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26 September 2024
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 360 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE–Henry E. Underwood, 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to attempted murder of a federal witness, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Underwood was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Chief Judge Brady further ordered this sentence to run consecutive to the sentence in Underwood’s other federal case, 1:20-CR-33. In that case, Underwood received a total sentence of 102 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for contempt of court.
According to documents in the case, codefendant Tyshon Powell operated a drug stash house in Fort Wayne in 2018, and the FBI’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force raided this house in March 2018, finding drug trafficking evidence and a firearm. To distance himself from this residence, Powell had paid a person to rent the stash house. In order to keep the renter silent about their arrangement, Powell elicited the help of a fellow gang member as a middleman who in turn recruited Underwood to kill the renter. Underwood agreed to kill the renter/witness to prevent their testimony. On June 1, 2018, Underwood went to the witness’ house and shot at him/her at least three times, hitting their torso, arms, hands, and head. Despite being severely injured, the witness survived.
“This Defendant was the paid gunman for a drug dealer who desired to avoid prison by killing witnesses,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “Both dealer and the gunman are rightfully now long-term residents in federal prison. This prosecution shows that my office will vigorously prosecute all persons who engage in illegal drug distribution and those who attempt to obstruct the workings of our criminal justice system, which relies upon the cooperation of witnesses, by violence and/or threat of violence of witnesses.”
“Rather than face the consequences for his own illegal actions, this defendant tried to permanently silence a potential witness by taking the witness’ life,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “This sentence should serve as a warning to others who would contemplate such violent acts of intimidation that you will be brought to justice.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Homicide Section and the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey R. Speith.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former Tuscaloosa Wealth Manager Charged in Connection with Theft of Client FundsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former Tuscaloosa wealth manager has been charged in connection with his theft of more than $500,000 in client funds, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.
A one-count information filed in U.S. District Court charges Jason Brooks Head, 46, of Tuscaloosa, with bank embezzlement. A plea agreement was filed with the information, indicating that Head has agreed to plead guilty to the charge.
According to the information and plea agreement, Head was a registered stockbroker who worked for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management throughout the relevant period. Beginning in July 2020 and continuing through November 2023, Head withdrew approximately $500,114.81 from the accounts of two of his Morgan Stanley clients without their authorization. Head transferred the funds to accounts he controlled and used for his personal benefit.
The Court will set a date for Head to enter his guilty plea.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brett A. Janich and Ryan S. Rummage are prosecuting the case.
An information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Social Security Administration Employee Sentenced for Fraudulent Telework, Emergency Childcare, and Medical Leave SchemesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Christopher Markham, 40, of Westfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to two years of probation and has been ordered to pay $49,255 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
According to court documents, Markham was employed by the Social Security Administration and assigned to an office in Anderson, Indiana. Between February 13, 2019, and June 17, 2022, Markham engaged in a scheme by which he made it appear as though he was teleworking full-time for Social Security Administration (SSA) during workdays, when in reality he was earning income working as a home inspector for his personal business. Markham was paid his full federal salary and benefits, while concealing the fact that he was working for his personal business and not for SSA.
Markham routinely performed home inspections for his personal business during the workweek while purporting to “telework” on official SSA time. He concealed the fact that he was not performing SSA work during official work hours by having his wife and his mother access the SSA computer system and send emails to supervisors to make it appear as though he was online and working.
Markham nevertheless sought to be paid in full during this period and submitted 53 fraudulent time reports to SSA’s online timekeeping portal, as well as falsified daily work logs to his supervisors.
Additionally, Markham engaged in other fraud schemes to obtain Emergency Paid Leave by falsely claiming he was required to stay home to take care of his children. In fact, his children were in daycare, and he was again performing work for and earning income from his personal business. He allegedly performed at least 70 home inspections for his personal business while claiming to be providing emergency care for his children.
Finally, on multiple occasions, Markham fraudulently claimed benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) by falsely claiming he was unable to work due to illness—when he was actually doing home inspections for his personal business. Markham even attended an F.C. Tucker retreat promoting his business while claiming he was on FMLA leave.
On June 4 and 5, 2020, Markham was granted administrative leave after claiming that the internet wire to his home had been cut. Markham advised that his internet provider would not be able to send anyone to his home to repair the wire until Friday, June 5, 2020. In reality, his internet provider had no record of a damaged wire, and Markham used the administrative leave to take an unapproved, paid vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
In total, Markham’s fraudulent conduct caused a loss to the SSA of approximately $49,255, which he has been court ordered to repay. Markham’s failure to perform his duties caused needy members of the public to have their social security benefits delayed, including people with autism, blindness, and end stage cancer.
“Telework and emergency leave policies exist to provide needed flexibility and support to hard-working federal employees—not to supplement the incomes of no-show employees who want to double-dip on the public’s dime while working for a private business,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The defendant’s conduct was even more egregious because his failure to work harmed Americans who were depending on him to receive the much-needed benefits to which they were entitled. Public service is a public trust, and those who abuse that trust will be held accountable.”
“Christopher Markham abused a position of trust and in doing so performed a disservice to SSA, its beneficiaries, and to the taxpayers. His selfish criminal acts demonstrated greed without regard for those he was employed to serve,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting SSA Inspector General. “This sentence holds him accountable for the crimes he committed by pretending to telework, neglecting his assigned work, and falsifying official leave and attendance records. We will continue to work to protect the integrity of SSA, its programs and employees. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.”
As employees of the Social Security Administration, we hold ourselves to high standards of integrity and trust,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We will continue to refer matters to our OIG for investigation – as we did in this case – when we see an employee potentially violating that.”The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted this case.
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Former Naples Airport Customs Officer Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Cash from Airline PassengersRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced William Joseph Timothy (43, Ave Maria) to 12 months in federal prison for stealing cash from arriving airline passengers during the course of his official duties. The Court also ordered Timothy to pay $18,700 in restitution to the victims of his thefts. Timothy entered a guilty plea on June 18, 2024.
According to court documents, between mid-2023 and early-2024, while working asa U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the Naples Airport, Timothy stole approximately $18,700 in cash from airline passengers during 17 incidents of theft uncovered by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility investigators. Evidence collected during the investigation showed that Timothy was surreptitiously stealing cash from arriving international passengers during border enforcement examinations and currency verifications performed as part of his official duties as an assigned CBP Officer at Naples Airport.
“CBP does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks,” said Carlos C. Martel, Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami and Tampa Field Offices. “CBP’s efforts in this case are a testament to CBP’s commitment to preserving the honor of its overwhelmingly professional workforce, and our core values of vigilance, integrity, and service to country.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
Former Connecticut-Based Energy Trader Convicted of International Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut, convicted a former oil and gas trader today for his role in a nearly eight-year long scheme to bribe Brazilian government officials and to launder money to secure business for two Connecticut-based commodities trading companies.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Glenn Oztemel, 65, of Westport, Connecticut, paid bribes to officials of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), the Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company, to obtain lucrative contracts for Arcadia Fuels Ltd. (Arcadia) and Freepoint Commodities LLC (Freepoint).
“Glenn Oztemel paid and laundered more than $1 million in bribes to employees of Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas company to obtain lucrative contracts for his commodities-trading companies in Connecticut,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Bribing public officials to win business undermines the rule of law and creates unfair competition. Today’s verdict reaffirms the Criminal Division’s commitment to combatting foreign corruption that violates U.S. law.”
“Bribery and money laundering are well-established federal crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “This conviction serves as another warning to anyone involved in the financial industry who seeks to gain an unfair advantage and illegally profit, both here in the U.S. and abroad. This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to keep a watchful eye to ensure that representatives from U.S. businesses operating overseas comply with our nation’s laws.”
“Individuals and companies who collude to thwart free market competition through bribery ultimately erode public trust in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to investigate anti-competitive behavior and hold accountable those who try to cheat the system for their own benefit and profit.”
The trial evidence showed that, between 2010 and 2018, Oztemel worked as a senior oil and gas trader — first at Arcadia and then at Freepoint. With the assistance of others, Oztemel paid and caused the payment of bribes to Petrobras officials for their assistance in helping Arcadia and Freepoint to obtain and retain fuel oil contracts with Petrobras and by providing Oztemel and others with confidential information regarding Petrobras’ fuel oil business. Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Arcadia and Freepoint to make corrupt payments — disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions — to a third party intermediary and agent, Eduardo Innecco, 74, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials, including to Houston-based Petrobras trader Rodrigo Berkowitz.
To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco, and their co-conspirators used coded language like “breakfast” and “freight deviation” to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, encrypted messaging applications, disposable phones, and fictitious names like “Spencer Kazisnaf” and “Nikita Maksimov.” In total, Oztemel paid more than $1,000,000 in bribes, which were split between Berkowitz and other Petrobras officials in Brazil. The bribe money moved from the trading companies to shell companies around the world controlled by Innecco, who then made payments to a bank account in Uruguay controlled by Berkowitz’s father.
The jury convicted Oztemel of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA, and two counts of money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each of the FCPA and conspiracy to violate the FCPA counts, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the money laundering and money laundering conspiracy counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Charges against Oztemel and Innecco were unsealed on Feb. 17, 2023. In a superseding indictment returned on Aug. 29, 2023, both were charged alongside Oztemel’s brother, Gary Oztemel. Gary Oztemel pleaded guilty to money laundering on June 24. In May 2023, Innecco was arrested in France and his extradition to the United States is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Innecco is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In a related matter, in December 2023, Freepoint admitted to bribing officials in Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Freepoint entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. As a part of the resolution, Freepoint agreed to pay more than $98 million in criminal penalties and forfeiture.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s International Corruption Squad investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Brazil, Latvia, Switzerland, and Uruguay provided assistance with the investigation.
Trial Attorneys Allison McGuire and Clayton P. Solomon and Assistant Chief Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Former Commercial Airline Pilot Sentenced to over Three Years in Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A former commercial airline pilot has been sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for filing false tax returns, failing to file tax returns, and making false claims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Charles Randall Sorensen, 72, of Minnetonka, was a commercial airline pilot who retired in 2016. In January 2017, Sorensen filed a fraudulent tax return for the 2015 tax year, falsely claiming that he was entitled to a $55,365 tax refund. In reality, Sorensen owed more than $49,000 in income taxes that year. In March 2017, Sorensen filed a fraudulent tax return for the 2016 tax year, falsely claiming that he was entitled to a $123,370 tax refund. In reality, he owed more than $175,000 in taxes that year. The IRS conducted an audit of Sorensen’s 2015 and 2016 tax returns and found that Sorensen fraudulently received more than $150,000 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled and owed more than $290,000 in taxes, interest, and penalties for those tax years.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Sorensen refused to pay his tax debt and took steps to actively evade the IRS’s collection efforts by hiding his income and assets in bank accounts in the name of shell religious non-profits and by liquidating his retirement accounts and converting the funds into cryptocurrency. Sorensen also failed to file federal income tax returns for 2017, 2018, and 2019. It is estimated that Sorensen owes the United States more than $300,000.
On May 31, 2024, Sorensen was found guilty by a federal jury on two counts of filing a false tax return, one count of tax evasion, three counts of failing to file a tax return, and one count of making a false claim. He was sentenced today by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS – Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. McBride and Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Kingston Man of Attempting to Entice Minors to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity and Other Child Sex Crime OffensesRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On September 25, 2024, following a-three-day trial in United States District Court at Knoxville, a federal jury convicted Christopher Edward Allen, 34, of Kingston, TN, of nine counts involving child pornography and attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Specifically, Allen was convicted of three counts of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, one count of producing child pornography, two counts of attempting to produce child pornography, two counts of transporting a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and one count of transferring obscene material.
Sentencing is set for February 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in front of the Honorable Judge Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, United States District Court at Knoxville. Allen faces a sentence of up to life in prison.
The evidence presented at trial showed that, among other things, Allen used various social media platforms to identify minors online. Once Allen identified the minors, he enticed them over social media and texting apps to engage in unlawful sexual activity and to send nude images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In two instances, Allen paid the minors for nude images of themselves, which Allen later emailed to himself using the minor’s name as the subject line of the emails. Allen also sent sexually explicit images of himself to minors using social media. In at least one instance, Allen met a minor in person at the restaurant where Allen worked. Allen added the minor to one of his social media accounts. Later that night, Allen communicated with the minor over social media. Law enforcement learned of those messages and, with consent from the minor’s parents, assumed the minor’s identity on social media two days later. That same day, Allen was arrested at a park in Kingston, TN, after arriving with the intent to meet the minor.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
FBI and the Tennessee’s Ninth Judicial District Attorney General’s Office investigated the case that led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kolman and William A. Roach, Jr., represented the United States at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.”
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Durham Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – LESLIE CHEVONNE STOUT was sentenced today to 144 months in prison after being convicted of sex trafficking, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
STOUT, age 43, pleaded guilty on October 16, 2023, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion.
Evidence at the trial of STOUT’s codefendant Chester Fletcher Wallace showed that STOUT and Wallace ran a sex trafficking ring based out of a three-bedroom house located in Durham that Wallace rented from July 2021 until late spring of 2022. STOUT and Wallace recruited women who were homeless or suffering from substance abuse, promising them housing and drugs if they came to live at the residence. Once there, all five victims testified they were photographed for advertisements posted for commercial sex posted on sites such as “Mega Personals” and “Skipthegames,” and that STOUT and Wallace set up the “dates” for commercial sex. The victims further testified that STOUT and Wallace established certain house rules that all the victims had to obey and used violence and coercion to enforce the rules of the house.
STOUT was sentenced today to 144 months imprisonment and ten years of supervised release by the Honorable Loretta C. Biggs, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. In addition to prison time, STOUT was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $914,401.07.
Wallace was sentenced on November 2, 2023, to six life terms of imprisonment, to run concurrent with one another.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Durham Police Department, with support and assistance from the Durham County District Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole DuPré and former Assistant United States Attorney Tanner Kroeger.
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Discharged Army Soldier Formerly Based in Hawaii Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison for Theft from GovernmentRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Andre Fulton, II, 30, of Georgia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake to three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for theft of government money. Fulton was also ordered to pay $202,309.27 in restitution and a $100 fine.
According to information provided to the court, in January 2018, the defendant, while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, entered a fraudulent marriage. Thereafter, his co-conspirator filed an application for a change in immigration status, based on her fraudulent marriage to the defendant. The defendant admitted in his plea agreement he knew the purpose of the fraudulent marriage was to permit his co-conspirator, who was not a United States citizen, to evade the immigration laws of the United States and remain in the United States illegally. The defendant further admitted that the marriage was fraudulent because, among other things, the defendant and his co-conspirator were not romantically involved, never lived together, did not intend to establish a life together, and married only for the purpose of using the marriage ceremony to facilitate their fraudulent scheme. The defendant received several thousand dollars as payment to enter the fraudulent marriage.
In May 2019, the Army transferred the defendant to Fort Shafter, Hawaii. His co-conspirator and her minor daughter remained on the mainland. The defendant admitted that in August and September 2019, he submitted paperwork claiming, falsely, that his co-conspirator and her minor daughter were living with the defendant, in Hawaii, as his dependents. If they were truly his dependents, the defendant would have been entitled to additional money for housing allowances, medical coverage, and cost of living allowances.
As a result of the defendant’s deceit, a non-citizen was able to maintain her status in the United States and the government paid out at least $202,039.27 (Housing Allowances - $166,071.35; Medical Expenses - $30,214.40; and Cost of Living Adjustment - $5,753.52) in unauthorized benefits.
“While the United States appropriately confers significant benefits upon our military personnel for their service, it does so with the understanding that such benefits will be not exploited or misused,” said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors. “Here, defendant Fulton exploited his position with the United States military to violate our immigration laws and defraud the government. We will hold those who abuse our laws and privileges accountable under the law.”
“The successful prosecution of this case highlights the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of our military and ensuring those who violate the public’s trust are held accountable,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Ruben R. Santiago, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Pacific Field Office. “Engaging in fraudulent activities erodes confidence in our institutions and diverts funds and resources that should be dedicated to our nation’s defense.”
“HSI is committed to safeguarding the nation through protecting the integrity of our country’s immigration system,” said HSI’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas. “Through our partnerships with federal agencies, HSI ensures the benefits afforded to honorable service members are not abused.”
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate; Army Criminal Investigation Division; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren W.K. Ching prosecuted the case.
Department of Justice awards nearly $8 million to Washington Tribes, non-profits, and government entities to combat domestic violenceRead the Press Release
Seattle – The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women has awarded nearly $8 million to Western Washington tribal nations, non-profits, and government programs to provide services for victims of domestic violence, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The grants are paid out over multi-year periods.
“These federal dollars support the strong work done in our state to protect the vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Native American women suffer domestic violence at a higher rate than other communities, so I am pleased to see the impactful programs our tribal partners are supporting with this funding.”
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe in Kitsap County was awarded $1 million for its program that provides advocacy, legal services, housing, and safety planning for victims of domestic violence.
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in east King County was awarded $998,595 to increase their supervised visit program, no cost civil legal services for survivors, as well as advocacy and support efforts.
Both the Quileute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation were awarded $650,000 for victim services such as housing, transportation, advocacy and legal assistance. The Chehalis will also provide education and training to 75 young people on dating violence and healthy relationships.
The Makah Tribe was awarded $425,000 for its Domestic Violence Program to better respond to violence, stalking, sex trafficking and sexual assault. Funding will help develop prevention and education programs.
The Washington State Native American Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault received two grants totaling $796,335 for education and training for all 29 federally recognized Tribes in the state on ways to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking of Native women. The funding also supports the WomenSpirit Coalition, providing domestic violence and sexual assault services in Tribal communities.
Pierce County received $1 million to improve the criminal response to domestic violence. The money will support victim outreach and support for victims at legal hearings, as well as creation of a policy and procedure handbook for advocates.
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center was awarded $803,741 to identify gaps in legal advocacy and to work with other entities such as the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Atlantic Street Center and El Centro de la Raza to develop coordinated responses with system-based improvements.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office was awarded $500,000 to enhance investigation and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In partnership with the YWCA of King and Snohomish Counties, the funds will support an investigator position and trainings for Seattle Police Officers.
The Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (Dawn) in South King County was awarded $300,000 to provide shelter beds for victims who also need to shelter their pets.
The Family Support Center of South Sound was awarded $499,915 to improve advocacy services in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis Counties. The funds may pay for a dedicated domestic violence detective as well as law enforcement training.
Finally, both the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs of Kennewick, Washington ($252,846) and the Washington State Coalition against Domestic Violence ($114,533) in Seattle, received grants for statewide coordination and education programs.
Coralville Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Federal Prison for Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Coralville man was sentenced September 24, 2024, to 78 months in federal prison for assault on person assisting federal officer. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Jorey Daniel Karl Butterbaugh, 33, was convicted in November 2023 of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Following his sentencing, and while awaiting transport to a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility, Butterbaugh was temporarily held at the Muscatine County (Iowa) Jail. On November 13, 2023, Butterbaugh assaulted a Muscatine County correctional officer, who was conducting an internal investigation of contraband within the jail.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 34 Months in Prison on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco sentenced Jonathan Teal, 35, of Vestavia, to 34 months in prison. In April, Teal pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the plea agreement, on September 24, 2023, a Birmingham Police Department officer responded to a call of a man walking down the street and waving a gun as vehicles drove by him. The officer approached Teal, and while performing a pat down search for weapons, the officer recovered a Taurus 9mm pistol from Teal’s waistband.
Teal is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of multiple prior felony convictions.
The ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples prosecuted the case.
Convicted CBP Officer Sentenced in El Paso for Use of Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of the falsification of a document in a federal investigation.
According to court documents, documents and evidence presented at trial, Miguel Angel Delgado Jr., 41, used excessive force in two incidents while he was on duty at the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry between October 2019 and June 2020. As a result of Delgado’s unlawful use of force, the victims suffered bodily injury. Following one of the incidents, Delgado submitted a CBP Incident Log Report, in which he falsely reported the occurrence.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Aguayo, Sarah Valenzuela and Debra Kanof prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Lontre Jason Wise, 52, of Columbia was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute both crack cocaine and marijuana.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Columbia Police Department Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit received an anonymous complaint about the sale of illegal narcotics at a residence located on House Street. The complainant stated there was constant foot and vehicle traffic at the residence, which people were only observed being at the residence for minutes at a time. Based on the information provided from the complainant, a confidential informant went to the residence on two different occasions to purchase marijuana. During both occasions, the confidential informant purchased the marijuana from Wise. Based on the complaint and controlled purchases, a search warrant was obtained for the residence and executed by CPD.
During the search, the police located Wise and immediately took him into custody on arrest warrants for the distribution of marijuana. Wise was searched and the police found a clear container containing crack cocaine on him.
During the search of the residence, a black book bag was located and contained a large clear plastic bag of marijuana. The book bag also contained a 9mm caliber handgun and a .38 caliber revolver. The police located a safe underneath the couch with a black pouch that contained pieces of crack cocaine, Wise’s South Carolina driver’s license, social security card, debit card, and money. Wise told the officers that the safe was his. There was multiple hand rolled cigars containing marijuana found throughout the living room of the residence and on a plate on the couch.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Wise to 156 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department’s Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Colonie Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Benz Coleman, age 33, of Colonie, New York, pled guilty today to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
Coleman admitted that on January 31, 2024, he possessed more than 3,000 fentanyl pills and more than 13 grams of cocaine, all with the intent to distribute the drugs. Coleman further admitted that between November 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, he sold another person more than 2,400 fentanyl pills.
At sentencing on February 12, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn, Coleman faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison. The judge will also be required to impose a term of post-release supervision of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
DEA and the Colonie Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.
Cincinnati man pleads guilty to selling machinegun, possessing firearm within 1,000 feet of local high schoolRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Antonio White, 19, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to three separate gun crimes.
White pleaded guilty to attempted firearm trafficking, illegal possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm in a school zone.
According to court documents, throughout the course of the investigation, White sold 11 firearms, one machine gun conversion device, a bulletproof vest, two extended pistol magazines and a 50-round drum.
For example, in April 2024, White sold undercover agents a pistol with a “switch” machine gun conversion device. The firearm was an untraceable “ghost gun” that had no serial number.
White believed the firearms were being trafficked out-of-state to have their serial numbers obliterated and sold to gang members.
White also exited Dohn Community High School on 4th Street in Cincinnati while possessing a pistol in April 2024.
White was arrested in May 2024.
He faces up to 15 years in prison and up to five years consecutive to that. Congress sets maximum statutory sentences, and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Micheal R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Keefe and Timothy D. Oakley are representing the United States in this case.
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Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Brandishing AR-15 Rifle During Restaurant RobberyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jermond Santa Lowery, Jr., 29, of Charlotte, appeared in federal court today and pleaded guilty to brandishing an AR-15 rifle during a restaurant robbery, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to plea documents and court proceedings, on October 31, 2023, Lowery entered a Waffle House restaurant located in Charlotte. Upon entering the restaurant, Lowery brandished an AR-15 rifle and told the employees, “You better get back.” As the employees began to flee out of the restaurant’s back door, Lowery ordered them to come back and open the register. He also threatened the employees, telling them, “I’ll kill you right now.” Lowery then removed the cash register from the restaurant and left. Law enforcement arrested Lowery on November 1, 2023.
Lowery pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a minimum penalty of seven years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Lowery remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set.
The FBI and CMPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shavonn Bennette of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
California Man Indicted for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nathaniel Sean Deleon, age 20, of Tulare, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distribution of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on November 24 and 25, 2023, Deleon distributed child pornography in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney David C. Williams is prosecuting the case.
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 Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources".
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Burlington County Man Admits Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted receiving images of child sexual abuse over an online network, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Charles Borrelli, 62, of Burlington, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Bumb on Sept. 25, 2024, to an information charging him with receipt of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Jan. 3, 2022, Borrelli used an internet network to download sexually explicit images of children. Borrelli also distributed images and videos of child sexual abuse on a peer-to-peer file sharing network on Jan. 3, 2022. Borrelli possessed over 600 images and videos of child sexual abuse, which were found on a vast collection of personal electronic devices when members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in February 2022. Some of the images were of infants.
The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years I prison, and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. However, because Borrelli has a prior conviction for possessing child pornography, he will face an enhanced penalty on the receipt charge of a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum term of 40 years of imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas in Newark; and members of the New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Mount Laurel Police Department with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey R. Harteis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
borrelli.information.pdfBrowning man admits assault in burning woman with hot knife on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of burning a woman on the hand with a hot knife in a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Dale Ray Racine, 32, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Racine faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
A plea agreement in the case calls for a sentence of between 41 months and 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 30, 2025. Racine remained detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Feb. 14, Racine was drinking at a residence in Browning. The victim, Jane Doe, also was present. At some point, Racine placed a green knife in a wood stove until it was red hot. Racine removed the knife from the fire and burned Doe with it. Doe reported to law enforcement and medical providers that Racine was trying to brand her neck. Doe held up her hand to stop the branding, at which point Racine intentionally burned her hand. Doe was treated for second-degree burns to her hand.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, investigated the case.
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Bowling Green Felon Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Michael Delaney of the Bowling Green Police Department made the announcement.
“I appreciate the excellent work of ATF and the Bowling Green Police Department in this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “It showcases the ongoing collaboration between our federal and local law enforcement partners. And the result of the combined effort - sending a defendant with a lengthy criminal history to federal prison for 15 years - makes the community safer for all who live, work, and visit here.”
According to court documents, Jedidiah Martin, 44, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute 221.4 grams of methamphetamine, and illegally possessing a Springfield Armory XDS .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol by a convicted felon. Martin had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.
On February 13, 2017, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
On February 13, 2017, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school.
On May 5, 2003, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree, first offense, and possession of a controlled substance, first-degree, first offense.
There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Bowling Green Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Behavioral Healthcare Company Executive Pleads Guilty to Healthcare FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Group Associates, who is also the former Chief Operating Officer of Prime Behavioral Health, pleaded guilty today to a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by directing false billing for patient visits.
Miguel Saravia, 42, of Hanson, pleaded guilty to six counts of health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 2, 2025.
From approximately 2017 to 2022, Saravia directed a group of individuals with no billing or medical training to enter Current Procedural Terminology codes (CPT) for therapy services that were not provided and to upcode CPT codes used for psychotherapy visits. Saravia submitted, or directed the submission of, false claims for treatment that was not provided or for more complex and expensive treatment than was provided.The charge of health care fraud carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Insurance Fraud Bureau Executive Director Anthony DiPaolo; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly B. Lawrence and Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Lindsey Ross and Steven Sharobem of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit are prosecuting the case.
Baltimore City Man Sentenced to Fourteen Years in Federal Prison for Committing Several Armed Robberies and CarjackingsRead the Press Release
Baltimore – On September 25, 2024, United States District Judge George L. Russell, III, sentenced Tavon Reid-El, age 25, of Baltimore City, Maryland, to fourteen (14) years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing two armed commercial robberies and three armed carjackings in Baltimore City, Maryland.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and, Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore City Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, on December 28, 2019, Reid-El robbed an employee of Safeway Lock & Key. According to the employee, he was dispatched to the 1500 block of Fernley Road in Baltimore City to provide assistance with a vehicle lockout. When the employee arrived at the location, he was met by Reid-El, who indicated that he was locked-out of his vehicle, a white Nissan Sentra. The Safeway employee then programmed a new key fob and requested payment from Reid-El. Reid-El provided partial payment, and the employee informed Reid-El that he owed a balance. An unidentified co-conspirator, armed with a handgun, then approached the employee. Reid-El demanded the employee empty his pockets and return the money that Reid-El had given to him. Reid-El and the unknown suspect then took the employee’s wallet and cellphone, as well as work tools from the employee’s work van. The men also attempted to abduct the employee but were unsuccessful.
On January 11, 2020, Reid-El committed three armed carjackings in Baltimore City. During all three carjackings, Reid-El arrived at the scene in a white sedan and then approached the victims, brandishing a handgun. Reid-El then stole the vehicles and personal items of the victims. Co-defendant Tyree Bethel operated the white sedan during some of the carjackings.
At approximately 12:00 p.m. on January 11, 2020, Reid-El robbed at gunpoint a locksmith for Jet Locksmith in the 1700 block of East 32nd Street in Baltimore City. At the location, the victim met with Reid-El, who informed the locksmith that he had locked his keys inside his white 2016 Honda Accord. The locksmith then unlocked the Honda and Reid-El retrieved the keys. As the locksmith prepared a work order and asked Reid-El how he was paying for the service, Reid-El replied that he was paying with cash. The locksmith then walked to his work vehicle and noticed Reid-El following him. Reid-El then lifted the hemline of his sweatshirt and revealed a brown-handled revolver firearm and asked the locksmith for his money, wallet and cellphone. Reid-El also demanded that the locksmith open the safe contained in the locksmith’s work vehicle. The locksmith complied and provided Reid-El with his wallet, cellphone, and cash from the vehicle’s safe. Reid-El then entered the white Honda Accord and departed the area.
A cellular telephone tracking order was authorized for two cellular phone numbers. Utilizing the tracking order, BPD officers were able to track one of the phones to a silver Honda Accord. BPD officers stopped the vehicle and located inside were Reid-El, co-defendant Tyree Bethel and another individual. The cellphone that was being tracked was recovered from Reid-El. Officers also recovered from Reid-El the cellphone of one of the victims. The other cellphone was tracked to the home address of co-defendant Bethel.
In mid-January 2020, several victims from the commercial armed robberies and carjackings responded to the BPD Citywide Robbery section and were each shown photograph arrays. The victims each positively identified Reid-El as the perpetrator of the crimes.
On January 16, 2020, a search warrant was authorized for the residence of co-defendant Tyree Bethel. During the search of the residence, law enforcement officers recovered, among other items, the Auto Pad Pro stolen from the employee of Safeway Lock & Key on December 28, 2019.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing the Justice Department Findings of Civil Rights Violations by the Lexington, Mississippi Police Department and City of LexingtonRead the Press Release
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Good afternoon. My name is Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Justice Department. Joining me is Todd W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
We are here today to announce the findings from our pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department.
We find reasonable cause to believe that the Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments of the Constitution, Safe Streets Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Specifically, we find that the Lexington police use excessive force; unlawfully stop, search and arrest people — including by jailing people on illegal “investigative holds” — unlawfully jail people without affording prompt access to court; violate the rights of people engaged in free speech and expression, including by retaliating against critics of the police; and unlawfully discriminate against Black people.
The department also unlawfully arrests, jails and detains people based on their failure to pay money without assessing their ability to pay; unlawfully arrests people just because they owe outstanding fines; and imposes money bail without justification and, again, without assessing ability to pay. The fact that fines and fees fund the department drives its law enforcement, resulting in a crude policing-for-profit scheme. The Lexington Police Department operates under an unconstitutional financial conflict of interest.
Lexington’s focus on revenue and its overly aggressive form of policing leaves the people of Lexington harassed, feeling helpless and hopeless. For example, on the day we opened our investigation, Lexington officers chased a man down and tased him until he foamed at the mouth. In the previous months, police officers had repeatedly arrested the man for minor offenses most police departments would have handled with a ticket. For stealing sugar packets from a gas station, the man spent 13 days in jail. He spent four days in jail for taking a second cup of coffee after paying for the first. Each time, the Lexington police kept him in jail because he could not afford to pay the fines or the $50 processing fee Lexington charges for every arrest. Especially for a person in poverty, these fines are no small thing. Even though he has no money, the man owes the Lexington Police Department over $7,500. At no point did the police or city assess his ability to pay those fines.
In America, being poor is not a crime, but in Lexington, their practices punish people for poverty. On Feb. 29, we provided official notice to Lexington city officials and the police department about our concerns regarding illegal arrests and detentions that penalize people for lacking resources. Lexington has made some changes in response to our notice. But, as today’s findings show, more meaningful reform is necessary.
Lexington’s fines and fees have been absolutely devastating for the people who live there. Although Lexington is in one of the poorest counties in America, people owe the police department $1.7 million in outstanding fines. The Lexington municipal court has issued bench warrants for over 650 people based on unpaid fines — equivalent to roughly half of Lexington’s population. Based on these warrants, police officers have unlawfully arrested and jailed people, using the leverage of incarceration to extract more money from them.
Other times, the Lexington police send people to jail for days or weeks for minor offenses. These people wait in jail until they can go before a judge or they can get enough money together to pay their fines. This, too, violates people’s civil rights. For example, the Lexington police arrested a Black man for allegedly taking $15 worth of gas. The police told him his fine was $300. He couldn’t pay it. The police sent him to jail until the next scheduled court date — two weeks later.
Unjustly enforcing fines and fees creates a two-tiered system of justice that can perpetuate a cycle of poverty. It also fuels a financial conflict of interest for the police department. The police must enforce the law even-handedly, not based on generating revenue. Lexington, though, focused its law enforcement on strategies that generated income, even at times linking officers’ paychecks to the number of arrests they made. Over the past two years, Lexington has made nearly one arrest for every four people in town — more than 10 times the per capita arrest rate for Mississippi.
The Lexington police also illegally arrest people for using profanity, and they retaliate against people who film officers or criticize the police. The First Amendment protects swearing, yet the Lexington police broke down a man’s back door and arrested him for swearing in a public place. The First Amendment also protects the right to film or criticize officers. But when a man filmed officers approaching his suicidal brother with their guns raised, a police officer batted the man’s phone out of his hand, pushed him to the ground and arrested him.
While making arrests, the Lexington police frequently use excessive force. We found instances in which officers used a taser like a cattle prod to punish people or to make them comply more quickly with officers’ orders. For example, officers used a taser to shock a Black man 18 times until he was covered in his own vomit and unable to speak or walk. Officers punch, hit or kick people who are unarmed and handcuffed. One officer kicked a Black man in the groin so hard that he wet himself. Another used his gun to repeatedly hit a Black man already in handcuffs. An officer knocked an elderly Black man unconscious. Nor are children spared from attack. An officer grabbed a Black child by the neck and shoved him into a patrol car, banging the child’s head against the door frame.
Black people bear the brunt of the Lexington Police Department’s illegal conduct. Lexington’s former police chief, Sam Dobbins, who regularly spoke disrespectfully to Black men, set in motion the aggressive enforcement of low-level violations. Dobbins left the department when recordings of him using other racial slurs were released. Officials told us that with Dobbins gone, so too was the problem. We found, however, that the discriminatory practices he initiated continue unabated. Lexington officers frequently tase, punch and beat Black people without justification, while we identified no such use of force on white people. Low-level traffic violations that resulted in arrest for Black people yielded only warnings or citations for white people. The result? 98% of people arrested for traffic offenses are Black. This pattern of racial discrimination not only violates the law. It also erodes the community’s trust in law enforcement, the judicial system, and the government more broadly.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, half of America’s police departments have 10 officers or fewer. Every person in the United States enjoys certain fundamental civil rights, regardless of the size of their town, the contents of their bank account or the color of their skin. Residents of rural and underserved communities have the same rights and deserve the same protection as people who live major cities. The Justice Department is committed to providing that protection. Police misconduct in smaller communities may not always garner national attention, but rest assured, the Justice Department is watching. No city, no town, no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our efforts to safeguard the constitutional rights that every American enjoys. Small and mid-sized police departments must not be allowed to violate people’s civil rights with impunity.
To the people of Lexington, I want you to know that we heard you. We listened carefully to your testimonies. We thank you for having the courage to speak out.
The Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department to address the challenges we outline today. As we begin the hard, essential work of rebuilding trust and restoring equal justice under law, we need to continue to hear from the Lexington community in the coming days and weeks.
We stand with the people of Lexington to extend justice to all its residents, rich and poor, regardless of their race.
I’ll now welcome U.S. Attorney Todd Gee.
Asheville Man Is Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Dion Lamont Lowman, 48, of Asheville, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger ordered Lowman to begin serving the federal sentence after the defendant completes the 19-month state sentence he is currently serving for a drug conviction.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department (APD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, on June 13, 2023, APD officers encountered Lowman in Asheville. The officers, who knew that Lowman had outstanding arrest warrants, observed Lowman drive a vehicle with a South Carolina license plate and proceeded to follow him. The officers continued to follow Lowman, and saw the defendant park his vehicle into the back parking area of a residence. The officers then observed another individual get into Lowman’s front passenger side. While the officers were pulling up, they observed the other individual quickly exit Lowman’s vehicle and walk away. The officers approached Lowman’s vehicle and ordered the defendant to come out. Lowman complied and the officers placed Lowman and the other individual under arrest. The officers then searched Lowman’s vehicle and seized a loaded firearm. The officers checked the firearm’s serial number and determined it was stolen. Lowman has prior criminal convictions, to include drug trafficking, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On April 15, 2024, Lowman pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and the Asheville Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Asheville Drug Trafficker on Federal Supervised Release for Firearms Conviction Is Sentenced to 12+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Douglas Aaron Holcomb, 48, of Asheville, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. This sentence runs consecutive to an additional 24 months in prison Holcomb was sentenced to on May 30, 2024, for violating his federal supervised release.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Sheriff Lowell S. Griffin of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), and Sheriff Chuck Owenby of the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, in June 2023, Holcomb was placed on federal supervised release after serving a prison term for a federal firearms offense. On June 27, 2023, law enforcement in Henderson County observed Holcomb driving a vehicle with an expired license plate and proceeded to conduct a traffic stop. Over the course of the stop, a police K9 alerted to the presence of drugs. Law enforcement searched Holcomb’s vehicle and located a black backpack in the middle of the back seat floor. Inside the backpack, law enforcement found a pistol brace device designed to convert a semiautomatic pistol to function with a stock as a rifle would, and a box of 28 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. Law enforcement also opened the hood and searched the engine compartment of the vehicle. There, law enforcement located a plastic container and a black zippered pouch attached to the vehicle with blue painter’s tape. The plastic container contained over 100 grams of methamphetamine and a 1911 style .45 caliber pistol magazine containing eight rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. The black zippered pouch contained a Sig Sauer model 1911, .45 caliber pistol loaded with one round of .45 caliber ammunition in the chamber and a magazine containing seven rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. In total, officers recovered 51 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition from Holcomb’s possession.
On February 26, 2024, Holcomb pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers prosecuted the case. Ms. Chambers is a state prosecutor with the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve as SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville. Ms. Chambers is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District.
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.
Arapahoe woman sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for child abuseRead the Press Release
Kandace Sitting Eagle, 34, of Arapahoe, Wyoming, was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment for aggravated child abuse, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon. These crimes arose from abuse of Sitting Eagle’s 13-year-old child.
According to trial evidence and statements made at the sentencing, Kandace Sitting Eagle and her husband, Truman Sitting Eagle, who was sentenced to 108 months in prison in August 2024, abused the child for weeks in late 2023. The abuse included beatings with a metal rod, isolation, and starvation. A school resource officer discovered the abuse during a welfare check made after the child had not been to school in over a month. During the visit, Kandace and Truman repeatedly lied to the officer regarding the whereabouts and welfare of the child. The officer eventually found the child in a crawl space under the Sitting Eagles’ trailer where his parents were hiding him.
Kandace Sitting Eagle was indicted on Jan. 12, 2024, and convicted by a federal jury on June 13, after a four-day trial. In addition to the 121 months in prison, the sentence includes five years of supervised release and $33,000 in restitution to Wyoming Medicaid for medical expenses related to the victim’s care. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Sept. 24, in Cheyenne.
This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wind River Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook.
Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Thomas Berrington, age 33, of Colonie, New York, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Berrington admitted that between June of 2023 and January of 2024, he repeatedly sexually abused a minor female child for the purpose of photographing and video recording the abuse. The victim was eight years old when Berrington’s abuse of her began.
At sentencing, currently scheduled for January 30, 2025, in Albany New York, Berrington faces a term of imprisonment between 15 and 60 years, a term of post-release supervision between 5 years and life, and a fine of up to $250,000. Berrington will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim, forfeit the device used in the offense, and will be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force – comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police and Colonie Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. to Pay $19.85M to Settle Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Behavioral Health ServicesRead the Press Release
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes by knowingly billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations. Acadia Healthcare Company owns and operates inpatient behavioral health facilities throughout the United States, including The Pavilion at HealthPark LLC, doing business as Park Royal Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida; Riverwoods Behavioral Health LLC, doing business as Lakeview Behavioral Health in Norcross, Georgia, and as Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Riverdale, Georgia; Ten Broeck Tampa LLC, doing business as North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel, Florida; PHC of Michigan LLC, doing business as Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan; and Seven Hills Hospital LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Hospital in Henderson, Nevada (collectively, Acadia).
The United States contended that, between 2014 and 2017, Acadia knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for inpatient behavioral health services that were not reasonable or medically necessary. In particular, the United States contended that Acadia admitted beneficiaries who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to properly discharge beneficiaries when they no longer needed inpatient treatment and had improper and excessive lengths of stay. The United States further alleged that Acadia knowingly failed to provide adequate staffing, training and/or supervision of staff, which resulted in assaults, elopements, suicides and other harm resulting from these staffing failures. In addition, Acadia allegedly failed to provide inpatient acute care in accord with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, by failing to provide active treatment, to develop and/or update individualized assessments and treatment plans, to provide adequate discharge planning and to provide required individual and group therapy.
Under the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $16,663,918 to the United States to resolve its liability under the False Claims Act for its allegedly false Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE billings. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government, and pursuant to separate settlement agreements, Acadia will pay an additional $3,186,082 to Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada to resolve their state law claims against Acadia.
“This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal healthcare programs pay only for services that are needed and properly provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility.”
“Federal health care programs rely upon the honesty and credibility of participating providers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain, jeopardizing the health of patients.”
“Medical providers who participate in federally funded health care programs must follow the law when billing Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement illustrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs and the well-being of enrollees seeking treatment. Working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we will continue to thoroughly investigate such fraudulent billing schemes.”
“Billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations impacts our ability to reimburse providers in a timely manner for care that is needed to keep our military ready to defend the nation,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Case of the U.S. Navy and Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Administration for the Defense Health Agency. “We thank our state and federal partners for their work on this case, and the whistleblowers who came forward for their bravery. As a result, we are able to continue delivering one of the most comprehensive and affordable health benefits available to any American.”
The settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Franka Tirado, Brian Snyder and Jamie Thompson, all former employees of Acadia. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned U.S. ex rel. Tirado, et al. v. Park Royal Hospital et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-201-FtM-99 (MDFL), and U.S. ex rel. Thompson v. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-543-FtM-38CM (MDFL). The whistleblower share of the federal portion of the settlement will be $3,166,144.42.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and former Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Settlement
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. to Pay $19.85M to Settle Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Behavioral Health ServicesRead the Press Release
Note: View the settlement here.
Tampa, FL – Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes by knowingly billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations. Acadia Healthcare Company owns and operates inpatient behavioral health facilities throughout the United States, including The Pavilion at HealthPark LLC, doing business as Park Royal Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida; Riverwoods Behavioral Health LLC, doing business as Lakeview Behavioral Health in Norcross, Georgia, and as Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Riverdale, Georgia; Ten Broeck Tampa LLC, doing business as North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel, Florida; PHC of Michigan LLC, doing business as Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan; and Seven Hills Hospital LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Hospital in Henderson, Nevada (collectively, Acadia).
The United States contended that, between 2014 and 2017, Acadia knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for inpatient behavioral health services that were not reasonable or medically necessary. In particular, the United States contended that Acadia admitted beneficiaries who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to properly discharge beneficiaries when they no longer needed inpatient treatment and had improper and excessive lengths of stay. The United States further alleged that Acadia knowingly failed to provide adequate staffing, training and/or supervision of staff, which resulted in assaults, elopements, suicides and other harm resulting from these staffing failures. In addition, Acadia allegedly failed to provide inpatient acute care in accord with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, by failing to provide active treatment, to develop and/or update individualized assessments and treatment plans, to provide adequate discharge planning and to provide required individual and group therapy.
Under the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $16,663,918 to the United States to resolve its liability under the False Claims Act for its allegedly false Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE billings. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government, and pursuant to separate settlement agreements, Acadia will pay an additional $3,186,082 to Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada to resolve their state law claims against Acadia.
“This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal healthcare programs pay only for services that are needed and properly provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility.”
“Federal health care programs rely upon the honesty and credibility of participating providers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain, jeopardizing the health of patients.”
“Medical providers who participate in federally funded health care programs must follow the law when billing Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement illustrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs and the well-being of enrollees seeking treatment. Working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we will continue to thoroughly investigate such fraudulent billing schemes.”
“Billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations impacts our ability to reimburse providers in a timely manner for care that is needed to keep our military ready to defend the nation,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Case of the U.S. Navy and Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Administration for the Defense Health Agency. “We thank our state and federal partners for their work on this case, and the whistleblowers who came forward for their bravery. As a result, we are able to continue delivering one of the most comprehensive and affordable health benefits available to any American.”
The settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Franka Tirado, Brian Snyder and Jamie Thompson, all former employees of Acadia. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned U.S. ex rel. Tirado, et al. v. Park Royal Hospital et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-201-FtM-99 (MDFL), and U.S. ex rel. Thompson v. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-543-FtM-38CM (MDFL). The whistleblower share of the federal portion of the settlement will be $3,166,144.42.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and former Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
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25 September 2024
司法部與加州阿拉米達縣警長辦公室 達成語言使用協議Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣布已與加州阿拉米達縣警長辦公室 (下稱「ACSO」) 達成解決協議，解決了對 ACSO 是否遵守 1964 年《民權法案》第六章規定的非歧視義務的調查。
根據該協議的條款，ACSO 已同意採取多項行動，以改善其管轄區內英語能力有限 (LEP) 的個人可使用的語言服務。《民權法案》第六章禁止接受聯邦財務援助的實體因個人的種族、膚色和國籍而作出歧視。任何基於所說語言而作出的差別待遇，包括排除或拒絕 LEP 人士享有計劃和服務的福利，均可能構成違反第六章下的民族血統歧視。
司法部民權司助理檢察長 Kristen Clarke 表示：「司法部民權司致力確保我們國家的執法機構能夠服務和保護社區中的每一個人，無論他們的英語能力是否有限。阿拉米達縣警長辦公室透過此項協議，展示了他們對改善社區服務而作出的承諾，並已採取重大行動來履行承諾。」
早前，司法部收到有關資訊，指 LEP 人士在與 ACSO 人員溝通時可能無法獲得足夠的語言服務。該部門其後開始針對 ACSO 進行調查。
在此協議下，ACSO 將制定正式的全辦公室語言服務指示，並指定一名員工擔任 ACSO 的 LEP 協調員。此外，他們為員工提供語言協助訓練，同時改善品質監控，以要求提供準確且經過品質評估的語言協助服務，並接受一段時間的部門監督。
此協議是司法部《執法機構語言通達倡議》(下稱「LELAI」) 的一部分。該倡議在全國範圍內協助執法機構克服語言障礙，以更好地服務和保護社區，並確保執法人員的安全。該計劃由民權司帶領進行，提供技術援助資源和工具，以協助州和地方執法機關為 LEP 人士提供有意義的語言使用服務；積極吸引希望審查、更新和/或加強其語言使用政策、計劃和訓練的執法機關參與；並加強執法機關、社區利益相關者和 LEP 人士之間的聯繫。
有關民權司的其他資訊，請瀏覽 www.justice.gov/crt，而有關英語能力有限和《民權法案》第六章的資訊，請瀏覽 www.lep.gov。更多有關 LELAI 的資訊，請瀏覽 www.lep.gov/law-enforcement。公眾可透過 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 網站報告可能違反公民權利的行為。
司法部与加利福尼亚州阿拉米达县警长办公室 达成语言使用协议Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣布已与加州阿拉米达县警长办公室 (下称“ ACSO”) 达成解决协议，解决了对 ACSO 是否遵守 1964 年《民权法案》第六章规定的非歧视义务的调查。
根据协议条款，ACSO 同意采取一系列措施，改善其管辖范围内英语水平有限 (LEP) 的个人可使用语言服务。《民权法案》第六章禁止接受联邦财政援助的实体基于种族、肤色和民族血统做出歧视行为。基于所讲语言而做出的区别对待，包括排斥或拒绝向LEP 人士提供计划和服务的福利，可能构成违反《第六章》中的民族血统歧视。
司法部民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀-克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示：“司法部民权司致力于确保我们国家的执法机构能够为社区中的每个人提供服务和保护，无论他们的英语水平是否有限。通过这项协议，阿拉米达县警长办公室表明了他们致力于改善社区服务的承诺，并为履行这一承诺采取了重要措施。“
早前，司法部收到有关信息，指出 LEP 人士在与 ACSO 人员沟通时可能无法获得足够的语言服务。随后，司法部开始对 ACSO 进行调查。
在此协议下，ACSO 将制定正式的全办公室语言服务指示，并指定一名员工担任 ACSO 的 LEP 协调员。此外，他们为员工提供语言协助训练，同时改善品质监控，以要求提供准确且经过品质评估的语言协助服务，并接受一段时间的部门监督。
该协议是司法部《执法机构语言通达倡议》(下称“LELAI”)的一部分。该倡议在全国范围内协助执法机构克服语言障碍，以更好地服务和保护社区，并确保执法人员的安全。在民权司的领导下，该倡议提供技术援助资源和工具，帮助州和地方执法部门为有语言障碍的个人提供有意义的语言使用服務；积极动员希望审查、更新和/或加强其语言使用政策、计划和培训的执法机构参与进来；并加强执法机构、社区利益相关者和有语言障碍的人群之间的联系。
有关民权司的更多信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt。有关英语能力有限和《民权法案》第六章的信息，请访问 www.lep.gov。有关 LELAI 的更多信息，请访问 www.lep.gov/law-enforcement。公众可通过 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 网站举报可能侵犯公民权利的行为。
ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਨੇ ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਲਮੇਡਾ ਕਾਉਂਟੀ ਸ਼ੈਰਿਫ ਦੇ ਦਫਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਸਮਝੌਤਾ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਕੀਤਾRead the Press Release
ਅੱਜ ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਭਾਗ (Justice Department) ਨੇ ਐਲਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿ ਉਸਨੇ ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਲਮੇਡਾ ਕਾਉਂਟੀ ਸ਼ੈਰਿਫ ਦੇ ਦਫਤਰ (Alameda County Sheriff’s Office) (ACSO) ਨਾਲ ਇੱਕ ਪ੍ਰਸਤਾਵ ਸਮਝੌਤਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਇੱਕ ਜਾਂਚ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਲੇਸ਼ਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕੀ ACSO 1964 ਦੇ ਸਿਵਲ ਰਾਈਟਸ ਐਕਟ (Civil Rights Act of 1964) (Title VI) ਦੇ ਟਾਈਟਲ VI ਹੇਠ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਗੈਰ-ਵਿਤਕਰੇ ਭਰੀਆਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ।
ਸਮਝੌਤੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਸ਼ਰਤਾਂ ਹੇਠ, ACSO ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀਮਤ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਮੁਹਾਰਤ (LEP) ਵਾਲੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਦੀ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਕਈ ਕਦਮ ਚੁੱਕਣ ਲਈ ਸਹਿਮਤੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ। ਟਾਈਟਲ VI ਉਹਨਾਂ ਸੰਸਥਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਜਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਜਾਤੀ, ਰੰਗ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਮੂਲ ਦੇ ਅਧਾਰ ਤੇ ਵਿਤਕਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂਸੰਘੀ ਵਿੱਤੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਦੀਆਂਹਨ। ਬੋਲੀ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਦੇ ਅਧਾਰ ਤੇ ਵਿਤਕਰੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਵਿਵਹਾਰ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੈ, LEP ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਾਭਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬੇਦਖਲੀ ਜਾਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ, ਟਾਈਟਲ VI ਦੀ ਉਲੰਘਣਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਮੂਲ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਵਿਤਕਰੇ ਦਾ ਰੂਪ ਧਾਰਨ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦੇ ਸਿਵਲ ਰਾਈਟਸ ਡਿਵੀਜ਼ਨ (Civil Rights Division) ਦੇ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਅਟਾਰਨੀ ਜਨਰਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਟਨ ਕਲਾਰਕ (Kristen Clarke) ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ, "ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦਾ ਸਿਵਲ ਰਾਈਟਸ ਡਿਵੀਜ਼ਨ ਇਹ ਯਕੀਨੀ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਵਚਨਬੱਧ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਿਆਂਵਿੱਚ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਸੇਵਾ ਦੇ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਦੀ ਸੀਮਤ ਮੁਹਾਰਤ ਹੋਵੇ।" । ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕਿਹਾ, "ਇਸ ਸਮਝੌਤੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ, ਅਲਾਮੇਡਾ ਕਾਉਂਟੀ ਸ਼ੈਰਿਫ ਦੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਨੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ, ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਸੇਵਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੀ ਵਚਨਬੱਧਤਾ ਦਰਸਾਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਹਤਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਵੱਡੇ ਕਦਮ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ।"
ACSO ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਉਸਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਈ, ਜਦੋਂ ਚਿੰਤਾਵਾਂ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਮਿਲੀ ਕਿ LEP ਵਾਲੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ACSO ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂਨਾਲ ਮੀਟਿੰਗਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਢੁੱਕਵੀਆਂ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ।
ਇਸ ਸਮਝੌਤੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ, ACSO ਇੱਕ ਰਸਮੀ, ਦਫ਼ਤਰ-ਵਿਆਪੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਨਿਰਦੇਸ਼ ਤੈਅ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ACSO ਲਈ LEP ਕੋਆਰਡੀਨੇਟਰ ਵਜੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਟਾਫ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸਬੰਧੀਸਹੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਆਲਿਟੀ ਦਾ ਮੁਆਇਨਾ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਲਈ ਕੁਆਲਿਟੀ ਨਿਯੰਤਰਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਭਾਗੀ ਨਿਗਰਾਨੀ ਦੀ ਮਿਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਗੁਜ਼ਰੇਗਾ।
ਇਹ ਸਮਝੌਤਾ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦੀ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਲੈਂਗੂਏਜ ਐਕਸੈਸ ਇਨੀਸ਼ੀਏਟਿਵ (Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative) (LELAI) ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਿਆਂਨੂੰ ਬਿਹਤਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਦੇਣਅਤੇ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਰੱਖਣ ਅਤੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂਨੂੰ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਰੁਕਾਵਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿਆਪੀ ਯਤਨ ਹੈ। ਸਿਵਲ ਰਾਈਟਸ ਡਿਵੀਜ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਹੇਠ, ਇਹ ਪਹਿਲਕਦਮੀ ਤਕਨੀਕੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸਰੋਤ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਧਨ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜੋ LEP ਵਾਲੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਰਥਪੂਰਨ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਾਜ ਅਤੇ ਸਥਾਨਕ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ; ਸਕਾਰਾਤਮਕ ਰੂਪ ਨਾਲ ਅਜਿਹੀਆਂ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਨੀਤੀਆਂ, ਯੋਜਨਾਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ਦੀ ਸਮੀਖਿਆ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਪਡੇਟ ਕਰਨਾ ਅਤੇ/ਜਾਂ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ; ਅਤੇ ਲਾੱ ਐਨਫੋਰਸਮੈਂਟ ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ, ਭਾਈਚਾਰਕ ਸਟੇਕਹੋਲਡਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ LEP ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਆਬਾਦੀਆਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਸਬੰਧ ਨੂੰ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਕਰਦੀਹੈ।
ਸਿਵਲ ਰਾਈਟਸ ਡਿਵੀਜ਼ਨ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਾਧੂ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ www.justice.gov/crt 'ਤੇ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਸੀਮਤ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਮੁਹਾਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਟਾਈਟਲ VI ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ www.lep.gov 'ਤੇ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ। LELAI ਬਾਰੇ ਵਧੇਰੇਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ www.lep.gov/law-enforcement 'ਤੇ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ। ਲੋਕ ਸੰਭਾਵੀ ਨਾਗਰਿਕ ਹੱਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਉਲੰਘਣਾ ਦੀ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ,
civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ਤੇ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।
जस्टिस डिपार्टमेंट ने कैलिफोर्निया में एलामीडा काउंटी शेरिफ के ऑफिस के साथ लैंग्वेज एक्सेस एग्रीमेंट कियाRead the Press Release
जस्टिस डिपार्टमेंट ने आज घोषणा की है कि विभाग ने कैलिफोर्निया में एलामीडा काउंटी शेरिफ के ऑफिस (ACSO) के साथ एक रिजोल्यूशन एग्रीमेंट किया है, इससे यह इन्क्वॉयरी रिजॉल्व हो गई है कि क्या ACSO सिविल राइट्स एक्ट, 1964 के टाइटल VI के अंतर्गत नॉनडिस्क्रिमेशन ऑब्लिगेशन्स का अनुपालन कर रहा है या नहीं।
इस एग्रीमेंट की शर्तों के अंतर्गत, ACSO अपने ज्यूरिसडिक्शन में लिमिटेड इंग्लिश प्रोफिशिएंसी (LEP) वाले लोगों के लिए भाषा के बेहतर एक्सेस के लिए विभिन्न कदम उठाने हेतु सहमत हो गया है। टाइटल VI में ऐसा नियम है कि जो एंटिटीज फेडेरल फाइनेंशियल असिस्टेंस प्राप्त करती हैं, वे किसी व्यक्ति की नस्ल, रंग तथा राष्ट्रीय मूल के आधार पर उसके साथ भेदभाव नहीं कर सकती हैं, ऐसा करना निषेधित है। बोली जाने वाली भाषा के आधार पर भेदभावपूर्ण (डिफरेंशियल) व्यवहार करने समेत अंग्रेजी भाषा की कम समझ अर्थात LEP वाले व्यक्तियों को लाभों या सेवाओं का लाभ से वंचित करने या मना करने को टाइटल VI के उल्लंघन में नेशनल ओरिजिन डिस्क्रिमिनेशन माना जा सकता है।
“जस्टिस डिपार्टमेंट का सिविल राइट्स डिवीजन यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है कि हमारे राष्ट्र की लॉ एनफोर्समेंट एजेंसीज अपने समुदायों के सभी लोगों को सर्व एवं प्रोटेक्ट कर सकें, भले ही उनके पास अंग्रेजी भाषा की सीमित समझ ही क्यों न हो,” यह बात जस्टिस डिपार्टमेंट के सिविल राइट्स डिजीवन के असिस्टेंट अटॉर्नी जनरल क्रिस्टेन क्लार्क ने कही। “इस एग्रीमेंट के माध्यम से एलामीडा काउंटी शेरिफ के ऑफिस ने यह दर्शाया है कि वे जिन समुदायों को सर्व करते हैं, वे उनके प्रति प्रतिबद्ध हैं तथा उनके लिए सेवाएं बेहतर बनाने के प्रति महत्वपूर्ण कदम उठाए हैं।”
ACSO के विरुद्ध डिपार्टमेंट की इन्क्वॉयरी उस समय शुरू की गई थी, जब ऐसा चिंताजनक जानकारी प्राप्त हुई कि अंग्रेजी भाषा की कम समझ अर्थात LEP वाले व्यक्तियों को ACSO कर्मियों के साथ संपर्क के दौरान शायद पर्याप्त भाषा सेवाएं नहीं प्राप्त हो पाती।
इस एग्रीमेंट के माध्यम से, ACSO एक औपचारिक, कार्यालय-व्यापी भाषा एक्सेस डायेक्टिव एस्टैबलिश करेगा, अपने कार्मिकों में से किसी एक सदस्य को ACSO के लिए LEP कॉर्डिनेटर नामित करेगा, स्टाफ को भाषा सहायता संबंधी प्रशिक्षण प्रदान करेगा, क्वालिटी कंट्रोल में सुधार करेगा ताकि एक्यूरेट तथा क्वालिटी एसेस्ड लैंग्वेज असिस्टेंस सर्विसेज दी जा सकें, तथा कुछ समय तक डिपार्टमेंटल मॉनिटरिंग करेगा।
यह एग्रीमेंट डिपार्टमेंट के लॉ एनफोर्समेंट लैंग्वेज एक्सेस इनीशिएटिव (LELAI) का हिस्सा है, जो कि समुदायों को बेहतर तरीके से सर्व एवं प्रोटेक्ट करने हेतु भाषा बाधाएं दूर करने में लॉ एनफोर्समेंट एजेंसीज की सहायता करने के लिए एक राष्ट्रव्यापी प्रयास है। सिविल राइट्स डिवीजन के नेृतत्वाधीन यह पहल तकनीकी सहायता संसाधन तथा टूल्स प्रदान करते हैं, जो अंग्रेजी भाषा की कम समझ अर्थात LEP वाले व्यक्तियों को अर्थपूर्ण भाषा पहुंच प्रदान करने में स्टेट और लोकल लॉ एनफोर्समेंट एजेंसी की मदद कर सकते हैं; लॉ एनफोर्समेंट एजेंसीज के साथ सकारात्मक रूप से जुड़ते हैं जो कि अपनी भाषा पहुंच नीतियों, योजनाओं, तथा प्रशिक्षण को रिव्यू, अपडेट, तथा/अथवा सुदृढ़ बनाना चाहती हैं; तथा लॉ एनफोर्समेंट एजेंसीज, कम्युनिटी स्टेकहोल्डर्स तथा अंग्रेजी भाषा की कम समझ अर्थात LEP वाले व्यक्तियों के बीच में कनेक्शन को सुदृढ़ बनाते हैं।
सिविल राइट्स डिवीजन के बारे में अधिक जानकारी www.justice.gov/crt पर उपलब्ध है, तथा अंग्रेजी भाषा की कम समझ तथा टाइटल VI संबंधित जानकारी www.lep.gov पर उपलब्ध है। LELAI के बारे में अधिक जानकारी www.lep.gov/law-enforcement पर उपलब्ध है। आम जनता, सिविल राइट्स के संभावित उल्लंघनों की रिपोर्ट civilrights.justice.gov/report/ पर कर सकती है।
وزارة العدل تتوصل إلى اتفاق توفير الخدمات اللغوية مع مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا في كاليفورنياRead the Press Release
أعلنت وزارة العدل اليوم أنها توصلت إلى اتفاق مع مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا في كاليفورنيا نتيجة للتحقيق حول ما إذا كان مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا ملتزمًا بعدم التمييز بموجب الباب السادس من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964 (الباب السادس).
بموجب شروط الاتفاق، وافق مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا على اتخاذ عدد من الخطوات لتحسين الخدمات اللغوية المتاحة للأفراد ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية (LEP) في ولايته القضائية، حيث يحظر الباب السادس على الجهات التي تتلقى مساعدة مالية فيدرالية التمييز على أساس العرق أو اللون أو الأصل القومي، وقد تشكل المعاملة التفضيلية القائمة على اللغة المستخدمة - بما في ذلك استبعاد الأشخاص ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية من مزايا البرامج والخدمات أو حرمانهم منها - تمييزًا على أساس الأصل القومي مما يشكل انتهاكًا للباب السادس.
صرحت مساعدة المدعي العام كريستين كلارك في قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "إن قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل ملتزم بضمان تمكن وكالات إنفاذ القانون في بلادنا من خدمة وحماية الجميع في مجتمعاتهم، بغض النظر عما إذا كانت كفاءتهم محدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، ومن خلال هذه الاتفاقية، يظهر مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا التزامه واتخاذه خطوات هامة نحو تحسين الخدمات المقدمة للمجتمعات التي يخدمها".
بدأ تحقيق الوزارة بشأن مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا بعد تلقي معلومات تثير القلق إزاء احتمال عدم تلقي الأفراد ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية خدمات لغوية كافية أثناء لقاءاتهم بموظفي مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا.
من خلال هذا الاتفاق، سيضع مكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا توجيهًا رسميًا لتوفير الخدمات اللغوية على مستوى المكتب، ويعين أحد أفراد موظفيه كمنسق للأفراد ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية (LEP) لمكتب قائد شرطة مقاطعة ألاميدا ويوفر تدريبات للموظفين على المساعدة اللغوية، ويحسن ضوابط الجودة للمطالبة بخدمات المساعدة اللغوية الدقيقة ذات جودة تم تقييمها ويخضع لفترة مراقبة إدارية.
يعد هذا الاتفاق جزءًا من مبادرة إتاحة الخدمات اللغوية لجهات إنفاذ القانون (LELAI) التابعة للوزارة، وهي جهد وطني لمساعدة وكالات إنفاذ القانون في التغلب على الحواجز اللغوية لخدمة المجتمعات وحمايتها بشكل أفضل والحفاظ على سلامة الضباط. بقيادة قسم الحقوق المدنية، توفر المبادرة الموارد التقنية المساعدة والأدوات التي يمكن أن تساعد وكالات إنفاذ القانون على مستوى الولاية والمستوى المحلي في توفير الخدمات اللغوية للأفراد ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية؛ وتعمل بشكل إيجابي على إشراك وكالات إنفاذ القانون التي تريد مراجعة وتحديث و/أو تعزيز سياسات وخطط وتدريبات توفير الخدمات اللغوية؛ وتعزز العلاقة بين وكالات إنفاذ القانون والجهات المعنية في المجتمع والمجموعات ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية.
تتوفر معلومات إضافية حول قسم الحقوق المدنية على www.justice.gov/crt ومعلومات حول الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية والباب السادس متوفرة على www.lep.gov. تتوفر مزيد من المعلومات حول LELAI على www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. يمكن للأفراد من العامة الإبلاغ عن انتهاكات الحقوق المدنية المحتملة من خلال civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Yalobusha county man sentenced to 10 years for illegal gun possession and conspiracy to distribute fentanylRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN, MS – Lee Everett Henson, 53, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and the possession of firearms used in drug trafficking.
The investigation began after the U.S. Postal Service intercepted a package that contained nearly 100 grams of fentanyl, which is over 800 pills. Independently, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics purchased approximately 80 fentanyl pills from Henson using confidential informants.
Henson was arrested and at the time, possessed over 700 fentanyl pills, approximately 40 grams of cocaine, and two firearms. Henson had previously been convicted of murder in the State of Texas and was on parole at the time.
On September 24, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Henson to 123 months in federal prison for the offenses to be followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Aycock imposed the 63-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl to run consecutive to the 60-month sentence for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“Fentanyl is poison, and our office will do everything in our power to see that traffickers go to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “AUSA Julie Addison should be proud of her work with our state and federal partners to bring a dangerous criminal to justice and to get these drugs off of our streets.”
"Combatting illicit drugs in the mail is a top priority for the US Postal Inspection Service,” said Scott Fix, Inspector-in-Charge of the Houston Division. “The sentence handed down today should serve as a reminder to other perpetrators that we remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to bring those who engage in this activity to justice.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance by the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Howell Addison prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Walla Walla Man Who Attempted to Flee from Police Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a Machine GunRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Troy Michael Hays, age 30, was sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 72 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on January 31, 2023, Detectives with the Walla Walla Police Department (WWPD) attempted to stop Hays, who was driving a gray Acura Integra, for reckless driving. Hays sped off and was not pursued at that time.
A few hours later, WWPD Detectives spotted Hays driving the same Acura Integra. Hays sped through a stop sign and turned a corner. Detectives activated their emergency lights and followed Hays’s car. When detectives turned the corner, they saw the Acura Integra several blocks ahead, speeding through a residential neighborhood. Detectives watched the Acura drive into a dead-end street and then lost sight of the vehicle. When Detectives arrived at the dead-end, they saw the Acura Integra stopped, hanging over the edge of a canal that ran perpendicular to the dead-end street. The Integra’s engine was still running; however, Hays had bailed out and fled. A short time later, WWPD located Hays in Wildwood Park, which was close where he abandoned the Acura.
Back at the Acura, Detectives noticed several rounds of loose ammunition in the car and became concerned that Hays had disposed of a firearm while running from the crash scene. The following morning, WWPD and the Walla Walla Regional Drug Gun Task Force returned to the canal. There, detectives located a 9mm Glock handgun placed between two pieces of concrete about 600 feet from where the Acura Integra crashed. Further examination of the gun revealed there was no debris or dust on it, consistent with the firearm being placed in the location recently, and Hays’s DNA was confirmed to be present on the machine gun. A distribution quantity of rainbow fentanyl-laced pills were also located in the vehicle.
The firearm had a “Glock switch” on it, which is a modification that attaches to the rear of a Glock handgun to convert it from semi-auto handgun to an automatic machine gun. The firearm had been reported stolen from Oregon.
“Mr. Hays recklessly attempted to run from law enforcement and dispose of a firearm with an illegal machinegun conversion device,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Gun ‘switches’ convert handguns into dangerous automatic machine guns that pose a significant danger to law enforcement and our communities. Protecting the public is our top priority, and my office is working hand in hand with federal, state, and local partners to remove these devices from our streets for everyone’s safety.”
“This sentence was clearly warranted,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Mr. Hays’ reckless behavior behind the wheel of a car, compounded by his possession of a machine gun, was clearly a danger to the community. Those possessing and using these illegal adapters to turn semi-automatic firearms into machine guns put themselves and the public at risk.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Walla Walla Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter.
4:23-cr-06013-SAB
Violent Henderson Felon Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Daniel Matthew Connell, 28, of Henderson, Kentucky, has been sentenced to 47 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on January 22, 2024, Daniel Connell was a passenger in a vehicle Indiana State Police troopers stopped for a traffic violation. Troopers observed a syringe in the center console. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, troopers found a loaded, .40 caliber handgun under the front passenger seat where Connell was seated. Troopers located a live .40 caliber round of ammunition in his pants pocket during a pat-down search, the same size and manufacturer as the rounds loaded in the seized handgun.
Connell was arrested for possession of the syringe and illegal possession of a firearm and held in the Vanderburgh County Jail. While he was detained, Connell used recorded jail phone lines to make calls in which he openly admitted to possessing the firearm and attempted to get his mother to contact investigators and claim that it was her firearm to avoid prosecution.
Connell is prohibited by law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions for second-degree robbery and first-degree possession of Methamphetamine in the Henderson, Kentucky courts.
“Illegally armed felons drive gun violence and other criminal activity in our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with ATF and our state and local partners, will continue to prioritize federal prosecution of the armed criminals who pose the greatest danger to those closest to them and to the public. The sentence imposed today demonstrates that violent criminals who choose to illegally possess guns risk significant time in federal prison with no possibility of parole.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police and Evansville Crime Guns Intelligence Center investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
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USAO NDWV Secures False Claims Act Settlement Relating to Use of Amniotic Fluid Injections for Pain ManagementRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - The Pain Center of Virginia, PLLC d/b/a the Pain Center of West Virginia ("The Pain Center of West Virginia"), a clinic located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for the use of amniotic fluid injections for pain management.
The Pain Center of West Virginia submitted claims to Medicare for treatment related to various orthopedic conditions and the pain associated with those conditions. The United States alleged that at the time it submitted these claims, The Pain Center of West Virginia knew that Medicare did not cover the use of amniotic fluid injections for pain management.
Under the settlement, in addition to paying the United States $750,000, The Pain Center of West Virginia will enter into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Savino and Christopher Prezioso for the Northern District of West Virginia, in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Sentencing of Final Defendant in 2018 Espanola Kidnapping and Murder CaseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Espanola man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison his part in the kidnapping, torture and murder a woman over an alleged $400 debit card theft.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Jane Doe used Crystal Ramos's debit card to withdraw $400 without permission. Ramos, who is now deceased, enlisted Jorge Dominguez, Luis Mariscal-Lopez and another individual to assist in a plot against the victim.
On January 14, 2018, the conspirators lured Jane Doe to a house in Espanola under the pretense of socializing and using drugs. Upon arrival, the victim was violently assaulted and tortured her using various objects, including firearms and power tools until Jane Doe succumbed to her injuries.
Following the murder, the conspirators attempted to conceal their crimes with the help of Johnny Black by cleaning the crime scene, transporting the body to a remote location, burning the remains and evidence in fire pits, and eventually buried the victim’s remains in a shallow grave.
The victim's remains were eventually located. Forensic evidence collected at the burn site implicated the defendants in attempts to destroy evidence.
Johnny Black pleaded guilty to federal firearms offenses and being an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison.
Mariscal-Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Crystal Ramos died in a shootout with police in Colorado on June 14, 2018.
Upon his release from prison, Dominguez will be subject to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Espanola Police Department, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Bureaus of Indian Affairs, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Caitlin L. Dillon are prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Continues Gun Safety Initiative with Oct. 3 Program in LakewoodRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – To help keep children, teens, and communities safe, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio has launched an awareness and education initiative to inform the public about the importance of securing firearms and storing them safely. As part of this initiative, the USAO is partnering with the City of Lakewood to present an information session, “Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives,” Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Cove Community Center, 12525 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107.
The City of Lakewood will host the program, but residents of all communities are invited to attend. Topics include data and trends regarding firearms-related accidents and self-imposed harm, focusing on children and teens in particular; the connection between these tragedies and unsafe firearms-storage practices; the effects that such tragedies have on both individual families and the broader public; a gun lock demonstration and distribution; and steps to help prevent firearms-related tragedies by following and encouraging safe firearms-storage practices.
The program features several speakers: U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio; firearms safety advocate and YMCA of Greater Cleveland Behavioral Health Manager Marlon Johnson, LPCC; MetroHealth Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator Anthony Zalewski, RN; Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Fischer; and Lakewood Mayor Meghan George.
As part of the program, local police officers will distribute free gun locks; attendees will not need to provide any personal information to receive one. Officers will also exhibit other types of safe storage devices, demonstrate how to use them, and individually discuss safe storage options with attendees.
“When you make the choice to own a firearm, you owe it to your neighbors to do so responsibly. As a whole, our community must do a better job to ensure that we store firearms in a safe manner, where a curious child or a despondent adolescent cannot readily access them. In April, a three-year-old child in Brunswick died from a gunshot wound after he found a gun in his own home, and accidentally discharged it while playing with it. Just a month later, in May, a two-year-old toddler in Euclid similarly died when he accidentally shot himself after he found a firearm in his home. More recently, a five-year-old boy in Utah died after—once again—finding his parent’s gun and accidentally shooting himself. Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Instead, these children—and the thousands of people of all ages who use firearms to take their own lives each year—are gone, and their families’ lives are irrevocably changed. In launching this initiative, our goal is to protect children, at-risk teens, and young adults from grave danger in homes where firearms are present. Our kids’ safety is everyone’s joint responsibility.”
The USAO’s Safe Storage campaign’s message kicked off in September with a similar program held in Richmond Heights. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, recognized annually by the National Institute of Mental Health. The number of firearm-related suicides rose nationally by 20% across the population from 2012 to 2022. The highest increases were found among younger people, according to fatal injury data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The risk of accidents also increases when firearms are easy to find and access. From 2003 to 2021, 85% of children fatally injured were located at a house or apartment, and 56% of incidents occurred in their own homes, according to the CDC report “Unintentional Firearm Injury Deaths Among Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 Years.” More than 70% of firearms used were stored loaded, and nearly 80% of firearms were stored unlocked and easily found on a bed, under a pillow, under a mattress, or inside or on top of a nightstand, according to the report.
“We’re calling on our community partners and the public to help us spread awareness of these largely preventable accidents and instances of self-harm,” said U.S. Attorney Lutzko. “Much like seatbelt education helps to save lives of those involved in car accidents, spreading the word about safe storage will save lives—many times, the lives of our children and teens who we have a special duty to protect. Our goal is to amplify the message of responsible firearm ownership through this community-centered, public-safety strategy.”
The USAO has posted on its website a host of free community resources discussing safe storage practices and providing tools for community members to spread the word about safe storage practices and help encourage them. Among the items included are bulletin board flyers, adult and child’s safety pledge certificates, and owners’ firearms safety manuals. Visit justice.gov/usao-ndoh/safe-gun-storage to view them. The public is also encouraged to follow the USAO on Facebook (@usaondoh) and X (@NDOHnews) to reshare safe gun storage tips and information.
Additional safe storage community programs are slated to be announced.
U.S. Attorney's Office to Work with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.
The Justice Department – through its United States Attorney’s Offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions – will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner gun violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. In the Eastern District of New York, the borough of Brooklyn has been designated as one of the jurisdictions.
“My Office will continue to use every tool and resource available to address domestic violence in our communities and hold violent actors accountable,” stated United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace. “Strong community partnerships are key to our ability to meaningfully engage in this endeavor, and we thank all of our partners for their untiring efforts.”
“ATF is committed to our continued partnerships in aggressively pursuing prohibited possession of firearms due to domestic violence convictions and certain protective orders. Community safety is our top priority and combatting prohibited firearms possession by domestic abusers is another way we prevent violent gun crime within our communities,” stated ATF New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller.
Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the Department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner gun violence.
In the EDNY, this initiative will not only support the Office’s close work with its federal and state law enforcement partners, especially ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, but it will also bolster its partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, such as The Salvation Army and Restore NYC, as well as the New York State Office of Victim Services and the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic & Gender-Based Violence, which operates the New York City Family Justice Centers, to provide needed support to victims of domestic violence.
The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner gun violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.
U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing of Albuquerque Man for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 60 months in prison following an investigation that revealed he was sharing child pornography on a Peer-to-Peer network.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, in 2017, the New Mexico Department of Justice initiated an investigation into an IP address registered to the residence of William Day, 59, which was suspected of sharing child pornography on a Peer-to-Peer network. Subsequently, it was confirmed that a device at Day's residence was used to share images of child pornography on March 31, 2017.
On May 31, 2017, officers from the Albuquerque Police Department executed a search warrant at Day’s residence. During the execution of the warrant, Day was interviewed and admitted to downloading files containing images of nude underage girls on the same day.
Officers seized several devices, including a Lenovo laptop and an HP laptop, both of which were found to contain images and videos depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors. In a plea agreement, Day admitted to possessing these devices.
Upon his release from prison, Day will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Jesse Pecoraro are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 Justice.gov/PSC.
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U.S. Attorney and FBI Charge Man for Drive-by Shooting in ZuniRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni Pueblo man was charged by criminal complaint with federal firearms violations following a drive-by shooting that occurred on the Pueblo of Zuni Indian Reservation.
Devin Wyaco, 33, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to the criminal complaint, on September 19, 2024, John Doe and his girlfriend were riding their bikes in Zuni, New Mexico when they noticed a white sedan with tinted windows drive past them, going in the same direction as them. The sedan then did a U-turn and stopped before driving back towards them. As the vehicle passed them, one shot was fired from the passenger side, striking John Doe in his abdomen.
John Doe was transported via ambulance first to Zuni Hospital, then to University of New Mexico Hospital. When he was later interviewed by investigators, John Doe identified the vehicle as belonging to Wyaco’s girlfriend.
Investigators executed a federal search warrant on Wyaco’s girlfriend’s residence. There, they spoke to Wyaco’s girlfriend, who stated she had been in the vehicle with Wyaco at the time of the shooting. Wyaco’s girlfriend told investigators that he had fled and was still in possession of the firearm.
If convicted, Wyaco faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint.pdfA criminal complaint 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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U.S. Attorney Johnson Announces $6.2 Million in Justice Department Grants to Address Domestic Violence within Tribal CommunitiesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced the award of more than $6.2 million in Department of Justice grants to assist tribal governments within the Northern District of Oklahoma. The grants were awarded by the Department's Office of Justice Programs.
“This funding allows Tribal Governments with the Northern District of Oklahoma to build, support, and advance the citizens within their tribe,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “In return, Tribal organizations, crisis centers, and law enforcement agencies benefit from these investments and make our communities safer.”
The Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program assists Tribal governments and authorized designees of Tribal governments to:
- Decrease the incidence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking in Tribal communities;
- strengthen the capacity of Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to respond to these violent crimes; and
- ensure that perpetrators of these violent crimes are held accountable for their criminal behavior.
The following organizations received funding from the Grants to Indian Tribal Government Program:
- Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma received $1,169,642
- Eastern Shawnee Tribe received $793,463
- Miami Tribe of Oklahoma received $792,148
- Quapaw Nation received $600,000
- Delaware Tribe of Indians received $282,632
The 2024 Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Tribal Victim Services Program is for implementing services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions. The following organizations received funding from the 2024 Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Tribal Victim Services Program:
- The Eastern Shawnee Tribe, the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, and the Osage Nation each received $441,989.
- The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma received $394,653
- The Seneca Cayuga Tribe Oklahoma received $254,413
- The Shawnee Tribe received $229,973
The awards announced above are part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. The Office of Justice Programs grant page has more information about these and other funding opportunities.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The Awards in Action
The Miami Tribe Office of Public Health/Wellness, the Quapaw Nation’s Family Service Department, the Eastern Shawnee Haven Program, and the Peoria Shield are agencies of the Oklahoma Tribal Government that work to address violence against American Indian/Alaska Native women by providing survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking referrals to local agencies and Tribes operating programs to meet various identified needs.
The Miami Tribe Office of Public Health/Wellness will use the funding to engage in building activities to plan and implement a new, comprehensive domestic violence program that includes direct services and community outreach. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has partnered with the Community Crisis Center of Northeast Oklahoma, a local non-profit, to plan this project.
The Quapaw Nation’s Family Service Department will use the funding to: 1) expand outreach and education activities, 2) they will provide victim advocacy and client assistance services, 3) they will provide legal assistance to victims. The Quapaw Nation has partnered with the Native Alliance Against Violence, a Tribal coalition, to plan this project.
The Eastern Shawnee Haven Program is using the funding to 1) provide transitional housing to victims, 2) provide advocacy and emergency victim assistance to victims, 3) provide community outreach and education, and 4) provide training and self-care for advocates. The Eastern Shawnee Tribe has partnered with an advisory committee, including women from the community to be served, to plan this project.
The Peoria Shield is using the funding to 1) expand victim services beyond crisis intervention services, 2) develop a housing assistance program for victims, and 3) develop and implement a supervised visitation/safe exchange program. The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has partnered with the Native Alliance Against Violence, a Tribal coalition, to plan this project.
Two Philadelphia Men Convicted at Trial for August 2023 Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Quadir Findley, 24, and Eric Dickerson, 24, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were convicted Monday at trial on one count each of carjacking for stealing a victim’s vehicle at gunpoint in the early hours of August 5, 2023. Findley was also convicted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated jury tampering, and drug distribution.
The defendants will be sentenced at a later date. Findley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. The maximum possible sentence for Dickerson is 15 years’ imprisonment.
“Don’t say anything or I’ll blow your ‘f---ing’ head off — those were Quadir Findley’s words to the carjacking victim he forced down to the ground at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “No one should be terrorized like that and made to fear for their life. Findley and Eric Dickerson are violent criminals, exactly the type of offenders that the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force is focused on, and we’ll continue to lock these carjackers up to make the city safer.”
“Carjacking is a serious federal crime that will not go unpunished,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree. “ATF Philadelphia Field Division and the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force will continue to ensure justice for the victims and make our communities safer through federal prosecution.”
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Catherine Dos Santos and Priya De Souza.
Two Lead Men Indicted for Possessing a Machine GunRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted two men from Lead, South Dakota, for illegal possession of machine guns.
Ray Steele, age 62, was indicted in May of 2024 for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 7, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
John Sitar, age 43, was indicted in September of 2024 for Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun and Possession of Unregistered Firearm. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 23, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
In May of 2024, search warrants were executed at the residences of Steele and Sitar. Law enforcement found seven firearms, thousands of ammunition rounds, hundreds of ammunition components, and six machine gun conversation devices in Steele’s residence. Steele is a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms. Sitar was found to possess a machine gun conversion device, as well as a short-barrel rifle which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.
“Machine gun conversion devices convert semi-automatic firearms into highly lethal and illegal machine guns,” said Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. “The use of such devices presents a grave threat to both the public and law enforcement.”
The maximum penalty for Steele upon conviction is up to 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The maximum penalty for Sitar upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges are merely an accusation and Steele and Sitar are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The investigations are being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lead Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the cases.
Steele was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his trial, which is scheduled for December 17, 2024. Sitar was released on bond pending his trial, which has not been scheduled yet.
Two Inland Empire Men Indicted for Alleged Marijuana Dispensary Robbery in Which Firearm Barrel Was Pressed Against Victim’s HeadRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Two Inland Empire men were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly robbing of a San Bernardino marijuana dispensary at gunpoint, a crime in which one of them pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of a store employee lying face down on the floor.
Tyrie Ravon Contreras, 32, of Barstow, and Kenyon Lamonte Watson, 19, of Perris, are charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and one count of using of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Contreras also is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“We must send a message of zero-tolerance for violent gun crime,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Under federal law, we have powerful tools to hold accountable those who use firearms to rob businesses and my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring gun criminals to justice.”
According to the four-count indictment returned today and other court documents, on August 9, three masked suspects robbed a marijuana dispensary in San Bernardino. Contreras and an accomplice – both armed – entered the store’s main showroom and ordered three employees behind the counter to the ground. Contreras then climbed over a glass display case and pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of one of the employees, who at that point was lying on the floor with her face down.
While inside the store, Contreras, Watson, and an accomplice stole cannabis, marijuana products, and approximately $500 in cash, all belonging to the store. The robbers then fled the dispensary, loading the store’s safe and stolen merchandise into the back seat of Watson’s white BMW sports sedan.
Two weeks later, police arrested Contreras following a home invasion robbery and lengthy vehicle pursuit, which ended with Contreras crashing the victim’s stolen vehicle, according to court documents. Contreras fled on foot and tossed a backpack before being apprehended. Police found a .40-caliber firearm in the backpack. Both the firearm and the backpack matched those on surveillance video in Contreras’ possession during the August 9 dispensary robbery, as did the trousers Contreras wore during the robbery. Contreras is in state custody.
Contreras is not legally permitted to possess a firearm because his criminal history includes several felony convictions, including one in San Bernardino County Superior Court in June 2018 for second-degree robbery.
Watson was arrested on September 12 and was ordered jailed without bond. Watson’s arraignment is scheduled for October 1 in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Trucking Company Owner Sentenced to Prison as Part of Federal Investigation That Dismantled Mexico-to-Chicago Drug PipelineRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The owner of a Texas trucking company has been sentenced to 25 years in prison as part of a federal investigation that dismantled a Mexico-to-Chicago drug pipeline.
JOSE FARIAS owned a trucking company in McAllen, Texas, and resided in Mexico. In 2015 and 2016, Farias arranged with truck drivers to transport dozens of kilograms of narcotics to the Chicago area hidden in the hollowed-out wheel axles of tractor-trailers. Farias supervised numerous traffickers who unloaded the trucks in the Chicago area and distributed the drugs to sellers. The traffickers then hid narcotics proceeds in the trucks for transport back to Texas and Mexico.
Farias’s drug trafficking organization used warehouses in Naperville, Ill. and Sugar Grove, Ill., as well as an abandoned auto lot in the West Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago and an auto repair shop in Channahon, Ill. During the investigation, law enforcement searched these locations and seized approximately 54 kilograms of heroin and nearly 17 kilograms of cocaine, as well as $630,200 in illicit cash proceeds.
In all, the drug trafficking organization distributed approximately 130 kilograms of heroin and approximately 45 kilograms of cocaine in the Chicago area. Seven other defendants were also convicted in federal and state courts as part of the investigation.
A federal jury in Chicago in 2021 convicted Farias, 44, on drug conspiracy and possession charges. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey on Monday sentenced Farias to 25 years in federal prison.
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.
“The drugs defendant caused to be distributed were resold to thousands of people, fueling addiction, tearing families apart, and decimating communities — all for the profit of defendant and his co-conspirators,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard M. Rothblatt and Kristen Totten argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.
Three New Jersey Attorneys and a New Jersey Realtor Indicted for Roles in Short Sale Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Three New Jersey licensed attorneys and a New Jersey licensed realtor were indicted for their roles in defrauding financial institutions in a short sale fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Lawyers Bruce Egert, 69, of Tenafly, New Jersey, Nelson Kong, 44, of Bethpage, New York, Seung Han Shin, aka Aaron Shin, 42, of Old Tappan, New Jersey, and realtor Francisco Sanchez, 48, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, were each indicted by a federal grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and three counts of bank fraud. Egert and Kong were also charged with three counts of false statements to a financial institution.
Shin and Kong were arraigned on Sept. 19, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. Egert and Sanchez were arraigned on Sept. 23, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court. Each of the defendants was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case:
From June 2013 through December 2016, Egert, Kong, Shin, Sanchez, and others fraudulently induced mortgage lenders to participate in “short sale” transactions. In a typical short sale transaction, a financial institution agrees to allow a homeowner in financial distress to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage. Such transactions are called short sales because the market value of the house is less than the amount owed by the homeowner and the lender agrees to accept a payment “short” of the amount owed. Through fraudulent misrepresentations and false statements, Mehdi Kassai, with the help of his conspirators, purchased homes at significant discounts from the note-holding banks both in his name and using stolen identities. Kassai, Egert, Kong, Shin, and Sanchez failed to reveal to the banks that Kassai and Egert had already arranged to flip the homes to other buyers at much higher prices, and that the homes were flipped in violation of deed restrictions regarding the time before which a resale could occur and the maximum resale price. Some of the properties purchased were resold at a substantial profit, that is, “flipped,” the same day the short sale closed.
Steve Kang and Joshua Son were realtors who represented short sale sellers whose homes were sold to Kassai. In return for their involvement in the scheme, Kassai shared with them portions of the profits of the resales. Egert was Kassai’s attorney who represented him in the short sales, and, among other things, conspired with Kassai to use stolen identities to purchase short sale properties and submitted or caused to be submitted fraudulent HUD-1 Settlement Statements to the victim banks. Kassai recruited Kong to represent certain sellers, and, among other things, Kong drafted agreements. Shin was a bankruptcy attorney Kassai paid to file bankruptcy petitions on behalf of short sale sellers to forestall imminent foreclosures on the properties. Shin failed to disclose that Kassai, the short sale buyer, was involved in these transactions. Sanchez was a realtor Kassai paid to assist in the management and control of the short sale process. If Kassai attempted to buy a short sale property in his own name and was rejected, Sanchez assisted Kassai with finding a straw buyer to acquire the short sale property.
Kassai pleaded guilty On Dec. 18, 2018, to an information charging him with bank fraud (Counts One and Two), wire fraud affecting a financial institution (Count Three), and money laundering (Count Four). He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to 16 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7.94 million in restitution for 32 illicit transactions.
Kang pleaded guilty on May 30, 2019, to an information charging him with bank fraud (Count One) and wire fraud affecting a financial institution (Count Two). He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to time served and ordered to pay $2.38 million in restitution.
Son pleaded guilty on May 30, 2019, to an information charging him with bank fraud (Count One) and wire fraud affecting a financial institution (Count Two). He was sentenced by Judge Martini to time served, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2.38 million in restitution.
The conspiracy to commit bank fraud count, bank fraud counts, and false statements to a financial institution counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak; special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas; and special against of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Boston / New York Field Division under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin DiGregory of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
egertetal.indictment.pdf