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13 September 2024
Greece woman pleads guilty for her role in fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nickola Ferra, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Ferra engaged in an extensive pattern of conduct involving document fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, retail theft, and identity theft. One part of the scheme involved Ferra and others obtaining merchandise by theft or fraud from local retailers, which was then returned in exchange for gift cards and store credit or sold to third parties. In furtherance of the scheme, Ferra presented forged and/or stolen passports and other stolen identification and credit information to merchants. Fraudulent purchases also included car and hotel rentals. The stolen identity information was also used in attempts to open credit cards and obtain loans in other individuals’ names. At least 10 identity theft victims and thousands of dollars in losses have been identified.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
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Glynn County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually exploitive photos of childrenRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Glynn County man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to distributing images of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Thomas Webster, 62, of St. Simons Island, Ga., was sentenced to 76 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Webster to pay financial penalties and restitution of $80,300, to register as a sex offender, and serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Images of child sexual abuse are lasting reminders of the abuse suffered by each victim, and those who distribute these images perpetuate the victimization,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Thanks to the diligence of our law enforcement partners, Thomas Webster will no longer share these harmful images and is being held accountable for his crimes.”
As described in court documents and testimony, in February 2021, a CyberTip reporting the distribution of child sexual abuse material was shared with the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The information identified images that were shared from a Glynn County address through Twitter, now known as X.
The Glynn County Police Department and the FBI determined Webster operated the account that shared the child sexual abuse images, and during a search of his St. Simons residence investigators seized multiple electronic devices storing more than 1,000 images of child pornography. Webster was arrested shortly after his indictment on federal charges in October 2023, and pled guilty to one count of Distribution of Child Pornography in April.
“Webster will spend the next six years of his life in prison, which should send a strong message to anyone who even contemplates distributing images of innocent children,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to working collectively to prosecute child predators.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, the GBI, and the Glynn County Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Alexander Hamner.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Four Miami Residents Charged with Reaping over $1 Million from Friends and Family Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal indictment was unsealed today charging four Miami area residents with obtaining over $1 million from illegal securities trading. As described in the indictment, the defendants shared confidential information within a close circle of family members and friends, then used that information to buy stock or options at a lower price and sell at a profit after the information became public.
The indictment charges Federico Nannini, 26, Mauro Nannini, 63, Alejandro Thermiotis, 26, and Francisco Tonarely, 25, all of Miami, Fla., with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, twelve counts of securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1348, and twelve counts of securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff. All four defendants were arrested, and initial hearings commenced this afternoon.
According to the indictment, which includes forfeiture allegations, the scheme unfolded in this way:
In approximately June 2022, Federico Nannini began advising Coral Gables based MasTec Inc. (MasTec) about the company’s proposed acquisition of Infrastructure and Energy Alternative Inc. (IEA). At the time, both MasTec and IEA traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Immediately after, Federico Nannini began sharing confidential information about the acquisition with Mauro Nannini and Thermiotis. Federico Nannini, Thermitois, and Tonarely had attended high school together in Pinecrest, Fla.
Mauro Nannini bought shares the day after Federico Nannini received access to financial information about the proposed acquisition. Thermiotis also passed the confidential acquisition information to Tonarely, shortly after Tonarely texted him: “I want to make some money right now . . . What we do?” After Thermiotis passed the confidential information to Tonarely, he texted: “Not a soul okay.” According to the indictment, Tonarely responded back: “Obviously . . . You told me not to.” Days later, Tonarely’s family member signed a letter sponsoring Thermiotis’s membership at a Miami yacht club.
As the acquisition progressed, Federico Nannini updated his father and close friend about the transaction. Thermiotis, in turn, continued to update Tonarely.
At one point in July 2022, when Federico Nannini became worried the acquisition would not go through, Mauro Nannini sold his IEA stock, according to the indictment.
When Federico Nannini received confidential financials that indicated the acquisition was going forward, he texted Thermiotis: “Its going thru . . . Holy shit bro.” Thermiotis responded: “Don’t text . . .But lfg.” At that point, Mauro Nannini began to buy back his position in IEA stock and options.
When MasTec’s acquisition of IEA was reported publicly on July 25, 2022, Mauro Nannini, Thermiotis, and Tonarely all sold their shares and option contracts in IEA at a profit. Two days later, on July 27, 2022, Federico Nannini texted Thermiotis a picture of a Rolex Daytona, saying “You wanna hook it up for the boy. I know it’s a little over budget but this is the one.” Thermiotis responded: “Haahaha yeah but give it a bit . . . Prices should come down a bit on everything.”
A conviction for securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment; conspiracy to commit securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment; and securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1348, carries a penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
U.S. Attorney Lapointe commended the investigative efforts of FBI Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Young, Eli Rubin, Alexandra Comolli are prosecuting this case, with assistance from Yisel Valdes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also filed civil actions today against the four defendants.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
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-20398.
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Former Southern Pine Credit Union Finance Officer Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The former Controller of Southern Pine Credit Union in Valdosta was sentenced to serve five years in prison and pay back more than $1.2 million in restitution after she admitted to a long-running bank loan and aggravated identity theft scheme.
Teresa Paulo, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 24 months imprisonment for aggravated identity theft and 36 months imprisonment for bank fraud to be served consecutively for a total of 60 months in prison on Sept. 12. In addition, Paulo was ordered to pay $1,238,638.29 in restitution to Southern Pine Credit Union. Paulo pleaded guilty to these charges on Nov. 2, 2023.
Leah Lehman, 63, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 24 months imprisonment for aggravated identity theft and 48 months imprisonment for bank fraud to be served consecutively for a total of 72 months in prison on May 30. In addition, Lehman was ordered to pay $4,491,253.97 in restitution to Southern Pine Credit Union. Lehman pleaded guilty to these charges on Oct. 26, 2023.
U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands is presiding over these cases. The defendants are not eligible for parole.
“Financial fraud has a far-reaching ripple effect that negatively impacts people, businesses and the community,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We take financial crimes seriously, and we will work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable.”
“These sentencings are the direct result of a diligent investigation by hardworking FBI employees and our partners at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General,” said Rich Bilson, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Valdosta office. “The defendants’ greed driven scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and damaged the financial security of innocent victims. They will now be held accountable for their blatant misuse of the power of their positions.”
“The criminal behavior in these cases represent the most egregious betrayal of trust by two of this institution’s leaders, resulting in years of ill-gotten gains for the defendants, all while violating the faith that SPCU’s members placed in them,” said Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Region. “We are
grateful to our regulatory and law enforcement partners in this case and will continue to vigorously investigate allegations of financial crime at FDIC-supervised institutions and in support of our fellow financial regulators.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Paulo was Southern Pine Credit Union’s (SPCU) controller from Oct. 2011 to June 2020 and Lehman served as President of SPCU from 1990 to 2020. The Credit Union’s members are employees of the local paper mill and their families.
Lehman began her fraud in June 2003, when she created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Feb. 2012 to May 31, 2020, Lehman paid off the loan and rebooked it multiple times with additional advances. She would take the proceeds and put them in a joint share draft account she had with the individual, using the proceeds to pay for a boat, a hunting club share, personal expenses and gifts to family members. This loan was repaid in full. However, Lehman created another share secured loan in another individual’s name without their knowledge and would also pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times for personal spending. To conceal these activities, Lehman created false credit transactions using the names and passwords of SPCU employees. These transactions would advance the due date on the loans, which prevented these loans from appearing on quarterly call reports to the NCUA and allowed Lehman to defer or not make payment on these loans. Following these transactions, Lehman created debit entries to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. She made additional fraudulent loan advances simultaneously with those entries to advance the loan dates. She reflected the loans as being paid off at the end of the quarter to prevent possible detection of artificial growth in the SPCU loan portfolio. In total, the drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $4,112,870.63, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020.
Paulo committed a similar fraud scheme to Lehman. In Oct. 2011, Paulo created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Nov. 2011 until May 29, 2020, Paulo took out additional advances on the loan as well as additional loans from the account. Paulo would transfer the loan proceeds into a joint account for personal spending purposes. She created another share secured account using the personal identity of another individual and would pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times with additional advances, using the proceeds for her own personal expenses or electronically transfer money into her family’s accounts. Paulo concealed her schemes as Lehman concealed hers: creating false credit transactions using the usernames and passwords of SPCU employees to simulate the payoff of the loans, which would advance the due date on the loans. Paulo also created debit entries using other people’s usernames and passwords to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. The drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $1,233,201.77, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020. Paulo made $7,736.16 in legitimate payments to the loan balances.
These cases were investigated by the FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch prosecuted these cases for the Government
Former Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Drugs into Virginia PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Virginia man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and launder drug proceeds with co-conspirators in Massachusetts and Virginia.
Kenneth J. Owen, 24, of Charlotte Court House, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA and buprenorphine and two counts of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2024.
In December 2019 and January 2020, Owen conspired with Sathtra Em, a Lowell resident, and Michael Mao, an inmate at the Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn, Va., to smuggle MDMA and buprenorphine in the form of Suboxone and generic Suboxone sublingual films into the prison. At the time, Owen was working as a correctional officer at Buckingham.
As part of the conspiracy, Em mailed the drugs to Owen’s residence and paid him $1,600 in bribes to deliver the drugs and other contraband to Mao in the prison. Mao then sold the smuggled drugs to other inmates at Buckingham and Em collected the drug debts on behalf of Mao in the same Cash App accounts she used to pay the bribes to Owen. Owen used a Cash App account with the name “Carlos” to receive the bribes from Em, and he cashed out the funds to his bank account within minutes of receiving them.
Em and Mao previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. On Aug. 14, 2024, Em was sentenced to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Mao is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2024.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute MDMA and buprenorphine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000, or twice the amount of the property involved, whichever is greater. Both charges also include forfeiture of assets traceable to or involved in the distribution and laundering offenses. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations and the Virginia Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Amhrein of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Former Orange County Resident Linked to White Supremacist Group Pleads Guilty to Plotting and Engaging in Violence at Political RalliesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former resident of Huntington Beach who has been linked to a white supremacy extremist group pleaded guilty today to planning and engaging in riots at political rallies across California.
Robert Paul Rundo, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Riot Act.
“This defendant sought to incite riots to promote a white-supremacist agenda and impede the constitutional rights of others,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Safeguarding civil rights goes to the core of my office’s mission and we will continue to unite with our community against those who promote hate and divisiveness.”
“Mr. Rundo’s cowardly and unprovoked acts of violence were unjustly carried out upon his victims, leaving those who were victimized, their families, and our community torn by hate,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that if a crime is motivated by bias, it will be investigated, and the perpetrators held responsible for their actions. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”
According to his plea agreement, between March 2017 and May 2018, Rundo and others participated in an organization that ultimately was rebranded as the “Rise Above Movement” (RAM). RAM representing itself as a fighting group of a new nationalist and white supremacy identity movement. As part of their membership in RAM, Rundo and others attended rallies with the intent to provoke and engage in violence.
To prepare for violent physical conflicts, Rundo and others held hand-to-hand and other fighting training sessions, which they organized through telephone calls, social media, and text messages. Rundo organized and attended several such training sessions in 2017. On various social media platforms, Rundo and others posted messages and photographs of themselves preparing for or engaging in violence, accompanied by statements such as “#rightwingdeathsquad.”
In March 2017, Rundo and other RAM members held a training in San Clemente to prepare to engage in violence at political events, including a rally on March 25, 2017, in Huntington Beach. At the Huntington Beach rally, Rundo and other RAM members pursued and assaulted other persons, including one protestor whom Rundo tackled and punched multiple times. Following the event, Rundo and his co-conspirators posted online photographs and videos celebrating the assaults they had committed.
Rundo also helped organize training for RAM members in anticipation of a rally scheduled to occur on April 15, 2017, in Berkeley. At the Berkeley rally, there were several violent clashes throughout the day. In one such instance, Rundo and several of his co-conspirators crossed a police barrier erected to separate opposing groups. They then punched and kicked several people. Following the event, Rundo and his co-conspirators again posted online photographs and videos celebrating the assaults they had committed.
On June 10, 2017, Rundo and others attended a rally in San Bernardino, at which they confronted and pursued protesters.
In the months following these events, Rundo and his accomplices continued to publicly celebrate their assaults, including through online posts with photos and videos of RAM members assaulting people.
United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton scheduled a December 13 sentencing hearing, at which time Rundo will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Two other defendants have been charged in this case:
- Robert Boman, 31, of Torrance, who is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Riot Act and one count of rioting; and
- Tyler Laube, 28, of Redondo Beach, who pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of interfering with a federally protected right and later was fined $2,000 and sentenced to time already served in custody.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathrynne N. Seiden and Anna P. Boylan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Former Missouri Prison Employee Indicted on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former employee of a Missouri state prison appeared in U.S. District Court Friday to answer drug charges.
Steven M. Reminger, 53, was indicted September 12 on three felony charges: conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, attempt to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and making a false statement.
He appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty.
The indictment alleges that the drug conspiracy began in November 2021. The indictment says Reminger made a false statement on Nov. 8, 2021, by providing a false name to employees of the U.S. Postal Service when applying for a Post Office Box in Farmington, Missouri. Reminger’s attempt to possess controlled substances occurred on May 24 and 25 of 2022, the indictment alleges. A forfeiture allegation says $19,000 in cash, knives and cellular phones were seized on May 25, 2022.
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 drug charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. The false statements charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Missouri Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Rebar is prosecuting the case.
Former Luxury Homebuilder Sentenced for Defrauding the United StatesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former project manager of a now-defunct luxury home building business in West Springfield. Mass. was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to defraud the United States.
Jason Pecoy, 44, of Wilbraham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to two years of probation, and a fine of $7,500. The government recommended a sentence of 21 to 27 months in prison, followed by a three-years of supervised release, and order mandatory restitution in the amount of $35,982. In June 2024, Pecoy was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Jason Pecoy was previously indicted in December 2019 along with his father, Kent Pecoy, and Kevin M. Kennedy, the former owner of a golf management company, for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing cash payments for the construction of Kennedy’s two homes in East Longmeadow and West Dennis. The defendants were later charged in a superseding indictment in January 2020.On Dec. 11, 2023, Kennedy was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on April 24, 2024. On May 16, 2024, Kent Pecoy pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution. Kent Pecoy was sentenced in August 2024 to time served (one day) and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $24,000 fine and $35,982 in restitution.
From 2009 through 2016, Kennedy conspired with Kent Pecoy, the owner of Kent Pecoy and Sons Construction Inc. (KPSC), and his son, Jason Pecoy, a KPSC project manager, to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service and the collection of taxes by concealing Kennedy’s cash payments for construction of the East Longmeadow and West Dennis homes. Kennedy paid the Pecoys in cash, all of which the Pecoys failed to deposit into business bank accounts, but rather distributed the cash directly to vendors and subcontractors. When they did deposit the cash, the Pecoys deposited funds in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid the filing of currency transaction reports. The evidence proved that when the Pecoys created and maintained separate ledgers documenting Kennedy’s cash payments, created and maintained false contracts and cover sheets and created false entries in KPSC’s accounting system to conceal the cash payments.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge, Harry T. Chavis Jr., Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney Eric B. Powers of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Former FMC Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Sexual Abuse of a WardRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Jacob Salcido, 40, pleaded guilty on Friday, before Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward.
According to his plea agreement, from September 5, 2020, to December 21, 2020, while employed as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Salcido knowingly engaged in sexual acts with three inmates. Salcido admitted that, based on his training and experience, he was aware that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates was strictly forbidden and constituted a criminal offense.
“Jacob Salcido blatantly exploited his power as a correctional officer by sexually abusing three women in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department’s commitment to eradicating sexual abuse within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Prisons continues through every case we prosecute. Today’s guilty plea is the latest but certainly not the last in our efforts to eradicate sexual abuse in federal prisons.”
“Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers are responsible for fostering a safe and humane environment for inmates to serve out their sentences,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Instead, Salcido abused his authority and sexually abused three inmates that were in his custody and care. The DOJ OIG is committed to aggressively investigating these types of allegations and bringing perpetrators to justice.”
“Instead of ensuring the safety and security of those in his care, the defendant chose to maliciously prey on vulnerable individuals, and betrayed an important obligation to the public,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This disgraceful conduct has done enduring damage to his victims. It has also eroded trust in faithful public servants, those who perform their civic duties honorably. We are committed to our efforts to protect individuals, and to combat abuses by those who callously betray their responsibilities to those in their care and to the public they serve.”
United States Attorney Shier; William J. Hannah, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; and Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG and FBI. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo.
Salcido is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2024. This offense carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the guilty plea, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and the federal sentencing statutes.
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Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a WardRead the Press Release
A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) correctional officer pleaded guilty today to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward.
Jacob Salcido, 40, of Lexington, Kentucky, pleaded guilty today to sexual abuse of a ward. According to his plea agreement, beginning on Sept. 5, 2020, through Dec. 21, 2020, while employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Lexington, Salcido knowingly engaged in a sexual act with three inmates. Salcido admitted that he was aware that based on his training and experience that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates was strictly forbidden and was a federal crime.
“Jacob Salcido blatantly exploited his power as a correctional officer by sexually abusing three women in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department’s commitment to eradicating sexual abuse within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Prisons continues through every case we prosecute. Today’s guilty plea is the latest but certainly not the last in our efforts to eradicate sexual abuse in federal prisons.”
“Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers are responsible for fostering a safe and humane environment for inmates to serve out their sentences,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Instead, Salcido abused his authority and sexually abused three inmates that were in his custody and care. The DOJ OIG is committed to aggressively investigating these types of allegations and bringing perpetrators to justice.”
“Instead of ensuring the safety and security of those in his care, the defendant chose to maliciously prey on vulnerable individuals, and betrayed an important obligation to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This disgraceful conduct has done enduring damage to his victims. It has also eroded trust in faithful public servants, those who perform their civic duties honorably. We are committed to our efforts to protect individuals, and to combat abuses by those who callously betray their responsibilities to those in their care and to the public they serve.”
Salcido is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 13.
Salcido faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
DOJ-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky is prosecuting the case.
FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the department’s reform efforts.
Five-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Reginald Dugger, Jr. (42, Orlando) to six years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Dugger to forfeit a Rock Island Armory revolver, a Palmetto State Armory rifle, and associated ammunition, all of which were seized from his residence on February 29, 2024. Dugger entered a guilty plea on May 21, 2024.
According to court documents, on February 29, 2024, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Dugger’s home. During the search, agents located a currency counter, drugs, and two loaded firearms within plain view and accessible to Dugger. At the time, Dugger had several prior felony convictions. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.
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.
Final Defendant Sentenced in 2016 Robbery Spree in Haywood County, TennesseeRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Cordarious Baltimore, 30, of Brownsville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 246 months in federal prison after his conviction for multiple robberies and firearm offenses. Baltimore was the final defendant to be sentenced regarding a series of 2016 business robberies which occurred in and around Brownsville. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentencing today.
According to the information presented in court, over a period of five days in April 2016, three businesses in the Brownsville, Haywood County area were robbed by two masked men armed with pistols. During this time, two different shootings occurred where 9mm shell casings and a .22 LR shell casing were recovered by the Brownsville Police Department on the scenes.
On April 25, 2016, after the robbery of a truck stop, deputies with the Haywood County Sheriff's Department collected clothing on a nearby road that was worn by the armed robbers. Deputies sent those items of evidence to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for DNA analysis, which in 2018 linked Baltimore’s co-conspirators, Lacey Jeter and Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr., to the clothing.
On April 26, 2016, officers with the Brownsville Police Department observed a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen leaving the scene of the earlier truck stop robbery and initiated a traffic stop. After a brief chase, the vehicle crashed in rural Haywood County and the occupants of the vehicle fled leaving behind two pistols similar to ones described by witnesses to the recent robberies. The Brownsville Police Department collected the firearms and TBI Agents were able to confirm that the shell casings recovered after the shootings were fired from one of the firearms recovered near the scene of the crash.
In October 2022, Baltimore pled guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, commission of Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 12, 2024, United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Baltimore to 246 months incarceration followed by 5 years of supervised release on September 12, 2024. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jeter pled guilty and was sentenced in April 2022. Nixon was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to 160 months incarceration and 5 years supervised release in February 2020.
United States Attorney Ritz said: “This defendant’s serious violent crimes justify this significant federal prison sentence. Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their communities, and that is why this office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to vigorously enforce federal firearm and robbery laws.”
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Department said: “The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is glad to be involved in the resolution of this case against Cordarious Baltimore. One of the goals of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is to make all residents and visitors to Haywood County feel safer from the criminal element and achieving a conviction in this incident falls within that goal of the agency. We appreciate the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in this investigation, and the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee in helping achieve the greatest amount of time allowable under law for those involved in violent crimes, especially gun crimes.”
This case was investigated by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department, Brownsville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
United States Attorney Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Hillary Parham who prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated this case.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Film Producer Indicted for Multi-Decade Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A film producer and an Australian accountant were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday for crimes related to their roles in a multi-decade conspiracy to defraud the United States by concealing the movie producer’s income and assets offshore.
According to the indictment, Nigel Sinclair is a film producer who founded several successful movie production companies and Anthony Stewart is an accountant in Australia. In 2000, Sinclair allegedly co-owned Intermedia, a film production company he co-founded. He allegedly held half of his Intermedia shares in the name of a Maltese nominee entity that he controlled. When the company was listed on a foreign stock exchange, Sinclair allegedly caused his shares held by the Maltese company to be sold for approximately $25 million. He and Stewart then conspired with others to conceal these proceeds by depositing them into nominee bank accounts in Switzerland. Over the years, Sinclair allegedly used these proceeds to fly on private jets, purchase an $800,000 guitar owned by a famous rock musician, fund his next production company and build himself an 8,000 square foot vacation home in the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming. Stewart and others, among other things, allegedly used corporate entities and created fake documents to disguise the true ownership and source of the funds Sinclair used to do so.
In 2004, one of Sinclair’s co-conspirators was allegedly arrested in Australia and his laptop seized. The laptop allegedly contained files related to Sinclair and other individuals’ offshore financial dealings. According to the indictment, the seizure of the laptop was the impetus for a significant tax evasion investigation in Australia, code-named Project Wickenby. As the investigation progressed, and concerned about a possible IRS inquiry as well, Sinclair, Stewart and their co-conspirators allegedly took steps to avoid detection by authorities, including by moving Sinclair’s assets into the name of new nominees, destroying potentially incriminating documents by flushing them down the toilet, talking in code and communicating on burner phones.
In 2015, Sinclair allegedly tried to use the IRS’ Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures. Under those procedures, the IRS allegedly offered taxpayers with undisclosed foreign assets the opportunity to make timely, accurate and complete disclosures to resolve their non-compliance and limit their criminal exposure. Allegedly, a taxpayer who certified under penalties of perjury that their failure to comply was non-willful — usually defined as the result of negligence or mistake — could pay significantly reduced penalties. In his disclosure Sinclair allegedly made several false statements about his foreign assets and underreported their value. In addition, despite admitting in his 2015 voluntary disclosure that he had a foreign bank account, Sinclair allegedly did not report that bank account on Reports of Foreign Bank Account and Financial Accounts (FBARs) that he filed with the U.S. Treasury Department for 2016 or 2017.
Lastly, in 2020, Sinclair allegedly encouraged one of his co-conspirators to tell a false narrative to U.S. authorities as part of a grand jury investigation.
Sinclair allegedly caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $5 million.
Sinclair and Stewart were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Sinclair was also charged with filing false tax returns, filing false FBARs and obstruction of justice. If convicted, Sinclair and Stewart face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy. Sinclair also faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each filing a false tax return charge, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each false FBAR charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the obstruction charge.
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. Assistance was provided by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which brings together the taxing authorities of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States.
Trial Attorneys Peter J. Anthony and Erika V. Suhr and Assistant Chief Matthew Kluge of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. Former Trial Attorney Christopher M. Magnani assisted in the investigation.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sinclair Indictment.pdfFederal Jury Convicts St. Croix Man of Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found David Leopold Huber (35, St. Croix) guilty of theft of government property. Huber faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 11, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Huber’s mother was receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Huber’s mother died on August 9, 2016. The SSA did not receive notice that she had died and continued to pay out benefits on her behalf until July 2020. Huber was a joint account holder on the account into which his mother’s SSA benefits were deposited. Huber transferred the SSA benefits deposited after his mother’s death into his own personal account and used the funds for various personal expenses. In total, Huber stole approximately $47,952 in SSA benefits.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
Federal Jury Convicts Cherokee County Resident of First Degree MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Steven Dewayne Beard, age 51, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of First Degree Murder in Indian Country and two federal firearms offenses.
The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, September 9, 2024, and concluded, on Friday, September 14, 2024, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Beard intentionally shot and killed the victim with malice aforethought. According to investigators, Beard and the victim were romantic rivals for the same woman. On March 29, 2023, Beard became angry and ordered the woman to remove her property from his residence while he was away. Knowing that the victim was the woman’s only ride and would accompany her to remove her items, Beard hid his vehicle, and waited inside for the two to return. When the woman and victim arrived, Beard shot the victim in the chest. The victim fell to the ground where Beard shot the victim in the chest again at pointblank range. The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdicts were the results of investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee Nation Marshal’s Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Beard will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Federal Authorities Working with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence in MilwaukeeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that Milwaukee is among an initial set of 78 communities that Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA).
As announced by the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms under federal law.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our dedicated and talented law enforcement and community partners to continue to reduce domestic violence and hold offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Including Milwaukee in today’s designation demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to use all available federal tools to make all of our communities as safe as possible.”
“This important announcement will strengthen our partnerships between law enforcement and communities to assist victims of domestic violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “ATF prioritizes investigations of prohibited persons who illegally possess firearms and look forward to the United States Attorney's leadership to prosecute these important cases.”
Communities have been designated by Attorney General Garland in close coordination with community stakeholders. The designated jurisdictions span 47 states and include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms.
The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.
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Dominican National Pleads Guilty for Role in Human Smuggling Venture that Resulted in 11 DeathsRead the Press Release
A Dominican national pleaded guilty today to his role in a human smuggling venture that resulted in the deaths of multiple migrants.
Fermín Montilla, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of bringing aliens to the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry resulting in death.
According to court documents, Montilla was involved in a maritime human smuggling venture that attempted to bring migrants illegally to the United States. On or about the evening of May 12, 2022, Montilla knowingly brought 48 persons to the United States unlawfully. Montilla’s actions caused the deaths of 11 of those people.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced later this year and faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico; and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan made the announcement.
HSI San Juan investigated this case, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Trial Attorney Angela Buckner of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and U.S. Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helena Daniel for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
Defendant Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Basilio Antonio-Hernandez, age 40, entered a guilty plea to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
The Indictment alleged that on May 26, 2024, Antonio-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States without the express consent of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security after having been previously deported and removed on three prior occasions.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Heavener Police Department and the Enforcement and Removal Operations branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
The Honorable Jason Robinson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Antonio-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan represented the United States.
Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Connecticut man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a Martha’s Vineyard bank robbery.
Romane Andre Clayton, 22, of New Haven, Conn, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Dec. 18, 2024. In March 2023, Clayton was indicted by a federal grand jury. Clayton was charged in a superseding indictment in April 2023.
Clayton met Omar Johnson, Tevin Porter and Miquel Jones in Martha’s Vineyard on Nov. 16, 2022 to plan a bank robbery. Jones identified the bank they would be robbing and provided the others with dark-colored clothing and plastic masks that resembled an elderly man with exaggerated facial features. On the morning of Nov. 17, 2022, the group drove to the area of the Rockland Trust Bank in Tisbury. Porter, Jones and Johnson hid in bushes near the rear of the bank, and Clayton drove their car to the Manuel Correllus State Forest. Clayton then rode a bicycle back to the bank, where he stood outside to serve as a lookout during the robbery. Clayton had a walkie talkie to communicate with the others inside the bank.
As bank employees arrived to open the bank for the day, Porter, Jones and Johnson forced their way through the rear door of the Rockland Trust Bank in Tisbury. The men were armed with two semi-automatic handguns and wearing the clothes and masks that Jones had provided. Once inside the bank, one of the individuals held a gun to the head of one of the bank employees, forced the employee to open the bank’s vault, and took approximately $39,100. The bank employees were bound with duct tape and plastic zip ties while their belongings were searched and the robbers demanded access to one of their vehicles.
Jones, Porter and Johnson then left the bank in an employee’s car, picked up Clayton outside the bank, and drove to the Manuel Correllus State Forest, where they abandoned the employee’s car in a parking lot. They then fled in the vehicle that Clayton had left there for purposes of their escape.
Porter and Clayton left Martha’s Vineyard together on a ferry later that morning. Meanwhile, Johnson and Jones drove to a local farm associated with Jones’s landscaping job to dispose of the equipment that had been used during the bank robbery. At the farm, they buried the two firearms used in the robbery in a hole in the ground and burned the remainder of the robbery equipment, including the plastic masks.
After the evidence was disposed of, Jones returned home to his residence where he hid the approximately $39,100 that had been stolen from the bank, in his bedroom under a bureau. Johnson left Martha’s Vineyard, reconvened with Porter and Clayton in Woods Hole and then drove them to the area of Johnson’s home in New Hampshire.
Jones, Johnson and Porter have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The charge of bank robbery aiding and abetting provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office; the Massachusetts State Police; the Tisbury, West Tisbury, Edgartown, Chilmark, Oak Bluffs, Aquinnah, Canterbury (N.H.) and New Haven (Conn.) Police Departments; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and United States Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Cody Andrew Seals Sentenced to Thirty Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Attempted Murder of Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On September 13, 2024, Cody Andrew Seals, 27, currently of Luttrell, Tennessee, was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville.
On April 16, 2024, pursuant to a filed plea agreement, Seals pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(b)(1)(A); discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); and the attempted murder of two Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers who were assisting federal law enforcement agents, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1114.
According to filed court documents, federal law enforcement agents and task force officers were investigating a Mexican drug trafficking cartel that was distributing hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine into the Eastern District of Tennessee and elsewhere. On January 9, 2020, law enforcement officials conducting surveillance observed Seals driving up to a hotel to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Law enforcement followed Seals and requested assistance from the Tennessee Highway Patrol (“THP”) to stop Seal’s vehicle. As two THP Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Seals’ pick up on Highway 27 north of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Seals fled at a high rate of speed and fired a handgun at the Troopers. After a chase lasting several minutes, THP Troopers were able to force Seals’ truck to a stop on the highway. Seals got out of his truck and began rapidly firing a rifle at both THP Troopers, striking one of the Troopers in the leg. The Troopers returned fire, striking Seals non-fatally. Seals stopped shooting and was arrested. A subsequent search of Seal’s truck resulted in the seizure of 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 500 grams of heroin, and several firearms.
United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud made the announcement.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Seals include Homeland Security Investigations, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee’s 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Quencer represented the United States.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
###Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
A felon who possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison.
Malachi Patton Handley, age 23, of Cedar Rapids, received the sentence after a January 30, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Handley admitted that, between December 2022 and March 2023, he possessed an SCCY pistol after having been convicted of three felonies.
Handley was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Handley was sentenced to 46 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.
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 Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Marion Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR 23-57.
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California Addiction Treatment Facility Operator Convicted of Paying Nearly $2.9M in Illegal KickbacksRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a California man this week for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to his addiction treatment facilities located in Orange County, California.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Casey Mahoney, 48, of Los Angeles, paid nearly $2.9 million in illegal kickbacks to so-called “body brokers” who referred patients to Mahoney’s addiction treatment facilities, Healing Path Detox LLC and Get Real Recovery Inc. Those body brokers in turn paid thousands of dollars in cash to patients, which some patients used to purchase drugs, in order to induce those patients to attend treatment at Mahoney’s facilities. Mahoney concealed the illegal kickbacks by entering into sham contracts with the body brokers which purportedly required fixed payments and prohibited payments based off of the volume or value of the patient referrals. In reality, Mahoney and the brokers negotiated payments based on the patients’ insurance reimbursements and the number of days Mahoney was able to bill for treatment. Mahoney also laundered the proceeds of the conspiracy through payments to the mother of one of the body brokers, which Mahoney falsely characterized as consulting fees.
Mahoney was convicted of one count of conspiracy to solicit, receive, pay, or offer illegal remunerations for patient referrals, seven counts of illegal remunerations for patient referrals, and three counts of money laundering. Mahoney is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison on each illegal remuneration count, and 20 years in prison on each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California; Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office investigated the case. The California Department of Insurance provided valuable assistance.
Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nandor F.R. Kiss for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case.
Mahoney’s conviction arose out of violations of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA). EKRA was enacted in October 2018 as part of comprehensive legislation designed to address the opioid crisis in order to target the rise in body brokering and substance abuse facility profiteering.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24.7 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Cudahy Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on September 12, 2024, Michael J. Yumang (age: 39), of Cudahy, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.
After a bench trial in June 2024 before United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller, Yumang was convicted of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. Evidence introduced during the trial showed that Yumang used the United States Postal Service to receive substantial quantities of methamphetamine at his home in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Yumang also kept a firearm at his residence to protect his contraband and drug proceeds.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized that Yumang was “very, very fortunate to be alive,” given his involvement with drugs and firearms. Judge Stadtmueller also found that Yumang had perjured himself during his trial, such that Yumang had obstructed justice and was subject to a sentencing enhancement.
“Today’s sentence makes clear that under federal law, individuals who deal in highly addictive and devastating controlled substances – especially those who do so while armed – will face lengthy prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “We are committed to working with all of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to hold individuals who endanger the community fully accountable for their actions.”
“Yumang’s criminal activity was of great local concern to the City of Cudahy Police Department”, said Cudahy Police Chief Thomas Poellot, “By working collaboratively with investigators, police officers were aware of information that caused them to investigate further while handling a traffic-related matter, which furthered this investigation.” The Cudahy Police Department greatly benefits by our ongoing partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Attorney’s office.”
This matter was investigated by the Cudahy Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery, William Berens, and Kevin Knight.
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CEO of East Bay-Based Internet Companies Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Committing Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Alan Anderson was sentenced today to 88 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for defrauding investors by lying to them about the profitability of his internet companies, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. Anderson’s sentence was imposed by the Honorable Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Judge.
Anderson, 61, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2024, to two counts of wire fraud. In connection with pleading guilty, Anderson admitted that from Apr. 22, 2010, through May 2018, he was the majority shareholder and CEO of three companies: Imbee.com, a Delaware corporation based in Walnut Creek marketed as a child-friendly social media platform; Fanlala, a California corporation marketed as a service providing internet-based music streaming for children; and Fruit Punch, a California corporation marketed as providing music-streaming service for children. Anderson further admitted that he falsely claimed that the companies were either being acquired or were expanding existing partnerships or contracts with large, well-established companies to induce individuals to invest in his businesses. To further his falsehoods, and to create an appearance of legitimacy for his false claims, Anderson created false contracts, purchase orders, and other documentation that he sent to investors. Anderson created and sent these false documents to investors with the intent to deceive or cheat them.
At sentencing, Judge Chen found that Anderson began lying to investors in September 2011, that his long-running fraud spanned years, and that over the course of the scheme Anderson defrauded investors out of approximately $8.825 million.
A federal grand jury indicted Anderson on October 13, 2021, charging him with four counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Chen also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered that he pay restitution in an amount to be determined during a further hearing on October 10, 2024. The defendant will begin serving the prison term on January 6, 2025.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Sailaja Paidipaty are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by the FBI.
Brookline Woman Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Embezzling More Than $650,000 from Medical PracticeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former office manager of a Brookline medical practice was sentenced today for embezzling over $650,000 from the practice over several years.
Kathleen Libby, 40, of Brookline, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Libby was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $658,271. In May 2024, Libby pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Libby stole from the medical practice in a variety of ways, including by transferring funds from the practice to a personal PayPal account she established named “Medline Surgical Supplies.” In doing so, Libby created the false impression that transfers from the medical practice to the PayPal account were expenses the medical practice had incurred for supplies.
In addition, Libby used the medical practice’s bank account to make payments toward purchases she had made at a variety of retailers, including Louis Vuitton, Bloomingdales, Best Buy, Target and travel-related websites. Libby also placed two of her relatives on the medical practice’s payroll and used its credit cards for her own personal benefit.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Brockton Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Receiving a Firearm, Distributing Fentanyl and Possessing CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to firearm, cocaine, fentanyl and conspiracy offenses.
Antonio Denziah Fernandes, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally receiving a firearm while under indictment, two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2024. In September 2023, Fernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury and on Sept. 11, 2024, additional charges were brought in a Superseding Information.
In late 2021, law enforcement learned that Fernandes was trafficking firearms and narcotics in the Brockton area, including large quantities of fentanyl. In January 2022, while under indictment in state court for trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl, Fernandes received and sold a Glock Model 48, 9mm pistol for $1,700 in the Taunton area. In each of two subsequent transactions in January and February 2022, Fernandes distributed and possessed with intent to distribute approximately 50 grams of fentanyl, for a total of approximately 100 grams. These two transactions took place in the vicinity of Fernandes’s Brockton residence.
Fernandes and a co-conspirator were storing and packaging narcotics in an abandoned van parked outside Fernandes residence and distributing them with a different vehicle. Fernandes was arrested in the passenger seat of the latter vehicle, and a loaded firearm was found wedged against his seat. Fernandes had 2.8g of fentanyl on his person.
During a search of the abandoned vehicle, large quantity of drugs was found inside including 174.7 grams of Fentanyl, 51.5 grams of cocaine, 18.2 grams of Percocet pills and eight grams of mushrooms. Twenty-seven rounds of 9mm ammunition also was recovered. The van also contained various packaging materials for narcotics, such as plastic baggies, corner cut bags, a trash bag full of various used drug packaging materials with white residue, mixing bowls with white residue and latex gloves.
The charge of illegally receiving a firearm while under indictment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl each provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office; the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office; and the Brockton, Taunton, Whitman, West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that QUINTEN McKOY, also known as “Quack,” 33, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McKoy was arrested on October 7, 2022, after a court-authorized search of his residence on Logan Street in Bridgeport revealed a stolen Glock .45 semi-automatic handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition.
McKoy’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions in state court for firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 5, at which time McKoy faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
McKoy has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Ross Weingarten 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.
Boyfriend of missing Cody woman is sentenced to 87 months in federal prisonRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann announced today that the Cody man whose girlfriend disappeared while the couple and their two children were returning from Alabama in October of 2023, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson.
Adam Shane Aviles, Jr., age 26, of Cody, Wyoming, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Based on evidence presented by the government at the sentencing hearing, Judge Johnson found that Aviles unlawfully possessed the ammunition in connection with the voluntary manslaughter of Katheryn Ferguson. She was reported missing in October 2023 and is presumed dead.
Aviles was arrested in early November 2023, after the Park County Sheriff’s Office found bullet holes, a fully loaded .45 caliber magazine and ammunition, and numerous blood-stained items inside his vehicle. Aviles is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition. Aviles was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 15, 2023 and he pleaded guilty on Jun. 14.
“Today’s sentence is a product of close cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors. We hope the sentence provides a measure of justice, however partial, for the loss of Katheryn Ferguson to her children and her family,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann. “This case is a sad reminder that felons cannot be trusted with firearms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute gun crimes to help make the people of Wyoming safer.”
This crime was investigated by the Park County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the FBI with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Case No. 23-CR-00161
Boston Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Nationwide Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in a nationwide large-scale cocaine trafficking conspiracy and for distribution of large quantities of fentanyl.
Francis Jose Perez-Baez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In December 2024, Perez-Baez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Perez-Baez was charged in November 2021.
Perez-Baez was a Boston-based drug distributor who distributed large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. Perez-Baez received multiple kilograms of cocaine from a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization that utilized commercial semi-trucks to transport dozens of kilograms of cocaine throughout the United States, including to Massachusetts.
Over the course of the investigation, Perez-Baez paid the drug trafficking organization nearly $280,000 in drug proceeds for multiple kilograms of cocaine that the organization had previously supplied to him on credit. Additionally, Perez-Baez sold fentanyl to a cooperating witness on multiple occasions – over 500 grams of fentanyl in August 2020 and 200 grams of fentanyl in April 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Laredo and Dallas Divisions provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Davon Jamir Linder, 24, of Beckley, was sentenced today to five years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 27, 2023, Linder sold a controlled substance containing methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Beckley. Linder admitted to the transaction. Linder was also found in possession of 800 grams of methamphetamine when a search warrant was executed at his house. He was on parole supervision at the time the offenses occurred.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-171.
Beckley Man Sentenced to More than 13 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Crime and Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Leon Eugene Smith Jr., 43, of Beckley, was sentenced today to 13 years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of a fentanyl and violating his supervised release
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 15, 2023, Smith sold a controlled substance containing fentanyl to a confidential informant in the Lenark area of Raleigh County. Smith admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling controlled substances containing fentanyl to a confidential informant on three occasions between December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024, all in the Lenark area.
On January 8, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence. Officers found fentanyl, marijuana, a pill bottle containing oxycodone, a pill bottle containing black tar heroin, three cell phones, a security system, $1,170 and scales, money counters, vacuum sealers, and other items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also found six long guns, two pistols, a 50-round drum magazine, a 30-round drum magazine, two 30-round rifle magazines and assorted ammunition. Smith admitted to possessing the firearms, magazines and ammunition and further admitted that the drug paraphernalia items were used in the distribution of fentanyl.
At the time of this offense, Smith was serving a term of federal supervised release for a prior conviction. Today’s prison sentence includes 10 months for committing a crime while on supervised release.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk 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. 5:24-cr-22.
Arnold Man and Former Department of Defense Deputy Chief Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Dogfighting and Interstate Travel in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., age 63, of Arnold, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office- Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; U.S. Marshal for Maryland Clinton Fuchs; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad.
According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a report of two dead dogs found in a plastic dog food bag in Annapolis, Maryland in November 2018. Investigators found mail addressed to Moorefield inside the bag, and a necropsy determined that the dogs bore wounds and scarring patterns consistent with their having been used in dogfighting.
Moorefield was affiliated with a dogfighting enterprise known as the “DMV Board,” which operated in and around Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Numerous other members of the DMV Board have been convicted on dogfighting charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. Moorefield operated under the kennel name “Geehad Kennels” and used his home in Arnold, Maryland to keep, train, and breed dogs for dogfighting for over 20 years.
A review of Moorefield’s phone and iCloud account showed numerous message exchanges regarding dogfighting with other members of the DMV Board. In addition to arranging fights and wagers, Moorefield and other members of the DMV Board discussed the breeding and training of fighting dogs, procuring supplies for the maintenance and feeding of fighting dogs, and criminal investigations and prosecutions of dogfighters. In some exchanges, Moorefield and others discussed the indictments of DMV Board members and speculated about the identity of a “snitch” in the group.
Moorefield’s messages also contained several exchanges arranging—or “hooking”—dogfights. In these conversations, Moorefield would “call out a weight” by identifying the weight and sex of the dog he wanted to sponsor in a fight. Other dogfighters would then propose a fight against their own dogs or match Moorefield with another of their contacts who had a dog in the same weight class. The dogfighters would then agree on wagers and set a date for the fight, usually six to eight weeks after the match was made. In addition to stating the amount to be paid to the winner of the fight, dogfighters agreed on forfeit—or “fit”—payments to be made in the event that a dogfighter backed out of the fight before it was scheduled to take place.
After hooking a fight, Moorefield trained his dogs in a process known as a “keep.” Moorefield’s typical keep schedule for a dog involved physical training (using treadmills, weighted collars, and other accessories), a diet plan, and the use of steroids. Moorefield obtained steroids and other veterinary drugs through various contacts in his dogfighting network, not through legitimate veterinary prescriptions.
When Moorefield sponsored a dog in a fight, the fight ended only when a dog died or when the owner forfeited the match—either through the dog “quitting” the fight or the owner “picking up” the dog. In the event that one of Moorefield’s dogs lost a fight but did not die, Moorefield killed that dog. One method of killing employed by Moorefield involved the use of a device consisting of jumper cables connected directly to an ordinary plug. Moorefield plugged the device into a wall socket and attached the cables to the dog, electrocuting it.
Between January 2019 and October 2023, Moorefield sent and received monetary payments through CashApp related to his participation in dogfighting. In some instances, transactions were given misleading labels in order to disguise the true nature of the transferred money, such as a transaction in which Moorefield received $1,000 labeled as a “housewarming gift” from a known dogfighter in 2022, even though Moorefield has lived at the same address for over two decades.
When agents searched Moorefield’s residence on September 6, 2023, they recovered five pitbull-type dogs from large metal cages in a windowless room of Moorefield’s basement. Agents also found several containers of animal medication, dog food, and protein powder in the same room, as well as the jumper-cable device referenced above, which Moorefield used to kill dogs that were no longer fit for use in dogfighting. Agents seized a large piece of folded-up carpet from a shed on the property, and this carpet appeared to be stained in several places with blood. Moorefield used the carpet as the floor of an arena to stage dogfights or “rolls” (brief test fights between dogs to evaluate the dogs’ fighting ability).
When interviewed by agents, Moorefield stated that he had only recently obtained—within the past week—four of the five dogs found on the property. The dog that Moorefield did not obtain recently was diagnosed as exhibiting calloused skin and an old injury, in addition to being infested with fleas. That dog had to be humanely euthanized after exhibiting extreme aggression toward both human caretakers and other dogs. Moorefield bred and/or trained all five dogs recovered from his property for the purposes of sponsoring them in dogfights.
At the time Moorefield was charged in this case, he was the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Moorefield faces a maximum of five years in prison for conspiring to engage in an animal fighting conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Animal Control, and thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Levin and Darryl Tarver, who are prosecuting the federal case.
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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Armed Security Guard at Manhattan Federal Building Sentenced to Five Years in Prison in Connection with Sexual Assault of Asylum SeekerRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JIMMY SOLANO-ARIAS, a former armed security guard at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building located at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, was sentenced today to five years in prison by Judge Paul G. Gardephe in connection with SOLANO-ARIAS’s sexual assault of an asylum seeker (the “Victim”) on May 4, 2023. On April 10, 2024, SOLANO-ARIAS pled guilty to lying to federal law enforcement agents following his sexual abuse of the Victim. The sentencing today followed SOLANO-ARIAS’s guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jimmy Solano-Arias used his position as an armed security officer at a federal building to sexually assault a vulnerable asylum seeker. In so doing, Solano-Arias abused a person he was charged with protecting, and then lied to cover up his crime. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those who exploit their position of public trust will be held accountable for their conduct.”
According to the Indictment, Superseding Information, other public court documents, and statements made during court proceedings:
On May 4, 2023, SOLANO-ARIAS was employed as a security guard by a company that contracts with the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security to provide armed security services at 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York. On that date, SOLANO-ARIAS was on duty, wore a black and gray security guard uniform, and carried his employer-issued firearm.
Early in the morning on May 4, 2023, the Victim went to 26 Federal Plaza for the purpose of submitting an asylum application. Once there, SOLANO-ARIAS offered to assist the Victim with his asylum paperwork. Instead of providing assistance, however, SOLANO-ARIAS led the Victim through non-public areas of 26 Federal Plaza, eventually secluding the Victim in a locked office on the second floor. Inside the locked office, SOLANO-ARIAS demanded that the Victim perform oral sex on SOLANO-ARIAS. When the Victim attempted to resist SOLANO-ARIAS’s demands, SOLANO-ARIAS reached to the company-issued firearm on his person. Fearing that SOLANO-ARIAS would harm the Victim, the Victim performed oral sex on SOLANO-ARIAS, which caused physical pain and injury to the Victim. Following the assault, when the Victim was able to leave the office, the Victim immediately reported the sexual assault to law enforcement.
The following morning, when SOLANO-ARIAS arrived at 26 Federal Plaza for his shift, law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) approached SOLANO-ARIAS and asked to speak with him. SOLANO-ARIAS agreed to speak with the federal agents. During the interview that followed, SOLANO-ARIAS lied to the federal agents about his sexual abuse of the Victim, initially disclaiming entirely that he had engaged in a sexual act with the Victim and then falsely claiming that the sexual act was consensual when it was not. SOLANO-ARIAS was arrested after the interview.
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In addition to the prison term, SOLANO-ARIAS, 45, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Espinosa and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.
Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Mitchell Wilson (35, Tampa) to 20 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Wilson to forfeit a Smith & Wesson Model M&P Shield 9mm pistol and assorted ammunition, which were instrumentalities of the offense. Wilson entered a guilty plea on November 22, 2023.
According to court documents, Wilson was a major narcotics distributor in the Middle District of Florida. On September 13, 2022, Wilson sold fentanyl to a confidential source. Three days later, agents seized 97 grams of pure methamphetamine, 36 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, cocaine, and a scale from a backpack that also contained a loaded firearm, as Wilson carried it from his hotel room to his car.
Loaded firearm seized from Wilson on September 13, 2022.
Narcotics seized from Wilson.
Wilson acknowledged he had sourced more than 2 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine from a drug trafficking organization in Palmetto Beach over the previous 10 months, after being released from prison in August 2021. Wilson was in possession of a drug ledger and hundreds of dollars in cash during his arrest. Wilson had maintained a premises in the form of a hotel room, which he used to prepare narcotics for distribution and to distribute to customers.
At the time of his arrest, Wilson had multiple prior felony convictions, including four prior drug trafficking offenses and a fleeing to elude conviction.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Armed Bank Robber from Maryland Sentenced to 77 MonthsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ronald Lamont Jenkins, 36, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 77 months in prison for the June 2022 armed robbery of a TD Bank in Northeast Washington D.C. and ordered to pay $8,345.00 in restitution to TD Bank. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Jenkins pleaded guilty on May 12, 2024, to a one count indictment charging him with bank robbery before Judge Randolph D. Moss in the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison term, Judge Moss ordered Jenkins to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, FBI agents and MPD officers responded on June 13, 2022, to the TD Bank branch on the 900 block of Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, FBI agents met with the victim teller at the bank. The teller told agents that soon after the branch’s security guard went on break, an unknown man entered the bank, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, neon yellow/green gloves, and brown boots. The man approached the counter and ordered the teller “open the drawer.” The teller did not realize what the man had said at first. The man repeated “open the drawer.” As the teller looked up, the man lifted his shirt to display the handle of a handgun located in his waistband. The teller opened the register. The man reached over the counter and grabbed more than $8,000. As he fled, he dropped several of the stolen bills in the bank’s vestibule.
FBI agents canvassed the area and reviewed commercial and residential surveillance video. The video showed the bank robber traveling on foot northbound in the alley east of 10th Street, Northeast. Agents discovered a blue left-foot water shoe along a fence line adjacent to a residential yard on the 2400 block of 10th Street, Northeast. During their search, agents recovered a pair of neon yellow gloves, a black Calvin Klein hooded sweatshirt, a pair of brown Nike size 8.5 men’s shoes, gray “Champion” sweatpants, a black mask, and two plastic grocery-style bags, one of which contained a $100 bill with fingerprints. The agents noted that the clothing was “soaked in sweat,” which was consistent with that day’s temperature of 91 degrees with a heat index as high as 97 degrees.
FBI agents tracked the suspect’s movements from a nearby liquor store to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station in Prince Georges, County. Based on the evidence recovered, agents deduced he likely lived in Maryland.
The FBI reviewed law enforcement reports from other robberies in the DMV, specifically those involving the modus operandi of wearing two sets of clothes to commit the robbery and removing the outer clothes shortly after to make a getaway. Agents learned of the knife-point robbery on August 5, 2021, at a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in Bowie, Maryland.
In that robbery’s immediate aftermath, Bowie City police officers received a call of a suspicious male running through residential backyards near the Lowe’s. Soon after, a man was seen walking out of the wood line behind the caller’s residence. Officers stopped Ronald Lamont Jenkins, whose clothes were wet. Prince George’s County K9 Officers searched of the immediate area. The K9 led officers directly from Jenkins into the wood line where they recovered a $20 bill, a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants with green zipper pockets, and black shoes with white soles. The clothes matched those worn by the suspect in the robbery of the Lowe’s. Investigators recovered DNA samples from the clothing. Later analysis showed the DNA on the clothing matched DNA recovered from items discarded after the bank robbery.
The FBI arrested Jenkins on November 14, 2023.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, and the police department of Prince George’s County, Md.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emory V. Cole and James Nelson of the Federal Major Crimes section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
23cr377
Arizona Man Indicted for Offenses Involving Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday, charging Anthony Dalton Wolff, 42, of Surprise, Arizona, with distribution of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and attempted coercion and enticement, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between March 16, 2023, and July 30, 2024, Wolff met and then communicated with an undercover federal agent on a forum on the dark web dedicated to discussion of child sexual abuse. The undercover agent had established a profile for a mother with a seven-year-old daughter. Wolff contacted the agent and immediately stated that he had a long-standing sexual interest in girls, and he hoped to have a sexual relationship with the agent and her purported daughter. Wolff moved the communications to Telegram, a fully encrypted application that does not cooperate with law enforcement, and frequently sent videos of himself while viewing and commenting on some of his favorite child exploitation videos. He planned to meet the agent and her daughter in California and described in graphic detail how he wanted to sexually abuse the girl and to have another child with the mother so he could sexually abuse that child.
On Aug. 28, 2024, federal agents served a search warrant at Wolff’s residence and seized the devices that had been used to commit the charged offenses. A federal magistrate judge in Phoenix, Arizona, ordered Wolff detained as a danger to the community, and he will appear before a magistrate judge in Fresno as soon as he arrives in the Eastern District of California.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional victims in this case and urges anyone with information to come forward by calling the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's (NCMEC) website.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, principally Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the distribution count, Wolff faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the attempted coercion count, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Appling County man sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of childrenRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: An Appling County man has been sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison for attempting to coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Todd Eric Sisk, 50, of Baxley, Ga., was sentenced to 280 months in prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Sisk to pay $10,600 in restitution and assessments, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Predators regularly use the internet to prey on our most vulnerable citizens, and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to identify and eliminate these threats,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We are committed to keeping our children safe from those who would exploit them.”
During a November 2021 undercover online operation, investigators from the Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office identified Sisk as using apps to communicate with minors. The investigators contacted Homeland Security Investigations in Savannah for assistance.
As described in the plea agreement, investigators determined that Sisk paid a user on Twitter, whom he believed to be 13 years old, to produce a video of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also attempted to persuade at least four other self-identified minors to produce sexually explicit images.
“The defendant’s attempts to sexually exploit minors was thankfully unsuccessful and he is being held accountable for this predatory behavior,” said Steven N. Schrank, acting special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta that covers Georgia and Alabama. “Today’s sentencing is the result of the dedicated work of HSI and its law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to protect children from exploitation.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Baxley Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. Blanchard.
12 KC-Area Men Indicted for Fentanyl Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A dozen Kansas City metropolitan area men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in at least one death, and to illegally possessing firearms.
Justin D. Rivera, also known as “JD,” 20, Yael Figueroa, also known as “Grit,” 23, Jose R. Lugo, Jr., also known as “El Wey,” 20, Aaron Contreras-Jaquez, also known as “Van Kleefy,” 24, Jose Lorenzo-Medina, 24, and Antonio R. Baeza-Brown, also known as “Tony,” 25, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Simon L. Figueroa, 26, and Jonathan Gonzales, 25, both citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo.; Luis Calvillo-Ortiz, also known as “Loc,” 19, of Independence, Mo.; and Marcos Favian Alvarado, also known as “Baby Face,” 20, Chad B. Green, also known as “Gso Yad,” 24, and Crencio Carbajal-Loya, 18, all of Kansas City, Kansas, were charged in a 35-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The federal indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants.
Three residential search warrants also were executed today. Law enforcement officers seized 6,738 fentanyl pills, 11 firearms, including a machinegun, five stolen automobiles, and more than $75,000 in cash.
The federal indictment alleges that all 12 of the defendants have participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl since Dec. 1, 2022. The indictment also alleges that all 12 of the defendants have participated in a conspiracy to use and carry firearms in relation to that drug-trafficking conspiracy.
In addition to the drug-trafficking and firearms conspiracies, Rivera is charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a victim identified as “M.M.” on May 7, 2023. Rivera is also charged with eight counts of distributing fentanyl, three counts of using and carrying firearms during a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of using and carrying a machine gun during a drug-trafficking crime.
Alvarado is also charged with one count of distributing fentanyl, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.
Yael Figueroa is also charged with four counts of distributing fentanyl and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.
Medina is also charged with four counts of distributing fentanyl.
Contreras-Jaquez is also charged with two counts of distributing fentanyl and two counts of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
Calvillo-Ortiz, Gonzales, and Simon Figueroa each are also charged with one count of distributing fentanyl.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
12 September 2024
West Point man sentenced to prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – A West Point man was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Quishaun Bennett, 36, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Bennett to 120 months in prison following his drug trafficking conviction. Upon release from prison, Bennett will serve a three-year term of supervised release. Bennett was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals after sentencing.
“Those individuals who choose to sell illicit drugs like methamphetamine in our communities need to know that we will not only prosecute them for their illegal acts, but we will also seek significant sentences to remove them from the drug trade and from the communities that they are irreparably harming,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.
“Methamphetamine brings turmoil into the lives of those who are addicted to or live around it. The Drug Enforcement Administration, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to attack the scourge of methamphetamine distribution in the Northern District of Mississippi and beyond,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa McDaniels-McCaw. “The lengthy sentencing of this individual should be a warning to those who want to sell drugs. We are going to catch you and put you in prison for a long time if you distribute this poison in our communities.”
"Illicit drugs have no place on Mississippi streets,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “Our thanks go out to all involved for their dedication to investigating, prosecuting, and sentencing these cases appropriately, sending a clear message that drug trafficking has no place in our state. Outstanding work by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and all supporting agencies in this case, ensuring the continued safety of our communities."
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program in partnership with state and local law enforcement. Other agencies assisting with the investigation included the U.S. Marshal’s Service, FBI and the Clay County’s Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.
This investigation and resulting case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Wasilla man charged with carjacking, discharging a firearm during 2023 Wasilla shootingRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging a Wasilla man with carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in January 2023.
According to federal and state court documents, the victim in this case purchased a car that had once belonged to Peter Henry Boyer, 51, from a private seller. Boyer believed that the car had been stolen from him and was able to identify the victim as the new owner. After threatening the victim’s parents via social media, he found her in the car about to leave a residence in Wasilla on January 3, 2024. Boyer allegedly forced the victim out of the car at gunpoint, shot her in the leg and drove away in the vehicle.
Boyer is charged with one count of carjacking and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The defendant made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais and Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes made the announcement.
The ATF Anchorage Field Office and the Alaska State Troopers are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Klugman is 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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Washington, D.C. Man and Berkeley County Man Sentenced for Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men were sentenced for firearms violations in the Eastern Panhandle.
Kevin Nicholas Munroe, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm and interstate violation of a protection order. According to court documents, West Virginia State Police were investigating a shooting that led to Munroe, who had an active domestic violence protective order against him filed in Los Angeles, California. Munroe, who is prohibited from having firearms, was located in Martinsburg and was in possession of a .45 caliber revolver.
Following his prison sentence, Munroe will serve three years of supervised release. \
Mario Adonte Crawley, 52, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, a search of Crawley’s vehicle during a traffic stop in Kearneysville, West Virginia, uncovered a 9mm loaded handgun. Crawley is prohibited from having firearms because of prior convictions of assault, obstructing justice, and armed robbery in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Crawley will serve 3 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Kane and Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. District Court Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Waltham Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Waltham man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Robert Daigle, 48 was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 71 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In June 2024, Daigle pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
On Jan. 11, 2022, approximately 10 electronic devices belonging to the Daigle were seized during a search of his residence. The majority of those devices were located in Daigle’s bedroom. Daigle admitted to downloading hundreds to thousands of CSAM for approximately 20 years. A forensic examination of one device was found to have approximately 1,100 child pornography images and approximately 900 child pornography videos. A second device was found to have approximately 380 child pornography images.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
United States Attorney’s Office Hosts United Against Hate Event in MarshalltownRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa will host a public outreach event focused on identifying and reporting hate crimes on Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. at the Marshalltown Public Library, located at 105 West Boone Street, Marshalltown, Iowa.
United Against Hate is a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating unlawful acts of hate by educating the public about federal hate crimes and anti-discrimination statutes. The program encourages the reporting of hate crimes, hate incidents, and unlawful discrimination to a local, county, and/or state law enforcement agency and the Department of Justice.
“Hate crimes and hate incidents are traumatic for not only victims and their families, but also for the communities in which they occur. These crimes are a high priority for our office. Hate can divide us. But a community that unites behind the goals of holding these individuals accountable, and providing support, understanding and active listening, can lessen both the risk and the impact of these crimes,” said United States Attorney Rich Westphal. “We are looking forward to hearing from the panel about the importance of reporting hate crimes and from the audience about how these issues impact them personally and impact their entire community.”
The United Against Hate event will include an interactive panel discussion with representatives from the Marshalltown Police Department, the Marshall County Attorney’s office, and Child Adolescent and Parent Support, a Marshalltown-based nonprofit.
To report a hate crime to the FBI, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov/home or contact your local field office.
Civil rights violations occurring in the Southern District of Iowa can be report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office using the complaint form located at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/civil-rights or the U.S. Department of Justice at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
U.S. Citizens Convicted of Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the Russian GovernmentRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A jury today found Omali Yeshitela, 82, of St. Louis, Missouri, Penny Hess, 78, of St. Louis, Missouri, Jesse Nevel, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri and Augustus C. Romain, Jr., 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, guilty of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The defendants were charged in a superseding indictment on April 13, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least May 2015 until July 2022, Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel agreed to act on behalf of the Russian government within the United States. Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, was the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and funded by the Russian government. Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel were leaders of the African People’s Socialist Party or components thereof (APSP). Augustus C. Romain was a high-level leader of the APSP who, in November 2018, left and formed a Georgia-based group called the Black Hammer. Ionov’s influence efforts were directed and supervised by Moscow-based Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, including indicted defendants Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov.
In May 2015, Ionov invited Yeshitela to Russia for an all-expenses paid trip to “communicate on future cooperation.” Prior to this trip, Hess relayed a request to Ionov to ensure that Yeshitela would be able to meet with an “official representative of the Russian government.” According to subsequent email communications, which were shared with Hess, Nevel and Romain, Yeshitela explained that it was “clear” that Ionov was an instrument of the Russian government. In these same communications, Yeshitela further explained that Ionov represented “a method by which the Russian government is engaging the U.S. and Europe in serious struggle” by utilizing “forces inside of the U.S. to s[o]w division inside the U.S.” In a subsequent meeting, at which Hess and Nevel were present, Yeshitela explained that Ionov would only provide resources for actions that would support Russia’s efforts to “undermin[e] the U.S.”
Acting under Ionov’s direction, the defendants took several actions within the United States. For example, in August 2015, Ionov requested that Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel draft and publish a petition to the United Nations charging the United States with actively committing genocide against African people. When Hess resisted, Ionov insisted that the APSP had to publish the petition because Ionov and his Russian backers were “not exactly Black to demand it for ourselves.” Hess subsequently drafted and published the requested petition, which Ionov promoted in Russian media.
In January 2016, Ionov provided a $12,000 guarantee letter to fund a four-city tour to promote the genocide petition that the APSP had published at his direction. Yeshitela and Hess oversaw the tour and reported information about the tour to Ionov. After the tour, Yeshitela explained in an APSP meeting that the APSP had “developed a relationship with forces in Russia who are involved in their own struggle with the US.”
In 2017, and again in 2019, Ionov attempted to influence local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, on behalf of the FSB, although there is no evidence that he succeeded in doing so. For example, in July 2017, Ionov reached out to Nevel —who was a candidate for Mayor in St. Petersburg — to offer support, including “campaign finance.” In 2019, Ionov regularly reported to the FSB concerning an election for local office in St. Petersburg, referring to one candidate as the candidate “whom we supervise.” And, in January 2020, FSB Officer Popov directed Ionov that the United States’ 2020 Presidential election was the FSB’s “main topic of the year.”
In April 2020, Ionov invited Nevel and Yeshitela to speak at a conference to promote the right of self-determination for Russian-backed secessionist movements in eastern Ukraine. Shortly thereafter, Yeshitela provided a video-recorded statement of support for the Russian-backed secessionist group. Ionov reported to the FSB concerning these activities.
In late February 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ionov complained to FSB Officer Sukhodolov concerning Russia’s failure in the information war surrounding the invasion. Sukhodolov directed Ionov to “join in” in the information war. Ionov then directed Yeshitela and Romain to engage in demonstrations at a social media company headquarters in California to demonstrate against suppression of pro-Russian viewpoints. Ionov paid for Romain and three other members of Black Hammer to fly to California to conduct the demonstration, and Yeshitela directed members of the APSP located in California to conduct a similar protest a few days later. After the Black Hammer demonstration, Romain messaged Ionov: “This is great! That was fun! Who we attacking next? With more time I can get a bigger crowd.”
In May 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at a media company in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate Russia’s “Victory Day.” In June 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at the Georgia state capitol in support of Russia. During the demonstration, Romain stated that he was “not ashamed to say that the Black Hammer Party has relationships with the Kremlin,” in reference to Ionov.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Citizens Convicted of Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the Russian GovernmentRead the Press Release
A jury today convicted Omali Yeshitela, 82, Penny Hess, 78, Jesse Nevel, 34, all of St. Louis, and Augustus C. Romain Jr., 38, of Atlanta, of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government. The defendants were charged in a superseding indictment on April 13, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least May 2015 until July 2022, Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel agreed to act on behalf of the Russian government within the United States. Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, was the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and funded by the Russian government. Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel were leaders of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP) or components thereof. Augustus C. Romain was a high-level leader of the APSP who, in November 2018, left and formed a Georgia-based group called the Black Hammer. Ionov’s influence efforts were directed and supervised by Moscow-based Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, including indicted defendants Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov.
In May 2015, Ionov invited Yeshitela to Russia for an all-expenses paid trip to “communicate on future cooperation.” Prior to this trip, Hess relayed a request to Ionov to ensure that Yeshitela would be able to meet with an “official representative of the Russian government.” According to subsequent email communications, which were shared with Hess, Nevel and Romain, Yeshitela explained that it was “clear” that Ionov was an instrument of the Russian government. In these same communications, Yeshitela further explained that Ionov represented “a method by which the Russian government is engaging the U.S. and Europe in serious struggle” by utilizing “forces inside of the U.S. to s[o]w division inside the U.S.” In a subsequent meeting, at which Hess and Nevel were present, Yeshitela explained that Ionov would only provide resources for actions that would support Russia’s efforts to “undermin[e] the U.S.”
Acting under Ionov’s direction, the defendants took several actions within the United States. For example, in August 2015, Ionov requested that Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel draft and publish a petition to the United Nations charging the United States with actively committing genocide against African people. When Hess resisted, Ionov insisted that the APSP had to publish the petition because Ionov and his Russian backers were “not exactly Black to demand it for ourselves.” Hess subsequently drafted and published the requested petition, which Ionov promoted in Russian media.
In January 2016, Ionov provided a $12,000 guarantee letter to fund a four-city tour to promote the genocide petition that the APSP had published at his direction. Yeshitela and Hess oversaw the tour and reported information about the tour to Ionov. After the tour, Yeshitela explained in an APSP meeting that the APSP had “developed a relationship with forces in Russia who are involved in their own struggle with the US.”
In 2017, and again in 2019, Ionov attempted to influence local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, on behalf of the FSB, although there is no evidence that he succeeded in doing so. For example, in July 2017, Ionov reached out to Nevel —who was a candidate for Mayor in St. Petersburg — to offer support, including “campaign finance.” In 2019, Ionov regularly reported to the FSB concerning an election for local office in St. Petersburg, referring to one candidate as the candidate “whom we supervise.” And, in January 2020, FSB Officer Popov directed Ionov that the United States’ 2020 Presidential election was the FSB’s “main topic of the year.”
In April 2020, Ionov invited Nevel and Yeshitela to speak at a conference to promote the right of self-determination for Russian-backed secessionist movements in eastern Ukraine. Shortly thereafter, Yeshitela provided a video-recorded statement of support for the Russian-backed secessionist group. Ionov reported to the FSB concerning these activities.
In late February 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ionov complained to FSB Officer Sukhodolov concerning Russia’s failure in the information war surrounding the invasion. Sukhodolov directed Ionov to “join in” in the information war. Ionov then directed Yeshitela and Romain to engage in demonstrations at a social media company headquarters in California to demonstrate against suppression of pro-Russian viewpoints. Ionov paid for Romain and three other members of Black Hammer to fly to California to conduct the demonstration, and Yeshitela directed members of the APSP located in California to conduct a similar protest a few days later. After the Black Hammer demonstration, Romain messaged Ionov: “This is great! That was fun! Who we attacking next? With more time I can get a bigger crowd.”
In May 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at a media company in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate Russia’s “Victory Day.” In June 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at the Georgia state capitol in support of Russia. During the demonstration, Romain stated that he was “not ashamed to say that the Black Hammer Party has relationships with the Kremlin,” in reference to Ionov.
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles Disability Discrimination Allegations with the Allergy and Asthma Center in RochesterRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A settlement agreement has been reached with the Allergy and Asthma Center (“the Center”) in Rochester to resolve allegations that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
“The ADA ensures that persons with disabilities can live their life free of discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The ADA’s requirement that public accommodations provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure that communication is effective protects individuals’ independence and freedom of choice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to use every resource and tool available to us to enforce the ADA and protect the rights of Granite Staters.”
The agreement resolves a complaint referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that the Center discriminated against a parent, who is deaf. According to the complainant, the Center canceled a child’s scheduled medical appointment after learning that the complainant, who planned to accompany their child to the appointment, would require a qualified ASL interpreter or similar accommodation for effective communication. The Center’s failure to timely accommodate the complainant resulted in an appreciable delay in care for the child after the complainant had to seek treatment for the child at a different provider.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Center has agreed to adopt new ADA policies and practices regarding effective communication and securing qualified interpreters for patients; train its staff on these policies; track future requests for auxiliary aids or services; and cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure ongoing compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement. Additionally, the Center has agreed to pay compensatory damages to the complainant and their child.
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation, including medical clinics. It requires places of public accommodation to provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure that communication is effective. Such aids and services can include ASL interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and must be paid for by the place of public accommodation.
The Center fully cooperated with the government’s investigation.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a place of public accommodation or public entity in New Hampshire is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (603) 225-1552 or through the Civil Rights Public Complaint Form found here. For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
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Two Miramar Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of A U.S. Postal Service Mail CarrierRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Christopher Raymond (20, Miramar) to nine years in federal prison and Andre Hylton (20, Miramar) to eight years in federal prison for committing an armed robbery of a postal carrier and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to that crime. The court also ordered Raymond and Hylton to forfeit a Glock 23 firearm and assorted ammunition, which were involved in the commission of the offense. Raymond and Hylton entered guilty pleas in May 2024.
According to court documents, on September 21, 2023, Raymond and Hylton traveled to Tampa in a rental vehicle. Around 3:40 p.m. that day, they spotted a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier who was delivering mail outside of his truck. Raymond entered the USPS truck, stole the keys from inside, and fled in the rental vehicle driven by Hylton. Later, around 4:30 p.m., they encountered another mail carrier delivering mail approximately one mile away from the earlier theft. Raymond approached the mail carrier, pulled a firearm from his waistband, and pointed it at the mail carrier. Raymond demanded USPS serialized keys (master keys that can be used to open several USPS mailboxes). The mail carrier handed two serialized keys to Raymond, who then ran into the vehicle driven by Hylton, and they fled the area.
The next day, police in Miramar encountered the rental vehicle, which Raymond was now driving, and conducted a traffic stop. Police searched the car and found a Glock 23 firearm with an extended magazine loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition, a general USPS key (not a serialized key), a black ski mask, and mail.
“The sentencing of these two individuals demonstrates the commitment of the United States Postal Inspection Service to the safety of Postal Service employees and customers,” said Miami Division Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas. “However, our work is not done, we will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer by continuing to arrest those accountable for these crimes.”
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Tampa Police Department, the Miramar Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilyssa M. Spergel and Ross Roberts.
Two MPD Officers Sentenced for 2020 Murder of Karon Hylton-Brown and Subsequent CoverupRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON -- Terence D. Sutton Jr., 40, a Fourth District police officer, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison and Andrew Zabavsky, 56, an MPD lieutenant, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, in connection with an unauthorized police pursuit that ended in a collision on Oct. 23, 2020, that caused the death of Karon Hylton-Brown, 20, in Northwest Washington D.C. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office.
Sutton was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a unanimous federal jury on December 21, 2022, following a nine-week trial, of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice. The same jury found Zabavsky guilty of conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of justice. In addition to the prison terms, U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman ordered each defendant to serve three years of supervised release.
“The jury in this case found the defendants guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for their roles in the murder of Karon Hylton Brown and a related cover up, affirming that what happened here was a serious crime,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “Public safety requires public trust. Crimes like this erode that trust and are a disservice to the community and the thousands of officers who work incredibly hard, within the bounds of the Constitution, to keep us safe.”
“The FBI follows the rule of law and works to hold those accountable who violate the law, no matter who they are,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Geist. “The community and fellow law enforcement officers deserve trusted officers that do not abuse their positions of trust and power or put the public at risk. Today’s sentencings show the weight of the crimes and the significance of the criminal justice system and processes at work.”
The jury found that Sutton caused Mr. Hylton-Brown’s death by driving a police vehicle in conscious disregard for an extreme risk of death or serious bodily injury to Mr. Hylton-Brown. The jury further found that Sutton and Zabavsky conspired to hide from MPD officials the circumstances of the traffic crash leading to Mr. Hylton-Brown’s death, thereby obstructing justice.
As the evidence at trial showed, at the time of the offense, Sutton was assigned to the Crime Suppression Team in MPD’s Fourth Police District. Zabavsky supervised the Fourth Police District’s Crime Suppression Team officers, including Sutton. At about 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, officers observed Mr. Hylton-Brown, 20, driving a moped, helmetless, on a sidewalk in the Brightwood Park area of Northwest Washington. Mr. Hylton-Brown, who was unarmed, ignored Sutton’s attempt to stop him and drove off. Sutton then began chasing Mr. Hylton-Brown on neighborhood streets for minutes, over more than 10 blocks, at unreasonable speeds, and at one point proceeding the wrong way up a one-way street. In the pursuit’s final moments, Sutton followed Mr. Hylton-Brown into a narrow alley, turned off his car’s emergency lights and siren, and accelerated behind the moped. When Mr. Hylton-Brown reached the street at the mouth of the alley, he was struck by an uninvolved oncoming motorist. As Mr. Hylton-Brown lay unconscious in the street in a pool of his own blood, Sutton and Zabavsky, agreed to cover up what Sutton had done to prevent any further investigation of the incident.
Neither Sutton, as the lead officer at the scene, nor Zabavsky, the ranking MPD official, preserved the crash scene for investigators; they allowed the driver of the car that struck Hylton-Brown to leave the scene within 20 minutes of the crash. They then turned off their own body worn cameras, conferred privately, and left. Zabavsky designated no other MPD official to supervise the scene upon his own departure. Sutton further compromised the integrity of the crash scene by driving his MPD car directly over the crash site, audibly crushing pieces of debris from the collision as he left. At no point did either defendant contact MPD’s Major Crash Unit (MCU) or its Internal Affairs Division (IAD) to initiate an investigation by those units.
Sutton and Zabavsky continued the cover up back at the police station. First, they misled their commanding officer about the nature of the incident by substantially downplaying its seriousness, denying that a police chase had even occurred, and omitting any mention of Mr. Hylton-Brown’s critical injuries. Zabavsky also falsely implied that Mr. Hylton-Brown had been a drunk driver. Both defendants also hid their direct involvement in the incident, thereby avoiding the assignment of other, uninvolved MPD officials to investigate what had happened. Sutton drafted a police report that memorialized a false narrative of the incident. Despite video evidence to the contrary, his false narrative gave the impression that no police pursuit had occurred, that officers had lost sight of Mr. Hylton-Brown and were engaged in a “canvass” of him in the area until shortly before the crash, and that the officers were wholly uninvolved with the fatal collision in any way. The defendant’s account also described Mr. Hylton Brown’s observable injuries only as “superficial abrasions on [his] left eyebrow line.”
Mr. Hylton-Brown, suffering from severe head trauma, died on Oct. 25, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Two Idaho Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Separate Sex Crimes Involving Minor ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOISE and POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes in two separate District of Idaho cases in which the defendants were sentenced to 24 years and over 21 years in federal prison, respectively, for sex crimes against minor children.
“Our prosecutors and victim support staff are second to none when it comes to holding child predators accountable and supporting victims on the path towards healing,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Protecting Idaho’s children is a sacred duty for my office, and we are lucky to work with so many dedicated partners in this mission.”
On September 10, 2024, Nicholas Glenn Baker 37, of Twin Falls, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of a child.
According to court records, on July 17, 2023, detectives with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began an investigation after receiving a report that child pornography had been uploaded to an online file storage account. Detectives determined that the account belonged to Rexanna Marie Johnston of Idaho Falls. Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on Johnston’s residence and electronic devices. Detectives discovered that Johnston had produced images of a child pornography of an infant that was in her custody. Detectives further recovered online chat communications between Johnston and Baker. In those communications Johnston and Baker discussed their sexual interests in children, and child pornography. Johnston also sent Baker child pornography images she had produced of the infant in her custody. Baker then asked for Johnston to produce additional child pornographic images of the infant and send them to him, which she did. (Johnston pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation charges on May 22, 2024, and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for November 19, 2024.) When detectives arrested Baker he admitted that he knew the infant in Johnston’s custody was a real child, that he requested Johnston produce and send him child pornography images of the infant, and that he received those images.
“Our job, as HSI special agents or in working through our many partnerships, is to protect the most vulnerable. This 288 month sentence helps to accomplish that,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Every image of child exploitation represents a life that has been altered by a child predator, and as a community we can be ever more vigilant to reduce the amount of these images that are distributed online.”
“I am continually grateful for the hard work and partnerships that enable us to successfully investigate and prosecute these horrific crimes against children,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “Removing these predators from our neighborhoods is a top priority for all of us and I’m encouraged to see the courts delivering sentences that are commensurate with the crimes.”
“We are proud of the work done in this case by Idaho Falls Police Investigators and grateful for our partnerships with the US Attorney’s Office and the ICAC Taskforce,” said Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson. “This case underscores the important work being done through these partnerships – protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities and seeking justice on their behalf.”
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered that Baker serve a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence. Baker will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.
In a separate case, Alexis Alatriste, 27, of Nampa, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child.
According to court records, on January 5, 2024, a citizen reported to the Nampa Police Department that she had found videos on Alatriste’s cellphone of Alatriste sexually abusing the four-year-old victim. Investigators seized and examined Alatriste’s cellphone after obtaining a search warrant. Alatriste had deleted the explicit videos, but investigators recovered the videos using forensic tools. Investigators determined that Alatriste had used his cellphone to record the videos of himself sexually abusing the victim. Investigators also located other files of child pornography on the cellphone.
“This case is an excellent example of the importance of strong partnerships between local and federal agencies. Our teamwork successfully brought this case to a positive resolution, with Mr. Alatriste serving time in prison for this terrible crime. We’ll continue to work together to help protect our community,” said Nampa Police Chief Joe Huff.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Alatriste to be placed on lifetime supervised release after the end of his prison term. Alatriste will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.
The Baker case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Idaho ICAC Task Force. The Alatriste case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Paskett and Kassandra McGrady prosecuted these cases.
These cases were 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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal 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.
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Tucson Man Indicted for Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Matthew Leyvas, 28, of Tucson, on one count of Second-Degree Murder. Leyvas is an enrolled member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
The indictment alleges that, on August 8, 2024, Leyvas stabbed the victim multiple times. The victim was promptly transported to Banner University Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Second-Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pascua Yaqui Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Micah Schmit, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-24-5789-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-121_Leyvas# # #
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.