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Friday 9 August 2024
Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export ControlsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Matthew S. Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement of the Commerce Department, announced today that ARTHUR PETROV, a dual Russian and German national, was extradited from the Republic of Cyprus after having been charged with export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses in connection with his alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the U.S. He arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Arthur Petrov is charged with conspiring to smuggle microelectronics with military applications from U.S. distributors to Russia as part of an illicit Russian-based procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. As alleged, he concealed the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials, and he knew that these transactions and shipments were in violation of U.S. export controls relating to Russia. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, Petrov is now in U.S. custody and will face justice in a U.S. courtroom. This case demonstrates that we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect national security and disrupt and prosecute the illicit supply of U.S.-sourced military technology to Russia.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said: “Today’s extradition demonstrates the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to cutting Russia off from the western technologies that fuel President Putin’s war machine. Together with global partners, the Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force KleptoCapture will vigorously investigate and prosecute efforts to evade the global sanctions and export controls imposed to counter Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The defendant’s extradition is a vital step towards holding Russia accountable, and I am grateful to our Cypriot partners for their assistance in this matter.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “Our charges allege that, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia’s military-industrial complex. Together with our international law enforcement partners, the Justice Department will now hold Petrov to account in a U.S. courtroom and continue dismantling criminal networks that threaten our collective security.”
Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “Arthur Petrov was brought to the United States to answer for allegedly participating in a global procurement scheme which secretly supplied Russia’s military industrial complex with critical U.S. technology, including the same types of microelectronics recovered from Russian weapons on Ukrainian battlefields. This extradition underscores the dedication of the FBI and our international partners to maintaining the rule of law and holding accountable anyone attempting to evade international sanctions. The FBI is committed to protecting our national security and bringing to justice anyone who attempts to undermine it, no matter where they are in the world.”
Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod said: “As demonstrated by today’s extradition, just because you’re located overseas doesn’t mean we won’t find you. If you procure sensitive U.S. microelectronics with military applications for Russia, you risk the very real threat of facing justice in a U.S. courtroom.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and statements made during Court proceedings:[1]
PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who resided in Russia and Cyprus and worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas. They have fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom. To carry out the scheme, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia. The technology that PETROV and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices.
To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operates. PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. The microelectronics that PETROV has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department. Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls.
To evade these controls, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries. CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At all times, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia. During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.
On August 26, 2023, PETROV was arrested and detained by the Cypriot authorities at the request of the U.S. The U.S. thereafter submitted a formal extradition request. On July 18, 2024, after extradition proceedings in the Cypriot courts concluded with extradition being approved, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order issued the extradition order.
* * *
PETROV, 33, a dual Russian-German citizen who has resided in Russia and Cyprus, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the U.S., which each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order; and the Law Office of the Republic for their assistance. The Republic of Cyprus National Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the U.S.
This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Prison Sentence for District Woman Who Defrauded the STAY DC Tenant Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Khin Phoo Ngon, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in D.C. Superior Court to 23 months in prison for six felony counts arising from her defrauding a Covid-19 tenant assistance program of more than $245,000.00, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.
In addition to the prison term, D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered her to pay $206,320.00 in restitution to the District government, in addition to a $600 fine paid to the victims compensation fund and three years of supervised release.
According to facts admitted in her guilty plea, in 2021 Ngon submitted seven fraudulent applications to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program, a DC government program established in 2021 to help cover unpaid rent and utilities for renters suffering hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time she submitted all seven applications, Ngon was the sole tenant of an apartment at 1111 New Jersey Ave SE in the District. Two of her fraudulent applications listed her actual address and stated accurate information about unpaid rent she owed, but falsely stated that her 2020 income was $17,270.00 and that her projected 2021 income was $12,000.00. In 2020, however, Ngon had actually received income well in excess of $57,650.00, the STAY DC program’s minimum qualifying threshold for a household of one, and was on pace to exceed that threshold for 2021 when she submitted both applications.
Ngon also submitted two applications in which she listed her residence as 3210 ½ O Street NW, an apartment she had moved out of in the summer of 2020 with her rent paid in full. Ngon attached a fictitious lease to that application and falsely stated in her application that she was residing at the O Street address and owed 19 months of unpaid rent. Based on that fraudulent application, Ngon received $37,000.00 from the program.
In her guilty plea, Ngon also admitted to submitting two STAY DC applications in her family member’s name without his knowledge or permission. Ngon falsely stated in those applications that her family member lived at 3632 N Street NW in the District and owed tens of thousands of dollars in back rent. In fact, Ngon’s family member lived in Virginia, and had never lived at that address. Ngon admitted that she attached stolen and doctored documents to both applications, including her family member’s expired driver’s license and federal and District tax return documents. Ngon fraudulently obtained $82,800.00 from these two applications.
Finally, Ngon admitted to submitting a seventh STAY DC application, on behalf of an associate of hers. Ngon created a fraudulent lease document for an apartment at 450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, falsifying the lease term and monthly rent due. Based on those and other fraudulent representations, the STAY DC program issued Ngon’s associate a check for $78,200.00. Through a series of transactions involving other individuals, Ngon received at least $38,500.00 of those funds.
Ngon pled guilty on April 23, 2024 to two counts of first-degree fraud (felony), two counts of first-degree theft (felony), and two counts of first-degree identity theft.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Scott, and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, on detail from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General to prosecute matters involving fraud and public corruption.
Peoria Man Sentenced to 58 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon and for Violating Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois man, Tyruis Bramlett, 22, was sentenced on August 8, 2024, to 58 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and violating the terms of his federal supervised release. His sentence includes a three-year term of supervised release to be served upon completion of his term of confinement.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government established that in July 2023, Bramlett was on federal supervised release and was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his 2021 conviction for stealing firearms from a gun store in Creve Coeur, Illinois. On July 6, 2023, officers from the Peoria Police Department began investigating several shots-fired incidents in Peoria involving a red SUV reported stolen out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. On July 11, 2023, police officers located the SUV and followed it to a residence on North Sherbrook Lane. Officers approached the vehicle and took three occupants into custody, including Bramlett. During a search of the SUV, police located two 9mm handguns in the front -passenger area, both loaded and equipped with high-capacity extended magazines. Both handguns had previously been reported stolen. Upon closer inspection of the exterior of the SUV, police officers located multiple bullet holes on both sides of the rear portion of the vehicle. The rear driver’s side window also appeared to have been shot out.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Bramlett charging him with possessing a firearm as a felon. He entered a guilty plea in April 2024. At his sentencing hearing, he admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by possessing a firearm, and also admitted to earlier incidents in April 2023 where he fled from police at a high rate of speed, drove without a license, and left the scene of an accident. His total sentence of 58 months is a combination of a term of 46 months’ imprisonment on the gun conviction to be served consecutively to a 12-month prison sentence for violations of supervised release.
Bramlett was previously detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending the resolution of his case.
The statutory penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon are not more than 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.
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.
Panama City Beach Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Cosme Martin Hernandez, Jr., 34, of Panama City Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”
In December of 2023, law enforcement, conducting covert operations, downloaded files of child pornography which were being actively shared over the internet from Hernandez’s residential computer in Panama City Beach. On February 6, 2024, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. On scene, law enforcement quickly located electronic devices containing child pornography and Hernandez was arrested. Several seized devices were subsequently analyzed by an HSI computer specialist. Hernandez received and possessed over 21,000 images and videos of child pornography in approximately 4 months – said files exploited children as young as toddlers. At the time of offense, Hernandez was an active-duty military member who had served approximately fifteen years in the United States Navy; he has since been discharged under other than honorable conditions.
“This sentence sends a strong message that those who exploit children will face justice,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. “Child pornography is not just about images; it’s tied to the broader fight against human trafficking. Our collaboration with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is crucial to this fight, and we will continue to work together to protect our children and hold these dangerous criminals accountable.”
Hernandez’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions. The Court also ordered forfeiture of various electronic devices that he used to commit the offenses.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Oshkosh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking While Serving a Sentence for a Prior Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that on August 7, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Sherman M. Threets (age: 39) to 15 years in federal prison after Threets was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
According to court records, Threets was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. In January 2022, Threets was released to a residential reentry center, commonly known as a halfway house, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He immediately began distributing controlled substances and recruiting partners for his newly formed drug trafficking organization. In April 2022, after several controlled buys of controlled substances, a search warrant was executed, during which law enforcement seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine, over one pound of cocaine, and 100 grams of fentanyl which Threets had stored at a residence.
As noted during the sentencing hearing, while Threets was awaiting trial, he attempted to recruit an individual who would be willing to “take the charges” by lying to the district court about who possessed the substances seized during the investigation. In exchange for that individual lying to the court, Threets promised to provide that individual with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Threets met with an individual on three occasions to discuss the plan in detail, but unbeknownst to Threets, he was speaking to an undercover agent.
This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case.
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Orlando Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $62k in Social Security FundsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Teresa Eve Hunt (63, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Hunt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. As part of her plea, she agreed to forfeit the proceeds of her criminal conduct, and to make full restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Hunt is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2024.
According to the plea agreement, M.H. received both Social Security and VA benefits, which were directly deposited into a checking account to which her daughter, Hunt, had access via a power of attorney. M.H. died on April 13, 2016, at Hunt’s home in Orlando, Florida. Hunt did not report M.H.’s death to the SSA or VA, both of which continued to deposit benefits for M.H. into the account, thinking she was still alive. Hunt took those benefits, to which she was not entitled, and spent them on her own personal expenses. In total, Hunt knowingly converted to her own use and/or the use of another $62,857 in Social Security benefits and $59,120.95 in VA benefits.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – David Walker, 39, of Akron, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan, after pleading guilty to receipt, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. Walker was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Walker was an active participant on BitTorrent, an internet service that allows users to download content such as images and videos easily. It utilizes each user’s computer as a mini-server to facilitate computer-to-computer file sharing among users throughout the world. The technology allows thousands of people to download the same files without crashing the system which has made BitTorrent a commonly used protocol to share illegal files such as CSAM.
According to court documents, Walker received and distributed nearly 400 video files known to contain CSAM and exploitation of children. A computer tablet with CSAM files was recovered during the execution of a federal search warrant of his residence. Files were described to include male and female children of various ages under 17 including infants and toddlers. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, some of the victims were identified on the video files found in Walker’s seized computer tablet.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI, the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office, and the Brunswick Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis for the Northern District of Ohio.
To report child sexual abuse, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Non-Custodial Mother Arrested and Accused of Taking a Utah Child to Live at a Religious Compound in MissouriRead the Press Release
UPDATE
Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Kristine Merrill, in this case was dismissed on December 9, 2024.
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging a noncustodial mother, her sister and others with kidnapping after allegedly taking a child from Utah to live at a religious compound in Missouri.
According to court documents, Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, Utah, had a warrant issued for her arrest on December 20, 2023, after she allegedly kidnapped her non-custodial child from Utah to Springfield, Missouri, in January 2023 through June 2024. Drolet was assisted in the kidnapping by her son Jaxson Davidson 30, of Washington, Utah; Dallas Davidson, 23, of Washington, Utah; and Kristine Merrill, 53, of Murray, Utah. All of whom are now in custody.
According to the complaint, Drolet used the United States Postal Service, cellular and other electronic devices, including a burner flip phone, to conceal her and the child’s whereabouts. Additionally, Drolet went through great lengths to avoid apprehension and formed an elaborate plan to take the child out of Utah with help from J. Davidson, D. Davidson and Merrill.
As alleged, Drolet and J. Davison left the state of Utah, and drove to Missouri, and Merrill assisted in their departure. After fleeing the state and ignoring the order of the court regarding custody of the child, Drolet remained at large for over a year, and hid the child away from her custodial father and law enforcement. According to the indictment, Drolet planned the kidnapping for 14 months. Throughout the kidnapping, Merrill, J. Davidson, and D. Davidson continued to hide Drolet and the child’s location from law enforcement. Prior to Drolet’s arrest, she was observed with the child who was located at a religious compound led by a religious cult leader, who is also related to Drolet.
Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Merrill are charged with kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Merrill's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for August 13, 2024, at 1:45 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Jaxson Davidson, and Dallas Davidson's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled in Salt Lake City for August 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4. Drolet has yet to be scheduled.
United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST), and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Murray City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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 gun violence and other violent crime, 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit justice.gov/psn.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
*Court appearances updated 8/15/24
Attachments:
motionforleavetodismissindictment.pdf orderdismissingindictment.pdfMoscow Man Indicted for Conspiring with Son to Commit International KidnappingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - On August 7, 2024, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned a two-count indictment charging Jaimes Tin Aung with one count of Conspiracy to Commit International Parental Kidnapping, and one count of aiding and abetting International Parental Kidnapping. Aung made his first appearance in Federal Court on Friday, August 9, 2024.
According to the indictment, Jaimes Aung’s son, Aaron Aung, was supposed to travel to the Pullman Police Department for a custody exchange of the victim with the victim’s mother. Aaron Aung and the victim never arrived for the custody exchange. Instead, agents with the FBI and U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained photos of a vehicle Aaron Aung was allegedly driving, which had crossed into Mexico on June 1, 2024, at the Andrade, California, Port of Entry. The vehicle was registered to Jaimes Aung.
The indictment further alleges that between May 31, 2024, and June 16, 2024, Jaimes Aung assisted Aaron Aung in avoiding law enforcement. According to the indictment, Jaimes and Aaron Aung exchanged coded and encrypted messages. The messages from Jaimes Aung allegedly warned Aaron Aung about the ongoing investigation and included suggestions on how to avoid detection.
“My office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Law enforcement and my extraordinary team of dedicated prosecutors stand ready to pursue those who seek to harm children.”
This case is being investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Perez and Michael J. Ellis.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Montgomery County Man Charged with Election Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Philip C. Pulley, 62, of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, was charged by information with falsely registering to vote, double voting, and election fraud.
The information charges that in 2018, while registered to vote in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, defendant Pulley also registered to vote in Broward County, Florida. In 2020, defendant Pulley, who was already registered to vote in Montgomery County and Broward County, allegedly registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, using a false home address in Philadelphia and social security number. In the 2020 general election, which included the election for President and Vice President of the United States, it is alleged that Pulley requested a mail-in ballot to vote in Philadelphia, and voted in both Broward County and Montgomery County. In the 2022 general election, which included the election for United States Senator, Pulley allegedly voted in both Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.
If convicted, on each count of the information the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 to $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Mark B. Dubnoff, with support from James Price, Senior Deputy Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Fraudulent Immigration and Employment DocumentsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gilberto Robles Gonzalez, age 39, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to possessing fraudulent immigration and employment documents.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas P. Brophy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Buffalo Field Office Director, made the announcement.
Gonzalez admitted that on May 6, 2024, he possessed a counterfeit permanent resident card and a counterfeit social security card, both in his name, and knew that the cards were fraudulent.
At sentencing scheduled for December 5, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Gonzalez faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
ICE-ERO investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.
Men Who Stole USPS Arrow Keys Sentenced to Combined 17+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Three Fort Worth men have been sentenced to a combined 17 years in federal prison for robbing a U.S. letter carrier, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Cedrick Eugene Mims, Danny Yogi Oriszul Powell, and Cameron Kemond Gist were indicted in February. They each pleaded guilty to robbery of property of the United States. Mr. Gist was sentenced Friday to U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to 70 months in federal prison; Mr. Mims and Mr. Powell were previously sentenced to 75 months and 70 months, respectively.
“These defendants brazenly robbed a U.S.P.S. letter carrier at gunpoint in pursuit of an arrow key that would allow them to steal mail from collection boxes,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “In response to a concerning rise in arrow key robberies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has become laser-focused on prosecuting these cases. We commend our partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their commitment to investigating these crimes and stopping them in their tracks.”
“The sentencing of these three individuals shows the utmost importance we place on the safety of U.S. Postal Service employees,” said Fort Worth Division Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens. “We will not stop pursuing those who seek to harm our employees and will bring them to justice to account for their violent crimes. Robberies of our employees are a top investigative priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and a traumatic event for our employees which we do not take lightly. The partnerships we’ve established with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Fort Worth Police Department allowed us to work jointly to pursue and hold these individuals accountable. Let this serve as reminder to those who harm and traumatize our employees: We will find you and bring you to justice.”
According to plea papers, the three men robbed a letter carrier, identified in court documents as C.S., in Fort Worth on Oct. 24, 2023.
Mr. Mimms admitted he pointed a 39mm pistol at the carrier and demanded “the key” – a reference to the carrier’s “Arrow Key,” a master key used by the U.S. Postal Service to gather mail deposited in blue collection boxes that is prized by mail thieves.
The men admitted that they also purloined a postal scanner and the keys to the letter carrier’s official vehicle. Mr. Powell drove the getaway car and Mr. Gist provided the firearms, plea papers indicate.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes prosecuted the case.
This case is the result of Project Safe Delivery (PSD), a joint U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. Announced in May 2023, in direct response to a rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents, PSD seeks to protect Postal employees and the mail stream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream. Since the launch of PSD, postal inspectors, working with law enforcement partners, have arrested more than 287 individuals for postal-related robberies through June 30, 2024. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the number of arrests for postal-related robberies rose 72% versus the same period the previous year, while the number of postal-related robberies dropped 21%. Meanwhile, the number of mail theft complaints received during that period decreased 35%, suggesting the PSD approach is achieving the intended result.
Massachusetts Woman Charged for Attempting to Smuggle Suboxone into Federal Detention Center PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Wanderis De La Cruz, 24, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was charged by indictment with one count of attempting to provide contraband in prison.
The charge arises from De La Cruz’s attempt to smuggle 18 sublingual 8mg films of Suboxone to an inmate at the Federal Detention Center Philadelphia in July of 2024.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan E. Claiborne.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Man Who Posed as 14-Year-Old Sentenced to 25 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A 46-year-old Amarillo man who pretended to be a 14-year-old boy in order to obtain pornographic images from a child was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Willie Gonzales was indicted in December 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024 to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 300 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
According to plea papers, in the fall of 2022, Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety – acting off a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – conducted a search warrant at Mr. Gonzales’ home, where they found an iPhone containing sexually explicit images of a 10-year-old girl.
A forensic examination of the phone revealed that Mr. Gonzales persuaded the child to send him photos and videos of herself. At sentencing, the judge noted that Mr. Gonzales had posed on Snapchat as a 14-year-old boy in order to entice his victim.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Frausto prosecuted the case.
Life Sentence Handed Down to Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted His Romantic PartnerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bryant Phillips, 54, of Washington DC, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, for first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, and multiple assault counts, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Phillips to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, followed by lifetime of supervised release/probation. The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender for life.
According to the court’s evidence and testimony presented at trial, between June 5-8, 2022, Phillips held his intimate partner hostage at his apartment in Northeast Washington DC. While there he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times causing extensive injuries.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Finally, they commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit and acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Fogle and ReShawn Johnson, Investigative Analyst Lucas Jetson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Holmes and Dana Joseph, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jacarre Cortez Woodruff, 23, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 25, 2023, Woodruff sold approximately 27.4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl to two confidential informants at his residence in Dunbar.
Woodruff is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-99.
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Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in HawaiiRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Hawaii for the Aug. 10 primary election. The department will monitor in Honolulu County and Maui County.
The Justice Department enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. In addition, the division also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Act and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
Justice Department Releases Report Based on Critical Response Review of Columbus, Ohio, Division of PoliceRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the release of a new report, an independent review of the use of force policies, procedures, and protocols of the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police (CDP), as well as the training associated with these policies and operations. The review came at the request of the CDP and was conducted by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and Jensen Hughe, a critical response provider, following the February 2023 release of the COPS Office Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police: Roadmap to Implementation report. This is part of ongoing technical assistance to CDP.
The goal of the report is to highlight areas in need of improvement through a series of findings and recommendations developed for the purpose of overall improvement of organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and performance. The report states that “[t]he overarching theme associated with almost all the recommendations is the need for enhanced technological capabilities. By upgrading technological capabilities, the CDP will be well-situated to optimize its performance and ensure accountability at a much higher level than it is currently able to achieve.” It goes on to say that “[i]ncreased data collection, analysis, and reporting is of the utmost importance at this time for the CDP to become the transparent, community-oriented policing agency the people of Columbus want and deserve.”
“Whenever we support best practices in policing, it benefits both the department and the community it serves,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Ultimately, the goal of these types of reviews is twofold: to improve the delivery of policing services to the community, and, by doing so, to increase public trust and enhance community-police relationships.”
“Investing in technology that facilitates data collection, analysis, and reporting, and evaluating its effectiveness underscores an agency’s commitment to the public,” said COPS Office Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. “When an agency voluntary asks for this kind of assessment and is interested in making improvements, everyone benefits.”
The report is available at here.
The Critical Response program is designed to provide targeted technical assistance (TA) to state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies experiencing high-profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Critical Response is highly customizable by providing flexible assistance to law enforcement agencies that have recently experienced a critical incident or identified an issue of significant community concern in their department’s operations. The TA generally falls into three categories: (1) immediate delivery of TA to address a pressing and acute need, (2) data analysis, and (3) after-action reviews to understand and learn from law enforcement and public safety responses to critical incidents or issues.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, The COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 138,000 officers.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Aug. 8 was:
Leevi Dannyle Dobson, 34, of Billings, and Joseph Marion Medina, III, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dobson and Medina face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dobson was released pending further proceedings, while Medina was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-98.
Appearing on Aug. 6 was:
Camille Lynn Ackaret, 42, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ackaret faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Ackaret was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88.
Appearing on Aug. 1 was:
Lynda Diane Good, 59, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Good faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Good was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88.
Appearing on July 30 was:
Elias Adame, 38, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and receipt of a firearm while under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Adame faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Adame was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-81.
Appearing on July 29 was:
Curtis William Witmer, 48, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Witmer faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Witmer was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-105.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Aug. 6 was:
Joel Hadley III, 22, of Florida, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadley faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release on the drug possession charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Hadley was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-26.
Scott Hamilton, 44, of Helena, on charges of felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hamilton faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hamilton was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-14.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 9 was:
Blaise Scott Nuthak, 30, of Butte, on charges of distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nuthak faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Nuthak was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-15.
Appearing on July 30 was:
Alecia Mae Leonetti, 49, of Kalispell, and Krista Lynn Hall, 49, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Leonetti and Hall face a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release, on the identity theft charge. Leonetti and Hall were released pending further proceedings. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-36.
Guy S. Cook, 59, of Dripping Springs, Texas, on charges of tax evasion. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cook faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cook was released pending further proceedings. The IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-22.
Anthony Reimer Mares, 32, of Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mares faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Mares was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI; U.S. Secret Service; Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston and Laurel police departments; Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, police departments; Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho; Idaho State Police; Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming; and Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, police departments, investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-13.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Human Smuggling Coordinator Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Mauricio Andrade-Garcia, 20, of Heber City, Utah, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Andrade-Garcia pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit on March 14, 2024.
Andrade-Garcia recruited drivers through social media sites, including Snapchat, to pick up undocumented noncitizens (UNCs) in Southern Arizona and to transport them further into the United States for profit. He coordinated with his co-conspirators, providing them with instructions on how and where to pick up the UNCs. He shared GPS coordinates for the UNCs’ locations and transportation routes designed to circumvent detection by law enforcement. Three of Andrade-Garcia’s co-conspirators were arrested while transporting the UNCs and convicted in separate cases in CR-23-00482-TUC-JCH and CR-23-00108-TUC-RM.
Homeland Security Investigations–Casa Grande and Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Tucson Sector conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christine D. Keller, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01024-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-111_Andrade-Garcia# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Houston gun dealer convicted of assisting illegal firearms traffickingRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 44-year-old Cypress resident has entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Nicah Anderson was a federal firearms licensee and former majority owner and operator of NE Guns.
Between December 2022 and March 2023, an individual arranged the purchases of at least 41 firearms from NE Guns. However, that person never personally purchased the guns, but instead had straw purchasers actually obtain the guns. The individual then carried the guns out of NE Guns and quickly resold them. Anderson knew about the resales prior to the arrangement of the purchases.
Some of the firearms included Barret .50 caliber, military-grade sniper rifles; FN SCAR 17S, .308 caliber rifles and 9 millimeter pistols. These guns are known weapons of choice for Mexican drug cartels.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at NE Guns July 19, 2023. Among other things, they seized 266 firearms, 138,940 rounds of ammunition, seven silencers and NE Guns’ business records. The investigation found that between October 2022 and August 2023, NE Guns received $115,000 from purchases suspected straw purchasers had made.
“Weapons of war, including a .50 caliber gun, walked out of Nicah Anderson’s gun store in the arms of straw purchasers, and he knew it,” said Hamdani. “Investigations such as these stop illegal firearms trafficking at the source. Because of gun violence in large cities like Houston, there is absolutely no place or patience for gun dealers like Anderson who seek to profit from illegal straw purchases.”
“This investigation is a clear illustration of the importance of investigating illegal firearms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Firearms trafficking is a direct contributor to the gun violence that we fight every day. This defendant chose profit over helping to maintain the safety of the general public and will be held accountable for those repeated decisions.”
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for Oct. 24. As part of his plea agreement, Anderson is expected to serve a two-year prison sentence. Anderson was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and John Ganz prosecuted the case.
Honolulu Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempted Child EnticementRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Brent Leroy Gaston, 65, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months imprisonment for attempted child enticement by U.S. District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi. Gaston pleaded guilty in February to attempting to engage in sexual contact with two children who Gaston believed to be a nine year-old boy and an eleven year-old girl. In addition to his sentence, Gaston must register as a sex offender, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
According to information produced to the court, an undercover law enforcement officer posted a profile on a social media and dating application of an adult who would be visiting Honolulu and “wanted to find some like-minded pervs like me.” When Gaston responded to the profile, the officer added that he would be with his two children ages 9 and 11, to which Gaston responded, "Please clarify. You are wanting your children to participate?" Gaston continued to communicate with the officer, expressing sexually explicit suggestive plans regarding the officer's purported minor children. Gaston was arrested when he arrived at a meeting purportedly to meet with the officer and the children.
“Protecting children from the depravity of defendants like Gaston is among our highest priorities as a law enforcement community,” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “These sanctions deter others from engaging in such devastatingly harmful conduct, and we will continue to seek them in all cases where vulnerable members of our community are targeted in this manner.”
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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib is prosecuting the case.
Guilty Plea for the 2024 Fatal Shooting of a Man in Southeast DCRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kyree Anthony Hairston, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the February 2024 fatal shooting of David Coe in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Hairston has been in custody since his arrest on March 14, 2024. His guilty plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed upon top half of the guideline period of incarceration of 14 to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein accepted the plea today.
According to the proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, at approximately 2:45 p.m., on February 3, 2024, Hairston and Mr. Coe were in the parking lot area of the Arbor View Apartment Complex located in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE. The two engaged in a conversation, part of which was captured on the audio portion of video surveillance footage that captured the shooting. On the surveillance, the defendant can be heard stating, “on my grandmother, you got 30 seconds. On my grandmother” and “you trippin like sh-t.” The surveillance shows Hairston pull the hood of the sweatshirt he was wearing over his head, covering part of his face. Hairston then removed a black handgun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Mr. Coe. Mr. Coe lunged forward to try and disarm Hairston, but Hairston shot him in the chest before he could do so. Mr. Coe fell to the ground and as he laid there, Hairston shot Mr. Coe again. Mr. Coe was shot four times and died 20 minutes later.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States After Being DeportedRead the Press Release
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced on August 9, 2024, to more than four months in federal prison.
Edwin Junech-Pastor, age 37, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Decorah, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.
In a plea agreement, Junech-Pastor admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Junech-Pastor was previously deported in June 2008. On March 22, 2024, immigration officials learned Junech-Pastor had illegally returned to the United States and found Junech-Pastor at the Winneshiek County Jail following his arrest on state charges.
In the plea agreement, Junech-Pastor also admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident card, also known as a “green card,” both bearing his name, to prove his authorization to work in the United States when he completed employment and tax forms in June 2019 at a business in Decorah, Iowa. Illegal aliens are not authorized to work in the United States. The number on the Social Security card was assigned to a United States citizen and the number on the Permanent Resident card was assigned to a Mexican male.
Junech-Pastor was previously convicted in May 2008 in the Northern District of Iowa following an immigration enforcement action in Postville, Iowa, of using fraudulent documents to unlawfully gain employment in the United States.
Junech-Pastor was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Junech-Pastor was sentenced to 138 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Junech-Pastor is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-2014.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Greenbrier County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jason Michael Tucker, 43, of Frankford, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2022, Tucker sold a Ruger model Wrangler .22LR caliber revolver to a confidential informant for $125 in the Frankford area of Greenbrier County. Tucker admitted to the transaction, and further admitted to selling a quantity of fentanyl to the confidential informant at the same location a few hours before the transaction.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Tucker knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Monroe County Circuit Court on August 30, 2018, and for delivery of a controlled substance-marijuana in Greenbrier County Circuit Court on April 22, 2005.
Tucker has a long criminal history that spans 23 years and also includes felony convictions for forgery and entering without breaking.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is composed of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lewisburg Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-17.
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Four Individuals Charged with Operating Illicit Massage Parlors in New Jersey and New YorkRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Four individuals have been charged with operating a series of illicit massage parlors in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national, Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national, Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national, and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. All four defendants were arrested on Aug. 8, 2024 and made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. They were all released.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From at least May 2017, the defendants owned, operated, and derived money from illicit massage parlors or spas in New Jersey and New York that, as the defendants knew, had been offering sexual services in exchange for money. The New Jersey spas include Coco Spa in Paterson, Gold Spa in Passaic, 785 Spa in Passaic, Bergen Acupressure in Fairview, Queen Spa in Edgewater, Hawaii Spa in Edgewater, Good Day Spa in East Brunswick, and Spa Wellness in Toms River. The New York spa includes New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle.
Each of the spas allegedly advertised sexual services on various online platforms by posting images of the female sex workers and describing the sexual services offered. Law enforcement obtained evidence demonstrating each of the defendants’ personal knowledge of, and involvement in, the illegal operation. For example, emails obtained by law enforcement show that Choi received what appear to be draft advertisements for the spas, and other emails and records show Choi and Piao transferred cryptocurrency to an online advertisement company. Law enforcement also observed Cui transport supplies, including mouthwash and paper towels, to the spas, make suspected cash pickups, and deposit over $50,000 of cash with Jin to a bank account.
The charge of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; the U.S. State Department, Diplomatic Security Service; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. He also thanked HSI New York, Hudson Valley Office; Customs and Border Protection; the Passaic County Prosecutors Office; Passaic County Sheriff; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; Bergen County Sheriff; Edgewater Police Department; Fairview Police Department; Paterson Police Department; East Brunswick Police Department; New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; South Toms River Police Department; Edison Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; New Rochelle Police Department; Westchester District Attorney’s Office; Federal Air Marshals; New York State Police; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Palisades Park Police Department
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey S. Smith and Javon Henry of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
piao.complaint.pdfFour Bridgeport Men Charged with Gunpoint Robberies of Retail Stores, Amazon Delivery TruckRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging ELIJAH RAFFINGTON, 21; RAJONNE BLAKE, also known as “Ray Ray,” 25; SHASSON DANIELS, 20; and MICKYEEM PROFIT, 21, all of Bridgeport, with robbery and firearm offenses stemming from the gunpoint robberies of multiple retail stores and an Amazon delivery truck.
The indictment, which was returned under seal on July 11, 2024, alleges that:
- On December 15, 2022, Raffington and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport;
- On December 21, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford;
- On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, Blake, Profit, and another individual committed a gunpoint robbery of an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport;
- On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit, committed a gunpoint robbery of Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport;
- On January 2, 2023, Raffington, Daniels, and Blake, committed a gunpoint robbery of Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford.
The six-count indictment charges each defendant with multiple counts of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count. In addition, Daniels and Profit and charged with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and Raffington and Blake are charged with aiding and abetting in the same, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
The indictment was unsealed on August 1, 2024, after Blake was arrested. Raffington, Daniels, and Profit had been detained in state custody. Each of the defendants were arraigned in New Haven federal court, entered pleas of not guilty, and were ordered detained.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
The case is being prosecuted through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Employee with a Hate Crime EnhancementRead the Press Release
MIAMI - Today, Kenneth Pinkney, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was sentenced to 37 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, after having previously pled guilty for his assault on a federal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a) and (b) which included a hate crime enhancement. The victim was employed as a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker at the time of her assault. The victim was a Muslim woman who wore a hijab, including when she delivered the mail from her postal truck.
“Hate crimes represent vicious attacks on the very fabric of our diverse communities. No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida. “Everyone, including federal employees, have the right to carry out their duties safely. Justice was served today, with the 3-year prison sentence imposed on Kenneth Pinkney for his brutal assault on a Muslim postal employee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and our law enforcement partners implore the public to continue to report hate crimes and assaults on federal employees to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
"Targeting people based on their religion has no place in South Florida and America," said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office. "The defendant verbally and physically attacked the victim based on her religious beliefs as she was simply trying to fulfill her civic duty to the community. The FBI is unwavering in our efforts to protect those who are targeted based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability status. We will continue to bring those to justice who commit hate crimes. I want to thank our partners in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI's Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which also investigates civil rights violations."
“One of the core missions of the Postal Inspection Service is the protection of postal employees and the result of this investigation is a testament to the dedicated work Postal Inspectors and our federal and state law enforcement partners will commit to in order to ensure that those that cause them harm will be pursued and brought to justice for their crimes,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division.
According to the Court record, to include a factual proffer in support of the plea, on or about Oct. 9, 2023, just two days after Hamas’ attack on Israel, the victim was wearing her hijab while delivering mail. She was visible to the public as she drove the postal vehicle along her route. On this day, the victim saw Pinkney looking at her in what she interpreted as an aggressive manner as she drove by him in her USPS vehicle.
Two weeks later, on Oct. 24, 2023, the victim was on her postal route, stopped the USPS truck, and got out of the vehicle with mail to deliver. Pinkney approached on a bicycle and began to pass the victim. While still cycling, Pinkney made a hand gesture towards the victim in the shape of a firearm using two fingers to represent the barrel of a gun. Pinkney then turned his bicycle around and made the firearm gesture toward the victim more assertively. Pinkney rode his bicycle directly towards the victim, then got off the bicycle and walked toward the victim. Pinkney called the victim a “b----” and said, “If I had a gun,” and “go back to your country.” All this time, Pinkney continued to make the same menacing hand gesture, simulating a firearm. At a point, the victim turned and faced the USPS truck and heard Pinkney say, “go back to your country” multiple times while tapping the victim on the back of her head with two fingers.
The victim entered the USPS truck and sat in the driver’s seat. Pinkney continued to call the victim a “b----” and say “go back to your country.” Pinkney also spit on the image of the eagle of the side of the USPS truck, and then spit on the victim. The victim was nervous and scared. Pinkney reached into the truck and pulled at the victim’s ankle and leg in an unsuccessful attempt to yank her from the USPS truck. Pinkney then entered the truck and grabbed at the victim’s neck with one hand and placed his other hand on her hijab. While in the vehicle, Pinkney tried to remove the hijab off the victim by pulling it down her face. She physically resisted. Unable to remove the hijab in this fashion, Pinkney then lifted the hijab up past the victim’s face toward the back of her head. Pinkney succeeded in removing the hijab and revealing the victim’s hair. Pinkney and the victim struggled over the hijab inside the vehicle. Pinkney eventually released the victim’s hijab, but then started pulling at her USPS apron. The victim put her hijab back on her head. The victim felt trapped, so she exited the vehicle. Pinkney followed suit.
Once the victim and Pinkney were out of the vehicle, Pinkney said, “F-- Islam” and “You are a terrorist.” Pinkney and the victim continued to struggle, during which time the victim grabbed onto the collar of Pinkney’s shirt. Pinkney’s shirt ripped as they separated. Pinkney fled the scene and was later arrested.
The victim sustained scratches on her face as a result of the assault.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief of Police William Schultz of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, made the announcement.
FBI Miami, FLPD and USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gilfarb prosecuted it.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-60014.
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Former postal worker admits to stealing from mailRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Houston postal worker has pleaded guilty to opening mail and stealing money and gift cards, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Laura Aguirre was employed as a postal clerk responsible for processing mail for delivery from Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2023.
The investigation revealed Aguirre had opened some of the mail entrusted with her and stole cash and gift cards totaling at least $2,500. She was terminated and charged with theft of mail as a postal employee.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 1. At that time, Aguirre faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Chu is prosecuting the case.
Former Tennis Coach Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting a Minor Across State Lines and Engaging in Sex ActsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross announced the sentencing of a former youth tennis coach from Columbus, Georgia for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity. On August 8, 2024, a federal judge ordered that 51-year-old Leroy Thomas Joyner, Jr. serve 300 months in prison. The judge also ordered that Joyner remain on supervised release for life following his prison term. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole. Restitution to Joyner’s victim will be determined at a later date.
According to court records and evidence presented during his January 2024 trial, Joyner previously operated a tennis association in Dale County, Alabama. The association provided lessons to underprivileged children and teens. In September of 2018, law enforcement began an investigation following reports of physical abuse carried out by Joyner against one of his 15-year-old female students. The investigation revealed that, in addition to beating the young victim with a wooden board to influence her to obey him, Joyner began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13. Trial testimony indicated that Joyner engaged in sex acts with the minor in multiple states, including Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. This sexual exploitation continued until the investigation began in 2018.
“This significant sentence reflects the harm that Joyner inflicted upon his young and vulnerable victim,” said United States Attorney Ross. “I am grateful for the courage shown by the victim in coming forward and the diligence of the investigating agencies. Through the actions of all involved, a predator is off of the street and our communities are safer.”
“Yesterday’s sentencing was the result of law enforcement’s collective efforts to protect the children in our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation.”
The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski, Tara S. Ratz, and B. Chelsea Wilson prosecuted.
Former Philadelphia Correctional Officer Charged with Violating the Constitutional Rights of an InmateRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ivory S. Cousins, 35, of West Deptford, New Jersey, was arrested and charged by indictment with violating the constitutional rights of a prison inmate by ignoring his significant injuries from an assault by other inmates, pepper spraying him, helping another inmate to steal from him, and obstructing the investigation of what happened to him.
According to the indictment, the defendant was a correctional officer employed by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons in August 2019. While on duty at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the indictment alleges that the defendant became aware that an inmate had been assaulted by other inmates and had serious injuries, but she was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, failed to get him medical attention, and prevented a superior officer from discovering the inmate’s injuries. After her partner discovered the injured inmate and called for medical attention, but before assistance arrived to escort him to the medical unit, the indictment charges that the defendant subjected the injured inmate to excessive force, that is, she unreasonably pepper sprayed him. When the injured inmate had been escorted out of the area for medical attention, the indictment alleges that the defendant further violated the injured inmate’s constitutional rights by helping one of the inmates involved in his assault to steal his personal belongings from his cell. When she later completed a report about the incident, the indictment charges that the defendant provided false information about the injured inmate being aggressive, engaging in a fight, and using a weapon.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 41 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1 million fine, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Everett R. Witherell.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Frankfort woman, Brittany Joyce May, 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday, before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to her plea agreement, between July 2021 and May 2023, May was employed as an administrative specialist at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). As part of her duties, May managed payments to providers who were eligible for payments under certain adoption and foster programs. In doing so, May input provider information into the computer resource directory, including their personal identifying information and banking information. To receive payments under these programs, providers submitted request paperwork to CHFS. Upon receiving those requests, May would initiate payments, via a wire transfer, to the provider’s bank account. However, when some providers did not submit the required paperwork or stopped receiving payments because their services had expired, May would instead direct funds that would have been paid to them to four bank accounts that she owned and controlled.
To conceal these actions, May would submit false invoices, to make it appear as if the provider had requested payment. And knowing the system would automatically send notifications to the provider’s listed address, indicating a payment had been made, May would change the provider addresses, to forward the notices elsewhere. From July 2021 to May 2023, May used the names and/or social security numbers of 45 providers in the computer resource directory to operate her scheme, and she further opened bank accounts using the personal identifying information of two providers.
In all, May misappropriated $444,663.77 in funds and initiated more than 540 fraudulent wire transfers to bank accounts she owned and controlled.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation; and Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Mattingly-Williams prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
May is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2024. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge, as well as a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
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Former ICE Employee Found Guilty of Illegally Directing Hundreds of Government Vehicle Repair Contracts to His Wife’s CompanyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former United States deportation officer was found guilty by a jury today of illegally using his position to send hundreds of payments to his wife’s vehicle repair company.
Jacques Polzin, 40, of Norwalk, was found guilty of eight counts of conflict of interest.
According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, Polzin formerly was employed as a deportation officer at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During his employment at ICE, Polzin served as a vehicle control officer, whose job was to facilitate service and repairs for ICE vehicles.
From at least November 2017 to September 2020, Polzin illegally sent service and parts orders from ICE to a Santa Fe Springs-based automotive repair company named JNJ Auto Repair LLC. This company was registered to Polzin’s wife.
At all relevant times, Polzin had a financial interest in this company. He was involved in establishing and investing in the business, shared estimates from competitors with JNJ Auto so that it could beat the price and win the ICE contract, and was paid by JNJ Auto.
In total, Polzin was involved in more than 250 transactions between ICE and JNJ Auto for ICE vehicles. Polzin performed these actions while hiding his connection to JNJ Auto.
United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a March 10, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Polzin will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
ICE Office of Professional Responsibility investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys K. Afia Bondero of the Major Frauds Section and Nisha Chandran of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force are prosecuting this case.
Former Boston Police Officer Sentenced for Overtime FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police Officer was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with committing over $20,000 in overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse.
James Carnes, 61, of Canton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to two years of supervised release, the first six months of which will be served in home detention. Carnes was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $20,106 in restitution. In April 2021, Carnes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds.
Between July 2016 and February 2019, Carnes submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4-8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Carnes claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or before. For the kiosk shift, Carnes submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, but he only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.
From 2016 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Russell W. Cunningham Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Federal Prisoners Sentenced for Smuggling Drugs into PrisonsRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eleven inmates in the Northern District of West Virginia have been sentenced for smuggling or attempting to smuggle drugs into various prisons.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the inmates were smuggling drugs into Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Hazelton, Secure Female Facility (SFF) Hazelton, and Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Gilmer. Those receiving additional time to the sentences they were already serving include:
- Angela Oxendine, 44, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to three months;
- Angela Woolwine, 35, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to 12 months;
- Brittney Hays, 31, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to three months;
- Tina Hatterer, 44, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to six months;
- Arlene Combs, 39, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to six months;
- Kevon Jackson, 31, an inmate at FCI Hazelton, sentenced to six months;
- Christopher Coffey, 55, an inmate at FCI Hazelton inmate, sentenced to six months;
- Joshua Jett, 40, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months;
- Dayvoughn Ervin, 31, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months;
- Joseph Sanders, 24, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months;
- Christopher Gorrell, 41, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to three months.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Flower and Will Rhee prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Prisons investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
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Federal Indictment Charges Man with Illegally Possessing Loaded Gun During Exchange of Gunfire in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has charged a man with illegally possessing a loaded handgun during an exchange of gunfire in Chicago earlier this year.
The indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges MARQUIST EVANS, 30, of Chicago, with illegal possession of a machine gun and ammunition. Evans fired numerous shots from a handgun while standing in the doorway of a gas station in the 500 block of West Grenshaw Street in Chicago on May 6, 2024, according to a criminal complaint previously filed in the case. Evans fired the gun in the direction of two shooters, one of whom was armed with a rifle, who had emerged from a car and fired numerous shots at the vehicle in which Evans had arrived at the gas station, the complaint states. Evans’s handgun was equipped with a conversion device, also known as a “Glock switch,” which allow firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, the complaint states.
Evans is currently in law enforcement custody. Arraignment on the federal charges is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib M. Hussain.
The investigation was conducted in coordination with ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago. The CGIC is a centralized law enforcement hub that focuses exclusively on investigating and preventing gun violence in Chicago and throughout northern Illinois. The CGIC is an interagency collaboration that brings together - under one roof - federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and intelligence analysts to move quickly to investigate and prosecute violent crimes.
Holding firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is the centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative that brings together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions to the most pressing violent crime problems. In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
“Our office is using every available law enforcement tool to continue to bring impactful cases that hold firearm offenders accountable and reduce violent crime in Chicago,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Combating the unacceptable level of gun violence in Chicago will continue to be a top priority in our office.”
“This defendant was charged using the resources and partnerships that the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) of Chicago created this spring,” said ATF SAC Amon. “The CGIC’s real time analysis of crime gun intelligence is a game changer in arresting and holding accountable those who are drivers of violent gun crime in our community.”
The charges in the indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Evans complaint Evans indictmentEllington Behavioral Health to Make Changes to Ensure Effective Communication with Persons with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that WAIRE, LLC, the owner of the medical practice known as ELLINGTON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH in Ellington, has entered into a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
This matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice by an individual who is deaf and speaks American Sign Language. The complainant alleges that Ellington Behavioral Health did not provide them with an American Sign Language interpreter for several mental health counseling appointments. Based on its investigation, the government confirmed that Ellington Behavioral Health failed to provide an American Sign Language interpreter for this individual for at least six appointments. Under the ADA, public accommodations, including health care providers, are required to provide American Sign Language interpreters if needed to facilitate effective communication with persons with disabilities.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Ellington Behavioral health has agreed not to discriminate based on disability in the future and will provide persons with disabilities with full and equal enjoyment of its services. As part of that obligation, Ellington Behavioral Health will provide auxiliary aids and services, including American Sign Language interpreters, to ensure effective communication with its patients and their companions who have disabilities. Ellington Behavioral Health has also agreed to provide reasonable modifications to policies and procedures for individuals with disabilities consistent with the ADA. Ellington Behavioral Health will also pay $5,000 to compensate the complainant.
U.S. Attorney Avery noted that Ellington Behavioral Health has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make their mental health services more accessible without litigation.
The settlement agreement is effective for three years, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor compliance during that time.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.
El Monte Man Charged in Connection with Attempts to Ship More Than 1,000 Kilograms of Methamphetamine to AustraliaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he is connected to the attempted exportation of more than one metric ton (2,205 pounds) of methamphetamine concealed inside shipment containers and destined for Australia last year, the Justice Department announced today.
Jing Tang Li, 32, of El Monte, is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, exportation of controlled substances, and attempt and conspiracy to export controlled substances.
Li was arrested Thursday near a warehouse in South El Monte. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“Dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine devastate our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We see the misery brought by highly addictive drugs on our streets every day. The massive amount of methamphetamine seized in this case shows how brazen drug traffickers have become and why it is imperative that we use our resources to hold these criminals responsible.”
“Being a mere three hours north of the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere has made Los Angeles a critical cog in the transnational narcotics trafficking trade,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Federal Police are committed to dismantling these organizations on both sides of the Pacific.”
According to an affidavit attached with the complaint, from February 2023 to December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected seven shipments of different purported commodities destined for Australia. The purported commodities were falsely listed as carpets and textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment, and a casting machine. The listed companies that were shipping the “products” were fake businesses. Embedded in the products was methamphetamine.
In total, law enforcement seized more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in these containers.
Law enforcement eventually traced Li to the shipments and arrested him Thursday driving near a South El Monte warehouse where a robbery was reported during the early morning of August 8. In that warehouse, law enforcement found shipping labels, scales, and a package containing methamphetamine.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Li would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Australian Federal Police are investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the reported robbery.
Assistant United States Attorney J’me K. Forrest of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.
Earlville Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Using Drugs and Possessing Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
An Earlville man who assaulted his girlfriend and shot at her was sentenced today, August 9, 2024, to 97 months in prison.
Christopher Wuchter, age 38, from Earlville, received the prison term after a February 7, 2024, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.
Information disclosed during the plea and sentencing hearing revealed that on January 9, 2023, Wuchter was arrested for domestic abuse following an incident that occurred at his residence. Officers later executed a search warrant at the residence and found drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, multiple rounds of ammunition, and over 30 firearms. Two of the firearms were determined to be sawed-off shotguns. During their investigation, investigators learned that in August 2022, Wuchter and his girlfriend at the time had gotten into an argument. Wuchter assaulted his girlfriend’s minor son causing a bloody nose. Wuchter then fired three shots from a second-story bedroom at his girlfriend as she was trying to leave the residence.
At the time of both incidents, Wuchter was a user of methamphetamine and marijuana. Wuchter has a criminal history, which includes 11 prior adult criminal convictions.
Wuchter was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wuchter was sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-2024.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Convicted McKinney Man Sentenced in Del Rio for Human SmugglingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A McKinney man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens.
According to court documents, on July 26, 2022, Draivon Rashon Dixon, 33, approached a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Carrizo Springs in an SUV. Agents encountered three undocumented noncitizens attempting to conceal themselves in the vehicle. Agents also recovered a 9mm pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle. A jury found Dixon guilty at trial on Jan. 18, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ekua Ayatra Assabill and Jayvee Rhoda prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Franco is handling asset forfeiture.
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Beckley Man Sentenced for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Algie Kenya Scales, 50, of Beckley, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation for distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 23, 2023, Scales sold approximately 2.7 grams of fentanyl in Beckley for $300. Scales admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling approximately 5 grams of fentanyl for $625 on March 2, 2023, and to selling approximately 4.7 grams of fentanyl for $600 on March 8, 2023. Both of the additional transactions occurred at a predetermined location in Beckley.
Scales has a long criminal history that includes two separate prior felony convictions for distribution of a controlled substance.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon and third-year law student intern Benedict Husting prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-167.
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Baltimore Man Guilty in Fentanyl Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sean Jarred Davis, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, has admitted to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization operating in Hampshire and Mineral Counties.
Davis pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Davis was the leader of the drug trafficking organization, supplying large quantities of fentanyl and heroin. Davis would deliver the drugs to others in Hampshire and Mineral Counties to sell on his behalf.
Davis faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation. The Task Force consists of members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Antioch Police Officer Convicted by Federal Jury of Conspiracy and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – A federal jury convicted police officer Morteza Amiri of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the City of Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain in his name, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The felony verdicts follow a four-day trial before United States Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White. Amiri is the sixth officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with Patrick Berhan, Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash, Samantha Peterson, Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, and Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa.
“We expect integrity and honesty from every police officer, every day, in the police departments across this country,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “Amiri failed to uphold these basic responsibilities, and a federal jury has convicted him of defrauding his employer, the Antioch Police Department. He, along with the other officers he conspired with, now face the consequences of violating the rule of law that they swore to uphold.”
“Amiri engaged in a calculated conspiracy to defraud his police department of taxpayer funds. His actions were a violation of the law and a grave betrayal of public trust,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Amiri and his co-conspirators’ deception has no place in law enforcement. With this conviction, he now faces the consequences of his actions.”
Amiri, 33, was employed as a Police Officer with the Antioch Police Department. At trial, the evidence presented showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree. However, instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and financial incentives from their police department employers, the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg. They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments.
In a span of two years, the conspiracy included numerous other officers and former officers, including Berhan (Pittsburg PD), Amiri (Antioch PD), Theodosy a/k/a Nash (Pittsburg PD), Peterson (Antioch PD), Mejia-Orozco (Pittsburg PD), and Rodriguez Jalapa (formerly Pittsburg PD).
The evidence at trial showed that Amiri texted the person who took his classes for him, writing among other things: “can i hire you [ ] to do my … classes? ill pay you per class”; “don’t tell a soul about me hiring you for this. we can’t afford it getting leaked and me losing my job”; “if i submit my request for the degree on time by the end [ ] of the month i can coordinate my raise in a timely manner”; and “I’m gonna rush order my degree to get my pay raise jump started.”
On the basis of courses taken by this person, Amiri “earned” a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Amiri applied for and thereafter received financial incentives from the City of Antioch for having completed university courses and earning a bachelor’s degree.
The jury convicted Amiri of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.
U.S. Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White scheduled Amiri’s sentencing for November 12, 2024. Each of the two counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Court may also order a fine, restitution, and supervision upon release from prison as part of any sentence. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned multiple indictments on August 16, 2023, that collectively charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with federal crimes. Amiri is the last officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud case.
Amiri is scheduled for trial in another related case in February 2025.
Here is the status of the cases:
Case Number
Statute(s)
Defendant
(Bold: multiple case numbers)
Status
23-cr-00264
18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud)
Patrick Berhan
Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24
Morteza Amiri
Convicted at trial 8/8/24, sentencing set for 11/12/24
Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash
Pleaded guilty 7/30/24, sentencing set for 11/5/24
Samantha Peterson
Pleaded guilty 1/9/24, sentenced 4/23/24
Ernesto Mejia-Orozco
Pleaded guilty 6/11/24, sentencing set for 9/17/24
Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa
Pleaded guilty 6/25/24, sentencing set for 10/22/24
23-cr-00267
18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Timothy Manly Williams
Pending
23-cr-00268
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)
Daniel Harris
Status set for 8/13/24
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);
18 U.S.C. § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Devon Wenger
23-cr-00269
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Morteza Amiri
Trial set for 2/18/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Eric Rombough
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Devon Wenger
24-cr-00157
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)
Patrick Berhan
Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24
This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.
Amtrak Employee Pleads Guilty to Lying to a Federal AgentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Maurice Driver, 35, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to one count of lying to a Federal Agent, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Mike Waters of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General Eastern Area Field Office.
According to court documents, Driver was employed by Amtrak and was working as a Lead Service Attendant in the café car on an Amtrak train, which departed from Washington, D.C. in the afternoon of January 3, 2024, and ended in Chicago, Illinois, on the morning of January 4, 2024. While working on that train, Driver met a passenger. Driver spoke and texted with the passenger, and Driver allowed her to use a vacant sleeper car on the train. On January 4, in Chicago, that passenger reported to Amtrak Police that Driver sexually assaulted her in a sleeper car on the train. Amtrak-OIG then initiated an investigation of the sexual assault allegations.
During an interview with an Amtrak-OIG Special Agent, Driver made multiple false and misleading statements about his communications and contacts with the passenger, denying that he gave the passenger his personal phone number, texted with the passenger, and that he showed the passenger to a sleeper car.
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson scheduled sentencing for November 6, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Amtrak OIG with assistance from the Amtrak Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca G. Ross and Brian P. Kelly, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
2024 Indian Country Conference: Offering Hope to Victims in the Spirit of JusticeRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - Alison J. Ramsdell, United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and Mac Schneider, United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota, announced today that their offices hosted the 2024 Indian Country Conference: Offering Hope to Victims in the Spirit of Justice, on August 6-7, 2024, in Pierre, South Dakota.
U.S. Attorney Ramsdell and U.S. Attorney Schneider provided opening remarks during the conference, highlighting the important work done each and every day to secure justice for victims in Indian country. “Victims of crime are at the center of our prosecutions at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell, “and victim services providers are at the very heart of that critical work. We are fortunate to have skilled victim service professionals working alongside our prosecutors to vindicate the rights of victims and help them reclaim their voices.”
“Whether it’s our prosecutors, law enforcement partners, or victim service professionals, the Districts of North Dakota and South Dakota are united when it comes to pursuing justice for victims of crime,” Schneider said. “This is especially true as we work together to benefit public safety in Indian country. Inside and outside the courtroom, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to obtaining just results and bringing a victim-centered approach to our work.”
The conference featured speakers on a variety of topics. For example, Leslie Hagen, National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, provided expert training on the Investigation and Prosecution of Non-Fatal Strangulation Cases, as well as the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse in Indian Country. Other speakers provided educational presentations on Sex Trafficking in Indian Country; Fentanyl Overdose Awareness; Healing Trauma with Somatic Approaches; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; and Successful Team Coordination in Indian Country.
Conference participants included law enforcement officers, victim service providers, prosecutors, social workers, physicians and other medical professionals, mental health therapists, counselors, educators, court service officers, corrections officers, childcare providers, community leaders, and other concerned individuals from the two-state region of North Dakota and South Dakota—especially those dealing with family violence issues in tribal communities. Conference attendees were provided new tools and resources to continue their commitment to securing justice for victims of crime.
Thursday 8 August 2024
Wiggins Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Wiggins, Mississippi man pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Russell David Parker, 47, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Stone County on March 9, 2024.
Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Smith 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.
Virginia Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Enticement of a Minor Using the InternetRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Aldie, Virginia, man for Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on August 2, 2024.
Tyler Grimes, 26, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Grimes will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
A federal grand jury indicted Grimes in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 3, 2024.
Grimes used the internet-based application Omegle and his cellular phone to entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit activity. The minor was born in February of 2014, making her seven years old at all relevant times. During his communications with the minor, who lived in Rapid City, South Dakota, he repeatedly asked her for nude photos and videos of herself. She complied. After Grimes’ communications were discovered by the minor’s father, the minor was forensically interviewed. Many images and videos of child pornography between Grimes and the victim were located on the victim’s iPad.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.
Grimes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Ventura Men Receive Prison Terms for Crime Spree in Which Taco Truck Vendor Extorted, Small Businesses Robbed Last YearRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Ventura County men were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their roles in a crime spree late last year in which a taco truck vendor was extorted, two small businesses were robbed, and for fraudulently using debit and credit cards from a victim robbed at gunpoint.
Oscar Aguirre Silva, 31, of Ventura, was sentenced to 72 months (six years) in federal prison by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered him to pay $2,941 in restitution.
Silva pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of interference with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), three counts of bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
At a separate hearing today, Judge Vera sentenced Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez, 28, of Ventura, a co-defendant, to 54 months (4½ years) in federal prison. Ramirez was ordered to pay $1,597 in restitution.
Ramirez pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“The victims in this case were people just trying to make a living by operating a food truck when they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our society. Punishing those who engage in violent gun offenses is and will continue to be a priority for my office. Our community deserves no less.”
On November 6, 2023, Silva threatened violence to extort a taco truck vendor in Oxnard. Four days later, Silva robbed a woman at gunpoint and stole her iPhone, and her purse, which contained a credit card and a debit card in the victim’s name as well as a debit card in the name of another victim. Ramirez served as the getaway driver during this armed robbery. Both men then traveled to a Walmart store in Ventura, where they used the stolen cards to purchase $524 worth of merchandise. Later, Silva and another co-defendant, David Ray Reyes, 30, of Ventura, then used and attempted to use the stolen cards to purchase other items at an Oxnard smoke shop.
On November 25 and 26, 2023, Silva robbed two Oxnard businesses – a smoke shop and a grocery outlet.
Finally, on December 2, 2023, Ramirez, while under the influence of methamphetamine, possessed an assault rifle that did not bear a serial number – commonly known as a “ghost gun.” The firearm carried four rounds of ammunition. Ramirez was not legally permitted to possess the ghost gun or the ammunition because of his February 2020 felony conviction in Ventura County Superior Court for carrying a loaded firearm.
Reyes pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of attempted bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. On June 6, Judge Vera sentenced Reyes to 26 months in federal prison.
All three defendants remain in federal custody.
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 Ventura County Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura Police Department, conducted this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Lyndsi C. Allsop of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
Two Rochester men sentenced for their roles in illegal sports betting ringRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Louis P. Ferrari, II, 42, and Dominic Sprague, 40, both of Rochester, NY, who were convicted of conspiracy to transmit wagering information in interstate commerce and conduct an illegal gambling business, were sentenced to serve three years’ probation, to include 10 months home detention, by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. In addition, Ferrari forfeited $150,000 and Sprague forfeited approximately $92,000 from their gambling proceeds.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan K. McGuire and Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between April 25, 2019, and April 17, 2021, Ferrari and Sprague conspired with Anthony Amato, Tomasso Sessa, Joseph Lombardo, Jeffrey Boscarino, James Civiletti, and others, to finance, manage, and own all or part of an illegal bookmaking business, which had a gross daily revenue of approximately $2,000.00. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Ferrari, and co-defendant Amato, created accounts for Sprague, Boscarino, and Lombardo on “sport700.com”, a website for placing and tracking bets on sports events. Sprague, Boscarino, and Lombardo would call and text Ferrari to place, edit, and remove bets on sporting events for individual bettors on sport700.com. Ferrari also called and texted messages to Amato asking him to create accounts, change passwords, and place, edit, and remove bets for Sprague, Boscarino, Lombardo, and individual bettors on sport700.com.
Ferrari, Sprague, and Lombardo collected money owed by individual bettors and money owed to individual bettors in cash and through online payment applications, including CashApp, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. After Sprague and Lombardo collected from individual bettors, they kept a portion and paid the remainder to Ferrari. Sessa and Civiletti also collected from individual bettors in cash and through online payment applications, and then paid Sprague and Ferrari.
The sentencings are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Miklos Szoczei II, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith. Additional assistance was provided by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
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Two Plead Guilty in Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala,” age 23, and Alyssa June White, age 31, both of Troy, New York, pled guilty to offenses related to their involvement in nationwide marijuana trafficking and money laundering conspiracies.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
In pleading guilty, Pearson admitted to being a member of a marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) trafficking organization that cultivated marijuana on a commercial scale in Fresno, California, and shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana and THC from Fresno to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York.
Pearson admitted to receiving packages of marijuana shipped by Dwight A. Singletary, II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” from a shipping store in Fresno, Fast Pack & Ship, at her home in Troy. Pearson was notified of the packages of marijuana by Coles and David Singletary, aka “DB,” and was paid between $300 and $400 in cash per package of marijuana received. Pearson worked with her brother, Isiah Ti-Quan Clements, aka “Zay,” to receive the packages of marijuana, and between May 2020 and January 2021, received 11 packages containing approximately 72 kilograms, or 159 pounds, of marijuana. Pearson also admitting to packaging marijuana for sale and to texting with Coles, Clements, and David Singletary about doing so.
White admitted to conspiring with Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, and Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” to launder the proceeds of marijuana and THC sales by purchasing cashier’s checks with cash drug proceeds.
Federal law requires financial institutions to complete a currency transaction report for cash transactions over $10,000. To avoid the reporting requirement and otherwise conceal the cash drug proceeds, White purchased six cashier’s checks in amounts slightly below the reporting threshold for cash transactions with $57,240 in cash drug proceeds. The cashier’s checks were payable to Dwight Singletary; Dwight Singletary’s real estate lawyers; and Dwight Singletary’s company, DAS Empire, Inc.
Pearson faces up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release of between three years and life, and a fine of up to $1 million for conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
White faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and may also be required to serve up to three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit money laundering.
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.
Pearson and White were charged in an indictment with Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, Coles, Clements, Mumphrey, and 17 other people charging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes. Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, Coles, Clements, and Mumphrey have pled not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations.
In addition to Pearson and White, 12 other defendants, Rosemary Coles, Latrice Mumphrey, Sammy Olague, Victor Turner, Kristle Walker, Ruby Ledesma, Lateek White, Onisha Smith, Jazell Shuler, Earnest Flood, aka “Pop,” Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy,” and James Tyrell Daniels, aka “Red” and “Ghost,” previously pled guilty and are pending sentencing.
The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.