private tracking device had been installed in the vehicle by the Mexican drug cartel, Cártel del Noreste. GPS data obtained from the device revealed that the two men had traveled at least 32 hours from Texas to Massachusetts – with the cocaine concealed inside the vehicle’s doors – to distribute the narcotics in Lawrence, Mass.
Hernandez pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2024.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Stephen P. Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Littleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
Medical Device Company to Pay $700,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Concerning Inflated Reimbursements from Medicare and MedicaidRead the Press Release
Medical device manufacturer THD America Inc., located in Natick, Massachusetts, and its corporate parent, THD SpA of Italy (collectively, THD), have agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that THD violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing physicians to use incorrect codes to obtain inflated reimbursement from Medicare and State Medicaid programs for the use of THD’s hemorrhoid removal system called the Slide One Kit (the Kit).
The Kit was sold to physicians for use in transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, a surgical procedure that involves cauterizing certain blood vessels. The United States alleged that, between 2014 and 2017, physicians performing procedures using the Kit were required to bill for the procedure using a temporary code, also known as a “T-Code,” assigned for new and emerging services. Because a procedure that is assigned such a code is considered experimental, reimbursement for the use of the Kit was often denied. To avoid such denials and increase potential reimbursement, THD allegedly encouraged colorectal and general surgeons improperly to bill Medicare and Medicaid programs using the T-Code plus an additional Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code or to bill for CPT codes other than the T-code.
The federal share of the civil settlement is $598,121.23, and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $101,877.77. State Medicaid programs are jointly funded by the federal and state governments.
“The integrity of federal healthcare programs depends upon compliance with coding and billing rules that are used to make coverage and reimbursement decisions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable health care providers that knowingly submit false claims to federal health care programs that do not accurately reflect and bill for the work they perform.”
“This case is emblematic of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursuing and holding accountable those who seek to defraud federal health care programs and to recouping taxpayer dollars obtained falsely,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “We will continue our efforts tirelessly in prioritizing rooting out fraud and protecting the public fisc.”
“Accurately billing for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees is required of all health care companies,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of companies violating the federal False Claims Act.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Amber Arthur, a former employee of THD America. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The relator’s share from the proceeds of the settlement will be $115,500. The qui tam action is captioned U.S. ex rel. Arthur v. THD America, et al., No. 16-cv-2571 (DMD).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tarra DeShields for the District of Maryland and Senior Trial Counsel Jay D. Majors of the Justice Department’s Civil Division handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
SettlementMedical Device Company to Pay $700,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Concerning Inflated Reimbursements from Medicare and MedicaidRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Medical device manufacturer THD America, Inc., located in Natick, Massachusetts, and its corporate parent, THD SpA of Italy (collectively, THD), have agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that THD violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing physicians to use incorrect codes to obtain inflated reimbursement from Medicare and State Medicaid programs for the use of THD’s hemorrhoid removal system called the Slide One Kit (the Kit).
The Kit was sold to physicians for use in transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, a surgical procedure that involves cauterizing certain blood vessels. The United States alleged that, between 2014 and 2017, physicians performing procedures using the Kit were required to bill for the procedure using a temporary code, also known as a “T-Code,” assigned for new and emerging services. Because a procedure that is assigned such a code is considered experimental, reimbursement for the use of the Kit was often denied. To avoid such denials, and increase potential reimbursement, THD allegedly encouraged colorectal and general surgeons improperly to bill Medicare and Medicaid programs using the T-Code plus an additional CPT code or to bill for CPT codes other than the T-code.
The federal share of the civil settlement is $598,121.23, and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $101,877.77. State Medicaid programs are jointly funded by the federal and state governments.
“This case is emblematic of the United States Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursuing and holding accountable those who seek to defraud federal health care programs and to recouping taxpayer dollars obtained falsely,” said Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland. “We will continue our efforts tirelessly in prioritizing rooting out fraud and protecting the public fisc.”
“The integrity of federal healthcare programs depends upon compliance with coding and billing rules that are used to make coverage and reimbursement decisions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable health care providers that knowingly submit false claims to federal health care programs that do not accurately reflect and bill for the work they perform.”
“Accurately billing for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees is required of all health care companies,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “DHHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, to investigate allegations of companies violating the federal False Claims Act.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Amber Arthur, a former employee of THD America. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The relator’s share from the proceeds of the settlement will be $115,500. The qui tam action is captioned U.S. ex rel. Arthur v. THD America, et al., No. 16-cv-2571 (D. Md.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DHHS-OIG for its work in this investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tarra DeShields and Senior Trial Counsel Jay D. Majors of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice who handled the case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
McAlester Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeremy David Crawley, age 46 of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Drug Conspiracy.
The Indictment alleged that between 2019 and January 2023, the defendant conspired to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, at least 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the McAlester Police Department.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Crawley was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.
Marketer of Durable Medical Equipment Admits Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Miami Beach, Florida, man admitted his role in a durable medical equipment health care fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Christopher Vehovec, 31, of Miami Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on Aug. 28, 2024, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Vehovec and his conspirators solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing durable medical equipment (DME) companies with completed doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME, such as orthotic braces. Vehovec and his conspirators utilized the service of telemedicine companies to obtain these prescriptions for DME, and the DME orders were subsequently fraudulently billed to Medicare and other health care benefit programs.
Vehovec and his conspirators caused losses to Medicare and other health care benefit programs of at least $4.2 million.
The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
vehovec.information.pdfLocal man sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbing mail carrier at gunpointRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – Marvin Brown, Jr., 20, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 120 months in prison for assaulting a postal carrier and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, Brown assaulted a mail carrier in December 2023. He and a co-defendant drove around a Dayton neighborhood on Dec. 18, 2023, looking for a mail carrier to rob. Upon finding a postal worker, Brown approached the victim and brandished a handgun at him, demanding his mail bag. Brown discharged the firearm at least twice into victim’s postal vehicle. Brown and the co-defendant sped away with the mail bag and mail contained within it.
Brown was charged federally in January 2024 and pleaded guilty in June 2024.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi is representing the United States in this case.
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Leader of Sophisticated Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme SentencedRead the Press Release
Abraham Yusuff, of Round Rock, Texas — the leader of a scheme to defraud the IRS of over $110 million — was sentenced today to more than 14 years in prison. Meghan Inyang, of San Antonio, and Christopher Eduardo, of Round Rock, two of Yusuff’s co-defendants, were also sentenced today to over three years and over two years in prison, respectively. In total, seven individuals have now been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the scheme.
“Yusuff and his codefendants secured $30 million in fraudulent refunds from the IRS — and sought even more,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “They stole the identities of honest taxpayers, filed hundreds of returns in those taxpayers’ names seeking bogus refunds and assumed the identities of real-life CPAs and other professionals to trick the IRS into directing the refunds into accounts and debit cards they controlled. The significant sentences handed down by the court reflect not only the injury caused to the Treasury, but also the financial harm and stress the defendants imposed on the innocent taxpayers and accounting professionals swept up in their scheme.”
“Yusuff and co-defendants didn’t just steal money, they stole the lives of hundreds of victims by changing all their contact information with the IRS and posing as authorized representatives for the taxpayers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office. “This insidious and complex scheme victimized both the real tax professionals and the people they represent, which is why IRS-CI special agents help take down criminal enterprises and put criminals behind bars.”
“Stealing someone’s identity is abhorrent and despicable behavior. This week’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder that fraud and the pursuit of quick gains comes with severe consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of IRS-CI Dallas Field Office. “I’m proud of the women and men of IRS-CI for their commitment to protect our tax system and their resolve to ensure that those who engage in fraudulent activities face the full extent of the law.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2018 to 2021, Yusuff led a stolen-identity-refund-fraud scheme with Eduardo and Inyang, as well as Christian Mathurin, of Nashville, Tennessee; Dillon Anozie, of San Antonio; Babajide Ogunbanjo, of Austin, Texas; and Aydin Mammadov, of Houston.
As part of the scheme, and to avoid fraud detection procedures the IRS established, Yusuff recruited and directed Eduardo, Mathurin, Anozie, Ogunbanjo and Mammadov to provide addresses to him for the purpose of receiving mail, including IRS correspondence such as identity verification letters. Yusuff and others then contacted the IRS posing as authorized agents of multiple taxpayers. They used stolen information relating to the taxpayers and their real tax preparers to falsely persuade the IRS they were legitimate representatives. The defendants then directed the IRS to change the addresses on file for the taxpayers and to send their tax information, including account transcripts and wage records, to the addresses and emails the defendants controlled. Communicating over Telegram, Yusuff instructed his defendants to send him photographs of the mail the IRS had sent and then instructed them to destroy the mail.
The defendants used this information to electronically file more than 370 tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds and directed the IRS to split the refunds among several prepaid debit cards registered in the names of the victim taxpayers. Prior to issuing tax refunds to some taxpayers, the IRS sent verification letters to the addresses the defendants controlled, and the defendants and others, pretending to be the taxpayers, instructed the IRS to release the refunds.
Yusuff, Inyang, Eduardo, Anozie, Ogunbanjo and Mammadov obtained the prepaid debit cards that were to be used to receive the fraudulently claimed refunds. Once the refunds were deposited onto the prepaid debit cards, they further concealed the funds by purchasing, among other things, money orders from local stores in amounts that were designed to avoid having to furnish identification or trigger reporting requirements. They also used prepaid debit cards and money orders to purchase designer clothing, home renovation materials and used cars at auction. The defendants kept or received money orders purchased with the fraudulent refunds as their share of the illegal proceeds.
At sentencing, the government offered victim impact statements from several individuals whose identities were stolen, including victim taxpayers and accountants. The victims spoke of the financial harm and stress that Yusuff and his co-defendants caused them.
In addition to the terms of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pittman for the Western District of Texas sentenced Yusuff to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution and a forfeiture judgment in the amount of $30,370,365. Eduardo was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,823,377 in restitution to the IRS. Inyang was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $762,512 in restitution to the IRS.
Judge Pittman previously sentenced the other co-defendants to prison:
- Dillon Anozie (30 months)
- Aydin Mammadov (18 months)
- Babajide Ogunbanjo (16 months) and
- Christian Mathurin (12 months).
IRS-CI and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Michael Boteler and Trial Attorneys Mary Frances Richardson and Curtis Weidler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas assisted in this matter.
Lancaster Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lancaster man was sentenced in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Olin Garneau, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 14 months in federal prison and 15 years of supervised release. Garneau waived indictment and pleaded guilty in February to a one-count information charging him with possession of child pornography.
“Those who distribute CSAM cause compounding harm to children who have already endured unspeakable trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold these offenders accountable for their crimes and provide justice to their survivors.”
“Garneau thought he was talking to another online predator who shared his interest in the sexual abuse of children. Instead, he found an undercover HSI task force officer,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “HSI is proud to work every day with our partners to find the criminals who produce, trade, and possess child sexual abuse material. Above all, our goal is to protect kids.”
Garneau corresponded with an undercover law enforcement officer through an online chat platform. During the chats, Garneau discussed with the officer topics related to the sexual exploitation of children. Garneau also sent the undercover officer an image of CSAM, and a link to approximately 100 additional CSAM files online. More CSAM was located on Garneau’s cell phone following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.
Homeland Security Investigations led the federal investigation. The Nashua Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the New Hampshire State Police and the Lancaster Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in the City of Pawtucket (in Providence County), Rhode Island, for the Sept. 10 primary election.
The Justice Department will assign federal observers to monitor the election in the City of Pawtucket to observe the county’s compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Earlier this year, a federal court approved a consent decree to resolve the department’s claims under Sections 203 of the Voting Rights Act regarding the availability of election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency in the City of Pawtucket. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The decree also addresses a claim under Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. Section 302 requires jurisdictions to provide provisional ballots during federal elections. The consent decree authorizes federal observers to monitor election day activities in the county’s polling places.
The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country. In addition, the department also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, when authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in PawtucketRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in the City of Pawtucket for the Sept. 10 primary election.
The Justice Department will assign federal observers to monitor the election in the City of Pawtucket to observe compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Earlier this year, a federal court approved a consent decree to resolve the department’s claims under Sections 203 of the Voting Rights Act regarding the availability of election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency in the City of Pawtucket. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The decree also addresses a claim under Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. Section 302 requires jurisdictions to provide provisional ballots during federal elections. The consent decree authorizes federal observers to monitor election day activities in the county’s polling places.
The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country. In addition, the department also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, when authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
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Judge Hands Down Lengthy Sentences for Pair Who Killed Woman in Broad DaylightRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Robert Moses, 25, of Washington, D.C., and James Mayfield, 25, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced to decades in prison for the murder of Jamahri Sydnor and wounding of three others in a daytime shooting in August 2017 in Northeast D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Moses to 61 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Mayfield was sentenced to 50 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
Moses and Mayfield were found guilty on December 8, 2022, by a Superior Court jury of one count of conspiracy, one count of first-degree murder while armed (premediated), two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed (one with aggravating circumstances), one count of aggravated assault while armed (with aggravating circumstances), one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Moses was also convicted of two counts of obstructing justice, and because he was on pre-trial release at the time of the offenses, faced additional penalties. Mayfield is charged in a separate multiple-count indictment, including two counts of murder, for a three-day crime spree that occurred December 24-27, 2017. Trial in that case is scheduled to begin January 2025.
According to the government’s evidence, at around 3:30 p.m., on August 10, 2017, Moses and Mayfield, each armed with firearms, approached on foot the busy neighborhood intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues Northeast, where numerous people were outside, in and around area. Both defendants opened fire across Montana Avenue towards the people on Saratoga Avenue, collectively firing over ten rounds. As they fired their weapons indiscriminately, Jamahri Sydnor, the 17-year-old daughter of retired MPD Homicide Detective and Sgt. Que Wallace, who was driving through the intersection with her 12-year-old nephew, was struck in the head by a bullet. After being struck, she lost control of the car, and it crashed into another parked car. Her nephew was injured by the shattering glass caused by the bullet that struck Ms. Sydnor, which traveled through the front passenger window. A third victim was shot as he stood on the corner speaking with friends, and another innocent bystander shattered his leg, after throwing himself from his wheelchair, attempting to take cover from the hail of gunfire.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Victim/Witness Security Specialists Robert Cephas and Lesley Slade; former Victim/Witness Security Specialist Wanda M. Queen; Paralegal Specialists Stephanie Gilbert, Lashone Samuels, and Grazy Rivera; former Paralegal Specialist Alesha Matthews-Yette; Lead Paralegal Specialist Meridith McGarrity; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; and Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Lenerz who provided Appellate support, former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Sines and Glenn Kirschner, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Santiago and Kimberley Nielsen, who investigated, indicted, and prosecuted the case.
Judge Gives 40 Year Sentence to Man Who Stabbed to Death and Bragged on Social MediaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Aaron Jackson, 31, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for the June 2021 stabbing death of Damohn Gill, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Jackson to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder while armed, three years in prison for carrying a dangerous weapon, and five years of supervised release.
Jackson was found guilty on May 22, 2024, in D.C. Superior Court, for one count of first-degree murder while armed and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon.
According to the government’s evidence, at 7:50 p.m., on Thursday, June 24, 2021, the victim, Damohn Gill, 27, of Washington, D.C., pulled into the parking lot of the Orchard Park Apartments with his pregnant girlfriend. The defendant, who arrived a minute later, parked his vehicle on the street near the parking lot. After both men got out of their cars and hugged on the sidewalk, they briefly spoke to each other before Jackson pulled out a knife and aggressively approached Mr. Gill. Mr. Gill raised his hands in the air at which point the defendant grabbed the victim by the throat. Mr. Gill pulled away and attempted to run, but Jackson held onto the victim and proceeded to stab him nine times in the back, face, arm, and abdomen. Jackson then fled the scene. A few days after the murder, the defendant posted to Instagram to brag about killing the victim.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Finally, they acknowledged the efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Wes Faulkner and Marybeth Manfreda, who prosecuted and tried the case. AUSA Peter Roman who investigated the case, Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark, Investigative Analyst Zach McMenamin, Paralegal Specialists April Urbanowski and Lauren Douglas, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling, IT Specialist Sigourney Jackson, Supervisory Security Specialist Lesley Slade, Security Specialist Ashli Tolbert, Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, and Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Shanika McCullough.
Judge Gives 30 Year Prison Sentence to Man for Killing His Ex’s New Romantic PartnerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marcus Walker, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, by Superior Court Judge Robert Okun in the shooting death of Erik King on October 11, 2022, in Northeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Walker was found guilty by a Superior Court jury on May 7, 2024, of second-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, as well as second degree cruelty to children, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Okun ordered Walker to serve five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Walker was living in the living room of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. On October 11, 2022, the defendant became upset that his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, Erik King, were engaged in sexual relations in the bedroom of the apartment. After sending his ex-girlfriend aggressive text messages for approximately an hour, Walker burst into the locked bedroom door and told the two to stop having sex. When the couple ignored his demands, the defendant shot Mr. King twice in the chest and scrotum area. Mr. King died on scene. A six-year-old child was also present in the bedroom when the shots were fired.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim Advocates Karina Hernandez and Latrice Washington-Williams, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling and IT Specialist Sigourney Jackson, Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, former Victim Advocate Tracy Owusu, Paralegals Lauren Douglas, Mabry Johnson, Stephanie Gilbert, Victim Witness Service Coordinator Shanika McCullough, and Intern Tariq Abdel-Wakil.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Galloway and Alec Levy who prosecuted the case at trial.
Indiana Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An Indiana man was sentenced today to 17 years and six months in prison for possessing and creating images of child sexual abuse.
According to court documents, Timothy J. Carpenter, 36, of Portage, came to the attention of law enforcement around July 2022 after he used peer-to-peer software to knowingly receive and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet through his cellular device.
During the investigation, Indiana State Police (ISP) recovered Carpenter’s cellular phone, which contained hundreds of images and dozens of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. During an interview with ISP investigators, Carpenter admitted that he used his phone to access CSAM. Further analysis of Carpenter’s phone revealed that Carpenter also created multiple videos depicting a prepubescent child fully nude in a shower. These videos show Carpenter concealing a camera in multiple locations near the shower to capture video of the child’s genitals and pubic region.
In addition to the prison sentence, Carpenter will also be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student and to pay restitution totaling $76,000 to his victims.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana; and Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago Division made the announcement.
HSI investigated this case with the assistance of the ISP, Lake County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, and Porter County Prosecutor’s Office.
Trial Attorney Eduardo A. Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Morgan for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorney’s 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
Indiana Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
An Indiana man was sentenced today to 17 and a half years in prison for possessing and creating images of child sexual abuse.
According to court documents, Timothy J. Carpenter, 36, of Portage, came to the attention of law enforcement around July 2022 after he used peer-to-peer software to knowingly receive and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet through his cellular device.
During the investigation, Indiana State Police (ISP) recovered Carpenter’s cellular phone, which contained hundreds of images and dozens of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. During an interview with ISP investigators, Carpenter admitted that he used his phone to access CSAM. Further analysis of Carpenter’s phone revealed that Carpenter also created multiple videos depicting a prepubescent child fully nude in a shower. These videos show Carpenter concealing a camera in multiple locations near the shower to capture video of the child’s genitals and pubic region.
In addition to the prison sentence, Carpenter will also be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student and to pay restitution totaling $76,000 to his victims.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana; and Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago Division made the announcement.
HSI investigated this case with the assistance of the ISP, Lake County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, and Porter County Prosecutor’s Office.
Trial Attorney Eduardo A. Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Morgan for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorney’s 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
Illinois Man Sentenced in Carbondale Mail and Bank Fraud Conspiracy Using Stolen Arrow KeyRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A federal judge sentenced an Illinois man to 18 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in a mail theft and bank fraud scheme targeted at collection boxes in Carbondale.
Brian R. Nevils, 25, of South Holland, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft.
Charged co-conspirators include Quentin S. Abrams, 25, of Charleston, Illinois and Isaiah C. Jordan, 30, of Urbana, Illinois. Abrams was sentenced to time served in April after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft.
Jordan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced at the federal courthouse in Benton at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 1.
“Criminals who steal checks from collection boxes and commit bank fraud threaten the integrity of our mailing system, and I commend the Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts to gain justice for the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
According to court documents, the defendants used a stolen master key to gain access to mail collection boxes throughout Carbondale. The conspiracy involved altering the payees and amounts of stolen checks, depositing the checks into bank accounts of co-conspirators and then transferring the funds into their own accounts or of their associates.
“This sentencing clearly illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions,” stated Acting Inspector in Charge, John Jackman, who leads the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The defendant clearly used illegal activities to defraud local citizens, postal customers, and financial institutions. The USPIS is proud to work with our local and federal partners to bring those who perpetrate these crimes to justice.”
Nevils, Jordan and Abrams stole and altered more than 100 checks sent by more than 50 individuals through USPS from March through July 2020. The total estimated loss exceeds $423,000.
"This case highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local and federal agencies in investigating complex crimes that affect our community. The collaboration between the Carbondale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was key in bringing these offenders to justice. Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our city, protecting both our residents and our institutions from fraudulent schemes,” said Carbondale Police Chief and Interim City Manager Stan Reno.
Demarius L. Flakes, 30, of Blue Island, Illinois, was also charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of mail theft, six counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was recently apprehended in Chicago.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service jointly investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman is prosecuting the case.
Hartford Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YOAN MANUAL DELACRUZ, also known as “Oreja,” 33, citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified Delacruz as a large-scale narcotics trafficker who was distributing kilogram quantities of fentanyl in the Hartford area. On May 24, 2022, investigators made a controlled purchase of 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl from Delacruz.
Delacruz was arrested on June 13, 2022. On that date, a search of his Wadsworth Street apartment revealed two assault-style firearms, a loaded assault-style magazine, two drum firearm magazines, 12 pistol magazines, seven boxes of ammunition, a suspected drug ledger, and cash. A search of an apartment in the same building that Delacruz used as a stash location revealed two brick-shaped kilograms of fentanyl, a significant quantity of loose fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, three handguns, loaded gun magazines, a bag of ammunition, and cash.
Delacruz has been detained since his arrest. On March 20, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Delacruz faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Granite City Mail Carrier Admits to Stealing from USPS Collection BoxRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A mail carrier employed by the U.S. Postal Service pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing from a collection box in Granite City.
Phillip E. Tucker, 37, of Madison, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by postal employee.
“Mail carriers are entrusted public servants, and postal workers who steal from collection boxes willingly break that trust. I commend the investigators for holding this defendant accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
According to court documents, Tucker stole a Visa gift card from a collection box in Granite City on May 6, 2023. Tucker admitted to using the gift card on several occasions for personal purchases.
Theft of mail by postal employee convictions are punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment. Tucker is scheduled for sentencing at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The USPS Office of the Inspector General led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard is prosecuting the case.
Four Individuals Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography Offenses Under Project Safe ChildhoodRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach sentenced three individuals in three separate cases for production of child pornography.
Noah Spearman, 23, was sentenced on September 4, 2024, to 327 months (27 years and three months) in prison, and a supervised release term of life, for four counts of production of child pornography. On May 24, 2023, Spearman pleaded guilty to four counts of production of child pornography.
According to court documents, from August 2021 through July 2022, Spearman induced, enticed, and coerced four female victims, ranging from nine to eleven years of age, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Spearman used different social media applications such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Tyia to commit these crimes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Ginette Milanés prosecuted the case.
On August 29, 2024, Christopher Joel Rabell-Piñeiro, 26, was sentenced to 210 months (17 years and six months) in prison and a supervised release term of 15 years, for one count of production of child pornography.
According to court documents, Rabell-Piñeiro used his cell phone and internet instant messaging services from November 2021 through March 2022 to use and coerce a 12-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that sexual conduct and transmitting the images.
Rabell-Piñeiro was indicted on May 31, 2023, and pleaded guilty on May 28, 2024. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.
AUSA Emelina Agrait-Barreto from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case.
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Eric Torres-Nieves, was sentenced to 66 months (five years and six months) of imprisonment followed by 20 years of supervised release for obtaining via the internet and possessing child pornography in his electronic devices.
AUSA Jenifer Hernández Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case and HSI was in charge of the investigation of the case.
On Thursday, September 5, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado-Colón sentenced Bladimir López-Sanes, to 72 months (six years) of imprisonment followed by six years of supervised release for transferring via the internet child pornography in his electronic devices.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case and HSI was in charge of the investigation of the case.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office; and Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcements.
All cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
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