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Wednesday 7 August 2024
U.S. Attorney Announces Sentencing of Convicted Felon for Illegal-Firearm Possession Following Fatal ShootingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni Pueblo man was sentenced to 27 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm following a deadly confrontation that left one man dead.
According to court documents, on November 7, 2021, Daryl Jay Dickson, 38, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, shot and killed 32-year-old T.B. when T.B. and three others arrived unannounced at Dickson’s location and threatened him as he repaired his bicycle.
After the incident, Dickson fled the scene with the firearm. He was apprehended three days later by Zuni Police at a friend’s home.
During a subsequent police interview, Dickson admitted to possessing the handgun used in T.B.’s death. He explained that he had obtained that handgun in July 2021 after he wrestled it from an attacker in an unrelated incident. Despite knowing he was not legally permitted to possess a firearm due to his criminal history, Dickson still kept the handgun for self-defense purposes.
The handgun used in the shooting was later recovered by Zuni Police after it was subsequently used by another individual in a separate domestic-violence incident on November 15, 2021. The firearm remains in Zuni Police evidence.
The rusted nine-millimeter handgun recovered, with its obliterated serial number highlighted in orange
Dickson has a 2010 felony conviction in the State of New Mexico for breaking and entering in which he was sentenced to an 18-month deferred sentence with supervised probation. That sentence was revoked multiple times due to probation violations.
Following release from prison, Dickson will be subject to three years of supervised release. While on supervised release, Dickson must undergo alcohol and substance-abuse testing, treatment, and counseling.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Zuni Police Department investigated the case with the assistance of Zuni Fish and Wildlife and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Sentencing of Albuquerque Man for Series of Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for committing a series of brazen armed robberies across Albuquerque in the span of just five days while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, in 2020, Brandon Sanchez, 30, was charged federally for being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 27 months’ incarceration. During his subsequent term of supervised release, Sanchez committed the following robberies in Albuquerque over a five-day period in 2023:
- January 4, 2023: Shortly before 11:00 am, Sanchez entered the Little Caesar's restaurant at Montgomery and San Pedro in northeast Albuquerque. Handing an employee a note indicating he was armed, Sanchez demanded everything within five minutes, making off with approximately $60.
- January 4, 2023: Minutes later, Sanchez struck again at a nearby Subway at San Mateo and McLeod, threatening the cashier with an apparent firearm and leaving with $91 in cash.
- January 8, 2023: Just after 1:00 pm, Sanchez targeted the Little Caesar's at Montano and Fourth in northwest Albuquerque, drawing an apparent firearm and escaping with $100.
- January 9, 2023: Sanchez entered the Starbucks at San Mateo and Pan American around 9:00 am. He handed an employee a note, lifted his shirt to reveal an apparent firearm, and left with $100. A quick-thinking employee captured a photo of the getaway vehicle's temporary plate.
- January 9, 2023: At approximately 3:45 pm, Sanchez robbed the Big 5 Sporting Goods at Wyoming and Paseo del Norte, flashing an apparent firearm and taking $200.
- January 9, 2023: Just 15 minutes later, Sanchez robbed the Domino's restaurant at Holly and San Pedro, brandishing an apparent firearm and fleeing with $75.
Law enforcement connected Sanchez to the string of robberies after reviewing surveillance footage from Big 5 Sporting Goods that provided a clear view of his face. On January 10, 2023, the Albuquerque Police Department tracked Sanchez to a Motel 6 on Pan American and executed a search warrant. Inside his room, authorities discovered a black Glock magazine, 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a demand note, a black wig, a toy BB gun, and two flannel shirts matching descriptions from the robberies.
Upon his release from prison, Sanchez will be subject to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service and Albuquerque Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico prosecuted the case.
January 4, 2023: Brandon Sanchez robs the Subway at San Mateo and McLeod
January 4, 2023: Brandon Sanchez robs the Subway at San Mateo and McLeod
January 4, 2023: Brandon Sanchez robs the Subway at San Mateo and McLeod
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Two Tucson Men Admit to Conspiring to Travel to the Middle East to Fight for IsisRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Ahmed Mahad Mohamed, 26, and Abdi Yemeni Hussein, 25, both citizens of Somalia, who were living in Tucson at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty last week to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support and Resources to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Sentencing is scheduled for October 11, 2024, before United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps.
From late 2018 until their arrest on July 26, 2019, Mohamed and Hussein conspired with each other to travel to Egypt for the purpose of fighting for ISIS in the Sinai Peninsula.
Beginning in at least August 2018, Mohamed sought out other ISIS supporters online, stating that he wanted to travel to ISIS-controlled territory to become “the beheading guy” and martyr himself. Mohamed also stated that his only dream was to go to Syria, join ISIS, and “fight jihad,” and he indicated that his friend, Hussein, also desired to travel to ISIS territory abroad. Mohamed and Hussein met in person in 2019 to discuss their plans. Mohamed reiterated that his goal was to fight for ISIS abroad. Hussein told Mohamed that they would either reach ISIS territory “or we go to jail,” and suggested attacking the White House if they were prevented from traveling.
By June 2019, the defendants began making travel arrangements to join ISIS. They both sold their cars and purchased plane tickets from Tucson to Cairo. On the morning of July 26, 2019, the defendants checked in for their flight at the Tucson International Airport, went through security screening, and walked to the departure gate. Mohamed was carrying approximately $10,000 that he and Hussein planned to use for travel expenses and to buy firearms. Once in Egypt, the defendants intended to smuggle themselves into the ISIS-controlled area of the Sinai Peninsula so they could work under the direction and control of ISIS. Before Mohamed and Hussein could board their flight, the FBI arrested them.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Provide Material Support and Resources to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Both defendants have agreed to a judicial order of removal and will be removed from the United States to Somalia following any term of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-2162-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-109_Mohamed, et.al.# # #
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.
Suburban Chicago Man Guilty of Illegally Exporting Firearm Parts to IsraelRead the Press Release
CHICAGO —A suburban Chicago man has pleaded guilty to federal export-control charges for illegally shipping firearm parts to Israel.
AMIN BETUNI admitted in a plea agreement that he shipped the firearm parts to individuals in Israel on at least three occasions in 2022. The parts included rifle barrels, gas blocks for rifles, and bolt carrier groups. Betuni put false information on the shipping labels and concealed the firearm parts in packages containing auto parts or George Foreman grills. The firearm parts were on the United States Commerce Control List and subject to federal export regulations. As such, their export from the U.S. to Israel required a license or written approval from the Department of Commerce, neither of which was obtained by Betuni prior to his shipments.
During a court-authorized search of Betuni’s residence in Palos Hills, Ill., in December 2022, law enforcement discovered more than 1,200 rounds of assorted ammunition, a shotgun, rifle, and handgun, additional bolt carrier groups, and three firearm conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches,” which equip firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger.
Betuni, 37, pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2024, to a federal charge of knowingly and fraudulently exporting firearm parts in violation of U.S. laws and regulations. The conviction is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge John F. Kness set sentencing for Nov. 6, 2024.
The guilty plea was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Aaron Tambrini, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Palos Hills, Ill. Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn D. McCarthy.
“Export-control violations are critically important because they undermine federal laws and regulations that seek to protect international security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit U.S. export-control laws for financial gain.”
“Those who illegally export firearm parts will face consequences,” said SAC Fitzgerald. “Betuni’s actions not only violated international law but also undermined global security. HSI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold justice and prevent such dangerous activities. Let this guilty plea serve as a stern warning: anyone who jeopardizes peace and safety through illicit arms transfers will be held accountable.”
“The guilty plea is a testament to the excellent cooperation between our law enforcement partners effectively targeting the illegal export of firearm parts,” said SAC Tambrini. “Whether the export involves firearm parts or other controlled items, the Office of Export Enforcement is committed to vigorously investigating illegal exports and holding violators accountable.”
Betuni plea agreementSt. Louis Man Admits Committing Pandemic Loan FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man on Wednesday admitted fraudulently obtaining $41,484 in loans intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic.
Robert Baines, 44, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two felony counts of wire fraud. He admitted fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2021. He also agreed to pay full restitution.
Baines applied for a first draw PPP loan on March 31, 2021, and a second draw PPP loan on April 9, 2021. In the loan applications, Baines falsely claimed that he was self-employed and had earned gross income of $99,563 in 2019. He submitted a forged IRS form with his applications to bolster his claims. Baines was not self-employed and did not earn any of the claimed self-employment income. In his application for the second-draw loan, Baines falsely claimed that he’d suffered at least a 25% reduction in gross income between 2019 and 2020.
The PPP loans were designed to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and, accordingly, were to be used for business-related purposes, such as to cover payroll, utilities, and rent or mortgage payments. Instead, Baines instead used the money for restaurants, travel, clothing and other retail items.
Baines is scheduled to be sentenced November 12. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both prison and a fine.
The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.
Smuggler sent to prison after continuing to commit same crime while on bondRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old Pharr resident has been sentenced for conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Anthony Lenard Williams pleaded guilty April 28, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Williams to serve 96 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court found that while on bond, Williams continued to coordinate the smuggling of undocumented aliens. Williams was ultimately found responsible for smuggling at least 560 undocumented aliens – only accounting for those authorities have apprehended. The court also heard that the actual number is likely in the thousands. Some of the loads of undocumented aliens included as many 115 people in the back of a tractor-trailer, at times including unaccompanied minors. In one smuggling attempt, some of the people had to be treated for severe dehydration because of the dangerous way they were transported.
Beginning in summer 2021, authorities began investigating an organization responsible for smuggling thousands of undocumented aliens in tractor-trailers. Through the course of that investigation, law enforcement identified Miguel Angel Hernandez and Williams as coordinators.
Hernandez, 26, Donna, was previously sentenced to 108 months for his role in the organization but is believed to have held a a higher position of leadership than Williams.
Previously released on bond, Williams was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuted the case.
Slidell Woman Sentenced for Railroad Retirement FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TONYA BUTLER (“BUTLER”), of Slidell, La., age 55, was sentenced on August 5, 2024, to four years of probation and 150 hours of community service by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey for making false statements to the Railroad Retirement Board, in violation of Title 45, United States Code, Section 359(a).
According to court records, from January 2022 to April 2022, BUTLER made false statements to the Railroad Retirement Board to obtain sickness benefits. In truth, BUTLER was working full-time for an interstate trucking company. Her false statements caused a loss of approximately $7,345.52. BUTLER also received short term disability benefits and COVID-19 related funds, to which she was not entitled, in the approximate amount of $62,000.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Amtrak – Office of Inspector General and the Railroad Retirement Board - Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit was in charge of the prosecution.
Significant sentence handed to Corpus resident for Stripes robbery and bystander shootingRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 22-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced for the robbery and shooting at a Stripes convenience store, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Jose Valdez pleaded guilty April 29.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Valdez to serve 51 months in federal prison for the robbery as well as a consecutive 120 months for the shooting. His total 171-month sentence will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from the victim of the shooting, who testified about lingering effects of his injury more than a year later. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that the crimes Valdez committed were some of the most serious crimes the federal court considers.
“The Stripes store is a Corpus Christi original, a place patrons can find gas, a quick snack and a clerk’s welcoming words. No one, however, should ever have to find themselves at the wrong end of a violent criminal’s gun, turning those patrons into victims,” said Hamdani. “Today’ s sentence represents how multiple lives were put at risk only because they happened to cross paths with Jose Valdez and his gun at a local Stripes.”
On June 29, 2023, Valdez approached a Stripes convenience store on Port Street in Corpus Christi at approximately 6:40 a.m. carrying a handgun into the store. Valdez entered, pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. At the same time, three customers entered the store and observed the robbery taking place.
Valdez ordered them to leave. As they were exiting the store, he shot one of the men in the leg. All three men exited with the two uninjured men taking the third to the hospital for treatment. Valdez turned back to the clerk and demanded she empty all the registers in the store. Valdez took the money, ran out of the store, got into a silver car and drove away.
Law enforcement had ongoing investigations on other aggravated robberies in Corpus Christi and identified Valdez from the Stripes surveillance footage.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case along with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
Shelby County felon sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun violationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Timpson man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Austin Yarbrough, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 7, 2024.
According to information presented in court, from 2021 through 2023, law enforcement conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating throughout East Texas. Yarbrough was identified as a member of that organization and a distributor of methamphetamine, as well as a firearms trafficker. As a member of the organization, Yarbrough would receive methamphetamine transported by his co-conspirators and then distribute the methamphetamine in the Timpson area. On multiple occasions, law enforcement conducted operations leading to the purchase of methamphetamine and firearms from Yarbrough, including a modified .45 caliber rifle with a shortened barrel and an adjustable stock.
Further investigation revealed Yarbrough has previous felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a building, and bail jumping. As a convicted felon, Yarbrough is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Angelina County Sheriff's Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; and FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.
Rochester Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Rochester man has been indicted on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on or about April 28, 2024, Liban Abdikadar Abdullahi, 29, knowingly possessed a 9mm Glock model 43 semiautomatic pistol. Abdullahi also possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and carried the Glock pistol to further his drug trafficking crime.
Because Abdullahi has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
The indictment charges Abdullahi with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Abdullahi made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Recidivist Large-Scale Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Conviction at Trial for Violating Federal Kingpin StatuteRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Jamaican national was sentenced in federal court on August 6, 2024, to life imprisonment for his conviction on six counts, including violating the federal “Kingpin” statute for leading a continuing criminal enterprise, as well as federal offenses involving cocaine trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Racoco Williams, 43. A Pittsburgh jury found Williams guilty of the six counts in September 2023 following a three-week trial.
Evidence introduced at trial established that Williams, who is originally from Jamaica, was the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine between 2012 and 2018. Williams obtained cocaine from near the Southwest border through a base of operations in Phoenix, Arizona. He then arranged to transport the cocaine to various cities on the east coast of the United States, including Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; New York City; and Pittsburgh. Although he relied on a variety of methods for transporting bulk cocaine, he regularly used young women—including a 16-year-old—as couriers, directing them to travel by bus or on domestic airlines with checked luggage filled with drugs. Williams then used many of these same women, who often faced dire financial circumstances, to transport cash proceeds of his cocaine trafficking back to Phoenix concealed in secret compartments in suitcases. To ensure the couriers’ obedience, Williams threatened them with violence, including threatening to kill one courier and her entire family if she cooperated with law enforcement.
“Racoco Williams orchestrated a years-long, cross-country drug trafficking and money laundering organization that distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in various cities throughout the country, including communities in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Williams stayed behind the scenes, using couriers to transport bulk cocaine and cash to fuel his enterprise, and he maintained obedience through threats of violence, including a threat to kill a courier and her family. This prosecution makes clear yet again that our office and our law enforcement partners, here and across the country, are dedicated to identifying the most dangerous offenders and holding them accountable to the fullest extent of federal law.”
“This sentence is the culmination of years of investigative and prosecutorial work, diligence, and expertise,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Sara Bay. “As a result of this investigation, special agents and prosecutors were able to dismantle a vicious transnational drug trafficking organization and free the young women who Racoco Williams controlled through threats of violence. The partnership that HSI Pittsburgh has developed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania is truly remarkable and continues to work to ensure the safety of communities in western Pennsylvania.”
During the conspiracy, Williams was associated with multiple seizures involving large quantities of drugs, cash, and jewelry, with a total of approximately $895,000 in cash seized from Williams and his associates throughout the investigation. In 2012, for example, a search of the home he used for a drug transaction revealed $337,000 in cash concealed in secret compartments in eight suitcases. Although he pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal syndicate and received a sentence of two years of probation, Williams’s drug trafficking continued unabated. In 2014, he was again arrested in Arizona, and a search of two suitcases in his vehicle revealed approximately $160,000 in cash.
Evidence at trial further established significant trafficking activity in 2017. In April of that year, a search of an acquaintance’s home in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, uncovered six kilograms of cocaine and $78,500 in cash. Williams previously had arranged for a courier to travel with the same suitcase filled with cocaine from Las Vegas two days earlier. Less than a month later, in May 2017, a traffic stop by the Swissvale Police and later search of Williams’s car and hotel room revealed approximately $120,000 in cash and valuable jewelry. About three months later, a search of Williams’s Monroeville, Pennsylvania, hotel room revealed 17 kilograms of cocaine concealed in two suitcases, and approximately $192,000 in cash and $150,000 in jewelry concealed in another suitcase. Williams’s cross-country operation involved other individuals, including co-conspirators working out of the Penn Hills area of Pennsylvania who distributed cocaine supplied by Williams.
The evidence presented at trial further established that, even after he was incarcerated, Williams continued to arrange for shipments of cocaine from Phoenix to the Pittsburgh area. One such shipment in March 2018 comprised five kilograms of cocaine concealed inside a BMW sport utility vehicle on a car carrier destined for Pittsburgh that was seized by Arizona law enforcement officials. At trial, the jury further concluded that approximately $400,000 in cash, $200,000 worth of jewelry, and that BMW sport utility vehicle were forfeitable to the government.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Williams. Numerous other law enforcement agencies and departments in Pennsylvania and Arizona assisted in the investigation, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Allegheny County Police Department, Swissvale Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff’s Office, and Yavapai County (Arizona) Sheriff’s Office.
Real Estate Professional Pleads Guilty to $55 Million Mortgage Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Tjoman Buditaslim pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco yesterday to wire fraud conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Kaminsky; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Steve Sherwood; and Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Herminia Neblina.
In his plea agreement, Buditaslim, 52, of Daly City, California, admitted that from 2018 through 2022 he conspired with others—including Jose Tellez, Jose de Jesus Martinez, and Travis Holasek, all of whom previously pleaded guilty—to originate 102 home mortgage loans worth more than $55 million based on false and fraudulent loan application information, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Buditaslim admitted he worked with his co-conspirators to create fraudulent documents—including judicial divorce decrees, alimony/child supports checks, bank statements, and loan applications—and submitted those documents to multiple loan companies, which relied on falsely inflated income information in the fraudulent documents to extend mortgages. Buditaslim also admitted that many of the mortgage loans were insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), and he admitted that the FHA lost approximately $486,484.38 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure.
Tellez, 27, of San Jose, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Tellez admitted in his plea agreement that, from 2019 through 2022, he worked as a loan officer at a mortgage company, where his job was to receive home mortgage loan applications and supporting documentation to determine if applicants qualified for mortgages based on his employer’s and FHA rules and guidelines. He also admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, he helped originate approximately 30 home mortgage loans worth more than $17 million based on what he knew to be false and fraudulent income information in loan applications submitted by Buditaslim and others working with him. He also admitted that he knew he was required to stop and flag applications that contained false and fraudulent representations about income, but that he instead knowingly assisted in originating and funding the fraudulent loans and that he earned a commission on each of the 30 fraudulent loans he helped originated. Finally, Tellez admitted that many of the mortgage loans he helped originate were insured by the FHA, which he admitted lost approximately $265,457 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure.
Martinez, 59, of Daly City, also pleaded guilty on July 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. In his plea agreement, Martinez admitted that, from 2018 through 2022, he worked as a licensed real estate agent representing buyers looking to purchase homes. Martinez further admitted that, to earn commission payments for himself, he referred clients he knew would not otherwise qualify for home mortgage loans to Buditaslim, who he knew would qualify the clients for home mortgage loans based on false and fraudulent loan application materials and information. Ultimately, Martinez admitted that as a result of his involvement in the conspiracy, his clients fraudulently received 49 loans worth a total of approximately $27.7 million for which he earned nearly $590,000 in real estate broker commissions. Finally, Martinez admitted that many of the mortgage loans his clients obtained as part of this scheme were insured by the FHA, which he admitted lost approximately $265,457 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure.
“These defendants used their professional knowledge of the mortgage industry to perpetrate a fraud on unsophisticated home buyers, funneling these victims into loans for which they were not qualified,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “My office is committed to protecting all victims of fraud, whether federal agencies, Northern California residents, or—as happened here—both.”
“The defendants took advantage of their knowledge and training in the mortgage industry to circumvent the rules and abused the positions of trust they held as real estate professionals and gatekeepers of FHA-insured loans in order to line their own pockets,” said Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Kaminsky with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “They created and passed false documents to qualify individuals unaware of their schemes for loans those individuals would not have otherwise qualified for. HUD OIG will continue to work with its prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs.”
“FHFA OIG will vigorously investigate criminal offenses that impact the integrity of the residential mortgage market. In this case, a loan officer and real estate broker each had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead chose to engage in mortgage fraud, and some of those loans were later sold in mortgage-backed securities,” said Herminia Neblina, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Western Region. “We are proud to have partnered with our colleagues and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the effort to prosecute these financial criminals.”
Buditaslim, Tellez, and Martinez, and Holasek, 51, of San Francisco, were originally indicted by a federal grand jury on November 7, 2023. All four defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. All of the defendants were also charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343: Buditaslim and Tellez were each charged with five counts of wire fraud; Holasek was charged with four counts of wire fraud; and Martinez was charged with three counts of wire fraud. Buditaslim, Holasek, and Martinez were also each charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1).
Buditaslim, Tellez, and Martinez are scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2024, in San Francisco by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, Senior U.S. District Court Judge. They each face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the crime, plus restitution, following their wire fraud conspiracy convictions. 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. Holesek’s next scheduled appearance is for a status conference before Judge Breyer on November 6, 2024.
The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud and General Crimes Sections of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Christiaan Highsmith is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Lance Libatique and Aarian Beti. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by FHA-OIG, HUD OIG, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the California Department of Justice.
Readout of Justice Department Officials’ Participation in National Night OutRead the Press Release
Yesterday, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer participated in the 41st Annual National Night Out (NNO). Their participation in NNO events highlights the Justice Department’s partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement that have played key roles in its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, which focuses federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime.
Established in 1984 from a Justice Department Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant, NNO aims to build relationships with and between communities and law enforcement, promote police-community partnerships, and enhance neighborhood camaraderie. The community-building campaign provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
This year, NNO takes place as violent crime continues to decline nationwide, following an uptick during the pandemic in 2020. FBI data shows a decrease in violent crime in communities across the country in 2023 compared to the previous year, including an over 13% reduction in homicides. That is the steepest yearly decline in homicides, in over 50 years. Early data from 2024 indicates that this trend is continuing.
“Each year, National Night Out gives communities across the country the chance to celebrate and strengthen their partnerships with law enforcement,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This was a particularly meaningful National Night Out because it came after our country experienced one of the lowest nationwide violent crime rates in 50 years this past year. The Justice Department will never stop working to build on this progress because every person, in every neighborhood, in every community deserves to be safe from violent crime.”
The Attorney General participated in National Night Out events in Des Moines, Iowa. He was joined by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kahl for the Southern District of Iowa at an event hosted by the Urbandale Police Department, where they had an opportunity to engage with local law enforcement and community members.
This week, Attorney General Garland met with prosecutors and law enforcement partners from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Nevada, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Northern District of Iowa, and Southern District of Iowa. The Attorney General met with U.S. Attorney Jason Frierson for the District of Nevada and discussed his Office’s work as part of the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program (OCDETF), which seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal and drug trafficking organizations. In Wisconsin, he spoke with federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders, including Milwaukee Sheriff Denita Ball and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, about efforts to continue to decrease violent crime and reduce fentanyl on streets in the Milwaukee area. Attorney General Garland also touted the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northen District of Iowa to secure sentences for multiple gun and drug crime offenders.
Deputy Attorney General Monaco attended two National Night Out events in Cincinnati with U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. She visited the Westwood and Roselawn neighborhoods, where she spoke with local community leaders and law enforcement officials about how they are partnering together to keep Cincinnati safe. Prior to her NNO stops, the Deputy AG attended roll-call at the Cincinnati Police Department’s (CPD) Third District to thank the women and men of the force for their commitment to public safety.
While in Cincinnati, the Deputy AG visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio to hear from the dedicated prosecutors and professional staff of the office about their work to carry out the Justice Department’s mission, especially tackling violent crime. The Deputy AG also toured the Cincinnati Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), which imbeds ATF special agents and analysts with local law enforcement and prosecutors to swiftly identify unlawfully used firearms and their sources. Like the many other crime gun intelligence centers nationwide, the Cincinnati CGIC harnesses cutting-edge technologies – including the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and eTrace systems — to rapidly develop and pursue investigative leads in order to drive case clearance rates up, which in turn can help drive violent crime rates down.
Prior to traveling to Cincinnati, the Deputy Attorney General delivered the keynote address at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, where she emphasized the crucial role women in law enforcement play in protecting communities nationwide.
Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer joined U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Special Agent in Charge Benny Mims of the ATF Charlotte Field Division, and U.S. Marshal Glenn McNeill Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina to attend two National Night Out events in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Acting Associate Attorney General visited Tarboro Road Community Center and The Village at Washington Terrace, where he met with law enforcement partners and community members and discussed issues of importance in Raleigh.
In addition to the federal, state, local, and Tribal partners, the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country are invaluable partners in the Department’s work to combat violent crime. All of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices visited this week by the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Acting Associate Attorney General maintain ongoing participation in the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which builds on existing programs in each district to reduce gun violence, gun crime, and sustain those reductions.
Editor’s Note: A previously posted photo was removed at the request of the subject(s).
Pleasant Gap Man Charged with Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Morelli, age 55, of Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information on August 6, 2024, with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information charges Morelli with knowingly using a facility of interstate and foreign commerce to attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in prostitution and sexual activity for which any person can be charged under Pennsylvania criminal laws, specifically aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and statutory sexual assault under Pennsylvania criminal laws.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Phoenix Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Threatening to Kill a Federal JudgeRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Clinton Mark Lewis, 52, of Phoenix, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash, to 51 months in prison. Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official by Threat on May 8, 2024.
On July 25, 2022, Lewis was in federal court for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of possessing child pornography. As the district judge was pronouncing his sentence, Lewis erupted in court, shouting profanities and racial slurs at the judge. During his tirade, Lewis threatened to kill the judge and the judge’s grandchildren. As a result, Lewis was removed from the courtroom.
On April 27, 2023, Lewis was indicted on three separate charges: Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official by Threat, Obstruction of Justice, and Contempt. On May 8, 2024, Lewis pleaded guilty to Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official.
At the sentencing hearing, Lewis was sentenced to 51 months in prison, which the court ordered to run consecutive to the 151 months in prison Lewis is currently serving for possession of child pornography.
“Due process demands that a defendant have a meaningful opportunity to speak with a District Judge at sentencing,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “But the right to allocute is not a license to antagonize or intimidate. We will continue to separately charge those who threaten judicial officers during court proceedings, and to seek additional, consecutive sentences to discourage and deter this criminal behavior.”
“The sentence handed down today underscores the seriousness of threatening a U.S. Marshals Service protectee,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Van Bayless. “Our very democracy is based on the premise that the Judiciary operate free from harm and intimidation of any type. I am grateful to our investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s prosecutors for their continued dedication and diligence in the protection of the judicial process.”
The United States Marshals Service Judicial Security Unit conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-583-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-110_Lewis# # #
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.Owner of Spokane Valley Medical Supply Company Agrees to Pay $224,620 to Resolve Allegations of Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced Justin Leland has agreed to pay $224,620.88 to resolve allegations he participated in a kick-back scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment.
Medicare provides health insurance to elderly and disabled United States citizens. Medicare pays for covered health services, including durable medical equipment, under certain conditions. Durable medical equipment are supplies ordered by a health care provider for a patient’s everyday or extended use, such as oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches or blood testing strips for diabetics. In order for durable medical equipment to be covered under Medicare, it must be ordered by a physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific medical problem and must be used as part of the course of treatment for that specific medical problem.
According to court documents, in June of 2018, Leland registered US Professional Medical Supply LLC (USPMS) with the Washington Secretary of State. Leland also obtained a National Provider Identifier as a durable medical equipment and medical supply company and listed himself as the owner.
In September 2019, Leland submitted approximately 400 durable medical equipment billing claims to Medicare from USPMS, which all listed Leland as the provider and were ordered by doctors who solicited and received kickbacks in exchange for ordering the durable medical equipment. In total, Medicare paid out $112,310.44 for these claims.
During the investigation, Federal investigators learned patients received phone calls from telemarketers, provided brief statements to the callers, never actually saw or were examined by a provider, and received durable medical equipment that they did not actually need.
“This settlement puts durable medical equipment suppliers on notice that they will be held accountable if they attempt to defraud the United States,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “These schemes compromise patient care and result in payment for services that are not medically necessary. Such services not only drive-up medical costs for everyone, but in some instances may even prove harmful to patients. My office is committed to stopping health care fraud, protecting the resources of the federal government, and protecting the well-being of patients.”
“Durable medical equipment businesses that participate in illegal kickback schemes to boost their profits undermine the public’s trust and jeopardize the integrity of the Medicare program," said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement demonstrates HHS-OIG’s enduring commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to combat health care fraud and aggressively pursue those who exploit federal health care programs.”
The settlement was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Seattle Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremey Kelley handled this matter on behalf of the United States.
The settlement agreement can be viewed here:
Leland Settlement AgreementOhio Man Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Offense Related to Dentistry PracticeRead the Press Release
An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to not paying more than $750,000 in employment taxes and not filing employment tax returns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2014 through 2020, Eric Moesle, of Pickerington, served as the office manager for Elemental Dental in Pataskala, Ohio. At Elemental Dental, Moesle was responsible for payroll, bookkeeping and tax return preparation.
During that period, at Moesle’s direction and with his full knowledge, Elemental Dental was withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from its employees’ wages, which were reflected on paystubs and Forms W-2 issued to employees. However, from 2014 through 2020, Elemental Dental did not pay over those taxes to the IRS nor did it file employment tax returns. During the same period, the business also failed to pay over the employer’s share of those taxes. When interviewed by IRS representatives in 2022, Moesle falsely claimed that he did not know that the employment taxes had not been paid and that Elemental Dental’s employment tax returns and Forms W-2 had not been filed, and falsely stated that any such failures or omissions were unintentional.
In all, Moesle’s criminal conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of $760,255.
The plea was offered today to U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King for the Southern District of Ohio. Once accepted by a U.S. district court judge, a sentencing date will be set. Moesle faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Hayter Whitman and Jeffrey McLellan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Ohio Doctor Sentenced for Conspiring to Accept Kickbacks in Connection with Fraudulent Telemarketing Scheme that Harmed Medicare and TRICARE Patients in Eastern WashingtonRead the Press Release
Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Thomas Andrew Webster, M.D., age 51, of Sylvania, Ohio, pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks in connection with a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme throughout Washington and in other states. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 24 months in federal custody to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution of $839,566.44. In addition, Judge Dimke imposed a fine of $50,000.
The Medicare program provides health insurance coverage for elderly and disabled Americans. The Department of Defense’s TRICARE program provides health benefits to United States Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Medicare and TRICARE provide health insurance coverage for eligible health services, including, under certain conditions, for durable medical equipment. Durable medical equipment are supplies ordered by a health care provider for a patient’s everyday or extended use, such as oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches, or blood testing strips for diabetics. For durable medical equipment to qualify for reimbursement, the durable medical equipment is required to be ordered by a physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific illness or injury and is required to be part of the course of that treatment.
During the relevant time period, Dr. Webster lived in Olympia, Washington, and was a licensed physician in Washington. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, between May 2021 and September 2023, Dr. Webster participated in a telemarketing scheme and conspiracy. A company identified as “Company A” obtained Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary information by using telemarketers to contact patients in Eastern Washington and elsewhere to obtain their personal and health information. Company A then used the information to create a fake medical record that falsely and fraudulently reflected doctor visits and treatment supposedly performed by Dr. Webster that did not exist, and fraudulent medical orders for durable medical equipment. Dr. Webster then signed the fraudulent medical documentation and durable medical equipment orders, which were then sold by Company A to companies that used the orders to falsely bill Medicare and TRICARE. Company A and Dr. Webster also falsely and fraudulently billed Medicare and TRICARE for the fictitious doctor visits and exams that did not take place.
Medicare and TRICARE paid more than $14.6 million for durable medical equipment fraudulently ordered by Dr. Webster for more than ten thousand beneficiaries in Eastern Washington and elsewhere, including beneficiaries who lacked the limb for which Defendant supposedly performed the exam and ordered the durable medical equipment, because it had been previously amputated. Dr. Webster also admitted to directly receiving at least $839,565 from Medicare and TRICARE for fraudulent doctor visits and exams that never took place. As part of the sentence, the court also ordered forfeiture of funds in Dr. Webster’s bank and investment accounts representing the proceeds of his criminal conduct, and ordered Dr. Webster to pay restitution to the Medicare and TRICARE programs.
“By placing his personal financial benefit ahead of his duty to patients, Dr. Webster violated the oath he took as a doctor and caused more than $14.6 million dollars to be lost from critical health care programs designed to care for elderly and disabled Americans, as well as for military servicemembers and their families,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Telemarketing schemes that target and exploit the elderly and our servicemembers are especially pernicious because they prey on those who are often most in need of a doctor’s independent judgment that is not tainted or biased by the doctor’s own personal financial interest.”
“Illegal kickback arrangements can corrupt the legitimate medical decision-making process and undermine the integrity of federal healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s sentence demonstrates the commitment of HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners to hold those who exploit these programs for personal gain accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing is a clear signal that those who corrupt federal healthcare programs, including the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program, will be held accountable.” said Bryan D. Denny, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Dr. Webster’s greed siphoned off tax dollars meant to provide health care for members of the U.S. Military and their families. DCIS and our investigative partners will relentlessly pursue those who steal from the government at the expense of taxpayers, our nation’s warfighters, and their families.”
“I want to especially thank and commend the outstanding investigative work by our partners with HHS-OIG and DCIS,” continued U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Their skill and dogged determination throughout this complex investigation made this result possible. We will continue to work hand-in-glove with our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable.”
The case was investigated by HHS OIG’s Seattle Field Office and DCIS’ Western Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States; Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Donovan is handling the forfeiture action.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TRAVIS JACKSON (“JACKSON”), age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 6, 2024, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion, to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a gun, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made several controlled purchases of drugs from JACKSON and his co-defendant. The FBI then conducted wire intercepts of two phones belonging to the co-defendant. During the wiretaps, the FBI heard multiple calls related to drug trafficking, including calls with buyers, calls with other larger-scale dealers, and calls warning other dealers of police activity. The FBI later executed search warrants, arresting the co-defendant with a gun and fentanyl and, also, arresting JACKSON with a gun. JACKSON’s prior felony convictions prohibit him from possessing a firearm.
Judge Papillion set sentencing for November 12, 2024. On the drug conspiracy count, JACKSON faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000 and, at least four years of supervised release. On the felon in possession of a firearm count, JACKSON faces a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each count, he also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
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 investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.
Mt. Lebanon Resident Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on August 6, 2024, to 23 years of incarceration, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, on his conviction related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Andrew Kalyl Foxx, a/k/a James Andrew Liles, a/k/a Andrew James Liles, 43. Foxx pleaded guilty to two counts on May 15, 2024.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about March 3, 2023, Foxx secretly recorded himself sexually abusing a minor. On March 9, 2023, the defendant knowingly possessed this video file depicting the child sexual exploitation.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, Allegheny County Police Department, and Mt. Lebanon Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Foxx.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Million-dollar PPP scheme sends Sugar Land man to prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man has been sentenced for submitting fake and fraudulent Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application documents and collecting the money for personal use, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Zain Khan pleaded guilty April 10.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered Khan to serve 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that described how Khan almost immediately lost the money he stole in various stock trading maneuvers. Khan was further ordered to pay $1 million in restitution to the SBA. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal noted the severity of Khan’s criminal activity at a time when the country was suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In or around April 2021, Khan created a fictitious temporary workforce business and payroll documents to qualify for program funds. Khan then converted the program funds for personal use to be invested in stock trading.
The federal government created the PPP under the CARES Act to protect jobs during the 2020 pandemic. The PPP allows entities to apply for low-interest private loans to pay for payroll and certain other related costs.
The scheme caused a loss of more than $1 million.
Khan was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig M. Feazel and Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Virgilio Cisneros-Mayo, age 45, of Mexico, was indicted on August 7, 2024, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Cisneros-Mayo was previously removed from the United States on July 12, 2021 through Brownsville, Texas, and it is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. The indictment also alleges that on June 28, 2024, Cisneros-Mayo was encountered in York County, Pennsylvania.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Sending Threatening Text MessagesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment Tuesday charging a Las Vegas resident with sending threatening text messages to injure and kill two people and their families in California.
Idriss Qibaa, 28, is charged with two counts of interstate communications. An arraignment and plea hearing is scheduled before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler on Friday, August 16, 2024. He was previously charged by a criminal complaint on July 23, 2024; and he remains in custody.
According to allegations contained in court documents, on July 19, 2024, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill a victim and members of the victim’s family. Later, on July 24, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill another victim.
If convicted, Qibaa faces a maximum sentence of five years confinement and a $250,000 fine on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Las Vegas Field Office and the Beverly Hills Police Department are investigating the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Travell Lamar Johnson, 45, of Big Chimney, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 14, 2023, Johnson sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Charleston gas station. Johnson admitted to the transaction and to arranging it beforehand with the confidential informant.
The confidential informant arranged two additional fentanyl transactions with Johnson that month. Johnson sold the confidential informant approximately 4.8 grams of fentanyl at the Charleston gas station for $500 on June 16, 2023. Johnson agreed to sell 10 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on June 21, 2023, at the same location. Co-defendant Alexis Nicole Davis stopped that transaction after recognizing the would-be buyer as a confidential informant. Law enforcement officers apprehended Johnson and Davis following the interrupted drug transaction and seized approximately 9.8 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl.
Johnson has a long criminal history that includes at least six prior convictions for drug-related offenses and other crimes.
Davis, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department-Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon 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. 2:23-cr-177.
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Kalamazoo Man Indicted for Possessing A Firearm as A Felon Before Fleeing into Crowd of Runners at Kalamazoo MarathonRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jaeontae Moore, 23, of Kalamazoo, with possessing a loaded handgun when he was ineligible to possess firearms because of a prior felony conviction, before fleeing into a crowd of runners at the Kalamazoo Marathon on Sunday, May 5, 2024
“This allegation is serious, and the circumstances of the defendant’s arrest are very troubling,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves to live their life and enjoy their community free from the fear of gunfire – especially at an event like the Kalamazoo Marathon that brings so many people together around a love of running.”
The indictment charges Moore with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum possible penalty for felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers attempted to contact Moore while he was in a car during the Kalamazoo marathon in May. Moore fled from the scene and was apprehended a short distance away. Officers located the firearm he is alleged to have illegally possessed at that time.
“I am extremely grateful to have such dedicated and committed officers who work hard every day to keep our community safe. Detective Ondreya Anderson was off-duty and was running in a marathon when she observed an armed individual who was extremely agitated. Instead of continuing with the marathon that she had worked and trained so hard for, she called herself to duty,” said KDPS Chief Dave Boysen. “Thanks to her quick actions, no one was injured. The suspect was safely taken into custody and the firearm that he illegally possessed was recovered. I am also grateful for our partnership with the ATF and U.S. Attorney's Office for helping to ensure that Mr. Moore will face the consequences for his actions.”
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney LaToyia Carpenter is prosecuting it.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Investment Banker Sentenced to Prison for Violating Consent JudgementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for violating a consent judgment that prohibited him from participating in the offer or sale of securities.
Craig Medoff, 64, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Medoff was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. In May 2024, Medoff pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt for violating a court order.
Medoff was a long-time investment banker who previously worked at multiple investment firms, including Nova Capital International, LLC and Sabrex Development, LLC. In 2012, Medoff was accused of securities fraud in a lawsuit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC v. BioChemics, Inc., et al., 12 Civ. 12324 (D. Mass.).
In 2016, Medoff resolved the civil case against him by agreeing to a consent judgement that prohibited Medoff from participating in the offer or sale of securities for a period of 10 years. Shortly thereafter, Medoff created Nova Capital International, LLC, as well as an alias, “Alexander Carlin,” that he used to continue operating in the securities industry notwithstanding the consent order. Between 2016 and 2023, Medoff used his company and alias to operate as an investment banker on behalf of multiple private companies that were raising money through the sale of securities. In total, Medoff’s company received millions in income, more than $1.6 million of which went to Medoff personally.
In September 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a motion seeking an order of civil contempt and sanctions based on Medoff’s violation of the 2016 consent judgment. In February 2024, the Court found that there was probable cause to believe Medoff knowingly and willfully violated the 2016 consent judgment, charged Medoff with criminal contempt and appointed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts to prosecute the case. In May 2024, Medoff pleaded guilty to the criminal contempt charge. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil case remains ongoing.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy made the announcement. The Securities and Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance in the criminal case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Christopher J. Markham of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Inmate indicted for escapeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Wichita, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a man with escaping from a federal detention center.
According to court documents, Lee Owen Hallford, 42, is charged with one count of escape from custody.
Hallford is accused of unlawfully leaving the custody of the Bureau of Prisons while at the Residential Reentry Center — Correctional Solution Group, LLC in Wichita. He was detained based on a conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country.
The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lanny Welch and Aaron Smith are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Houston resident sentenced for having pornographic images of childrenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 32-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Cody Wayne Burke pleaded guilty April 15.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now sentenced Burke to 180 months for both convictions to be served concurrently. At the hearing, the court heard additional information about the vast collection of child pornography discovered on electronic devices seized during a March 2022 search.
Burke will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date to identified victims and must serve rest of his life on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Burke will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Burke came to the attention of law enforcement based on a cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. An IP address appeared to be uploading child pornography to cloud storage servers. The investigation led to Burke and his residence in Houston.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized electronic devices to include cellphones. Further analysis ultimately revealed Burke possessed a total of 850 images depicting child pornography. His collection included prepubescent minors, bondage and bestiality involving minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherin Daniel is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Fraud Ringleader and Former Fugitive William Mize Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that William Oldham Mize pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax fraud, and failing to appear at court proceedings. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Mize’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 6, 2024, in Spokane, Washington.
According to the plea agreement and other court filings, Mize was the ringleader of a massive insurance fraud scheme to intentionally cause automobile and boat collisions as well as staged home “accidents” in order to file false and fraudulent insurance claims and collect the proceeds. According to court documents, the scheme took place between 2013 and 2018, involved numerous staged collisions in Washington and Nevada, and obtained more than $6 million, most of which was kept by Mize.
Mize originally appeared in federal court on his indictment on January 9, 2019. Following his initial appearance, he was released pending trial. In July 2019, Mize fled from supervision and became a fugitive, living under a number of false identities.
On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Mize in Jacksonville, Florida based on a lead that Mize, using a false identity, was attempting to sell a yacht in which was living in the Jacksonville area. Mize was then located and arrested at a marina in central Florida and transported to Eastern Washington, where he has remained in custody.
U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “Mr. Mize attempted, but ultimately failed, to avoid the consequences of his fraudulent and dangerous schemes. Over the course of several years, Mr. Mize defrauded insurance companies out of millions of dollars by staging fake accidents that caused real, physical harm to his co-conspirators and others. These schemes greatly increase insurance premiums and costs for everyone, making it more expensive for ordinary Americans to own a car and to have reliable transportation for themselves and their families. I am grateful for the excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in my office, as well as the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals to locate and return Mr. Mize to the Eastern District, where he finally will be held accountable for the great harm caused by his fraudulent scheme.”
“This case demonstrates the dedication of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigation, and all our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters and fugitives accountable no matter how long the process takes or how far they run,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Mr. Mize pleaded guilty today after a multi-year, multi-million dollar scheme, followed by years of hiding from the law.”
“Preventing auto accidents requires communal effort, and safety is something we all strive for. Mr. Mize, on the other hand, chose to travel a different path,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), Seattle Field Office. “Going on the run, Mr. Mize tried to escape the consequences of his actions. Today, however, is the end of the road, and Mr. Mize is being held accountable for his crimes.”
“The United States Marshals Service worked as one team with the IRS and the FBI in this case to relentlessly pursue this fugitive until he was apprehended, in spite of his resources and intent to avoid capture, stated Gavin K. Duffy, Chief Deputy United States Marshal for Eastern Washington. “While this case has garnered significant attention, the partnership and teamwork between local, state, and federal agencies occurs every day in Eastern Washington to maximize both the benefit to our community and to ensure the Rule of Law is maintained.”
The FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Franklin County Man Admits Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Franklin County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted exchanging cash and other items of value for sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Theodore “Ted” John Sartori Sr., 63, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to a felony charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He admitted that from the winter of 2013 to the summer of 2016, he provided cash, a car, a motorcycle, Christmas presents and vacations to a friend in exchange for access to the victim, a 14-year-old girl.
As part of his plea, Sartori has also agreed to pay more than $25,000 in restitution to his victim.
Sartori is scheduled to be sentenced November 6. The charge carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated jointly by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division'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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Four Individuals Charged in Connection with Armed Robbery of U.S. Postal Service EmployeeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Four Essex County, New Jersey, men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Troy D. Corbett Jr., 28, Dyshawn Williams, 28, and Antwuan Brown, 24, all of Newark, are charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Corbett and Williams are also charged with assaulting or impeding a federal officer using a deadly weapon. Brown and Karieem Stamps, 25, also of Newark, are charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Corbett is also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stamps is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Corbett, Williams, and Stamps were arrested in Newark on Aug. 1, 2024, and made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court. Corbett, Williams, and Stamps were detained. Brown was arrested on Aug. 1, 2024, in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler in North Carolina federal court. Brown was detained.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
In November 2023, three individuals – including Corbett and Williams – robbed a U.S. Postal Service employee at gunpoint in Newark. The assailants stole the victim’s cell phone, keys, and wallet – including a credit card and debit card. The robbery impeded the victim from delivering mail, which interfered with interstate commerce. Shortly after the robbery, Stamps and Brown used the stolen debit card to make separate purchases. Both transactions passed through servers located outside of New Jersey.
On Jan. 18, 2024, Corbett – who was convicted of felony offenses in 2018 – possessed a distribution quantity of suspected methamphetamine and a pistol loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition that was manufactured outside of New Jersey. On Aug. 1, 2024, Stamps – who was convicted of a felony offense in 2020 – possessed a Glock 29 Gen5 handgun with an extended magazine and approximately 25 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition.
The counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and assaulting or impeding a federal employee carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The counts of wire fraud carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The counts of aggravated identity theft carry a mandatory two-year prison sentence. The counts of possession of ammunition or a firearm by a convicted felon carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence – which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed – and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé; officers of the New Jersey State Parole Board, under the direction of Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri Jr.; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs 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.
corbettetal.complaint.pdfFort Washakie man sentenced for assault with a golf clubRead the Press Release
Aaron Clair Bigknife, age 58, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on August 6 in Cheyenne.
According to the complaint filed in the case, Bigknife was at a friend’s house playing cards on the night of August 27, 2023, when he hit one of his friends in the head with a golf club. The attack was unprovoked. When detectives interviewed Bigknife he admitted to drinking heavily before arriving at his friend’s house and continued to drink when he got there. He claimed to not remember anything that happened until he was arrested by the police.
This crime was investigated by the FBI and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore.
Case No. 23-CR-00134
Former resident of McNeil Island Special Commitment Center indicted for receipt and possession of images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 71–year-old Skagit County man was indicted this week by the federal grand jury for receipt and possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Alan Lewis Meirhofer was originally charged in state court after a teen boy saw images of child sexual abuse on a phone he borrowed from Meirhofer. The teen gave the phone to his mother, who called police.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Meirhofer allegedly befriended teen boys in the Skagit County area by inviting them to hang out at his residence, where he provided them “gifts’ such as food, clothing, alcohol, cash, and marijuana. When one of the boys borrowed the phone, he noticed that Meirhofer had sent members of a group chat, images of his friends. The teen also saw images of child sexual abuse on the phone. Meirhofer was arrested in March 2021 and his electronic devices were seized.
The FBI asked the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, (NCMEC) for any cyber tips associated with internet accounts linked to Meirhofer. There were more than a dozen reports of images of child sexual abuse linked to accounts controlled by Meirhofer. On July 17, 2024, Meirhofer was taken into federal custody.
Due to prior convictions, Meirhofer faces increased penalties if convicted. In 1988 Meirhofer was convicted of burglary, kidnapping and rape. In 1990, Meirhofer was convicted of Burglary in the First Degree While Armed with a Deadly Weapon and Assault in the Second Degree. Meirhofer was civilly committed to the sexually violent predator Civil Commitment Center on McNeil Island. He was released in 2017 as a registered sex offender level 3, the level with the highest risk of reoffending.
If convicted Meirhofer faces a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, and the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
17_indictment.pdfFormer Lawson Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lawson, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography over the internet.
Lance M. Berry, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of distributing child pornography over the internet.
Berry, the owner of a business in Lawson at the time of his offense, has a prior Ray County, Mo., conviction for the deviate sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, which requires him to register as a sex offender.
By pleading guilty today, Berry admitted that he utilized a peer-to-peer file-sharing program on June 1, 2022, to make images and videos of child pornography available to other users over the internet. On that day, an undercover officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to directly connect to Berry’s cell phone and download 14 videos of child pornography.
According to court documents, Berry’s cell phone contained 944 unique images of child pornography, including 19 images of sadistic or masochistic violence against a minor, and 168 images featuring infants or toddlers. There were an additional 40 videos of child pornography, which also included depictions of sadistic or masochistic violence and/or infants and toddlers.
Under federal statutes, Berry is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Former Interim President of Puerto Rican Steel Distributor Pleads Guilty to Eight-Year Price-Fixing ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A former executive of a steel distributor in San Juan, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with competitors to fix prices for sales of reinforcing bar, or rebar.
According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court in San Juan, Juan Carlos Aponte Tolentino (Aponte), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was Interim President of a steel distributor in Puerto Rico. The company was one of the leading wholesale distributors of rebar in Puerto Rico. Rebar is commonly required for residential and commercial construction projects on the island, and nearly all rebar distributed in Puerto Rico is imported from other countries or the continental U.S. Collectively, Aponte’s company and two other competitors controlled approximately 70% of the wholesale rebar market in the Commonwealth.
Between 2015 and 2022, including the period of reconstruction following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, Aponte conspired with competing companies and individuals to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing prices for steel products, including rebar, which were distributed to hardware stores, building contractors and other businesses and individuals in Puerto Rico, resulting in substantial profits to the conspirators.
Among other communications, Aponte and his competitors exchanged WhatsApp chat messages in which they agreed on specific rebar prices, including price increases. For example, in December 2020 an executive at a competing company sent Aponte a chat message with the price of Turkish rebar, and Aponte responded, “The position is the following: Platform $33.95, 10 bundles $34.50, Fewer than 10 bundles: $34.95” before asking, “The question is are we on the same page?” The competing executive responded, “Yes, that is what I am doing.”
In the plea agreement filed today, Aponte admitted that more than $100 million in sales by his company were affected by the conspiracy.
“In pleading guilty, this defendant admitted to fixing prices — for nearly a decade — on rebar, an essential part of the supply chain for the reconstruction of Puerto Rico following the 2017 hurricanes,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This guilty plea demonstrates the Antitrust Division’s continued commitment to holding accountable individuals who collude to raise construction prices and harm consumers and businesses in Puerto Rico. We and our law enforcement partners will continue to prosecute the people responsible for this type of anticompetitive criminal conduct.”
"We are satisfied with the outcome in this case as it sends a clear message that price-fixing and taking advantage of communities in crisis will not be tolerated," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. "In the FBI, we remain committed to disrupting this illegal practice and bringing justice for all those affected by such unethical practices."
Violating the Sherman Act, which is a federal criminal antitrust statute, is a felony. The maximum penalty for individuals convicted of violating the Sherman Act is 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine. The maximum penalty for corporations is a $100 million criminal fine. The fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The court set Aponte’s sentencing hearing for Nov. 8. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section investigated the case, with the assistance of the FBI San Juan Field Office.
Trial Attorneys April Ayers-Perez, Alison Friberg and Taylor Bernhardt of the Washington Criminal Section, and Senior Litigation Counsel John Davis of the Antitrust Division’s Litigation Program, are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
Former Georgia Jailer Who Strangled Detainee into State of Unconsciousness Sentenced for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
A former detention officer with the Fulton County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office was sentenced today to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for intentionally depriving a detained woman of her civil rights by using unreasonable force.
Monique Clark, 32, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, pleaded guilty last March to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. According to court documents, Clark strangled a handcuffed arrestee into unconsciousness while processing her for intake at the Fulton County North Annex Jail. As part of his plea, Clark admitted that he knew the woman posed no threat to officers and knew that Sheriff’s Office policy prohibited placing detainees in chokeholds or neck restraints except in life-or-death situations.
“This defendant’s violent assault on a handcuffed arrestee rendered her unconscious and is simply inexcusable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As we have seen too many times, chokeholds and neck restraints can prove deadly. Using high-level force against a person in custody who poses no threat is plainly illegal, but using such a dangerous technique gratuitously is especially disturbing. The Justice Department is committed to holding law enforcement officers accountable for use of excessive force and to protecting the rights of people in custody.”
“Instead of carrying out his mission to ensure the safety and security of detainees in his custody at the Fulton County Jail, Clark abandoned his oath of office when he used excessive force to strangle a pre-trial detainee without cause,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “Law enforcement officers who violate their professional duties are not above the law. It is now Clark who will serve time in prison as a result of his reprehensible conduct.”
“Mr. Clark took a sworn oath as a detention officer to uphold the rights of others,” said Executive Assistant Director Michael A. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “He violated that oath when he abused and strangled a female inmate. Today’s sentencing is a reminder that the FBI will relentlessly work to hold accountable anyone who takes an oath to protect others.”
The FBI Atlanta Field Office and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office’s Office of Professional Standards investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bret Hobson for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Former Fulton County Detention Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Using Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Former Fulton County Detention Officer Monique Clark has been sentenced for using excessive force against a pretrial detainee at the Fulton County Jail.
“Instead of carrying out his mission to ensure the safety and security of detainees in his custody at the Fulton County Jail, Clark abandoned his oath of office when he used excessive force to strangle a pre-trial detainee without cause,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Law enforcement officers who violate their professional duties are not above the law. It is now Clark who will serve time in prison as a result of his reprehensible conduct.”
“This defendant’s violent assault on a handcuffed arrestee rendered her unconscious and is simply inexcusable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As we have seen too many times, chokeholds and neck restraints can prove deadly. Using high-level force against a person in custody who poses no threat is plainly illegal, but using such a dangerous technique gratuitously is especially disturbing. The Department of Justice is committed to holding law enforcement officers accountable for use of excessive force and to protecting the rights of people in custody.”
“By violating his sworn oath as a detention officer to protect people, Clark betrayed every honest, hardworking officer, and crossed the line to criminal behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office. “Let this sentence be a reminder that the abuse of inmates by prison staff will not be tolerated by the FBI and will always be pursued for prosecution.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, information presented in court and other public information: At the time of the crime, Monique Clark was employed as a detention officer at the Fulton County Jail. On June 5, 2023, while Clark was working at the North Jail Annex in Alpharetta, Georgia, he strangled a pretrial detainee without any legal justification. The detainee lost consciousness and suffered bodily injury as a result of the assault.
Monique Clark, 32, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee to four years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to using excessive force on March 26, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Alec C. Ward prosecuted the case.
Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Refund ClaimsRead the Press Release
A Florida woman pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns with the IRS to fraudulently obtain tax refunds.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2020, surgical technologist Yolanda Dewar, of Sunrise, created a trust and sought fraudulent refunds from the IRS. Dewar filed four false tax returns on behalf of the trust she created to seek nearly $2 million in tax refunds. Dewar continued filing such returns even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous and had no basis in law. In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to Dewar’s false claims. According to the indictment, Dewar allegedly used a portion of those tax refunds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home.
Dewar is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Florida man pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Arnett Jackson Bonner, 46, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on November 1, 2023.
Bonner is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 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 Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Border Patrol 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.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Receives National Award for Outstanding Service, Leadership Advancing the Role of Women in Federal Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus received a national award for her exceptional service in the field of federal law enforcement and her leadership advancing the role of women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and beyond.
“First Assistant Jennifer McManus represents the best of federal law enforcement, and I am so grateful for the more than two decades she has devoted to protecting the people of Michigan,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “In addition to her legal brilliance, helping us navigate our toughest challenges, Jennifer has been a trailblazer in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, ensuring full opportunities for women to serve and lead at every level.”
First Assistant McManus was recognized by Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE), a national organization that advocates for gender equity in federal law enforcement. WIFLE President Catrina Bonus presented McManus with the prestigious WIFLE Award for Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee. This award recognizes individuals who have shown a sustained level of superior performance throughout their career and who serve as role models for women in law enforcement. The presentation took place today at a luncheon in the Washington, D.C. area as part of the organization’s annual conference. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten accompanied McManus at the ceremony.
McManus completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1994 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1997. After a few years in private practice, she moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids in 2003 and began service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. She served short stints in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions as a trial attorney and was then promoted to Appellate Chief in 2009, a position she held for the next thirteen years. In 2022 she began service in her current position as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, reporting directly to the U.S. Attorney and managing all aspects of the Office’s work.
Throughout her career, McManus’s sharp legal mind, her sweeping grasp of federal criminal law, and her written advocacy have protected the public from some of the most serious threats in our District. In addition, as a manager and role model, McManus has helped create opportunities for women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office at every level. Although women have long been under-represented in the legal profession, today nearly 50% of the attorneys in the Office are women. She helped put in place flexible work policies that allow employees to balance their many responsibilities while excelling at work. Outside the Office, McManus served as President of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association from 2012-13 and was only the second woman in the organization’s history to hold that role.
Image of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus. Image of U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus at the WIFLE Awards Ceremony.###
Evelyn Blevins Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Chattanooga, Tenn. – On August 7, 2024, Evelyn Blevins, 48, of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following her incarceration, she will be on 5 years of supervised release.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Blevins pled guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1028A, for her involvement in a scheme to defraud COVID-19 unemployment programs in several states. In addition, Blevins was ordered to pay $109,683 in restitution to the Tennessee and California Departments of Labor, and to forfeit to the United States $109,683 as part of a money judgment.
According to court documents, from June 2020 through August 2021, Blevins conspired with others to devise a scheme in which she defrauded the United States government and the governments of Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and California to obtain money from the states’ COVID relief programs in the form of unemployment insurance proceeds funded by the United States government. Specifically, Blevins acquired personal information from others and used it to fraudulently make mass online applications for money earmarked by the states to provide unemployment insurance relief for those affected by the national pandemic. She falsely claimed in the applications that the individuals whose personal information was reflected on the applications worked in those states. The states then mailed debit cards to addresses in the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Blevins would receive a percentage of the payout of the fraudulent claim. The defendant was personally responsible for the fraudulent distribution of nearly $110,000 of unemployment protection insurance funds. The scheme itself involved the fraudulent distribution of over $550,000 in unemployment protection insurance funds.
“The defendant selfishly sought to take advantage of federal and state efforts to provide relief to those most harmed by the COVID pandemic,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III. “We remain committed to partnering with all law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those who steal from federal relief plan programs, depriving others who are most in need.”
“The defendant’s actions cheated a program designed to assist people who were suffering as a result of the COVID pandemic,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge, Joseph E. Carrico. “Today’s sentencing exemplifies the continued commitment of the FBI and our federal and state law enforcement partners to hold those who engage in COVID relief fraud accountable for their actions.”
Assistant United States Attorney Steven Neff represented the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the FBI as part of the Smoky Mountains Financial Crimes Task Force.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Duo plead guilty to armed robberies in Forsyth and Randolph CountiesRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – Two Anson County residents pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robberies and firearms charges, announced Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
BRANDON DRELLE WALL, age 35, of Wadesboro, North Carolina, and WILLIAM CHAVIS DUNLAP, JR., age 29, of Morven, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to robbing a sweepstakes business in Winston-Salem in June 2022, and another in Liberty in August 2022. The defendants also pleaded guilty to one count each of brandishing a firearm in connection with the robbery in Liberty.
According to court documents, WALL and DUNLAP wore masks and threatened employees with guns in an effort to gain access to business safes. During the robbery in Liberty, the defendants also forced patrons to the floor at gunpoint. WALL and DUNLAP took a phone, wallet, $1400, and two guns in the Winston-Salem robbery. A total of $8,650 was stolen during the Liberty robbery. After his arrest, WALL admitted he also robbed a gas station in Richmond County, and DUNLAP admitted to robbing a discount store in Anson County.
DUNLAP pleaded guilty yesterday and his sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 31, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. WALL pleaded today and his sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 31, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Both sentencing hearings will be held in Greensboro, North Carolina, before United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr.
At sentencing, each of the defendants faces a sentence of not less than seven years to life in prison, a period of supervised release of up to five years, fines, and other monetary penalties. In addition, WALL and DUNLAP agreed to forfeit their interests in seven firearms plus multiple magazines and rounds of ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case is being investigated by the Liberty Police Department, Winston Salem Police Department, Anson County Sheriff's Office, Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Wadesboro Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Courtney.
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Defendant Received Nearly $500,000 of $2M Sought from IRSRead the Press Release
MIAMI - A Florida woman pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns with the IRS to fraudulently obtain tax refunds.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2020, surgical technologist Yolanda Samantha Dewar, of Sunrise, created a trust and sought fraudulent refunds from the IRS. Dewar filed four false tax returns on behalf of the trust she created to seek nearly $2 million in tax refunds. Dewar continued filing such returns even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous and had no basis in law. In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to Dewar’s false claims. According to the indictment, Dewar allegedly used a portion of those tax refunds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home.
Dewar is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
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-60051.
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Clinton Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Clinton, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the internet.
Roger Lee Kempke, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, July 31, to 25 years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court sentenced Kempke to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration and ordered him to pay $81,000 in restitution to his victims.
Kempke, who has a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2023, to one count of receiving child pornography.
Kempke admitted that he uploaded an image of child pornography to Microsoft’s Bing Image search on March 16, 2022. A Cyber Tip was issued to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
On June 7, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kempke’s residence, which was within 1,000 feet of three different elementary and high schools. Officers seized three desktop computers and numerous USB thumb drives. Investigators found 5,521 images and nine videos of child sexual abuse material on Kempke’s electronic devices.
A forensic examination of one of the hard drives in Kempke’s desktop computers found that, on three separate occasions in November 2021, Kempke downloaded hundreds of files of child pornography. He saved these images to a USB storage device that was connected to his computer. One of the USB drives contained thousands of images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 10 and infants.
Officers also found 16 marijuana plants in Kempke’s residence, along with other equipment consistent with growing, harvesting, and consuming marijuana.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
A felon and drug user who possessed a firearm was sentenced on August 1, 2024, to 63 months in federal prison.
Christopher King, age 52, of Cedar Rapids, received the sentence after a February 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, King admitted that, in February 2023, he possessed a Glock pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while being an unlawful drug user.
King was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. King was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the High Risk Unit of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR 23-62.
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Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a firearm while on probation for a felony conviction was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.
Marshaun Daniel DeMoss, age 23, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 20, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
At the guilty plea, DeMoss admitted that on October 27, 2023, he knowingly possessed a firearm, a Taurus G3 9x19mm caliber pistol, as a felon. Specifically, during a fight with his girlfriend, DeMoss assaulted, strangled, and hit her in the head with the firearm. When his girlfriend fled in her vehicle, DeMoss followed in his car and pointed the firearm out the car window at her. After his girlfriend reported the assault to police, officers stopped DeMoss’s car and found a loaded Taurus G3 pistol with an extended magazine with a round in the chamber. At the time of the incident, DeMoss was on probation on a state felony conviction for trafficking in stolen weapons. He was also on probation for domestic abuse assault.
DeMoss was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. DeMoss was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
DeMoss is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-01.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Carbon County Man Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ignacio Salcido-Lopez, age 19, of Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between August 4, 2023, and April 29, 2024, in Carbon County, Salcido-Lopez received and distributed multiple images of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Bridgeport Felon Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ZAN HAIRSTON, JR., 26, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2023, the Bridgeport Police Department received a report that Hairston had unlawfully entered a residence of a former girlfriend, searched through her belongings and, during a subsequent FaceTime call with her, threatened her by brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. When officers located and approached Hairston on Union Avenue in Bridgeport, he attempted to flee. He was apprehended a short distance away, and officers recovered from the ground near Hairston a Taurus TX .22 firearm equipped with a mounted laser and loaded with an extended magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition, a Glock 26 Gen4 firearm loaded with one round, and a Glock magazine with 13 rounds of ammunition.
Hairston’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree with a firearm, burglary in the second degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Hairston has been detained since his federal arrest on February 22, 2023. On March 13, 2024, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Lauren Clark 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.
Bogalusa Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –ROMERO MORRIS (“MORRIS”), age 34, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 4, 2024, to Counts 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11 of the indictment pending against him announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Count 4 charged MORRIS with possession, with the intent to distribute, cocaine and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(C) and (b)(1)(D). Count 5 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Count 9 charged him with possession, with the intent to distribute, approximately 40 grams or more of fentanyl and, a quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(B) and (C). Count 10 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Finally, Count 11 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
On August 6, 2024, United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced MORRIS to a total of 160 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release and a $500.00 mandatory special assessment fee. This sentence included a term of 100 months as to Counts 4, 5, 9, and 10 and 60 consecutive months as to Count 11.
During this investigation, MORRIS was identified as a large-scale distributor of fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana during 2022 and 2023. Law enforcement authorities also conducted search warrants at his residence and located drugs and firearms on several occasions.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr of the Narcotics Unit.
Baltimore County Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud Scheme Involving over $1.8 Million in Fraudulent Bank TransactionsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin today sentenced Damilola Ojo, age 31, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, to 48 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for charges related to a bank fraud scheme totaling more than $1.8 million. As part of his plea, Ojo also admitted to obtaining a fraudulent $475,000 COVID-19 CARES Act loan. Judge Rubin ordered Ojo to forfeit $20,000 and to pay restitution of $546,000.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (“TIGTA”).
According to his guilty plea, from April 2016 through August 2019, Damilola Ojo conspired with Jamelia Thompson, Victor Ojo, Raissa Kaossele, and others to commit Bank Fraud using the Internal Revenue Service’s (“IRS”) Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number (“Mod IEIN”) system. Mod IEIN is the IRS system that allows users to register for a unique Employer Identification Number (“EIN”). It requires users to enter the valid name and Social Security number of a real living person in order to obtain an EIN for a business.
The co-conspirators, including Damilola Ojo, created and used various EINs (or caused various EINs to be created and used) in furtherance of a scheme to defraud. Many of these EINs were obtained from the IRS using stolen Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”). These EINs, in conjunction with fraudulently obtained state business certificates, allowed the co-conspirators to open bank accounts at various financial institutions for the purpose of depositing stolen and/or altered checks or for receiving fraudulently obtained wire transfers.
Once obtained, the proceeds of this fraudulent activity were rapidly withdrawn and/or transferred to other bank accounts controlled by the co-conspirators. A co-conspirator’s Google account was the source of many of the fraudulent identification and business documents – packaged together as “work kits” – utilized throughout the conspiracy. M any of these emails were sent to electronic accounts linked to Damilola Ojo, who would then forward them to Thompson, Victor Ojo, Kaossele, and other co-conspirators – in addition to utilizing work kits himself. These co-conspirators would then open bank accounts using these work kits, they would send Damilola Ojo evidence of the fraudulent transactions that occurred using these bank accounts. Damilola Ojo would often receive portions of these transactions’ proceeds as they were rapidly dispersed. From the point Damilola Ojo joined the conspiracy, it had an intended loss of at least $1.8 million.
Upon his arrest, Damilola Ojo shared a residence with co-conspirator Thompson. In this shared residence, the Government located evidence of ongoing fraud: numerous ETN documents, business documents in other people’s names, numerous IDs in the names of individuals other than those who lived in the home, identification documents with authentication features, and bank cards in the name of other individuals.
In the plea agreement, Damilola Ojo also admitted to additional fraudulent activity involving a pandemic relief program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, in this case through Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). On November 21, 2021, Thompson opened a bank account at Woodforest National Bank in Maryland in the name of her business “Jamaria Empire LLC.” On February 14, 2022, a $475,000 EIDL from the SBA was deposited into bank account xxxxxx2866. The intended recipient of this EIDL was the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation. Once deposited into bank account xxxxxx2866, these funds were depleted through checks to Damilola Ojo, Thompson, and Certified Promotions Ent LLC (a business registered in Maryland to Damilola Ojo). Upon Thompson’s and Damilola Ojo’s arrest, the EIN application and EIN documents for Jamaria Empire LLC were recovered from their shared residence. Images of a Woodforest Bank Card for Jamaria Empire LLC and a screenshot of the Jamaria Empire LLC bank account transaction history were recovered from Damilola Ojo’s phone, along with an image of the approved $475,000 EIDL. This fraudulent transaction caused $475,000 in actual loss that was reasonably foreseeable to Damilola Ojo.
Co-conspirator Jamelia Thompson, age 30, of Jamaica, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. Another co-conspirator, Raissa Kaossele, age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 8 months in home confinement. Co-conspirator Victor Ojo has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft and remains to be sentenced.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the TIGTA for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner and Paul Riley who prosecuted the federal case. He also recognized the assistance of the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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