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Wednesday 21 August 2024
Pilot Convicted for Lying on Applications to the Federal Aviation Administration to Obtain a Medical Certificate Necessary to Pilot Commercial Passenger AircraftRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has convicted OLUKAYODE ADURAGBENRO OJO, 36, of Dallas, TX, of two counts of making a false statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain a medical certificate necessary to pilot a commercial passenger aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count Superseding Indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.
Following the guilty verdict, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman ordered Ojo to be detained pending sentencing, where he faces up to five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.00 on each count.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration–Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon are prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
James Pearcy, 60, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson on August 20, 2024.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around January 2021 to in and around June 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Pearcy conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Pearcy was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of cocaine that he distributed to others.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of no less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pearcy. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Pair of indictments charge conspiracies to use drones to deliver illegal drugs, contraband cell phones to Georgia prisonsRead the Press Release
indictment_usa_v_alan_hall_et_al.pdf indictment_usa_v_robert_harris_et_al.pdfSTATESBORO, GA: Two newly unsealed federal indictments charge 23 defendants in widespread conspiracies that used drones to deliver methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones to Georgia state prisons.
The indictments, USA v. Hall, et al, and USA v. Harris, et al, were unsealed in U.S. District Court, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The primary charge in each indictment, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine, carries a statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“These indictments identify networks of individuals determined to introduce into prisons controlled substances and other contraband that compromise the safety and security of individuals who are held in those facilities and those employed there, and further endanger members of the outside public,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We’re grateful to the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose cooperative work unraveled these criminal operations.”
Investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces by agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations and Intelligence divisions, with assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies, Operation Night Drop identified two networks of prison inmates and outside conspirators who used drones and other methods to deliver large quantities of drugs, cell phones and other contraband to Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga., Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga., and various other Georgia state prisons. The indictments allege the conspiracies began as early as 2019 and continued through July 2024.
In addition to the conspiracy charges, multiple defendants are charged with Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility, and the indictment provides detailed information revealing the use of cell phones to coordinate the sale of drugs and other contraband, direct activities of conspirators outside the prisons, and arrange deliveries of contraband to the prisons using drones. Text messages and Facebook Messenger exchanges between the defendants included aerial images of prisons, drug quantities and prices, and photos of drones, drugs, and cell phones, and of materials and equipment used for packaging contraband.
The indictments include notices that the government seeks the forfeiture of a total of 10 drones and 21 firearms seized during the investigation.
The 15 defendants charged with conspiracy in USA v. Hall, et al., are:
- Alan Hall, a/k/a “Strong,” a/k/a “Krook,” 44, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga;
- Deivon Waller, a/k/a “Hitman,” a/k/a “VP,” 33, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.;
- Travious Bateman, a/k/a “Nut,” 39, of Covington, Ga. Bateman was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections until March 7, 2022;
- Asa Ward, a/k/a “Foolay,” 28, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.;
- Devonn Collins, a/k/a “Vonn,” 28, of Locust Grove, Ga. Collins was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections until Feb. 12, 2019, and again from Sept. 5, 2019 to April 14, 2020;
- Torlandus Fuller, a/k/a “Mustafa$upa,” 33, of Lithonia, Ga. Fuller was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections until Oct. 1, 2021;
- Martin Holmes, a/k/a “The Mayor,” 33, currently incarcerated at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.;
- Raymond Razo, a/k/a “Flako,” 36, currently incarcerated at Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga.;
- Anisha Usher, 38, of Covington, Ga.;
- Marquez Chandler, 25, of Conyers, Ga. Chandler was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections from Nov. 9, 2021 to June 2, 2023;
- Chad Henry, 26, of Conyers, Ga.;
- Katrina Hampton, 28, of Killeen, Texas;
- Jamar Hill, 37, of Tucker, Ga. Hill was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections until Feb. 3, 2020, and again from Dec. 15, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2022;
- Raane Onessimo, 29, of Powder Springs, Ga.; and,
- Donald Pate, 51, of Valdosta, Ga. Pate was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections from Jan. 3, 2019 to Jan. 6, 2021.
Seven of the eight defendants named in USA v. Harris, et al., are charged with conspiracy:
- Robert Harris, a/k/a “Messiah,” a/k/a “Dean,” 32, currently incarcerated at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.;
- Kelvin Rogers, a/k/a “Gangsta,” 38, currently incarcerated at Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga.;
- Quinton Samples, a/k/a “JR,” 29, of Atlanta. Samples was in the continuous custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections until March 10, 2022;
- Thomas Cothran, a/k/a “Shoota,” a/k/a “Tee,” 37, currently incarcerated at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Ga.;
- Quintaveous Samples, a/k/a “Peewee,” 26, of Jonesboro, Ga.;
- Quinesha Oliver, 27, of Jonesboro, Ga.; and,
- Tristahn Ash, a/k/a “Mohawk,” 27, currently incarcerated at the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta. Ash had been in custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections prior to the start of indictment, was released on Aug. 5, 2020, and reentered Department of Corrections custody on May 11, 2023.
The eighth defendant, David Williams, 35, of Atlanta, is charged along with Ash with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.
Of the 23 defendants in the two indictments, six were not in Department of Corrections custody at any time during the conspiracies, and each of them is alleged to have been in contact with incarcerated co-defendants in furtherance of the conspiracy.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Operation Night Drop was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations Division, the Georgia Department of Corrections Intelligence Division, and local law enforcement agencies including the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Telfair County Sheriff’s Office, Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, the McRae-Helena Police Department, and the Eufala, Ala., Police Department, and is being prosecuted for the United States of America by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy P. Dean and Patricia G. Rhodes.
Over 20 Defendants Sentenced to Prison in Multi-Million Dollar National COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Two additional defendants were sentenced this week in a national COVID-19 fraud, including, Toni A. Smith, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison; and Dontae Antonio Murphy, who was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Collectively, these Defendants were also ordered to pay several hundred thousand dollars in restitution to the Small Business Administration, which included interest and processing fees, for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loans.
Murphy, 40, of Charlotte, and Smith, 46, of New Jersey, had both obtained a fraudulent PPPs loan on behalf of their purported janitorial and cleaning services companies. As of today, 22 defendants have now been sentenced to prison for their role in the scheme. To date, an additional nine defendants have pled guilty to this scheme in the Eastern District of North Carolina and are awaiting sentencing.
“This is the latest in a series of defendants involved in a national conspiracy to steal taxpayer money meant to be a lifeline to our nation’s most vulnerable businesses during a global pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Even though the pandemic is behind us, we are working closely with our partners at the IRS to identify, investigate and prosecute cases of fraud to put cheats behind bars and recover taxpayer money.”
According to the filed charges and information summarized in court, Smith and Murphy had conspired with Edward Whitaker, Schunda Coleman, and others to obtain fraudulent PPP loans. Whitaker and Coleman pled guilty on January 19, 2023 for their role in operating a nation-wide scheme to help people across the country commit millions of dollars of PPP fraud from their home in Texas.
Whitaker and Coleman created fraudulent supporting documents and applications for each PPP loan in exchange for 25% of the total loan proceeds. The fraudulent applications grossly inflated the number of employees and wages being paid prior to the COVID-19 pandemic by backdating fraudulent IRS forms. Following the disbursement of the PPP loans, Whitaker gave each defendant, via text messages subsequently obtained by law enforcement, detailed instructions as to how to make it appear that the PPP loans were being paid out to employees. In reality, most or all of the money was transferred back to the defendants. The fraudulent payroll records were then submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain 100% loan forgiveness.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
Defendants that have been sentenced so far include:
- Albert Eugene Miller, Jr. [Case No. 5-22-CR-00290-D]
- Jonathan Fleming [Case No. 5-22-CR-00337-D]
- Nekita Hooks [Case No. 5-23-CR-00025-D]
- Shakeerah Kaneisha Yvette Vinson [Case No. 5-23-CR-00027-D]
- Denise Coit Alston [Case No. 5-23-CR-00077-D]
- Terron Cortez Parker [Case No. 5-23-CR-00081-D]
- Monica Faye Barnes [Case No. 5:23-CR-00094-D]
- Dontrell Barnes [Case No. 5-23-CR-00094-D]
- Kami D. Woodard [Case No. 5-23-CR-00095-D]
- Isaac Lamont Dawson [Case No. 5:23-CR-0097-D]
- Irene Edwards [Case No. 5-23-CR-00098-D]
- Jackson Ndoyo [Case No. 5-23-CR-00118-D]
- Lenille Woodard [Case No. 5-23-CR-00138-D]
- Natosia Jerome Jenkins [Case No. 5:23-CR-00167-D]
- Teresa Ann McRae [Case No. 5:23-CR-00313-D]
- Delvin Dashavone Felder [Case No. 5:23-CR-00198]
- Shun Lamont Gibbs [Case No. 5:23-CR-00346-D]
- Karim Aziz Razzak [Case No. 5:23-CR-00324]
- Anthony S. Whitaker [Case No. 5:23-CR-00311-D]
- Darian Casteele Tyler [Case No. 5:23-CR-00338-D]
Defendants awaiting sentencing include:
- Quentin Jackson [Case No. 5-23-CR-180-D]
- Edward Whitaker [Case No. 5-22-CR-00257-D]
- Schunda Coleman [Case No. 5-22-CR-00257-D]
- Ayyub Abdur Rasheed [Case No. 5:23-CR-00314-D]
- Ronald L. Jones [Case No. 5:23-CR-00339-D]
- Everett M. McBride [Case No. 5:24-CR-00036-D]
- Hanif Abdul-Hakim [Case No. 5:24-CR-00109-D]
- James Elton Watson Case No. 5:23-CR-00323-D]
- Shara Monique Wells [Case No. 5:23-CR-00323-D]
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were economically suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III announced the sentences. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the cases.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case numbers 5:24-CR-00072 and 5:23-CR-00312-D.
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Osceola Man Arrested for Defrauding Federal Criminal ForfeitureRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Levelle Joseph Harris (38, Kissimmee) on an indictment charging him with four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Harris faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. Harris is also facing a forfeiture order of $651,432, a sum which represents the total amount of proceeds obtained by Harris from the wire fraud scheme. A federal grand jury had indicted Harris on August 6, 2024.
According to court documents, between February 7, 2022, and January 31, 2023, Harris devised a scheme to defraud by obtaining a mortgage through false representations. Harris then used the proceeds from the fraudulently obtained mortgage to purchase a residence that was subject to federal criminal forfeiture. Harris fraudulently obtained more than $650,000 as part of the scheme.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Harrington is handling the forfeiture.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jack Paskin, 34, of Nelsonville, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to money laundering.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from in or about mid-summer 2019 to on or about August 31, 2020, Paskin facilitated the shipment of wholesale quantities of marijuana to Mullens, West Virginia. Paskin admitted that the shipments were directed to addresses provided by Merrick Rice, who then obtained the marijuana packages following their delivery. Paskin further admitted that he knew Rice sold the marijuana to other individuals who then distributed it within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Proceeds from Rice’s sale of the marijuana were deposited into bank accounts that Paskin individually controlled or had signatory authority over. On February 24, 2021, Paskin withdrew $30,000 in cash from one of the bank accounts he knew held proceeds from Rice’s marijuana sales. Paskin admitted that he knew that the $30,000 and the other deposited funds represented proceeds from illegal drug sales in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Paskin is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Rice, 44, of Mullens, and Miranda Aliff, 32, of Rock Creek, both pleaded guilty on May 7, 2024, to structuring transactions with one or more domestic financial institutions. Rice and Aliff admitted to structuring bank deposits of the illicit drug proceeds totaling $228,000 to evade currency transaction reporting requirements, and await sentencing.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-122.
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Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Leonard Samiia, 32, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about February 20, 2023, Samiia employed, used, persuaded, induced, and enticed a minor victim residing within the Southern District of West Virginia to send images of her nude vagina to him through the internet using an instant messaging service. Samiia admitted that the minor victim stated that she was not 18 yet. Samiia also sent the images back to the minor victim using the messaging service.
Samiia admitted that he sent a series of messages to the minor victim, directing her to make specific poses and take specific actions for these images. Samiia further admitted that he threatened the minor victim with the images she sent him, including by messaging her “(h)ave fun with these pics being posted now,” “being posted all over Facebook google snapchat twitch and everywhere,” and “THEY WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR SCHOOL WEBSITE TOO.” In one message, Samiia threatened to travel to where the minor victim lived and physically harm her and others.
Samiia is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2024, and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Samiia also owes restitution, in an amount to be determined by the Court, and must register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-18.
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New York Man Arrested for Operating as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government in the United StatesRead the Press Release
Yuanjun Tang, 67, a naturalized citizen of the United States and resident of Queens, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and making materially false statements to the FBI. Tang was arrested today in Flushing, Queens, and will be presented this afternoon.
According to court documents, Tang is a former PRC citizen who was imprisoned in the PRC for his activities as a dissident opposing the one-party authoritarian political system controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the PRC’s sole ruling party. In or about 2002, Tang defected to Taiwan; he was subsequently granted political asylum in the United States and has since resided in New York City, where he has regularly participated in events with fellow PRC dissidents and leads a nonprofit dedicated to promoting democracy in China.
Between at least in or about 2018 and in or about June 2023, Tang acted in the United States as an agent of the PRC by completing tasks at the direction of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), which is the PRC’s principal civilian intelligence agency. The MSS is responsible for, among other things, the PRC’s foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, espionage and political security functions.
Specifically, through a particular email account, encrypted chats, text messages and audio and video calls, Tang regularly received instructions from and reported to an MSS intelligence officer regarding individuals and groups viewed by the PRC as potentially adverse to the PRC’s interests, including prominent U.S.-based Chinese democracy activists and dissidents. He also traveled at least three times for face-to-face meetings with MSS intelligence officers and helped the MSS infiltrate a group chat on an encrypted messaging application used by numerous PRC dissidents and pro-democracy activists to communicate about pro-democracy issues and express criticism of the PRC government. Law enforcement recovered instructions Tang received from the MSS and photographs, videos and documents that he collected or created for transmission to the MSS from numerous electronic devices and accounts belonging to Tang.
Tang also made materially false statements to the FBI. He falsely claimed that he was no longer able to access an email account through which he had communicated with his MSS handler through draft emails.
Tang is charged with one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Yumi Chong for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nevada Man Sentenced to 150 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Joseph R. Quinones, 31 years old, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Quinones was sentenced to 150 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 14, 2023, the Fort Wayne Police Department was dispatched to a local fast-food restaurant regarding an individual with a firearm. Quinones, upset he could not order lunch items during the breakfast service, displayed a firearm and threatened employees. Law enforcement apprehended Quinones near the restaurant and located a loaded firearm on his person. Quinones has a prior felony conviction, as such, he is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa L. Ashcraft.
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.
McLaughlin Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Simple Assault and Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding.
Kenton Wynn Walks, age 39, was sentenced to one year and four months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $35.
Walks was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2022 and was found guilty on May 22, 2024, following a two-day jury trial.
This conviction arose from an assault that took place on April 22, 2022, in McLaughlin, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. The victim in this matter was laying on the ground, working on a vehicle, when Walks walked up to the victim and kicked him in the head. The victim suffered a laceration on the rear right side of his head, which produced a significant amount of blood and caused him to lose consciousness. The laceration was approximately three inches long and required six staples to be closed.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Walks was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.
Maxton Man Sentenced to 20 Years on Firearms and Drug ConvictionsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Robeson County man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for distributing cocaine, possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a felon. On April 9, 2024, Lloyd Kinston Locklear, age 34, pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Locklear sold 3.7 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant on January 26, 2022. Robeson County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to obtain a search warrant for Locklear’s residence after that controlled sale and executed the search warrant on January 27, 2022. Locklear fled from the scene in a vehicle when police arrived, and unsuccessfully attempted to jump a ditch. He exited the vehicle and was apprehended near a bookbag that contained five grams of cocaine, 19.75 grams of Ice (99% pure methamphetamine), <1 gram of methamphetamine, 42.62 grams of heroin, eight hydrocodone pills, 50 oxycodone pills, nine amphetamine pills, 16 diazepam pills, 18 alprazolam pills, 45 grams of marijuana, and digital scales. Locklear also had $241 dollars on his person. A search of a car at his residence found a .22 caliber handgun and a .32 caliber revolver in the trunk of a car. Locklear admitted the firearms were his and admitted to selling narcotics. Locklear was charged by the state and was released on bond.
On November 2, 2022, Maxton Police Department Officers arrested Locklear on an outstanding state warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon and found him with 29.94 grams of Ice (98% pure methamphetamine) and $664. Locklear admitted the methamphetamine was his and stated that he used to sell cocaine. He was again charged by the state and released on bond. On December 21, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Locklear charging him with distribution of cocaine (January 26, 2022), possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine (January 27, 2022), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (January 27, 2022), and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine (November 2, 2022).
On January 20, 2023, Robeson County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on I-95 failing to maintain its lane. Officers stopped the vehicle on suspicion of DUI and encountered Locklear, a rear passenger in the vehicle. Deputies requested Locklear step out of the vehicle which he did, but he quickly began to resist the deputy’s attempt to arrest him on the federal warrant. Locklear was handcuffed with his hands in front of him and failed to comply with commands. The deputy pulled out his taser and Locklear lunged towards him striking the deputy in the chest and arms knocking the taser out of the deputy’s hands and his body worn camera off his chest. The deputy recovered his taser and then tried unsuccessfully to taser Locklear, who was aggressively walking toward the deputy stating, “come on bruh.” The deputy grabbed Locklear by the handcuffs, but Locklear pulled away walking to the front of the vehicle. Locklear then thrust his arms forward stating, “get back, get back” and the deputy saw what he believed to be a firearm in Locklear’s handcuffed hands. The deputy drew his weapon and fired at Locklear but did not strike him. Locklear then walked to the rear of the deputy’s patrol vehicle and laid down in surrender. Deputies searched the area and located a stolen .45 caliber handgun in the grassy shoulder of I-95 approximately 50 feet behind the stopped vehicle.
Between January 2022 and his federal arrest in January 2023, Locklear was out on bond for state charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and first-degree murder stemming from an incident that occurred on June 3, 2020. Locklear was also on bond for state charges of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and conspiracy to breaking and entering or larceny stemming from an incident that occurred on April 26, 2021. All state charges Locklear faces are from Robeson County, and all are still pending.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Maxton Police Department and ATF investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-141-BO-BM.
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Little Eagle Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Federal Prison for Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation and SuffocationRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation and Suffocation. The sentencing took place on August 19, 2024.
Lance Tomas Mata, age 41, was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Mata was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 20, 2024.
During the night of November 21-22, 2022, at his home in Little Eagle, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, Mata got high and intoxicated on methamphetamine and alcohol. Around 7:30 a.m., he woke up his live-in girlfriend and dragged her by the hair across the floor, then choked her for 30 seconds, telling her she would die “today” and that no one wanted her. After throwing her over a couch, Mata coerced her to kneel before him in a degrading manner and began assaulting her with his fists. Whenever the victim fell, Mata forced her to get back on her knees. If his girlfriend whimpered, Mata threatened to throw her down the stairs and chain her in the basement. This torture continued for two hours. When Mata finished, he told his girlfriend he would bury her with another woman, then fell asleep on the couch. The girlfriend fled the home and began walking the 37-mile trek through the snow to her mother’s home in Fort Yates, North Dakota, until she was picked up by a friend.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Mata was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service
Lee County Offenders Collect More Than 127 Years in Federal Prison Sentences for Firearms, Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Since May 2023, federal judges have sentenced 17 defendants with charges originating in Lee County, North Carolina, to an aggregate total of 1,529 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).
In the most recent case, SAHEEM SHAREEF WILLIAMS, age 37, of Sanford, North Carolina, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs to 120 months’ imprisonment, the maximum sentence allowed by statute. WILLIAMS was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release.
According to court records, on April 7, 2022, Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to WILLIAMS’ residence in Sanford for a domestic violence call. The situation escalated when WILLIAMS barricaded himself inside the home and opened fire on deputies. Deputies briefly exchanged fire with WILLIAMS but never again discharged their weapons. WILLIAMS, however, periodically shot from inside his home towards deputies who had taken cover on the property. One deputy reported hearing a bullet fly by him, while another reported having taken cover behind a pickup truck when a bullet from WILLIAMS’ gun struck it. Deputies repeatedly ordered WILLIAMS to surrender. After 45 minutes, he threw his .22 caliber revolver onto the porch and left the residence with his hands raised. WILLIAMS is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. He pleaded guilty on October 16, 2023, to possessing a firearm as a felon.
“The citizens of Sanford and Lee County are safer as a result of these prosecutions,” said U.S. Attorney Hairston. “The cases were investigated and prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which allows federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to focus resources on repeat, violent offenders, many of whom illegally possess firearms. PSN is a proven strategy for reducing violent crime in areas where the strategy is in use.”
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.
Today’s sentencing is the most recent in a series of cases resulting from a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement intended to reduce violent and gun-related crime in Sanford and Lee County. At least 17 defendants, including WILLIAMS, have been sentenced for firearm or drug offenses in U.S. District Court for the MDNC in the past 15 months. Several other defendants pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced before the end of the year. The Sanford/Lee County defendants include the following:
SENTENCED
- Diante Teryl Roberson, age 26, of Sanford, NC: Roberson was sentenced on May 9, 2023, to 46 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jamel Christopher Harris, age 29, of Sanford, NC: Harris was sentenced on May 22, 2023, to 30 days’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473 in acquisition of a firearm.
- Steven Trent Goins, age 29, of Sanford, NC: Goins was sentenced on June 14, 2023, to 97 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Tyquan Bernard Jones, age 25, of Sanford, NC: Jones was sentenced on September 6, 2023, to 21 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine hydrochloride.
- Brian Thomas Bright, age 48, of Sanford, NC: Bright was sentenced on September 12, 2023, to 97 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Larry Brown, age 47, of Sanford, NC: Brown was sentenced on September 12, 2023, to 100 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Robert Terrell Bush, age 33, of Sanford, NC: Bush was sentenced on September 26, 2023, to 78 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine hydrochloride.
- Rosa Raquel Diaz, age 25, of Broadway, NC: Diaz was sentenced on November 17, 2023, to 87 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine hydrochloride.
- Chad Marques Jennings, age 41, [no permanent address]: Jennings was sentenced on December 19, 2023, to 120 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Christian Berberana Diaz, age 44, [no permanent address]: Diaz was sentenced on March 8, 2024, to 100 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Calvin Devonte Bush, age 29, of Winston-Salem, NC: Bush was sentenced on March 12, 2024, to 60 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon and doing so while under a term of federal supervised release.
- Keyonta Tyreese McDougald, age 28, of Durham, NC: McDougald was sentenced on March 15, 2024, to 80 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jeremy Fontaz Moore, age 28, of Fayetteville, NC: Moore was sentenced on June 13, 2024, to 120 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon and distributing fentanyl.
- Ricky Brown, age 31, of Sanford, NC: Brown was sentenced on July 24, 2024, to 168 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl.
- Tommy Gene East, Jr., age 52, of Sanford, NC: East was sentenced on August 2, 2024, to 144 months’ imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine.
- Jonathan Alexander Washington, age 33, of Sanford, NC: Washington was sentenced on August 2, 2024, to 90 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for possessing ammunition as a felon.
PENDING SENTENCING
- Dalvin Davis, age 27, of Sanford, NC: Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2024, for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Flavio Cesar Sandoval-Romero, age 29, of Mexico: Sandoval-Romero is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2024, for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.
- Latavious Kwame McIver, age 35, of Sanford, NC: McIver is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2024, for distributing fentanyl.
The following agencies investigated or assisted with one or more of the above cases: Sanford Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County District Attorney’s Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Special Operations and Intelligence Unit, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob D. Pryor and Laura J. Dildine of the Middle District of North Carolina.
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Law Firm Employee Who Embezzled Nearly $1.5M Sentenced to 4+ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A law firm controller who embezzled over $1.48 million from her firm by inflating her payroll was sentenced today to more than four years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Christiane Kathleen Irwin, 44, was indicted in March 2022. She pleaded guilty in August 2023 to wire fraud and was sentenced Wednesday to 50 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr, who also ordered her to pay $1,483,008.56 in restitution.
According to court documents, Ms. Irwin, who worked for a law firm and was responsible for submitting payroll each week, falsely inflated her salary, which was set at approximately $140,000 annually, not including bonuses, some as high as $50,000.
In accordance with her fraudulent payroll submission, the firm’s payroll vendor transferred her purported pay from the firm’s bank account into her bank account every two weeks.
Over the course of three years, from 2019 to 2021, Ms. Irwin took home over $1.48 million in fraudulently obtained funds. Irwin used these funds to enhance her personal lifestyle, including the purchase of a luxury vehicle, and multiple vacations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nashonme Johnson and Jenna Rudoff prosecuted the case with the help of Financial Auditor Sheila Powell.
Latvian National Extradited for Scheme to Illegally Export Advanced U.S.-Origin Aircraft Technology to RussiaRead the Press Release
Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 55, of Latvia, made his initial appearance in a federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, today after being extradited from Latvia. Chistyakov is the third defendant in this case to face charges in connection with a years-long conspiracy to sell sophisticated avionics equipment to Russian companies, after Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine and despite heightened additional U.S. economic countermeasures levied against Russia.
According to court documents, Chistyakov allegedly conspired with U.S. citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 61, of Kansas, and Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, of Kansas, to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S.-origin avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). Buyanovksy and Robertson were charged and arrested in March 2023 and have both pleaded guilty. Buyanovsky is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14 and Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3.
As alleged, Chistyakov, while operating from Latvia and often through his Emirati company RosAero FZC, worked with Buyanovsky and Robertson through their U.S. company, KanRus Trading Company Inc. (KanRus), to circumvent U.S export laws by purchasing avionics equipment from U.S. companies for customers in Russia. Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus by soliciting quotes, negotiating prices and terms of delivery and facilitating payments between KanRus and customers in Russia. As alleged, Chistyakov and his conspirators attempted to conceal their illegal activities by creating false invoices, transshipping items through third-party countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using bank accounts in third-party countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, and exporting items to intermediary companies which then reexported the items to the ultimate end destinations.
Many of the entities and individuals involved in Chistyakov’s alleged scheme were added to the Commerce Department’s Entity List in December 2023, which imposes specific license requirements on transactions made by all listed individuals and entities.
Chistyakov is charged with conspiracy, Export Control Reform Act violations, smuggling and money laundering violations. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $1 million fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas made the announcement.
The FBI and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Latvian authorities to secure the extradition of Chistyakov to the United States.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Last Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Role in Heroin Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Jose Carlos De La Rosa-Lopez was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Las Vegas.
From August 2021 to May 4, 2022, De La Rosa-Lopez and co-defendants Eduardo Lopez, Jose Luis Marin-Flores, Luis Alfredo Vela-Aguirre, Jose Rivera-Hernandez, Irene Alejo-Hernandez, and Luis Alberto Lopez Benitez conspired to distribute over three kilograms of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Previously, six co-defendants were sentenced. Eduardo Lopez was sentenced to 70 months in prison. Jose Luis Marin-Flores was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Luis Alfredo Vela-Aguirre was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Jose Rivera-Hernandez was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Irene Alejo-Hernandez was sentenced to time served. Luis Alberto Lopez Benitez was sentenced to 37 months in prison.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Key Leader in Texas Human Smuggling Organization Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 480 months in prison for illegal alien transportation resulting in death.
According to court documents, Nicolas Mondragon-Gonzalez, aka “Chayo” and “Flaco,” 36, of Luvianos, Mexico, was a leader and orchestrator of a human smuggling organization (HSO). Mondragon-Gonzalez had hired Sebastian Tovar, a driver who was sentenced in August 2023 to 420 months in prison for his role in the operation. Tovar had been transporting nine undocumented noncitizens when he led a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper on a pursuit and collided with another vehicle in the oncoming traffic lane. Eight of the nine passengers in Tovar’s vehicle were killed, while the two occupants of the other vehicle were seriously injured. Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered a second smuggling vehicle carrying undocumented noncitizens. The driver stopped and the occupants fled on foot. USBP agents were able to locate them.
Mondragon-Gonzalez was arrested Sept. 28, 2021. He pleaded guilty to four counts January 10, 2022: one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, one count of illegal alien transportation resulting in death, and two counts of transportation of illegal aliens.
“The result in this case is a testament to this office's commitment to seek justice for our community members,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It reflects the hard work and interagency cooperation of our federal and state law enforcement partners, whose efforts brought this case to a successful conclusion.”
“This defendant will spend the next 40 years in federal prison for his actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “Human smuggling is dangerous but as this case demonstrates, it’s also deadly. HSI will not stop investigating and bringing smugglers to face justice. There can be no safe haven for smugglers who evade our nations laws, endangering our communities and causing deaths.”
Codefendant Ruben Junior Rodriguez-Jaimes, a foot guide, was sentenced in August 2023 to 180 months in prison. Rogelio Manuel Luna was sentenced in June 2024 to 108 months in prison with credit for time served. Jennifer Oralia Davis, aka “Paypa,” was sentenced in September 2023 to 151 months in prison with credit for time served.
Four additional defendants pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of illegal alien transportation resulting in death: Lauren Michelle Malmquist aka “Mama” and “Lala,” Veronica Torres-Mendez, and Eduardo Rivera Benitez aka “Lalo” and “Casper,” each face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Jose Eli Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Another individual indicted in the case, Marco Antonio Hernandez aka “Temo,” was arrested on June 27 in Houston. Hernandez had previously been sentenced on Oct. 11, 2023 to 24 months in prison with credit for time served.
HSI, USBP and DPS investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Donald A. Ennis, 43, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to two counts of wire fraud. Ennis admitted that he filed false insurance claims to obtain $347,237.70 after setting fire to his residence and defrauded a volunteer fire department of $153,728 while serving as its finance and operations manager.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018 Ennis purchased a residence on Ridgeview Way in St. Albans with assistance from a mortgage company that required him to insure the residence for loss. Ennis obtained a residential insurance policy with a maximum value of $161,100 for the dwelling and $120,825 for its contents. Ennis paid an annual premium of approximately $979.35 for the policy, which had effective dates from November 8, 2020, through November 8, 2021. The policy covered losses for multiple contingencies including fire, and explicitly excluded intentional acts of loss or damage by Ennis.
Ennis admitted that he intentionally set fire to his residence on February 15, 2021. The fire department responded but could not extinguish the fire, which consumed the residence and left it and its contents a total loss. Ennis falsely reported the fire to his Indiana-based insurance company as an accident later that day and began the process of filing a claim. Ennis admitted that he placed a series of claims electronically from February 21, 2021, to March 19, 2021, fraudulently claiming losses from the fire. Ennis further admitted that he obtained $347,237.70 from the insurance company as a result of this wire fraud scheme. The fraudulent insurance funds were deposited in Ennis’ bank account.
From at least 2009, Ennis worked for a volunteer fire department serving the Tornado area of Kanawha County. As its finance and operations manager, Ennis had access to the fire department’s debit card with a North Carolina-based bank and regularly acted as its accountant. Ennis admitted that from some time prior to March 19, 2020 through about September 18, 2022, he fraudulently obtained $153,728 of the fire department’s funds through a series of ATM withdrawals and dozens of unauthorized online purchases with its debit card for his personal benefit.
Ennis is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Ennis also owes $500,965.70 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU), the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner-Special Investigations Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-129.
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Justice Department Announces an Organizational Assessment of the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department under the COPS Office’s Collaborative Reform InitiativeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) today announced that it will conduct an organizational assessment of the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department through its Collaborative Reform Initiative. Over the next year, the Charlottesville Police Department will work with the COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative team to focus on:
- Community Policing/Problem Solving;
- Crime Analysis/Crime Prevention;
- Employee Wellness, Training, Development and Retention;
- Resource Analysis/Strategic Planning; and
- Accountability, Oversight and Evaluation.
“The overall goals of the Organizational Assessment program include building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, enhancing officer safety and wellness and improving fairness and effectiveness in an agency’s operations,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Any department that actively commits to pursuing those goals is taking a step in the right direction.”
“This is a comprehensive assessment that includes data and document review, direct observations of the agency’s activities and practices, interviews, focus groups and more,” said COPS Office Director Hugh T. Clements, Jr. “At the same time the work is taking place, the public will receive regular updates, as transparency is a critical part of this process.”
Regular updates on the team’s work with the Charlottesville Police Department will be provided at cops.usdoj.gov/active-oa-site-charlottesville-va-police-department as part of the transparency and public accountability of this new Organizational Assessment effort.
The Collaborative Reform Initiative encompasses three programs offering expert services to state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies: the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center, Critical Response and Organizational Assessment programs (complete details of these programs can be found at cops.usdoj.gov/collaborativereform). Managed out of the COPS Office, this continuum of services is designed to build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve; improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness; enhance officer safety and wellness; build agencies’ capacity for organizational learning and self-improvement; and promote community policing practices nationwide.
The Organizational Assessment program provides the most intensive form of technical assistance on the continuum, involving in-depth assessments and long-term assistance on systemic issues that can challenge community trust and confidence. A continual assessment and implementation process ensures that time and resources are used to focus on identifying areas for improvement, reinforcing agency strengths and assisting with the implementation of improvements expeditiously. At the same time, the process provides transparency and accountability with routine public reporting. Each engagement will be supported by a multidisciplinary assessment team composed of subject matter experts with diverse experience and perspectives, including in law enforcement, community engagement, research and evaluation, program management and organizational reform.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 138,000 officers.
Jury finds members of violent Third World Mob gang guilty of trafficking more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuanaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted two members of the Third World Mob gang with conspiring to traffic more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Third World Mob is a violent criminal organization in Columbus.
After an 8-day trial before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., jurors deliberated for less than six hours before finding Klegewerges Abate, 35, and Abubakarr Savage, 34, both of Columbus, guilty on all counts.
Abate, who is also known as “Bells,” “Robell” and “Sosa,” was convicted of conspiring to traffic at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, firearms offenses, and wire fraud related to illegally obtaining COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.
Savage was charged with and convicted of conspiring to distribute at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Savage is also known as “Sav” and “Savdripp.”
According to court documents and trial testimony, Third World Mob members brought hundreds of pounds of marijuana into Ohio from other states like California and Georgia to sell in central Ohio. They used U-Haul trucks and rental cars to move the drugs. Coconspirators used rental houses or houses leased or owned in other individuals’ names as “stash houses” or “trap houses” to facilitate the drug trafficking and to store significant amounts of cash from the drug proceeds.
For example, in August 2019, Abate and others possessed a suitcase with approximately $940,000 in cash in it in a house on Phlox Avenue in Blacklick.
During a November 2022 search of a residence on Chapel Stone Road in Blacklick, law enforcement officials found Abate and two of his co-conspirators, along with more than 700 kilograms of marijuana and three firearms.
Third World Mob leaders and members used violence and the threat of violence to maintain authority over their drug trafficking.
Surveillance video presented at trial showed Abate, a convicted felon, shooting a man at a restaurant in Columbus. Jurors also heard testimony about numerous shootings, a pistol-whipping, and other acts of intimidation.
Abate was also convicted of wire fraud for falsely applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, fraudulently claiming that he had been a self-employed landscaper during the time he trafficked drugs.
In total, seven members of the Third World Mob have been charged federally since 2021. Fellow member Menelik Solomon pleaded guilty in November 2023 and was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. Coconspirator Teddy Asefa entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and wire fraud just prior to trial. Another defendant stood trial with Abate and Savage and was acquitted of the single obstruction of justice charge against him.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit; and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the verdict. U.S. Attorney Parker recognized the assistance from the Columbus, Whitehall and Tucson, Arizona, police departments and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and S. Courter Shimeall represented the United States in this case.
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Johnstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Amanda Weidner, 40, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around February 2021 to in and around June 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Weidner conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and cocaine base. Weidner was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that she distributed to others.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Weidner. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice and Meet an 11-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Amol Chandrashekhar Khedkar (59, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Khedkar faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Khedkar was arrested on November 29, 2023, and he has been detained since that time. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 19, 2024.
According to court documents and evidence discussed in open court, on November 28, 2023, an undercover FBI agent (the “UC”) in the Jacksonville area was conducting an online undercover operation to identify adults seeking to meet and engage in sexual activity with children. Posing as the parent of an 11-year-old child, the UC posted a notice in the open forum of an online social messaging application (the “app”). Minutes later, an individual named “drbrownee,” who was subsequently identified as Khedkar, contacted the UC online via private message on the app. After being advised of the “child’s” age, Khedkar confirmed that he would “love to see [the “child.”] He asked the UC specific questions about access to the “child” and the “child’s” sexual experience. Khedkar and the UC discussed meeting in person the next day at the “child’s” residence. Khedkar stated, “I’ll show up, … [t]hen you can invite me inside.”
On November 29, 2023, Khedkar and the UC exchanged text messages and confirmed meeting later that day at a prearranged location in St. Johns County. When Khedkar arrived at the location, he was arrested by FBI agents as he exited his vehicle. During an interview, Khedkar stated that his username was “drbrownee,” he used his online account to communicate with the UC, he asked the UC about sexually abusing the “child,” and he directed the UC to take a shower with the “child.” A review of the contents of Khedkar’s cellphone, pursuant to a search warrant, revealed that it contained the online communications and text messages exchanged between Khedkar and the UC, as well as photos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.jutice.gov/psc.
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 284 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Brandon James, 35 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
James was sentenced to 284 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in May 2019, James agreed with others to buy methamphetamine in California to bring back to the Midwest for distribution. James provided the cash to buy bulk methamphetamine at a low price. James then flew to California with several co-conspirators, obtained more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, and loaded it into a car. As the methamphetamine was being driven across the country, the car was stopped in Missouri, and the methamphetamine was discovered.
James’ co-defendants previously received the following sentences:
Benjamin Hicks was sentenced to 292 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
Terrence Reid was sentenced to 150 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
Kelvin Franklin was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory with the assistance of the Mishawaka Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the former St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit, and the Missouri State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
Indiana man sentenced to 30 years for producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Indiana man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison and life on supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to produce child sexual abuse materials.
According to court documents, Darin Schilmiller, 26, and his co-conspirator Denali Brehmer, 24, conspired to murder Cynthia Hoffman in June 2019 while Schilmiller was residing in Indiana. While they were conspiring to commit Hoffman’s murder, they also conspired to exploit a minor victim to produce sexually explicit images, which Brehmer took and sent to Schilmiller via text message at his direction.
Schilmiller and Brehmer pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in the U.S. District Court in July 2023. Brehmer was sentenced to serve a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and the rest of her life on supervised release. Both defendants were also sentenced by the State of Alaska to 99 years in prison for their roles in Hoffman’s murder.
In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline cited public safety as a paramount consideration, describing the defendant’s actions as predatory, perverted and sophisticated. Judge Beistline stated, "I can't think of anything worse than what that I've seen here,” and that, “the defendant can't be permitted to hurt anyone else."
“This sentence marks the conclusion of a years-long effort to hold the defendants accountable for the tragic consequences of their actions,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “I want to thank the FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Anchorage Police Department for their commitment to protecting Alaska’s children, and to the Alaska Department of Law for diligently prosecuting the homicide. We remain committed to keeping our state safe and pursuing justice.”
“Mr. Schilmiller committed some of the darkest crimes imaginable, causing immeasurable harm to the victims and their families,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day. “This sentencing underscores the unrelenting efforts by the investigative and prosecution teams to ensure that none of his sadistic crimes went unpunished. The FBI, the Anchorage Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize holding dangerous offenders accountable and protecting our most vulnerable.”
“This heinous crime had a profound life-long effect on the victim’s family and on this community as well,” stated Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case. “It is important that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Our department is grateful for the assistance we received from the local FBI Office in bringing this case to its conclusion.”
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department investigated the case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Husband and Wife Sentenced for Defrauding an Elderly Victim Out of Her Home and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
BOISE – James Dougherty, 44, of Boise, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud involving a scheme to defraud an elderly victim of money and real property, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also sentenced Dougherty to three years of supervised release to follow his prison term. His wife, Jessica Dougherty, 43, also of Boise, was sentenced to three years of probation for obstruction of justice.
According to court records, in early 2015, James Dougherty and his wife, Jessica Dougherty, moved into a building on the victim’s 46-acre ranch in Boise to ostensibly provide the victim with assistance with her ranch and horses in exchange for free rent. Prior to 2015, the victim, a retired elementary schoolteacher, lived independently on her ranch and enjoyed a comfortable retirement.
In late 2015, the victim’s health deteriorated. During that time, James Dougherty gained control of the victim’s finances, including being named as the victim’s power-of-attorney for finances. A trust was executed, ostensibly signed by the victim, naming James and Jessica Dougherty as primary beneficiaries of the victim’s estate, including the ranch, and naming James Dougherty as successor trustee.
Shortly thereafter, in December 2015, the victim’s ranch was transferred from the victim to the newly formed trust benefitting the Doughertys. In March 2016, the victim was then declared incapacitated by two doctors, and James Dougherty was appointed sole trustee of the trust.
In 2015 and 2016, James Dougherty began to access, use, and transfer funds from the victim’s banking and financial accounts for his own personal use, benefit, and ownership. James Dougherty used the victim’s funds without her knowledge or consent to pay his and Jessica Dougherty’s creditors to rehabilitate their credit and to qualify for a mortgage to ultimately transfer the victim’s ranch into the Doughertys’ personal names.
In July 2017, James and Jessica Dougherty entered into an agreement to purchase the ranch from the trust, executed by James Dougherty, as trustee. The victim was not involved in the transactions. James Dougherty as trustee sold the ranch to himself and Jessica Dougherty, signed as both the “Buyer” and as the “Seller” on the purchase and sale agreement, for less than the market value.
James Dougherty did not place the ranch for sale on the public market and the purchase price he paid simply represented the amount to clear the existing debt on the ranch. According to the Ada County Assessor, however, the value of the ranch at the time was approximately twice the amount of the purchase price.
The sale of the ranch to James and Jessica Dougherty was a breach of fiduciary duty under the trust and James Dougherty admitted he acted with the intent to defraud. In total, as a result of James Dougherty’s fraud, the victim suffered a loss of more than $250,000.
After James and Jessica were arrested in August 2022, and while in pretrial custody, Jessica Dougherty made a call from the Ada County jail and requested that an individual “flash” or “reset” a Dell laptop computer located at the ranch. Within hours, an individual followed Jessica Dougherty’s request and records relevant to the investigation involving the victim were permanently destroyed from the Dell laptop computer.
Jessica Dougherty admitted to knowingly causing the destruction of the records with the intent to obstruct the Department of Justice’s investigation.
“Defrauding this vulnerable victim out of her home was a reprehensible crime,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am grateful for the dedication of the investigators and prosecutors in this case. The justice achieved here reinforces our commitment to protect our senior citizens from fraud and abuse.”
“These sentences should serve as a reminder to anyone attempting to defraud or manipulate a senior citizen that their actions will bring severe consequences,” said Tom Demeo, Acting IRS CI Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office. “As a community, it is our responsibility to care for our elders. As a law enforcement community, it is our duty to hold individuals accountable who abuse their position of trust and we will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect our senior citizens.”
“Elder abuse preys on vulnerable individuals, stripping seniors of their hard-earned savings, and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to raise awareness of this growing crisis and pursue those who engage in this abhorrent conduct.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Ada County Sherriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division, and the Office of Inspector General of Health and Human Services, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Mazorol and Brittney Campbell prosecuted the case.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. The mission of the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s seniors.
To learn more visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice. The public is encouraged to report their victimization and suspected fraud schemes. To find the right reporting agency visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice/roadmap or call the victim connect hotline at 1-855-484-2846.
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Greenbrier County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Wilbur Curtis Arnold Jr., 58, of White Sulphur Springs, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 29, 2024, law enforcement officers found a Winchester model 190 .22-caliber rifle at Arnold’s residence while arresting him on a warrant. Arnold told officers the rifle belonged to him.
On June 30, 2023, Arnold brought a Rock Island Armory model 1911 .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun to a White Sulphur Springs business, where he sold the firearm for $300. Arnold presented his identification and signed a purchase agreement for the sale of the gun.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Arnold knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on March 7, 2016.
Arnold is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which consists of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lewisburg Police Department.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-61.
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Fraudster sentenced for nationwide scheme to sell thousands of fake Texas paper vehicle tagsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Dallas man who formerly resided in Houston has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Daniel Rocky Christine-Tani pleaded guilty Nov. 29, 2023, to conspiring with others to buy and sell thousands of fraudulent Texas-issued temporary buyer tags for car sales when no cars were actually sold.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Christine-Tani to serve 93 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Christine-Tani and others engaged in a widespread fraud to use fictitious car dealerships to generate and sell Texas temporary buyer tags without actually selling cars. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Christine-Tani committed the offense utilizing mass marketing and sophisticated means. Christine-Tani must also pay restitution to the Texas Department of Motor vehicles in the amount of $3,440,625.
“The prosecution sounded the alarm that led to changes in Texas law which will make paper vehicle tags a thing of the past by next year,” said Hamdani. “Christine-Tani’s behavior was part of an epidemic of fake Texas paper tags that threatened the safety of Texans and citizens throughout the United States.”
“Through the sale of thousands of fake Texas temporary tags, Christine-Tani and his partners permitted criminals to commit crimes without fearing the consequences,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “This paper tag scheme enabled criminals to use fake Texas buyer tags while perpetrating violent crimes like drive-by shootings and armed robberies. FBI Houston agents proudly worked alongside law enforcement partners across the nation to dismantle this conspiracy which endangered so many American lives.”
Christine-Tani and co-conspirators used the internet to buy and sell the fraudulent state-issued buyer tags and exchange proceeds from the illegal tag sales.
At the time of his plea, Christine-Tani acknowledged he and his co-conspirators used accounts on Google Mail, Instagram and Facebook to receive and deliver fraudulent buyer tags to illegal sellers and to make purchases all over the United States.
He also admitted he and his co-conspirators received and shared fraud proceeds via electronic payment services such as Cash App and Zelle.
Christine-Tani was taken into custody following the sentencing hearing.
Emmanuel Padilla Reyes aka Christian Hernandez Bonilla or Noel Rivera is still a fugitive in this case. The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone providing information that directly leads to his arrest. Those with information about the fugitive’s location should call 1-800-call-FBI or email TIPS.FBI.GOV.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance of Travis County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and New York City Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Adam Goldman prosecuted the case.
Four People Indicted on Charges Related to Robbery of Denver Jewelry StoreRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney for the District of Colorado announces that Oswaldo Lozada-Solis, 23, Jesus Daniel Lara Del Toro, 20, Jean Franco Torres-Roman, 21, and Edwuimar Nazareth Colina-Romero, 18, all Venezuelan nationals, were indicted by a federal grand jury this week on charges related to the armed robbery of a Denver-area jewelry store.
According to the indictment, on the afternoon of June 24, the suspects entered the Joyeria El Ruby Jewelry Store on West 38th Avenue in Denver. During the robbery, suspects pointed weapons at employees, struck several employees with their weapons, and took a large amount of gold and jewelry. The suspects were later located in the El Paso, Texas area.
Lozada-Solis, Del Toro, and Torres-Roman are charged with armed robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Colina-Romero is charged with transporting stolen goods and possession of stolen goods.
The defendants made their initial appearances in Denver on August 20 and 21 in front of Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Denver, the Denver Police Department, the FBI Denver Field Division, FBI El Paso Field Division, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso Police Department, and West Texas Anti-Gang Center. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Leah Perczak and Assistant United States Attorney Garreth Winstead.
Case Number: 24-CR-00247-NYW
Founder of Miami-Based Cryptocurrency Token CluCoin Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Austin Michael Taylor, 40, was the founder of cryptocurrency project CluCoin and owner of CLU LLC, a company incorporated and headquartered in Miami-Dade County Fla., that handed CluCoin’s operations. On Aug. 15, Taylor pled guilty to wire fraud for a scheme involving the transfer of $1,140,000 of CluCoin investor funds to Taylor’s personal account.
According to court records, Taylor leveraged his sizable social media following to generate interest in a digital token he called “CLU.” Taylor generated interest in CLU’s initial coin offering (“ICO”), which is a capital raising event in which an entity offers investors a unique digital token in exchange for a more established cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Taylor created a “white paper” for CluCoin, which was meant to educate and entice investors to participate in the ICO, which promised to have a charitable focus. After raising investor funds, Taylor successfully launch CluCoin’s ICO on May 19, 2021. Taylor then shifted CluCoin’s focus to other projects he devised: the minting of non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”), the development of a computer game, and a metaverse platform.
According to court records, Taylor organized and paid for an event called “NFTCon: Into the Metaverse,” which took place in a hotel in Miami on April 4 and 5, 2022 to drive interest and investment in CLU, CluCoin, and related projects. Shortly after the conference, in May 2022, Taylor gained the ability to make withdrawals from the cryptocurrency address he controlled into which a portion of the CLU investor funds automatically flowed. From May 2022 and continuing through December 2022, Taylor sent approximately $1.14 million in investor funds to his personal account at a virtual currency exchange and then used the funds at multiple online casinos, where he lost these investor funds to gambling.
Taylor’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31, at 10:00 A.M., before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra. Taylor faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conviction. Judge Becerra will determine Taylor’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri, FBI Miami, made the announcement.
FBI Miami and Washington Field Offices are investigating the case. Assistant U.S Attorney Manolo Reboso is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture.
Identified victims will be notified via NFT. If you invested in CLU, believe you are a victim, and/or received an NFT, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/CluCoinInvestors to provide relevant information to the FBI.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20308.
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Fort Myers Drug Trafficker Convicted Following Bench TrialRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Nicholas P. Smith (45, Fort Myers) has been found guilty of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance following a bench trial before United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, on September 5, 2023, officers with the Fort Myers Police Department stopped Smith for multiple traffic infractions near Winkler Avenue and Fowler Street in Fort Myers. During a subsequent search of Smith, officers retrieved a large plastic bag containing 11 smaller bags of a pink powdery substance that later tested positive for Para-fluorofentanyl and fentanyl.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fort Myers Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.
Former Luxury Homebuilder Sentenced for Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former owner of a now-defunct luxury home building business in West Springfield was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to defraud the United States and creating false documents to help one of his clients obtain a mortgage.
Kent Pecoy, 66, of San Marco, Fla., previously of Wilbraham, Mass. was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to time served (one day) and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $24,000 fine and $35,982 in restitution. In May 2024, Pecoy pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution.
Kent Pecoy was previously indicted in December 2019 along with his son, Jason Pecoy, and Kevin M. Kennedy, the former owner of a golf management company, for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing cash payments for the construction of Kennedy’s two homes in East Longmeadow and West Dennis. The defendants were later charged in a superseding indictment in January 2020.
Kent Pecoy owned and operated Kent Pecoy & Sons, Construction Inc. (KPSC) – a West Springfield-based commercial and luxury home construction company – as well as Sturbridge Development, LLC (Sturbridge) and Legacy General Contractors, LLC (Legacy). KPSCI constructed two homes for Kennedy in East Longmeadow and West Dennis – for which Kennedy paid Kent Pecoy in cash.
From 2009 through 2016, Pecoy conspired with others to conceal income from the IRS by dealing in cash. Specifically, Pecoy received $1,116,900 in cash payments from Kennedy for the purchase and construction of custom-built homes in East Longmeadow and on Cape Cod. Kent Pecoy failed to deposit most of the cash into business bank accounts, and instead distributed the cash directly to vendors and subcontractors. For the payments Kent Pecoy did deposit, he deposited the cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid the filing of currency transaction reports.
Kent Pecoy also created and maintained separate ledgers documenting Kennedy’s cash payments, created and maintained false contracts and cover sheets and created false entries in KPSC’s accounting system to conceal the cash payments.
Additionally, in January 2010, Kent Pecoy and Kennedy made false statements to Charles Schwab Bank on a loan to Kennedy and his wife for the construction of a residence in East Longmeadow in an attempt to conceal $160,000 cash down payment. These false statements included understating the sale price of the residence lot, the price of the construction and the deposit and earnest money paid by Kennedy.
On April 24, 2024, Kennedy was sentenced to 13 months in prison after being convicted by a federal jury for conspiracy to defraud the United States and making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution. Jason Pecoy was convicted in June 2024 of two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 12, 2024.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Eric B. Powers of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Former Crafton Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin from Mexico and Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Crafton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Andrew Beatty, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon: conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one kilogram or more of heroin, and conspiring to commit money laundering. Beatty has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction from 2007 for which he was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that communications intercepted on federal wiretaps by law enforcement between September 2013 and March 2014 revealed that Beatty was obtaining kilogram quantities of heroin and cocaine from a Mexican drug trafficking organization, communicating directly with an unidentified Mexican male known only as “Guero.” Guero arranged for heroin and cocaine to be hidden in vehicles in California and then transported to Pittsburgh and several other cities via car carrier trucks. Beatty, with the assistance of conspirators, would receive the cars and unload the heroin and cocaine, and also sell the drugs to other individuals, who further distributed the drugs throughout Western Pennsylvania. Once the drugs were sold, Beatty, again with the assistance of co-conspirators, hid the money in vehicles that he shipped to the Mexican organization in California. Often, the vehicles involved were older model Acura sedans equipped with sophisticated concealed compartments with hydraulic arms that were opened through a series of actions.
In December 2013, DEA agents arranged for the Ohio Highway Patrol to conduct a traffic stop of a car carrier truck based on information obtained through Beatty’s intercepted communications. The truck was carrying a car that Beatty had shipped to the Mexican organization in California, a search of which resulted in the seizure of approximately $130,000 in U.S. currency.
On January 12, 2014, and again on February 9, 2014, an undercover DEA agent posing as a money courier received from Beatty and his associates approximately $225,000 (on each occasion). The money was then deposited into bank accounts specified by the Mexican organization.
In early March 2014, agents intercepted communications between Guero and Beatty that revealed a car containing cocaine had been shipped to Pittsburgh and left in a parking lot for Beatty. On March 5, 2014, the agents located and towed the car before Beatty had the opportunity to retrieve it. A search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of approximately six kilograms of cocaine hidden in metal containers bolted to the wheels inside of the tires.
On March 19, 2014, agents executed search warrants, along with arrest warrants for Beatty and others, and seized approximately $400,000 in cash, the bulk of which was found in Beatty’s storage locker. A search of a conspirator’s residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 40 bricks of heroin and $40,000 in cash. During the execution of the search warrant at Beatty’s home, Beatty showed the agents how to open the concealed compartment of a silver Acura located at the residence, the only contents of which was marijuana, and claimed that he had sold the gold Acura for which the agents also had a warrant.
The following day, agents located the gold Acura belonging to Beatty parked on a city street near a conspirator’s home. The vehicle had an anti-theft steering wheel lock, the key to which, along with the key to the car itself, was found in Beatty’s residence on March 19. The agents also had observed Beatty move the same vehicle the previous night via a pole camera they had installed outside of Beatty’s residence. Upon the execution of a search warrant for the vehicle, agents found approximately 3.5 kilograms of heroin, three firearms, and four cell phones belonging to Beatty inside of a trap compartment in the door panel, which opened in the same unique manner that Beatty showed the agents on the silver Acura located at his residence the previous day. A later search of those cellular telephones revealed that they were among the cellular telephones that were intercepted during the wiretaps, as well as other incriminating evidence.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Baldwin Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Scott Township Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Duquesne Police Department, West Homestead Police Department, and Ohio Highway Patrol conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beatty.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former Brattleboro Resident Sentenced to Prison for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Ella Mae Woods, 76, a former Brattleboro resident who recently has been living in Iowa, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Rutland to twelve months and one day of imprisonment following her May 2024 guilty plea to a charge of wire fraud. Visiting U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino from the Northern District of New York ordered that Woods serve a one-year term of supervised release upon completion of her prison term and pay restitution in the amount of $328,000. Woods has been incarcerated since she was found to be in violation of the conditions of her pre-trial release in April.
In September 2022, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Woods with wire fraud and theft of government money. The indictment charged Woods with misappropriating her mother’s Social Security benefit payments for about 28 years after her mother died. Woods’ mother, Jeannette Styles, died in Brattleboro in early 1994. At the time of her death, Styles was receiving monthly Social Security benefit payments and those payments should have stopped upon Styles’ death. The Social Security Administration, however, did not learn of Styles’ death until about 2022 and between 1994 and 2022 SSA continued to send payments to Styles. Woods fraudulently converted the payments to Styles for her own benefit. As part of the scheme, Woods twice opened bank accounts in her mother’s name, years after her death, in one case forging Styles’ signature on account-opening documents. Altogether, Woods misappropriated $328,000 in SSA payments.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commends the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration for its investigation of this case.
Woods is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Waples and Thomas Aliberti.
Former Benicia Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $3.2 Million from His Former EmployerRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Euan David MacGregor, formerly known as David Joseph Bean, 54, of Iowa City, Iowa, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of wire fraud for defrauding his former employer out of more than $3.2 million, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between November 2014 and January 2020, Euan MacGregor, then known as David Bean, used his position as a Chief Administrative Officer to embezzle money from his employer.
According to court documents, MacGregor defrauded his former employer in two ways. First, he diverted at least 122 checks made payable to his employer to bank accounts that he controlled. MacGregor did this by creating a shell corporation that had a business name similar to the name of his employer and depositing the checks into bank accounts that he opened in the name of the shell corporation. MacGregor then presented false financial information to the company’s president and shareholders causing them to believe they had received the monies he diverted. In addition, MacGregor falsely represented to his employer that he was outsourcing his employer’s bookkeeping work to a third party, a company named Essential Business Services, another company that MacGregor created and controlled. MacGregor’s false representations caused his employer to pay Essential Business Services thousands of dollars each month for bookkeeping services that it did not perform. MacGregor used the money he fraudulently obtained to pay for personal expenses for him and his family, including mortgage payments, the payment of credit cards, educational expenses, travel, and the purchase of vehicles.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.
MacGregor is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Jan. 28, 2025. MacGregor faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Former Alliance, Nebraska Man Convicted by Jury for Transportation & Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, returned a guilty verdict today, August 21, 2024, against Tyler Denby, age 39, formerly of Alliance, Nebraska, for one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The verdict subjects Denby to a potential prison term of up to twenty years on each count and a minimum of five years on the transportation count. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the trial and set sentencing for November 21, 2024.
On July 30th of 2021, Alliance Police Department received two separate calls for assistance concerning an individual threatening others in the Alliance area. Denby, who was then a Montana resident visiting the town of Alliance, was identified as the suspect and was contacted at a local gas station. During the encounter, the officer’s gained probable cause to search Denby’s vehicle when a marijuana pipe was spotted in his pocket. A stolen firearm was then located on Denby’s person. During the search of his vehicle, a large number of electronic devices, along with some other very concerning items, including a pillowcase filled with stained children’s underwear, were discovered by the searching law enforcement officers with the Alliance Police Department and Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office. The items were seized from the vehicle and Denby was arrested for several state crimes. A search warrant was received for the numerous electronic devices. The devices were later reviewed by the Alliance Police Department. Three microSD cards which had been located in Denby’s wallet contained a substantial amount of child pornography files. While Denby was in custody, he was interviewed by law enforcement and he admitted to having child pornography on those devices. He also admitted to travelling from Montana to Nebraska with the child pornography on his devices.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Alliance Police Department.
Final Member of A Hillsborough Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Jose Miriel Morales Sanchez (32, Tampa) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Morales Sanchez entered a guilty plea on March 4, 2024.
According to court documents, beginning on an unknown date not later than September 1, 2017, and continuing through August 27, 2020, Morales Sanchez conspired with William Franqui and others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Middle District of Florida. Franqui, who was the leader of the drug trafficking organization (DTO), used “runners” to field calls from customers and fulfill orders. The runners distributed the heroin to users in plastic baggies for $10 a bag. The DTO included co-defendants Kevin Darnell Diaz Tirado, Edgardo Colon Rosado, Orlando Muniz Escalera, Marie Rodriguez, and others. More than a kilogram of heroin was distributed through the runner network. Franqui also distributed larger quantities of heroin and fentanyl to other drug dealers. Investigators connected multiple overdoses to the heroin and fentanyl distributed by the DTO.
William Franqui was sentenced in August 2023 to 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Morales Sanchez and codefendants Diaz Tirado, Colon Rosado, and Muniz Escalera were all part of Franqui’s runner network and also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and were sentenced in previous hearings. Judge Barber previously sentenced Diaz Tirado to 5 years, Muniz Escalera to 10 years, and Colon Rosado to 6 years and 6 months in federal prison. Franqui’s wife, Marie Rodriguez, who pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of heroin, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.
This investigation is the result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Federal Jury Convicts Maryland Man for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Hagerstown, Maryland man was convicted today by a jury on federal drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Darryl Donnell Moore, also known as “Boss” and “Boss Hog,” 36, was found guilty of five felony counts involving the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine.
The jury considered testimony regarding how Moore conspired with his co-defendant, Stephanie Guessford, to cause the distribution of illicit substances in Berkeley County, West Virginia, and elsewhere. As part of the investigation, agents searched a storage unit and motel room connected to the drug operation and seized crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl capsules, suboxone, and other controlled substances.
“The sale of illicit fentanyl has caused tremendous pain and suffering in the Eastern Panhandle and it’s critical that we hold those who sell it accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Thanks to the excellent work of law enforcement officers and federal prosecutors, the community won’t have to worry about Mr. Moore for a long time to come.”
Guessford, 29, of Williamsport, Maryland, previously pled guilty to the distribution of fentanyl and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison in December 2023.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; West Virginia State Police; and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. District Court Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Federal Charges Filed in St. Johns Drive-By Shooting on I-95Read the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Nathaniel Thomas Hatcher, III (28, Jacksonville) and James Toney (20, Jacksonville) with committing a drive-by shooting and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. The charges stem from their alleged roles in a shooting that occurred along I-95 in St. Johns, Florida, on October 17, 2023.
Hatcher is also charged with conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, conspiring to straw-purchase firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, making materially false statements during the purchases of firearms, conspiring to commit money laundering, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Toney is also charged with conspiring to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. In addition, the indictment charges Al’Donta Easterling (26, Jacksonville) with conspiring to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted on all counts, Hatcher faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, up to two life sentences, plus 115 years. Toney faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life imprisonment, plus 45 years. Easterling faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to life, plus 60 years. All three individuals have been arrested and ordered detained pending trial, which is set for November 4, 2024.
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 is part of an investigation which has led to the arrests of five defendants, including Hatcher, Toney, and Easterling. Desmond Maxwell (28, Jacksonville) previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to straw-purchase firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces up to 25 years in federal prison. Yaquasia DelCarmen (28, Jacksonville) previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and conspiring to commit money laundering and faces up to 40 years in federal prison. DayJon Major (21, Jacksonville) has been charged with illegally possessing a machinegun and possessing a stolen firearm. Major is currently in state custody.
This case 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.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aakash Singh and Kirwinn Mike.
FCI Schuylkill Inmate Indicted for Possession of A WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Gilbert-Brown, age 29, a federal inmate incarcerated at FCI Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on the charge of possession of a weapon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Gilbert-Brown with possessing a prohibited object designed to be used as a weapon, commonly known as a “shank.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Special Investigative Services of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is up to five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Ex-Energy Trader for Vitol Pleads Guilty to Second International Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Will Forfeit More than $7.1 Million in Funds Involved in Laundering Bribes to Mexican and Ecuadorian Officials; Defendants Ordered to Pay Over $200 Million in Forfeiture and Criminal Penalties
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Javier Aguilar pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and engaging in interstate and foreign commerce to promote and to distribute the proceeds of commercial bribery for paying bribes to officials at PEMEX Procurement International (PPI), a wholly owned affiliate of the Mexican state-owned oil company, PEMEX. The plea follows Aguilar’s conviction at trial earlier this year in a related case for paying bribes to Ecuadorian officials and laundering the bribe money for both the Ecuador and Mexico bribery schemes. The plea proceeding was held before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. When sentenced in both cases, Aguilar faces a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment as well as $7,129,938 in criminal forfeiture.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“With today’s guilty plea the defendant admits his role in the widespread corruption of the international commodities market and to casting aside laws and rules that apply to all to unfairly line the pockets of the few,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The actions of the defendant and his co-conspirators, and of those who act similarly, destroys people’s faith in their governments, disadvantages those who play by the rules, undermines confidence in American businesses worldwide, and will not be tolerated by this Office or our law enforcement partners.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas for their assistance on the case.
“The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been the law of the land, and enforceable worldwide, for decades. Yet unscrupulous businessmen still try to bribe their way to profit,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s Miami Field Office. “My message to them is that the charges and penalties you will face are not worth the gain. I want to commend the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their diligence pursuing this case, but especially the agents and analysts who leave no stone unturned in pursuit of FCPA violators.”
Between 2015 and 2020, Aguilar was a trader in the Houston office of Vitol, Inc. (Vitol), the U.S. affiliate of the Vitol group of companies, which together form one of the world’s largest energy trading firms. As part of the scheme, Aguilar and his co-conspirators paid approximately $600,000 in bribes to two senior officials at PPI to obtain numerous contracts for Vitol to supply hundreds of millions of dollars of liquid ethane to PEMEX. To conceal the scheme, Aguilar and his co-conspirators used a series of fake contracts, sham invoices and shell entities incorporated in Curaçao and Mexico. The defendant and his co-conspirators also used alias email accounts to communicate about the scheme, and code words, including “shoes,” “medicine,” “invitations” and “coffee,” to describe the bribes.
In December 2020, Vitol admitted to bribing officials in Ecuador, Mexico, and Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Vitol entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York. As a part of the resolution, Vitol agreed to pay a combined $135 million in penalties as part of a coordinated resolution with the Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and authorities in Brazil.
The FCPA conspiracy charge, based in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX), was initially filed in the EDNY in December 2022 as part of a superseding indictment consolidating both the Ecuador- and Mexico-related conduct. In May 2023, the government consented to Aguilar’s pre-trial motion to dismiss that charge in the EDNY on venue grounds. That charge and others related were then refiled in SDTX in August 2023. As part of his guilty plea, Aguilar consented to transfer the SDTX case back to the EDNY, reconsolidating the cases.
Seven of the defendant’s co-conspirators have pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the scheme and are awaiting sentencing. Together, these individuals have agreed to forfeit more than $63 million.
In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including bribery and corruption offenses.
The government’s case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax and Matthew R. Galeotti of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Assistant Chiefs Derek J. Ettinger and Jonathan P. Robell and Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon of the Fraud Section, Deputy Chief Adam J. Schwartz and Trial Attorney D. Hunter Smith of MLARS, with assistance from Deputy Chief Suzanne Elmilady and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherin Daniel of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Morris assisted with forfeiture matters. The MLARS Special Financial Investigations Unit and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance in this case.
The Defendant:
JAVIER AGUILAR
Age: 50
Houston, TexasE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 24-CR-304 (ENV) / 20-CR-390 (ENV)
Environmental Manager Pleads Guilty to Stealing from EmployerRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Michael Mayfield, who orchestrated a more than one-million-dollar scheme to defraud his employer by stealing rebate checks and submitting false invoices to his company, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“Mayfield stole over one million dollars from his employer related to environmental and recycling programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “After being entrusted with a fiduciary role, he betrayed that trust and demonstrated that he cared more about his personal gain than the faith his employer placed in him.”
“Michael Mayfield not only betrayed his employer, but his actions ultimately increased the costs of business not only for the company but it’s customers too,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “The FBI is committed following every lead to bring white-collar criminals like Mayfield to face justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Around early December 2016, Michael Mayfield was employed as an environmental manager at the Mars Wrigley factory in Flowery Branch, Georgia. In that role, he oversaw the Health, Safety, and Environmental and Recycling Programs.
The recycling waste produced at the factory was valuable and companies often made direct payments or sent Mars Wrigley rebate checks after disposal of the material. But unbeknownst to Mars Wrigley, Mayfield diverted the checks to his own company, WWJ Recycling. The fraudulently obtained checks totaled over $500,000. Mayfield used the funds to pay for hunting trips worth more than $100,000, a donation to his church for more than $80,000, and more than $200,000 in personal checks.
Mayfield also directed his co-conspirator to create false invoices from ASA Safety Supply, a supplier to Mars Wrigley. The co-conspirator sent the invoiced items to Mayfield for his personal use and then submitted false invoices from ASA Safety Supply to Mars Wrigley for payment. The purchased items included football supplies for the Flowery Branch High School football team, such as cleats and clothing, improvements to the stadium, tickets to a University of Georgia football game, and gift cards. These false invoices totaled over $199,000.
Mayfield also sent invoices from WWJ Recycling to ASA Safety Supply. His co-conspirator directed ASA Safety Supply to pay those invoices and then submit the false invoices to Mars Wrigley for payment for work that was not done. The WWJ Recycle invoices totaled over $750,000.
Michael Mayfield, 55, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on August 19, 2024. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story in Gainesville, Georgia.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Durham Man with Previous Conviction for Domestic Violence Pleads Guilty to Possessing Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Durham man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on April 9, 2024, a deputy from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office served Richard Leblond, 51, with a temporary protection from abuse order. The deputy explained that as part of the order, Leblond was required to relinquish any firearms in his possession. Leblond informed the deputy that he possessed several firearms and consented to a search of his residence. During the search, investigators located multiple handguns, pistols, rifles and shotguns, all of which were recovered from two gun safes inside the residence. Further investigation revealed that Leblond had a 2009 conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, which precluded him from possessing any firearms.
Leblond faces up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Any sentence would be followed by up to three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Leblond will also forfeit the firearms seized.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.
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Danville Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years for Federal Robbery, Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Virginia – A Danville man, who robbed a gas station in December 2022 during which he fired a handgun, was sentenced yesterday to 150 months in prison on federal robbery and firearm charges.
Isaac Graham, 42, pleaded guilty earlier this year to Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, in December 2022, Graham entered a Danville convenience store with a handgun, fired a round into the floor, and demanded money from the store clerk. Graham fled with approximately $1,400 but was arrested a short time later by the Danville Police Department.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and James VanVliet, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Danville Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee S. Brett prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Gun and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
BIRMIHGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for possessing drugs and a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala sentenced Nathaniel Kasheen Rembert, 37, of Bessemer, to 156 months in prison. Rembert pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to the plea agreement, on July 2, 2021, a Birmingham Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on Rembert. The officer asked Rembert if he had any weapons in the car. Rembert admitted to having a pistol, and he did not have a pistol permit. After determining that Rembert had multiple outstanding warrants, the officer arrested Rembert on the warrants and for not having a pistol permit. From the car, officers recovered a Glock .45 caliber pistol, a magazine loaded with .45 caliber bullets, a box of .45 caliber ammunition, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
Rembert is prohibited from having a gun because of multiple prior felony convictions.
ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Darius Greene prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Found with Gun in Vehicle at Caddo Parish Juvenile Courthouse SentencedRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that William S. Watts, Jr., of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 40 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to information presented in court, on June 8, 2022, officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a call from an individual who saw Watts with a gun on his person. Watts was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his 2007 felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Officers proceeded to Watts’ residence where they were told by his girlfriend at the time that her gun was missing, and Watts was on his way to the Caddo Parish Juvenile Court. Other officers were dispatched to assist and intercepted Watts at the juvenile courthouse and secured the Ruger 9mm pistol which was found on the passenger floorboard of his car. He admitted to officers that he knew he was not supposed to have any firearm in his possession.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Connecticut Man Admits Role in $7.8 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Connecticut man admitted his role in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) health care fraud and kickback scheme, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.
Jesse Foote, 58, of Fairfield, Connecticut, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From December 2017 to March 2021, Foote conspired with overseas telemarking call centers, DME suppliers, telemedicine companies, and doctors to submit fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, through a circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes. Foote controlled a marketing company though which he purchased patient “leads” from overseas telemarking companies, which consisted of information about Medicare and other beneficiaries and pre-written doctors’ orders for DME. The telemarketing call centers targeted Medicare beneficiaries and others with health insurance to persuade them to accept DME, including orthotic braces, without regard to medical necessity. Foote paid bribes and kickbacks to telemedicine companies, which in turn paid bribes and kickbacks to doctors, to obtain doctors’ orders for DME based on the leads. The doctors often approved the DME orders without having had any contact with the beneficiary and without making a bona fide assessment that the DME was medically necessary. Foote then sold the signed doctors’ orders to others with whom he had kickback arrangements. The doctors’ orders were ultimately submitted to DME suppliers, including DME suppliers controlled by Foote, which submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs including Medicare, TRICARE, and private insurance companies.
In total, Foote and his conspirators caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs totaling more than $7.8 million for DME.
The kickback conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison, and the health care fraud conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Both charges are punishable by a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025.
Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Solecki, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit in Newark.
foote.information.pdfCheektowaga man going to prison for using stolen credit card numbers to purchase tens of thousands of dollars worth of gasRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Cross Malik Williams, 25, of Cheektowaga, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that between August 2022, and July 2023, Williams, along with co-defendant Kingsley Brown, purchased approximately 570 stolen bank cards from various online marketplaces. Williams and Brown then used a card-making device to load the stolen banking card information onto blank plastic bank cards with magnetic strips, which allowed purchases to be made using the victims’ funds from the victims’ bank accounts. Williams and Brown used, or allowed others to use, the stolen bank card information to purchase gas for other individuals. The gas customers would then pay Williams and/or Brown an amount of money less than the cost of the gas. Williams agreed that he was responsible for between $250,000 and $550,000 of total loss.
Kingsley Brown was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
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Charlotte Man Is Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Everette Josiah Phifer, 30, of Charlotte, to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Dena J. King U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, in 2016, Phifer was convicted in North Carolina of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and served a term of imprisonment. As a result of the conviction, Phifer is prohibited from possessing firearms. Court documents show that between February 7, 2022, and March 5, 2022, Phifer illegally possessed a firearm. Specifically, on March 5, 2022, CMPD officers responded to a 911 call for a shooting at an apartment complex in Charlotte. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that at least 79 shots had been fired from multiple guns, and an innocent resident of the complex had been struck and killed by a stray bullet.
Witnesses directed law enforcement to a particular apartment within the complex believed to be connected to the shooting. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at that apartment. Phifer was located inside along with a quantity of fentanyl pills and several firearms, including an SKS rifle and a loaded Glock handgun with an undermount laser hidden inside a toilet tank, and ammunition. Phifer’s cell phone was also seized and analyzed. Law enforcement recovered from the cell phone photos of Phifer with the same SKS rifle that was found in the apartment, and a video that showed the same Glock handgun also seized from the apartment.
On June 23, 2023, Phifer pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In January 2024, Marcus Alexander Allen, another individual connected to the March 5th shooting and the apartment where Phifer was found, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon committed on March 5, 2022.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thomas McNeil Hedrick II, 36, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 26, 2023, Hedrick visited a Shrewsbury residence while armed with a Ruger model AR-556 semi-automatic rifle loaded with a 60-round drum magazine and equipped with a bipod. Hedrick admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms, and that he sought to conceal the loaded semi-automatic rifle under his jacket when he entered and left the residence. Hedrick further admitted that surveillance video at the residence captured his actions. The surveillance video captured another felony offense committed while Hedrick was in possession of the firearm.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Hedrick knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of his prior felony conviction for wanton endangerment in Kanawha County Circuit Court on March 1, 2022.
Hedrick is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the result.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-56.
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Centre County Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Taylon Hamilton, age 30, of Centre County, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges that Hamilton possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions. It is further alleged that Hamilton possessed a Hi-Point Model C9 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number after previously been convicted of a felony offense.
The charges stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Centre County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Moreno is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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