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30 September 2024
Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining Unemployment and COVID-19 BenefitsRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Scott Christie, 38, of Petrolia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to theft of public money, property or records. Christie fraudulently obtained $34,801 or more in unemployment benefits, including COVID-19 supplementary funds, while a resident of Leon, West Virginia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 29, 2020, and August 22, 2020, and between February 27, 2021, and August 14, 2021, Christie fraudulently applied for unemployment benefits from WorkForce West Virginia, which administers the unemployment compensation program for the State of West Virginia. Christie submitted a total of 50 weekly certifications to WorkForce West Virginia that failed to disclose his employment during those time periods. As a result of his fraudulent scheme, Christie received 52 unemployment benefits payments from WorkForce West Virginia totaling $34,801 or more that he was not entitled to receive.
The unemployment benefits fraudulently obtained by Christie included supplementary funds provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As part of his fraudulent scheme, Christie falsely stated in the weekly certifications he submitted that he was unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christie is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,00 fine. Christie also owes up to $34,801 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Bazzle II is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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. 3:24-cr-107.
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Pearl River Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on the Choctaw Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Pearl River man pled guilty to possession of over 15 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Bill Clemons, Jr., 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2024 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Clemons is scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd Gee, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Regional Agent in Charge Whitney Woodruff of the Bureau of Indian Affairs made the announcement.
The Choctaw Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns prosecuted the case.
Ozark Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Ozark, Mo., man and a Springfield, Mo., man have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Robert Jason Smith, 48, of Ozark, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Smith was sentenced as a career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
In a separate but related case, Aaron A. Keltner, 41, of Springfield, was sentenced on Thursday, Sept. 26, to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 15, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Smith admitted that he sold 25.17 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on June 22, 2021. The next day, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop while Smith was driving a black GMC pickup. An officer searched the truck and found a small black backpack on the rear floorboard behind the driver’s seat. Inside the backpack was a Ziploc bag that contained 217.98 grams of methamphetamine and $4,000 in cash. The officer found another backpack, which contained hundreds of rounds of assorted handgun, rifle, and shotgun ammunition, in the bed of the pickup.
Officers executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence the same day, on June 22, 2021. In the master bedroom, officers found a Ziploc bag that contained 53.86 grams of methamphetamine as well as a Taurus .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol under the mattress.
Smith told investigators he purchased a pound of methamphetamine each week from a co-defendant who was working with Keltner, for which he paid $5,000, and a pound of methamphetamine every two or three weeks from a separate source of supply.
According to court documents, Smith is responsible for the distribution of more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Smith has 13 prior felony convictions, six of which were for selling drugs.
Smith is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Two co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Two co-defendants are scheduled for trial.
Keltner, who was charged separately, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Keltner regularly coordinated trips to acquire 14 to 16 kilograms of methamphetamine from Oklahoma per trip, using women to make the trips for him. He would then divide up the methamphetamine for re-distribution.
Keltner admitted that he was in possession of an Anderson Manufacturing AR-15 style .223/5.56mm semi-automatic rifle, a Savage Arms .223-caliber bolt-action rifle, and a Marlin .22-caliber bolt-action rifle. The firearms were found by law enforcement officers when they executed a search warrant at Keltner’s residence.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Keltner has numerous prior felony convictions, including for the distribution, delivery, or manufacture of a controlled substance.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Ovintiv USA to Pay $5.5M Penalty and Upgrade Facilities in Utah to Resolve Clean Air Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a more than $16 million settlement with Ovintiv USA Inc. resolving Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production facilities on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah and Utah state lands. The settlement requires Ovintiv to pay the United States and the state of Utah a civil penalty of $5.5 million. It also requires Ovintiv to implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in pollutants emitted from 139 of its facilities across the state.
The settlement resolves a civil suit, filed jointly by the United States and the state of Utah, alleging that Ovintiv failed to comply with federal and state requirements to capture and control air emissions and comply with inspection, monitoring and recordkeeping requirements from 22 of its oil and gas production facilities in the Uintah Basin. These violations resulted in illegal emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which contribute to asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses. Additionally, greenhouse gases, including methane, were released in large quantities, contributing to climate change.
Along with the civil penalty, the settlement requires Ovintiv to take corrective action and mitigation projects estimated to cost over $10 million at 139 of its facilities that will eliminate over 2,000 tons of VOC emissions annually. It will also eliminate methane emissions equivalent to a reduction of over 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, a reduction similar to taking nearly 13,000 gas powered cars off the road each year.
“This case is a win for the environment and for consumers,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The work required under the consent decree will significantly reduce the amount of gas Ovintiv facilities vent into the atmosphere and return some of that gas to the sales pipeline where it can be sent to productive use.”
“As climate change accelerates and wreaks havoc in communities across the nation, EPA is doing everything possible to limit the methane emissions that are among the most powerful drivers of climate change,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement with Ovintiv will significantly reduce emissions across 139 facilities on Tribal and state lands and provides another example of how EPA is delivering on its climate enforcement strategy and holding companies accountable for climate pollution.”
The settlement requires Ovintiv to invest in extensive compliance measures for the proper design of Ovintiv’s oil and gas facilities to capture all VOC emissions and send the emissions to an appropriate control device. Compliance measures also include periodic infrared camera inspections, enhanced maintenance requirements and installation of storage tank pressure monitors at many facilities. The settlement is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative, Mitigating Climate Change. This initiative focuses, in part, on reducing methane emissions from oil and gas and landfill sources. Like all of EPA’s national enforcement initiatives, this initiative prioritizes communities already overburdened by pollution and other potential environmental justice concerns.
More information on the settlement agreement is available on EPA’s webpage at www.epa.gov/enforcement/ovintiv-usa-inc-2024-clean-air-act-stationary-source-case-summary.
The complaint and proposed consent decree were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. The consent decree is subject to a 30-day comment period. A copy of the complaint and the proposed consent decree are available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
The EPA investigated the case.
Attorneys with the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section are handling the case.
New Orleans Man Charged with Transporting Minor to New Orleans Area for Commercial SexRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that AARON TEROD JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 36, from New Orleans, was charged on September 26, 2024 in a three-count indictment with Sex Trafficking of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) and 1591(b)(2); Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b); and Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a).
According to court documents, JOHNSON, a local high school teacher, drove to Vicksburg, Mississippi in March 2024 to pick up a 16-year-old female. JOHNSON then brought the juvenile to his apartment in New Orleans, where he had sex with her in exchange for $200.
If convicted, JOHNSON faces a minimum of ten (10) years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment as to each count. The defendant also faces supervised release for a term of five years up to life, and mandatory participation in the sex offender registration and notification program.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Authorities with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) are seeking information that may help identify potential victims JOHNSON may have engaged or exploited. HSI encourages the public to report any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or by email at [email protected].
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of HSI, the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Morgantown Construction Company Owner Indicted for Harboring Individuals Unlawfully in the United StatesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Hetzon Marroquin Reyes, owner and operator of A&M Homes, LLC, in Morgantown, West Virginia, was arrested today on charges involving the harboring and concealing of persons who were not citizens and unlawfully in the United States, announced United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
According to the filed indictment unsealed today, Reyes, also known as “Hector,” age 40, hired and harbored individuals who were not citizens and otherwise unlawfully in the United States to work for his company. Reyes used the social security numbers of others to create tax documents for the individuals who were unlawfully in the country. He also created false driver’s licenses and immigration forms to provide to the West Virginia Division of Labor inspectors.
Reyes is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, 32 counts of false representations regarding social security numbers, one count of corrupt interference with due administration of tax code, and one count of fraud related to visas and other documents.
Reyes faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the conspiracy and fraud counts. He faces up to five years for each of the false representations counts and up to three years for the corrupt interference count. If convicted, a federal district court judge would determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas and Carly Nogay is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Montana Man Sentenced for Federal Wildlife Trafficking Charges as Part of Yearslong Effort to Create Giant Hybrid Sheep for Captive HuntingRead the Press Release
A Montana man was sentenced today to six months in prison for committing two felony wildlife crimes — a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and substantively violating the Lacey Act — as part of an almost decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids in the United States with an aim to sell the species to captive hunting facilities.
Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, 81, of Vaughn, is the owner and operator of Sun River Enterprises LLC, also known as Schubarth Ranch, which is a 215-acre alternative livestock ranch in Vaughn. The Schubarth Ranch is engaged in the purchase, sale and breeding of “alternative livestock” such as mountain sheep, mountain goats and various ungulates. The primary market for Schubarth’s livestock is captive hunting operations, also known as shooting preserves or game ranches.
According to court documents, Schubarth conspired with at least five other individuals between 2013 and 2021 to create a larger hybrid species of sheep that would garner higher prices from shooting preserves. Schubarth brought parts of the largest sheep in the world, Marco Polo argali sheep (Ovis ammon polii), from Kyrgyzstan into the United States without declaring the importation. Average males can weigh more than 300 pounds, with horns that span more than five feet. Marco Polo argali are native to the high elevations of the Pamir region of Central Asia. They are protected internationally by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and domestically by the Endangered Species Act, and are prohibited in the State of Montana to protect native sheep from disease and hybridization.
Schubarth sent genetic material from the argali parts to a lab to create cloned embryos. Schubarth then implanted the embryos in ewes on his ranch, resulting in a single, pure genetic male Marco Polo argali that he named “Montana Mountain King” or MMK.
December 2023 photo of MMK from the sentencing memo, United States v. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth case number 24-cr-0006 in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.Court documents explain that Schubarth worked with the other unnamed coconspirators to use MMK’s semen to artificially impregnate various other species of ewes — all of which were prohibited in Montana — and create hybrid animals. Their goal was to create a larger and more valuable species of sheep to sell to captive hunting facilities, primarily in Texas.
To move the prohibited sheep into and out of Montana, Schubarth and others forged veterinary inspection certificates, falsely claiming that the sheep were legally permitted species. On occasion, Schubarth sold MMK semen directly to sheep breeders in other states. According to court documents, disease introduction was a risk associated with Schubarth’s conduct and at least two sheep from the scheme died from Johne’s disease. Johne’s disease is a contagious, chronic wasting disease easily spread between animals directly or through environmental contamination.
Court documents also describe how Schubarth illegally obtained genetic material from wild-hunted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Montana. Schubarth purchased parts of these wild-hunted sheep in violation of Montana law, which prohibits the sale of game animal parts within the state and prohibits the use of Montana game animals on alternative livestock ranches. Schubarth transported and sold the bighorn parts in interstate commerce.
“Schubarth not only violated federal and state law and international treaties, but he and others illegally conspired to conceal their actions from authorities,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Violations of the Lacey Act, CITES and other laws can be devastating for our domestic populations of wild animals, which is why we are unwavering in our commitment to enforce them.”
“Schubarth’s criminal conduct is not how Montanans treat our wildlife population,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana. “Indeed, his actions threatened Montana’s native wildlife species for no other reason than he and his co-conspirators wanted to make more money. Schubarth’s greed drove their conspiracy to bring to Montana parts of the largest sheep in the world from Kyrgyzstan. Such actions to create hybrid animals are as unnatural as they are illegal, and I applaud the extensive collaboration and diligence of all of our law enforcement partners to bring Schubarth to justice.”
“This case exemplifies the serious threat that wildlife trafficking poses to our native species and ecosystems,” said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. “Mr. Schubarth's actions not only violated multiple laws designed to protect wildlife, but also risked introducing diseases and compromising the genetic integrity of our wild sheep populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remains committed to working with our partners to investigate and prosecute those who exploit protected species for personal gain. This sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the illegal importation, sale and transport of wildlife, especially when it endangers our natural heritage.”
“This case is complex and is a great example of how we work together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect resources no matter where the investigation takes us,” said Chief of Law Enforcement Ron Howell of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
In addition to his prison sentence, Schubarth was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, a $4,000 payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and a $200 special assessment.
The Lacey Act prohibits interstate trade in wildlife that has been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of federal or state law. The Lacey Act also prohibits the interstate sale of wildlife that has been falsely labeled. The Act is one of the most powerful tools the United States has to combat wildlife trafficking and prevent ecological invasion by injurious wildlife.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Sarah M. Brown and Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Starnes for the District of Montana are prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Attempting to Murder Two Jewish Men Leaving L.A. Synagogues Last YearRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A man who last year shot and wounded two Jewish men as they left religious services in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles was sentenced today to 420 months in federal prison.
Jaime Tran, 30, formerly of Riverside, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu, who set a restitution hearing for December 2, 2024.
Tran pleaded guilty on June 3 to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Targeting people for death based solely on their religious and ethnic background brings back memories of the darkest chapters in human history,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Such hate-fueled violence has no place in America. We hope the sentence imposed today sends a strong message to all in our community that we will not tolerate antisemitism and hate of any sort. For those who engage in hate crimes, the punishment will be severe.”
“After years of spewing antisemitic vitriol, the defendant planned and carried out a two-day attack attempting to murder Jews leaving synagogue in Los Angeles,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Vile acts of antisemitic hatred endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities, and allowing such crimes to go unchecked endangers the foundation of our democracy itself. As millions of Jewish Americans prepare to observe the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Justice Department reaffirms its commitment to aggressively confronting, disrupting, and prosecuting criminal acts motivated by antisemitism, or by hatred of any kind. No Jewish person in America should have to fear that any sign of their identity will make them the victim of a hate crime.”
“This country was founded by many who fought for religious freedom, and practicing our religion continues to be a sacred and fundamental right,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will always defend that constitutional right. Those who violate the First Amendment by violent acts, those who would target the innocent based on hatred, will be held accountable.”
“While this sentencing cannot fully restore the sense of safety stolen from the two victims and the Jewish community, it is a decisive step towards justice and a clear message that such acts of hate and violence will not be tolerated,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi.
According to the government’s sentencing position, Tran obsessed over his antisemitic hatred for years leading up to the attack. In 2018, Tran left graduate school after making antisemitic comments about other students. From August 2022 to December 2022, Tran’s antisemitic statements escalated and included increasingly violent language, including messages to former classmates such as “I want you dead, Jew,” and “Someone is going to kill you, Jew.” Tran described himself as a “ticking time bomb” and maintained social media accounts with the handle “k1llalljews.”
In November 2022, Tran emailed two dozen former classmates a flyer containing antisemitic propaganda, including the statement, “EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THE COVID AGENDA IS JEWISH.” The following month, Tran emailed his former classmates excerpts from an anti-Semitic website further denigrating Jewish persons.
As a result of previous mental health holds, as of 2023, Tran was prohibited from purchasing firearms. In January 2023 in Phoenix, Tran asked a third party to buy two firearms for him. Tran selected the firearms he wanted and paid approximately $1,500 in cash to the third party, who then purchased them. Law enforcement identified the third party, who has now pleaded guilty in Arizona to illegally selling Tran the firearm used in the shootings. Messages later retrieved from his phone reflected that Tran had asked multiple people to purchase firearms for him and had offered to pay more if no background check was performed.
In early February 2023, Tran sent an online message stating: “it’s time to kill all Jews.” On the morning of February 15, 2023, Tran used the internet to research locations with a “kosher market,” planning to shoot someone near a kosher market because he believed there would be Jewish people in the area. Tran drove to Pico-Robertson and shot a Jewish victim wearing a yarmulke as he was leaving religious services at a synagogue. Tran, believing the victim was Jewish, shot him at close range centimeters from his spine, intending to kill him. Tran then fled the scene in his car.
The next morning, February 16, 2023, Tran returned to the Pico-Robertson area, intending to shoot another Jewish person. Tran shot a second Jewish victim, also wearing a yarmulke and leaving a synagogue after attending religious services. Tran shot the victim at close range, intending to kill him, as the victim crossed the street. Tran again fled the scene.
Both victims survived the attacks. Law enforcement arrested Tran on February 17, 2023, after a witness reported seeing someone shooting a firearm behind a motel. When he was arrested, Tran told law enforcement that he was “practicing” with his assault weapon. In its sentencing position, the government argued that “[h]ad [Tran] not been caught the night of his second shooting, his campaign of terror would likely have continued.”
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Cathedral City Police Department, the Fountain Valley Police Department, the Beverly Hills Police Department, and the UCLA Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.
Man Sentenced for Threatening to Place Pipe Bombs on School Buses in IndianaRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Amir Safavi Farokhi, 29, of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash last week to over 11 months’ custody for threatening to blow up school buses in Castleton, Indiana. Farokhi pleaded guilty on July 17, 2024, to one count of Making an Interstate Threat.
Between October 21 and October 24, 2023, while staying at a residence in Tucson, Farokhi made several cell phone calls to hospitals, police departments, schools, and businesses in both Tucson, Arizona and Indiana. Farokhi pleaded guilty to calling the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and threatening that he was going to blow up three school buses with pipe bombs. Farokhi was arrested on October 25, 2023, in Tucson, and he remained in federal custody throughout the duration of his case.
Following his release from custody, Farokhi will be placed on supervised release for a period of three years, during which he will be required to participate in mental health treatment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, as part of the FBI’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force, conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01845-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-129_Farokhi# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.MDC Correctional Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
Earlier today, a complaint was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charging Leon Wilson, a correctional officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn), with willfully depriving an individual of his constitutional rights while acting under color of law. Last fall, Wilson, while on duty and driving a Bureau of Prisons (BOP)-issued minivan, allegedly chased a civilian vehicle from the MDC-Brooklyn staff parking lot and through a large section of Brooklyn before firing three gunshots towards the car, at least one of which struck one of its occupants. Wilson was taken into federal custody yesterday and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region (DOJ-OIG) and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“Correctional officers are sworn to uphold the law but, as alleged, this defendant violated his oath and position by starting a dangerous car chase through the streets of Brooklyn ending with him shooting wildly at the passengers in the other car without justification, and wounding one,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of everyone in this district and will hold accountable those who violate them.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for their work in this case.
“Today’s complaint alleges that Wilson recklessly pursued another vehicle through the streets of Brooklyn and fired a weapon three times, harming a passenger and endangering countless New Yorkers. His alleged conduct was dangerous, illegal, and antithetical to the behavior we expect from an officer of the law,” said Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region.
“Leon Wilson, a correctional officer, allegedly failed to report an unlawful on-duty shooting to the Bureau of Prisons following an unauthorized high-speed vehicle pursuit from the Metropolitan Detention Center. The defendant’s alleged actions exceeded the boundaries of his authority and recklessly endangered countless civilians. The FBI is committed to pursuing those who willingly disregard public safety and violate policies designed to protect constitutional rights,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
As alleged in court documents, Wilson was on duty at MDC-Brooklyn on September 4, 2023 when he chased a BMW out of the facility’s staff parking lot and off MDC-Brooklyn property. Wilson had no authority to pursue the BMW past MDC-Brooklyn’s property line, but he did so anyway, ultimately chasing the BMW to the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge, approximately five miles from the facility. During the chase, Wilson exceeded the speed limit, passed other vehicles, and ran red lights. Approximately two minutes after the chase began—and nearly a mile from MDC-Brooklyn—Wilson fired three shots at the BMW, one of which penetrated the rear of the vehicle and struck a passenger in the back seat. Wilson continued to chase the BMW for several minutes after firing his weapon. He never reported the on-duty shooting to the NYPD, MDC-Brooklyn, or BOP personnel.
The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Wilson faces up to ten years in prison.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights and Public Integrity Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Reid and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Eastern District of New York Special Agent Anthony Cunder and Paralegal Specialist Nadya Osman.
The Defendant:
LEON WILSON
Age: 49
Bronx, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-553 (SJB)
Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Smash-and-Grab Robbery at Beverly Hills Jeweler that Caused $2.6 Million in LossesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge for participating in the daylight smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store in 2022 in which more than $2.6 million in merchandise was stolen – and which he later displayed on Instagram.
Ladell Tharpe, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act).
According to his plea agreement, on March 23, 2022, Tharpe, Deshon Bell, 22, of Long Beach, and Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, also of Long Beach, and other co-conspirators robbed a luxury jewelry store in Beverly Hills. Before, during, and after the robbery, Tharpe led the cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway vehicle to the location. Bell was one of the getaway drivers. Tharpe conducted surveillance and acted as the lookout for the co-conspirators.
Once they had arrived outside the jewelry store, some of the robbers – including Vernon – got out of one of the cars, entered the store and used heavy tools to smash the store’s display cases while employees and customers were present.
The thieves removed from the store’s display cases at least 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, all of which was valued at approximately $2,674,600. The robbers then returned to the car in which Bell was waiting and then fled the scene.
Tharpe posted images of large amounts of cash on Instagram after the robbery with the text “Robbery Gang.”
United States District Judge George H. Wu scheduled a January 6, 2025, sentencing hearing for Tharpe, who will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Tharpe has been in federal custody since March 2023.
Bell and Vernon each have pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. Judge Wu on February 26 sentenced Bell to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered him to pay $2,674,600 in restitution. The sentencing hearing for Vernon, who has been in federal custody since September 2022, is scheduled for December 5.
The FBI and the Beverly Hills Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Kevin B. Reidy of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
Leader of International Drug Trafficking Group’s Chicago Operations Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The leader of an international drug trafficking group’s Chicago operations has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison.
ANTONIO CARRAZCO-MARTINEZ ran the Chicago operations of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization allegedly led by PABLO ANIBAL VAZQUEZ-DUARTE. In 2016 and 2017, Carrazco-Martinez conspired with members of the organization to traffic cocaine and heroin from Mexico to the Chicago area. Carrazco-Martinez was responsible for receiving large amounts of drugs, maintaining a stash house, distributing the drugs to the group’s customers, and sending illicit cash proceeds back to Mexico.
A federal jury in Chicago last year convicted Carrazco-Martinez, 43, of Fort Valley, Ga., on drug trafficking charges. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman imposed the 16-year sentence on Thursday during a hearing in federal court in Chicago.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Substantial assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police, Waukegan, Ill. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS Criminal Investigation. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Erskine, Alejandro Ortega, and Kirsten Moran.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers and other criminal offenders 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 against criminal networks.
Carrazco-Martinez is one of nine defendants convicted as part of the investigation. Three other defendants, including Vazquez-Duarte, are considered fugitives and believed to be residing in Mexico.
Las Vegas Doctor Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison for Unlawful Distribution of Opioid MedicationsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas doctor was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 27 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of $75,000 for unlawfully distributing opioid pain medications without a medically legitimate purpose.
“By prescribing medically unnecessary prescription medications in exchange for cash payments, the defendant put vulnerable patients at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to find and investigate practitioners in the medical community who target and victimize vulnerable populations.”
According to court documents, Dr. William Alvear (69) unlawfully distributed Hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Instead, he prescribed opioids when a patient offered to pay him cash. In addition, Alvear unlawfully distributed and dispensed Alprazolam, common brand name Xanax.
Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance that also has the potential for abuse and can lead to psychological or physical dependence. Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, has a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
In November 2023, following a six-day jury trial, Alvear was found guilty of three-counts of distributing a controlled substance – Schedule II and five-counts of distributing or dispensing a controlled substance – Schedule IV.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Evans made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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Laredo man imprisoned for producing child pornography, including sexual assault of minor relativeRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 25-year-old man has been sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Aaron Hernandez pleaded guilty May 29.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña has now sentenced Hernandez to 360 and 240 months for the production and possessing of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run partially concurrent for a total 420-month term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard from the victim’s father detailing how Hernandez’s conduct greatly affected the family and that children do not deserve this harm. Additionally, Hernandez self-described himself as a monster, an animal and a pig. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted this was one of the most egregious forms of conduct she has seen and how his conduct destroyed the lives of the victim and her family and how there is nothing Hernandez can do or say that will make it better. Hernandez was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to a known victim and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Hernandez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
The investigation began after law enforcement learned of a person in Laredo sharing child pornography through a WhatsApp account linked to Hernandez.
On Oct. 30, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s home and seized his electronic devices.
Hernandez admitted to sending a video containing child pornography on WhatsApp and possessing videos containing child pornography on his computer. Hernandez also confessed to touching two minor relatives inappropriately.
Authorities found 11 videos and 10 pictures containing child pornography in Hernandez’s devices. Of all the files, 11 included self-produced content of him sexually assaulting a minor relative on two different occasions.
“A home should be a sanctuary for every child, not a place where their innocence is exploited by those who are meant to protect it,” said Hamdani. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message: those who commit unthinkable acts against children, especially those entrusted with their care, will be held accountable. We will continue to relentlessly pursue justice for victims and fight to protect them.”
“Children deserve to live in a safe environment - free from child predators. This is especially true when they are with members of their own families,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio field office. “Aaron Hernandez stole that safety from every child who was exploited by his actions. The FBI and the Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force continue to work tirelessly to bring anyone who would harm a child to justice.”
Hernandez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Lab Owner Pleads Guilty to $14M COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
An Illinois man pleaded guilty today for his role in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.
According to court documents, Zishan Alvi, 45, of Inverness, owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that performed testing for COVID-19. From February 2021 through February 2022, Alvi caused claims to be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for COVID-19 tests that were not performed as billed. As part of the scheme, the laboratory released negative COVID-19 test results to patients, even though the laboratory either had not actually tested the specimens or the results were inconclusive. Alvi knew that the laboratory was releasing negative results for tests that were not performed or were inconclusive, but still caused the laboratory to submit claims to HRSA for those tests. HRSA paid the laboratory over $14 million as a result of the fraudulent claims Alvi caused to be submitted to HRSA.
Alvi pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Claire T. Sobczak of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten and Misty Wright for the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women Awards $228.5 Million in Awards, Contributing to a Total of over $690 Million in Awards this Year to Combat Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and StalkingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is today awarding over $228.5 million in grants to enhance a wide range of supportive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The awards will go toward court-based programs, legal assistance, and initiatives tailored for older adults, rural communities, and other underserved groups. This set of awards also includes funding with a special emphasis on reducing barriers and enhancing access to services, safety, and healing for survivors in culturally specific communities.
These awards are part of the $690 million in grants administered by OVW that the Department announced earlier this month as part of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. Over the past month, many of these grants have been distributed to communities across the country. Those awards will enhance coordinated community responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across all states, territories, and numerous Tribal nations. They also build on an additional $86 million in awards announced earlier this week by OVW’s Office of Tribal Affairs.
This funding comes as the Justice Department is preparing to kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in collaboration with survivors, victim service providers, law enforcement agencies, advocates, and other community partners nationwide. DVAM encourages expanding access to justice and supportive services, particularly for underserved and historically marginalized communities, and promoting best practices in addressing domestic violence. It calls for strengthening prevention efforts and enhancing responses to meet the diverse needs of survivors. The impact of domestic violence extends beyond individuals, affecting entire communities, including workplaces and schools. The Justice Department acknowledges the critical work of first responders and victim service providers who support those affected by domestic violence.
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring the safety of all Americans, and that includes addressing and preventing the harm caused by domestic violence,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This year, we are investing over $690 million, through the Office on Violence Against Women, in funding awards to prevent domestic and dating violence, as well as sexual assault and stalking; to hold offenders accountable; and to reach survivors in every community, territory, and Tribal nation. These awards reflect our steadfast dedication to ending these forms of violence and helping survivors find safety and healing.”
Beyond direct service funding, OVW invests in training and technical assistance through the Training and Technical Assistance Initiative. With grant awards exceeding $39 million to implement more than 59 training and technical assistance projects, this initiative will enhance the capacity of professionals within the civil and criminal justice systems and provide increased training and support for victim service providers nationwide. This funding supports effective responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking while also strengthening a coordinated community response and fostering partnerships among organizations that have not traditionally collaborated in addressing these issues.
“As we celebrate three decades of progress since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, the landscape of gender-based violence continues to evolve,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Prosecutors, law enforcement, and victim service providers must be equipped to meet emerging challenges and support victims, as well as hold violent actors to account. The grants announced today will bolster services for survivors and provide the tools necessary to address violence against women and advance public safety.”
- The release of grants also coincides with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) weeks, highlighting the importance of preventing and addressing violence among younger generations to break the cycle of violence and support healthy relationships. The Department has announced targeted grants focusing on two crucial areas: violence in higher education settings and programs designed specifically for children and youth. To enhance initiatives to prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking including online harassment and technology-facilitated abuse, college campuses nationwide will receive support from $12.19 million in grants from the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. Additionally, OVW will distribute $9.48 million through the Strengthening Culturally Specific Campuses’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative. This funding aims to bolster programs at historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges and universities. Grants totaling more than $8.8 million from the Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program will support comprehensive, community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response strategies for children and youth impacted by gender-based violence.
“We must prevent and address dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on our campuses and in the lives of our young people,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “By empowering campuses and providing resources to support children and youth, we can create environments where all are free to pursue their educational and personal aspirations without fear of violence.”
“As we commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where everyone can live free from the threat of violence," said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. "Every survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking deserves access to trauma-informed, comprehensive services to seek safety, justice, and healing. Through these grants, we support our grantees to provide crucial support, advancing our shared mission to eradicate gender-based violence. We are dedicated to bringing together key partners to advance this vital work through a coordinated community response.”
Additional grant program awards and their respective amounts include:
- Grants totaling more than $22.97 million through the Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program will support community-based programs that provide culturally specific services for survivors of gender-based crimes, as well as the developing innovative culturally specific strategies and projects that enhance access to services and resources for survivors who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources.
- Grants totaling more than $8 million through OVW's Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program will support nonprofit organizations that focus primarily on culturally specific communities and have experience working with survivors of sexual assault.
- Grants totaling more than $10.82 million through its Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations Program will support efforts to develop or enhance population-specific outreach and victim services to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in underserved populations.
- Grants totaling more than $36.09 million from OVW's Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program will enhance efforts to support victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in rural areas and fund projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural areas.
- Grants totaling more than $39.29 million through the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program will provide funds for comprehensive direct civil and criminal legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing assistance with legal matters arising out of that abuse. Additionally, grants totaling more than $3.14 million through the LAV Grant Program’s Expanding Legal Services Initiative will support community-based organizations establishing legal representation programs for survivors.
- Grants totaling more than $14.66 million from the Justice for Families Program will support court-based and court-related programs such as supervised visitation and safe exchange by and between parents; training for people who work with families in the court system; and civil legal assistance.
- Grants totaling more than $1.42 million from the Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program will support efforts to improve the response to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and caregiver abuse who have disabilities or are Deaf, and to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable.
- Grants totaling $3 million from the National Deaf Services Program Initiative will be used to support the continued efforts of Activating Change to reduce barriers and strengthen services for Deaf victims and survivors and to implement recommendations in the report, Expanding Deaf-Specific Victim Services Nationwide: A 5-Year Strategy.
- Grants totaling more than $6.87 million from the Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program will support a comprehensive approach to addressing abuse in later life, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm committed against victims who are 50 years of age or older.
- Grants totaling more than $3.35 million from the Grants to Engage Men and Boys as Allies in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Program will support efforts to create educational and community-based programming designed to encourage men and boys to work as allies with women and girls to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking.
- Grants totaling $3.6 million from OVW's Research and Evaluation Initiative will support efforts to research and evaluate approaches to preventing and addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking so that communities that benefit from VAWA funding will be better equipped to align their work with practices that are known to be effective.
- Grants totaling more than $1.48 million for a new program, the Expanding Sexual Assault Victim Services on Campus Pilot Program, will support institutions of higher education in improving victim services on campus by expanding access to holistic sexual assault services and creating a promising practices guide for higher education institutions that wish to expand their sexual assault services and advocacy.
- Grants totaling $1.5 million for the STOP Formula Training and Technical Assistance program, which will support the efforts of all states and territories to successfully implement projects through the use of STOP Formula funds to strengthen and build the capacity of civil and criminal justice system professionals and victim service providers across the nation to respond effectively to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and to foster partnerships among organizations that have not traditionally worked together to address these crimes.
- Grants totaling $600,000 from the Specialized Training and Technical Assistance for Sexual Assault Victim Response will continue to support the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect and the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault to provide frequent and sufficient training, resources, and technical assistance to those working with sexual assault survivors and to provide scholarships for advocates to attend the National Sexual Assault Conference.
- Grants totaling $1.5 million for the Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot will be used to support courts that have multidisciplinary partnerships to develop and implement a program for serving protection orders through electronic communication methods and develop best practices relating to such electronic services.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent reauthorizing legislation. Created in 1995, OVW has awarded more than $11 billion in funding to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW supports policy development and undertakes special initiatives in response to community-identified needs. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
View the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program Awards here.
View the ALL Awards here.
View the Campus Awards here.
View the CS Campus Awards here.
View the Culturally Specific Services Program Awards here.
View the CY Awards here.
View the Deaf Services Awards here.
View the Disability Awards here.
View the ELSI Awards here.
View the EM Awards here.
View the ESPOC Awards here.
View the Expanding Sexual Assault Victim Services on Campus Pilot Program Awards here.
View the LAV Awards here.
View the R&E Awards here.
View the Rural Awards here.
View the SA TA Awards here.
View the STOP-TA Awards here.
View the Underserved Awards here.
View the JFF Awards here.
Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in AlaskaRead the Press Release
Note: Yuvriryukuvgu Yugtun, una neg'arrluku.
The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in the State of Alaska, for the Oct. 1 Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) elections. The department will monitor in the Bethel Dillingham and Kusilvak Census Areas, as well as the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs.
The Justice Department will assign federal observers to monitor the election in the Dillingham and Kusilvak Census Areas to observe compliance with the Voting Rights Act. A federal court previously issued an order to resolve claims under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act regarding the rights of Yup’ik-speaking voters. The order authorizes federal observers to monitor election day activities in these two census areas. The department is also sending its staff to monitor compliance in the Bethel Census Area, Northwest Arctic Borough and North Slope Borough, Alaska.
The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country. In addition, the department also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, when authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about voting and elections is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Information on the language requirements of Section 203 of the Voting Rights and about voting rights generally is available in Yup’ik on the department’s website. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Corrections to Improve Communication Access for Incarcerated People who are Deaf or Hard of HearingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WDOC) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement will help ensure that incarcerated individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to WDOC’s programs, services and activities, including educational, counseling, medical, recreational and prison employment programs. The agreement resolves the department’s investigation into complaints that WDOC did not provide auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, to incarcerated individuals with hearing disabilities.
Under the settlement agreement, WDOC will provide inmates with hearing disabilities appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, video telephones, visual notification systems and hearing aids when necessary. WDOC must also make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices and procedures to accommodate inmates with disabilities, such as handcuffing in front to allow an individual who uses sign language to communicate, and allowing additional time for telephone calls that rely on an interpreter.
“The ability for incarcerated people with hearing disabilities to understand and to be understood is a critical protection provided by the ADA,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that correctional institutions eliminate barriers, including communication barriers, that prevent inmates with disabilities from participating fully in prison programs.”
“People with disabilities in Wisconsin deserve equal access, and that does not change when they are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has now committed to removing barriers to participation for inmates with disabilities in WDOC facilities, including inmates with hearing disabilities. Our office remains dedicated to supporting efforts to improve access and inclusion for everyone in Wisconsin.”
As a result of the agreement announced today, WDOC will implement a process that begins at intake, and continues throughout incarceration, to identify and accommodate inmates with hearing disabilities; develop individualized communication assessment and plans; provide training on the ADA to staff; and pay $15,000 to compensate three incarcerated individuals who were harmed.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin handled the matter.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Programs is available at www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/civil-rights.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Aiken County Public Schools in South Carolina to Protect Civil Rights of English Learner StudentsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement with the Aiken County Public School District in South Carolina to resolve the department’s investigation into allegations that English learner students were not receiving appropriate instruction and services.
The department’s investigation identified concerns that the district failed to provide hundreds of English learner students, including students with disabilities, the language instruction they needed to become fluent in English. English learner students also faced barriers to full participation in core subjects like science, math and social studies. Under the agreement, the district will ensure that English learner students receive sufficient English language instruction from qualified teachers and that teachers of core subjects are trained on instructional strategies to help support English learners in their classrooms.
“Students who are learning English deserve the same access to educational opportunities as their classmates,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring school districts comply with federal civil rights laws designed to provide equal access to education so that all students can pursue their dreams and aspirations. This agreement will help support English learner students in the Aiken County Public Schools so they can participate fully in their schools’ academic programs.”
“All South Carolina students deserve a chance to learn and engage in coursework. For English learners that means help in overcoming language barriers,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We are pleased that the Aiken County School District is working to serve the needs of its English learners so they can fully participate in their coursework and become successful members of our community.”
The district cooperated fully throughout the investigation and has already begun making improvements to its English learner program, including hiring a full-time director and training instructional coaches on strategies to better serve students. Under the agreement, the district will ensure its teachers have the qualifications, training and support needed to help students learn English and participate fully in their core subject classes. The district will also provide language translation and interpretation of important school information to parents who are not fluent in English and create an advisory board composed of parents, educators and community members.
The department’s Civil Rights Division conducted its investigation under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, which was enacted 50 years ago last month.
Enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the division’s Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/combating-national-origin-discrimination-schools.
Members of the public can report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
View a copy of the settlement agreement here.
View the settlement summary here. (Y en español aquí.)
View the settlement cover letter here. (Y en español aquí.)
Jury Convicts Ocala Man for COVID Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Henry Troy Wade (47, Ocala) guilty of six counts of wire fraud. Wade faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2025. A federal grand jury had returned an indictment against Wade on November 22, 2022.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) provided loans to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of funds came from Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). Between April 5, 2020, and March 24, 2021, Wade applied for 11 EIDLs on behalf of 5 different businesses he claimed to own. Five of these applications were approved and Wade electronically received $524,400 through four loans and two grants.
Wade’s EIDL applications, however, contained multiple factual misrepresentations. Wade claimed he owned a restaurant, a farm, a child daycare, and two heating and air conditioning businesses. In actuality, Wade did not have the necessary licenses for any of these types of businesses. Even though he listed multiple employees on the EIDL applications, Wade never had paid any employment taxes nor had he registered the business names with the Internal Revenue Service or the Florida Department of Revenue. Wade also misrepresented his business income on the assorted applications by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
Joplin Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for stealing mail from Joplin residents as part of a conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
Aaron M. Blake, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to three years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Blake to pay $12,482 in restitution to his victims.
On Feb. 13, 2024, Blake pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Co-defendant Emily Anna-Lee Sturgis, 31, pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and to one count of bank fraud and awaits sentencing.
Sturgis and Blake admitted they conspired from December 2022 to Jan. 26, 2023, to steal mail out of residential mailboxes and off porches in Joplin. The stolen mail included credit cards, debit cards, checks, cash, jewelry, and documents that contained personal identifying information (such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and bank account information). They stole Pandora jewelry from one victim’s mailbox, and a Christmas card that contained a $500 check from another victim’s mailbox. They used the stolen credit cards to unlawfully make purchases.
Blake, with the knowledge and assistance of Sturgis, used the stolen personal information to open credit card accounts and bank accounts under those stolen names. He then used these fraudulently created credit and bank accounts to make unlawful purchases.
Sturgis and Blake attempted to obtain at least $13,845 from their victims and did obtain at least $12,482 from their victims.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Carthage, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Illegally Armed Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Desmond Valentine, 32, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 190 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, on April 14, 2022, Valentine was pulled over by IMPD officers and arrested on a state charge for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. During a search, officers found a plastic baggie containing 7.31 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin in Valentine’s pocket. Officers also found a 9mm Glock handgun inside of the pocket of a jacket laying in the back seat.
On the same day, IMPD officers executed a search warrant at Valentine’s Indianapolis home. There, they found items used for preparing and processing fentanyl and heroin, including digital scales, cutting agents, and blender equipment. Through subsequent investigation, officers determined that Valentine had been dealing heroin and fentanyl since the summer of 2021, distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
Valentine is prohibited by law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, aggravated battery, and robbery.
“This violent felon was pumping deadly fentanyl and heroin into our community—all while illegally armed,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Every neighborhood deserves to be safe from criminals dealing deadly drugs and armed with deadly weapons. I commend the DEA, IMPD, and our federal prosecutors for their efforts to hold this defendant accountable and take him off our streets. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that these very serious crimes carry very serious consequences.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha G. Spiro, who prosecuted this case.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Huntington Woman Sentenced to More than 10 Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Kyla Smith, also known as “Flaca,” 29, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 10 years and three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Smith admitted to her role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 29, 2023, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Smith on Eighth Avenue in Huntington. Smith admitted that the officer saw her conceal a bag of methamphetamine in the front of her pants during the traffic stop. Smith surrendered the methamphetamine to the officer, and admitted that she intended to distribute the controlled substance. Smith further admitted that she participated in the DTO from at least August 2023 through November 2023. Smith distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl to various customers, including some who redistributed the controlled substances that she provided to them.
Smith and other DTO participants used multiple residences to store and distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, including a Davis Street residence in Huntington maintained by Smith. On November 15, 2023, officers executed a search warrant at Smith’s Davis Street residence and seized approximately 477 grams of fentanyl.
Smith is among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Smith is also among 21 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
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. 3:23-cr-180.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Weslee Nathaniel Black, 38, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to possession of a short-barrel shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2024, law enforcement officers ordered Black to exit a vehicle on the 1300 block of Marcum Terrace in Huntington and arrested him for grand larceny of the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and seized a Hatfield Gun Company model PAS 12-gauge shotgun with a shortened barrel. Black admitted that he possessed the firearm, that he knew it had a shortened barrel when he purchased it, and that it was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Black knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior conviction for domestic battery in Cabell County Magistrate Court on January 31, 2023.
Black is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 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 Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor 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. 3:24-cr-84.
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Honduran Man Sentenced for Online and Sexual Contact with MinorRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel Eliazar Ramos Rosa, 24, of Honduras, was sentenced to 327 months in federal prison for the coercion and enticement of a 10-year-old Jefferson County girl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Rosa exchanged over 1,000 messages, photos, and videos with the victim via Snapchat. He ultimately traveled to the victim’s Harpers Ferry home and engaged in sexual activity with her. Rosa recorded the encounter on his phone.
Rosa will be on lifetime supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The FBI and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Hawaii Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Atomic Energy ActRead the Press Release
Mark Kazee, 60, of Hawaii, pleaded guilty today to violating the Atomic Energy Act by transferring equipment containing Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-regulated radioactive material from a company he was employed by, which held an NRC required license for the material, to another company without making a record of such transfer as required. Kazee was part owner of the second company, which did not have a license from the NRC.
According to court documents, Kazee worked in the materials and equipment testing industry for over 30 years, serving both as an inspector and as a supervisor of inspectors who used industrial radiography. Industrial radiography is the process of using a radiation source and a specialized camera to examine materials below the surface to check for flaws. Industrial radiography can emit X-rays, gamma rays and neutrons. Kazee worked for the first company starting in 2016 as its regional manager in Hawaii. Kazee’s employer had contracts to conduct testing with various companies in Hawaii, including petroleum refineries.
In September 2018, Kazee and another person created their own company to conduct the same type of testing as Kazee’s employer. Kazee’s company did not have the required license from the NRC to conduct industrial radiography. Soon after Kazee’s employer’s contract with a major refinery on Oahu expired in January 2019, Kazee’s new company began conducting inspections at the refinery, including industrial radiography, using his old employer’s equipment. The equipment contained Iridium-192 and depleted uranium radioactive material. Although Kazee knew he was required to create and maintain a record for his employer for any transfer of the radiography equipment to any other company or individual who was not his employer, he did not.
“Radiography is an impressive technology, and when it is used with proper safeguards, it increases safety and improves lives,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those like Kazee who would circumvent legal requirements for transfer of radioactive materials and treat radiation safety and security as an afterthought.”
“Kazee knew what had to be done to comply with the regulations that protect the public from potential harms arising from the use of radioactive materials, but consciously chose not to follow them,” said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii. “His failures appropriately have criminal consequences and we will continue to pursue such to protect the community.”
“It is crucial that those who use radioactive material for commercial purposes follow the rules to protect the user and the public,” said Director Thomas Ashley of the NRC’s Office of Investigations. “The NRC does not tolerate willful violations of its requirements and demands that licensees and their employees act with integrity and abide by requirements put in place to ensure they’re used safely.”
Kazee is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13 before U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright for the District of Hawaii. Kazee faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Judge Seabright will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The NRC's Office of Investigations investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Kris Dighe of the Environment and Natural Resources Division's Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.
Hawaii Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Atomic Energy ActRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Mark Kazee, 60, of Hawaii, pleaded guilty today to violating the Atomic Energy Act by transferring equipment containing Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-regulated radioactive material from a company he was employed by, which held an NRC required license for the material, to another company without making a record of such transfer as required. Kazee was part owner of the second company, which did not have a license from the NRC.
According to court documents, Kazee worked in the materials and equipment testing industry for over 30 years, serving both as an inspector and as a supervisor of inspectors who used industrial radiography. Industrial radiography is the process of using a radiation source and a specialized camera to examine materials below the surface to check for flaws. Industrial radiography can emit Xrays, gamma rays and neutrons. Kazee worked for the first company starting in 2016 as its regional manager in Hawaii. Kazee’s employer had contracts to conduct testing with various companies in Hawaii, including petroleum refineries.
In September 2018, Kazee and another person created their own company to conduct the same type of testing as Kazee’s employer. Kazee’s company did not have the required license from the NRC to conduct industrial radiography. Soon after Kazee’s employer’s contract with a major refinery on Oahu expired in January 2019, Kazee’s new company began conducting inspections at the refinery, including industrial radiography, using his old employer’s equipment. The equipment contained Iridium-192 and depleted uranium radioactive source material. Although Kazee knew he was required to create and maintain a record for his employer for any transfer of the radiography equipment to any other company or individual who was not his employer, he did not.
“Kazee knew what had to be done to comply with the regulations that protect the public from potential harms arising from the use of radioactive materials, but consciously chose not to follow them,” said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii. “His failures appropriately have criminal consequences and we will continue to pursue such to protect the community.”
“Radiography is an impressive technology, and when it is used with proper safeguards, it increases safety and improves lives,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those like Kazee who would circumvent legal requirements for transfer of radioactive materials and treat radiation safety and security as an afterthought.”
“It is crucial that those who use radioactive material for commercial purposes follow the rules to protect the user and the public,” said Director Thomas Ashley of the NRC’s Office of Investigations. “The NRC does not tolerate willful violations of its requirements and demands that licensees and their employees act with integrity and abide by requirements put in place to ensure they’re used safely.”
Kazee is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13 before U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright for the District of Hawaii. Kazee faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Judge Seabright will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The NRC’s Office of Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates for the District of Hawaii and Senior Trial Attorney Kris Dighe of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Injectable Stem Cell Product Manufacturer Sentenced for Distributing Unapproved DrugRead the Press Release
The founder and chief executive officer of a California-based company that marketed stem cell-based products allegedly linked to 19 hospitalizations was sentenced today to 36 months in prison following his conviction under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
John W. Kosolcharoen, 53, most recently of Orange County, California, pleaded guilty last month in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to one count of introducing an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. Kosolcharoen is currently in federal custody on a separate, unconnected conviction. The court set a restitution hearing for Dec. 3.
According to court documents, beginning in 2016, Kosolcharoen created two companies, Liveyon LLC and Genetech Inc., to manufacture and distribute injectable stem cell products made from human umbilical cord blood. Liveyon marketed the products under different brand names, including “ReGen.” In pleading guilty, Kosolcharoen admitted that he and others misrepresented ReGen as suitable for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as lung and heart diseases, autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others. Liveyon marketed the products throughout the United States until about April 2019 using advertising materials that contained multiple false and misleading statements about their purported safety and effectiveness. At sentencing, the government alleged that sales of Liveyon products generated approximately $21.6 million in revenue between 2017 and 2018.
“Misleading the public about the safety and effectiveness of purported cures and treatments is illegal,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will work with its law enforcement partners to prosecute individuals who market potentially dangerous products for personal gain.”
“Exploiting the hopes of patients suffering from serious illnesses is not merely greedy, it’s cruel,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who take advantage of victims’ fears and anxieties to line their pockets.”
In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that patients seeking cures and remedies for serious diseases and conditions may be misled about unapproved stem cell products that are illegally marketed, have not been shown to be safe or effective, and, in some cases, may have significant safety issues that put patients at risk. Stem cell products are regulated by FDA, and generally they must have FDA approval before being introduced into interstate commerce.
In 2018, FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of patients in multiple states requiring hospitalization for bacterial infections after receiving Liveyon products. Kosolcharoen admitted that he and others fraudulently induced customers into purchasing stem cell-derived Liveyon products by, among other things, misleading the public about the cause and severity of adverse events suffered by Liveyon patients and falsely reporting and concealing material facts regarding the outcome of an FDA inspection of Genetech. The government alleged in court filings that an investigation by CDC, with the assistance of state and local health departments, found that the stem cell products were linked to the hospitalization of 19 patients in eight different states.
The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, FBI, Amtrak Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor Employment Benefits Security Administration and the California Department of Health Care Services investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Aveis and David Chao for the Central District of California and Assistant Director Ross S. Goldstein and Trial Attorneys Meredith B. Healy, Kathryn A. Schmidt and Peter J. Leininger of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch handled the case.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Former Wyatt Correctional Officer Sentenced for Attempting to Smuggle Contraband into the FacilityRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A now former Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility correctional officer was sentenced today for attempting to smuggle contraband inside the facility, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Kristopher White, 26, pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024, to a federal charge of attempting to provide contraband in prison. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to time served, two years of probation - the first six months to be served in home confinement with GPS monitoring, and 200 hours of community service.
At the time of his guilty plea, White admitted to the court that he agreed to participate in an inmate-led scheme to smuggle contraband inside the Wyatt Detention Center. White admitted that, during non-working hours, he met with an associate of a detainee who provided him with several pieces of paper soaked in a controlled substance, as well as payment for White’s participation.
On December 2, 2021, while on-duty, White left the detention center and retrieved the contraband from his vehicle. As he reentered the facility, the defendant was intercepted by Wyatt Professional Standards Unit officials and the contraband was seized.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. White.
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Former Executive at Irvine-Based Company That Marketed Faulty Stem Cell Products Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The imprisoned founder and CEO of an Orange County-based company that marketed stem cell-based products linked to multiple hospitalizations was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison – consecutive to his current prison sentence.
John Warrington Kosolcharoen, 53, most recently of Rancho Santa Margarita, was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also scheduled a December 3 restitution hearing in this case.
Kosolcharoen pleaded guilty on August 26 to one count of introducing an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. Kosolcharoen is currently in custody serving a sentence for a separate, unconnected conviction.
“Exploiting the hopes of patients suffering from serious illnesses is not merely greedy, it’s cruel,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who take advantage of victims’ fears and anxieties to line their pockets.”
“Misleading the public about the safety and effectiveness of purported cures and treatments is illegal,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will work with its law enforcement partners to prosecute individuals who market potentially dangerous products for personal gain.”
Beginning in 2016, Kosolcharoen created two companies, the Irvine-based Liveyon LLC and the San Diego-based Genetech Inc., to manufacture and distribute injectable stem cell products made from human umbilical cord blood. Liveyon marketed the products under different brand names, including “ReGen.”
Kosolcharoen and others misrepresented ReGen as suitable for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as lung and heart diseases, autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Liveyon marketed the products throughout the United States until about April 2019 using advertising materials that contained multiple false and misleading statements about their purported safety and effectiveness.
In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that patients seeking cures and remedies for serious diseases and conditions may be misled about unapproved stem cell products that are illegally marketed, have not been shown to be safe or effective, and, in some cases, may have significant safety issues that put patients at risk. Stem cell products are regulated by FDA, and generally they must have FDA approval before being introduced into interstate commerce.
Kosolcharoen misled the FDA about Liveyon’s activities by directing Liveyon’s purchase orders to falsely state that the stem cell products were being sold “for research purposes only.” In 2018, FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of patients in multiple states requiring hospitalization for bacterial infections after receiving Liveyon products. Kosolcharoen admitted that he and others fraudulently induced customers into purchasing stem cell-derived Liveyon products by, among other things, misleading the public about the cause and severity of adverse events suffered by Liveyon patients, and falsely reporting and concealing material facts regarding the outcome of an FDA inspection of Genetech. According to FDA records, that inspection documented evidence of significant deviations from good manufacturing and tissue practices.
FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; the FBI; Amtrak Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Benefits Security Administration; and the California Department of Health Care Services investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Aveis of the Major Frauds Section and David H. Chao of the General Crimes Section, Assistant Director Ross S. Goldstein and Trial Attorneys Meredith B. Healy, Kathryn A. Schmidt and Peter J. Leininger of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted this case.
Former Colorado Springs Area Man Sentenced to 168 Months of Imprisonment After Sex Abuse of A Minor ConvictionRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Mitchel Crow, 32, was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment and 12 years of supervised release after being found guilty by a federal jury on three counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
According to facts established at trial, between May of 2020 and mid-December of 2020, Crow engaged in several sexual acts with a minor within a residence located on Fort Carson, an Army post near Colorado Springs. Crow was a civilian living on post and was responsible for the care of the minor at the time.
“There is nothing more important than protecting children in our society,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “This long sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s abuse of a minor he was supposed to be protecting.”
"Child sex offenders prey on the most vulnerable victims. This sentence will not erase the harm inflicted upon the victim, but we hope it is a step towards recovery," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners such as U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division will continue to work together to put predators who harm children in prison."
United States Senior District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore presided over the sentencing. The FBI Denver Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tom Minser and Al Buchman handled the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
Former California Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Attempting to Murder Two Jewish Men Leaving Los Angeles Synagogues Last YearRead the Press Release
A former California man who shot and wounded two Jewish men last year as they left religious services in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles was sentenced today to 35 years in prison.
Jaime Tran, 30, formerly of Riverside, pleaded guilty on June 3 to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“After years of spewing antisemitic vitriol, the defendant planned and carried out a two-day attack attempting to murder Jews leaving synagogue in Los Angeles,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Vile acts of antisemitic hatred endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities, and allowing such crimes to go unchecked endangers the foundation of our democracy itself. As millions of Jewish Americans prepare to observe the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Justice Department reaffirms its commitment to aggressively confronting, disrupting, and prosecuting criminal acts motivated by antisemitism, or by hatred of any kind. No Jewish person in America should have to fear that any sign of their identity will make them the victim of a hate crime.”
“Targeting people for death based solely on their religious and ethnic background brings back memories of the darkest chapters in human history,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Such hate-fueled violence has no place in America. We hope the sentence imposed today sends a strong message to all in our community that we will not tolerate antisemitism and hate of any sort. For those who engage in hate crimes, the punishment will be severe.”
“This country was founded by many who fought for religious freedom, and practicing our religion continues to be a sacred and fundamental right,” said Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will always defend that constitutional right. Those who violate the First Amendment by violent acts, those who would target the innocent based on hatred, will be held accountable.”
“While this sentencing cannot fully restore the sense of safety stolen from the two victims and the Jewish community, it is a decisive step towards justice and a clear message that such acts of hate and violence will not be tolerated,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi.
According to the government’s sentencing submission, Tran obsessed over his antisemitic hatred for years leading up to the attack. In 2018, Tran left graduate school after making antisemitic comments about other students. From August 2022 to December 2022, Tran’s antisemitic statements escalated and included increasingly violent language, including messages to former classmates such as “I want you dead, Jew,” and “Someone is going to kill you, Jew.” Tran described himself as a “ticking time bomb” and maintained social media accounts with the handle “k1llalljews.”
In November 2022, Tran emailed two dozen former classmates a flyer containing antisemitic propaganda, including the statement, “EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THE COVID AGENDA IS JEWISH.” The following month, Tran emailed his former classmates excerpts from an antisemitic website further denigrating Jewish persons.
As a result of previous mental health holds, as of 2023, Tran was prohibited from purchasing firearms. In January 2023, in Phoenix, Tran asked a third party to buy two firearms for him. Tran selected the firearms he wanted and paid approximately $1,500 in cash to the third party, who then purchased them. Law enforcement identified the third party, who has now pleaded guilty in Arizona to illegally selling Tran the firearm used in the shootings. Messages later retrieved from his phone reflected that defendant had asked multiple people to purchase firearms for him and had offered to pay more if no background check was performed.
In early February 2023, Tran sent an online message stating: “it’s time to kill all Jews.” On the morning of Feb. 15, 2023, Tran used the internet to research locations with a “kosher market,” planning to shoot someone near a kosher market because he believed there would be Jewish people in the area. Tran drove to Pico-Robertson and shot a Jewish victim wearing a yarmulke as he was leaving religious services at a synagogue. Tran, believing the victim was Jewish, shot him at close range centimeters from his spine, intending to kill him. Tran then fled the scene in his car.
The next morning, Feb. 16, 2023, Tran returned to the Pico-Robertson area, intending to shoot another Jewish person. Tran shot a second Jewish victim, also wearing a yarmulke and leaving a synagogue after attending religious services. Tran shot the victim at close range, intending to kill him, as the victim crossed the street. Tran again fled the scene.
Both victims survived the attacks. Law enforcement arrested Tran on Feb. 17, 2023, after a witness reported seeing someone shooting a firearm behind a motel. When he was arrested, Tran told law enforcement that he was “practicing” with his assault weapon. In its sentencing position, the government argued that “[h]ad defendant not been caught the night of his second shooting, his campaign of terror would likely have continued.”
The FBI and Los Angeles Police Department investigated the case. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Cathedral City Police Department, Fountain Valley Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, and UCLA Police Department, all in California, provided substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathrynne N. Seiden and Frances S. Lewis for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.
Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Massachusetts Housing AgencyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to defrauding a Massachusetts housing agency where she worked in 2022, along with defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with the pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Alihea Jones, 51, of Brandon, Fla., pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 16, 2025.
In 2022, Jones worked remotely for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for six months where she worked with the Residential Aid to Families in Transition (RAFT) program, which provides funds to assist low-income Massachusetts residents facing eviction and other housing emergencies. Immediately after she was terminated, Jones, who was still logged into the RAFT database, accessed the files of four RAFT program participants and authorized electronic payments to their landlords in the amounts of $7,500, $8,800, $6,925 and $10,000. However, Jones changed the routing and bank account numbers from the landlords’ accounts to four unauthorized accounts in Georgia: an account in the name of Jones’s business, Beauty Concepts by Alihea, LLC (Beauty Concepts); Jones’s personal account; and the accounts of persons identified in the charging document as “Friend A” and “Friend B” – all without knowledge or permission from DHCD. After these transfers went through, Friend A and Friend B each paid Jones a $2,000 kickback.
Earlier, in 2021, Jones also fraudulently obtained a $187,000 PPP loan from a Massachusetts lender, which the SBA later forgave.
Under the PPP, authorized lenders issued SBA-guaranteed loans to small businesses during the COVID pandemic to help keep workers employed. If a business spent the money on payroll and other permissible business expenses, the SBA forgave the loan.
Jones submitted a PPP loan application to a Massachusetts lender falsely stating that Beauty Concepts had 17 employees and an average monthly payroll expense of $74,800. In fact, Beauty Concepts did not employ anyone. Unaware that Jones’s information was false, the SBA agreed to guarantee a $187,000 loan to Beauty Concepts. The lender transmitted the loan proceeds to the Beauty Concepts account in Georgia. Jones later applied to have her loan forgiven. Again, she included false employee count and payroll information. Unaware that Jones’s representations were false, the SBA forgave the loan principal and accrued interest.
In total, Jones caused a loss of $222,074, with $33,225 payable to the DHCD and $188,849 payable to the SBA.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison; three years of supervised release; and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater; restitution; and forfeiture.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of the Public Corruption Unit is prosecuting the case.
Five Former IRS Employees Sentenced in Connection with COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Five former IRS employees were recently sentenced for defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs. This case was brought as a part of an interagency effort to combat and prevent such fraud by federal employees.
According to court documents, Brian Saulsberry, 48, of Memphis, was employed by the IRS as a Program Evaluation and Risk Analyst in the Human Capital Office in Memphis, Tennessee. Saulsberry laundered funds he received from a scheme to defraud the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal stimulus program authorized to provide loans to small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Saulsberry submitted false EIDL applications and obtained $171,400 in loan funds. After obtaining the fraudulent loan funds, Saulsberry transferred the funds to his personal checking account. He then used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the EIDL Program, but instead transferred $100,000 to an investment account, knowing that the property involved in the transaction was derived from unlawful activity.
In addition to Saulsberry, four other former IRS employees, Courtney Quinshe Westmoreland, 40, Fatina Hewitt, 37, Roderick DeMarco White II, 29, and Tina Humes, 58, were convicted for defrauding federal stimulus programs authorized as part of the CARES Act, including the EIDL Program and the Paycheck Protection Program. The five former federal employees collectively sought over $1 million. They then used the loan funds to invest in personal accounts, purchase cars and luxury goods, and pay for personal travel, including trips to Las Vegas.
In October 2022, the Justice Department announced charges against the five former IRS employees. Saulsberry pled guilty to one count of money laundering in December 2023. On September 25, 2024, Saulsberry was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman to 18 months of imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release to follow and was ordered to provide $171,400 to the Government in forfeiture. There is no parole in the federal system.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren for the Western District of Tennessee, Acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Heather M. Hill, and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) made the announcement.
TIGTA and SBA-OIG investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Justin Woodard and Trial Attorneys Sara Porter, Kelly Z. Walters, and Thomas D. Campbell of the Fraud Section’s Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. André III for the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the cases.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in FederalRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man was sentenced on Thursday, September 26, to 147 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in October of 2023, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force seized over 500 fentanyl pills, a Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device and a large amount of U.S. currency from Jaylin Williams, age 24. At the sentencing hearing the Court received evidence that one-month prior, Williams fled from the Arkansas State Police on Interstate 49, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour before stopping his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Williams was in unlawful possession of a firearm during that incident. The Court also considered evidence at the hearing that Williams previously shot one of his customers in relation to a drug deal in April of 2022. Williams has been a convicted felon since 2019, when he was convicted in Washington County of robbery.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Fayetteville Police Department, Arkansas State Police and ATF investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case was prosecuted as 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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as 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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Federal Jury Finds Fresno Woman Tied to M30 King of Fresno Guilty of Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine, and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On Friday, Sept. 27, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Alma Lucia Garza, 23, of Fresno, guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine as well as possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Garza was a trusted assistant of the self-proclaimed M30 King of Fresno, Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr. Between Nov. 2, 2021, and March 31, 2022, Garza conspired with Torrecillas Urias and others to obtain, directly from sources in Mexico, tens of thousands of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. The conspiracy included the distribution of these illicit drugs to drug dealers inside and outside of California. On Jan. 27, 2022, Garza mailed a package containing cocaine and methamphetamine to a co-defendant in New Mexico. Law enforcement seized the package before it arrived at its destination. On Feb. 9, 2022, Garza traveled with Torrecillas Urias to Sanger to deliver thousands of pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine. Those pills were seized by law enforcement during the execution of a residential search warrant two days later.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the United States charged Garza, Torrecillas Urias, and 17 others. With the verdict in today’s case, all defendants have pleaded or been found guilty. Sentencing in Garza’s case is set for Jan. 6, 2025. She faces a maximum sentence of 20 years prison. 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.
The case is the result of an investigation by the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team (a multi-agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Clovis Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Antonio J. Pataca are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
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.
Federal Jury Convicts St. Francisville Man of Assault Upon a Federal Officer in Performance of Official DutyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced the conviction of Lionel Haile, age 31, of St. Francisville, Louisiana. After a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, the jury unanimously convicted Haile of assaulting a U.S. Postal employee with a dangerous weapon and inflicting bodily injury.
As the evidence at trial demonstrated, on December 31, 2021, Haile attacked a U.S. Postal employee with a sharp object as she was delivering mail to an apartment complex in Zachary, Louisiana, inflicting a stab wound on her right leg. The victim fought against Haile’s repeated attempts to stab her on her upper body and legs. She escaped Haile, ran towards a vehicle as it was exiting the apartment complex, jumped inside the vehicle, and rode off with her rescuer. Haile fled the scene. Authorities arrested Haile on January 6, 2022, following the publication of his photograph on CrimeStoppers.
As a result of his conviction, Haile now faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Zachary Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Robert W. Piedrahita.
Federal Charges Announced Against Inmates for Violent Crimes Committed in the Metropolitan Detention Center in BrooklynRead the Press Release
Today in Brooklyn, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced charges in five cases addressing violence at New York City’s federal pretrial detention facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn), located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. These include charges against inmates for the murder of Uriel Whyte on June 7, 2024, the murder of Edwin Cordero on July 17, 2024, an attempted murder on April 27, 2024 and two violent assaults on August 24 and 27, 2024. The defendants, all of whom were previously ordered detained at MDC-Brooklyn on other charges, will be arraigned in the coming days.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Lisa O. Monaco, United States Deputy Attorney General and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“Violence will not be tolerated in our federal jails.” stated United States Attorney Peace. “As alleged, in June and July of this year, two men detained at MDC-Brooklyn—Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero—were murdered by fellow inmates using makeshift weapons. Others at MDC-Brooklyn have been viciously assaulted by inmates, as alleged in the three other cases announced today. As the only federal pretrial facility in New York City, MDC-Brooklyn houses pretrial inmates accused of some of the most serious crimes in our region. No matter the reason for their detention, my Office will work tirelessly to vindicate the rights of victims who suffer violence within MDC-Brooklyn and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who choose to commit such heinous acts. Let these charges serve as a warning to those who would engage in criminal conduct behind bars, and anyone else who facilitates those crimes: your conduct will be exposed, and you will be held accountable.”
Mr. Peace thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for their assistance with the investigations.
“Today’s charges demonstrate the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out violence and criminal behavior at federal detention facilities—a critical component of our work to improve conditions across the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” stated Deputy Attorney General Monaco. “Violence and contraband in our prisons are unacceptable, and the Department will hold accountable those who threaten the safety of anyone in our custody.”
“Several inmates of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center allegedly orchestrated a series of distinct violent assaults, including the murders of fellow inmates, Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero. While this federal jail houses dangerous pretrial inmates, order and safety must remain paramount. Awaiting potential criminal charges is not a warranted justification to subject a detained individual to unnecessary attacks. May today’s indictments reflect the FBI’s determination to apprehend violent criminals, regardless of where the incidents may occur,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
United States v. Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, 24-CR-360 (EK)
The defendants Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, who were previously detained at MDC-Brooklyn on racketeering and robbery charges, respectively, have been indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the June 7, 2024 murder of inmate Uriel Whyte.
On the morning of June 7, 2024, following a verbal dispute between Simpson and Whyte, cellmates Simpson and Thomas armed themselves with makeshift weapons and proceeded to engage in a series of two-on-one attacks against Whyte. The escalating violent attacks, which took place over a span of approximately 15 minutes, were committed against Whyte inside Simpson and Thomas’s shared cell, which served to hide their conduct from guards and surveillance cameras. The attacks culminated with Whyte suffering a severe stab wound to his neck, which severed his carotid artery. While Whyte was able to exit the cell and seek medical aid, he succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter despite the efforts of onsite medical personnel and responding paramedics.
Simpson and Thomas are charged with murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility, obstruction of justice and possession of contraband in prison for their roles in fatally stabbing Whyte at MDC-Brooklyn.
If convicted, Simpson and Thomas face mandatory sentences of life in prison.
The government’s case against Simpson and Thomas is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs and General Crimes Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Maffei, Sophia Suarez and Elizabeth D’Antonio are in charge of the prosecution.
United States v. Jamaul Aziz, James Bazemore and Alberto Santiago, 24-CR-380 (NCM)
The defendants Jamaul Aziz, also known as “bugz,” James Bazemore, also known as “TJ” and “RS,” and Alberto Santiago, also known as “Kom” and “dotcom,” have been indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the July 17, 2024 murder of Edwin Cordero, a fellow inmate at MDC-Brooklyn. Aziz and Santiago were both previously detained at MDC-Brooklyn for various serious gun and drug-trafficking crimes; Bazemore was detained for racketeering conspiracy, murder in-aid-of racketeering, use of a firearm resulting in death and being a felon in possession of a firearm. All three have admitted their guilt or been found guilty in their underlying cases.
In the afternoon of July 17, 2024—following an earlier altercation between Cordero and Santiago—Santiago, Aziz and Bazemore met with each other intermittently over approximately half an hour. Cordero then reengaged with Santiago—both of them armed with makeshift weapons—when shortly after Aziz and Bazemore, also armed, joined in. Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago cornered Cordero while swinging and stabbing at him. After Cordero was able to escape, Bazemore continued to attack him, which allowed Santiago to approach Cordero from behind and stab him in the center of his chest, perforating various parts of his heart. Cordero then staggered forward, and Bazemore stabbed him in the back. Aziz and Bazemore next cornered the victim again next to a table and repeatedly stabbed, struck and kicked him, including after he fell to the ground and tried to shield himself with the table. Staff members quickly responded to the commotion and delivered emergency medical care but were unable to save the victim.
The indictment charges Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago with premeditated murder within a federal detention facility, conspiracy to commit murder within a federal detention facility, assault resulting in serious bodily injury within a federal detention facility and possession of one or more objects designed to be used as weapons within a prison.
If convicted, the defendants face mandatory sentences of life in prison.
The government’s case against Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs and General Crimes Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Irisa Chen and Elizabeth D’Antonio are in charge of the prosecution.
United States v. Luis Rivas, 24-CR-390 (OEM)
The defendant Luis Rivas has been indicted by a grand jury with attempted murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility and possession of contraband in prison, for his role in the April 27, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn. At the time of the attack, Rivas was detained at MDC-Brooklyn after being convicted of racketeering and assault in-aid-of-racketeering charges related to his membership in the gang La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). On the morning of April 27, 2024, Rivas and two other MS-13 members brutally attacked another inmate in their housing unit. Prior to the attack, the victim was sitting peacefully, relaxing with his feet up. Rivas then approached the victim, took a makeshift weapon from his waistband, and stabbed the victim with it. Two other MS-13 members then came to Rivas’ aid and assisted him in punching and stabbing the victim repeatedly. After the assault, the victim was taken to MDC- Brooklyn’s medical unit and then to a hospital to treat the approximately 44 stab wounds to his back, chest, abdomen, right arm and legs.
If convicted, Rivas faces up to 45 years in prison.
The government’s case against Rivas is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution.
United States v. Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott, 24-MJ-556 (MMH)
The defendants Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott have been charged by complaint with assault in a federal detention facility for their roles in the August 27, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn. At the time of the attack, Silva was detained at MDC-Brooklyn in connection with pending charges including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, firearms charges, attempted murder and assault in-aid-of racketeering in connection with his participation in multiple shootings in the Bronx, and other crimes related to his membership in “Dub City,” a street gang based in the Bronx. Elliott was detained at MDC-Brooklyn at the time of the attack in connection with 29 pending charges related to his membership in “1700 Scattergood,” a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Northeast Philadelphia, including the murder in-aid-of racketeering of a Philadelphia police sergeant (who was seeking to execute search and arrest warrants for Elliott at the time of his murder), racketeering conspiracy, three other murders in-aid-of racketeering, multiple charges related to multiple other shootings and related firearms and narcotics offenses.
On the morning of August 27, 2024, Silva and Elliott tried to attack another inmate in their housing unit. They took makeshift weapons from their waistbands and tried to stab and slash their intended victim. When a fourth inmate interceded, Silva stabbed the fourth inmate in the spine with a makeshift icepick, leaving the icepick protruding from the inmate’s back. Silva and Elliott then continued to try to attack both the stabbing victim and their original intended victim. After the assault, the stabbing victim was taken to MDC-Brooklyn’s medical unit and then to a hospital to remove the weapon from his spine and treat him.
If convicted, Silva and Elliott each face up to 10 years in prison.
The government’s case against Silva and Elliott is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Shami is in charge of the prosecution.
United States v. Leury Mojica, 24-MJ-559 (MMH)
Defendant Leury Mojica was charged by complaint with assaulting a federal officer. As alleged in the complaint, on August 24, 2024, Mojica punched a corrections officer in the face after the victim offered Mojica breakfast. Mojica was originally detained at MDC-Brooklyn in connection with a Hobbs Act robbery charge, and also previously participated in a violent stabbing of another inmate, which conduct was taken into account in his May 2024 sentencing in the Southern District of New York.
If convicted, Mojica faces up to 20 years in prison.
The government’s case against Mojica is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in all of the indictments and complaints are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Defendants:
ANDREW SIMPSON
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New YorkDEVONE THOMAS
Age: 24
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-360 (EK)
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JAMAUL AZIZ
Age: 44
New York, New YorkJAMES BAZEMORE
Age: 42
Bronx, New YorkALBERTO SANTIAGO
Age: 28
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-380 (NCM)
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LUIS RIVAS
Age: 29
Jamaica, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-390 (OEM)
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BRUCE SILVA
Age: 28
Bronx, New YorkHASSAN ELLIOTT
Age: 26
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-556 (MMH)
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LEURY MOJICA
Age: 21
Bronx, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-559 (MMH)Federal Charges Announced Against Inmates for Violent Crimes Committed in Metropolitan Detention Center in BrooklynRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced charges in five cases addressing violence at New York City’s federal pretrial detention facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center, (MDC), located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. These include charges against inmates for the murder of Uriel Whyte on June 7, the murder of Edwin Cordero on July 17, an attempted murder on April 27, and two violent assaults on Aug. 24 and 27. The defendants, all of whom were previously ordered detained at the MDC on other charges, will be arraigned in the coming days.
“Today’s charges demonstrate the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out violence and criminal behavior at federal detention facilities — a critical component of our work to improve conditions across the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Violence and contraband in our prisons are unacceptable, and the Department will hold accountable those who threaten the safety of anyone in our custody.”
“Violence will not be tolerated in our federal jails,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “As alleged, in June and July of this year, two men detained at the MDC — Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero — were murdered by fellow inmates using makeshift weapons. Others at the MDC have been viciously assaulted by inmates, as alleged in the three other cases announced today. As the only federal jail in New York City, the MDC houses pretrial inmates accused of some of the most serious crimes in our region. No matter the reason for their detention, my office will work tirelessly to vindicate the rights of victims who suffer violence within the MDC and prosecute all those who choose to commit such heinous acts to the full extent of the law. Let these charges serve as a warning to those who would continue their criminal conduct behind bars, and anyone else who facilitates those crimes: your conduct will be exposed, and you will be held accountable.”
“Several inmates of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center allegedly orchestrated a series of distinct violent assaults, including the murders of fellow inmates, Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero,” said Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office. “While this federal jail houses dangerous pretrial inmates, order and safety must remain paramount. Awaiting potential criminal charges is not a warranted justification to subject a detained individual to unnecessary attacks. May today’s indictments reflect the FBI’s determination to apprehend violent criminals, regardless of where the incidents may occur.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Prisons provided assistance in the investigations.
United States v. Simpson and Thomas, 24-CR-360
Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, who were previously detained at the MDC on racketeering and robbery charges, respectively, were indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the June 7, murder of inmate Uriel Whyte.
On the morning of June 7, following a verbal dispute between Simpson and Whyte, cellmates Simpson and Thomas armed themselves with makeshift weapons and proceeded to engage in a series of two-on-one attacks against Whyte. The escalating violent attacks, which took place over a span of approximately 15 minutes, were committed against Whyte inside Simpson and Thomas’ shared cell, which served to hide their conduct from guards and surveillance cameras. The attacks culminated with Whyte suffering a severe stab wound to his neck, which severed his carotid artery. While Whyte was able to exit the cell and seek medical aid, he succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter despite the efforts of onsite medical personnel and responding paramedics.
Simpson and Thomas are charged with murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility, obstruction of justice, and possession of contraband in prison for their roles in fatally stabbing Whyte at the MDC.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Maffei, Sophia Suarez, and Elizabeth D’Antonio for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
United States v. Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago, 24-CR-380
On Sept. 24, a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York returned an indictment charging Jamaul Aziz, also known as bugz; James Bazemore, also known as TJ and RS; and Alberto Santiago, also known as Kom and dotcom, with four crimes related to their roles in the July 17 murder of Edwin Cordero, a fellow inmate at the MDC. Aziz and Santiago were both previously detained in the MDC for various serious gun and drug-trafficking crimes; Bazemore was detained for racketeering conspiracy, murder in-aid-of racketeering, use of a firearm resulting in death, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. All three have admitted their guilt in their underlying cases.
In the afternoon of July 17 — following an earlier altercation between the victim and Santiago — Santiago, Aziz, and Bazemore met with each other intermittently over approximately half an hour. Santiago then reengaged with the victim — both of them armed with makeshift weapons — when shortly after Aziz and Bazemore, also armed, joined in. Aziz, Bazemore, and Santiago cornered the victim while swinging and stabbing at him. After the victim was able to escape, Bazemore continued to attack the victim, which allowed Santiago to approach the victim from behind and stab the victim in the center of his chest, perforating various parts of his heart. The victim then staggered forward, and Bazemore grabbed the victim and stabbed him in the back. Aziz and Bazemore next cornered the victim again next to a table and repeatedly stabbed, struck, and kicked the victim, including after he fell to the ground and tried to shield himself with the table. Staff members quickly responded to the commotion and delivered emergency medical care but were unable to save the victim.
Aziz, Bazemore, and Santiago are charged with premeditated murder within a federal detention facility, conspiracy to commit murder within a federal detention facility, assault resulting in serious bodily injury within a federal detention facility, and possession of one or more objects designed to be used as weapons within a prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Irisa Chen and Elizabeth D’Antonio for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
United States v. Luis Rivas, 24-CR-390
A grand jury indicted Luis Rivas today on attempted murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility, and possession of contraband in prison for his role in the April 27, assault of another inmate at the MDC. At the time of the attack, Rivas was detained at the MDC after being convicted of racketeering and assault in-aid-of-racketeering charges related to his membership in the gang La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). On the morning of April 27, Rivas and two other MS-13 members brutally attacked another inmate in their housing unit. Prior to the attack, the victim was sitting peacefully, relaxing with his feet up. Rivas then approached the victim, took a makeshift weapon from his waistband, and stabbed the victim with it. Two other MS-13 members then came to Rivas’ aid and assisted him in punching and stabbing the victim repeatedly. After the assault, the victim was taken to MDC’s medical unit and then to a hospital to treat the approximately 44 stab wounds to his back, chest, abdomen, right arm and legs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Sherman for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
United States v. Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott, 24-MJ-556
Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott were charged by complaint with assault in a federal detention facility for their role in the Aug. 27, assault of another inmate at the MDC. At the time of the attack, Silva was detained at the MDC in connection with pending charges in the Southern District of New York, including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, firearms charges, attempted murder and assault in-aid-of racketeering in connection with his participation in multiple shootings in the Bronx, and other crimes related to his membership in “Dub City,” a street gang based in the Bronx, New York. Elliott was detained at the MDC at the time of the attack in connection with 29 pending charges in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including the murder in-aid-of racketeering of a Philadelphia Police Sergeant (who was seeking to execute search and arrest warrants for Elliott at the time of his murder), racketeering conspiracy, three other murders in-aid-of racketeering, multiple charges related to multiple other shootings, and related firearms and narcotics offenses related to his membership in “1700 Scattergood,” a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Northeast Philadelphia.
On the morning of Aug. 27, Silva and Elliott tried to attack another inmate in their housing unit. They took makeshift weapons from their waistbands and tried to stab and slash their intended victim. When a fourth inmate interceded, Silva stabbed the fourth inmate in the spine with a makeshift icepick, leaving the icepick protruding from the inmate’s back. Silva and Elliott then continued to try to attack both the stabbing victim and their original intended victim. After the assault, the stabbing victim was taken to the MDC’s medical unit and then to a hospital to remove the weapon from his spine and treat him.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Shami for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
United States v. Leury Mojica, 24-MJ-559
Leury Mojica was charged by complaint with assaulting a federal officer. As alleged in the complaint, on Aug. 24, Mojica punched a corrections officer in the face after the victim offered Mojica breakfast. Mojica was originally detained at the MDC in connection with a Hobbs Act robbery charge, and also previously participated in a violent stabbing of another inmate, which conduct was taken into account in his May sentencing in the Southern District of New York.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Epsilon Senior Executive and Sales Manager Both Sentenced for Selling Data on Millions of U.S. Consumers to FraudstersRead the Press Release
Two men were sentenced to prison today for selling targeted lists of U.S. consumers for the benefit of mass-mailing fraud schemes that defrauded hundreds of thousands of Americans out of tens of millions of dollars. Following a two-week trial, a federal jury convicted Robert Reger, 57, of Boulder, Colorado, and David Lytle, 64, of Leawood, Kansas, of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and numerous counts of substantive mail fraud and wire fraud. For these crimes, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado sentenced Reger, 57, to 120 months in prison, and Lytle, 64 to 48 months in prison.
According to evidence presented at trial, over the course of 10 years, the defendants were key participants in a scheme that knowingly sold targeted lists of consumers and their addresses to perpetrators of fraud schemes involving the sending of false and deceptive mail to consumers, particularly elderly and vulnerable people. The defendants committed the crimes while working at data broker Epsilon Data Management LLC (Epsilon), which used transactional data collected from marketing clients to predict new “responsive buyers” using computer algorithms and a database of 100 million U.S. households. Evidence at trial showed that the defendants used Epsilon’s algorithms to predict and sell lists of consumers most likely to respond to the fraud schemes’ mailings. The defendants’ business unit worked with dozens of clients that sent scam letters promising large prizes or falsely personalized astrological mailings promising wealth.
Evidence at trial showed that the defendants’ crimes helped facilitate harmful fraud on the victims whose data they sold. For example, the defendants sold nearly 100 lists of names and addresses to a particular fraudster client who used the data to defraud more than 218,000 victims of more than $23.7 million. Epsilon’s data showed that many victims were repeatedly defrauded by this single scheme, including more than 12,000 victims who were defrauded more than 20times each. At trial, elderly victims and their adult children testified about the scam letters victims received falsely promising cash prizes.
“Today’s sentences should make clear that those who illegally use Americans’ personal information to facilitate fraud will face serious consequences.” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will investigate and prosecute individuals who use their access to our personal data to target vulnerable Americans for their own gain.”
“Far too often, we prosecute cases where criminals prey on the elderly and vulnerable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “This sentence demonstrates that those who exploit the most vulnerable in our society for financial gain will be prosecuted and held accountable for their despicable actions.”
“The results of this collaborative investigation with the US Postal Inspection Service and its partners, has resulted in the arrests and convictions of two individuals who knowingly helped criminals target and scam vulnerable members of our community out of millions,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Criminal Investigations Group. “This investigation demonstrates the continued commitment of the US Postal Inspections Service, to protect our most vulnerable communities. Our dedicated fraud teams allow us to expose and target criminals who try to hide behind these complex schemes. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure these individuals face justice.”
USPIS’ Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force investigated this matter.
Senior Trial Attorney Alistair Reader and Assistant Director Rachael Doud of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Weber for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case. Senior Trial Attorney Ehren Reynolds and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Hetal Doshi for the District of Colorado also assisted in the case.
The defendants’ former employer, Epsilon resolved its criminal liability via a deferred prosecution agreement in 2021, paying $150 million in penalties and victim compensation. That victim compensation effort has returned $122 million to more than 200,000 victims of fraud schemes to which Epsilon provided data.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
Epsilon Senior Executive and Sales Manager Both Sentenced for Selling Data on Millions of U.S. Consumers to FraudstersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two men were sentenced to prison today for selling targeted lists of U.S. consumers for the benefit of mass-mailing fraud schemes that defrauded hundreds of thousands of Americans out of tens of millions of dollars. Following a two-week trial, a federal jury convicted Robert Reger, 57, of Boulder, Colorado, and David Lytle, 64, of Leawood, Kansas, of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and numerous counts of substantive mail fraud and wire fraud. For these crimes, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado sentenced Reger, 57, to 120 months in prison, and Lytle, 64 to 48 months in prison.
According to evidence presented at trial, over the course of 10 years, the defendants were key participants in a scheme that knowingly sold targeted lists of consumers and their addresses to perpetrators of fraud schemes involving the sending of false and deceptive mail to consumers, particularly elderly and vulnerable people. The defendants committed the crimes while working at data broker Epsilon Data Management LLC (Epsilon), which used transactional data collected from marketing clients to predict new “responsive buyers” using computer algorithms and a database of 100 million U.S. households. Evidence at trial showed that the defendants used Epsilon’s algorithms to predict and sell lists of consumers most likely to respond to the fraud schemes’ mailings. The defendants’ business unit worked with dozens of clients that sent scam letters promising large prizes or falsely personalized astrological mailings promising wealth.
Evidence at trial showed that the defendants’ crimes helped facilitate harmful fraud on the victims whose data they sold. For example, the defendants sold nearly 100 lists of names and addresses to a particular fraudster client who used the data to defraud more than 218,000 victims of more than $23.7 million. Epsilon’s data showed that many victims were repeatedly defrauded by this single scheme, including more than 12,000 victims who were defrauded more than 20times each. At trial, elderly victims and their adult children testified about the scam letters victims received falsely promising cash prizes.
“Today’s sentences should make clear that those who illegally use Americans’ personal information to facilitate fraud will face serious consequences.” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will investigate and prosecute individuals who use their access to our personal data to target vulnerable Americans for their own gain.”
“Far too often, we prosecute cases where criminals prey on the elderly and vulnerable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “This sentence demonstrates that those who exploit the most vulnerable in our society for financial gain will be prosecuted and held accountable for their despicable actions.”
“The results of this collaborative investigation with the US Postal Inspection Service and its partners, has resulted in the arrests and convictions of two individuals who knowingly helped criminals target and scam vulnerable members of our community out of millions,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Criminal Investigations Group. “This investigation demonstrates the continued commitment of the US Postal Inspections Service, to protect our most vulnerable communities. Our dedicated fraud teams allow us to expose and target criminals who try to hide behind these complex schemes. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure these individuals face justice.”
USPIS’ Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force investigated this matter.
Senior Trial Attorney Alistair Reader and Assistant Director Rachael Doud of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Weber for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case. Senior Trial Attorney Ehren Reynolds and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Hetal Doshi for the District of Colorado also assisted in the case.
The defendants’ former employer, Epsilon resolved its criminal liability via a deferred prosecution agreement in 2021, paying $150 million in penalties and victim compensation. That victim compensation effort has returned $122 million to more than 200,000 victims of fraud schemes to which Epsilon provided data.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
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El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Aiken en South Carolina para proteger los derechos civiles de estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglésRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy un acuerdo de conciliación con el Distrito Escolar Público del Condado de Aiken en South Carolina para resolver la investigación del Departamento de las acusaciones de que los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés no estaban recibiendo las horas lectivas y los servicios adecuados.
La investigación del Departamento identificó inquietudes de que el Distrito no proporcionó a cientos de estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés –incluidos estudiantes con discapacidades– la enseñanza lingüística que necesitaban para dominar el inglés. Los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés también se enfrentaron a barreras a la plena participación en asignaturas de contenido básico como ciencias, matemáticas y estudios sociales. En virtud del acuerdo, el Distrito se asegurará de que los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés reciban suficiente enseñanza de inglés de maestros calificados y que los maestros de asignaturas de contenido básico estén capacitados en estrategias de enseñanza para ayudar a los estudiantes de inglés en sus aulas.
«Los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés se merecen el mismo acceso a oportunidades educativas iguales como sus compañeros de clase», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia se compromete a garantizar que los Distritos escolares cumplan con las leyes federales de derechos civiles diseñadas para proporcionar la igualdad de acceso a la educación para que todos los estudiantes puedan perseguir sus sueños y aspiraciones. Este acuerdo ayudará a apoyar a los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés en las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Aiken para que puedan participar plenamente en los programas académicos de sus escuelas».
«Todos los estudiantes en South Carolina se merecen la oportunidad de aprender y participar en los trabajos de curso. Para aquellos estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés, esto significa que se debe ayudarles a superar las barreras lingüísticas», declaró Adair F. Boroughs, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de South Carolina. «Nos complace ver que el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Aiken esté trabajando para servir las necesidades de sus estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés para que estos puedan participar plenamente en sus trabajos de curso y convertirse en miembros exitosos de nuestra comunidad».
El Distrito cooperó plenamente durante toda la investigación y ya ha comenzado a realizar mejoras en su programa de aprendizaje de inglés, lo que incluye la contratación de un director a tiempo completo y la provisión de capacitación a los instructores sobre estrategias para servir mejor a los estudiantes. En virtud del acuerdo, el Distrito se asegurará de que sus maestros tengan las cualificaciones, la formación y el apoyo necesarios para ayudar a los estudiantes a aprender inglés y participar plenamente en sus asignaturas de contenido básico. Por otra parte, el Distrito también proporcionará traducción e interpretación de información escolar importante a los padres que no dominen el inglés y creará un consejo consultivo compuesto de padres que están aprendiendo inglés, educadores y miembros de la comunidad.
La División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento llevó a cabo su investigación en virtud de la ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades Educativas de 1974.
La aplicación de la ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades Educativas es una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles. Puede encontrar información adicional sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt, e información adicional sobre el trabajo de la Sección de Oportunidades Educativas de la División está disponible en www.justice.gov/crt/combating-national-origin-discrimination-schools.
Los miembros del público pueden denunciar posibles infracciones de los derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Detroit Man Sentenced to More than 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Michael Dayshawn Harris, also known as “Polo,” 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of quantities of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2022, Harris sold approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Huntington. Harris admitted to the transaction and further admitted to arranging it beforehand when the confidential informant called him earlier that day.
Co-defendant Desmond Devon Magee, also known as “Rich,” 28, of Detroit, was sentenced on May 22, 2023, to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams prosecuted 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. 3:22-cr-210.
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Cumberland County Man with Human Trafficking Ties Sentenced to 10 Years on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Cumberland County man was sentenced today to 120 months for illegal firearm possession. On May 23, 2024, following a four-day trial, a federal jury convicted Markus Odon McCormick, age 39, of possession of a firearm by a felon. Prior to his federal conviction, a state jury found McCormick guilty of human trafficking charges, in a case investigated by the Fayetteville Police Department.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on December 10, 2020, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a woman reporting gunfire and an assault. The first responding deputies found McCormick standing by his vehicle and the victim bleeding from head injuries. The victim was later transported to the hospital. A responding law enforcement officer noticed a firearm in a crawlspace opening of a nearby mobile home. Upon further investigation, narcotics and a 9mm caliber pistol were discovered under the home, which was owned by the victim. Subsequent laboratory testing revealed the presence of McCormick’s DNA on the pistol.
McCormick has prior felony convictions, including federal conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack), which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Gainer, 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. 5:23-CR-276-FL-BM.
Court Sentences Texas Mother to 60 Months Imprisonment for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – United States District Court Judge, Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Zolia Rosa Zuniga of Texas to 60 months imprisonment for her part in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.
Documents filed with the court and evidence introduced in court established that on January 5, 2021, a Baldwin County Sheriff's Office's Special Operations Unit Task Force Officer (TFO) stopped Zuniga on Interstate 10 for travelling too closely behind another vehicle. Due to a number of suspicious circumstances during the stop the TFO deployed his canine named “Darlin” to sniff the outside of the vehicle and the canine alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. After the canine alert law enforcement searched the vehicle and found approximately 32 pounds of methamphetamine secreted behind the speakers in the vehicle.
Zuniga later admitted to law enforcement that she knowingly agreed to transport the drugs for an individual from Mexico that had agreed to pay her $10,000 for her courier services. Zuniga further admitted she was driving from Texas to the Tampa, Florida area with the drugs when she was stopped in Baldwin County. Zuniga is the mother of two minor children.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Willie Frank Gordon, 42, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to twenty-two years in federal prison after previously being found guilty at trial for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and federal supervised release violations. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The investigation and prosecution of armed drug traffickers – in this case by a repeat offender – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence illustrates our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with federal drug and firearm violations.”
On March 15, 2022, Gordon was arrested during a traffic stop for driving without a license. During an inventory search of the vehicle, law enforcement located a black backpack containing approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, and associated drug paraphernalia, along with a loaded, chambered pistol. Law enforcement also located a firearm holster in the glove box of the vehicle, three cell phones, and over $2,000 on Gordon’s person. Gordon initially denied knowledge of the controlled substances and the firearm, but ultimately admitted to his possession of the items during an interview with investigators. Law enforcement also located surveillance footage of Gordon approximately 30 minutes prior to the traffic stop where he was observed carrying the black backpack to a vehicle before driving away.
Prior to committing this offense, Gordon had been convicted in six state felony cases and one federal felony case, which included a prior drug trafficking conviction, several drug possession convictions, and firearms convictions. At the time of his current offense, Gordon was on federal supervised release for his federal convictions of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition after serving 85 months in prison. He also had additional violent convictions in his history to include assault and battery.
Gordon’s imprisonment will be followed by 5-years of supervised release.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer H. Callahan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Chinese National and DPRK Facilitator Extradited to the United States; Faces Charges of Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, and Violating North Korea SanctionsRead the Press Release
On Sept. 27, the Commonwealth of Australia extradited Jin Guanghua, 53, to the United States. Jin, a Chinese national, and his co-conspirators North Korean banker, Sim Hyon-Sop, 50, and Chinese nationals Qin Guoming, 60, and Han Linlin, 41, both of Liaoning Province, were all charged by indictment in 2022 in connection with a multi-year scheme to facilitate the sale of tobacco to North Korea through the U.S. financial system in violation of the sanctions imposed on North Korea. Jin made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today.
Between 2009 and 2019, the defendants engaged in a scheme to purchase leaf tobacco for North Korean-owned entities and used front companies and false documentation to cause U.S. financial institutions to process at least 310 transactions worth approximately $74 million that the financial institutions otherwise would have frozen, blocked, investigated, or declined, had they known that the transactions involved trade with North Korea. The transactions resulted in an estimated nearly $700 million in revenue for North Korean entities, and ultimately, for the government of North Korea. The defendants are charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to violate and violations of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the North Korean sanctions regulations, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and laundering monetary instruments.
Jin was residing in Australia and was attempting to depart the country for China at the time of his arrest by Australian authorities on March 23, 2023. The arrest followed a request by the United States for Jin’s provisional arrest with a view toward extradition.
This case is part of a larger Justice Department response to the ongoing efforts of North Korea to evade sanctions and use the U.S. financial system to engage in illicit trafficking of tobacco products. As alleged in the indictment, trafficking in tobacco products generates revenue for advancing North Korea’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programs. North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons since at least 2006 and financed these activities through illicit trade, including trafficking of tobacco and counterfeit cigarettes, which North Korea has engaged in since at least 1992. North Korea’s counterfeit cigarette production capacity is estimated to exceed two billion packs a year. Counterfeit cigarettes are a major source of income to the North Korean regime and may be the single most lucrative item in the North Korean portfolio, as smuggled tobacco is estimated to garner revenue as much as $20 on every $1 spent in cost. North Korean tobacco sales are alleged to flow back to the North Korean government, including to slush funds designed to sustain the loyalty of a core of party elite and to underwrite weapons development programs.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for bank fraud, 20 years in prison for violating IEEPA, and 20 years in prison for committing money laundering. 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 Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI Phoenix Field Office and HSI Colorado Springs and investigating the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert, David Recker, and Steven Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Jorge Casillas.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chinese National and DPRK Facilitator Extradited to the United States; Faces Charges of Bank Fraud, Conspiracy, and Violating North Korea SanctionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Sept. 27, the Commonwealth of Australia extradited Jin Guanghua, 53, to the United States. Jin, a Chinese national, and his co-conspirators North Korean banker, Sim Hyon-Sop, 50, and Chinese nationals Qin Guoming, 60, and Han Linlin, 41, both of Liaoning Province, were all charged by indictment in 2022 in connection with a multi-year scheme to facilitate the sale of tobacco to North Korea through the U.S. financial system in violation of the sanctions imposed on North Korea. Jin made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves made the announcement with Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
Between 2009 and 2019, the defendants engaged in a scheme to purchase leaf tobacco for North Korean-owned entities and used front companies and false documentation to cause U.S. financial institutions to process at least 310 transactions worth approximately $74 million that the financial institutions otherwise would have frozen, blocked, investigated, or declined, had they known that the transactions involved trade with North Korea. The transactions resulted in an estimated nearly $700 million in revenue for North Korean entities, and ultimately, for the government of North Korea. The defendants are charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to violate and violations of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the North Korean sanctions regulations, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and laundering monetary instruments.
Jin was residing in Australia and was attempting to depart the country for China at the time of his arrest by Australian authorities on March 23, 2023. The arrest followed a request by the United States for Jin’s provisional arrest with a view toward extradition.
This case is part of a larger Justice Department response to the ongoing efforts of North Korea to evade sanctions and use the U.S. financial system to engage in illicit trafficking of tobacco products. As alleged in the indictment, trafficking in tobacco products generates revenue for advancing North Korea’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programs. North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons since at least 2006 and financed these activities through illicit trade, including trafficking of tobacco and counterfeit cigarettes, which North Korea has engaged in since at least 1992. North Korea’s counterfeit cigarette production capacity is estimated to exceed two billion packs a year. Counterfeit cigarettes are a major source of income to the North Korean regime and may be the single most lucrative item in the North Korean portfolio, as smuggled tobacco is estimated to garner revenue as much as $20 on every $1 spent in cost. North Korean tobacco sales are alleged to flow back to the North Korean government, including to slush funds designed to sustain the loyalty of a core of party elite and to underwrite weapons development programs.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for bank fraud, 20 years in prison for violating IEEPA, and 20 years in prison for committing money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Phoenix Field Office and HSI Colorado Springs and investigating the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Steven Wasserman, and Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Jorge Casillas for the District of Columbia, along with Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney David Recker of the National Security Division provided substantial assistance on this matter.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Cartersville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. – Ian Alicea Prewett has been sentenced to federal prison for enticing children to perform sexual acts for the purpose of producing child pornography.
“Prewett is a sexual predator who enticed and victimized innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His prosecution and sentence are examples of our office’s steadfast commitment to engage with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable individuals like Prewett who seek to exploit the anonymity of the internet to sexually abuse vulnerable children.”
“This sentence represents a victory in the ongoing battle to protect our most vulnerable citizens — our children. This predator, who has perpetrated unspeakable horrors on minors, will now face justice for the seriousness of his crimes,” said Steven N. Schrank, Acting Special Agent in Charge who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to use every available resource to find, arrest and prosecute those who seek to exploit children.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: On various dates between 2020 and 2022, Ian Alicea Prewett uploaded sexually explicit digital images of minors to Instagram. Although Prewett tried to conceal his online identity, federal agents identified him as the individual who uploaded the images and, in May 2023, obtained a warrant to search his home. During the search, agents discovered a cell phone associated with the Instagram accounts that Prewett used to distribute child pornography.
At the time agents executed the search warrant, Prewett was already awaiting trial in Cobb County, Georgia, for statutory rape, child molestation, and child enticement. Those charges resulted from Prewett chatting with a 14-year-old girl on Instagram, asking her to send him sexually explicit photographs of herself, and then engaging in sex acts with her.
Prior to his arrest in May 2023, Prewett used social media to entice numerous minors to create sexually explicit material and engage in sexual acts. One of his victims was a minor under eight years old living in the United Kingdom. Prewett directed her to send him pictures and videos of herself performing sexual acts. Prewett also instructed a minor from Mobile, Alabama to do the same and he later traveled to Alabama to meet, photograph, and engage in sex acts with the minor.
Ian Alicea Prewett, 31, of Cartersville, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II to 20 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release. Prewett was convicted of sexual exploitation of children after he pleaded guilty on April 24, 2024.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Cobb County Police Department, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Wiltshire Police (United Kingdom).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Calvin A. Leipold, III prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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.
Career Offender Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Distribution of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge recently sentenced a Memphis man who pled guilty to two counts of distribution of controlled substances. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren announced the sentence today.
According to the information presented in court, on October 4, 2022, special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine and two grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl from Marcus Smith, 41, in Memphis, TN. Smith had previous state felony convictions for aggravated assault and narcotics-related offenses.
On September 26, 2024, Smith was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes to ten years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in Memphis, Tennessee. Assisting in the investigation were the Homeland Securities Investigations Laboratories in Savannah, Georgia and the Bartlett Police Department.
Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bryce H. Phillips for prosecuting this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.